METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING A MOVABLE ITEM TO A STRUCTURE
First Claim
1. An electronic lock for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lock comprising:
- first and second complementary cooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mounted to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position; and
a securing assembly for securing said first and second connecting members together when engaged in the lockable position, said securing assembly comprising;
a movable locking member operatively associated to the first connecting member;
a locking aperture defined in the second connecting member, said locking aperture being adapted for receiving the movable locking member when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position;
an actuator operatively coupled to the movable locking member for actuating the movable locking member between an unlocked position enabling disengagement of the first and second connecting members and a locked position wherein the movable locking member engages the locking aperture; and
electronic control means operatively coupled to the actuator for controlling selective actuation of the movable locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position and from the locked position to the unlocked position when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic lock for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lock comprising first and second complementary cooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mounted to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position; and a securing assembly for securing the first and second connecting members together when engaged in the lockable position, the securing assembly comprising a movable locking member operatively associated to the first connecting member, a locking aperture defined in the second connecting member, the locking aperture being adapted for receiving the movable locking member when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position; an actuator operatively coupled to the movable locking member for actuating the movable locking member between an unlocked position enabling disengagement of the first and second connecting members and a locked position wherein the movable locking member engages the locking aperture, and electronic control means for controlling selective actuation of the movable locking member.
48 Citations
42 Claims
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1. An electronic lock for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lock comprising:
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first and second complementary cooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mounted to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position; and a securing assembly for securing said first and second connecting members together when engaged in the lockable position, said securing assembly comprising; a movable locking member operatively associated to the first connecting member; a locking aperture defined in the second connecting member, said locking aperture being adapted for receiving the movable locking member when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position; an actuator operatively coupled to the movable locking member for actuating the movable locking member between an unlocked position enabling disengagement of the first and second connecting members and a locked position wherein the movable locking member engages the locking aperture; and electronic control means operatively coupled to the actuator for controlling selective actuation of the movable locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position and from the locked position to the unlocked position when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An electronic lock for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lock comprising:
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an elongated male connector fixedly mounted to the movable item and comprising a locking aperture; a female connector fixedly mounted to the structure and adapted for removably receiving therein the elongated male connector; a securing assembly associated to the female connector, the securing assembly comprising; a movable locking member displaceable between an unlocked position for allowing the female connector to receive therein the elongated male connector and a locked position; an actuator for causing displacement of the locking member between the unlocked position and the locked position; electronic control means coupled to the actuator for controlling displacement of the locking member between the unlocked position and the locked position; wherein when the elongated male connector is received in the female connector, the electronic control means controls the actuator for causing the locking member to displace towards the locked position and to engage the locking aperture, thereby securing the elongated male connector in the female connector.
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33. A method for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the method comprising:
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providing an electronic lock for removably securing the movable item to the structure, the electronic lock comprising; first and second complementary cooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mounted to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position; and a securing assembly for securing said first and second connecting members together when engaged in the lockable position, said securing assembly comprising; a movable locking member operatively associated to the first connecting member; a locking aperture defined in the second connecting member, said locking aperture being adapted for receiving the movable locking member when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position; an actuator operatively coupled to the movable locking member for actuating the movable locking member between an unlocked position enabling disengagement of the first and second connecting members and a locked position wherein the movable locking member engages the locking aperture; and electronic control means operatively coupled to the actuator for controlling selective actuation of the movable locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position and from the locked position to the unlocked position when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position; engaging the first and second connecting members together in the lockable position; and actuating the locking member to the locked position so that the locking member engages the locking aperture, thereby securing said movable item to said structure. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A kit for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the kit comprising:
- first and second complementary cooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mountable to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position; and
a securing assembly for securing said first and second connecting members together when engaged in the lockable position, said securing assembly comprising; a movable locking member operatively associatable to the first connecting member; a locking aperture defined in the second connecting member, said locking aperture being adapted for receiving the movable locking member when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position; an actuator operatively couplable to the movable locking member for actuating the movable locking member between an unlocked position enabling disengagement of the first and second connecting members and a locked position wherein the movable locking member engages the locking aperture; and electronic control means operatively couplable to the actuator for controlling selective actuation of the movable locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position and from the locked position to the unlocked position when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position.
- first and second complementary cooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mountable to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position; and
Specification