TITLE
Combination Lock
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a combination lock, and more
particularly to a
combination lock having no keyholes and lock member hidden inside the lock
body of
the combination lock.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTS
[0003] A combination lock is a type of padlock, wherein a sequence of numbers
or
symbols is used to open or unlock the lock. However, the lock code of the
combination
lock is a combination of the numbers or symbols but not the array of numbers
or
symbols. Accordingly, there are two types of combination lock, i.e. electronic
combination lock and mechanical combination lock. The electronic combination
lock
generally comprises an cicetro-magnetic lock assembly or an electronically
controlled
latch, wherein when an input code entered by a user matches with a preset
code, the
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electro-magnetic lock assembly is automatically actuated in an unlocked
position in order
to unlock the electronic combination lock. However, the major drawback of the
electronic combination lock is that the electronic combination lock must be
electrically
connected to a power source. In other words, the electronic combination lock
will not be
operated without any power source. In addition, since the electro-magnetic
lock
assembly must incorporate with an internal electronic chip and other
electronic
components, the breaking resistance or tensile strength of the electronic
combination is
weaker than that of the mechanical combination lock.
[0004] The mechanical combination lock generally comprises a plurality of
rotating
dials individually rotating about an axle to link with a lock bolt, wherein
when each of
the rotating dials is rotated at a predetermined position, the lock bolt is
free to move in
order to unlock the mechanical combination lock. Since the user must manually
rotate a
plurality of outer driving rings one-by-one to rotate the corresponding
rotating dials
respectively, the operation of the mechanical combination lock is complicated.
Therefore, the mechanical combination lock cannot be incorporated with any
automatic
actuation unit to automatically complete the unlocking operation of the
mechanical
combination lock.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0005] The invention is advantageous in that it provides a combination lock
with a lock
core or member, wherein the unlocking process of the lock core/member can be
operated
automatically. The lock core/member comprises a plurality of driving discs to
be rotated
consequently and automatically to actuate the lock core/member in an unlocked
position.
[0006] Another advantage of the invention is to provide a combination lock has
at least
one rotating disc, for example a driving disc or driven disc, wherein the
driving disc and
driven disc are hidden inside the lock body of the combination lock to prevent
the driving
disc and driven disc from being impacted by any external forces at the lock
body.
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[0007] Another advantage of the invention is to provide a combination lock,
wherein
the combination lock comprises an unlocking member, wherein when each of the
notches
of the driven discs is aligned with the driving opening, the unlocking member
is pushed
to fall into the unlocking slot defined by the notches and the driving opening
such that a
user only rotates the driving portion of the driving shaft in a predetermined
manner to
unlock the combination lock.
[0008] Another advantage of the invention is to provide a combination lock,
wherein a
key hole for the combination lock comprises is not required by the combination
lock to
prevent the lock member from being impacted by forces outside the lock body.
[0009] Another advantage of the invention is to provide a combination lock,
wherein
the combination lock comprises a lock member adapted to be rotatably provided
in the
lock body of the combination lock and a first locking element movably provided
in the
lock body, wherein the first locking element is adapted to couple with the
lock member
and be driven to move between a shackle locking state and a shackle releasing
state.
[0010] Another advantage of the invention is to provide a combination lock,
wherein
the combination lock comprises a coding wheel for coding the rotary motion of
the
driving shaft for unlock the combination lock, wherein the coding wheel is
hidden inside
the lock body of the combination lock such that the combination lock can be
unlocked by
an automatic unlocking device, and a user is not able to see the coded
information
corresponding to the rotary motion of the driving shaft for unlock the
combination lock.
[0011] Accordingly, the lock member comprises a rotating axle, a plurality of
rotating
discs coaxially coupled at the driving shaft, and a disc moving unit provided
between
every two of the rotating discs. One of the rotating discs is set as a driving
disc to be
coaxially affixed at the driving shaft, wherein the rest of the rotating discs
are set as
driven discs to be coaxially and rotatably coupled at the driving shaft. Each
of the
rotating discs has a notch formed at a peripheral portion thereof. When the
driving shaft
is rotated, the rotating discs are rotated consequently via the disc moving
units to unlock
the lock member. The lock code of the lock member is set by an arc angle of
each of the
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rotating disc combined with a rotatable direction sequence. Accordingly, the
disc gaps
between every two rotating discs are even.
[0012] Two driving pins are provided at two opposed sides of each of the
rotating
discs, wherein the radial locations of the two corresponding driving pins
between two
disc surfaces of the corresponding rotating disc are symmetrical. Furthermore,
the are
angle between each disc mover and the corresponding notch with respect to the
center of
the rotating disc must be larger than 0 degree and smaller than 360 degrees
(360'<a<0 ).
[0013] Another advantage of the invention is to provides a combination lock,
wherein
the combination lock is a purely mechanical lock and doesn't required any of
of electricity to run.
[0014] Additional advantages and features of the invention will become
apparent from
the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the
instrumentalities and
combinations particular point out in the appended claims.
[0015] According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and
advantages are attained by a combination lock, which comprises:
[0016] a shackle having a first leg and a second leg;
[0017] a lock member; and
[0018] a first locking element movably coupled with the lock member and
adapted to
be driven by the lock member to move in a reciprocating manner between a
shackle
locking state and a shackle releasing state, wherein when the shackle is at
the shackle
locking state, the first locking element is capable of holding the first leg,
when the
shackle is at the shackle unlocking state, the first locking element is driven
to leave from
the first leg of the shack.
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[0019] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a
consideration
of the ensuing description and drawings.
[0020] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present
invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying
drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the combination lock according to a
preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the combination lock according to
the
to above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Fig. 3A is a side view of the shackle of the combination lock according
to the
above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the shackle of the combination lock
according
to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Fig. 4 is a side view of the lock body of the combination lock
according to the
above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Fig. 5 is a top view of the lock body of the combination lock according
to the
above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Fig. 6 is a partially sectional view of the lock body of the
combination lock
according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
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[0028] Fig. 7 is another side view of the lock body of the combination lock
according
to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lock body of the combination lock
according
to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cover
body of
the lock body of the combination lock is removed.
[0030] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lock body of the combination lock
according
to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the lock
body of the
combination lock is removed.
[0031] Fig. 10 is another perspective view of the lock body of the combination
lock
to according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the lock
body of the combination lock is removed.
[0032] Fig. 11A is a perspective view of the combination unlocking device for
a lock
according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] Fig. 11B is a perspective view of the stopping panel of the combination
lock
is according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the combination unlocking device for a
lock
according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the combination unlocking device for a
lock
according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating the
20 lock member has a laser decline channel for reducing the intensity of
the inflected laser.
[0036] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the disc unit of the combination
unlocking
device for a lock according to the above preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
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[0037] Fig. 15A is a perspective view of the combination unlocking device for
a lock
according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating the
lock member has a coding wheel.
[0038] Fig. 15B is a perspective view of the coding wheel of the combination
lock
according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] Fig. 16 is a partially sectional view of the coding wheel of the
combination lock
according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] Fig. 17 is a side view of an automatic unlocking device for unlocking
the
combination lock according to the above preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
1 [0041] Fig. 18 is a side view of an automatic unlocking device for
unlocking the
combination lock according to the above preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0042] Fig. 19 is a side view of an automatic unlocking device for unlocking
the
combination lock according to the above preferred embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the automatic is connected to the operating end of the
driving portion
of the driving shaft.
[0043] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of lock core of a combination lock
according to a
second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Fig. 21 is a side view of the lock core according to the above second
preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the combination lock with the lock
core
according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
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[0046] Fig. 23 is a top view of the rotating discs of the lock core according
to the above
second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the
corresponding
locations of paddle and locking slot of each of the rotating discs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0047] The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in
the art to
make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the
following
description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those
skilled in the art.
The general principles defined in the following description would be applied
to other
embodiments; alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0048] Referring to Fig. 1 to Fig. 19 of the drawings, a combination lock
according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. According to the
preferred
embodiment, the combination lock comprises a lock member 20, a shackle 30
having a
first leg 31 and a second leg 32, and a first locking element 40 movably
coupled with the
lock member 20, wherein the first locking element 40 is adapted to be driven
by the lock
member 20 to move in a reciprocating manner between a shackle locking state
and a
shackle releasing state. When the shackle 30 is at the shackle locking state,
the first
locking element 40 is engaged with the first leg 31. When the shackle 30 is at
the shackle
unlocking state, the first locking element 40 is driven to release from the
first leg 31 of
the shackle 30.
[0049] As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 8, the combination lock further comprises a
lock
body 10, wherein the lock member 20 is rotatably provided within the lock body
10, and
the first locking element 40 is movably provided within the lock body 10. The
first
locking element 40 is arranged to be engaged with the first leg 31 of the
shackle 30 to
75 hold the first leg 31 in the lock body 10 at the shackle locking state
and be driven by the
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lock member 20 to release from the first leg 31 so as to enable the first leg
31 to separate
from the lock body 10 at the shackle releasing state.
[0050] As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, the lock body 10 comprises an upper
portion 11
and a lower portion 12 downwardly extended from the upper portion 11, wherein
the
upper portion 11 has a first receiving chamber 110 for receiving the lock
member 20
therein.
[0051] As shown in Fig. 11A to Fig. 16, the lock member 20 comprises a housing
21
adapted for driving the first locking element 40 to move in order to release
the first leg 31
of the shackle 30 from the lock body 10.
i 0 [0052] The housing 21 of the lock member 20 comprises an upper end 211
adapted for
driving the first locking element 40 to move and a lower end 212, wherein the
housing 21
defines a second receiving chamber 210. The lock member 20 further comprises
an
unlocking element 22 pivotally provided between the upper end 211 and the
lower end
212 and a disc unit 23 rotatably provided within the second receiving chamber
210,
wherein the disc unit 23 comprises a driving disc 231. The driving disc 231
has at least
one driving opening 2310 indently formed at a peripheral edge thereof, wherein
the
driving opening 2310 allows the unlocking element 22 to fit into the driving
opening
2310 such that when the driving opening 2310 is aligned with the unlocking
element 22,
the unlocking element 22 is able to fit into the driving opening 2310 of the
driving disc
231 in order to enable the driving disc 231 to drive the unlocking element 22
and the
housing 21 of the lock member 20 to rotate.
[0053] The driving disc 231 comprises a driving body 2311 and the driving
opening
2310 is formed through the driving body 2311 from top to bottom to define a
blocking
side 23111 and a sliding side 23112 of the driving body 2311, wherein when the
unlocking element 22 falls into the driving opening 2310, the unlocking
element 22 is
adapted to be blocked by the blocking side 23111 and slid along the sliding
side 23112 to
separate the unlocking element 22 from the driving opening 2310. When the
driving disc
231 rotates to enable the blocking side 23111 to move against the unlocking
element 22,
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the driving disc 231 is able to drive the unlocking element 22 and the lock
member 20 to
rotate. When the driving disc 231 rotates to enable the sliding side 23112 to
move against
the unlocking element 22, the driving disc 231 is able to push the unlocking
element 22
to separate from the driving opening 2310.
[0054] As shown in Fig. 8 to Fig. 10, the first locking element 40 comprises a
first
locking portion 41 adapted to be engaged with the first leg 31 of the shackle
30 and a first
driven portion 42 extended from the first locking portion 41 to the lock
member 20 and
adapted to be driven by the lock member 20 to move the first locking element
40 in a
reciprocating manner such that when the lock member 20 rotates, the first
driven portion
42 is driven by the lock member 20 to move the first locking element 40 so as
to be
engaged with the first leg 31 and hold the first leg 31 in the lock body 10 at
the shackle
unlocking state and drive the first locking portion 41 to leave from the first
leg 31 to
enable the first leg 31 to separate from the lock body 10 at the shackle
unlocking state.
[0055] As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 12, the lock member 20 further comprises an
elastic
element 24. The housing 21 of the lock member 20 further comprises a side wall
213
extended between the upper end 211 and the lower end 212, wherein the side
wall 213
defines the second receiving chamber 210 to receive the driving disc 231
therein. The
side wall 213 has an outer side 2131, wherein the elastic element 24 is
provided on the
outer side 2131 of the side wall 213 of the housing 21 and extended from the
side wall
213 to the unlocking element 22. When the driving opening 2310 is aligned with
the
unlocking element 22, the elastic element 24 provides an elastic force to push
the
unlocking element 22 to fall into the driving opening 2310 in order to enable
the driving
disc 231 to drive the unlocking element 22 and the housing 21 of the lock
member 20 to
rotate.
[0056] Preferably, the outer side 2131 of the side wall 213 has a curved
surface 21311,
and the elastic element 24 is an elastic sheet having a corresponding curved
shape such
that the elastic element 24 is provided along the curved surface 21311 of the
outer side
2131 of the side wall 213 of the housing 21.
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[0057] More preferably, the elastic sheet is a spiral spring sheet, and the
unlocking
element 22 comprises a positioning portion 221 pivotally provided between the
upper end
211 and the lower end 212 and a blocking rib 222 provided with the positioning
portion
221 and adapted to fall into the driving opening 2310 of the driving disc 231
and be
blocked by the blocking side 23111 of the driving body 2311, wherein the
positioning
portion 221 has an curved outer surface 2211 and the spiral spring sheet is
provided along
the curved outer surface 2211 of the positioning portion 221, as shown in Fig.
12.
[0058] As shown in Fig. 13, Fig. 14 and Fig. 16, the lock member 20 further
comprises
a driving shaft 25, and the lower end 212 of the housing 21 has a shaft hole
2120,
wherein the driving shaft 25 comprises a received portion 251 rotatably
received within
the second receiving chamber 210 and a driving portion 252 rotatably and
downwardly
extended from the received portion 251. The driving portion 252 passes through
the shaft
hole 2120 of the lower end 212, wherein the driving disc 231 is fixed with the
received
portion 251 of the driving shaft 25 and held within the second receiving
chamber 210 by
the lower end of the housing 21 such that a user is able to drive the driving
portion 252 of
the driving shaft 25 by rotating the driving portion 252 to rotate the driving
disc 231 and
align the driving opening 2310 of the driving disc 231 with the unlocking
element 22 so
as to allow the blocking rib 222 of the unlocking element 22 to fall into the
driving
opening 2310.
.. [0059] As shown in Fig. 14 to Fig. 16, the disc unit 23 of the lock member
20 further
comprises a plurality of driven discs 232 rotatably provided between the upper
end 211
and the driving disc 231, wherein each driven disc 232 is rotatably coupled
with the
received portion 251 of the driving shaft 25. Each of the driven discs 232 has
a notch
2320 adapted to align with the driving opening 2310, wherein the driving disc
231 is
adapted for driving the driven discs 232 to rotate in a sequent manner to
enable the notch
2320 to align with the driving opening 2310 so as to define an unlocking slot
230 for
receiving the blocking rib 222 of the unlocking element 22 therein. In other
words, the
unlocking slot 230 allows the blocking rib 222 of the unlocking element 22 to
fall into the
unlocking slot 230 such that a user is able to rotate the driving disc 231 and
the driven
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disc 232 by driving the driving shaft 25 to rotate to align the driving
opening 2310 with
the notch 2320 so as to define the unlocking slot 230 to enable the blocking
rib 222 of the
unlocking element 22 to fall into the unlocking slot 230. Preferably, the
driven discs 232
are held within the second receiving chamber 210 by the driving shaft 25.
[0060] As shown in Fig. 16, the lock member 20 further comprises a pressed
spring 26
provided between the upper end 211 and the driven disc 232 to hold the driven
disc 232
and the driving disc 231 at a position. It is worth mentioning that the lock
member 20 is
constructed to include the driving and driven discs 231, 232 coaxailly coupled
at the
driving shaft 25.
[0061] It is worth mentioning that the driving disc 231 further comprises a
first driving
pin 2312, and the driven disc 232 comprises a driven body 2321 and a driven
pin 2322,
wherein the driving body 2311 has a first driving side 23113, and the driven
body 2321
has a driven side 23211, wherein the first driving pin 2312 is perpendicularly
provided on
the driven side 23211, and the driven pin 2322 is perpendicularly provided on
the driven
side 23211. The first driving pin 2312 of the driving disc 231 is adapted to
couple with
the driven pin 2322 of the driven disc 232 such that when the driving disc 231
rotates, the
first driving pin 2312 is able to meet the driven pin 2322 and push the driven
pin 2322
and the driven disc 232 so as to align the notch 2320 with the driving opening
2310 to
define the unlocking slot 230 for the unlocking element 22.
[0062] It is worth mentioning that the driving disc 231 and the driven disc
232 define a
first distance of L1 therebetween, wherein the first driving pin 2312 of the
driving disc
231 has a height of H1, and the driven pin 2322 of the driven disc 232 has a
height of H2,
wherein the first distance of Ll is less than the total length of H1 and H2
such that when
the driving disc 231 rotates, the first driving pin 2312 is able to meet the
driven pin 2322
and push the driven pin 2322 so as to rotate the driven disc 232.
[00631 Preferably, the disc unit 23 comprises a predetermined number of driven
discs
232 respectively and orderly provided between the upper end 211 and the
driving disc
231, wherein each of the driven discs 232 is rotatably coupled with the
received portion
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251 of the driving shaft 25, wherein each of the driven discs 232 has a notch
2320
adapted to align with the driving opening 2310, and the driving disc 231 is
adapted for
orderly driving the driven discs 232 to rotate to enable the notch 2320 of
each of the
driven discs 232 to align with the driving opening 2310 so as to define an
unlocking slot
230 for receiving the blocking rib 222 of the unlocking element 22 therein. In
other
words, the unlocking slot 230 allows the blocking rib 222 of the unlocking
element 22 to
fall into the unlocking slot 230 such that a user is able to rotate the
driving disc 231 and
the driven disc 232 by driving the driving shaft 25 to rotate to align the
notch 2320 of
each of the plurality of driven discs 232 with the driving opening 2310 so as
to define the
unlocking slot 230 to enable the blocking rib 222 of the unlocking element 22
to fall into
the unlocking slot 230, as shown in Fig. 9 to Fig. 16. Preferably, each of the
driven discs
232 is held within the second receiving chamber 210 by the driving shaft 25.
