Patents Assigned to Best Lock Corporation
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Patent number: 6684671Abstract: Vending machines are provided having a door and a cabinet having an interior region for storing and distributing objects, such as canned or bottled beverages. Several vending machines locks are provided for locking the door to the cabinet to prevent unauthorized access to the interior region of the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: James E. Beylotte, Ralph P. Palmer, John W. McIntire
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Patent number: 6535136Abstract: A security system comprises a card containing access information, a reader for reading the card, a power source, a locking mechanism, and a first circuit for operating the locking mechanism. The power source is coupled to the first circuit to provide power to the first circuit. The power source is also coupled to a wake-up circuit to provide power to the wake-up circuit. The wake-up circuit detects the presence of an object and enables the reader to ascertain whether the object is the card. A method for operating the security system comprises first determining that electromagnetic energy is not being detected by the wake-up circuit, then determining that electromagnetic energy is being detected by the wake-up circuit, then determining that electromagnetic energy is not being detected by the wake-up circuit, and then ascertaining whether the object is the card.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1999Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Robert Wilmer Rodenbeck, Roger Keith Russell, Michael Lee Long
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Patent number: 6442986Abstract: A lock core for use with a token having an access code and a blade is provided. The lock core includes a core body, a lock actuator coupled to the core body for movement, a token communicator configured to read the access code when the blade is inserted into a passageway of the lock actuator, at least one movable tumbler element, a movable blocker, a biasing member situated between the at least one tumbler element and the blocker, and an electromagnetic actuator coupled to the core body and coupled to the token communicator. Insertion of the token in the passageway moves the at least one tumbler element to store energy in the biasing member. If the token communicator reads the access code after insertion of the token in the passageway, the electromagnetic actuator moves to unlock the blocker and the biasing member releases energy to move the blocker.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1999Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Roger Keith Russell, James Edmond Beylotte, Ralph P. Palmer
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Patent number: 6122943Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a lock mount (10) and a lock core (50). The lock mount (10) includes front and rear mount faces (15, 14) and an inner mount wall (17) which defines a core-receiving chamber (18) extending from the front mount face (15) to the rear mount face (14). The lock core (50) is slidably mounted within the core-receiving chamber (18) of the lock mount (10) and is movable between a projected position and a retracted position. The lock core (50) further includes a core body (52) and an outer core surface (49) defining a core boundary. The lock core (50) further includes a lock lug (75) coupled to the core body (52) and movable between a first lug position outside the core boundary and a second lug position within the core boundary and a travel limit stop (90) coupled to the core body (52) and movable between a first limit stop positioned outside the core boundary and a second limit stop positioned within the core boundary.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Christopher Hale DaWalt, Mark Edward Dearing
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Patent number: 5931430Abstract: A motor-mount apparatus is provided for use with a motor-actuated cylindrical lockset that has a rotatable handle sleeve and a motor with a wire harness extending therefrom. The apparatus includes a motor housing adapted to lie within the rotatable handle sleeve and a plate having a support formed to include an inner surface, an opposite outer surface, an aperture extending therethrough, and a locking tab extending into the aperture. The locking tab lies in generally the same plane as the support and is coupled selectively to the motor housing to block sliding axial movement of the motor housing through the aperture and rotation of the motor housing relative to the support. In addition, the apparatus includes a wire-protection cap coupled to the plate. The cap is adapted to retain the wire harness on the outer surface of the support.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1996Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventor: Ralph P. Palmer
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Patent number: 5916281Abstract: A lockset is provided for use in a door. The lockset includes a lock core, a body mounted on the door, a door handle mounted on the body, a locking-unlocking mechanism, and a throw member mounted for rotation with the lock core. The locking-unlocking mechanism locks and unlocks the lockset in response to rotation of the key within the lock core. The throw member includes an outer perimeter edge, a blade extending toward the locking-unlocking mechanism, and a channel extending around the outer perimeter edge. The body also includes a pin that extends into the channel so that when a key is rotated in the lock core, the lock core and throw member rotate relative to the pin. This rotation causes the throw member to move from an inactive position disengaged from the locking-unlocking mechanism to an active position where the blade engages the locking-unlocking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1996Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Steve A. Kester, Scott A. Gilbertson, John W. McIntire
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Patent number: 5794472Abstract: A cylindrical lock is provided for use in a door containing a latch bolt supported for movement between an extended door-latching position and a retracted door-unlatching position. The door further includes a latch bolt retractor assembly connected to the latch bolt and movable relative to the door to move the latch bolt between the extended door-latching position and the retracted door-unlatching position. The cylindrical lock includes a hub, a door handle, a spindle, and a locking lug. The hub is adapted to mount in a fixed position on the door and is formed to include a first hub slot and a second hub slot communicating with the first hub slot. The door handle is mounted for rotation relative the hub. The spindle is coupled to the door handle and is formed to include a spindle slot defined by spaced-apart driving surfaces. The locking lug is movable between a first position fixing the spindle and hub together and a second position uncoupling the spindle and hub.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Steven A. Kester, Scott A. Gilbertson, John W. McIntire, Ralph P. Palmer
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Patent number: 5590555Abstract: A lockset chassis assembly is provided for use with a door latch. The lockset chassis assembly includes a rotatable spindle, a chassis supporting the rotatable spindle, a rose engaging the chassis at a junction therebetween and defining a space between the rose and the chassis at the junction, and a locking pin. The chassis includes an inner hub and an outer hub separated from the inner hub. The outer hub includes a threaded outer surface and an outer hub keyway interrupting the threaded outer surface. The locking pin engages the inner hub, lies in the outer hub keyway, and engages the rose and the chassis in the space at the junction between the rose and the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Steven A. Kester, Scott A. Gilbertson, John W. McIntire
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Patent number: 5474348Abstract: A motorized lock actuator is provided for moving a locking bar in a mortise lock. The lock actuator includes a pivot hub having a pivot axis and a shaft-receiving aperture, a spring mounted on the pivot hub, a motor, and a rotatable drive shaft inserted into the shaft-receiving aperture formed in the pivot hub. The motor rotates the drive shaft and thus the pivot hub to urge the spring into engagement with the locking bar so that the locking bar is moved either to its locked or unlocked position. A slip-clutch mechanism is provided in the pivot hub to establish a driving connection between the drive shaft and the pivot hub.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1993Date of Patent: December 12, 1995Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Ralph P. Palmer, Lyn E. Hamel
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Patent number: 5453603Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for decoding bi-phase encoded data. The apparatus performs the steps of establishing a predicted bit cell length for a bit cell, detecting a leading clocking edge transition of the bit cell, detecting a first edge transition after the leading clocking edge transition, and calculating a first time interval from the leading clocking edge transition to the first detected edge transition.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1994Date of Patent: September 26, 1995Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Roger K. Russell, Mark W. Voth
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Patent number: 5421178Abstract: A device is provided for use in actuating a locking lug in a cylindrical lockset. The device includes a mechanism for moving the locking device between door handle locking and unlocking positions. The moving mechanism includes a plunger having an axis, a locking-assist spring coupled to the plunger and the locking lug, and a mechanism for reciprocating the plunger along its axis in opposite directions. To lock the cylindrical lockset, the reciprocating mechanism moves the plunger along its axis in a locking direction against the locking-assist spring so that the locking-assist spring is moved toward the locking lug to urge the locking lug to its door handle-locking position. To unlock the cylindrical lockset, the reciprocating mechanism moves the plunger along its axis in an opposite, unlocking direction away from the locking lug so that the locking lug is allowed to move to its door handle-unlocking position.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1993Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Lyn E. Hamel, Charles T. Weindorf, Jr.
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Patent number: 5291767Abstract: A lock cylinder apparatus includes first and second lock cylinder assemblies rigidly fixed to a lock case and coupled to an internal locking mechanism contained in the lock case. The first lock cylinder assembly includes a lock body and an adaptor ring around the lock body. The adaptor ring is sized to fit into a cylinder assembly mounting hole in the lock case. A threaded member extends through the lock case and interconnects the second lock cylinder assembly to the adaptor ring of the first lock cylinder assembly. Illustratively, a hidden setscrew in the first lock cylinder assembly can be moved to engage the adaptor ring and anchor the lock body in a non-rotatable position in the adaptor ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1992Date of Patent: March 8, 1994Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Charles T. Weindorf, Jr., Gary A. Pelsue
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Patent number: 5272895Abstract: A cylinder lock assembly includes a core, a key plug mounted for rotation in the core, and a key. The key plug is formed to include a keyway and a plurality of tumbler pin bores opening into the keyway. The key has a bow and a blade appended to the bow. The blade includes a bitted portion and includes a stop shoulder at the tip of the blade for positioning the bitted portion in alignment with the tumbler pin bores. A separate drive member is provided on the key for rotating the key plug relative to the core to actuate the cylinder lock assembly. The drive member is located between the bitted portion and the bow and is configured to cooperate with a bottom portion of the key blade to provide the primary torque or force for rotating the key plug in response to turning of the key in the cylinder lock assembly so that the bitted portion and an offset portion of the blade not carry substantial torque transmission load between the key and the key plug to rotate the key plug in the core.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1992Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventor: Walter E. Best
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Patent number: 5232255Abstract: A button assembly for a button-actuated lockset having a locking mechanism. The button assembly includes a button member and an actuator mechanism such as a locking bar. A rib is provided on the button member to retain the button member on the locking bar yet permit rotation of the button member relative to the locking bar. The button assembly can further include a button cover provided with an engaging mechanism to allow the button cover to be press-fit on the button member.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1991Date of Patent: August 3, 1993Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Ralph P. Palmer, John S. Shuler, Steve A. Kester
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Patent number: D328854Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1991Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Walter E. Best, Timothy R. Bjornson, James W. Borgmann, Gary R. Jacobs
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Patent number: D328855Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1991Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Walter E. Best, Timothy R. Bjornson, James W. Borgmann, Gary R. Jacobs
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Patent number: D328856Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1991Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Walter E. Best, Timothy R. Bjornson, James W. Borgmann, Gary R. Jacobs
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Patent number: D329191Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1991Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Walter E. Best, Timothy R. Bjornson, James W. Borgmann, Gary R. Jacobs
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Patent number: D329974Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1991Date of Patent: October 6, 1992Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Walter E. Best, Timothy R. Bjornson, James W. Borgmann, Gary R. Jacobs
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Patent number: D330845Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1991Date of Patent: November 10, 1992Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Walter E. Best, Timothy R. Bjornson, Jams W. Borgmann, Gary R. Jacobs