Key and combination locking mechanism

• US 6,732,664 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2001
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles H. Worrall
• Original Assignee: Charles H. Worrall
• Inventors: Worrall, Charles H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US09/925,283
• Publication Number:
  US 20020033607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 70/92, 702/84, 702/85, 70D/IG.63, 292/21, 292/92, 292/DIG.65, 109/67, 109/68
• US Class Current: 109/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/02 with tumbler discs or rings arranged on a single axis, each disc being adjustable independently of the others
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/0069 Override systems, e.g. allowing opening from inside without the key, even when locked from outside E05B65/1086, E05B9/105 take precedence; by movable striker E05B63/246
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/14 Arrangement of several locks or locks with several bolts, e.g. arranged one behind the other locks having bolts with multiple head E05B15/108; with provision for latching E05B59/00, E05B61/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0078 Safety means for persons trapped within the safe, e.g. release from inside, venting means by releasing the striker E05B63/246; similar means for refrigerator or cold-room doors E05B65/0053
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/65 Emergency or safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0822 Emergency operating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0908 Emergency operating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1083 Rigid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5159 Emergency exit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7141 Combination and key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7147 Combination or key

Abstract

The locking mechanism described herein is for use in an enclosure, which is part of a product delivery system. The locking mechanism uses existing locks and latches, and configures them using linkages into a mechanism that is not currently available. The mechanism has a latch that holds the door of the enclosure closed. This latch stays in a normally unlocked state until deliberate acts are taken to lock the latch. When a delivery is made, the delivery person opens the unlocked door, makes the delivery, and then closes the door and turns the rotary latch counter clockwise until it latches in the locked position. There are three independent and distinct ways to unlock the mechanism: (1) a key can be used to unlock the mechanism; (2) a combination lock can be used to unlock the mechanism; or (3) an emergency release paddle, for child safety is located on the lower back cover of the lock, and can be pushed to unlock the mechanism. If children were playing around the enclosure and one child was locked in the enclosure by another, the child in the enclosure need only to push the paddle to release the lock, and then push the door open. Once unlocked either by the key, the combination, or the release paddle the latch will remain unlocked. The combination of the lock can only be changed by use of the key lock.

Claims

1. A secure delivery system for receiving and lockably storing tangible items delivered by a delivering party, said system comprising:

a lockable receptacle for receiving tangible items thereinto from a delivering party, said receptacle having a door;

a locking mechanism including a locking member, said locking mechanism being operational as a means for selectively locking the door of the receptacle by placing the locking member into an interference fit with a portion of the receptacle, to thereby inhibit unauthorized persons from opening said door;

a manually operable rotary latch disposed in communication with the locking mechanism for permitting users to enable the locking mechanism after the door of the receptacle is closed;

wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a locking lever, and three independent disengagement devices for selectively disengaging the locking member to thereby permit the door of the receptacle to be opened, wherein the three independent disengagement devices are each capable of independently disengaging the locking mechanism, wherein at least one of the three independent disengagement devices comprises;

a first means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said first means comprising a combination locking device having readable combination symbols selectively changeable by a user from a first combination of symbols to a second combination of symbols, and an interlock lever having at least one engagement tab releasably disposed in engagement with a holding bar, and moving means for moving said holding bar out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab responsive to input of a correct combination by the user, and pushing means for pushing the interlock lever into engagement with the locking lever when the holding bar is moved out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab to thereby move said locking lever into an unlocked position to release the door.

2. The secure delivery system of claim 1, wherein the locking lever further comprises a chamfered engagement foot.

3. The secure delivery system of claim 2, wherein the chamfered engagement foot resides disposed in engagement with a moveable locking stud when the locking lever resides in a locked position.

4. The secure delivery system of claim 3, wherein the device further comprises a rotatably mounted stud plate attached to the locking stud, and wherein the locking lever and the rotatable stud plate are intercoupled with a spring.

5. The secure delivery system of claim 1, wherein the locking lever further comprises a main body, and a cam tab extending outwardly from said main body, and a chamfered engagement foot extending from said main body.

6. The secure delivery system of claim 5, wherein the main body further comprises an L-shaped portion having an opening formed therein for receiving a connector piece therethrough.

7. The secure delivery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one engagement tab of the interlock lever comprises a first engagement tab extending in a first lateral direction, and a second engagement tab extending in a second lateral direction, wherein the second engagement tab is disposed in alignment with the first engagement tab, and wherein the second lateral direction is opposite said first lateral direction.

8. The secure delivery system of claim 7, wherein the holding bar further comprises a T-shaped member having first and second engagement edges that reside in engagement with the first and second engagement tabs, respectively, when the locking lever is in a locked position.

