Permutation Patents (Class 70/315)
  • Patent number: 11874917
    Abstract: A device includes a viewfinder wheel with at least one viewfinder window, two or more code wheels rotatably coupled together with the viewfinder wheel about an axis, a plurality of characters, a plurality of code symbols, and a plurality of internal windows. The characters are spaced about a circumferential outer side of the viewfinder wheel and the code wheels. The code symbols are located in regions of a surface of each of the code wheels with each of the regions spaced out a different distance from the axis. The internal windows are in at least one of the code wheels adjacent the viewfinder wheel, wherein alignment of one of the characters of each of the viewfinder wheel and the code wheels at a key sequence location reveals through the viewfinder window and one or more of the internal windows a code sequence comprising a subset of the code symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Kenneth Edward Greiner
  • Patent number: 9416563
    Abstract: A combination lock is provided, the combination lock having a rotary latch configured for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the rotary latch rotating in a first plane; and a bolt configured for movement between a first position and a second position along a second plane the second plane being oriented at a different location than the first plane, the bolt engaging the rotary latch in the first position such that rotation of the rotary latch from the locked position to the unlocked position is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ZEPHYR LOCK LLC
    Inventors: Patrick E. Wind, Kevin Houlihan, Douglas Greene
  • Patent number: 9290967
    Abstract: A combination lock is provided, the combination lock having a rotary latch configured for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the rotary latch rotating in a first plane; and a bolt configured for movement between a first position and a second position along a second plane the second plane being oriented at a different location than the first plane, the bolt engaging the rotary latch in the first position such that rotation of the rotary latch from the locked position to the unlocked position is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ZEPHYR LOCK LLC
    Inventors: Patrick E. Wind, Kevin Houlihan, Douglas Greene
  • Patent number: 9003844
    Abstract: A combination locking arrangement includes a locking member, at least first and second tumbler discs, a dial, and a code change mechanism. When each of the tumbler discs is rotated to an unlocking orientation, the locking member is movable from a locking position to a releasing position. The dial is rotatable about a tumbler disc axis for selective rotation of the at least first and second tumbler discs. The dial includes a clutch rotationally securable in interlocking engagement with the first tumbler disc. The code change mechanism is rotatable to a code change position to separate the clutch from the first tumbler disc, such that the dial is subsequently rotatable to rotate the clutch with respect to the first tumbler disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Esquerra Barraza, Victor Manuel Vergara Carrizoz, Maria Dolores Ruiz Huguez, Ivan Gonzalez Ramos, Ricardo Valenzuela, Sebastian Gonzalez Zertuche
  • Patent number: 8875915
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bottle having a programmable combination locking cap. The locking cap has an upper cap, which locks onto a canister. The locking cap has various layers of rings so that the rings can be aligned in a combination code in order to remove the locked cap from the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Secure Medication Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Sean Serell
  • Publication number: 20140041424
    Abstract: A resettable lock assembly is provided having features that indicate when the lock is in reset mode or normal-use mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Robert D. Zuraski, Son M. Luong
  • Publication number: 20140041423
    Abstract: A resectable combination lock mechanism includes a plurality of outer lock dials and a plurality of inner lock dials. The rotation of a reset feature changes the relative axial position between the outer lock dials and the inner lock dials, allowing the combination of the lock mechanism to be reset. In one aspect, the outer lock dials are axially displaced upon rotation of the reset feature, exposing a visual indicator that is configured to indicate whether the lock is in a combination reset mode or is in a normal mode. The reset mode allows the combination to be changed. The normal mode allows the lock mechanism to be locked or unlocked to secure or release a desired item. In another aspect, the rotation of the reset feature rotates a visual indicator into alignment with a window to indicate that the lock is the reset mode or the normal mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Robert D. Zuraski, Son M. Luong
  • Patent number: 8596103
    Abstract: A permutation lock includes a plurality of adjustment rings which are rotatable about a common axis to set a secret code and includes a locking mechanism which has a blocking element. The blocking element can be displaced in the axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the adjustment rings from a blocking position into a release position. The adjustment rings are rotationally operationally coupled to axially movable driver elements. The driver elements have axial elevated portions, wherein the driver elements cooperate via the elevated portions in the axial direction such that the blocking element is only displaced axially in the release position by means of the driver elements in that the secret code is set at the adjustment rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
    Inventor: Bernd Weiershausen
  • Patent number: 8555686
    Abstract: A lock includes a housing, a keypad disposed on the housing, and a latch assembled with the housing. The keypad includes a plurality of button assemblies, each including an axially depressible button member including a camming surface, a lock wheel having a plurality of camming teeth, and a latch releasing feature secured to the lock wheel for rotation therewith. Pressing the button member causes the camming surface to engage one of the plurality of calming teeth, thereby incrementally rotating the lock wheel between a plurality of rotational positions. When the button members of a predetermined one or more of the plurality of button assemblies are depressed a predetermined number of times, the latch releasing features of each of the plurality of button assemblies align with a plurality of blocking features of the latch to permit lateral sliding movement of the latch from a locked condition to an unlocked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Glenn P. Meekma, Jerry Smith
  • Publication number: 20130239629
    Abstract: A lock is provided, the lock having: a lock mechanism having a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member each being slidably mounted to a housing of the combination lock, wherein the first member is capable of movement between a first position and a second position and the second member is capable of movement between a first position and a second position and wherein movement of the first member from the first position to the second position causes the second member to move from the first position to the second position; a bolt configured for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, the bolt preventing the second member from moving from the second position to the first position when the bolt is in the locking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Wai-Ho Choy, Patrick E. Wind, Kevin Houlihan, Cheung Yi Lam
  • Publication number: 20130219977
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a plurality of button assemblies having a plurality of indicator elements. A position of the indicator elements sets a lock combination. A code blocker is configured to cover and prevent access to the plurality of button assemblies when the lock assembly is in a first position, for example in an unlocked position, and to allow access to the plurality of button assemblies when the lock assembly is in a second position, for example in a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew S. Hill
  • Publication number: 20130168281
    Abstract: A mechanical barrier recipient verification system including a combination lock assembly having a housing carrying a combination lock mechanism. The housing forms an aperture. The lock mechanism selectively receives and captures a post inserted through the aperture. Further the lock mechanism is configured to provide combination unset and set states; unlocked and locked positions; and correctly and incorrectly entered code arrangements. Following insertion of the post into the aperture and with the lock mechanism in the locked position, the post is retained by the lock mechanism regardless of the correctly or incorrectly entered code arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Luke A. Westra, James C. Stango, Kyle A. Koning, Michael S. Rafferty, Wayne M. Hansen, Roy E. McDaniels
  • Patent number: 8443639
    Abstract: A resistant mechanical combination lock and improvements thereto are described herein to include one or more of the following features: an improved combination change/set feature that includes a tumbler interlocking lever with digitated micro-fingers suitable for interdigitating with digitated micro-fingers on the peripheral edge of a combination tumbler ring, the tumbler interlocking lever and the combination tumbler ring sandwiched between a pair of outer gate rings to form a tumbler wheel assembly; a key stabilization feature in which an internal boss and a pivot recess together help stabilize the change key when changing the combination of a lock to help prevent “lock out”; an improved duress feature that includes a duress tumbler wheel assembly (that includes a duress lever) and an interchangeable microswitch; and/or a fence control feature that preferably includes an overcenter spring and trigger plate for controlling fence contact with the drive cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Michael J. Walsh & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20130118219
    Abstract: A word-based combination locking device comprising a body, a locking mechanism and a plurality of wheels. The wheels rotate relative to the body and locking mechanism and display a plurality of letters across the device. The wheels and the letters are configured to simultaneously spell two or more words across the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Wordlock, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Basche
  • Patent number: 8359890
    Abstract: A light fence represented by aligned apertures in a plurality of wheels permits the passage of a light beam to a sensor to activate an electro-mechanical control for a lock. Such an arrangement avoids the sound-producing mechanical action of the typical tumbler lock and safeguards discovery of the opening combination. Rather than the typical case of a numerical sequencing combination, a novel approach is taken by using visual pattern recognition to align the apertures. The electro-mechanical control of the present invention additionally features optimized energy use, customizable settings, precision positioning, and an expansion of possible combination permutations by including direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Brent Kitchen
  • Publication number: 20120324970
    Abstract: To provide a push button lock which includes a housing on which a plurality of depressible push buttons are located, a lock pin which moves axially with the push button and being engageable with and disengageable from the push button, a lock plate formed with a plate key hole and plate lock hole, a reset plate which is provided parallel to the lock plate, a driving cam linked to a deadbolt lock, and the security-code controller detachably attached to the housing. A mechanism and components for setting and storing a security code for locking and unlocking are assembled in a cartridge. The cartridge is detachably attached to the inside of the housing so that various surface designs are available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Nagasawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akemaru Watanabe, Kenji Naito
  • Publication number: 20120174636
    Abstract: A resettable, combination dial lock assembly has a housing, a shackle, and a dial with indicia thereon. A subset of the indicia defines an unlocking combination. The dial is rotatable relative to the housing to positions corresponding to each of the indica subset. A selector is coupled to the dial. Combination members rotate upon rotation of the dial and are each associated with a respective one of the subset of indicia comprising the combination. Rotary members are coupled to the combination members, wherein rotation of the combination members causes rotation of the rotary members. The rotary members and combination members allow entry of the combination by rotating the dial in any direction and independent of a number of rotations made by the dial for activation of the selector to select each of the indicia comprising the combination to unlock the lock assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Wordlock, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Rohde, Christopher Irgens, Frank Scott
  • Patent number: 8096154
    Abstract: A door lock is openable by a key from outside and by a combination mechanism from the inside. The interior combination mechanism may alternatively be supplemented by a key mechanism. The combination is entered by positioning the hands of a simulated clock, an array of push buttons, an array of sliding rods, or a rotating dial. A method is also provided for changing the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Alan Gray Sechtin
  • Patent number: 8087274
    Abstract: A lock structure including an activation device, a combination lock, and a setting device is provided. The combination lock has a plurality of dials, a shaft passing through the dials, and a plurality of first gears disposed on one side of each dial. Each first gear further includes a missing tooth. One end of the shaft is connected to the activation device. The setting device has a plurality of second gears corresponding to the first gears and a setting shaft, wherein one end of the setting shaft passes through the second gears and the other end is connected to the activation device. When the activation device is activated, the second gears are driven to rotate the first gears, so that when each second gear runs free with the missing tooth of each first gear, the dials are in a predetermined position. That is, by means of the activation device and the setting device, the dials of the combination lock can automatically return to the predetermined position after opening or closing the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sinoxlock (Kunshan) Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chang-Chiang Yu, Chun-Sheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20110239715
    Abstract: A permutation lock includes a plurality of adjustment rings which are rotatable about a common axis to set a secret code and includes a locking mechanism which has a blocking element. The blocking element can be displaced in the axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the adjustment rings from a blocking position into a release position. The adjustment rings are rotationally operationally coupled to axially movable driver elements. The driver elements have axial elevated portions, wherein the driver elements cooperate via the elevated portions in the axial direction such that the blocking element is only displaced axially in the release position by means of the driver elements in that the secret code is set at the adjustment rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
    Inventor: Bernd Weiershausen
  • Patent number: 7913525
    Abstract: A padlock includes a housing, a shackle having a pivoting portion pivotally passing through a first top hole of the housing into an accommodation chamber of the housing and a locking end passing through a second top hole of the housing, a retaining device disposed in the accommodation chamber and having at least two driving wheels for controlling an axial movement of the pivoting portion of the shackle, and at least two pointers located above a dial of the housing and respectively driven by the driving wheels to point to one of figures of the dial. When both of the pointers point to correct figures, the pivoting portion of the shackle is axially moveable relative to the housing under the control of the driving wheels, such that locking end of the shackle is moveable away from the second top hole of the housing to unlock the padlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Sam Ma
  • Publication number: 20110041574
    Abstract: A combination lock with dual key numbers includes a casing, a latch, a locking piece and a plurality of restricting assemblies. The latch is slidingly provided in the casing, and the locking piece is pivotally provided in the casing. The latch has an abutting portion and a plurality of protrusions. The locking piece has a plurality of locking grooves. The restricting assemblies are rotatably provided outside the latch. Each of the restricting assemblies comprises a restricting piece, a first braking piece and a second braking piece. The first braking piece and the second braking piece are restricted by the restricting piece. The second braking piece has a guiding slot corresponding to the protrusion. With the relative rotation among the restricting piece, the first and second braking pieces, a user can set two independent groups of key numbers, which can unlock the combination lock, thereby increasing the convenience in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: KUO-TSUNG YANG
  • Patent number: 7779658
    Abstract: A locking device comprising: a lock body; a plurality of dial rings; and a fixing member which is elongated in shape and is locked by being directly fixed with the plurality of dial rings, wherein said fixing member includes a convex-concave part with repeated concaves and convexes formed in the longitudinal direction of said fixing member, each of said dial rings includes a cutout which is provided on a part of the circumferential direction in such a manner that allows said fixing member to be freely inserted/withdrawn at a rotation position which is the unlocking position and that one of said dial ring abuts the convexes of the concave-convex part at a rotation position except for the unlocking position, said locking device includes a passage for inserting/withdrawing said fixing member, a part of the passage is a hole which reaches said dial rings from outside said locking device, and the hole is curved or flexed such that said dial rings are invisible from outside said locking device via the hole, and thu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Teruaki Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20100064744
    Abstract: A high security lock includes a lock bolt movable between extended and retracted positions, a bolt retraction gear coupled to the lock bolt, and a manually-driven gear train. When a controller verifies that user-input information is correct for unlocking the lock, the bolt retraction gear and manually-driven gear train are operatively coupled such that the gear train can drive the lock bolt from the extended position to the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Lock II, L.L.C.
