OBJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH LOCKING MECHANISM

• US 20150152668A1
• Filed: 11/29/2013
• Published: 06/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LYFT Incorporated
• Original Assignee: 8D Technologies Inc. (LYFT Incorporated)
• Inventors: Assnat, Raphal, Bettez, Jean-Sbastien
• Granted Patent: US 9,598,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 2003/005 Supports or holders associated with means for bike rental
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 3/02 involving means for gripping the cycle by the handlebars or by the upper part of the frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/70 Operating mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7441 Key

Abstract

An object management system and locking mechanism and method. The system comprises a plurality of docking stations and a terminal connected to the docking stations by a network. At least one of the docking stations includes the locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to an object. The locking mechanism includes: a locking receptacle configured to receive the locking member, as well as a locking shaft with a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking shaft is configured to secure the locking member when the locking shaft is in the locked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member. The locking shaft rotates to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking mechanism can provide a secure lock on an object, preventing reversal of the locking mechanism and theft of the object.8

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to an object, the locking mechanism comprising:

a locking receptacle configured to receive the locking member; and

a locking shaft positioned in the locking receptacle, the locking shaft having a locked position and an unlocked position,

wherein the locking shaft is configured to secure the locking member when the locking shaft is in the locked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member, and

the locking shaft is configured to rotate to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking shaft is configured to allow the locking member to be releasable from the locking receptacle when the locking shaft is in the unlocked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an object present switch configured to detect when the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking shaft comprises a cylindrical shaft configured to axially rotate to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an irreversible drive driven by a motor to rotate the locking shaft.

6. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking shaft comprises a lock side and an unlock side, wherein the unlock side includes a cutout.

7. The locking mechanism of claim 6, wherein the locking member comprises a channel configured to be engaged by the lock side of the locking shaft, wherein the channel has a larger internal volume than the lock side.

8. The locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a sensing member configured to rotate with the locking shaft to determine when the locking shaft is in the locked position or the unlocked position.

9. The locking mechanism of claim 8, further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect when the locking shaft is in the locked position or the unlocked position based on the rotation of the sensing member.

10. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises an RFID tag.

11. A method for locking an object, the method comprising:

receiving a locking member in a locking receptacle;

securing the locking member to the locking receptacle when a locking shaft is in a locked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member; and

switching the locking shaft between the locked position and an unlocked position by rotating the locking shaft.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising unsecuring the locking member from the locking receptacle when the locking shaft is in the unlocked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the locking shaft comprises a cylindrical shaft that is configured to axially rotate to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein rotating the locking shaft comprises a motor driving an irreversible drive.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the locking shaft comprises a lock side and an unlock side, wherein the unlock side includes a cutout.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the locking member comprises a channel configured to be engaged by the lock side of the locking shaft, wherein the channel has a larger internal volume than the lock side.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining when the locking shaft is in the locked position or the unlocked position based on a sensing member configured to rotate with the locking shaft.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining when the locking shaft is in the locked position or the unlocked position comprises detecting rotation of the sensing member using at least one sensor.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the locking member comprises an RFID tag.

20. An object management system comprising:

a plurality of docking stations; and

a terminal connected to the plurality of docking stations by a network,

wherein at least one of the plurality of docking stations includes;

a key reader configured to read a key; and

a locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to an object, the locking mechanism including;

a locking receptacle configured to receive the locking member; and

a locking shaft positioned in the locking receptacle, the locking shaft having a locked position and an unlocked position,

wherein the locking shaft is configured to secure the locking member when the locking shaft is in the locked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member, and

the locking shaft is configured to rotate to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position.