Closure fasteners – Bolts – Sliding
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-05
2002-07-23
Estremsky, Gary (Department: 3627)
Closure fasteners
Bolts
Sliding
C292S171000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06422614
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved electronic lock, and in particular to an electronic lock employing an electrically actuated driver and a flexible member linked to a portion of a latch assembly of the lock bolt for latch retraction.
BACKGROUND ART
In the prior art, electronic locks are known as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,880 to Miller et al., herein incorporated in its entirety by reference. This patent discloses an electronic lock using a ring and electrically actuated driver for lock operation. The lock of this patent is advantageous in that it can be used as a retrofit for existing locks or be manufactured as a new lock. One disadvantage of the lock of the Miller et al. patent is that the ring requires close manufacturing tolerances, thus increasing lock manufacturing cost. In addition, the number of cycles of lock operation with the ring can be less than desired for some applications. Accordingly, a need has developed to provide an improved electronic lock overcoming the disadvantages noted above.
The present invention solves this need by providing an improved electronic lock that overcomes the deficiencies present in prior art locks. In particular, the inventive lock employs a flexible member that allows for easy and efficient lock bolt retraction, thus eliminating the high tolerance machining required in prior art locks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic lock.
Another object of the present invention is an electronic lock having high durability.
A further object of the present invention is a method of retracting a lock bolt using the inventive lock.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent as a description of the invention proceeds.
In satisfaction of the foregoing objects, the electronic lock of the present invention comprises a lock having a retractable latch assembly, an electrically actuated driver, and at least one flexible member linked between a portion of the electrically actuated driver and a portion of the retractable latch assembly. The flexible member has a length such that retraction of a portion of the electrically actuated driver retracts a retractable latch of the latch assembly of the lock for lock opening.
The lock can be a narrow stile type lock and the flexible member can be a chain, metal braided cable, ribbon, blended Kevlar/fiberglass ribbon, a coated metal cable, a solid wire or the like.
The retractable latch can include a pivot arm with one end of the flexible member secured to the pivot arm for lock operation. The pivot arm can have a bore therethrough to facilitate attachment with the flexible member. More than one flexible member can be employed and a solenoid can be used as the actuated driver. The lock can also employ a guided portion for the flexible member's travel during driver movement, with or without a radius to further facilitate movement of the cable.
The invention also includes a method of retracting a latch of a lock by actuating the electrically actuated driver to pull the flexible member. Pulling on the flexible member causes a portion of the latch assembly to retract so that the lock is in an open position for ingress or egress to an area.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2382985 (1945-08-01), Gerald
patent: 2740285 (1956-04-01), Hugle
patent: 4325269 (1982-04-01), Nagano
patent: 4461160 (1984-07-01), Van Gompel
patent: 5307707 (1994-05-01), Roelle
patent: 5353626 (1994-10-01), Davidson
patent: 5386713 (1995-02-01), Wilson
patent: 5560658 (1996-10-01), Coolman
patent: 5636880 (1997-06-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5655394 (1997-08-01), DiRocco
patent: 5711558 (1998-01-01), Woody
patent: 5778805 (1998-07-01), Green
patent: 6042158 (2000-03-01), Horn
Hofener Paul
Kuntz Scott
Clark & Brody
Estremsky Gary
Milocon Corporation
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