Mechanical code actuated sensor unit and lock embodying same

Claim 2

A programmable sensor unit for use with a coded key which may be coded to define any one of a number of different code patterns, comprising: a frame, sensing means supported on said frame for movement along a direction line between retracted and extended positions and including a number of sensing elements, coded key positioned tumbler elements supported on said frame for movement along parallel axes transverse to said direction line to a number of selected axial positions and adapted to be axially positioned in accordance with the key code pattern, each tumbler element being located in the path of extension movement of a corresponding sensing element with said sensing means to provide a coacting element pair, an element of each element pair being rotatably adjustable to selected angular positions equal in number to the axial positions of the corresponding tumbler element, and the coacting elements of each pair having coacting shapes such that in each angular position of the rotatable element, the coacting elements are engageable to block extension of said sensing means in all axial positions but one of the respective tumbler element, whereby said sensor unit may be programmed for release of said sensing means for movement to extended position in response to a selected key code pattern by presetting said rotatable element in selected angular positions, means for releasably retaining said rotatable elements in their preset angular positions, means for effecting extension and retraction movement of said sensing means, and output means controlled by said sensing means upon movement of said sensing means to extended position.

Claim 3

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said tumbler elements are rotatably adjustable.

Claim 4

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said sensing elements are rotatably adjustable.

Claim 5

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said sensing means comprising a sensing plate movable edgewise between said extended and retracted positions in a plane normal to said tumbler axes and having openings through which said tumbler elements extend, said sensing elements comprise edges of said openings which face in the direction of extension movement of said plate, and said tumbler elements are shaped in a manner such that in each selected axial position of each tumbler element the latter provides clearance for the respective plate sensing edge to permit sensing plate extension in one selected angular position of the respective tumbler element and the tumbler element is engageable by the respective edge to block plate extension in all other angular positions of the tumbler element.

Claim 6

A sensor unit according to claim 4 wherein: each tumbler element has slots which are spaced axially along and angularly about the element to receive the respective sensing plate edge when the element is disposed to permit plate extension.

Claim 7

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said sensing means comprises a sensing plate movable edgewise between said extended and retracted positions in a plane normal to said tumbler axes, said tumbler elements have shoulders, said sensing elements are shaped in a manner such that in each selected axial position of each tumbler element, the corresponding sensing element provides clearance for the respective tumbler shoulder to permit sensing plate extension in one selected angular position of the respective sensing element and the sensing element is engageable with the shoulder to block plate extension in all other angular positions of the sensing element.

Claim 8

A sensor unit according to claim 6 wherein: each sensing element has slots which are spaced axially along and angularly about the element to receive the respective tumbler shoulder when the sensing element is disposed to permit plate extension.

Claim 9

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: engagement of said coacting elements by extension of said sensing means with said rotatable elements released for rotation and said tumbler elements located in selected axial positions by said coded key produces camming forces on said rotatable elements for rotating the latter elements to the angular positions wherein they permit movement of the sensing means to extended position, and said sensor unit includes means for releasing said retaining means and permitting extension of said sensing means to program a selected key code pattern into said unit.

Claim 10

A sensor unit according to claim 8 wherein: said programming means includes locking means for locking said programming means against operation to alter the programmed code pattern.

Claim 11

A sensor unit according to claim 8 wherein: said programming locking means comprise key lock means for releasing said retaining means and permitting said sensing means to program a selected key code pattern into said sensor unit and then locking said programming means against operation to alter the programmed code pattern.

Claim 12

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said sensor unit includes a means for releasably locking said sensing means against extension independently of said coacting elements.

Claim 13

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said sensing means comprise a number of separate sensing members movable between retracted and extended positions, extension of each sensing member is controlled by a group of said coacting elements, and said output means is controlled by Extension of at least one of said sensing members.

Claim 14

A sensor unit according to claim 12 wherein: extension of a number of said sensing members controls said output means.

Claim 15

A sensor unit according to claim 13 including: means for releasably locking certain of said sensing members against extension independently of said coacting elements.

Claim 16

A sensor unit according to claim 12 wherein: actuation of said output means requires extension of a number of the sensing members.

Claim 17

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said output means comprises a movable output member connected to said sensing means in a manner such that extension of said sensing means drives said output member in a given output motion, and said means for effecting extension and retraction of said sensing means comprises first means for urging said sensing means to extended position, second means opposing said first means to retain said sensing means in retracted position, and means for reducing the opposing force of said second means to permit extension of said sensing means by said first means.

Claim 18

A sensor unit according to claim 1 including: means connected to said output means for operation from one condition to another in response to control of said output means by extension of said sensing means.

Claim 19

A sensor unit according to claim 1 including: a door lock connected to said output means for operation from a locked condition to an unlocked condition in response to control of said output means by extension of said sensing means.

