Abstract: A programmable time lock includes a microprocessor, which senses the angular position of a key shaft via a sensor/encoder. The microprocessor includes ROM and RAM memory circuits, a timer, and a clock, and it can activate a stepper motor to control the position of a detent pin. The microprocessor is also connected to a display, which has fields for hours, minutes and seconds, as well as for the days of the week, for a cursor for each day, and for a low-power indicator. System time, as well as opening times for the lock may be set and changed simply by turning the key according to predefined routines. A method for operating the lock includes sets of steps for each of several routines: setting real time, setting opening times for each selected day of the week, and specialty routines including adding an intermediate opening time, cancelling the opening time for selected days, adjusting the system time, for example to change to or from daylight savings time, and verifying the version of the time lock in use.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock is disclosed which allows access to a closed or secure location wherein the lock includes a locking mechanism for operating between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. A rotatable cam wheel has a circumferential surface portion defining a slot such that rotation of the cam wheel moves the slot. A movable lever is coupled to the locking mechanism for changing the condition of the locking mechanism from the locked condition to the unlocked condition and is pivotably movable into and out of engagement with the cam wheel. The movable lever engages the cam wheel such that rotation of the cam wheel changes the condition of the locking mechanism. A cantilever and detent on the lever releasably maintain the lever in a position disengaged from the cam wheel.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock is disclosed which allows access to a closed or secure location wherein the lock includes a locking mechanism for operating between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. A rotatable cam wheel has a circumferential surface portion defining a slot such that rotation of the cam wheel moves the slot. A moveable lever is coupled to the locking mechanism for changing the condition of the locking mechanism from the locked condition to the unlocked condition and is pivotably movable into and out of engagement with the cam wheel. The movable lever engages the cam wheel such that rotation of the cam wheel changes the condition of the locking mechanism. A cantilever and detent on the lever releasably maintain the lever in a position disengaged from the cam wheel.

Abstract: An electronic lock for a safe door is provided with a digital keypad entry device, a mechanical bolt works and associated handle for retracting the door bolts, and a spring biased rotary bolt which engages and precludes operation of the bolt works, such that upon entry of the predetermined code into the entry device, an electric signal causes a solenoid to energize and retract its armature from a blocking position relative the rotary bolt, further enabling the rotary bolt to rotate against its bias in response to mechanical manipulation of the handle by the user to retract the door bolts. Unauthorized operation of the safe handle causes the rotary bolt to be locked into a fixed position, preventing entry into the safe.

Abstract: An electronic lock for a safe door is provided with a digital keypad entry device, a mechanical bolt works and associated handle for retracting the door bolts, and a spring biased rotary bolt which engages and precludes operation of the bolt works, such that upon entry of the predetermined code into the entry device, an electric signal causes a solenoid to energize and retract its armature from a blocking position relative the rotary bolt, further enabling the rotary bolt to rotate against its bias in response to mechanical maniupulation of the handle by the user to retract the door bolts. Unauthorized operation of the safe handle causes the rotary bolt to be locked into a fixed position, preventing entry into the safe.

Abstract: A self-locking electronic lock system is illustrated in association with safe doors having a door locking bolt works manipulated between door open and door locked positions by a door mounted handle. The bolt works includes a link which moves the door bolts and in turn is locked by an electronic lock in accordance with the present disclosure. The elctronic lock has a spring bias bolt normally biased into a locking gate provided on the link and is operated to a withdrawn position by an associated digital input electronic signal generating means.

Abstract: A self-locking electronic lock system is illustrated in association with safe doors having a door locking bolt works manipulated between door open and door locked positions by a door mounted handle. The bolt works includes a link which moves the door bolts and in turn is locked by an electronic lock in accordance with the present disclosure. The electronic lock has a spring bias bolt normally biased into a locking gate provided on the link and is operated to a withdrawn position by an associated digital input electronic signal generating means.

Abstract: An electronic lock with manual combination override for opening of a lock by both an electronic and manual means. The electronic lock has a bolt operating release mechanism which operates to allow opening of the lock by either the electronic or manual mode. The electronic and manual modes both operably open the lock through operation of the bolt operating release mechanism. The bolt operating release mechanism is a multi-component assembly operable as a unit or relative to each component dependent on the mode of operation. The electronic mode is operably by use of electronic components which include but are not limited to, pressure-sensitive switches, logic circuit, and a circuit mounting board. An electronic combination is generated, retained and operable with the electronic components to open the lock.

Abstract: A fence lever control device for a combination lock provides a pivoted plate having an arm positioning a spring to normally bias the fence lever of the lock in a position out of engagement with the fence lever operating cam wheel, with an actuator roller mounted to the cam wheel which engages a follower surface on the pivoted plate once on each complete revolution of the cam wheel in a given direction in response to similar rotation of the dial shaft to which the cam wheel is mounted to thereby shift the pivoted plate and its associated spring mounting arm in an over center fashion to place the spring in a position to bias the fence lever toward the cam wheel, movement of the fence lever into engagement with the cam wheel being prevented by engagement between the fence member and the tumbler wheel assemblies when the wheel assemblies are not oriented in a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: An improved device for preventing unauthorized opening of a combination lock of the type having a plurality of tumbler wheels in conjunction with a fence-lever-actuated bolt in which a tumbler wheel assembly shield having an opening to avoid a rearward expulsion of the dial shaft provides a barrier to unauthorized rearward or radial manipulation of the tumbler wheel assemblies by use of fishing hooks inserted and manipulated from the front of the lock.

Abstract: An easily assembled combination lock has improved tumbler wheel construction, combination changing apparatus, and a bi-positional lock cover which selects between spring-bolt and dead-bolt operation. The improved tumbler wheels have two-piece construction, an inner drive member having a projection, groove and stop assembly cooperating with adjacent tumbler wheels, and a gate ring having a gate and improved gripping apparatus for frictionally engaging the gate ring with the inner drive member. The inner drive member has multiple ratchet teeth about its periphery and the improved gripping apparatus includes a pair of diametrically opposed gripping straps integral with the gate ring, in tension, and tangentially contacting the periphery of the inner drive member imparting a predetermined frictional resistance to rotation. Two normal modes of tumbler wheel operation are contemplated.

Abstract: An improved lock assembly having a plurality of peripherally gated tumbler wheels supported within a housing for rotation about a common axis. A peripherally gated control cam is mounted to the tumbler wheel axis to provide cam operated movement of a fence lever and rotatably attached lock bolt between extended and retracted positions when the peripheral tumbler wheel gates are aligned. A single spring is provided for serving the dual purpose of biasing the fence lever towards the control cam and securing the fence lever to the bolt. Further, precise positioning of the lock bolt and lever when the lock bolt is moved to its extended position are provided by a three point positioning configuration in which special surfaces on the lever are moved into abutment with the lock housing. A new relock spring configuration and system is provided for preventing retraction of the lock bolt when the housing backplate is removed.

Abstract: High security lock assembly adapted for locking two flanges together. The lock assembly includes a lock body having flange retaining walls which define a flange receiving opening. A latch bolt is provided which is slidably mounted transverse of the flange receiving opening for locking to the flanges when they are disposed within the flange receiving opening. A removable shield is provided for removably attaching to the lock body for covering the flange receiving opening thereby preventing external access to the latch bolt when the lock assembly is locked to the flanges. The lock assembly further includes a lock cylinder and associated lock cylinder housing wherein the lock cylinder housing cannot be removed from the lock body except upon special key actuated release. An acid actuated relock mechanism is also provided for blocking movement of the latch bolt when acid is applied in attempts to overcome the lock assembly.

Abstract: A universal boltworks mechanism is compatible for use with any of a range of shapes and sizes of safe door and is alternatively enclosed in an easily fabricated centrally located bore on the interior surface of the safe door or in a pan enclosure which is easily welded to the interior of the safe door. The mechanism particularly includes a universal cam member which is configured such that it may be used without adaptation with any of said shapes and sizes of safe door alternatively driving three bolt driving structures of a first configuration on one side thereof and four bolt driving structures of a second configuration on the other side thereof. The universal boltworks mechanism is also provided with a bolt inhibitor which inhibits unlocking movement of each bolt whenever a breakaway portion of the mounting enclosure cover plate has been broken away in response to tampering forces in excess of a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for security doors such as safes. A mounting plate is provided for attachment to the inner surface of the door. A cylindrical activating member is mounted on a pin for rotation about an axis normal to the inner surface of the door. The activating member contains a plurality of activating fingers and mounting posts for connecting to locking pin actuating mechanisms directly or through linkages. A groove is provided in the periphery of the activating member. A pair of sliding members are mounted to the plate. One sliding member is positioned to slide into the groove to prevent rotation of the activating member. The second sliding member is adapted to slide into abutment with the first member to prevent sliding thereof. Standard lock mechanisms of the combination or pin tumbler type for use with a key are mounted to the plate and connected to the two sliding members to control their movement.

Abstract: A cylindrical type lock has a rotatable cylinder within a lock body wherein the cylinder has a stacked array of a plurality of nested and alternating tumbler wheels and spacer discs mounted in a subassembly with the cylinder to the lock body, the spacer discs are held stationary by tab projections which extend radially outwardly into a longitudinal groove in the cylinder into which they slip fit on assembly along with the tumbler wheels in stacked array into the cylinder, the wheels and discs being formed with identical annular projections on one side and mating annular recesses on opposite sides so that the wheels and discs nest in interfitting relation in the stacked array within the cylinder to be operated by an associated key which has a plurality of spaced segmented disc-like coded webs and blank webs which are adapted to align with the tumbler wheels and spacer discs respectively when the key is inserted into the lock and rotated.

Abstract: Simplified tumbler wheel construction including an outer gate ring and an inner drive ring wherein the two rings are mounted together in snap-lock fashion.The drive ring includes an undulated surface on its outer rim for mating engagement with an inner undulated surface on the mounting surface of the gate ring. The two rings are constructed of suitable resilient material resulting in passive biasing of the undulated surfaces together during normal operation. Adjustment of the drive ring relative the gate ring is accomplished by blocking rotation of the gate ring while applying a rotative force to the drive ring in excess of a predetermined amount to rotate the undulated surfaces relative each other against the resilient bias provided by the two rings. The amount of bias against rotation is controlled by an appropriately placed slot outward of the undulated surface on the gate ring to lower bias resistance to expansion during tumbler wheel adjustment.

Abstract: A gate ring for a combination lock tumbler that has securing means on the gate ring that normally prevents rotation of the gate ring with respect to the drive member. The securing means includes a cam that alternatively releases the securing means to permit rotation of the gate ring with respect to the drive means or returns the securing means to the normal position. The securing means also comprise a flexible web on the gate ring extending adjacent the outside of the drive member. The cam is mounted between the web and a portion of the gate ring. Rotation of the cam to its normal position moves the flexible web to its normal position against the drive member, and rotation of the cam to its releasing position allows the web to move to its releasing position away from the drive member. The web is integrally formed on the gate ring, which is preferably plastic. The web is located along a chord of the circular gate ring perpendicular to a radius extending from the center of the gate ring through to the cam.