Encrypted combination lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a combination lock which can be transferred from a locked condition to an opened condition by means of a locking mechanism. By means of at least three rotatably adjustable bearing sleeves, the locking mechanism is blocked by at least one bearing sleeve in a blocking state of the bearing sleeve by a blocking device of the bearing sleeve so as to prevent a transition from a blocking condition to an opening condition. By arranging all the bearing sleeves in the release state, the locking mechanism can be transferred from the blocking state to the opening state. A sealing wheel is arranged on each supporting sleeve, wherein the sealing wheel partially extends into the through hole of the front cover. The inspection state of the respective bearing sleeve can be detected by means of an externally perceptible encryption of the bearing sleeve through the through-hole. The release state of the support sleeve can be adjusted by rotating the support sleeve by a respective densification angle of the support sleeve starting from the inspection state of the support sleeve. The densification angles of the at least two bearing sleeves differ from each other. The invention also relates to a box with the combination lock.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a combination lock, in particular a box lock. The combination lock has a locking mechanism, by means of which the combination lock can be changed from a blocked state (blockadelage, sometimes referred to as a blocked position) to an open state ( The locking mechanism has at least three rotatably adjustable support sleeves. The locking mechanism is blocked by the support sleeve's blocking device in the blocking state (Blockierstellung, sometimes called the blocking position) of at least one support sleeve to prevent the transition from the blocking state to the open state. In addition, the locking mechanism is released by arranging all support sleeves in the release state (Freigabestellung, sometimes called the release position) of each support sleeve in order to transfer from the blocking state to the open state. An encryption wheel (Kodierrad) is also arranged on each support sleeve, which partially protrudes into the perforation of the front cover. The inspection state (Prüfstellung, sometimes called the test state / position) of each support sleeve can be detected by means of the encryption part (Kodierung) of the support sleeve that can be sensed from the outside through the perforation. The release state of the support sleeve can be adjusted here by rotating the support sleeve by the encryption angle of the respective support sleeve starting from the inspection state of the support sleeve. Furthermore, the invention relates to a box, in particular for luggage, wherein the box has a receiving space which can be locked with such a combination lock. Background Art

[0002] Combination locks exist in the prior art in different structural types. In particular, the encryption wheels are arranged flat in a plane or coaxially on a common axis. It is usually provided that the locking mechanism must be unlocked in order to open the combination lock, wherein all encryption wheels must be in their respective released states in order to unlock. In order for the user to be able to restore the combination of the released states of all encryption wheels, it is usually provided that detectable key marks are constructed on the circumference of the encryption wheels. The key secret here refers to the combination of key marks in a specific arrangement in which all encryption wheels or respective support sleeves are in their respective released states.

[0003] Since the key secret can be lost and / or forgotten, it is desirable that the combination lock provides measures by means of which the key secret can be ascertained. Disassembly of the combination lock for analyzing the locking mechanism relative to the state of the support sleeve has proven to be very complex and / or is generally not possible without destroying the locked object.

[0004] A combination lock in the form of a buckle combination lock is known from DE 2261 029 A1, as is often used in boxes and luggage. Here, the encryption wheels are coaxially arranged on a common axis by means of a support sleeve. In addition, in this buckle combination lock, it is provided that the key secret can be individually adjusted by the user through the rotational offset between the encryption wheel and the respective support sleeve. This results in the key secret being adjusted more and more inadvertently. In order to be able to unlock the lock via the key secret in such an inadvertent situation, it is provided that an encryption part that is configured to be visually or tactilely perceptible is constructed at the support sleeve. When the support sleeve is transformed into the inspection state, the encryption part can be recognized by the user from the outside through the opening and the recess.

[0005] In particular, it is known to arrange the encryption part relative to the blocking device of the bearing sleeve at a fixedly defined encryption angle which is designed identically for all bearing sleeves but is known only to authorized personnel.

[0006] By detecting the encryption part from the outside in the test state and, if applicable, subsequently rotating all encryption wheels by a fixed defined encryption angle, the support sleeves are transferred into their respective released state without the user knowing the secret key. In this case, the encryption part is formed at the same location on all support sleeves. In particular, the test state of the support sleeve can also be the released state of the support sleeve at the same time, so that the encryption angle is 0°. In this case, it is sufficient to arrange all support sleeves in such a way that the encryption parts on the respective support sleeves are in a row in order to open the combination lock.

[0007] The solution for determining the confidentiality of a key known from DE 2261 029 A1 has the problem that an unauthorized person can also use the encryption part to secretly open the combination lock in the shortest possible time if he can identify the encryption part and knows the encryption angle. If he does not know the fixed and defined encryption angle, he can find out the encryption angle relatively quickly, because this is the same for all encryption wheels. This can, for example, make it possible to replace or add unauthorized box contents when the box is temporarily occupied. It is therefore desirable that unauthorized persons cannot secretly open the combination lock or can only do so with increased time expenditure. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a combination lock and a box with the combination lock which overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art by making it difficult to surreptitiously open the combination lock without knowing the secret key while at the same time making it relatively easy for authorized persons to ascertain the secret key.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a combination lock with the features of claim 1 and a box with the features of claim 11. By virtue of the fact that the encryption angles of at least two bearing sleeves are different from one another and the bearing sleeves have a second encryption part which is designed as a key mark in such a way that the encryption angle of the respective bearing sleeve is fixedly associated with the design of the key mark and can therefore be identified, and the second encryption part designed as a key mark is designed as a complete coloring of the bearing sleeve or of the material of the bearing sleeve or can be tactilely perceived with the aid of a testing tool, it is achieved that rotating the bearing sleeve in such a way that the encryption parts are arranged in a row or all encryption wheels are additionally rotated by the same encryption angle is not sufficient to transfer the locking mechanism into its open state. Therefore, unlocking the locking mechanism or opening the combination lock can only be achieved unobtrusively if the encryption angle of each individual encryption wheel is known.

