Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02783204 2012-07-12
COMBINATION LOCK
Cross Reference to Related Application
[0001] This application is a divisional of Canadian Application No. 2,691,439,
filed on
June 19, 2008 and titled COMBINATION LOCK.
Background
[0002] Combination locks are used in commercial, residential, and
institutional
environments to provide lockable access to personal items and/or enclosures.
The combination
lock may be a separate device, such as a combination padlock, which may be
shackled to a door,
bracket, cable, or other item to restrict access. Alternatively, the
combination lock may be
integral to an enclosure, such as a safe or a storage locker. Combination
locks include single-dial
and multiple-dial designs.
[0003] While the use of a combination lock, as compared to a key based lock,
may
eliminate the risk of lost, stolen, or copied keys, an authorized combination
may be forgotten,
preventing access to the locked item by the authorized user. Further, in a
situation where an
administrator or other such individual needs access to the locked item or
items, it may be
difficult or impossible to keep track of the authorized combinations,
particularly where the
combination code is changeable by the user.
Summary of the Disclosure
[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, a combination lock includes a lock body, a
shackle,
a blocker, and a plurality of dials. The shackle includes a long leg and a
short leg, the short leg
being secured within the lock body when the lock is in a locked condition and
separable from the
lock body when the lock is in an unlocked condition. The blocker is disposed
within the lock
body and is movable in an axial direction between a shackle securing position,
in which the
blocker causes at least one locking member to engage with the shackle, and a
shackle releasing
position, in which the blocker allows the at least one locking member to
disengage from the
shackle for separation of the short leg from the lock body. Each of the
plurality of dials includes
a recess disposed on an outer periphery of the dial. When each of the
plurality of dials is rotated
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to an unlocking orientation, each of the recesses aligns with a corresponding
dial engaging
portion of the blocker, allowing the blocker to move from the shackle securing
position to the
shackle releasing position.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0005] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent
from the
following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination lock;
[0007] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the combination lock of
Figure 1;
[0008] Figure 3 is a front cross sectional view of the combination lock of
Figure 1;
[0009] Figure 4 is a side cross sectional view of the combination lock of
Figure 1;
[0010] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the internal lock components of the
combination
lock of Figure 1;
[0011] Figure 6 is a side view of the internal lock components of the
combination lock of
Figure 1; and
[0012] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the dial assembly and code change
mechanism
of the combination lock of Figure 1.
Detailed Description
[0013] The present application relates to combination lock arrangements that
may be
used with many different types of locks, such as, for example, combination
padlocks, safe locks,
and integral locks for lockers, mailboxes, storage sheds, or other such
structures and enclosures.
While the embodiments described in the present application refer to a multiple-
dial combination
padlock, the inventive aspects described herein may be applied to any type of
lock incorporating
any number of combination dials. This Detailed Description merely describes
exemplary
embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way.
Indeed, the
invention as described is broader than and unlimited by the described
embodiments, and the
terms used have their full ordinary meaning.
[0014] According to one aspect of the present application, a multiple-dial
combination
lock utilizing a mechanical locking mechanism, such as, for example, a shackle
lockably
engaged by one or more locking members (for example, ball bearings), may be
provided with a
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code identifying arrangement that allows an authorized user or administrator
to ascertain the
combination code for the lock. When the code identifying arrangement is
operated or moved to
a code identifying position, rotation of each dial to its unlocking
orientation provides a
perceptible indication that the unlocking orientation has been reached. The
code identifying
arrangement may be configured to provide many different types of perceptible
indications of the
unlocking orientation, including, for example, audible indicators (such as a
click or beep), visual
indicators (such as a light), or tactile indicators (such as a resistance to
rotation or impeded
rotation in one or both directions).
[0015] Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1-7 illustrate an exemplary
embodiment
of a multiple-dial combination padlock 100 having a key operated code
identifying arrangement.
As shown in Figure 1, the exemplary padlock 100 includes a lock body 110
configured to retain
a shackle 120, and a series of wheels 145, partially exposed through openings
115 in the lock
body 110 to allow user rotation of the wheels 145. The exemplary lock body
110, as shown in
the exploded view of Figure 2, includes a housing 111, top plate 112, outer
casing 113, and
wedge plate 114, which define cavities within the lock body for accommodating
the internal
components of the lock 100.
