US3009346A - Keyless lock - Google Patents

Description

MIL,

Nov. 21, 1961 M. M. CHECK 3,009,346

KEYLESS LOCK Filed Oct. 15, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l k 5. i 13a INVENTOR. M. M CHECK Nov. 21, 1961 M. M. CHECK 3,009,346

KEYLESS LOCK Filed Oct. 15 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. M M Cl/Ecg ITT'OQNEY M. M. CHECK KEYLESS LOCK Nov. 21, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 15, 1958 INVENTOR. M. M. C HECK A rroe/ve'y Nov. 21, 1961 M. M. CHECK 3,0

KEYLESS LOCK Filed Oct. 15, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i| lllllllrlllll unn Qiwmmmmmm INVENTOR. M I"). CHECK Nov. 21, 1961 M. M. CHECK KEYLESS LOCK Filed Oct. 15, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

/7. M CHECK 3,009,346 KEYLESS LOCK Mathias M. Check, Valley Forge, Pa., assignor to The Yale and Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed Oct. 15, 1958, Ser. No. 767,484 16 (Ilaims. (Cl. 70-146) This invention relates to a keyless lock that is particularly adapted for use as a hotel lock, although the operating mechanism of the lock will have a very considerable value when used in locks that are adapted for other purposes.

More particularly, I have conceived an exceedingly novel keyless lock utilizing a series of inside manually operated members that are actuated by a person at the inner side of a door, and a further series of manually operated members that are actuated at the outside of the door. By actuating the inside members in any combination with one another, the occupant of a room can very readily set up a combination for locking a bolt retractor in the lock. Then, a person outside the room can release the retractor for retracting movement provided he actuate the outside manually operated members in the same combination as were the inside members.

In the particular construction that I prefer, and that I show in the drawings, the inside and outside manually operated members actually are push buttons. It will be recognized that it is old in the art to employ push buttons generally to effect locking and releasing, but my invention resides in a construction that utilizes manually operated members or buttons to control locking and releasing mechanism in an exceedingly novel way.

As a feature of my invention, I utilize combination means having a locking part actuated by each inside push button, that part moving into locking relation to a fence when the particular button is depressed. The locking part thereby holds the fence in dogging relation to a bolt retractor, so that the retractor cannot retract the bolt. Each outside push button is arranged to correspond with one of the inside buttons, and will be depressed to move the corresponding locking part to a release position relatively to the fence. Thus, the outside push buttons, when depressed in the same combination as were the inside buttons, will release the fence so that it can move out of dogging relation to the bolt retractor.

I prefer to construct my lock so that the manipulation of the outside push buttons will not disturb the particular combination that was set through the inside buttons. That will enable relooking to be effected automatically each time a person enters, without requiring that the combination be reset. However, the combination may very readily be reset through the depression of the inside buttons, enabling the occupant of the room to change the combination at will.

As an important feature of my invention, I utilize means whereby the outside push buttons, when depressed in a combination different from the combination that was set by the inside buttons, will merely effect further locking of the fence. More particularly, I utilize spring pressure to hold each looking part in its neutral or release position, and also in the locking position in which it is set by its inside push button. The corresponding outside button is arranged to move the locking part against the spring pressure from either looking or release position. Thus, if an outside push button is depressed when it is not a part of the proper combination, and the corresponding locking part has not been set in locking position, that part will then move from neutral to a further locking position. In other words, when the outside push buttons are depressed in an improper comtates atent bination relatively to one another, the locking parts will move actually to lock the fence.

As a further feature, I so construct my lock mechanism that it will be be impossible to detect the combination through the feel of the outside push buttons. I achieve this through the utilization, between each outside push button and its corresponding looking part, of surfaces that will have the same relation to one another regardless of the setting of the locking part. Also, to contribute the spring pressure of each locking part, I utilize spring means that will have the same yielding force Whether the part is in looking or unlocking position.

In addition, my lock has means whereby a pressure of the fence against the locking parts can not be utilized to detect th: combination. In the construction that I prefer, the bolt retractor will be used for moving the fence in a release direction, but the retractor will act through yielding means that will limit the pressure that it can apply in that direction to the fence. More in detail, the yielding means are a spring that is adapted to have a snap action. The spring can apply pressure that is sufiicient for its purpose, but will collapse should the retractor start to move when the fence is locked. The retractor cannot then press the fence in the release direction, it being obvious to those skilled in the art that it is then impossible to utilize pressure on the fence or bolt retractor to detect the position of the locking parts.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention, in order to prevent the appropriation of my invention by those skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross section showing my novel keyless lock in the form that I prefer.

