US3695072A - Pushbutton combination locks - Google Patents

Pushbutton combination locks Download PDF

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Publication number
US3695072A
US3695072A US37525A US3695072DA US3695072A US 3695072 A US3695072 A US 3695072A US 37525 A US37525 A US 37525A US 3695072D A US3695072D A US 3695072DA US 3695072 A US3695072 A US 3695072A
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United States
Prior art keywords
slide
key
pawl
members
positions
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US37525A
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English (en)
Inventor
Kenneth A Milette
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Samsonite Corp
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Samsonite Corp
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B37/00—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks
    • E05B37/16—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks with two or more push or pull knobs, slides, or the like
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B37/00—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks
    • E05B37/02—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks with tumbler discs or rings arranged on a single axis, each disc being adjustable independently of the others
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T70/00—Locks
    • Y10T70/70—Operating mechanism
    • Y10T70/7153—Combination
    • Y10T70/7181—Tumbler type
    • Y10T70/7198—Single tumbler set
    • Y10T70/7237—Rotary or swinging tumblers
    • Y10T70/726—Individually set
    • Y10T70/7305—Manually operable
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T70/00—Locks
    • Y10T70/70—Operating mechanism
    • Y10T70/7153—Combination
    • Y10T70/7322—Permutation
    • Y10T70/7328—Compound tumblers
    • Y10T70/7339—Pin and socket

Definitions

  • 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.
  • This invention relates to combination locks, and more particularly to pushbutton combination locks adapted for use on luggage cases and the like.
  • 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.
  • a luggage case having a pair of latches one lock for each latch is necessary.
  • most of such combination locks must be preset at the factory and the combination cannot be changed, except by an expert.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • FIG. 12 is 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;
  • FIG. 14 is a similar fragmentary perspective detail, showing the connection of a slide spring to a rivet for the housings, in assembled relation.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • a suitable plastic such as Delrin
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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,
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the restore key 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • bearing 27 which engages and is movable in slot 57 of end wall 58 of the rock bar B,
  • 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 74 are 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the rivets 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the resilient flange 43 or 43' of the key 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the pushbutton combination lock of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth.
  • the lock is particularly adapted for use on luggage cases, since it may be placed in a prothe manner described above.
  • 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.
  • the keys and pawls may be molded from a number of suitable plastics, particularly those with reasonably accurate delineation from molding.
  • a combination lock comprising:
  • 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;
  • 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;
  • 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.
  • a combination lock comprising:
  • a housing at each side of said key members is provided with a longitudinal rail as said stop means;
  • said key members are provided with resilient depending flanges adjacent the respective housings, said flanges having means for releasably engaging said rails.
  • a combination lock comprisng:
  • 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;
  • said resilient means also returns said slide to said one position from another position.
  • a combination lock comprising:
  • a slide movable longitudinally between at least two positions; position and an actuated position;
  • 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;
  • 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;
  • said force multiplication means comprises a lever.
  • a combination lock comprising:
  • 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;
  • said key members being provided with depending bodies of lesser longitudinal extent than said abut ments and encircling the corresponding pawl head;
  • 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;
  • a pair of housings disposed at each side of said key members and provided with means for supporting the opposite ends of said rod.
  • 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.
  • a combination lock as defined 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
  • 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.

Landscapes

  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
US37525A 1970-05-15 1970-05-15 Pushbutton combination locks Expired - Lifetime US3695072A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3752570A 1970-05-15 1970-05-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3695072A true US3695072A (en) 1972-10-03

Family

ID=21894796

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US37525A Expired - Lifetime US3695072A (en) 1970-05-15 1970-05-15 Pushbutton combination locks

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3695072A (enExample)
BE (1) BE767219A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2124180A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2091711A5 (enExample)
LU (1) LU63165A1 (enExample)
NL (1) NL7106661A (enExample)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4366686A (en) * 1980-08-20 1983-01-04 Presto Lock, Inc. Latching systems particularly for articles of luggage
US4366685A (en) * 1980-10-09 1983-01-04 Presto Lock, Inc. Latching assembly for luggage and the like
US4671088A (en) * 1985-02-06 1987-06-09 Yan Chan Hong Combined combination and key-type lock
US4845968A (en) * 1988-02-02 1989-07-11 Echolac Co., Ltd. Combination lock
US5429417A (en) * 1993-02-05 1995-07-04 Dong In, Inc. Knockdown chair for children
US20220220771A1 (en) * 2021-01-13 2022-07-14 Sinox Lock (Kunshan) Co., Ltd. Lock tongue module and modular lockset

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1287435A (en) * 1918-03-11 1918-12-10 Mike Rega Combination door-lock.
US1583687A (en) * 1925-06-12 1926-05-04 W H Keyless Lock Company Ltd Keyless lock
US2393465A (en) * 1940-07-19 1946-01-22 Thomas J Gray Combination lock
US3408835A (en) * 1967-07-07 1968-11-05 Bauer Franz Combination safety lock

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1287435A (en) * 1918-03-11 1918-12-10 Mike Rega Combination door-lock.
US1583687A (en) * 1925-06-12 1926-05-04 W H Keyless Lock Company Ltd Keyless lock
US2393465A (en) * 1940-07-19 1946-01-22 Thomas J Gray Combination lock
US3408835A (en) * 1967-07-07 1968-11-05 Bauer Franz Combination safety lock

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4366686A (en) * 1980-08-20 1983-01-04 Presto Lock, Inc. Latching systems particularly for articles of luggage
US4366685A (en) * 1980-10-09 1983-01-04 Presto Lock, Inc. Latching assembly for luggage and the like
US4671088A (en) * 1985-02-06 1987-06-09 Yan Chan Hong Combined combination and key-type lock
US4845968A (en) * 1988-02-02 1989-07-11 Echolac Co., Ltd. Combination lock
US5429417A (en) * 1993-02-05 1995-07-04 Dong In, Inc. Knockdown chair for children
US20220220771A1 (en) * 2021-01-13 2022-07-14 Sinox Lock (Kunshan) Co., Ltd. Lock tongue module and modular lockset

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
LU63165A1 (enExample) 1971-09-01
NL7106661A (enExample) 1971-11-17
DE2124180A1 (de) 1971-11-25
BE767219A (fr) 1971-11-16
FR2091711A5 (enExample) 1972-01-14

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