US4038846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic combination lock
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-24
•
Granted: 1977-08-02
•
Expires: 1995-10-24
Abstract
Abstract This electronic combination lock is operated by depressing the proper combination of pushbuttons mounted on the faceplate of a circular handle, then rotating the handle to open the bolt. The pushbuttons are held outwardly by radially extending spring wires within the handle that also provide electrical connection, when a pushbutton is depressed, to inclined contacts mounted to the rear of the faceplate. Electrical leads extend through a hollow shaft connected to the handle. The bolt is restrained in the locked position by a magnetically actuated locking pin which projects into a bore in the bolt. The shaft is connected to the bolt by a spring. When the proper pushbuttons are selected, electrical circuitry disclosed herein actuates the magnet, removing the pin and permitting the bolt to be opened by handle rotation. If the wrong combination is depressed, an alarm signal is produced, the magnet is not actuated, and rotation of the handle expands the spring without moving the bolt.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Klann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:03
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00658; G07C9/00674; G07C9/0069; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/096; Y10T292/1014; Y10T292/102; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5093; Y10T70/5155; Y10T70/5199; Y10T70/5372; Y10T70/5385; Y10T70/5389; Y10T70/5496; Y10T70/55; Y10T70/5611; Y10T70/5757; Y10T70/5765; Y10T70/5805; Y10T70/581; Y10T70/5814; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7051; Y10T70/7062; Y10T70/7068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
365 words
A lock, comprising: a bolt moveable in the housing between a locking position and an open position, a solenoid having a pin insertable into a bore in said bolt so as to prevent said bolt from moving from said locking position, said solenoid pin being removeable from said bore to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, a moveable member, connected by a spring to said bolt, so that movement of said member imparts opening movement to said bolt when said solenoid pin is removed, and wherein like movement of said member causes expansion of said spring without imparting motion to said bolt when said bolt is restrained in said locking position by said inserted solenoid pin, said moveable member including a shaft mounted for rotation, an arm affixed to one end of said shaft and attached to said spring, and a handle mounted to the other end of said shaft, an electronic combination lock for providing a current to actuate said solenoid and thereby remove said solenoid pin from said bore when the proper combination is selected, said lock having combination selection switches mounted on said handle, said handle including a disc-shaped faceplate and a cylindrical skirt at the periphery of said faceplate, there being a plurality of pushbuttons disposed in a circle on said faceplate, a like plurality of spring wires extending radially from adjacent the center of said faceplate, rearwardly thereof, in spoke-like array, the outer end of each of said spring wires being connected to a respective one of said pushbuttons, said spring wires thereby maintaining said pushbuttons in an outwardly projecting position, a like plurality of inclined contacts affixed to the rear of said faceplate, each being radially aligned with a respective one of said spring wires and positioned between the respective pushbutton and said faceplate center, so that upon depression of any pushbutton the spring wire associated therewith will be deflected rearward of said faceplate into electrical connection with the associated contact, and electrical circuitry means connecting all of said spring wires and each of said contacts to said electronic combination lock so that said lock is actuated upon depression of the proper subset of said pushbuttons.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
365 words
A lock, comprising: a bolt moveable in the housing between a locking position and an open position, a solenoid having a pin insertable into a bore in said bolt so as to prevent said bolt from moving from said locking position, said solenoid pin being removeable from said bore to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, a moveable member, connected by a spring to said bolt, so that movement of said member imparts opening movement to said bolt when said solenoid pin is removed, and wherein like movement of said member causes expansion of said spring without imparting motion to said bolt when said bolt is restrained in said locking position by said inserted solenoid pin, said moveable member including a shaft mounted for rotation, an arm affixed to one end of said shaft and attached to said spring, and a handle mounted to the other end of said shaft, an electronic combination lock for providing a current to actuate said solenoid and thereby remove said solenoid pin from said bore when the proper combination is selected, said lock having combination selection switches mounted on said handle, said handle including a disc-shaped faceplate and a cylindrical skirt at the periphery of said faceplate, there being a plurality of pushbuttons disposed in a circle on said faceplate, a like plurality of spring wires extending radially from adjacent the center of said faceplate, rearwardly thereof, in spoke-like array, the outer end of each of said spring wires being connected to a respective one of said pushbuttons, said spring wires thereby maintaining said pushbuttons in an outwardly projecting position, a like plurality of inclined contacts affixed to the rear of said faceplate, each being radially aligned with a respective one of said spring wires and positioned between the respective pushbutton and said faceplate center, so that upon depression of any pushbutton the spring wire associated therewith will be deflected rearward of said faceplate into electrical connection with the associated contact, and electrical circuitry means connecting all of said spring wires and each of said contacts to said electronic combination lock so that said lock is actuated upon depression of the proper subset of said pushbuttons.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
328 words
