Vending-machine lock with motor-controlled slide-bar and hook mechanism
AssigneeTriTeq Lock and Security, LLC
InventorsWilliam Denison, Gary Myers, Richard Paeth, Catalin Captarencu, Calin Roatis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a reversible motor to drive a slide and hook locking mechanism. The motor can drive the slide via a worm gear, in which case the worm drive is coupled to the slide through a crankshaft-type connection. Alternatively, the slide is gear-driven or connected using a push-pull cable or rod. An electronic control with a microcomputer interface controls the motor and may be operated by a keypad or by a remote wireless device.
Claims36
A locking system wherein a door is locked and unlocked to a cabinet, the locking system comprising in combination:
- a sliding mechanical linkage having locked and unlocked positions;
- a motor carried either by the door or by the cabinet;
- the motor rotatably connected to the linkage;
- and
- a controller for driving the motor to slide the linkage from the locked to the unlocked position.
A method of unlocking a door to a cabinet wherein a mechanical slide is carried by either the door or by the cabinet, and wherein a mechanical linkage moves the slide for unlocking the door, the method comprising:
- providing a motor with an electronic motor controller to drive the mechanical linkage between a force-resisting locked position and an open position;
- and
- powering the motor to drive the linkage thereby unlocking the slide.
A locking system for vending machines wherein a door is locked and unlocked to a cabinet on which the door is pivotally mounted, the locking system comprising in combination:
- a slide carried either by the door or by the cabinet;
- a mechanical linkage for moving the slide for unlocking the door from the cabinet;
- a motor for driving the mechanical linkage from a force-resisting locked position to an open position;
- and
- a motor controller for operating the motor to drive the mechanical linkage to unlock the slide between the door and the cabinet.
A locking system for safes wherein a door is locked and unlocked to a cabinet on which the door is pivotally mounted, the locking system comprising in combination:
- a slide carried either by the door or by the cabinet;
- a mechanical linkage for moving the slide for locking and unlocking the door with the cabinet;
- a motor rotatably connected for driving the mechanical linkage to a force-resisting locked position and an open position;
- and
- an electronic motor controller for operating the motor to drive the mechanical linkage to lock and unlock the slide between the door and the cabinet.
A method of unlocking a door to a cabinet comprising:
- providing a rotational force generator carried by either the door or the cabinet;
- connecting a mechanical force converter to the rotational force generator for converting rotational force to a linear drive force;
- attaching the mechanical force converter to a latch mechanism operable to slide between a locked and an unlocked position;
- and
- controllably driving the latch mechanism from the locked to the unlocked position.
A method of locking a door to a cabinet comprising:
- providing a rotational force generator carried by either the door or the cabinet;
- connecting a mechanical force converter to the rotational force generator for converting the rotational force to a linear drive force;
- attaching the mechanical force converter to a latch mechanism operable to slide between an unlocked and a locked position;
- and
- controllably driving the latch mechanism from the unlocked to the locked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.