[0010] This also has the advantage that a user who knows all the associations of a specific key mark with a specific encryption angle, such as a service technician of a box manufacturer, for example, directly obtains all the information via the respective support sleeve or via the first and second encryption parts arranged on the support sleeve, which the user needs in order to rotate the support sleeve into the release state and thus open the combination lock without knowing the secret key. With the help of the first encryption part, the user can detect the test state of the support sleeve, wherein the second encryption part shows the user the encryption angle by which the user must rotate the respective support sleeve in order to transfer to its release state.

[0011] Thus, in the sense of the invention, the combination lock is unlocked without knowing the secret key by the user detecting the first encryption part on the respective support sleeve and thus bringing the support sleeve into its respective test state. Starting from the test state, the user must now rotate the support sleeve by the respective encryption angle, wherein the encryption angles differ from one another in the case of at least two support sleeves, and then reach the release state of the support sleeve. Since the encryption angles of at least two support sleeves differ from one another, the locking mechanism cannot be transferred into its open state by simply arranging the encryption parts or transferring all support sleeves into their respective test states.

[0012] Under the preconditions according to the invention, the encryption angle of at most two bearing sleeves can also be 0°, so that for both bearing sleeves the test state also corresponds simultaneously to the release state. Since in the sense of the invention at least one of the three bearing sleeves has a different encryption angle in this case, the locking mechanism cannot be switched to its open state without knowing the at least one different encryption angle.

[0013] In particular, for a specific combination lock, a bearing sleeve with different encryption angles is selected according to a random principle or by means of a predetermined sequence of bearing sleeves with different encryption angles, so that the encryption angle of the bearing sleeve of a specific combination lock cannot be predicted without knowing the specifically selected bearing sleeve.

[0014] The information about the encryption angle of the bearing sleeve of a specific combination lock can be stored in the form of a security card attached to the combination lock or the box or in a database at the manufacturer. Preferably, the encryption angle is assigned to the serial number of the respective combination lock or to the serial number of the box in which the combination lock is installed, so that the respective encryption angle of the bearing sleeve can be retrieved from a database, in particular at the manufacturer, according to the serial number.

[0015] According to a possible design scheme, the combination lock and / or the box is marked with a code including letters and numbers in a manner that can be read from the outside, especially by means of a label or readably, wherein the code including letters and numbers is in the form of a code converted by means of an encryption method, preferably in combination with a clear serial number of the combination lock, indicating the encryption angle of the support sleeve of the combination lock.

[0016] Preferably, the encryption angle of the combination lock, especially the password including letters and numbers, is stored in the RFID tag and can be read out through a corresponding RFID reader. The RFID tag can be constructed on the combination lock itself or the box where the respective combination lock is installed.

[0017] In an advantageous variant of the combination lock, the encryption part formed on the support sleeve can be perceived from the outside through a check gap in the edge region of the respective encryption wheel. Particularly advantageously, the check gap is formed between the respective encryption wheel and the wall of the respective perforated adjacent encryption wheel or another encryption wheel arranged adjacently. This embodiment has the advantage that the user can easily gain access to the encryption part on the support sleeve. The check gap can be constructed in such a way that the user can visually identify the encryption part through the check gap. It can also be provided that the check gap is constructed in such a way that a check tool can be introduced into the respective check gap and brought into engagement with the support sleeve or with the encryption part.

[0018] A special embodiment of the combination lock is provided that at least one of the encryption parts is configured as a visually identifiable encryption part. Suitable visual markings are, for example, colored signs. Suitably, the color used for the first encryption part can represent the inspection state and another color or color set as a key mark indicates the respective encryption angle. Exemplarily, such a construction may appear so that, for example, yellow indicates the inspection state and green, blue, red and white indicate the encryption angles, for example, 90°, 180°, 270° and 360° or 0°, respectively. Advantageously, the encryption angle corresponds to an angle from a group of angles, which is in steps of 360° / the total number of key marks on the encryption wheel, and ten key marks are usually arranged on the encryption wheel, namely 0°, 36°, 72°, 108°, 144°, 180°, 216°, 252°, 288°, 324°. It can also be provided that the position of the second encryption part on the support sleeve already represents the first encryption part. By way of example, this embodiment may appear such that a blue dot is formed on the bearing sleeve. The position of the blue dot indicates in particular the inspection state, wherein the blue color represents an encryption angle of 180° by way of example. The respective bearing sleeve can advantageously be provided with a second encryption part formed as a key mark in that the bearing sleeve or the material of the bearing sleeve is completely colored.

[0019] Alternatively or in addition to the colored marking of the first and / or second encryption part, an advantageous embodiment provides that at least one of the encryption parts can be tactilely perceived by means of a testing tool. The tactilely perceptible encryption part is preferably configured as a notch configured in the support sleeve. The notch can also be a slit that passes completely through the support sleeve or a depression or groove configured in the support sleeve. Advantageously, the tactilely perceptible encryption part is configured as a bulge or projection that is configured to point radially outwards.

[0020] In particular, the inspection status can be ascertained with the aid of the inspection tool, wherein the colored marking indicates the inspection angle as a key mark. In this embodiment, such a division into a tactilely perceptible first encryption part and a visually perceptible second encryption part is particularly advantageous, according to which the first and second encryption parts are arranged or formed at the same location on the support sleeve. In this way, the inspection status can be easily detected with the aid of the inspection tool, wherein then, in particular, a glance through the inspection gap is sufficient to identify the second encryption part and thus the encryption angle, without having to search the support sleeve.

[0021] The test tool can be anything that is suitable for providing a tactile or visual feedback to the user. In particular, it can be provided that the combination lock has a guide device for guiding the test tool. The guide device can limit the maximum size of the test tool, so that unauthorized persons who do not have the provided test tool are restricted in their choice of an alternative tool that is to replace the test tool. The guide device also has the advantage that the test tool does not get stuck when it is introduced into the interior of the combination lock and is guided "blindly" directly to the support sleeve in such a way that the encryption part can be easily detected.

[0022] The inspection tool can also be designed, for example, as an optical tool which illuminates the gap and simultaneously detects the wavelength of the light reflected from the bearing sleeve and thus the color of the encryption.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the first encryption part is provided by means of the position of the encryption part that can be perceived tactilely on the support sleeve. The position of the encryption part that can be perceived tactilely can suitably indicate the inspection state of the support sleeve. Alternatively or in addition, a second encryption part that is constructed as a key mark is provided by means of the shape of the encryption part that can be perceived tactilely. The shape can be constructed so that the encryption angle can be confirmed by means of the shape of the encryption part that can be perceived tactilely. Suitably in this embodiment, the inspection tool can be constructed as an inspection gauge. Preferably, the second encryption part that is constructed as a notch, at least as a key mark, can have a width that can be determined using an inspection tool, wherein the specification of the width indicates the encryption angle. It has been proven to be suitable that the inspection tool constructed as an inspection gauge in groups can enable the user to accurately determine the respective encryption angles. It can be suitably provided that the notch can have a width of 1mm, 1.5mm or 2mm, wherein these notches represent encryption angles of 120°, 240° and 360° or 0° by way of example. Accordingly, the user can use three testing tools, which are correspondingly designed as testing gauges, to measure the respective notches to be tested with the testing tools and thus determine the width of the notches or the reinforcement angle of the bearing sleeve.

[0024] In practice, it is suitable that the locking mechanism has a setting shaft. In particular, the bearing sleeve with the encryption wheel can rotate independently of each other and is arranged coaxially with each other on the setting shaft. In particular, by means of this design, the combination lock and the locking mechanism can be implemented compactly and with a small number of components.

[0025] In particular, the setting shaft can be transferred axially into a released state in all bearing sleeves in the released state, in which the locking mechanism is unlocked in the open state. It is also conveniently provided that in the blocked state of at least one bearing sleeve, the setting shaft is blocked in the locked state by means of a blocking device. The setting shaft is preferably designed in this case so that in the locked state the locking mechanism is locked in the blocked state, so that the combination lock cannot be opened.

[0026] Advantageously, according to a special embodiment, it is provided that the bearing sleeves with the encryption wheels are arranged in a manner that can rotate independently of each other in a planar manner with respect to each other on dedicated setting axes. For this purpose, the respective setting axes are advantageously arranged to extend parallel to each other and are offset from each other.

[0027] In order to increase the user comfort of the combination lock, it is provided that the user can adjust the key confidentiality. For this purpose, a special embodiment of the combination lock is expediently provided, according to which the encryption wheel can be transferred axially relative to the respective support sleeve between a normal state (in which the encryption wheel is fixed to the support sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner) and a configuration state, especially in the released state of the support sleeve. It is expediently provided that the encryption wheel can be transferred relative to the respective support sleeve in such a way that in the configuration state the encryption wheel can rotate freely in a rotational manner relative to the respective support sleeve and can be reinstalled on the support sleeve in the normal state with an angular offset. It is considered by way of example that the encryption wheel can thus be brought into a freely rotating arrangement relative to the support sleeve. In the freely rotating arrangement, the user can rotate the respective encryption wheel for such a long time, that is, until the encryption wheel has reached the desired position. After the respective encryption wheel is in the desired position, the encryption wheel can be transferred into a rotationally fixed arrangement relative to the support sleeve. Advantageously, the support sleeve is in its released state here, so that the user can open the combination lock by transferring the encryption wheel into the adjusted position.

[0028] In order to enable the user to identify the position of the encryption wheel, it is provided that key marks are arranged on the circumference of the encryption wheel.

[0029] The key marks of the respective encryption wheels, which can be brought into a specific arrangement in order to unlock the combination lock, form the key secret. The key marks can be designed as visual, tactile or acoustic features. In particular, the key marks are designed as letters, numbers, characters, symbols or a combination of these features. Each encryption wheel can also have a key mark that is designed independently of the other encryption wheels, so that the key secret consists of a combination of numbers, letters, characters, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the following description of the figures and the associated dependent claims.

