Patent ID: 9121196
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A lock assembly comprising: a lock body; a shackle; a locking member configured to selectively lock the shackle relative to the lock body; at least one combination dial rotatable between various combination positions, the at least one combination dial associated with the locking member and configured such that entry of a given series of combination positions causes the locking member to unlock the shackle relative to the lock body; a sensor configured to sense the rotational position of the at least one combination dial, wherein the sensor includes a contact assembly comprising (i) a contact bar that is configured to rotate along with the combination dial and includes a first contact positioned at one end of the contact bar and a second contact positioned at an opposite end of the contact bar, (ii) an inner set of radial contacts that remains stationary with respect to the combination dial and is radially aligned with the first contact of the contact bar, and (iii) an outer set of radial contacts surrounding the inner set of radial contacts that remains stationary with respect to the combination dial and is radially aligned with the second contact of the contact bar, wherein each combination of the inner contact and the outer contact that the first contact and second contact of the contact bar are in contact with, respectively, has a distinct resistance or capacitance value which with the rotational position of the combination dial is determined; a display screen associated with the sensor and configured to display a position indicia which corresponds to the rotational position of the at least one combination dial; and a mechanism to synchronize the sensor to the dial by resetting the sensor to a given position indicia, which corresponds to the rotational position of the at least one combination dial.