Locks – Operating mechanism – Combination
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-04-03
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Combination
C070S030000, C070S315000, C070SDIG004
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209368
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a combination lock that may prevent inadvertent change in the unlocking code. The present invention also relates to a combination lock that has a better rotational positioning effect for each number wheel and that provides a sound for indicating rotation of each number wheel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Combination locks provide a convenient tool for users, as keys are not necessary. Traditional combination locks have fixed unlocking code when manufactured and are thus easily unlocked by unauthorized individuals.
FIG. 6
of the drawings illustrates a conventional lock allowing change in the unlocking code. The lock has a male lock body
1
′ and a female lock body
2
′. The female lock body
2
′ includes a recessed chamber
21
′ in a first side thereof and a groove
22
′ in a second side thereof. A stem
23
′ extends from the first side of the female lock body
2
′ for mounting an elastic element
24
′, a number of slide sleeves
25
′, a number of positioning resilient plates
26
′, a number of retainer plates
27
′, a number of number wheels
28
′, a control slide sleeves
29
′, and an end cap
20
′. Each retainer plate
27
′ has a slit
271
′ and a number of teeth
272
′ on a side thereof. Each number wheel
28
′ has a number of annularly disposed engaging grooves
281
′.
FIG. 7
illustrates a sectional view of the combination lock in FIG.
6
. When change in the unlocking code is required, the control sleeve
29
′ is actuated to move the retainer plates
27
′ and slide sleeves
25
. The teeth
272
′ on each retainer plate
27
′ disengage from the engaging grooves
281
′ of the associated number wheel
28
′, thereby allowing adjustment in the unlocking code by rotating the number wheels
28
′.
Nevertheless, the above-mentioned adjustment can be proceeded even though the combination lock is in a locked status (i.e., the slits
271
′ of the retainer plates
27
′ are not aligned with each other). As a result, the user may not know the correct new unlocking code. In addition, the adjustment is inconvenient to the user, as the user has to exert a continuous force to the control sleeve
29
′ until the new unlocking code is set. In addition, the teeth
272
′ of each retainer plate
27
′ may be not completely disengaged from the engaging holes
281
′ of the associated number wheel
28
′ and thus result in malfunction of the combination lock, as the correct unlocking code cannot be known. Assembly of the combination lock is time-consuming and inconvenient, as a slide sleeve
25
′, a positioning resilient plate
26
′, and a retainer plate
27
′ are required for each number wheel
28
′.
FIGS. 8 and 9
of the drawings illustrate a positioning plate
3
′ for a combination lock. The positioning plate
3
′ includes a recessed section
31
′ and a channel
32
′ for holding an elastic element
33
′ having an end
331
′ that will produce a sound when impinged by an inner periphery of an associated number wheel
4
′. It is, nevertheless, found that the elastic element
33
′ is apt to be disengaged from the positioning plate
3
′.
The present invention is intended to provide a combination lock that mitigates and/or obviates the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a combination lock to prevent inadvertent change in the unlocking code.
It is another object of the present invention to a provide combination lock that has a better rotational positioning effect for each number wheel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination lock that provides a sound for indicating rotation of each number wheel.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a combination lock comprises:
a male lock body including a rod with a plurality of longitudinally spaced teeth formed thereon; and
a female lock body including:
a column having a longitudinal slit for releasably receiving the rod of the male lock body, the column including a plurality of pairs of protrusions on two lateral sides thereof,
a plurality of sleeves mounted around the column, each said sleeve including a central hole with a notched section through which the rod of the male lock body extends, a periphery defining the central hole of each said sleeve including a pair of grooves for releasably engaging with one of the pairs of protrusions of the column,
a plurality of retainer plates mounted around the column, each said retainer plate including a central hole with a notched section through which the rod of the male lock body extends, a periphery defining the central hole of each said retainer plate including a pair of grooves for releasably engaging with one of the pairs of protrusions of the column,
a plurality of number wheels mounted around the column, each said retainer plate being releasably engaged with an associated said number wheel to rotate therewith,
an elastic element mounted around an end of the column for biasing each said retainer plate to engage with the associated number wheel to rotate therewith; and
means for actuating each said retainer plate to disengage from the associated number wheel for allowing a change in unlocking code for the combination lock, the actuating means being operable only when the combination lock is in an unlocked status in which the grooves of each said retainer plate align with the protrusions of the column.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a combination lock comprises:
a male lock body including a rod with a plurality of longitudinally spaced teeth formed thereon; and
a female lock body including:
a column having a longitudinal slit for releasably receiving the rod of the male lock body, the column including an engaging section,
a plurality of resilient sleeves mounted around the column, each said sleeve including a central hole through which the rod of the male lock body extends,
a plurality of retainer plates mounted around the column, each said retainer plate including a central hole through which the rod of the male lock body extends,
a plurality of number wheels mounted around the column, each said retainer plate being releasably engaged with an associated said number wheel to rotate therewith,
an elastic element mounted around an end of the column for biasing each said retainer plate to engage with the associated number wheel to rotate therewith;
an actuating ring mounted around the column and including a central hole with a notched section through which the rod of the male lock body extends, a periphery defining the central hole of the actuating ring including a recessed section for engaging with the engaging section of the column to thereby prevent rotation of the actuating ring, the actuating ring further including a push section on a side thereof, the push section bearing against an adjacent said retainer plate, the actuating ring further including a projection formed on the other side thereof, and
a turn cap rotatably mounted around the column, the turn cap including a central hole with a notched section through which the rod of the male lock body extends, a periphery defining the central hole of the turn cap including an inclined slide groove having two recessed ends for releasably engaging with the projection of the actuating ring, thereby retaining the actuating ring in place, the projection of the actuating ring being slidable along the inclined slide groove upon rotation of the turn cap such that the actuating ring moves longitudinally to actuate the retainer plates to disengage from the number wheels, thereby allowing change in unlocking code of the combination lock.
A stopping portion may be formed adjacent to one of the recessed ends of the inclined guide groove.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Rosenberg , Klein & Lee
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