Electronic locking system

• US 6,474,122 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2001
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Videx Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Videx Incorporated
• Inventors: Davis, Paul R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US09/784,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 702/76, 702/77, 703/67--69, 703/71, 703/79.R, 703/79.A, 703/80, 702/782, 702/783, 702/787, 702/831, 702/791
• US Class Current: 70/278.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 11/02 before the wing is locked
• 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 17/2092 Means responsive to tampering or attack providing additional locking for safes E05B65/0082
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• 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 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0615 operated by handles, e.g. by knobs
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/063 with a rectilinearly moveable blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0649 with a rectilinearly moveable coupling element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0014 to prevent opening by children E05B13/00 takes precedence; child-proof container closures B65D50/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 9/086 Fastening of rotors, plugs or cores to an outer stator
• 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 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• 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 70/7136 Key initiated actuation of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/765 Key only controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7661 Detachable or removable cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7706 : Operating connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7751 : With ball or roller
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7768 : Key-removal preventing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7915 : Tampering prevention or attack defeating

Abstract

In a first aspect, an electronic lock suitable for replacing interchangeable core locks has a solenoid assembly longitudinally aligned parallel to the rotational axis of the cylinder of the lock. In a second aspect an electronic lock has a ferromagnetic enclosure that surrounds at least a portion of a solenoid assembly when the cylinder of the lock is free to rotate.

Claims

1. An electronic lock suitable for insertion into a receptacle for use with a throw connected to a pair of elongate throw pins, said lock comprising:

(a) an elongate cylinder housed within and rotatable about a longitudinal axis with respect to a shell, said cylinder engaging said throw pins during rotation of said cylinder;

(b) said shell comprising a stationary portion and a retaining portion having a projecting lug, said retaining portion being rotatable with respect to said stationary portion so that said lug resists removal of said lock from said receptacle;

(c) said cylinder containing an electrically powered locking mechanism capable of selectively interfering with rotation of said cylinder, said locking mechanism including an elongate solenoid assembly aligned parallel to said longitudinal axis; and

(d) said lock defining within said cylinder at least one elongate longitudinally aligned cavity for receiving at least one of said pair of elongate throw pins when said lock is inserted into said receptacle, said throw pins and said solenoid assembly being generally parallel to one another when said lock is received within said receptacle.

2. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein said cavity receives each of said pair of throw pins.

3. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a moveable lock member, said lock member being capable of engaging said shell to prevent rotation of said cylinder, and said solenoid assembly having a solenoid plunger that is moveable into and out of interfering engagement with said lock member.

4. The electronic lock of claim 3 wherein said lock member is located between said throw pins when said lock is inserted into said receptacle.

5. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein said elongate cavity is defined in part between said solenoid assembly and an interior surface of said cylinder.

6. The electronic lock of claim 5, further comprising a board for a microprocessor mounted opposite said solenoid assembly, and wherein said elongate cavity is defined between said solenoid assembly and said board.

7. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein said throw pins are proximate to said solenoid assembly when said lock is received in said receptacle.

8. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein said throw pins extend to near the front of said solenoid assembly when said lock is inserted into said receptacle.

9. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein said lock has a retaining mechanism operable between said stationary portion and said rotatable portion of said shell to selectively prevent rotation of said rotatable portion with respect to said stationary portion.

10. The electronic lock of claim 1, further comprising another elongate cavity, each of said elongate cavities receiving a respective one of said pair of throw pins.

11. The electronic lock of claim 1 having a ferromagnetic enclosure at least partially surrounding a solenoid plunger when said locking mechanism interferes with rotation of said cylinder.

12. The electronic lock of claim 1, further comprising a biasing mechanism that urges said cylinder toward a home position when said cylinder is rotated away from said home position.

13. The electronic lock of claim 1, further comprising an anti-tamper mechanism.

14. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein a key for said lock comprises a power supply for said locking mechanism.

15. The electronic lock of claim 1, further comprising a key retention mechanism.