US2427814A - Combination changing lock - Google Patents

Description

Sept 23, 1947. E. A. scHAcHlNGER. 2,427,314

, COMBINATION CHANGING* LOCK v original Filed oct. 21. 1941 TTOR N EY Patented Sept. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Original application October 21, 1941, Serial No. 415,683. Divided and this application May 17, 1945, Serial No. 594,231

(Cl. '7G-383) 21 Claims.

This invention relates to combination locks and particularly to such locks in which the combination may be changed to require different keys for the operation of the lock.

The invention especially relates to such combination changing locks that may be used for watchmans signalling systems for the purpose of requiring the watchman to make his tour of a series of stations in a predetermined order and correctly to operate the stations to transmit signals to a central or supervisingstation.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lock in which in each operation of the lock the combination is changed so as to require a different key for the next operation of the lock.

It is another object of the invention to provide a lock in which with the proper key the combination will be changed as intended in the normal operation of the lock and in which, if a different key is used, change of the combination will be prevented, with the result that in the next attempted operation of the lock intended to be effected by a different key of particular form for said operation the lock will fail to operate.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a lock in which the combination may be changed to any one of a plurality of combinations by means of a master key without disassembling the lock.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a lock in which the combination may be changed asabove mentioned and of such construction that it readily may be contained within and connected to the operating parts of a sig-A, nalling station of a watchmans signalling system to operate said parts upon the operation of the lock.

It is a feature ofthe invention that, in a combination lock having a plurality of pin tumblers engageable by a key inserted in the keyway of the lock, a combination determining element as-V sociated with the pin tumbler magazine is utilized which is movable toa plurality of combination determining positions, movement of said element fromone'position to another being effected by means operatively connecting the element to theekeyway shaft or key plug in which the keyway is formed. The combination determining element may bein the form of a sleeve extending about or surrounding a core which constitutes the tumbler magazine containing the tumbler pins'of the lock, this sleeve being separate from and movable relative to the keyway shaft. The operative connection between the keyway sh-aft and the sleeve is so constructed and arranged that 2 the lock may be operated by rotating the keyway shaft by means ofl the keyl in the ordinary operation of the lock and thereafter the key and the keyway shaft may be reversely rotated'to its original position in the usual manner, the change in the combination being effected in these operations. In such movement of the key and key way shaft, the sleeve is moved relativeto the core to a new combination'determining position with respect to the pin tumblers, thisbeing also a new position with respect to the-keywayshaft. This arrangement and this relation of the parts makes it possible-to'apply the invention in a lock of the usual pin tumbler and key plug construction.

The pin tumbler magazine may be in the form of a cylinder surrounded by a cylindrical sleeve in the manner described in'my U. S. Patent No. 1,967,042, dated July 17, 1934. This sleeve is provided with a plurality of rows of apertures extending along the length of the sleeve, the several apertures in each row each being in a plane extending transverse to the axis of the sleeve and core through a pin tumbler. The arrangement, and, if desired, the number, ofthe apertures in each row is different from that of the other rows so that a different set of the pin tumblers is retained in the magazine by the sleeve and prevented from passing through the apertures for engagement with the key in each position of the sleeve while those which effect locking project through other apertures of the sleeve.

For the purposes of the invention the keyway shaft or key plug may be provided withpinways into which the pin tumblers extending through the combination determining apertures of the sleeve which register with said pinways may enter for engagement with the key. In the preferred form of the invention, additional pins are placed in these pinwaysof Ythe keyway shaft to engage the key and actas intermediary members properly to position theV pin tumblers of the respective combinations for unlocking operation of the lock. In one embodiment of fthe invention shown in the drawing the'keyway shaft may be so formed in relation to the` pins therewithin that with a master key initial movement of the key- Way shaft in the operation of the lock may take place to bring all the tumbler pins which project through the sleeve to unlocking position and thereafter movement of the combination determining element may be effected to change the combination. In this embodiment of the invention the tumbler magazine provides a plurality of combinations'which may be selected by 3 operation of the lock with the combination changing master key. The ordinary actuation of the lock will be effected by a key suitable for the set combination without change in the combination.

It is a further feature of the invention that means are provided for retaining the tumbler combination element or sleeve in the position to which it is advanced in the operation of the lock when the key and the keyway shaft are returned to their initial position in the ordinary manner of operating such a lock, thus to maintain the lock in the setting of the new combination.

