Combination lock

Provided is a combination lock including a housing having an lodge port configured for removably receiving therein a shank; a locking bar received within the housing and having a shank port; a combination mechanism associated with the locking bar; and a securing arrangement including an arresting member of the locking bar.

FIELD

The present invention is in the field of locks, more particularly, combination locks.

BACKGROUND

Combination locks are a type of lock configured for opening/locking upon input of a predetermined combination, e.g. a sequence of numbers, letters, order of button pressing, a set of displacements etc. One of the advantages of a combination lock is that no external key is required for opening the lock, but rather, only knowledge of the right combination.

In general, combination locks comprise a combination mechanism configured:when the lock is in its locked position, for preventing opening of the lock unless the right combination is set, andfor allowing a user to determine a desired combination when the lock is in its open position, by initiating a reset procedure.

When the proper combination is provided to the combination mechanism, the elements of the combination mechanism are so aligned with a locking mechanism of the combination lock (e.g. a bolt) so as to allow the lock to assume its open position.

PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,803 to the applicant discloses a combination lock comprising a housing, a locking bolt and a locking breach, at least one locking assembly rotatably supported within the housing and comprising a disc member formed with a peripheral recess, a cam wheel and a reset cam. A locking member is formed with at least one locking lug angularly displaceable between an un-locked position in which all the locking lugs engage within the peripheral recess of the disc members and where the locking breach is disengaged from the locking bolt, and a locked position in which at least one of the locking lugs is disengaged from the peripheral recess, where the locking breach arrests the locking bolt. A planarly displaceable manipulating member comprises at least one follower corresponding with each cam wheel. A reset mechanism is provided for rotating all disc members into a reset position.

General Description

The subject matter of the present application calls for a unique combination lock configured for securing a combination mechanism thereof from spontaneous displacement and misalignment during an open position of the combination lock.

Thus, according to one aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a combination lock comprising:a housing having a lock port configured for removably receiving therein a shank;a locking bar received within the housing and having a shank port, said locking bar being configured for displacing at least between an open position in which the shank port is aligned with the lock port to allow a locking portion of said shank to displace into said housing through both ports, and a securing position in which said shank port is misaligned with the lock port to prevent the locking portion of the shank from displacing outside said housing via the shank port;a combination mechanism associated with said locking bar and configured for switching between at least an unlocked position in which said locking bar is free to displace from its securing position to its open position, and a locked position in which said locking bar is arrested;a securing arrangement constituted by an arresting member of the locking bar configured for interlocking engagement with an arresting portion of the housing, and a biasing mechanism for urging said locking bar into the interlocking engagement with the arresting portion of the housing, said securing arrangement being configured, when the locking portion of the shank is dislodged from the lock port, for preventing displacement of said locking bar from its open position.

According to another aspect of the subject matter of the present application there is provided a locking bar for a combination lock of the previous aspect of the present application, said locking bar being formed with:a shank port for axially receiving therein a locking portion of a shank;at least one locking surface configured for operative engagement with the locking portion of the shank during its axial displacement into said shank port, for entailing displacement of said locking bar in a first lateral direction towards a securing position thereof;at least one unlocking surface configured for operative engagement with the locking portion of the shank during its opposite axial displacement outside the shank port, for entailing displacement of said locking bar in an opposite lateral direction towards an open position thereof; anda tamper proof arrangement by which the at least one unlocking surface is configured for collapsing under the application of a predetermined load thereto, disabling the operative engagement with the locking portion of the shank.

The terms shank and shackle, though not interchangeable, are used hereinafter alternately.

The housing can be formed with a single operative port which is the lock port. The term ‘operative’ is used herein to refer to a port through which the shank is configured to engage the locking bar of the combination lock. In other words, a port configured for receiving therein a shank not in association with the locking member will not be considered ‘operative’.

Nonetheless, the housing can comprise, in addition to the lock port, an additional, non operative port configured for accommodating therein (fixedly or removably) another shank or another end part of the same shank/shackle.

For example, the lock can have a shackle with a first end configured for being received within the operative lock port of the housing and a second end configured for being received within a non-operative port of the housing. One example of such a lock is a padlock. Alternatively, the combination lock can be a cable lock in which a first end of the cable is associated with the shank configured for being received within the lock port of the housing while the second end of the cable is provided with a fixed shank configured for being fixedly received within the housing.

The arrangement can be such that, in the securing position, the bolt member is not in engagement with the shank or any portion thereof, but rather with the housing, combination mechanism or any other arrangement associated with the lock but the shank.

The lock port can be in the form of a shaped opening having a large diameter portion, large enough for receiving therethrough a head of the shank, and a small diameter portion large enough to receive therethrough a neck portion of the shank (of smaller diameter than the head) but not the head itself. The arrangement can be such that, in the open position, the large diameter opening is aligned with the shank port of the housing.

The combination mechanism can be any commonly known combination mechanism such as a number combination, letter combination, a pressing sequence, a displacement sequence etc.

The locking bar can be configured for assuming at least one additional, intermediary position between the securing position and the opened position.

The securing arrangement can be in the form of a male/female association between the arresting member of the locking bar and an arresting portion of the housing. In particular, one of the above can be in the form of a projection and the other in the form of a recess configured for receiving the projection. According to a particular design, the locking port itself can be formed with the arresting portion of the housing.

While, in the securing position, the arresting member of the locking bar is firmly received within the arresting portion, it may still be provided with an operative gap configured for allowing the locking bar with slight play to perform other operations associated with the lock (e.g. resetting).

The biasing arrangement of the securing arrangement can be mechanical, electronic, hydraulic etc. In particular, it may be mechanically configured for urging the locking bar into the securing position. For example, the biasing arrangement can be in the form of a spring or a coil attempting to expand/contract against the locking bar.

The arrangement can be such that the biasing arrangement is configured for urging the locking bar to perform an angular displacement, i.e. apply thereto a combined force attempting to urge the arresting member of the locking bar not only into engagement with the arresting portion of the housing but also to cause firm abutting of one against the other.

The locking bar can be formed with a sliding pivot portion configured for displacing together with the locking bar (can also be integrally formed therewith) and for serving as a pivot point for the locking bar to perform rotation about a pivot axis.

In accordance with a particular example, the locking bar can configured for performing both a lateral displacement and a pivotal displacement about the pivot point in order to switch between its open position and securing position. Specifically, the lateral displacement of the locking bar can be induced by axial displacement of the locking portion of the shank while the pivotal displacement of the locking bar can be induced by the biasing arrangement.

The biasing arrangement can be configured for constraining the locking bar such that, from the securing position of the locking bar, pivotal displacement of the locking bar about its pivot point (induced by applying a load in the axial direction) inevitably entails lateral displacement of the locking bar.

In particular, the arrangement can be such that in order to displace the locking bar from the open position thereof, it is first required to apply a force in one direction for disengagement between the arresting member and the arresting portion and thereafter another force in another direction to displace the locking bar laterally.

The above configuration elegantly allows preventing shifting of the locking bar (and consequently of the combination mechanism from its proper position) during an open position of the lock, as the chances of spontaneous application of the above forces is unlikely. It is also appreciated that in the open position, there is no purpose in deliberately applying these forces other than simple sabotage of the combination lock.

In accordance with one example, both the locking surface and the unlocking surface of the locking bar can be formed at different orientations from one another. Alternatively, the locking bar can be formed with a locking member formed with the locking surface and an unlocking member formed with the unlocking surface.

The locking and unlocking surfaces can be oppositely oriented such that during displacement of the shank in one direction it only engages one of the surfaces whereas during displacement in the opposite direction it only engages the other of the surfaces.

In addition, the shank can be limited to axial displacement within the lock port, wherein engagement between the shank and the locking/unlocking surfaces results in displacement of the locking back in a manner similar to a cam and follower motion.

The tamper proof arrangement of the locking bar can be designed such that the predetermined amount of load applied to the unlocking surface is lower than the load required for displacing the locking bar against other components of the lock, e.g. the combination mechanism. Specifically, the arrangement can be such that when the unlocking surface collapses, the shank is out of engagement therewith, rendering it impossible to apply the desired force in order to displace the locking bar in the right direction.

According to a specific design, the unlocking surface can be formed along a rib projecting transversely from the locking bar and configured, in its collapsed position, to assume an orientation generally parallel to the locking bar.

