Cam lock with retractable bolt

• US 20070277571A1
• Filed: 05/30/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Security People Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Security People Incorporated
• Inventors: Gokcebay, Asil T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,495,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/278.100
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/025 for lockers
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/042 the handle being at one side, the bolt at the other side or inside the wing
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00666 with dials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5097 Cabinet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5788 Push pin or button
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A cam lock for cabinets, drawers, drug cabinets, credenzas, sliding doors, lockers, mail boxes and other door type applications is compact in size, fits an existing cam lock opening and provides electronic access via a keypad or other electronic access. Using batteries, such as AAA size batteries or smaller, the lock has electronics that release a lock turn knob or handle when the correct code is entered. Preferably a set of electronic contacts is included at an accessible position on the lock housing to allow both master access and power jumping with a common manager'"'"'s implement, for situations of lost codes and/or battery failure. In a particular embodiment the lock is long, narrow and low in profile so as to fit on the margin of a steel or wood file cabinet, compatible with the cam lock opening already provided.

Claims

1. A cam lock for a door, cabinet or drawer, comprising:

a compact housing containing electronics and having a keypad for entry of codes by a user, the housing adapted for being positioned on a front side of a panel of a door, cabinet or drawer to which the cam lock is to be affixed,

a cam lock cylinder unit extending from a back side of the housing, in a standard cam lock size, adapted to fit through a standard cam lock opening in a panel for extending therethrough, with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics, and

a battery compartment containing one or more batteries for operating the electronics, the battery compartment being at an accessible position on the housing when the housing is secured against a panel of a door, cabinet or a drawer.

2. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the housing includes power jump contacts accessible from the outside of the door, cabinet or drawer to supply power in the event of battery failure.

3. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the battery compartment includes an openable battery door which is locked in a closed position when the cam lock is in locked mode.

4. The cam lock of claim 3, wherein the housing includes accessible power jump contacts for supplying power in the event of battery failure.

5. The cam lock of claim 4, wherein the contacts include contacts for receiving electronically a master code to open the cam lock, at the same time power is applied.

6. The cam lock of claim 1, including an internal pin in the housing, engageable with the lock cylinder unit to put the lock cylinder unit in locked mode when the pin engages in a notch or recess in a movable member of the lock cylinder unit, and the electronics including a solenoid operably connected to retract the pin for unlocking the lock.

7. The cam lock of claim 1, including a miniature motor within the housing, the motor operating a pin engageable with the cam lock cylinder unit to engage and permit movement of a movable member within the lock cylinder unit when the lock is locked mode, and the motor being controlled by the electronics.

8. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the housing has dimensions of less than about 1″

in height, about 3″

to 5″

in width and less than about ¾

″

in depth.

9. The cam lock of claim 8, wherein the housing is less than about ⅝

″

in depth.

10. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the housing is elongated in shape and has the knob or handle toward one end and, toward an opposite end, a threaded bore in the back of the housing to receive a machine screw through a cabinet or door to which the cam lock is to be affixed.

11. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the wherein the housing is elongated in shape and has the knob or handle toward one end and, at an opposite end, a nipple extending back from the back side of the housing, to extend into a hole formed in the door, cabinet or drawer to which the cam lock is to be affixed.

12. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein all electronics and battery are contained in the compact housing, without any other housing or electronics to be positioned on the inner side of the door, cabinet or drawer to which the cam lock is to be affixed.

13. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the compact housing containing electronics comprises the sole housing and sole electronics of the cam lock.

14. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the cam lock cylinder unit includes a rotatable member for locking or unlocking the lock, the rotatable member having a single notch, and a locking pin in the housing at which is extended into the notch or retracted by the electronics, the locking pin being spring-biased toward engagement in the single notch, such that when the cam lock is unlocked, the knob or handle can be manually turned to return the rotatable member back to the locking position for engagement by the pin.

15. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the cam lock cylinder unit includes a rotatable member for locking or unlocking the lock, the rotatable member having two notches at different angular positions on the rotatable member, and a locking pin in the housing at which is extended into the notch or retracted by the electronics, the locking pin being spring-biased toward engagement in the two notches, such that the cam lock is fixed by the pin in either the locked or unlocked position.

16. The cam lock of claim 1, including contacts accessible on the housing for receiving electronically a master code to open the cam lock, as well as for receiving jump power for a battery-low condition.

17. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the keypad includes an enter key, and the electronics being configured such that a plurality of keys, then the enter key, must be pushed to enter properly enter a code to unlock the cam lock.

18. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the batteries in the battery compartment comprise a plurality of batteries not larger than two AAA batteries.

19. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the housing includes exposed contacts and wherein the electronics are programmable by an external device contacting the exposed contacts.

20. The cam lock of claim 1, wherein the housing, excluding the knob or handle, has a depth not greater than about ½

″ and

a height less than about 1″

.

21. A cam lock for a door, cabinet or drawer, comprising:

a compact housing containing electronics and having a keypad for entry of codes by a user, the housing adapted for being positioned on a front side of a panel of a door, cabinet or drawer to which the cam lock is to be affixed,

a cam lock plug unit extending from a back side of the housing, adapted to fit into a standard cam lock cylinder of a cam lock unit installed in and extending through a panel, with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics, and

a battery compartment containing one or more batteries for operating the electronics, the battery compartment being positioned on the housing to be accessible when the housing is secured against a panel of a door, cabinet or drawer.

22. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the housing includes power jump contacts accessible from the outside of the door, cabinet or drawer to supply power in the event of battery failure.

23. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the battery compartment includes an openable battery door which is locked in a closed position when the cam lock is in locked mode.

24. The cam lock of claim 23, wherein the housing includes accessible power jump contacts for supplying power in the event of battery failure.

25. The cam lock of claim 24, wherein the contacts include contacts for receiving electronically a master code to open the cam lock, at the same time power is applied.

26. The cam lock of claim 21, including an internal pin in the housing, engageable with the cam lock plug unit to put the cam lock plug unit in locked mode when the pin engages in a notch or recess in a-movable member of the plug unit, and the electronics including a solenoid or motor operably connected to retract the pin for unlocking the lock.

27. The cam lock of claim 21, including a miniature motor within the housing, the motor operating a pin engageable with the cam lock cylinder unit to engage and permit movement of a movable member within the lock cylinder unit when the lock is locked mode, and the motor being controlled by the electronics.

28. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the housing has dimensions of less than about 1″

in height, about 3″

to 5″

in width and less than about ¾

″

in depth.

29. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the housing is elongated in shape and has the knob or handle toward one end and, toward an opposite end, a machine screw post on the back of the housing to extend through a cabinet or door to which the cam lock is to be affixed.

30. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the wherein the housing is elongated in shape and has the knob or handle toward one end and, at an opposite end, a nipple extending back from the back side of the housing, to extend into a hole formed in the door, cabinet or drawer to which the cam lock is to be affixed.

31. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the compact housing containing electronics comprises the sole housing and sole electronics of the cam lock.

32. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the cam lock cylinder unit includes a rotatable member for locking or unlocking the lock, the rotatable member having a single notch, and a locking pin in the housing at which is extended into the notch or retracted by the electronics, the locking pin being spring-biased toward engagement in the single notch, such that when the cam lock is unlocked, the knob or handle can be manually turned to return the rotatable member back to the locking position for engagement by the pin.

33. The cam lock of claim 21, including contacts accessible on the housing for receiving electronically a master code to open the cam lock, as well as for receiving jump power for a battery-low condition.

34. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the keypad includes an enter key, and the electronics being configured such that a plurality of keys, then the enter key, must be pushed to enter properly enter a code to unlock the cam lock.

35. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the batteries in the battery compartment comprise a plurality of batteries not larger than two AAA batteries.

36. The cam lock of claim 21, wherein the housing includes exposed contacts and wherein the electronics are programmable by an external device contacting the exposed contacts.

40. The cam lock of claim 24, wherein the contacts include contacts for receiving electronically a master code to open the cam lock, at the same time power is applied.

37. A cam lock for a door, cabinet or drawer, comprising:

a compact housing containing electronics and having an electronic access device for entry of a code by a user, the housing adapted for being positioned on a front side of a panel of a door, cabinet or drawer to which the cam lock is to be affixed,

a driver extending from a back side of the housing, the driver being essentially straight and perpendicular to the back side of the housing and of a special cross section adapted to fit into a receiving socket of a lock unit installed in and extending through a panel, with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics,

a lock unit having a rotatable plug with said receiving socket shaped complementarily to the driver, the plug being operable to release the lock unit when rotated, and

a battery compartment containing one or more batteries for operating the electronics, the battery compartment being positioned on the housing to be accessible when the housing is secured against a panel of a door, cabinet or drawer.

38. The cam lock of claim 37, wherein the battery compartment includes an openable battery door which is locked in a closed position when the cam lock is in locked mode.

39. The cam lock of claim 38, wherein the housing includes accessible power jump contacts for supplying power in the event of battery failure.

41. The cam lock of claim 37, wherein the housing has dimensions of less than about 1″

in height, about 3″

to 5″

in width and less than about ¾

″

in depth.

42. A method for fitting an electronic cam lock on a panel of a door, cabinet, drawer or other access implement that has a standard cam lock opening, comprising:

providing an electronic cam lock device having a compact housing containing electronics and having an electronic access device for entry of a code by a user, the housing adapted for being positioned on a panel, a threaded cam lock cylinder unit extending from a back side of the housing, in a standard cam lock size, with a movable activator adapted for the particular drawer, door, cabinet, etc. at the back of the cylinder unit, and with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics, and a battery compartment containing one or more batteries for operating the electronics, the battery compartment positioned on the housing to be accessible when the housing is installed,

placing the housing of the electronic cam lock device against the cabinet such that the cam lock cylinder unit extends through the standard cam lock opening in the panel, and

tightening a nut or threaded ring on the threaded cam lock cylinder unit so that the housing is tight against the panel and such that the cam is positioned to lock the door, cabinet, drawer, etc.