Lock with remotely activated lockout feature

• US 7,236,085 B1
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smartlok Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Smartlok Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Wollam, John, Aronson, Glen L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): AU, SCOTT D
• Application Number:
  US10/174,714
• Time in Patent Office: 1,834 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.64, 340/5.73, 340/825.17, 340/825.31, 702/781, 70/38, 70/63, 109/45, 109/46, 109/47, 109/48, 109/49
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/02 Movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means; Adaptation of locks, latches, or parts thereof, for movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means by means in the striker E05B63/248
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0021 for overhead or roll-up doors, e.g. garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/00 Safes or strong-rooms for valuables savings boxes A45C1/12; floatable safes B63C7/30; storage containers without attack or fire-retardant features B65D; bank buildings in general, e.g. modular construction or floor plan, E04H1/06; buildings resistant to earthquakes or war action E04H9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/04 Closure fasteners locks E05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A method for controlling access to a storage unit owned by an owner, wherein a renter has access to the storage unit unless the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so. In this method, the storage unit is secured by a lock that is, at least in part, controlled by the renter. A remotely controllable lockout assembly, however, is capable of over locking the storage unit so that the renter can no longer gain entry when the lockout assembly is activated. The method includes remotely controlling the lockout assembly to deny the renter access to the unit when the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so.

Claims

1. A method for controlling access to a storage unit owned by an owner, wherein a renter can obtain and maintain rights to said storage unit by paying a first rental fee and subsequent periodic rental fee payments according to a schedule, said method comprising:

(a) providing a lock, controllable at least in part by said renter, securing said storage unit;

(b) said lock having a remotely controllable overlock feature so that it can be placed in an overlock state by remote control; and

(c) remotely controlling said lock to deny said renter access to said unit when said renter has failed to pay said periodic rental fee on schedule and a grace period has passed since said renter'"'"'s rights to said storage unit have elapsed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said storage unit is one out of a multiplicity of storage units all located in a gated storage facility and all being provided with a lock having a remotely controllable overlock feature and wherein managing said gated storage facility is facilitated by a computer running a computer program and wherein said computer running said computer program separately controls each said lock.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein rent payments are entered into said computer running said computer program and wherein said computer program is set to control each said padlock to deny renter access after a fixed grace period has elapsed since nonpayment of rent according to said schedule, said owner having decided in advance to over lock each unit after said fixed grace period elapses.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said lock is a combination lock having a combination and wherein said computer can be commanded to change said combination and is additionally configured to contemporaneously issue an advisory Email as a safeguard against a dishonest manager.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said lock is a combination lock having a combination and wherein said computer can be commanded to change said combination and is additionally configured to contemporaneously enter said change of said combination into a permanent log, as a safeguard against a dishonest manager.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein access to said gated storage facility is controlled by a gate that can be opened by each renter by way of entering a secret code into a keypad and wherein each renter entry and exit is reported to said computer running said computer program and wherein said units are maintained in a lockout state unless said computer has been notified that a corresponding renter has opened said gate and has not yet left said gated storage facility.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said lock is a padlock.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said lock is wirelessly remotely controllable.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said lock is remotely controllable by a radio frequency (RF) signal.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said grace period is 5 days.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said grace period is 10 days.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said periodic rental fee is a monthly rental fee.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said monthly rental fee is due on the first day of every month.