    Inventors: J. Clayton Miller, Donald P. Cooke, JR., Michael P. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20090249841
    Abstract: A combination locking system has a combination lock comprising a plurality of sets of thematic component pictorial indicia imprinted upon a set of tumblers that when sequentially realigned form a series of gestalt composite images recognizable to a human operator. Only one of the composite images is the correct combination that unlocks the lock. A second embodiment of the combination locking system has a combination lock comprising a plurality of morphosyntactically conformational, paradigmatic semantic word string indicia that together form a myriad of grammatical and meaningful phrases, only one of which is the correct combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: David Aaron Holmes
  • Publication number: 20090078008
    Abstract: A method of inputting a user input access combination in order to gain authorized entry into a secure location comprises providing an input device having first and second input keys as well as a display, randomly generating a first character and a second character on the display, inputting the user input access combination into the input device, and comparing the user input access combination with an authorized access combination. The user input access combination includes a first user input character and a second user input character. The step of inputting the user input access combination comprises pressing the first input key to change the first randomly generated character to the first user input character, and pressing the second input key to change the second randomly generated character to the second user input character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: LOCK TECHNOLOGY B.V.
    Inventor: Klaus W. Gartner
  • Patent number: 7318331
    Abstract: A combination lock has a plurality buttons movably received in the casing and a knob rotatably received in the casing. When specific buttons are pressed downward, rotating the knob from a first position to a second position, the balls in the downward movement buttons are limited in the limiting holes in the buttons by the abutting faces of a frame. Rotating the knob to a third position allows pins of the pressed buttons to be secured and limited in the longitudinal paths. Pressing the returning rod is able to release the arms which are received in the arm stays in the pressed arms. Rotating only the core relative to the combination of the rotator and the body is able to drive the second abutting block to move so as to return all the pins back to their original positions to be ready for next use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Jin Tay Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Miao
  • Patent number: 7266981
    Abstract: A locker lock that provides for increased security and ease of use. The locker lock can be a vertical built-in lock or a horizontal built-in lock. In each case the lock is symmetrical such that it can be used in either right-handed or left-handed lockers. The locker lock provides for increased security by increasing the distance the lock bolt must travel. The locker lock also provides for an easy combination changing mechanism, such that the combination can be changed without opening the lock and the locker lock can accommodate a large number of lock combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Edward Flory, Christopher Haczynski
  • Patent number: 7146830
    Abstract: An error-proofing combination padlock has a casing assembly, multiple dials, multiple sleeves, a shackle, a locking bolt and a spring. The dials are mounted rotatably inside the casing assembly. The sleeves are mounted rotatably and respectively inside the dials. The shackle is mounted retractably and pivotally on the casing assembly. A locking bolt is mounted slidably through the sleeves. The error-proofing combination padlock prevents dials from rotating except when the shackle is located in the locking (first) position or the combination-resetting (third) position and avoids a new and unintended unlocking combination arising during a resetting operation of the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Chien-Yung Huang
  • Patent number: 7107803
    Abstract: A combination locking tube comprising a base end cap connected to a base tube having a longitudinal channel and at least one notch contiguous with the channel, at least one locking ring having a longitudinal ring channel, a notch contiguous with the ring channel and an interlocking pin, each locking ring rotatably mounted on the base tube such that the locking ring's notch is positioned over a base tube notch, at least one indicia ring rotatably mounted on a locking ring having a plurality of characters and a plurality of teeth on its outer and inner surfaces, respectively, at least one static ring statically mounted to the base tube having an interlocking pin receptacle and an annular recess, an inner tube having an end cap and at least one pin received within the base tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Neil J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6938782
    Abstract: A rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle. The rack includes forward and rear crossbars extending across a top surface of the vehicle and a pair of tower bodies associated with each crossbar to secure the crossbars to the vehicle. A wheel mount is attached to a first one of the crossbars. The wheel mount is adapted to support a wheel of the bicycle with a lowest point on the wheel positioned over a range of positions relative to the crossbar including with the lowest point positioned off the wheel mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Dean, Scott R. Allen
