Fixed case automated decoupling device
First Claim
1. A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container that includes a container body and a magnetic lock member disposed at a lock portion of the storage container, the decoupling device comprising:
- a body portion;
a container portion structured to receive the storage container;
the container portion extending from the body portion such that the lock portion of the storage container extends into the body portion when the storage container is received in the container portion;
a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path relative to the body portion such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path is adapted to release the magnetic lock member while the container body of the storage container is stationary; and
an actuator carried by the body portion;
the actuator selectively moving the first magnet along the predetermined path.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a body portion, a container portion structured to receive a storage container such that the storage container remains stationary, the container portion extending from the body portion such that a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into the body portion and a first magnet mounted in the body portion and above the storage container, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container that includes a container body and a magnetic lock member disposed at a lock portion of the storage container, the decoupling device comprising:
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a body portion; a container portion structured to receive the storage container;
the container portion extending from the body portion such that the lock portion of the storage container extends into the body portion when the storage container is received in the container portion;a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path relative to the body portion such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path is adapted to release the magnetic lock member while the container body of the storage container is stationary; and an actuator carried by the body portion;
the actuator selectively moving the first magnet along the predetermined path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container that includes a container body and a magnetic lock member disposed at a lock portion of the storage container, the decoupling device comprising:
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a body portion; a container portion adapted to receive the storage container;
the container portion extending from the body portion such that the lock portion of the storage container extends into the body portion when the storage container is received in the container portion;a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path is adapted to release the magnetic lock member while the container body of the storage container is stationary; the container portion including a first spacer and a second spacer, wherein the first spacer and second spacer are adjustable such that the storage container is adapted to be centered in the container portion of the decoupling device; a position switch arranged in the body portion, wherein the position switch is activated when the storage container is properly positioned and centered in the decoupling device; a controller operable to control the decoupling device to unlock the storage container when predetermined conditions are met; the controller receives a position signal when the position switch is activated, the position signal indicating that the storage container is properly positioned such that the controller controls the decoupling device to unlock the storage container when the storage container is properly positioned in the decoupling device; the controller including a communication device adapted to send information to and receive information from an external host system; an electric motor controlled by the controller and operable to move the first magnet in the predetermined path to release the magnetic lock member of the storage container; and a plurality of gears connected to the electric motor and operable to aid the motor in moving the first magnet in the predetermined path. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container that includes a container body and a magnetic lock member disposed at a lock portion of the storage container, the decoupling device comprising:
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a body portion; a container portion adapted to receive the storage container, the container portion extending from the body portion such that the lock portion of the storage container extends into the body portion when the storage container is received in the container portion; a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member; and a probe mounted in the device and operable to determine whether the magnetic lock member has been released after the first magnet moves in the predetermined path. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of unlocking a storage container that includes a container body and a magnetic lock member disposed at a lock portion of the storage container, the method comprising:
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placing the storage container in a container portion of a decoupling device with the lock portion of the storage container extending into a body portion of the decoupling device; and after the storage container is placed in the container portion, moving a magnet mounted in the body portion of the decoupling device in a predetermined path while maintaining the container body stationary with respect to the container portion such that the magnetic lock member is released. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container that includes a container body and a magnetic lock member disposed at a lock portion of the storage container, the decoupling device comprising:
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a body defining a seat adapted to receive the storage container; the body including first and second spacers mounted on opposite sides of the seat;
the first and second spacers being movable to center the storage container with respect to the seat after the storage container is disposed in the seat; anda first magnet carried by the body; an actuator carried by the body;
the actuator selectively moving the magnet in a predetermined path with respect to the seat such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member.
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30. A method of unlocking a storage container that includes a container body and a magnetic lock member disposed at a lock portion of the storage container, the method comprising:
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placing the storage container in a container portion of a decoupling device with the lock portion of the storage container extending into a body portion of the decoupling device; and after the storage container is placed in the container portion, moving first and second magnets mounted in the body portion of the decoupling device in predetermined paths on opposite sides of the lock portion of the storage container while maintaining the container body stationary with respect to the container portion such that the magnetic lock member is released. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification