Object management system with locking mechanism
First Claim
1. A bicycle locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to a bicycle, the locking mechanism comprising:
- a locking receptacle having a recess configured to receive the locking member; and
an asymmetrical locking shaft positioned adjacent the recess of the locking receptacle, the locking shaft having a locked position and an unlocked position,at least one bearing,wherein the locking shaft is configured to secure the locking member when the locking shaft is in the locked position while the recess of the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member,the locking shaft comprises a lock side and an unlock side, andthe locking shaft is rotatably mounted adjacent the recess by the at least one bearing such that the locking shaft is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position by rotating the lock side of the locking shaft into and out of engagement with the locking member.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An object management system and locking mechanism and method. The system comprises a plurality of docking stations and a terminal connected to the docking stations by a network. At least one of the docking stations includes the locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to an object. The locking mechanism includes: a locking receptacle configured to receive the locking member, as well as a locking shaft with a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking shaft is configured to secure the locking member when the locking shaft is in the locked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member. The locking shaft rotates to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking mechanism can provide a secure lock on an object, preventing reversal of the locking mechanism and theft of the object.
40 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A bicycle locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to a bicycle, the locking mechanism comprising:
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a locking receptacle having a recess configured to receive the locking member; and an asymmetrical locking shaft positioned adjacent the recess of the locking receptacle, the locking shaft having a locked position and an unlocked position, at least one bearing, wherein the locking shaft is configured to secure the locking member when the locking shaft is in the locked position while the recess of the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member, the locking shaft comprises a lock side and an unlock side, and the locking shaft is rotatably mounted adjacent the recess by the at least one bearing such that the locking shaft is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position by rotating the lock side of the locking shaft into and out of engagement with the locking member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for locking a bicycle, the method comprising:
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receiving a locking member in a locking receptacle, the locking member being attached to the bicycle; and securing the locking member to the locking receptacle by; while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member, rotating, using a motor, an asymmetrical locking shaft disposed in the locking receptacle to switch from an unlocked position to a locked position such that a portion of the locking shaft is blocking a portion of the locking receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A bicycle management system comprising:
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a plurality of docking stations; and a terminal connected to the plurality of docking stations by a network, wherein at least one of the plurality of docking stations includes; a key reader configured to read a key; and a locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to a bicycle, the locking mechanism including; a locking receptacle configured to receive the locking member; at least one bearing; and an asymmetrical locking shaft rotatably mounted by the at least one bearing such that the locking shaft is rotatable between a locked position, in which a lock side of the locking shaft extends into a recess of the locking receptacle and is positioned to engage and secure the locking member while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member, and an unlocked position in which the lock side of the locking shaft is rotated out of the recess of the locking receptacle such that the locking shaft is out of the path of the locking member into or out of the locking receptacle.
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Specification