Abstract: A fixture for magnetically coding a card key includes a front plate with areas for North and South magnetic polarity coding each with a number of holes, an optional code template having a lesser number of holes corresponding to selected holes in the front plate and attachable to the front plate, and North and South permanent magnet encoding tools sized to be inserted into the holes in the code template and front plate. The device further includes a card key holder preferably coupled to a tool holder and slidably connected to the fixture for placing the card key proximate the North or South area of the front plate and positioning the appropriate encoding tool for easy access. The device provides for convenient, accurate and error-free magnetic coding of card keys.

Abstract: A magnetic key operated lock has code changing magnet pins 108a, 110a, 112a and 114 a mounted in rotatable carriers 104 and 106 in a slide member 6. Spurious rotation of the carriers is prevented by a spring biassed bar 400 which is only released by keys, coded as code changing keys, when they are fully inserted and pressed against an end 403 of the bar 400 and by carriers 104 and 106 held against rotational movement by one or more of the above pins entering blind bores; the pins also acted upon by such keys in the slide member 6 when they are fully inserted.

Abstract: In a magnetic key operated lock, a slide member carries a plurality of wheels in which are mounted magnetic pins. The position of the pins forms part of a code of the lock. The wheels are caused to rotate by insertion of a code changing key, which has a code for unlocking the lock, and moving the slide member. As the slide member moves, one of the pins which is repelled by the particular code changing key abuts a stop, which thus causes the respective wheel, and so the other wheels, to rotate. By having wheels of two different diameters, the smaller wheels can be made to rotate more than once before a code is repeated. The stops are formed by pressing a tang from a stationary wall in the lock.

Abstract: In a magnetic key operated lock, a slide member carries a plurality of wheels in which are mounted magnetic pins. The position of the pins forms part of a code of the lock. The wheels are caused to rotate by insertion of a code changing key, which has a code for unlocking the lock, and moving the slide member. As the slide member moves, one of the pins which is repelled by the particular code changing key abuts a stop, which thus causes the respective wheel, and so the other wheels, to rotate. By having wheels of two different diameters, the smaller wheels can be made to rotate more than once before a code is repeated. The stops are formed by pressing a tang from a stationary wall in the lock.

Abstract: The lock housing has a slot in a top wall via which a coded card key can be inserted to bring into alignment coded magnetic areas on the card with magnetically responsive elements of the lock to unlock the locking mechanism and enable rotation of either a knob or lever arm to open the door. The card moves a spring actuator against a coupling spline to engage it with a spindle spline carried by a shaft interconnected with the knob or lever arm handle. The sliding coupling spline is integral with parts which interrelate with the door lock mechanism such that rotation of the knob or lever arm will now effect release of the door locking mechanism. When the card is fully inserted, the mechanism is maintained in the unlocked condition and the card may be released to turn the knob or handle with the same hand. Spring-loaded members separate the coupling and spindle splines as the magnetic card key is withdrawn from the housing slot.

Abstract: A mechanical magnetic key operated door lock structure particularly adapted for use in hotel locksets. An occupancy indicator is incorporated in the lock structure to indicate that the lockset is locked from the inside, thus insuring privacy for the hotel guest. In addition, means operable from outside the lock structure is provided for changing the combination of the lock so that a newly arriving guest may be provided with a key having a different combination from that used by the previous guest.

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: A manually manipulatable magnetic card encoder containing substantially all of the apparatus and wiring required to encode magnetic spots on a magnetic card key or the like. The encoder is relatively small and includes a housing provided with a pistol grip to facilitate manual manipulation of the encoder.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader for providing an output to a utilization device. A plurality of reed switches are arranged in coplanar relationship in a manner to optimize the number of data sensors in a given area. In addition, a magnetic card is disclosed for providing completely different and independent magnetic data on the opposite surfaces thereby allowing sensing or reading devices to be placed on both sides of the card.

Abstract: A substantially indestructible magnetic card key having an exterior formed completely of metallic material such as stainless steel. In the preferred form, one side of the key is of magnetizable material and the other of nonmagnetizable material to enhance the operation of the key and simplify its encoding.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader for providing an output to a utilization device. A plurality of reed switches are arranged in coplanar relationship and means is provided for maximizing the flux of magnetized spots of a magnetically coded card so that a predetermined magnetized spot actuates a predetermined reed switch of the reader without requiring any internal magnetic biasing. The flux of the magnetized spots is maximized by providing relatively large contiguous areas of a polarity reversed from that of the magnetized spot which actuates a switch.

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.