US3705507A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lock controlled electric switch mechanisms
Assignee: Credit Keys Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-05-14
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Granted: 1972-12-12
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Expires: 1991-05-14
Abstract
Abstract An electric switch lock mechanism having a hollow housing with several electric switches and a number of switch actuating elements operated by cams actuated by a lock assembly rotatable in the housing, the lock assembly including several moveable wafer-like elements transversely moveable in the assembly biased some into engagement with abutments in the housing and the remainder into engagement with the cam elements, the wafer-like elements having slots in alignment axially of the assembly but of different lengths for engagement by a key of varying contour inserted therethrough axially of the assembly, the key when inserted moving the wafer-like elements to free them from the housing and enabling the key to rotate the assembly and actuate the switches through the cams and switch actuating elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Douglas Sanders
- 👤 Geoffrey Sword
- 👤 Jack William Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:23
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B35/00; E05B35/001; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7486; Y10T70/7508; Y10T70/7559; Y10T70/7588; Y10T70/7593; Y10T70/7599; Y10T70/80; Y10T70/8027; Y10T70/8054; Y10T70/8081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A lock and electric switch mechanism comprising a hollow housing, a number of electric switches secured to the housing, a number of switch actuating elements moveably mounted in the housing to make and break the switches, a rotatable lock assembly mounted for rotation in and in spaced relation to the housing wall, a number of cam elements rotatably mounted in the housing around the lock assembly with cam surfaces engageable by the switch actuating elements and operable to cause the elements to move to actuate the switches, and a number of moveable elements disposed for movement in the lock assembly transversely of the axis of rotation of the assembly and biased to move at least some for engagement with abutments in the housing and to move the rest for engagement with abutments in the cam elements, the transversely moveable lock assembly elements having slots in axial alignment and of different lengths for engagement by a key of varying contour inserted therethrough, whereby when the key is disposed in the operating position in the slots in said slotted elements these elements are moved in the lock assembly to free them from the housing to permit the assembly to rotate and rotate the cam elements to actuate the switches through the switch actuating elements in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A lock and electric switch mechanism comprising a hollow housing, a number of electric switches secured to the housing, a number of switch actuating elements moveably mounted in the housing to make and break the switches, a rotatable lock assembly mounted for rotation in and in spaced relation to the housing wall, a number of cam elements rotatably mounted in the housing around the lock assembly with cam surfaces engageable by the switch actuating elements and operable to cause the elements to move to actuate the switches, and a number of moveable elements disposed for movement in the lock assembly transversely of the axis of rotation of the assembly and biased to move at least some for engagement with abutments in the housing and to move the rest for engagement with abutments in the cam elements, the transversely moveable lock assembly elements having slots in axial alignment and of different lengths for engagement by a key of varying contour inserted therethrough, whereby when the key is disposed in the operating position in the slots in said slotted elements these elements are moved in the lock assembly to free them from the housing to permit the assembly to rotate and rotate the cam elements to actuate the switches through the switch actuating elements in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the housing is barrel shaped and the lock assembly comprises a cylindrical plug engageable in circular recesses at each end of the barrel, and the barrel at one end of the plug has an aperture through which a key is inserted and moved axially through the slotted elements to an actuating position therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the cams are in the form of rings rotatable round the plug and each in radial register with one of the locking elements and axially separated by spacer elements fast with the housing, each ring being in radial alignment with one of the switch actuating elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A mechanism according to claim 3 wherein each cam ring has a radial cam surface extending radially outwards of the ring and a radial recess, whereby on rotation each ring allows the switch actuating element to engage the recess or the cam surface moves the switch actuating element radially outwards.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein each switch actuating element comprises a plunger slidable in a guide in the housing with respect to its switch contact elements and is biased to engage the cam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the slotted elements are shaped for operation with a number of keys all of which have to be employed in the operating position for actuating of the lock.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-12 | 1976-06-12 | 1976-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-12 | 1980-06-12 | 1980-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-12 | 1984-06-12 | 1984-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |