US3695072A

US3695072A - Pushbutton combination locks

Info

Publication number: US3695072A
Application number: US37525A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth A Milette
Original assignee: Samsonite Corp
Current assignee: Samsonite Corp
Priority date: 1970-05-15
Filing date: 1970-05-15
Publication date: 1972-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-03
Also published as: LU63165A1; NL7106661A; DE2124180A1; BE767219A; FR2091711A5

Abstract

A series of keys partially encircle corresponding pawls having legs extending into a center slot of a slide bar, with a side slot at each side of the center slot, in which a pawl leg is placed, when the corresponding key is a part of the combination. When a key which is part of the combination is pushed, the corresponding pawl is turned, and its leg is moved from the side slot into the center slot of the slide bar. If a key not a part of the combination is pushed, the leg of the corresponding pawl will be moved into the opposite side slot. When the proper key combination is pushed, all of the pawl legs will then be in the center slot of the side bar, movement of which is then permitted, such as to unlock a catch, as of a luggage case. The keys are placed in pairs along a rocking bar, which is rocked by a restore key mounted thereon in alignment with the pawl keys, so as to move the down keys to an up position, or to move the keys of the combination to an up position, when pushed downwardly for setting the combination. For the latter purpose, the pawls are movable simultaneously by a lever, such as accessible on the inside of the luggage case, to move projections on the pawls away from dual sets of slots in the corresponding keys and permit the pawls to be returned, after the keys forming the combination are pushed down. The lock is particularly adapted to be installed between the pivoted ends of the handle of a luggage case.

Description

Oct. 3,1972

United States Patent Milette having legs extending into a center slot of a slide bar,

[54] PUSHBUTTON COMBINATION LOCKS [72] inventor Kenneth A. Milette Pasadena Calm with a side slot at each side of the center slot, in which when the corresponding key is a a pawl leg is placed p a the combination is Corporation, Denver,

art of the combination. When a key which is part of [73] Assignee: Samsonite pushed, the corresponding pawl is g is moved from the side slot into the turned, and its le [22] Filed: May 15, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 37,525

center slot of the slide bar. If a key not a part of the combination is pushed, the leg of the corresponding awl will be moved into the opposite side slot. When the proper key combination is pushed all of the pawl legs will then be in the center 5 movement'of which is then permitte b a m& M mm e s lock a catch, as of a luggage case. The keys are placed in pairs along a rocking bar, which is rocked by a restore key mounted thereon in alignment with the pawl keys, so as to move the down keys to an up positlon, or to move the keys of the combination to an up position, when pushed downwardly for setting the combination. For the latter purpose,

.70/312, 70/318 [51] Int. 37/02, E05b 65/52 [58] Field of Search........70/287, 312, 318, 315, 288, 70/314 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,408,835 11/1968 Bauer ......................-70/288 X 2,393,465 l/1946 Gray........................70/3l2X ble simultaneously by a lever such as accessible 1 287 435 Rega........................70/3l2 x on the inside of the luggage case, to move PI'OJGCIIOIIS 1,583,687 5/1926 Hatch......................70/3l8 X on the pawls away from dual Sets of slots in the cob responding keys and permit the pawls to be returned, after the keys forming the combination are pushed down. The lock is particularly adapted to be installed between the pivoted ends of the'handle of a luggage case.

8 8 0 0 S m AW mm LN mm .n R8 0m Sw ms m M NW mlu-l 7 2 w Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr. AttorneyVan Valkenburgh and Lowe 13 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures ABSTRACT A series of keys partially encircle corresponding pawls PATENIEBIIms I972 3,695,072

. sum 1 [IF 4 IN VEN TOR.

Kenneth AMHette A Horneys PAIENTEU 3 SHEET 2 BF 4 IN VEN TOR.

PATENTEDum 3 I972 SHEET 3 OF 4 IN VEN TOR. Kenneth A. Milefie Z MY w-L Attorneys PATENTEDUBT 3 I972 SHEET k 0F 4 IN VENT 0R.

Kenneth A. Milefle l/a/M WW v'gqpa Attorneys v PUSHBUI'ION COMBINATION LOCKS This invention relates to combination locks, and more particularly to pushbutton combination locks adapted for use on luggage cases and the like.

The locking of luggage cases has been a long standing problem for manufacturers of luggage cases and the like. An extremely popular type of luggage case is that of the Willard G. Axtell US. Pat. No. 2,950,793, which is provided with latches of the type of the Lee F. Garmon and Willard G. Axtell US. Pat. No. 3,034,327. A key operated lock is provided on the lift lever of each latch, so as to lock the lift levers in closed position. This has the advantage of preventing the latches from being accidentally opened by a blow on the end of the luggage case, or opened by amateurs in tampering. However, to provide an individual key for each luggage case and locks on the latches, which can be opened by this key only, requires the lock structure to be considerably more complicated and also results in an'inordinate cost of .the luggage cases. In addition, anyone who loses such a key or temporarily misplaces such a key is in the position of being unable to gain entrance to the luggage case, without partial destruction thereof, until a new key can be obtained. Thus, it has been customary to use the same lock opened by any key for a line of luggage cases, but professional thieves have been able to gain entrance to luggage cases, even when only a relatively short period of time is available.

More recently, combination locks, have been introduced which include a number of dials tumable to a particular position corresponding tonumbersplaced on the dials, so that a latch could be unlatched when the dials are turned to the proper combination. However, for a luggage case having a pair of latches, one lock for each latch is necessary. Also, most of such combination locks must be preset at the factory and the combination cannot be changed, except by an expert. Thus, each purchaser of a luggage case with such locks is faced with the task of memorizing the combination, normally numbers or letters of no particular significance to the purchaser, or make sure that a record of the combination is carried on his or her person. Due to the relatively small space available on each latch of the type to which such combination locks have been applied, the dials are necessarily quite small, with the numbers and letters thereon being comparably insignificant, so that not only are the dials difficult .to turn to the desired position, but the numbers and letters are difficult. to read. Thus, a combination lock particularly adapted for luggage cases, the combination of which can be changed by the owner, rather than required to be preset at thefactory, will enable the owner to recall the combination more readily, since the owner's telephone number or street address, for instance, may be utilized as a basis for the combination. Furthermore, a combination lock having buttons which may be pushed, so as to be either up or down, is considerably easier to operate than one which requires a number of extremely small dials to be turned to specific positions.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a'novel combination lock; to provide such a combination lock which is particularly adapted to be utilized on luggage cases; to provide such a combination lock which embodies pushbuttons which merely require pressure by the user, rather than the twisting or turning of a relatively small dial; to provide such a combination lock which is particularly adapted to be placed in a protected position, such as beneath the handle of a luggage case; to provide such a combination lock which is adapted to cooperate with a pair of latches at spaced positions therefrom; to provide such a combination lock, the combination of which may be set to any desired group of numbers by an inexperienced person; to provide such a combination lock, the combination of which can be set only from he inside of the luggage case when open; to provide such a combination lock, the majority of the parts of which may be molded from a plastic or the like; to provide such a combination lock which provides a sufficient number of possible combinations that mere random punching of the pushbuttons thereof would normally require more than a thousand different combinations to be punched before the correct combination was accidentally obtained; to provide such a combination lock which does not require an undue amount of space when installed on a luggage case; to'provide such a combination lock which corresponds in shape to the space available along one side of a luggage case, particularly an elongated rectangle', and to provide such a combination lock which is effective and efficient in operation.

The foregoing and additional objects of this invention, as well as the novel features thereof, will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the top of a luggage case on which a pushbutton lock constructed in accordance with this invention is installed, with the opposite half of the luggage case also shown fragmentarily and being separated to show the catches which cooperate with the latches, the locking of which is controlled by the pushbutton lock;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the parts comprising the pushbutton lock of FIG. 1, with a pair of housings and certain sets of keys and pawls omitted, for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the end opposite that of FIG. 2 of a pushbutton or key and the pawl associated therewith, which forms a part of the pushbutton lock of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a similar exploded perspective view, but showing an oppositely disposed pushbutton or key and pawl associated therewith;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pushbuttons or keys and the pawls of FIGS. 2 and 3, each in assembled relation;

FIG. 6 is a transverse section, taken along line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, taken at the position of line 7-7 of FIG. 2, but with the parts in assembled position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a restore pushbutton or key, utilized with a rocking bar in restoring the pushbuttons or keys to an up position;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the restore key of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective detail looking from the underside and showing the mounting of the restore key of FIG. 8 on one end of the rocking bar;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the handle and its attachments and an interior perspective of one housing,

shown in exploded relation, such just prior to assembly thereof;

FIG. 12is an underneath perspective view of the handle and its attachments and the parts shown in FIG. 2 in assembled relation thereto, with one housing assembled and the other in perspective exploded relation, such as just prior to assembly thereto;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective detail, on a larger scale, showing the relationship between a spring for a pawl and key pivot rod and a part of one of the housings, when assembled together; and

, FIG. 14 is a similar fragmentary perspective detail, showing the connection of a slide spring to a rivet for the housings, in assembled relation.

Referring to the drawings, as in FIG. 1, a luggage case may include opposed halves and 11, with frames 12 and 13 thereof being disposed in opposed positions and constructed, for instance, as in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,793. A pair of latches, each having a lift lever 14, may be mounted at spaced positions on frame 12 and constructed in a suitable man'ner,,as in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,327. Each latch is adapted to engage a catch mounted on the opposite half of the luggage case and extending from beneath the corresponding frame" 13. The lift levers 14 are shown in closed position, but it will be understood that they are lifted upwardly or away from the frame 12, to permit the corresponding catch 15 to move beneath the corresponding lift lever, when the luggage case halves are closed. When the lift lever is then moved to the closed position shown, the corresponding catch will be engaged by a slide (not I shown), forming a part of the latch, and the neck or narrower portion of each catch 15 will be disposed within a slot 16 in one side of the lift lever. The luggage case is also provided with a handle 18, which is pivotally attached, as to the frame 12, for lifting and carrying the case about.

A pushbutton combination lock constructed in accordance with this invention may, as in FIGS. 1 and 2, include a series of similar pushbuttons or keys K on one side and another series of similar pushbuttons or keys K on-the opposite side. The keys K and K' may have any suitable numerical or letter designation, although the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for the keys K and the numbers 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0 for the keys K, as shown in FIG. 1, comprise a simple and convenient nomenclature. These ten numbers provide over a thousand possible combinations. A pawl P, as in FIGS. 2 and 5, is associated with each of the keys K, while a pawl P is associated with each of the keys K. The keys and pawls are shown in separated relation, in FIG. 2, and only two of the five sets are shown, for clarity of illustration, but when, assembled together forpivotal movement on a central pivot-rod 20, the keys and pawls are disposed longitudinally of a rock bar B, along which .the pivot the keys and also longitudinally beyond each end of the handle 18. The slide S is movable in the housings H and H, in a manner described later, and is normally urged to what may be called a locked" position by a tension spring 25 of FIG. 2, the exact position of which will be described later. The keys'K and K and the pawls P and P may be molded from a suitable plastic, such as Delrin, while the slide S may be formed of steel and the rock bar B may be cast in zinc or a zinc composition, such as Zamac, although other suitable materials may be utilized.

In general, the depending leg 26 of each pawl P will occupy the center slot 21 of slide S, when the corresponding key K is either not part of the combination or is a part of the combination but has been pushed down. Thus, the leg 26 of a pawl P associated with a key K which is a part of the combination will normally occupy a sideslot 23 until that key is pushed down, when the leg 26 of that pawl P moves into the center slot 21 of the slide S. Similarly, a depending leg 26' of a pawl P' associated with a key K will normally occupy the center slot 21 of slide S, when the corresponding key K' is not a part of the combination, but will occupy a side slot 24, when the corresponding key is a part of the combination, but will move into the center slot 21,

' when this corresponding key is pushed down. As will be evident, when all of the depending legs 26 and 26' of the pawls P and P' are in aligned position in the center slot 21 of the slide S, the slide may be moved against the pressure of tension spring 25. It will also be noted that, for any key K or K which is not a part of the combination and the depending leg of whose pawl P or P is normally disposed within the center slot 21, if this key should be pushed down in error, the leg of the corresponding pawl P or P will then be moved into the opposite side slot, i.e., into side slot 24 for the pawls P and into side slot 23 for the pawls P, thus locking the slide against longitudinal movement. As will be evident, only one pawl leg 26 or 26' in a

side slot

23 or 24 is sufficient to prevent longitudinal movement of the slide S, so that any key which is part of the combination but is not pushed down, or any key which is not part of the combination but is pushed down, will prevent the slide S from moving. Thus, only those keys which are part of the combination can be pushed down to clear the slide S for longitudinal movement.

As indicated above, the pawls P and P are interfitted with the corresponding keys K and K, with the pawls being pivoted on the pivot rod 20 and the corresponding keys, in turn, encircling a portion of the pawls. The pushbutton combination lock of this invention further includes a restore key R, which is mounted on one end of the rock bar B, to pivot the rock bar in each direction in succession, to restore all of the down keys to an up position, as in the manner described later. A bearing 27 for one end of the pivot rod 20 is associated with a combination setting lever L, or other force multiplication means, which is transversely pivoted within the housings H and H, while a bushing 28 for the opposite end of the pivot rod 20 is associated with a compression spring 29, to permit all of the pawls to be moved longitudinally simultaneously a short distance, so hat each pawl will partially clear the corresponding key, when the stem 30 of combination setting lever L is pushed, from the inside of the luggage case. When the pawls are held away from the keys in this manner, the pawls corresponding to the keys which are to be a part of the combination may then be pivoted into a

side slot

23 or 24 of the slide S, in order to set the combination. The stem 30 of combination setting lever L is released after the combination has been set. Specific details of the preferred construction of the. parts by which this is accomplished will now be described.

Each pawl P, as in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes a cylindrical head 32 includes a cylindrical head 32 which surrounds the pivot rod 20, with a shank 33 depending from the head and spaced from each end thereof. Leg 26 depends from the lower end of the shank, while an ear 34 extends forwardly from the shank and toward the corresponding key K. Each key K includes an upper, upstanding abutment 35 which receives the thrust when the key is pushed down. Abutment 35 may have any suitable shape, such as shown, so that the tops of all of the keys will be substantially flush when the keys are in the up or normal position, as shown in FIG. 1. Each key K is also provided with a generally-cylindrical body 36, with a hole 37 therethrough to receive the head 32 of the corresponding pawl P and an angular slot 38 on the underside to receive the shank 33 of the corresponding pawl, with sufficient clearance for movement of the pawl todiflerent angular positions. The body 36 has a sloping flat 39 and a width corresponding to less than one-half of the width of the abutment 35, in order to accommodate the abutting key K, while a downwardly and laterally divergent segment 40 has a pair of

radial slots

41 and 42, as in FIG. 3, to receive, alternatively, the ear 34. of the corresponding pawl P. Slot 41 may be termed a center slot, since when ear 34 of the corresponding pawl P is in engagement with this slot, as in FIG. 5, the depending leg 26 will be disposed in the center slot 21 of slide S, with the key in up position. Also, the slot 42 may be termed a side slot, since when the ear 34 of the corresponding pawl P is in engagement with this slot, the depending leg 26 of the corresponding pawl will be positioned in a side slot 23 of slide S, again with the key in up position. The key K is also provided with a resilient flange 43 depending from the outer edge of abutment 35 and provided along its upper edge with a lip 44 and along its lower edge with an angular stop 45 adapted to engage a stop rail in the adjacent housing H, described later, with the key in up position. As will be described later, the underside of rock bar B engages the segment 40 of each key K when the rock bar B is rocked to one side to move all of the keys K to an up position.

Each pawl P'as in FIGS. 2 and 4, is provided with a cylindrical head 32', a depending shank 33' having a forwardly extending ear 34' and the depending leg 26'. Each key K, as in FIG. 4, is provided with a top abutment 35, similar but complementary to the abutment 35 of the opposite key K, and a body 36' which again has less than one-half the width of the abutment 35' but located opposite to the body of the opposed key K, so that a key K and a key K will fit together in the opposed relation of FIG. 1. The center hole 37" of body 36' again accommodates the tubular head 32' of the corresponding pawl, while the angular slot 38' accommodates the shank 33' thereof, with clearance for adjustment of the pawl to different positions. A sloping flat 39 on the body of the key opposite the abutment accommodates pivotal movementof the opposed key K, with flat 39- of key K accommodating pivotal movement of opposed-key K. As before, a depending segment 40' is provided with a pair of

radial slots

40 and 42, with slot 41' being a center slot and slot 42' a side slot. Thus, when ear 34' of the corresponding pawl P is in engagement with slot 42', as in FIG. '5, the leg 26 of the corresponding pawl will be disposed in the side slot 24 of slide S, with the key in the up position, but when pawl ear 34' is in slot 41', the pawl leg 26' will be disposed within center slot 21 of the slide S, again with the key in up position. Each key K' is also provided with a resilient flange 43 depending from the outer edge of abutment and a lip 44' along the same. Flange 43' carries, at its lower end, an angular stop 45' which engages a stop rail on the inside of housing H, to determine the up position of the key, while the underside of rock bar B engages the segment of each key K, when the keys are being restored to an up position, each as described later.

As in FIG. 7, the ends of the

tubular head

32 and 32 of the pawls P and P, which alternate along the pivot rod 20, are inabutrnent along the rod, so that when combination setting lever L is turned to push all of the pawls longitudinally, each of the ears 34 and 34' of the respective pawls will be. disengaged from whichever

key slot

41, 42 or 41 or 42' it then engages, so that any desired key may be pivoted, to cause the ear 34 or 34' to engage a difierent slot and thus produce a different combination, when the combination setting lever is released. Thus, the combination may be changed at any time the user so desires, while the pawls are held away from the keys by lever L, merely by changing leg'26 or 26' of a pawl corresponding to'a desired key into the center slot 21, to remove that key from the combination, or into a

side slot

23 or 24, to include that key in thecombination.

In addition to the parts of the slide S previously I described, as shown in FIG. 2, the slide is further provided with an upstanding tongue 46 for attachment of one end of tension spring 25, with tongue 46 being at the inner end of a generally oval slot 47 having an upstanding stop ear 48 at each side, the specific purpose of which will be described later. In addition, the slide is provided, at each end, with a neck- 49 which enables the slide to be connected to a locking mechanism extending inside the corresponding latch, such as a connector 50 of FIG. 1, while a channel-shaped cover plate 51 may cover the area between the end of handle 18 and the adjacent latch. The connectors 50 may engage a hook-shaped flange depending from the underside of the corresponding lift lever 14, in order to lock the lift lever in closed position, when the slide S is prevented from moving, but to disengage the hook-shaped flanges, when the slide is permitted to move. For the latter purpose, a cam action arrangement between the lift levers and the corresponding connectors may be utilized to move the connector, and the slide along with it, when free. Or a separate lift lever may be provided, such as at the position of one of the cover plates 51, for moving the slide S when the latches are to be opened.

The rock bar B, as in FIG. 2, is provided with a pair of spaced side bars 53, between which extend a pair of top bridge bars 54 each having on the underside a downwardly tapering slot 55 having an arcuate configuration at the top to accommodate pawl heads 32 and lever 1., having an arcuate slot 57 in its upper edge, and

an opposite end wall 59 having a slot 55 on the underside. A flange 60, providing a platform for mounting the restore key R, extends longitudinally from he upper edge of end wall 59 and is provided with pairs of holes 61 and longitudinal slots 62 for that purpose. As will be evident, the bridge bars 54 and 56, between the end walls 58 and 59, provide five spaces in which the five sets of keys K and K are installed, while the inward spacing of the key bodies 36 and 36' from the lateral edges of the corresponding abutrnents 35 and 35' permit the lateral edges of the abutments adjacent to the bridge bars 54 to extend thereover. The slots 55 and 57 in the bridge bars accommodate the movement of the heads 32 and 32' of the pawls P and P', when the pawls are all moved longitudinally for disengagement with the keys and repositioning, if desired, to change the combination. Slot 57 in end wall 58 accommodates movement of bearing 27 while slot 55 in end wall 59 accommodates movement of bushing 28 during such move.-

ment of the pawls. The rod supports the pawls P and P, with the heads 32 and 32' of the pawls supporting the keys K and K and also the rock bar B, through the top bridge bars 54, with bushing 28 assisting therein, through end wall 59.-

The restore key R, as in FIGS. '2, 8 and 9, is provided with a pair of top abutrnents 64 which may correspond in shape to the abutrnents of the keys K and K, to pro vide a more attractive appearance, or may have any other desired configuration. Onthe underside, as in FIG. 9, the restore key is provided with a pair of elongated, depending prongs 65 and a pair of relatively short buttons or nipples 66 for engagement with the.

slots 61 and holes 62, respectively, of the rock bar B, as

in FIG. 10. The restore key R may be molded of the same plastic as the keys K, K and pawls P, P, while the diameter of buttons 66 is conveniently such that the buttons .will frictionally engage holes 62 to hold the restore key R securely to" the rock bar B. At each side, the restore key R is further provided with a depending flange 67, diminishing in thickness downwardly and provided on the outside with a ledge 68, for a purpose described later. In the final installation, as in FIG. 14, the prongs 65 of the restore key R are disposed on opposite sides of the tension spring 25, so that the tension spring will not only return the slide to its initial position, such as when the luggage case is latched closed by the latches, but will also resiliently maintain the rock bar B in a neutral position.

As in FIGS. 2 and 7, bearing 27, which engages and is movable in slot 57 of end wall 58 of the rock bar B,

when the pawls are moved longitudinally for adjustment of the combination, is provided with a flange 69 which engagesa pair of upstanding prongs 70 of combination setting lever L, which is also provided with a pair oflaterally extending trunnions 71 for pivotal mounting of the combination setting lever in housings The handle 18, as in FIG. 11 may be formed of a suitable plastic-molded around a reinforcing rod which extends interiorly of the plastic, but the ends 74 of which extend inwardly from the plastic at an appropriate position. The rod ends 74are pivoted in the upper ends of corresponding angular clips 75, the base of each of which is provided with a hole 76 for attachment to the luggage case, as by rivets or screws extending through the frame 12 of FIG. 1. The slot' enlargement 22 adjacent one end of the slide S, and the slot 47, adjacent the opposite end of slide S, accommodate the angular clips 75, permitting longitudinal movement of the slide, relative thereto, without interference. Each handle mounting clip is also provided with a lateral flange 77 extending to each side, for supporting the housings H and H, which in turn support the parts of the pushbutton lock disposed between the housings.

The housings H and H, which may be cast of zinc or a zinc composition Zamac" and then chrome plated for abetter appearance, may be cast from the same mold, but reversed in position when opposed, and each may include a side bar 79 extending between end blocks 80, as in FIGS. 11 and 12. Each side bar 79 has, on the inside, as in FIGS. 6 and 11, an inwardly extending, longitudinal rail 81, which may be generally triangular in cross section, as shown, so as to be resiliently engaged by the angular stop 45 or 45' of the respective keys and hold the keys in an up or normal position until an individual key is pushed down, as in FIG. 6. An inwardly extending flange 82, along the lower edge of the side bar and a longitudinal rail 83 spaced thereabove, provide a guide slot for movement of the corresponding side of the slide S. Each end block is provided with an end wall 84 having an arcuate slot 85 which cooperates with a similar arcuate slot on the opposite, housing, to receive the corresponding end 74 of the handle rod, as well as a sloping and stepped cover flange 86 which abuts a similar cover flange of the opposite housing to enclose the space ateach end of the lock. An integral longitudinal bar 87 extends from each end block, with an alignment pin 88 extending laterally from one longitudinal block of each housing, to engage a hole 89 in the bar of the opposite housing. Each block 80 is also provided with a socket 90, for receiving the corresponding lateral flange 77 of the handle clip 75, so as to mount the housings securely on the handle clips, after rivets 91 are inserted through holes 92 in the housings and the ends of the rivets have been upset.

'Each housing is also provided witha socket 93 extending into each end block 80, as in FIG. 11, but to receive at one end only the corresponding trunnion 71 of the combination setting lever L, as in FIG. 12. Each end block 80 of a housing, as in FIG. 11, is provided with an inwardly and laterally extending post 94 having a slot 95 at its inner end, for receiving and supporting the corresponding end of pivot rod 20, as in FIG. 13, as well as providing an abutment for coil spring 29. As in FIG. 7, the posts 94 of the opposite housings will overlap at each end of rod 20. Each housing block 80 is also provided with an ear 97 at a position corresponding to rail 83 to provide additional guidance for the slide S, as well as to provide a stop for engaging car 48 of slide S to limit retraction of the slide by spring 25. An ear 98 extends inwardly from flange 82, adjacent one end of each housing, to provide additional support for the slide S.

' For assembling the pushbutton combination lockof this invention, the pawls P and Pv are assembled to the correspondingkeys K and K, as in FIG. 5, with the ear 34 or 34' of the pawl in the

center slot

41 or 41 of the corresponding key, so that when finally assembled, each .

leg

26 or 26 of a pawl will be disposed in the center slot 21 of the slide S. The restore key R may be attached to the mounting flange 60 of the rock bar B, as shown in FIG. 10. The individual key and pawl assemblies then may be placed, in turn, above the appropriate spaces produced by the cross bars 54 and 56 of the rock bar B, with one end of pivot rod being threaded through the centers of the pawls, in turn. Bearing 27 is placed in end slot 57 of the rock bar and the end of pivot rod 20 pushed into the hearing, which may be cast or molded from zinc or any other suitable material. Then the bushing 28, which may be formed of nylon, is placedon the opposite end of the rod 20. The handle clips 75, previously attached to the handle, are inserted through the

slots

22 and 47 of the slide S and the handle and slide then placed in position on housing H, with the corresponding -edge of slide S being received in the groove between flange 82 and rail 83 of the housing, the flanges 77 of the handle clips being received in sockets 90 and the handle rod ends 74 received in slots 85. Lever L is also placed in position, with the corresponding trunnion 71 in socket 93. This operation is essentially bringing together the parts shown in FIG. 11, together with the lever L. Then, the assembled keys and rock bar may be placed in position, with the angular flanges 45 of the keys K in engagement with the rail 81 of housing H, as in FIG. 6. Simultaneously therewith, the ends of rod 20 are placed in slots 95 of posts 94 of housing H, with coil spring 29 on the appropriate end of pivot rod 20 and compressed against the post, asv in FIG.'13. The position of these parts, as shown in FIG. 12,-is thus produced. One of the rivets 91 is then inserted through the hole 92 in housing H and slipped through one end of the spring 25, as in FIG. 14, after which the opposite housing H may be placed against the previous assembly in a position corresponding to that previously described with respect to housing H, the opposite rivet 91 inserted and the ends of the rivets then headed over, as in FIG. 14. The rivets (not shown) which engage hole 76 in the handle clips may be special rivets which are inserted through the frame 12 of FIG. 1 and through the holes 76, with a head adapted to be enlarged by a pin driven through the rivet. Or, self-tapping screws may be utilized to attach the handle clips 76 to the frame. It will ,be noted that the lock requires merely a slot in the frame for acc'ess to the stem 30 of the combination setting lever L, and, if desired, one or more slots for access to the

legs

26 and 26 of the pawls P and P. On the inside of the luggage case, a removable cover (not shown) may be placed over the lever L or also the pawl legs 26 and 26', to prevent clothing or other articles from interfering with the operation of the lock. 4

During use of the combination pushbutton lock of this invention, the lift levers 14 of the latches may be associated with the respective connectors 50, as in the manner previously indicated, or a separate lift lever may be utilized at the position of either of the cover plates 5l, for opening the slide to permit the lift levers 14 to be raised. Or, the slide or a part connected thereto may be used as a latch to engage a catch at the center of the opposite half of the luggage case, for locking purposes, with the lift levers and latches associated therewith having their former purpose for larger cases, while the slide or a pan connected therewith may be used as a single latch, for smaller cases. After the combination is initially set, engagement of the angular stops 45 and 45' of the keys K and K with the rails 81 of the housings H and H, as in FIG. 6, will retain the keys in up or normal position. When it is desired to open the lock, only those keys K or K forming a part of the combination are pushed down, i.e., to actuated position, to shift the corresponding leg 26 or 26f of the pawl P or P into the center slot 21-of the slide S from the

side slot

23 or 24, in which the pawl legs were previously positioned. When the respective keys are depressed, the

resilient flange

43 or 43' of the key will permit the angular stop 45 or 45' to slide downwards below the 'rail 81, with the rail 81 and

resilient flange

43 or 43' holding the key in the down or actuated position, so hat the lock will remain unlocked until the user closes the luggage case and relatches it by pushing the lift levers 14 down. If an association between the lift levers l4 and connectors 50, through which the slide is automatically returned to its initial position, is not provided, the separate lift lever for moving the slide between open and closed positions may then be pushed down. It will be noted that the movement of the slide S to open the luggage case is preferably sufficient that the

side slots

23 and 24 will move past the corresponding pawl legs 26 or 26' which will then be opposite the edges of center slot 21 between the side slots. Thus, these edges of center slot 21 will prevent any pawl leg 26 or 26' from being pivoted into a side slot, thereby requiring the keys of the combination, which have been pushed down, to remain so, and also to prevent any keys which are not part of the combination from being pushed down.

After the latches have been closed and the slide S moved back to its initial position, to restore the lock to its locked position, the user depresses the restore key R, first on one side and then on the other side. Since the restore key R is fixed to the rock bar B, this will cause the rock bar to pivot. As viewed in FIG. 6, when the restore key is pushed down to turn the rock bar B in a counterclockwise direction, the side bar 53 thereof on the left side of FIG. 6 will engage the adjacent edge of the segment 40' of each key K which has been pushed down, to move each of these keys K to an up position. Similarly, when the restore key R is pushed on the opposite side, to cause the rock bar B to pivot in a clockwise direction, the lower edge of the side bar 53 on the right side of FIG. 6 will engage the adjacent edge of each abutment 40 of a key K which has been pushed down, so as to pivot each such key K in a clockwise direction and move it again to an up position. It will be noted that the segments 40 and 40' of the keys K and K, with the legs 26 and 26' of the associated pawls in the center slot of the slide S, will be essentially in alignment, i.e., one behind the other longitudinally of the lock. With each key K or K, formerly pushed down or actuated, now moved to an up or normal position, the angular stops 45 and 45' thereof will again engage the the lever L, the keys which are to comprise the combination may be pushed down, being held in down position by the

resilient flanges

43 and 43', resultingin a shift of the center slots 41 or 41' of those keys away from he pawls and positioning of the side" slots 42 or 42' in alignment with the

pawl ears

34 or 34. When the lever L is released, the ears of the pawls corresponding to those keys which have been pushed down, willmove into the side slots of the respective keys. The restore key R is then pushed to alternate sides, which moves the former down keys up and also moves the legs of the associated pawls into a side slot of the slide. When the combination is to be changed, keys of the previous combination are pressed down, then the pawls moved longitudinally by the lever L and held in that position while the restore key R is used to return all of the keys to an up position. 'Then, the keys of the new combination are pushed down, the lever L released and the restore key R pushed to alternate sides, with the same result as before.

The lips 44 and 44' of the keys K and K act to seal off the space at the upper edges of the housings, to prevent the entry of dust or the like which might interfere with the operation of the lock, while the ledges 68 of -the restore key R serve a similar function. The bracketing of the spring 25 by the prongs 65 of the restore key, as in FIG. 14, requires the restore key and the rock bar B to be pivoted from each side against the spring, which automatically restores the restore key and the rock bar to a neutral position when the restore key is released.

