Disc alignment mechanism

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/681,546 filed Aug. 9, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The disclosed invention pertains generally to locks, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to disc tumbler locks.

A lock assembly is provided with a plurality of discs, one or more driver discs and a pivoting component that interacts with the discs and driver discs, providing anti-pick features.

FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of a lock assembly in a locked position.

FIG. 2 depicts an end view of the lock assembly of FIG. 1 in an unlocked position.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the lock assembly of FIG. 1 in a locked position.

Referring now to the Figures, a lock assembly 100 is provided with a plurality of discs 102 , at least one driver disc 104 , and at least one pivoting component 106 . The discs 102 and driver disc 104 are generally cylindrical in shape having a first generally planar surface, a second generally planar surface, and a generally circular circumferential surface 108 therebetween. The discs are further provided with a recess 110 on the circumferential surface 108 for housing a locking bar 112 , and a radial extension component 114 extending radially from the circumferential surface 108 . A radiused transition surface is provided between the circumferential surface 108 and the radial extension component 114 on the discs 102 , such that the extension component 114 has a first width at its radially distal extent (that is to say, farther from the disc center), and a smaller second width at its radially proximal extent (that is to say, closest to the disc center where the extension component 114 meets the circumferential surface 108 ). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the extension component 114 somewhat forms a hook 109 between the radially distal extent of the radial extension component 114 and the circumferential surface 108 . In contrast, the driver disc 104 is provided with a radial extension component 115 that is of a generally uniform width, and is lacking a hook feature 109 .

The pivoting component 106 is biased against all of the discs 102 and the driver disc 104 by spring 116 . The pivoting component 106 is pivotally secured by a disc housing (not shown). Distal of the pivot point 118 , the pivoting component 106 is provided with a pivot extension 120 that aligns with the driver disc 104 . Adjacent the pivot extension 120 , a generally linear edge 122 is provided along the length of the pivoting component 106 . The pivoting component 106 is further provided with an arced surface 124 that substantially mimics the radius on the circumferential surface 108 of the discs 102 , and the driver disc 104 .

The pivoting component 106 prevents the discs 102 and the driver disc 104 from rotating until a key (not shown) is fully inserted into the lock assembly 100 . At least one driver disc 104 (only one shown) is provided in the lock assembly 100 that is provided with geometry on the radial extension component 115 that interacts with the pivot extension 120 so that it can push the pivoting component 106 out of the way to release the other discs 102 . The other discs 102 cannot rotate while the pivoting component 106 is fully engaged with the discs 102 such that the generally linear edge 122 is engaged with the hooks 109 of each disc 102 , thus obstructing the rotational path of each disc 102 . Once the key is fully inserted, the driver disc 104 is rotated first and the pivoting component 106 pivots, releasing the linear edge 122 from the disc hooks 109 , allowing the key to then turn the discs 102 as needed to unlock the lock assembly 100 . Once the pivoting component linear edge 122 is released from the hooks 109 , the arced surface 124 on the pivoting component 106 maintains contact (via the bias provided by spring 116 ) with the circumferential surface 108 of the discs 102 and driver disc 104 . This contact provides anti-pick benefits by applying tension to the discs 102 , 104 while they rotate, which makes it difficult for a lock picker to feel the position of the discs 102 , and the driver disc 104 .

The foregoing written description of structures and methods has been presented for purposes of illustration. Examples are used to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. These examples are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Features described herein may be combined in any combination. Steps of a method described herein may be performed in any sequence that is physically possible. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.