Solenoid controlled bolt control for an electronic lock

• US 5,893,283 A
• Filed: 05/07/1997
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mas-Hamilton Group (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Mas-Hamilton Group (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Inventors: Rice, Larry J., Mimlitch, Kenneth H., Evans, Walter R.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US08/852,854
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 70/303 A, 70/303 R, 70/333 R, 70/277-279
• US Class Current: 70/303.00A
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0062 by generator
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/00 Permutation or combination locks handles with combination locks E05B13/103; keyhole guards with combination locks E05B17/145; electric permutation locks E05B49/00; Puzzle locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0006 having a non-movable core; with permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0688 with a pivotally moveable coupling element
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7254 Fence held spaced from tumblers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7424 Tampering prevention or attach defeating

Abstract

An electronic combination lock of the self-powered type, wherein the electrical energy for operation of the lock is developed within the lock itself, has a solenoid which magnetically seals in the activated position, thus preserving the "open" condition of the lock until such time as the operator may withdraw the bolt. Significantly, there is no requirement for continued electrical power to hold the solenoid and the latching mechanism in a condition for lock opening.

Claims

1. A lock bolt control for use in an electronic lock comprising:

a lock bolt;

a bolt lever connected to said lock bolt;

a cam having a cam slot disposed for rotation effective to withdraw said lock bolt whenever said bolt lever is engaged with said cam slot;

said bolt lever displaceable from a position of disengagement with said cam to a position of engagement with said cam;

a slide drivingly engaged with said bolt lever;

said slide latchable in a position corresponding to said bolt position being extended and locked;

a latch disposed to engage and block movement of said slide and moveable to a disposition removing an impediment to movement of said slide;

said latch moveable in relation to said cam rotation;

a solenoid having an armature extendible upon energization;

said armature engageable with said latch to dispose said latch in an ineffective disposition; and

said cam comprising a surface to displace said lock lever in a direction urging said slide to a position that said latch may be disengaged from said slide.

2. The lock bolt control of claim 1 wherein said latch is a two-part latch wherein a first part of said latch is spring-biased toward a position engaging said slide, thereby blocking movement of said slide in one direction.

3. The lock bolt control of claim 2 wherein a second part of said latch is commonly pivoted with said first part of said latch and engageable by said solenoid armature to displace said first part of said latch out of engagement with said slide.

4. The lock bolt control of claim 3 wherein said second part of said latch is engageable with and derives a restoring movement from said slide moving from a position corresponding to a locked condition to a position corresponding to an unlocked position.

5. The lock bolt control of claim 4 wherein said restoring movement of said second part of said latch breaks a residual magnetic attraction between said solenoid and said solenoid armature and forces said armature to a restored position.

6. The lock bolt control of claim 5 wherein said second part of said latch is spring-biased toward a blocking position relative to said slide.

7. The lock bolt control of claim 2 further comprising a lever boss disposed in a blocking relation to said bolt lever whenever said bolt lever is in said position of disengagement and said slide further comprises an integral spring structure deflectable by said bolt lever to permit passage of said bolt lever past said lever boss whenever said slide is in a latched position.

8. The lock bolt control of claim 7 wherein said integral spring of said slide is a serpentine beam spring.

9. A lock bolt control for use in an electronic lock comprising:

a lock bolt;

a bolt withdrawal mechanism operative to withdraw said lock bolt;

a latch disposed to engage and block operation of said bolt withdrawal mechanism and moveable to a disposition removing an impediment to operation of said bolt withdrawal mechanism;

said latch moveable responsive to said bolt withdrawal mechanism operation;

a solenoid having an armature displaceable upon energization, said armature engageable with said latch upon displacement to dispose said latch in an ineffective disposition; and

said bolt withdrawal mechanism comprising a displaceable cam engageable with said latch and operative to restore said solenoid during operation of said bolt withdrawal mechanism.

10. The lock bolt control of claim 9 wherein said bolt withdrawal mechanism comprises a slide having a cam integral therewith and said latch is a two-part latch wherein a first part of said latch is spring-biased toward a position engaging said slide, thereby blocking movement of said slide in one direction and thereby preventing operation of said bolt withdrawal mechanism.

11. The lock bolt control of claim 10 wherein a second part of said latch is commonly pivoted with said first part of said latch and engageable by said solenoid armature to displace said first part of said latch out of engagement with said slide.

12. The lock bolt control of claim 11 wherein said second part of said latch is engageable with and derives a restoring movement from said displaceable cam moving from a position corresponding to a locked condition to a position corresponding to an unlocked position.

13. The lock bolt control of claim 12 wherein said restoring movement of said second part of said latch breaks a residual magnetic attraction between said solenoid and said solenoid armature and forces said armature to a restored position.

14. The lock bolt control of claim 13 wherein said second part of said latch is spring-biased toward a blocking position relative to said slide.

15. The lock bolt control of claim 10 wherein said bolt withdrawal mechanism further comprises a bolt lever and said lock further comprises a lever boss disposed in a blocking relation to said bolt lever whenever said bolt lever is in said position of disengagement and said slide further comprises an integral spring structure deflectable by said bolt lever to permit passage of said bolt lever past said lever boss whenever said slide is in a latched position.

16. The lock bolt control of claim 15 wherein said integral spring of said slide is a serpentine beam spring.

17. An electronic lock comprising:

a bolt control for controlling the withdrawal and extension of a bolt, comprising;

a bolt lever pivoted to said bolt and comprising a rigid pin;

a slide displaceable to directly displace said bolt lever;

said slide comprising an integral spring member, said integral spring member directly engaging said bolt lever pin; and

said spring member deflectable in a first direction to pass said bolt lever pin in a first direction and rigid in a second direction to prevent said bolt lever pin from passing said spring member in a second direction.

18. The electronic lock of claim 17 whereby said spring of said spring of said slide is operative to trap said bolt lever in a locked position when said slide is in a position corresponding to a locked condition.