[0031] in:

[0032] Figure 1 An exploded view of the assembly of the latching mechanism is shown,

[0033] Figure 2 Shown in accordance with Figure 1 Observe in the observation direction A according to Figure 1 A side view of an assembly of a locking mechanism,

[0034] Figure 3 Shown in accordance with Figure 1 Observe in the observation direction B according to Figure 1 A side view of an assembly of a locking mechanism,

[0035] Figure 4 The first embodiment with a blocking device is shown according to Figure 1 A perspective view of the support sleeve of the assembly of the locking mechanism,

[0036] Figures 5 to 14 Shown with the basis Figure 4 A top view of an exemplary variant of a support sleeve of a blocking device with respectively different offsets for the encryption part,

[0037] Fig.15 A top view of the assembly of the locking mechanism in the locked state is shown, wherein the support sleeve is in the blocking state and the test state,

[0038] Fig.16 shows the relationship along the dividing line C–C according to Fig.15 A cross-sectional view of an assembly of a locking mechanism,

[0039] Fig.17 A top view of the assembly of the locking mechanism in the locked state is shown, wherein the support sleeve is in the released state.

[0040] Fig.18 shows the relationship along the dividing line D–D according to Fig.17 A cross-sectional view of an assembly of a locking mechanism,

[0041] Fig.19 A top view of the assembly of the locking mechanism is shown in the open condition, wherein the support sleeve is in the released state.

[0042] Fig. 20 shows the relationship along the dividing line E–E according to Fig.19 A cross-sectional view of an assembly of a locking mechanism of

[0043] Fig.21 A plan view of a further embodiment of a bearing sleeve with a further variant of a blocking device is shown.

[0044] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols.

[0045] Reference numerals list

[0046] 1 Support sleeve

[0047] 1a Optional support sleeve

[0048] 2. Perforation

[0049] 4 Front cover

[0050] 6 Encryption Department

[0051] 8 Inspection tools

[0052] 10 Locking device

[0053] 12 Encryption Wheel

[0054] 14 Width of the gap

[0055] 16 Check the width of the gauge

[0056] 18 Setting axis

[0057] 20 grooves

[0058] 22 Release Segment

[0059] 24 Blocking section

[0060] 26 Internal support opening

[0061] 28 teeth

[0062] 30. Maintain Geometry

[0063] 32 Support section

[0064] 34 Snap section

[0065] 36 Locking geometry

[0066] 38 blank space DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] With regard to the requirements of the subsequent description, the present invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments and in this case not to all or multiple features of the described combination of features, but rather each individual sub-feature of this / each exemplary embodiment is important for the object of the invention in itself and also in combination with any features of other exemplary embodiments, also independently of all other sub-features described in connection therewith.

[0068] exist Figures 1 to 3A combination lock assembly is presented in 15 to 20. In particular, the combination lock assembly is a combination lock assembly constructed / used as a box lock.

[0069] The combination lock has a locking mechanism which is Figures 1 to 3 15 to 20. The combination lock can be converted from a locked state to an unlocked state by means of a locking mechanism.

[0070] The locking mechanism of the combination lock comprises at least three support sleeves 1 which can be rotatably adjusted. Figures 1 to 3 15 to 20 only one adjustable bearing sleeve 1 is shown, wherein the embodiments shown can be transferred to all three bearing sleeves 1 provided.

[0071] It is arranged that the support sleeve 1 has a blocking state (exemplarily presented in Fig.15 and 16 in) and released state (exemplarily presented in Figures 17 to 20 In this case, the locking mechanism is blocked by the blocking device 10 of the support sleeve 1 when at least one support sleeve 1 is in the blocked state of the support sleeve 1 to prevent it from being locked in the Figures 15 to 18 The blockade situation presented in Fig.19 and 20 In addition, the locking mechanism is released by arranging all the bearing sleeves 1 in the released state of each bearing sleeve 1 in order to transfer from the blocked state to the open state.

[0072] with Figures 1 to 3 Corresponding to the presentation of the individual support sleeves 1 in 15 to 20, an encryption wheel 12 is arranged on each support sleeve 1 and partially protrudes into the through-hole 2 of the front cover. Figure 1 The perspective view of the area inside the locking mechanism is selected in such a way that the area outside the locking mechanism is visible through the opening 2. In particular, this outer area is accessible to the user, so that the user can act on, in particular rotationally adjust, the respective encryption wheel 12 protruding through the opening 2.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism is as follows: Figures 1 to 3 15 to 20. The support sleeve 1 with the encryption wheel 12 can be arranged on the setting shaft 18 in a manner that can rotate independently of each other and coaxially with each other. It has proven to be advantageous here that the setting shaft is preferably designed so that the setting shaft 18 is in the released state of all support sleeves 1 (such as in Figures 17 to 20 axially into a released state (in which the locking mechanism is unlocked in the open state) and in a blocked state of at least one support sleeve 1 (as in Fig.15 and16 ) is blocked in a locked state (in which the locking mechanism is locked in a blocked state) by means of a blocking device 10. Figure 1 An advantageous variant of this embodiment is presented in the figure with the bearing sleeve 1 being arranged on the setting shaft.

[0074] exist Fig.16 , 18 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 20, the lugs which are advantageously radially inwardly protruding as blocking means 10 engage in a groove 20 which is configured corresponding to the lugs on the outer circumference of the setting shaft 18. Preferably, the groove 20 has a release section 22 which is configured to extend axially in the direction of the setting shaft and a blocking section 24 which intersects the release section 22 and surrounds the setting shaft 18.

[0075] In particular, when the lugs are Fig.16 2, the bearing sleeve 1 can be rotated relative to the setting shaft 18 when it is arranged in the blocking section 24 as shown in FIG. 2. As long as the lug is not arranged in the region of the intersection between the release section 22 and the blocking section 24, the bearing sleeve 1 is expediently in its blocked state and the closure mechanism is blocked from moving from the blocked condition to the open condition. In particular, an axial displacement of the setting shaft 18 relative to the bearing sleeve 1 is blocked.

[0076] Advantageously, it is provided that when the bearing sleeve 1 is adjusted in a rotational manner relative to the setting shaft 18, that is, the lugs are Fig.18 In this case, the respective support sleeve 1 is in its released state when it is arranged in the region of the intersection between the release section 22 and the blocking section 24 as presented in FIG. 1 . In this case, the support sleeve 1 can be advantageously arranged as shown in FIG. 1 if all support sleeves 1 of the locking mechanism are arranged with their respective lugs in their respective released state similarly to the support sleeves 1 mentioned above or in particular when they are arranged with their respective lugs in the region of the intersection between the release section 22 and the blocking section 24. Fig. 20 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the locking mechanism is transferred to the axially extending release section 22. In this state, the locking mechanism can be transferred from the blocked state to the open state when all the bearing sleeves 1 are in their released state.

[0077] It has proven to be advantageous if the blocking device 10 of the bearing sleeve 1 blocks the bearing sleeve 1 against rotation about the setting axis 18 in the axially extending release section 22 outside the intersection between the release section 22 and the blocking section 24. Inadvertent adjustment of the locking mechanism is advantageously prevented thereby.

[0078] According to an alternative locking mechanism assembly, the bearing sleeves 1, 1a with the encryption wheel 12 are arranged rotatably independently of each other on dedicated setting axes in a planar manner. For this purpose, the respective setting axes are advantageously arranged to extend parallel to each other and be offset from each other.

[0079] The support sleeve 1 is as shown in Fig.15 and 16 In particular, the bearing sleeve 1 has an inspection state as shown in Fig.15 and 16 The embodiment in FIG. 1 is not only in the test state but also in the blocked state at the same time. The test state of the respective support sleeve 1 can be detected through the perforation 2 in the front cover 4 by means of the encryption part 6 of the support sleeve 1 which can be perceived from the outside. Figures 1 to 3 A special embodiment of the encryption part 6 is presented in FIG. 1 , wherein the encryption part 6 is designed as a recess in the support sleeve 1 , which can be opened by means of Figures 1 to 3 The inspection tool presented in 8 detections.

[0080] According to the invention, it is provided that the release state of the bearing sleeve 1 can be adjusted by rotating the bearing sleeve 1 by the respective encryption angle of the bearing sleeve 1 starting from the inspection state of the bearing sleeve 1. Figure 1 The assemblies presented in the Figures 5 to 14 According to the invention, it is further provided that the encryption angles of at least two bearing sleeves 1 differ from one another.

[0081] Demonstratively based on Figure 1 In the embodiment of the assembly of FIG. 1 , a support sleeve 1 is presented, which corresponds to the support sleeve 1 in FIG. Figure 4 and 5 14. In particular, the encryption angle is determined by the position and design of the blocking device 10 and the arrangement of the encryption part 6 of the support sleeve 1. Figures 5 to 14 The construction variants of the bearing sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 advantageously all have respectively different encryption angles due to the respectively different arrangements of their encryption sections 6 relative to the blocking device 10 .

[0082] The encryption part 6 formed on the bearing sleeve 1 can be advantageously perceived from the outside through a test gap in the edge region of the respective encryption wheel 12. Fig.15 , 17In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 19, the test gap is advantageously formed between encryption wheels 12 and the edge region of perforation 2. In exemplary embodiments not shown, the test gap is advantageously formed between two adjacent encryption wheels 12. It has proven to be advantageous if perforation 2 has separating bridges, so that each encryption wheel 12 projects into a separate region of the perforation, i.e., a separating bridge is formed between encryption wheels 12.

[0083] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the bearing sleeves 1 each have a second encryption part 6. In particular, the second encryption part 6 is designed as a key mark such that the encryption angle of the respective bearing sleeve 1 can be determined by means of the design of the key mark.

[0084] An advantageous variant of the invention provides that at least one of the encryption parts 6 can be tactilely perceived by means of the inspection tool 8. In particular, this variant Figures 1 to 3 15 to 20. The encryption part 6 is advantageously designed as a notch in the support sleeve 1. Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment presented in the figure, the recess can be accessed with a testing tool 8 which can be introduced from the outside, in particular through a testing gap which is expediently formed between the edge region of the perforation and the encryption wheel 12. The testing tool 8 can accordingly be introduced through the perforation 2 into the region of the support sleeve 1. Preferably, by rotationally adjusting the support sleeve 1, the user can hereby bring the encryption part 6 of the support sleeve 1 into effective connection with the testing tool 8. Expediently, a tactile and preferably also an acoustic signal is generated by the contact between the encryption part 6 and the testing tool 8, which informs the user that the support sleeve 1 has reached its test state.

[0085] A special embodiment of the combination lock further provides that the tactilely perceptible encryption part 6 on the support sleeve 1 is a encryption part 6 designed as a key mark. The tactilely perceptible encryption part 6 is expediently designed in this case such that a second encryption part 6 designed as a key mark is provided by means of the shape of the tactilely perceptible encryption part 6, wherein the shape is configured as a function of the encryption angle, and the respective encryption angle can be determined by means of the shape of the encryption part 6.

[0086] By way of example, the tactilely perceptible encryption 6 can be designed as a notch, such as in Figures 1 to 14 , 15, 16, 18, 20 and 21. The encryption angle can be determined by means of the shape in a manner corresponding to the key mark, in that the width 14 of the notch indicates the respective encryption angle. The width 14 of the notch is particularly Figure 4 In order to confirm the width 14 of the notch or to check the encryption angle, the inspection tool 8 is preferably designed as an inspection gauge. Figure 3In FIG. 8 , a testing tool 8 designed as a testing gauge is presented. It is expedient to use a group of testing tools 8 designed as testing gauges to determine the width 14 of the notch or the respective encryption angle, wherein each testing gauge is designed corresponding to the determined notch width 14. Figure 3 In the embodiment presented in FIG. 1 , the check gauge has a width 16 that corresponds to the width 14 of the encryption portion 6 configured as a notch. In particular, the user can detect the encryption angle by the exact matching of the respective widths 14, 16, which is exemplarily at Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment presented in FIG. 1 , it is 180°.

[0087] In particular, Figures 1 to 3 A special embodiment is presented in which the tactilely perceptible encryption part 6 of the support sleeve 1 provides not only a first encryption part 6 for detecting the inspection state of the support sleeve 1 but also a second encryption part 6 configured as a key mark for confirming the encryption angle. Advantageously, the first encryption part 6 is provided by means of the position of the tactilely perceptible encryption part 6 on the support sleeve 1, by means of which the inspection state of the support sleeve 1 can be detected, and at the same time by means of the shape of the tactilely perceptible encryption part 6, in Figures 1 to 3 In the exemplary embodiment presented in FIG. 1 , a second encryption portion 6 designed as a key mark is provided by means of the width 14 of the notch, by means of which the encryption angle can be determined.

[0088] Another embodiment of the invention not shown is that at least one of the encryption parts 6 is designed as a visually recognizable encryption part 6, in particular as a colored mark. The encryption part 6 which is preferably tactilely perceptible can also be designed in such a way that it is also visually perceptible.

[0089] The visually perceptible encryption 6 can expediently be designed in such a way that it indicates to the user the inspection state and / or the encryption angle of the bearing sleeve 1 .

[0090] A combination of a tactilely perceptible encryption part 6 and a visual, in particular colored, encryption part 6 can be provided particularly advantageously. For example, a first encryption part 6 for detecting the inspection state of the support sleeve 1 can be configured as a tactilely perceptible encryption part 6, wherein a second encryption part 6 configured as a key mark for confirming the encryption angle is configured as a visually perceptible encryption part 6. Advantageously, the first encryption part 6 is provided by means of the position of the tactilely perceptible encryption part 6 on the support sleeve 1. The visually perceptible encryption part 6 can be arranged or configured on the support sleeve 1 independently of the first, in particular tactilely perceptible encryption part 6.

[0091] According to a special embodiment, by designing the tactilely perceptible reinforcement 6 as colored, a first and a second reinforcement 6 are provided. The inspection state of the bearing sleeve 1 can be detected by the position of the tactilely perceptible reinforcement 6 and the reinforcement angle can be detected by means of the coloring.

[0092] Especially in Figure 3 , 16 , 18 and 20, it can be seen that the encrypted portion 6 of the support sleeve 1 is arranged to align with the blocking device 10, and preferably also in Figure 4 and 5 . According to this embodiment, the release section 22 extending axially in the direction of the setting axis 18 is advantageously located on the side facing away from the perforation 2. The support sleeve 1 is in particular in its inspection state when the encryption portion 6 points toward the perforation 2 so that it can be detected in particular using the inspection tool 8. Since the blocking device 10 and the encryption portion 6 are designed to be aligned with each other, in order to transform the support sleeve 1 into its released state, the support sleeve must be adjusted so that it is rotated around the setting axis 18 until the blocking device 10 reaches the release section 22 configured on the opposite side or the intersection of the release section and the blocking section. This is advantageous for Figure 1 , 4 The support sleeve 1 shown in 5, 16, 18 and 20 is Figures 1 to 3 For the assemblies presented in 15 to 20 , an inspection angle of 180° results.