Claim 20

A sensor unit according to claim 18 including: a night latch for releasably locking certain of said sensing means against extension independently of said coacting elements.

Claim 21

A sensor unit according to claim 18 wherein: said door lock comprises a handle, a latch member retractable by rotation of said handle to permit opening of the door, a latch key for normally locking said handle against turning to retract said latch member, and means connecting said output means and latch key for retraction of said latch key by control of said output means to release said handle for turning.

Claim 22

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said retaining means comprises a locking slide engageable with said rotatable elements to positively lock the latter in their preset angular positions.

Claim 23

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said retaining means comprises magnetic means for magnetically retaining said rotatable elements in their preset angular positions.

Claim 24

A sensor unit according to claim 1 including: electrical means connected to said output means for operation from one condition to another in response to control of said output means by extension of said sensing means.

Claim 25

In combination: a coded key which may be coded to define any one of a number of different code patterns, a sensor unit comprising a frame, sensing means supported on said frame for movement along a direction line between retracted and extended positions and including a number of sensing elements, coded key positioned tumbler elements supported on said frame for movement along parallel axes transverse to said direction line to a number of selected axial positions and adapted to be axially positioned in accordance with the key code pattern, each tumbler element being located in the path of extension movement of a corresponding sensing element with said sensing means to provide a coacting element pair, an element of each element pair being rotatably adjustable to selected angular positions equal in number to the axial positions of the corresponding tumbler element, and the coacting elements of each pair having coacting shapes such that in each angular position of the rotatable element, the coacting elements are engageable to block extension of said sensing means in all axial positions but one of the respective tumbler element, whereby said sensor unit may be programmed for release of said sensing mEans for movement to extended position in response to a selected key code pattern by presetting said rotatable elements in selected angular positions, means for releasably retaining said rotatable elements in their preset angular positions, means for effecting extension and retraction movement of said sensing means, and output means actuated by said sensing means upon movement of said sensing means to extended position, and said key and tumbler elements comprising coacting means for axially positioning said tumbler elements in accordance with the key code pattern.

Claim 26

In combination: a coded key which may be coded to define any one of a number of different code patterns, a sensor unit comprising a frame, sensing means supported on said frame for movement along a direction line between retracted and extended positions and including a number of sensing elements, coded key positioned tumbler elements supported on said frame for movement along parallel axes transverse to said direction line to a number of selected axial positions and adapted to be axially positioned in accordance with the key code pattern, each tumbler element being located in the path of extension movement of a corresponding sensing element with said sensing means to provide a coacting element pair, an element of each element pair being rotatably adjustable to selected angular positions equal in number to the axial positions of the corresponding tumbler element, and the coacting elements of each pair having coacting shapes such that in each angular position of the rotatable element, the coacting elements are engageable to block extension of said sensing means in all axial positions but one of the respective tumbler element, whereby said sensor unit may be programmed for release of said sensing mEans for movement to extended position in response to a selected key code pattern by presetting said rotatable elements in selected angular positions, means for releasably retaining said rotatable elements in their preset angular positions, means for effecting extension and retraction movement of said sensing means, and output means actuated by said sensing means upon movement of said sensing means to extended position, and said key and tumbler elements comprising coacting means for axially positioning said tumbler elements in accordance with the key code pattern.

Claim 27

A sensor unit according to claim 24 wherein: said coacting tumbler positioning means comprises magnetic means.

Claim 28

A sensor unit according to claim 24 wherein: said coacting tumbler positioning means comprise formations on said key engageable with said tumblers.

Claim 29

A sensor unit according to claim 24 wherein: said coacting tumbler positioning means comprise magnetic means and formations on said key engageable with said tumblers.

Claim 30

A sensor unit according to claim 24 wherein: said coacting tumbler positioning means are adapted to establish any one of at least two different axial positions of each tumbler element.

Claim 31

A sensor unit according to claim 24 wherein: said key comprises a coded key card and said sensor unit has a guideway for receiving said card.

Claim 32

A sensor unit according to claim 24 wherein: said key comprises a key board mounted in said unit including depressible keys for axially positioning said tumbler elements.

