US785834A - Combination-lock. - Google Patents

Description

No. 785,834. PATENTED MAR. 28, 1905. E. B. QUAINT-ANCB.

COMBINATION LOCK.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 12, 1904-.

SH01/mma UNITED STATES Patented March 28, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

COMBINATION-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 785,834, dated March 28, 1905.

l Application iiled May l2, 1904. Serial No. 207,677.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELswoR'rH E. QUAIN- TANCE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Como, in the county of Park and State oi' Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination-Locks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the in- Vention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in combination-locks, my object being to provide a device of thischaracter which shall be simple in construction, economical in cost, reliable, durable, and etHcient in use; and to these ends the invention consists oi' the features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by .reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the'drawings, Figure l is an elevation of my improved lock. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line 2 Q, Fig. l, the parts being shown in the unlocked position. Fig. 3 is a similar View, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken at right angles to the section of Fig. 5. In this View one extremity of one member ofthe spindle is broken away, showing the locking-bar in elevation. Fig. 4 is a section taken on the same plane as Fig. 2, but with the parts in the locked position. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 2, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6 6, Fig. 2, the parts, however, being shown in the locked position and on a larger scale than in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a sectional view in detail of the knob applied to one extremity oi' the spindle. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the locking-bar. Fig. 9 is a detail view oi' one member of the hollow spindle.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let A designate a spindle composed of two parts A and A2. Each of these spindles is longitudinally recessed, as shown at A3 and A4. rFliese two longitudinal recesses register, making' a hollow spindle, in which is located the locking-'bar B. The two spindle parts are respectively provided with knob extremities A5 and A, which when the parts are assembled form a ball extremity, as indicated in the drawings. This ball extremity is provided with an offset or shoulder A7. To the extremity of the spindle, remote from the parts A5 and A, a ball A8 is applied, the said ball, as shown in the drawings, consisting oi' an integral piece of material recessed to receive the spindle and when in place holds the two spindle parts in operative relation. The ball or knob4 As is provided with a shoulder or offset A, surrounding` the spindle. Between the otfsets or shoulders A7 and A is located a number of tumblers O, which are mounted to rotate on the hollow spindle. Each tumbler is provided lwith a number oi' recesses O', oi' slightly different shape, arranged in a circular Zone. One recess of each tumbler is adapted to receive a pin B of the locking-plate B when the tumbler' is rotated to bring the proper recess C into position to allow the pin to enter.

Attention is called to the fact that only one recess C of each tumbler is shaped to receive the pin B, located in the same crosssectional plane. The recesses C do not pass entirely through the tumbler, but terminate at the outer shell of the latter, upon which are formed letters or other suitable characters. (See Fig. l.) The tumblers may beso arranged on the spindle that when any particular combination of letters on the outer shell of the tumblers is brought together the lock may be opened. To open the lock, it is necessary that the locking-bar B be actuated to release its extremity B1 from a bend or oil'- set D', formed in one extremity oi' the hasp that designated A10-extends entirely through IOO the knob part to allow the closed extremity of the tube B3 to protrude when the locking-bar is in the unlocked position. (See Fig. 2.) The recess A13 of the knob part A1 is closed at its outer extremity to form a seat for a coilspring E, whose opposite extremity engages the closed end of the tube B3. By virtue of this construction the spring, which is under suitable tension, has a tendency to throw the locking-bar to the unlocked position and will so actuate the locking-bar when the tumblers are turned to permit this action or into such position that the recesses C are properly arranged to allow the corresponding pins B to enter them. IVhen it is desired to lock the device, the tubular part B3 is pressed downwardly sufHciently to disengage the pins B from the recesses C. whereby the extremity B'1 of the locking-plate is made to engage the ofi"- set D of the hasp, after which one or more of the tumblers is turned to bring its recess C out of line with the correspondingly-shaped pin B of the locking-bar.

Each tumbler is provided with a circumferential recess C2, into which projects a leafspring F, the said springs being attached to the member A2 of the hollow spindle. In the drawings only one of these springs is shownnamely, in Fig. 6; but `further illustration is not thought necessary, since the springs are all alike. These springs normally or temporarily hold the tumblers in the adjusted posi tion and at the same time prevent them from rotary movement in the wrong direction. The outer extremities of these springs F engage the outer walls of the circumferential recesses C2 and engage recesses G1, formed at suitable intervals in the tumblers, whereby there is a distinct click every time a recess C1 of the tumbler passes a spring.

Attention is called to the fact that the member Al of the hollow spindle is provided with oriiices A12, corresponding in shape to the pins B of the locking-bar, whereby these pins are allowed to pass freely through the openings A12. Indeed the outer extremities of the pins B,'even when the locking-bar is in the unlocked position, engage the openings A11iof the hollow spindle member A.

The outer part C5 of each tumbler is made fast to the inner body portion of the tumbler, but, as shown in the drawings, consists of a distinct piece which is shrunk or otherwise secured to the tumbler.

