PORTABLE LOCK WITH INTEGRITY SENSORS

• US 20190345741A1
• Filed: 02/16/2017
• Published: 11/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Go Point Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Go Point Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Yates, Douglas A., Jones, Steven R., Murtland, Frank, Gross, Edward J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,641,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0084 Key or electric means; Emergency release
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0095 Mechanical aspects of locks controlled by telephone signals, e.g. by mobile phones electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/003 Chain, wire or cable locks alarms therefor E05B45/005; E05B69/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/00 Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled logic circuits H03K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit

Abstract

Disclosed herein are lock assemblies that include, in particular embodiments, a cable assembly, a housing, a sensor assembly, and a wireless transceiver. The cable assembly includes a cable having a sensor element disposed along its length, a first shackle pin on its first end, and a second shackle pin on its opposing end. The housing defines a first pinway for receiving the first shackle pin, a second pinway for receiving the second shackle pin, and a locking mechanism for securing the shackle pins to the housing. The sensor assembly is located within the housing and in communication with the cable assembly for sensing a cable type and a cable condition related to the cable assembly. The wireless transceiver is connected to a power source, in communication with the sensor assembly, and operated by a microcontroller within the housing.

Claims

1. A lock assembly, comprising:

a cable assembly comprising a cable having a sensor element disposed along its length, a first shackle pin on its first end, and a second shackle pin on its opposing end;

a housing defining a first pinway for receiving said first shackle pin, a second pinway for receiving said second shackle pin, and a locking mechanism for securing said shackle pins to said housing;

a sensor assembly within said housing and in communication with said cable assembly for sensing a cable type and a cable condition related to said cable assembly; and

a wireless transceiver connected to a power source, in communication with said sensor assembly, and operated by a microcontroller within said housing, wherein said transceiver is configured to communicate with a remote mobile device and a remote server.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein said sensor element is a material selected from the group consisting of a resistive wire, one or more carbon filaments, and a coaxial conductor.

3. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein said sensor assembly is in communication with a microcontroller and a power source associated with said housing, said sensory assembly comprising:

a cable type sensor for detecting cable type and cable length; and

a cable condition sensor for detecting cable integrity along at least part of said length.

4. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a padlock having a shackle sized and shaped for insertion into and through said housing to secure said shackle pins.

5. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein said wireless transceiver comprises a Bluetooth low-energy transceiver.