' From the foregoing, it will be evident that the pushbutton combination lock of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. Thus, the lock is particularly adapted for use on luggage cases, since it may be placed in a prothe manner described above. Through use of the ten keys, a large number of possible combinations may be provided, while the necessity for merely pushing keys downwardly, rather than twisting rather small dials, increasesthe ease of use of the lock. The longitudinal arrangement of the pawl heads and the interlocking of the keys with the pawls, together with the offset positions of the depending structure of opposed keys, permits the keys to occupy a minimum of space, but still to be sufficiently large that actuation by a human finger is easy. The restore key and restore bar has the advantage of returning depressed keys to an up position, so that all operations for use require only finger pressure. Also, the restore key requires anyone attempting to pick the lock by a random selection of keys, to restore all down keys, on at least one side, to an up position before making a different selection. The combination of the lock can, of course, be set or reset only through access to the lever L, from the inside of the luggage case, but can be set to a combination of numbers familiar to the user and thus more readily remembered. When the connector between the lock slide and the latches extends beneath a hook on the underside of the latch lever, any attempt to open the latches will produce a force generally perpendicular to the movement of the slide, so that the pawl legs need not be extremely strong to resist movement of the slide. Thus, the keys and pawls may be molded from a number of suitable plastics, particularly those with reasonably accurate delineation from molding.

Although the pushbutton combination lock of this invention has been described and shown for use with luggage cases, to which use it is particularly adapted, it will be understood that it may be used with other articles. It

will further be understood that, although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, other embodiments may exist and various changes and variations made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: e

l. A combination lock comprising:

a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions;

. a plurality of key members movable between a nor- 'mal position and an actuated position, said key members being disposed in interfitting pairs in two longitudinal rows; plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith .to positions corresponding thereto, said pawl members being provided with heads in longitudinal abutment and said key members being provided with depending portions which encircle said pawl heads;

interruption means provided each pawl member in one predetermined position will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; and

interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to the corresponding key member may be adjusted;

' whereby selected pawl members may be adjusted with respect to the corresponding key members to comprise a combination which, with all of said key members in normal position, requires each key member of the combination to be moved to actuated position to permit movement of said slide.

2. A combination lock comprising:

a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions;

a plurality of key members movable between a normal position and an actuated position;

a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith to positions corresponding thereto;

interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position by said slide, whereby one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to the corresponding key member may be adjusted; and stop means associated with said key members, said key members being provided with resilient means for releasably engaging said stop means so as to normally retain said key members in said normal position thereof; I whereby selected pawl members may be adjusted with respect to the corresponding key members to comprise a combination which, with all of said key members in normal position, requires each key member of the combination to be moved to actuated position to permit movement of said slide.

3. A combination lock, as defined in claim 2,

wherein:

' a housing at each side of said key members is provided with a longitudinal rail as said stop means; and

said key members are provided with resilient depending flanges adjacent the respective housings, said flanges having means for releasably engaging said rails.

4. A combination lock comprisng:

a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions;

a plurality of key members movable between a normal position and an actuated position,'said key members being disposed longitudinally with respect to said slide and each provided with a depending segment; 1

a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewi to positions corresponding thereto;

interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position will permit movement ,of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to'he corresponding key member may be adjusted; and means for moving a series of said key members from said actuated position to said normal position, in-- cluding bar means having a bar at each side extending longitudinally adjacent the corresponding 7 interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position .will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of saidslide positions;

means for moving a series of said key members from said actuated position to said normal position; and

resilient means for urging said key member moving means to a neutral position.

6. A combination lock, as defined in claim 5,

wherein:

said resilient means also returns said slide to said one position from another position.

7. A combination lock comprising:

a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions; position and an actuated position;

a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith to positions corresponding thereto, said key members and said pawl members being arranged longitudinally along said slide, said pawl members being movable longitudinally with respect to said key members for adjustment of said pawl members relative to said key members;

interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions;

means for moving a series of said key members from said actuated position to said normal position;

resilient means for urging said pawl members toward the corresponding key members; and

force multiplication means for moving said pawl members away from said key members.

8. A combination lock, as defined in claim 7 wherein: I

said force multiplication means comprises a lever.

9. A combination lock comprising:

a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions; 4

a plurality of key members movable between a normal position and an actuated position and provided with upper abutments disposed in aligned and opposed longitudinal-rows;

a rod extending longitudinally and centrally of said rows;

a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith to positions corresponding thereto and provided with annular heads surrounding said rod, said pawl heads being in longitudinal abutting relationship,

said key members being provided with depending bodies of lesser longitudinal extent than said abut ments and encircling the corresponding pawl head;

interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to the corresponding key member may be adjusted; and

a pair of housings disposed at each side of said key members and provided with means for supporting the opposite ends of said rod.

10. A combination look, as defined in claim 9, in-

eluding:

a rock bar having sides for moving said key members at each side from actuated position to normal position and transverse bridge elements to support said rock bar from said pawls.

11. A combination lock, as defined in claim 10, in-

cluding:

' a restore key mounted on said rock bar in alignment with said key member abutments, said rock bar having at one end an upper platform for attachment of said restore key. 12. A combination lock, as defined wherein:

' in claim 10,

said housings have sides disposed in parallel positions and providing grooves for longitudinal movement of said slide;

said housing sides each have longitudinal rails above said grooves; and

said key members have depending, resilient outer flanges provided with angular lower edges for engaging said rail of the corresponding housing side to releasably maintain said key members in said normal position.

13. A combination lock, as defined in claim 9,

wherein:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,695 ,072 Dated October 3, 1972 Invent0r(s) Kenneth A. Milette It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 66, "hat" should read -that. Column 5, line 10, "includes a cylindrical head 32" should be cancelled. Column 6, line 4, after "slots", "40'" should read 4l'-. Column 11, line 11, before "pawls", "he" should read the. Column 14, line 22, Claim 7, "position and an actuated position" should be cancelled; the following paragraph should be inserted between lines 22 and 23: -a plurality of key members movable between a normal position and an actuated position;.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of February 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM "069) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 17 U.S GOVERNMENT PRINTlNG OFFlCEZ I969 -3$6'334

Claims

1. A combination lock comprising: a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions; a plurality of key members movable between a normal position and an actuated position, said key members being disposed in interfitting pairs in two longitudinal rows; a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith to positions corresponding thereto, said pawl members being provided with heads in longitudinal abutment and said key members being provided with depending portions which encircle said pawl heads; interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; and interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to the corresponding key member may be adjusted; whereby selected pawl members may be adjusted with respect to the corresponding key members to comprise a combination which, with all of said key members in normal position, requires each key member of the combination to be moved to actuated position to permit movement of said slide.

2. A combination lock comprising: a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions; a plurality of key members movable between a normal position and an actuated position; a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith to positions corresponding thereto; interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predEtermined position will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to the corresponding key member may be adjusted; and stop means associated with said key members, said key members being provided with resilient means for releasably engaging said stop means so as to normally retain said key members in said normal position thereof; whereby selected pawl members may be adjusted with respect to the corresponding key members to comprise a combination which, with all of said key members in normal position, requires each key member of the combination to be moved to actuated position to permit movement of said slide.

3. A combination lock, as defined in claim 2, wherein: said key members are disposed in opposed pairs longitudinally of said slide; a housing at each side of said key members is provided with a longitudinal rail as said stop means; and said key members are provided with resilient depending flanges adjacent the respective housings, said flanges having means for releasably engaging said rails.

4. A combination lock comprisng: a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions; a plurality of key members movable between a normal position and an actuated position, said key members being disposed longitudinally with respect to said slide and each provided with a depending segment; a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith to positions corresponding thereto; interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to he corresponding key member may be adjusted; and means for moving a series of said key members from said actuated position to said normal position, including bar means having a bar at each side extending longitudinally adjacent the corresponding segments and movable into engagement with said segments.

5. A combination lock comprising: a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions; a plurality of key members movable between a normal position and an actuated position; a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith to positions corresponding thereto; interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to the corresponding key member may be adjusted; means for moving a series of said key members from said actuated position to said normal position; and resilient means for urging said key member moving means to a neutral position.

6. A combination lock, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said resilient means also returns said slide to said one position from another position.

7. A combination lock comprising: a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions; position and an actuated position; a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith to positions corresponding thereto, said key members and said pawl members being arranged longitudinally along said slide, said pawl Members being movable longitudinally with respect to said key members for adjustment of said pawl members relative to said key members; interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to the corresponding key member may be adjusted; means for moving a series of said key members from said actuated position to said normal position; resilient means for urging said pawl members toward the corresponding key members; and force multiplication means for moving said pawl members away from said key members.

8. A combination lock, as defined in claim 7 wherein: said force multiplication means comprises a lever.

9. A combination lock comprising: a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions; a plurality of key members movable between a normal position and an actuated position and provided with upper abutments disposed in aligned and opposed longitudinal rows; a rod extending longitudinally and centrally of said rows; a plurality of pawl members associated with the respective key members for movement therewith to positions corresponding thereto and provided with annular heads surrounding said rod, said pawl heads being in longitudinal abutting relationship, said key members being provided with depending bodies of lesser longitudinal extent than said abutments and encircling the corresponding pawl head; interruption means provided by said slide, whereby each pawl member in one predetermined position will permit movement of said slide and in at least one other predetermined position will obstruct movement of said slide from one of said slide positions to another of said slide positions; interconnecting means provided by said key members and said pawl members whereby the relative position of each pawl member with respect to the corresponding key member may be adjusted; and a pair of housings disposed at each side of said key members and provided with means for supporting the opposite ends of said rod.

10. A combination lock, as defined in claim 9, including: a rock bar having sides for moving said key members at each side from actuated position to normal position and transverse bridge elements to support said rock bar from said pawls.

11. A combination lock, as defined in claim 10, including: a restore key mounted on said rock bar in alignment with said key member abutments, said rock bar having at one end an upper platform for attachment of said restore key.

12. A combination lock, as defined in claim 10, wherein: said housings have sides disposed in parallel positions and providing grooves for longitudinal movement of said slide; said housing sides each have longitudinal rails above said grooves; and said key members have depending, resilient outer flanges provided with angular lower edges for engaging said rail of the corresponding housing side to releasably maintain said key members in said normal position.

13. A combination lock, as defined in claim 9, wherein: said housings are provided with end blocks having slots for receiving ears of clips which support a handle or the like of a luggage case or the like, in order to support said housings from said clips; and said housing end blocks are provided with holes on the inside for receiving opposed trunnions of a lever for moving said pawl heads longitudinally.