And Details Of Blocking System (e.g., Linkage, Latch, Pawl, Spring) Patents (Class 70/278.7)
  • Patent number: 7966854
    Abstract: It comprises a carriage (4) displaceable forwards and backwards by means of a spindle (3) actuated by a motor (2), the carriage (4) containing clutch pins (12) so that in the forward displacement the engagement takes place with a clutch disc (22) integral with which is an eccentric, whose rotation will cause the actuation of the lock in which the unit is fitted. In its displacements the carriage (4) is guided in rods (8) provided in the corresponding cover (5) of a rotor (1) in which the motor (2) and carriage (4) assembly is housed. The clutch pins (12) are connected to pushing springs (13) for pushing them towards the emergency position and therefore that of engagement when those pins (12) are facing the holes (23) of the disc (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Salto Systems, S.L.
    Inventor: Juan Imedio Ocaña
  • Patent number: 7938765
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a centrifuge including: a rotor rotated by a driver; a chamber housing the rotor therein; a cover openable and closable with respect to the chamber; and a lock mechanism that locks the cover in a closed state, wherein the lock mechanism includes: a motor; a first hook rotated by the motor; and a second hook connected to the first hook through a connecting member, wherein the cover includes a securing portion on which the first hook and the second hook are respectively secured when the cover is locked, and wherein, during a locking operation of the cover, primary the first hook is engaged with the securing portion and pulls the cover toward the chamber, and then the second hook is engaged with the securing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hayasaka
  • Publication number: 20110088438
    Abstract: A low-power-consumption actuator for battery-powered electronic lock includes assembled first and second cases, the second case being provided at a top with a through bore; a piezoceramic/steel sheet assembly consisting of superposed first and second piezoceramic/steel sheet sets, a first end portion of the second piezoceramic/steel sheet set being in a free state; a circuit board electrically connected to the piezoceramic/steel sheet assembly; and a pin unit being located between a top of the first end portion of the second piezoceramic/steel sheet set and the through bore. When the circuit board applies a voltage across the piezoceramic/steel sheet assembly, the first end portion of the second piezoceramic/steel sheet set upward flexes and thereby displaces to push against the pin unit for a pin thereof to protrude from the through bore and interfere with a latch bolt of the electronic lock, so as to actuate the latch bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Ti CHEN
  • Patent number: 7920048
    Abstract: A container has a lid and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a male wall with a switch. A female wall mounts to the inside wall of the container and, when closed, encompasses the male wall. The female wall has a magnet that activates the switch. A lever contained inside the male wall moves into and out of a slot formed in the female wall. The switch completes a circuit that generates a close signal to the lever when the lid is closed. A button extends through a hole in the lid such that the button can be depressed to indicate locking and cannot be depressed when unlocked. When unlocked, the button cannot be depressed because the lever blocks the button. To open the container when closed, the actuation mechanism moves the lever in response to an entered code that must match a stored code or calculated content-specific code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: John W. Hodgson, Thomas James Routt, Christopher Murray Anthony Hamling
  • Publication number: 20110067465
    Abstract: A micropower passive electronic lock cylinder including an immovable cylinder body (3), a rotatable plug (1), and an electronic control circuit part is described. An electronic control circuit board (13) electrically connected with a micromotor (14) and locating switches (15, 16) is arranged in the rotatable plug (1). A lock pin (8), which is controlled by a displacement limiting cam (5) driven by the micromotor (14), moves between the immovable cylinder body (3) and the rotatable plug (1) to release or block the rotatable plug (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Shifu LUO
  • Publication number: 20110067464
    Abstract: An electric door lock includes a transmission wheel driven by a motor and incorporating a spring with a driving end to drive a driven wheel. The transmission wheel and the driven wheel are rotatably sleeved around an inner drive tube connected to an inner handle. A spindle is inserted into the inner drive tube and has an operating end exposed from the inner handle. The driven wheel is connected integrally to the spindle for rotation. Preferably, a coupling piece extends through an arc-shaped slot in the inner drive tube and interconnects the driven wheel and the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: TONG LUNG METAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Shyang Chiou, Chia-Min Sun, Yu-Ting Huang, Yu-Le Lin
  • Patent number: 7895998
