TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD The present invention relates to combination locks operated by a manipulator, in particular, a manipulator configured for performing several functions of the lock.

BACKGROUND

There are known combination locks comprising a combination mechanism an a manipulator for entering the proper combination, where the combination is introduced as a series of displacements/movements of the manipulator.

In combination locks of the above type, there is also provided a reset arrangement, usually in the form of a reset component coupled to the combination mechanism, configured for resetting the combination mechanism before the input of a new combination (e.g. before attempting to input a combination).

One such example is US Patent No. 6,718, 803B2 to the Applicant (see Figs. 1 and 2 of the present application), which discloses, a combination lock comprising a housing, a locking bolt and a locking breach, at least one locking assembly rotatably supported within the housing and comprising a disc member formed with a peripheral recess, a cam wheel and a reset cam. A locking member is formed with at least one locking lug angularly displaceable between an un-locked position in which all the looking lugs engage within the peripheral recess of the disc members and where the locking breach is disengaged from the locking bolt, and a locked position in which at least one of the locking lugs is disengaged from the peripheral recess, where the locking breach arrests the locking bolt. A planarly displaceable manipulating member comprises at least one follower corresponding with each cam wheel. A reset mechanism is provided for rotating all disc members into a reset position.

In the combination lock above (U.S. Patent 6,718, 803B2) shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the present application, opening of the lock 100 is performed in three stages:

a) pressing on the shackle 11 in the direction of the arrow 11a to reset the mechanism; b) moving the button 12 in the four possible directions 12a (up/down/right/left) in the required order and unlimited amount for entering the opening code;

c) pulling the shackle 11 upwards 1 lb to open the lock.

5 Subsequently, the combination lock is provided with a reset function which is performed by depressing the shackle, which entails rotation of a reset component.

In particular, the reset cross 14 is located in the center of the mechanism which is intended to reset the CAMs 15. The locking cross 16 penetrates into the locking disk

17 in the event of a correct combination, and as a result enables the release of the latch 10 18 and the removal of the shackle 11 from within the lock. When the combination is incorrect, the cross 16 is pressed against the locking disks and does not allow the latch

18 to slide. In the above lock, the shackle is the source for the force supplied for the crosses' rotation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

15 In accordance with one aspect of the subject matter of the present application there is provided a combination lock comprising a housing; a locking bolt with at least one end segment extending into the housing; a latch accommodated within the housing and selectively engageable with the locking bolt, and configured for displacing between a latched state in which the locking bolt is in secure engagement with the latch, defining 20 a locked state of the lock, and an unlatched state in which the locking bolt is free to disengage therefrom, defining an open state of the lock; and a combination mechanism accommodated within the housing and comprising:

a locking assembly engaged with a manipulator configured for introducing a combination thereto by planar displacement of the 25 manipulator;

a locking member configured for displacing between an engaged state with respect to the locking assembly and a disengaged state with respect to the locking assembly; and

a reset member configured for resetting the locking assembly for 30 introduction of another combination;

wherein, displacement of the latch to the latched state is achieved only when the locking member is in its disengaged position, and wherein said manipulator is in selective engagement with both the locking member and the reset member, allowing both disengagement of the locking member and resetting of the mechanism by the reset member, by the manipulator.

The combination lock can further comprise a central pin axially extending between the locking member and the reset member and engaged therewith in a manner allowing rotation of the locking member and/or the reset member by the central pin.

Correspondingly, the manipulator can comprise an extension piece selectively engageable with the central pin by axial displacement thereof, thereby allowing the manipulator to operate each of the locking member and reset member.

Engagement between the extension piece and the central pin can be provided by axial displacement of the former with respect to the latter. In particular, engagement of the extension piece with the central pin allows rotation of the central pin by the extension piece. For example, the extension piece and the central pin can comprise matching male/female ports which, once engaged, allow the extension piece and the central pin to perform at least rotary motion as a single body.

In accordance with the above, both the operation of the locking member, i.e. bringing the locking member from a disengaged state to an engaged state, as well as operation of the reset member, i.e. resetting the combination mechanism, are performed by said manipulator (which is also configured for inputting the combination).

Thus, the combination lock of the present application embodies the unique feature by which the manipulator performs all the functional operations of the lock: inputting a combination, unlocking the lock and resetting the combination.

It is noted that, contrary to the above mentioned prior art, such a design allows completely relieving the locking bolt from affecting the combination mechanism. At least one advantage of such a design is reducing the risk of the combination mechanism being tempered with by a force applied to the locking bolt.

