Patent Application
20120174636
The present technology is directed to combination locks, and more particularly to dial lock assemblies and methods of making the same.
Conventional combination dial or rotary locks have a rotating dial that displays a range of numbers. To enter a combination, a user can rotate the dial in opposing directions (e.g., right, left, right) and align each number of the combination with an indicator (e.g., an indent). Once the combination is entered, the lock moves to an unlocked configuration such that the lock's shackle can move between open and closed positions.
Most dial locks have internal components rotationally dependent upon one another to establish the proper combination to open the lock. For example, the locks typically require a user to rotate the dial at least 2 full rotations to the left (counterclockwise) to prepare the lock for the user to input the combination. Then the user must rotate the dial to right (clockwise) to the first number of the three-number combination. The user must then rotate the dial one full revolution to the left, past the first number of the combination to the second number of the combination. Then the user must rotate the dial to the right from the second number directly to the third number of the combination (less than one full revolution), without passing and going back to the third number. After successfully completing the rotation of the dial in the right, left, right pattern to the designated combination, the user can then open the lock. If the user makes an error while inputting the combination, the user must start over and try to input the proper combination in the correct right, left, right pattern.
The conventional dial lock assemblies have three-digit combinations because of the right, left, right rotational requirements to input the proper combination. The combination for the right, left, right dial lock is established during manufacturing, and once the lock is assembled, the combination is not resettable. There is a need for an improved dial lock that is not directionally dependent for inputting the combination, that can have a combination with more than three digits or characters, and that may be resettable.
Aspects of the present invention is directed to combination dial lock assemblies that overcome drawbacks experienced in the prior art and provide additional benefits. In accordance with aspects of an embodiment, a combination dial lock assembly has a housing, a shackle moveable between locked, closed and unlocked, open positions, and a dial rotatably coupled to the housing. The dial has a face portion and a drive portion, and indicia are provided on the face portion or the housing. A subset of the indicia defines a combination to allow the shackle to move from the locked, closed position to the unlocked, open position. The dial is rotatable to positions corresponding to each of the subset of the indicia comprising the combination. A selector is coupled to the dial and is moveable to a select position. A plurality of combination members are connected to the drive portion of the dial and are rotatable upon rotation of the dial. Each combination member is associated with a respective one of the subset of indicia comprising the combination. One combination member is disengageable from the drive portion upon moving the selector to the select position, wherein the one combination member is stationary relative to the housing while at least a second combination member is rotatable with the dial independent of the stationary one combination member.
A plurality of rotary members is coupled to the combination members, wherein rotation of the combination members causes rotation of the rotary members. The rotary members are positionable in an unlocked configuration upon rotation of the dial, independent of a direction of rotation, to each indicia comprising the combination and upon activation of the selector at each indicia comprising the combination. A combination change mechanism is movable between set and changes positions. The combination change mechanism is activatable to manipulate the rotary members or the combination members when in the change position to change the combination from a first combination to a second combination.
In aspects of embodiments disclosed herein, the combination members can comprise a plurality of combination discs. The combination members can comprise a stack of coaxially aligned combination discs. The combination members can comprise a stack of nested combination discs. The rotary members can comprising a second stack of change wheels coaxially aligned on a second axis of rotation spaced apart from the combination members. The rotary members can comprise a stack of coaxially aligned of change wheels. The combination members can comprise a plurality of combination discs having first gear teeth thereon, and the rotary members can comprise a plurality of change wheels having second gear teeth thereon that mate with the first gear teeth, whereby rotation of the combination discs cause rotation of the change wheels.
In additional aspects of the embodiments, the rotary members can comprise a plurality of change wheels and change hubs, wherein the change wheels are rotatable relative to the change hubs when the combination change mechanism is in the change position. The change wheels can be rotatable with the change hubs when the combination change mechanism is in the set position and the change wheels can be rotatable relative to the change hubs when the combination change mechanism is in the change position. Each change hub can be associated with a respective one of the change wheels. Each of the change hubs can have a notch therein positioned relative to the change wheel and that align with notches in the other change hubs upon entry of the combination by activation of the selector at each indicia comprising the combination.
The lock assembly can include a lever assembly that interconnects the shackle and the rotary members. The lever assembly prevents the shackle from moving away from the locked, closed position prior the rotary members being positioned in the unlocked configuration. The lock assembly can include a change selector connected to the combination change mechanism and being movable to move the combination change mechanism between the set and change positions. The selector can be connected to the dial and be slidable relative to the dial to the select position to disengage the combination member when the dial has been rotated for selection one of the indicia.
In another embodiment a resettable, combination dial lock assembly comprises a housing, a shackle moveable locked, closed and unlocked, open positions, and a dial connected to the housing. The dial or the housing has indicia thereon, and a subset of the indicia defines a combination to unlock the lock assembly. The dial is rotatable to positions corresponding to each of the subset of the indicia. A selector is coupled to the dial, and combination members that rotate upon rotation of the dial are associated with a respective one of the subset of indicia comprising the combination. Rotary members are coupled to the combination members, wherein rotation of the combination members causes rotation of the rotary members. The rotary members and combination members are configured to allow the dial to be rotated in any direction and independent of a number of rotations made by the dial for activation of the selector to select each of the indicia comprising the combination to unlock the lock assembly.
Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments includes a method of unlocking a combination dial lock assembly. The method includes engaging a dial of the combination dial lock assembly, rotating the dial in a first direction relative to the housing to a first position corresponding to a first entry of the subset of the indicia, selecting with the selector the first entry when the dial is in the first position, rotating the dial relative to the housing to a second position corresponding to a second entry of the subset of the indicia, and selecting with the selector the second entry when the dial is in the second position. The dial is rotatable in either direction to define a second direction to the second entry independent of the first direction and is rotatable directly to the second entry or after one or more full revolutions of the dial relative to the housing to select the second entry. The method further includes rotating the dial relative to the housing to a third position corresponding to a third entry of the subset of the indicia, and selecting with the selector the third entry when the dial is in the third position. The dial is rotatable in either direction to the third entry independent of the first and second directions and being rotatable directly to the third entry or after one or more full revolutions of the dial relative to the housing to select the third entry. The method further includes moving the shackle from the locked, closed position to the unlocked, open position after sequentially selecting the first, second and third entries.
Aspects of the disclosed embodiments can include the method wherein the dial is rotatable in either direction to define a third direction to the third entry, rotating the dial relative to the housing to a fourth position corresponding to a fourth entry of the subset of the indicia, selecting with the selector the fourth entry when the dial is in the fourth position, wherein the dial is rotatable in either direction to the fourth entry independent of the first, second, and third directions and being rotatable directly to the fourth entry or after one or more full revolutions of the dial relative to the housing to select the fourth entry. The method can include moving the shackle from the locked, closed position to the unlocked, open position after sequentially selecting the first, second, third, and fourth entries. Aspects of the disclosed embodiments can include the method wherein the first and second directions are the same direction. The method can include activating a change selector and changing the combination to a second combination different from the first combination.
In another embodiment a resettable, combination dial lock assembly, comprises a housing, a resettable locking mechanism in the housing, and a shackle connected to the locking mechanism. The shackle is being moveable relative to the housing between closed and open positions. A dial rotatably is coupled to locking mechanism. The dial has indicia thereon, and a subset of the indicia defines a combination to unlock the locking mechanism. The dial is rotatable to positions corresponding to each of the indicia comprising the combination. The locking mechanism is moveable from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration upon rotation of the dial in either direction to the positions corresponding to the combination. In the locked configuration the locking mechanism retains the shackle in the closed position, and in the unlocked configuration the locking mechanism is disengagable from the shackle and allows the shackle to move to the open position. The locking mechanism comprises a combination-disc assembly having a drive shaft connected to the dial and being rotatable with the dial. Combination discs are coupled to the drive shaft and are engagable and rotatable with drive shaft upon rotation of the dial. Each combination disc is associated with a respective one of the indicia comprising the combination. A first combination disc is movable relative to the drive shaft between engaged and disengaged positions. The first combination disc in the engaged position is rotatable with the dial and drive shaft. The first combination disc in the disengaged position is disengaged from a second combination disc or from the drive shaft and is restricted from rotation relative to the housing while the dial and the drive shaft are rotated.