[0093] In the following, for example Figures 1 to 3 and 15 to 20 for the assemblies presented in Figures 6 to 14 The inspection angle of the bearing sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , wherein the inspection angle depends on the direction of rotation, that is to say on whether the bearing sleeve 1 is rotated in the clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction:

[0094] Suitably

[0095] -exist Figure 6 In the embodiment of the support sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , the inspection angle is 216° or 144°, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0096] -exist Figure 7 In the embodiment of the support sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , the inspection angle is 252° or 108°, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0097] -exist Figure 8 In the embodiment of the support sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , the inspection angle is 288° or 72°, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0098] -exist Fig. 9In the embodiment of the support sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , the inspection angle is 324° or 36°, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0099] -exist Fig.10 In the embodiment of the support sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , the inspection angle is 360° or 0°, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0100] -exist Fig.11 In the embodiment of the support sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , the inspection angle is 36° or 324°, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0101] -exist Fig.12 In the embodiment of the support sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , the inspection angle is 72° or 288°, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0102] -exist Fig.13 In the embodiment of the support sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , the inspection angle is 108° or 252°, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0103] -exist Fig.14 In the embodiment of the bearing sleeve 1 presented in FIG. 1 , the inspection angle is 144° or 216°, depending on the direction of rotation.

[0104] In particular, the encryption wheel 12 is as shown in Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , encryption wheel 12 can be pushed axially onto the respective bearing sleeve 1 by means of inner bearing opening 26. In order to transmit the rotation of encryption wheel 12 to bearing sleeve 1, it has proven to be advantageous if encryption wheel 12 has inwardly directed toothing 28 which engages in retaining geometry 30 on the outer circumference of bearing sleeve 1 in such a way that the rotation of the respective encryption wheel 12 can be transmitted to bearing sleeve 1 at least in terms of the direction of rotation or the direction of rotation.

[0105] In order to improve the arrangement of encryption wheel 12 on bearing sleeve 1, it can be provided that bearing sleeve 1 has a bearing section 32 and a contact section 34 which is enlarged in diameter, which is preferably arranged as in Figure 4 The abutment section 34 has the advantage that when the respective encryption wheel 12 is pushed axially onto the respective bearing sleeve 1, the encryption wheel 12 cannot move beyond the bearing sleeve 1, but abuts against the abutment section 34 as an end stop. It can also be conveniently provided that the retaining geometry 30 protrudes axially from the abutment section 34, wherein the retaining geometry 30 preferably extends over a partial section of the bearing section 32, such as in Figure 4 According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the retaining geometry 30 extends axially from the contact section 34 completely over the bearing section 32 of the bearing sleeve 1 .

[0106] In particular, the bearing bushing 1 is designed in one piece, in particular integrally in one piece.

[0107] A special variant of the invention provides that encryption wheel 12 can be transferred axially relative to the respective bearing sleeve 1 between a normal state, in which encryption wheel 12 is fixed to bearing sleeve 1 in a rotationally fixed manner, and a configuration state. The design is expediently provided that in the configuration state encryption wheel 12 can rotate freely relative to the respective bearing sleeve 1 and can be reinstalled on bearing sleeve 1 with an angular offset into the normal state.

[0108] In particular, the encryption wheel 12 and the support sleeve 1 are rotationally adjusted in steps. Figure 3 The encryption wheel 12 presented in FIG. 1 has ten stages, wherein each stage has an angular offset of 36° relative to the previous stage. Figures 5 to 14 The variants of the support sleeve 1 presented in Figure 1 The locking mechanism combination or the support sleeve 1 presented in the embodiment is designed to be interchangeable. Figures 5 to 14 , all possible test angles are presented for an encryption wheel 12 or an adjustable support sleeve 1 in ten stages.

[0109] In particular, a stepwise rotational adjustment of the encryption wheel 12 or the bearing sleeve 1 can be provided by means of the latching geometry 36 formed on the outer circumference. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the cutouts extending axially on the circumference of encryption wheel 12 are designed as latching geometries 36 in such a way that correspondingly designed latching elements (not shown), in particular elastic latching arms, latch into the respective cutouts when encryption wheel 12 is rotated and adjusted. The latching arms hereby advantageously fix encryption wheel 12 in respective stages, wherein the fixation can be overcome by a sufficiently large torque.

[0110] exist Fig.21 An alternative variant of the support sleeve 1a is presented in Figure 4 The bearing sleeve 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a bearing section 32 for arranging the encryption wheel 12 and a contact section 34 for blocking the movement of the encryption wheel 12 in the axial direction. Figure 4 The support sleeve 1 is arranged according to Fig.21 The bearing sleeve 1a does not have radially inwardly directed lugs as blocking means 10. Fig.21 In the bearing sleeve 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the blocking device 10 is provided by a contact section 34, in particular a flange, which is enlarged in diameter, wherein the contact section 34 is provided at least at one point on its circumference, such as at Fig.21 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 10 has a recess 38 .

[0111] Fig.21 The support sleeve 1 presented in the figure is used in particular in combination with a locking latch guided parallel to the setting axis 18, which can be axially transferred to a released state in all the release states of the support sleeves 1, in which the locking mechanism is unlocked in the open state, and in the blocked state of at least one support sleeve 1 by means of a locking device 10 constructed as an abutment section 34, in which the locking mechanism is locked in the blocked state.

[0112] The locking element preferably has a contact element corresponding to the contact section 34, wherein a contact element is respectively configured for each bearing sleeve 1 or for each contact section 34. In particular, in the blocked state of the bearing sleeve 1, the respective contact element of the locking element axially contacts the contact section 34 configured as the blocking device 10 in such a way that an axial movement of the locking element is blocked in a form-fitting manner. Fig.21 The recesses 38 in the contact sections 34 of the bearing sleeves 1 shown in the figure and the respective contact elements are designed correspondingly to one another in such a way that in the released state of the bearing sleeves 1 the contact elements do not axially contact the contact sections 34 of the bearing sleeves 1. In particular, this ensures that when all bearing sleeves 1 are arranged in their respective released state, the locking latch can be transferred axially into its released state, wherein the contact elements of the locking latch can be guided through under the respective recesses 38.

[0113] The present invention is not limited to the presented and described embodiments, but also includes all embodiments that act in the same manner within the meaning of the present invention. It is explicitly emphasized that the embodiments are not limited to all features in the combination, but rather each individual sub-feature can also have an inventive significance in itself, separated from all other sub-features. In addition, the present invention has not been limited to the feature combinations defined in claims 1 and 13 so far, but can also be defined by any other combination of certain features of all the disclosed individual features. This means that in principle, in practice, each individual feature of claims 1 and 13 can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the present application.

Claims

1. A combination lock, in particular a box lock, having a locking mechanism, by means of which the combination lock can be changed from a blocked state to an open state, wherein the locking mechanism is blocked by at least three rotatably adjustable support sleeves (1, 1a) by at least one support sleeve (1, 1a) in a blocked state of the support sleeve (1, 1a) by a blocking device (10) of the support sleeve (1, 1a) to prevent the combination lock from changing from the blocked state to the open state, and is released by arranging all support sleeves (1, 1a) in a released state of each support sleeve (1, 1a) to prevent the combination lock from changing from the blocked state to the open state. The invention relates to a method for transferring the state of the support sleeve (1, 1a) from a closed state to an open state, wherein an encryption wheel (12) is arranged on each support sleeve (1, 1a) and partially protrudes into a through hole (2) of the front cover (4), wherein the inspection state of the respective support sleeve (1, 1a) can be detected through the through hole (2) by means of an encryption portion (6) of the support sleeve (1, 1a) that can be perceived from the outside, wherein the release state of the support sleeve (1, 1a) can be adjusted by rotating the support sleeve (1, 1a) by an encryption angle of the respective support sleeve (1, 1a) based on the inspection state of the support sleeve (1, 1a), It is characterized in that The encryption angles of at least two support sleeves (1, 1a) are different from each other, and the support sleeves (1, 1a) have a second encryption part (6), which is constructed as a key mark in such a way that the encryption angles of the respective support sleeves are fixedly associated with the structure of the key mark and can therefore be confirmed, and the second encryption part constructed as a key mark is constructed as a complete colored part of the support sleeve (1, 1a) or the material of the support sleeve (1, 1a), or can be tactilely perceived with the aid of an inspection tool (8).

2. The combination lock according to claim 1, It is characterized in that At least one of the encryption parts (6) is designed as a visually recognizable encryption part (6), in particular as a colored mark.

3. The combination lock according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The second tactilely perceptible encryption element (6) is designed as a notch formed in the bearing sleeve (1, 1a), which has a width that can be determined using the inspection tool as a key mark, wherein the specification of the width indicates the encryption angle.

4. A combination lock according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A first encryption part (6) is provided at a position on the support sleeve (1, 1a) by means of a tactilely perceptible encryption part (6), by means of which the inspection state of the support sleeve (1, 1a) can be detected, and a second encryption part (6) constructed as a key mark is provided by means of the shape of the tactilely perceptible encryption part (6), by means of which the encryption angle can be confirmed.

5. A combination lock according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The locking mechanism has a setting shaft (18) and the bearing sleeves (1, 1a) with the encryption wheel (12) are rotatable independently of each other and are coaxially arranged on the setting shaft (18), wherein the setting shaft (18) can be axially transferred to a released state in the released state of all bearing sleeves (1, 1a), in which the locking mechanism is unlocked in the open state, and the setting shaft (18) is blocked in a locked state in the blocked state of at least one bearing sleeve (1, 1a) by means of the blocking device (10), in which the locking mechanism is locked in the blocked state.

6. Combination lock according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The bearing sleeves (1, 1a) with the encryption wheel (12) are arranged in a manner rotatable independently of one another in a plane relative to one another on dedicated setting axes, wherein the setting axes are arranged to extend parallel to one another and be offset relative to one another.

7. Combination lock according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The encryption wheel (12) can be transferred axially relative to the respective support sleeve (1, 1a) between a normal state and a configuration state such that in the configuration state the encryption wheel (12) can rotate freely relative to the respective support sleeve (1, 1a) and can be reinstalled on the support sleeve (1, 1a) in the normal state with an angular offset, wherein in the normal state the encryption wheel (12) is fixed to the support sleeve (1, 1a) in a rotationally fixed manner.

8. Combination lock according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The encryption angle is paired with the serial number of the respective combination lock or with the serial number of the box in which the combination lock is installed in such a way that the respective encryption angle can be retrieved from the database based on the serial number.

9. Combination lock according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The encryption angle is placed as an alphanumeric code in coded form in a manner recognizable from the outside on the combination lock or on the box in which the respective combination lock is installed.

10. A combination lock according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The encrypted angle is stored in an RFID tag and can be read out using a corresponding RFID reader, wherein the RFID tag is expediently configured / can be configured on the combination lock itself or in particular on the box in which the respective combination lock is installed.

11. A box, in particular for luggage, having a receiving space which can be locked with a combination lock according to the preamble of claim 1, It is characterized in that The combination lock has the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 .

12. The box according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The combination lock has the features according to at least one of claims 2 to 10 .

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