US3444712A - Lock and improved guard therefor - Google Patents

Description

y 1969 HQGREENWALD v LOCK AND IMPROVED GUARD THEREFOR Filed March 5', 1967 FIG.1

INVENTOR. Harry Greenwald ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,444,712 LOCK AND IMPROVED GUARD THEREFOR Harry Greenwald, Whitestone, N.Y., assignor of one-third eat? to Louis Walf, and Harry Silberglait, Brooklyn,

Filed Mar. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 620,333 Int. Cl. E05]: 17/16 US. Cl. 70423 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is directed to a lock and guard therefor in which the front of the guard is spaced from the face of the lock. The front of the guard has formed therein a key-shaped opening for receiving the key to operate the lock. The shape of the opening is such as to permit only an authorized or properly shaped key to be fitted to the keyway of the lock.

This invention relates in general to a lock and a protective guard therefor to deter unauthorized tampering with the lock, and more specifically to a lock device and complementary protective guard therefor constructed and arranged so as to permit only an authorized and complementary key to be fitted to the keyway of the lock and guard protecting the lock.

The lock and protective guard therefor in accordance with this invention are particularly adapted for securing, for example, the coin boxes of a c in-operated machine and the like. Generally the coin boxes of such coinoperated machines are secured by a tumbler-type lock, the face portion of which is generally disposed so as to be readily accessible from an exterior portion of the machine. The coin boxes of such machines are usually received in an opening formed in the casing of the machine and in position to receive the coins deposited into the coin slot of the machine.

Because such coin-vending or coin-operated machines are frequently left unattended, the coin boxes of such machines constitute a continuing target for would-be thieves and vandals. It has thus been the experience of the operators of such coin-operated machines that many unscrupulous people constantly attempt to pick and/or tamper with the lock in an effort to obtain unauthorized access to the coins deposited in the box secured thereby, and that the loss and/or damages resulting from such acts constitute a serious and continuing problem to such operators. Even if the attempted theft fails, the face of the exposed lock is generally damaged beyond repair and/ or the lock is rendered totally inoperative. In such an event the lock must be removed and replaced, thereby increasing substantially the cost of maintenance and/or repair.

In picking tumbler locks of the type utilized in such coin-operated machines, the thieves and/ or would-be vandals have also developed a technique of picking the locks with a specially designed pick or tool which requires for its successful operation that it be axially aligned with the keyway of the lock. Another means which has been employed by unauthorized personnel in gaining illegal access to the coin box has been 'by drilling through the face of the lock. To effectively drill through the lock, it is also essential that the drill bit be axially aligned with the face of the lock. If for some reason the act of gaining access to the coin box is incomplete or interrupted for some reason, the drilling of the face of the lock nevertheless invariably damages the lock beyond repair.

It is therefore an object of this inventi n to provide a guard specifically constructed to protect the face of a lock 3,444,712 Patented May 20, 1969 ice which will obstruct axial alignment of a lock pick or drill bit with the key-Way of the lock.

It is another object of this invention to provide a lock and a protective device or guard therefor in the form of a bent U-shaped member which can be attached or fixed in position across the face of the lock so as to prohibit axial alignment of any key and/or lock pick or other tool not specifically designed to complement or operate the lock so protected.

It is another object to provide a guard which can be secured to the panel in which the lock is disposed, and which is specifically constructed and arranged so as to be utilized in conjunction with a key means that is specifically constructed to complement the structure of the guard, and in which alignment of the key with the keyway in the face of the lock can be attained only with an authorized key.

Another object of this invention is to provide a l ck having an improved guard means arranged to protect the face of the lock and which guard and key are provided with complementary shapes so as to effect the alignment of only the proper key with the keyway of the lock.

Another object of this invention is to provide a protective device for protecting the face of the lock that is relatively simple in construction, can be readily fabricated, and which is positive in operati n.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a protective lock device which can be readily fitted to existing locks.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages of this invention are readily attained by a protective device which can be readily applied to the tumbler locks of the type constructed for securing a coin box in the cabinet or frame of a coin-operated machine. Essentially the structure of a tumbler lock utilized for securing such coin boxes comprises a tubular housing which terminates in a face plate having formed therein a keyway for receiving the key by which the lock can be operated. Generally, the faces of such locks are disposed in a panel por tion or front wall portion of the coin box which the lock is adapted to secure.

In accordance with this invention a unique protective device in the form of a guard is secured to the panel in which the lock is disposed. The guard is constructed to circumscribe and protect the face portion of the lock. Essentially the guard comprises a U-shaped member having a front portion and integrally formed opposed end or side portions for spacing the front portion of the guard from the face of the lock. The end edges of the end or side portions are specifically contoured to complement the contour or panel in which the lock is located. To further secure the guard into position, the end or side portions are provided with laterally bent flanges arranged to abut against the panel on either side of the lock. Cover pieces are disposed between the opposed end or side portions to provide a top and bottom for the guard to complete the protection of the lock. The front portion of the guard is provided with a key-shaped opening in which the enlarged portion of the opening is eccentrically disposed with respect to the keyway of the lock, and the reduced portion is formed with an end configuration shaped to complement the shank of an authorized key means constructed to operate the lock. The arrangement is such that the peripheral or circumferential end of the reduced portion of the opening complements the shank portion of the key inserted into the opening of the guard so that it can then be placed into alignment with respect to the keyway of the lock.

Locks of the type generally securing the coin boxes of such coin-operated machines have a circular keyway adapted to receive the head end of a circular key, the latter being provided with longitudinally extending grooves circumferentially spaced about the outer periphcry of the circular end of the key for effecting the setting or positioning of the lock tumblers, such as described in Serial No. 469,601 filed July 6, 1965 and now US. Patent 3,339,384. Accordingly, the arrangement of the guard device with respect to the face of the lock is such that a key in initially passing through the opening formed in the front of the guard must necessarily be first eccentrically positioned relative to the keyway of the lock, and subsequently lowered to accommodate the shank portion of the key to the reduced portion of the opening for effecting proper alignment of the key with the keyway in the lock. Accordingly, unless the shank portion of the key is properly shaped to complement the shape of the reduced end portion of the opening formed in the guard device, proper alignment of the key with the keyway of the lock is not rendered possible.

A feature of this invention therefore resides in the provision of a relatively simply constructed guard device which can be readily attached to a panel in which a tumbler lock is disposed so as to protect the lock against unauthorized access and/ or tampering.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved protective device or guard for a lock which has a key-receiving opening formed in the front portion thereof, which is particularly shaped so as to allow only a proper or authorized key to align with the keyway of the lock.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and specification in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of the protective device of the instant invention as applied to a tumbler lock adapted to secure a coin box of a coin vending machine.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the assembly of FIG. 1, having portions thereof broken away.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the guard device of FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a key adapted to complement the guard device of FIGS. 1 through 4.

FIG. 6 is a left end view of the key of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a tumbler type lock 10 of the type generally utilized in securing the coin box 11 of a coin-operated machine or vending machine, which is not illustrated. Essentially the coin box 11 comprises a drawer which can be readily inserted through an opening formed in the wall portion or cabinet of a coin-operated machine. Generally the front panel 11A of the coin box 11 is adapted to fit against the wall portion of a machine so as to form a part thereof. Disposed in the panel or front wall 11A of the coin box 11 is the tumbler lock 12 for latching and unlatching the coin box 11 to the frame or cabinet of the coin-operated machine. Such locks may comprise a tumbler lock of the type disclosed in a co-pending Serial No. 469,601 filed July 6, 1965 and now US. Patent 3,339,384.

A protective device or guard 12 is provided to protect the lock 10 against damage by would-be vandals and/or thieves, and also to deter unauthorized access to the coin box 11 and/or otherwise prevent the defacing of the lock 10 by those who attempt to gain unauthorized access to the coins deposited therein.

As shown, the protective guard 12 of the present invention comprises a U-shaped member 13 formed of a suitable blank of flat material such as steel, hardened steel and the like, having a front portion 14 and a pair of integrally connected end or side portions 15. The ends or sides 15 each have their respective free edges 15A contoured to complement the contour of the panel 11A in which the lock 10 is disposed. As best seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the respective end portions 15 are each pro- 4 vided with an outwardly and laterally bent flange 16 which in the operative position is adapted to abut against the panel 11A in which the lock is disposed. Accordingly, suitable fastening means, as for example, spot-welding, screws, rivets and the like, secure the flange portions 16 of the guard 12 to the panel 11A.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 through 3 the guard 12 is fitted to the panel 11A in which the lock is disposed so that the laterally turned flanges 16 are disposed on either side of the lock, and the free edges 15A of the opposed end portions 15 are contoured to abut against the panel 11A. Top and bottom cross pieces 17 and 18 are disposed in spaced relationship between the opposed end portions 15 of the guard. As shown, the top and bottom pieces 17 and 18 each comprise a U-shaped member in which the opposed turned end portions 17A and 18A thereof are suitably secured to the inside portions of the respective end portions 15 of the guard, as by welding and/or by other suitably fastening means. When the guard 12 is applied to the panel 11A in which the lock is disposed, it will be noted that the configuration of the guard device 12 is such that the face portion 10A of the lock 10 is completely enclosed and that the front portion 14 of the guard is spaced from the face 10A of the lock 10.

In accordance with this invention the front portion 14 of the guard is provided with a uniquely shaped opening 19 for receiving the key 20 by which the lock 10 may be operated between its latched and unlatched positions. As shown, the opening 19 is defined as a key-shaped opening in which the enlarged portion 19A thereof which permits the initial insertion of the key 20 through the front portion 14 of the guard, is eccentrically disposed with respect to the keyway 21 of the lock as best seen in FIG. 1. The reduced portion 19B of the key-shaped opening 19, in communication with the enlarged portion 19A thereof, is arranged so as to be in axial alignment with the keyway 21 and its functions to effect the alignment of a proper key 20 to the keyway 21 of the lock.

Consequently, upon initial insertion of any key or tool through the opening 19 formed in the front portion 14 of the guard, the key or tool is eccentrically disposed with respect to the keyway of the lock. Accordingly, alignment of the key with respect to the keyway of the lock can only be rendered possible if the shank portion of the key is specifically constructed and/or shaped so as to complement the shape and size of reduced portion 19B of opening 19, which portion allows alignment of the proper key with the keyway 21 of the lock. Therefore, it is to be noted that the axis of the aligning portion 193 of the opening 19 formed in the front portion 14 of the guard is concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of the keyway 21. It will thus be noted that the shank portion of the key must be specifically shaped to complement the shape and size of the aligning portion or reduced portion 19B of the key-shaped opening 19 formed in the front 14 of the protective guard.

While the end portion of the reduced portion 19B of the opening 19 is illustrated as being an arcuate portion of a circle, it will be readily understood that the end portion of the opening 19 may assume any geometric shape or contour. Accordingly, the shank portion 20A of a key, which is specifically adapted to mate with the keyway 21 of the lock, must likewise be formed with a complementary geometric shape so that there is a proper mating of the key shank 20A to the outline or contour of the key opening 19, formed in the front 14 of the protective device so as to effect the necessary alignment of the key 20 with the keyway 21.

From the foregoing description it will be readily apparent that unless the key 20 is specifically shaped to complement the key opening 19 formed in the face portion of the protective device, alignment of the key 20 with respect to the keyway 21 of the lock is rendered impossible. Therefore, would-be vandals and/or burglars utilizing a known type of picking device and/or other means for burglarizing such locks, cannot successfully operate on the locks protected with a guard device, for the reason that such tools are not likely to be provided with the necessary complementary shapes to effect proper alignment thereof with the keyway 21 of the lock. For this reason, such lock picks and/ or would-be burglarizing tools are rendered useless on locks protected as herein described, and thereby any unauthorized tampering with such locks is greatly detered.

It will be noted that the specific proportions of the opening 19 formed in the front 14 of the guard 12 can be varied so that numerous variations and combinations of different sizes and shapes are rendered possible to further deter any standardization of lock picks and/or other burglarizing devices. Also, it is to be noted that the various combinations afforded by the lock and guard 12 therefor herein described further allow for an even greater number of possible lock combinations, as the original number of combinations previously possible by the various possible tumbler settings can now be increased by the number of combinations possible by the various complementary shapes afforded between the shape of the opening 19 and the complementary shape of the key shank.

While the instant invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a security lock having a face portion disposed substantially in the plane of a panel,

said lock having a circular keyway formed in the face portion thereof,

means defining a guard for circumscribing the face of said lock, and

a key means adapted to be received in the keyway of said lock,

said key means having a cylindrically shaped head adapted to fit in said keyway, a shank connected to said head end and turnhandle connected to the other end of said shank,

said guard comprising an integrally formed U-shaped plate member having a front portion and a pair of connected end portions,

each of said end portions having contoured edges adapted to complement the shape of said panel for spacing said front portion from the face portion of said lock,

said end portions include the laterally bent flanges adapted to abut against the surface of said panel,

said front portion having a key-shaped opening formed therein, said opening having an enlarged end portion and a reduced end portion,

said enlarged end portion being eccentrically disposed with respect to the keyway of said lock and said reduced end portion being disposed concentrically relative to the keyway of the lock,

said enlarged portion of said opening being adapted to receive the head of said key eccentrically of said keyway,

and the shank of said key being adapted to be received into reduced portion of said opening,

said shaft and the reduced end portion of said opening having complementary shapes so that when a proper key is disposed in said opening, the head of the key is disposed in axial alignment with the keyway of the lock,

and cross pieces extending between the opposed end portions to form a top and bottom portion for said guard,

each of said cross pieces including a U-shaped member having the opposed ends of which are secured between the end portions of said guard and said top and bottom portions extending between the front portion of said guard and said panel in substantially parallel planes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,004,758 10/ 1911 Ebbert -427 1,110,963 9/ 1914 Robinson 70-454 3,343,386 9/1967 Hall 70-423 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT L. WOLFE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 70-454- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 444 712 Dated 5 May 20, 1969 Inventofls) Harry Greenwald It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, in the title change the name of the assignee,

llouis Walf," to read -Louis Wolff-- I SIGNED AND S EALED MAY 261970 (SEAL) WILLIAM E. SGHUYLER, JR. Comissione-r of Patents

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