Adaptable low-power electronic locking mechanism

• US 6,361,089 B1
• Filed: 06/16/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SeeControl, Inc. (Autodesk, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Atlantes Services, Inc. (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US09/596,333
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 292/201, 292/210, 292/292, 292/DIG.23
• US Class Current: 292/210
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0607 the detent moving pivotally or rotatively
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/24 in the form of a bifurcated member automatic catches with a bifurcated latch E05C19/024; locks with a bifurcated bolt E05B65/0046, E05B85/243
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 9/08 with a rotary bar for actuating the fastening means E05B83/10 and E05B65/468 take precedence; for a plurality of drawers E05B65/465
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1092 Swinging catch

Abstract

An electronic locking mechanism comprises a first rod and a second rod. The second rod secures to the first rod by a cam wafer, which is attached to the second rod. A locking and unlocking mechanism secures the cam wafer to the first rod and releases the cam wafer from the first rod via an electrical solenoid.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism comprising:

a first rod;

a second rod;

a cam wafer attached to the second rod, the cam wafer configured to engage to the first rod; and

a locking and unlocking mechanism configured to secure the cam wafer to the first rod and to release the cam wafer from the first rod.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first rod and second rod each have a cross-sectional shape chosen from the following:

round, elliptical, or polygonal.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first rod is attached to one side of an enclosure.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 1 wherein the second rod is attached to a door or lid of an enclosure.

5. The second rod of claim 4 wherein the rod is manufactured with grooves to accommodate multiple cam wafers.

6. The locking mechanism of claim 1 wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism includes a solenoid and a pawl arm, the solenoid being coupled to the pawl arm, which is configured to engage the cam wafer when the locking mechanism is in a locked state.

7. The locking mechanism of claim 6 wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism further includes a torsion spring coiled around the second rod at the base of the cam wafer and coupled to the cam wafer.

8. The locking mechanism of claim 6 wherein the solenoid is coupled to a power source, such that when the solenoid is actuated the solenoid operates to lift a pawl arm.

9. The locking mechanism of claim 8 wherein when the locking mechanism is in the locked state and the pawl arm is lifted, the second rod and the cam wafer rotate due to the action of the torsion spring and the cam wafer thereby disengages from the first rod.

10. The locking mechanism of claim 9 wherein the pawl arm rests on top of the cam wafer when the locking mechanism is unlocked.

11. The locking mechanism of claim 6 wherein an aperture in the cam wafer allows the cam wafer to engage a frontal portion of the pawl arm and lock the locking mechanism.

12. A locking mechanism comprising:

a rod;

a cam wafer attached to the rod, the cam wafer configured to engage to a locking element mounted in an enclosure; and

a locking and unlocking mechanism configured to secure the cam wafer in a locked state when the cam wafer engages the locking element and to release the cam wafer to allow the locking mechanism to open.

13. The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the rod has a cross-section selected from the following list:

round, elliptical, or polygonal.

14. The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the rod includes grooves configured to allow multiple cam wafers to be attached thereto.

15. The locking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism includes a solenoid and pawl arm, the solenoid being coupled to the pawl arm which is configured to engage the cam wafer when the locking mechanism is in the locked state.

16. The locking mechanism of claim 15 further including a torsion spring coiled around the rod at a base of the cam wafer.

17. The locking mechanism of claim 15 wherein the solenoid is coupled to a power source, such that when the solenoid is actuate the solenoid operates to lift the pawl arm.

18. The locking mechanism of claim 17 wherein when the locking mechanism is in the locked state and the pawl arm is lifted, the second rod and the cam wafer rotate due to the action of the torsion spring and the cam wafer thereby disengages from the first rod.