Combination lock system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a combination lock system comprising a set of push-buttons that can be actuated in compliance with a combination, a set of series of coders, in which each series is associated with a push-button, incrementing means for placing the coders of each series successively in a position to be operated by actuating a push-button, coding means for defining a waiting configuration of the coders in which the coders selected for the combination occupy a coding position and the coders not selected for the combination occupy an inactive position, actuation of the locking means of the lock being possible if the selected coders have been operated by actuating push-buttons in compliance with the combination, the system further comprising means for returning the coders to the waiting configuration after actuation of the push-buttons.

Each push-button is associated with a series of several coders, for example four or five coders. In a waiting position, each first coder of each series is ready to be operated by a corresponding push-button. As soon as a push-button has been depressed, the incrementing means place the second coders of each series in a position to be operated by the corresponding pushbutton, and so on. The incrementing means therefore enable the same push-button to be used more than once in the coded combination, up to a limit which is the number of coders in each series.

The push-buttons generally comprise numeric push-buttons and possibly two or three alphabetic push-buttons. Being able to use the same push-button more than once in the coded combination considerably increases the number of combinations available.

The lock can be opened when the correct combination has been entered by actuating the push-buttons. Otherwise the lock remains locked. In both cases the coders can be returned to a waiting position for a new attempt to open the lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,743 discloses a system of the above kind in which the coders are rotary coders and have two arms in a V arrangement. Depending on whether a coder is part of the coded combination or not, actuating the corresponding push-button moves the coder in one rotation direction or the other. Moving a coder in the “right” rotation direction unlocks the lock, which is not possible if a coder is moved in the “wrong” rotation direction.

The number of coders used in this kind of coded combination lock system can be very large. For example if the push-buttons comprise ten numeric push-buttons and each series of coders comprises five coders, not less than 50 coders will be necessary. Coding the combination necessitates putting all these coders in a correct position relative to each other, which, given their number, is difficult and time-consuming.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,743 uses the push-buttons for entering the combination to carry out the coding. To this end, the user obtains access to the coders from the inside of the lock, which is the side opposite that carrying the push-buttons, and then, by means of a pivoting panel, sets all the coders to the same inactive position. The user then enters the new combination by means of the push-buttons, which places the selected coders in an intermediate position in which they are offset angularly relative to the other coders. The user then closes the panel previously used to place all the coders in the inactive position; this movement of the panel entrains only the selected coders, increasing their angular offset relative to the coders that are not part of the combination and placing them in their coding position.

This system has the advantage of avoiding manual manipulation of all the coders. However, if a new code is entered by means of the push-buttons, all of the selected coders must first occupy an intermediate angular position before they have to be moved into a coding position by rotating the panel. In effecting this latter operation, the user must ensure that all the selected coders have been placed in their correct intermediate position, i.e. with a sufficient angular offset relative to the coders have not been selected for them to be selectively entrained in rotation by pivoting the panel. The user must in particular ensure that the push-buttons have been depressed sufficiently for all the selected coders to have been moved through a sufficient angular displacement relative to the coders that have not been selected and have remained in their intermediate position.

In the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,743, depressing a push-button which is part of the combination moves the corresponding coder in a first rotation direction, the effect of which is to actuate a first flap which in turn, via two ratchet systems, moves an incrementation bar and a locking bar. Pressing a push-button that is not part of the combination moves the corresponding coder in a second rotation direction, which actuates a second flap which actuates the first flap via a connecting arm, the effect of which is to cause the first ratchet system to move the incrementation bar, but the connecting arm lifts a pawl which prevents incrementing the displacement of the locking bar.

The two push-buttons operate neither the same parts nor the same number of parts. Consequently, the aware user inevitably detects a tactile difference and an audible difference between the two push-buttons and can therefore recognize the one that is not part of the combination. There is therefore a risk that the code can eventually be detected.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention applies to this type of coded combination lock and aims to simplify further the coding operation.

That aim is achieved by the invention providing a system comprising means for authorizing two actuation strokes of the push-buttons, namely a normal stroke and a coding stroke, the normal stroke being such that a push-button actuated over that stroke causes the movement of a selected coder from its coding position to a non-locking position or the movement of an unselected coder from its inactive position to a locking position preventing unlocking, while the coding stroke is such that a push-button actuated over that stroke causes a coder to be moved from its inactive position to its coding position and the system further comprising means which, to enable entry of a new coded combination, place all the coders in the inactive position and authorize actuation of the push-buttons over their coding stroke.

The normal stroke of the push-buttons is that allowed for entering the combination to open the locking means of the lock. The coding stroke is used only to change the combination. For this purpose, the authorized user actuates the means for authorizing the coding stroke, in general from the side of the lock that is inside the protected area (the inside of the door fitted with the lock). Before entering a new combination, the user places all the coders in the inactive position and then enters the new combination using the push-buttons, which are manipulated in exactly the same way as when using the lock normally, except that the stroke of the push-buttons is different from the normal stroke. Then, when the new combination has been entered, it is no longer necessary to move coders, and it is sufficient to reset the stroke of the push-buttons to the normal stroke and to reset the incrementing means, for example by actuating the door handle.

The coding stroke is preferably longer than the normal stroke of the push-buttons.

The displacement of a selected coder from its coding position to its unlocking position is preferably the same as the displacement of a selected coder from its inactive position to its locking position and actuating the push-buttons preferably affects only the incrementing means and the coders.

Accordingly, actuating a push-button that is part of the combination and actuating a push-button that is not part of the combination have exactly the same subjective effect, so the user cannot detect any difference, in particular any tactile or audible difference, between actuating the two push-buttons.

Each coder advantageously has spaced first and second unlocking markers and, in the unlocking position of a selected coder, the second unlocking marker of said coder is disposed in corresponding relationship with the first unlocking markers of the coders in the inactive position.

In this type of lock, unlocking is possible when all the coders have locking markers disposed in a corresponding relationship, generally aligned with each other. In their waiting position, the coders selected for the combination are offset relative to the inactive coders. The offset is such that, if the selected coders are moved to the unlocking position, the second unlocking markers of the selected coders come into corresponding relationship with the first unlocking markers of the unselected coders, which have remained in the inactive position. Accordingly, even in the unlocked position, the selected coders are offset relative to the unselected coders. This facilitates resetting, which consists of returning the coders to the waiting position after actuation of the push-buttons. This is because, at the time of a reset, the selected coders which are in the unlocking position are selectively moved to the coding position and any unselected coders that may happen to be in the locking position are returned to the inactive position.

In this case, it is advantageous if each coder has spaced first and second actuation surfaces respectively adapted to cooperate with a push-button in order, when the push-button is depressed, to cause the coder to be moved between its inactive position and its locking position and between its coding position and its unlocking position.

If actuating the push-button operates a selected coder, then the latter is moved from its coding position to its unlocking position. On the other hand, if actuating the push-button operates an unselected coder, it is moved from its inactive position to its locking position. These positions are offset relative to each other.

A push-button actuated in error moves an unselected coder in the same way that a push-button actuated in conformance with the combination moves a selected coder. Accordingly, all the push-buttons appear to react in the same way when actuated. A person entering an incorrect combination is therefore unable to identify the push-button actuated in error.

It is also advantageous if each coder has spaced first and second reset surfaces and the means for returning the coders to the waiting configuration after the push-buttons are actuated comprise a reset member adapted to co-operate with the first reset surfaces of the coders occupying the locking positions to return said coders to their inactive positions and to co-operate with the second reset surfaces of the coders occupying their unlocking positions to return said coders to their coding positions.

On the other hand, at the time of a reset, the reset member preferably moves neither the unselected coders that have remained in the inactive position nor the selected coders that have remained in the coding position. The resetting surfaces are therefore disposed so that the resetting surfaces of a coder in the inactive position escape from the resetting member in the same way that the resetting surfaces of a coder in the coding position escape from that member.

The system advantageously comprises coupling means between the operating means of the lock, such as a square operating shaft, and the locking means of the lock, said coupling means having a non-interlocked configuration at rest and means for placing the coupling means in an interlocked configuration if the push-buttons have been operated in compliance with the correct combination, in which interlocked configuration the locking means are coupled to the lock operating means.

Accordingly, if the correct combination has not been entered, the lock operating means are not interlocked with the locking means and turn freely if they are operated by the user, for example by means of a handle.

The user who has entered a combination on the push-buttons naturally attempts to verify if the combination is correct by attempting to open the lock by manipulating operating means such as the handle.

The means for returning the coders to the waiting position after actuation of the push-buttons advantageously comprise a reset member that can be actuated by manipulating the lock operating means.

The virtually inevitable actuation of the lock operating means is therefore exploited to perform the reset.

The system advantageously comprises a free passage function which enables actuation of the locking means of the lock by the operating means of the lock without actuating the push-buttons.

It is obviously preferable for activation of this free passage function to be possible only for an authorized user, and therefore preferably after correct use of the coded combination. This is the case in particular if the function can be activated only from the inside of the lock, inside the protected area. The free passage function momentarily bypasses the coders of the lock, as it were. For example, this enables the premises at whose entry the lock is provided to be protected at only certain times of day or only if the usual occupant is not present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and its advantages will become more clearly apparent on reading the following detailed description of one embodiment, which is shown by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

is a diagrammatic exterior view of a door equipped with a combination lock system according to the invention;

FIG. 2

is a view in section taken along the line II—II in

FIG. 1

;

FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the lock shown in

FIG. 2

, without its protective casing and the push-button support block located immediately under the casing;

FIG. 4

is a perspective view of the push-button support block that is absent from

FIG. 3

;

FIG. 5

is a view in cross-section taken along the line V—V in

FIG. 4

;

FIGS. 6A

to

6

F show diagrammatically various positions that the coders of the locking system can adopt;

FIG. 7

is a perspective view of all the push-buttons with their actuator arms;

FIG. 8

is a partial perspective view as seen in the direction of the arrow VIII in

FIGS. 3 and 4

;

FIG. 9

is a perspective view of the coders and their supports;

FIG. 10

is a perspective view of part of the incrementing means;

FIG. 11

is a bottom view of

FIG. 9

, showing another part of the incrementing means;

FIG. 12

is an exploded perspective view of various components associated with the operating means of the lock;

FIG. 13

is a bottom view of

FIG. 10

; and

FIG. 14

is a perspective view of a resetting drive shaft.

MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to

FIG. 1

, a door

10

is equipped with a combination lock system

12

according to the invention which comprises a set of push-buttons T disposed on a panel on the outside of the door. In this example there are ten numeric push-buttons arranged as two rows each of five push-buttons. If the correct combination is entered by manipulating the push-buttons, locking means of the lock, such as a bolt

16

, can be opened by actuating a door handle

14

.