[0064] It is worth mentioning that the driving disc 231 further comprises a
first driving
pin 2312, and each of the driven discs 232 comprises a driven body 2321 , a
driven pin
i 5 2322 and a second driving pin 2323, wherein the driving body 2311 has a
first driving
side 23113, and the driven body 2321 has a driven side 23211 and a second
driving side
23212, wherein the first driving pin 2312 of the driving disc 231 is provided
on the
driven side 23211, the driven pin 2322 of the driven disc 232 is provided on
the driven
side 23211, the second driving pin 2323 of the driven disc 232 is provided on
the second
driving side 23212, wherein the first driving pin 2312 of the driving disc 231
is adapted
to couple with the driven pin 2322 of the driven disc 232 next to the driving
disc 231,
wherein every two neighboring driven discs 232 define an upper driven disc 232
and a
lower driven disc 232, and the second driving pin 2323 of the lower driven
disc 232 is
adapted to couple with the driven pin 2322 of the upper driven disc 232 such
that when
the driving disc 231 rotates, the first driving pin 2312 of the driving disc
231 is able to
meet the driven pin 2322 of the driven disc 232 next to the driving disc 231,
and the
second driving pin 2323 of the lower driving disc 231 of every two neighboring
driven
discs 232 is able to meet the driven pin 2322 of the upper driven disc 232 of
every two
neighboring driven discs 232 and orderly drive each of the plurality of driven
discs 232 to
.. rotate so as to respectively align the notch 2320 of each of the driven
discs 232 with the
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driving opening 2310 to define the unlocking slot 230 for the unlocking
element 22, as
shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 12.
[0065] Preferably, the driven body 2321 has a driven side 23211 facing towards
the
driving disc 231 and a driving side 23213 facing towards the upper end 211.
[0066] It is worth mentioning that the driving disc 231 and the driven disc
232 next to
the driving disc 231 define a first distance of Li therebetween, wherein the
first driving
pin 2312 of the driving disc 231 has a height of HI, and the driven pin 2322
of the driven
disc 232 next to the driving disc 231 has a height of 112, wherein the first
distance of Li
is less than the total length of H1 and H2 such that when the driving disc 231
rotates, the
t 0 first driving pin 2312 is able to meet the driven pin 2322 and push the
driven pin 2322so
as to rotate the driven disc 232.
[0067] Similarly, the two neighboring driven discs 232 define a second
distance of L2
therebetween, wherein the second driving pin 2323 of the lower driven disc 232
of the
two neighboring driven discs 232 has a height of 113, and the driven pin 2322
of the
upper driven disc 232 of the two neighboring driven discs 232 has a height of
H2,
wherein the second distance of L2 is less than the total length of 143 and 112
such that
when the lower driving disc 232 rotates, the second driving pin 2323 of the
lower driven
disc 232 is able to meet the driven pin 2322 of the upper driven disc 232 and
so as to
rotate the upper driven disc 232.
[0068] As shown in Fig. 16, the lock member 20 further comprises a pressed
spring 26,
wherein the pressed spring 26 is provided between the upper end 211 and the
disc unit 23
to so as to hold each of the driven discs 232 at a position.
[0069] Alternatively, the driven discs 232 are respectively and orderly
provided
between the upper end 211 and the driving disc 231, wherein each of the
plurality of
driven discs 232 is rotatably coupled with the received portion 251 of the
driving shaft 25,
wherein the pressed spring 26 is provided between the lower end 211 and the
disc unit 23
to support each of the driven discs 232 at a position.
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[0070] A method of unlocking a lock member 20, comprising the following steps.
[0071] (1) Rotate the driving shaft 25 in a first direction to drive the
driving disc 231
to rotate in a first direction, wherein the driven discs 232 are consequently
rotate by the
driving disc 231 via the driving pins until the driven disc 232 at the
farthest distance from
the driving disc 231, i.e. the last driven disc, is rotate to locate the notch
of the last driven
disc 232 at the unlocked position.
[0072] (2) Rotate the driving shaft 25 in an opposed second direction to drive
the
driving disc 231 to rotate in a second direction, wherein the driven discs
232, except the
last driven rotating disc, are consequently rotate by the driving disc 231 via
the driving
pins until the second last driven disc 232 is rotate to locate the notch of
the second last
driven disc 232 at the unlocked position.
[0073] (3) Repeat steps (1) and (2) until all the notches of the driven discs
232 are
located at the unlocked position.
[0074] (4) Rotate the driving shaft 25 to rotate the driving disc 231 until
the notch of
the driving disc 231 is located at the unlocked position.
[0075] As shown in Fig. 8 to Fig. 12, the housing 21 of the lock member 20
further
comprises a driving gear 214, and the upper end 211 of the housing 21 has a
top side
2111, wherein the driving gear 214 is provided on the top side 2111 of the
upper end 211
for driving the first locking element 40 to move in a reciprocating manner
between a
shackle locking state and a shackle releasing state.
[0076] As shown in Fig. 8 to Fig. 10, the first driven portion 42 of the first
locking
element 40 comprises a toothed end side 421 adapted to be engaged with the
driving gear
214 such that when the lock member 20 rotates, the driving gear 214 is able to
drive the
first locking element 40 to move between a shackle locking state and a shackle
releasing
state.
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[0077] As shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, the upper portion 11 has an inner side
111 and a
resetting cavity 1110 provided in the inner side 111 and communicatedly
connected with
the first receiving chamber 110, wherein the resetting cavity 1110 is shaped
and sized to
be adapted to receive the unlocking element 22 therein. The unlocking element
22 is
directed to the resetting cavity 1110 of the lock body 10 such that when the
notch 2320 of
each of the driven discs 232 is aligned with the driving opening 2310 to
define the
unlocking slot 230 for the unlocking element 22, the unlocking element 22 is
forced to
leave from the resetting cavity 1110 by the elastic element 24 and fall into
the unlocking
slot 230. When the unlocking element 22 is pushed by the driving disc 231 to
separate
to from the driving opening 2310, the unlocking element 22 is adapted to
reset into the
resetting cavity 1110 and is held at a position by the inner side 111 of the
upper portion
11 of lock body 10.
[0078] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 6, the lower portion 12 has an operating
inlet 120
direct to the driving portion 252 of the driving shaft 25 to enable a user to
drive the
driving portion 252 of the driving shaft 25 to rotate the driving shaft 25
through the
operating inlet 120.
[0079] As shown in Fig. 12 to Fig. 15, the driving portion 252 of the driving
shaft 25
comprises an operating end 2521, wherein the operating end 2521 is adapted to
pass
through the operating inlet 120 to protrude from the first receiving chamber
110 so as to
.. enable the user to drive the operating end 2521 of the driving portion 252
to rotate the
driving shaft 25.
[0080] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 7, the lower portion 12 of the lock body 10
comprises a bottom side 121, wherein the bottom side 121 has an operating
chamber
1210 provided in the bottom side 121 , wherein the operating inlet 120 is
communicatedly provided within the operating chamber 1210, wherein the
operating
end 2521 is adapted to protrude from the first receiving chamber 110 through
the
operating inlet 120 and is hidden inside the operating chamber 1210.
16
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
[0081] As shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, the first leg 31 of the shackle 30 has
a first
locking notch 310, and the second leg 32 of the shackle 30 has a second
locking notch
320 such that when the shackle 30 is at the shackle locking state, the first
locking portion
41 of the first locking element 40 is adapted to be driven to engaged with the
first leg 31,
and the second locking portion 51 of the second locking element 50 is adapted
to be
driven to engaged with the second leg 32. Preferably, the second leg 32 of the
shackle 30
comprises a leg body 321 and an elongated portion 322 extended from the leg
body 321,
wherein the leg body 321 defines the second locking notch 320, and the
elongated portion
322 defines a positioning slot 3210, wherein the positioning slot 3210 has an
arc-shaped
sectional view, wherein the combination lock further comprises a positioning
pin 90,
wherein when the second leg 32 of the shackle 30 is provided in the lock body
10, the
positioning pin 90 is extended from the lock body 10 to the elongated portion
322 of the
second leg 32 and provided in the positioning slot 3210 such that the second
leg 32 of the
shackle 30 is adapted to be held in the lock body 10 and move up and down.
[00821 As shown in Fig. 8 to Fig. 10, the combination lock of the present
invention
further comprises a second locking element 50 movably coupled with the lock
member
20, wherein the second locking clement 50 is adapted to be driven by the lock
member 20
to move in a reciprocating manner between the shackle locking state and the
shackle
releasing state. When the shackle 30 is at the shackle locking state, the
second locking
element 50 holds the second leg 32 within the lock body 10. When the shackle
30 is at
the shackle unlocking state, the second locking element 50 is driven to leave
from the
second leg 32 of the shack so as to enable the second leg 32 to separate from
the lock
body 10.
[0083] Further, the second locking element 50 comprises a second locking
portion 51
adapted to be engaged with the second leg 32 of the shackle 30 and a second
driven
portion 52 extended from the second locking portion 51 to the lock member 20
and
adapted to be driven by the lock member 20 to move the second locking element
50 in a
reciprocating manner so as to hold the second leg 32 at the shackle unlocking
state, and
leave from the second leg 32 at the shackle unlocking state.
17
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
[0084] It is worth mentioning that the second driven portion 52 of the second
locking
element 50 is engaged with the driving gear 214 and driven by the driving gear
214 to
move in a reciprocating mariner between the shackle locking state and the
shackle
releasing state.
[0085] As shown in Fig. 8 to Fig. 10, the second driven portion 52 of the
second
locking element 50 comprises a toothed end side 521 engaged with the driving
gear 214
such that when the lock member 20 rotates, the driving gear 214 is able to
drive the
second locking element 50 to move between the shackle locking state and the
shackle
releasing state.
to [0086] In other words, the first and second locking elements 40, 50 are
concurrently
moved via the rotational movement of the driving gear 214 and are concurrently
moved
between the shackle locking state and the shackle releasing state.
[0087] As shown in Fig. 7, the upper portion 11 comprises a cover body 112 and
a
chamber body 113 extended from the cover body 112, wherein the cover body 112
and
the chamber body 113 define a locking chamber 1120 therebetween, wherein the
locking
chamber 1120 is adapted for receiving the first locking element 40 and the
second
locking element 50 therein, and the cover body 112 is arranged for keeping the
first
locking element 40 and the second locking element 50 being respectively
engaged with
the driving gear 214.
.. [0088] As shown in Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B, the combination lock of the
present
invention further comprises a stopping panel 60 provided in the lock body 10
and a
stopping pin 70 provided on the top side 2111 of the upper end 211 of the
housing 21,
The stopping panel 60 comprises a stopping body 61 received in the first
receiving
chamber 110 and coupled with the upper end 211 of the housing 21 and a
stopping
protrusion 62 outwardly extended from the stopping body 61, wherein the
stopping
protrusion 62 is received in the resetting cavity 1110. The stopping body 61
has a bottom
side 611 and an arc-shaped slot 63 provided in the bottom side 611 of the
stopping body
61, and the stopping pin 70 is adapted to be received in the arc-shaped slot
and slide
18
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
along the are-shaped slot 63 so as to limit the lock member to rotate in a
predetermined
angel range.
[0089] It is worth mentioning that when the stopping body 61 is received in
the first
receiving chamber 110 and the stopping protrusion 62 is received in the
resetting cavity
1110, wherein the stopping protrusion 62 is adapted to prevent the stopping
body 61
rotating in the first receiving chamber 110.
[0090] As shown in Fig. 15A and Fig. 15B, the combination lock of the present
invention further comprises a coding wheel 80 provided between the lower end
212 of the
housing 21 and the lower portion 12 of the lock body 10, wherein the coding
wheel 80 is
to rotatably coupled with the driving portion 252 of the driving shaft 25
and is driven by the
driving portion 252 of the driving shaft 25 to rotate. The coding wheel 80 has
a reading
side 800 facing the lower portion 12 of the lock body 10, wherein the lock
body 10 has a
laser hole 13 through the lower portion 12 of the lock body 10, and a laser
beam is able to
reach on the reading side 800 of the coding wheel 80 through the laser hole
13.
[0091] It is worth mentioning that the coding wheel 80 has a plurality of
coding
openings 81 and a plurality of coding portions 82, wherein the coding portions
82 is
separated from each other by the coding openings 81 so as to define a coding
pattern
representing corresponding information such that when the coding wheel 80
rotates, a
user is able to scan the reading side 800 of the coding wheel 80 by a laser
scanner and
obtain the corresponding information coded by the coding wheel 80 by decoding.
[0092] In other words, the rotary motion of the driving shaft 25 for unlocking
the
combination lock is coded by the coding pattern defined by the plurality of
coding
openings 81 and the plurality of coding portions 82 of the coding wheel 80,
and the user
is able to obtain the coding pattern by scanning the reading side 800 of the
coding wheel
80 to rotate the driving shaft 25 to align the notch 2320 of each of the
driven discs 232 by
an automatic unlocking device 1 and the driving opening 2310 of the driving
disc 231 so
as to rotate the lock member 20 and unlock the combination lock.
19
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
[0093] It is worth mentioning the coding wheel 80 is hidden inside the lock
body 10
and the user can't see the reading side 800 of the coding wheel 80. On the
other hand,
even though the user is able to see the coding pattern, he still don't know
what the rotary
motion of the driving shaft 25 for unlocking the combination lock is and how
to rotate the
driving portion 252 of the driving shaft 25 to unlock the combination lock.
Preferably, the
automatic unlocking device 100 comprises a laser scanner 101, a controller 102
electrically connected with the laser scanner 101, and a motor 103
electrically connected
with the controller 102 and arranged for driving the driving portion 252 of
the driving
shaft 25 to rotate, wherein when the coding wheel 80 is driven to rotate, a
user is able to
scan the reading side 800 of the coding wheel 80 by a laser scanner 101 to
obtain the
coding pattern of the coding wheel 80, the coding pattern is transmitted to
the controller
to control the motor to rotate the driving shaft 25 depending on the coding
pattern of the
coding wheel 80 so as to unlock the combination lock in an automatic and
keyless
manner.
[0094] As shown in Fig. 13, the lock member 20 further has a laser reducing
channel
extended from the lower end 212 of the housing 21 of the lock member 20 to the
side
wall 213 of the housing 21, wherein the laser reducing channel is directed to
the laser
hole 13 and adapted to prolong the distance that a laser beam freely travels
in the
receiving chamber 110 so as to reduce the intensity of the corresponding
inflected laser
beam.
[0095] In addition, all the rotating discs 231, 232 are driven from the
driving shaft 25.
Therefore, the rotating axle can be driven to rotate through the automatic
unlocking
device 1 which provides a reversible rotatable power to drive the driving
shaft 25 in a
clockwise direction and a counter clockwise direction. As a result, the
present invention
provides an efficient solution to solve the existing problem of the
combination lock
which cannot be operated automatically. It is worth mentioning that the
combination
lock of the present invention does not contain any key slot or any through
slot extended
into the second receiving chamber 210. Therefore, the driving disc 321 and the
driven
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
discs 322 are concealed in the second receiving chamber 210 to prevent any
external tool
inserting into second receiving chamber 210.
[0096] Referring to Figs. 20 and 21 of the drawings, the lock member 20 of the
combination lock can be described that the lock member 20 folios the lock core
of the
combination lock. The lock core comprises a rotating axle 0 (i.e. the driving
shaft), a
plurality of rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4 (i.e. including the driving disc and
the driven discs).
The number of rotating discs can be altered and should not be limited. The
number of
rotating discs can be configured according to the need of the combination
lock.
According to the preferred embodiment, four rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4, i.e.
first to fourth
rotating discs, are illustrated.
[0097] The rotating axle 0 is a driving mechanism of the lock core.
[0098] The rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4 are the key components of the lock core.
Preferably, the rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4 are identical and are coaxially and
rotatably
coupled at the rotating axle 0 at a position that the rotating discs 1, 2, 3,
4 are overlapped
with each other.
[0099] In addition, a plurality of locking grooves 14, 13, 12, 11 are
formed at
peripheral portions of the rotating discs I, 2, 3, 4 and are extended at a
radial direction
thereof. Accordingly, when the rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4 are rotated to align
all the locking
grooves 14, 13, 12, 11, the lock core is in an unlocked position to unlock the
combination
lock.
[00100] In order to achieve the automatic locking/unlocking operation of the
combination lock, one of the rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4 can be selected as a
driving rotating
disc 1 which is located at the outermost position among the rotating discs at
the rotating
axle 0. For example, the first rotating disc 1 can be selected as the driving
rotating disc.
Or the fourth rotating disc 4 can also be selected as the driving rotating
disc. The rest of
the rotating discs will be the driven rotating discs. Accordingly, the driving
rotating disc
21
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
1 is driven to rotate when the rotating axle 0 is rotated. The driving
rotating disc 1 will
drive the driven rotating discs 2, 3, 4 to rotate.
[00101] In order to achieve the movements of the rotating discs and to
configure the
lock code thereof, the lock core further comprises a plurality of disc movers
5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10 alternating with the rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4. In particular, the first
disc mover 5 is
located between the disc surfaces of the first and second rotating discs 1, 2,
wherein the
first disc mover 5 is provided at the first rotating disc 1 at a predetermined
radial location.
The second disc mover 6 is provided at the second rotating disc 2 at a
predetermined
radial location and is radially extended at the second rotating disc 2 to
interact with the
first disc mover 5. Accordingly, a distance between the first and second
rotating discs 1.
2 is preset to enable the first and second disc movers 5, 6 to be interacted
with each other.
In other words, when the first rotating disc 1 is rotated to drive the first
disc mover 5
around the rotating axle 0, the first disc mover 5 is moved to hit and push at
the second
disc mover 6 so as to drive the second rotating disc 2 to rotate.
[001021 Likewise, the third disc mover 7 is located between the disc surfaces
of the
second and third rotating discs 2, 3, wherein the third disc mover 7 is
provided at the
second rotating disc 2 at a predetermined radial location. The fourth disc
mover 8 is
provided at the third rotating disc 3 at a predetermined radial location and
is radially
extended at the third rotating disc 3 to interact with the third disc mover 7.
When the
.. second rotating disc 2 is rotated to drive the third disc mover 7 around
the rotating axle 0,
the third disc mover 7 is moved to hit and push at the fourth disc mover 8 so
as to drive
the third rotating disc 3 to rotate.
[00103] The fifth disc mover 9 is located between the disc surfaces of the
third and
fourth rotating discs 3, 4, wherein the fifth disc mover 9 is provided at the
third rotating
disc 3 at a predetermined radial location. The sixth disc mover 10 is provided
at the
fourth rotating disc 4 at a predetermined radial location and is radially
extended at the
fourth rotating disc 4 to interact with the firth disc mover 9. When the third
rotating disc
3 is rotated to drive the fifth disc mover 9 around the rotating axle 0, the
fifth disc mover
22
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
9 is moved to hit and push at the sixth disc mover 10 so as to drive the
fourth rotating
disc 4 to rotate.
[00104] It is worth mentioning that the second disc mover 6 and the third disc
mover 7
are provided at two opposed disc surfaces of the second rotating disc 2. The
fourth disc
mover 8 and the fifth disc mover 9 are provided at two opposed disc surfaces
of the third
rotating disc 3.
[00105] Accordingly, the radial locations of the two corresponding disc movers
between
two disc surfaces of the corresponding rotating disc are symmetrical. In other
words, the
radial locations of the first and second disc movers 5, 6 between the first
and second
rotating discs 1, 2 are symmetrical. The radial locations of the third and
fourth disc
movers 7, 8 between the second and third rotating discs 2, 3 are symmetrical.
The radial
locations of the fifth and sixth disc movers 9, 10 between the third and
fourth rotating
discs 3, 4 are symmetrical. Furthermore, the arc angle a between each disc
mover and the
corresponding locking groove with respect to the center of the rotating disc
must be
larger than 0 degree and smaller than 360 degrees (360'<a<0 ).
[00106] It is worth mentioning that the rotational movement of each of the
rotating discs
is actuated via the interaction among the disc movers. The lock code of the
lock core will
be formed by an arc-distance between the two corresponding disc movers.
[00107] For example, four identical rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4 are provided to
incorporate
with the first to sixth disc movers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, wherein the disc gaps
between every
two rotating discs are even.
[00108] The lock code P for the above mentioned structural configuration of
the lock
core is shown as follows:
= 2QR
P _________
[00109]
23
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
[00110] wherein R represents a radius of each rotating disc, D represents a
thickness of
each disc mover, and N represents the number of rotating disc.
[00111] The following will explain the operational principle of the lock core
of the
present invention.
[00112] The lock core is constructed to include the rotating discs coaxailly
and rotatably
coupled at the rotating axle, wherein the disc movers are provided between
every two of
the rotating discs and are interacted with each other in order to dive the
rotating disc to
rotate in sequence manner. The lock code of the lock core is formed by an arc
distance
between two corresponding disc movers.
[00113] As shown in Fig. 21, when the rotating axle 0 is driven to rotate in a
clockwise
direction, the first rotating disc 1, as driving rotating disc, will be driven
to rotate
correspondingly. At the same time, the first disc mover 5 at the first
rotating disc 1 is
driven to move, wherein when the first disc mover 5 contacts the second disc
mover 6 at
the second rotating disc 2, the second disc mover 6 is pushed by the first
disc mover 5 so
as to drive the second rotating disc 2 in a clockwise direction consequently.
[00114] When the second rotating disc 2 is rotated in a clockwise direction,
the third
disc mover 7 at the second rotating disc 2 is driven to move, wherein when the
third disc
mover 7 contacts the fourth disc mover 8 at the third rotating disc 3, the
fourth disc
mover 8 is pushed by the third disc mover 7 so as to drive the third rotating
disc 3 in a
clockwise direction consequently.
[00115] When the third rotating disc 3 is rotated in a clockwise direction,
the fifth disc
mover 9 at the third rotating disc 3 is driven to move, wherein when the fifth
disc mover
9 contacts the sixth disc mover 10 at the fourth rotating disc 4, the sixth
disc mover 10 is
pushed by the fifth disc mover 9 so as to drive the fourth rotating disc 4 in
a clockwise
direction consequently. As a result, the fourth rotating disc 4 is in a
clockwise direction
until the locking groove 11 at the fourth rotating disc 4 is located in an
unlocked position.
24
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
[00116] Then, when the first rotating disc 1 is started to rotate in a counter
clockwise
direction via the rotational movement of the rotating axle 0, the first disc
mover 5 is
driven to move in order to contact and push at the second disc mover 6 so as
to rotate the
second rotating disc 2 in a counter clockwise direction. Likewise, the third
rotating disc
.. 3 is driven to rotate in a counter clockwise direction via the third and
fourth disc movers
7, 8 until the locking groove 12 at the third rotating disc 3 is located in
the unlocked
position. It is worth mentioning that since the rotating angle of the third
rotating disc 3 is
smaller than 360 , the fifth disc mover 9 at the third rotating disc 3 will
not contact the
sixth disc mover 10. Therefore, the fourth rotating disc 4 will not be rotated
and will be
remained idle so as to retain the locking groove 11 at the fourth rotating
disc 4 in the
unlocked position.
[00117] Then, when the first rotating disc I is started to rotate in a
clockwise direction
again via the rotational movement of the rotating axle 0, the first disc mover
5 will
contact the second disc mover 6 at the second rotating disc 2 to drive the
second rotating
disc 2 in a clockwise direction consequently until the locking groove 13 at
the second
rotating disc 2 is located at the unlocked position. It is worth mentioning
that the third
and fourth rotating discs 3, 4 will not be rotated and will be remained idle
so as to retain
the locking grooves 12, 11 at the third and fourth rotating discs 3, 4 in the
unlocked
position.
[00118] At this time, the first rotating disc 1 is started to rotate again in
a counter
clockwise direction via the rotational movement of the rotating axle 0 until
the locking
groove 14 at the first rotating disc 1 is located at the unlocked position.
The second, third
and fourth rotating discs 2, 3, 4 will not be rotated and will be remained
idle so as to
retain the locking grooves 13, 12, 11 at the second, third and fourth rotating
discs 2, 3, 4
in the unlocked position. In other words, all the locking grooves, 14, 13, 12,
11 are
located at the unlocked position. Therefore, all the rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4
are
consequently rotated until the locking grooves 14, 13, 12, 11 thereof are
aligned with
each other, i.e. an unlocked position of the lock core.
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
[00119] According to the preferred embodiment, the unlocking process of the
lock core
can be automatically operated through the sequent clockwise and counter
clockwise
rotational movements of the rotating axle 0.
