US3926019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking system
Assignee: EUGENE H CLEMENT HI GENE LAUND
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Filing: 1974-03-15
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A locking system which may be attached to a coin operated appliance for protecting money being stored in a compartment of the system from unauthorized removal. The locking system includes a housing which may be secured to the appliance. Coins inserted into the housing are transported to a compartment which is releasably secured to the housing. A solenoid lock mechanism fastened to the housing has a movable plug member which passes through a wall member of the compartment to secure the compartment to the housing until the solenoid lock mechanism is actuated. Upon actuation of the solenoid, the plug member is retracted from the compartment and the compartment may be removed from the housing. The solenoid is actuated by a switching device which includes a pair of contact blocks having a multiplicity of positionally alignable contacts. When the proper contacts are mated, a circuit coupled to a power source is completed and the solenoid is actuated to release the compartment. If the power source is turned off or the proper contacts are not mated to each other, the compartment remains secured to the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert J Mazeika
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:22
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00658; G07C9/00706; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5093; Y10T70/5128; Y10T70/60; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7051; Y10T70/7062; Y10T70/7124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A locking system comprising: (a) a housing having a frontal and rear portions; (b) a compartment member insertable within said frontal portion of said housing; (c) mechanical lock means mounted to said compartment member, said mechanical lock means having a latch member insertable within said frontal portion of said housing for capturing said compartment member within said housing when said mechanical lock means is in a locked position; (d) solenoid lock means being secured to said housing, said solenoid lock means having a plug member retractably insertable through a floor member of said compartment member until said solenoid lock means is actuated; and (e) switch means for actuating said solenoid lock means independent of said mechanical lock means, said switch means including a pair of contact blocks, each of said contact blocks having a plurality of positionally alignable contacts to complete a circuit coupled to a power source for actuating said solenoid lock means when said contact blocks are contiguously mated each to the other, said switch means mounted in said rear portion of said housing in remote positional relation to said mechanical lock means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A locking system comprising: (a) a housing having a frontal and rear portions; (b) a compartment member insertable within said frontal portion of said housing; (c) mechanical lock means mounted to said compartment member, said mechanical lock means having a latch member insertable within said frontal portion of said housing for capturing said compartment member within said housing when said mechanical lock means is in a locked position; (d) solenoid lock means being secured to said housing, said solenoid lock means having a plug member retractably insertable through a floor member of said compartment member until said solenoid lock means is actuated; and (e) switch means for actuating said solenoid lock means independent of said mechanical lock means, said switch means including a pair of contact blocks, each of said contact blocks having a plurality of positionally alignable contacts to complete a circuit coupled to a power source for actuating said solenoid lock means when said contact blocks are contiguously mated each to the other, said switch means mounted in said rear portion of said housing in remote positional relation to said mechanical lock means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The locking system as recited in claim 1 wherein said switch means includes: a. a first contact block electrically connected and secured to said solenoid lock means; and b. a second contact block being removable from said locking system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The locking system as recited in claim 2 wHerein said first contact block includes at least two of said contacts being electrically connected to said solenoid lock means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The locking system as recited in claim 3 wherein at least two of said first contact block contacts are electrically connected each to the other by a resistance element having a predetermined resistance value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The locking system as recited in claim 3 wherein said second contact block includes at least two of said second block contacts being electrically connected each to the other and contactable with said electrically connected first block contacts for completing said circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The locking system as recited in claim 3 wherein said second block contacts are contactable to said first block contacts in a predetermined respective orientation in order to complete said circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The locking system as recited in claim 1 wherein said plug member of said solenoid lock means constrains motion of said compartment member inserted within said housing when said power source is decoupled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The locking system as recited in claim 7 wherein said plug member of said solenoid lock means constrains motion of said compartment member inserted within said housing when said circuit is electrically open.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The locking system as recited in claim 1 wherein said plug member is inserted through a wall of said compartment member for securing said compartment member to said housing when said solenoid lock means is de-energized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The locking system as recited in claim 9 wherein said plug member is retracted from said wall of said compartment member when said solenoid lock means is actuated.
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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |