Electronic locking system

• US 6,604,394 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2002
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• 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:
  US10/202,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20020184932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 702/782, 702/783, 702/791, 702/787, 702/83, 702/831, 703/89, 704/16, 704/17, 704/21, 703/86, 702/76, 702/77, 703/67--69, 703/71, 703/79.R, 703/79.A, 703/80
• 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 (12) suitable for replacing interchangeable core locks has a solenoid assembly comprising a solenoid coil (280) and a plunger (290) longitudinally aligned parallel to the rotational axis (A) of the cylinder (214) of the lock (12).

Claims

1. An electronic lock, comprising:

(a) a cylinder housed within and rotatable with respect to a shell;

(b) an electrically powered locking mechanism capable of selectively interfering with rotation of said cylinder, said locking mechanism including a solenoid having a solenoid coil and a solenoid plunger, said solenoid plunger being in a first position when said lacking mechanism interferes with rotation of said cylinder, and said solenoid plunger being in a second position when said cylinder is free to rotate; and

(c) a ferromagnetic enclosure having an opening for receiving said solenoid plunger, wherein said enclosure encloses said solenoid coil and at least a portion of said solenoid plunger when said solenoid plunger is in said first position and said second position so as to prevent a magnetic field applied externally to a front face of said cylinder from urging said solenoid plunger from said first position to said second position.

2. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein said solenoid plunger is urged toward said first position in the presence of a magnetic field applied externally to a front face of said cylinder.

3. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein said cylinder forms a portion of said ferromagnetic enclosure.

4. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein said cylinder further comprises a non-ferromagnetic portion exterior of said ferromagnetic enclosure, and at least a portion of said solenoid plunger is received within said non-ferromagnetic portion when in said first position.

5. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein at least a major portion of said solenoid plunger is received within said ferromagnetic enclosure when said solenoid plunger is in said second position.

6. The electronic lock of claim 1 wherein at least 75% of said solenoid plunger is received within said ferromagnetic enclosure when said solenoid plunger is in said second position.

7. The electronic Jock 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.

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

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

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