Combination Lock

Abstract

A combination lock of the multiple dial type employs a resiliently mounted plunger cooperable with a hasp to releasably connect the hasp to the combination lock. The lock includes a slide member mounted for movement to respective latched and unlatched positions, and means are provided permitting the slide member to move to unlatched position only when the dials are on predetermined open combination. The slide member and the plunger are provided with cooperable means to retract the plunger upon movement of the slide member to unlatched position. Ejector means located adjacent the plunger acts to forcibly separate the hasp from the combination lock upon retraction of the plunger.

Description

The invention is directed to improvements in combination locks of the multiple dial type, and is more particularly directed to a combination lock constructed to eject a cooperable hasp when the lock is on open combination and it is desired to disconnect the hasp from the lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are certain applications or uses of a combination lock and its essential cooperable hasp which do not afford a suitable support for the hasp assembly. For example, in one type of softside luggage, access to the interior of the case is through an opening which is closed by a slide fastener or zipper in the side wall of the case. The slider for opening and closing the fastener has a hasp connected thereto for cooperation with a latching device or lock when the slider is in its fully closed position. For an application of this kind, it has been recognized that some means is desirable to forcibly separate the hasp from the latching device or lock.

In Scelba U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,436 granted Aug. 10, 1971, the hasp is provided with means to eject or forcibly separate it from a latching device or lock when a latching member of the lock is moved from latched to unlatched position. In this structure, the hasp is related to the lock, which may be a combination lock, so that the hasp as it is separated from or connected to the lock moves in a plane perpendicular to or in an up and down direction with respect to the face of the lock.

There are certain applications where it is desired that the hasp move into and out of the lock in a plane parallel to the face of the lock as the hasp is connected or disconnected from the lock. Also, it is desirable that the means for causing the ejection of the hasp from the lock be concealed and protected from possible damage.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a combination lock structured to automatically eject a hasp.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination lock employing means for automatically ejecting a hasp which are concealed and protected from possible damage.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a combination lock wherein a slide member which is mounted for movement to respective latched and unlatched positions is constructed for cooperation with retractable hasp holding means, the release of the hasp permitting an associated ejector member of the lock to forcibly separate the hasp from the lock.

These, and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A combination lock for connection to a hasp comprises a plurality of rotatable indicia dials, a sleeve associated with each dial for rotation therewith, and a slide member mounted for movement to respective latched (hasp holding) and unlatched (hasp releasing) positions. The slide member may move to unlatched position only when the dials are on predetermined open combination, and for this purpose, cooperable means may be provided by the sleeves and the slide member to permit such selective movement of the slide member. A resiliently mounted plunger is provided to releasably connect the hasp to the combination lock. The slide member and the plunger are provided with cooperable means for the retraction of the plunger in response to the movement of the slide member to its unlatched position. Means is provided adjacent the plunger to eject the hasp from the combination lock upon retraction of the plunger.

As will subsequently appear, the plunger and the adjoining means to eject the hasp are concealed within the combination lock and are protected from possible damage. Also, the combination lock of the invention and the hasp are related to one another so that the hasp comes into the lock and is ejected from the lock in a plane parallel to the plane of the lock's face plate, as distinguished from a hasp which moves perpendicularly to the face of the lock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the combination lock of the invention, this view also showing a hasp assembly releasably connected thereto;

FIG. 2 is a transverse, vertical cross section taken approximately in the plane of line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a partial view similar to FIG. 2, this view showing the hasp as it is being ejected from the lock;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, vertical cross section taken approximately in the plane of line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, this view showing the slide member in unlatched position whereby the plunger is retracted to permit the hasp to be disengaged for ejection from the lock;

FIG. 5 is a transverse, vertical cross section taken approximately in the plane of line 5--5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the slide member component of the lock;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the ejector member component of the lock;

FIG. 8 shows a dial and an associated sleeve;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a combination lock made in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal, vertical cross section taken approximately in the plane of line 9--9 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a combination lock A is made for connection to and separation from a hasp assembly B. The hasp assembly comprises a hasp 10 having an aperture 12 extending therethrough. As shown in FIG. 2, a pin 14 is provided at the rear end of the hasp for the pivotal connection thereto of a link 16. The link in turn is formed for connection to the pull of a slider for a slide fastener (not shown). The front edge or nose of the hasp 10 is beveled at 18.

