Abstract:
A resettable lock assembly is provided having features that indicate when the lock is in reset mode or normal-use mode. The lock assembly may include a reset knob operable in a first rotational position and a second rotational position. When the reset knob is in the first rotational position, the lock assembly is in a reset mode and a visual indicator is visible.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/681,536 filed Aug. 9, 2012, entitled COMBINATION CABLE RESET MECHANISM which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosed embodiments generally pertain to locks, and particularly to combination cable reset mechanisms. 
     SUMMARY 
     A resettable lock assembly is provided having features that indicate when the lock is in reset mode or normal-use mode. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS 
       Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the following illustrations. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of a lock assembly in a normal-use mode. 
         FIG. 2  depicts the lock assembly of  FIG. 1  in a reset mode. 
         FIG. 3  shows a reset knob of the lock assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a reset knob spacer as used in conjunction with the reset knob of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  depicts a detent system on a plastic reset knob. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a detent system on a die cast reset knob. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a lock assembly in reset mode. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly in  FIG. 7  in a normal-use mode. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a second embodiment of a lock assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a lock assembly in a reset mode. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly in  FIG. 10  in a normal-use mode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a lock assembly  100  is shown in normal-use mode with the reset knob  102  in a first position and the outer dials  104  and knob spacer  106  tight to the lock body  108 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the lock assembly  100  is shown in reset mode with the reset knob  102  in a second position and the outer dials  104  and knob spacer  106  moved away from the lock body  108  exposing a colored indicator  110  between the outer dials  104  and lock body  108 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the reset knob  102  is provided with outer ramps  112  and inner ramps  114 . The reset knob is also provided with detent tabs  116  to provide feedback to the user. Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the knob spacer  106  is provided with knob ramps  118  that interact with the outer ramps  112  on the reset knob  102 . This interaction is explained in greater detail herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , detent systems are shown that provide feedback to the user to affirm whether the lock has been fully switched between normal-use and reset modes. In  FIG. 5 , an elastic tab  116  on a plastic reset knob  102  is provided to interact with a recess on an inner lock post  120 . Similarly in  FIG. 6 , a spring mechanism  122  on a die cast reset knob is provided to interact with recesses on an inner lock post  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , cross-sectional views of a lock assembly  100  are shown in reset and normal-use modes, respectively. The lock assembly  100  is provided with outer dials that are biased to the right of  FIGS. 7 and 8  by an outer dial spring  126 . The assembly  100  is further provided with inner dials  124  that are biased to the right of  FIGS. 7 and 8  by an inner dial spring  128 . The assembly  100  further comprises a reset slide  130  and a spring spacer  132 . The spring spacer  132  is also provided with the colored indicator  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in a reset mode in  FIG. 7 , the reset knob  102  on the lock assembly  100  is in a first rotational position. In this first position, the outer ramps  112  on the reset knob  102  are disengaged from the knob ramps  118  on the knob spacer  106 . This allows the outer dials  104  to be biased by the outer dial spring  126  and translate to the right of the Figure exposing the colored indicator  110 . With the reset knob in the same position, the inner ramps  114  on the reset knob  102  are engaged with the reset slide  130 . This pushes the inner dials  124  against the bias of the inner dial spring  128  and translates the inner dials  124  to the left of the Figure. Accordingly, the outer dials  104  and inner dials  124  are disengaged allowing the user to reset the lock combination. 
     As shown in normal-use mode in  FIG. 8 , the reset knob  102  on the lock assembly  100  is in a second rotational position. In this second position, the outer ramps  112  on the reset knob  102  are engaged with the knob ramps  118  on the knob spacer  106 . This allows the outer dials  104  to overcome the bias of the outer dial spring  126  and translate to the left of the Figure hiding the colored indicator  110 . With the reset knob in the same position, the inner ramps  114  on the reset knob  102  are disengaged from the reset slide  130  which allows the inner dial spring  128  to bias and translate the inner dials  124  to the right of the Figure. Accordingly, the outer dials  104  and inner dials  124  are engaged allowing the user to use the lock. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the reset knob  102  moves from a first position to a second position by rotational movement. 
     Another embodiment of a lock assembly  200  is shown in  FIGS. 9-11  in which the outer dials  204  are linearly fixed. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the outer dials  204  are tight to the lock body  208  regardless of whether the lock assembly  200  is in normal-use or reset mode. To indicate to a user which mode the lock assembly  200  is in, the knob spacer  206  is provided with an indicator window  210  to visually see a colored indicator  211  on the reset knob  202 . 
     As shown in reset mode in  FIG. 10 , the reset knob  202  on the lock assembly  200  is in a first rotational position. In this first position, inner ramps  214  on the reset knob are engaged with a reset slide  230 . This pushes the inner dials  224  against the bias of an inner dial spring  228  and translates the inner dials  224  to the left of the Figure. Accordingly, the outer dials  204  and inner dials  224  are disengaged allowing the user to reset the lock combination. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the lock assembly  200  is shown in normal-use mode. The reset knob  202  on the lock assembly  200  is in a second rotational position. In this second position, inner ramps  214  on the reset knob  202  are disengaged from the reset slide  230  which allows the inner dial spring  228  to bias and translate the inner dials  224  to the right of the Figure. Accordingly, the outer dials  204  and inner dials  224  are engaged allowing the user to use the lock. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the reset knob  202  moves from a first position to a second position by rotational movement. While the reset knob  202  is in the reset mode, a colored indicator  211  on the reset knob  202  shows through an indicator window  210  on the knob spacer  206 . 
     The foregoing written description of structures and methods has been presented for purposes of illustration. Examples are used to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. These examples are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Features described herein may be combined in any combination. Steps of a method described herein may be performed in any sequence that is physically possible. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.