    Abstract: A door lock device includes a fixing rack, an operation rack, a solenoid device, an engaging member, and a locking pin. The fixing rack is installed in a receptacle and has a hinge shaft. The operation rack is coupled with the hinge shaft. The solenoid device is installed in the receptacle and has a rod. The engaging member is assembled to the rod and ascends or descends in response to the operation of the solenoid device. The locking pin is installed in the operation rack and performs a locking or unlocking function to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Poong Won Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: June-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 7891222
    Abstract: An electrically activated locking device is provided for use with an article of furniture of the type comprising a cabinet with an interior surface, at least one drawer in the cabinet moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a locking bar slideably mounted adjacent the interior surface for vertical movement and having at least one locking pin extending therefrom into locking engagement with the drawer and at least one lifting pin extending therefrom. The device includes an electrically powered actuator, an electronic module for controlling power to the actuator, a rotatable cam operatively connected to the actuator, and a lifting pin carrier in the path of and vertically moveable by rotation of the cam. The lifting pin carrier has an opening for receiving the lifting pin, whereby the locking bar is moveable into either an unlocked or locked position responsive to rotation of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hafele America Company
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Ratkus, Rudor M. Teich
  • Patent number: 7874972
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes: a rotation room chamber for defining a rotation room; a lid for closing the rotation room; a locking mechanism configured by a hook for locking the lid in a closed state; a hook catch; a driving mechanism having a link mechanism which converts the rotary movement of the driving shaft portion into a reciprocal movement; and a detection portion for detecting the engagement of the hook with the hook catch in the closed state of the lid. The detection portion includes a disc member fixed to the driving shaft portion and has a concavo-convex outer peripheral surface and sensors for detecting the concave and convex portions. The driving mechanism moves in an interlocked manner with the rotation of the disc member. The positions of the concave and convex portions of the disc member correspond to the position where the hook engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hayasaka, Hiroyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7874190
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electromechanical lock cylinder that cooperates with evaluation electronics to recognize access authorization and has a housing that includes two opposite cylindrical receptacles, in which a lock core, which can be operated by a key, or a knob shaft, which is connected to rotate in unison with a know, are mounted to rotation, in which the lock core and/or knob shaft cooperate with a lock tab, which operates, in particular, a bolt or latch with a door lock, and, with a fitting key or access authorization, an electromechanically driven blocking or coupling element is moved from the rest position to an operating position and produces a splined connection between the key or knob and the lock tab, characterized by the fact that the lock tab is freely rotatable relative to the two lock cores or the two knob shafts in the rest position of the blocking or coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: ASSA Abloy AB
    Inventors: Volker Krisch, Hardy Bismark, Bernhard Mueller, Jürgen Hofmann, Bertrand Roland
  • Patent number: 7870770
    Abstract: A door lock (10) having a lock body (11), an external handle and an internal handle (12), a rotatable interconnecting member (13) to interconnect the internal handle and the external handle, and a mechanism to allow the lock to have a passage mode, and a privacy mode and a deadlock mode, in one embodiment the mechanism comprises an outer hub (14) and an internal hub (15) which are inside the lock body, in a second embodiment a remote control arrangement is provided to allow at least some of the modes to be operated manually or by remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: David Garfield Blanch
  • Patent number: 7870769
    Abstract: A lock device comprises a housing (2) which includes an opening (4) and a core (10) which is rotatably disposed in the opening and which includes a key way (12) for reception of a key. A latching element (20) co-acts between the housing (2) and the core (10) and is movable between a release position in which the core is rotatable relative to the housing, and a latching position in which rotation of the core relative to the housing is blocked. An electronically controllable actuator (30) is disposed in the core and is rotatable between an opening-registering-position in which the latching element is movable to the release position, and a latching position in which movement of the latching element to said release position is blocked. A spring (46) abuts an abutment portion (30c) of the actuator. Since the spring is provided with two mutually parallel leg portions (46d, 46e), which abut radially opposite surfaces of the abutment portion of the actuator, several advantages are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: ASSA AB
    Inventor: Daniel Andersson
  • Patent number: 7861563
    Abstract: A dual locking system having a manual lock and an electrical lock, and a shuttle connected to both the manual lock and the electrical lock. The shuttle is moveable by either the manual lock or electrical lock between an engaged position in which a hook on the shuttle can engage a prong and a disengaged position in which the hook does not engage a prong. Upon de-energization of the electrical lock, the shuttle remains in the engaged position if the shuttle was in the engaged position prior to de-energization and the shuttle remains in the unengaged position if the shuttle were in the unengaged position prior to de-energization. The dual locking system is incorporated in a latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Antonucci
  • Patent number: 7827836
    Abstract: A power-release door lock system for an automotive door having a latch, including a ratchet (18) and pawl (20), and an electro-mechanical exterior latch release mechanism (220) for actuating the pawl to release the ratchet. The system includes a controller (210) and a pressure sensitive switch (216) mounted to an outside door handle (214) of the automotive door and electrically connected to the controller. The controller is programmed to disable the pressure sensitive switch in response to a predetermined “lock” signal and enable the pressure sensitive switch in response to a pre-determined “unlock” signal, in which case the controller energizes the exterior latch release mechanism to release the ratchet in the event the pressure sensitive switch is actuated. The system eliminates the need for an exterior lock assembly and its attendant inside lock button or rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Roman Cetnar
  • Patent number: 7818984
    Abstract: An electronic door locking apparatus having a mortise lock including dead bolt and latch bolt installed therein, which is able to easily open a door from the outside by inserting a metal card having a magnet installed inside if a power source such as a dry battery is not supplied or if the locking apparatus is not useable due to other mechanical defects, and also able to perform a lock function since a dead bolt is locked if a door handle of an outer unit is rotated upwards when there are defects in a driving motor or electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Keicho Hightech, Inc.
    Inventor: Moon Sung Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100225440
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for sealing a goods compartment has a housing (10) supporting a shackle (62) movable between open and closed positions to permit hoops on the ends of an elongate sealing member (44) to be connected thereto and then held thereby. The shackle (62) is retained in its closed position by a spying loaded push-button (32) and also by an auxiliary lock (64) including an electric actuator (71) controlled by a control unit (15). The housing (10) has a display device (17, 18, 19) to indicate the lacking condition and sealing of the mechanism and also has a proximity card reader adapted to read information from a presented smartcard, operation of the auxiliary lock (64) being controlled by presentation of an appropriate smartcard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Alan James Maple, Ian Martin Lennard
  • Publication number: 20100206024
    Abstract: A light fence represented by aligned apertures in a plurality of wheels permits the passage of a light beam to a sensor to activate an electro-mechanical control for a lock. Such an arrangement avoids the sound-producing mechanical action of the typical tumbler lock and safeguards discovery of the opening combination. Rather than the typical case of a numerical sequencing combination, a novel approach is taken by using visual pattern recognition to align the apertures. The electro-mechanical control of the present invention additionally features optimized energy use, customizable settings, precision positioning, and an expansion of possible combination permutations by including direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Brent Kitchen
  • Patent number: 7775072
    Abstract: There is disclosed a safety switch for generating an enable signal as a function of the position of a moveable guard door. The safety switch comprises a door part and a frame part. The door part has an activator, which can be displaced between a first and a second position. The frame part has a cutout, in which the activator can engage in the second position. A locking element is arranged on the door part in order to lock the activator in the second position. A sensor is designed to detect at least one of the positions of the activator in order to generate the enable signal as a function thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Pullmann, Roland Rupp, Andreas Veit, Peter Eichinger
  • Patent number: 7770423
