Abstract:
The hasp type combination lock incorporates the numeric combination for the lock on the hasp thereof in a manner where the numeric combination is visible when the hasp is open and not visible when the hasp is closed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to hasp type locks which require a numeric combination to open same. These types of locks are usually in the form of a standard combination lock or a barrel combination lock. The present invention incorporates the numeric combination onto a hasp of the lock which is visible when the hasp is open and not visible when the hasp is closed. 
     2. Prior Art 
     To date, no such structure is believed to have been proposed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention there is provided a combination lock wherein the combination is revealed at least in part on a portion of the lock when the lock is in an open position and the revealed portion of the combination is at least partially obscured when the lock is in a closed position. 
     According to a preferred form of the invention there is provided a hasp type combination lock incorporating the sequenced character combination for the lock on the hasp thereof in a manner where the character combination is visible at least in part when the hasp is open and not visible when the hasp is closed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a standard hasp type combination lock with the hasp thereof in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2  shows the lock of claim  1  with the hasp pivoted in a first direction, showing a first number of the combination and direction thereon. 
         FIG. 3  shows the lock of claim  1  with the hasp pivoted in a second direction and showing the further numbers of the combination, with directions, thereon. 
         FIG. 4  shows a barrel lock incorporating a numeric combination therefore on a hasp of the lock. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  a combination lock  10 , considered standard, showing same to incorporate a body  12  having a combination dial  14  on one surface thereof for inputting characters of the combination in alternating directions of rotation and showing a hasp  16  of the lock seated within a cooperating lock port (not shown) in a periphery of the body  12 , the lock  10  being shown in its locked position. 
       FIG. 2  shows the hasp  16  of the lock  10  disengaged from the body  12 , and positioned directly over the body  12  of the lock  10 , and shows two numerals and their respective associated directions incorporated on areas,  18  and  20 , respectively, of the hasp  16  which will seat within the body  12  of the lock  10  when the hasp is locked, as in  FIG. 1 . Area  18  presents a character in the form of a first numeral, and turn direction left, and is adjacent the body  12  on a slidably engaged end  22  of the hasp  16 , and area  20  is adjacent a free end  24  of the hasp  16 , presents a second numeral and turn direction right, and is adjacent a port in the body  12  into which the free end  24  is seated to engage the hasp  16  and body  12  together. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the hasp  16  of the lock  10  of  FIG. 2  is also shown disengaged from the body  12 , the lock  10  again being in an open position, the hasp  16  being pivoted in a direction away from the body  12 , and further shows an area  26  having a turn direction and a numeral incorporated on the area  26 , directly opposite area  20 , which seats within the port therefor when the hasp  16  is locked to the body  12 , as in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows another form of combination lock  10 , referred to as a barrel lock  10 , the hasp  16  of the barrel lock  10  being shown in an open position thereof and showing an area  28  having a character combination for the lock  10  in the order to be entered on the dial portion  14  of the barrel lock  10 , printed on the hasp  16 . 
     It will be understood from the above that the combination required for opening each respective lock  10  is presented on a hasp  16  of the particular lock  10 , by any suitable means including printing, engraving, embossing stamping, etc., such that a user is always able to read the combination if the lock  10  is not used for a while and perhaps left in a drawer until needed again. So long as the lock  10  is stored in an open position, the user has no need to recall the combination from memory or find where they may have written the combination down as it is available to him on the hasp  16  should the user require use of the lock  10  again some time in the future. 
     The invention is most useful to small combination locks that have an integral latch or hasp component. The combination is most conveniently incorporated onto the hasp as depicted in the figures. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a portion of the lock combination may be revealed in a variety of ways when the lock is in an open position and obscured from view when the lock is in a closed position. For example, the combination of the barrel lock  10  of  FIG. 4  may have the combination  30  incorporated on a face  32  of the lock body. Thus, in most locks a portion of the combination may be made visible inside or on the lock body itself when the lock is in the open position and blocked from view by the hasp when in a closed position. It is also possible to provide a window through a lock body that exposes an internal component of the lock mechanism on which a portion of the combination is printed whereupon engagement of lock removes the portion of the combination from view through the window. 
     Those skilled in the art may use the invention in a variety of ways. It is also possible to design a lock with a timed release function so that the lock will automatically open after a period of time. Often the locks described herein are used to temporarily secure items such as lockers or bicycles and only needed to remain in a locked position for a matter of hours. The lock may incorporate means for automatically releasing the hasp after several hours or several days. Thus, if the lock gets stored in a locked position it will automatically open after an extended period of time thereby revealing the combination but not interfering with a short term locking function. 
     As described above, the lock of the present invention provides a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. Also, modifications may be made to the lock without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompany claims.