Electro-mechanical latch assembly

• US 6,525,644 B1
• Filed: 08/11/1999
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Star Lock Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Star Lock Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Stillwagon, Woodrow C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/372,525
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/542, 340/545, 340/5.61, 340/5.9, 292/252, 292/341.17, 292/201, 702/78, 702/31, 361/172, 235/382.5
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/006 Spring-biased ball or roller entering a notch
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/2011 using balls or the like cooperating with notches E05B63/121 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0007 with two or more electromagnets
• 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: E05B 47/0657 by locking the handle, spindle, follower or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 5/003 Pop-out handles, e.g. sliding outwardly before rotation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/121 using balls or the like cooperating with notches
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00396 starting with prompting the keyless data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00904 for hotels, motels, office buildings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/699 Motor controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/443 Single stem or shank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7751 With ball or roller

Abstract

An electro-mechanical latch assembly for an enclosure such as a vending machine and including an electronic lock controller for disengaging a latch assembly securing the door of the enclosure against the enclosure frame in a closed, locked position. The lock controller is actuated remotely through a key controller to disengage the latch assembly and enable the door of the enclosure to be moved to an open position for accessing the enclosure.

Claims

1. A latching system for a machine comprising:

a machine controller;

a locking assembly mounted to the machine and comprising an actuator and lock for securing the machine, and a lock controller mounted to the machine operably connected to said actuator;

a data/power link mounted to the machine and connected to said lock controller; and

,

a portable key controller comprising a portable power source and a transmitter, wherein said portable key controller transmits in a contact-free manner power and data to said data/power link, wherein the data comprises programming instructions for the machine, said data/power link transmits the data and the power to said lock controller and wherein said lock controller transmits the data to said machine controller and activates said actuator for unlocking the machine.

2. The latching system of claim 1, wherein said lock controller transmits machine data to said data/power link and said data/power link transmits the machine data to said portable key controller.

3. The latching system of claim 1, wherein said portable key controller further comprises a display.

4. The latching system of claim 1, wherein said portable key controller further comprises a key pad.

5. The latching system of claim 3, wherein said display comprises a touch screen.

6. The latching system of claim 1, further comprising a central processing unit.

7. The latching system of claim 6, wherein the programming instructions are transmitted from said central processing unit to said portable key controller.

8. The latching system of claim 7, wherein the programming instructions are for setting of machine operating parameters.

9. The latching system of claim 2, further comprising a central processing unit operably connected to said portable key controller.

10. The latching system of claim 9, wherein said portable key controller transmits received machine data to said central processing unit.

11. The latching system of claim 1, wherein said locking assembly further comprises a post and a lock housing defining a longitudinal passage that receives a portion of said post in locking engagement therewith to secure a door of the machine.

12. The latching system of claim 11, wherein said actuator disengages said post from said locking engagement within said housing when said actuator is activated by said lock controller.

13. The latching system of claim 1, wherein said portable key controller further comprises an inductive powered transceiver and said data/link comprises an RF data link.

14. The latching system of claim 1, wherein said portable key controller further comprises an inductive powered infrared transceiver and said data/link comprises an infrared data link.

15. The latching system of claim 1, wherein said portable key controller comprises an inductive coupling for transmitting power and data from said portable key controller to an inductive coupling of said data/power link through a non-conductive surface of said machine via inductive transfer.

16. The latching system of claim 1, wherein the machine is selected from the group consisting of service oriented machines.

17. The latching system of claim 1, further comprising a secondary control access mounted to said machine and operably connected to said lock controller, wherein said secondary control access receives power and data in a contact-free manner from said portable key controller and transmits the power and data to said lock controller.

18. The latching system of claim 1, wherein the data transmitted to said lock controller comprises program instructions.

19. The latching system of claim 1, wherein the program instructions comprise control instructions for the control parameters of the machine.

20. The latching system of claim 1, wherein said lock controller and said portable key controller include software adapted to record access information transmitted by said lock controller in response to activation of said actuator and to restrict access to the machine upon receipt of nonconforming access information.

21. A latching system for an enclosure comprising:

a locking assembly mounted to an enclosure and comprising an actuator connected to a lock that secures a door of said enclosure;

a lock controller mounted to said enclosure operably connected to said actuator;

a data/power link mounted to said enclosure and connected to said lock controller; and

,

a portable key controller comprising a display, an input mechanism for keying data into said portable key controller and a portable power source, wherein said portable key controller transmits in a contact-free manner power and operator information to said lock controller through said data/power link and receives identification information through said data/power link from said lock controller, and wherein said lock controller activates said actuator upon receipt of the power to disengage said lock.

22. The latching system of claim 21, further comprising a central processing unit operably connected to said portable key controller.

23. The latching system of claim 21, wherein said central processing unit transmits the operator information to said portable key controller.

24. The latching system of claim 22, wherein said portable key controller transmits the identification information to said central processing unit.

25. The latching system of claim 21, further comprising a secondary control access mounted to said enclosure and operably connected to said lock controller, wherein said secondary control access receives the power and the operator data in a contact-free manner from said portable key controller and transmits the power and the operator data to said lock controller.

26. The latching system of claim 21, wherein said input mechanism comprises a key pad.

27. The latching system of claim 21, wherein said display comprises a touch screen.

28. The latching system of claim 21, wherein said portable key controller further comprises an inductive powered RF transceiver and said data/link comprises an RF data link.

29. The latching system of claim 21, wherein said portable key controller further comprises an inductive powered infrared transceiver and said data/link comprises an infrared data link.