Operating Elements Patents (Class 70/320)
  • Publication number: 20140123715
    Abstract: A locking system for a storage compartment of a storage container is provided, the locking system including a latching mechanism and a locking mechanism. When the locking mechanism is in a locked position, the latching mechanism is prevented from unlatching and opening the compartment. When the locking mechanism is in its unlocked position, the latching mechanism is allowed to be unlatched and the compartment to be moved to its open position. The key code used with the locking mechanism may be the same or different than the key code used with the locking system of another storage compartment of the storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: KNAACK LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Bergum, Gerald A. Draffkorn
  • Patent number: 8555686
    Abstract: A lock includes a housing, a keypad disposed on the housing, and a latch assembled with the housing. The keypad includes a plurality of button assemblies, each including an axially depressible button member including a camming surface, a lock wheel having a plurality of camming teeth, and a latch releasing feature secured to the lock wheel for rotation therewith. Pressing the button member causes the camming surface to engage one of the plurality of calming teeth, thereby incrementally rotating the lock wheel between a plurality of rotational positions. When the button members of a predetermined one or more of the plurality of button assemblies are depressed a predetermined number of times, the latch releasing features of each of the plurality of button assemblies align with a plurality of blocking features of the latch to permit lateral sliding movement of the latch from a locked condition to an unlocked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Glenn P. Meekma, Jerry Smith
  • Publication number: 20130239629
    Abstract: A lock is provided, the lock having: a lock mechanism having a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member each being slidably mounted to a housing of the combination lock, wherein the first member is capable of movement between a first position and a second position and the second member is capable of movement between a first position and a second position and wherein movement of the first member from the first position to the second position causes the second member to move from the first position to the second position; a bolt configured for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, the bolt preventing the second member from moving from the second position to the first position when the bolt is in the locking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Wai-Ho Choy, Patrick E. Wind, Kevin Houlihan, Cheung Yi Lam
  • Publication number: 20130111959
    Abstract: A re-locker for safes supports the tongue of the combination box against pressure from the striker by way of a tongue reinforcement. The re-locker of the present invention may only engage when the combination box and/or combination box tongue are actually under attack, thereby reducing or eliminating the chance of an accidental engagement of the re-locker. Once the pressure activated re-locker is engaged, it may not be easily disengaged. The re-locker of the present invention does not require the springs or glass components typical of conventional re-lock designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Terrance Pratt
  • Publication number: 20120125059
    Abstract: A lock includes a combination code device, a pin, and at least one fixing unit. The combination code device has a plurality of code input units. When the code combination of the code input units is different from a preset combination, the lock is in a locked state, so the pin is engaged with the combination code device and cannot be moved or rotated. When the code combination of the code input units is the same as the preset combination, the lock is in an unlocked state, so the pin can be moved or rotated. When the fixing unit is at a first position, the code combination of the code input units can be changed; when it is at a second position, it fixes at least one code input unit, and at least part of the code combination of the code input units can not be changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: YU-TUAN LEE
  • Publication number: 20120024024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lock (10). Particularly, the invention relates to an electronic combination lock suitable for industrial, commercial or residential use. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic combination lock, in which a person may input a code and the lock unlocks, if the input code equals a code stored in the lock. The lock comprises a input device (16) for inputting a code, a control unit (22) with a set of codes, one of the codes of the set of codes being set as an actual code and one of the codes of the set of codes being a subsequent code of the actual code and a lock mechanism for unlocking and locking the lock, wherein the control unit (22) causes the lock mechanism (14) to unlock, if the actual code is input to the input device (16), and the control unit (22) sets the subsequent code as the actual code, if the subsequent code is input to the input device (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: FREE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bernhard Faber, Thomas Rothenbacher
  • Publication number: 20110226026
    Abstract: A lock (10) comprises a housing (11) defining a mounting face (12), a locking mechanism (21) accommodated in the housing (11) and operable to change between a locking state and a release state and a set of operating elements (25) with buttons (26) accessible at the front of the housing and actuable, such as by axial displacement, to operate the locking mechanism (21). The locking mechanism (21) can be changed from the locking state to the release state in response to actuation of, and only of, a selected group of the operating elements (25). These elements can additionally be manipulated, in particular rotated, to select the group. The buttons of the selected group can be identified by respectively associated digits forming a code. The lock further comprises a slidable blocking plate (31) blocking the rotation of the operating elements (25) and cancelling means (36-38) operable to cancel the blocking by the plate (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: CODELOCKS LIMITED
    Inventor: Grant Macdonald
  • Publication number: 20110138867
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of coded locks, in particular to a fixed coded lock. The fixed coded lock comprises a casing, a latch hook return device that is used to push the front end portion of a latch hook into the casing is arranged inside the casing; the middle portion of the latch hook return device is hinged to the casing, and the latch hook return device respectively extends to form a pushing portion and a pressing portion respectively from the hinge point; the pushing portion pushes against the latch hook, and the pressing portion extends outside the casing; the front end portion of the latch hook is withdrawn into the casing through the latch hook return device which is manufactured by applying the lever principle, and the latch hook is withdrawn into the casing by pressing a key, so that unlocking becomes easier and more labor-saving for users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Leo Lai
  • Publication number: 20110132049
    Abstract: A lock includes a housing, a keypad disposed on the housing, and a latch assembled with the housing. The keypad includes a plurality of button assemblies, each including an axially depressible button member including a camming surface, a lock wheel having a plurality of camming teeth, and a latch releasing feature secured to the lock wheel for rotation therewith. Pressing the button member causes the camming surface to engage one of the plurality of calming teeth, thereby incrementally rotating the lock wheel between a plurality of rotational positions. When the button members of a predetermined one or more of the plurality of button assemblies are depressed a predetermined number of times, the latch releasing features of each of the plurality of button assemblies align with a plurality of blocking features of the latch to permit lateral sliding movement of the latch from a locked condition to an unlocked condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: MASTER LOCK COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn P. Meekma, Jerry Smith
  • Publication number: 20110067461
    Abstract: A locking arrangement includes a latch assembly, a locking mechanism, and a user operable opening member. The locking mechanism holds the latch assembly in a latching position when the locking mechanism is in a locked condition and allows the latch assembly to move to an unlatching position when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked condition. The opening member is movable from a normal position to an opening position. When the locking mechanism is in the unlocked condition, movement of the opening member to the opening position moves the latch assembly from the latching position to the unlatching position. The opening member is operatively connected to the latch assembly by a compressible member, such that when the locking mechanism is in the locked condition, movement of the opening member to the opening position compresses the compressible member without moving the latch assembly out of the latching position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MASTER LOCK COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Dean D. Hacker
  • Publication number: 20100287998
    Abstract: A security device is removably affixable to an article. The security device includes a housing having a securing pad, a locking element and a strap. The locking element is disposed within the housing. The strap includes a first end having a latching region that is insertable into the housing and a second end having a securing region. The strap is slidingly movable between an open position and a locked position. The locking element engages with the latching region of the strap. When in the locked position, the strap secures the article between the securing pad and the securing region of the strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luis E. ANDERSON, Oscar RENDON
  • Publication number: 20090308113
    Abstract: A lock includes a lock housing, a lock interface, a rotary locking member, a locking bolt, and a locking mechanism. The rotary locking member extends from a side portion of the lock housing, the rotary locking member being rotatable about a first axis between a locking position and a releasing position. The locking bolt is configured to hold the rotary locking element in the locking position when the locking bolt is in a first position and to allow the rotary locking member to rotate from the locking position to the releasing position when the locking bolt is in a second position. The locking mechanism is configured to slide the locking bolt from the first position to the second position in response to proper manipulation of the lock interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: MASTER LOCK COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Glenn P. MEEKMA, Karthick BABU, Ajay JAYARAMAN, Paul R. PEOT
  • Publication number: 20090183541
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) operable to control access to different physical spaces, each provided with an electrical locking device (121, . . . , 12n), with the aid of a programmable, mobile unit (14). The system (10) comprises an authority means (16) operable to issue access rights connected to the programmable, mobile unit (14) in the form of an authorizing data (AD), which authorizing data (AD) is sent to an authorization means (18) connected to the authority means (16), and operable to generate an alpha-numerical key for the mobile unit (14), and to send the alpha-numerical key and a unique identifier of the mobile unit (14) to an operator (20), which is connected to the authorization means (18). The operator (20) is operable to send the alpha-numerical key to the mobile unit (14) identified by the unique identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Babak Sadighi, Ling Cao, Ludwig Seitz
  • Publication number: 20090064745
    Abstract: A combination device that, when operated through a dial through one of multiple pre-determined combinations, rotates internal Barriers and aligns a system of holes that allow an optical emitter to extend a beam of light to an optical receptor which sends a signal to a locking mechanism to disengage its lock. Also, by rotating the dial outside of the pre-determined combinations, the Barriers' holes are out of alignment and thusly no signal may be sent, which sends a signal to a locking mechanism to engage its lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Zachary L. Skelly
  • Publication number: 20080209962
    Abstract: A lock includes a lock housing, a lock interface, a rotary locking member, a locking bolt, and a locking mechanism. The rotary locking member extends from a side portion of the lock housing, the rotary locking member being rotatable about a first axis between a locking position and a releasing position. The locking bolt is configured to hold the rotary locking element in the locking position when the locking bolt is in a first position and to allow the rotary locking member to rotate from the locking position to the releasing position when the locking bolt is in a second position. The locking mechanism is configured to slide the locking bolt from the first position to the second position in response to proper manipulation of the lock interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: MASTER LOCK COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Peot, Glenn P. Meekma, Karthick Babu, Ajay Jayaraman
  • Patent number: 6012309
    Abstract: A pad lock includes an outer casing, a lock main body, and a shackle. A stem is slidably mounted in the lock main body. Several number wheels are rotatably mounted around the stem. Also rotatably mounted around the stem are several retaining sleeves each being releasably engaged with an associated number wheel to rotate therewith. A lever member includes a first end for releasably engaging two pin members to retain the shackle in a locked status. The lever member includes a second end with a number of tongues for engaging with the retaining sleeves. A positioning member is formed on the second end of the lever member. A safety pin is mounted to the lever member to assure the positioning member in a position that prevents setting of a new code when any one of the number wheels is not in the correct position for unlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Tien-Kao Liu
  • Patent number: 5473920
    Abstract: A combination lock is provided having a housing with a lock dial shaft rotatably mounted thereto. A lock bolt is slidably mounted to the housing, and a fence lever is pivotally coupled to the lock bolt. A tension spring constantly urges the fence lever into an operative, lock bolt displacing position thereof. An assembly of gated tumbler wheels is rotatable by the lock dial shaft and a slotted disc is mounted on a tumbler wheels assembly. The fence lever is adapted to close against the gated tumbler wheels when in alignment and thereby enabling the displacement of the lock bolt by the fence lever. A displaceable spring cam plate is coupled to a cam disc associated with the slotted disc so that, on every revolution of the cam disc, the plate becomes displaced a short distance. A second spring coupled between the fence lever and the cam plate is effective in the non-displaced position of the plate to restrain the pivoted movement of the fence lever under the tension of its spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Ilco Unican, Inc.
    Inventor: Ilan Goldman
  • Patent number: 4615193
    Abstract: A combination lock has a locking bolt movable in bolt-opening and bolt-closing directions by a bolt-operating knob; a plurality of displaceable locking bars each having a predetermined position dependent upon a set combination; an arrangement for preventing the locking bolt from movement from a fully-closed position unless each locking bar is in its predetermined position; a plurality of displaceable code bars connected to the locking bars; a plurality of displaceable digit slides each having an externally accessible, manually engageable portion, a plurality of digit markings and a lug operatively engaging into the associated code bar; a movable carrier plate traversed by the lugs of the digit slides, whereby the locking bars, the code bars and the digit slides are displaced by the carrier plate during a motion thereof in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the locking bolt during opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Burg-Wachter KG Alfred Luling
    Inventor: Adalbert Luling