Electronic lock
First Claim
1. An interface for an electronic controller in a furniture unit including a storage area, a closure member and a locking element for selectively locking said closure member to secure said storage area, comprising:
- a housing having an interior surface;
a manually depressible plunger assembly carried on said housing, said plunger assembly including a plunger, means for engaging the locking element and means on said plunger for receiving an electrical control signal, said plunger assembly being manually movable to a locked position wherein the locking element is in a locked position and an unlocked position wherein the locking element is in an unlocked position; and
a catch assembly including means for securing said plunger assembly in said locked position, said securing means operably coupled to said receiving means whereby said securing means releases said plunger assembly when an electrical control signal is input to said receiving means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lock for furniture includes a plunger assembly for actuating a lock mechanism. The plunger assembly includes a reader for receiving a control signal from a key. The plunger assembly includes a curved surface for contacting a lock rod such that the plunger assembly requires a constant force to move the lock rod through its range of motion to a locked position. A catch assembly secures the plunger, and hence the lock rod, in a locked position. A solenoid shifts the catch assembly to release the plunger assembly. The lock assembly may also include a lever connected at one end to the catch assembly and having a counterweight on an opposite end.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An interface for an electronic controller in a furniture unit including a storage area, a closure member and a locking element for selectively locking said closure member to secure said storage area, comprising:
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a housing having an interior surface; a manually depressible plunger assembly carried on said housing, said plunger assembly including a plunger, means for engaging the locking element and means on said plunger for receiving an electrical control signal, said plunger assembly being manually movable to a locked position wherein the locking element is in a locked position and an unlocked position wherein the locking element is in an unlocked position; and a catch assembly including means for securing said plunger assembly in said locked position, said securing means operably coupled to said receiving means whereby said securing means releases said plunger assembly when an electrical control signal is input to said receiving means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
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7. An interface for an electronic controller in a furniture unit including a storage area, a closure member and a locking element for selectively locking said closure member to secure said storage area, comprising:
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a housing having an interior surface; a plunger assembly carried on said housing, said plunger assembly including means for engaging the locking element and means for receiving a control signal said plunger assembly having a locked position wherein the locking element is in a locked position and an unlocked position wherein the locking element is in an unlocked position; and a catch assembly including means for securing said plunger assembly in said locked position, said securing means operably coupled to said receiving means whereby said securing means releases said plunger assembly when a control signal is input to said receiving means, wherein said means for engaging the locking element includes an engaging member having a contact surface which engages the locking element, wherein said engaging member further includes a recess and a spacer positioned in said recess, said spacer adapted to abut with the interior of the housing, and wherein said spacer comprises a roller bearing which rolls in said recess when said engaging member moves.
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11. An interface for an electronic controller in a furniture unit including a storage area, a closure member and a locking element for selectively locking said closure member to secure said storage area, comprising;
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a housing having an interior surface; a plunger assembly carried on said housing, said plunger assembly including means for engaging the locking element and means for receiving a control signal, said plunger assembly having a locked position wherein the locking element is in a locked position and an unlocked position wherein the locking element is in an unlocked position; and a catch assembly including means for securing said plunger assembly in said locked position, said securing means operably coupled to said receiving means whereby said securing means releases said plunger assembly when a control signal is input to said receiving means, wherein said means for engaging the locking element includes an engaging member having a contact surface which engages the locking element, wherein said catch assembly includes a catch positioned within said engaging member, said catch assembly further includes a solenoid, said solenoid and said receiving means coupled to a controller, said catch securing said engaging member against movement in a first position and permitting movement of said engaging member in a second position, said solenoid operably coupled to said catch to move said catch from said first position and said second position responsive to a control signal from said controller, wherein said catch assembly further includes a lever and a weight, one end of said lever coupled to said catch, the other end of said lever carrying said weight, whereby said weight provides a counterbalance against said catch to prevent accidental unlocking of said closure member.
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12. An adaptor for an office furniture unit including a locking bar for selectively securing a closure member against movement, comprising:
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a housing; an electronic controller; a plunger in said housing adapted to engage the locking bar in a locked position and release the locking bar to an unlocked position; and a key reader on said plunger coupled to said controller for receiving an electrical control signal and transmitting said control signal to said controller.
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13. A furniture unit comprising:
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a furniture housing; a closure for a storage area in said furniture housing; a lock bar positioned in said furniture housing for securing said closure member against movement in a locked position; a lock box carried on said furniture housing; an actuator carried in said lock box, said actuator including means for engaging said lock whereby said actuator is manually manipulated to move said lock bar to said locked position, said engaging means including; a contact surface on said actuator which engages said lock bar, said contact surface being curved whereby the magnitude of force required to move said lock bar to a locked position is constant throughout the movement of the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A furniture unit comprising:
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a furniture housing having a top; a closure for a storage area in said furniture housing; a lock bar positioned in said furniture housing for securing said closure member against movement in a locked position; a lock box carried on said furniture housing; an actuator carried in said lock box, said actuator including means for engaging said lock whereby said actuator is manipulated to move said lock bar to said locked position; and said actuator defines a recess and further includes a spacer positioned in said recess, said spacer abutting the top of said furniture housing when said actuator is manipulated. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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17. A furniture unit comprising:
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a furniture housing having a top; a closure for a storage area in said furniture housing;
.a lock bar positioned in said furniture housing for securing said closure member against movement in a locked a lock box carried on said furniture housing; an actuator carried in said lock box, said actuator including means for engaging said lock whereby said actuator is manipulated to move said lock bar to said locked position; and said actuator includes a recess and a spacer positioned in said recess, said spacer abutting the top of said furniture housing when said actuator is manipulated, and wherein said spacer includes a roller bearing positioned in said recess.
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21. A furniture unit comprising:
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a furniture housing; a closure for a storage area in said furniture housing; a lock bar positioned in said furniture housing for securing said closure member against movement in a locked position; a lock box carried on said furniture housing; an actuator carried in said lock box, said actuator including means for engaging said lock whereby said actuator is manipulated to move said lock bar to said locked position; and a solenoid and a catch, said catch securing said actuator against movement when said catch is in a first position and said catch allowing movement of said actuator when said catch is in a second position, said solenoid operably coupled to said catch to move said catch between said first position and said second position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 24, 25)
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23. A furniture unit comprising:
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a furniture housing; a closure for a storage area in said furniture housing; a lock bar positioned in said furniture housing for securing said closure member against movement in a locked position; a lock box carried on said furniture housing; an actuator carried in said lock box, said actuator including means for engaging said lock whereby said actuator is manipulated to move said lock bar to said locked position; and a solenoid and a catch, said catch securing said actuator against movement when said catch is in a first position and said catch allowing movement of said actuator when said catch is in a second position, said solenoid operably coupled to said catch to move said catch between said first position and said second position, and wherein said catch further includes a lever and a weight, one end of said lever coupled to said catch, the other end of said lever carrying said weight, whereby said weight provides a counterbalance against said catch to prevent accidental unlocking of said closure member.
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26. A furniture unit comprising:
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a furniture housing; a closure for a storage area in said furniture housing; a lock bar positioned in said furniture housing for securing said closure member against movement in a locked position; a lock box carried on said furniture housing; an actuator carried in said lock box, said actuator including means for engaging said lock bar whereby said actuator is manipulated to move said lock bar to said locked position, said actuator further including a catch for securing said actuator in said locked position; and a lever and a weight, one end of said lever coupled to said catch, the other end of said lever carrying said weight, whereby said weight provides a counterbalance against said catch to prevent accidental unlocking of said closure member. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification