Abstract: An electromechanical lock comprises a housing, a rectilinear locking lever slidable within the housing, a blocking element positioned adjacent the locking lever that is movable between a first position that engages with the locking lever and a second position that disengages with the locking lever, and an actuating device operable to control movement of the blocking element between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An electromechanical lock comprises a housing, a rectilinear locking lever slidable within the housing, a blocking element positioned adjacent the locking lever that is movable between a first position that engages with the locking lever and a second position that disengages with the locking lever, and an actuating device operable to control movement of the blocking element between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A lock including a housing having an opening for a locking bolt, a locking bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, an actuator positioned within the housing, and a rotary blocking device that prevents the locking bolt from moving to the unlocked position is disclosed. The lock may optionally include a tamper resistant mechanism that is designed such that attempting to forcibly move the locking bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position while the actuator remains in the locked condition causes the locking bolt to engage the tamper resistant mechanism.

Abstract: A method of inputting a user input access combination in order to gain authorized entry into a secure location comprises providing an input device having first and second input keys as well as a display, randomly generating a first character and a second character on the display, inputting the user input access combination into the input device, and comparing the user input access combination with an authorized access combination. The user input access combination includes a first user input character and a second user input character. The step of inputting the user input access combination comprises pressing the first input key to change the first randomly generated character to the first user input character, and pressing the second input key to change the second randomly generated character to the second user input character.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly comprises a dial, a lock device, and a spindle having a spindle base and an elongate spindle shaft extending from the spindle base. The spindle shaft comprises a plurality of spindle segments having four sides and separated by a plurality of spaced apart grooves. Each of the spindle segments includes a chamfered leading edge. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of mounting a lock assembly on a mounting surface comprises positioning a dial on a first side of the mounting surface, positioning a lock device on a second side of the mounting surface, determining a distance between the first and second sides, providing a spindle including a plurality of spindle segments having four sides and separated by a plurality of spaced apart grooves, and cutting the spindle at a selected one of the spaced apart grooves.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly comprises a dial, a lock device, and a spindle having a spindle base and an elongate spindle shaft extending from the spindle base. The spindle shaft comprises a plurality of spindle segments having four sides and separated by a plurality of spaced apart grooves. Each of the spindle segments includes a chamfered leading edge. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of mounting a lock assembly on a mounting surface comprises positioning a dial on a first side of the mounting surface, positioning a lock device on a second side of the mounting surface, determining a distance between the first and second sides, providing a spindle including a plurality of spindle segments having four sides and separated by a plurality of spaced apart grooves, and cutting the spindle at a selected one of the spaced apart grooves.

Abstract: A method of inputting a user input access combination in order to gain authorized entry into a secure location comprises providing an input device having first and second input keys as well as a display, randomly generating a first character and a second character on the display, inputting the user input access combination into the input device, and comparing the user input access combination with an authorized access combination. The user input access combination includes a first user input character and a second user input character. The step of inputting the user input access combination comprises pressing the first input key to change the first randomly generated character to the first user input character, and pressing the second input key to change the second randomly generated character to the second user input character.

Abstract: A lock including a housing having an opening for a locking bolt, a locking bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, an actuator positioned within the housing, and a rotary blocking device that prevents the locking bolt from moving to the unlocked position is disclosed. The lock may optionally include a tamper resistant mechanism that is designed such that attempting to forcibly move the locking bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position while the actuator remains in the locked condition causes the locking bolt to engage the tamper resistant mechanism.

Abstract: A portable entry system and method is provided. The portable entry system includes an electromechanical lock used for securing a safe door to a safe housing. The system also includes a portable entry device that allows the electromechanical lock to be operated between open and closed positions. The portable entry device is removable from the electromechanical lock such that it may be programmed and recharged at a location remote from the electromechanical lock. An authorized user enters an authorized user security code that activates the portable entry device. Without an activated device, the electromechanical lock cannot be operated.

Abstract: The locking bolt of a swing bolt lock has an elongated opening that fits on a shaft in the lock's housing. The shaft has a compression spring that biases the bolt toward one side of the shaft. In normal operation, the compression spring urges the bolt such that the shaft is at one end of the elongated opening. There, the swing bolt pivots about the shaft to unlock the lock. When a person tries to force the lock, the elongated opening of the bolt moves against spring bias along the shaft. In one embodiment, flat surfaces in the opening and on the shaft engage each other and a notch on the outside surface of the bolt engages a stationary safety key. This prevents the bolt from applying sufficient force to break weaker parts within the lock mechanism and force the lock open.

Abstract: The key pad assembly includes a housing that attaches to a secure container. The housing has a front wall, and a key pad attaches to the front face of the front wall. A cylindrical side wall extends back from the front wall. The side wall is truncated at an angle to angle the front face to the door. Where the side wall is widest, which should be at the bottom of the housing, the side wall has a removable section through which a battery can be inserted. A cable extends through an opening in the front face from the key pad to a circuit board that mounts the combination sensing circuit. The cable is flat with multiple electric conductors and a slot. When the key pad and circuit board are properly assembled, the cable slot fits over a fixed pin in the housing. The pin secures the cable so that it is not pulled from its connection with the key pad or the circuit board. Other pins within the housing mount the circuit board. Parallel walls from the rear of the front face create a cavity for the battery.

Abstract: The locking bolt of a swing bolt lock has an elongated opening that fits on a shaft in the lock's housing. The shaft has a compression spring that biases the bolt toward one side of the shaft. In normal operation, the compression spring urges the bolt such that the shaft is at one end of the elongated opening. There, the swing bolt pivots about the shaft to unlock the lock. When a person tries to force the lock, the elongated opening of the bolt moves against spring bias along the shaft. In one embodiment, flat surfaces in the opening and on the shaft engage each other and a notch on the outside surface of the bolt engages a stationary safety key. This prevents the bolt from applying sufficient force to break weaker parts within the lock mechanism and force the lock open.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock handle includes a rotatable spindle which interacts with two bolts to permit locking and release. The position of the handle relative the door indicates whether the combination lock is in a bolted position or unbolted position. A pistol grip handle permits rotation of the spindle when a bolt initiation mechanism which can include a solenoid armature is free of the spindle. An electronic keypad for the combination lock is mounted in the face of the pistol grip handle. The solenoid armature shaft interacts with a rotatable spindle to inhibit or permit rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock having a dial-shape handle with a keypad incorporated therein is disclosed. Rotation of the handle extends or retracts a bolt that closes or opens the lock. The keypad includes indicia that give the user visual cues as to the orientation of the handle, thereby informing the user of the extended or retracted condition of the bolt. A battery pack is used to energize circuitry that recognizes a code entered through the keypad. The circuitry provides a control signal that activates a solenoid to extend or retract a bolt blocking device, which in turn prevents or enables movement of the bolt. A visual indicator warns of a low voltage or power condition in the battery pack. Electrical contacts are provided in the face plate of the handle to connect the circuitry to an external power source in case the battery pack fails.