US3077099A - Modification of a dead-bolt relocking device for combination locks - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 12, 1.963 J. c. FITCHETT 3,077,099

MODIFICATION OF A DEAD-BOLT RELOCKING DEVICE FOR COMBINATION LOCKS Filed Oct. 12, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W 4 2 J5 15 FE .1.

IN V EN TOR.

MURNEYJ' Z0 18 JameJC FZZcfieZi Feb. 12, 1963 J. c. FITCHETT 3,077,099

MODIFICATION OF A DEAD-BOLT RELOCKING DEVICE FOR COMBINATION LOCKS 2 Sheets-sheaf. 2

Filed Oct. 12, 1956 Unite States Patent Ofiice 3,077,099 Patented Feb. 12, 1963 3,077,099 MODIFICATIUN 6B A DEAD-BOLT RELOCKING DEVICE FUR COMBINATION LOCKS James C. Fitchett, McLean, Va.

(Rte. 1, Lovettsville, Va.)

'Filed Oct. 12, 1956, Ser. No. 615,724 4 Qlaims. (Cl. 70-15) (Granted under 'Iitle 35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to locking mechanisms and more particularly to an improvement in combination locks which will lock the dead-bolt in closed position when an attempt is made to open the lock by tampering with the mechanism.

Standard type combination locks include a tumbler mechanism carried on a tumbler post which may be turned by a dial located on the front wall of the lock box housing the lock mechanism. A bolt extends through one wall of the lock box and is connected to the tumbler mechanism by a lever for normal operation of the lock. To prevent unauthorized opening of the lock by drilling, punching, or similar methods, present safeguards on combination tumbler type locks include a locking pin activated by a spring which forces the locking pin into an aperture in the bolt to lock the bolt in the extended position when an attempt is made to force the lock. The locking pin is normally held out of the locked position by one end of a lever arm which extends over the back of the tumblers so that if the tumblers are forced to the rear, as in the punch method of forcing the lock, the lever arm pivots and releases the lock pin.

The present invention is an improvement in the actuating mechanism for the locking pins engaging the deadbolt and involves the use of a tumbler cup, surrounding the tumbler mechanism, a mechanical linkage including an additional lever arm and rearranging the additional lever arm to be activated by the forceful molesting of the tumbler cup releasing the spring activated locking pins to engage apertures in the dead-bolt and retain it in the extended position.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved automatic operating mechanism for combination locks which will lock the dead-bolt in extended position when an attempt is made to force the mechanism the lock.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved automatic operating mechanism for combination locks including a balanced, floating enclosure for the lock mechanism which effects a release of the locking means engaging the dead-bolt to retain it in extended locked position when an attempt is made to force the mechanism of the lock.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dead-bolt locking mechanism for combination tumbler type locks which will be actuated before any damage is sustained by the normal operating lock mechanism when an attempt is made to force the lock to open.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a construction for actuating a dead-bolt locking mechanism which will prevent forceful opening of the lock even though the normal lock operating mechanism may be damaged by drilling, punching, or similar methods of forcing combination locks of the tumbler type.

These and other objects will be evident from the following description wherein- FIG. 1 is a rear view of one form of tumbler type combination lock embodying the improvements of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the operating mechanism taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with the lock in an upright position showing the preset position of the lever arms prior to release of the deadbolt locking pins;

FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of the operating mechanism as in FIG. 3 showing the position of the lever arms upon release of the dead-bolt locking pins;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a tumbler type combination lock including a modified form of the improvements of the instant invention;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the operating mechanism taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 with the lock in an upright position showing the preset position of another form of lever arm prior to release of the dead-bolt locking pins;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6 showing the preset position of the lever arms prior to release of the dead-bolt locking pins;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 8 but with the locking pins in engagement with the dead-bolt after release by the lever arms;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the operating mechanism of the modified form of the invention as in FIG. 6 showing the relation of the elements controlling the operation of the dead-bolt locking pins; and

FIG. 11 is a view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 6.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing one form of the invention. A lock box 1 houses the lock operating mechanism including the tumbler structure shown generally by 2, bolt 3 and lever 4 which overlays the rearmost tumbler. As is well known, upon rotation of the dial 6, which in turn rotates the spindle and tumbler mechanism 2 carried on tumbler post 8 in accordance With the preset combination of the tumblers, the lever arm 4 coacts with th tumbler structure 2 to move the bolt 3 to the open and closed position. This portion of the combination lock mechanism is conventional structure well known to those skilled in the art and forms no part of the instant invention. The improvement of the instant invention includes a floating tumbler cup or shield 9 located within the lock box 1 surrounding the tumbler mechanism 2 and between the free ends of the lever arms 11. The open face of the cup 9 is toward the rear of the lock box 1. The bottom of the cup 9 has a hole 12 sutficiently large to permit the cup 9 to be fitted over tumbler post 8 and collar 13 which are secured to the inside of box 1. Collar 13 is thicker than the cup 9. This construction enables the tumblers to ride on the collar 13 without coming in contact with the bottom of the cup 9 and consequently not restricting the freedom of movement of the cup 9, which is essential in order that the lever arms 11 may release the lockaormso ing pins 14 for engagement with the bolt 3 when an attempt is made to force the lock, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The outside surface of the cup 9, at points nearest the side walls of the lock box 1, is provided with diametrically opposed ribs 15. The ribs 15 project into guides 16 secured or formed on th inside walls of the lock box 1 to hold the cup 9 in position. The lugs 19 on the cup 9, as shown in F168. 3 and 4, operate the lever arms 11 when the cup 9 is displaced. A flange 17 is secured to an abutment plate 18 which in turn is secured to the inner wall of the cup 9 in a position to act as a stop for the lever 4 during operation of the lock mechanism. A flange 21 carried by the abutment plate 18 projects :over the rearmost tumbler so that when the tumbler mechanism is forced to the rear, as when the lock is forced by punching the tumbler mechanism 2, the cup 9 will actuate the lever arms 11 to release the locking pins 14 for engagement with the bolt 3 and maintain it in an extended position. Cup 9 is held in a balanced neutral or safe position by springs 19 carried on the reduced portions 21 of the shaft 22, which is mounted transversely at One end of lock box 1 adjacent the cup 9. An extending arm or lever 23 of each spring 19 engages the rim of cup 9 to hold the cup in the neutral or safe position. The other end of the springs 19 bears against the wall of the lock box 1. The tension in the springs 19 is sufficient to hold the cup 9 in the safe position against the pressure exerted by the closing or slamming of the safe drawer, but not so strong as to withstand pressure that would be exerted on the cup 9 if an attempt were made to force the lock open such as by punching or drilling. It is understood that othermeans of mounting the springs 19 for holding the cup 9 in a safe position and other forms of springs may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

The lever arms 11 are individually supported for free rotation by bolts 24 or equivalent means, such as studs, passing through the side walls of the lock box 1 and pads 25. The pads 25 are secured to the side walls of the lock box 1 by bolts 26 or other convenient means such as by rivets or welding and serve to mount the locking pins 14 within the lock box 1 in a position to engage the bolt 3 and maintain it in an extended position. Springs 27 surround the locking pins 14 and are maintained in position by locking rings 28 retained in circumferential grooves in the locking pins 14. The locking rings 28 are located a sufficient distance back from the inner bolt engaging end of each locking pin 14 to permit the arcuate ends 29 of the lever arms 11 to engage the locking pins 14 and seat against the locking rings 28. Looking pins 14 which are urged inwardly by the springs 27 are thus retained in a present or locked condition by lever arms 11. The bolt 3 rides in a slide 31. The upstanding sides of the slide 31 are provided with apertures 32 which are in registry with recesses 33 in the sides of the bolt when the bolt 3 is in the fully extended position.

' A sleeve 34 is secured to the upper surface of the bolt 3 in any convenient manner adjacent the inner end thereof and serves as a support for the lever 4. A spring 35 which surrounds the sleeve 34, has one end anchored in the bolt 3 as at 36 and the other end extended to form an arm 37 in engagement with the lever d to urge it into engagement with the tumbler mechanism 2. With the bolt 3 in the locked or extended position, if an attempt is made to force the lock open by punching the tumblers inwardly, it is apparent that the rearmost tumbler will contact the flange 2d and force it inwardly. This action will move the cup 9 inwardly against the action of springs 19 from its normally safe position and in so doing will cause the lugs on the cup 9 to contact the lever arms 11 and rotate them from the position shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 4. Such rotation causes the lever arms .11 to become disengaged from the locking pins 14 which, being urged by springs 27, pass through the apertures 32 and enter the recesses 33 in sides of the bolt 3 to maintain it in the extended position.

If an attempt is made to force the lock by drilling into the mechanism, the drill point will force the cup 9 inwardly against the action of springs 19. The lugs it) on the side of the cup 9 will in turn cause the lever arms 11 to be rotated out of engagement with the locking pins 14 and, due to the biasing action of springs permits the pins 14 to snap into the recesses 33 in the sides of the bolt 3 to maintain it in the extended position.

Another embodiment of the instant invention is shown in FIGS. 6-11. In this embodiment instead of the cup or shield 9 which surrounds only the tumbler mechanism of a combination lock, a liner or shield 38 which slip fits within the lock box 39 and encloses the entire mechanism is provided. The open face of the liner 38 faces the rear of the lock box 39. An opening 41 in the bottom Wall of the liner 38 is sufiiciently large to clear the collar 42 which supports the spindle 43 for the tumbler mechanism, shown generally at 44. This construction again permits the tumblers to ride on the collar 42 without coming in contact with the bot-tom of the liner 38 and consequently not restricting the freedom of movement of the liner 33, which is essential for the proper operation of the device, which will be described in more detail hereinafter. The dial 45, shaft 46, lock box 39, spindle 43, tumbler mechanism 4-4, bolt 40, and lever 47 which coacts with the tumbler mechanism 44 to move the bolt 4% are as found in conventional combination lock structures, well known to those skilled in the art. The lever 47 is rotatably mounted on the support shown generally at 50, or equiv.- alent structure, and urged into engagement with the tumbler mechanism by spring 60.

The bolt 40, which is provided with recesses 48 in the sides thereof adjacent the inner end of the bolt 40, is supported for sliding movement in the slide 49. The inner liner 38 is interrupted at the bolt end of the lock box 39 to permit mounting of the slide 49, the front end of which is secured by welding or other convenient means adjacent the opening for the bolt 40. The bolt 44) and slide 49 thus do not restrict the movement of the liner 38 when it functions to prevent forcing the lock open. A U-shaped support 51, which is of greater width than the slide 49, is secured by riveting, welding or otherwise to the slide 49 for support thereby. The upstanding portions 52 of the U-shaped member 51 face the open side of the lock box 39. A threaded stud or nut and bolt arrangement 53 is located on each side of the bolt 4% and supported in the intervening space between the upstanding portions 52 of the U-shaped member 51 and the upstanding portions 54 of the slide 49. Locking pins 55 located on each side of bolt 40 are also independently supported between the upstanding portions of the U-shaped support 51 and the slide 49. The locking pins 55 are urged toward the bolt 40 by springs 56 which are retained on the locking pins 55 by snap rings 57 secured in circumferential grooves adjacent the innermost ends of the locking pins 55. The upstanding portions of the slide 49 and the U-shaped support 51 are apertured as at 58 and 59, respectively, to permit free sliding movement of the locking pins 55 therethrough. The recesses 48 in the bolt 4% are so located as to be in registry with the apertures 58 when the bolt 49 is in the extended position. The locking pins 55 are restrained in a cocked position out of engagement with the recesses 48 in the bolt 40 by catches 61 which are mounted on the nut and bolt arrangement 53 for free rotation thereon. In the cocked position of the locking pins 55 the independent catches 61 seat between the snap rings 57 and the upstanding portions 54 of the slide 49. The catches 6-1 are urged to maintain the locking pins 55 in the cooked position by springs 62 carried on the nut and bolt arrangement 53. One arm 63 of each spring is in contact with a pin 64 on each catch 61 which extends normally from the plane of the catch 61 toward the side walls of the lock box 39 a suflicient distance to contact a lever bar 65 extending along each side wall of lock box 39. Each lever bar 65 has a crank arm 66 which is rotatably supported in the lock box end walls 67 and is positioned to rest on a long edge 68 of the liner 38. The arm 63, pin 64 and lever bar 65 collectively comprise a restraining lever arrangement which maintains the liner 38 in a predetermined or fioating" position within the lock box relative to the tumbler mechanism.

The tension of all springs employed in this embodiment must be such as to prevent operation of the locking pins 55 under normal operation.

As in the previous embodiment, a flange 69 is rigidly secured to the edge of the liner 38 remote from the bolt 40. The flange 69 projects over the rearmost element of the tumbler mechanism 44 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

Again, in this embodiment if an attempt is made to force the lock mechanism by punching the tumblers, the punching force exerted will cause the tumbler mechanism to contact the flange 69 thereby moving the liner 38 in the direction of the open side. This motion of the liner 38 is transmitted to the lever bars 65 which individually lift the pins 64 thereby rotating the catches 61 out of engagement with the locking pins 55 permitting the latter to enter the recesses 48 in the sides of the bolt 40 to maintain it in locked or extended position.

In the event an attempt is made to force the lock mechanism by drilling into the lock box 39, the liner 38 will be moved in the direction of the open side. This motion of the liner 38 again sets off the same operating sequence of the lever bars 65, pins 64 and catches 61, to release the locking pins 55 from the cocked position, as shown in FIG. 8, for entry into the recesses 48 of the bolt 40, as shown in FIG. 9, to maintain the latter in the locked or extended position.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:

*1. In a combination lock including a lock box, a sliding bolt and a tumbler mechanism for operating said bolt in response to predetermined settings of said tumbler mechanism, a pair of opposed spring biased locking pins mounted within said lock box for movement in a direction normal to the direction of travel of said bolt, and recesses on said bolt for receiving said locking pins, the improvement comprising a shield dimensionally greater than said tumbler mechanism interposed between said lock box and said tumbler mechanism, said shield including a planar portion located between a wall of said lock box and said tumbler mechanism and having a flange portion extending normal to said planar portion and surrounding said tumbler mechanism, guide means including parallel spaced members defining a vertical slot attached to said lock box inwardly thereof and vertically aligned, spaced lugs on the flange portion of said shield, one of said lugs received in said slot orienting said shield relative to said tumbler mechanism, resilient means supported within said lock box and engaging said shield for exerting a force sutficient to maintain said shield in a predetermined position in said guide means relative to said tumbler mechanism, a latch engaging each of said locking pins to maintain it out of engagement wtih an adjacent one of said recesses, each latch including a projection thereon coacting with said vertically aligned, spaced lugs abutment means on said shield for displacement of said shield upon application of a force to said tumbler mechanism in excess of the force exerted by said resilient means, displacement of said shield vertically in said guide means moving each said projection in an arcuate path thereby releasing each of said locking pins from the latch associated therewith for engagement with an adjacent recess to retain said bolt in a locked position.

2. In a combination lock including a lock box, a sliding bolt and a tumbler mechanism for operating said bolt in response to predetermined settings of said tumbler mechanism, a spring biased locking pin mounted on each side of said bolt within said lock box for movement in a direction normal to the direction of travel of said bolt, and a recess on each side of said bolt for receiving an adjacent locking pin, the improvement comprising a shield dimensionally greater than said tumbler mechanism interposed between said lock box and said tumbler mechanism, said shield including a planar portion located between a wall of said lock box and said tumbler mechanism and having a flange portion extending normal to said planar portion and surrounding said tumbler mechanism, guide means including parallel spaced members defining a vertical slot attached to said lock box inwardly thereof and vertically aligned, spaced lugs on the flange portion of said shield, one of said lugs received in said slot orienting said shield relative to said tumbler mechanism, resilient means supported within said lock box and engaging said shield for exerting a force sufficient to maintain said shield in a predetermined position in said guide means relative to said tumbler mechanism, a latch engaging each said locking pin to maintain it out of engagement with the adjacent recess, a projection on each said latch extending through the opening between said vertically aligned, spaced lugs for slidable movement of said shield relative to said lock box, abutment means on said shield coacting with said tumbler mechanism for displacement of said shield upon application of a force to said tumbler mechanism in excess of the force exerted by said resilient means, displacement of said shield vertically inwardly of said lock box in said guide means moving each said projection in an arcuate path thereby releasing each said locking pin from the latch associated therewith for engagement with an adjacent recess to retain said bolt in locked position.

3. In a combination lock including a lock box, a sliding bolt and a mechanism for operating said bolt in response to predetermined settings of said mechanism, a spring biased locking pin mounted on each side of said bolt within said lock box for movement in a direction normal to the direction of travel of said bolt, said bolt having a recess on each side thereof for receiving an adjacent locking pin, the improvement comprising a liner within said lock box and surrounding said mechanism, said liner mounted for independent relative motion to said mechanism, a spring biased latch engaging each said locking pin to maintain it out of engagement with an adjacent recess, a lever bar on each side of said lock box parallel to the direction of travel of said bolt and mounted within said lock box for arcuate travel in a direction normal to the length of said liner, each said lever bar normally contacting an edge of said lock box parallel to the direction of motion of said bolt, each said latch including a projecting pin contacting an adjacent lever bar, abutment means on said liner coacting with said mechanism for displacement of said liner upon application of a force to said mechanism in excess of the force exerted by each said spring biased latch, displacement of said liner relative to said mechanism moving each said lever bar and simultaneously acting on each said projecting pin to raise the latch attached thereto out of engagement with the associated locking pin permitting each said locking pin to engage an adjacent recess and retain said bolt in locked position.

4. In a combination lock including a lock box, a movable bolt, and tumbler mechanism for moving said bolt in accordance with predetermined settings of said tumbler mechanism and releasable locking means adapted to engage said bolt :for retaining it in an extended position, the improvement comprising a shield dimensionally greater than said tumbler mechanism interposed between said lock box and said tumbler mechanism, said shield including a planar portion located between a wall of said lock box and said tumbler mechanism and having a flange portion extending normal to said planar portion and surrounding said tumbler mechanism, restraining lever means 3,077,099 7 communicating with said flange portion of said shield maintaining said shield in a predetermined position within said lock box relative to said tumbler mechanism, pivotally mounted linkage means normally engaging and maintaining said releasable locking means out of engage- 5 ment with said bolt, limiting means carried by said shield 146,782 and coasting with said linkage means to trip said releas- 591,200 able locking means for engagement with said bolt respon- 666,185 sive to displacement of said shield from the position 1,613,755

determined by said restraining lever means upon applica- 1;) 2,575,674

tion of a force to said shield in excess of the force exerted by said retsraining lever means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Richardson Jan. 27, 1874 Stevenson Oct. 5, 1897 Damon Jan. 15, 1901 Hunter Jan. 11, 1927 Miller Nov. 20, 1951

Claims (1)

1. 3. IN A COMBINATION LOCK INCLUDING A LOCK BOX, A SLIDING BOLT AND A MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SAID BOLT IN RESPONSE TO PREDETERMINED SETTINGS OF SAID MECHANISM, A SPRING BIASED LOCKING PIN MOUNTED ON EACH SIDE OF SAID BOLT WITHIN SAID LOCK BOX FOR MOVEMENT IN A DIRECTION NORMAL TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF SAID BOLT, SAID BOLT HAVING A RECESS ON EACH SIDE THEREOF FOR RECEIVING AN ADJACENT LOCKING PIN, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A LINER WITHIN SAID LOCK BOX AND SURROUNDING SAID MECHANISM, SAID LINER MOUNTED FOR INDEPENDENT RELATIVE MOTION TO SAID MECHANISM, A SPRING BIASED LATCH ENGAGING EACH SAID LOCKING PIN TO MAINTAIN IT OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH AN ADJACENT RECESS, A LEVER BAR ON EACH SIDE OF SAID LOCK BOX PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF SAID BOLT AND MOUNTED WITHIN SAID LOCK BOX FOR ARCUATE TRAVEL IN A DIRECTION NORMAL TO THE LENGTH OF SAID LINER, EACH SAID LEVER BAR NORMALLY CONTACTING AN EDGE OF SAID LOCK BOX PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF MOTION OF SAID BOLT, EACH SAID LATCH INCLUDING A PROJECTING PIN CONTACTING AN ADJACENT LEVER BAR, ABUTMENT MEANS ON SAID LINER COACTING WITH SAID MECHANISM FOR DISPLACEMENT OF SAID LINER UPON APPLICATION OF A FORCE TO SAID MECHANISM IN EXCESS OF THE FORCE EXERTED BY EACH SAID SPRING BIASED LATCH, DISPLACEMENT OF SAID LINER RELATIVE TO SAID MECHANISM MOVING EACH SAID LEVER BAR AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ACTING ON EACH SAID PROJECTING PIN TO RAISE THE LATCH ATTACHED THERETO OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ASSOCIATED LOCKING PIN PERMITTING EACH SAID LOCKING PIN TO ENGAGE AN ADJACENT RECESS AND RETAIN SAID BOLT IN LOCKED POSITION.

Images