A lock, comprising: a bolt moveable in a housing between a locking position and an open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, said restraining means comprising a solenoid mounted to said housing and having a pin normally inserted into a bore in said bolt, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself moveable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, and unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, said unlatching means comprising an electronic combination lock having a set of switches and circuitry for providing an actuating current to said solenoid so as to cause removal of said pin from said bore and thereby release said bolt when a certain subset of said switches are operated, and wherein the axis of said pin is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of said bolt, the end of said pin being tapered, together with manual bolt opening means comprising: a cavity in said bolt communicating with said bore so that said pin tapered end projects into said cavity, said bore also being tapered, and an opening from said cavity to the exterior of said bolt, and a rod extending through said opening and having an enlarged end section within said cavity, said end section having a tapered shoulder adapted to engage the tapered end of said pin so as to wedge said pin out of said cavity and bore as said rod is pulled manually in a direction outwardly of said opening to open said bolt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
328 words
A lock, comprising: a bolt moveable in a housing between a locking position and an open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, said restraining means comprising a solenoid mounted to said housing and having a pin normally inserted into a bore in said bolt, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself moveable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, and unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, said unlatching means comprising an electronic combination lock having a set of switches and circuitry for providing an actuating current to said solenoid so as to cause removal of said pin from said bore and thereby release said bolt when a certain subset of said switches are operated, and wherein the axis of said pin is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of said bolt, the end of said pin being tapered, together with manual bolt opening means comprising: a cavity in said bolt communicating with said bore so that said pin tapered end projects into said cavity, said bore also being tapered, and an opening from said cavity to the exterior of said bolt, and a rod extending through said opening and having an enlarged end section within said cavity, said end section having a tapered shoulder adapted to engage the tapered end of said pin so as to wedge said pin out of said cavity and bore as said rod is pulled manually in a direction outwardly of said opening to open said bolt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
270 words
A lock comprising: a bolt movable in a housing between a locking position and an open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, said restraining means comprising a restraining member insertable into a recess in said bolt, and an electromagnet for magnetically removing said restraining member from said recess when energized, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself movable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, and unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, said unlatching means including an electronic combination lock for providing a current to energize said electromagnet and thereby remove said restraining member and release said bolt when the proper combination is selected, together with manual bolt opening means comprising; a groove in said bolt opening into said recess on the other side of said restraining member from said electromagnet, and a removal assembly pivotally attached to said bolt and including a pin received in said other groove and a handle, pivoting of said assembly causing said pin to remove said restraining member from said recess to release said bolt, translation of said handle and assembly then moving said bolt to the open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
270 words
A lock comprising: a bolt movable in a housing between a locking position and an open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, said restraining means comprising a restraining member insertable into a recess in said bolt, and an electromagnet for magnetically removing said restraining member from said recess when energized, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself movable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, and unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, said unlatching means including an electronic combination lock for providing a current to energize said electromagnet and thereby remove said restraining member and release said bolt when the proper combination is selected, together with manual bolt opening means comprising; a groove in said bolt opening into said recess on the other side of said restraining member from said electromagnet, and a removal assembly pivotally attached to said bolt and including a pin received in said other groove and a handle, pivoting of said assembly causing said pin to remove said restraining member from said recess to release said bolt, translation of said handle and assembly then moving said bolt to the open position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A lock according to claim 3 wherein said recess is an inclined groove, wherein said bolt slides in a channel having an opening beneath said electromagnet, said inclined groove being aligned beneath said opening when said bolt is in the locking position, and where said restraining member normally rests on the inclined surface of said inclined groove between opposing sides faces of said opening and said groove so as to prevent sliding of said bolt, said restraining member being magnetically attracted out of said inclined groove upon energization of said electromagnet to release said bolt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
245 words
A lock comprising: a bolt moveable in a housing between a locking position and and open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself moveable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, and unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, and wherein said isolated motion imparting means comprises; a moveable member, a stiff wire attached to said moveable member, and a peg projecting from said bolt, said peg having a hole therethrough, the diameter of said hole being slightly larger than the diameter of said wire, said wire extending through said hole, there being sufficient friction between said wire and the inner surface of said hole so that when said member is moved said wire will pull said peg and bolt to the open position when said bolt is released, said wire sliding through said hole without pulling said peg and bolt when said member is moved while said bolt is restrained in the locking position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
245 words
A lock comprising: a bolt moveable in a housing between a locking position and and open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself moveable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, and unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, and wherein said isolated motion imparting means comprises; a moveable member, a stiff wire attached to said moveable member, and a peg projecting from said bolt, said peg having a hole therethrough, the diameter of said hole being slightly larger than the diameter of said wire, said wire extending through said hole, there being sufficient friction between said wire and the inner surface of said hole so that when said member is moved said wire will pull said peg and bolt to the open position when said bolt is released, said wire sliding through said hole without pulling said peg and bolt when said member is moved while said bolt is restrained in the locking position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