A release lever is in the housing and is coupled to the shackle. The release lever has engaged and released positions, and the release lever can be in the engaged position when the shackle is in the closed position. The shackle is restricted from moving to the open position when the release lever is in the engaged position. The release lever is moveable to the release position upon entry of the combination by a user, wherein the release lever in the released position allows the shackle to move to the open position. The combination change assembly has a plurality of rotary members in the housing, and the rotary members are in engagement with the combination discs. Rotation of the combination discs causes rotation of the rotary members relative to the release lever. Each rotary member is associated with a digit of the combination and each rotary member has a receiver alignable with a portion of the release lever when the associated digit of the combination is entered. The rotary members block the release lever from moving from the engaged position to the released position when one or more of the receivers are out of alignment with the portion of the release lever. The rotary members allow the release lever to move from the engaged position to the released position when all of the receivers are in alignment with the portion of the release lever. A selection assembly can be coupled to the dial and to the combination disc assembly. The selection assembly is activatable to move at least one combination discs to the disengaged position when the dial has been moved to the digit of the combination associated with the at least one combination disc independent of a rotation direction of the dial or a number of rotations made by the dial to move to the digit.
The present disclosure is directed toward resettable, combination dial lock assemblies that provide a directionally independent, spin-and-click combination selection configuration and associated methods of manufacture. Several specific details of the new technology are set forth in the following description and the Figures to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the technology. Additionally, many of the features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the technology. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the new technology may have additional embodiments, and that other embodiments of the technology may be practiced without several of the specific features described below.
Embodiments of the new technology are directed to resettable, dial lock assemblies 10 with the directionally independent spin-and-click configuration. In one embodiment illustrated in
In one embodiment, the lock assembly 10 has four combination discs 22, corresponding to a four-digit combination. In other embodiments, the lock assembly 10 can include two, three, five, or more combination discs corresponding to combinations having two, three, five, or more digits. The lock assembly 10 can be resettable, wherein the combination to unlock the assembly can be reset to a new combination, such as when the lock is in the unlocked and reset state. In other embodiments, the lock assembly 10 may have a predetermined, non-resettable combination. The dial 16 may include a plurality of positions corresponding digits 24 defined by a plurality of letters, numbers, symbols, colors, mark, or other indicia, and/or any combination of these indicia. In one embodiment, the dial 16 includes twenty-six positions corresponding to letters A-Z. In another embodiment, the dial includes forty numerical digits 24 corresponding to 0-39. Other embodiments have other numbers of positions corresponding to selected indicia on the dial 16.
The illustrated lock assembly 10 includes three primary and unique subassemblies to the lock which include the:
Although interrelated, each subassembly will be first discussed individually and then combined as a total assembly. Other features, whether directly related to the section will be discussed in amongst each of these subassembly sections.
As indicated above, the lock assembly 10 includes a subassembly referred to herein as the combination disc assembly 20. The combination disc assembly 20 of the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of the combination discs 22 within the housing 12 and coupled to the dial 16 (
Many conventional combination dial locks use internal rotation elements (often 3 rotation elements) that are dependent on one another within the lock body when dialing to properly enter the combination to unlock the dial lock. For example, the dial is connected to the three rotation elements, and the user rotates the dial through several full revolutions, such that adjacent rotation elements engage each other and rotate together as a unit. Rotation of the dial through a full 360 degrees will result in at least two or more rotation elements engaging each other and rotating together as the user rotates the dial. Accordingly, each rotation element is in contact with (and dependent on) the adjacent rotation elements at some point throughout this dialing sequence establishing the unlocking combination of the lock.
