Magnetically operated locking device and key

• US 4,022,038 A
• Filed: 02/20/1976
• Issued: 05/10/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atlas Electronics International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Engineering System Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Miller, Albert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frazier, Roy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Application Number:
  US05/659,843
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 70/276, 70/413, 70/363, 70/55, 70/449, 70/450, 70/DIG. 40, 70/DIG. 56
• US Class Current: 70/276
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0038 using permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0045 keys with permanent magnets E05B47/0043, E05B47/0044, E05B73/0052 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7057 Permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7593 Sliding tumblers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7904 Magnetic features

Abstract

A magnetically operated lock includes a fixed lock body in which a plurality of fixed permanent magnets are disposed in a predetermined pattern. Aligned with each permanent magnet is a hole in which a movable magnet is slidably disposed, the movable magnet being oriented to be repelled by the fixed magnet. A lock shaft is pivotally secured through the lock body, and a rotor secured to the shaft is disposed adjacent to the openings of the holes receiving the movable magnets. The rotor includes a plurality of detents which receive the movable magnets, locking the shaft in a fixed position. The key comprises a disc having a plurality of magnets embedded therein and oriented to repel the movable magnets and free the rotor and shaft for rotation.

Claims

1. A lock assembly, comprising a generally cylindrical lock body, a lock shaft extending through said lock body coaxially in freely rotating fashion and extending beyond one face of said body, a plurality of fixed magnets disposed within said body and oriented parallel to the axis thereof, a plurality of holes disposed in said body and opening to the other face of said body, each of said holes aligned with one of said fixed magnets, the outer portion of each of said holes including a sleeve extending flush with said outer face, a plurality of movable magnets, each translatably disposed within one of said holes and operatively associated with the respectively aligned fixed magnet, each of said movable magnets including a jacket thereabout, each jacket including a flange extending from the inner end thereof and adapted to engage the inner end of said sleeve of the respective hole to limit extension of said magnet from said hole, a disc-like rotor secured to said shaft adjacent to said other face of said body, detent means on said rotor for engaging at least one of said movable magnets as it extends from its associated hole, and key means for disengaging said movable magnets and said detent means and rotating said rotor.