Electronic security device

• US 20060283216A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Marcelle, Jesse A., Leslie, Vince, Meekma, Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 7,948,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/38.A
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/002 Geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0024 Cams
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0026 Clutches, couplings or braking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0034 using materials with a volume which changes due to electrical voltage or current
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0065 Saving energy E05B2047/0053, E05B2047/0074, E05B2047/0077, E05B2047/0079, E05B2047/0081 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/24 with built- in cylinder locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/459 Both legs engaged

Abstract

A lock is provided with a housing, a shackle movably coupled to the housing, and a locking arrangement movable between a locked state and an unlocked state. The lock includes a receiver arranged to receive a remote input signal including at least one authorization code. The lock includes a logic applying arrangement programmed to selectively store at least one access code responsive to a corresponding authorization code received by the receiver and to energize the locking arrangement to move from the locked state to the unlocked state when an authorization code received by the receiver corresponds with one of a set of stored access codes. The locking arrangement is configured to secure the shackle within the housing when the locking arrangement is in the locked state, and the locking arrangement is configured to allow the shackle to move relative to the housing when the locking arrangement is in the unlocked state.

Claims

1. A lock comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a shackle movably coupled to the housing;

c. a receiver arranged to receive a remote input signal including at least one authorization code;

d. a locking arrangement movable between a locked state and an unlocked state; and

e. a logic applying arrangement programmed to;

i. selectively store at least one access code responsive to a corresponding authorization code received by the receiver; and

ii. energize the locking arrangement to move from the locked state to the unlocked state when an authorization code received by the receiver corresponds with one of a set of stored access codes;

f. wherein the locking arrangement is configured to secure the shackle within the housing when the locking arrangement is in the locked state, and the locking arrangement is configured to allow the shackle to move relative to the housing when the locking arrangement is in the unlocked state.

2. The lock of claim 1, wherein the logic applying arrangement is further programmed to selectively delete at least one of the set of stored access codes responsive to a corresponding authorization code received by the receiver.

3. The lock of claim 2 wherein the logic applying arrangement is further programmed to prevent deletion of one of the at least one of the set of stored access codes.

4. The lock of claim 1 wherein the logic applying arrangement comprises a circuit in electrical communication with the receiver and the set of stored access codes is stored on the circuit.

5. The lock of claim 4 wherein:

a. the receiver is arranged to receive an input signal including a first authorization code;

b. when the receiver receives the input signal, the circuit compares the first authorization code to the set of stored access codes; and

c. when the first authorization code corresponds with one of the set of stored access codes, the circuit energizes the locking arrangement to move from the locked state to the unlocked state.

6. The lock of claim 4 wherein:

a. a general access code is stored on the circuit;

b. the receiver is arranged to receive an input signal including first and second authorization codes;

c. when the receiver receives the input signal, the circuit compares the first authorization code to the general access code;

d. when the first authorization code corresponds with the general access code, the circuit compares the second authorization code to the set of stored access codes; and

e. when the second authorization code corresponds with one of the set of stored access codes, the circuit energizes the locking arrangement to move from the locked state to the unlocked state.

7. The lock of claim 1 wherein the receiver is adapted to receive an infrared input signal.

8. The lock of claim 1 wherein the receiver is adapted to receive a radio input signal.

9. The lock of claim 1 wherein the locking arrangement includes a motor and a source of energy adapted to selectively power the motor.

10. The lock of claim 9, wherein the locking arrangement is adapted to allow the motor to be powered by an external power source.

11. The lock of claim 9, wherein the source of energy comprises a battery.

12. The lock of claim 11, wherein the locking arrangement is adapted to prevent removal of the battery when the locking arrangement is in the locked state.

13. The lock of claim 1, wherein the locking arrangement comprises:

a. at least one shackle engagement member for selectively engaging a corresponding locking recess in the shackle to prevent axial movement of the shackle;

b. a lock biasing member for biasing the at least one shackle engagement member towards the shackle;

c. a moveable shaft in communication with the at least one shackle engagement member for movement of the at least one shackle engagement member away from the corresponding locking recess; and

d. a motor for moving the shaft,

e. wherein movement of the locking arrangement from the locked state to the unlocked state comprises movement of the shaft to disengage the at least one shackle engagement member from the locking recess.

14. The lock of claim 13, wherein the locking arrangement comprises a first shackle engagement member for selectively engaging a first leg of the shackle, and a second shackle engagement member for selectively engaging a second leg of the shackle.

15. The lock of claim 13, wherein the locking arrangement further comprises a shackle biasing member for biasing the shackle in an opening direction.

