Patent GB-873287-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to combination locks
IPC: E05B37/00
Filed: 1959-01-16
Abstract: 873,287. Combination locks. CHRISTEN, A. Jan. 16, 1959 [Jan. 18, 1958], No. 1684/59. Class 44. A combination lock comprises annular discs 7, mounted for rotation about the same spindle, each disc 7 having a notch 26 for the passage of a key or bolt 6, a single control member 10 for the discs, comprising a rotary disc having openings 15 located concentrically of its centre for exposing signs of the combination represented on the lock casmg, such that the combination is effected in the same manner as by the composition of a telephone number, a spring- biased pawl 20 being connected to the control member 10 adapted to impart to-and-fro movement to the pawl, each disc being provided with a stop 24 which co-operates with the pawl 20 during one advance movement of the control member 10, and an internal segment 25 connected to the stop 24 on which the pawl is guided during spring returned movement of the control member, the angle at which each segment extends being such as to allow the pawl to fall on the segment of the following disc, in proximity to its stop at the end of the return movement of the control member, in such manner as to be in position for the operation of that disc. As shown, the bolt 6 is adapted to be received in a recess 5 in a casing part 1. The discs 7 are located on bearing surfaces 3 in the part 1 and the control disc 10, similar to a telephone dial, is carried in a casing part 2 on a spindle 9 whch is engaged with a guide pip 4 in the part 1. The disc 10 is biased to a stop (not shown) by a spiral spring 13. A drum 17 is fixed to the spindle 9 and is formed with a slot 19 in which is located the pawl 20, pivoted about axis 21 and biased by a spring 22 to the bottom of the part 1. Each disc 7 is also provided with a projection 27 which co-operates with a driving element 28 forming part of a ring 29 which is adapted to be rotated by the pawl 20 to "scatter" the discs 7 in the locked position of the bolt, A ring located coaxially within the ring 29 and also adapted to be rotated by the pawl 20, includes a ramp portion 35 by which the pawl is moved to an initial position at the top of the ramp where it engages a stop 38. In operation, movement of the discs 7 into an initial position is effected by operating the disc 10 from the "O" position to a stop 16 which drives the element 28 into contact with all the projections 27 of the discs 7 to bring a mark 43 visible in an opening 42 in the disc 10. The ring 32 is driven by the pawl 20 bearing against notch 34 whereby to engage a spring 36 in a notch 37 to momentarily lock the ring 32 during the time that the disc 10 returns to its position of rest and the free end of the pawl slides up the ramp 35. Engagement of the pawl with the stop 38 unlocks the ring 32, the pawl then bearing on the segment of the first disc 7 in proximity to its stop 24. The disc 10 is then actuated in the manner of a telephone dial according to the composition of the combination to align the notches 26 and permit withdrawal of the bolt 6. The discs 7 are returned to the locked position by operation of the disc 10 from the "O" position which again drives the element 28 of the ring 29 into contact with the projections 27. All the discs 7 may be of the same diameter and the spring 36 and notch 37 may be replaced by any other locking device with a spring or ball. The lock may be used for normally covering a key hole of an ordinary lock.