Electronically actuated cargo door lock assembly

• US 6,092,404 A
• Filed: 06/01/1998
• Issued: 07/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: INTELLIKEY Corp.
• Original Assignee: INTELLIKEY Corp.
• Inventors: Chhatwal, Kn Singh
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US09/088,468
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 70/423, 70/427, 70/431, 70/447, 70/448, 70/278.1-278.3, 70/279.1-283.1
• US Class Current: 70/278.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0607 the detent moving pivotally or rotatively
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0657 by locking the handle, spindle, follower or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/12 for back doors of vans E05B83/04, E05B83/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 3/04 with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7955 Keyhole guards

Abstract

An electronic lock housing assembly provides a lock retrofit for a transportation industry-standard cargo door lock assembly. The electronic lock assembly is configured to protect the electronic components of the lock from impact, moisture and foreign matter. The exterior housing retains an electronic lock cylinder and its cam assembly at the exterior of truck door, so as to engage the rotatable lever of a standard mechanical door latch assembly. The interior housing retains the lock'"'"'s electronic circuitry directly behind the exterior housing on the opposite, interior side of the door, so as to facilitate electrical interconnection through a mechanically shielded channel in the door.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electronically locking a latch of a container closure comprising:

an exterior housing assembly adapted to be mounted at an exterior region of said container closure, and retaining therein an electronically operated lock and a driven member thereof that is arranged to controllably engage and release said latch, said electronically operated lock being configured to be coupled with an electronic key that has been programmed with prescribed information representative of the ability of said electronic key to unlock said electronically operated lock; and

an interior housing assembly adapted to be mounted to an interior region of said container closure and containing programmable electronic lock circuitry for controlling said electronically operated lock, said programmable electronic lock circuitry being programmable to be operated by said electronic key and thereby unlock said electronically operated lock, and wherein said interior housing assembly is adapted to be installed at an interior region of said container closure directly adjacent to said exterior housing assembly at said exterior region of said container closure, and includes an inner escutcheon, containing said programmable electronic lock circuitry, an outer escutcheon cover that surrounds said inner escutcheon, and cushioning material interposed between said outer escutcheon cover and said inner escutcheon, and being operative to dampen vibrations, and insulate said programmable electronic lock circuitry from its surrounding environment.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further including a gasket interposed between said inner escutcheon and said container closure.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outer escutcheon cover comprises a metallic outer escutcheon cover having a slanted surface portion that deflects objects that may come in contact with said interior housing assembly.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said outer metallic escutcheon cover includes bores therethrough adjacent opposite ends of said inner escutcheon, and being configured to receive fasteners, which pass through associated apertures in said container closure and securely affix said outer metallic escutcheon cover to said interior region of said container closure.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said latch includes a rotatable arm having an L-catch bracket at a distal end thereof, and configured to rest upon a top exterior surface of said exterior housing assembly, and thereby allow an L-catch of said L-catch bracket to engage said driven member of said electronically operated lock.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said programmable electronic lock circuitry for controlling said programmable electronic lock is programmable to unlock said electronically operated lock, in response to said electronic key being programmed with geographical location data representative of a destination site of said container closure.

7. An apparatus, for electronically locking a latch of a container closure comprising:

an exterior housing assembly adapted to be mounted at an exterior region of said container closure, and retaining therein an electronically operated lock and a driven member thereof that is arranged to controllably engage and release said latch, said electronically operated lock being configured to be coupled with an electronic key that has been programmed with prescribed information representative of the ability of said electronic key to unlock said electronically operated lock; and

an interior housing assembly adapted to be mounted to an interior region of said container closure and containing programmable electronic lock circuitry for controlling said electronically operated lock, said programmable electronic lock circuitry being programmable to be operated by said electronic key and thereby unlock said electronically operated lock, and wherein said latch includes a rotatable arm having an L-catch bracket at a distal end thereof, and configured to rest upon a top exterior surface of said exterior housing assembly, and thereby allow an L-catch of said L-catch bracket to engage said driven member of said electronically operated lock.

8. An apparatus, for electronically locking a latch of a container closure comprising:

an exterior housing assembly adapted to be mounted at an exterior region of said container closure, and retaining therein an electronically operated lock and a driven member thereof that is arranged to controllably engage and release said latch, said electronically operated lock being configured to be coupled with an electronic key that has been programmed with prescribed information representative of the ability of said electronic key to unlock said electronically operated lock; and

an interior housing assembly adapted to be mounted to an interior region of said container closure and containing programmable electronic lock circuitry for controlling said electronically operated lock, said programmable electronic lock circuitry being programmable to be operated by said electronic key and thereby unlock said electronically operated lock, and wherein said programmable electronic lock circuitry for controlling said programmable electronic lock is operative to unlock said electronically operated lock, in response to said electronic key being programmed with geographical location data representative of a destination site of said container closure.