High security lock
First Claim
1. A high security lock, comprising:
- a shackle having a middle portion and two ends;
a lock body having openings therein for receiving said ends of said shackle;
a latch having a catch movable into engagement with said shackle for securing at least one end of said shackle in said body and which is releasable to allow said one end of said shackle to move clear of said body;
wherein said shackle is a U-shaped rod of primarily monolithic shape memory effect metal having a yield strength that increases when work is impressed on said shape memory effect metal and said shackle is accordingly difficult to cut or break with common tools.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high security lock includes a shackle having two ends and a lock body having openings for receiving the ends of the shackle. A latch in the lock body has a catch movable into engagement with the shackle for securing at least one end of the shackle in the body. The latch is releasable to allow the one end of the shackle to move clear of the body to open the lock. The shackle is made of a shape memory effect alloy having a characteristic that its yield strength increases when work is impressed on it, so that cutting or breaking the shackle with common tools is more difficult and time consuming than with other shackle materials. The lock thus provides a level of security substantially superior to conventional locks.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A high security lock, comprising:
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a shackle having a middle portion and two ends; a lock body having openings therein for receiving said ends of said shackle; a latch having a catch movable into engagement with said shackle for securing at least one end of said shackle in said body and which is releasable to allow said one end of said shackle to move clear of said body; wherein said shackle is a U-shaped rod of primarily monolithic shape memory effect metal having a yield strength that increases when work is impressed on said shape memory effect metal and said shackle is accordingly difficult to cut or break with common tools. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A high security lock, comprising:
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a shackle having a middle portion and two ends, said shackle being made of a shape memory effect alloy having a yield strength that increases when work is impressed on said shape memory and said shackle is accordingly difficult to cut or break with common tools; a lock body having openings therein for receiving said ends of said shackle; a latch having a catch movable into engagement with said shackle for securing at least one end of said shackle in said body and which is releasable to allow said one end of said shackle to move clear of said body; a catch actuator for operating said catch to release said shackle and open said lock, said catch actuator bearing on said catch to move said catch to a disengaged position to release said shackle when said catch actuator is actuated; said catch actuator includes a shape memory effect element disposed in opposition to a spring, and a heater arranged to heat said shape memory effect element such that said shape memory effect element will overpower said spring when said heater heats said shape memory effect element to above its transition point and said shape memory effect element moves said catch to said disengaged position; a secondary shape memory effect actuator and a secondary locking member operated by said secondary actuator, said secondary actuator having a secondary shape memory effect element having a lower transition temperature than said catch actuator shape memory effect element, whereby said secondary actuator will operate before said catch actuator if said lock is heated with a torch to engage said secondary locking member with said shackle before said catch actuator operates to disengage said catch from said shackle, so said lock will remain locked.
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11. A high security lock, comprising:
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a shackle having two ends, said shackle being made of a metal rod consisting primarily of nickel and titanium having a characteristic that the yield strength thereof increases when work is impressed on said metal, whereby cutting or breaking said shackle with common tools is more difficult and time consuming than with conventional shackle materials; a lock body having openings therein for receiving said ends of said shackle; a latch having a catch movable into engagement with said shackle for securing at least one end of said shackle in said body and which is releasable to allow said one end of said shackle to move clear of said body; wherein said lock provides a level of security substantially superior to conventional locks. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A high security lock, comprising:
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a U-shaped shackle having two ends, said shackle consisting essentially of a Nitinol rod having a characteristic that the yield strength thereof increases when work is impressed on said Nitinol; a lock body having openings therein for receiving said ends of said shackle; a latch having a catch movable into engagement with said shackle for securing at least one end of said shackle in said body, said latch being releasable to allow said one end of said shackle to move clear of said body; whereby cutting or breaking said shackle with common tools is more difficult and time consuming than with conventional shackle materials, providing said lock with substantially superior resistance to unauthorized opening by cutting and breaking said shackle compared to conventional locks. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification