US879602A - Combination-lock bank. - Google Patents

Description

PATBETBD PEB. 18, 1908. E. R. WALKER.

IP. E f /l warren siem@ EUGENE it. WALKER, Ol" CHICAGO, LLINOIS.

COMBINATION-LOCK BAN Specification ot' Letters Patent.

atented Feb. 18, 1908.

Application led May 20. 1907. Serial No. 374.597.

To all who/m it may concern:

Beit known that l, EUGENE R. WALKER, a citizen of the ,United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ot' lllinois, have invented certain new and useful lmp-rovenients in Combination-Lock Banks, of which the following is a sp eci'lication.

This invention relates to coin banks, and more particularly to that kind or class ol banks which are )rovided with a closure or cover locked to tlhe body of the bank and capable of being withdrawn so as to open the bank only when the latter has been llillcd.

The invention further relates to a bank of this character wherein the cover or closure contains or includes a combination lock; and thevleading novel feature of the invention resides in a separable or twopart combination lock mechanism which can be operated to open the bank only when. the separable arts of the lock mechanism have been brought together by the insertion of the last coin which the bank is capable of holding, so

es to place the locking mechanism in a condition in which the combination can be operated to open the bank.

The invention is intended principally lor use in connection with small pocket banks adapted to hold small coins, such as pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and the like; butthe principle of the invention 'is applicable to any ty e of savings bank.

he invention will be readily understood when considered in connection with the' accompanying drawing `illustrating a preferred mechanical embodiment thereof, in

which,

Figure l is a pers ectivc elevational view of the complete ban i. Fig. 2 is an enlarged' horizontal sectional view through the lock mechanism on the line 2 2 of .F1 I).

is an enlarged vertical sectional view through Fig. 4 is a similar vertical sectional view in lane at right angles to that of Fig. 3, on the ine 4 4 of Fig. Fig. 5 is a group view showing in perspective the series ol alternating ring tumblers and spacers or washers constituting elements ol' the combination lock. Fig. 6 is aperspectiveview ol' the tumrig. :s I

Y pose hereinafter described. the lock mechanism on the line ot ll 1g. 2.

its upper end is outwardly ilared or tapered as shown at 7, thereby forming an upper portion S ol somewhat enlarged diameter, and open at its upper end. lust below the tapered or lla-red portion 7 the body of the bank is provided with a horizontal slot 9 adapted for the insertion of the coins. The cylindrical body S ol' the bank may be lurther provided with a series of uniformly spaced holes 10 which enable the owner or user ol the bank to observe the height of the coins deposited therein Aat any given time, and, in association with ninnerals placed opposite the same, as indicated, form a scale to indicate the value oi the deposited coins according to the height ol' the latter in the bank: the bank herein illustrating having a capacitv ol' fifty dimes or live dollars.

Rete img now 'more' particularly t the closure tor the upper end kol: the bank, and the combination lock mechanismincorporated therein, l1 and '12 designate, respectively, two series olI vertically spaced inwardly projecting lugs diametrically opposite each other on the inner wall ol' the upper enlarged portion il el' the bank body, the locking lugs ol the series 11 being somewhat wider than those of the series 12, as shown in the sectional view, Fig. 2. Slidingly fit# ting the end portion 8 of the cylinder is a cylindrical shell 13 shown indetail in Fig. 5, the cylindrical wall ol' said shell having on its lower end an internal horizontal 'llange 14, and Kthe cylindrical wall and iiange being provided with diainetrieally opposed vertical slots 15 and 16, which slide over the locking lugs 11 and 12, respectively, of the outer casing. The cylindrical wall or the shell 13 is further provided. with a pair ol' oppositely disposed narrower slots 17 disposed ninety degrees from the slots l5 and 16, for the pur- This shell 13 is loaded with alternatel'T arranged ring tuinblersnnd washers, as follows.

In the bottom ot' the shell, resting on the flange 14 thereof, is placed a ring tumbler 18 having dia-inetrically opposite points in its outer periphery notches 19 and 20 adapted to be brought into registration with the locking lugs 11 and 12 w-.ien the combination lock manipulated to open position. The ring tumbler 1S is further provided on its inner periphery witll a narrow inwardly projecting .lug or tooth 21. Above and resting on the ring tumbler 1S is a ring washer 22, which has a smooth internal periphery Of :peri heral nothes 3 and 32,

