Abstract:
Lock handles and spindle have rotative and axial movements, without any exposed dial which might become polished to indicate the combination, one such movement making cam selection and the other effecting cam actuation, selection being made when the actuating parts are completely disengaged to eliminate any possibility of betraying the combination to a person having a sensitive touch. Tumblers readily interchangeable to vary the combination are entirely out of sight. Tumbler actuating cams are operated by an actuator selectively engageable therewith and which shortens progressively in each step of operation to determine its proper sequential functioning. In the instant device the cam heads successively engaged by the actuator are of successively increased length so that in proper functioning the combined length of the actuator and the cam head is always the same. Engagement with an incorrect cam will preclude correct operation and make it necessary for the operator to return to the starting point. Three tumblers are shown; any number within the physical capacity of the device may be used.
Abstract:
Dial structure for use with a lock or other mechanism which requires both rotary and axial input movements of an operating spindle. The structure includes an operating knob for imparting both such movements to the spindle, and a dial having position indicia and which is responsive to and follows rotary movement but not lineal movement of the knob. Other features include a bearing connection which provides a universal joint of the spindle in the dial frame, to accommodate minor misalignment of the dial structure with respect to the mechanism. A mask screens all position indicia except that in a narrow aperture, which is visible only to the operator.
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.
Abstract:
A combination lock comprises a bolt which is withdrawn by depressing a bolt pin which is shielded by rotating discs having a movable disc pin within them. A selector pin attached to dial means is provided for engaging in selector holes in the discs and aligning the disc pins with one another and with the bolt pin, means being provided for pushing inwardly the disc pin on the outer disc and urging the other disc pins aligned therewith towards the bolt pin such that it is depressed and/or withdrawn. The discs have a weight attached at their circumference such that, during code setting, changing the position of the weight changes the relative angular position of the disc pin. When pressure is released from the mechanism, springs return the selector pin and the disc pins to their original positions and the weights on the discs fall, thereby rotating the discs and automatically scrambling the code.
Abstract:
A combination lock configured to resist surreptitious compromise by radiographic imaging and automatic dialers. In one aspect, the combination lock may include gate wheels having one true gate positioned among a plurality of false gates in which the true gate is configured for disguising its angular position among the false gates. Additional resistance against radiation imaging is provided by the rotational symmetry of the features of the gate wheels. The combination lock may include a combination scrambler that rotates a gate wheel when an incorrect combination is dialed for defeating the operation of automatic dialers. The combination lock may also include a combination change key and the gate wheels may be configured to be selectively disengaged from the combination dial by the combination change key so that the lock combination may be modified.