Vehicle entry locking arrangement

• US 4,342,210 A
• Filed: 12/13/1979
• Issued: 08/03/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emma Denningham
• Original Assignee: Emma Denningham
• Inventors: Denningham, Clarence E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LYDDANE, WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US06/103,337
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 70/278, 361/171, 200/5 B, 200/5 C, 200/5 D, 200/5 E
• US Class Current: 70/278.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A pushbutton controlled locking arrangement for a door or other entry, as a trunk lid, to a vehicle which selectively activates circuitry for achieving unlocking upon the engagement of a preselected combination of pushbuttons presented in panel form. The circuitry includes conventional components, such as single-pole and double-pole double-throw relays, electrolytic capacitors, a variable resistor, pushbutton type switches and silicon diodes, all arranged for convenient operation without the necessity of a key. The aforesaid pushbutton panel is typically mounted on the vehicle body proximate the door handle area and affords reliable usage through weatherproof pushbutton switch assemblies.

The system also makes provision for illuminating the pushbutton control panel, the initiation of an optional alarm signaling arrangement in the event of unwanted attempted entry and, as well, overriding control when two pushbuttons are inadvertently depressed at the same time.

Claims

1. A vehicle entry locking arrangement comprising circuitry including a plurality of manually operated pushbutton switches, electromechanical relays arranged is a sequentially responsive relationship to a preselected combination of said pushbutton switches controlling unlocking of an entry to said vehicle, an electromechanical enabling relay energized in response to one of said pushbutton switches of said preselected combination and de-energized in response to a subsequently activated pushbutton switch of said preselected combination, where said electromechanical enabling relay serves to activate an independent alarm system, and where said pushbutton switches are each defined by switching elements arranged within a housing in a weatherproof relationship.

2. The vehicle entry locking arrangement of claim 1 where a capacitor controlled electromechanical relay is provided for sequentially timing said entry unlocking.

3. The vehicle entry locking arrangement of claim 1 where the operation of each of said pushbutton switches of said preselected combination controls a corresponding responsive electromechanical relay in said entry unlocking sequence.

4. The vehicle entry locking arrangement of claim 1 where said switching elements are embedded in a sealed relationship within said housing.

5. The vehicle entry locking arrangement of claim 1 where a pushbutton switch not in said preselected combination controls the energization of an electromechanical relay activating a light source illuminating said plurality of pushbutton switches.

6. The vehicle entry locking arrangement of claim 1 where said circuitry is arranged to de-energize the unlocking sequence in the event an electromechanical relay is energized in response to a pushbutton not included in said preselected combination.

7. The vehicle entry locking arrangement of claim 1 where said circuitry is arranged to de-energize the unlocking sequence in the event an electromechanical relay is energized in response to the simultaneous activation of two pushbuttons.

8. The vehicle entry locking arrangement of claim 1 where switch means selectively complete circuitry to said alarm system upon energization of said electromechanical enabling relay.

9. The vehicle entry locking arrangement of claim 1 where a preselected combination of pushbutton switches control one entry unlocking function, and where the substitution of one different pushbutton switch in said preselected combination controls another entry unlocking function.