High security lock mechanism

• US 5,487,290 A
• Filed: 01/11/1995
• Issued: 01/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lock II, LLC.
• Original Assignee: CH & I Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Harvey, Michael, Miller, J. Clayton, Taylor, James L., Clark, Thomas, Dawson, Gerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US08/371,319
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 70/276, 70/277, 70/278, 70/283, 70/303 A, 292/142, 292/144, 292/201, 74/527
• US Class Current: 70/303.00A
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/2084 Means to prevent forced opening by attack, tampering or jimmying E05B15/1614 takes precedence; for ignition or steering locks B60R25/023
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2017/043 Planetary gear
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0017 with rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/002 Geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0021 Geared sectors or fan-shaped gears
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0024 Cams
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0031 of the elastic type
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0054 using microprocessor, printed circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0062 by generator
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0092 including means for preventing manipulation by an external magnetic field, e.g. preventing opening by using a strong magnet
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/08 with tumbler discs on a single axis, all the discs being adjustable by a rotary knob which is not shifted for adjusting the discs E05B37/0044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0676 by disconnecting the handle
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0688 with a pivotally moveable coupling element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0692 with a rectilinearly moveable coupling element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/0017 Locks with sliding bolt without provision for latching
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0075 for safes, strongrooms, vaults, fire-resisting cabinets or the like safes, closures and fastenings therefor E05G
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1018 Gear
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1021 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 : Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7085 : Using a dial having indicia or pointer and indicia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7096 : With mechanism having rocker arm or linked bars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 : And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7158 : Individual blocking elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7254 : Fence held spaced from tumblers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20636 : Detents

Abstract

A safe locking mechanism has an engagement element movable from a disengaged position to an engageable position in response to a small amount of electrical power. When in its engageable position a manually operated element moves the engagement element to unlock a lock-bolt. In one embodiment, the engagement element is connected to the rotor of a low power, low-friction electric motor having magnetic detents corresponding to the disengaged and engageable positions. Electrical power is generated solely while the user manually inputs a combination code, and a microprocessor controls storage and delivery of this power to put the engagement element into its engageable position. Once the desired engagement is obtained, the lock-bolt is moved from its locking to its unlocking position manually. Subsequent unlocking requires another entry of the code input.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism having a lock-bolt to be put in locking and unlocking positions thereof, comprising:

a first engagement element, having disengaged and engageable positions;

means actuable by electrical power for driving the first engagement element to the engageable position thereof;

a manually operated second engagement element which can be engaged with said first engagement element in said engageable position thereof;

a lock-bolt drive cooperating with the lock-bolt; and

means for moving said lock-bolt drive to a position directly engaged to the manually operated second engagement element so that the lock-bolt is moved from the locking position to unlocking position thereof in accordance with a manual movement of the manually operated second engagement element;

wherein

said driving means comprises an electrical motor having a rotor rotatable about a rotation axis, said rotor having first and second stable positions respectively corresponding to said engageable and disengaged positions of said first engagement element, wherein said first and second stable positions are separated by a predetermined angle about the rotation axis; and

said first and second stable positions of said rotor are respectively determined by first and second magnetic detents.

2. A locking mechanism including a movable lock-bolt, comprising:

first means for moving an engagement element from a disengaged position to an engageable position thereof solely upon receipt of a controlled predetermined electrical power input;

manually operated second means for engaging the engagement element in said engageable position thereof and for thereby manually moving the first means further in a first direction and back in a second direction, said second means comprising a peripherally toothed gear wheel; and

third means pivotably connected to said lock-bolt for driving the same, engaged by said further movement of the first means to drive the lock-bolt to unlocking and locking positions thereof in correspondence with said movements of the first means in said first and second directions respectively, said movement of the first means in said second direction restoring the engagement element to said disengaged position when the lock-bolt reaches said locking position, wherein

said first means comprises an electrical stepper motor having a rotor supporting the engagement element, the rotor having stable positions determined by magnetic detents and corresponding to said disengaged and engageable positions of the engagement element,

said engagement element comprises a sectored element mounted to the rotor of the stepper motor and having a generally disk-like form provided with a cut-out portion and a toothed peripheral portion disposed in a predetermined correspondence with said disengaged and engageable positions of the rotor;

said sectored element is formed to have two arcuate openings therein, the arcuate openings being shaped, sized and disposed to loosely receive therein two engagement pins of a cam element, and

a slidable element, the arcuate openings being engageable by the engagement pins upon said further movement of the first means in said first direction to rotate the cam element to thereby slidably move the slidable element and thus engage the third means to the second means for manually driving the lock-bolt thereby;

the cut-out portion of the sectored element is disposed adjacent the toothed periphery of the gear wheel of the second means when the first means is in its disengaged position, provision of electrical power to said first means causing the rotor of the motor to move the toothed peripheral portion of the sectored element into a position to be positively engaged by the teeth of the gear wheel of said second means for said further movement thereof in said first direction.

3. A locking mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising:

control means including a microprocessor having a memory for receiving and storing a first input, for receiving a second input corresponding to manual operation of said second means by a user and for determining whether said second input corresponds to said stored first input before providing said predetermined electrical power input to the first means.

4. A locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein:

said first means is formed to maintain said engagement element in said disengaged position thereof immediately upon completion of said driving of the lock-bolt to said locking position by the third means whereby no movement of the engagement element is possible thereafter until another receipt of said predetermined electrical power input.

5. A locking mechanism having a lock-bolt movable to be put in locking and unlocking positions thereof, comprising:

an electrical motor, comprising a rotor rotatable about an axis;

a first engagement element

lock-bolt drive means, cooperating with the lock-bolt, for manually moving the lock-bolt between its locking position and unlocking position; and

a slidable element disposed to be slidable between first and second positions thereof in response to a movement of the first engagement element to selectively couple together said lock-bolt and lock-bolt drive means and enable manual movement of the lock-bolt between said locking and unlocking positions, wherein

said first engagement element comprises a low-inertia rotatable cam mounted to rotate on said axis of said motor by engagement with said rotor, and

said slidable element is disposed to be engaged by the rotatable cam and by a lever pivotably connected to said lock-bolt, the lever having a portion engageable with the slidable element to transmit a manually applied force to the lock-bolt, wherein the slidable element is formed to have a cut-out cam portion and the lever is provided a transverse pin engageable with the cut-out cam portion to be movable thereby in response to said sliding movement of the slidable element.

6. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising:

a casing having a removable cover, the casing being formed to provide sliding support and guidance to the lock-bolt so that the lock-bolt is substantially retracted within a space defined in the casing when the lock-bolt is in said unlocking position thereof, the casing also providing support for the slidable element, the casing having an open side substantially closable by said cover,

wherein the cover provides support for the first engagement element when the cover is fitted to the casing.

7. A locking mechanism having a lock-bolt movable to be put in locking and unlocking positions thereof, comprising:

an electrical motor, comprising a rotor rotatable about an axis;

a first engagement element rotated by the electrical motor;

lock-bolt drive means, cooperating with the lock-bolt, for manually moving the lock-bolt between its locking position and unlocking position;

a slidable element disposed to be slidable between first and second positions thereof in accordance with a movement of the first engagement element to selectively couple together said lock-bolt and lock-bolt drive means and enable manual movement of the lock-bolt between said locking and unlocking positions;

means for providing to said slidable element a biasing force in a direction corresponding to maintenance of the lock-bolt in said locking position, and wherein;

said first engagement element comprises a sectored element mounted to the rotor of the electrical motor, the sectored element being formed to have two arcuate openings which are shaped, sized and disposed to each loosely receive a respective engagement pin of a cam,

said lock-bolt drive means comprises a manually operated second engagement element and a lock-bolt drive element, which are disposed to be engageable to each other so as to manually drive the lock-bolt, and

the arcuate openings are engageable by the engagement pins upon a further movement of the first engagement element in a first direction to rotate the cam to thereby slidably move the slidable element to engage the drive element to the manually operated second engagement element for manually driving the lock-bolt thereby.

8. A locking mechanism having a lock-bolt to be put in locking and unlocking positions thereof, comprising:

an electrical motor;

a first engagement element, having disengaged and engageable positions, which is rotated in a first direction by said electrical motor;

a manually operated second engagement element which can be engaged with said first engagement element only when the first engagement element is in said engageable position;

a lock-bolt drive element which has a first end pivotably connected to said lock-bolt and a hook-shaped second end disposed to be directly engaged to said manually operated second engagement element, said lock-bolt drive element having first and second positions in which the lock-bolt drive element is respectively disengaged and engageable with the manually operated second engagement element;

a slidable element responsive to a movement of the first engagement element and slidably movable between engaged and disengaged positions, cooperating with the lock-bolt drive element to enable manual movement of the lock-bolt between said locking and unlocking positions thereof such that said disengaged position of the slidable element corresponds to said locking position of the lock-bolt; and

means for controlling delivery of electric power to said electrical motor solely upon receipt of a predetermined input signal;

wherein said controlling means comprises

(a) means for generating an electrical current in response to a predetermined sequence of physical movements of said manually operated second engagement element to manually input a selected combination code;

(b) means for storing an electrical charge from the electrical current; and

(c) microprocessor means, responsive to said electrical current, for sensing when said combination code is correctly input and thereafter releasing said stored electrical charge to provide said electric power to said electrical motor.

9. A locking mechanism, comprising:

first means for moving an engagement element from a disengaged position to an engageable position thereof solely upon receipt of a controlled predetermined electrical power input, wherein said first means comprises an electrical motor having a rotor supporting the engagement element, the rotor having stable positions determined by magnetic detents and corresponding to said disengaged and engageable positions of the engagement element;

manually operated second means for engaging the engagement element in said engageable position thereof and for thereby manually moving the first means further in a first direction and back in a second direction;

third means for driving a lock-bolt, formed and disposed to be engaged by said further manual movement of the first means by the manually operated second means to drive the lock-bolt to unlocking and locking positions thereof in correspondence with said movements of the first means in said first and second directions respectively, said movement of the first means in said second direction restoring the engagement element to said disengaged position when the lock-bolt reaches said locking position; and

a security mechanism comprising a cylindrical rotor mounted to and rotatable with an axle of the stepper motor and having a roughened exterior surface, and an annular element formed of a non-ferrous material disposed to surround said roughened cylindrical surface of said cylindrical rotor, the annular element having formed therein at least two evenly spaced apart pairs of diametrically opposed and radially oriented holes, and disposed within each of said holes a linear permanent magnet shaped, sized and disposed to be freely slidable within the corresponding hole, the magnets in diametrically opposed holes being oriented with respective magnetic poles having the same magnetic polarity facing each other on opposite sides of said cylindrical rotor,

whereby the magnets disposed within a pair of diametrically opposed holes mutually repel each other and avoid contact with said roughened surface of said cylindrical rotor until an external magnetic field is applied to the locking mechanism, whereupon the diametrically opposed magnets will cease to repel each other in balanced manner and at least one of said magnets will make contact with the roughened surface of the cylindrical rotor to thereby impede its rotation until removal of the externally applied magnetic field restores mutual repulsion between the magnets disposed within each pair of diametrically opposed holes.

10. A mechanism for enabling a security lock-bolt drive to be put in condition for a manual unlocking thereof, comprising:

first means for moving a small, low mass/inertia, engagement element from a stable disengaged position to a stable engageable position thereof in response to a low-power electrical pulse; and

lock-bolt drive means for engaging with said engagement element in said stable engageable position thereof, for manual driving of a lock-bolt in a first direction to an unlocked position thereof,

wherein the first means comprises a low-power electric motor having a rotatable rotor by which the engagement element is rotated, and magnetic detents disposed with respect to said rotor such that said stable disengaged and engageable positions of the engagement element correspond to rotational detented positions of the rotor separated by a predetermined angle of rotation of the rotor about an axis thereof,

the engagement element comprises a low-inertia cam mounted to be freely rotatable on the same axis as the rotor to be engageable thereby, and

the lock-bolt drive means comprises a slidable element disposed to be engaged by the rotatable cam and by a lever pivotably connected to the lock-bolt, the lever having a portion engageable with the slidable element to transmit a manually applied force to the lock-bolt, wherein the slidable element has a cut-out cam portion and the pivotable lever has a transverse pin engageable with the cut-out cam portion to be movable thereby in response to a sliding movement of the slidable element, whereby movement of the engagement element to its engaged position enables a user to transmit a manual force through the slidable element to correspondingly move the lock-bolt in a range of movement extending between the locked and unlocked positions of the lock-bolt.

11. The mechanism according to claim 10, wherein:

the lock-bolt drive means is manually drivable in a second direction to drive the lock-bolt to a locked position thereof, thereupon to return the first means to said stable disengaged position thereof.

12. The mechanism according to claim 11, further comprising:

control means for controlling delivery of said low-power electrical pulse to said first means solely upon receipt of a predetermined input signal.

13. The mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to generate said predetermined input signal to said control means.

14. The mechanism according to claim 13, wherein:

the input signal generating means comprises a known combination code inputting means for ensuring the provision of a predetermined combination code by a user to generate the input signal.

15. The mechanism according to claim 14, wherein:

the control means comprises a microprocessor for storing a user-selected reference combination code and for comparing the same with said combination code input to ensure correct input thereof within a predetermined time.

16. The mechanism according to claim 10, further comprising:

means for providing to said slidable element a biasing force in a direction corresponding to maintenance of the lock-bolt in said locked position thereof.

17. The mechanism according to claim 16, further comprising:

a casing formed to provide sliding support and guidance to the lock-bolt such that the lock-bolt is substantially retracted within a space defined in the casing when the lock-bolt is in its unlocked position, the casing also providing support for the biasing means, sliding support for the slidable element, and an open side substantially closable by a cover detachably fitted thereto,

wherein the cover provides support for the first means.