According to one example, upon engagement of the manipulator with the central pin, operation of the locking member can be performed by displacement of the manipulator in a first direction while operation of the reset member is performed by displacement of the manipulator in a second direction, different than the first direction. Specifically, the arrangement can be such that the first direction is clockwise and the second direction is counter-clockwise or vise versa. The manipulator of the lock can have a default start position, the combination being entered by planar displacement of the manipulator with respect to the default start position, as known from U.S. Patent No. 6,718, 803B2 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

However, since the manipulator is configured for inputting the combination, unlocking and resetting, the lock is designed such that when the manipulator is offset from its default start position, axial displacement thereof for engagement with the extension piece with the central pin is prevented. In addition, when the manipulator is not axially depressed, it is prevented from rotational displacement. Correspondingly, when the manipulator is depressed and engaged with the central pin of the combination lock, planar displacement of the manipulator is prevented.

For this purpose, the extension piece of the manipulator can have an engagement end configured for coupling to the central pin, wherein, when said manipulator is not axially depressed, the engagement end is disengaged from the central pin and is axially aligned with an arresting portion of the combination lock preventing rotation of the extension piece, and, when the manipulator is axially depressed, the engagement end is coupled to the central pin and is axially misaligned with the arresting portion, allowing rotation of the extension piece.

The locking member can be constituted by a locking cross and the reset member can be constituted by a reset cross. The term 'cross' used therein commonly refers to a quadruple symmetry of the lock, i.e. a locking assembly comprising four combination units as known per se (each including, for example, a lug, a disc and a cam). However, it is appreciated that the term 'cross' can also refer to any component having a central hub with radial extensions, the number of which depends on the number of combination units of the lock.

The locking member and reset member can be associated by a biasing element configured for rotationally urging the locking member and the reset member into an initial orientation thereof. Specifically, the arrangement can be such that the biasing element has a loose state in which the locking cross and the reset cross are in their initial orientation, and a loaded state in which the locking cross and the reset cross are rotationally offset from their initial orientation.

Thus, any attempt to rotate either of the locking member and the reset member from their initial orientation is performed by a force against the biasing force of the biasing element, after which, once said force is no longer applied, is the members are urged to return to their initial orientation owing to the biasing element.

In accordance with one example, the biasing element can be a biasing spring.

According to one design embodiment, the locking member, the reset member, the central axis and the manipulator are all aligned along a common axis of the combination lock. Thus, operation of each of the above components is performed by a central portion thereof (and not an extremity thereof), providing at least the advantage of robustness of the combination lock.

The design of the combination lock of the present application has the advantage of bring suitable for any type of lock, and is not limited only to shackle type locks in which there is a shackle which can be depressed in order to perform the reset of the combination lock. Examples of applications can be locks for bags, safes etc. Nonetheless, the present combination lock can still be used for shackle locks such as: padlocks, bicycle locks, U-lock, etc. In addition, such a design enables, contrary to known combination locks, a more robust design since attempts to breach the lock by pulling on the shackle will not harm the lock's mechanism, as the force will only be directed towards the latch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a combination lock as known in the art;

Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the lock shown in Fig. 1, showing only the main components of the combination lock;

Fig. 3 is a schematic isometric view of a combination mechanism of a combination lock according to the subject matter of the present application;

Fig. 4 is a schematic exploded isometric view of a locking member, a reset member and a central pin used in the combination mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5A and 5B are schematic side and cross-section views of the combination mechanism shown in Fig. 4, shown in a reset state thereof; Figs. 6A and 6B are schematic side and cross-section views of the combination mechanism shown in Fig. 4, shown in an unlocked state thereof;

Figs. 7 A to 7D are schematic isometric views of the combination lock of the present application, with a manipulator thereof being in the following respective positions: initial, combination input, depressed and rotated;

Fig. 8A is a schematic isometric view of the combination lock of the present application, shown without its front portion;

Fig. 8B is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the lock shown in Fig. 8A;

Fig. 8C is a rear schematic isometric view of a front portion of the lock shown in Fig. 8A, corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 7A;

Fig. 8D is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the lock shown in Fig. 8C;

Fig. 8E is a rear schematic isometric view of a front portion of the lock shown in Fig. 8A, corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 7C;

Fig. 8F is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the lock shown in Fig. 8E; Fig. 8G is a rear schematic isometric view of a front portion of the lock shown in Fig. 8 A, corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 7D; and

Fig. 8H is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the lock shown in Fig. 8E.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first drawn to Figs. 3 and 7 A in which a combination lock of the present application is shown, generally designated 1, and comprising a housing 2 with a shackle 4 received therein, the housing further accommodating a combination mechanism being generally designated 10, and comprising four cams 15, four locking disks 17, and a locking cross 32 and reset cross 32 axially receiving therein a central pin 30.

With additional reference being made to Fig. 4, the locking cross 32 and the reset cross 31 are coupled to the central pin 30 in a manner allowing rotation of the members 31, 32 by the central pin 30 owing to a male/female engagement therebetween, with lateral projections 33 of the central pin 30 being received within corresponding slots 34, 35 of the reset cross 31 and locking cross 32 respectively.