9. The secure delivery system of claim 8, wherein the first and second engagement edges each have a width that is less than one-fourth of a width of the holding bar.

10. The secure delivery system of claim 1, wherein the pushing means further comprises a plurality of springs disposed in engagement with the interlock lever.

11. The secure delivery system of claim 10, wherein the springs are disposed in engagement with a ledge of the interlock lever.

12. The secure delivery system of claim 11, wherein the springs reside in a compressed arrangement when the locking lever resides in a locked position.

13. The secure delivery system of claim 4, wherein the stud plate is rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal axis when the system is in operation.

14. The secure delivery system of claim 1, wherein the locking member resides in an interference fit with an engagement lip of the receptacle when the lock latch lever resides in a locked position.

15. The secure delivery system of claim 5, wherein one of the three independent disengagement devices comprises a second means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said second means comprising a cam lock lever attached to a key receiving means for moving said cam lock lever into engagement with the locking lever responsive to insertion and turning of a key within the key receiving means to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door, wherein the cam lock lever is caused to move into engagement with the cam tab responsive to insertion and turning of the key, to thereby move said cam tab and locking lever upwardly.

16. The secure delivery system of claim 1, wherein one of the three independent disengagement devices comprises a third means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said third means comprising a pivotally mounted paddle that is manually pivotable into engagement with the locking lever to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door, wherein the pivotally mounted paddle is mounted such that said paddle is manually pivotable into engagement with a lower portion of the locking lever to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door.

17. The secure delivery system of claim 3, wherein the chamfered engagement foot includes a chamfered edge that extends toward the locking stud when said locking stud is in the locked position, and wherein said chamfered engagement foot narrows in width in a lateral direction.

18. A locking device comprising:

a locking mechanism including a locking member, said locking mechanism being operational as a means for selectively locking a door of a receptacle by placing the locking member into an interference fit with a portion of the receptacle, to thereby inhibit unauthorized persons from opening said door;

a manually operable rotary latch disposed in communication with the locking mechanism for permitting a user to enable the locking mechanism after the door of the receptacle is closed;

wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a locking lever, and three independent disengagement devices for selectively disengaging the locking member to thereby permit the door of the receptacle to be opened, wherein the three independent disengagement devices are each capable of independently disengaging the locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism comprises;

a first means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said first means comprising a combination locking device having readable combination symbols selectively changeable by the user from a first combination of symbols to a second combination of symbols, and an interlock lever having at least one engagement tab releasably disposed in engagement with a holding bar, and moving means for moving said holding bar out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab responsive to input of a correct combination by the user, and pushing means for pushing the interlock lever into engagement with the locking lever when the holding bar is moved out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab to thereby move said locking lever into an unlocked position to release the door;

a second means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said second means comprising a cam lock lever attached to a key receiving means for moving said cam lock lever into engagement with the locking lever responsive to insertion and turning of a key within the key receiving means to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door; and

a third means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said third means comprising a pivotally mounted paddle that is manually pivotable into engagement with the locking lever to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door.

19. The locking device of claim 18:

wherein the locking lever further comprises a chamfered engagement foot;

wherein the chamfered engagement foot resides disposed in engagement with a moveable locking stud when the locking lever resides in a locked position;

a rotatably mounted stud plate attached to the locking stud, wherein the locking lever and the rotatable stud plate are intercoupled with a spring;

wherein the locking lever further comprises a main body, and a cam tab, wherein the cam tab and the chamfered engagement foot extend outwardly from said main body;

wherein the main body further comprises an L-shaped portion having an opening formed therein for receiving a connector piece therethrough;

wherein the at least one engagement tab of the interlock lever comprises a first engagement tab extending in a first lateral direction, and a second engagement tab extending in a second lateral direction, wherein the second engagement tab is disposed in alignment with the first engagement tab, and wherein the second lateral direction is opposite said first lateral direction;

wherein the holding bar further comprises a T-shaped member having first and second engagement edges that reside in engagement with the first and second engagement tabs, respectively, when the locking lever is in the locked position;

wherein the engagement edges have a width that is less than one-fourth of a width of the holding bar;

wherein the pushing means further comprises a plurality of springs disposed in engagement with the interlock lever;

wherein the springs are disposed in engagement with a ledge of the interlock lever;

wherein the springs reside in a compressed arrangement when the locking lever resides in the locked position;

wherein the stud plate is rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal axis when the system is in operation;

wherein the locking member is configured and dimensioned to reside in an interference fit with an external structure when the lock latch lever resides in a locked position;

wherein the cam lock lever is caused to move into engagement with the cam tab responsive to insertion and turning of the key, to thereby move said cam tab and locking lever upwardly;

wherein the pivotally mounted paddle is mounted such that said paddle is manually pivotable into engagement with a lower portion of the locking lever to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door;

wherein the chamfered engagement foot includes a chamfered edge that extends toward the locking stud when said locking stud is in the locked position, and wherein said chamfered engagement foot narrows in width in a lateral direction.

