High security lock mechanism

• US 5,720,194 A
• Filed: 01/29/1996
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• 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, Taylor, James L., Dawson, Gerry, Miller, J. Clayton, Clark, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US08/593,725
• Time in Patent Office: 757 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 mechanical linkage assembly is driven by the engagement element to unlock a lock-bolt. The mechanical linkage assembly includes a low inertia pivoting cam which interacts with a lock lever of the locking mechanism to move it to an unlocking state. 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 position thereof, comprising:

an engagement element moveable between operative and inoperative positions;

means actuable by electrical power for driving the engagement element from the inoperative position to the operative position;

a lock bolt drive cooperating with the lock bolt;

a mechanical linkage assembly linked between said engagement element and said lock bolt drive and mounted on a pivot point positioned between the lock bolt drive and the engagement element for moving said lock bolt drive to a position to engage a manually operated drive cam upon driving of said engagement element so that the lock bolt is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position;

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 the operative and inoperative positions of the engagement element, movement of said rotor driving the engagement element and rotating said mechanical linkage assembly for movement of the lock bolt drive.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1 comprising:

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 a 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.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 1 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 a second engagement element by a user and for determining whether said second input corresponds to said stored first input before providing said electrical power to the electrical motor.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 1 comprising:

the lock bolt drive is manually drivable in another direction to drive the lock bolt to the locking position thereof, thereupon to return the engagement element to the inoperative position thereof.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 4 comprising:

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

6. The locking mechanism of claim 5 comprising:

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

7. The locking mechanism of claim 6 comprising:

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

8. The locking mechanism of claim 3 wherein the control means includes means for providing said electrical power to said electrical motor when the second input corresponding to the stored input is received within a predetermined period of time.

9. A locking mechanism having a lock bolt to be put in locking and unlocking position thereof, comprising:

an engagement element moveable between operative and inoperative positions;

means actuable by electrical power for driving the engagement element to the operative position;

a lock bolt drive cooperating with the lock bolt;

a mechanical linkage assembly linked to said engagement element for moving said lock bolt drive to a position to engage a manually operated drive cam upon driving of said engagement element so that the lock bolt is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position;

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 the operative and inoperative positions of the engagement element, movement of said rotor driving the engagement element and said mechanical linkage assembly for movement of the lock bolt drive, wherein said engagement element has a toothed portion and the mechanical linkage assembly has a complementary toothed portion, driving of said toothed portion causing the complementary toothed portion of the mechanical linkage assembly to rotate and move the lock bolt drive to the position for engagement with the manually operated drive cam.

10. A locking mechanism having a lock bolt to be put in locking and unlocking position thereof, comprising:

an engagement element moveable between operative and inoperative positions;

means actuable by electrical power for driving the engagement element to the operative position;

a lock bolt drive cooperating with the lock bolt;

a mechanical linkage assembly linked to said engagement element for moving said lock bolt drive to a position to engage a manually operated drive cam upon driving of said engagement element so that the lock bolt is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position;

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 the operative and inoperative positions of the engagement element, movement of said rotor driving the engagement element and said mechanical linkage assembly for movement of the lock bolt drive, wherein said lock bolt drive comprises a lock lever having a cam pin on a face thereof and said mechanical linkage assembly comprises a low inertia pivoting cam having a through opening, said low inertia pivoting cam pivotally mounted to a casing of the locking mechanism, one end thereof having a complementary toothed portion, the other end thereof having said through opening, said low inertia pivoting cam mounted so that rotation of said rotor causes said cam pin to travel in said through opening and lower said lock lever to permit said lock bolt to move to the unlocking position.

11. The locking mechanism of claim 10 wherein said lock lever has a pivoting cam mounted thereto, one end of the pivoting cam spring biased towards a distal end of the lock lever, the other end thereof having a pin positioned adjacent a portion of the low inertia pivoting cam when the engagement element is in the inoperative position to maintain said lock lever in an upper position, rotation of said rotor causing said low inertia cam to rotate and separate said pin from said portion of the low inertia cam to permit lowering of said lock lever.

12. A lock mechanism, comprising:

a bolt movable between locking and unlocking positions;

a manually rotatable cam having a surface forming a detent;

a lever arm having one end pivotably coupled to said bolt and an opposite end formed to engage said cam detent when said lever arm is pivoted toward said cam and as said cam is manually rotated;

a pin extending axially from said lever arm;

an electromagnetic device having a drive element normally in an inactivated position and indexed to an activated position when said electromagnetic device receives a pulse of electrical power; and

a linking element enabled for movement between first and second positions by the drive, element of said electromagnetic device when said drive element is indexed from its inactivated position to its activated position, and having a portion formed with an opening defining a profiled surface at least partially surrounding said lever arm pin;

the lever arm pin coacting with the profiled surface of said linking element such that as said linking element moves from its first position to its second position, said lever arm pivots toward and into contact with said manually operated cam, whereupon manual rotation of said cam causes said opposite end of said lever arm to engage said cam detent and move said bolt.

13. The lock mechanism of claim 12, including a spring coupled to said lever arm and acted upon by movement of said linking element.

14. The lock mechanism of claim 12, wherein the profiled surface of said movable linking element is profiled to have successive linear and arcuate sections.