  • Patent number: 6883355
    Abstract: By forming a combination padlock from heavy duty metal throughout with an enlarged, heavy duty locking bar or shackle being employed having a tamper-proof holding cavity for the terminating, locking end of the locking bar, an effective, easily produced, high security padlock is achieved which employs a combination system for fully operating the padlock. In addition, the combination padlock of the present invention incorporates tumbler or clutch wheel constructions which cooperate with the rotating dials to virtually eliminate any possibility that an unauthorized person would be capable of gaining access to the padlock by known combination lock picking techniques by forming each tumbler or clutch wheel with a plurality of radially extending fins formed thereon, with each of the fins being arcuately spaced from the adjacent fin in a non-symmetrical pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: The Sun Lock Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Lai
  • Patent number: 6845643
    Abstract: An inverted U-shaped combination lock is disclosed. The lock includes a male locking mechanisms, a push ring, a hollow spindle, a sealing ring, an abutment ring, number rings, and a spring. The lock can be opened without a password by inserting a key into a keyhole prior to turning an angle of 90 degrees of the key. A ridged section of the mechanism is changed from a higher position to a lower one for disengaging the mechanism from the lock for subsequent removal of the mechanism. The lock also provides help for the user to know the forgotten password and resetting the password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Cheng-Che Tsai
  • Patent number: 6729166
    Abstract: By providing a shackle holding assembly mounted in controlling engagement with the termination end of the long leg of the shackle, movement of the shackle is controlled and accidental changes to the combination are prevented. Preferably, the shackle holding assembly comprises a rim-bearing holding member mounted to the free end of the elongated leg of the shackle which is engaged with a spring member biased to prevent unwanted axial movement of the shackle. As a result, user force is required to axially move the shackle into the combination re-setting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Sun Lock Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Lai
  • Patent number: 6711922
    Abstract: A mechanism of a combination lock for beginning and ending combination-changing operation includes a pressing block, which is fitted to a front end of the spindle of the combination lock and associated with a pad. The pad has posts contacting a most front one of several spring-loaded tooth dishes, which separably engage respective dials. The pressing block is pressed towards a rear end of the spindle to force the tooth dishes to disengage respective dials so that the dials can be turned relative to the tooth dishes for changing the unlocking numeral combination to a new one. When the combination changing operation is finished, the pressing block is pushed back to the original position for the tooth dishes to engage respective dials; thus, after the combination changing operation, movement of the pressing block back to the original position can't cause rotation of the dials accidentally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Jaeyou Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Tao Tsai
  • Patent number: 6708538
    Abstract: A lock apparatus operable by combination or key includes a cylinder plug secured at a reference orientation relative to a frame by a plurality of detent wafers biased for engagement with a primary keyway in the frame, and a combination dial mounted coaxially about the cylinder plug and operably connected to the detent wafers by a plurality of cam rings mounted about the frame and cylinder plug for engaging a plurality of associated radial push pins arranged to force the detent wafers out of the primary keyway. The detent wafers are removed from engagement with the keyway by insertion of a key within the cylinder plug or by entry of a combination using the dial to allow rotation of the cylinder plug and an output nut carried thereby away from the cylinder plug's reference orientation. A ratchet-driven cam tube is provided for automatically scrambling the cam rings during operation of the lock apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Curt A. Walby
  • Patent number: 6675614
    Abstract: The combination padlock of the present invention incorporates tumbler or clutch wheel constructions which cooperate with the rotating dials to virtually eliminate any possibility that an unauthorized person would be capable of gaining access to the padlock by known combination lock picking techniques by forming each tumbler or clutch wheel with a plurality of radially extending fins formed thereon, with each of the fins being arcuately spaced from the adjacent fin in a non-symmetrical pattern. Furthermore, the padlock of the present invention incorporates a unique combination setting and re-setting assembly which employs a slider shaft incorporating a radially extending post, which must pass through a key-hold slot formed in the body or housing of the padlock for activating the combination setting or re-setting mode, and cooperates with a set screw member threadedly engaged with the housing or body of the padlock which controls the axial movement of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Sun Lock Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Lai
  • Patent number: 6460708
    Abstract: A rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle. The rack includes forward and rear crossbars extending across a top surface of the vehicle and a pair of tower bodies associated with each crossbar to secure the crossbars to the vehicle. A wheel mount is attached to a first one of the crossbars. The wheel mount is adapted to support a wheel of the bicycle with a lowest point on the wheel positioned over a range of positions relative to the crossbar including with the lowest point positioned off the wheel mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Dean, Scott R. Allen
  • Patent number: 6209368
    Abstract: A combination lock includes a male lock body including a rod a female lock body. The female lock body includes a column having a longitudinal slit for releasably receiving the rod of the male lock body. A number of resilient sleeves mounted are around the column. Each sleeve includes a central hole through which the rod extends. Each sleeve includes a bulge on an outer periphery thereof. A number of number wheels are mounted around the column. Each number wheel receives an associated sleeve therein. The bulge of each sleeve generates a sound when the associated number wheel is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Chin Tsun Lee
  • Patent number: 6125568
    Abstract: The present invention describes a firearm lock 20 having a combination lock 20 for firearms 10 which uses four tumbler locking mechanisms 22, 24, 26 and 28 connected to the firing trigger 16 mechanism by way of a trigger deactuator rod 38. The trigger 16 firing mechanism is disabled until the four or more tumblers 22, 24, 26 and 28 of the combination lock 20 are positioned in such a way as to allow a preselected combination or pin number on the tumblers to communicate with a tumbler pin 44, 46, 48 and 50 attached to the trigger deactuator rod 38. When the numbers of the disk tumblers 22, 24, 26 and 28 are properly entered, the tumbler pins 44, 46, 48 and 50 of the trigger deactuator rod 38 will seat in a single hole and thereby allow the trigger 16 firing mechanism to be actuated. If the wrong number of the combination is entered, the tumbler pin will contact a false hole after traveling only a short distance thereby locking and preventing the trigger mechanism from firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: George Granaroli
  • Patent number: 6062051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dial lock slide for slide fasteners used for bags or trunks, made capable of altering the dial code at will that opening the lock may become impossible for others, through its characteristic construction, wherein a slide (1) on one side has a lock bar (13) which has key (14) in projection, while another slide (2) on the other side has a cylinder (23) which has slit (23a); cylinder (23) is inserted, keeping said lock devices (30) rotatable; and a lock ring (41) with a polygonal outer surface (42) corresponding to a polygonal inner surface (33) of an inward-turning flange (32) and also inner key grooves (43) is inserted, rotatably, in a dial ring (31), which has said inward-turning flange (32) and a polygonal inner surface (33) on one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventors: Du Hyun Nam, Jung Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 6035672
    Abstract: By providing an automatically displayed, easily seen, positive visual indicator on a combination lock each time the combination lock is placed in its combination set or re-set position, a unique, easily used, enhanced combination lock is realized. Preferably, the visual indicator is automatically displayed upon entry of the lock into its combination setting or resetting position, thereby providing the user with a positive, readily seen, visual display clearly informing the user that the combination sequence may be altered. Furthermore, the lock construction of the present invention is constructed with the interior chambers thereof virtually sealed from ambient surroundings, thereby preventing unwanted contamination from entering the interior of the lock and the rotating components thereof. In this way, degradation by contamination is virtually eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: The Sun Lock Company Ltd
    Inventor: Eric Lai
  • Patent number: 5953940
    Abstract: An easily operable combination padlock includes: a casing, a shackle having a long leg member and a short leg member respectively lockable with a pair of locking shuttles slidably held in the casing, a plurality of dials and sleeves rotatably mounted on a bolt longitudinally held in the casing, a conical head portion formed on a top of the bolt tangentially engageable with the two shuttles, and a combination-changing device formed on a bottom portion of the bolt and the casing for resetting a new combination when the padlock is unlocked; whereby upon an outward extending of the two shuttles as urged by the conical head portion of the bolt to engage the two leg members of the shackle, the shackle is locked for locking the padlock; and upon unlocking of the padlock, the conical head portion on the bolt is downwardly depressible without retarding an inward retraction of the two shuttles, the shackle will be upwardly pulled by retracting the shuttles for unlocking the padlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Chong-Kuan Ling
  • Patent number: 5636539
    Abstract: A combination lock is provided wherein force is maintained by convex blocks of a thimble member to displace a setting push ring and allow setting of a new combination. The convex blocks of the thimble are engaged with arcuate edges of a push ring by rotation of the thimble. Subsequent to setting of a new combination, the thimble is rotated back to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Cheng-Tao Tsai
  • Patent number: 5582049
    Abstract: A combination lock is disclosed having four dial buttons arranged in a lock box in a rectangular fashion with a handle driving a bolt which is controlled by the dial buttons. The bottom of the lock box has four bearing sleeves supporting four base plates provided with "n" number of teeth. Each base plate has, on its jacket surface, a radial groove. A cross-shaped scan lock is swivel-mounted between the base plates, with the scan lock having four scan pins, or burls, fitting into the radial grooves of each of the base plates, and a lock block immersing in the bolt. Catch disks are provided with "n" number of teeth and square-shaped holes, which are supported on the base plates. The dial buttons are provided with square shafts and have "n" numbers or symbols immersed in the catch disks. Each base plate also has a concentric bore and each bore has a coupling pin provided with conical ends. The pins engage conical bores of a switch plate and one of "n" bores of the catch disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Mauer GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Mauer
  • Patent number: 5186032
    Abstract: The numeral lock with changeable combinations includes a housing, handle members disposed on opposite sides of the housing, a slider member mounted in the housing, a plurality of adjustable dial members provided on the housing for changing the combination of the numeral lock, and a plurality of notches or numbers provided on the housing circumferentially spaced about the dial members. The adjustable dial members can be set to an unlocking position to open the numeral lock. A setting knob mounted on the housing can be pulled outwardly to change the positions of the adjustable dial members for changing the combination of the numeral lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Tzyh-Suenn Chia
  • Patent number: 5063761
    Abstract: A combination padlock includes: a first lock body combinable with a second lock body having a hollow spindle formed in the second lock body, a shackle generally U shaped having two leg members respectively lockably embedded in the two lock bodies, a plurality of dials rotatably mounted on the hollow spindle of the second lock body, a plurality of sleeves each sleeve rotatably engageable with each dial, a locking bolt slidably held in the hollow spindle normally locking one leg member of the shackle for locking the padlock, and at least a combination-changing pin preformed in situ in one lock body, whereby upon an inward depression of the pin to disengage the sleeves from the dials, the dials can be freely rotated for resetting a new combination conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventor: Chong-Kuan Ling
  • Patent number: 5058404
    Abstract: The push-button lock arrangement includes a permutation chamber, and, in accordance with the invention, the combination of the permutation chamber can be changed without dismantling the lock arrangement and without the use of special tools. A cam, which is rotated by a simple screwdriver, activates the end of the lock-out slide of the permutation chamber to put the permutation chamber in its reset mode. The lock arrangement also includes a rotating stop member and a stationary stopper. The rotating stop member is connected to the outside door knob so that the rotation of the outside door knob is constrained to a predetermined angle of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Ilco Unican Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Fish, Abraham Toledano
  • Patent number: 5020346
    Abstract: A permutation lock, particularly for storage compartments, has a variable combination such that an opening combination corresponds to a combination to which the lock was set by advancement of the bolt into the locked position. The lock has an emergency opening mechanism which can be activated and deactivated by key actuation. To increase the security value with simple actuation of the permutation lock, the emergency opening mechanism can be deactivated only by means of a reactivation key which can be inserted into a lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Schulte-Schlagbaum Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Armin Eisermann
  • Patent number: 5007262
    Abstract: A dial lock comprises: a slide bar (10) which is controlled of its movement by engagement with a lock pin (2), dials (3) for controlling movement of the lock pin (2) with respective optional retrieving number, return-to-zero gears (6) to return the dials (3) to these zero-indicating positions at the time of locking and unlocking, and anti-locking means for enabling the locking only after a case when at least one of the dials is set to indicate a number other than zero, whereby optional unlocking number can be set without fail in locking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Clover Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hatsuo Nakai