In assembling the parts the spring E is first placed in the tube B"1 of the locking-bar, after which the open extremity of the said tube is dropped into the recess A1301 the knob extremity of the spindle member A12. ln this event the body of the locking-bar B is located within the recess A'l of the spindle member A2. The spindle member A is then placed in position, so that the closed extremity of the tube B3 enters the opening A10 and so thatits openings A12 are engaged by the pins B of the locking-bar. The tumblers C are then placed in position on the spindle, one of them abutting against the shoulder A7 of the knob extremity of the spindle. The knob A8 is then applied to the extremity of the spindle remote from the knob parts A and A, whereby the tumblers are held between the two knob extremities of the spindle. The knob AS may be secured in position in any suitable manner, or it may be simply made to fit tightly on the spindle end. The tumbler should be so put in place that the locking-bar is in the locked position. After the knob As has been applied the tumblers may be turned .to bring their recesses` C into register with the pins B to allow the locking-bar to assume the unlocked position. Tlie'extremityof the hasp containing the offset or bend D is then inserted in an opening A11, formed in the knob A11, whereby the bend or offset D of the hasp is brought into position to allow it to be entered by the extremity B'1 of the locking-bar B, after which the locking-bar may be thrown to the locking position by pressing inwardly on the outer extremity of the tube B11. Then by turning one or more of the tumblers the locking-bar is retained in thelocked position. If it is desired to leave the lock so that it can be unlocked in the dark, one of the tumblers should only be shifted a short distance-for instance, the space between the recesses C1. This will be known by the click of the spring F when its extremity enters the first recess G1. As there are six of these recesses, the operator will know that when he turns this tumbler tive clicks, or a suflcient distance to hear the click of the spring E tive times, the tumbler will again be in the unlocked position. This is an important feature in a lock of this character.

As shown in the drawings, the different shapes of the pins B result 'from applying a feather or tongue B2 to the said pins on different sides. Of course any other suitable manner of accomplishing this object may be employed. Attention is also called to the fact that the tumblers are temporarily locked in place by the outer rounded extremities of the pins B, which sligl'itly enter the recesses C of each tumbler everytime a recess is brought into register with the pin extremity, since the feathers B2 of the pins B are slightly shorter than the' pins. This engagement of the outer rounded extremities of the pins with the recesses C causes a distinct click every time a recess C passes a pin.

From what has already been stated it will be understood that the combination of the lock may be changed by changing' the relative position of the tumblers upon the spindle. This may of course be done by removing the knob A8 and taking off two or more tumblers.

The knob AS is provided with a recess f 11,

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receive the extremity of thehasp which protrudes beyond the offset D.

Having thus described'my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a lock, the combination of a hollow spindle having a knob at one extremity provided with a transverse recess open at its outer end, a locking-bar located within the hollow otthe spindle and having a transverse tube entering the recess of the knob extremity ot' the spindle, a coil-spring' located in said tube and of suficient tension to have a tendency to cause the tube to protrude through the open extremity of the recess, the locking-bar being provided with pins of different shape adapted to enter openings formed in the spindle, a number of tumblers mounted on the said spindle, each tumbler having a number of openings one of which is adapted to receive a pin of the locking-bar when the tumbler is properly adjusted, a knob applied to the extremity of the spindle remote from the knob extremity of the latter, a hasp pivotally connected with the knob extremity of the spindle and adapted to enter an opening formed in the detachable knob of the spindle, the extremity ot' the haspremote from its pivoted end having an ollset adapted to be engaged by the lockingbar when in the locked position.

2. In a lock, the combination of a hollow spindle havinga knob at each extremity, tumblers mounted on the spindle between the knobs, cach tumbler being` provided with a number of recesses, a locking-bar located and having' a transverse movement within the hollow of the spindle, the said bar havinga number of pins of dierent shape located in the Zones of the recesses of the respective lockingbars, the spindle being provided with openings to receive the pins of the locking-bar, one recess of each tumbler being shaped to receive a pin of the locking-bar, a spring acting on the locking-bar with a tendency to normally cause its pins to enter the recesses of the different tumblers by a transverse movement within the spindle, and a hasp pivotally connected with one extremity of the spindle, the opposite extremity being provided with an opening' to allow the opposite end of the hasp to enter, the last-named end of the hasp being shaped to engage the locking-bar when the latter is in the locked position.

3. In a lock, the combination of a hollow spindle having' a knob at each extremity, one

knob being detachable, a number of tumblers revolubly mounted on the spindle and having a number of recesses, a spring-actuated locking-bar located within the hollow of the spindle and provided with pins shaped to enter one recess of each tumbler, the spindle also having openings to receive the respective pins of the locking-bar, the latter having a transverse movement within the spindle to allow it to assume the locked or unlocked position, a hasp pivotally connected with one extremity of the spindle, the opposite extremity of the latter having an opening to receive the free extremity of the hasp which is shaped to interlock with the locking-bar when the latter is in the locked position. y

4. In a lock, the combination ot' a hollow spindle having enlarged shouldered extremities, tumblers revolubly mounted on the spindle between the said shoulders, each tumbler being provided with a plurality of recesses, a spring-actuated locking-bar located within the hollow of the spindle and having a number of pins one for each tumbler, the said pins being located to enter the recesses ot the tumblers, one recess of each tumbler being adapted to receive the pin of the locking-bar located in the zone ot' the recesses of the said tumbler, the said bar having a transverse movement within the spindle to allow it to assume the locked or unlocked position, and a hasp movably connected with the spindle extremities, one extremity being shaped to engage the locking-bar.

5. The combination of a hollow spindle having enlarged shouldered extremities, tumblers located between the extremities of the spindle and revolubly mounted thereon, each tumbler having a number of recesses, a spring'- actuated locking-bar located within the spindle and having' a pin for each tumbler, the pins being shaped to enter one recess of each tumbler, each tumbler having' also a circumferential groove surrounding the spindle, and a number of recesses formed in the outer wall of the groove, and a number of leaf-springs corresponding with the number of tumblers, the said springs being attached to the spindle and protruding into the said grooves.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELSVORTH E. QUAINTANCE. lVitnesses:

J. W REGAN,

rIHos. WV. Moons.

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