As is well known, it is common with conventional dial lock designs (e.g., a Master Lock® 1500 combination wheel padlock) to rotate the dial, and thus the internal discs clockwise (to the right) several (2+) revolutions to assure all discs are in contact with the adjacent disc. This contact is often through protruding nubs from both sides of the combination discs which engage and drive similar nubs on the adjacent disc as the user rotates the dial. The first digit of the combination is typically dialed in this initial step by rotating the dial (and thus all of the discs) to a selected position corresponding to the digit of the lock's combination. The second digit of the combination is then dialed by rotating the dial over one full rotation (i.e., 360+ degrees) counterclockwise past the combination's first digit to the combination's second digit. The combination's third digit is then directly dialed by rotating the dial clockwise. This type of combination lock progressively dials each disc through an adjacent disc in a prescribed direction (CW, CCW, CW) essentially disconnecting two adjacent discs as the direction is changed. Accordingly, these discs in the prior art dial locks are dependent upon each other for rotation in the selected alternating directions to properly dial the combination to unlock the combination lock.
The combination dial lock assembly 10 of the present disclosure is configured to allow the user to progressively dial each combination disc 22 directly to the defined digit 24 regardless of rotational direction and without needing to dial past a previous digit 24 therefore being independent of where the previous disc 22 may have been dialed. The progressive dialing of each disc 22 is controlled by the combination disc assembly 20. This design using independently driven combination discs 22 also simplifies the ability to increase the number of combination discs to beyond three, which is a significant improvement over existing designs.
As is seen in
The fourth disc 22d in the illustrated embodiment also has the gears 28 and the central shaft portion 30. The central shaft portion 30 in this embodiment is configured to securely engage the dial 16 (
The discs 22 of the illustrated embodiment are configured to nest together as shown. The discs 22, however, are arranged in a manner to minimize or otherwise reduce friction between the discs. This reduced friction allows one or more discs 22 to rotate relative to another disc 22 that is disengaged from the dial 16. This reduced friction also makes the dial 16 easier and smoother to rotate, such as when dialing the lock's combination. The illustrated embodiment also includes a friction spring 40 (discussed in greater detail below) that engages the gears 28, such as the gear teeth 29, on the discs 22 to hold the discs in place after being disengaged from the dial. This avoids the disengaged discs from drifting past the position after disengagement from the dial.
The lock assembly 10 of the illustrated embodiment includes the combination change and lever drop assembly 100 that allows the user to change the unlocking combination of the lock assembly, thereby allowing the user to select a unique combination for security reasons, or which they may remember more easily, or should they choose to have multiple locks with common combinations. The combination change and lever drop assembly 100 includes a combination change assembly 101 coupled to a lever drop assembly 103. The combination change assembly 101 has a separate stack of change wheels 102 adjacent to the nested stack of discs 22 of the combination disc assembly 20 discussed above. The combination change assembly 101 has the same number of change wheels 102 as the number of discs 22 in the combination disc assembly 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock assembly 10 has a stack of four discs 22 and a separate stack of four change wheels 102. Each change wheel 102 is substantially coplanar with a respective one of the discs 22. Each change wheel 102 of the illustrated embodiment is a gear with gear teeth 104 on its outer periphery that engage the gear teeth 29 of the gears 28 on the outer periphery of the adjacent disc 22. Accordingly, rotation of the dial 16 (
As seen in
The illustrated embodiment provides separate, adjacent stacks of the discs 22 and change wheels/hubs 102/106. This arrangement allows the size of the lock's housing 12 (i.e., the axial depth of the lock) to be minimized. This arrangement also allows for simplified subassemblies that work together and for better locations and orientations of the other lock components (i.e., the shackle 14 and a lever 108 of the lever drop assembly 103) about the two semi-independent subassemblies, versus one larger and more complex assembly. Other embodiments, however, could include the discs 22 in axial alignment with the change discs/hubs 102/106.
As seen in
To enter the lock assembly's combination, the user rotates the dial 16 in either direction (CW or CCW) to the first digit of the combination when all of the discs 22 are engaged to the dial, so that the first disc 22a rotates the first change wheel 102a until the notch 110 in the first change hub 106a is aligned with the corresponding lever finger 112a. The first disc 22a is then disengaged from the dial 16, and dial 16 is rotated in either direction to the second digit of combination, whereby the remaining discs 22b-22d are rotated until the second disc 22b rotates the second change wheel 102b and associated change hub 106b to align the corresponding notch 110 with the lever fingers 112. The first change hub 106a and its notch 110 remain in position under the lever fingers 112 because the first disc 22a has been disengaged from the dial, and the friction spring 40 prevents the first disc/first change wheel/first change hub from moving out of position while the other discs rotate.
The second disc 22b is disengaged from the dial 16 and the process is repeated for the third disc 22c (rotating the dial in either direction) to the third position corresponding to the third digit of the combination with the notch 110 in the third change hub 106c being aligned with the lever fingers 112. The third disc 22c is disengaged from the dial 16, and the process is repeated for the fourth disc 22d. When the final notch 110 in the change hub 106d of the fourth change wheel 106d is aligned with the lever fingers 112 (corresponding to the last digit of the combination), the lever fingers 112 can drop into the four aligned notches 110, thereby allowing the lever 108 of the lever drop assembly 103 to rotate and release locking mechanism 26 from the shackle 14, thereby unlocking the lock assembly 10. The shackle can thereby lift relative to the housing 12 and open.
The change wheels 102 have the gear teeth 104 on the outer diameter that mate to the gear teeth 29 on the outer diameter of the combination discs 22. The gear ratio is set at a 1:1 ratio keeping the change wheels 102 and the discs 22 from both assemblies in synch (in consistent reference to one another) regardless of the number of rotations on the dial. As the combination discs are rotated by the dial (and dialing mechanism), the combination discs rotate the change wheel and engaged hub pairs. When dialed to a prescribed combination, the notches on the hubs all align allowing the lever fingers to drop into the notches and the lock to open. In this same state wherein the notches are all aligned so that the lock can open, the combination of the lock can be changed (as discussed in greater detail below). Accordingly, this subassembly is termed the combination change and lever drop assembly 100.
As discussed above, the discs 22 of the combination disc assembly 20 physically engage the change wheels 102 view the interface between the gear teeth 29 and 104. During rotation of the discs 22 and the change wheels 102, upon rotation of the dial 16 (
As seen in
By changing the position of the hub 106 relative to the change wheel 102 (i.e., by changing which spline pocket 124 receives the spline 120), this provides a new angular relationship between the notch 110 on the hub 106 and the change wheel 102, thereby changing the positional relationship with the corresponding combination disc and its dial drive portion 34. The changing of this orientation allows for the unique programming of each combination digit. The re-orientation between the change wheel 102 and hub 106 is accomplished by the axial separation of the pair's interface allowing relative angular rotation between the face 126 of the hub 106 and the face 122 of the change wheel. In the illustrated embodiment, this axial separation can only occur when the lock assembly 10 is in the unlocked state where the notches are all aligned with the fingers 112 of the lever 108 (as discussed in greater detail below).
While the meshing feature is described above and shown as radial splines on the mating faces 122 and 126 between the change wheel 102 and hub 106, other embodiments can use one or more an axial splines on the bore of the wheel relating to a mating spline on the outer diameter of a portion of the hub. Other embodiments can use other suitable engagement features for releasable and/or resettable engagement between the change hub 106 and its corresponding change wheel 102. It can be advantageous to use larger more robust meshing or engagement features that can be larger (stronger and easier to manufacture) than the axial bore splines. It may also allow for a greater number of discrete combinations since more meshing features can be allowed for a given minimal feature size.
In the illustrated embodiment, the change wheels 102 and the change hubs 106 are carried on a shaft 130, and the change wheels 102 can be axially constrained on the shaft, such as by the lever drop fingers 112 and/or by a biasing member or an independent, additional component, but allowed to rotate for combination reset. The notched change hubs 106, however, are not axially constrained on the change shaft 130, but are constrained from rotation when in the engaged position. When the lock assembly 10 is in position to allow the user to reset the combination, the notched hubs 106 are allowed to axially stroke with the shaft 116 and relative to the corresponding change wheels 102, thereby allowing separation from the change wheels 102 at the spline interface. The shaft 130 can be stroked in a number of ways using a tool or tool-less configuration.