16. The lock of claim 15, wherein when the locking arrangement moves from the locked state to the unlocked state, the shackle biasing member moves the shackle in the opening direction, and the shaft further moves to allow the lock biasing member to move the at least one shackle engagement member against the shackle.

17. The lock of claim 13, wherein the shaft includes at least one protrusion for selectively engaging the at least one shackle engagement member, and wherein movement of the locking arrangement from the locked state to the unlocked state comprises rotation of the shaft to engage the at least one protrusion with the at least one shackle engagement member and to move the at least one shackle engagement member away from the locking recess.

18. The lock of claim 17, wherein the locking arrangement further comprises a shackle biasing member for biasing the shackle in an opening direction, wherein when the locking arrangement moves from the locked state to the unlocked state, the shackle biasing member moves the shackle in the opening direction, and the shaft further rotates to disengage the at least one protrusion from the at least on shackle engagement member, allowing the lock biasing member to move the at least one shackle engagement member against the shackle.

19. The lock of claim 17 wherein the logic applying arrangement comprises a mechanical switch, wherein the motor stops rotating the shaft when the mechanical switch is engaged.

20. The lock of claim 19 wherein the shaft further includes at least one detent adapted to engage the mechanical switch when the locking arrangement has moved to the unlocked state.

21. The lock of claim 17 wherein the motor transfers rotational motion to the shaft through at least one worm gear and at least one spur gear.

22. The lock of claim 13, wherein the shaft includes at least one unlocking recess for receiving the at least one shackle engagement member to allow the at least one shackle engagement member to disengage from the corresponding locking recess, and the locking arrangement further comprises a displacement member for selectively engaging the shaft to move the shaft, wherein movement of the locking arrangement from the locked state to the unlocked state comprises movement of the displacement member to align the at least one unlocking recess with the at least one shackle engagement member to disengage the at least one shackle engagement member from the corresponding locking recess.

23. The lock of claim 22, wherein the locking arrangement further comprises a shackle biasing member for biasing the shackle in an opening direction.

24. The lock of claim 23, wherein when the locking arrangement moves from the locked state to the unlocked state, the shackle biasing member moves the shackle in the opening direction, and the displacement member further moves to disengage from the shaft, allowing the lock biasing member to move the shaft such that the at least one shackle engagement member moves against the shackle.

25. The lock of claim 22, wherein the motor is coupled to the displacement member to selectively move the displacement member into engagement with the engageable surface and displace the shaft.

26. The lock of claim 22 wherein the motor is coupled to the displacement member by at least one worm gear and at least one spur gear.

27. The lock of claim 13 further comprising a manual operating arrangement comprising a key cylinder and a keyway disposed in the key cylinder and adapted to receive an authorized key for rotation of the key cylinder, wherein rotation of the key cylinder in a first direction moves the at least one shackle engagement member out of engagement with the corresponding locking recess.

28. A lock comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a shackle movably coupled to the housing;

c. means for receiving a remote input signal including at least one authorization code;

d. means for moving the lock between a locked state and an unlocked state; and

e. means for selectively storing at least one access code responsive to a corresponding authorization code received by the lock; and

f. means for energizing the locking arrangement to move from the locked state to the unlocked state when an authorization code received by the lock corresponds with one of a set of stored access codes,

g. wherein the means for moving the lock between a locked state and an unlocked state is configured to secure the shackle within the housing when the lock is in the locked state and is configured to allow the shackle to move relative to the housing when the lock is in the unlocked state.

29. A method of unlocking a programmable padlock, comprising:

remotely transmitting a signal to the padlock, the signal comprising a general authorization code and a specific authorization code;

receiving the signal in the padlock;

comparing the general authorization code to a stored general access code;

comparing the specific authorization code to a set of stored specific access codes when the general authorization code corresponds with the general access code;

moving the padlock to an unlocked state when the specific authorization code corresponds with one of the set of specific access codes.

30. A method of controlling access to a programmable padlock, comprising:

placing the programmable padlock in a learn mode;

remotely transmitting a signal to the padlock, the signal comprising an authorization code;

receiving the signal in the padlock; and

storing the authorization code as a corresponding access code on the circuit.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein placing the programmable padlock in a learn mode comprises disconnecting a power source from the padlock and reconnecting a power source to the padlock.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein placing the programmable padlock in a learn mode comprises depressing a button on the padlock.

33. A method of controlling access to a programmable padlock, comprising:

placing the programmable padlock in a learn mode;

remotely transmitting a signal to the padlock, the signal comprising an authorization code;

receiving the signal in the padlock;

comparing the authorization code with a set of stored access codes; and

deleting one of the set of stored access codes when the authorization code corresponds with the one of the set of stored access codes.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising storing the authorization code as a corresponding access code when the authorization code does not correspond with any one of the set of stored access codes.