Combination lock construction

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6729166
  • Patent Number
    6,729,166
  • Date Filed
    Monday, March 17, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 4, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
By providing a shackle holding assembly mounted in controlling engagement with the termination end of the long leg of the shackle, movement of the shackle is controlled and accidental changes to the combination are prevented. Preferably, the shackle holding assembly comprises a rim-bearing holding member mounted to the free end of the elongated leg of the shackle which is engaged with a spring member biased to prevent unwanted axial movement of the shackle. As a result, user force is required to axially move the shackle into the combination re-setting position.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD




This invention relates to combination locks, and, more particularly, to combination locks constructed to virtually eliminate unwanted changes to the pre-set combination.




BACKGROUND ART




Numerous lock constructions have been developed and are widely employed by individuals to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to any area which has been closed and locked. Although many locks are constructed to be opened by a key, numerous combination locks have been developed which are opened by knowledge of a particular combination.




One particular type of combination lock that has become very popular due to its ease and convenience of use is a combination lock which employs a plurality of rotatable independent dials, each of which forms one of the indicia, usually numerals or letters, comprising the combination for releasing the lock. Although locks of this general nature have been available for several decades, these prior art combination lock constructions suffer from common deficiencies which have not been successfully overcome.




Although many manufacturers have attempted to solve the problems associated with rotatable dial or combination locks, these prior art constructions have been unable to produce a construction which substantially eliminates the ability of unauthorized persons discovering the combination for opening the lock. Although numerous attempts have been made in prior art constructions for achieving a system which would eliminate or prevent unauthorized opening or picking of a lock, these prior art constructions have failed to provide the desired results.




Another common problem which has consistently plagued prior art constructions is the cost of construction for producing and assembling prior art combination locks. In order to attain a combination lock which provides all of the features desired by consumers, prior art constructions typically incorporate numerous small components, each of which require expensive assembly procedures to produce the final product. As a result, these prior art lock constructions typically are expensive to produce, thereby reducing the ability of these locks to reach a broad base of consumers.




Another problem commonly found with prior art combination locks is the inability of these prior art constructions to prevent contaminants from reaching the rotatable, internal components of the lock, thereby causing damage to these components or interfering with the ease of operating the lock by an individual knowing the actual combination. Although numerous attempts have been made to reduce the adverse effects caused by contaminants reaching these components, such attempts have been incapable of satisfactorily eliminating this problem.




A further problem, which has consistently annoyed the user and caused the user to incur substantial problems is the ability of many prior art combination locks to enter a combination re-setting mode, without the user's knowledge. As a result, consumers are often unable to open a lock or cannot use the lock since the desired combination had been altered without their knowledge.




Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a combination lock construction which virtually eliminates the ability of unauthorized persons from gaining access to the lock by attempting to pick the lock using known techniques.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination lock having the characteristic features described above which employs a minimum of components and is quickly and easily assembled, thereby providing a lock capable of being constructed at a competitive price.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination lock construction having the characteristic features described above which effectively seals the rotating components from external contamination and effectively prevents any external contaminants from reaching the rotating components thereof.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination lock construction having the characteristic features described above which prevents the combination for the lock from being accidentally changed or altered without the user's complete knowledge.




Other and more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




By employing the present invention, all of the difficulties and drawbacks of the prior art constructions are virtually eliminated and an effective, easily produced, combination lock is achieved which is capable of virtually eliminating the ability of unauthorized persons from opening the lock, using known picking techniques, while also preventing the combination from being accidentally changed or altered. Furthermore, the lock construction of the present invention is constructed with the interior chambers thereof virtually sealed from ambient surroundings, thereby preventing unwanted contamination from entering the interior of the lock and the rotating components thereof. In this way, the prior art degradation and interference of the lock operation by contamination is virtually eliminated.




In accordance with the present invention, a minimum number of components are employed in combination with a housing and a movable shackle in order to provide the desired, unique combination lock construction of this invention. In general, in addition to the shackle and housing, only a plurality of rotating dials and a plurality of tumbler sleeves are required to provide the desired locking mechanism. Preferably, in order to assure user security that a locked item remains locked and incapable of access by unauthorized personnel, four dials and tumbler sleeves are employed with the housing.




As is well known in the lock industry, individuals seeking to pick or open a lock without knowledge of the combination use the audible sound produced by the tumbler entering the open chamber when properly aligned therewith. By rotating a dial and listening for the sound produced when the proper position is reached, such trained individuals are capable of determining the requisite position for each tumbler, without knowledge of the actual combination.




In the present invention, the ability of unauthorized persons to determine the actual combination using the sound is thwarted by incorporating in the housing a plurality of false void zones having a construction similar to the actual open chamber or open zone which provides the lock release for each tumbler. By providing a plurality of false void zones as part of the lock construction, the ability of trained individuals to pick the lock is virtually eliminated.




In the preferred construction, the central housing of the combination lock of this invention incorporates an elongated lock release groove or slot which provides the lock release zone for each of the independent rotatable tumbler sleeves. In addition, the housing also incorporates a plurality of non-releasing open zones or slots formed in association with the lock release groove for each rotatable tumbler sleeve. In this way, the desired false click is provided for each rotatable dial in order to thwart unwanted opening of the combination lock of this invention.




In addition, in the preferred construction, all of the rotatable components are mounted in a single elongated bore formed in the housing and a sealing cap is employed to effectively close and seal the elongated bore once the components are mounted therein. As a result, ease of assembly is attained and, once assembly is completed, the elongated bore and the rotational components positioned therein are effectively sealed from external contamination. As a result, dirt, dust, debris, etc., commonly present in the environment, is eliminated from contaminating the working components of the combination lock of this invention. In this way, contamination from environmental sources which has often caused prior art lock assemblies to become defective or injured is effectively overcome.




In addition to these features, the present invention achieves a combination lock using a minimum number of independent components each of which is capable of being quickly assembled into the final product. As a result, a construction is attained which is capable of being manufactured at a competitive price, while providing a high quality, highly effective combination lock which prevents exposure to environmental contamination and also incorporates means for virtually eliminating unauthorized persons from opening the lock without knowledge of the combination.




Another important feature incorporated into the lock of the present invention is the control elements which prevent the pre-determined combination from being changed or altered without the user's knowledge or control. In order to attain this important and highly desirable control, the combination lock of the present invention incorporates a shackle holding assembly comprising a holding member or a sleeve or bowl which is mounted to the free end of the elongated leg of the shackle, with the sleeve/bowl incorporating a radially extending outer rim.




In addition, spring means are mounted in cooperating relationship with the rim of the sleeve/bowl, with the spring means being maintained under compression between the sleeve/bowl and a bottom surface of the housing of the combination lock.




In the preferred construction, a plug member is employed for forming the cooperating contact surface on which the spring means is maintained. In this way, ease of assembly is attained with a minimum of components being employed.




In typical prior art combination lock assemblies, the combination is changed by axially moving the long leg of the shackle downwardly towards the base or bottom of the lock housing in order to release the tumblers and allow the indicia bearing dials to freely rotate. However, in these prior art constructions, axial movement of the shackle has occurred without the knowledge of the user, with the dials being rotated to a new combination, completely unknown to the user.




By employing the construction provided in the present invention, unwanted axial movement or slippage of the shackle's long leg is prevented. In the present invention, the spring force is constantly acting upon the rim of the sleeve/bowl which is engaged with the terminating end of the long leg of the shackle. As a result, unwanted axial movement of the shackle is prevented.




Whenever a user wishes to alter the combination of the lock, the user must exert an activation force on the long leg of the shackle in order to axially move the shackle against the spring force. Only by providing an activation force to the shackle is the shackle leg able to move axially downwardly.




Once the shackle leg has been moved downwardly, the indicia bearing wheels are forced to move, thereby allowing this use to change the combination to a new setting. Once completed, the activation force is removed and the spring force causes the sleeve/bowl and shackle to be returned to their original positions. In addition, the spring means and the sleeve/bowl continue to biasingly maintain the shackle in this raised position, providing assurance that the newly set combination cannot be altered or changed accidentally.




The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.











THE DRAWINGS




For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the combination lock of the present invention shown fully assembled and in the locked position;





FIG. 2

is a front elevational view, partially in cross section, depicting the fully assembled combination lock of the present invention in its normal operating and locked position;





FIG. 3

is a bottom plan view of one rotating dial with one rotatable tumbler sleeve interengaged therewith;





FIG. 4

is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the housing of the present invention;





FIG. 5

is a top plan view of the housing of

FIG. 4

;





FIG. 6

is a cross-sectional plan view depicting a typical upper surface of each dial receiving zone of the housing of

FIG. 4

;





FIG. 7

is a front elevation view, mostly in cross-section, depicting the combination lock of the present invention in its unlocked configuration;





FIG. 8

is a cross-sectional front elevational view of the combination lock of the present invention, mostly in cross-section, depicting the combination lock of the present invention in its combination changing configuration;





FIG. 9

is a top plan view of the fully assembled housing of

FIG. 7

shown with the shackle removed; and





FIG. 10

is a cross-sectional elevation view of the sealing cap of the combination lock of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




By referring to

FIGS. 1-10

, along with the following detailed disclosure, the construction and operation of combination lock


20


of the present invention can best be understood. In the drawings and the following detailed disclosure, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is fully disclosed. However, the present invention can be implemented using alternate constructions, which alternate constructions are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.




As shown in

FIGS. 1-10

, combination lock


20


of the present invention is constructed using a minimum of principal components, thereby substantially reducing the complexity found in most prior art combination locks. In this way, the present invention provides a highly effective, commercially desirable construction capable of being produced at a competitive cost, while still providing all of the locking and theft deterrent features typically incorporated in prior art combination locks.




In the present invention, the principal components comprise a central housing


21


, a shackle


22


, four separate and independent tumbler sleeve


23


, and four separate and independent rotatable dials


24


. By employing these principal components, in the unique manner detailed herein, an easily produced, highly effective combination lock


20


is attained.




Each tumbler sleeve


23


comprises a generally cylindrical shape incorporating a single locking fin


25


radially extending from outer, circular-shaped surface


26


. In addition, each tumbler sleeve


23


also comprises an inside, circular-shaped surface


27


which is coaxially aligned with outside surface


26


. The diameter of inside surface


27


of tumbler sleeve


23


is constructed to enable each tumbler sleeve


23


to freely pivot about the outer surface of shackle


22


.




Each dial


24


is constructed for peripherally surrounding and cooperating with a tumbler sleeve


23


. In this regard, each dial


24


comprises two separate and distinct, circular-shaped inside surfaces


28


and


29


. In side surface


28


comprises a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of outside surface


26


of tumbler sleeve


23


, in order to enable tumbler sleeve


23


and dial


24


to cooperate with each other while being independently rotationally movable about shackle


22


.




In addition, each dial


24


comprises a plurality of slots


30


formed in inside surface


28


, with each slot being constructed for receiving and retaining radially extending fin


25


of tumbler sleeve


23


. In this way, whenever radially extending fin


25


is mounted in a slot


30


of dial


24


, tumbler sleeve


23


and dial


24


are in interlocked engagement, causing both members to rotate together about shackle


22


.




The number of slots


30


formed in dial


24


corresponds to the number of separate and distinct indicia formed on the outer surface of dial


24


. In the preferred embodiment, ten indicia are employed on the outside surface of dial


24


and ten slots


30


are formed in surface


38


.




Inside surface


29


of dial


24


comprises a circular shape formed by a diameter which is aligned with the axis of surface


28


, but is greater than the length of fin


25


. In this way, when fin


25


is disengaged from slot


30


of dial


24


, dial


24


is able to rotate about shackle


22


independently of tumbler sleeve


23


.




Shackle


22


comprises a conventional J-shape incorporating a short leg


31


with a terminating end


32


and a long leg


33


with a terminating end


34


. Each tumbler sleeve


23


is rotationally mounted to leg


33


of shackle


22


, with each tumbler sleeve having a dial


24


rotationally associated therewith.




As discussed above, each dial


24


has a plurality of indicia formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, each of which represents one component of the combination for positioning tumbler sleeves


23


in the requisite location for releasing shackle


22


. Although any desired indicia can be employed, numerals or letters are typically employed on prior art constructions. In the present invention, each dial


24


comprises an outer surface


44


on which ten panels


45


are formed with slots


46


separating each panel


45


. In addition, one numeral ranging from 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 is formed on each panel


45


. The numeral in each panel


45


of each dial


24


is then employed to define the combination for lock


20


.




The remaining principal components employed to form combination lock


20


of the present invention comprise washer


35


, split locking ring


36


, sealing cap


37


, spacer


43


, and shackle holding assembly


88


, which comprises cylindrical closed-end holding member or sleeve or bowl


80


, spring


81


and plug


82


. In the preferred construction, leg


33


of shackle


22


incorporates ribs


38


and


39


formed on the outer surface thereof and a locking ring receiving slot


40


formed near terminating end of shackle


22


.




In the preferred embodiment, cylindrical, closed-end, holding member or sleeve/bowl


80


comprises a fully integrated construction consisting of substantially flat plate portion


83


, cylindrical wall portion


84


, and rim portion


85


. In the preferred construction, cylindrical wall portion


84


is integrally affixed and interconnected to plate portion


83


at one end thereof and integrally affixed and interconnected to rim portion


85


at the opposed end thereof. In addition, rim portion


85


is constructed to radially extend outwardly from its juncture with cylindrical wall portion


84


.




As more fully detailed below, cylindrical, closed-end sleeve/bowl


80


is mounted in zone


57


formed in the bottom of housing


21


peripherally surrounding leg


33


of shackle


22


, with terminating end


34


of leg


33


engaged with plate portion


83


of sleeve/bowl


80


. In addition, spring member


81


is mounted peripherally surrounding sleeve/bowl


80


, with one end thereof engaged with rim portion


85


of sleeve/bowl


80


with the opposed end thereof engaged with the interior surface of plug


82


which is mounted in zone


57


and effectively closes and seals zone


57


.




As clearly depicted in

FIGS. 2

,


7


and


8


, the axial distance between rib


39


and slot


40


is constructed for being substantially equivalent to the axial length required for enabling locking ring


36


, when mounted in slot


40


, to retain the four tumbler sleeves


23


and spacer


43


on leg


33


of shackle


22


, with each tumbler sleeve


23


being capable of independent rotational movement, while substantially eliminating any axial movement thereof. In this way, tumbler sleeves


23


are able to provide the desired locking and unlocking function, while achieving this result in an easily manufactured and easily assembled construction.




The final components incorporated into combination lock


20


of the present invention comprise a plurality of sets of pins


41


and springs


42


, which are mounted in a receiving cavity formed in housing


21


. Although these components are optional, the preferred embodiment incorporates one pin and spring in direct association with each rotatable dial


24


in order to provide positive position locating means which also produces an audible sound each time the precise position of each numeral on dial


24


is reached.




In the preferred construction, each spring


42


is maintained under compression, forcing each pin


41


into engagement with outer surface


44


of dial member


24


. In addition, with each dial member incorporating slots


46


formed between each numeral bearing panel


45


, the movement of spring loaded pin


41


into and out of slots


46


causes an audible click, designating the proper orientation of the dial for each numeral. In addition to the audible click produced, the movement of pin


41


into engagement in slot


46


also provides a positive structural indication and rotational stop indicating that one particular numeral is in its proper orientation.




As shown in

FIG. 1

, a visual indicator of the proper orientation for each numeral of each panel


45


of each dial


24


is also provided by incorporating on housing


21


a position orientating line


47


. Line


47


enables the user to visually position each numeral in the proper location for a pre-set combination. By employing orientation line


47


along with pins


41


and springs


42


, proper orientation of any particular numeral is easily achieved.




One of the principal components of combination lock


20


comprises housing


21


, which is clearly depicted in

FIGS. 4-6

. As shown therein, housing


21


comprises a single piece construction, within which various cavities, bores, and receiving zones are formed. In general, housing


21


comprises a top surface


50


, a bottom surface


51


, a front panel


52


, a rear panel


53


, and two side panels


54


and


55


.




In addition, housing


21


also incorporates a central, elongated bore


56


extending from top surface


50


to bottom surface


51


which comprises three separate diameters, forming three separate and independent coaxial zones


57


,


58


, and


59


. Zone


57


comprises the lowermost zone of bore


56


and extends through bottom surface


51


of housing


21


, forming an enlarged cavity therein. In the preferred construction, zone


57


comprises the largest diameter of bore


56


and, consequently, has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of adjacent zone


58


. In this way, ledge


86


is formed at the juncture between zone


57


and zone


58


.




Zone


58


comprises the intermediate zone of bore


56


and has a diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of tumbler sleeves


23


. In this way, tumbler sleeves


23


are capable of axial movement through zone


58


of central bore


56


. In addition, zone


58


also comprises an elongated slot or channel


60


formed along one wall of zone


58


, providing the release position for each radially extending fin


25


of each tumbler sleeve


23


. As is more fully detailed below, when each locking fin of each tumbler sleeve


23


is aligned with release channel


60


, shackle


22


is capable of axial movement, thereby enabling shackle


22


to be removed from its locked position or, if desired, inserted into its locked position, or axially advanced into zone


57


of bore


56


of housing


21


, to enable the combination to be changed.




The final zone of bore


56


is upper zone


59


which comprises the second largest diameter of bore


56


. Generally, the diameter of zone


59


is constructed to enable each tumbler sleeve


23


with its radially extending fin


25


to be easily advanced through zone


59


. In this way, assembly of combination lock


20


is easily attained.




In addition, upper zone


59


is constructed for receiving and securely retaining sealing cap


37


. In its preferred construction, sealing cap


37


comprises a cylindrical shape formed by outer surface


70


and upper flange


71


. Preferably, the diameter of zone


59


is substantially equivalent to the diameter of outer surface


70


of cap


37


in order to require cap


37


to be forced into zone


59


and, once inserted therein, securely affixed thereto.




In the preferred construction, washer


35


, tumbler sleeves


24


, spacer


43


, and locking ring


36


are mounted to leg


33


of shackle


22


. Then, when dials


24


are mounted in place, the fully assembled leg


33


of shackle


22


is inserted into bore


56


of housing


21


. The assembly is then completed for forcing sealing cap


37


into zone


59


of bore


56


until the entire outer surface


70


of cap


37


is fully engaged in zone


59


and peripheral flange


71


contacts top surface


50


of housing


21


.




With sealing cap


37


securely, integrally fastened to housing


21


, tumbler sleeves


24


are protected from interference from environmental debris. Since bore


56


is effectively sealed from the ambient surroundings, the entry of unwanted dirt and/or debris into bore


56


is effectively prevented. As a result, long-term, trouble-free operation of combination lock


20


is provided.




In order to assure that each dial


24


is cooperatively associated with a tumbler sleeve


23


and is rotatable about leg


33


of shackle


22


along with its associated tumbler sleeve, housing


21


incorporates four separate and independent dial receiving zones


61


. Each dial receiving zone


61


is formed in juxtaposed spaced aligned parallel relationship with each other, while also being cooperatively associated with zone


58


of central bore


56


and elongated release channel


60


. In addition, each dial receiving zone


61


is defined by an upper surface


62


and a lower surface


63


which are parallel to each other. Furthermore, each dial receiving zone


61


is cooperatively associated with a cavity


65


, within which spring


42


and pin


41


are positioned for interengagement with dial


24


.




As discussed above, one of the difficulties encountered with prior art combination locks is the ability of some individuals to gain access to a secured lock by using known picking techniques. The principal technique employed is to apply pressure to the shackle while individually rotating the dials and listening for a known clicking sound which occurs whenever the locking fin or bar of the tumbler sleeve enters the release channel associated with that tumbler. By continuously repeating this process, a secured lock is capable of being unlocked even though the individual does not know the actual combination for that lock.




In order to virtually eliminate the ability of the combination lock of the present invention to be picked, housing


21


incorporates a plurality of recess slots


66


formed about elongated central bore


56


in an arcuate, juxtaposed, spaced relationship relative to release channel


60


. In the preferred embodiment, three recess slots


66


are formed about zone


58


of central bore


56


at approximately 90° from each other on each wall


62


of each dial receiving zone


61


.




In this way, each dial and each tumbler sleeve is directly associated with three separate and independent recess slots


66


in order to assure that false clicking of position locating sounds are produced whenever each dial is rotated. As best seen by the uppermost tumbler sleeve


23


and dial


24


of

FIG. 2

, when lock


20


is in its secured and locked position, the rotation of dial


24


about leg


33


of shackle


22


also causes tumbler sleeve


23


to rotate, since fin


25


is captured in one slot


30


of dial


24


. If an unauthorized person attempts to pick combination lock


20


, seeking to hear the clicking sound made when each fin


25


enters release channel


60


, the individual will be thwarted, since a plurality of false clicks will be produced for each tumbler sleeve


23


and dial


24


.




In the present invention, whenever tumbler sleeve


23


and dial


24


are rotated with axial pressure placed on shackle


22


to pick lock


20


, fin


25


rotationally moves along upper surface


62


of dial receiving slot


61


until fin


25


enters one of the slots


66


formed in surface


62


. Upon entering a slot


66


, a clicking noise is produced which simulates the noise produced when fin


25


enters release channel


60


.




Since three separate recess slots


66


are formed on each surface


62


of each dial receiving slot


61


(FIG.


6


), each tumbler sleeve/dial combination produces four clicks, only one of which represents the actual entry of fin


25


into channel


60


. As a result, the easy and quick picking procedure attainable with most prior art constructions is eliminated, and a virtually pick-free structure is realized.




The final aperture formed in housing


21


is shackle receiving hole


67


formed in top surface


50


of housing


21


in juxtaposed, spaced, parallel aligned relationship with central bore


56


. Hole


67


is constructed for receiving terminating end


32


of leg


31


of shackle


22


, providing the desired receiving holding zone for terminating end


32


whenever combination lock


22


is in its secured and locked position. As with conventional constructions, hole


67


is constructed with a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of leg


31


of shackle


22


in order to assure ease of insertion and withdrawal of leg


31


with hole


67


.




By referring to

FIGS. 7-10

, along with the following detailed disclosure, the unlocking and combination resetting functions of combination lock


20


of the present invention can best be understood. In

FIG. 7

, combination lock


20


is depicted in its unlocked position. In order to attain the unlocked position, each dial


24


must be rotated to the precise location wherein radially extending fin


25


of each tumbler sleeve


23


is aligned with release channel


60


. Once each radially extending fin


25


is positioned within release channel


60


, leg


43


of shackle


22


is capable of being axially raised upwardly, removing terminating end


32


of leg


31


from the secure locked interengagement within hole


67


.




As shown in

FIG. 7

, when leg


43


of shackle


22


has been axially raised upwardly, removing leg


31


from retained interengagement with hole


67


of housing


21


, each radially extending fin


25


of each tumbler sleeve


23


enters a portion of release channel


60


of housing


21


. Since release channel


60


is constructed with dimensions which are slightly greater than radially extending fin


25


, fin


25


of each tumbler sleeve


23


is able to easily enter channel


60


, but any rotational movement of tumbler sleeve


23


or dial


24


is prevented, since each tumbler sleeve


23


is effectively locked in channel


60


.




Although tumblers sleeves


23


and dials


24


are incapable of rotational movement, once leg


31


of shackle


22


is removed from hole


67


, shackle


22


is capable of rotational movement about the axis defined by leg


33


. However, the longitudinal axial movement of leg


33


of shackle


22


is controlled by the construction of sealing cap


37


.




As shown in

FIGS. 9 and 10

, sealing cap


37


is preferably constructed with a top surface


73


and


75


and


76


defining two separate and distinct substantially circular shaped inside surfaces of cap


37


. Surface


75


defines a substantially circular shaped portal having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of shackle


22


. In this way, shackle


22


is freely movable in portal


75


both axially and rotationally, while also cooperating with the diameter of shackle


22


to prevent unwanted debris from entering therebetween.




In addition to portal


75


, top surface


73


of sealing cap


37


also incorporates two diametrically opposed radially extending keyway slots


77


and


78


formed therein and cooperating with portal


75


. Keyway slots


77


and


78


are constructed for cooperating with ribs


38


and


39


of shackle


22


, in order to control the axial movement of shackle


22


.




As a result of this construction, sealing cap


37


incorporates two juxtaposed, spaced, facing, inwardly extending, radial ledges


79


formed on opposed sides of aperture


75


and keyway slots


77


and


78


. By employing this construction, top surface


73


and radially extending ledges


79


cooperate with ribs


38


and


39


of shackle


22


to control the axial movement of shackle


22


relative to housing


21


.




As shown in

FIG. 7

, when combination lock


20


is in the open position, with leg


31


removed from hole


67


, rib


38


is disengaged from keyway slot


77


, thereby allowing shackle


22


to pivot about the central axis of leg


33


, while terminating end


34


of leg


33


is spaced away from plate


83


of sleeve/bowl


80


. Furthermore, in this construction, washer


35


comprises an outer diameter which is less than the diameter of inside surface


76


, thereby enabling washer


35


to enter the interior zone defined by inside surface


76


. However, outside surface


26


of tumbler sleeve


23


is constructed with a diameter which is greater than the diameter of inside surface


76


of cap


37


. As a result, the axial advance of shackle


22


upwardly is limited by the contact of the uppermost tumbler sleeve


23


with the base of sealing cap


37


.




These dimensions are controlled in order to assure that rib


39


may contact radially extending ledge


79


, but is incapable of entering keyway slots


77


or


78


. As a result, the free rotational movement of shackle


22


is attained. In this way, a user is able to mount leg


31


of shackle


22


with any desired object for securely closing and effectively locking the object once leg


22


has been pivoted back to aligned relationship with hole


67


of housing


21


.




When shackle


22


is released from engagement with hole


67


, shackle


22


is capable of pivoting about the axis defined by leg


33


, but is incapable of axially advancing into engagement with bore


56


due to the contact of rib


38


with top surface


73


of cap


37


. The only positions in which shackle


22


is capable of axial movement is when rib


38


is aligned with keyway slot


77


or keyway slot


78


. As is evident from the foregoing detailed disclosure, whenever rib


38


is aligned with keyway slot


77


, shackle


22


is capable of being moved into its locked position. However, further axial advance of shackle


22


relative to housing


21


is prevented since the terminating end


32


of leg


31


engages receiving hole


67


, preventing any further axial movement of shackle


22


. However, as shown in

FIG. 8

, whenever shackle


22


is pivoted 180° from its locked position, bringing rib


38


into alignment with keyway slot


78


, shackle


22


can be axially advanced into engagement with housing


21


.




In prior art constructions, when shackle


22


is arcuately pivoted in this manner with rib


38


aligned with slot


78


, for allowing shackle


22


to axially advance into housing


21


, these prior art constructions enable the combination of the lock to be re-set without the user's knowledge. However, by employing the present invention, leg


33


of shackle


22


is in capable of being axially advanced into the combination resetting position without the user's full knowledge and operational control.




When shackle


22


is arcuately pivoted 180° from the position shown in

FIG. 7

to the position shown in

FIG. 8

, leg


33


of shackle


22


is capable of being axially advanced towards sleeve/bowl


80


until terminating end


34


of leg


33


contacts plate portion


83


. However, without receiving a manual actuating force from the user, any further axial movement of leg


33


of shackle


22


is prevented due to the spring biasing force imposed upon sleeve/bowl


80


by spring member


81


.




In the preferred construction, spring member


81


is mounted under compression between sleeve/bowl


80


and plug


82


. Consequently, sleeve/bowl


80


is continuously urged upwardly by spring member


81


, holding and maintaining leg


33


of shackle


22


in its normally locked position, as shown in FIG.


2


.




In addition, the outside diameter of rim portion


85


of sleeve/bowl


80


is greater than the diameter of zone


58


of bore


56


. Consequently, sleeve/bowl


80


is incapable of being forced upwardly by spring member


81


beyond the juncture of zone


57


with zone


58


, due to the engagement of rim portion


85


with ledge


86


. Since ledge


86


limits the upward travel distance of sleeve/bowl


80


, spring member


81


continues to exert its force on sleeve/bowl


80


, preventing leg


33


of shackle


22


from moving downwardly, when not desired by the user.




By employing the present invention, the user must provide an input force to shackle


22


in order to move leg


33


of shackle


22


downwardly into the position shown in FIG.


8


. This force is required in order to overcome the force of spring member


81


and cause sleeve/bowl


80


to be advanced toward the bottom surface of plug


82


. Without providing this downward force, leg


33


of shackle


22


is incapable of moving into the combination resetting position shown in FIG.


8


.




When shackle


22


is advanced into this position, with sleeve/bowl


80


contacting the base of plug


82


, rib


38


passes through slot


78


, enabling shackle


22


to arcuately pivot relative to housing


21


. However, the removal of shackle


22


from any arcuate position is prevented due to the contact of rib


38


with ledge


79


. The only position within which shackle


22


can be removed from this position is when rib


38


is aligned with keyway slot


78


.




As clearly shown in

FIG. 8

in addition to sleeve/bowl


80


being in contact with the base of plug


82


, tumbler sleeves


23


are advanced into housing


21


into a position wherein each radially extending fin


25


of each tumbler sleeve


23


is securely mounted in channel


60


of housing


21


. In addition, radially extending fins


25


of each tumbler sleeve


23


is lowered into a position whereby each radially extending fin


25


is disengaged from slot


30


of each dial


24


. As a result, although tumbler sleeves


23


are incapable of being rotationally moved, due to the secure interengagement of fin


25


with slot


60


, each dial


24


is free to rotate about the axis defined by shackle


22


since fin


25


has been completely disengaged from each dial


24


. In this way, any desired numeral can be aligned with position orientation line


47


, thereby enabling the user to select any desired combination of numbers to represent the particular combination for opening lock


20


.




Once dials


24


have been arranged into the numeral sequence desired by the user to form the opening combination for lock


20


, shackle


22


is pivoted to the position wherein rib


38


is aligned with keyway slot


78


and shackle


22


is axially raised upwardly until rib


38


exits slot


78


. Once in this raised position, shackle


22


is capable of being freely pivoted about its central axis with leg


31


being engaged with the desired item to be locked and then pivoted into aligned relationship with hole


67


for securing combination lock


20


in the precisely desired location. In addition, sleeve/bowl


80


is free to move upwardly and return to engagement with ledge


86


.




As is evident from the foregoing detailed disclosure, by employing the present invention, a uniquely constructed combination lock is attained which provides all of the desired functions of a combination lock in a highly effective, easily assembled and easily employed construction capable of being produced with substantially greater ease and convenience. Furthermore, the construction of the present invention provides assurance that the pre-set combination for the lock will not be accidentally changed or altered and incorporates a plurality of means for producing a false click, thereby effectively attaining a combination lock which virtually eliminates unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the combination lock, when in its locked position, using conventional picking techniques.




Furthermore, the combination lock of the present invention incorporates a virtually sealed construction which eliminates unwanted debris from entering the rotating mechanisms of the combination lock. As a result, interference of these rotating components with environmental debris is virtually eliminated and a combination lock is attained which is capable of providing long-term use, free from interference or destruction by environmental contamination.




In addition to employing the present construction detailed above, the present invention can also be implemented using alternate design features. One such feature easily employed in the present invention without deviating from the scope of the present invention would be the elimination of rib


39


and the incorporation of a radially extending ledge in leg


33


of shackle


22


to define the stop position for washer


35


. In addition, washer


35


may comprise a ledge or diameter so as to prevent the entry of washer into the cavity formed by inside surface


76


of cap


37


. In this way, the axial movement of shackle


22


upwardly would be limited by the contact of washer


35


with the base of cap


37


.




These variations, as well as other variations, can be incorporated into combination lock


20


of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Consequently, it is intended that all such variations form a part of this invention and are within the scope of this invention.




It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of this invention, it is intended that all matter contained in this disclosure or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.




It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.



