Abstract: The present application includes a combination lock system having gears, cams, and an interference system. In one embodiment, the angular position of the cams is adjusted by a user interface through operation of the gears. When the cams are in a predetermined position, the interference system is movable with respect to the cams and the system is unlocked. The user interface may be a pushbutton keypad.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a mechanical combination lock which includes a base having a cavity, a central shaft provided inside the cavity, and a plurality of combination control units provided on the central shaft, wherein each combination control unit includes a combination disc having at least three combination regions that correspond respectively to different combination conditions. The present application provides the mechanical combination lock whereby one button can set a combination with 2 or more bits. That means repeating characters can appear in a combination sequence. This can greatly increase the complexity of the combination sequence and can prevent cracking of the combination sequence without increasing the number of buttons on the mechanical combination lock.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes tumbler-style combination locks and methods for marking tumbler-style combination locks. The locks include a locking member movable between locked and unlocked configurations with respect to a lock body, a plurality of tumblers individually rotatable with respect to the body and coaxially positioned along an axis, and a plurality of strings of letters corresponding in number to the plurality of tumblers. The letters are randomly selected from an alphabet and positioned on an individual tumbler in a string around the axis.

Abstract: A process for opening a combination lock having a known opening sequence with a tool having a driven portion operable only upon receipt of an authorization, the process including associating the tool's driven portion with the lock such that the driven portion automatically calibrates with the lock irrespective of the initial position of the lock and authorizing the driven portion to proceed through the known lock opening sequence of a predetermined series of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations to unlock the lock. A method of opening a combination lock with a tool, the combination lock having an opening sequence consisting of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of a non finger manipulable lock opening component, the method including mating the tool with the lock opening component and operating the tool to rotate the lock opening component through a series of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations corresponding to the opening sequence to unlock the lock.

Abstract: A self-scrambling combination includes a frame that supports at least two tumbler rings and an activating slide. The tumbler rings are marked with characters used for a combination for the lock. The lock is openable only when the tumbler rings are located in an open position related to the combination. The activating slide moves a locking bar between a locked position and an unlocked position. A scrambling mechanism is attached to the activating slide and rotates the tumbler rings from the open position to another position upon movement of the activating slide to move the locking bar from the unlocked position to the locked position. The frame can be used as the door of a lockbox and an attached key lock controls the setting of the combination for the lock. The self-scrambling combination lock can be used for a briefcase or valise lock with an additional spring closing the lock.

Abstract: A zipper lock includes a combination lock, a pin tumbler lock, a swivel member and two latches. The swivel member is disengaged from the latches for allowing movement of the latches when the combination lock shows the correct permutation. The pin tumbler lock has an actuating block rotatable with the key to move the swivel member away from the latches for allowing movement of the latches so as to enable the pull-tabs of the zipper be inserted into or pulled away from a lock housing of the zipper lock. Therefore, the user is allowed to selectively unlock the zipper lock either by means of the combination lock or the pin tumbler lock.