Compound tools – Cutter combined with other tool or tools
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-06
2001-02-13
Hofsass, Jeffery A. (Department: 2736)
Compound tools
Cutter combined with other tool or tools
C340S870030, C340S870030, C340S870030, C340S545600, C340S547000, C340S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185773
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to student lockers, and more specifically, a locker having remote control locking, opening, and noise-making mechanisms operable by a key chain transmitter.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic locking systems for lockers have been the subject of earlier patents. Handicapped persons, especially students in wheelchairs need to be able to locate, unlock, and open their school lockers by remote control. The related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention. The related art of interest describes various locks, but none disclose the present invention as claimed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,277, issued in April 1999 to Keskin et al., describes a programmable digital electronic lock for a locker. The lock may be opened using a keypad that is permanently mounted to the locker door. Keskin discloses only a solenoid locking mechanism but not the higher efficiency pendulum lock. Moreover, Keskin does not disclose a locker assembly having separate mechanisms that cooperate to both unlock and then open a locker; nor does Keskin a keypad that can signal and cause the triple function of beeping, unlocking, and opening, in distinct intervals. Thus Keskin does not disclose the present invention as claimed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,086, issued in August 1999 to Tischendorf, et al., describes a keyless locking mechanism, with a portable remote to lock and to unlock a house door. The Tischendorf device is not suited to a gym locker and it lacks both the structure and functionality of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,436, issued in October 1997 to C. E. Alexander, describes a remote control door lock system to remotely lock and unlock the deadbolt on a door. The Alexander device lacks the structure, combination of components, and functionality of the present invention.
United Kingdom Application No. GB 2,159,567, published in December 1985, describes a storage container that unlocks with the use of a remote control. However, the '567 does not disclose a storage receptacle that both unlocks and opens with the remote control, just one that unlocks with the remote control. Nor does it have the additional features such as a release lever, pendulum lock to increase efficiency, or the noise-making mechanism.
Other patents which have some relevance to the present invention include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,206, issued October, 1988 to Motsumoto, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,776, issued September, 1991 to Anderson, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,260, issued November, 1993 to Lin, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,025, issued February, 1995 to Figh, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,274, issued April, 1995 to Lambropoulos, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,134, issued October 1997 to Tsui, P. Y., U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,094 issued April, 1999 to Narisada, et al.; and United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB 2,078,845 published February, 1982.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, there is a need for a remotely controlled school locker that is operable by a transmitter on a key chain, and that has one or more, or a combination of the features of the present invention in order to solve the problems of efficiency, security, and versatility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a remote control mechanism for a storage locker, such as those used in fitness centers, school gymnasiums, employee changing areas, etc. The mechanism, designed especially for handicapped students or employees, enables a locker to be located by an audible signal, unlocked and opened by remote control via a handheld transmitter. The locker assembly includes a transmitter having a first button that activates a door locking mechanism, a second button that activates a door opening mechanism, and a third button that activates a sound-making device, much like the beeper in a wristwatch, in order to help a visually impaired student more easily find his or her locker.
The mechanism includes a receiver that receives signals from the transmitter and which responds to commands that actuate the door locking mechanism, the door opening mechanism, and the noise-making mechanism. Two embodiments of the remote control locking mechanism are presented, the first being a solenoid actuated remote control locking mechanism, and the other being a remote controlled motorized pendulum lock that uses less energy than the solenoid mechanism. The door locking mechanism is particularly useful for students who are visually impaired or who have problems with manual dexterity and are unable to operate the conventional combination lock, enabling them to unlock the locker by remote control and thereafter opening the locker by lifting the handle on the locker door. The door opening mechanism is particularly useful for students who are confined to a wheelchair, and enables them to both unlock and open the locker door by remote control before moving the wheelchair up to the locker.
As stated, the second primary feature of the locker is a door opening device, which may be used in connection with either embodiment of the door locking mechanism. The door opening mechanism unlocks and opens the locker door. The door opening mechanism utilizes a method of lifting the locker door latch pins using a remote controlled, solenoid actuated system of release levers. A cable connecting the solenoid to the release levers causes the levers to rotate about a fulcrum, which urges the locker latch pins off of their corresponding latches.
Similar circuits, each having slightly different values, are used for both the locking mechanisms, and the door opening device. A different circuit is used for the beeping function of the locking mechanism.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a device that provides students with disabilities, and other students, convenient access to their school lockers.
It is another object of the invention to provide a useful device to employers who offer employee lockers, by providing the option to furnish a locker that can serve the needs of a broader spectrum of employees, most notably those who are disabled or handicapped.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an efficient and versatile locker assembly that can be operated using a remote controlled, handheld, push button device.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4778206 (1988-10-01), Motsumoto et al.
patent: 5021776 (1991-06-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5261260 (1993-11-01), Lin et al.
patent: 5384495 (1995-01-01), Waggamon et al.
patent: 5392025 (1995-02-01), Figh et al.
patent: 5406274 (1995-04-01), Lambropoulos et al.
patent: 5678436 (1997-10-01), Alexander
patent: 5680134 (1997-10-01), Tsui
patent: 5790065 (1998-08-01), Yaroch
patent: 5894277 (1999-04-01), Keskin et al.
patent: 5896094 (1999-04-01), Narisada et al.
patent: 5903216 (1999-05-01), Sutsos et al.
patent: 5933086 (1999-08-01), Tischendorf et al.
patent: 5987818 (1998-10-01), Dabideen
patent: 2 078 845 (1982-01-01), None
patent: 2 159 567 (1985-12-01), None
Hofsass Jeffery A.
Litman Richard C.
Nguyen Hung
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