The present invention is directed to an improved combination lock, and more specifically to a combination lock which includes a means for illuminating a portion of the combination dial.
Security devices, such as locks, are used in a variety of applications to secure a variety of objects. In some instances the security device may be used in areas of low light, which may impede or complicate operation of the security device. For example, operation of a combination dial to locate the correct number of the unlocking combination or locating the keyhole for insertion of the appropriate key may be difficult in areas of low light. As such, it is desirable to provide a security device that produces sufficient light to allow easy operation of the security device.
A lock including an illuminating device which is actuated by the rotation of a lock dial to produce an illumination event is disclosed. The illumination event provides sufficient light on the lock such as to allow easier operation of the lock in areas of inadequate light. In some embodiments, the lock may include a piezo device which creates electrical current to light one or more light emitting diodes for a predetermined duration of time.
In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below serve to illustrate the principles of this invention.
The lock 10 shown in
As shown in
The piezo wiper 35 is shown as a stamped metal disk with three wiper springs 37 and a tab 43 to engage a fixed point 44 in the lock body 20. Although three wiper springs 37 are shown, it should be appreciated that only a single wiper spring 37 is needed. It should be appreciated that any number of piezo wiper springs 37 can be used, however three piezo wiper springs are preferred in order to trigger the light on with one third of a dial rotation and to provide a balanced three point surface to support the dial base 30 evenly. Furthermore, the piezo wiper springs 37 can be tangent to the centerline of the lock body or can be perpendicular in orientation. The piezo wiper 35 is fixed in location with respect to the lock body 20. The piezo device 33 is mounted to the underside of the dial base 30, by any known means including, but not limited to, snap fit, staking, adhesive or the like. The wiper springs 37 on the piezo wiper 35 brush against the piezo device 33, which produces a voltage signal, as described below. The dial base 30, zinc die cast as shown, is crimped to the lock body 20 and traps the piezo wiper 35 between dial base 30 and lock body 20. The dial base 30 rotates freely with respect to the lock body 20 in both directions.
A PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 40 with one or more LED's 50 is attached with the PCB to the dial base 30 via any conventional means, such as a screw 51. The use of the Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) provides illumination of a portion of the lock, such as the lock dial, thereby increasing visibility and ease of use during operation of the lock. The number and type of LED's depends on the amount of light that is desired.
In some embodiments a reflector (not shown) is used to cover the PCB 40 and dial base 30, while allowing the LED(s) to pass through and reside between the dial 24 and reflector. The reflector is preferably high gloss white in color or a metallic or mirror like finish to reflect the light produced by the LED(s) toward the dial. In other embodiments, the PCB 40 is painted or coated with a reflective material. The use of a reflector or reflective coating is optional and is used to enhance or focus the light emitted from the LED(s).
The dial 24 is generally composed of two contrasting materials. The outer surface, with the exception of the illuminated areas, is made from a material that is solid such that light cannot transmit through it. Plastic or zinc die cast materials are the preferred. The inner material that also protrudes to the outside surface at areas to be illuminated, such as, for example, the numbers 26, logo (not shown), number marks 28, and other desired illuminated areas, is made of semitransparent plastic, such as, for example, polycarbonate or acrylic, which are typically used for light pipe applications. The inner surface material can be either be semi-transparent colored material with a white LED or semi-transparent clear with a colored LED. As such the color of the illumination can be varied by changing LED color or inner material color. In some embodiments, the dial is composed of a single transparent material with markings, such as number on it. In other embodiments, the dial is composed of an opaque material and more than one semitransparent materials or more than one color of semitransparent material. In such embodiments, the light emitted can be multi-colored for aesthetic purposes.
Two dial screws 55 are used to hold the dial 24, power source 42, and the PCB 40 assembly to the dial base 30. Screws, bolts or other removable fastening means are used in order to allow the user to gain access to the power source 42, such as, for example, to change the batteries. The dial screws could be replaced by a more permanent fixation means, such as glue, staking or other attachment means. Such other attachment means are more readily used if the power source can operate the product for an acceptable time period. Alternatively, a small removable battery door (not shown) could be integrated into the dial which would allow permanent dial attachment.
Pressing or rotating a lock dial 24 activates the LED's 50. The number of LED's 50 can be varied and will be determined by the amount of illumination desired. The LED's 50 will remain activated for predetermined time period after the dial 24 is released or ceases to rotate. For example, the LED's 50 may remain illuminated for a period of two to seven seconds. In other embodiments, the LED's 50 may remain illuminated a shorter or longer duration. Due to cost and space considerations, the circuitry should be kept simple and component costs should be relatively inexpensive. In addition, due to the limited battery power, the circuitry should also consume only small amounts of current.
As shown in
While the circuit described above provides for a sufficient illuminating circuit, when implementing the rotating dial event wake feature, the above circuit is difficult to use because the parked position that the dial is in could be a closed-switch position. The push dial wake-up feature can also contribute to low battery life because the dial can be inadvertently held down wasting battery life.
In
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Clearly, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/521,209 filed on Mar. 11, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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