Magnetic lock and key

Locks – Operating mechanism – Using a powered device

Patent

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Details

70413, E05B 4700

Patent

active

044767013

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a lock and key, there being associated with the key a permanent magnetic field and the lock comprising at least one magnetic locking element which can be moved from a locking position to a releasing position by the magnetic field of the key, when the key is applied to the lock.
A magnetic lock and key are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,177,996. This lock comprises a hollow plug arranged for rotation within a sleeve. Axially extending grooves formed in the plug and sleeve collectively define a path along which a magnetic ball can be moved by the magnetic field of the key from a locking position to a releasing position. In the locking position, the ball is engageable with abutment surfaces at opposite sides of its path, these surfaces being formed on the plug and sleeve respectively, so that relative rotation of the plug and sleeve is restrained. In the sleeve, there is formed a circumferentially extending groove which communicates with the axially extending groove. When the ball is in its releasing position, it is aligned with the circumferentially extending groove so that relative rotation of the plug and sleeve is possible. A second magnetic ball is disposed in a similar pair of axially extending grooves which communicate with the circumferentially extending groove. The possibility of providing further magnetic locking balls is mentioned.
One disadvantage of the lock described in the aforesaid U.S. patent is that manufacture of the lock becomes unduly complex if the number of magnetic elements is increased. In order to provide a sufficiently large number of different locks and keys to ensure proper security, a number of locking elements exceeding two is required. The U.S. patent proposes that the number of different locks and keys which can be produced should be increased by varying the position relative to the grooves of a driving lug of the key. However, this simple mechanical expedient does not provide adequate security.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock comprising an inner member, a hollow outer member in which the inner member is mounted and a magnetic element, wherein the inner and outer members collectively define a path to which the magnetic element is confined and along which the magnetic element can move between a releasing position and a locking position, the inner and outer members have respective abutment surfaces facing in opposite directions transverse to the length of said path and disposed at opposite sides of said path, said abutment surfaces are engageable concurrently with the magnetic element except when the magnetic element occupies its releasing position, whereby relative movement of the inner and outer members in said directions is restricted or prevented by engagement of the magnetic element with the abutment surface except when the magnetic element occupies its releasing position and wherein there is in the abutment surface of the inner member an opening which a part of the magnetic element can enter when the element is in its releasing position.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock comprising an inner member, a hollow outer member in which the inner member is mounted for turning relative thereto about an axis, a housing in which the outer member is received, an element which is movable by a key between a locking position in which it prevents relative turning of said members about the axis and a releasing position in which it permits at least limited relative turning of the members, and a stop element which releasably prevents turning of the outer member relative to the housing until the inner member has been turned through a predetermined angle to effect release of the outer member for turning with the inner member.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock comprising an inner member, a hollow outer member in which the inner member is mounted and a magnetic element, wherein the inner and outer members collectively define a path to which the magneti

REFERENCES:
patent: 2177996 (1939-10-01), Raymond
patent: 4228667 (1980-10-01), Herriott

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