Multiple wheel combination lock

Claim 2

In a combination lock, the improvement which comprises: digitally operable members which can be manipulated to a predetermined combination position which will unlock the lock; mounting means for said digitally operable members; latch means movable relatively to said mounting means between a locked position and an unlocked position; aperture means in said latch means to permit digital manipulation of said members; and means operative when said members have been manipulated to said predetermined combination position to thereby move said latch means to said unlocked position and to simultaneously move said members out of their combination position so that the combination cannot be visually observed after the lock is unlocked.

Claim 3

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said means includes a first means for moving said latch means and a second means for moving said members out of their combination position.

Claim 4

The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said second means includes a rotatably mounted actuator plate, and means for rotating said actuator plate on setting of the predetermined combination.

Claim 5

The improvement according to claim 3 and further including spring fingers mounted on said actuator plate for engaging said members.

Claim 6

The improvement according to claim 4 wherein said means for rotating said actuator plate includes a cam means mounted on said actuator plate, and a cam follower mounted on said latch means wherein said first means moves said cam follower along said cam means.

Claim 7

The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said first means includes biasing means for moving said latch means when said cam means and said cam follower are aligned, and wherein said cam means and said cam follower are aligned by manipulating said digitally operable members to said predetermined combination position.

Claim 8

The improvement according to claim 3 wherein said mounting means for said digitally operably members includes a shaft, clutch cylinders rotatably mounted on said shaft, and wherein said second means further includes means biasing said actuator plate towards said shaft.

Claim 9

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said latch means covers said members when said lock is in the locked position by maintaining said aperture means out of alignment with said members.

Claim 10

The improvement according to claim 7 wherein said actuator plate includes a plate movable to allow the shaft to be manipulated for changing the predetermined combination to another predetermined combination but only when the correct combination is set.

Claim 11

A combination lock comprising: a container with slots centrally located in one wall thereof; a shaft rotatably mounted within said container; clutch cylinders rotatably mounted on said shaft; digitally operable indicator cylinders containing combination indicia on their peripheries, said indicator cylinders being mounted on said clutch cylinders for observation through said slots and for manipulation to the correct combination; an actuator plate mounted in said container and spring biased against said clutch cylinders, said actuator plate having slots therein for receiving portions of said indicator cylinders; a cover plate movable along said container to open and close the lock; means for moving said cover plate upon digitally manipulating said indicator cylinders to the correct combination; and means for moving said indicator cylinders from the correct combination on opening of the lock.

Claim 12

A combination lock comprising: a container with slots centrally located in one wall thereof; a shaft rotatably mounted within said container; clutch cylinders rotatably mounted on said shaft; digitally operable indicator cylinders containing combination indicia on their peripheries, said indicator cylinders being mounted on said clutch cylinders for observation through said slots and for manipulation to the correct combination; an actuator plate mounted in said container and spring biased against said clutch cylinders, said actuator plate having slots therein for receiving portions of said indicator cylinders; a cover plate movable along said container to open and close the lock; means for moving said cover plate upon digitally manipulating said indicator cylinders to the correct combination; and means for moving said indicator cylinders from the correct combination on opening of the lock.