The illustrated embodiment shown in
As shown in
The friction spring (or feature) 40 shown in
The end portion 140 of the shackle 14 that remains in the housing 12 includes a retaining clip 142 that protrudes from the shackle. When the shackle 14 is in the lowered, closed position, the retaining clip 142 is below a pivot spring mechanism 144. The pivot spring mechanism has a plurality of engagement prongs 146 positioned to engage and rotate the combination discs 22. When the shackle if lifted from the lowered, closed position to the open, unlocked position, the retaining clip 142 engages and moves past the pivot spring mechanism 144 to the engagement prongs 146 pivot away from the combination discs 22. When the shackle 14 is moved from the open, unlocked position to the lowered, closed position, the edge of the retaining clip 142 will engage and rotate the pivot spring mechanism 144, thereby causing the engagement prongs 146 to engage and rotate the combination discs 22. This automatic rotation of the combination discs 22, when the shackle is closed results in an automatic spinning of one or more of the combination discs 22 through the pivot spring mechanism 144 as it rotates, resulting in the combination discs 22 automatically moving away from the unlocking position. The pivot spring mechanism 144 is only actuated and will engage the combination discs 22 when the shackle 14 is closed, thereby causing the combination discs 22 to automatically rotate away from the unlocked position (i.e., automatically “scrambling” the lock). This scrambling of the lock assembly 10 results in automatically locking the shackle 14 when the shackle is closed. The shackle 14 can then be opened by re-inputting the combination.
As shown in
The spring dialing fingers 206 have end portions 208 aligned with notches 212 in the distal ends of the combination discs 22 at the dial drive portions. The spring dialing fingers 206 are configured to releasably engage the combination discs 22 as discussed above so the combination discs 22 will rotate with the dial 16 when the user rotates the dial. The selection mechanism 202 has a selector plate 210 connected to the selector button 18, which can be a slide or a depressible button. The selector plate 210 is moveable relative to the three spring dialing fingers 206 from a start position, wherein the spring dialing fingers 206 are all disposed in the discs' notches 212 and engaged with the discs 22. The selector of the illustrated embodiment is a slide button integrally connected to the slidable selector plate 210, but other selectors can be used in other embodiments.
In operation, when the three spring dialing fingers 206 are disposed in the notches 212 of the discs 22 such that rotation of the dial 16 rotated all of the discs 22, this is the combination starting position. From this starting position, when the button 18 is slid or otherwise moved to a first position, such as when the dial 16 has been rotated to the first digit of the combination, the sliding of the button causes the selector plate 210 to slide relative to the spring dialing fingers 206, so that the first finger of the spring dialing fingers is lifted or otherwise raised and moved out of the notch 212 and out of engagement with the first disc 22 (
When the button 18 and/or the slide plate 210 are moved to a second position, such as after the dial 16 has been rotated to the second digit of the combination, activation of the button 18 causes the selector plate 210 to slide under and lift the second finger 206 of the spring finger assembly 204 out of the second notch 212 and out of engagement with in the second disc. Accordingly, the user dials the second digit of the combination, and selects it by moving the button to the second position, such that the dial 16 can then be rotated in either direction to the third digit of the combination, but the first and second discs 22 will not rotate away from the first and second selected positions.
When the button 18 is moved again to a third position, such as after the dial 18 has been rotated to the third digit of the combination, the button 18 causes the selector plate 210 to slide under and lift the third finger 206 to disengage from the third disc 22. If the first, second, and third digits of the combination have been sequentially and properly selected, when the dial 16 is then rotated in either direction to the fourth digit of the combination, the notches 110 in the change hubs 106 (
In one embodiment shown in
In another embodiment illustrated in
The button 258 receives and sets atop a cylindrical ratchet 262 that has radial ratchet teeth 264 that mate with the lugs 260 on the button 258. The bottom of the ratchet 262 is connected to a pinion 266, which is operatively connected to the rack portion 221 of the rack-cam device 220 so that rotation of the pinion causes axial motion of the rack-cam device 220. This axial motion causes the cam portion 224 to move relative to the spring finger assembly 204, so as to lift or lower the spring dialing fingers 206 relative to the combination disc 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the push-button ratchet mechanism 250 includes a retaining spring that engages the cylindrical ratchet 262 and a bottom flange of the housing 252 to help position the ratchet and the associated button 258 within the housing. In other embodiments, the spring may not be needed or included.
The button 258, the cylindrical ratchet 262 and the housing 252 with the ribs 254 are operatively coupled so that the button 258 can be depressed, which causes the lugs 260 to engage the ratchet teeth and cause the ratchet (and its associated pinion 266) to rotate the selected amount, thereby causing rack cam 220 to move (e.g., advance longitudinally) by a selected amount. Each time the button is depressed and the ratchet 262 and pinion 266 rotate, the cam portion 224 of the rack-cam device 220 moves enough to engage and lift the next spring dialing finger 206 of the spring finger assembly 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating lugs 260 of the button 258 and teeth 264 of the ratchet 262 are configured so that, upon depressing the button 258 approximately 0.030″, the ratchet 262 will be depressed enough to clear the internal ribs 254 (which act as an internal stop to restrict rotation of the ratchet) from the adjacent tooth 264 on the ratchet 262. As the button 258 is depressed, the ratchet 262 and the pinion 266 begin to turn and to advance the cam portion 244 of the rack-cam 220.
After the internal rib 254 has cleared the adjacent tooth 264, the button 258 is released and the rib 254 rides down a sloped surface of the ratchet's tooth, thereby continuing to rotate the ratchet 262 and pinion 266 and advancing the rack-cam 220 toward the spring finger assembly 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the button 258 includes twelve discrete rotation-generating lugs 260 that drive the ratchet 262. The button 258 is configured so that each depression or partial depression of the button will initiate an approximate thirty-degree rotation of the ratchet 262. Other embodiments can include a button with a different configuration, such as having a different number of teeth, thereby changing the amount of rotation of the ratchet with each depression of the button.
In the illustrated embodiment, the dialing operation can be reset by depressing the button 258 fully within the housing 252, so that the ratchet 262 and the pinion 266 are depressed until the pinion 266 is out of engagement with the rack portion 221 of the rack-cam 220. The rack-cam 220 can be connected to a spring or other biasing mechanism. When the pinion 266 is disengaged from the rack portion, the spring automatically returns the rack-cam 220 to a home position, such that the user can enter or reenter the lock's combination beginning with the first digit of the combination.
In operation, when user is entering the combination for the lock, the user rotates the dial 16 in either direction to the combination's first digit, and pushed the button 258. This pushing of the button 258 rotates the cylindrical ratchet 262 and the pinion 266 to move the cam portion 224 of the rack-cam 220 so as to lift the first spring dialing finger 206 to disengage it from the first combination disc. The user then rotates the dial either direction to the combination's second digit (either directly or after one or more rotations of the dial) and pushes the button 258 again. This second pushing of the button causes the cam portion to move and lift the second spring dial finger 206 under to disengage it from the second combination disc. This process is repeated for each of the digits of the combination, after which the combination discs properly orient the change hubs 106 so the lever 108 can rotate to release the shackle, as discussed above.
As the button 18 is activated (e.g., slid, pushed, etc.), the button causes the rack-cam device 220 to slide axially to the first position so the cam portion 224 engages and lifts the first spring dial finger 206, thereby disengaging it from the first combination disk. When the button 18 is activated a second time, shown in
When the button 18 is activated a third time, button causes the rack-cam device 220 to slide axially from the second position to the third position so the cam portion 224 engages and lifts the third spring dial finger 206, thereby disengaging it from the third combination disc 22, while the first and second spring dial fingers 206 remain disengaged from the first and second discs. During this movement from the second position to the third position, the rack portion moves the teeth 222 relative to the button lever spring 218 so the spring clicks into the next tooth on the ratchet portion so as to hold the rack-cam device 220 from moving back toward the second position. The dial can then be turned to the fourth digit of the combination, wherein all of the notches 110 in the change hubs 106 (
In the embodiment illustrated in
The following is a description of a sequence of operation of an embodiment of the lock assembly 10. While the description discusses the steps or features sequentially, it is noted that the steps and/or features may be performed in the listed sequence, but the operation may include the steps and/or features in another sequential order. Also, some embodiments may be configured for operation that includes fewer or additional steps and/or features in the listed order or in a different order. This is only one possible sequences of operation and is provided for purposes of explanation and clarity.