It is noted that the slots 34, 35, are of a slightly greater angular extension that the size of the projections 33, allowing slight rotation of the central pin within the crosses 31, 32, even when the locking cross 32 and/or reset cross 31 are prevented from rotation by the combination mechanism.

The locking cross 32 and reset cross 31 are also coupled to one another by a biasing spring 36 which is configured for maintaining the members 31, 32, in their initial rotary orientation. Specifically, the design is such that when the members 31, 32 are in their initial rotary position, the spring 36 is not loaded, i.e. in a loose state thereof.

The spring 36 is also loaded so as to push the crosses 31, 32 from each other in opposite directions: the locking cross 32 towards the back of the lock 1 and the reset cross 31 towards the front of the lock 1.

The central pin 30 has a lock end 37 engaged with the locking cross 32 and the reset cross 31 and comprising the projections 33, and a manipulator end 39 which is formed with a crown-like shape having four protrusions 82, leaving a cross-shaped space 87 therebetween.

With additional reference being drawn to Figs. 8A to 8D, the combination lock 1 further comprises a manipulator 70 configured for planar displacement with respect to a sliding surface 73 of the combination lock 1 in order to introduce a combination code into the combination mechanism, as known from U.S. Patent 6,718, 803B2.

In accordance with the present application, and as shown in Fig. 8D, the manipulator is provided with an extension piece 80 which has an engagement end 81 in the shape of a cross, configured for being received within the cross-shaped space 87 of the central pin 30. Owing to the cross shape design, the coupling between the extension piece 80 and the central pin 30 is such that rotation of the extension piece 80 entails rotation of the central pin 30, when the two are engaged.

It is also noted that, in the initial position of the manipulator 70 (shown in Figs. 7A, 8C and 8D), the extension piece 80 protrudes into the lock 1 to a first, small extent, still being spaced from the manipulator end 39 of the central pin 30, i.e. disengaged therefrom.

In such a position, the manipulator 70 is free for being planarly displaced along the sliding surface 73 by an operator of the lock in order to input a combination into the combination mechanism, as shown in Fig. 7B (in which the manipulator 70 is displaced upwards in the direction of arrow 72a).

With additional reference being made to Figs. 8E to 8H, the manipulator 70 comprises an internal button 71 and an external rim 76. It is observed that, in this state, the internal button 71 is prevented from rotary movement owing to the abutment of the engagement end with protrusions 83 of a slider 84 associated with the lock 1. This maintains the internal button 71 in a predetermined initial orientation.

In accordance with the present application, the internal button 71 can be axially depressed (see arrow 72b in Fig. 7C) into the housing to a certain extent. Upon such axial depression of the internal button 71, the extension piece 80 protrudes into the lock 1 to a second extent, greater than the first extent, allowing the engagement end 81 of the extension piece 80 to become coupled with the manipulator end 39 of the central pin 30 via the matching cross-shapes 81, 82.

It is noted, with particular reference to Fig. 8D, that upon such engagement, the manipulator 70 is prevented from performing its planar displacement since the central pin 30 cannot be laterally displaced.

Thus, when the extension piece 80 is not engaged with the central pin 30, the manipulator can perform planar displacement but cannot activate the locking cross 32 or reset cross 31, and when the extension piece 80 is engaged with the central pin 30, the manipulator can activate the locking cross 32 or reset cross 31 but cannot perform planar displacement.

From the depressed state, the manipulator 70 is free to rotate CW (arrow 72c) or CCW (arrow 72d), depending on the desired function to be achieved. For the convenience of rotation, the manipulator 70 is also provided with radial ribs 75.

From the depressed position shown in Fig. 7C, the internal button can be rotated CW, thereby rotating the reset cross 31 and resetting the mechanism to the position shown in Figs. 5A and 5B. In this state, the rotation of the reset cross 31 causes the CAMs 15 to be reset while the locking cross 32 remains stationary. Alternatively, the internal button 71 can be rotated CCW, thereby operating the locking cross 32, allowing opening of the combination lock 1 as shown in Figs. 6 A and 6B.

It is appreciated that if a wrong combination is introduced into the combination mechanism 10, the locking cross 32 is prevented from performing the required CCW rotation, leaving the latch (not shown) in its latched state, in which removal of the locking bolt 4 from the combination lock is impossible.

The combination lock 1 also comprises a press-spring (not shown) located between the lock's body and the dialing button 71, and is configured to return the button to its original state when it is not being pressed into the lock. It is appreciated that the manipulator 70 can be of various designs, for example, any one of the following combinations:

an internal button configured for being depressed and rotated and an external rim configured for performing the planar displacement;

- an external rim configured for being depressed and rotated and an internal button configured for performing the planar displacement; and a single button configured for being both depressed and planarly displaced.

Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.