[00120] Fig. 22 illustrates the lock core is coupled at a lock assembly which
comprises a
tubular lock body 17 having a cavity, a lock gear 16 coupled at the lock body
17, and a
locking latch 15 movably coupled at the lock body 17, wherein the lock core is
disposed
in the cavity. The first rotating disc 1 is coaxially affixed at the rotating
axle 0 in a non-
rotatable manner, wherein the second to fourth rotating disc 2, 3, 4 are
coaxially coupled
at the rotating axle 0 in a rotatably movable manner. Each of the rotating
discs has two
ID disc movers provided at two opposed disc surfaces of rotating discs
respectively, wherein
the two disc movers are located symmetrically. The locking grooves at the
rotating discs
are identical.
[00121] As shown in Fig. 23, the arc angles between the disc movers and the
locking
grooves with respect to the centers of the rotating discs 1, 2, 3, 4 are 240 ,
45 , 330 , and
140' respectively.
[00122] At the locked position, the locking grooves of the four rotating discs
are not
aligned with each other. In other words, the unlocked position of the lock
core is defined
when the locking grooves of the four rotating discs are aligned with each
other to form a
straight locking channel. At the locked position, the locking latch 15 cannot
be engaged
with the locking grooves. Therefore, the lock core cannot drive the lock body
to rotate.
The lock gear 16 cannot be driven to rotate as well.
[00123] In order to unlock the lock assembly, a corresponding key must be
inserted into
a key slot 18 of the tubular lock body 17. The key can be an automate key
element
driven to be rotated automatically. The rotating axle 0 can then be rotated in
a clockwise
direction via the rotational movement of the key. It is preferred that the
rotating axle 0 is
rotated in three revolutions, i.e. 360 x 3 = 1080 . After three revolutions
of the rotating
axle 0, the disc movers between the first and second rotating discs, between
the second
and third rotating discs, and between the third and fourth rotating discs,
will be contacted
26
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
with each other. This is the initial position of the lock core. At this
initial position, the
rotating axle 0 can then rotate in a clockwise direction to move the locking
groove at the
fourth rotating disc in an unlock position with respect to the arc angle of
the fourth
rotating disc 4. Accordingly, the arc angle of the fourth rotating disc 4 is
set at 2400.
Therefore, when the fourth rotating disc 4 is rotated at 120 from the initial
position, the
locking groove 11 is located in the unlocked position.
[00124] Then, the key can be controlled to automatically rotate in a counter
clockwise
direction. It is preferred that the rotating axle 0 is driven to rotate in two
revolutions, i.e.
360 x 2 = 720 , in a counter clockwise direction. The first disc mover 5 at
the first
rotating disc 1 is moved in a counter clockwise direction to hit and push at
the opposed
side of the second disc mover 6 at the second rotating disc 2 so as to drive
the second
rotating disc 2 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction. The third disc
mover 7 at the
second rotating disc 2 is moved in a counter clockwise direction to hit and
push at the
opposed side of the fourth disc mover 8 at the third rotating disc 3 so as to
drive the third
rotating disc 3 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction. Since the third
rotating disc 3 is
rotated less than 360 , the fifth disc mover 9 at the third rotating disc 3
will not contact
with the sixth disc mover 10 at the fourth rotating disc 4. As a result, the
first, second,
and third rotating discs 1, 2, 3 are driven to rotate consequently in a
counter clockwise
direction, wherein the fourth rotating disc 4 will not be rotated and will be
remained idle
to retain the locking groove 11 at the fourth rotating disc 4 in the unlocked
position.
Accordingly, when the third rotating disc 3 is rotated at 165 , the locking
groove 12 is
located in the unlocked position.
[00125] The key can then be controlled to automatically rotate in a clockwise
direction
again. When the rotating axle 0 is rotated in 360', the first disc mover 5 at
the first
rotating disc 1 is moved in a clockwise direction to hit and push at the
second disc mover
6 at the second rotating disc 2 so as to drive the second rotating disc 2 to
rotate in a
clockwise direction. Since the second rotating disc 2 is rotated less than 360
, the third
disc mover 7 at the second rotating disc 2 will not contact with the fourth
disc mover 8 at
the third rotating disc 4. As a result, the first and second rotating discs 1,
2 are driven to
27
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
rotate consequently in a clockwise direction, wherein the third and fourth
rotating discs 3,
4 will not be rotated and will be remained idle to retain the locking grooves
12, 11 at the
third and fourth rotating disc 4 in the unlocked position. Accordingly, when
the second
rotating disc 2 is rotated at 750, the locking groove 13 is located in the
unlocked position.
[00126] The key can then be controlled to automatically rotate in a counter
clockwise
direction again. Since the first rotating disc 1 is rotated less than 3600,
the first disc
mover 5 at the first rotating disc 1 will not contact with the second disc
mover 6 at the
second rotating disc 4. As a result, only the first rotating disc 1 is driven
to rotate in a
counter clockwise direction, wherein the second, third and fourth rotating
discs 2, 3, 4
will not be rotated and will be remained idle to retain the locking grooves
13, 12, 11 at
the second, third and fourth rotating disc 4 in the unlocked position.
Accordingly, when
the first rotating disc 1 is rotated at 170 , the locking groove 14 is located
in the unlocked
position. In this position, all the locking grooves 14, 13, 12, 11 are aligned
with each
other and are located in the unlocked positions.
[00127] When the locking grooves 14, 13, 12, 11 are located in the unlocked
positions to
form the straight locking channel, the locking latch 15 can be engaged with
the straight
locking channel. Therefore, the tubular lock body 17 can be driven to rotate
by the lock
core in order to drive the lock gear 16 to rotate. In other words, a latch
assembly can be
actuated via the lock gear 16.
[00128] According to the preferred embodiment, the lock code of the lock core
is set as
120 , 165 , 75 , 170 combined with a rotatable direction sequence in order to
actuate the
latch assembly. The lock code can be determined via the arc angle of each of
the rotating
discs, wherein the lock code configuration can be varied and should not be
limited in the
present invention.
[00129] The lock code can be set in different configuration by changing the
positions of
the second, third and fourth rotating discs such that the rotating angles of
the rotating
discs will be altered in order to change the rotatable direction sequence to
align all the
locking grooves with each other. Or, the arc angle of each rotating disc can
be altered in
28
CA 02928792 2016-04-26
order to change the rotating angle of each rotating disc to align all the
locking grooves
with each other.
[00130] One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the
present
invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and
not
intended to be limiting.
[00131] It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have
been fully and
effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for
the
purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the
present invention
and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore,
this invention
to includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of
the following
claims.
29