The lock is installed on the outside face of a door, whose inside face is the opposite face. The outward direction is that from the inside face towards the outside face. In the conventional way, the two rows of push-buttons are oriented vertically and the longitudinal direction of the lock system, to which the transverse direction is perpendicular, is the vertical direction.

The section plane of

FIG. 2

is aligned with one side of the casing

13

of the lock system and this sectional view shows internal components of the system.

FIG. 3

also shows that the lock system comprises a set of series of coders

18

. Each series is associated with a push-button and comprises several coders. The series S

1

is associated with numeric push-button

1

, for example. The coders in each series are separated from each other by spacers (not shown) and the series are separated from each other by spacers

20

. As shown in

FIG. 3

, the series of coders are disposed in two rows each comprising five series of coders.

If the push-buttons are depressed successively, the coders of the same series are successively placed in a condition where they can be operated by actuating the corresponding push-button. In this example each series comprises five coders and so the same push-button can be used up to five times in the combination for unlocking the lock.

The perspective view of the push-buttons in

FIG. 7

shows that each push-button T comprises a first actuator member

22

adapted to cooperate with the coders of the series associated with that push-button, a second actuator member

24

adapted to cooperate with the incrementing means, and a third actuator member

26

which, as described later, provides an abutment arm defining the normal stroke of the push-button and a locking member cooperating with the incrementing means.

As shown in

FIG. 7

, the actuator members take the form of blades which project under the push-button. To be more precise, and as can also be seen in the

FIG. 5

sectional view, the push-button T has a cap

28

inside which is a stud

30

which is spring-loaded by a return spring

32

which bears on the push-button support block. The first actuator member

22

is formed at the free end of a blade

23

, for example a spring steel blade, whose upper end opposite the free end is carried by the stud

30

. The third actuator member

26

is formed at the free end of an extension arm

27

which extends downwards from the stud, with which it is in one piece. The second actuator member

24

is formed by the free end of a blade

25

fixed to the extension arm

27

. In this example a cavity to receive the blade

25

is formed at the end of the arm

27

, so that its free end is divided into two parts

26

that extend one on each side of the blade

25

.

FIG. 5

shows that the coders are rotary coders. Accordingly, the coders corresponding to the push-buttons of the right-hand row in

FIG. 1

are rotatable about a first shaft A

1

, like the coder

18

A, and those that correspond to the push-buttons of the left-hand row are rotatable about a shaft A

2

, like the coder

18

B. The shafts A

1

and A

2

define two longitudinal geometrical lines along which the respective coders corresponding to each of the two rows of push-buttons are aligned.

The coders can be moved in a first rotation direction by actuating the push-buttons and in the opposite rotation direction to return them to a waiting position after actuation of the push-buttons.

In this example, all the coders are identical, but the choice has been made to dispose the coders mounted on the shaft A

1

symmetrically to the coders

18

B mounted on the shaft A

2

with respect to a median plane of symmetry between the shafts A

1

and A

2

.

Accordingly,

FIG. 5

shows that the first rotation direction F of the coders rotating on the shaft A

1

, in which they are driven by actuating the push-buttons, is opposite the first rotation direction G of the coders rotating about the shaft A

2

.

As can be seen better in

FIG. 7

, the symmetrical arrangement of the coders means that, despite the arrangement of the push-buttons in two rows, the second actuator member

24

and the third actuator member

26

of all the push-buttons are substantially aligned with the median axis between the shafts A

1

and A

2

, one particular advantage of which is to simplify the configuration of the incrementing means.

FIG. 5

shows the coder

18

B in its coding position. The coder

18

A is shown in the inactive position. FIG.

5

and

FIGS. 6A

to

6

F show that each coder

18

has a first unlocking marker

34

and a second unlocking marker

36

that are spaced from each other and separated by a locking marker

35

.

FIG. 6A

shows a coder

18

in its inactive position, which is that of the coder

18

A in FIG.

5

.

FIG. 6C

shows a coder

18

in its coding position, which (through considerations of symmetry) is that of the coder

18

B in FIG.

5

.

FIG. 6D

shows the unlocking position of the same coder, which is that it occupies after it has been operated by depressing a push-button. The positions of the first actuator member of the push-button corresponding to that coder at rest (

FIGS. 6A and 6C

) and at the end of the normal travel CN (

FIGS. 6B and 6D

) are shown diagrammatically.

The reference N indicates the level occupied by the first unlocking markers of the coders in the inactive position. Comparing

FIGS. 6A and 6D

shows that the second unlocking marker

36

of the coder

18

that is part of the code that has been operated by the correct push-button is at the same level N as the first unlocking marker

34

of the coder

18

that is not part of the code and has not been operated.

Accordingly, if the correct combination has been entered, so as to all the coders selected for the combination are operated correctly, all the second locking markers of the selected coders are at the same reference level N as the first unlocking markers of the unselected coders and not operated by the push-buttons. As shown later, this enables the lock to be unlocked.

However,

FIG. 6C

shows that before it was operated by depressing a push-button, the coder

18

that is part of the code is in a position such that its locking marker

35

is at the reference level N, which prevents unlocking the lock. Similarly,

FIG. 6B

shows the position of the coder

18

that is not part of the code and has been operated in error by depressing a push-button. In this position the locking marker of the coder is also at level N.

In this example the coders are in the form of disks and the unlocking markers

34

and

36

are in the form of peripheral notches in the disks, between which a portion with no notches forms the locking marker.

