Combination lock with reduced axial length
OwnerMeir Avganiminventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lock includes a cylinder with a locking tab extending axially from a distal end, a rod movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. At least one protrusion on the rod, and a pair of blocking elements positioned adjacent to the locking tab. A marked wheel is rotatably mounted on the rod and cylinder, and includes an inner wheel including a ridge extending from an inner surface and a slot extending through the ridge. The rod slides relative to the cylinder when the slot is aligned with the protrusion on the rod.
Claims13
A lock, comprising:
- a cylinder with a locking tab extending axially from a distal end thereof;
- a rod mounted on the cylinder, and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position to lock and unlock the lock:
- the rod further comprising:
- at least one protrusion on a top surface thereof,
- and a pair of blocking elements extending from a distal end thereof and positioned adjacent to the locking tab when the rod is in a locked position and removed from the locking tab when the rod is in an unlocked position;
- and
- at least one marked wheel rotatably mounted on the rod and cylinder, wherein positioning of the at least one marked wheel controls movement of the rod;
- the at least one marked wheel further comprising:
- an inner wheel rotatably mounted on the rod and cylinder, and including a ridge extending from an inner surface thereof, the ridge including a slot extending completely through the ridge at a predetermined position on the inner wheel;
- an outer wheel, rotatably mounted on the rod and cylinder outside of the inner wheel and including an outer surface with indicia indicating distinct positions on the outer wheel;
- a connector configured to fit substantially within the inner ring and including a resilient connecting element that engages the outer wheel such that the outer inner wheel rotates with the inner wheel;
- wherein the rod is slidable relative to the cylinder when the slot formed in the ridge on the inner surface of the inner wheel is aligned with the protrusion on the rod;
- and
- wherein the resilient connecting element is bendable from an engaging position in which the connecting element engages one of the receiving slots of the outer wheel and a resetting position in which the connecting element is not connected to the outer wheel such that the outer wheel is rotatable with respect to the inner wheel.
A marked wheel for use in a combination lock including a rod selectively slidable relative to a cylinder to lock and unlock the lock, the marked wheel comprising:
- an inner wheel rotatably mounted on the cylinder and rod, and including a ridge extending from an inner surface thereof, the ridge including a slot extending completely through the ridge at a predetermined position on the inner surface of the wheel;
- an outer wheel, rotatably mounted on the rod and cylinder outside of the inner wheel and including an outer surface with indicia indicating distinct positions on the outer wheel;
- a connector configured to fit substantially within the inner wheel and including a resilient connecting element that selectively engages the outer wheel such that the outer wheel, inner wheel and connector rotate together, and
- wherein the connecting element is bent into the resetting position to allow the outer wheel to be rotated relative to the inner wheel such that a relationship between the outer wheel and the position of the slot formed in the ridge on the inner surface of the inner wheel is modified, the connecting element positioned opposite the receiving slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.