Dual key port accessible intelligent gate lock

Locks – Special application – For closures

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C070S056000, C070S278100, C070S134000, C292S341170, C292S144000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06227019

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to access control systems, and is particularly directed to a stand alone, electronic gate lock that is integrally mountable with a barrier, such as a moveable gate, or a fixed structural element (e.g., fence post), of a security boundary, such as the perimeter fence of an airport. The gate lock is configured to be locked and unlocked by an electronic key from respective key access ports on each of interior and exterior sides of the barrier. An electronic controller of the gate lock stores data associated with each attempted electronic key access of the gate lock, so that a history of access to the gate can be tracked.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although the growing awareness of the need for improved reliability security measures in essentially every type of facility has stimulated the introduction of a variety of new security access products, many installations continue to rely on standard hardware components, such as mechanical padlocks and the like, for locking barrier access closures, such as gates and doors. Unfortunately, it is a well established statistic that individuals who are permitted access to these components sometimes fail to properly lock the barrier access closure. Not only does this result in a breach of security, but in many instances there is no way to determine who is responsible for the failure, in order that the problem can be corrected. This problem is particularly acute at locations where a breach of security has the potential for significant devastating consequences to the public.
This concern has resulted in government agencies which oversee such installations issuing stricter security directives. In the case of an airport as a non-limiting example, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued upgraded regulations regarding access to areas well outside of a public terminal area, especially along the airport's a perimeter fence barrier. Now even though airports have begun substantial upgrades of existing security access mechanisms, including improved lock hardware, installing and maintaining electrical power and communication links that would allow centralized monitoring and control of remote (perimeter runway fence) gate access points, yet still allow brute force gate breach by emergency vehicles, such as fire/crash trucks, so as to fully comply with FAA safety and security directives is currently prohibitively expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, these problems are successfully addressed by a stand alone, electronic gate lock architecture that is readily installable at a gate closure region of a barrier, such as a moveable or fixed component (e.g., a swing gate or a post element) of a security boundary, for example an airport security fence. The gate lock includes a mounting plate that is affixable to an interior side of the barrier that is adjacent to a closure structure, such as a frame of a swingable gate. The gate lock mounting plate is sized to retain a dual electronic lock mechanism and a battery-operated electronic lock controller. The lock's control processor not only operates the dual lock mechanism, but stores a variety of history data associated with each electronic key access, including date and time of access, and the location of the lock. As a result, all user access to the gate lock can be tracked, thereby increasing the likelihood that the gate will be maintained in its locked condition at all times other than when opened for authorized access.
To provide gate lock/unlock capability at both the interior side and the exterior side of the barrier, the dual electronic lock mechanism has a pair of mutually aligned, electronically actuated lock mechanisms mounted to opposite sidewalls of a common deadbolt casing, that is secured to the mounting plate. Each lock has an exterior pivotable cover, that protects the lock against weather and the environment. A generally L-shaped, gate lock bracket, having a fence for engaging a latching medium, such as a closed loop of fire code-compliant chain, is affixed to the deadbolt casing. The fence has a notch sized to receive the deadbolt, when the deadbolt is rotated by the operation of either of the two electronically actuated lock mechanisms. The fence is sized and configured to accommodate and permit some degree of play of different sized chain loops. This compensates for sagging and imperfect alignment between the gate and the fence post, that is typical of swinging gates. A gate lock shroud is attached to the deadbolt casing as a protective awning for that portion of the deadbolt casing from which the deadbolt projects.
When both electronically actuated locks are locked, the deadbolt extends from the casing into a gate-locking spatial configuration with the notch of the fence, so that a secure closure is formed around the chain loop, maintaining the swingable gate in a closed position with the barrier. When either locking mechanism is unlocked, the deadbolt is retracted out of the fence notch, to allow the chain loop to be lifted off and away from the fence, thereby freeing the swingable gate from its chain engagement with the fence post.


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