FIG. 5

shows that the system comprises two pivoting bars

38

A and

38

B respectively associated with the row of coders

18

A and the row of coders

18

B. In cross section, the bars take the form of levers pivoting on respective shafts

39

A and

39

B supported by respective bearings

40

A and

40

B. Clearly, if only the unlocking markers

34

or

36

are at the level N, the levers

38

A and

38

B can respectively pivot through a maximum stroke in the direction F and in the direction G and enter the notches

34

or

36

. This is the case for the bar

38

B.

On the other hand, if a coder occupies a position such that its locking marker

35

is at the level N, it limits pivoting of the bar

38

A or

38

B to a stroke less than that maximum stroke. This is the case for the bar

38

A.

As explained later, the bars

38

A and

38

B constitute locking members which, if they move over their maximum stroke, engage the square operating shaft of the lock with its locking means

16

. The periphery of the coders comprises two indentations

44

and

46

that respectively constitute the first and second actuator surfaces of the coders. It is clear from

FIG. 5

that, in the inactive position of the coder

18

A, its first actuator surface

44

can co-operate with the corresponding push-button, or to be more precise with the first actuator member

22

of that push-button, to turn the coder in the direction F through one rotation angular step. On the other hand, for the coder

18

B in its coding position, the second actuator surface

46

can co-operate with the actuator member

22

of the corresponding push-button to turn that coder through a rotation angular step in the direction G.

Sticking points advantageously determine the various angular positions of the coders. To this end, a leaf spring

48

with a ripple

48

A is disposed under each coder. The coder associated with the leaf spring has a series of four ripples

49

on its periphery which selectively co-operate with the ripple

48

A on the leaf spring to determine the various angular positions of the coder, namely its inactive position and, successively in the first rotation direction of the coder, its locking position, its coding position and its unlocking position.

If the push-buttons are depressed through their normal stroke, they rotate the coders by one rotation angular step corresponding to moving a coder either between its inactive position and its locking position or between its coding position and its unlocking position.

When a push-button is depressed, its second actuator member

24

cooperates with an incrementing shaft

50

which is part of incrementing means described later. Its extension arm

27

passes through a slot

52

in the plate

54

that supports the springs

48

to lock the incrementing means momentarily, as explained later.

The system according to the invention comprises a stroke limiter

56

which has abutment surfaces and which can be moved between a first position in which the abutment surfaces face the abutment arms of the push-buttons (in this example, arms at the free ends

26

of the extension arms

27

) to limit the stroke of the latter to their normal stroke CN, and a second position in which said abutment surfaces are moved away from the abutment arms

26

, to allow the push-buttons to move over their coding stroke CC.

In this example, the stroke limiter is a bar that can move in translation and can be seen in

FIGS. 10 and 13

.

FIG. 10

is a plan view showing the plate

58

that forms the base-plate of the lock system and is fixed to the outside of the door. The plate carries the various components of the lock system, in particular the incrementing shaft

50

and the stroke limiter bar

56

.

For convenience, the components of the lock system above the incrementing shaft

50

are not shown in FIG.

10

. The stroke limiter bar can be moved in translation as indicated by the double-headed arrow L in FIG.

10

. Its upper end, opposite the plate

58

, comprises notches

60

.

In its first position, limiting the stroke of the push-buttons to their normal stroke, the stroke limiter bar is disposed so that the notches

60

are offset relative to the free ends

26

of the extension arms

27

of the push-buttons. Said free ends

26

therefore abut against abutment surfaces consisting of the gaps

62

between the notches

60

. The stroke limiter occupies this first position under normal conditions of use of the lock, in which the coded combination must be entered by actuating the push-buttons to unlock the lock.

From this first position, the stroke limiter bar can be moved to place the notches

60

in front of the abutment arms

26

, thereby allowing the push-buttons to move over a coding stroke greater than their normal stroke. Referring to

FIG. 7

, it was previously stated that the abutment arms

26

consisted of the two free end parts of the actuator arms

27

of the push-buttons, between which the second actuator member

24

is located. The notches

60

on the stroke limiter bar are disposed in pairs

60

A,

60

B, each corresponding to one of these end parts.

The stroke limiter bar is naturally protected from manipulation by an unauthorized user. The means for moving the bar in this example comprise an actuator lug

64

that is fastened to the bar and passes through a slot

66

in the plate

58

so that it projects from the rear of the plate, as can be seen in

FIG. 13

, in which a portion of the plate has been cut away. The lug

64

cooperates with a displacement actuator member

68

which in this example consists of an actuator cam

68

that can be driven in rotation by a square operating shaft (not shown) manipulated from the inside of the door on which the combination lock is mounted.

The system also comprises means described with reference to

FIGS. 5

,

9

,

10

,

11

and

13

for placing all the coders in the inactive position for entering a new combination.

The system shown in

FIGS. 9 and 11

, which comprises in particular the support plate

54

, the coders

18

and the resetting member

82

(described below), is referred to hereinafter as the coder block number

84

. The coder block

84

is mounted between the plate

58

and the push-button support block

86

(see FIG.

5

).

FIG. 9

shows an reset bar

70

which is used to reset the coders of the row

18

A mounted on the shaft A

1

and which is itself mounted to turn about the shaft A

1

. The bar

70

and the similar bar

72

associated with the coders of the row

18

B mounted on the shaft A

2

can be seen in section in FIG.

5

. The bars

70

and

72

can be moved by an initialization actuator member

74

(see FIGS.

9

and

11

). Clearly, if the member

74

is pushed in the direction H, to move outwards away from the support plate

54

, its inner arm

74

A causes the reset bar

70

to rotate in the direction opposite the first rotation direction F of the coders

18

A. At the same time, it causes the bar

72

to rotate in the direction opposite the first rotation direction G of the coders

18

B. When they pivot, the reset bars

70

and

72

cooperate with the rear faces

44

A of the first indentations

44

of the coders. Accordingly, if the actuator member

74

is pushed outwards far enough, the reset bars

70

and

72

return all the coders to the inactive position.

FIG. 9

shows that the actuator member

74

is spring-loaded by return springs

76

towards its lowermost position, in which it does not operate the reset bars.

The actuator member

74

can be pushed in the direction H by a plunger that can be manipulated from the inside of the door on which the lock system is mounted, for example. To allow this, the plate

58

comprises an orifice

78

(see

FIGS. 10 and 13

) through which a plunger of this kind can pass and the support plate

54

has a notch

80

aligned with that orifice.

Accordingly, to change the combination of the lock system, the stroke limiter bar

56

is actuated to enable the push-buttons T to be depressed by their coding stroke and the reset bars

70

and

72

are actuated to place all the coders in their inactive position; these two operations can be carried out simultaneously, in the above order or in the opposite order. From this starting situation, all that remains is to depress the push-buttons sequentially in compliance with the new combination, which returns the selected coders to their coding position.

FIG. 6E

shows a coder

18

in the inactive position and

FIG. 6F

shows the same coder in the coding position; these figures show the positions of the first actuator member

22

of the push-button associated with this coder respectively at rest and at the end of the coding stroke CC.

Comparing

FIGS. 6A and 6B

shows that, the coding stroke CC of the push-buttons being greater than their normal stroke CN, the coder has been turned through an angle greater than its normal rotation angle corresponding to one rotation angular step. Accordingly, simply manipulating the push-buttons enters a new code by moving the selected coders into their coding position.

When coding has been completed, it is sufficient to move the stroke limiter bar

56

back into its first position, in which it limits the stroke of the push-buttons to their normal stroke, operating on the square operating shaft of the actuator cam

68

. The reset bars

70

and

72

naturally return to their lowermost position as soon as the plunger ceases to operate on the actuator member

74

. Accordingly, when the new combination has been entered by means of the push-buttons, no further displacement of the coders is necessary to place the lock system in the operating situation. It is simply sufficient to return the limiter bar

56

to its position in which it limits the stroke of the push-buttons and to return the coder block to its initial position by resetting the incrementing means that were operated during coding. As explained later, operating the door handle is sufficient to effect this resetting, for example.

The incrementing means of the lock system according to the invention will now be described. The coders

18

are rotatably mounted on the shafts A

1

and A

2

, which are themselves supported by the support plate

54

, which also carries the springs

48

determining the sticking points on rotating the coders.

FIGS. 9 and 11

shows that a reset member

82

in the form of a frame is also supported by the support

54

, relative to which it can move in translation perpendicular to its plane. The incrementing means can move the coder block by one increment as a consequence of the depression of a push-button. The coder block

84

is supported relative to the plate

58

by virtue of the fact that the support plate

54

is carried by the free ends of longitudinal wall members

88

and

90

that project outwards from the plate

58

(see FIGS.

5

and

10

).

The lower face of the support plate

54

features guide studs

92

adapted to cooperate with the wall members

88

and

90

to guide longitudinal movement of the support plate. The coders

18

are fastened to the support

54

which cooperates with translation means. The first actuator member

22

of each push-button co-operates with the coders to move them when the push-button is actuated, as already indicated. The second actuator member

24

co-operates with the translation means to move the support by one increment when the push-button is actuated.

Although depressing a push-button moves the coder block

84

by one increment, it is important to prevent the block moving as the same time as the push-button is depressed. To achieve this the actuator members

26

previously referred to also serve as locking members which, while the push-button carrying them is depressed, momentarily prevent movement of the coder block

84

.

To be more precise, if a push-button is depressed its second actuator member

24

cooperates with a tooth

94

on the incrementing shaft

50

to turn that shaft through one angular increment in the direction R. Note that it is sufficient for the incrementing shaft to carry four teeth for each actuator member

24

for the system to enable entry of a five-digit code by allowing the coder block

84

to occupy five different positions relative to the push-button support block

86

.

Accordingly, in the example shown, and as can be seen in

FIGS. 5 and 10

, a series of four teeth

94

is associated with each of the push-buttons, i.e. the teeth of each series are disposed under the actuator member

24

of the corresponding push-button.

The means for moving the support

54

in translation comprise a spring member and a mobile abutment adapted to be moved by the second actuator member

24

of a push-button; the spring member produces abutment contact between the support and the abutment member; the locking member is adapted to retain the support against the effect of the spring member when a push-button is depressed and to release that effect when the push-button is released.

To be more precise, the incrementing shaft

50

has a slot

96

near one end which is inclined to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the shaft. In particular, the slot

96

can take the form of a helix (see FIG.

10

). The front face

96

A of the slot constitutes the mobile abutment previously referred to. The abutment contact between the support

54

and the mobile abutment is obtained by co-operation between an abutment stud

98

that projects inwards from the inside face of the support plate

54

so as to penetrate into the slot

96

and which cooperates with the face

96

A of that slot. The spring member for spring-loading this abutment contact is a spring

100

which bears on a fixed part (for example a part of the plate

58

) in order to push the stud

98

at all times against the front face

96

A of the slot

96

.

FIGS. 9 and 11

shows that the longitudinal slot

52

formed in a median region of the support plate

54

has an edge provided with regularly spaced notches

52

A. If a push-button is depressed, the locking members

26

consisting of the free end portions of its extension arm

27

engage in two adjacent notches

52

A to lock the coder block

84

relative to the push-button support block

86

.

However, at the same time, the actuator member

24

associated with the push-button turns the incrementing shaft

50

by one angular increment in the direction R, the effect of which is to move the edge

96

A of the slot

96

farther away from the stud

98

. As soon as the push-button is released, the locking member

26

escapes from the notches

52

A, which frees the support

54

to be moved forward by the continuous return action of the spring

100

. This forward movement can continue until the pin

98

again abuts against the front face

96

A of the slot

96

in the shaft

50

; the shape of the slot

96

and the amplitude of a rotation angular increment of the shaft

50

determine an increment for the movement in translation of the coder block

84

such that movement by that increment positions under the actuator members

22

the push-buttons adjacent those previously there and places new notches

52

A under the ends

26

of the arms

27

.

A ratchet wheel system prevents the incrementing shaft

50

turning backwards. It carries at its end a toothed wheel

102

which can be seen in

FIGS. 8 and 10

. A pawl

104

cooperates with the teeth of the wheel to prevent the shaft turning backwards. On a reset, the pawl

104

is lifted by means described below to allow the teeth of the wheel

102

to escape from it.

The incrementing shaft

50

can then be returned to its initial position by a torsion return spring

110

that can be seen in FIG.

10

. This constrains the support

54

, and therefore the coder block

84

, to return to their initial waiting position through co-operation of the lug

98

with the edge

96

A of the slot

96

.

To perform a reset, it is also important to return to their initial position the coders that were moved by actuating the push-buttons. To this end, each coder has spaced first and second reset surfaces. In this example the reset surfaces are formed on longitudinal studs

112

,

114

(see

FIGS. 2

,

9

and

6

A to

6

F). The reset frame

82

has teeth

116

on its longitudinal edges that co-operate with the studs

112

and

114

when the frame is lowered (arrow B) so that they are moved inwards, towards the support plate

54

.

FIG. 9

in particular, in which a portion of the frame

82

is cut away, shows that each tooth

116

is disposed so that it can be inserted between the coder with whose studs it is intended to co-operate and the next consecutive coder.

The operation of the reset frame

82

is explained further with reference to

FIGS. 6A

to

6

D, which show in full line the rest position of the tooth

116

associated with the coder

18

shown, i.e. the position occupied by that tooth when the reset frame

82

is at the greatest distance from the support plate

54

. In this connection, referring to

FIG. 9

, note that the frame

82

is spring-loaded into this position by return springs

76

(which also spring-load the initialization actuator member

74

into its lowermost position) and

77

; the springs

76

and

77

are disposed around guide rods

118

which guide movement in translation of the frame

82

relative to the support

54

. In

FIGS. 6A and 6C

the position occupied by the tooth

116

during a reset is shown in dashed line.

Comparing

FIGS. 6A and 6B

, it is clear that if a coder that is not part of the code is operated in error, so that it occupies its locking position shown in

FIG. 6B

, moving the frame

82

towards the support plate

54

in the direction of the arrow B causes the tooth

116

to cooperate with the reset stud

112

until the coder is returned to its inactive position shown in FIG.

6

A.

Comparing

FIGS. 6C and 6D

, it is clear that if a coder which is part of the code is operated to occupy its unlocking position shown in

FIG. 6D

, the same movement of the frame

82

causes the tooth

116

associated with that coder to cooperate with the reset stud

114

until the coder is returned to its coding position shown in FIG.

6

C. The spacing of the studs

112

and

114

is such that the stud

112

escapes from the tooth

116

when the coder is in its coding position. The coders which have remained in the inactive or coding position are not rotated about their axes when they are reset. They are only moved in translation with the whole of the coder block by resetting the incrementing means.

Resetting, i.e. returning the coders to a waiting position after an attempt to unlock the lock by operating the push-buttons in compliance with a combination, whether successful or not, therefore necessitates resetting the incrementing means and turning the coders that have been moved to return them to their inactive position (in the case of the coders that are not part of the combination) or to their coding position (in the case of the coders that are part of the code).

To this end, the system comprises a reset actuator member. In this example, the reset actuator member comprises two longitudinal actuator bars

120

disposed on respective opposite sides of the wall members

88

and

90

on the plate

58

(see

FIGS. 2

,

5

,

8

). The ends of the two longitudinal bars are connected by transverse bar members to form an actuator frame.

The operation of the reset member is described with reference to

FIGS. 2 and 8

, in which the bars

120

can be seen more clearly. The bar

120

that can be seen in

FIG. 2

comprises an actuator lug

122

formed by its free end on the same side as the square operating shaft of the locking means of the lock. The actuator lug

122

co-operates with an operating cam

124

. The actuator lug

122

is engaged in a notch

126

provided for this purpose in the periphery of the cam

124

(see also FIG.

12

).

The bar

120

is spring-loaded by a compression return spring

128

so that the lug

122

cooperates with the actuator edge

126

A of the notch

126

.

