Abstract: A lock system has an elongated key provided with a plurality of permanent magnets spaced axially and angularly apart along the key in a predetermined magnet array. A cylinder having no moving parts defines a passage generally complementary to this key and provided with a plurality of magnetic-field detectors at least some of which are arrayed to be in line with the magnets of the key when it is inserted into the passage. An electronic circuit is connected to these detectors and to an electrically operable latch and is programmed to open the latch when those detectors that are in line with the permanent magnets change state in a manner indicating that they are juxtaposed with the respective magnets, but not when one or more detectors out of line with the magnet array are similarly subjected to a magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetically operable key comprises a cylindrical casing containing a turnable member, a drive member and a latch, which are all co-rotatably mounted in the casing with the drive member axially displaceable between the turnable member and the latch within the casing. The drive member has a groove defined thereon which has two circumferential portions and a slanted portion interconnecting the circumferential portions. An engagement pin is connected to the casing and extends into the guide groove for causing axial movement of the drive member when the drive member is rotated and when the pin is disposed in the slanted portion. At least one magnetic piece is pivotally mounted to the turnable member and movable by a magnetic key from a misaligned position to an aligned position. The drive member has a cavity for receiving the magnetic piece when aligned to permit axial movement of the drive member. The misaligned magnetic piece abuts against the drive member and prevents axial movement thereof.

Abstract: The present magnetic lock is operated by a key including control magnets. For this purpose a locking bar is radially shiftable in a locking cylinder in a housing. Magnetic rotors release or lock the locking bar which is spring biased toward the magnetic rotors. A spring biased control member is shiftable into a locking channel of the locking bar. The control member is equipped with entraining elements which engage the locking bar.

Abstract: The plug of a cylindrical lock includes at each side of its key channel a blind boring communicating with a conical recess in an arresting plate secured to the housing of the lock. The blind boring intersects cylindrical rotary control members arranged for rotation in the plug and each having a diametrical passage coinciding in one angular position thereof with the blind boring. A series of arresting balls is arranged in the blind boring and in respective passages in such a manner as to resume in the aligned position of the members a blocking position in which the terminal ball is in engagement with the conical recess. During the rotation of the plug by a correct key the arresting balls are shifted by the inclined surfaces of the conical recess into the blind boring and the plug is free to rotate. By the insertion of a wrong key at least one passage is misaligned and consequently the terminal arresting ball cannot be removed from its arresting recess.

Abstract: A control device for a magnetic cylindrical lock includes a tubular housing eventually having on its inner surface axial and circumferential grooves, a cylindrical plug rotatable in the housing about a central axis and defining a central key channel and at least one axial recess on its cylindrical surface, a plurality of magnetic rotors supported in the plug for rotation about an axis transverse to the center axis of the plug, one face of the magnetic rotors having a third recess alignable with the second recess, a sleeve arranged for rotation and for an axial displacement between the housing and the plug, and arresting elements projecting from the sleeve to cooperate with the recesses in the housing, in the plug, and in the magnetic rotary members.

Abstract: A lock for operation by a magnetic key has locking elements in the form of rollers which can be moved along respective channels in the lock by the magnetic field of the key. Each channel is formed partly in the peripheral surface of a rotatable barrel of the lock and partly in a surrounding sleeve. The barrel can be rotated only when each sleeve is free to move axially relative to the barrel. In the absence of the key, the rollers prevent such axial movement. When the rollers are moved to predetermined releasing positions by the key, they are aligned with respective notches in the sleeves so that axial movement is permitted.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to releasable locking mechanism for a hollow circular member such as a fill pipe for an oil tank and cup-shaped closure cap of non-magnetic material which is connectable to the hollow circular member, in combination with a locking member of ferrous material supported by said cap for axial movement vertically relative to the cap and hollow circular member but non-rotatable relative to the cap, one end of the locking member having a configuration that is engageable with the hollow circular member in non-rotatable relationship to prevent rotation of the cap with respect to the hollow circular member when the locking member is in the latter position, the locking member being adapted to be raised from said locking engagement with the hollow circular member by a magnet which may be mounted within a wrench for use with the cap to remove the same from the hollow circular member.

Abstract: The control device for cylindrical locks includes a housing having on its inner surface longitudinal and annular guiding recesses, a cylindrical plug or core rotatable in the housing about its center axis and defining on its surface second recesses, at least one magnetic rotor supported in the plug for rotation about an axis transverse to the center axis and defining a third recess alignable with the second recess, control strap arranged for axial displacement on the plug and being rotatable therewith, and arresting elements projecting from the strap into the first and second recesses and being axially displaceable with the strap into engagement with the third recess in the rotary member when this third recess is in alignment with the second recess.

Abstract: This is a burglar-proof door for apartments or houses and it is held closed by bolts extending from within the door and into sockets in the frame that surrounds the door. The door has hinges, but in the preferred construction there are four bolts, one on each edge of the door so that the door cannot be opened by removal of the pins from the hinges. An electric motor operates, when a magnetically-coded card is inserted in a slot in the outside of the door, to lock or unlock the door when a handle is turned one way or the other. When there is a serious fire in the apartment or the house, a thermostat causes the door to unlock automatically.

Abstract: A name plate assembly having invisible locking means requiring the use of an externally applied magnet.The name plate assembly includes the use of a base member having one or more dovetailed type rails on one face and a game plate having corresponding dovetail recesses for slidingly engaging with the rails of the base member. Mounted on the base member is a first magnet means which normally engage with the name plate to hold the name plate locked securely on the base member. The magnet means can only be disengaged from the name plate by the application to the assembly of a second magnet means withdrawing the first magnet means from locking engagement with the name plate.

Abstract: A door lock structure adapted to be actuated by a magnetic card key to operate a conventional cylindrical door lock with substantially no modification to such lock. A housing containing the magnetically operated elements of the lock is mounted, along with a modified knob, on the conventional spindle of the lockset in lieu of the usual door knob. The housing is freely rotatable relative to the lockset spindle to prevent wrenching. The latchbolt retractor of the lockset is actuated in the normal manner to unlock the lockset by rotating a conventional driver bar. The driver bar in this structure is rotated by registering interengaging elements carried by the driver bar and a slide which is actuated by a properly coded magnetic card key. The modified knob may be freely rotatable on the spindle or may be fixed thereto.

Abstract: The invention pertains to magnetically operated locks, and particularly pertains to a magnetic lock using a code device having a low magnetic permeability wherein a small localized portion of the code device surface is magnetized to produce dipoles located at a common surface, the localized magnetized region functioning to position magnetic elements of a lock.

Abstract: A lock has a cylinder formed with a keyhole and rotatable in a housing. At least one tumbler is displaceable into the keyhole into engagement with a bit of a key which can position the segments of the tumbler so as to allow rotation of the cylinder in the housing. In addition the key is provided with a magnet that can coact with a magnetic rotor to rotate this magnet into a position that aligns a notch on the magnet or a control wheel controlled thereby with a retaining element. The housing is formed at its back end with a recess in which one end of the retaining element is urged by a weak spring. Only when the notches on the rotors are aligned with tabs on the retaining element can this element be displaced out of the recess in the housing and allow rotation of the cylinder relative to the housing.

Abstract: The following specification describes a magnetically operated lock for a coaxial switch in which slide member is operated in opposite directions by a slide magnet in a key to connect an incoming coax line to either another coax line or to ground through a characteristic impedance termination.The key has a configuration corresponding to the lock housing and when associated with the lock housing, automatically positions a plurality of spaced magnets in the key to operate a plurality of pins in opposite directions to unlock the slide. Removal or disengagement of the key from the lock housing enables the pins in the lock to engage the slide and lock the switch in either position to which it is operated.

Abstract: A magnetic lock having an outer shell with a cylindrical bore therein and a cylindrical plug rotatably mounted in the bore for movement between locked and unlocked positions. The annular plane between the plug and the inner bore surface define a shear plane for the lock. The plug is provided with a longitudinally extending keyway and a plurality of radially extending longitudinally spaced apart passages which communicate with the shear plane but not with the keyway. The shell is provided with a like plurality of passages which align with the plug passages when the plug is in locked position. Disposed within each of the plug passages is a magnetic pin tumbler of length that is less than the length of the plug passages. Drivers are provided which extend from the upper ends of the magnetic pin tumblers to a point within the aligned shell passage to bridge the shear plane and hold the lock in locked position.

Abstract: A magnetically operated lock includes a fixed lock body in which a plurality of fixed permanent magnets are disposed in a predetermined pattern. Aligned with each permanent magnet is a hole in which a movable magnet is slidably disposed, the movable magnet being oriented to be repelled by the fixed magnet. A lock shaft is pivotally secured through the lock body, and a rotor secured to the shaft is disposed adjacent to the openings of the holes receiving the movable magnets. The rotor includes a plurality of detents which receive the movable magnets, locking the shaft in a fixed position. The key comprises a disc having a plurality of magnets embedded therein and oriented to repel the movable magnets and free the rotor and shaft for rotation.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical combination locks that compare a sequence of input signals with a stored sequence to permit the lock to be opened. The mechanical features of the lock are characterized by an arm and control member within the lock structure that inhibit bolt motion in the absence of the proper combination. The electrical circuit enables the combination to be changed readily and uses very little power.

Abstract: A door lock structure adapted to be actuated by a magnetic card key and to actuate a conventional cylindrical door lock with substantially no modification to such door lock. A housing containing the magnetically operated elements of the lock is mounted coaxially relative to the cylinder plug of the conventional lock. Insertion of a properly coded magnetic card releases a locking bar which normally holds the structure in locked position, and the entire assembly may be turned to retract the latch or dead bolt.

Abstract: A lock assembly useful in coupling a tire assembly to a wheel which is locked and unlocked by a magnetic key.

Abstract: A lock, such as a padlock, is provided with a single, spring biased end journaled bolt for operably interconnecting a shackle with a magnetic key controlled, locking-unlocking mechanism.

Abstract: A magnetic lock mechanism which may be used in conjunction with many devices such as a padlock, dead bolt door lock, conventional door lock, safety deposit box, safe doors, automobile doors, gas cap locks, ignition switch locks, a switch actuating device or others. A key having magnets, selectively oriented therein, line up magnetic tumbler pins location within the locking device. With the tumbler pins lined up, a member can be moved axially and then rotationally to actuate a driving member.

Abstract: A lock includes pivotally supported tumbler pins having magnetically attractable ends normally disposed in one of several locked positions arranged along prescribed paths of travel, but movable under the influence of a key to assume combination setting or unlocked positions arranged along their paths of travel; and a tumbler pin end engaging plate rotatable between locked and unlocked positions when the tumbler pins are disposed in their combination setting positions.

Abstract: A lock assembly useful in coupling a tire assembly to a wheel which is locked and unlocked by a magnetic key.

Abstract: In a magnetic lock of the type having at least one tumbler pin pivotally supported on a mounting plate and a locking plate having an opening arranged to receive one end of the tumbler pin when an opposite end of such pin is attracted by a permanent magnet device carried by a key, the improvement wherein the opposite end of the tumbler pin is formed with a transversely enlarged head portion and the mounting plate is formed with abutment devices arranged to engage with the head portion to insure that the one end of the tumbler pin accurately "points" towards the opening of the locking plate.

Abstract: A key operated locking device of the type using a coded magnetic key to operate a plurality of correspondingly coded magnetic tumblers. The device serves to selectively lock and unlock relative rotation between inner and outer coaxial cylinders in which the inner cylinder has a keyway disposed therein for receiving the magnetically coded key and also carries a plurality of spring-biased magnetic tumblers which magnetically interact with the key. The outer cylinder is provided with a plurality of detents cooperating with the magnetic tumblers wherein the tumblers are normally spring-biased into engagement with the detents of the outer cylinder and are unlocked therefrom by inserting a properly coded magnetic key into the inner cylinder keyway to withdraw in concert the tumblers from the detents by magnetic attraction.

Abstract: A cylinder and plug type lock mechanism drivingly connects an authorized key to the actuator of a switch device and captivates the key when turning the switch on. A magnetic latch activated in the captive position of the key, prevents return of the key to its release position. A magnetic release element is positioned on the key against the lock mechanism to disengage the magnetic latch.

Abstract: The rotatable plug of a cylinder lock has an axially extending outwardly open cavity paralleling a key slot and normally registering with an axially extending groove in the inner wall surface of the surrounding cylinder, the groove and the cavity being bridged by a locking bar with sloping flanks cammable radially inwardly, against the force of compression springs within the recess, upon rotation of the plug relative to the cylinder. Seated in the cavity are a plurality of axially spaced tumblers which are freely rotatable about pins transverse to the cylinder axis and have recesses alignable, in a predetermined operating position, with respective projections on the locking bar to enable the inward camming of the latter; each tumbler carries a pair of permanent magnets confronting a thin partition between the cavity and the key slot.