Patent Abstract:
A double system lock apparatus comprises a lock shell, a combination lock, a key lock, and a control piece set. The lock shell has a panel and a main base assembled with each other. The combination lock has a plurality of rotating discs, coupling springs, couplings, and a shaft. The key lock has a lock cylinder and a sleeve set. From back to front, the control piece set has a first control piece, a second control piece, and a third control piece. By means of the control piece set working between the combination lock and the key lock, a double system lock apparatus of simple structure but well function has been formed.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a lock apparatus, in particular, one which is a double system lock apparatus having a combination lock and a key lock. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Locks are widely used in daily life. In general, the way to use a lock apparatus is to insert a key into a lock associated with a closing device, including, for example, doors, boxes, cabinets, lockers and other such items in need of theft prevention. However, if the user loses the key of the lock apparatus, it will be at least annoying, and possibly disastrous for the user. Therefore, a kind of double-system lock apparatus combining a key lock and a combination lock has been developed. If the user carries the key of the double-system lock to the lock apparatus at one time, he/she can use the key to unlock the double system lock apparatus. On the other hand, if the user forgets to bring the key, he/she can dial/rotate a plurality of the rotating discs of the combination in the right numbers to unlock the double system lock apparatus. In this way, the double-system lock apparatus brings the user at least convenience, possibly safety and more. 
     The double system-lock apparatus does not present problems, though the concept of the structure of the double system lock apparatus is complex, especially for managing the working elements between the key lock and the combination lock of this useful double-system lock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main object of the present invention is to provide a double-system lock apparatus of which the structure is simple, easy, and convenient to the user. 
     To attain the object mentioned above, the present invention provides a double system lock apparatus, comprising: a lock outer case or shell, having a panel and a main base assembled with each other, wherein the panel has a opening passing through it and a plurality of windows arranged in a functional fashion, an easy one of which is a row, and the main base has a locating ring, an opening passing through it, and a plurality of flat bases; a combination lock, having a plurality of rotating discs, coupling springs, couplings, and a shaft, wherein the rotating discs have a plurality of notches, the coupling springs fit on the couplings, each coupling has a plurality of lug ribs, the notches of each of the rotating discs is selectively engageable with the lug ribs of the coupling, and the shaft penetrates through every coupling; a key lock, having a lock cylinder and a sleeve set, wherein the back of the lock cylinder is inserted in the sleeve set, the sleeve set partially located in the locating ring, and the sleeve set has two first flat grooves, a second flat groove, and a third flat groove; and a control piece set, having a first control piece, a second control piece, and a third control piece, wherein the first control piece, the second control piece, and the third control piece are pushed on the sleeve set. 
     In order to further understand the techniques, means and effects the present invention applies for achieving the described objectives, the following detailed description and included drawings are hereby considered, such that, and through which, the purposes, features and aspects of the present invention can be thoroughly and concretely appreciated; however, the appended drawings are merely provided for reference and illustration, without any intention to be used for limiting the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an assembled perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an another assembled perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view of the inner structure of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an another exploded perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a schematic view of the first control piece engaging with the rotating lock sleeve of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a schematic view of the first control piece engaging with the post-rotation lock sleeve of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic view of the second control piece engaging with the rotating lock sleeve of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic view of the second control piece engaging with the post-rotation lock sleeve of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic view of the third control piece engaging with the rotating lock ring of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  is a schematic view of the third control piece engaging with the post-rotation lock ring of the present invention; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 1 through 5 . The present invention provides a double system lock apparatus. The double system lock apparatus comprises a lock shell  1 , a combination lock  2 , a key lock  3 , and a control piece set  4 . 
     The lock shell  1  includes a panel  11  and a main base  12  assembled with each other. The panel  11  has a round, or other shape penetrating hole  111  passing through it and three windows  112 . The windows  112  are arranged in a row. 
     The main base  12  has a locating ring  121 , an opening passing through or a penetrating hole  122 , two shaft bases  123 , four flat bases  124 , two supporting bases  125 , a blocking wall  126 , a first track  127 , a second track  128 , and a limiting curve portion  129 . The locating ring  121  protrudes forward from the surface of the main base  12 . The penetrating hole  122  is located at the core of the locating ring  121 . The shaft bases  123  and the flat bases  124  protrude forward from the surface of the main base  12  and arranged in a row. The two shaft bases  123  were arranged at the two sides of the row. The front of each of shaft bases  123  has a hole. The front of each of the flat bases  124  is flat. Except the left side flat base  124 , other flat bases  124  are shown in “L” shape. The supporting bases  125  are located below the row formed by the shaft bases  123  and the flat bases  124 . The front-end of the supporting bases  125  have grooves which correspond to each other. 
     The blocking wall  126 , the first track  127 , and the second track  128  also protrudes forward from the surface of the main base  12 . In the embodiment, the blocking wall  126  is located below the left side of the locating ring  121 . The right side of the blocking wall  126  has a groove which accommodates a spring  1261 . The first track  127  is located above the locating ring  121  and the second track  128  is located below the right side of the locating ring  121 . The limiting curve portion  129  protrudes backward from the other surface of the base  12 . The limiting curve portion  129  is shaped like an arc of a circle, which is about one-forth of the circumference. 
     The combination lock  2  is arranged at the lower part of the main base  12 . The combination lock  2  has three rotating discs  21 , three coupling springs  22 , three couplings  23 , a shaft  24 , a spring  25 , and a locating portion  26 . In the embodiment, the number of the rotating discs  21  is just for example and it is not limited when the present invention is in used. The rotating discs  21  partially penetrate through the windows  112 . The core of each of the rotating discs  21  is void. On one side of the rotating disc  21 , the edge closed to the hole of the rotating disc  21  has a plurality of notches  211 . The number of the notches  211  is corresponding to that of the numbers of the rotating discs  21 . The periphery of each of the rotating discs  21  has a plurality of locating indentations  212  arranged in equal distance. On the other side of the rotating disc  21 , between the periphery of the rotating discs  21  and the edge of the hole located a plurality of anti-slip grooves  213 . The number of the anti-slip grooves  213  is corresponding to that of the numbers/characters of the rotating discs  21 . Each coupling  23  has a flat portion  231  and a lug  232 . The flat portion  231  is located on one side of the coupling  23 . The lug  232  is formed on the edge of the flat portion  231 . A plurality of lug ribs  2321  extend from the edge of the lug  232 . Each rotating disc  21  fits over each coupling  23 . The notches  211  of the rotating disc  21  selectively engage with the lug ribs  2321  of the lug  232 . The coupling spring  22  fits on the other side of the coupling  23  thereby separating the adjacent coupling spring  22 . The shaft  24  penetrates through every coupling  23 . The shaft  24  has a pushing ring  241  and an embedded ring  242 . The pushing ring  241  is located near the left side of the left coupling  22 . The two ends of the shaft  24  penetrate through the holes of the shaft base  123 . The three rotating disc  21  are arranged among the four flat bases  123 . The embedded ring  242  is partially embedded on the shaft  24 . 
     By the perspective of the figure, when the right end of the shaft  24  is forced and intended to move left, if the three flat portions  231  of the three couplings  23  are corresponding to the fronts of the flat bases  124  each of which is near the right side of each coupling  23 , the shaft  24  can move leftward. In the meantime, the three flat portions  231  of the three couplings  23  are located in front of the flat bases  124 , and the lug ribs  2321  of the lugs  232  separate from the notches  211  of the rotating disc  21 . In this way, the user can rotate the rotating discs  21  to reset a password of the rotating discs  21 . When the password is decided and the left coupling  23  is forced (spring  25  offers) to move right, the notches  211  of the rotating discs  21  engage with the lug ribs  2321  of the lugs  232  again, and therefore the procedure of the password settlement is done. The engagement relationship between the lug ribs  2321  and the notches  211  is corresponding to the password the user choose. If there is at least one flat portion  231  unable to corresponding to the front of one of the flat bases  124 , the lug  232  of the coupling  23  is blocked by the left side of the flat base  124 , letting the flat base  124  unable to move leftward, although the right end of the shaft  24  is forced. This is the circumstance that the password is settled and the rotating discs  21  are not corresponding to the password. 
     The locating portion  26  is located on the grooves of the supporting bases  125 . The locating portion  26  has three locating curves  261 . The two ends of each of the locating curve  261  are corresponding to the locating indentations  212  of the rotating disc  21 , making the rotating disc not so easy to rotate. 
     The key lock  3  has a lock cylinder  31 , a sleeve set  32 , a knob  33 , and a limiting piece  34 . The sleeve set  32  has a lock sleeve  321  and a lock ring  322 . 
