US 5,343,723 A · Combination lock

Abstract

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a kicker arm-pawl lock mechanism rotates a number one wheel of a combination lock a predetermined distance to require resetting each number of a combination during lock manipulation. A drive cam-travel arm and bolt lock mechanism assures complete scrambling of the combination by requiring rotation of all wheels prior to bolt extension into a locked position. Another aspect of the invention includes a lock lever and drive cam mechanism which requires opening of the combination lock once a combination has been correctly dialed. A lock lever and pivoting pawl lock mechanism prevents lockout conditions by diverting forces applied to the combination lock bolt to the lock casing rather than the lock lever.

Claims22

Dependent claims

In a combination lock having a lock casing and a lock cover, a combination dial attached to one end of a spindle extending through said lock casing, a drive cam attached to the other end of the spindle, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted around said spindle, each wheel having a gate, a lock lever having a nose, and a bolt adapted to be extended or retracted by translation of said lock lever, wherein said spindle is adapted to longitudinally translate for checking a combination, the improvement comprising:

a) a kicker arm assembly rotatably mounted within said lock casing;
b) means for translating a longitudinal movement of said spindle into a first rotational movement of said kicker arm assembly;
and
c) means for transmitting said first rotational movement to one of said wheels adjacent said lock casing such that when the spindle is translated to check the combination, if the combination is incorrect one of said wheels is rotated to scramble said combination.

1 more element

In a combination lock having a lock casing having a bolt slideway and a lock cover, a combination dial attached to one end of a spindle extending through said lock casing, a drive cam attached to the other end of the spindle, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on said spindle, each wheel having a gate, a lock lever having a nose, and a bolt adapted to be extended or retracted by translation of said lock lever, the improvement comprising:

a) means for permitting limited extension of said lock lever without causing extension of said bolt;
and
b) means pivotally mounted to said bolt for movement between first and second operative positions, for transmitting a force applied to an end face of said bolt when the bolt is extended to said lock casing and said means for transmitting is in said first operative position such that said force is not transmitted to said lock lever and said lock lever is not configured into an inoperable position.

In a combination lock having a lock casing having a bolt slideway and a lock cover, a combination dial attached to one end of a spindle extending through said lock casing, a drive cam attached to the other end of the spindle, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted around said spindle, each wheel having a gate, a lock lever having a fence and a nose, and a bolt adapted to be extended or retracted by translation of said lock lever, wherein said spindle is adapted to longitudinally translate for checking a combination, the improvement comprising:

a) a kicker arm assembly, rotatably mounted within said lock casing and means for translating a longitudinal movement of said spindle into a first rotational movement of said kicker assembly,
b) means for transmitting said first rotational movement to one of said wheels adjacent said lock casing such that checking of correct or incorrect combination results in a rotation of said one of said wheels to scramble said combination;
c) a first member pivotally mounted on said bolt;
d) means attached to one of said plurality of wheels adjacent said lock casing for engaging said first member to extend said bolt into a locked position;
e) means on said bolt for permitting extension of said lock lever such that each of said plurality of wheels can rotate to scramble the combination prior to extension of said bolt by engagement between said first member and said means for engaging said first member;
f) a second member having radiused portions extending outwardly from said lock lever nose and opposite said fence;
g) means on said drive cam for engaging and holding said second member when a correct combination is dialed until said combination lock is opened by retraction of said bolt and for releasing said second member when said combination lock is to be locked by extension of said bolt;
and
h) means for transmitting a force applied to an end face of said bolt when the bolt is extended to said lock casing such that said force is not transmitted to said lock lever and said lock lever is not configured into an inoperable position.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combination lock

Life of this patent

Combination lock

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22