In the collapsed position above, the locking portion of the shank can be configured to rest directly against the body of the locking bar itself, thereby rendering it impossible to pull out the locking portion of the shank from the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first drawn toFIG. 1in which a basic design of a combination lock in accordance with the present application is shown, generally being designated as1. As shown inFIG. 1, the lock1is a cable lock and comprises a cable C having a first end20configured for being removably received within the lock1and a second end30, fixedly accommodated within the lock1.

It should be noted here that although the design shown refers to a cable lock, it is applicable to any combination lock having a single operative port, i.e. a single port configured for receiving therein a shank (also referred herein as shackle) associated with other mechanisms accommodated within the lock e.g. bolt, combination arrangement etc.

Turning now toFIG. 2, an exploded isometric view of the lock1is shown generally comprising a top and bottom housing covers101,102, a combination mechanism200including cogs210, a locking cross220, a decoding ring230, discs240, and reset elements260,270. The lock1further comprises an actuation arrangement including an actuator housing130, an actuation plate150and an actuator button140.

The actuation mechanism is associated with the combination mechanism and is effective for setting the proper combination allowing opening/closing of the combination lock.

The design of the combination mechanism200and the actuation arrangement is generally known per se from U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,803 which is incorporated herein by reference and will therefore not be described herein in detail.

The lock also comprises a bolt member300configured for both lateral and pivotal displacement within the housing101,102at least between an open position allowing insertion of the shank10into the housing and a securing position preventing removal of the shank10from the housing101,102, once inserted therein. As used herein, the term “bolt member” may be used interchangeably with “locking bar”. The bolt member300is associated with a biasing arrangement360so that it is in fact spring loaded to be urged into a predetermined direction.

It is observed fromFIG. 5Athat the shank10is in the form of a prolonged tubular body12and has a locking portion formed with a narrow neck22and a circular shank head24.

Attention is now drawn toFIGS. 3A and 3B, in which the lock is shown in an open position, in which the bolt member300is engaged with the combination mechanism200.

In particular, in the position shown, four locking holes225of the locking cross220are suspended over four corresponding spikes105of the housing, a portion of the main hub107of the housing102is received within the main port of the locking cross220and the locking cross220is resting over a top surface232of the decoding ring230so that the locking cross220is elevated over the bottom surface of the housing cover102.

The locking cross220is formed with four insert portions224configured for engagement with the locking discs240(shown inFIG. 2). One of the insert portions is formed with an ear-like extension226configured, in the above position, for engagement with an extension315of the bolt member300so that displacement of the bolt member300entails rotation of the locking cross230.

Turning now toFIGS. 3C and 3D, the lock is shown in a reset position, allowing a user to set the combination of the combination lock1. It is observed that in this position, the decoding ring230is angularly rotated with respect to the locking cross220, allowing the latter to displace downwards (towards the bottom of the cover102). In this position, the locking cross220and the decoding ring230are aligned along a common plane.

In the reset position, the locking cross220is resting on the bed of the cover102, so that four spikes105of the cover102are received within holes225of the locking cross220, thereby preventing rotation thereof.

It is observed that in this position, the extension315of the bolt member300is disengaged from the ear-like extension226of the locking cross220. Thus, the bolt member300is free to perform lateral movement without affecting or influencing the combination mechanism200as it simply slides over the locking cross220, being on an elevated plane with respect thereto.

In order to displace the combination lock from the engaged position shown inFIGS. 3A, 3Bto the reset position shown inFIGS. 3C, 3D, the decoding ring230is revolved CCW, so that the locking cross220slides down the sloped surfaces234,236of the ring230. When switching backwards to the engaged position, the ring230is revolved CW and the sloped surfaces234,236slip under the insert portions224of the locking cross220, thereby elevating the locking cross220back to the position shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B.

Turning now toFIGS. 4A to 4F, the bolt member300of the present example is made of a single metal body312formed with a shaped opening, constituting a shank port having a large diameter portion314, large enough to receive therethrough the head24of the shank10, and a small diameter portion316large enough to receive therethrough the neck portion22of the shank10but not the head24. The small diameter portion316is surrounded by a blocking surface311configured for engagement with the head24of the shank10for preventing extraction thereof from the housing.

The body312is further formed with a lateral extension315configured for association of the bolt member300with the locking cross220, and having projecting therefrom an arresting rib317configured for preventing the decoding ring230from revolving when the lock is in its locked position.

As previously described, the body312is formed with an arresting arrangement340in the form of two projections342projecting from a top side of the bolt member300. As used herein, the term “projection” may be used interchangeably with “arresting member” of the bolt member300.

In addition, the body312is provided with lock inducing member320configured for engagement with the shank10during its insertion into the housing, so that the bolt member300is displaced into a securing position, preventing extraction of the shank10.

In particular, the lock inducing member is in the form of an operative projection322extending at an angle from a bottom side of the body312so as to partially obscure the large diameter opening314.

In operation, upon insertion of the head portion24of the shank10through the large diameter opening314, the head24engages the operative surface324, constituting a locking surface, of the lock inducing member320thereby first applying as load to the bolt member300in a downwards direction, sufficient for pivoting the bolt member300in a CW direction about axis Xb(shown inFIGS. 5A to 5L), thereby removing the projection342from the recess116to disengage the bolt member300from the housing102. As used herein, the term “recess” may be used interchangeably with the term “arresting portion” of the housing102.

Consecutively, as the shank10cannot displace laterally with respect to the lock port110of the lock, the load to the surface324results in lateral displacement of the lock member300in a rightward direction (directions refer to the view shown inFIG. 4B). The bolt member300is free to perform such displacement since it is now disengaged from the housing102(the projection342is out of the recess116).

This lateral displacement of the bolt member300brings the small diameter opening to engage and lock against the neck portion22of the shank10, thereby preventing its extraction from the housing of the lock1.

The bolt member300is also formed with an opening inducing arrangement330, configured, when the shank10is received within the lock1to engage with the head24in order to displace the bolt member300into a position allowing extraction of the shank10from the housing (provided that the proper combination has been set in the combination mechanism200).

The opening inducing arrangement330is in the form of two spaced apart ribs332extending downwards from the body312, each being formed with an operative surface334, constituting an unlocking surface of an opposite orientation to that of the operative surface324of the lock inducing member320.

In operation, upon extraction and/or pulling on the shank10attempting to remove it from the housing of the lock1, the operative surfaces334are configured for engaging the head24of the shank10and, due to their slanted orientation, to entail displacement of the bolt member300in an opposite lateral direction (leftwards), in a manner similar to that described previously with respect to the lock inducing member320.

Upon such engagement, the head24slides along the operative surfaces334and, as the shank10cannot displace laterally with respect to the port110of the lock1, it applies a load to the bolt member300via the ribs332, entailing the required lateral displacement.

However, as will be explained with respect toFIGS. 6A and 6B, the ribs332are configured for deforming and collapsing under the application of a predetermined amount of load thereto. In particular, it is observed that the surfaces334are not only slanted but are also tilted, so that in engagement with the head24of the shank10, the latter applies a force thereto attempting to part the ribs in the direction shown by arrows r. When the force applied by the head24is greater than the predetermined force, the ribs332will simply collapse, deforming outwards in the direction of arrows r.

Turning now toFIGS. 5A to 5L, a sequence is shown in which the combination of the combination lock1is properly set and the shank10is allowed to be dislodge from the lock port110.

It is observed that the locking port110is formed therein with two longitudinal recesses116configured for receiving therein the arresting projection342when the bolt member is in the above given position.

The bolt member300is in association with a biasing arrangement360(spring loaded) constituted by a spring362configured for constantly applying an angular force in a CW direction about axis XS.

In particular, inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the shank head24is shown in engagement with the ribs332of the opening inducing arrangement330. Thus, pulling on the shank10in an upward direction indicated by arrow L2, will entail lateral displacement of the bolt member300leftwards in the lateral direction indicated by arrow L1.

It is further observed that a first end364of the biasing spring362is received within a first nook319aof the bolt member300, urging it in an upward direction, so that during the above lateral displacement, the bolt member300maintains its orientation and displaces against the force of the biasing spring362.

Also, in the above position, two projections342of the bolt member300(located one behind the other), extending from a top side thereof facing the locking port110, abut an undersurface of the lock port110and slide therealong.

Turning now toFIGS. 5C and 5D, upon further displacement of the shank10in direction L2, the bolt member300displaces further laterally so that the end364slides out of the nook319aand is pressed under a wall portion of the bolt member300.

As the bolt member300progresses laterally in direction L1as shown inFIGS. 5E and 5F, the projection342of the bolt member300draws closer to the recess116of the lock port110until it reaches the position shown inFIGS. 5G and 5H.

In this position, the tip of the projection342is exactly at the entrance to the recess116. In principle, the design may be such that at this stage, the head24of the shank10disengages from the operative surfaces334of the ribs332so that its displacement in direction L2does not entail further displacement in direction L1. However, it is appreciated that in order to make sure that the projection342is received within the recess116, the design is such that the bolt member300continues to displace laterally beyond the recess116to the position shown inFIGS. 5I and 5J.

In the above position, the end364of the spring362has slipped into the second nook319bof the bolt member300and is still attempting to rotate about its own axis XSin a CW direction. As a result, the bolt member300, having a sliding pivot point at Xb, performs a combined displacement in which it slides laterally in direction L1′ (opposite to L1) and simultaneously performs angular/pivotal displacement in a CCW direction about the axis Xb.

The above displacement results in the projection342displacing towards the recess116so that the surface344thereof becomes pressed against the surface of the recess116as shown inFIGS. 5K and 5L. In this position, the projection342of the bolt member300is firmly lodged within the recess116and is held in place by the force of the biasing spring362.

As the bolt member300is mechanically associated with the combination mechanism200(as will be explained in detail later), it is imperative, in the given position, to prevent displacement of the bolt member300in order to prevent shifting the combination mechanism200out of its unlocking combination, which may render the combination lock disabled or impossible to re-use.

Thus, even in case of the lock experiencing a spontaneous displacement/shaking etc., the bolt member300will not be displaced from its position and will therefore not affect the combination mechanism200, neatly avoiding an undesired shift in the position of the components thereof.

In particular, the bolt member300cannot be displaced directly downwards due to the biasing spring362. In other words, pressing down on the bolt member300or applying a similarly directed force thereto would entail also lateral displacement in the direction of arrow L1, due to the force applied thereto by the biasing spring.

It is appreciated that the chances for the bolt member300of spontaneously experiencing a set of forces applied thereto, first downwards and then rightwards as a result of a fall or sudden displacement are very slim, thereby preventing any shift in the combination mechanism220.

It is important to note that in the present combination lock, there exists only one operative shank port, i.e., when the shank10is removed from the housing of the lock, there remains no portion of the shank (or shackle) in engagement with the bolt which would prevent its displacement as commonly known, for example, in a padlock (in which the other end of the shackle remains in engagement with the bolt).

The subject matter of the present application provides an elegant solution in which displacement of the bolt member300is arrested via engagement thereof solely with the housing of the lock1. This can be particularly useful for cable locks as presented above but should be understood not to be limited thereto. In other words, the same arrangement can be provided for any other type of lock in which, in the open position, the bolt is not in association with the shank and/or in locks in which such association is not desired.

Turning now toFIGS. 6A and 6B, a locked position of the lock1is shown in which the combination mechanism200is not set to the proper combination and therefore prevents displacement of the bolt member300in the lateral direction to allow proper extraction of the shank10from the lock1.

In this position, tampering with the lock and/or pulling roughly on the shank10in an attempt to pull it out (for example, by a person tying to pry the lock) applies a force to the ribs332, and consequently attempts urging the bolt member300to displace in the lateral direction. However, since the combination is not properly set in the combination mechanism200, and the locking cross220is prevented from properly rotating, the lateral extension315and projection317of the bolt member300which abut the locking cross220are also prevented from displacing.

Applying an extensive load to the locking cross220as described above may lead to malfunction of the combination mechanism and release of the shank20(i.e. prying the lock). In order to prevent the load applied to the ribs332of the bolt member300from being transferred to the locking cross220and the combination mechanism220, the design of the ribs332is such that the minimal load required for the ribs to collapse is lower than the load required to rotate the locking cross220against the combination mechanism200when the combination is not set.

Thus, when the pulling force on the shank10increases and reaches a predetermined level, the ribs332simply collapse. When collapsed, the head24of the shank10abuts the plate311around the small diameter opening directly and, as such, is incapable of applying any lateral force inducing lateral displacement of the bolt member300.

In the above position, the collapsed ribs332render the bolt member300disabled, leaving the lock1in its locked position, also for the original user of the lock (in possession of the combination). However, this is still considered a better alternative for that of the lock being pried. The ribs332thus function also as an anti-tampering arrangement, preventing prying the lock by force. The ribs332thus also provide an indication for a failed attempt of prying the lock.

Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modification can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.