     The lock cylinder  31  has a key hole  311 , four flat surfaces  312 , four curved surfaces  313 , a lock shaft  314 , and a lock pin  315 . The back of the lock cylinder  31  is inserted in the lock sleeve  321 . The key hole  311  which can be inserted into a key (not shown in the figures) is arranged in the front of the lock cylinder  31 . The four flat surfaces  312  and the four curved surfaces  313  are arranged alternately on the side of the front of the lock cylinder  31 . The lock shaft  314  is formed on the back of the lock cylinder  31 . The lock shaft  314  penetrates through the penetrating hole  122  of the main base  12  and the limiting piece  34 . The lock pin  315  can selectively protrude from the side of the lock cylinder  31 . 
     The lock sleeve  321  is partially located in the locating ring  121  thereby located. The inner of the lock sleeve  321  has a pin groove  3211 . The pin groove  3211  and the lock pin  315  are selectively engaged with each other. When the pin groove  3211  and the lock pin  315  are engaged with each other, the lock cylinder  31  and the lock sleeve  321  can be rotated at the same time; when the pin groove  3211  and the lock pin  315  are not engaged with each other, the lock cylinder  31  can be rotated alone, relative to the lock sleeve. From back to front, the side of the lock sleeve  321  has two first flat grooves  3212  and a second flat groove  3213 . The two first flat grooves are not continuously arranged. 
     The lock ring  322  surrounds on the forward portion of the lock cylinder  31  and be located in front of the lock sleeve  321  which has larger radius. The shape (inner periphery) of the lock ring  322  is corresponding to that of the forward portion of the lock cylinder  31 , such that the lock ring  322  can be rotated with the lock cylinder  31 . The lock ring  322  has a third flat groove  3221  on its side. The knob  33  is engaged with the forward portion of the lock cylinder  31 . The shape of the inner of the knob  33  is corresponding to the forward portion of the lock cylinder  31  for users to rotate the lock cylinder  31 . The limiting piece  34  is engaged with the lock shaft  314 . The shape of limiting piece  34  comprises substantially two half-circles in different radius assembled with each other. The interfaces of the two half-circles are formed two limiting portion  341 . The two limiting portion  341  are selectively contact with the two ends of the limiting curve portion  129 , in order that when the user rotate the lock sleeve  321 , the rotating angle is limited between zero and ninety degrees. 
     From back to front, the control piece set  4  has a first control piece  41 , a second control piece  42 , and a third control piece  43 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6A , and  FIG. 6B  (without concerning that the second control piece  42  exert force on the shaft  24 ), the first control piece  41  has a main-pushing rod  411  and three sub-pushing rods  412 . On side of the main-pushing rod  411  has a protrusion  4111 . The protrusion  4111  inserts into one side of the spring  1261 , letting the main-pushing portion  411  is forced to move right. The lower part of the main-pushing portion  411  extends horizontally, and the extension part forms the three sub-pushing rods  412 . The three sub-pushing rods  412  are arranged near the back of the right three flat bases  124 . The left side of each sub-pushing rods  412  protrudes a thorn  4121 . The thorn  4121  selectively engages with the anti-slip groove  23  of one of the rotating discs  21 . The spring  1261  pushes the main-pushing rod  411  rightward into the first flat groove  3212 . When the lock sleeve  321  is rotated ninety degrees, main-pushing rod  411  is pushed to the other first flat groove  3211 . During the process of the rotation of the lock sleeve  321 , the main-pushing rod  411  leaves from the original first flat groove  3212 , and then the side of the lock sleeve  321  push leftward to the main-pushing rod  411  decreasing the length of the spring  1261 . At the same time, the thorns  4121  of the sub-pushing rods  412  engaged with the anti-slip grooves  213  of rotating discs  21 , preventing the rotating discs  21  from rotating. Later, when the main-pushing rod  411  is pushed to the other the first flat groove  3212 , the thorns  4121  of the sub-pushing rods  412  leave the anti-slip grooves  213  of rotating discs  21 , and the rotating discs  21  can be rotated again. In this way, when the user has already set the password, he/she will not unintentionally rotate the rotating discs  21  to change the password in the rotation process of the lock sleeve  321  rotated by the knob  33 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 7A , and  FIG. 7B , the second control piece  42  has a main-pushing rod  421  and a pushing portion  422 . The upper end of the main-pushing portion  411  extends horizontally, the upper of its extension protruding backward to form a first sliding piece  423 . The first sliding piece  423  slides left or right in the first track  127 . The lower end of the main-pushing rod  421  extends horizontally, and the extension is bent downward to form the pushing portion  422 . The upper of the extension protrudes to form a second sliding piece  424 . The second sliding piece  424  slides left or right in the second track  128 . The pushing portion  422  contacts the right end of the shaft  24 . The main-pushing rod  421  is pushed on the left side of the lock sleeve  321 . The pushing portion  422  is forced to contact the right end of the shaft  24  thereby offering a force leftward to compress the spring  25 . When the lock sleeve  321  is rotated ninety degrees (counter clockwise, CCW), the main-pushing rod  421  is corresponding to the second flat groove  3213  of the lock sleeve  321 , and the spring  25  push the pushing ring  241  to make the shaft  24  move rightward, such that the pushing portion  422  move rightward, and therefore the main-pushing rod  421  is pushed to the second flat groove  3213 . The shaft  24  moving rightward results to the coupling  23  move rightward at the same time, letting the notches  211  of the rotating disc  21  engaged with the lug ribs  2321 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 8A , and  FIG. 8B , the third control piece  43  is force to contact on the lock ring  322 . The main purpose of settling the third control piece  43  in the present invention is that when the combination lock  2  is locked and the user forget the password, the third control piece  43  can help to reset the password. The third control piece  43  has a main-pushing rod  431  and four sub-pushing rods  432 . The lower part of the main-pushing portion  431  extends rightward horizontally, and the extension part forms downward the four sub-pushing rods  432 . The main-pushing rod  431  is partially located in front of the lock sleeve  321 . In the embodiment, the three rotating discs  21  are arranged among the four sub-pushing rods  432 . Each sub-pushing rod  432  protrudes backward to form an exerting portion  4321 . The exerting portion  4321  contacts with the combination lock  2 . The edge of the left exerting portion  4321  is “C” shaped, contacts with the shaft  24 , and blocks the right side of the spring  25 . The edges of the other three exerting portions  4321  are “C” shaped, contact with the sides of the couplings  23 , and block the right sides of the coupling springs  22 . The main-pushing rod  431  is pushed to the side of the lock ring  322 . When the user rotate the knob  33  to rotate the lock cylinder  31  and further to rotate the lock sleeve  321  ninety degrees (counter clock-wise, CCW), the main-pushing rod  431  is corresponding to the third flat groove  3221  of the lock ring  322 . Part of the elastic force of the spring  25  is exerted rightward to the left exerting portion  4321 ; part of the elastic force of the other three coupling springs  22  are exerted rightward to the other three exerting portion  4321 . The third control piece  43  moves rightward by the exerting portions  4321 , and therefore the main-pushing rod  431  is pushed to the third flat groove  3221 . When the user forgets the password and uses the key to unlock the present invention, the lock pin  315  of the lock cylinder  31  leaves the pin groove  3211  of the lock sleeve  321  and draws back to the inner of the lock cylinder  31 . The lock cylinder  31  along with the lock ring  322  rotate ninety degrees (clockwise, CW) relative to the lock sleeve  321  to unlock the present invention. At the same time, the main-pushing rod  431  leaves the third flat groove  3221  of the lock ring  322  and then contacts with the side of the lock ring  322 , making the exerting portions  4321  push the spring  25  and the coupling springs  22  to move leftward. Then, the user rotates each rotating disc  21  three hundred sixty degrees from left to right. In the process of the rotation, the couplings  23  which engaged with the rotating discs  21  are continuously pushed by the elastic force of the coupling springs  22 . The coupling springs  22  push leftward. When each of the flat portion  231  of the coupling  22  is corresponding to the front of the flat base  124  in the process of the rotation, the flat portion  231  of the coupling  22  move rightward in front of the flat base  124 . The lug ribs  2321  of the coupling  22  leave the notches  211  of the rotating disc  21 . When all the lug ribs  2321  of the coupling  22  leave the notches  211  of all the rotating discs, it is available to reset new password of the combination lock  2 . 
     When the lock cylinder  31 , along with the lock ring,  322  rotate ninety degrees (counter clockwise, CCW) relative to the lock sleeve  321  to lock the present invention, the lock pin  315  of the lock cylinder  31  penetrates through the side of the lock cylinder  31  and then inserts into the pin groove  3211  of the lock sleeve  321 . The pin groove  3211  and the lock pin  315  are engaged with each other again. 
     The above-mentioned descriptions represent merely the preferred embodiment of the present invention, without any intention to limit the scope of the present invention thereto. Various equivalent changes, alternations or modifications based on the claims of present invention are all consequently viewed as encompassing the scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8