Anti-tampering device for use with spring-loaded electronically moved pin locking mechanisms in electronic locks and the like

• US 6,082,153 A
• Filed: 01/09/1998
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medeco Security Locks Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Medeco Security Locks Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Cregger, Barton B., Schoell, Lance G., Schroeder, Matthew O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US09/004,919
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 70/1.5, 70/333 R, 70/416, 70/278.2, 70/278.3, 70/278.7, 70/283, 70/283.1, 292/144
• US Class Current: 70/1.5
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0093 including means for preventing manipulation by external shocks, blows or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00388 code verification carried out according to the challenge/response method
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00476 dynamically
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0088 centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1021 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/20 Attack-actuated defeating mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/713 Dogging manual operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7424 Tampering prevention or attach defeating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7915 : Tampering prevention or attack defeating

Abstract

An anti-tamper locking assembly for locking a position of a block, such as a locking bolt in an electronic lock, electrically moves a pin to engage or dis-engage the block. When dis-engaged, the block can be moved and access or the like can be made. The pin is selectively moved electronically in order to allow access, entry or the like. The pin can be moved with, e.g., a solenoid. The pin has an overhanging portion, or a head portion. In order to prevent an individual from forcing the pin into an un-locked position, the head portion operates in conjunction with at least one spring-arm member and a blocker which are fixed to the block to prevent a user from being able to strike the device with a hammer or the like to "temporarily" move the pin to a position allowing the block to be moved and access or the like to be made.

Claims

1. An anti-tamper locking assembly for locking a position of a block, comprising:

an electrical moving means, selectively activated by an electronic circuit, for moving a pin that is normally maintained in a first position in an un-energized state of said moving means to a second position in an energized state of said moving means, said pin having an overhanging portion that extends laterally from at least one side of said pin;

a block mounted to move along a path passing transverse to an axis of said pin;

said block having a pin blocker extending outward from a side of said block;

said block having at least one spring-arm mounted thereto, said spring-arm being normally maintained in a first position near said axis of said pin and being moveable in a direction away from said axis of said pin;

wherein in an un-energized state of said moving means a) when said block is moved along said path to an adjacent position whereat said pin is adjacent said pin blocker, said overhanging portion abuts said pin blocker and a surface of said spring-arm is positioned to block said overhanging portion to prevent said pin from being forced to a position wherein the overhanging portion does not abut said pin blocker, and wherein in an energized state of said moving means a) said overhanging portion is moved to a position whereat when said block is moved along said path, said overhanging portion abuts said spring-arm to cause said spring-arm to move laterally away from the axis of said pin and b) said overhanging portion is positioned so as to pass said pin blocker when said block is moved along said path past said adjacent position.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said pin extends through a slot in said block, said moving means is on a first side of said block and said overhanging portion of said pin is a head portion located on a second side of said block opposite to said first side, and wherein when said moving means is energized, said head portion is drawn towards a surface of said block.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said spring-arm includes at least one elongated rod located along a side of said slot and normally positioned so as to be locatable beneath said head portion of said pin.

4. An electronic lock having an anti-tamper locking assembly for locking a position of a block within the lock, comprising:

an electrical moving means, selectively activated by an electronic circuit, for moving a pin that is normally maintained in a first position in an un-energized state of said moving means to a second position in an energized state of said moving means, said pin having an overhanging portion that extends laterally from at least one side of said pin;

a block mounted to move along a path passing transverse to an axis of said pin;

said block having a pin blocker extending outward from a side of said block;

said block having at least one spring-arm mounted thereto, said spring-arm being normally maintained in a first position near said axis of said pin and being moveable in a direction away from said axis of said pin;

wherein in an un-energized state of said moving means a) when said block is moved along said path to an adjacent position whereat said pin is adjacent said pin blocker, said overhanging portion abuts said pin blocker and a surface of said spring-arm is positioned to block said overhanging portion to prevent said pin from being forced to a position wherein the overhanging portion does not abut said pin blocker, and wherein in an energized state of said moving means a) said overhanging portion is moved to a position whereat when said block is moved along said path, said overhanging portion abuts said spring-arm to cause said spring-arm to move laterally away from the axis of said pin and b) said overhanging portion is positioned so as to pass said pin blocker when said block is moved along said path past said adjacent position.

5. The electronic lock of claim 4, wherein said pin extends through a slot in said block, said moving means is on a first side of said block and said overhanging portion of said pin is a head portion located on a second side of said block opposite to said first side, and wherein when said moving means is energized, said head portion is drawn towards a surface of said block.

6. The electronic lock of claim 5, wherein said spring-arm includes at least one elongated rod located along a side of said slot and normally positioned so as to be locatable beneath said head portion of said pin.

7. The electronic lock of claim 4, wherein said block has a generally flat surface, said axis of said pin being generally perpendicular to said generally flat surface.

8. The electronic lock of claim 7, wherein said block is linearly reciprocatable in a first plane generally parallel to said flat surface.

9. The electronic lock of claim 8, wherein said block is a locking bolt that releases a door of said electronic lock when moved to a release position.

10. The electronic lock of claim 4, wherein said block is rotatably mounted about an axis.

11. The electronic lock of claim 10, wherein said block is a cam member that moves at least one locking bolt so as to release a door of said electronic lock when said cam member is moved to a release position.

12. The electronic lock of claim 4, wherein said moving means includes a solenoid.

13. The electronic lock of claim 4, wherein said moving means includes a shape memory alloy.

14. The electronic lock of claim 4, wherein said moving means includes a magnet.

15. The electronic lock of claim 6, wherein said elongated rod has a generally circular cross-section.

16. The electronic lock of claim 6, wherein said elongated rod has a generally rectangular cross-section.

17. The electronic lock of claim 4, wherein said pin blocker is a separate member that is fixed to a surface of said block.

18. The electronic lock of claim 4, wherein said pin blocker is integrally formed as a single member with said block.

19. An electronic security lock having an anti-tamper locking assembly for locking the position of a block that opens the lock, comprising:

an electrical moving means, selectively activated by an electronic circuit, for moving a pin that is normally maintained in a first position in an un-energized state of said moving means to a second position in an energized state of said moving means; and

a block mounted to move along a path passing transverse to an axis of said pin;

wherein in said first position, said pin is located within said path so as to prevent said block from moving along said path past said pin;

said lock further comprising means for limiting the net distance of travel of said pin in a direction parallel to an axis of said pin and toward said second position, which travel is caused to occur by striking an outer housing of said lock, such that said block is prevented from moving past the axis of said pin;

wherein said means for limiting said pin from moving includes;

said block having a pin blocker extending outward from a side of said block;

said block having at least one spring-arm mounted thereto, said spring-arm being normally maintained in a first position near said axis of said pin and being moveable in a direction away from said axis of said pin;

wherein in an un-energized state of said moving means a) when said block is moved along said path to an adjacent position whereat said pin is adjacent said pin blocker, an overhanging portion abuts said pin blocker and a surface of said spring-arm is positioned to block said overhanging portion to prevent said pin from being forced to a position wherein the overhanging portion does not abut said pin blocker, and wherein in an energized state of said moving means a) said overhanging portion is moved to a position whereat when said block is moved along said path, said overhanging portion abuts said spring-arm to cause said spring-arm to move laterally away from the axis of said pin and b) said overhanging portion is positioned so as to pass said pin blocker when said block is moved along said path past said adjacent position.

20. The electronic security lock of claim 19, wherein said means for limiting said pin from moving includes:

a support pole having a vertical axis, said housing being fixedly mounted on said pole, said pin having a vertical axis that is parallel to said axis of said vertical pole, whereby said pin is prevented from moving to said second position due to said pole which is located along said vertical axis so as to prevent vertical motion of said housing upon striking said housing.

21. The electronic security lock of claim 19, wherein said block includes a rotated cam member.

22. The electronic security lock of claim 19, wherein said block includes a rotated cam member that rotates around a generally horizontal axis.

23. The electronic security lock of claim 22, wherein said block includes a wall that extends laterally from the cam member and that is arranged to engage with said pin when said pin is in said first position.

24. The electronic security lock of claim 21, wherein said electronic security lock is a parking meter lock.

25. The electronic security lock of claim 23, wherein said electronic security lock is a parking meter lock.