Vault protected wtih electronic time and combination lock

• US 3,878,511 A
• Filed: 12/03/1973
• Issued: 04/15/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Howard S. Wagner
• Original Assignee: Howard S. Wagner
• Inventors: Wagner, Howard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold T.
• Application Number:
  US05/421,267
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 340/149R,149A,152,147MD 235/61.7B 179/2CA,2DP 70/277,278 317/134
• US Class Current: 340/5.28
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00674 with switch-buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like

Abstract

A vault having a door controlled by an electronic time and combination lock. Access to the vault via the door is obtained by entering two separate and independent multi-digit combination sequences at or after a specified time of day which is preset in a 24-hour clock of a specified day which is preset in a day counter. The digits of each multi-digit sequence must be entered in a predetermined order, although the digit sequences themselves may be entered in either order. Should authorized personnel possessing the multi-digit combination sequences be forced to open the vault at or after the preset time and day under threats of physical harm or the like, the vault can be opened by entry of slightly modified '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'duress'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' versions of the normal multi-digit combination sequences, which entries will also result in transmission of a secret alarm signal to a remote station, such as the police, alerting them to the forced entry condition. One or both of the combinations can be changed by correctly entering both combination sequences at the prescribed time and day, thereafter initiating access to the vault by, for example, retracting the bolt of the vault door, and thereafter entering the duress combination which, once accomplished, unlocks combination setting units mounted in the interior of the vault door. In lieu of using a multi-digit keyboard to enter the various digits of the combination sequences, a variable single-digit display, display stepping key, and a digit entry key are provided. Sequential entry of different digits of a combination sequence is accomplished by sequentially stepping the display to display the different digits to be entered and as each digit to be entered is displayed actuating the digit entry key. Other features are provided to accommodate various situations, such as occur when a person is inadvertently locked in the vault; an attempt is made to speed up the 24-hour clock and day counter to permit premature vault access; failure of the main power supply occurs; an attempt is made to rapidly enter different combination sequences, such as by computer means, to achieve access to the vault by trial-and-error digit entry techniques; etc.

Claims

1. An electronic combination lock system for permitting access to persons correctly entering the digits of a predetermined multi-digit combination, comprising:

digit entry means for entering multiple digits when access is desired, said digit entry means generating electrical signals correlated to the digits entered, said digit entry means including;

a. display means for displaying at a given time only a selected one of a multiplicity of different digits, said display means being sequentially operable to sequentially display different selected digits, b. digit signal generating means for generating electrical signals correlated to the digit displayed by said display means, c. a first actuator means actuatable by a person seeking access for controlling the display of digits in response to said electrical digit signals, and d. a second actuator means actuable by a person seeking access for controlling the entry of a digit into said system to cause digit signals correlated to the displayed digit to be output from said digit entry meAns, said second actuator being actuatable independently of the actuation of said first actuator means, validation means responsive to the electrical signals generated by said data entry means for determining if the digits entered correspond correctly to said predetermined multi-digit combination and generating a first electrical control signal upon correct correspondence, and means responsive to said first electrical control signal for permitting access.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said digit signal generating means includes a counter and a pulse source input to said counter for altering the count in said counter, said display means being responsive to the output of said counter for displaying the digit correlated to the count in said counter, said actuator means being operable upon actuation to cause digit signals correlated to the count in said counter when said actuator means is actuated to output from said digit entry means.