Keyless insertion locking system and method
AssigneeDeWalch Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJames Michael Holcomb, Norman Binz DeWalch, Tyler Dean Todd, II
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention, in a non-limiting example embodiment provides a locking apparatus and method for securing locking hardware without the use of a key. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least a keyless insertion rotatable disk-style, barrel locking apparatus that, in a locked state can be inserted into a securing device without first unlocking, and then, thereafter, locking after insertion. In a nonlimiting example embodiment, unlocking and re-locking requires a key. The present invention, in an example embodiment, also provides features that allow the locking apparatus to enter and exit multiple apertures without requiring a key.
Claims20
A method for installing a barrel lock in electric utility locking hardware, the method comprising:
- providing a barrel lock comprising a body and a retractable locking member, wherein the retractable locking member comprises an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the retractable locking member is in the extended position;
- inserting the barrel lock in hardware capable of receiving the barrel lock, wherein the barrel lock is not in the hardware prior to the inserting;
- exerting an external force in a first direction directly by the hardware on the retractable locking member during the inserting;
- biasing the retractable locking member to oppose the exerting an external force;
- and
- causing the locking member to retract to the retracted position into the body so as to allow insertion of the barrel lock into the hardware.
A locking apparatus for use with electric utility locking hardware, the apparatus comprising:
- a barrel lock insertable into electric utility locking hardware, the barrel lock comprising a body comprising a head portion and a shaft portion, and further comprising at least one retractable locking member, and a biasing member configured to bias the at least one retractable locking member, wherein the retractable locking member comprises an extended position and a retracted position, the biasing member biasing the retractable locking member to the extended position;
- wherein the electric utility locking hardware is configured for receiving the barrel lock, and wherein the barrel lock is not in the electric utility locking hardware prior to inserting the barrel lock into the electric utility locking hardware;
- wherein an external force may be exerted in a first direction directly by the electric utility locking hardware on the at least one retractable locking member during the inserting, the biasing member biasing the retractable locking member to oppose exerting an external force;
- and
- wherein the at least one retractable locking member is retractable to the retracted position into the body when the external force is exerted in a first direction directly by the electric utility locking hardware on the at least one retractable locking member so as to allow insertion of the barrel lock into the electric utility locking hardware.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.