[0016] The exemplary lock 100 includes a locking mechanism, discussed in
greater detail
below, that releases the shackle 120 from a locked condition when each of the
wheels 145 is
rotated to an unlocking orientation. While the illustrated wheels 145 include
number markings
to identify the rotational orientation of each wheel, any types of markings
may be used
(including, for example, letters, pictures, and colors). While many different
locking mechanisms
may be employed, in the illustrated embodiment, the shackle 120 is secured in
a locked condition
within the lock body 110 by a blocker 130, which forces locking members 135
into engagement
with corresponding notches 125 (as shown in Figure 3) in the shackle 120 when
the blocker 130
is in an extended or locked condition, thereby preventing axial movement of
the shackle 120.
[0017] A dial assembly 140 is disposed within the lock body 110 of the
exemplary lock
100, and includes a series of wheels 145 and hubs 143 rotatable about a post
142. Each of the
wheels 145 engages a corresponding hub 143 on its inner diameter (for example,
using
interlocking gear teeth), such that each of the wheels 145 engages with one of
the hubs 143 to
rotate together as a series of dials. The lock 100 may further include a
spring detent plate 147
(see Figures 2 and 6) to hold the wheels 145 in place in one of several set
positions (for example,
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the numbered "0" through "9" positions on a conventional lock dial) when the
wheels are not
being manually rotated by a user.
[0018] Each of the hubs 143 includes an unlocking feature, such as, for
example, a recess
144 (shown in Figure 4), disposed on an outer periphery of the hub 143. Other
types of
unlocking features may be utilized, including, for example, notches, ramps, or
projections.
When the recesses 144 are aligned with dial contacting portions 134 of the
blocker 130 (which
may, for example, include finger-like extensions, as shown in Figure 2), the
exemplary blocker
130 becomes axially movable from the extended or locked condition to the
retracted or unlocked
.condition, with the dial contacting portions 134 being received in engagement
with the recesses
144. In the unlocked condition, a narrow end portion 137 of the blocker 130
axially aligns with
the locking members 135, allowing the locking members 135 to disengage from
the shackle
notches 125, thereby allowing the shackle 120 to be axially extended from the
lock body 110 to
disengage the short leg 122 of the shackle 120 from the lock body 110. As
shown in Figures 2
and 5, a biasing spring 136 may be disposed between the blocker 130 and the
housing 111 to bias
the blocker 130 toward the locked condition, such that the shackle 120 must be
pulled to force
the locking members 135 inward and the blocker 130 downward. While many
different
configurations may be used to retain the long leg 121 of the shackle 120 in
the lock body 110 in
this unlocked condition, in the illustrated embodiment, a shackle pin 127
biased by springs 128
engages a groove 124 near the end of the long leg 121 to prevent the long leg
121 from
disengaging from the lock body 110.
[0019] To identify or ascertain the proper combination code of a multiple dial
combination lock, a code identifying or dial engaging mechanism may be
included in the lock
and movable between a code concealing (or dial disengaged) position and a code
identifying (or
dial engaging) position. In the code identifying position, the dial engaging
mechanism is
positioned to independently engage each of the dials, such that a perceptible
indication is
provided when each of the dials is rotated to an unlocking orientation. To
provide for
independent engagement with each of the dials, the dial engagement mechanism
may be
provided with a series of resilient pins, tabs, or other such components
configured to move
independent of each other.
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the code identifying mechanism includes
a spring
plate 150 having a body and resilient tabs 154 or dial engaging portions that
extend from the
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body to align with and correspond to each of the hubs 143. For example, in the
embodiment
shown in the Figures there are four hubs 143, with one hub corresponding to
each of the wheels
145. When the body of the spring plate 150 is moved to a code identifying or
dial engaging
position, the tabs 154 flex against the outer peripheries of the hubs 143.
When one of the dials
140 is rotated to the unlocking orientation, the corresponding flexed tab 154
snaps into
engagement with the recess 144 to provide an indication that the unlocking
orientation has been
reached. While different types of engagement may be used to provide different
perceptible
indications (such as, for example, a click-type detent or electrical
connectivity between the hub
and the dial engaging mechanism), in one embodiment, the recess (or other such
unlocking
feature) 144 and the tab (or other such dial engaging feature) 154 may be
configured to provide
stopping engagement or impeded movement of the dial in one or both rotational
directions. In
the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, upon engagement of the tab
154 with the
recess 144, rotation of the wheel 145 is impeded in the direction identified
by arrow A.
Therefore, to identify the proper combination code, each wheel 145 may be
rotated in the
direction A until rotation is impeded.
[0021] While a dial engaging member (such as a spring plate) may be provided
in many
different orientations and positions within the lock, in the illustrated
embodiment, the spring
plate 150 is positioned between the blocker 130 and the dial assembly 140,
such that movement
of the blocker 130 to the unlocking condition moves the spring plate tabs 154
into engagement
with the recesses 144, regardless of whether the spring plate 150 is in the
dial disengaged
position or the dial engaging position. In other embodiments (not shown), dial
contacting
portions of the dial engaging member may be provided in some other orientation
for engagement
with the unlocking features. In still other embodiments (not shown), a set of
dials may be
provided with a first set of unlocking features for engaging the locking
mechanism (such as a
blocker) and a second set of unlocking features for engaging the dial engaging
member (such as
a spring plate), where alignment of the first set of unlocking features with
the locking mechanism
corresponds with alignment of the second set of unlocking features with the
dial engaging
member, for identification of the combination code when the dial engaging
member is in the
code identifying position.
[0022] Many different mechanisms or configurations may be utilized to allow an
authorized user or administrator to move the dial engaging mechanism from the
code concealing
CA 02783204 2012-07-12
position to the code identifying position for identification of the
combination code, including, for
example, key-operated mechanisms, master code combinations (with wheels
configured to move
a dial engaging mechanism to a code identifying position when in a
predetermined "master"
combination), or electronically operated mechanisms (such as an electronic key
card or an
infrared or radio frequency transmitter and receiver). In the illustrated
embodiment, a key-
operated pin tumbler cylinder 160, as known in the art, extends from a side of
the lock body 11 0,
and is operable (with a proper key) to move the spring plate 150 into the dial
engaging position.
While many different operative connections may be provided between the key
operated cylinder
160 and the spring plate 150, in the illustrated embodiment, an inner end of
the cylinder 160
engages a disc-shaped cam 170, which is rotatable to pivot (via pin 173) a
drive arm 180
connected with the spring plate 150 by pin 185 for movement of the spring
plate 150. Because
the drive arm 180 and spring pin 150 need only move a short distance for
movement from the
dial disengaged position to the dial engaging position and the convention key
cylinder rotates
approximately 90 with a proper key, the drive arm 180 may be provided with an
extended recess
or slot 183 (see Figure 6), such that 90 rotation of the cam 170 results in
reduced rotation (for
example, approximately 15 ) of the drive arm 180. The lock 100 may be
configured to use a
conventional key cylinder, consistent with a door key cylinder, such that an
authorized user may
use his or her house key to identify the combination code on the combination
lock.
10023] The exemplary lock 100 is also configured to allow an authorized user
to change
the combination code upon unlocking the lock. As best seen in Figure 7, a code
change member
190 is disposed in the lock body 110 and accessible through an opening 119
(see Figure 1) in the
bottom of the lock body 110. The code change member 190 includes a contoured
surface 191
that engages the post 142. When the shackle 120 is locked, the end of the long
leg 121 engages a
stepped end 192 of the code change member 190 to prevent movement of the code
change
member. When the lock 100 is unlocked and the shackle 120 is lifted, the code
change member
190 may be rotated (for example, by a screwdriver inserted in a slot 194 in
the exposed end) such
that the contoured surface 191 axially pushes the post 142 and hubs 143,
disengaging the hubs
143 from the wheels 145. Upon disengagement of the hubs 143 from the wheels
145, the wheels
145 may be rotated to a new authorized combination. Once the new combination
has been set,
the code change member 190 may be returned to the original position, and a
biasing spring 149
returns the post 142 and hubs 143 to reengage the hubs 143 with the wheels
145. A fastener or
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pin 105 used to secure the outer casing 113 to the housing 111 may also retain
the code change
member 190 at the base of the housing 111.
[0024] While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the
inventions may be
described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary
embodiments,
these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative
embodiments,
either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof
Unless expressly
excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be
within the scope
of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative
embodiments as to the various
aspects, concepts and features of the inventions--such as alternative
materials, structures,
configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware,
control logic,
alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on--may be described herein,
such descriptions
are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative
embodiments,
whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may
readily adopt one or
more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional
embodiments and uses within
the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly
disclosed herein.
Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions
may be described
herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not
intended to suggest
that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still
further, exemplary or
representative indicators and ranges may be included to assist in
understanding the present
disclosure; however, such indicators and ranges are not to be construed in a
limiting sense and
are intended to be critical indicators or ranges only if so expressly stated.
Moreover, while
various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as
being inventive or
forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be
exclusive, but rather there
may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described
herein without being
expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention, the
inventions instead being set
forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes
are not limited to
inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that
the steps are presented to
be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.
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