evaeoe equal diameter to the internal periphery ot l held within the tuinblers. The tia-nge 44.0? the ring tumbler 1S, and is provided at diainetrically opposite points on its outer peri hery with projecting lugs 23, the tips of W ich slidingly engage the slots 17. ot the shell or 13, as best shown in Fig. L1, whereby said washer is prevented from turning relatively to the cage. Above and. upon the washer rests another tumbler la pro vided with o'ppositely disposed noto es 25 and 26 corresponding to the notches 11i) l 20 of the tumbler 1S, and having on its in ner periphery an inwardly projecting lug` 27 of greater angular extent than the lug 21. Above the tumbler' 24 rests another ring Washer 2S having` radially projecting lugs 29 corres ending in all respects to the washer 22 an its lugs 23, and above this washer is located a third ring tumbler BO having outer corresponding to tne similar notches of the tuinblers 1S and 24, and having on its inner periphery a lug V33 occupying approximately three-tourths of the internal periphery the tumb er. Aboye the tumbler 30 the upper open end of the cage 13 is closed by a cap or cover 34 having a depending llange that rests upon the top tumbler, `and further having an annular marginal undercut indicated at 36 adapted to snugly tit the upper ends ot the cage and of its containingr wall ot the bank body 8, as clearly showiiin Figs. 3 and 4. The cap 34 has a central circular aperture 37 through which passes the circular portion 38 ot the stem or spindle ot an external cap 39 that is fast with said spindle and has an annular depending marginal lla-nge 40 tele-' scoping over the upper end S ol the cylinder, said flange 40 being graduated, as shown in Fig, 1, after the man ner common in combination locks of this type, the graduated scale shown being adapted to cooperate with a fixed line or other 'mark 4You the cylinder.

42 designates the cylindrical body-member of the tumbler-actuating key which is inserted through the lower end oi the shell or cage 13 and series ol" ring tumblers and washers, embracing the central spindle 3S, and is provided With a radially projecting rib 43 adapted, as the key is turned in the manner hereinafter described, to strilie the ends olE th\ev several lugs 21, 27 and Iii; ol' the respective tumblers, and thereby successively turn said tuinblers to positions iii which their respective peripheral notches ou the saine sides rogister with each other and with the loeiiing lugs` ll and l2 of the faisingf The lrey 42 is further provided on its lower end with a radially projecting llange r-tl that rests against the lower side ol the. llangc lt ot the shell lil,

soon as the lugs 50 and 4) come into contact,

and is counlersuiik on its lower tai-e, as Shown at 45, to receive a small washer All'and a cotterpin 1.7 passing through a hole iii the lower reduced and squared portion ih' ol the l l l l i l l l l the lrey is further provided with a depending lug in that cooperates, when the bank is Ailled with coins; with a corresponding lug 5() formed on the upper tace ot a clutch-member :31 that slidahly mounted by means of a central square aperture on the squared portion 455 of the spindle, being confined thereon by a screw .32 counter-sunk in the lower oi the clutch-member and threaded onto the lower end ol.E the .portion 43'01" 'thc' spindle. T he clutch-member 51 is normallyniaintained separated troni the cooperating elutchanem ber represented by the ilange Ltrl and luv' e9 by a coiled compression spring 53 that surrounds the squared portion 48 of the spindle, and abuis at its endsagainst the washer 46 and the upper face ot the clutch-member 51, ref spectivoly. it will be. observed that the lower element of the lock mechanism represented 'oy the member' 5l.. is thus normally separate and disconnected troni the siiperposed'parts oiihe ieelr mechanism and'b oi an exteriiai diameter substantially equal 4to the internal diameter ot the main cylinder tl otthe baul; body, normally closes the latter directly above the coii'i-adinitting -slot t?, which prevents the insert-ion of awire or other device lor improper manipulation of the turn blers or tunioler-actuating lrey. l

ln the use, oi" the device, the coins are inserted edgewise through the slot Si, each coin as it is inserted forcing upwardly the movable member 5l against the spring 53 sulticiently to permit the insertion of a coin, whereupon the coin drops to the bottoni ot' the cylinder, or onto other coins previously depositedA So long as the bank remains incoinpletely filled, any turning of thel cap 3) in either direction will merely idly rotate the lock nieniber 5l without turning or otherwise atl'eeting the tuniblers, so that the locking lugs 11 and 12, through engagement with the. uniiotched )oi-tions ot thc peripheries of the severa?. tuni- .ilers, prevent the withdrawal ot the vend ciosure ot' the baiilg thus.` making it impossible t o extract the coins W'hen, however, the bant: is iilled vwith the predetermined number coins represented by its capacity, the last coin inserted, being pushed in between 'the last preceding coin deposited and the under side of the clutch-member 51 which, it will be observed, is convex or inclined and directly opposite the slot i), forces upwardly the clutch-ineniber'5l against the spi'iiig, niitil the lug 50 ca'i'ricd thereby lies in. thesanie horizontal plane with the'dependiug lug 4t) ot thc tuinliler-actuatingkey 42. Accordinglyr the turning of the. cap 39, which is rigid wit i the spindle 2%, A1S, transmits to the kcyyl-, as

a turning movement; and the turning of the lrey lf2 through the predetermined distance in' ono direction, according to the particular Spindle, whereby said hey is supported and l ctmiliiiiation to which .the lock is sei, bringe stacca one oi the tumblers to a position in which its notches register with the locking lugsA ll and 12. The subsequent turning movement ot the cap :B9 inthe opposite direction, and to the predetermined extent required by the combination, bringsa second tumbler with its notches into c-orreslionding Aregistration with the locking lugs ll and l2. A final turning ot the cap 3l) in tliereverse direction, and to the predetermined extent required by the combination, brings the third tumbler into similar registration withthe corresponding lugs, whereupon the cap with the undcrlying parts of the locking inechanism can be removed bodily from theend ot the cylinder, and b y inverting the latter' the coins may be removed. It will be observed that the tumblers are provided on their lower sides with shallow ilanges that tit into the underlying 'flange 14 of the cage and the ring washers, thereby accurately centering the tumblers relatively to the cage and washers; the washers being themselves accurately centered relatively to the shell through the engagement of their radial lugs with the slots 17 ot' the shell.