In one embodiment, the lock assembly unlocked and opened as follows: The dial 18 and/or rack-cam device 220 is cleared to the reset state or home position by fully stroking the slide button to the start or reset position. All three dial spring fingers 206 are extended. If the dial spring fingers 206 are not yet engaged with their respective discs 22 and in the notches 212, the dial 16 can be rotated 360+ degrees in either direction (CW, CCW) where upon each of the dial spring fingers 206 drop into combination disc notches 212 and engage the discs 22. The dial 16 is rotated either direction to the first combination digit. The dial can be rotated directly to the first combination digit, or the dial can be rotated through any number of revolutions before settling at the first combination digit. When dial 18 is positioned at the first combination digit, the first combination disc 22a and the mating change wheel 102 and hub 106 are aligned with the hub notch 110 below the lever fingers 112. The slide button 18 is actuated or slid toward the dial center, thereby “selecting” the first combination digit. Upon actuating the slide button 18, the rack-cam device 220 moves one position and lifts the first dial spring finger 206 from the first combination disc 22a, leaving the first combination disc disengaged from the dial and in an un-driven state.
The dial 16 is then rotated either direct to the next subsequent combination digit, such as to the second digit of the combination. Again, the dial can be rotated directly to the second combination digit, or the dial can be rotated through any number of revolutions before settling at the second combination. When dial 18 is positioned at the second combination digit, the second combination disc 22b, the second change wheel, and the first and second change hubs 106 aligned with the first and second hub notches 212 below the lever fingers 112. The slide button 18 is actuated or slid toward the dial center, thereby “selecting” the second combination digit. Upon activating the slide button, the rack-cam device 220 moves one additional position and lifts the second dial spring finger 206 from the second combination disc 22b, leaving the second combination disc disengaged from the dial and in an un-driven state.
The dial 16 is rotated either direction to the third combination digit directly or after any number of revolutions. In this position, the third combination disc 22c and the mating change wheel 102 and hub 106 are aligned with the hub notch 110 below the lever fingers 112. The slide button 18 is actuated or slid toward the dial center, and the rack-cam device 220 moves one additional position lifting the third dial spring finger 206 from the third combination disc 22c, leaving the third combination disc disengaged from the dial and in an un-driven state. During the above rotation of the dial and associated discs 22 and wheels, the friction spring 40 is always active holding the released combination discs 22 and change wheels 102 from accidentally rotating away from the selected positions. The dial is then rotated directly or after any number of revolutions in either direction to the forth combination digit. This action will direct drive the fourth combination disc 22d, so that the fourth combination disc 22d and the mating change wheel 102 and hub 106 are aligned so the hub notch 110 is below the lever fingers. In this position, all four change disc hubs 106 and their notches 110 are aligned under the lever fingers 112. The shackle 14 can then be lifted from the closed, locked position to the open, released position. Lifting of the shackle 14 rotates the lever assembly fingers 112 down into the hub notches 110, thereby allowing clearance to occur between the lever and shackle, so the shackle can be lifted and opened.
The shackle 14 can be closed at any time, upon which the shackle retaining clip will spin the combination discs 22 via the pivot spring mechanism 144, resulting in a scrambled lock that can only be opened upon re-entering the combination. The dial can be cleared or reset once again for the next operation by fully stroking the slide button.
The unlocking combination of the lock assembly 10 can be easily reset when the lock assembly is in the unlocked condition with the shackle open, as described above. The change cam 132 (
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the invention. Additionally, aspects of the invention described in the context of particular embodiments or examples may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Although advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages. Additionally, not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
This non-provisional patent application hereby claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/429,365, titled SPIN-AND-CLICK COMBINATION DIAL LOCK ASSEMBLY, filed Jan. 3, 2011, which is hereby by incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61429365 | Jan 2011 | US |
