BAYONET LOCKING SYSTEM FOR VENDING MACHINES AND THE LIKE

• US 20050161953A1
• Filed: 01/07/2005
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Triteq Lock & Security LLC
• Original Assignee: Triteq Lock & Security LLC
• Inventors: Myers, Gary L., Denison, William D., Roatis, Calin Vasile, Barnas, Tomasz
• Application Number:
  US10/905,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20050161953A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/199
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/0205 Striking-plates, keepers, staples means for reducing friction E05B17/007; electric strikers E05B47/0046; staples for padlocks E05B67/383; strikers for espagnolettes E05C9/1808
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0029 motor-operated for vehicles E05B81/20
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/002 Geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0024 Cams
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0069 bolt position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/023 the bolt moving pivotally or rotatively
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/125 with a sliding bolt rotating about its axis, i.e. of bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 5/02 both moving axially and turning about their axis to secure the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/616 operated by push-pull mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1014 Operating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1021 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1079 Gear
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/699 : Motor controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5761 : Retractable or flush handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 : Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A bayonet locking system for vending machines or the like is provided for locking and unlocking the machine preferably with a remotely controlled electronic operating device. The lock system includes at least one axially and rotationally movable bayonet that can be mounted selectively on the door of the machine and at least one receptacle receiving device disposed within the interior of the machine and positioned for engagement by the bayonet when the door is moved between an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. When the door is manually moved from the open position to the intermediate position, the bayonet advances into the receptacle and rotates to capture it in the receptacle. Then the bayonet axially retracts to pull the door into the closed position wherein a gasket disposed between the door and the vending machine is substantially uniformly compressed and sealed around its periphery. The locking device may also be provided with a remote control unit which provides instructions to the electronic circuitry of the locking mechanism. An axially rotatable pin with fins may be used with a bracket on either the door or machine to prevent prying of the door at opposite corners.

Claims

1-5. -5. (canceled)

6. A vending machine configured to retain objects for distribution, the vending machine comprising:

a cabinet defining an interior region sized to receive the objects for distribution,

a door coupled to the cabinet to move between an opened position permitting access to the interior region of the cabinet and a closed position blocking access to the interior region of the cabinet, and

a lock configured to move between a locked position blocking movement of the door from the closed position and an unlocked position permitting movement of the door from the closed position, the lock including a threaded rod rotatably supported on the door, a threaded fastener supported by the cabinet and configured to couple with the threaded rod to couple the door to the cabinet, and a motor configured to rotate the threaded rod relative to the threaded fastener.

7. The vending machine of claim 6, wherein the threaded fastener is an expansion nut configured to slide over threads of the threaded fastener during insertion of the threaded rod into the fastener without rotating the threaded rod.

8. The vending machine of claim 7, wherein the lock further includes a spring position to urge the threaded rod away from the threaded fastener.

9. The vending machine of claim 6, wherein the lock further includes a housing coupled to the door, the housing includes an interior region sized to receive the motor.

10. The vending machine of claim 9, wherein the housing includes a first portion coupled to the door and a second portion that is removably coupled to the first portion, and the first and second portions cooperate to define the interior region of the housing.

11. The vending machine of claim 6, wherein the housing includes an anti-rotation lug and the motor includes a lug-receive notch sized to receive the anti-rotation lug to prevent rotation of the motor relative to the housing.

12. The vending machine of claim 6, wherein the motor includes a housing and a shaft configured to rotate the threaded rod, the motor has a first state rotating the shaft and second state not rotating the shaft, the lock further includes a shaft mover configured to rotate the shaft when the motor is in the second state.

13. The vending machine of claim 6, wherein the lock further includes a motor control configured to control operation of the motor, the motor control being configured to receive access requests from a remote key to unlock the door, the motor control being configured to activate the motor upon receiving a valid access request.

14. A lock configured for use with a vending machine having a cabinet and a door, the lock comprising:

a rod adapted to be supported by at least one of the cabinet and the door,

a fastener adapted to be supported by at least one of the door and the cabinet, the fastener being configured to couple with the rod to couple the door to the cabinet, and

a motor configured to create rotational movement between the rod and the fastener to uncouple the rod from the fastener.

15. The lock of claim 14, wherein the rod includes male threads and the fastener includes female threads adapted to mate with the male threads of the rod to couple the rod and fastener together.

16. The lock of claim 15, wherein the female threads are expandable.

17. The lock of claim 14, wherein the motor includes a housing and a shaft coupled to the rod to create the rotational movement between the rod and the fastener, and the rod is collinear with the shaft.

18. The lock of claim 14, further comprising a spring positioned to urge the rod away from the fastener.

19. The lock of claim 14, further comprising a housing and a bearing, wherein the housing is adapted to couple to at least one of the cabinet and the door of the vending machine and includes an interior region configured to receive the motor, and the bearing is positioned between the housing and at least one of the rod and the fastener.

20. A vending machine configured to retain objects for distribution, the vending machine comprising:

a cabinet defining an interior region sized to receive the objects for distribution,

a door coupled to the cabinet to move between an opened position permitting access to the interior region of the cabinet and a closed position blocking access to the interior region of the cabinet, and

a lock configured to move between a locked position blocking movement of the door from the closed position and an unlocked position permitting movement of the door from the closed position, the lock including a rod rotatably supported by the door and a fastener supported by cabinet and configured to couple with the rod to couple the door to the cabinet, the rod having male threads, the fastener having female threads configured to mate with the male threads of the rod, the fastener being configured to couple with the rod without rotating the rod relative to the fastener, the fastener being configured to uncouple from the rod by rotating the rod relative to the fastener, the lock further including a spring positioned to urge the rod away from the fastener.

21. The vending machine of claim 20, wherein the male threads and the female threads include end threads that are the last of the male and female threads to mate before the rod and fastener are uncoupled, the spring is positioned to urge the rod away from the fastener when the end threads are the only threads mated together.

22. The vending machine of claim 20, wherein the female threads are expandable.

23. The vending machine of claim 20, wherein the spring is positioned to urge the rod away from the fastener when at least a portion of the rod is in contact with the fastener.

24. The vending machine of claim 20, wherein the spring is positioned between the rod and the cabinet.

25. A lock configured for use with a vending machine having a cabinet and a door, the lock comprising:

a rod adapted to be supported by at least one of the cabinet and the door,

a fastener adapted to be supported by at least one of the door and the cabinet, the fastener being configured to attach to the rod to couple the door to the cabinet, and

a biaser positioned to urge the rod away from the fastener.

26. The lock of claim 25, wherein the rod has male threads and the fastener has expandable female threads.

27. The lock of claim 26, wherein the biaser is positioned between the rod and the at least one of the door and cabinet supporting the fastener.

28. The lock of claim 25, wherein the biaser is a spring.

29. The lock of claim 28, wherein the spring includes a plurality of spring coils.

30. The lock of claim 28, further comprising a plunger supported by the spring and positioned to contact the rod.

31. The lock of claim 25, further comprising a first mount adapted to support the rod on the at least one of the door and cabinet and a second mount adapted to support the fastener on the at least one of the door and the cabinet.

32. The lock of claim 31, wherein the biaser is positioned between the rod and the second mount.

33. The lock of claim 31, wherein the biaser is positioned between the fastener and the second mount.

34. The lock of claim 31, wherein the first mount is adapted to be coupled to the door and the second mount is adapted to be coupled to the cabinet.

35. A vending machine configured to retain objects for distribution, the vending machine comprising:

a cabinet defining an interior region sized to receive the objects for distribution,

a door coupled to the cabinet to move between an opened position permitting access to the interior region of the cabinet and a closed position blocking access to the interior region of the cabinet, and

a lock including a lock member configured to move between a locked position blocking movement of the door from the closed position and an unlocked position permitting movement of the door from the closed position, an electric lock member mover configured to move the lock member to the unlocked position, and a mechanical lock member mover configured to move the lock member to the unlocked position.

36. The vending machine of claim 35, wherein the electric lock member mover includes a motor, the motor includes a housing and a shaft configured to move the lock member from the locked position, and the mechanical lock member mover is coupled to the shaft.

37. The vending machine of claim 36, wherein the motor has a first state rotating the shaft and second state not rotating the shaft, the mechanical lock member mover is configured to move the shaft when the motor is in the second state.

38. The vending machine of claim 36, wherein the mechanical lock member mover includes a wheel coupled to the shaft.

39. The vending machine of claim 37, wherein rotation of the mechanical lock member mover creates rotation of the lock member.

40. The vending machine of claim 39, wherein one rotation of the mechanical lock member mover creates less than one tenth of a rotation of the lock member.

41. The vending machine of claim 35, wherein the lock further includes a housing defining an interior region, the electric and mechanical lock member movers are positioned in the housing, the housing further includes an aperture sized to permit access to the mechanical lock member mover.

42. A lock configured for use with a vending machine having a cabinet and a door, the lock comprising:

a lock member adapted to move between a locked position blocking movement of the door from the cabinet and unlocked position permitting movement of the door from the cabinet,

a first lock member mover configured to power movement of the lock member from the locked position, and

a second lock member mover configured to power movement of the lock member from the locked position.

43. The lock of claim 42, wherein the first lock member mover is electric and has a powered first state configured to move the lock member and an unpowered second state.

44. The lock of claim 43, wherein the second lock member mover is configured to move the lock member when the first lock member mover is in the second state.

45. The lock of claim 43, wherein the first lock member mover includes a motor having a housing and a shaft configured to move the lock member, the second lock member is coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft.

46. The lock of claim 45, wherein the second lock member includes a wheel coupled to the shaft.

47. The lock of claim 42, wherein the second lock member mover is adapted to be accessible from outside of the cabinet of the vending machine.

48. The lock of claim 42, further comprising a housing having an aperture sized to permit access to the second lock member mover.

49. The lock of claim 48, wherein the housing has an interior region and the first and second lock member movers are positioned in the interior region of the housing.

50. The lock of claim 49, wherein the first lock member mover includes a motor having a housing and a shaft configured to move the lock member from the locked position and the second lock member mover includes a wheel coupled to the shaft and accessible through the aperture of the housing.

51. The lock of claim 42, wherein the second lock member mover is coupled to the first lock member mover.

52. The lock of claim 42, wherein the lock member is configured to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position.