ELECTRONIC LOCK APPARATUS

• US 3,764,859 A
• Filed: 05/30/1972
• Issued: 10/09/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles W. Wood, Edwin S. Wydro
• Original Assignee: Charles W. Wood, Edwin S. Wydro
• Inventors: Wood, Charles W., Wydro, Edwin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, J. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Moose, Jr., Harry E.
• Application Number:
  US05/257,562
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 317/134 200/42,44 70/433,434,278 307/1AT
• US Class Current: 361/172
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 49/004 actuating mechanical switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 49/006 actuating opto-electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/51 Light sensitive control means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7655 Cylinder attaching or mounting means

Abstract

An electronic lock apparatus includes a tumbler key mechanism having tumblers as part of a series of switches for setting a first coded electronic signal in response to the insertion of a key. A second code means connected to the switches generates a second coded electronic signal in response only to receipt of a proper first electronic coded signal, and an electronic means responsive to said second coded electronic signal decodes said second electronic signal and generates an initiating signal to initiate the operation of a lock. The entire electronic lock apparatus is disabled if said series of switches for setting the first coded electronic signal are not set within a predetermined time frame.

Claims

1. An electronic lock apparatus comprising:

a. key means;

b. first code means for generating a first coded electronic signal in response to operation of the key means;

c. second code means connected to the first code means for generating a second independently determinable coded electronic signal in response only to the generation of the first electronic coded signal; and

d. electronic means responsive to said second coded signal to decode said second coded signal and generate an initiating signal for initiating the operation of a lock means.

2. An electronic lock apparatus, comprising:

a. key means including a tumbler mechanism;

b. said tumbler mechanism including tumblers and electronic switches which are opened or closed in response to the position of the tumblers;

c. said electronic switches defining a first code means for generating a first coded electronic signal in response to operation of the key means;

d. second code means connected to the first code means for generating a second independently determinable coded electronic signal in response only to the generation of the first electronic coded signal; and

e. an electronic means responsive to said second coded signal to decode said second coded signal and generate an initiating signal for initiating the operation of a lock means.

3. An electronic lock apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tumblers are divided into three or more segments.

4. An electronic lock apparatus, comprising:

a. key means;

b. first code means for generating a first coded electronic signal in response to operation of the key means;

c. timer means for disabling the lock apparatus if a first proper coded electronic signal is not generated within a predetermined time frame;

d. second code means connected to the first code means for generating a second independently determinable coded electronic signal in response only to the generation of a proper first electronic coded signal; and

e. electronic means responsive to said second coded electronic signal to decode said second coded signal and generate an initiating signal for initiating the operation of a lock means.

5. An electronic lock apparatus, comprising:

a. key means including a tumbler mechanism having a plurality of tumblers therein;

b. each of said tumblers being divided into three or more segments for permitting said tumbler mechanism to be operated in more than one position of said tumblers;

c. first code means for generating a fIrst coded electronic signal in response to operation of the key means;

d. said first code means including electronic switches for setting the first coded electronic signal;

e. said electronic switches comprising said tumblers and conductive or non-conductive segments thereof for completing or not completing an electronic circuit depending on the position of said tumblers;

f. second code means connected to the first code means for generating a second independently determinable coded electronic signal in response only to the generation of the first electronic coded signal; and

g. electronic means responsive to said second coded signal to decode said second coded signal and generate an initiating signal for initiating the operation of a lock means.

6. An electronic lock apparatus, comprising:

a. key means including a tumbler mechanism having a plurality of tumblers therein;

b. at least one of said tumblers being divided into three or more segments for permitting said tumbler mechanism to be operated in more than one position of said tumblers;

c. first code means for generating a first coded electronic signal in response to operation of the key means;

d. said first code means including electronic switches for setting the first coded electronic signal;

e. said electronic switches including said tumblers for completing or not completing an electronic circuit depending on the position of said tumblers;

f. second code means connected to the first code means for generating a second independently determinable coded electronic signal in response only to the generation of the first electronic coded signal; and

g. electronic means responsive to said second coded signal to decode said second signal and generate an initiating signal for initiating the operation of a lock means.

7. An electronic lock apparatus, comprising:

a. key means including a tumbler mechanism having a plurality of tumblers therein;

b. at least one of said tumblers being divided into three or more segments for permitting said tumbler mechanism to be operated in more than one position of said tumblers;

d. timer means for disabling the lock apparatus if a proper first coded electronic signal is not generated within a predetermined time frame;

e. said first code means including electronic switches for setting the first coded electronic signal;

f. said electronic switches including tumblers for completing or not completing an electronic circuit depending on the position of said tumblers;

g. second code means connected to the first code means for generating a second independently determinable coded electronic signal in response only to the generation of the first electronic coded signal; and

h. electronic means responsive to said second coded signal to decode said second signal and generate an initiating signal for initiating the operation of a lock means.

8. An electronic lock apparatus, comprising:

a. key means including a tumbler mechanism having a plurality of tumblers therein;

b. at least one of said tumblers being divided into three or more segments for permitting said tumber mechanism to be operated in more than one position of said tumblers;

c. first code means for generating a first coded electronic signal in response to operation of the key means;

d. timer means for disabling the lock apparatus if the proper coded electronic signal is not generated within a predetermined time frame;

e. second code means connected to the first code means for generating a second independently determinable coded electronic signal in response only to the generation of the first electronic coded signal; and

f. electronic means responsive to said second coded electronic signal to decode said second coded signal and generate an initiating signal for initiating the operation of a lock means.

9. An electronic lock apparatus comprising:

a. key means including a non-rotatable key cylinder and at least one Tumbler in said cylinder;

b. said tumbler being unitary and displaceable in response to the insertion of a key into said cylinder;

c. first code means for generating a first coded electronic signal in response to displacement of said tumbler;

d. second code means connected to the first code means for generating a second independently determinable coded electronic signal in response only to the generation of a first electronic coded signal; and

e. electronic means responsive to said second coded signal to decode said second coded signal and generate an initiating signal for initiating the operation of a lock means.

10. An electronic lock apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first code means includes at least one electronic switch for setting the first coded electronic signal, said electronic switch being responsive to the displacement of said tumbler by a key means.

11. An electronic lock apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including timer means for disabling the lock apparatus if a proper first coded electronic signal is not generated within a predetermined time frame.

12. An electronic lock apparatus, comprising:

a. key means including a tumbler mechanism having a plurality of tumblers therein;

b. at least one of said tumblers being divided into three or more segments for permitting said tumbler mechanism to be operated in more than one position of said tumblers;

c. first code means for generating a first coded electronic signal in response to operation of the key means;

d. second code means connected to the first code means for generating a second independently determinable coded electronic signal in response only to the generation of the first electronic coded signal; and

e. electronic means responsive to said second coded electronic signal to decode said second coded signal and generate an initiating signal for initiating the operation of a lock means.