Electric lock

Claim 2

A lock actuating mechanism comprising: a housing having outer walls defining a chamber; a key having a predetermined pattern of protrusions thereon; a key receiving member having a keyway therein adapted to receive said key, said receiving member being movably mounted within said housing for moving said key between first and second positions within said chamber; a set of unlock contacts positioned within said housing to be engaged by said protrusions of said key whenever said key is in said second position; a set of alarm contacts being between said key and said unlock set of contacts whenever said key is in said first position; said alarm set of contacts being positioned within said housing in a predetermined pattern related to said unlock set of contacts in such a manner that only a key having the same predetermined pattern of protrusions as said key will move from said first position to said second position without engaging at least one of said alarm set of contacts; a first electrical circuit connected to said unlock set of contacts; a second electrical circuit including an alarm therein connected to said alarm set of contacts; and a timing mechanism in said first circuit and connected to said alarm, said timing mechanism being actuated by connection of one of said unlock contacts to ground and being adapted to actuate said alarm in said second circuit whenever said predetermined number of said unlock contacts are not grounded within a predetermined interval of time after one of said unlock contacts are grounded.

Claim 3

A lock actuating mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said key receiving member is rotatably mounted within said housing.

Claim 4

A mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said first electrical circuit includes an electrically actuated power means adapted to be actuated whenever said key engages a predetermined number of said contacts.

Claim 5

A lock mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said key is made from an electrically conductive material, said first circuit being adapted to remain in an open circuit condition until said key engages said predetermined number of said first contacts.

Claim 6

A lock mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said first and second sets of contacts comprise a plurality of elongated contact members, each of said contact members having a distal end, said second set of contacts being approximately superimposed in covering relation over said first set of contacts so as to leave only said distal ends of said contact members of said first set exposed to said key.

Claim 7

A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said second set of contacts are superimposed over said first set of contacts in covering relationship thereto so as to expose only a portion of each of said first contacts to said key as said key moves from said first to said second positions.

Claim 8

A mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said first set of contacts includes a plurality of spaced apart metallic fingers arranged in approximately the same plane and having exposed end portions not covered by said second set of contacts, said first and second contacts being arranged in facing relationship and being separated by a layer of dielectric material.

Claim 9

A lock actuating mechanism comprising: a housing having outer walls defining a chamber; a pass key having a predetermined pattern of protrusions thereon; a master key having a second predetermined pattern of protrusions thereon; a key receiving member having a keyway therein adapted to receive said keys, said receiving member being rotatably mounted within said housing for moving said keys between first, second and third positions within said chamber; a first set of contacts positioned within said housing to be engaged by said protrusions of said pass key whenever said pass key is in said second position; a second set of contacts positioned within said housing in a predetermined pattern related to said first set of contacts in such a manner that only a key having the same predetermined pattern of protrusions as said pass key will move from said first position to said second position without engaging at least one of said second set of contacts; a third set of contacts positioned within said housing to be engaged by the protrusions of said master key whenever said master key is turned to said third position; a fourth set of contacts positioned within said housing in a predetermined pattern related to said third set of contacts in such a manner that only a key having the same predetermined pattern of protrusions as said master key will move from said first position to said third position without engaging at least one of said fourth set of contacts; a first electrical circuit connected to said first and third sets of contacts; a second electrical circuit connected to said second and fourth sets of contacts.

Claim 10

A lock actuating mechanism comprising: a housing having outer walls defining a chamber; a pass key having a predetermined pattern of protrusions thereon; a master key having a second predetermined pattern of protrusions thereon; a key receiving member having a keyway therein adapted to receive said keys, said receiving member being rotatably mounted within said housing for moving said keys between first, second and third positions within said chamber; a first set of contacts positioned within said housing to be engaged by said protrusions of said pass key whenever said pass key is in said second position; a second set of contacts positioned within said housing in a predetermined pattern related to said first set of contacts in such a manner that only a key having the same predetermined pattern of protrusions as said pass key will move from said first position to said second position without engaging at least one of said second set of contacts; a third set of contacts positioned within said housing to be engaged by the protrusions of said master key whenever said master key is turned to said third position; a fourth set of contacts positioned within said housing in a predetermined pattern related to said third set of contacts in such a manner that only a key having the same predetermined pattern of protrusions as said master key will move from said first position to said third position without engaging at least one of said fourth set of contacts; a first electrical circuit connected to said first and third sets of contacts; a second electrical circuit connected to said second and fourth sets of contacts.

Claim 11

A lock actuating mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said first & second sets of contacts are mounted on a pass key contact assembly and said third and fourth sets of contacts are mounted on a master key contact assembly, said contact assemblies being detachably mounted within said housing.

Claim 12

A lock actuating mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said contact assemblies each include a block member and said housing includes a pair of longitudinal grooves for slidably receiving said block members.

Claim 13

A lock actuating mechanism according to claim 9 wherein pass ward means are within said housing for preventing said master key from moving to said second position and master ward means are within said housing for preventing said pass key from moving to said third position.

Claim 14

An electric lock comprising: first and second sets of flexible, electrical contacts, the contacts of said first set being electrically insulated from each other; an easily duplicated pass key having protrusions thereon for engaging each of said contacts in said first set and engaging none of said contacts in said second set; first circuit means electrically connected to each of said contacts in said first set and responsive thereto for producing a first output signal upon engagement of a predetermined number of said first contacts by said protrusions; and second circuit means electrically connected to each of said contacts in said second set and responsive thereto for producing a second output signal upon engagement of any of said second contacts; a reset circuit electrically connected to said first and second circuits and being adapted to be actuated to shut off said second output signal, said reset circuit having a counter therein for sensing and counting repeated successive engagements between said key and said predetermined number of said first contacts, said counter being responsive to a predetermined number of said successive engagements to actuate said reset circuit.

Claim 15

An electric lock comprising: first and second sets of flexible, electrical contacts, the contacts of said first set being electrically insulated from each other; an easily duplicated pass key having protrusions thereon for engaging each of said contacts in said first set and engaging none of said contacts in said second set; first circuit means electrically connected to each of said contacts in said first set and responsive thereto for producing a first output signal upon engagement of a predetermined number of said first contacts by said protrusions; and second circuit means electrically connected to each of said contacts in said second set and responsive thereto for producing a second output signal upon engagement of any of said second contacts; a reset circuit electrically connected to said first and second circuits and being adapted to be actuated to shut off said second output signal, said reset circuit having a counter therein for sensing and counting repeated successive engagements between said key and said predetermined number of said first contacts, said counter being responsive to a predetermined number of said successive engagements to actuate said reset circuit.

Claim 16

An electric lock comprising: first and second sets of flexible, electrical contacts, the contacts of said first set being electrically insulated from each other; an easily duplicated pass key having protrusions thereon for engaging each of said contacts in said first set and engaging none of said contacts in said second set; first circuit means electrically connected to each of said contacts in said first set and responsive thereto for producing a first output signal upon engagement of a predetermined number of said first contacts by said protrusions; second circuit means electrically connected to each of said contacts in said second set and responsive thereto for producing a second output signal upon engagement of any of said second contacts; alarm means connected to said second circuit means; timing means within said first circuit means and said second circuit means for timing the interval of time between initial engagement of said key with at least one of said first set of contacts and engagement of said key with said predetermined number said first set of contacts, said timing means being connected to said alarm means for actuation thereof whenever said time interval exceeds a predetermined length of time.

Claim 17

An electric lock comprising: first and second sets of flexible, electrical contacts, the contacts of said first set being electrically insulated from each other; an easily duplicated pass key having protrusions thereon for engaging each of said contacts in said first set and engaging none of said contacts in said second set; first circuit means electrically connected to each of said contacts in said first set and responsive thereto for producing a first output signal upon engagement of a predetermined number of said first contacts by said protrusions; second circuit means electrically connected to each of said contacts in said second set and responsive thereto for producing a second output signal upon engagement of any of said second contacts; alarm means connected to said second circuit means; timing means within said first circuit means and said second circuit means for timing the interval of time between initial engagement of said key with at least one of said first set of contacts and engagement of said key with said predetermined number said first set of contacts, said timing means being connected to said alarm means for actuation thereof whenever said time interval exceeds a predetermined length of time.

Claim 18

An electric lock comprising: a lock housing; easily duplicated pass and master keys, each having protrusions thereon; pass and master key contact arrays mounted within said housing and adapted, respectively, for engagement by one but not the other of said keys, each contact array comprising a set of unlock electrical contacts adapted for engagement by said protrusions on said keys, said contacts being insulated from each other, a set of alarm electrical contacts disposed proximate said unlock contacts but insulated therefrom; a rotatable key guide located within said housing and adapted to receive said keys; unlock circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an unlock signal upon insertion and rotation of one of said keys so as to engage a predetermined number of said unlock contacts in one of said arrays; and alarm circuit means electrically connected to at least one of said alarm contacts for producing an alarm signal upon engagement thereof.

Claim 19

An electric lock comprising: a lock housing; easily duplicated pass and master keys, each having protrusions thereon; pass and master key contact arrays mounted within said housing and adapted, respectively, for engagement by one but not the other of said keys, each contact array comprising a set of unlock electrical contacts adapted for engagement by said protrusions on said keys, said contacts being insulated from each other, a set of alarm electrical contacts disposed proximate said unlock contacts but insulated therefrom; a rotatable key guide located within said housing and adapted to receive said keys; unlock circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an unlock signal upon insertion and rotation of one of said keys so as to engage a predetermined number of said unlock contacts in one of said arrays; and alarm circuit means electrically connected to at least one of said alarm contacts for producing an alarm signal upon engagement thereof.

Claim 20

An electric lock according to claim 14 further including timing circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts in an array for producing an alarm signal if the time elapsed between the engagement of one unlock contact and all unlock contacts in said array exceeds a predetermined limit.

Claim 21

An electric lock according to claim 14 wherein the alarm contacts in an array substantially but not completely cover the unlock contacts in that array.

Claim 22

An electric lock according to claim 14 further including counter circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts in an array for producing an alarm reset signal upon engagement of said predetermined number of said unlock contacts in said array a predetermined number of times.

Claim 23

An electric lock comprising: a lock housing; an easily duplicated key having protrusions thereon; a set of flexible, electrical unlock contacts mounted in said housing and adapted for direct engagement by said protrusions, said contacts being insulated from each other; a set of flexible, electrical alarm contacts mounted in said housing and disposed proximate said unlock contacts but insulated therefrom; a rotatable key guide located within said housing and adapted to receive said key; unlock circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an unlock signal upon insertion and rotation of said key so as to directly engage a predetermined number of said unlock contacts; alarm circuit means electrically connected to at least one of said alarm contacts for producing an alarm signal upon engagement thereof; and timing circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an alarm signal if the time elapsed between the engagement of one unlock contact and said predetermined number of unlock contacts exceeds a predetermined limit.

Claim 24

An electric lock comprising: a lock housing; an easily duplicated key having protrusions thereon; a set of flexible, electrical unlock contacts mounted in said housing and adapted for direct engagement by said protrusions, said contacts being insulated from each other; a set of flexible, electrical alarm contacts mounted in said housing and disposed proximate said unlock contacts but insulated therefrom; a rotatable key guide located within said housing and adapted to receive said key; unlock circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an unlock signal upon insertion and rotation of said key so as to directly engage a predetermined number of said unlock contacts; alarm circuit means electrically connected to at least one of said alarm contacts for producing an alarm signal upon engagement thereof; and timing circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an alarm signal if the time elapsed between the engagement of one unlock contact and said predetermined number of unlock contacts exceeds a predetermined limit.

Claim 25

An electric lock comprising: a lock housing; an easily duplicated key having protrusions thereon; a set of flexible, electrical unlock contacts mounted in said housing and adapted for direct engagement by said protrusions, said contacts being insulated from each other; a set of flexible, electrical alarm contacts mounted in said housing and disposed proximate said unlock contacts but insulated therefrom; a rotatable key guide located within said housing and adapted to receive said key; unlock circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an unlock signal upon insertion and rotation of said key so as to directly engage a predetermined number of said unlock contacts; alarm circuit means electrically connected to at least one of said alarm contacts for producing an alarm signal upon engagement thereof; and counter circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an alarm reset signal upon engagement of said predetermined number of said unlock contacts a predetermined number of times.

Claim 26

An electric lock comprising: a lock housing; an easily duplicated key having protrusions thereon; a set of flexible, electrical unlock contacts mounted in said housing and adapted for direct engagement by said protrusions, said contacts being insulated from each other; a set of flexible, electrical alarm contacts mounted in said housing and disposed proximate said unlock contacts but insulated therefrom; a rotatable key guide located within said housing and adapted to receive said key; unlock circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an unlock signal upon insertion and rotation of said key so as to directly engage a predetermined number of said unlock contacts; alarm circuit means electrically connected to at least one of said alarm contacts for producing an alarm signal upon engagement thereof; and counter circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an alarm reset signal upon engagement of said predetermined number of said unlock contacts a predetermined number of times.

Claim 27

An electric lock comprising: a lock housing; early duplicated pass and master keys, each having protrusions thereon; easily removable pass and master key contact arrays mounted within said housing and adapted, respectively, for engagement by one but not the other of said keys, each contact array comprising a set of unlock electrical contacts adapted for engagement by said protrusions on said keys, said contacts being insulated from each other, a set of alarm electrical contacts disposed proximate said first set but insulated therefrom; a rotatable key guide located within said housing and adapted to receive said keys; unlock circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an unlock signal upon insertion and rotation of one of said keys so as to engage a predetermined number of the unlock contacts in one of said arrays; alarm circuit means electrically connected to at least one of said alarm contacts for producing an alarm signal upon engagement thereof; timing circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts in an array for producing an alarm signal if the time elapsed between the engagement of one unlock contact and said predetermined number of unlock contacts in said array exceeds a predetermined limit; and counter circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts in an array for producing an alarm reset signal upon engagement of said predetermined number of said unlock contacts in said array a predetermined number of times.

Claim 28

An electric lock comprising: a lock housing; early duplicated pass and master keys, each having protrusions thereon; easily removable pass and master key contact arrays mounted within said housing and adapted, respectively, for engagement by one but not the other of said keys, each contact array comprising a set of unlock electrical contacts adapted for engagement by said protrusions on said keys, said contacts being insulated from each other, a set of alarm electrical contacts disposed proximate said first set but insulated therefrom; a rotatable key guide located within said housing and adapted to receive said keys; unlock circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts for producing an unlock signal upon insertion and rotation of one of said keys so as to engage a predetermined number of the unlock contacts in one of said arrays; alarm circuit means electrically connected to at least one of said alarm contacts for producing an alarm signal upon engagement thereof; timing circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts in an array for producing an alarm signal if the time elapsed between the engagement of one unlock contact and said predetermined number of unlock contacts in said array exceeds a predetermined limit; and counter circuit means electrically connected to each of said unlock contacts in an array for producing an alarm reset signal upon engagement of said predetermined number of said unlock contacts in said array a predetermined number of times.