Electrically actuated lock for a door or similar access means

Claim 1

In an electrically actuated lock for a door or similar access means having an opening input combination of a multiple number of data bits, said lock comprising latching means for securing said door, means upon electrical stimulation thereof for withdrawing said latching means to release said door, a plurality of transfer means, one such transfer means for each data bit, each transfer means for receiving first and second inputs responsive to an actuator input and having an output responsive to both said first and second inputs, said transfer means connected in series wherein the output of one transfer means serves as an actuator input for the next transfer means, individually actuated switching means accessible to the lock user for producing a pulsed input representing a data bit, a selected one of said switching means for providing the inputs to each transfer means, and the last of said series connected transfer means associated with said withdrawing means wherein the output thereof causes said electrical stimulation of the withdrawing means and release of said door, each switching means being associated with a pulse generator and counter means for sending a selected number of input pulses to said transfer means, said selected number being equal to the number of data bits in said combination, and means for rendering the counter of said pulse generator and counter means inoperable after said selected number of pulses has been sent to said transfer means.