The combination lock A comprises a face plate C, a slide member D, and a frame E. The face plate and frame are formed and connected to one another to support and substantially enclose plurality of rotatable indicia dials F. Preferably, a sleeve G is associated with each dial for rotation therewith. The slide member D is mounted for longitudinal movement to respective latched (FIG. 3) and unlatched (FIG. 4) positions.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 2A and 3, the combination lock A also includes a resiliently mounted plunger H cooperable with the aperture 12 in the hasp 10 to releasably connect the hasp assembly B to the combination lock A. Cooperable means are provided by the slide member D and the plunger H to retract the plunger upon movement of the slide member from the hasp holding position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the hasp released position as shown in FIGS. 2A and 4. Means in the form of a resiliently mounted ejector member J is positioned adjacent the plunger H to forcibly separate the hasp from the combination lock upon retraction of the plunger.

Protective means is provided for the plunger H and the associated ejector means or member J. For this purpose, a cap K is connected to the face plate C to overlie the plunger H and to provide a housing for the ejector member J. One side of the cap provides an opening 20 for the entry and exit of the hasp 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A. The cap is made of relatively heavy gauge metal and serves to protect the parts which it covers. In addition, the cap serves to conceal the plunger and ejector member.

The slide member D is constructed to provide means cooperable with portions of the sleeves G to permit the slide member to move to unlatched position only when the dials F associated with the sleeves are on predetermined "open combination." When the dials are "off combination," the slide member cannot be moved. Thus, the sleeves are formed and related to cooperable blocking means provided by the slide member to lock the member in its latched position (off combination) where the hasp is connected to the combination lock, or wherein the slide member may clear or bypass the sleeves to enable movement of the slide member to unlatched position (on combination). Upon movement to unlatched position, the plunger H is retracted from the hasp to allow forcible separation or ejection of the hasp from the combination lock by the resiliently mounted ejector member J.

It is within the scope of the invention to provide the combination lock with a combination which is pre-set at the factory and is intended to be used with only such combination. For this kind of lock, the dials F may be provided with integral sleeve portions. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of the invention, however, the lock is constructed so that one may change or set the combination to a combination of one's own personal and secret choice. For this purpose, the sleeves G are made as separate parts, and as will subsequently appear, the sleeves and dials are constructed to be separably keyed to each other. The structure of the dials F and the sleeves G and their relationship to each other are the same as disclosed in Gehrie U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,338 granted Dec. 17, 1968. Also, the relationship of the sleeves with the slide member is essentially the same as disclosed in this patent insofar as allowing movement of the slide member (on combination) or preventing movement of the slide member (off combination). However, as previously indicated and in accordance with the present invention, the slide member D is provided with means cooperable with the plunger H to retract the plunger upon movement of the slide member to unlatched position.

In greater detail and as illustrated, the dials F are each provided with indicia or numbers in equidistantly spaced relation on the outer circumference. Between adjacent numbers, there are grooves 24 (FIG. 1) adapted to receive means provided by a dial cooperable spring member L (FIGS. 3 and 4) so that the dials when related to their respective sleeves mounted on a shaft M may be resiliently maintained in selected circumferential position.

Referring to FIG. 8, each dial F has a central opening 26 through which the shank 28 of a sleeve G may be extended with a slight amount of clearance. The sleeve has a central bore of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft M (FIGS. 3 and 4). At one end thereof, each sleeve is provided with a flange 32 having a larger diameter than the central opening 26 of a dial. The flanged end of the sleeve is provided with a flat portion 34. At the juncture of the flange and the sleeve's shank, a detent or detents 36 are provided. On one side of each dial circumferentially arranged detent receiving recesses 38 are provided adjacent the opening 26, there being one recess in alignment with each number on the dial's outer circumference. The recesses 38 extend only partially into the side wall of the dial and are adapted to receive the detents 36 whereby a dial and a sleeve may be keyed or meshed to one another.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a helically coiled compression spring N is mounted on one end of the shaft M to abut an adjacent sleeve G. The sleeves being in abutting end to end relationship are thereby resiliently maintained in separably keyed relationship with their respective dials F. The sleeve G on the opposite end of the shaft M is forced against a flange 40 formed on the shaft. As disclosed in the aforementioned Gehrie patent, such structure and relationship of sleeves, dials, shaft, and spring permit changing and setting the combination of the lock to a combination of one's secret choice by manipulation of a lever O mounted on the shaft M. As shown in FIG. 5, the frame E is provided with an opening 42 in a side wall to allow the change lever to extend therethrough for manual manipulation.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame member E is dished or shaped so that when connected to the face plate C, the shaft M, dials F, sleeves G, and spring N are enclosed except for portions of the dials F which partially extend through longitudinally spaced slots 44 in the face plate. Also, the face plate and frame preferably are formed so that when connected to one another they provide longitudinally spaced bearings 46 for the ends of the shaft M. The face plate C and frame E may be connected in any suitable manner. For example, the face plate, which may be die cast, may be formed with integral, spaced, connecting studs 48 each having a shoulder near the end thereof. The studs are extended through aligned openings formed in the frame and then the ends of the studs are headed over to secure the parts as known in the art. As indicated in FIG. 1, four connecting studs may be used.

The slide member D is positioned on the underside of the face plate E for longitudinal movement by means of a manually operable puller P. As shown in FIG. 6, the slide member is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots or openings 50. The central slot has its sides defined by the longitudinally spaced, transversely extending crossbar portions 52. There are three slots 50 when there are three dials as illustrated. These slots are of greater width than the slots 44 in the face plate; also, the slots 50 are each of a width slightly greater than the total thickness of a dial F and of the flange portion 32 of a sleeve G. As described in the aforementioned Gehrie patent, the flanges 32 of the sleeves may be positioned within the slots 50 while clearing the underside of the face plate C. In such position of a flange on a sleeve, movement of the slide member is blocked. When, however, the flats 34 on all the sleeves are oriented, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is clearance of the slide member's crossbar portions 52 and the other portions of the slide member to allow movement of the slide member from hasp holding to hasp released positions and vice versa. The slide member also is provided with a tab 53 which extends between the pair of transversely spaced studs designated 48a in FIG. 1 to guide the slide member as longitudinal movement is imparted thereto.

The puller P, which preferably is die cast, is provided with a pair of integral, spaced connecting studs 54 having shoulders and end portions which are extended through openings 56 in the sleeve D and headed over to secure the connection of the puller to the slide member as shown in FIG. 5. The face plate C is provided with a pair of spaced, longitudinally extending slots 58 to allow the connecting studs 54 to extend therethrough with some clearance.

Resilient means, preferably in the form of a coiled compression spring R, is related to the puller and to means provided by the face plate so that the slide member is normally urged toward the latched position as shown in FIG. 3. For this purpose, the puller is provided with a recess 59 (FIG. 5) on its underside within which the spring R is positioned. One end of the spring bears upon an inturned side wall 60 of the puller, and the other end of the spring bears against a projection 62 extending from the outer surface of the face plate C as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

At the end of the assembly opposite where the puller is located, the face plate C is provided with an aperture 64 through which the plunger H extends as shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 3 and 4. The plunger, which preferably is die cast, has a central, downwardly extending support portion 66 which receives a spring S, the lower end of which is seated in a bearing portion 68 provided by the frame member E. To allow clearance of the lower extremity of the support portion 66 when the plunger is depressed, the frame member may be provided with an aligned opening 70. Thus, the plunger H normally is urged outwardly and up through the opening 64 in the face plate C.

The slide member D is provided at the end thereof opposite the end connected to the puller with cam means for cooperation with a cam follower provided on the plunger H. As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the slide member D is bifurcated to provide a pair of transversely spaced arms 72. The arms are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the corresponding dimension or diameter of the plunger H so that the plunger may extend between the arms in the hasp-holding position of the plunger. Each arm is downwardly bent or curved at 74 to provide cams cooperable with wing portions 76 extending from opposite sides of the plunger H.

The cap K overlies the spring mounted plunger H, and as previously indicated, provides a housing for the ejector J and means cooperable with springs for the resilient mounting of the ejector. The cap K also preferably is die cast and provided with integral, downwardly extending, spaced connecting studs 78 which serve to connect the cap to the face plate C as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A. The cap has an inturned flange wall on all sides except for the side where the opening 20 is provided to allow entry and exit of the hasp 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, the ejector J is substantially U-shaped and has a pair of spaced arms 82 and a connecting base portion 84. An upstanding projection 86 is provided at the free end of each arm, and the base portion is provided with an upstanding projection 88. The ejector member J is positioned within the space or area provided by the cap and the underlying portion of the face plate so that the plunger H is located intermediate the arm portions 82. For symmetry and balance, a pair of ejector springs T are associated with the ejector member J. Each spring overlies an arm 82 and extends between the arm's upstanding projection 86 and a shoulder provided by the cap. The cap is made or cast with tracks to receive the arms 82 and guide the ejector as it moves within the housing provided by the cap and adjoining portion of the face plate.

The combination lock as illustrated includes means for finding the open combination in the event that the lock has been set to "off combination" and the combination lost or forgotten. For this purpose, each of the sleeves is provided with a visual or feel indicator or slot 90 (FIG. 8) and the frame E and a back cover U have openings 92 and 94, respectively, extended therethrough for alignment with the indicators 90 on the sleeves. Such structure, while preferred and illustrated, is disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned Gehrie patent and does not constitute part of the present invention.

The combination lock A is made to enable the ready connection thereof to a wall W of a luggage case or the like. The wall may be a flexible material such as vinyl sheeting or a fabric having a vinyl coating thereon. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the face plate C may be provided with a peripheral flange 96 having spaced teeth 98 extending from the underside of the flange. Also, as shown, the face plate may be provided with longitudinally spaced, outwardly tapered connecting apertures 100. To assemble the combination lock with a wall W, the back cover U is provided with through holes 102 for alignment with the connecting recesses 100. Connecting studs or rivets 104 are extended through the apertures in the back cover and into the connecting recesses. Pressure is transmitted to a peripheral flange 106 on the back cover bearing against the wall W thereby causing the teeth 98 to bite into the material of the wall. It will be apparent that the wall is provided with a cutout 108 so that a portion of the combination lock and the back cover may extend therethrough. As shown in FIG. 5, the back cover is provided with an opening 110 so that the lever 0 for changing the combination may extend therethrough for manipulation by the user.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the hasp 10 of the hasp assembly B is cooperable with the combination lock so that the opening for the entry and exit of the hasp faces the longitudinal side of the combination lock. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the opening designated 20' in the cap K for entry and exit of the hasp, faces the end of the combination lock. The structure and relationship of the parts of the combination lock designated A' are otherwise the same as previously described in connection with the lock shown in FIGS. 1 through 8.

The device operates in the following manner. To connect the hasp assembly to the combination lock, the hasp 10 is extended through the opening 20 (or 20' in FIGS. 9 and 10) in the side of the cap K. The bevel 18 of the hasp engages the top edge of the plunger H causing the plunger to be depressed against the force of its spring H. As the hasp is pushed further into the space provided between the cap and the face plate, the opening 12 in the hasp becomes aligned with the plunger whereupon the spring S causes the plunger to snap into the aperture 12. As the hasp is pushed within the cap, the nose of the hasp engages the projection 88 of the base portion of the ejector as shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the ejector springs S are compressed, thereby spring loading the ejector member. In this relationship of the parts, the hasp is connected to the lock. The hasp may be thus connected to the lock if the dials are either on or off combination.