The key 42 is centered in a similar manner through engagement with the under side of the llange 14. Y

ltwill thus be seen th at my invention presents a combination lock for the closure ot the bank that includes two normally separated parts that require to be brought together 'before the combination can be worked to release the lock and open the bank. So tar as l am aware my invention is broadly new in these features. Should it be reqniredrto open the bank before it is t'illed, this may be accomplished by inserting the blade ot a pen knife or similar tool through the slot t) and pushing the clutch 51 up into operative relation to the key 42 and then turning the cap 3) through the movements required by the (,'ombination` The tumblers can obviously be set to operate any one ot a large variety of combination movcn'icnts, as is well understood in locks oi this character.

l`hc device as shown and described can be readily carried about in the pocket ot 4the owner' or user, occupies but small space, and constitutes a convenience, as well as atl'oi'ding an incentive to the saving and accumnla tion olz small coins. lt will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the mechanism shown and described mightbe considerably varied with respect to details without departing 'from thospirit or sacrificing any oli' the advantages ol' the invention.

l claim:

l. in a combination-lock bank, the combinationyitll a casing' having an open end and a slot ttlnniinscrtion ot coins, and further provided wit.h\one\or more locking lugs, ot a Aclosure i'or said rinsing including a normally inoperative combination lock mechanism adapted to interlock with .said

[ lugs, said mechanism being rendered operative to unlock 'the closure when the bank is 'filled with coins, substantially as described.

. 2. ln a combination-lock bank, the combination with a casing having an open end and a slot tor the insertion ot coin-s, and 'further provided with one or more locking l lugs, ot a closure tor said casing, saidclosure carrying. a coml'iination-lock mechanism adapted to interlock with said lugs, coperating parts whereof are norn'ially separateil renderingthe mechanism inoperative, said parts being brought together to render the lock operative by the last coin insert-ed' to complete the filling ot' the bank, substantially as described.

3. In a combination-lock bank, the combination with cylindrical casing open at one end and transversely slotted tor the insertion oi'I coins, ot internal locking lugs carried by said casing, and a rotatable closure carrying a normally inoperative combination lock mechanism adapted to interlock with said lugs and having normally separated cooperating parts, said lock mechanism being rendered operative upon the connec# tion of' said normally separated parts by the insertion ot the last coin introduced to complete the tilting ot the casing, substantially as described.

L in a combination-lock bank, the combination with a cylindrical casing open at one engl and transversely slotted for the insertion of coins, ot internal locking lugs carried by said casing, a rotatable, closure tor the open end of' said casing, a series of vring tun'iblers carried, by sirid closure adapted to interlockingly engage said lugs, a rotatable key adapted to actuate said tumblers, a spindle carried by and rotatable with said closure, and normally separated clutch devices carried by said spindle and key, respectively, said clutch devices being forced into cooperative relation whereby to turn said ke f 'trom the turning of' said closur by the last coin introduced to complete the tilling ot' the casing, substantially as dcscribed. I

5. ln a combinationllock bank, the cornbination with a cylindrical casing open at one end, and transversely slotted below said open end tor thcl insertion oi'l coins, ot internal locking lugs on the inner wall ot' said casing above said transverse slot, a rotatable closure tumblers carried by said closure adapted to bored rotatable key extended through and adapted to actnate said tumblers, a spindle tast with said closure and. extending loosely through said kcy, and normally separated clutch devices carried by said spindle and key, respectively, said clutch devices being forced into cooperativo relation whereby to turn said keyi`r nn the turning'oi' said closure tor the open end of' said casing, a series ot ring interlockingly engage said lugs, an axially rotatable key extended through and adapted i end of said (.:zisingba` series of ring tumblers b the last com introduced to complete the filling Of the casing, substantially as described. Y

6. In'a combination-look bank, the cornbinationwitlra cylindrical casing Open at i one end and transversely slotted below said l Open end for the insertion Ot coins7 of ex-' ternal locking lugs onl the inner Wall of said easing above said transverse slot, a` rotatable externally graduated closure 'for the Open carried by said closure adapted to interlockingly engage saidlugs, an axially bored to aetuate said tiiinblers, aspindle fast with I seid closure and extending loosely through said key, a clutch member On the loWer end of said key, a cooperating clutch member rotatable with and slidavble longitudinally of the lower portion of said spindle7 said lastnamed clutch member having a Convex lower surface lying Opposite the slot of the easing, and n. spring between and normally Se arating said Clutch members, substantie ly as described. v

EUGENE R. WALKER.

Witnesses SAMUEL N. POND, FREDERICK C. GOODWIN.

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