US3820363A

US3820363A - Buckle combination lock

Info

Publication number: US3820363A
Application number: US00220604A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Bako; H Heine
Original assignee: Presto Lock Co Inc
Current assignee: Presto Lock Co Inc
Priority date: 1972-01-25
Filing date: 1972-01-25
Publication date: 1974-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-28
Also published as: CA975573A; JPS4886699A; GB1336425A; DE2261029B2; FR2174486A5; DE2261029A1; JPS512877B2; IT974009B; DE2261029C3

Abstract

A combination lock of the multiple dial type is associated with the pivoted body of a buckle to releasably lock the body and its hook to the loop member of the buckle.

Description

United States Patent [191 Bako et al.

[ BUCKLE COMBINATION LOCK [75] Inventors: Lazlo Bako, Woodcliff Lake; Henry Heine, Vernon, both of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Presto Lock C0., Division of Walter Kidde & Company, Inc., Clifton,

[22] Filed: Jan. 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 220,604

[52] US. Cl. 70/312 [51] Int. Cl Eb 37/02 [58] Field of Search 70/312, 316, 318, 71, 74, 70/75, 67

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,405,544 /1968 Gehrie 70/312 June 28, 1974 4/1969 Gehrie /288 3,545,238 12/1970 Gehrie..... 70/312 3,597,945 8/1971 Feinberg 70/74 3,677,042 7/1972 Atkinson 70/70 Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-Peter Nerbun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Shapiro and Shapiro [5 7] ABSTRACT A combination lock of the multiple dial type is associated with the pivoted body of a buckle to releasably lock the body and its hook to the loop member of the buckle.

10 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUN 2 8 I974 SHEET 1 0F 5 BUCKLE COMBINATION LOCK The invention relates to buckles, and is more particularly directed to a buckle having a combination lock associated therewith to releasably lock the pivoted body of the buckle to the buckles loop member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are certain applications or uses of buckles where it is desired to lock the usual pivoted body including the hook to the loop member of the buckle. For example, in carrying cases or luggage such as dress bags or the like, a buckle is used for the extension of an apertured strap therethrough to hold the case in closed or folded condition. Buckles have been used which include a key operated lock to prevent unauthorized opening of the bag or case. In recent years, combination locks for carrying cases or luggage have become prevalent. Combination locks are much more effective in preventing unauthorized access to a case or receptable than key operated locks.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a buckle with a combination lock structured to releasably secure the body including the hook to the loop member to which the body is pivoted.

This, and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A buckle having a loop member and a body assembly pivotally connected to the loop member is provided with combination locking means to releasably secure the body assembly to the loop member to prevent the hook of the buckle from being lifted or pivoted away from the loop member. The body assembly comprises a face plate having a plurality of spaced slots and a frame member connected to the face plate to furnish a cavity intermediate the face plate and the frame member. A shaft is supported within the cavity. A plurality of dials is positioned to surround the shaft and to extend partially through the slots in the face plate. A sleeve associated with each dial is mounted on the shaft. Each sleeve has a flange and a flat portion. A plug member is positioned within the cavity and resiliently urged toward the loop member which is provided with blocking means cooperable with the plug member. A bolt is mounted in the body assembly for cooperation with the sleeves and the plug member. The bolt is movable or rotatable from an on combination (unlocked) position when the flat portions on the sleeves are facing and in alignment with the bolt to an off combination (locked) position when the bolt is displaced by a flange of a sleeve. In the on combination position, the plug member is retractable, and the body assembly may be rotated from the closed position where the hook engages the loop member to open position, where the hook is spaced from the loop member, and vice versa. In the off combination position, the bolt prevents retraction of the plug member, and with the plug member in engagement with the blocking means on the loop member, the body assembly cannot be rotated with respect to the loop member; the hook is held or locked against the loop member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a buckle combination lock made in accordance with the invention, this view also including a mounting bracket which may be used to connect the device to a support;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 1, this view showing the device on combination or unlocked in readiness for the rotation of the body assembly with respect to the loop member;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, this view showing the body assembly rotated out of the plane of the loop member, or to the position where the hook is spaced from the loop member;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, this view showing the body assembly locked to the loop member or in off combination position;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken approximately in the planes of lines 7-7, this view additionally showing the mounting bracket connected to a suitable support;

FIG. 8 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 8-8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 10-10 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the inner side of the face plate member of the body assembly;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the bolt member of the body'assembly;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the inner side of the frame member of the body assembly; and

FIG. 14 shows a dial with an associated flanged sleeve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the buckle combination lock of the invention comprises a loop member A and a body assembly B pivotally connected to the loop member. The loop member, which may be of any suitable configuration, has a pair of spaced arms 20 bridged by a base portion 22 for cooperation with a hook 24 provided by the body assembly. A crossbar 23 on the opposite side of the loop member is used to connect the device to a support.

