Combination lock
US4541259A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 1981 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T70/8865
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An easily assembled combination lock has improved tumbler wheel construction, combination changing apparatus, and a bi-positional lock cover which selects between spring-bolt and dead-bolt operation. The improved tumbler wheels have two-piece construction, an inner drive member having a projection, groove and stop assembly cooperating with adjacent tumbler wheels, and a gate ring having a gate and improved gripping apparatus for frictionally engaging the gate ring with the inner drive member. The inner drive member has multiple ratchet teeth about its periphery and the improved gripping apparatus includes a pair of diametrically opposed gripping straps integral with the gate ring, in tension, and tangentially contacting the periphery of the inner drive member imparting a predetermined frictional resistance to rotation. Two normal modes of tumbler wheel operation are contemplated. Mode selecting structure is included on the lock cover to select between spring-bolt mode of bolt operation and dead-bolt mode of bolt operation merely by changing the orientation of the lock cover relative to the lock mechanism and housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.