Claims
  • 1. A combination lock constructed for ease of use, while also substantially eliminating the ability of unwanted, accidental, and/or unauthorized changes being made to the combination for opening the lock, said combination lock comprising:A. a housing incorporating a. an elongated bore, b. a plurality of dial receiving zones formed in the housing, each of said receiving zones 1. extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the central bore, and 2. defined by two juxtaposed, spaced, parallel facing surfaces, each of said surfaces extending perpendicularly to the central axis of the central bore; and c. an elongated release channel formed in the central bore and axially extending therewith, said elongated release channel defining a zone for enabling the opening of the combination lock; B. a shackle comprising a generally J-shape, incorporating a. a short leg having a terminating end constructed for cooperative locking and unlocking interengagement with the housing, and b. a long leg cooperatively mounted in the elongated central bore of the housing for axial movement and pivoting movement relative thereto; C. a plurality of tumbler sleeves, each of said tumbler sleeves a. rotationally mounted to the long leg of the shackle for rotational movement about the central axis thereof, and b. incorporating a radially extending fin formed on the outside surface thereof and constructed for cooperative association with the elongated release channel and the parallel, facing surfaces of the dial-receiving zone for preventing axial movement of the long leg of the shackle as well as enabling axial movement thereof when each of said radial fins are positioned in the elongated release channel; D. a plurality of dials each of said dials a. mounted in a dial receiving zone of the housing, b. peripherally surrounding a tumbler sleeve for cooperating therewith, and c. comprising an inside surface formed by a tumbler locking surface; and E. a shackle holding assembly mounted in the elongated bore in cooperating relationship with the long leg of the shackle for biasing the long leg of the shackle towards a raised position, preventing axial, downward movement of the long leg of the shackle without the receipt of an external force on the shackle, said shackle holding assembly comprising: a. a holding member constructed for receiving and cooperatively holding the terminating end of the long leg of the shackle; b. a spring member biasingly engaged with the holding member for continuously urging the holding member in an upward direction, and c. a plug member constructed for closing the entry portal to the lowermost zone and for securely retaining the holding member and the spring member in the lowermost zone; whereby a combination lock construction is attained which is quickly and easily assembled with a minimum number of components and provides a highly effective combination lock which prevents unwanted axial movement of the long leg of the shackle, thereby preventing accidental changes to the combination from occurring.
  • 2. The combination lock defined in claim 1, wherein said elongated bore comprises three separate and distinct zones formed by a lowermost zone, a central zone and an uppermost zone, with the lowermost zone comprising a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the uppermost zone.
  • 3. The combination lock defined in claim 2, wherein the elongated bore is further defined as extending through the housing with the lowermost zone forming a cavity for receiving and retaining the shackle holding assembly.
  • 4. The combination lock defined in claim 3, wherein the lowermost zone and the central zone cooperate to form a retaining ledge at the juncture therebetween.
  • 5. The combination lock defined in claim 1, wherein the holding member is further defined as comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped wall portion interconnected at one end thereof to a substantially flat plate portion and interconnected at its opposed end to a radially extending rim portion.
  • 6. The combination lock defined in claim 5, wherein said rim portion is further defined as radially extending outwardly from the outer surface of the cylindrically shaped wall portion and comprises a diameter greater than the diameter of the central portion, whereby the holding member is maintained in abutting engagement with the retaining ledge by the forces of the spring member.
  • 7. The combination lock defined in claim 6, wherein the long leg of the shackle is normally retained in the holding member with the terminating end of the shackle in contact with the plate portion and the end portion is peripherally surrounded by the cylindrically shaped wall portion, whereby the long leg of the shackle is incapable of being moved downwardly without the input of sufficient force the move the holding member against the force of the spring member, thereby preventing unwanted or accidental movement of the shackle.
  • 8. The combination lock defined in claim 1, and further comprising a plurality of slots formed on one of said parallel, facing surfaces of the dial receiving zone for cooperating with the release channel and the radially extending fin of each tumbler sleeve, and constructed for providing a sound simulating the sound produced when the fin of a tumbler is positioned in the release channel.
  • 9. The combination lock defined in claim 8, wherein each of said tumbler sleeves is further defined as being mounted to the long leg of the shackle for rotational movement about the axis of the shackle while being essentially incapable of translational movement along the axis of the long leg of the shackle.
  • 10. The combination lock defined in claim 9, wherein the dial is further defined as comprising a generally cylindrical shape having a plurality of indicia bearing panels on an outer surface thereof for establishing readily identifiable indicia which define elements usable as the combination for defining the release mode of the lock.
  • 11. The combination lock defined in claim 10, wherein each of said dials is further defined as comprising a slot formed on the outer surface thereof between each adjacent indicia bearing panel.
  • 12. The combination lock defined in claim 11, wherein said housing is further defined as comprising a cavity directly adjacent each dial receiving zone and the combination lock is further defined as comprising a spring and pin member mounted in each cavity for cooperating interengagement with each dial, providing a positive indicator for designating the position of the rotating dial and indicating when each panel is in a desired orientation for designating an element of the combination.
  • 13. The combination lock constructed for ease of use, while also substantially eliminating the ability of the unauthorized persons from opening the lock without knowledge of the combination, said combination lock comprising:A. a housing incorporating a. an elongated bore, b. a plurality of dial receiving zones formed in the housing, each of said receiving zones 1. extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the central bore, and 2. defined by two juxtaposed, spaced, parallel facing surfaces, each of said surfaces extending perpendicularly to the central axis of the central bore; and c. an elongated release channel formed in the central bore and axially extending therewith, said elongated release channel defining a zone for enabling the opening of the combination lock; B. a shackle comprising a generally J-shape, incorporating a. a short leg having a terminating end constructed for cooperative locking and unlocking interengagement with the housing, and b. a long leg cooperatively mounted in the elongated central bore of the housing for axial movement and pivoting movement relative thereto; C. a plurality of tumbler sleeves, each of said tumbler sleeves a. rotationally mounted to the long leg of the shackle for rotational movement about the central axis thereof while being essentially incapable of translational movement along the axis of the long leg of the shackle, and b. incorporating a radially extending fin formed on the outside surface thereof constructed for cooperative association with the elongated release channel and the parallel, facing surfaces of the dial-receiving zone for preventing axial movement of the long leg of the shackle as well as enabling axial movement thereof when each of said radial fins are positioned in the elongated release channel, and comprising a longitudinal dimension substantially equivalent to the longitudinal width of the dial, thereby assuring interengagement of the radially extending fin and a radial slot of the dial when the combination lock is in the secured and locked position, thereby providing the ability of both the dial and the tumbler sleeve to freely rotate relative to the axis of the long leg of the shackle; D. a plurality of dials each of said dials a. mounted in a dial receiving zone of the housing, b. peripherally surrounding a tumbler sleeve for cooperating therewith, and c. comprising an inside surface formed by a tumbler locking surface and a tumbler release surface, with the tumbler locking surface of each dial comprising a plurality of radial slots formed therein constructed for cooperating interengagement with the radially extending fin of the tumbler sleeve to assure secure, controlled, cooperative interengagement therewith and simultaneous rotation of the tumbler sleeve with the dial when the fin of the tumbler sleeve is engaged with any radial slot of the dial; and E. a shackle holding assembly being defined as comprising: a. a holding member constructed for receiving and cooperatively holding the terminating end of the long leg of the shackle; b. a spring member biasingly engaged with the holding member for urging the holding member towards an upward direction, and c. a plug member constructed for closing the entry portal to the lowermost zone and for securely retaining the holding member and the spring member in the lowermost zone; whereby a combination lock construction is attained which is quickly and easily assembled with a minimum number of components and provides a highly effective combination lock which prevents the combination from being re-set without the user's knowledge.
  • 14. The combination lock defined in claim 13, wherein the holding member is further defined as comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped wall portion interconnected at one end thereof to a substantially flat plate portion and interconnected at its opposed end to a radially extending rim portion.
  • 15. A combination lock constructed for ease of use, while also substantially eliminating the ability of unauthorized persons from opening the lock without knowledge of the combination, said combination lock comprising:A. a housing incorporating: a. an elongated bore, b. a plurality of dial receiving zones formed in the housing, each of said receiving zones 1. extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the central bore, and 2. defined by two juxtaposed, spaced, parallel facing surfaces, each of said surfaces extending perpendicularly to the central axis of the central bore; and c. an elongated release channel formed in the central bore and axially extending therewith, said elongated release channel defining a zone for enabling the opening of the combination lock; B. a shackle comprising a generally J-shape, incorporating a. a short leg having a terminating end constructed for cooperative locking and unlocking interengagement with the housing, and b. a long leg cooperatively mounted in the elongated central bore of the housing for axial movement and pivoting movement relative thereto; C. a plurality of tumbler sleeves, each of said tumbler sleeves a. rotationally mounted to the long leg of the shackle for rotational movement about the central axis thereof while being essentially incapable of translational movement along the axis of the long leg of the shackle, and b. incorporating a radially extending fin formed on the outside surface thereof and constructed for cooperative association with the elongated release channel and the parallel, facing surfaces of the dial-receiving zone for preventing axial movement of the long leg of the shackle as well as enabling axial movement thereof when each of said radial fins are positioned in the elongated release channel; D. a plurality of dials each of said dials a. mounted in a dial receiving zone of the housing, b. peripherally surrounding a tumbler sleeve for cooperating therewith, c. comprising an inside surface formed by a tumbler locking surface; E. a shackle holding assembly mounted in the elongated bore in cooperating relationship with the long leg of the shackle for biasing the long leg of the shackle towards a raised position, preventing axial, downward movement of the long leg of the shackle without the receipt of an external force on the shackle, said shackle holding assembly comprising: a. a holding member constructed for receiving and cooperatively holding the terminating end of the long leg of the shackle; b. a spring member biasingly engaged with the holding member for continuously urging the holding member in an upward direction, and c. a plug member constructed for closing the entry portal to the lowermost zone and for securely retaining the holding member and the spring member in the lowermost zone; and F. a sealing cap mounted in an open end of the elongated bore and constructed for effectively closing the bore with the tumbler sleeves mounted therein, preventing entry of any contamination into said bore.
  • 16. The combination lock defined in claim 15, wherein said sealing cap is further defined as having a diameter substantially equivalent to the diameter of the uppermost zone of the elongated bore for enabling the sealing cap to be forced under pressure into said bore, thereby effectively sealing the upper end of the bore.
  • 17. The combination lock defined in claim 16, wherein said sealing cap is further defined as comprising a substantially circular shaped aperture, having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the shackle and two diametrically opposed radially extending slots constructed for cooperating with the protrusions formed on the outer surfaced of the shackle, thereby defining two entry zones for controlling the axial movement of the shackle relative to the sealing cap.
  • 18. The combination lock defined in claim 17, wherein said sealing cap is further defined as comprising an internal ledge formed below the aperture and the radial slots for cooperating with the protrusions of the shackle for controlling the axial movement of the shackle relative thereto.
  • 19. The combination lock constructed for ease of use, while also substantially eliminating the ability of the combination being changed when not desired, said combination lock comprising:A. a housing incorporating a. an elongated bore, b. a plurality of dial receiving zones formed in the housing, each of said receiving zones 1. extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the central bore, and 2. defined by two juxtaposed, spaced, parallel facing surfaces, each of said surfaces extending perpendicularly to the central axis of the central bore; and c. an elongated release channel formed in the central bore and axially extending therewith, said elongated release channel defining a zone for enabling the opening of the combination lock; B. a shackle comprising a generally J-shape, incorporating a. a short leg having a terminating end constructed for cooperative locking and unlocking interengagement with the housing, and b. a long leg cooperatively mounted in the elongated central bore of the housing for axial movement and pivoting movement relative thereto; c. a locking ring receiving slot and two radially extending protrusions formed on an outer surface of the long leg thereof in juxtaposed, spaced, aligned, axial relationship to each other, said slot and one of sid protrusions defining a fixed axial length for said long leg; C. a plurality of tumbler sleeves, each of said tumbler sleeves a. rotationally mounted to the long leg of the shackle for rotational movement about the central axis thereof while being essentially incapable of translational movement along the axis of the long leg of the shackle, and b. incorporating a radially extending fin formed on the outside surface thereof and constructed for cooperative association with the elongated release channel and the parallel, facing surfaces of the dial-receiving zone for preventing axial movement of the long leg of the shackle as well as enabling axial movement thereof when each of said radial fins are positioned in the elongated release channel; D. a plurality of dials each of said dials a. mounted in a dial receiving zone of the housing, b. peripherally surrounding a tumbler sleeve for cooperating therewith, and c. comprising an inside surface formed by a tumbler locking surface; E. a shackle holding assembly mounted in the elongated bore in cooperating relationship with the long leg of the shackle for biasing the long leg of the shackle towards a raised position, preventing axial, downward movement of the long leg of the shackle without the receipt of an external force on the shackle, said shackle holding assembly comprising: a. a holding member constructed for receiving and cooperatively holding the terminating end of the long leg of the shackle; b. a spring member biasingly engaged with the holding member for continuously urging the holding member in an upward direction, and c. a plug member constructed for closing the entry portal to the lowermost zone and for securely retaining the holding member and the spring member in the lowermost zone; and F. a washer, a spacer, and a locking ring, each of which are constructed for cooperating with the plurality of tumbler sleeves mounted to the long leg of the shackle for defining an overall length substantially equivalent to the axial length established between the protrusion and the slot, whereby rotation of each tumbler sleeve is provided, while eliminating axial translational movement thereof; whereby a combination lock construction is attained which is quickly and easily assembled with a minimum number of components and provides a highly effective combination lock which prevents the long leg of the shackle form axially moving downwardly without receiving an input force, thereby preventing the combination from being altered when not desired.
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3720082 Feinberg et al. Mar 1973 A
4444029 Remington Apr 1984 A
4733548 Ling Mar 1988 A
4829794 Crown May 1989 A
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