Preferably, and as illustrated, the hook 24 is made as a part of or integral with a face place C having a plurality of spaced slots 26. A frame member D is connected to the face plate C to provide an intermediate cavity 28. A shaft E is supported within the cavity. A plurality of dials F positioned to extend partially through the slots 26 surround the shaft. A sleeve G for each dial is mounted on the shaft B. Each sleeve has a flange 30 bination (unlocked) position when the flat portions 32 are aligned with the bolt member, as indicated by the solid line showing of the bolt in FIGS. 7 and 10, to off combination (locked) position when the bolt is engaged and displaced by a flange 30 on one of the sleeves G, as indicated by the phantom or dot-dash line showing of the bolt in FIG. 7. In the on combination position of the dials and sleeves, the bolt is in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and in such position the plug member H is retractable- In off combination, the bolt is in the position shown in FIG. where it blocks the plug member and prevents its retraction.

It is within the scope of the invention to provide the buckle with a combination lock-which .is preset at the factory so that the device is intended to be used with only such combination. For this kind of lock, the dials F may be made with integral sleeve portions which have the flange and the area of reduced diameter or flat portion.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of the invention, the lock is constructed so that one may change or set the combination to a combination of one s own personal and secret choice. For this purpose, the sleeves G are made as separate parts and the sleeves and dials F are constructed to be separately keyed to each other. The structure of the dials and of the sleeves and their relationship to one another are the same as disclosed in US. Gehrie Pat. No. 3,416,338 granted Dec. 17, 1968.

In greater detail, and as illustrated, the dials Fare each provided wit'h'indicia or numbers in equidistantly spaced relation on the outer circumference. Between adjacent numbers, there are grooves 36 adapted to receive means or spring fingers 38 provided by a dial cooperable member J, as shown in FIG. 7, so that the dials, when related to their respective sleeves mounted on the shaft E (FIG. 2), may be resiliently maintained in selected circumferential position.

Referring to FIG. 14, each dial F has a central open- 7 ing 40 through which the shank 42 of a sleeve G may be extended with a slight amount of clearance. The sleeve has a central bore of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft E. At one end thereof, each sleeve is provided with the aforementioned flange 30 having a large diameter than the central opening 40 of a dial. The flanged end of the sleeve is provided with the aforementioned flat portion 32. At the juncture of the flange and the sleeve s shank, a detent or detents 44 are provided. On one side of each dial, circumferentially arranged detent receiving recesses 46 are provided adjacent the opening 40, there being one recess in alignment with each number on the dials outer circumference. The recesses 46 extend only partially into the side wall of each dial and are adapted to receive the detents 44 whereby a dial and a sleeve may be keyed or meshed to one another.

As shown in FIG. 2, a helically coiled compression spring K is mounted on one end of the shaft E to abut an adjacent sleeve G. The sleeves are in abutting, end to end relationship, and are resiliently maintained in separably keyed relationship with their respective dials. The sleeve on the opposite end of the shaft is forced against a flange 48 formed on the shaft. As disclosed in the aforementioned Gehrie patent, such structure and relationship of the sleeves, dials, shaft and spring permit changing and setting the combination of the lock to a combination of ones secret choice by manipulation of a lever L mounted on the shaft E. As shown in FIG. 10, the frame D is provided with an opening 50 to allow the combination changing lever to extend therethrough for manual manipulation.