Clearly, in the event of an attempt to open the lock, when the cam

124

is turned in the opening direction SO indicated in

FIG. 2

, it then pushes the bar

120

longitudinally in the direction L

1

.

Each bar

120

carries a rack operating arm

130

which cooperates with a toothed surface

132

of a drive shaft

133

that can be seen more clearly in FIG.

14

. The shaft carries two toothed sectors

134

, one for the arm

130

of each bar

120

. Each of these sectors cooperates with a rack

135

A carried by an extension

135

of a bearing frame

83

disposed against the reset frame

82

, on the outside. The extensions

135

features stiffener ribs

136

.

Because

FIG. 8

is partly cut away in the sector

134

, it can be seen that movement in translation of the bars

120

in the direction L

1

rotates the toothed sectors

134

in the direction SR because the racks on the operating arms

130

mesh with the toothed surfaces

132

; this rotation moves the bearing frame

83

in the direction L

1

because the sectors

134

mesh with the racks

135

A.

The push-button support block

86

is fixed relative to the plate

58

and its inside surface has ramps

86

A inwardly inclined in the direction L

1

. The outside surface of the bearing frame

83

has ramps

83

A adapted to slide against the ramps

86

A when the frame

83

moves in translation in the direction L

1

or in the opposite direction. The ramps

86

A and

83

A move the frames

82

and

83

inwards when the frame

83

is driven in the direction L

1

without the frame

82

being moved with it in the direction L

1

. The teeth

116

of this frame can therefore actuate the coders in the manner previously described.

The pawl

104

takes the form of a plate which is normally retained in the teeth of the wheel

102

by a spring

106

. The plate has a recess

104

A in corresponding relationship with a lug

108

on the shaft

133

. When the shaft turns in the direction SR, the lug

108

cooperates with the recess

104

to push the pawl outwards so that the teeth

102

can escape from the pawl.

Of course, a system other than that just described could be envisaged for moving the reset frame

82

inwards in response to a movement in translation in the direction L

1

and release the ratchet wheel of the incrementing system.

Unlocking the lock will now be described with reference to FIG.

12

. In the conventional way, a square operating shaft

140

can be rotated by actuating a door handle

14

. Rotation of the square operating shaft

140

rotates the cam

124

previously mentioned. The locking means (here the bolt

16

shown

FIG. 1

) are actuated by the output shaft

142

. The output shaft is mechanically connected to said locking means in a manner known in the art.

The lock in accordance with the invention comprises coupling means between the operating means (the square operating shaft

140

) and the locking means (the bolt

16

or, to be more precise, the output shaft

142

). The cam

124

is formed at the inside end of the operating sleeve

144

mounted on the square operating shaft

140

so that the latter drives it in rotation. The cam

124

is formed in a large-diameter portion of the sleeve. Starting from the cam

124

, and in the direction towards its outside end, the sleeve

144

has, in succession, an intermediate portion

146

and an end portion

148

having a cylindrical outside surface of small diameter, the diameter of the intermediate portion being between that of the end portion

148

and that of the cam

124

. A maneuvering plate

150

is disposed around the intermediate portion

146

and its inside face

150

A rests on the shoulder

152

that limits the portion

146

relative to the cam

124

. The maneuvering plate has two maneuvering surfaces

150

B which project from its inside face and penetrate into notches

152

B on the shoulder

152

. The edges in contact of the projections

150

B and the notches

152

have respective ramp surfaces

150

C and

152

C.

A coupling pin

154

in the form of a ring

154

A from which two lugs

154

B extend towards the inside is disposed so that the ring

154

A lies around the end portion

148

of the operating sleeve and its two lugs

154

B are engaged in slots

146

B in the intermediate portion

146

.

The output shaft

142

has two slots

142

B adapted to be put into corresponding relationship with the slots

146

B when the output shaft is capped by the operating sleeve

144

. A return spring

158

is disposed between the maneuvering plate

150

and the ring

154

A of the coupling pin

154

. It pushes the plate against the shoulder

152

and moves the pin

154

outwards. Clearly, if the pin

154

is moved inwards (in the direction of the arrow B) against the action of the return spring, its lugs

154

B provide the coupling between the output shaft

142

and the operating sleeve

144

so that, under these circumstances, rotating the square operating shaft actuates the output shaft to unlock the lock.

A torsion spring

160

co-operates with the operating sleeve

144

to return the square operating shaft

140

to its initial position after it is actuated. This is known in the art.

The operation of the system shown in

FIG. 12

is described next with reference to

FIGS. 2

,

3

and

12

. Remember first of all that the lock system comprises two interlocking bars

38

A and

38

B which extend longitudinally and can pivot about respective longitudinal axes

39

A and

39

B. At their outside ends the bars carry respective ribs

37

A and

37

B (see FIGS.

3

and

5

). The coders

18

are disposed between the two bars

38

A and

38

B, whose ribs

37

A and

37

B respectively face towards the first series of coders mounted on the shaft A

1

and towards the second series of coders mounted on the shaft A

2

, with which they respectively co-operate.

If the correct combination is entered, so that all the coders are placed either in the inactive position or in the unlocking position, the bars

38

A and

38

B can be pivoted until said ribs

37

A and

37

B penetrate into the notches

34

or

36

of the coders. In other words, the interlocking bars can then be moved over their maximum stroke. On the other hand, if the combination entered is wrong, i.e. if at least one of the coders is in the locking position or the coding position, the locking marker

35

of the coder concerned co-operates with the rib

37

A or

37

B of the interlocking bar

38

A or

38

B to prevent sufficient pivoting of that bar. In other words, this limits the movement of the interlocking bar concerned to a stroke less than its interlocking stroke.

As can be seen more clearly in

FIG. 3

, the interlocking bars

38

A and

38

B have respective bearing arms

162

A and

162

B. The bearing arms extend beyond the coupling pin

154

, i.e. their inside faces are adapted to co-operate with the outside face of the ring

154

A of the pin. The interlocking bars

38

A and

38

B are naturally spring-loaded into the rest position in which the bars

162

A and

162

B are substantially parallel to the plate

158

by a return spring

164

.

The bars

38

A and

38

B are connected by a pivot coupling. To be more precise, each carries a respective connecting arm

38

′A,

38

′B which co-operate via a pivot

39

situated in a median plane between the two bars and whose axis is parallel to the pivot axes of the bars

39

A and

39

B.

Accordingly, if pivoting of one of the two bars

38

A and

38

B is prevented, the pivot coupling also prevents pivoting of the other bar.

If the square operating shaft is actuated the maneuvering plate

150

is rotated via the notches

152

B, in which its projections

150

B are engaged. The edges

150

D of the plate then co-operate, in the driving direction of the square shaft (which depends on the direction in which the door on which the lock is mounted opens), either with the interlocking bar

38

A to turn it in the direction SA or with the bar

38

B to turn it in the direction SB (FIG.

3

). During this pivoting, the bearing arms

162

A and

162

B tend to push the coupling pin

154

towards the plate

158

.

If the correct combination has been entered, so that the arms

38

A and

38

B can pivot through their interlocking stroke, the bearing arms

162

A and

162

B push the pin until its coupling lugs

154

B penetrate into the slots

142

B to couple the output shaft

142

to the square operating shaft

140

, which unlocks the lock.

On the other hand, if the interlocking bar

38

A or

38

B can pivot only through a stroke less than the interlocking stroke because it is blocked by a coder in an incorrect position, the bearing engagement of the arm

162

A or

162

B on the pin

154

is not sufficient for its lugs

154

B to penetrate into the slots

142

B, and the output shaft

142

is therefore not coupled to the square operating shaft

140

. Because of the pivot coupling between the bars

38

A and

38

B, and regardless of the driving direction of the square shaft, the two bars must be able to pivot through their interlocking stroke for the arms

162

A and

162

B to push the pin

154

far enough back.

If this is not the case, when the square operating shaft rotates, the cam

124

rotates the maneuvering plate

150

until the edge

150

D of that plate abuts on fixed members, here the bearing supports

40

A or

40

B. The ramps

150

C then slide over the ramps

152

C and move the maneuvering plate

150

slightly outwards, without the latter opposing rotation of the square operating shaft.

Accordingly, if the correct combination has not been entered, the square operating shaft turns freely without driving the unlocking means of the lock.

In any event, the cam

124

turns sufficiently for its notches

126

to drive the reset actuator bars

120

previously mentioned to effect a reset.

The lock in accordance with the invention further comprises means for enabling a free passage. The operation of the stroke limiter bar

56

has already been explained, in particular with reference to FIG.

10

. Using operating means comprising in particular an operating lug

64

, the bar can moved in the direction L

1

from its rest position, in which it limits the stroke of the push-buttons to their normal stroke, to a coding position, in which it allows the push-buttons to be depressed farther.

The end of the stroke limiter bar

56

near the square operating shaft

140

carries a forced engagement plate

166

capable of co-operating with the coupling pin

154

to hold the latter in a pushed inwards position in which its coupling lugs

154

B are engaged in the slots

142

B of the output shaft

142

. To this end, it is necessary to move the stroke limiter bar

56

in the longitudinal direction L

2

opposite the direction L

1

. To this end, the bar carries an operating lug

167

which passes through a slot

168

in the plate

58

so that it can be driven by an operating cam

170

. Using an square operating shaft accessible from the inside of the door on which the combination is mounted, the cam

170

can be actuated so that it cooperates with the lug

167

to move the bar

56

in the direction L

2

. Note that the cams

168

and

170

are made so that they can be actuated without impeding each other.

The lock system advantageously comprises an indicator of activation of the free passage function. For example, the stroke limiter bar

56

carries at the end opposite the square operating shaft

140

an indicator plate

172

(FIG.

2

). The casing

13

of the lock system comprises a window

13

′ disposed so that, when the bar

56

is in its free passage position, a particular part of the plate

172

faces this window, for example a colored marker.

The indicator can serve generally to indicate an activation state of the lock. The plate

172

can therefore have three markers locating under the window

13

′ to indicate, respectively, a normal operating state of the lock (rest position of the bar

56

), the free passage function (movement of the bar

56

in the direction L

2

), and a coding position (entry of a new code, movement of the bar

56

in the direction L

1

).

Number	Name	Date	Kind
3379040	Shimono	Apr 1968	A
3667261	McGourty	Jun 1972	A
4385509	Milles et al.	May 1983	A
4748833	Nagasawa	Jun 1988	A
4827743	Kim	May 1989	A
4848116	Lizotte	Jul 1989	A
6000254	Raybary	Dec 1999	A
6298698	Nakajima et al.	Oct 2001	B1
6334346	Wang	Jan 2002	B1

Combination lock system

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)

US Referenced Citations (9)