Magnetic lock

Claim 2

Magnetic lock for use with a key having zones of magnetization impressed thereon comprising tumbler means of magnetic material having their magnetization arranged in accordance with a code; relatively movable elements located adjacent each other, one of said elements being a key-receiving element and having a region adapted to have the key placed thereagainst, said elements being formed with complementary recesses in which said tumbler means are located, the total cross-sectional volume of said recesses being larger than that of said tumbler means to permit said tumbler means to move from a position wholly in the recess of one element to a coupling position interlocking said elements, said key-receiving element having a portion located intermediate the key placement region and said recess, said portion being at least adjacent said recess, of ferromagnetic material to provide for magnetic interaction with said tumbler means.

Claim 3

Lock according to claim 1, wherein said key-receiving element is of ferromagnetic material.

Claim 4

Lock according to claim 1 wherein said key-receiving element is of nonmagnetic material and a ferromagnetic liner is located in said recess of said element to magnetically interact with said tumbler means.

Claim 5

Lock according to claim 1 wherein one of said elements is a hollow cylinder having a central bore, and the other a cylindrical body fitting into said bore; and a pair of sets of complementary recesses are formed in said cylinders; and the coding of the magnetization of said tumbler means in each of said complementary recesses is different.

Claim 6

Lock according to claim 4 wherein the sizes of said complementary recesses, of said pair, are different, and the coding of magnetization of the tumbler means of one set of complementary recesses of any lock is different from any other lock; and the coding of magnetization of the tumbler means in the other set of complementary recesses of any lock is the same for a plurality of locks, whereby keys affecting the tumbler means of the other set will function as master keys.

Claim 7

Lock according to claim 1 wherein said lock is adapted to cooperate with a latch, one of said elements forming a coupling element connectable to said latch and movable between latched and unlatched terminal positions, and wherein said recesses are located in said one element to be complementary to the recess of the other element when said one element is in a terminal position.

Claim 8

Lock according to claim 1 wherein said lock is adapted to cooperate with a latch, one of said elements forming a coupling element connectable to said latch and movable between terminal unlatched and latched positions, wherein one of said elements is a cylindrical body, said other element is a covering surrounding said cylindrical body at least at an end region thereof; and said complementary recesses are formed at the end face of the cylindrical body and in the interior of said surrounding body, respectively.

Claim 9

Lock according to claim 7 wherein said cylindrical body is rotatable; and said recesses have a substantially rectangular plan aspect.

Claim 10

Lock according to claim 7 wherein said key placement region is a flat face parallel to the end face of said covering surrounding cylindrical body.

Claim 11

Lock according to claim 9 including index means at the outer end face of said covering in the key-receiving region, and cooperating index means on said key.

Claim 12

Lock according to claim 1 wherein said lock is adapted to cooperate with a latch, one of said elements forming a coupling element connectable to said latch and movable between unlatched and latched terminal positions, and wherein a housing is provided; one of said elements is a cylindrical body, said other element is a covering surrounding said cylindrical body at least in an end region thereof; and said complementary recesses are formed at a circumferential side of said cylindrical body, and said covering, respectively; and said key placement region is formed on said coupling element along a side thereof.

Claim 13

Lock according to claim 11 wherein said body is slidable longitudinally of its axis in said housing; and said key-receiving region is located adjacent the side of said housing.

Claim 14

In a magnetic lock device, a first member, a second member movably mounted on the first member; said members being of nonmagnetic material; the first member having a hole therein and the second member having a socket therein in alignment with said hole, a permanently magnetized tumbler longitudinally slidable and fitted in said hole and socket, and positioned part in said hole and part in said socket, a film disc of magnetic material positioned fixed in said socket and facing the end of the tumbler which is in said socket; said tumbler being capable of being entirely within said hole; said tumbler in all of its positions, being attracted to said film disc, in combination with a key of nonmagnetic material having a permanently magnetized insert; said disc being between said tumbler and said key, said key, when placed in a position so that its magnetic insert is in alignment with said tumbler and acting to repel the tumbler so the tumbler is moved entirely within said hole in the first member, the second member will thereby be released for movement in relation to the first member; the strength of the attraction of the tumbler to the film disc being such that, regardless of the line of direction of movement of the tumbler to leave the socket, it will be attracted by said disc film to maintain it entered into the socket when said socket and hole are in alignment and said key is away from said position; the strength of said magnetic insert being such that regardless of the line of movement and direction of movement of the tumbler to leave the socket, said insert will act on the tumbler to maintain it wholly in said hole when said key is in said position, regardless of the attraction of the tumbler for said film disc and means for each hole for limiting the distance the tumbler can travel thereinto.

Claim 15

In a magnetic lock device, a first member, a second member movably mounted on the first member; said members being of nonmagnetic material; the first member having a hole therein and the second member having a socket therein in alignment with said hole, a permanently magnetized tumbler longitudinally slidable and fitted in said hole and socket, and positioned part in said hole and part in said socket, a film disc of magnetic material positioned fixed in said socket and facing the end of the tumbler which is in said socket; said tumbler being capable of being entirely within said hole; said tumbler in all of its positions, being attracted to said film disc, in combination with a key of nonmagnetic material having a permanently magnetized insert; said disc being between said tumbler and said key, said key, when placed in a position so that its magnetic insert is in alignment with said tumbler and acting to repel the tumbler so the tumbler is moved entirely within said hole in the first member, the second member will thereby be released for movement in relation to the first member; the strength of the attraction of the tumbler to the film disc being such that, regardless of the line of direction of movement of the tumbler to leave the socket, it will be attracted by said disc film to maintain it entered into the socket when said socket and hole are in alignment and said key is away from said position; the strength of said magnetic insert being such that regardless of the line of movement and direction of movement of the tumbler to leave the socket, said insert will act on the tumbler to maintain it wholly in said hole when said key is in said position, regardless of the attraction of the tumbler for said film disc and means for each hole for limiting the distance the tumbler can travel thereinto.

Claim 16

A magnetic lock device as defined in claim 13, wherein the first member is a casing and the second member is a barrel rotatably fitted in said casing; the mentioned hole being in the wall of said casing; said barrel having a bore therein therealong and said bore being accessible for the admiSsion of the key therein.

Claim 17

A magnetic lock device as defined in claim 13, including means on said key and second member which come into alignment upon placing said key so that its magnetic insert is in alignment with said tumbler, and upon such positioning of the key and when said tumbler is entirely within said hole in the first member, the key can be manipulated to move the second member, in relation to the first member.