Patent US4287512A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4287512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Magnetic locking methods and apparatus
Assignee: Von Duprin LLC
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Filing: 1980-03-31
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 2000-03-31
Abstract
Abstract Matching components of a magnetic locking assembly are magnetically attracted into mating relationship until a predetermined magnetic flux is established in one of the components. Such established predetermined flux is monitored to detect locking power diminutions between the locking assembly components. External magnetic fields applied to the locking assembly in an attempt to counterfeit the mentioned predetermined magnetic flux may be detected and indicated for security reasons.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Marlon Combs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:30
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05C; E05C19/00; E05C19/16; E05C19/166; G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/06; E05B; E05B47/00; E05B2047/0092; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S73/00; Y10S73/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
In a method of operating a magnetic locking assembly having matching first and second magnetizable components, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: magnetically attracting said first and second components into mating relationship whereby a predetermined magnetic flux is established in one of said components; and monitoring said established predetermined flux to detect locking power diminutions between said components.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a method of operating a magnetic locking assembly having matching first and second magnetizable components, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: magnetically attracting said first and second components into mating relationship whereby a predetermined magnetic flux is established in one of said components; and monitoring said established predetermined flux to detect locking power diminutions between said components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said magnetic flux is switchable to an "off" condition for releasing one of said components from the other of said components; and said monitoring responds to a switching of the magnetic flux to said "off" condition by signaling a locking power diminution between said components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of: providing an alarm indication in response to a detected locking power diminution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said magnetic flux is switchable to an "off" condition for releasing one of said components from the other of said components; and said alarm indication is inhibited in response to a switching of the magnetic flux to said "off" condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a method of operating a magnetic locking assembly having matching first and second magnetizable components, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: providing a pair of magnetic pole faces in one of said components; magnetically attracting said first and second components into mating relationship whereby a predetermined magnetic flux is established between said pole faces; and monitoring said established predetermined flux between said pole faces to detect locking power diminutions between said components.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a method of operating a magnetic locking assembly having matching first and second magnetizable components, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: providing a pair of magnetic pole faces in one of said components; magnetically attracting said first and second components into mating relationship whereby a predetermined magnetic flux is established between said pole faces; and monitoring said established predetermined flux between said pole faces to detect locking power diminutions between said components.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said pole faces are auxiliary pole faces provided in said one component in addition to main pole faces on said one component facing the other of said components.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 or 6, including the step of: providing a magnetic isthmus in parallel to said pair of magnetic pole faces restricting said magnetic flux in magnitude.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, including the step of: monitoring said established predetermined flux by implementing a Hall effect between said pair of pole faces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, including the steps of: providing said one component with a magnetic core including a leg having a main pole face facing the other of said components; and providing said pair of pole faces in said leg.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein: said pair of pole faces are provided in an area of said leg smaller than an entire cross-section of said leg.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, 6, 9 or 10, including the step of: monitoring said established predetermined flux by implementing a Hall effect between said pair of pole faces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, 6, 9 or 10, wherein: the other of said components has a magnetic flux path discontinuity; and said pair of magnetic pole faces is laterally offset from said discontinuity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, 6, 9 or 10, including the steps of: providing a second pair of magnetic pole faces in said one component; detecting a second magnetic flux occurring between said second pair of magnetic pole faces upon application of an external magnetic field to said one component; and monitoring said detected second magnetic flux.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, including the steps of: providing in said magnetic core a second pair of magnetic pole faces; detecting a second magnetic flux occurring between said second pair of magnetic pole faces upon application of an external magnetic field to said one component; and monitoring said detected second magnetic flux.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
In apparatus for operating a magnetic locking assembly having matching first and second magnetizable components, the improvement comprising in combination: means for magnetically attracting said first and second components into mating relationship whereby a predetermined magnetic flux is established in one of said components; and means coupled to said attracting means for monitoring said established predetermined flux to detect locking power diminutions between said components.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
In apparatus for operating a magnetic locking assembly having matching first and second magnetizable components, the improvement comprising in combination: means for magnetically attracting said first and second components into mating relationship whereby a predetermined magnetic flux is established in one of said components; and means coupled to said attracting means for monitoring said established predetermined flux to detect locking power diminutions between said components.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein: said attracting means include means for rendering said magnetic flux switchable to an "off" condition for releasing one of said components from the other of said components; and said monitoring means include means responding to a switching of the magnetic flux to said "off" condition by signaling a locking power diminution between said components.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, including: means connected to said monitoring means for providing an alarm indication in response to a detected locking power diminution.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein: said attracting means include means for rendering said magnetic flux switchable to an "off" condition for releasing one of said components from the other of said components; and said alarm indication providing means include means for inhibiting said alarm indication in response to a switching of the magnetic flux to said "off" condition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
79 words
In apparatus for operating a magnetic locking assembly having matching first and second magnetizable components, the improvement comprising in combination: a pair of magnetic pole faces in one of said components; means for magnetically attracting said first and second components into mating relationship whereby a predetermined magnetic flux is established between said pole faces; and means coupled to said attracting means for monitoring said established predetermined flux between said pole faces to detect locking power diminutions between said components.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
79 words
In apparatus for operating a magnetic locking assembly having matching first and second magnetizable components, the improvement comprising in combination: a pair of magnetic pole faces in one of said components; means for magnetically attracting said first and second components into mating relationship whereby a predetermined magnetic flux is established between said pole faces; and means coupled to said attracting means for monitoring said established predetermined flux between said pole faces to detect locking power diminutions between said components.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein: said pole faces are auxiliary pole faces present in said one component in addition to main pole faces on said one component facing the other of said components.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, including: means for restricting said magnetic flux in magnitude, including a magnetic isthmus in parallel to said pair of magnetic pole faces.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein: said monitoring means include a Hall-effect device between said pair of pole faces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein: said monitoring means include a pair of oppositely oriented Hall-effect devices between said pair of pole faces.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein: said one component has a magnetic core including a leg having a main pole face facing the other of said components, and having said pair of pole faces located therein at a distance from said main pole face.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein: said pair of pole faces extend over an area of said leg smaller than an entire cross-section of said leg.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, 20, 24 or 25, wherein: said monitoring means include a Hall-effect device between said pair of pole faces.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, 20, 24 or 25, wherein: said monitoring means include a pair of oppositely oriented Hall-effect devices between said pair of pole faces.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, 20, 24 or 25, wherein: the other of said components has a magnetic flux path discontinuity; and said pair of magnetic pole faces is laterally offset from said discontinuity.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, 20, 24 or 25, including: a second pair of magnetic pole faces in said one component; means for detecting a second magnetic flux occurring between said second pair of magnetic pole faces upon application of an external magnetic field to said one component; and means connected to said detecting means for monitoring said detected second magnetic flux.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, including: a second pair of magnetic pole faces in said magnetic core; means for detecting a second magnetic flux occurring between said second pair of magnetic pole faces upon application of an external magnetic field to said magnetic core; and means connected to said detecting means for monitoring said detected second magnetic flux.
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) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |