Electronic locking system

• US 20040007032A1
• Filed: 07/09/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Videx Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Videx Incorporated
• Inventors: Davis, Paul R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,895,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/278.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 11/02 before the wing is locked
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/2084 Means to prevent forced opening by attack, tampering or jimmying E05B15/1614 takes precedence; for ignition or steering locks B60R25/023
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/2092 Means responsive to tampering or attack providing additional locking for safes E05B65/0082
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0092 including means for preventing manipulation by an external magnetic field, e.g. preventing opening by using a strong magnet
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0615 operated by handles, e.g. by knobs
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/063 with a rectilinearly moveable blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0649 with a rectilinearly moveable coupling element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0014 to prevent opening by children E05B13/00 takes precedence; child-proof container closures B65D50/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 9/086 Fastening of rotors, plugs or cores to an outer stator
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7136 Key initiated actuation of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/765 Key only controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7661 Detachable or removable cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7706 : Operating connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7751 : With ball or roller
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7768 : Key-removal preventing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7915 : Tampering prevention or attack defeating

Abstract

In a first aspect, an electronic lock (12) suitable for replacing interchangeable core locks has a solenoid assembly comprising a solenoid coil (280) and a plunger (290) longitudinally aligned parallel to the rotational axis (A) of the cylinder (214) of the lock (12).

Claims

1. An electronic lock comprising:

(a) an elongate cylinder housed within a shell, and rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to said shell;

(b) said cylinder containing an electrically-controlled locking mechanism including a locking member selectively movable alternatively toward engagement with said shell so as to interfere with rotation of said cylinder relative to said shell, or away from engagement with said shell so as to permit said rotation;

(c) said cylinder having respective front and rear portions located at different positions along said longitudinal axis;

(d) said front portion being engageable with a key so as to enable said key to rotate said front portion relative to said shell, and said rear portion being detachably interconnected with said front portion so as to be rotatable by said key in unison with said front portion; and

(e) said rear portion containing said locking member.

2. The lock of claim 1 wherein said electrically-controlled locking mechanism includes a solenoid assembly mounted in said front portion of said cylinder and movable substantially longitudinally of said cylinder selectively toward and away from said locking member.

3. The lock of claim 1 wherein said rear portion of said cylinder has at least a first longitudinally-extending cavity offset transversely from said locking member for matingly receiving at least one elongate throw pin.

4. The lock of claim 3 wherein said rear portion of said cylinder also has a second said longitudinally-extending cavity, said first and second cavities being offset transversely from said locking member on opposite sides thereof.

5. An electronic lock comprising:

(a) an elongate cylinder housed within a shell, and rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to said shell;

(b) said cylinder containing an electrically-controlled locking mechanism including a locking member selectively movable alternatively toward engagement with said shell so as to interfere with rotation of said cylinder relative to said shell, or away from engagement with said shell so as to permit said rotation;

(c) said cylinder having respective front and rear portions located at different positions along said longitudinal axis;

(d) said front portion being engageable with a key so as to enable said key to rotate said front portion relative to said shell, and said rear portion being detachably interconnected with said front portion so as to be rotatable by said key in unison with said front portion; and

(e) said front portion and said rear portion having matingly-engageable protrusions detachably interconnecting said front portion and said rear portion so as to be rotatable by said key relative to said shell when said front portion and rear portion are interconnected.

6. The lock of claim 5 wherein said protrusions are located peripherally about said longitudinal axis of said cylinder.

7. The lock of claim 6 wherein said protrusions extend longitudinally of said cylinder.

8. An electronic lock comprising:

(a) an elongate cylinder housed within a shell, and rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to said shell;

(b) said cylinder containing an electrically-controlled locking mechanism including a locking member selectively movable alternatively toward engagement with said shell so as to interfere with rotation of said cylinder relative to said shell, or away from engagement with said shell so as to permit said rotation;

(c) said cylinder having respective front and rear portions located at different positions along said longitudinal axis;

(d) said front portion being engageable with a key so as to enable said key to rotate said front portion relative to said shell, and said rear portion being detachably interconnected with said front portion so as to be rotatable by said key in unison with said front portion; and

(e) said front portion being formed principally of a first material, and said rear portion being formed principally of a second material different from said first material.

9. The lock of claim 8 wherein said first material is ferromagnetic, and said second material is nonferromagnetic.

10. The lock of claim 9 wherein said electrically-controlled locking mechanism includes a solenoid assembly mounted in said front portion of said cylinder.