To disconnect the hasp from the lock, the dials F must be rotated to "open combination." Then, a force may be applied to the puller P in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 so that the slide member D may move to the position shown in FIG. 4. The longitudinal movement imparted to the slide member is translated into a downward movement of the plunger H; that is, the plunger is retracted in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slide member. Such movement of the plunger is caused by the engagement of the cams 74 with the wing portions 76 on the plunger to depress it. As a result, and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 4, the plunger is withdrawn from the aperture 12 of the hasp, whereupon the spring loaded ejector J acts to forcibly eject the hasp from within the cap K and away from the lock A.

It is believed that the advantages and improved results afforded by the combination lock of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. Various changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A combination lock for connection to a hasp, the combination lock comprising a plurality of rotatable dials, a sleeve associated with each dial for rotation therewith, a slide member mounted for movement to latched and unlatched positions, means permitting the slide member to move to unlatched position only when the dials are on predetermined open combination, a resiliently mounted plunger for releasable connection to the hasp, cooperable means provided by the slide member and the plunger to retract the plunger upon movement of the slide member to unlatched position, and means adjacent the plunger to eject the hasp from the combination lock upon retraction of the plunger.

2. A combination lock according to claim 1 wherein the cooperable means provided by the slide member and the plunger to retract the plunger upon movement of the slide member to unlatched position comprises cam means on the slide member and cam follower means on the plunger.

3. A combination lock according to claim 2 wherein the slide member is provided with a pair of transversely spaced arms at one end thereof, the plunger being positioned between the arms, the cam means on the slide member comprising a cam on each arm and the cam follower means on the plunger comprising a wing portion extending from each side of the plunger.

4. A combination lock according to claim 3 including a puller connected to the slide member, and resilient means associated with the puller to normally urge the slide member toward latched position.

5. A combination lock according to claim 4 including a face plate having longitudinally spaced slots, the dials being positioned to partially extend through the slots, an aperture extending through the face plate near one end thereof, the resiliently mounted plunger being positioned to extend through the aperture, the puller being positioned on the outer face of the face plate near the opposite end of the face plate and being connected to the slide member.

6. A combination lock according to claim 5 wherein a cap is positioned on the outer face of the face plate and connected thereto, the cap overlying the plunger and the means adjacent the plunger to eject the hasp, one side of the cap providing an opening for the entry and exit of the hasp.

7. A combination lock according to claim 6 wherein the means adjacent the plunger to eject the hasp upon retraction of the plunger comprises a generally U-shaped member having a pair of spaced arms and a base portion, the end of each arm having an upstanding projection, a spring extending between each projection and a shoulder provided by the cap and the base portion having an upstanding projection for engagement by the hasp.

8. A combination lock according to claim 7 wherein the opening for entry and exit of the hasp faces the side of the combination lock.

9. A combination lock according to claim 7 wherein the opening for entry and exit of the hasp faces the end of the combination lock.

10. A combination lock according to claim 1 including a face plate having lontitudinally spaced slots, the dials being positioned to partially extend through the slots, an aperture extending through the face plate near one end thereof, the resiliently mounted plunger being positioned to extend through the aperture.

11. A combination lock according to claim 10 wherein a cap is positioned on the outer face of the face plate and connected thereto, the cap overlying the plunger and the means adjacent the plunger to eject the hasp, one side of the cap providing an opening for the entry and exit of the hasp.

12. A combination lock according to claim 11 wherein the means adjacent the plunger to eject the hasp upon retraction of the plunger comprises a generally U-shaped member having a pair of spaced arms and a base portion, the end of each arm having an upstanding projection, a spring extending between each projection and a shoulder provided by the cap and the base portion having an upstanding projection for engagement by the hasp.