Locks – Operating mechanism – Using a powered device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-01
2001-12-18
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Using a powered device
C070S277000, C292S144000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330817
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to security systems and, more particularly, relates to locking mechanisms for controlling access to various areas of a facility.
Securing various areas of a facility such as a school or university requires a relatively complex system. For example, the facilities of a university may be spread across a number of buildings each of which may include laboratories and cabinets, etc. to which various individuals may be authorized access. In order to manage this access, sophisticated security systems now may include an electronic control system such as a computer. The computer may include software to authorize general access to various groups of individuals or specific access to individuals themselves. For example, for general access to a particular building, laboratory or cabinet within a building, the computer may remotely control locking mechanisms for the locking and unlocking of doors at particular times during a day. Specific access may be granted to a particular individual via a remote access system such as a key pad, card reader or the like located adjacent the building, laboratory or cabinet to be entered.
One locking mechanism to which the invention relates is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,863 to Frolov issued Jun. 24, 1997 and assigned to the present assignee hereof and entitled “Clutch Mechanism For Door Lock System.” This patent discloses an electronic lock control mechanism which is integrated with the lockset of a door.
A need has arisen for providing low cost, reliable and durable locking mechanism responsive to the electronic control system or computer system discussed above which may be mounted outside of the lockset of a door and/or a cabinet. The locking mechanism should also be capable of avoiding jamming such as may occur when the locking mechanism is actuated prior to full closure of the door or cabinet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a locking mechanism which includes a frame and a locking pin reciprocally mounted to the frame for reciprocating between a retracted position and an extended position. The locking pin is configured for mating with the strike when the locking pin is disposed in the extended position. A drive link or drive pin extends from the locking pin, and a motor is provided for driving a drive shaft. A spring shaft has a first end and a second end wherein the first end is engageable with the drive shaft and a novel coupling is disposed between the second end of the spring shaft and the frame. The drive pin is configured to engage individual coil surfaces of the spring shaft during rotation thereof whereby the drive link is resiliently urged by the spring shaft towards the retracted or extended position.
In accordance with the invention, the coupling may comprise a slide interconnected with the second end of the spring shaft. The slide is configured to move in response to tension or compression occurring in the spring shaft when jammed and to prevent disengagement of the drive pin from the spring shaft. A bearing may be interposed between the slide and the frame to provide for linear and rotational movement of the slide. The slide comprises a spool with a pair of end stops having a greater diameter than that of the spool surface. The locking pin has a longitudinal axis. The drive pin extends in a perpendicular direction from that of the longitudinal axis of the locking pin. The drive pin may comprise a reduced end which is dimensioned to fit between individual coils of the spring shaft. The locking pin may comprise a slot and the drive pin is mounted therein. The strike includes an aperture. The locking pin is accordingly dimensioned to pass through the aperture. The receptacle may comprise a slot defined by a wall which may include a tapered portion. The motor may comprise a micromotor and the locking mechanism further comprises a computer system for controlling operation of the motor. During movement of the locking pin towards the extended position the spring shaft may compress due to jamming resulting from failure of the locking pin to properly mate with the strike.
In another aspect of the invention, a locking mechanism is provided for engaging a strike. The locking mechanism includes a frame having a receptacle configured to receive the strike. An operator is mounted to the frame such that the operator may move at least between a retracted position and an extended position. The operator is configured for engaging the strike when the operator is disposed in the extended position. A motor is provided for driving a drive shaft and a spring shaft has a first end and a second end where the first end is engageable with the drive shaft. A coupling disposed between the second end of the spring shaft and the frame comprises a slide interconnected with the second end of the spring shaft. The slide is sufficiently spaced from the opposing end of the spring shaft to allow compression and a return under tension and is configured to slide in response to tension or compression occurring in the spring shaft. The operator is configured to engage individual coil faces of the spring shaft during rotation thereof whereby the operator is resiliently urged by the spring shaft towards the extended or retracted position. In this manner, the operator cannot disengage from the spring shaft.
In a further aspect of the invention, an integrated system comprises a plurality of locking mechanisms as described above and further comprises a computer system for controlling operation of each of the locking mechanisms via actuation of each of the motors. The computer system establishes various groups and subgroups of locking mechanisms, certain members of which may be further controlled individually via remote access devices and others of which may be controlled solely by the computer system. For example, the computer system may actuate particular locking mechanisms depending upon time of day.
An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved automatic locking mechanism for use on cabinets and the like and having a relatively low cost and efficient construction.
Another object of the invention is to provide a locking mechanism which may be efficiently employed in conjunction with an electronic control system.
A further object of the invention is to provide a locking mechanism which is operational even when jamming conditions are experienced between the strike and associated lock component pin.
A yet further object of the invention is to provide a reliable locking mechanism which has less susceptibility to mechanical failure and is not defeated by jamming conditions.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and the specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4917419 (1990-04-01), Mora, Jr. et al.
patent: 5018375 (1991-05-01), Tully
patent: 5083122 (1992-01-01), Clark
patent: 5608298 (1997-03-01), Frolov et al.
patent: 5628216 (1997-05-01), Qureshi et al.
patent: 5640863 (1997-06-01), Frolov
patent: 6076870 (2000-06-01), Frolov
Alix Yale & Ristas, LLP
Gall Lloyd A.
Harrow Products Inc.
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