Electronic lock for cabinet doors, drawers and other applications

• US 20090249846A1
• Filed: 06/17/2008
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digilock Asia Limited
• Original Assignee: Security People Incorporated
• Inventors: Gokcebay, Asil T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,490,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/279.100
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/02 Movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means; Adaptation of locks, latches, or parts thereof, for movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means by means in the striker E05B63/248
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/025 for lockers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 9/08 Fastening locks or fasteners or parts thereof, e.g. the casings of latch-bolt locks or cylinder locks to the wing on glass wings E05B65/0025
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/16 the handle or member moving essentially in a plane substantially parallel to the wing or frame
• 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 2009/00642 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• 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: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• 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]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7107 And alternately mechanically actuated by a key, dial, etc.

Abstract

An electronic lock replaces mechanical locks in cam lock, cabinet lock and switch lock applications, as well as other locks for file cabinets, desk and cabinet drawers, access panels and other secure situations that often utilize relatively simple lock mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment the lock is without a keypad, accessed by an electronic key making contact with a terminal.

Claims

1. An electronic lock for a door, cabinet, panel or drawer, comprising:

a compact housing containing electronics and having a terminal with electrical contacts for entry of a code by a user, such code when properly entered causing the electronics to permit access, the housing adapted for being positioned on a panel of a door or other openable structure to which the lock is to be affixed,

a lock driver extending from a back side of the housing, adapted to engage with a latch device at the inside of the door or panel, with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the lock manually to rotate the lock driver when permitted by the electronics, and

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

2. The electronic lock of claim 1, the terminal having three electrical contacts such that a user key will engage with two of the contacts to access the lock, and a third contact being provided for use of a special key with a battery to supply power to the lock in the event of a low battery condition in the lock'"'"'s batteries.

3. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the housing has dimensions no greater than about two inches in width, about ⅞

inches in height and about ⅝

inch in thickness.

4. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the lock driver is within a cylinder, the cylinder adapted to pass through a hole in the door or other openable structure, the cylinder having provision for fixing the lock and extending cylinder to the door or other openable structure.

5. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the lock driver comprises a blank cylinder plug extending back from the housing, the blank cylinder plug being adapted to fit into a cylinder shell mounted in a door or other openable structure.

6. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted for positioning on the front side of a panel.

7. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted for positioning on the back side of a panel, the panel having openings for protrusion of the knob or handle and the terminal to the front of the panel.

8. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted on the back side of the panel and includes a base plate for being secured against the back side of the panel and a protruding mounting for the knob or handle and for the terminal, such that the knob or handle and terminal are accessible for operation at the front side of the panel when they are extended through openings in the panel, and the terminal including a contact for applying jump power to the lock when the lock'"'"'s batteries are low.

9. The electronic lock of claim 8, wherein the housing includes a keypad for entering a user code, the keypad also extending through the panel for access at the front of the panel.

10. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the battery compartment comprises a battery pack separate from the housing and wired into the housing, with mounting means on the battery pack for securing at the back side of the door or panel.

11. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes an external power terminal for line power.

12. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a receptacle for direct network connection.

13. The electronic lock or claim 1, wherein the housing further includes an antenna for wireless network connection.

14. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes an input for an IButton or wireless access user credential for a user'"'"'s inputting a code to the lock.

15. An electronic lock for a door, cabinet, panel or drawer, comprising:

a compact housing containing electronics and having a terminal with electrical contacts for entry of a code by a user, such that the code when properly entered will cause the electronics to permit access, the housing adapted for being positioned on a front side of a panel of a door or other openable structure to which the lock is to be affixed,

a lock driver extending from a back side of the housing, adapted to engage with a latch device at the inside of the door, with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the lock manually to rotate the lock driver when permitted by the electronics, and

the housing being without batteries, and the electrical contacts including a contact for receiving power from a key device that contains a battery.

16. The electronic lock of claim 15, further including a key device with a battery and with contacts adapted to fit with the terminal and to make contact with the electrical contacts of the terminal.

17. The electronic lock of claim 15, wherein the lock driver is within a cylinder, the cylinder adapted to pass through a hole in the door or other openable structure, the cylinder having provision for fixing the lock and extending cylinder to the door or other openable structure.

18. The electronic lock of claim 15, wherein the lock driver comprises a cylinder plug which is rotated when the knob or handle is permitted to rotate, the plug being adapted to engage within a cylinder mounted on a panel of a door or other openable structure to which the lock is to be affixed.

19. The electronic lock of claim 15, wherein the lock driver has a non-circular cross sectional shape adapted to be received in a mechanical latch device affixed to a back side of the panel of a door or other openable structure to which the lock is to be affixed, with the housing affixed to a front side of the panel.

20. An electronic lock for a door, cabinet, drawer or panel, comprising:

a compact housing containing electronics and having a terminal with electrical contacts for entry of a code by a user, such that the code when properly entered will cause the electronics to permit access, the housing adapted for being positioned on a back side of a panel of a door or other openable structure to which the lock is to be affixed,

a lock driver extending from a back side of the housing, adapted to engage with a latch device at the inside of the door, with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the lock manually to rotate the lock driver when permitted by the electronics,

the housing including a base plate for being secured against the back side of the panel and a protruding mounting for the knob or handle and for the terminal, such that the knob or handle and terminal are accessible for operation at the front side of the panel when they are extended through openings in the panel, and

the housing being without batteries, and the electrical contacts including a contact for receiving power from a key device that contains a battery.

21. An electronic lock for a door, cabinet, drawer or panel, comprising:

a compact housing containing electronics and having a terminal with electrical contacts for entry of a code by a user, such that the code when properly entered will cause the electronics to permit access, the housing adapted for being positioned on a back side of a panel of a door or other openable structure to which the lock is to be affixed,

a lock driver extending from a back side of the housing, adapted to engage with a latch device at the inside of the door, with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the lock manually to rotate the lock driver when permitted by the electronics, and

the housing including a base plate for being secured against the back side of the panel and a protruding mounting for the knob or handle and for the terminal, such that the knob or handle and terminal are accessible for operation at the front side of the panel when they are extended through openings in the panel.

22. The electronic lock of claim 21, wherein the lock housing includes an external power terminal for receiving line power.

23. The electronic lock of claim 21, wherein the housing further includes a receptacle for direct network connection.

24. The electronic lock of claim 21, wherein the housing further includes an antenna for wireless network connection.

25. The electronic lock of claim 21, wherein the housing further includes an input for an IButton or wireless access user credential for a user'"'"'s inputting a code to the lock.

26. The electronic lock of claim 21, wherein the housing is without batteries, and including a battery pack wired to the housing to provide power to the electronics, with means for mounting the battery pack at the back side of the panel, on or adjacent to the panel.