216 words
A lock comprising: a bolt moveable in a housing between a locking position and an open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself moveable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, and unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, and wherein said isolated motion imparting means comprises; a moveable member, a permanent magnet mounted to said member, and a peg projecting from said bolt, said peg being magnetically connected to said permanent magnet so that movement of said member and permanent magnet will impart motion to said peg and bolt when said bolt is not released, said permanent magnet sliding past said peg but not imparting motion to said peg and bolt when said member is moved while said bolt is restrained in the locking position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
216 words
A lock comprising: a bolt moveable in a housing between a locking position and an open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself moveable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, and unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, and wherein said isolated motion imparting means comprises; a moveable member, a permanent magnet mounted to said member, and a peg projecting from said bolt, said peg being magnetically connected to said permanent magnet so that movement of said member and permanent magnet will impart motion to said peg and bolt when said bolt is not released, said permanent magnet sliding past said peg but not imparting motion to said peg and bolt when said member is moved while said bolt is restrained in the locking position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
302 words
A lock, comprising: a bolt movable in a housing between a locking position and an open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself movable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, said isolated motion imparting means including a movable handle mounted on one side of a structure to which said lock is affixed, said bolt and said restraining means being mounted to the other side of said structure, a shaft connected to said handle and extending through said structure, a spring situated on said other side of said structure and connected between said shaft and said bolt, so that movement of said handle imparts opening movement to said bolt when said restraining means is released, and wherein like movement of said handle causes expansion of said spring without imparting motion to said bolt when said bolt is restrained, unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, said unlatching means including an electromagnet component for releasing said restraining means, a set of pushbuttons and electronic lock circuitry for energizing said electromagnetic component and thereby releasing said restraining means when a certain subset of said pushbuttons is depressed, and manual release means, carried by said bolt, for manually releasing said restraining means from said bolt and for directly, concurrently imparting opening movement to said bolt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
302 words
A lock, comprising: a bolt movable in a housing between a locking position and an open position, restraining means for preventing said bolt from moving from said locking position, said restraining means being releasable to permit movement of said bolt to said open position, isolated motion imparting means for moving said bolt from said locking position to said open position when said restraining means is released, said motion imparting means being itself movable but mechanically isolated from said bolt so that no motion is imparted to said bolt when said motion imparting means is moved while said bolt is restrained in said locking position, said isolated motion imparting means including a movable handle mounted on one side of a structure to which said lock is affixed, said bolt and said restraining means being mounted to the other side of said structure, a shaft connected to said handle and extending through said structure, a spring situated on said other side of said structure and connected between said shaft and said bolt, so that movement of said handle imparts opening movement to said bolt when said restraining means is released, and wherein like movement of said handle causes expansion of said spring without imparting motion to said bolt when said bolt is restrained, unlatching means for selectively releasing said restraining means to permit said bolt to be moved to said open position by said motion imparting means, said unlatching means including an electromagnet component for releasing said restraining means, a set of pushbuttons and electronic lock circuitry for energizing said electromagnetic component and thereby releasing said restraining means when a certain subset of said pushbuttons is depressed, and manual release means, carried by said bolt, for manually releasing said restraining means from said bolt and for directly, concurrently imparting opening movement to said bolt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
145 words
A lock according to claim 7 together with; a faceplate, each of said pushbuttons being slideably mounted in a respective recess in said faceplate, a spring wire for each pushbutton, one end of said spring wire being affixed to said faceplate, the other end of said spring wire extending through a hole in a respective pushbutton, said spring wire biasing said pushbutton to the undepressed position, and an inclined contact for each pushbutton affixed to said faceplate in alignment with the central portion of a respective spring wire between said one end and the respective pushbutton, so that depression of the respective pushbutton will deflect said spring wire into wiping electrical connection with said inclined contact, said spring wire urging said pushbutton back to said undepressed position in which said spring wire is not in electrical connection with said contact upon release of said pushbutton.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lock according to claim 8 wherein said faceplate and pushbuttons are unitary with said handle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A lock according to claim 8 wherein said faceplate is mounted in said handle and is circular, wherein said pushbuttons are arranged in a circle, and wherein all of said spring wire one ends are affixed to said faceplate near the center thereof, with said spring wires extending in a spoke-like radial arrangement.
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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) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |