Improvements in Permutation Locks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Permutation Locks.
We, JEROME WATSON PACKARD, and ALBERT MARCELLUS ELLIS, both of
Malden, in the County of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts United States of
America, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to improvements in permutation locks and the object of the
invention is to provide a lock of this character which shall consist of the fewest
possible parts arranged in an extremely simple manner, whereby the lock may be
very easily and cheaply produced and will not be liable to get out of order, while
at the same time the construction is such that the lock cannot be opened or operated
by unauthorized persons.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a face view of a pad lock.
Figure 2 shows the body of the lock in plan.
Figure 3 is a view of the disc removed.
Figure 3 is a sectional view.
Figure 4 is a plan view, and
Figure 5 is an edge view of a modified form showing the invention to a sliding
bolt lock.
Figure 6 a sectional view of the same, and
Figure 7 is a detail view.
Referring to the form shown in the first four figures, A represents a frame or
body portion preferably of disc shape, and B the hook or staple of the lock which
has one arm b journaled in an opening in the edge of the disc and retained
therein by a key 62. The other end 63 of the book rests in a second opening 64.
This opening or slot 64 is open at one or both sides to permit the hook to be
swung around upon its arm b as a pivot when the retaining plates are moved laterally
in unlocking.
Preferably two side or retaining discs or plates C, D, are shown in the drawing,
and these discs are connected by a central spindle or pin E which passes through
and is adapted to turn in a central opening e in the body portion. The disc are
journaled upon the ends of the spindle so that not only can the spindle turn in
the body portion and with it the two discs, but each disc may be rotated
independently of the shaft and of the other disc.
In order to permit the discs to be moved laterally to clear the movable end of
the hook, a slot d 1 extends radially from the opening e and this slot is less in
width than the diameter of the opening e, while the spindle has two of its sides.
flattened, so that when these flattened sides are brought into line with the radial
slot, the spindle and dises may be moved laterally to uncover the staple which may
then be turned.
The edge of the body portion may be provided with any suitable characters, and
suitable characters are also provided on the head e 1 of the spin lle so that when
certain characters are in line the spindle will be in the proper position to permit
lateral movement as above described.
The discs are also connected with the body portion so that they are each held
against lateral movement except when adjusted to a certain position. This result
is accomplished by having an annular groove in one part (shown for example in

page_text: the disc) with a radial groove 1 leading therefrom, and a pin or projection /2
from the adjacent part enters this groove and it will thus be seen that each plate
can at all times he rotated freely, but can only be moved laterally when the pin is
in line with the radial groove. Suitable characters are provided upon the edges of
the disc and when certain predetermined characters upon the discs and body and
head of the spindle are in line with each other the plates can be moved laterally
and the device unlocked.
In the modified form shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 the body portion A 1 is shown
connected by a rigid central spindle, to a door C provided with a suitable spring
lock H of any suitable or desired construction. The bolt I of the lock has secured
rigidly to it a plate J having an annular opening j. The retaining plates C1D1
are mounted upon the spindle in the same manner as in the main form, and have
the same form of pin and slot connection with each other and with the head or
body portion. The inner plate D1 has an annular flange d 2 which engages the
annular opening in the plate J. It will thus be seen that so long as the discs are
held against lateral movement, the bolt is beld securely against being unlocked,
but when the discs are rotated to bring them into the proper position to permit
them to be slid laterally upon the spindle the bolt may be operated in the usual
manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is performed, we declare that what we
claim is.-
1. A permutation lock comprising the frame, the retaining device movably
supported therein, the spindle and the rotable and laterally movable disc for locking
said retaining device against movement except when set at a perdetermined position,
substantially as described.
2. A permutation lock comprising the frame, the retaining device movably
carried thereby, the discs rotably and laterally movable upon said spindle, means
for holding them against movement except when at a predetermined position, and
means for preventing the lateral movement of one disc independent of the other,
substantially as described.
3. A permutation lock comprising the frame, the retaining device, the spindle,
having flattened sides, and the disc rotably mounted upon the spindle, said flattened
sides permitting lateral movement of the disc upon the frame to release the retaining
device, substantially as described.
4. A permutation lock comprising the frame, the retaining device, the spindle,
the discs rotably and laterally movable of the frame, and the connection between
the disc and the frame comprising an aunular groove, and a pin or projection
from the adjacent member entering said groove, substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of January 1896
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.