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical lock structure comprises a casing, an electric control mechanism and a manual control member. The casing has a base and an accommodating space. The electric control mechanism is disposed within the accommodating space of the casing comprising a clutch gear, a movable assembly, a rotation member and a motor able to drive the clutch gear. The clutch gear has a first side facing the rotation member, a second side opposite to the first side and at least one pushing block disposed at the first side. The movable assembly contacts against the second side of the clutch gear. The rotation member has at least one protrusion that corresponds to the pushing block and able to be pushed to move by the pushing block. The manual control member has a knob and a spindle coupled to the knob, the spindle penetrates the base of the casing and one end of the spindle is coupled to the rotation member of the electric control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Wu
  • Patent number: 7752874
    Abstract: A lock is provided with an electronics module (30) by forming the lock with a body (10) and a separate unit (18). The unit (18) includes a locking mechanism (23) and is inserted and removed from the lock body (10), removal allowing easy access to the electronics module (30) without requiring a separate access. This gives increased security. The locking mechanism (23), electronics module (30) and body (10) can be replaced with compatible components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Ivan Foti
  • Publication number: 20100162776
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a locking device having a control unit with a first control element with a first surface (O1) and a second control element with a second surface (O2), the two control elements being moveable relative to each other with their two surfaces, a spatial region (intermediate space Z) which is filled at least partially with a magnetorheological and/or electrorheological material (M) and is disposed between the first and the second surface, and a field producer (4) with which a magnetic and/or electrical field can be produced in at least a partial region of the material-filled part of the intermediate space, a locking unit with a piston unit (2) and a locking system (3) with which the piston unit can be locked, the two control elements being able to be coupled to each other by the field produced in the intermediate space and the locking state of locking system and piston unit being able to be changed by means of this coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.v.
    Inventors: Holger Böse, Thomas Gerlach
  • Patent number: 7726294
    Abstract: A motorized oven latch includes a base plate. A latch member is slidably connected to the base plate by a first mounting stud or first and second mounting studs connected to the latch member and located in a contoured slot defined in the base plate. The latch member includes an inner end and an outer end, and the outer end includes a hook adapted to engage an oven door. A motor is drivingly coupled to the latch member, and the motor is selectively operative to move the latch member forward and rearward relative to said base plate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch member moves on a non-linear path relative to the base plate in response to movement of the first mounting stud or both the first and second mounting studs in the contoured slot when the motor moves the latch member forward to the unlocked position or rearward to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: James J. Collene, Nicholas R. SirLouis
  • Patent number: 7721576
    Abstract: A lock cylinder opening system comprising: a lock cylinder body housing with a direction of elongation defining an axial direction for the system, having a first and a second end, and having a first and a second axial bores; a rotatable first cylindrical plug in the first bore, the first plug having an axially extending key slot from the first end of the lock cylinder; a rotatable second cylindrical plug in the first bore, the second plug extending to the second end; a rotatable opening shaft in the second bore, the opening shaft extending at the first and second ends of the lock cylinder; and a selector unit positioned at the second end, having a mechanical connection with the second plug and receiving the opening shaft, the selector unit adapted to selectively enable and disable rotation of the second plug by rotation of the opening shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Essence Security International Ltd
    Inventor: Haim Amir
  • Patent number: 7698917
    Abstract: An electronically controlled lock with a single throw acting as a passage lock and also as a deadbolt lock is provided by the invention. The lock is equipped with an electronic activation device on its exterior housing and a door lever on its internal housing. A user unlocks the door from outside by touching an electronic key against the electronic activation device. After the door is unlocked, the throw acts as a passage lock. The door can be locked internally by moving the door lever from a horizontal position upwardly to a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Handytrac Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John Lie-Nielsen, Tibor Szenti
  • Patent number: 7698918
    Abstract: One embodiment of an electric door lock according to the present invention is interchangeable between fail safe and fail secure modes and comprises a housing for receiving the internal components of the door lock. A latch bolt is mounted within the housing and is movable from partially extending from and retracted into the housing. A doorknob is mounted to the housing and is rotatable to retract the latch bolt. A solenoid assembly is also mounted within the housing and can be interchangeably arranged to cause the lock to operate a fail secure mode wherein the doorknob is prevented from retracting the latch bolt when the solenoid is not energized, or a fail safe mode wherein the doorknob is allowed to retract the latch bolt when the solenoid is not energized. The solenoid is nested in place within the housing in both modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Security Door Controls
    Inventors: Arthur Geringer, David Geringer, Richard Geringer
  • Publication number: 20100089108
    Abstract: Embodiments of a lock apparatus for securing an article, such as a cycle frame, and methods of use of a lock apparatus are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Kane Dutt, Jeffrey S. Sunderman, Keith Wertz, Bruce Sanguinetti, Mike Johnson
  • Patent number: 7681424
    Abstract: A latch has a pawl, a handle connected to the pawl, a manual lock for preventing movement of the handle between a closed position and an open position, an electrical lock for preventing movement of the handle between the closed position and the open position, and a shuttle connected to both the manual lock and the electrical lock. The shuttle is moveable between an engaged position in which the handle is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position and a disengaged position in which the handle is permitted to move from the closed position to the open position. Upon deenergization of the electrical lock, the shuttle remains in the engaged position if the shuttle was in the engaged position prior to deenergization and the shuttle remains in the unengaged position if the shuttle were in the unengaged position prior to deenergization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Antonucci
  • Patent number: 7673483
    Abstract: This anti-theft device includes a stator (12), a rotor (14) mounted to rotate in the stator (12) between a first extreme angular position known as the “off” position and at least one second angular position, and a member (22) for interrupting the return travel of the rotor (14) from the second position to the “off” position in a position known as the “non-return” position interpolated angularly between the second position and “off” position, the interrupting member (22) being electrically deactivatable. The anti-theft device further includes a mechanical member (32) for deactivating the interrupting member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Publication number: 20100011822
    Abstract: The electromechanical cylinder is of the kind consisting of a knob (4) fixed to the cylinder body (5) fitted in the respective lock, in correspondence with the outer face of the latter, in other words it includes a single knob, with the particular feature that the rotor (6) which, together with the knob (4), form an electronic module, is located in a housing (15) of the cylinder body (5) and is retained therein axially but with the possibility of rotating freely, in such a way that in fitting the rotor (6) on the knob (4) the former remains in the inner and inaccessible part in order to prevent any manipulation thereof, this being a consequence of the fact that a base (7) forming the fastening element between the knob (4) and the cylinder body (5) is fixed by means of screws (38) which, in the assembly of the unit, remain facing in proximity to the actual door in which the lock is located, preventing such possible manipulations or violent acts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Juan Imedio Ocaña
  • Patent number: 7647797
    Abstract: A programmable electronic lock with a closing tongue is actuated with an actuating mechanism formed by a mobile knob acting as a button joined to the closing tongue. Actuation of the mobile knob generates a movement of the closing tongue and closure of the lock. Recovery of the mobile knob to its initial position generates an opening of the lock. Furthermore, an electronics board is activated with a transponder key and controls operation of the lock by deactivating and subsequently activating a blocking mechanism formed by a motor that actuates a punch via a gear mechanism. When the punch is in a blocking position it is located against the actuating mechanism. When the punch is in an unblocking position, it is separated from the actuating mechanism and allows the movement of the closing tongue by unblocking the actuating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ojmar S.A.
    Inventors: Ana Viso Cabrera, Ramón Gabikagogeaskoa Sanchez, Beatriz Vierna Garcia
  • Publication number: 20100000274
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic blocking module for closing systems with a casing (1) internally having a blocking mechanism (2) which prevents or allows the opening of a closing system, and which is controlled by an electronics board (3), which communicates with an external electronic control system which transmits signals to it for blocking and unblocking the closing system, and receives from it signals of the position of the blocking mechanism (2). The electronics board (3) comprises at least a first microswitch (4) and a second microswitch (5) which detect the movement towards the blocking and unblocking position of the blocking mechanism (2), and a third microswitch (6) detecting the blocking and unblocking position of the blocking mechanism (2), transmitting it to the electronic control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: OJMAR, S.A.
    Inventors: Ana Viso Cabrera, Ramon Gabikagogeaskoa Sanchez, Beatriz Vierna Garcia
  • Patent number: 7640773
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a portion of a lock may include a stationary member having a bore, where the stationary member can be mountable to an object. The portion of the lock can also include a movable member positioned at least partially within the bore and movable relative to the bore in an unlocking direction during a normal unlocking operation. A deformable portion can be positioned adjacent an interface between the stationary member and the movable member. The deformable portion permits the movable member to move in the unlocking direction during a normal unlocking operation and is deformable to prevent movement of the movable member relative to the stationary member when subjected to excessive force applied in an attempt to move the movable member in the unlocking direction in other than a normal unlocking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: GE Security, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk L. Bellamy, Jon Marc Luebeck
  • Patent number: 7637131
    Abstract: A cylinder lock device including: a body housing having a bore having a first end and a second end, with a direction of elongation defining an axial direction for the device; a rotatable cylindrical plug in the bore, the plug having an axially extending key slot from the first end; a plurality of tumbler pins deployed at least partially within the plug and displaceable by a key to enable rotation of the plug; and an opening mechanism comprising a shaft connected to a key emulator and wherein the key emulator is translatable into the key slot from within the body housing, the key emulator shaped to match and engage the plurality of tumbler pins, and adapted to displace the plurality of tumbler pins, thereby selectively enabling rotation of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Essence Security International Ltd.
    Inventor: Haim Amir
  • Publication number: 20090293562
    Abstract: An electronic lock box contains a mechanical structure that allows the lock box to work in several different mechanical states. A first state is a key compartment door unlocking state, while a second state is a shackle release state. A third state is a “soft lock” state, which allows the key compartment door to be closed, or the shackle to be re-installed, and once this has occurred, the door will not fall open, and the shackle will not fall out. A fourth state is a “hard lock” state in which the key compartment door and the shackle are not easily disturbed by vibration or intentional impact by a would-be thief, who is attempting to unlawfully open the door or remove the shackle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Scott R. Fisher, Matthew K. Caskey, John P. Crutcher, Robin S. Glassburn, Wendell H. Morris
  • Publication number: 20090277232
    Abstract: An actuator assembly is for a lock including a handle, a latch, a retractor for retracting the latch when the handle rotates, and a lock member displaceable between locked and unlocked positions, which either releasably couples the handle with the retractor or releasably prevents handle rotation. The actuator includes a motor having a shaft rotatable about an axis and a coupler spring disposed about the axis and having a first end coupled with the lock member and a second end. A drive member is coupled or integrally formed with the motor shaft and has a helical drive surface threadably engaged with the coupler spring second end, such that rotation of the shaft displaces the coupler spring along the axis to move the lock member between the locked and unlocked positions. Preferably, the drive member includes a spring coupled with the motor shaft and threadably engaged with the coupler spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: John E Walsh, III
  • Publication number: 20090260409
    Abstract: Provided is a door lock device. The device includes a fixing rack, an operation rack, a solenoid device, an engaged fragment, and a locking pin. The fixing rack is installed in a receptacle and has a hinge shaft. The operation rack is coupled with the hinge shaft. The solenoid device is installed in the receptacle and has a rod. The engaged fragment is assembled to the rod and ascends or descends. The locking pin is installed in the operation rack and performs a locking or unlocking function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Poong Won Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: June-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 7591160
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical lock cylinder, comprising a first cylinder half (2), arranged on the outside of the door, with a key passage (8) for a security key (44) and a second cylinder half (3), arranged on the inside of the door, with a rotating knob rotor (4). Tumblers in the first cylinder half (2) are arranged for rotational release by a security key (44). An electronic device (17) is arranged in the rotating knob (24) for control of a locking device (43). The rotating knob (24) forms a unit with the electronic device (17) arranged therein, detachably mounted on an extension (4a) of the rotating knob rotor (4), projecting past the housing (6). The rotating knob rotor (24) may be adjusted for length by means of an exchangeable adapter (18a to 18c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Keso AG
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Patent number: 7568969
    Abstract: A locking mechanism of a linear motor travel slider, includes: a serration member having a teeth portion and disposed on one of the bed and the travel slider extending in a slider-traveling-direction; a bracket supported by the other of the bed and the travel slider; an actuator supported by the other of the bed and the travel slider; a locking member supported by the actuator having a teeth portion engageable with the teeth portion of the serration member; and a controller for controlling the actuator to retain the lock member in an unlocked position when the linear motor is energized and for stopping the actuator when the linear motor is in a stop state due to a power failure. The locking member includes an urging member for making the locking member engage with the serration member while the actuator is in a stop state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Nippei Toyama Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uchida, Sadatsune Ammi
  • Publication number: 20090178449
    Abstract: A lock body includes a bolt and a follower that is functionally connectable with the bolt to control the position of the bolt, and a driver. The driver is connectable with the follower to convey force turning the driver to the follower. Furthermore, the lock body includes an electric motor to operate as a power source for changing the locking state of the lock body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: ABLOY OY
    Inventor: Juha Raatikainen
  • Publication number: 20090165512
    Abstract: An electronic lock includes a rotatable core movable within an outer body. The rotatable core includes an actuator configured to move a tumbler blocking member into or out of interfering engagement with one or more tumblers. In an unlocked state, the actuator moves the tumbler blocking member so that a movable locking member in the rotatable core that engages the outer body can be moved into the rotatable core. In a locked state, the actuator positions the tumbler blocking member to prevent the one or more tumblers from retracting and thereby retain the locking member in a channel of the outer body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Dirk L. Bellamy
  • Publication number: 20090165513
    Abstract: An electronic lock includes a rotatable core movable within an outer body. The rotatable core includes a piezo-electric actuator configured to move a tumbler blocking member into or out of interfering engagement with one or more tumblers. Tamper circuitry coupled with the piezo-electric actuator is configured to resist an externally induced acceleration of the electronic lock by shunting electrical power produced by an externally induced motion of the piezo-electric actuator back to the piezo-electric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Dirk L. BELLAMY, Charles E. SEELEY
  • Patent number: 7543469
    Abstract: An electronic lock includes a mechanism comprising a drive assembly comprising a pinion, a gearwheel including a peripheral flange having openings with a curved edge; a clutch comprising a ring including risers in the openings to engage with the curved edges, a first sleeve in the ring and including a rear projection, a driven member including a groove disengaged from the corresponding projection when the lock is locked, and a first spindle, and a spring put on the first sleeve and urged against the driven member; a second sleeve securely urged against the first sleeve; and a second spindle securely passing the second sleeve into the first sleeve. Turning the pinion will turn the gearwheel, push the risers rearward by sliding along the curved edges, move the ring rearward to fit the projection into the groove, and compress the spring such that turning an outer handle will unlock the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Sun-Castle Global Precision Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Ming Tseng, Tien-Chun Lan
  • Patent number: 7540176
    Abstract: Programmable electronically closing lock, with knob of the type which incorporates programmed electronic elements which make possible bidirectional communication between lock and key without contact between the two is disclosed. It consists of an electronic board (7) with a microcontroller (17) which controls its opening/closing and communicates with an antenna (8) built into a knob block, made up of a knob (3) joined permanently to a push button/mounting hole piece (5) which has an upper surface (s), lateral slots/guides (13) and a fixed knob guide (4) carrying the antenna (8) and in which the knob (3) moves up and down under the action of a coaxial spring (11) on the knob guide (4) and pins (14) of a tongue block (6) sliding on the slots (13) causing movement in the tongue block. The microcontroller (17) operates a bi-stable solenoid (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: OJMAR, S.A.
    Inventors: Pedro Arriola Arrizabalaga, Iker Badiola Brenaga, Ana Viso Cabrera
  • Patent number: 7520152
    Abstract: A door lock device includes a lock having a deadbolt with a first end and a second end. The second end is structured to disengage from an object, such as a portion of a door frame, in a first position and to engage the object in a second position. A spring directly engages and biases the first end of the deadbolt toward the second position thereof. A solenoid includes a plunger structured to engage the deadbolt, in order to hold the deadbolt in the first position thereof. A sensor is structured to sense at least one of the first and second positions of the deadbolt. A wireless controller is structured to receive a wireless signal and responsively energize the solenoid, in order to disengage the plunger of the solenoid from the deadbolt and release the deadbolt to the second position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Russ C. Sabo, John J. Crowley, III
  • Publication number: 20090007613
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary lock cylinder comprising a blocking element (25, 64) that engages into the rotor (10) in a closed position while releasing the rotor (10) in an open position. An actuator (17, 78) can be controlled in accordance with data located on the key (2). In order to displace the blocking element (25, 64) from the closed position into the open position, a latch element (33, 63) is provided which can be moved along with the key (2). The blocking element (25, 64) can be attached by means of the actuator (17). The energy required for moving the blocking element (25) is supplied by the user when introducing the key (2) into the key duct (11) such that the load on the power source used for actuating the actuator (17, 78) is minimal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Keso AG
    Inventors: Martin Spycher, Urs Oechslin, Bruno Vonlanthen, Marcel Kolliker, Dieter Peier
  • Patent number: 7469564
    Abstract: Described herein is a locking device and method which integrates mechanical components in a hollow metal door frame with electronic access components. The electronic components override the original mechanical components of the lock to create a fail-safe situation in which the original mechanical lock may be disabled. In the preferred embodiment, my upgraded locking device can be re-installed within a hollow door frame, thereby minimizing service costs and doorframe modification costs. The electronically controlled component can be a cam retaining locking bar which contains a roll pin and an open area bordered by two cut sides. The open space eases lock installation with a door by avoiding protruding door structures such as metal tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventor: Barry M. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20080314100
    Abstract: An electric anti-impact lock with spring accumulator comprises a lock shell; a pivot keeper for locking door with a latch portion and a tail portion, the door can be opened when the latch portion pivoting into the shell, the door being locked when the latch portion pivoting outside the shell; a device for locking keeper comprising a slideable block bar, the keeper is locked when the slideable block bar being against the tail portion, the keeper is turnable when the slideable block being moved away; a anti-impact device having a reinforce structure, which bears a impact from the door through the keeper and the block bar; and a device for locking block bar is a block pin device with spring accumulator, the block pin shoots out to stop moving of the block bar when power on, thereby, the door being locked, the block pin withdrawing to free the stop when power on in reverse pole, the door can be opened. The new lock solves the problems of weakness and lock death for current electromagnetic locks in market.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Hao Min
  • Patent number: 7464570
    Abstract: A time programmable unlocking lock includes a tenon structure assembly, wherein the tenon structure assembly includes a front and a rear retaining plate, the front retaining plate connects to an inner side of a door and has a round hole for a tenon of the rear retaining plate to go through, the rear retaining plate has a slot disposed thereon and cooperates with a flange to slidingly connect to the inner side of the door, a front end of the rear retaining plate connects with the tenon, a rear end of the rear retaining plate connects with a metal plate, and the front retaining plate connects with the rear retaining plate through a compression spring. A timer device is disposed at the inner side of the door and controls the circuit operation, the timer setting and the counter setting of the time programmable unlocking lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Co-Young International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Jung Chen
  • Patent number: 7406846
    Abstract: An electronic lock incorporating one or more shape memory metal wire segment as its electromechanical transducer. An electronic control circuit injects electrical current into the shape memory metal wire, causing it to heat up and contract. A gate is positioned by the action of the shape memory metal wire(s) to either allow or block the movement of a locking bolt that affect locking or unlocking. Millions of operational cycles are achieved by limiting the stretching of the shape memory metal wire at low temperature to small percentages of its total length. The design lends itself to miniaturization, with commensurate reduction in power consumption, that is useful to the evolution of future electronic locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Nanotechnology, Inc.
    Inventor: John Wun-Sing Chu
  • Patent number: 7401483
    Abstract: Residual magnetic locks, brakes, rotation inhibitors, clutches, actuators, and latches. The residual magnetic devices can include a core housing and an armature. The residual magnetic devices can include a coil that receives a magnetization current to create an irreversible residual magnetic force between the core housing and the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Dimig, Gregory J. Organek, Michael G. Feucht