It is also a feature of the invention that the key itself may form part of the means for establishing the operative connection between the key- Way shaft and the tumbler combination determining element or sleeve for changing the comlbination. The combination, therefore, may not be changed without the use of a proper key.

The locks of the invention are particularly suitable for use in the several signalling or tour stations of watchmans signalling systems wherein it is desired to prescribe the watchmans route or tour by setting the order of 'visiting the stations, or where it is desirable or requisite that the combination requiring a different key be changeable at Will in one or more of the locks of the various stations in order to circumvent fraudA or tampering or to overcome negligence and loss or theft of keys.

The lock of the invention in which automatic change of the combination is accomplished in each operation of the lock requiring a different key for the next operation thereof is particularly adaptable to systems of this type for the purpose o f insuring that the watchman makes his tour of the stations of the system along a predetermined route and that he operates the stations in the desired predetermined order. This is accomplished by arranging the route in accordance with the succession of combinations as determined by the combination determining element or sleeve. That is to say, the locks of the several stations initially are set so that the order of the combinations of the locks, as the watchman proceeds along his route to the successive stations, is that of the combinations embodied in the combination determining element. This succession, therefore, may be the succession established by the arrangements of the apertures in the successive rows of apertures in said element or sleeve. Each of the stations successively visited thus will require a different key for its operation and the keys must be used in the proper order. The lock of this automatic combination changing form may be used in the stations of the watchmans system described in my copending application Serial No. 415,863, led October 21, 1941, now Patent No. 2,376,389, dated May 22, 1945, of which this present application is a division, with the advantages set forth in said copending application.

In utilizing in a watchmans system, and particularly in the system described in said @opending application Serial No. 415,863, the embodiment of the invention in which the lock is of the multiple combination type wherein the tumbler combination can only be changed by a combination changing master key, only one regular operating key is used by the watchman, Since, however, there are a large number of combinations available as determined by the apertured sleeve, whenever desired the superintendent or other authorized person may actuate the lock of each station with the combination changing master key to a new combination which may be the same for all of the stations and thus require a new operating key but only a single key or may be different for different stations, the locks of one or more stations being set to the same or a different combination from the previous setting. Any previously prescribed keys or succession of keys, therefore, will be of no avail for correct operation of the system.

The locks of the invention are suitable for other uses, for example, in safes, lockers and other applications where, in order to prevent successful tampering, the combination may be changed in each operation of the lock. For doors of apartments and public buildings and oiiices where it is desirable, for example, to prevent operation of the lock by means of an unreturned key which has been given to a previous tenant or oilice worker the multiple combination form utilizing a master key for changing the combination is particularly suitable.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear fromY the description to follow of the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an automatic key combination changing lock shown with an operating key inserted therein;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the lock shown in Fig. 1 with the key removed and the lock locked;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the keyway shaft of the lock shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of another form lof multiple combination lock in which a master key is used to change the combination;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along line 55 of Fig. 1; also of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a combination changing sleeve of the locks shown in Figs. 1 to 5;

Figjl is a perspective View of the keyway shaft used in the lock shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a View of the lock shown in Fig. 4 with the key removed and in a combination to which it has beenvchanged by operation of the master key in Fig. 4; l

Fig. 9 is the same view as Fig. 8 with a regular operating key shown in the lock.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3, V5 and 6 of the drawings, an automatic combination lock I is disclosed which among other uses is particularly suitable for the transmitter station or the preliminary stations of a watchmans signalling system so as to require the watchman to make his routine trips to the several stations in a predetermined .sequence as hereinbefore mentioned. The automatic lock comprises a barrel 3 within which are mounted respectively in bores 6 and 8 the keyway shaft 5 and a pin tumbler magazine 'I of the lock. The magazine 'I has a row of sockets 9 each containing a pin I0 and a spring II. Surrounding the magazine l and rotatably fitting thereto and to the bore 8 is a 'combination changing sleeve I3 which is provided with a plurality of longitudinal rows I5 of apertures I'I (Fig. 6). Each aperture I'I is circumferentially in line with a pin tumbler I0. 'Ihe lock as illustrated has eight pin tumblers. There are, therefore, eight circumferential lines, as indicated by the numerals I to 8 inclusive in Fig. 6, upon which apertures II may fall. In other words, there are eight aperture positions along each longitudinal line of apertures in the sleeve I3, any combination of which may be employed to form any given row I5 of apertures cooperating with corresponding pins I0. The number of rows I 5 is limited only by the circumference 'of the sleeve AI 3 and-,they sizefofth'e apertures I'I necessary1 fonpins'of fpracticalsizer The particular sleeve shownfinfFigf isformed-'f Withftve vrows I 5 :thus-A4 providing-,E five -diierent keys .for yoperating -theflock Sleeves :with -a lesserl or: lgreater'num-ber off-:rows .fI 5 maybe A:provided n nali-ingk system theA sleeve may befprovidedfwith es.;

many'rows- -I5 of, apertures iI'Ifas there-are -sta-J tions;... In Vlarge systems; .-however; thePsame com bination may. bewused f or more Ythanonel station f since 4itis pessiblerto'provide'the sleeve wi-thfsay,n

tenformore rows of apertures and suchlrepeatedf:

use will fnotinterfere.Withethem arrangement -ofthe *locks` ina predeterminedorder of operation along-the-watchmans route accordingfto the suc.- cession-=ofl combinations determined byu-,he sleeve.`r

Any -desiredt number fof l-pin tumblers. may be employed asin ordinary locks, a setrof 'eight .pin

tumblers being shown andpdescribed vfor purpose of..illustr-ation.- The Vkeyvvay shaft 5 isprovided witha row of eig-htpi-nways I9-in-which are -dis-.=A

posed a like number of. pins: .20.

Assuming-that--thes1eeve'f-'I3is'in sucha posi-- tion that I the first, third,- .sixthv and eighth tum Y bier. pins from the-.endat/which-the keyI isl in. serted are permitted ltor-pass therethroughpas:v

indicatedfinV Figs.. 1 .and `:Zmand at line. I5Aof Fig'.6,.asuita'ble key .22' .will lift-` the rst,.third, sixthr-andzeighthy pinsl -anf amount necessary to rmove the .correspond-ingtumblerk pins Il) with which'they are in endwise contact untilthe lower.

ends' Vof 'said tumbler pins-no longer yextendbeyond--Lthe sleeves` In. thisposition the key 22llispermitted to turnand-lactuate the shaftl 5,-thecircumference of -the shaft/'5 movingrelati've-to the sleeve I3 and to the tumbler pins IEI registering with the apertures II.

Upon suchactuation of 'the key, the sleeve I3 is moved to a new position so as` to bring the'neXt adjacent row I5v 'of apertures, indicated in Fig. 6 by the line I5B,l into lalignment.with'the tumbler pins I0. This is accomplished by a pair 'of mesh;

ing "gears 25l `and 21, the :gear 2 5" being "carried on'and rotatable relative' to Ythe keyway shaft 5` and the gear Z'Ibeing-fastenedto the core '1 'of the tumblermagazine to rotate therewith in bore 8 :and `in bearing I2 inendpl'ate I4 ofthe lock;

a circumferential row ofnotches 29 "(Fi'g.- 6)'.A TheW magazine 'I is provided Witha detent 3l contained in a socket "32 `and having its end 33j as shown irl-"Fig'L-, beveledv so as to engageY the notches 29 of the l'sleeve' 'for Vmovement* with the `magazine in `one direction 'ofrotation and to slip'out v of f the notches 2S against the biais of spring-34 Vwhen'the movement of the-magazineis reversed by reverse j movement'of' the key 22.5- Mounted onitheend 'oftionfofthe' sleevefIBf Th'eigear. 25'has an-opening. to receive Athe :en'df42 or toe oft the key 22`.

When'thef keyway vshaft 5 is`A actuated,.ithe gear-y 22 .during ya part turngwhic'h rmay beabout' EOP,

tate', for example clockwiseXFig. 5) ,ztodrive the gear 21. counterclockwise'past the pawl 35i`` Ther movement of the gears 25", `2'I,acting througlrthe l:

detent l3 I `causes the-sleeve I3 tobe `revolveditc-t` getherrwith the fmag'frzinef'l.` During the reverse#` movement ofthe keywayshaft 5 thef'pawl 35de: adapted toengage onelofl-the-notches -29 and hold.;-

their sleeve I3 in the -pesitiomtorwhich it hasibeeni':

` chief;differencesisare'tim the'.y constructibnfr of ...th

62 advancedswhilertherdetentf is^'-'adapted"torbe cammed-riinwardlyffbeneatliheportionrof the sleeve sbetw'eexr two .notchesVl 291; To 'accurately centerxtherow'of sockets S--Sofffthev magazine" 'I ;the"flockunti1.=the lock hasbeen successively" actu-:1

ated@byallrithefother keys correspondingvfto the series:oflicombination's' determined by the 'sleevew in-relation tofth'ef tumbler magazine.

Iri order to yminimize-fthe `'chance-*of fanyonei -lo`ck Thuspanyonel:attempting 'to' pick :the lock r tleLlockiitolimitlthelrotational-movementofthe r shaflt 5,1"2fo'rf4 example ito90f asl above `indicated Itwillsnowlbe apparent' that not bnlytmustth'e' corre'ctfkeybusedidr the initial-and each "subsequent operatimsil 'ofth' -lock of this embodiment, butthat even '.if-rv a ke'yis used which; *thoughop-v erating fthe# pin tumblers` --to unlocking "position," does not establi's-hrthej-fdriving connectioxr between-the shaft 5 and' the --gears 25,121 the combinationiwill'inotebe 'damaged-1L Iii-a 'watchman's" "system arranged to"Irequireajgiven:succession of keys. -for operation f of lthe lsuccessive `vstations in thevroute' this yfailure' #to 1 operate 1 any -lock-fmay be utilized lto produce-:an -al'arm cenditi'oriflas "dis-f "No. 415,863, Patent No. 2,376,389. The-succession established-'by -apertiiredsleevel 3 of the present inventionflwhich is-.rotatedz torsuccessivev 'positions in' theopel-ation fof fthe :lock -fby the key," thereforemay constitute anvim'portant featureof? `a fromt the possibility-i2v ofw successfully f being'-A tampered withr-orzf operated-otherwise than -as 1 intended:

Referrin'gffto. Figs; 4 ftev 9,@ the vmultiplel "-com- I keywayshaft :12 and: thernumberfofmurnblerpins utilized' f infeach *of fthefeighi: pin'ftumbiersit The'` otherfzparts Whichfare present `inn-the automatic lockf; I have fbeenfsfor rexpe'diency'identifdiby" corresponding freerencefcharacters.

Allexcept one at 80. The pins 20 inserted in pines,

edge as shown in Fig. 4. v'I'he tumbler pins I8 which bear on these fiat upper ends of pins 28 thus are all brought into the plane of the shelf surface and upon rotation of the keyway shaft 12 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7 will be cammed by the shelves 16 and 18 upwardly through the respective sleeve apertures I1 into their sockets 9 until the ends of pins 20 bear on the cylindrical surface of the shaft 12. The cutaway portions 16 and 18 are on the same side of v the row of pinways 14 so that the combination changing key 82 can only be revolved in one direction, that is counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. '1, being prevented from revolving in clockwise direction by projecting pins I8, Fig. 4. The fth pin 84 in pinway 80 extends downwardly into thekeyway shaft 12 from thecircumference thereof when engaged by a notch 86 in the combination changing key 82 so that only a key of this character whichprovides an initial parting between pins at the shelves 1'6, 18 and parting ofpin 84 at the circumference of the shaft, that is at the surface of sleeve I3, can be used to change the combination of the lock. It will be understood that the location along the shaft 12' of the part 85 which is not cut away and surrounds pin 84 and the corresponding location of the notch 86 along the keyway can be varied for different sets of locks. Within the scope of the invention the pins 28 in sockets 14 of the lock of Fig. 4 may be made of different lengths and the master key 82 may be suitably formed to bring the upper flat ends of the pins 28 flush with the shelves 16, 18 so that the parting between pins 28 and pins I0 may be accomplished. The notch 86, however, must be such as will bring the upper flat vend of the pin 84 flush with the circumference of shaft 12 as above described.

The key 82 is provided with a toe 42 which enters the opening or notch 48 of gear 25 meshing with gear 21 to rotate sleeve I3 in the same manner as described above inconnection with Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5. The combination thus may be changed by the operation of the lock by key 82 from that shown in Fig. 4 to that, for example, shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

In Figs. 4, 8 and 9 the lock is provided with an additional tumbler pin 98 in each socket 9 which bears upon the flat upper ends of the tumbler pins I8 in sockets 9. When the lock is operated by key 82 to change the combination the pins 98 are pushed up into' the sockets by pins IU-bearing initially on shelves 16, 18 and then on the cylindrical surface of shaft 12 until any initially projecting pins I8 no longer project through' the sleeve I3.. Upon registering of a new set-of apertures I1 in the sleeve I3 a new set of pins vI will project through the apertures of said sleeve following the pins 20 down into pinways 14 upon withdrawal of the key. The pins I8 are of varying length and one or more may pass entirely out of the tumbler magazine sockets 9 and have their upper flat surfaces outside of this magazine and outside of the sleeve I3 so as to be ineffective for locking. By providing the pins 98 which follow the pins I8 down upon removal of the key one or more of these pins 98 will remain in socket 9 and will have its end projecting through the registering sleeve apertures I1 into the pinways 14 ofthekeyway shaft 12 to effect locking of the The position of the several pins for unlocking operation of the lock and the form of key 92 for this operation are shown in Fig. 9. This key does not have a toe entering notch 48 and, therefore,

lis incapable of actuating gears'25, 21 for changing the combination. The parting of the tumbler pins is effected by key 92 only at the surface of the sleeve I3, that is at the cylindrical surface of the shaft 12 between certain of the pins I8 and 98 except for the parting also at said surface between pins 84 and I8. The pins 20 are retained in pinways 14, for the most part preferably below the shelves 16, 18 so that they may be raised to the surfaces of the shelves in operation of the A.lock by the master key as above described.

In Fig. 4, the second, third, sixth and seventh tumbler pins I8 are shown extending through the sleeve I3 to meet the pins 28 at the surface of the cut-away areas 16'and 18. While these pins Ywill prevent clockwise movement of the combina-` tion changing master key 82, as viewed from the right in Fig. 4, they do not prevent counterclockwise movement thereof because the cutaway portions 16 and 18 function to raise the .pins I8, 28, 98 upwardly in the pinways |9jand sockets 9 against the bias of springs II prior to movement of the sleeve from one tumbler combination position to another,

The lock 18 is provided with a lug 96 (Figs. Y

4, 8 and 9) which is adapted to engagev the head of the regular lock operating key 92 which' permits rotation of this key in the clockwise direction, that is, opposite to the rotation (counterclockwise) of the combination changing key 82. The key 82 is provided with a notch 98 so that the lug 96 cannot interfere with its movement in the operation of changing the combination..v

pins 58 and 68. The location of the stop 68 will depend upon the circumferential spacing between the rows I5 of apertures I1 in the sleeve I3 as is described in connection with Figs. l, 2, 3 and 5.

Fig. 5 may be taken as a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and the description in connection therewith applies also to the lock of Figs. 4, 8 and 9.`

' With the key 82 inserted in the lock and engaging the gear 25, the magazine 1 and the,` sleeve I3, as hereinbefore described, will be rotated to a new position providing a new combination when the lock is operated by the superintendent by means of the master key 82. In a watchmans tour system the watchman may use but one key for all Stations to be visited when the system is provided with this type of lock. Should the key become lost or stolen, the superintendent or other authorized person may, by using the combination changing key 82, actuate each of the locks and issue a new key to the watchman; Thus, by using this type of lock there will be no need of replacing the several locks when a key becomes missing or the authorities become suspicious that some unauthorized person has obtained a dupli# cate key. When this type of lock is adopted a rotation of keys is not used and any desired number of stations may befoperated by the same operatinglkeyavhen the stations allv are equipped with such locks set at the same combination. Any'suitable numberof combinations may be provided as Withfthe -lock shown in Figs. 1 and'2, as detery mined bythe rows of apertures I1 in sleeve I3. It

system utilizing the combination determiningsleeves of the invention by providing in thekey- Way'shafts keyways and keys .insertable therein offdiierent cross sections, that'is, of different cross sectional contour as determined by the usual. longitudinally extending ridges grooves and vridges in thekey. For each ofthe different isleeves whichit is possible to design for operation with eachV of a large numberof different pin tumbler constructions insertable in a givenlocka large number of differentkeyways may be designed By arranging the locks or the lock stationsin groups, each group having .a dif- `ferent keyway,'the same sleeve or series of sleeves Vmaybe used with the different /keyway shafts.

-The order of the tour may be determined by such a group arrangement or in some other predetermined Inanner having regard to the need for different Vkeysin the diiferent keyWay shafts.

YI"claim:

1. A combination changing lock comprising a keywayrshaft having .a keywayand pinways communicating. with said keywaya pin tumbler magazine having a set of `pin tumblers, a tumfblencombination determining element operableto aplurality of positions to provide access of selectedjpintumblers of said magazine in each such positionto respective pinways of saidshaft so as'to be actuatable by a key in said keyway, and means providing an' operative connection i between said keyway shaft and said element to effectwrnovement'of lsaid element to a selected pin tumbler "combination vdetermining position upon operation Vof said lockby said key.

2'. In` aA combination changing lock provided with a; keyway shaft having a keyway for receivinga' key and having a' plurali-ty of pinways communicating with Vsaid keyway, a pin tumbler magazine-associated withY said keyvvay shaft, said pin-'tumbler magazine having a socket registerable--Witheachof said pinways of said keyway shaftandy tumbler pins respectively in said sockets land means for 4resiliently urging said pin tumblers along'sai-d sockets Vtoward said keyway shaft sofas to -passfintosaid shaft pinways when said pinways are Vin register and communicating with saidsockets,l the combination of tumbler combi-I nation'determinngmeans actuatable successive- 1y to predetermined positions relative to said shaftand constructed to restrain in selected posltionscertain pin tumblers from entering said pinways in said keyway shaft while permitting othersto enter their respective pinways, and means-providing anV operative connection between -said keyway shaft and said Ytumbler combination-determiningmeans for actuating said means' to'saidsuccessive positions upon operation of -said lock.

3: -Al combination"4 changing" lock comprising va keyWayshaft, a pintumbler magazine'arranged andgroovesrinthe keyway and the4 complementary adjacent ,said vkeywayfshaft and having a set of pin--tumblers actuatable by a keyinserted in said keywayA shaft, a tumbler' combination'determining element separatefromsaid keyvvay'shaft and associated-with said magazine, said element having apluralityof sets `of Iapertures and being operableto apluralit-yjof positions in each-of which selectedtapertures `of a selected-setjare in register with'selected pin` tumblers in-'said magazine Vto 'permit vsaid selected tumblers to ypass through said apertures forengagement thereof-by said keypfor'unlocking operation ofsaid'lock,A and meanssprovidingan operative connection be- `tween'said/keyvvay-shaft'and Vsaid element to efferct'rnovement'of Asaid element relative to said keyWay-shajft'toja selected pintumbler combination'determining position upon said 'unlocking operation of said'lock by said key.v

4; A combination changinglock .according to claimt in which said operativeconnection includes meansrfor eiecting said movement of said elementfforwardlyin said'unlocking operation of said. lock by said 'keys and for preventing movementjrom the selected position until said shaft againismovedin. a succeeding unlocking operation of said lock.

V5. .A combination changing lock according to claim 3 in which said operative connection in,- cludes` saidskeyinserted in said keyway.

6l. A. combination changing lock comprising a keywayshaft forreceiving a, key, a pin tumbler magazine arranged adjacent said ,keywayshaft and having a. set of vpintumblers actuatable by saidkey, a tumbler combination determining relementiassociatedlwith said -magazine having a plnralityof .setsl of fapertures, saidtumbler combination determining element .'beingarranged to be..movable relativeto said keyway shaft andrel- ,ative tosaid. magazine to a plurality of positions in. .each of which selected `apertures V`of a selected setarein register with selected pin tumblers -of said magazine and with the keywayin )said key? way shaft, `and -means lproviding an operative .connectionbetween 4said keyway shaft and said elementto `effectmovement .of said element toa selected. pinr tumblercombination determining position uponmovement of said keyway shaft 4in the. operation Yof said lock-bya-key ,inserted in saidkeyway shaft..

7. .A combinationchanging lock comprisinga keyway ,shaftfor .receivingv a key, a -pin tumbler magazine. arrangedadjacentsaid shaft and having a row of pin tumblerstherein actuable by said key, a tumblercombination determining elementhavinga .pluralityof rows of. apertures and arranged'to `be ,movable between and with respect to 4said pin tumbler magazine and said shaft'to any one ofaplurality of .positions with the apertures of a row in register with said row of tumbierl pins ofthe magazine to permit said registeringitumblers to Upass through saidapertures fnengagement thereof by a -key in said .keyway shaft, and means providing an operative connectionv between saidkeywayshaft and said element to effect movement of said element from one position of registering a row of apertures with a'row, of pin tumblers to ,another upon movement of said keyway shaft in the operation of the lock bysaidkey' inserted in said shaft.

(8; A'combination'changing lock comprising a barrel havingytwoparallel'cylindrical bores in circumferentially intercommunicating relation, a keyway' shaft', of cylindrical form rotatabll mounted 'in one of said jbores andV havinga keyway thereinforreceivin'g a key, said keyway extending to the circumference of said cylindrical shaft, a cylindrical pin tumbler magazine having a row of pin tumblers therein arranged in sockets intersecting the circumference of the cylindrical magazine, a cylindrical sleeve surrounding and rotatable relative to said pin tumbler magazine and having a plurality of rows of apertures in the wall thereof, the apertures of each row respectively lying in planes transverse to the magazine axis which include a pin tumbler, said magazine and its surrounding sleeve being mounted in the other bore of said barrel, gearing operatively connected to said sleeve to rotate said sleeve upon operation of said gearing, said gearing being operatively connectable to said keyway shaft by a key inserted in said keyway of said keyway shaft for effecting rotation of said sleeve upon operation of said lock by said key so as to register a row of apertures of said sleeve with said intercommunication between said bores.

9. A combination changing lock comprising a keyway shaft rotatable upon its axis and having a keyway for receiving a key, a pin tumbler magazine having therein a row of sockets and arranged adjacent said shaft to position said row of sockets extending along said shaft, a pin tumbler in each socket actuatable by a key in said keyway, a rotatable tumbler combination determining element having a plurality of rows of apertures therein extending along the axis of rotation of said element, said element being rotatable on its axis with respect to said pin tumbler magazine and with respect to said shaft successively to bring said rows of apertures into register with said row of sockets in said magazine, the spacing of the apertures in each row corresponding to the spacing of selected sockets in said pin tumbler magazine to permit the pins therein to passV through said apertures for engagement by said key, and gearing operatively connectible to said rotatable element and to said keyway shaft to rotate said element upon rotation of said shaft.

l0. A combination changing lock according to claim 9 in which said gearing includes a gear rotatable on and relative to said keyway shaft, said gear being provided with means for engaging said keyv inserted in said keyway shaft so as to permit initial rotation of said key and of said keyway shaft to initiate the unlocking operation of said lock and thereafter to effect movement of saidrotatable element a circumferential distance equal to the spacing between two rows of said apertures in said element.

1l. A combination changing lock according to claim 8 in which in the operation of said lock said keyway shaft is rotated forwardly and then in reverse and in which said gearing is connected to said magazine to rotate said magazine within its bore, means connecting said magazine to said sleeve to rotate said sleeve concomitantly with the rotation of said magazine in the forward rtation of said shaft, and means for preventing reverse rotation of said sleeve upon reverse rotation of said magazine effected by reverse rotation of said shaft.

12. A combination changing lock according to claim 8 in which in the operation of said lock said keyway shaft is rotated forwardly and then in reverse and in which said gearing is connected to said magazine to rotate said magazine within its bore, means connecting said magazine to said sleeve to rotate said sleeve concomitantly with the rotation of said magazine in the forward rotation of said shaft, means for preventing reverse rotation of said sleeve upon reverse rotation of said magazine effected by reverse rotation of said shaft, and means for limiting the rotational movement of said sleeve to bring a predetermined row of said apertures in said sleeve in register with said intercommunication between said bores.

13. A combination changing lock according to claim 1 in which said means providing an operative connection between said keyway shaft and said pin tumbler combination determining element includes a key inserted in said keyway of said keyway shaft, said keyway shaft also being capable of receiving a key of predetermined form preventing said operative connection but engaging the tumblers of a predetermined combination to actuate said lock.

14. A combination changing lock comprising a keyway shaft having a keyway and pinways communicating with said keyway, a pin tumbler magazine having a set of pin tumblers, a tumbler combination determining element operable to a plurality of positions to provide access of selected pin tumblers of said magazine in each such position to respective pinways of said shaft, pins in ysaid shaft pinways actuatable by a key in said keyway to engage said pin tumblers when made accessible thereto by said element, said shaft being actuatable in unlocking and locking operation of said lock for each position of said element by a key of particular contour cooperating with said pins in said shaft pinways to actuate said pin tumblers to shaft releasing position, said shaft being formed to be actuatable for any position of said element only in a predetermined direction by a key of predetermined contour cooperating with said pins in said shaft pinways to move said pin tumbler to shaft releasing position.

15. A combination changing lock comprising a keyway shaft having a keyway and pinways communicating with said keyway., a pin tumbler magazine having a set of pin tumblers, a tumbler combination determining element operable to a plurality of positions to provide access of selected pin tumblers of said magazine in each such position to respective pinways of said shaft, pins in said shaft pinways actuatable by a key in said keyway to engage said pin tumblers when made accessible thereto by said element, said shaft being actuatable in unlocking and locking operation of said lock for each position of said element by a key of particular form cooperating with said pins in said shaft pinways, and means including a key of predetermined form cooperating with said pins in said pinways to effect initial unlocking movement and providing an operative connection between said keyway shaft and said element to effect movement of said element to a selected pin tumbler combination determining position upon actuation of said shaft.

16. A combination lock comprising a pin tumbler magazine having a row of pin tumblers therein, a keyway shaft having a row of pinways in alignment with said row of pin tumblers and having a portion cut away along said row of pinways to expose certain of said pinways at least at one side thereof, a tumbler combination determiningV element having a plurality of rows of apertures and operable to positions to provide access of selected pin tumblers of said magazine to respective pinways of said shaft, pins in said shaft pinways, and a key shaped to position the pins in said pinways and any tumbler pins of said magazine which may extend into said pinways with the parting line between pins at the surface of said cut-away portion to permit rotation of 13 said shaft in the direction opposite to the side thereof which is cut away, whereby said pins extending from said magazine into said pinways are cammed by said surface to move into said magazine to permit operation of said element to different combination determining positions.

17. A combination changing lock according to claim 8 in which said cylindrical shaft is provided with a row of pinways lengthwise thereof and with each pinway in the transverse plane of a pin tumbler of said magazine, said shaft being formed with a surface undercut below the circumferential surface of said shaft and transverse to said pinways, and pins in said pinways for engaging said pin tumblers through registering apertures of said sleeve, said pins being of predetermined length in relation to a key of predetermined contour inserted in said keyway to position said pins with their pin tumbler engaging surface coincident with said undercut surface,

whereby upon rotation of said shaft in the initial operation of said lock, said pin tumblers are "brought into contact with the circumferential surface of said shaft to disengage said sleeve therefrom so as to be rotatable relative to said magazine.

18. A combination changing lock according to claim 8 in which said cylindrical shaft is provided with a row of pinways lengthwise thereof and with each pinway in the transverse plane of a pin tumbler of said magazine, said shaft being formed with a surface undercut below the circumferential surface of said shaft and transverse to said pinways, and pins in said pinways for engaging said pin tumblers through registering apertures of said sleeve, said pins being of predetermined length in relation to a key of predetermined contour inserted in said keyway to position said pins with their pin tumbler engaging surface coincident with said undercut surface, whereby upon rotation of said shaft in the initial operation of said lock said pin tumblers are brought into contact with the circumferential surface of said shaft to disengage said sleeve therefrom so as to be rotatable relative to said magazine, said shaft having at least one pinway which extends to said circumferential surface of said shaft when a key having therein a notch of predetermined depth in which said pin rests is inserted in the keyway of said shaft.

19. In a tumbler combination lock having a pin tumbler magazine provided with a plurality 14 of tumbler pins therein, a keyway shaft having a keyway for receiving a key and provided with pinways registerable with said tumbler pins and containing pins actuatable 'by said key to engage lsaid tumbler pins, said shaft having a plurality of Y surfaces for coincidence of the ends of some of said tumbler pins with one surface and of other tumbler pins with another of said surfaces when said pins are held in unlocking position by a key of predetermined contour in said keyway, one of said surfaces merging circumferentially of said shaft into another of said surfaces to bring certain of said tumbler pin ends in coincidence with said other surface upon rotation of said shaft in unlocking operation of the lock.

20. In a combination changing locks as defined in claim 2, pins in said shaft pinways engageable by said key and engaging said tumbler pins entering said pinways from said sockets and actuating said tumbler pins to unlocking position to release said tumbler combination determining means to move to a succeeding position.

21. A combination changing lock comprising a keyway shaft for receiving a key, a pin tumbler magazine associated with said keyway shaft and having a set of pin tumblers actuatable by a key inserted in said keyway shaft, a tumbler combination determining element separate from said keyway shaft and associated with said magazine, said element being operable to a plurality of positions with respect to said magazine to determine selected pin tumblers of said magazine for engagement by said key inserted in said keyway shaft, and means providing an operative connection between said keyway shaft and said element to effect movement of said element to selected pin tumbler combination determining positions upon operation of said lock by said key.

EDWARD A. SCHACHINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,896,319 Littell et al Feb. 7, 1933 1,967,042 Schachinger July 17, 1934 1,590,232 Fremon June 29, 1926 1,093,817 Williams Apr.v 21, 1914 1,855,224 Connell et al Apr. 26, 1932 Certificate of Correction Potent No. 2,427,814. September 23, 1947. EDWARD A. SCHAOHIN GER It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: In the heading to the printed specification, line 5, for the serial number 415,683 read `415,863; column 4, line 36, for line 55" read Zine 5-5 co1umn'14, line 16, for looks read lock; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 20th day of January, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

Images