US3857262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic locking mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-08
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1993-02-08
Abstract
Abstract Steel pins of a locking mechanism are pivotally mounted in a casing on a supporting element and are biased by permanent magnets toward a rest position in which they hold an apertured lock element at a distance from the supporting element and thereby keep a latch attached to the apertured element in its locking position. When deflected from the rest position by more effective magnets on an inserted key, the locking pins enter the apertures of the apertured lock element, and thereby permit the latter to approach the supporting element, thereby withdrawing the latch from its locking position.
Inventors
- 👤 K Sidiropoulos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:42
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B47/00; E05B47/0038; E05B47/0041; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/40; Y10T70/413; Y10T70/437; Y10T70/446; Y10T70/452; Y10T70/463; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7051; Y10T70/7057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A locking mechanism comprising, in combination: a. a casing; b. a first locking element fixedly fastened in said casing; c. a second locking element guided in said casing for movement relative to said first element, 1. one of said elements being formed with a plurality of apertures directed toward the other element; d. a plurality of elongated pin members of magnetically susceptible material mounted on the other element for movement between respective operative and rest positions, 1. said pin members, when in said operative position, being longitudinally directed toward said apertures and entering respective ones of said apertures when said second element approaches said first element, 2. said pin members, when in said rest positions, being out of alignment with said apertures and limiting movement of said second element toward said first element in a position in which said pin members are outside said apertures; e. first magnetic means fixedly mounted on said other element and biasing said pin members toward said rest positions thereof; f. a key carrying a plurality of second magnetic means; and g. guide means on said casing for guiding said key toward and away from an unlocking position in which said second magnetic means bias said pin members toward the operative positions thereof with a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force of said first magnetic means; and h. latching means operatively connected to said second locking element for simultaneous movement therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A locking mechanism comprising, in combination: a. a casing; b. a first locking element fixedly fastened in said casing; c. a second locking element guided in said casing for movement relative to said first element, 1. one of said elements being formed with a plurality of apertures directed toward the other element; d. a plurality of elongated pin members of magnetically susceptible material mounted on the other element for movement between respective operative and rest positions, 1. said pin members, when in said operative position, being longitudinally directed toward said apertures and entering respective ones of said apertures when said second element approaches said first element, 2. said pin members, when in said rest positions, being out of alignment with said apertures and limiting movement of said second element toward said first element in a position in which said pin members are outside said apertures; e. first magnetic means fixedly mounted on said other element and biasing said pin members toward said rest positions thereof; f. a key carrying a plurality of second magnetic means; and g. guide means on said casing for guiding said key toward and away from an unlocking position in which said second magnetic means bias said pin members toward the operative positions thereof with a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force of said first magnetic means; and h. latching means operatively connected to said second locking element for simultaneous movement therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means generate respective fields in said pin members when said key is in said unlocking position thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
said pin members, when in said rest positions, being out of alignment with said apertures and limiting movement of said second element toward said first element in a position in which said pin members are outside said apertures; e. first magnetic means fixedly mounted on said other element and biasing said pin members toward said rest positions thereof; f. a key carrying a plurality of second magnetic means; and g. guide means on said casing for guiding said key toward and away from an unlocking position in which said second magnetic means bias said pin members toward the operative positions thereof with a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force of said first magnetic means; and h. latching means operatively connected to said second locking element for simultaneous movement therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
said pin members, when in said rest positions, being out of alignment with said apertures and limiting movement of said second element toward said first element in a position in which said pin members are outside said apertures; e. first magnetic means fixedly mounted on said other element and biasing said pin members toward said rest positions thereof; f. a key carrying a plurality of second magnetic means; and g. guide means on said casing for guiding said key toward and away from an unlocking position in which said second magnetic means bias said pin members toward the operative positions thereof with a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force of said first magnetic means; and h. latching means operatively connected to said second locking element for simultaneous movement therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein said fields are transverse to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein said latching means are connected to said one locking element for simultaneous movement therewith relative to said other element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein said members constitute at least one pair of pin members, and said first magnetic means include a single permanent magnet member associated with the pin members of each pair for biasing the associated pin members toward the respective rest positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first magnetic means include a permanent magnet member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein said magnet member has an axis transverse to the direction of elongation of said associated pin member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 7, wherein said second magnetic means each include a permanent magnet member having an axis, the magnet members of said second magnet means being associated with respective pin members, when in said unlocking position, and having respective axes extending in the direction of elongation of the associated pin members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first element is said other element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanism as set forth in claim 9, wherein said pin members are mounted on said first element for pivotal movement between said positions thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |