Single button manipulation mechanism for use in locks and switches

Claim 2

A mechanism comprising: a plurality of members, each of which can be manipulated from an initial position to a predetermined position mounting means for mounting said members in a spaced relationship; manipulation means, associated with said mounting means for reciprocating movement in first and second directions relative to said members, for sequential manipulation of each of said members, and gate means, coupled to said mounting means, including a first portion for directing said manipulation means to manipulate one of said plurality of members when said manipulation means is moved in the first direction, and a second portion for indexing said manipulation means to a position for manipulating another of said plurality of members, after the said one member has been manipulated to the desired predetermined position and said manipulation means has been moved beyond said first portion, when said manipulation means is moved in the second direction.

Claim 3

A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said manipulation means includes: a rod coupled to said mounting means having a portion thereof extending therefrom; a button mounted at the end of the extending portion of said rod; and an arm, pivotally coupled to said rod at a position spaced from said buttoN for engaging said members.

Claim 4

A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said gate means includes: a support pivotally mounted to said mounting means below said manipulation means having slots therein for partially receiving said members; and a series of mechanical gates mounted to the top of said support; certain of said gates normally being in engagement with said members but being movable by engagement with said manipulation means out of engagement with said members.

Claim 5

A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said members are rotatable wheels having ratchet grooves on their peripheries for alternate engagement by said manipulation means and said first portion of said gate means.

Claim 6

A mechanism according to claim 1 further including: actuator means, coupled to said mounting means, for returning each of said members from the predetermined position to the initial position.

Claim 7

A mechanism for selectively activating anyone of a plurality of electrical devices, comprising: a plurality of members, all of which can be manipulated to a plurality of predetermined positions, each of which corresponds to one of the plurality of electrical devices; mounting means for mounting said members in a spaced relationship; electrical means for converting each of the predetermined positions to which the members can be manipulated into an electrical signal which activates the electrical device corresponding to the predetermined position to which the members have been manipulated; manipulation means, associated with said mounting means for reciprocating movement in first and second directions relative to said members, for sequential manipulation of each of said members; and gate means, coupled to said mounting means, including a first portion for directing said manipulation means to manipulate one of said plurality of members when said manipulation means is moved in the first direction, and a second portion for indexing said manipulation means to a position for manipulating another of said plurality of members, after the said one member has been manipulated to the desired predetermined position, and said manipulation means has been moved beyond said first portion, when said manipulation means is moved in the second direction.

Claim 8

A mechanism for selectively activating anyone of a plurality of electrical devices, comprising: a plurality of members, all of which can be manipulated to a plurality of predetermined positions, each of which corresponds to one of the plurality of electrical devices; mounting means for mounting said members in a spaced relationship; electrical means for converting each of the predetermined positions to which the members can be manipulated into an electrical signal which activates the electrical device corresponding to the predetermined position to which the members have been manipulated; manipulation means, associated with said mounting means for reciprocating movement in first and second directions relative to said members, for sequential manipulation of each of said members; and gate means, coupled to said mounting means, including a first portion for directing said manipulation means to manipulate one of said plurality of members when said manipulation means is moved in the first direction, and a second portion for indexing said manipulation means to a position for manipulating another of said plurality of members, after the said one member has been manipulated to the desired predetermined position, and said manipulation means has been moved beyond said first portion, when said manipulation means is moved in the second direction.

Claim 9

A mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said manipulation means includes: a rod coupled to said mounting means having a portion thereof extending therefrom; a button mounted at the end of the extending portion of said rod; and an arm pivotally coupled to said rod at a position spaced from said button for engaging said members.

Claim 10

In a combination lock, the improvement which comprises: members which can be manipulated from a preset initial position to a predetermined combination position; mounting means for mounting said members so that they are hidden from view; rod means movable relative to said mounting means between a locked position and an unlocked position; manipulation means, associated with said mounting means for reciprocating movement in first and second directions relative to said members, for permitting sequential manipulation of each of said members; gate means, coupled to said mounting means, including a first portion for directing said manipulation means to manipulate one of said plurality of members when said manipulation means is moved in the first direction, and a second portion for indexing said manipulation means to a position for manipulating another of said plurality of members, after said one member has been manipulated to the predetermined combination position and said manipulation means has been moved beyond said first portion, when said manipulation means is moved in the second direction; and actuation means, operable when all of said members have been manipulated to said predetermined combination position, to thereby move said rod means to said unlocked position and to simultaneously move said members back to the preset initial position.

Claim 11

In a combination lock, the improvement which comprises: members which can be manipulated from a preset initial position to a predetermined combination position; mounting means for mounting said members so that they are hidden from view; rod means movable relative to said mounting means between a locked position and an unlocked position; manipulation means, associated with said mounting means for reciprocating movement in first and second directions relative to said members, for permitting sequential manipulation of each of said members; gate means, coupled to said mounting means, including a first portion for directing said manipulation means to manipulate one of said plurality of members when said manipulation means is moved in the first direction, and a second portion for indexing said manipulation means to a position for manipulating another of said plurality of members, after said one member has been manipulated to the predetermined combination position and said manipulation means has been moved beyond said first portion, when said manipulation means is moved in the second direction; and actuation means, operable when all of said members have been manipulated to said predetermined combination position, to thereby move said rod means to said unlocked position and to simultaneously move said members back to the preset initial position.

Claim 12

The improvement according to claim 8 wherein said manipulation means includes: a rod coupled to said mounting means having a portion thereof extending therefrom; a button mounted at the end of the extending portion of said rod; and an arm pivotally coupled to said rod at a position spaced from said button for engaging said members.