FIG. 2 is a section on the broken line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section on the broken line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is like a part of FIG. 1 but shows an example of the push button operation of my loo-k.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show parts of the push button mechamsm.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are like a portion of FIG. 2 but illustrate the movement of the parts when the bolt is retracted.

FIG. 9 shows the operation of the parts when the bolt retractor starts to move while locked.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, I utilize in my preferred construction a lock case 10 that is adapted to be mounted on a door D, with an inside push button housing 11 and an outside push button housing 12 secured in position on opposed sides of casing 10 by suitable means, not shown. The inside housing 11 has a series of inside push buttons that I indicate generally by the numeral 13, while the outside housing 12 has a series of push buttons arranged to correspond to the inside buttons and indicated by the numeral 14. The button housings 11, 12 carry corresponding inside and outside reset buttons 15, 16, in addition to the particular series of buttons 13 and 14.

In the construction that I show, there are sixteen push buttons in each inside and outside series 13 and 14, arranged with four buttons in each of four rows, as will be understood when considering FIG. 1 together with FIG. 3 of the drawings. Actually, the particular number of buttons is not important to an understanding of my invention. The inside buttons 13 are constructed alike, as are the outside buttons 14, and it is merely necessary to have at each side of the lock the number of buttons that can be manipulated to achieve the combination changes that may be desired. For convenience in describing the operation of my invention, I designate certain inside buttons 13 in FIGS. 1 and 4 as 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and corresponding outside buttons 14 as 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d.

So that my invention may be more readily understood, I shall at first confine my description to the parts of the inside button 13a. As will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the button 13a is equipped with a locking part 17 that moves with the button and that is supported to slide longitudinally in an opening in a guide plate 18 on housing 11. The locking part 17 extends beyond guide plate 18 and lies in an opening 19 in a fence 20 that is mounted for vertical movement in the lock case 10, as through lug and slot means 120, FIG. 2. I shall later describe the operation of fence 20, and at this point it is necessary to know merely that locking part 17 is adapted to lock fence 20 against movement, but has a gating 21 that allows movement of fence 20 when push button 13a is in a normal undepressed position, FIG. 1.

I control the position of push button 13a through the utilization of a detent 22 shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, and seen in more detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. That detent 22 has an opening 23, FIG. 5, whereby it is assembled on the locking part 17 with sufiicient clearance to enable the detent to slide and also to tilt relatively to part 17. Detent 22 is formed about opening 23 with a boss 25 to accept a coil spring 26, FIG. 1, that will act between the detent 22 and shoulders 27 on the part 17 to press the push button 13a toward the lock, or in other words to the left as viewed in FIG. 1. On the push button 130 I form portions 28, best seen in FIG. 5, that normally are engaged with a surface of detent 22, as in FIG. 1, so that the detent acts as a stop for the inward button pressure that is due to spring 26. I call atten tion here to the fact that the button portions 28 are arranged to act in offset relation to the axis of detent 22 and can be utilized to apply a tilting force to the detent.

A second coil spring 29 is arranged about the spring 26 and acts between guide plate 18 and detent 22, the arrangement being such as to press the detent and there fore the button 13:: in a direction away from the lock, or in other words to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1. Within the housing 11 I utilize a vertical reset plate 30 that has an opening 31 sufilciently large to allow clearance for the longitudinal movements of the button 13a and locking part 17, but against which detent 22 rests. Thereby reset plate 30 acts as a stop for detent 22 and accepts the outward pressure of spring 29.

In the description that I have thus far made, we have the springs 26, 29 acting by their inward and outward pressure on detent 22 to hold the inside push button 13a in a normal unlocking position, as shown in FIG. 1. Since all of the inside buttons 13 have the same construction, each of those buttons naturally will be held in the same way. I shall now describe the manner in which springs 26, 29 will also hold each push button 13 in a locking position.

I have already alluded to the fact that the portions 28 on push button 13a, FIG. 5, will enable the button to tilt its detent 22. The actual tilting of one detent 22 is illustrated in FIG. 4 in connection with the push button 13b. Thus, by the depression of the button 13b, its portions 28 have tilted the corresponding detent 22, and also have acted together with a further portion 32 on an upper part of the button to move detent 22 inwardly to a set position. To hold detent 22 in its set position, I

form the detent with a pair of notched fingers 33 and a lug 34 that are shown in detail in FIG. 6. Those fingers 33 and lug 34 are arranged to latch relatively to lugs 35 and a notch 36 on reset plate 30, but will lie freely in the reset plate opening 31 when the detent 22 is in a normal position.

It may be well to describe here the manner in which reset plate 30 can release detent 22 from its set position. Thus, I mount the reset plate 30 through means, not shown, that will permit the plate 30 to move downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 4, but with a spring 37 normally holding the plate in that position. The reset button 15 is equipped with a cam 38, and when de pressed against the pressure of a spring 39 will act through cam 38 to move reset plate 3-9 downwardly. By that downward movement, the plate 30 will be placed out of latching relation to the fingers 33 and lug 34 of detent 22, so that the detent by its spring pressure will return to normal position.

When push button 13b has been depressed and its detent 22 set, as in FIG. 4, it will be seen that button 13b will be in a locking position because the gating 21 on the corresponding locking part 17 is then out of aligned relation to fence 20. However, button 131) will be held in that locking position through the outward pressure of the spring 29 acting against detent 22, and the inward pressure of the spring 26 acting against the shoulders 27 on locking part 17. Thereby springs 26 and 29 are adapted to hold the push button 13b in the particular locking position as well as in unlocking position.

To appreciate fully the effect of the springs 26, 29, it is necessary to understand that each spring 26 by yielding will enable an inside push button I3 to move outwardly, or toward the right as viewed in FIG. 4, whether the button is in normal position as at 13a, or in depressed position as at 13b. Thus, it is possible for the button 13a to move to a position like that at 13c, and also for button 131) to move to a position like that at 13d. Moreover, for reasons that will be clear as my description proceeds, it is important to realize that spring 26 will in either case yield through the same distance while accepting the same pressure. That may be more readily understood when considering relatively to one another the compressed position of each spring 26 on the buttons 13c and 13d.

I shall now describe the means whereby each outside push button 14 coacts with a corresponding inside button 13. Referring particularly to the outside button in FIG. 1, it will be seen that a coil spring 46 acts between button 14a and a wall 41 on the housing 12 to press that button outwardly to a normal position. Also, a catch lever 42 and a push lever 43 are pivoted to button 14a through a pivot 44. A C-shaped spring 45 is engaged about corresponding ends of both levers 42, 43, and presses those levers in opposed directions about pivot 44.

Catch lever 42 is arranged to move longitudinally in an opening 46 in a side 47 of the lock case 19, FIG. 1, with a cam surface 48 on the lever held against an edge of opening 46 by the spring pressure of the lever. A notch 49 is formed on catch lever 42, and when outside button 1.4a is depressed, notch 49 will pass behind the side 47 of the case It to hold the button in depressed position, that being the position of outside button 140 in FIG. 4. I may state here that the button 140 can be returned to its normal position, should that be desired, by the outside reset button 16. That button 16, when depressed against the pressure of a spring 52, will act through a cam surface 53 to move downwardly a reset plate 50 in the lock case 10. Reset plate 50 normally is held in an upper position by a spring 51, but when moved downwardly will act against catch lever 42 to disengage its notch 49 from the side 47 of the case.

On a lower part of each push lever 43, as for example lever 43 on outside button 14a, FIG. 1, I form a cam surface 55 that coacts with a surface 56 on the housing wall 41, the arrangement being such that the spring pressure of lever 43 will be effective when button 14a is depressed, to rotate lever 43 downwardly while that lever moves inwardly. Further, the push lever 43 has a nose portion 57 that extends in juxtaposed relation to the locking part 17 of the corresponding inside button 13a. On that locking part 17 I form two longitudinally spaced surfaces 58, 59 that are alike and that may very well be notches. Those surfaces or notches 58, 59 are so placed on locking part 17 that the nose 57 of push lever 43 will coact with one of those surfaces incidental to the movement of the lever. Should the inside button 13a be in the normal position shown in FIG. 1, when outside button 14a is depressed, the nose 57 of lever 43 will engage the notch 58, but if inside button 1311 has been depressed, nose 57 will engage the notch 58.

In either case, since the spring 26 on looking part 17 can yield, nose 57 then will move part 17 longitudinally away from the lock, or toward the right as viewed in FIG. 1. Because the nose 57 on each push lever 43 can engage either surface 58 or 59 on its corresponding locking part 17, each outside push button 14 will be effective to move the corresponding inside button 13 whether that inside button is in its normal unlocking position or has been set in its depressed locking position.

The particular operation will be better appreciated when considering FIG. 4 of the drawings. Thus, we see that the inside push button 13a in FIG. 4 has not been depressed and is in its normal position with its gating 2i aligned relatively to fence 20. In other words, button 13a is in unlocking position and does not form a part of a combination that has been set up by the occupant of the room. If we assume that the inside button 13b has been depressed to set a part of the combination, that button 13b will be held in the locking position shown in FIG. 4, with its gating out of aligned relation to fence 2% Let us now assume that inside button 13c also has been set as a part of the combination, as was button 13]), and that the corresponding outside button 140' is depressed. The nose 57 that is moved by that outside button 140 has engage the notch 59 on the locking part of inside button 130, and has moved that inside button to place its gating 21 in aligned relation to the fence 2%. Thereby the inside button 13c is in unlocking position and that particular part of the combination no longer locks the fence.

We shall now see what happens upon the depression of an outside button 14 that does not form a part of the proper combination. We may assume that inside button 13d had not been depressed and therefore was in unlocking position, like the position of button 13a in FIG. 4, but that the corresponding outside button 14d is depressed by a person attempting to enter the room. In that case we see in FIG. 4 that the nose 57 actuated by outside button 14d has engaged notch 58 on the corresponding locking part 17 and has moved inside button 130. beyond its normal unlocking position. Thus, button 13d is in a second locking position, since its gating 21 no longer is in aligned relation to fence 20. Therefore, when a person improperly depresses any outside button 14, that button not forming a part of a combination that was set through depression of the inside buttons 13, he merely will effect further locking of fence 20.

I have already referred to the fact that the surfaces 58, 59 on a particular locking part 17 are alike. Because those surfaces are alike, I am able to prevent the action of the outside buttons 14 from being utilized to detect the combination. That is because the nose 57 that is actuated by each outside button 14 will act in exactly the same Way relatively to each surface 58 or 59 on the corresponding locking part 17. In addition, as I have stated, the spring 26 will yield With the same pressure, whether its inside button has been depressed, as at 13b in FIG. 4, or has not been depressed, as at 13a in FIG. 4. In other words, each spring 26 will oppose movement of an outside button 14 with the same pressure Whether that button is acting as does button 140, or as does button 14d, in

FIG. 4. Thereby a person will not be able to determine from the pressure of an outside button 14 the setting of a corresponding inside button 13.

-It will be appreciated that, once a combination is set through depression of the inside buttons 13, that combination may remain set during subsequent operations of the lock, since the springs 26, 29 will press each button 13 toward the position that is determined by the setting of its detent 22. Of course, the occupant of the room may readily reset the inside buttons 13 through depression of the inside reset button 15, enabling him then to depress but= tons 13 to set up a different combination. The outside reset button 16 will enable a person outside the room to correct his setting of the outside buttons 14, should he at first make an error in depressing those buttons.

From the description I have thus far made, I believe that the push button locking of the fence 20 will be fully understood. I shall now refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings to describe the manner in which I utilize the fence 20 with bolt retracting means in my novel lock. I indicate the latchbolt in FIG. 2 by the numeral 60, that bolt being pressed toward locking position by a spring 61. I utilize separate inside and outside bolt retractors 62, 63 that are mounted for retracting movement independently of one another on the lock case 10, as through lug and slot means 64. Each bolt retractor has a front portion 65 that acts against latchbolt 60, and a rear portion 66 against which a corresponding inside or outside rollback 67, 68 will act to impart bolt retracting movement. The rollbacks 67, 68 are mounted on the lock case 10, and are rotated independently of one another by corre sponding inside and outside knobs 69, 70 acting in a usual way through spindles 71, 72. Actually, it is merely the outside retractor 63 and rollback 68 that are involved in the push button locking operation, but I show the inside retractor 62 and rollback 67 for the purpose of making a complete disclosure.

The outside bolt retractor 63 is equipped with a spring 73 that presses it to a position corresponding to the projected position of bolt 60, as shown in FIG. 2, the retractor 63 in turn pressing outside rollback 68 to a normal position against a stop 74 on the case 10. I equip the rear portion 66 of outside retractor 63 with a surface 75, FIG. 2, that normally is in opposed relation to a dogging portion 76 on the fence 20, that surface 75 and portion 76 preferably being inclined. It will be appreciated that the retracting movement of outside bolt retraotor 63 will take place in a direction that is at right angles to the direction in which fence 20 moves. Therefore, the inclined dogging portion 76 not only will be adapted to dog retractor 63 so that it will not retract bolt 60, but actually will tend to draw the fence 20 more firmly into dogging position, should the retraotor apply pressure to the fence portion 76.

Between the outside rollback 68 and the fence 20, I utilize a spring 77, FIGS. 1 and 2, having opposed ends that are mounted on fence 20 through lug and slot means 78, FIG. 2. The spring 77 is so related to the lug and slot means 78 as to be held in a bowed position. I call attention to the fact that spring 77 thereby is adapted to move with a snap action between the particular position shown in FIG. 2, and the position shown in FIG. 9. When spring 77 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, a nose portion 73 on the spring is in coacting relation to a cam surface 80 on outside roll-back 68, so that rollback 68 is in pressure relation to fence 20 through spring 77. Thus, the outside rollback 68, when rotating to retract bolt 60, as in FIG. 7, can apply to fence 20 pressure that is sufficient to move the fence to its release position when the fence 20 is not locked. Thereby the fence portion 76 will move out of dogging relation to retractor surface 75 0 1allogv full retracting movement of the retractor 63 and However, because the spring 77 will merely accept a predetermined pressure from the rollback 68, that spring will collapse to the position shown in FIG. 9 should the fence 20 be locked by the push button action. The very considerable importance of this feature will be appreciated when it is realized that the snap action spring 77 actually will place rollback 68 out of pressure relation to fence 2%, as in FIG. 9, should a person outside the door start to rotate knob 70 while fence 20 is in dogging relation to the bolt retractor 63. Thereby it is not possible, through a pressure on fence 20, to detect the position of inside push buttons 13 or the combination that has been set up through those buttons.

I do equip my lock with means whereby the snap action spring 77 may be reset. For that purpose, I form on the lower end of outside reset plate 50, FIGS. 1 and 2, a finger 81 that is adapted to move against spring 77. When plate 50 is moved by outside reset button 16 to reset the outside button 14, the finger 81 will move downwardly against the spring 77, should that spring be in its collapsed position as shown in FIG. 9, and will cause spring 77 to snap to its normal position that is shown in FIG. 2. Until spring 77 is thus set in normal position, no manipulation of the lock can be effective to place pressure on the fence 20. With spring 77 in its normal position, the outside rollback 68 can again act through that spring as in FIG. 7 to move fence 20 to release position, should the fence not be locked.

In addition, I equip my lock with a reset lever 82, FIG. 2, that will insure relocking when a person enters after properly setting the outside buttons 14. Lever 82 is mounted on lock case 10 through a pivot 83, and has an end portion 84 extending in opposed relation to the rear end 66 of outside retractor 63, while another portion 85 is in opposed relation to the reset plate finger 81. The arrangement is such that the outside retractor 63, when moved to fully retract the latchbolt 60, as in FIG. 8, will act through lever 82 to move outside reset plate 50 to reset position. Thus, once the outside buttons 14 are properly set and the outside knob 70 is rotated to retract the bolt 60, the outside buttons 14- will be reset so that the inside buttons 13 will automatically lock fence 20 in the same combination as before.

It will now be clear that my novel keyless lock has inside push buttons 13 that can be set in any combination with one another to lock the fence 20 and thereby to dog outside bolt retractor 63 against retracting movement, and that the fence 20 can not move to release position until the outside push buttons 14 are depressed in the same combination as were the inside buttons 13. Depression of the outside buttons 14- in the wrong combination will merely effect further locking of fence 20. Moreover, the spring pressure of the outside buttons 14- can not be utilized by a person outside the door to detect the setting of the inside buttons 13. Further, the outside knob 70 cannot be utilized to apply such pressure to fence 20 as would enable a person to detect the combination. Of course, by utilizing outside reset button 16 the outside buttons 14 can be reset, and those button also will be reset upon full retraction of the latchbolt 60, when the outside bolt retractor 63 is not locked. During all manipulations of the outside buttons and knobs of my lock, the inside push buttons 13 will hold set the combination that was originally set up. Nevertheless, the occupant of the room can very readily set a new combination provided he first actuate the inside reset button 15. It will be seen that I achieve through my novel lock an exceedingly desirable combination operation, while contributing very considerable security.

I do, incidentally, show my keyless lock equipped with a deadbolt 86, FIG. 2, that will be of value when the lock is to be utilized for hotel operation. To actuate that deadbolt 86, I equip the lock with a conventional out side lock cylinder 87 and inside handle 90, FIG. 1, that are separate from the push button mechanism, and that will rotate a cam 88 to move deadbolt 86 to locking and release positions. The deadbolt 86 has a portion 89 that is adapted to act against inside bolt retractor 62, thus enabling a person who is equipped with the proper key or who rotates inside handle 96, to move both of the bolts 86 and 60 to release positions Whether or not outside retractor 63 is locked. I also show in FIG. 1 a spring pressed indicator 91 that is actuated through a cam 92 on the deadbolt 86, whereby to move to indicating position when the deadbolt moves to lock the door.

I believe that the construction and operation of my extremely novel keyless lock will now be understood, and that those persons skilled in the art will fully appreciate the very considerable value of my invention.

I noW claim:

1. In a lock of the class described, a locking inside push button, a detent mounted for movement on the lock to a position for holding said inside push button in a depressed position, a first spring pressing said push button relatively to said detent toward said lock to a stop on said detent, a second spring pressing against said detent to urge it and said inside push button to an initial unlocking position, depression of said push button from said initial unlocking position moving said detent through said stop against the pressure of said second spring to its position for holding said inside push button in a depressed position, an outside push button, and means engaged by depression of said outside push button for pressing said inside push button against the resistance of said first spring relatively to said detent when said inside push button is in its initial and depressed positions.

2. In a lock of the class described, an inside push button, a part mounted for linear movement on the lock and actuated by said inside push button and moving from an initial position to a set position when the button is depressed, a fence, at gating formed on said part to lie in aligned relation to said fence when the part is in its initial position, a detent movable upon depression of the inside push button for holding said part in its set position with its gating out of aligned relation to the fence whereby to lock said fence, spring means yieldingly resisting the linear movement of said part on its mounting from its set position to its initial position and also beyond its initial position, an outside push button, and means engaged by depression of said outside push button when said part is in its initial position and in its set position for pressing said part against the resistance of said spring means whereby to lock and to release said fence.

3. In a lock of the class described, an inside push button, a detent mounted on the lock for movement to a position for holding said inside push button in a depressed position, a spring engaged between said push button and detent to press said button toward said lock to a stop on said detent, a portion on said push button acting through said stop to move said detent to its holding position when the button is depressed, means effective when the detent is so moved to lock said detent in position holding said button with said button adapted to move through yielding of said spring, an outside push button, means engaged by depression of said outside push button for moving said inside push button away from the lock, and said spring by its engagement between the inside button and detent offering resistance of substantially the same magnitude to the movement of the inside button away from the lock whether or not that button has been depressed.

4. In a lock of the class described, a bolt, retracting means for moving said bolt to a retracted position, looking means controllable through the operation of combination means and mounted for movement between locking and release positions, said locking means when in looking position having a portion in opposed relation to a surface on the retracting means whereby to lock said retracting means against movement to a bolt retracting position, a part on said retracting means acting as the retracting means move toward bolt retracting position to apply to said locking means a pressure in a direction toward release position, a snap action spring between said part on the retracting means and said locking means and through which said part acts when applying said pressure to said locking means, and a portion of said spring collapsing due to the snap action of the spring upon the application of predetermined pressure to the spring whereby to place said part on the retracting means out of pressure relation to said locking means.

5, In a lock of the class described, a bolt, retracting means for moving said bolt to a retracted position, a fence mounted for movement to dogging and release positions, said fence when in dogging position having a portion in opposed relation to a surface on the retracting means whereby to dog said retracting means against movement to a bolt retracting position, combination means effective when in a locking position to lock said fence in dogging position, a spring through which said retracting means act when moving toward bolt retracting position to press said fence toward release position, means mounting said spring for a snap movement whereby to move from a normal to a collapsed position due to pressure applied by said retracting means when said fence is locked, said spring by its collapsed position placing the retracting means out of pressure relation to said combination means, and manually operated means for applying pressure to said spring in a direction opposed to the pressure applied by the retracting means for resetting said spring in its normal position.

6. In a lock of the class described, means movable to retract a bolt, combination means for locking said means that retract the bolt, a series of inside push buttons, means through which each inside push button when depressed will actuate a portion of said combination means, yielding means holding each said portion in the position to which it is actuated by its inside button so that the depression of any of said buttons will set up a combination to lock the bolt retracting means, a series of outside push buttons corresponding each to one of said inside buttons, means actuated by the depression of each outside push button to move against the pressure of its yielding means the combination portion that is actuated by the corresponding inside button, a catch effective to hold each outside push button depressed so that the outside buttons when depressed in the combination that has been set up will hold the combination means in unlocking relation to the bolt retracting means, and manually operated means for releasing each outside push button from its catch for resetting the outside push button so that said yielding means will be eifective to hold set the same combination that was set through the depression of the inside buttons.

7. In a lock of the class described, bolt retracting means, a fence movable to dogging and release positions, said fence having a portion that in dogging position dogs said means against movement to a bolt retracting position, a locking part having in aligned relation toone another an unlocking portion and a locking portion at each end of said unlocking portion, means mounting said locking part for movement from a neutral unlocking position in opposed linear directions to each of two locking positions in which one of said locking portions lock the fence in dogging position, a push button at the inside of the lock effective when depressed to move said locking part from neutral position to one of its locking positions relatively to the fence, a manually operated member at the outside of the lock effective when actuated to move said locking part from said one locking position back to neutral position whereby to enable said fence to move to release position relatively to the bolt retracting means, and means through which said outside manually operated member when actuated with said locking part in neutral position moves said part to its other locking position relatively to the fence.

8. In a lock of the class described, a bolt, retracting means for moving said bolt to a retracted position, a fence movable to dogging and release positions, said fence when in dogging position having a portion in opposed relation to a surface on the bolt retracting means where: by to dog said means against movement to a bolt retracting position, a series of inside push buttons, a part through which each inside push button acts when depressed to lock said fence in dogging position, a series of outside push buttons, means whereby said outside push buttons when depressed in a combination corresponding to the depression of the inside buttons will place said parts in unlocking relation to the fence, a spring between said retracting means and fence and through which said retracting means act when moving toward bolt retracting position to press said fence toward release position, and said spring yielding to limit the pressure that is applied to said parts due to a retracting movement of the retracting means when the parts are in locking relation to the fence.

9. In a lock of the class described, a bolt, retracting means for moving said bolt to a retracted position, a fence movable to dogging and release positions, said fence when in dogging position having a portion in opposed relation to a surface on the bolt retracting means whereby to dog said means against movement to a bolt retracting position, a series of inside push buttons, a part actuated by the depression of each inside push button, yielding means holding each said part in the position to which it is actuated by its button, each part having surfaces through which it acts when held in actuated position to lock said fence in dogging position, a spring between said retracting means and fence and through which said retracting means act when moving toward bolt retracting position to press said fence toward release position, means mounting said spring for a snap movement between a normal and a collapsed position, said spring collapsing to place the bolt retracting means out of pressure relation to said parts when said retracting means press said fence toward release position while the fence is locked by said parts, a series of outside push buttons for moving against the pressure of said yielding means the parts actuated by the inside buttons, a catch for holding each outside button depressed so that the outside buttons when depressed in a particular combination will hold said actuated parts in unlocking relation to the fence, manually operated reset means for resetting said outside push buttons to enable said yielding means to return to actuated position the parts that were actuated by the inside buttons, and a portion through which said reset means are effective to move said spring from collapsed to normal position.

10. In a lock of the class described, retracting means for moving a bolt to retracted position, combination means for locking said retracting means, a series of inside push buttons, a portion of said combination means actuated by each inside push button and moving from an unlocking to a locking position when that button is depressed, the depression of any of said inside buttons setting up a combination to lock the bolt retracting means, yielding means for holding each said portion in its locking and unlocking positions, each portion of the combination means movable against the pressure of said yielding means from locking to unlocking position and also from unlocking position to a further locking position, a series of outside push buttons corresponding each to one of said inside buttons, means actuated by the depression of each outside push button to move the corresponding portion of the combination means through yielding of said yielding means, a catch for holding each outside push button depressed so that the outside buttons when depressed in the combination that has been set up will hold the combination means in unlocking relation to the bolt retracting means, and when depressed in a different combination will hold the combination means in locking relation to said retracting means, and manually operated means for releasing each outside push button from its catch for resetting the outside push buttons so that said yielding means will be effective to reset the combination.

11. In a lock of the class described, retracting means for moving a bolt to a retracted position, a fence movable to dogging and release positions, said fence when in dogging position having a portion in opposed relation to a surface on the bolt retracting means whereby to dog said means against movement to a bolt retracting position, a series of inside push buttons adapted to be depressed in various combinations, 2. locking part through which each inside push button acts when depressed to lock said fence in dogging position, a series of outside push buttons, parts actuated by said outside buttons and corresponding each to one of said locking parts, surfaces on corresponding parts coacting with one another when said outside push buttons are depressed in the combination in which the inside buttons were depressed whereby to place said locking parts in unlocking relation to the fence, surfaces like said first surfaces on the corresponding parts whereby the outside buttons when depressed in a different combination will place the locking parts in locking relation to the fence, a spring between said retracting means and fence and through which said retracting means act when moving toward bolt retracting position to press said fence toward release position, and said spring yielding to limit the pressure that is applied to said locking parts due to a retracting movement of the retracting means when the locking parts are in locking relation to the fence.

12. In a lock of the class described, a push button at the outside of the lock, a push button at the inside of the lock, a locking part connected to said inside button, said locking part being in a normal unlocking position when said inside button is not depressed, said inside button when depressed moving said locking part in a linear direction from its normal unlocking position to a locking position, means through which said outside push button acts when depressed to move said locking part in a linear direction from its normal unlocking position to a second locking position and also from its first locking position to normal unlocking position, and said means including like surfaces that are actuated when the locking part is in its first locking and normal unlocking positions so that the manual effort required to move said locking part through depression of said outside push button is the same whether or not the inside push button has placed the locking part in locking position.

13. In a lock of the class described, a locking part normally in unlocking position, means mounting said locking part for movement from its normal unlocking position in a linear direction to a first locking position and from said normal unlocking position in an opposed linear direction to a second locking position, a push button at the inside of the lock etfective when depressed to move said locking part on its mounting from its normal unlocking position to first locking position, a push button at the outside of the lock, means positioned for actuation by the depression of said outside push button to move said locking part from its first locking position back to its normal unlocking position, and like means positioned for actuation by the depression of the outside button when the locking part is in its normal unlocking position to move the part linearly from that position to its second locking position, whereby depression of said outside push button will effect like pressure on said locking part when said part is in first locking position or in normal unlocking position so that detection of the position of said locking part is rendered impos- .Sible.

14. In a lock of the class described, a push button at the inside of the lock, a push button at the outside of the lock, 2. locking part mounted for movement in a linear direction from an unlocking to a first locking position and also in an opposed linear direction from said unlocking to a second locking position, means through which the inside push button when depressed moves said locking part on its mounting from normal unlocking position to its first locking position, means whereby the outside push button when depressed is effective to move said locking part from the first locking position back to unlocking position and also to said sec ond locking position, spring means opposing said movement of the part to unlocking and second locking positions, and said part having like surfaces positioned for engagement by said outside push button to move said locking part against its spring pressure to unlocking position and to said second locking position whereby said outside push button cannot be used to detect through said surfaces whether the inside push button has moved the locking part to first locking position.

15. In a lock of the class described, an inside push button, a locking part actuated to a locking position through depression of said inside push button, a detent mounted on the lock for movement to a position for holding said locking part in locking position, a spring pressing said part relatively to said detent toward said look, a portion on said locking part held by the spring pressure against a stop on said detent, said portion when actuated incidental to depression of said push button acting through said step to move said detent to its holding position, an outside push button, and means engaged by depression of said outside push button for pressing said locking part against the resistance of said spring, whether said inside push button has or has not moved the detent to position to hold said locking part.

16. In a lock of the class described, a bolt, retracting means for moving said bolt to a retracted position, a locking member controllable through the operation of combination means and mounted for movement between a release position, and a position for accepting pressure applied by the bolt retracting means in bolt retracting direction so as to lock said retracting means against movement to bolt retracted position, said locking member and retracting means being formed with coacting surfaces so inclined that the bolt retracting pressure holds the locking member in locking position, said coacting surfaces being in lost motion relation to each other to allow some movement of the retracting means toward bolt retracted position when the locking member is in locking position, a part on said retracting means acting as the retracting means move toward bolt retracting position to apply to said locking member a pressure in a direction toward release position, and yielding means between said part on the retracting means and said locking member and through which said part acts when applying said release pressure to said locking member, with said release pressure limited through yielding of said yielding means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 443,218 Breed -0. Dec. 23, 1890 472,868 Feret Apr. 12, 1892 603,711 Snyder May 10, 1898 1,103,771 Hovey July 14, 1914 2,109,264 Elbaum Feb. 22, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 192,419 Germany Nov. 1, 1907

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