20. A secure delivery system for receiving and lockably storing tangible items delivered by a delivering party, said system comprising:

a lockable receptacle for receiving tangible items thereinto from a delivering party, said receptacle having a door and an engagement lip;

a locking mechanism including a locking member, said locking mechanism being operational as a means for selectively locking the door of the receptacle by placing the locking member into an interference fit with the engagement lip of the receptacle, to thereby inhibit unauthorized persons from opening said door;

a manually operable rotary latch disposed in communication with the locking mechanism for permitting a user to enable the locking mechanism after the door of the receptacle is closed;

wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a locking lever, and three independent disengagement devices for selectively disengaging the locking member to thereby permit the door of the receptacle to be opened, wherein the three independent disengagement devices are each capable of independently disengaging the locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism comprises;

a first means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said first means comprising a combination locking device having readable combination symbols selectively changeable by the user from a first combination of symbols to a second combination of symbols, and an interlock lever having at least one engagement tab releasably disposed in engagement with a holding bar, and moving means for moving said holding bar out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab responsive to input of a correct combination by the user, and pushing means for pushing the interlock lever into engagement with the locking lever when the holding bar is moved out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab to thereby move said locking lever into an unlocked position to release the door;

a second means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said second means comprising a cam lock lever attached to a key receiving means for moving said cam lock lever into engagement with the locking lever responsive to insertion and turning of a key within the key receiving means to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door; and

a third means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said third means comprising a pivotally mounted paddle that is manually pivotable into engagement with the locking lever to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door;

wherein the locking lever further comprises a chamfered engagement foot;

wherein the chamfered engagement foot resides disposed in engagement with a moveable locking stud when the locking lever resides in a locked position;

a rotatably mounted stud plate attached to the locking stud, wherein the locking lever and the rotatable stud plate are intercoupled with a spring;

wherein the locking lever further comprises a main body, and a cam tab, wherein the cam tab and the chamfered engagement foot extend outwardly from said main body;

wherein the main body further comprises an L-shaped portion having an opening formed therein for receiving a connector piece therethrough;

wherein the at least one engagement tab of the interlock lever comprises a first engagement tab extending in a first lateral direction, and a second engagement tab extending in a second lateral direction, wherein the second engagement tab is disposed in alignment with the first engagement tab, and wherein the second lateral direction is opposite said first lateral direction;

wherein the holding bar further comprises a T-shaped member having first and second engagement edges that reside in engagement with the first and second engagement tabs, respectively, when the locking lever is in the locked position;

wherein the engagement edges have a width that is less than one-fourth of a width of the holding bar;

wherein the pushing means further comprises a plurality of springs disposed in engagement with the interlock lever;

wherein the springs are disposed in engagement with a ledge of the interlock lever;

wherein the springs reside in a compressed arrangement when the locking lever resides in the locked position;

wherein the stud plate is rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal axis when the system is in operation;

wherein the cam lock lever is caused to move into engagement with the cam tab responsive to insertion and turning of the key, to thereby move said cam tab and locking lever upwardly;

wherein the pivotally mounted paddle is mounted such that said paddle is manually pivotable into engagement with a lower portion of the locking lever to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door;

wherein the chamfered engagement foot includes a chamfered edge that extends toward the locking stud when said locking stud is in the locked position, and wherein said chamfered engagement foot narrows in width in a lateral direction.

21. A secure delivery system for receiving and lockably storing tangible items delivered by a delivering party, said system comprising:

a lockable receptacle for receiving tangible items thereinto from a delivering party, said receptacle having a door;

a locking mechanism including a locking member, said locking mechanism being operational as a means for selectively locking the door of the receptacle by placing the locking member into an interference fit with a portion of the receptacle, to thereby inhibit unauthorized persons from opening said door;

a manually operable rotary latch disposed in communication with the locking mechanism for permitting users to enable the locking mechanism after the door of the receptacle is closed;

wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a locking lever, and three independent disengagement devices for selectively disengaging the locking member to thereby permit the door of the receptacle to be opened, wherein the three independent disengagement devices are each capable of independently disengaging the locking mechanism, wherein the three independent disengagement devices comprise;

a first means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said first means comprising a combination locking device having readable combination symbols selectively changeable by a user from a first combination of symbols to a second combination of symbols, and an interlock lever having at least one engagement tab releasably disposed in engagement with a holding bar, and moving means for moving said holding bar out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab responsive to input of a correct combination by the user, and pushing means for pushing the interlock lever into engagement with the locking lever when the holding bar is moved out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab to thereby move said locking lever into an unlocked position to release the door;

a second means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said second means comprising a cam lock lever attached to a key receiving means for moving said cam lock lever into engagement with the locking lever responsive to insertion and turning of a key within the key receiving means to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door; and

a third means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said third means comprising a pivotally mounted paddle that is manually pivotable into engagement with the locking lever to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door.

22. The secure delivery system of claim 21, wherein the locking lever further comprises a chamfered engagement foot.

23. The secure delivery system of claim 22, wherein the chamfered engagement foot resides disposed in engagement with a moveable locking stud when the locking lever resides in a locked position.

24. The secure delivery system of claim 23, wherein the device further comprises a rotatably mounted stud plate attached to the locking stud, and wherein the locking lever and the rotatable stud plate are intercoupled with a spring.

25. The secure delivery system of claim 21, wherein the locking lever further comprises a main body, and a cam tab extending outwardly from said main body, and a chamfered engagement foot extending from said main body.

26. The secure delivery system of claim 25, wherein the main body further comprises an L-shaped portion having an opening formed therein for receiving a connector piece therethrough.

27. The secure delivery system of claim 21, wherein the at least one engagement tab of the interlock lever comprises a first engagement tab extending in a first lateral direction, and a second engagement tab extending in a second lateral direction, wherein the second engagement tab is disposed in alignment with the first engagement tab, and wherein the second lateral direction is opposite said first lateral direction.

28. The secure delivery system of claim 27, wherein the holding bar further comprises a T-shaped member having first and second engagement edges that reside in engagement with the first and second engagement tabs, respectively, when the locking lever is in a locked position.

29. The secure delivery system of claim 28, wherein the first and second engagement edges each have a width that is less than one-fourth of a width of the holding bar.

30. The secure delivery system of claim 21, wherein the pushing means further comprises a plurality of springs disposed in engagement with the interlock lever.

31. The secure delivery system of claim 30, wherein the springs are disposed in engagement with a ledge of the interlock lever.

32. The secure delivery system of claim 31, wherein the springs reside in a compressed arrangement when the locking lever resides in a locked position.

33. The secure delivery system of claim 24, wherein the stud plate is rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal axis when the system is in operation.

34. The secure delivery system of claim 21, wherein the locking member resides in an interference fit with an engagement lip of the receptacle when the lock latch lever resides in a locked position.

35. The secure delivery system of claim 25, wherein the cam lock lever is caused to move into engagement with the cam tab responsive to insertion and turning of the key, to thereby move said cam tab and locking lever upwardly.

36. The secure delivery system of claim 21, wherein the pivotally mounted paddle is mounted such that said paddle is manually pivotable into engagement with a lower portion of the locking lever to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door.

37. The secure delivery system of claim 23, wherein the chamfered engagement foot includes a chamfered edge that extends toward the locking stud when said locking stud is in the locked position, and wherein said chamfered engagement foot narrows in width in a lateral direction.

38. A locking device comprising:

a locking mechanism including a locking member, said locking mechanism being operational as a means for selectively locking a door of a receptacle by placing the locking member into an interference fit with a portion of the receptacle, to thereby inhibit unauthorized persons from opening said door;

a manually operable rotary latch disposed in communication with the locking mechanism for permitting a user to enable the locking mechanism after the door of the receptacle is closed;

wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a locking lever, and three independent disengagement devices for selectively disengaging the locking member to thereby permit the door of the receptacle to be opened, wherein the three independent disengagement devices are each capable of independently disengaging the locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism comprises;

a first means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said first means comprising a combination locking device having readable combination symbols selectively changeable by the user from a first combination of symbols to a second combination of symbols, and an interlock lever having at least one engagement tab releasably disposed in engagement with a holding bar, and moving means for moving said holding bar out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab responsive to input of a correct combination by the user, and pushing means for pushing the interlock lever into engagement with the locking lever when the holding bar is moved out of engagement with the at least one engagement tab to thereby move said locking lever into an unlocked position to release the door.

39. The locking device of claim 38, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a second means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said second means comprising a cam lock lever attached to a key receiving means for moving said cam lock lever into engagement with the locking lever responsive to insertion and turning of a key within the key receiving means to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door.

40. The locking device of claim 38, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a third means for disengaging the locking mechanism to thereby open the door of the receptacle, said third means comprising a pivotally mounted paddle that is manually pivotable into engagement with the locking lever to thereby move said locking lever into the unlocked position to release the door.