Claim 33

A programmable sensor unit for use with a coded key which may be coded to define anyone of a number of different code patterns, comprising: a frame having a wall, a number of coded key positioned tumblers supported by said wall for movement along parallel axes and rotation about said axes, sensing slide means supported by said frame adjacent said wall for movement in a plane normal to said axes between extended and retracted positions and having openings through which said tumblers extend, each opening having an edge facing in the direction of extension movement of said slide means, said tumblers having transverse slots spaced axially along and angularly about the tumblers, each tumbler being axially positionable in accordance with different key code patterns in predetermined axial positions such that in each axial position one slot is situated in said plane and each tumbler being rotatable in each axial position to a predetermined angular position wherein the slot currently in said plane is oriented to receive the edge of the respective opening in said sensing slide means and thereby permit extension of said slide means, each tumbler when in any of said axial positions blocking extension of said slide means in every angular position other than the predetermined angular position corresponding to the current axial tumbler position whereby said sensor unit may be programmed for release of said sensing slide means for movement to extended position in response to a selected key code pattern by presetting said tumblers in selected predetermined angular positions, programming means for presetting said tumblers selected predetermined angular positions, means for releasably retaining said tumblers in their preset angular positions while permitting axial positioning of the tumblers, means for effecting extension of said sensing slide means after axial positioning of said tumblers by a proper key code pattern, a rotatable output member, and means for connecting said sensing slide means and output member for rotation of said output member in response to extension of said slide means.

Claim 34

A programmable sensor unit for use with a coded key which may be coded to define anyone of a number of different code patterns, comprising: a frame having a wall, a number of coded key positioned tumblers supported by said wall for movement along parallel axes and rotation about said axes, sensing slide means supported by said frame adjacent said wall for movement in a plane normal to said axes between extended and retracted positions and having openings through which said tumblers extend, each opening having an edge facing in the direction of extension movement of said slide means, said tumblers having transverse slots spaced axially along and angularly about the tumblers, each tumbler being axially positionable in accordance with different key code patterns in predetermined axial positions such that in each axial position one slot is situated in said plane and each tumbler being rotatable in each axial position to a predetermined angular position wherein the slot currently in said plane is oriented to receive the edge of the respective opening in said sensing slide means and thereby permit extension of said slide means, each tumbler when in any of said axial positions blocking extension of said slide means in every angular position other than the predetermined angular position corresponding to the current axial tumbler position whereby said sensor unit may be programmed for release of said sensing slide means for movement to extended position in response to a selected key code pattern by presetting said tumblers in selected predetermined angular positions, programming means for presetting said tumblers selected predetermined angular positions, means for releasably retaining said tumblers in their preset angular positions while permitting axial positioning of the tumblers, means for effecting extension of said sensing slide means after axial positioning of said tumblers by a proper key code pattern, a rotatable output member, and means for connecting said sensing slide means and output member for rotation of said output member in response to extension of said slide means.

Claim 35

A sensor unit according to claim 31 wherein: said tumbler retaining means comprise axially slotted tumbler positioning elements rotatably supported on said frame on the axes of said tumblers, axial tongues on said tumblers slidable within the slots in said positioning elements, locking slide means suppOrted on said frame for locking said positioning elements and thereby said tumblers against rotation by movement of said locking slide means to retracted locking position and releasing said positioning elements and thereby said tumblers for rotation by movement of said locking slide means to extended releasing position and means for extending and retracting said locking slide means and retaining the latter slide means in locking position.

Claim 36

A sensor unit according to claim 32 wherein: said programming means comprise lock actuated means for extending said locking slide means to release said positioning elements and tumblers for rotation, and means for rotating said tumblers to selected predetermined angular positions.

Claim 37

A sensor unit according to claim 33 wherein: said tumbler rotating means comprise means connected to said lock actuated means for extending said sensing slide means with said locking slide means to urge said sensing slide means against said tumblers to rotate the tumblers to their corresponding predetermined angular positions.

Claim 38

A sensor unit according to claim 31 wherein: said tumbler retaining means comprise a card to be inserted into said sensor unit adjacent said positioning elements, and coating magnetic means on said elements and cards for magnetically retaining said elements and thereby said tumblers in their corresponding predetermined angular positions.

Claim 39

A programmable sensor unit for use with a coded key which may be coded to define anyone of a number of different code patterns, comprising: a frame having a wall, a number of coded key positioned tumblers supported by said wall for movement along parallel axes, sensing slide means supported by said frame adjacent said wall for movement in a plane normal to said axes between retracted and extended positions and including sensing elements equal in number to said tumblers, said sensing elements being rotatable on axes parallel to said tumbler axes and having transverse slots spaced axially along and angularly about the elements, each tumbler having a transverse shoulder and being axially positionable in accordance with different key code patterns in predetermined axial positions wherein the tumbler shoulder is aligned with the slots in the corresponding sensing element, and each sensing element being rotatable in axial position of the corresponding tumbler to a predetermined angular position wherein the respective element slot is oriented to receive the tumbler shoulder and thereby permit extension of said slide means, each sensing element being located for engagement with the corresponding tumbler shoulder to block extension of said slide means in all angular positions other than the predetermined angular position corresponding to the current axial position of its respective tumbler, whereby said sensor unit may be programmed for release of said sensing slide means for movement to extended position in response to a selected key code pattern by presetting said tumblers in selected predetermined angular positions, means for releasably retaining said sensing elements in their preset angular positions, programming means for presetting said sensing elements to said selected angular positions, means for effecting extension of said sensing slide means after axial positioning of said tumblers by a proper key code pattern, a rotatable output member, and means connecting said sensing plate means and output member for rotation of said output member in response to extension of said plate means.

Claim 40

A programmable sensor unit for use with a coded key which may be coded to define anyone of a number of different code patterns, comprising: a frame having a wall, a number of coded key positioned tumblers supported by said wall for movement along parallel axes, sensing slide means supported by said frame adjacent said wall for movement in a plane normal to said axes between retracted and extended positions and including sensing elements equal in number to said tumblers, said sensing elements being rotatable on axes parallel to said tumbler axes and having transverse slots spaced axially along and angularly about the elements, each tumbler having a transverse shoulder and being axially positionable in accordance with different key code patterns in predetermined axial positions wherein the tumbler shoulder is aligned with the slots in the corresponding sensing element, and each sensing element being rotatable in axial position of the corresponding tumbler to a predetermined angular position wherein the respective element slot is oriented to receive the tumbler shoulder and thereby permit extension of said slide means, each sensing element being located for engagement with the corresponding tumbler shoulder to block extension of said slide means in all angular positions other than the predetermined angular position corresponding to the current axial position of its respective tumbler, whereby said sensor unit may be programmed for release of said sensing slide means for movement to extended position in response to a selected key code pattern by presetting said tumblers in selected predetermined angular positions, means for releasably retaining said sensing elements in their preset angular positions, programming means for presetting said sensing elements to said selected angular positions, means for effecting extension of said sensing slide means after axial positioning of said tumblers by a proper key code pattern, a rotatable output member, and means connecting said sensing plate means and output member for rotation of said output member in response to extension of said plate means.

Claim 41

A sensor unit according to claim 36 wherein: said retaining means comprise locking slide means supported on said frame for locking said sensing elements against rotation by movement of said locking slide means to retracted locking position and releasing said sensing elements for rotation by movement of said locking slide means to extended releasing position, and means for extending and retracting said locking slide means and retaininG the latter slide means in locking position.

Claim 42

A sensor unit according to claim 37 wherein: said programming means comprise key lock actuated means for extending said locking slide means to release said sensing elements for rotation, and means for rotating said sensing elements to select predetermined angular positions.

Claim 43

A sensor unit according to claim 1 including: means for normally concealing said rotatable elements and exposing said latter elements when desired, and means for automatically releasing said retaining means and altering the settings of said rotatable elements to erase the code pattern programmed into the sensor unit when said rotatable elements are exposed.

Claim 44

A sensor unit according to claim 20 wherein: said latch key when in latching position permits slight rotation of said handle, said output means comprises a movable output member connected to said sensing means in a manner such that extension of said sensing means drives said output member in a given output motion, and said means for effecting extension and retraction of said sensing means comprises first means for urging said sensing means to extended position, said means opposing said first means to retain said sensing means in retracted position, and means operable by slight rotation of said handle for reducing the opposing force of said second means to permit extension of said sensing means by said first means.

Claim 45

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said rotatable element of each element pair has relatively angularly displaced transverse slots for receiving the other element of the respective element pair to permit extension of said sensing means in selected angular positions of the respective rotatable element and axial positions of the respective tumbler element.

Claim 46

A sensor unit according to claim 41 wherein: each rotatable element has a shoulder between its adjacent slots to block relative movement of the other element of the respective element pair from one slot to another.

Claim 47

A sensor unit according to claim 1 wherein: said key code pattern is a magnetic code pattern, said tumbler elements are magnetic elements which are magnetically positioned axially in accordance with said magnetic code pattern, and said sensor unit includes means for producing magnetic forces on said tumbler elements opposing the magnetic forces between adjacent tumbler elements.

Claim 48

A sensor unit according to claim 43 wherein: the magnetic forces between adjacent tumbler elements are repelling forces, and said opposing force producing means comprise magnetically permeable elements between the adjacent tumbler elements.

Claim 49

A sensor unit according to claim 43 wherein: the magnetic forces between adjacent tumbler elements are attracting forces, and said opposing force producing means comprise magnets between the adjacent tumbler elements.

Claim 50

For use in a sensor unit of the character described: a tumbler sensing element rotatably positionable about its longitudinal axis, said element having at least a pair of axially spaced transverse slots selectively receiving a portion of a tumbler and separated by an intervening shoulder, and said slots having bottom walls, respectively, which are angularly displaced about said longitudinal axis.

Claim 51

For use in a sensor unit of the character described: a tumbler sensing element rotatably positionable about its longitudinal axis, said element having at least a pair of axially spaced transverse slots selectively receiving a portion of a tumbler and separated by an intervening shoulder, and said slots having bottom walls, respectively, which are angularly displaced about said longitudinal axis.