It is preferred that the face plate C and the'frame member D be die cast so that a plurality of means to accomplish a plurality of functions may be conveniently and economically provided by these parts. The face plate and frame are made with integral means to furnish a bearing for each end of the shaft E when the face plate and frame are connected to one another. As shown in FIG. 11, the face plate is made with a pair of laterally spaced open or half bearings 52. The frame is provided with provided with projections 54 which are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacings between the bearings 52. When the shaft E, having the dials F, sleeves G, and spring K mounted thereon, has its ends positioned in the open bearings 52, the assembly is secured in position when the frame D is connected to the face plate C. The connection of the parts may be accomplished in any suitable manner. Preferably, the face plate is formed or cast with integral, laterally spaced connecting studs 56 and a third stud 58 which are extended through the

openings

60 and 62 in the frame D. The outer ends or extremities of the connecting studs are peened or headed over as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

Before connecting the face plate to the frame, the plug or plugs H. and bolt I, also the dial-cooperable spring J, are assembled for positioning between these two members. The face plate and frame also are formed to provide means for pivotally connecting the assembly to the loop member A. For this latter purpose, the face plate is formed with laterally spaced open or half bearings 64 at the sides of the part and the frame is formed with matching or mating open bearings 66. The loop member, which also preferably is die cast, is formed with integral trunnions 68 extending inwardly of each arm 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, when the face plate and frame are connected to one another, the trunnions which have been laid in the open bearings of one of the two parts are captured for the pivotal connection of the body assembly B to the loop member A.

It is within the scope of the invention to use a single plug member H for cooperation with the blocking means 34 on one arm of the loop member and with the bolt I. In the preferred form of the invention, and as illustrated, the buckle lock is made symmetrical in the respect that a pair of laterally spaced plug members is provided for cooperation with the single bolt, and each plug member H is cooperable with an associated blocking means 34 on each of the spaced arms 20 of the loop member A. The provision of a pair of plug members enables the capture of the body assembly B on each side thereof, and assures that the body assembly may not be rotated off-center with respect to the loop member.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the plug members H are laterally spaced with their respective inner sides at their lower ends each provided with a spring retaining projection 70 to receive the ends of a helically coiled cornpression spring M. The plug members are positioned in spaced guiding

slots

72 and 74 formed respectively in the face plate and frame member as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. Adjacent the guide slots 74 in the frame member D, cutouts 76 are provided at each ,side to allow entry of the blocking means or projections 34 into the body assembly for cooperation with the plug members H. Also, the side walls 78 on the face plate C are provided with openings or cutouts 80 so that the projections 34 are unobstructed when the body assembly B is in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3; that is, the position where the hook 24 is adjacent or in engagement with the base portion 22 of the loop member A.

The plug members H are normally forced apart by the action of the compression spring M so that their outer extremities which are beveled at 82 are normally urged against a matingly beveled surface 84 provided by the respective blocking projections 34 when in the closed position of the body assembly as shown in FIG. 3. The blocking projections are each provided with a beveled surface 86 having an angle opposite to the angle of the beveled surface 84, for cooperation with the respective matingly beveled surfaces 87 on the underside of each plug member, as shown in FIGS. 3-5..

When the lock is on combination, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the spring loaded plug members H are retractable and are cammed inwardly by the beveled surfaces on the projections 34 when the body assembly B is rotated from the closed position shown in FIG. 3 to the open position shown in FIG. 4, and vice versa.

The bolt I, which is cooperable with the sleeves G and the plug members I-I, possesses several functions. Referring to FIG. 12, the bolt has a central portion 88 of a width which is slightly less than the distance between the inner extremities 90 of the plug members H when the plug members are in engagement with their respective blocking projections 34 in the closed position of the body assembly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The bolt also has a side portion 92 having an end projection 94 which, as will be subsequently explained, coacts with an adjacent plug member to prevent rotation of the dials when the bolt is in the up or on combination position and the body assembly has been rotated to the open position as shown in FIG. 4. The bolt also has an extension 96 on the opposite side for a purpose to be subsequently described.

As shown in FIG. 12, the bolt is provided with a central slot 98 and is formed with slotted

areas

100 and 102 on each side to furnish three slotted areas to allow the three dials F, as shown, to extend therethrough. It will be understood that the bolt is provided with as many slotted areas as there are dials. The bolt is formed with notches 104 for alignment with openings 106 in the frame member D for a purpose to be subsequently described. Also, the bolt is formed with a projection 108 to extend from its underside for locating a compression spring N acting upon the bolt as shown in FIG. 9. The frame member is provided with an aligned projection 109 to locate or position the opposite end of the spring.

The bolt 1 is mounted to rotate or pivot about a-fulcrum provided by the engagement of its edge 110 with a ledge provided by a pair of spaced projections 112 on the frame member as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. The bolt is resiliently urged against the sleeves G by the coiled compression spring N. The bolt is confined for movement by the dials F which extend through the slotted

areas

98, 100 and 102 with a slight amount of clearance.

When the flat portions 32 on each of the sleeves G are in engagement with the bolt, the bolt is in its up position with the central portion thereof above the plug members H as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this position, or when the lock is on combination, the plug members are urged in an outward direction by the spring M so that when the body assembly B is rotated from the closed condition of FIG. 3 to the open condition of FIG. 4, the plug members move outwardly until halted by stops 114 provided by the face plate as shown in FIG. 4. The beveled surfaces on the spring mounted plug members and on the blocking projections enable and facilitate the rotation of the body assembly to the closed condition and to the open condition.

In the off combination position, a flange 30 on a sleeve G has displaced the bolt I to the dot-dash line showing of this part in FIGS. 2 and 7. In this position, the central portion 88 of the bolt is located between and in alignment with the ends of the plug members as shown in FIG. 5. In this position of the bolt, the plug members are blocked and cannot move inwardly. As a result, and when the body assembly'B is in the closed position of FIG. 5, the body assembly cannot be rotated to lift the hook 24 away from the base portion 22 of the loop member A. The plug members cannot clear the blocking projections 34 and the body assembly is locked to the loop member.

To select a combination of ones own secret choice, the sleeves G must be disengaged from the dials F. This can be done only when the lock is on combination or when the flat portions 32 of each sleeve are in alignment with the bolt as illustrated in the full line showings of FIGS. 2, 7 and 10. In such relationship of the parts, the shifting lever L may be grasped and moved from the left to the position shown in FIG. 2. As a result, each of the abutting sleeves is moved out of keyed engagement with its respective dial against the resilient force of the spring K. After the dials are rotated or set to a combination of ones choice, the pressure on the lever is released whereby the spring causes the sleeves to be keyed to their dials.

One of the problems of combination locks is that prospective customers are tempted to manipulate the locks before becoming familiar with the written instructions which accompany the product. Where the lock is assembled on a carrying case or the like and the lock has been manipulated to an unknown combination, it becomes necessary to return the case with the tampered lock thereon to the luggage manufacturer, with the attendant expense of shipping charges and the expense of trying to salvage the lock. It is desirable to minimize the effects of tampering.

To prevent the combination from being changed and possibly lost when the body assembly has been rotated to the open position as shown in FIG. 4, the device is constructed to prevent the rotation of the dials, and thereby the changing of the combination in this condition of the device. As shown in FIG. 4, the projection 94 on the side portion 92 of the bolt is located above the plug member H on the left side as here viewed, and as a result, the bolt is trapped in its up position between the face plate and the plug member as shown. The bolt is firmly held against the flat portions 32 of the sleeves G, thereby preventing rotation of the dials.

To prevent changing of the combination or undue forcing of the parts when the device is in off combination condition, cooperable means are provided by the lever L and the bolt I. As shown in FIG. 2, the lever is provided with a projection 118. With the bolt displaced by a flange on a sleeve to the off combination position,

as indicated by the dot-dash line showing of this element in FIG. 2, the adjoining extension 96 of the bolt is in the path of the lever projection 118. As a result, movement of thelever is prevented and the sleeves cannot be disengaged from the dials when the device is in off combination condition.

The combination lock as illustrated includes means for finding the open combination in the event that the lock is in off combination condition, and the combination has been lost or forgotten. For this purpose, each of the sleeves G is provided with a visual or feel indicator or slot 120 (FIG. 14), and the frame D and the bolt I have the openings 106 and the notches B04, respectively, for alignment with the indicators on the sleeves. Such structure, while preferred and illustrated, is disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned Gehrie patent and does not constitute part of the present invention.

Although the described buckle and combination lock for releasably securing the pivoted body to the loop member may be connected to a suitable support by means of the crossbar 23 on the loop member, it is preferred that a mounting plate P be used to make the connection. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the mounting plate may be in the form of a piece of metal which is bent around the crossbar 23 and has a pair of flat portions 122 in engagement adapted to overlie a support or member S to which the buckle lock is to be connected. Holes 124 extend through the plate so that rivets 126 may be extended through the holes and through an aligned opening in the support for the connection of the parts. A finishing strip 128 of plastic material or fabric may be folded about the mounting plate.

It is believed that the advantages and improved results afforded by the buckle having a combination lock will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. Various changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinbefore described and illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A buckle combination lock having a loop member and a body assembly within the loop member pivotally connected to the loop member, the body assembly including a hook co-operable with the loop member and comprising a face plate having a plurality of spaced slots, a frame member connected to the face plate to provide a cavity intermediate the face plate and the frame member, a shaft supported within the cavity, dials surrounding the shaft and positioned to extend partially through the slots, a sleeve for each dial mounted on the shaft, each sleeve having a flange and a flat portion, a plug member, means resiliently urging the plug member toward the loop member, the plug member being cooperable with blocking means provided by the loop member, and a bolt cooperable with the sleeves and the plug member, the bolt having spaced, slotted areas to allow the dials to extend therethrough, the bolt being movable from on combination position when the flat portions of the sleeves are aligned therewith to off combination position when displaced by a flange, the plug member being retractable in the on combination position, the bolt preventing retraction of the plug member in the off combination position.

2. A buckle combination lock according to claim 1 wherein the bolt is pivotally mounted within the body assembly, and resilient means cooperable with the bolt to urge the bolt against the sleeves.

3. A buckle combination lock according to claim 1 wherein the bolt includes means cooperable with the plug member to prevent rotation of the dials when the bolts is in the on combination position and the body assembly is rotated to open position.

4. A buckle combination lock according to claim 1 wherein the dials and sleeves are separate parts, cooperable means provided by each dial and its respective sleeve for keying them together, spring means on the shaft normally urging the sleeves into keyed relationship with their respective dials, a shifting lever connected to and extending from the shaft for moving the sleeves out of keyed engagement from their respective dials, cooperable means provided by the shifting lever and the bolt to prevent movement of the shifting lever in the off combination position of the bolt.

5. A buckle combination lock according to claim 1 including a second plug member; wherein the loop member comprises a pair of spaced arms and a connecting base portion, the hook being positioned adjacent the base portion in the closed position of the body assembly; wherein the blocking means provided by the loop member comprises a beveled projection extending inwardly from each of said arms, the plug members being cooperable with the beveled projections, and spring means normally urging the plug members outwardly toward the blocking projections.

6. A buckle combination lock according to claim 5 wherein the bolt is pivotally mounted within the body assembly, resilient means cooperable with the bolt to urge the bolt against the sleeves, the bolt having spaced, slotted areas to allow the dials to extend therethrough. I

7. A buckle combination lock according to claim 5 wherein the bolt includes means cooperable with a plug member to prevent rotation of the dials when the bolt is in the on combination position and the body assembly is rotated to open position.

8. A buckle combination lock according to claim 5 wherein the dials and sleeves are separate parts, cooperable means provided by each dial and its respective sleeve for keying them together, spring means on the shaft normally urging the sleeves into keyed relationship with their respective dials, a shifting lever connected to and extending from the shaft for moving the sleeves out of keyed engagement from their respective dials, cooperable means provided by the shifting lever and the bolt to prevent movement of the shifting lever in the off combination position of the bolt.

9. A buckle combination lock according to claim 6 wherein the bolt includes means cooperable with a plug member to prevent rotation of the dials when the bolt is in the on combination position and the body assembly is rotated to open position.

10. A buckle combination lock according to claim 7 wherein the dials and sleeves are separate parts, cooperable means provided by each dial and its respective sleeve for keying them together, spring means on the shaft normally urging the sleeves into keyed relationship with their respective dials, a shifting lever connected to and extending from the shaft for moving the sleeves out of keyed engagement from their respective dials, cooperable means provided by the shifting lever and the bolt to prevent movement of the shifting lever in the off combination position of the bolt.

Claims

6. A buckle combination lock according to claim 5 wherein the bolt is pivotally mounted within the body assembly, resilient means cooperable with the bolt to urge the bolt against the sleeves, the bolt having spaced, slotted areas to allow the dials to extend therethrough.