Recording lock system

Claim 1

Apparatus comprising lock means turnable by the insertion therein of any one of a selected plurality of keys of different shapings, a plurality of electric contacts responsive to the shaping of any one of said keys when inserted to provide an electric signal indicative of the identity of that key, said plurality of contacts accordingly being adapted to provide a plurality of such signals of which each corresponds to a respective one of said keys, drive means to advance a record sheet through a recording zone, an array of selectively positionable recording elements disposed at said zone, electromechanical positioning means for said elements, said electromechanical means being responsive to said signals to set up a position permutation of said elements when one of said keys is turned in said lock means corresponding to the conditions of said contacts, record-forming means actuated after one of said permutations has been set up to produce a recording on said sheet of marks representing that permutation, clock means for producing an indication of the time of each recording, said electromechanical positioning means setting up a distinctive position permutation of said elements in response to restoration of power after failure thereof, and actuating means for actuating said record-forming means after said distinctive position permutation has been set up to produce a power-on recording on said sheet of the time as indicated by said clock means, said actuating means comprising a source of electrical energy, solenoid means, and RC circuit means connecting said source and said solenoid means, whereby a transient current surge is generated upon restoration of power following failure thereof, said current surge momentarily energizing said solenoid means and said solenoid means actuating said record-forming means.