Water resistant keycard reader assembly for an electronic lock
AssigneeComputerized Security Systems, Inc.
InventorsErnst Mitchell, Bryan Urben, Charles Moon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic lock includes a keycard sensing assembly which interacts with a keycard sensing switch surface mounted to a circuit board. The keycard sensing assembly is located adjacent a rear of a keycard slot such that when a key card is fully inserted into the keycard slot, the keycard activates the keycard sensing assembly. Such an arrangement permits a significant portion of the circuit board to be potted within a potting compound such that the keycard reader becomes essentially waterproof. Such a construction permits the insertion of a wet or damp keycard without concern for water damage to the keycard sensing assembly.
Claims38
An electronic keycard reader assembly comprising:
- a circuit board mounted adjacent a keycard slot;
- a keycard sensing switch mounted to said circuit board;
- and
- a switch activator assembly mounted adjacent said keycard slot, said keycard activator assembly operable to actuate said keycard sensing switch in response to receipt of a keycard within said keycard slot.
An electronic keycard reader assembly comprising:
- a housing having a light transmitting housing portion;
- a keycard sensing switch mounted adjacent a keycard slot defined by said housing;
- and
- a switch activator assembly mounted to said housing opposite a keycard opening of said keycard slot, said keycard activator assembly operable to actuate said keycard sensing switch in response to receipt of a keycard within said keycard slot.
An electronic keycard reader assembly comprising:
- a housing having a light transmitting housing portion;
- a circuit board potted to said housing with a light transmitting potting compound;
- a light source mounted to said circuit board, said light source at least partially illuminates said keycard slot through said light transmitting housing portion.
An electronic keycard reader assembly comprising:
- a circuit board mounted adjacent a keycard slot;
- and
- a keycard sensing switch mounted to said circuit board said keycard sensing switch including a switch button actuator which faces away from said keycard slot.
A method of sensing insertion of a keycard into a keycard slot comprising the steps of:
- (1) biasing a switch activator away from a keycard sensing switch;
- (2) overcoming the bias of the switch activator in response to insertion of a keycard;
- and
- (3) pivoting the switch activator into contact with the keycard sensing switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.