Lock mechanism for securing a lockable volume
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsDonald E. Irwin, Nan K. McKenzie, William A. Tartal, Victoria K. Stephen, Michael J. Amato
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lock and method of locking a lockable volume is described. The lock may be located on a door of a lockable volume, such as a locker configured to hold an item. The lock may comprise a post and a cam, the cam having an opening corresponding to the size and shape of the post. The cam is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotation of the cam about the axis releasably secures the post within the opening, thereby locking the door to which the post is attached.
Claims27
A lock comprising:
- a post, which comprises:
- a shaft;
- a neck connected to the shaft, the neck having a first diameter;
- and
- a head, connected to the neck, the head having a second diameter,
- wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter;
- and
- a rolling cam having an opening formed in a first surface, wherein the first surface comprises an opening configured to receive the neck and the head of the post, and a securing portion configured to secure the neck and head of the post;
- wherein the rolling cam rotates about an axis of rotation to selectively secure the post.
A locking system comprising:
- a door comprising a post, the post comprising:
- a shaft;
- a neck connected to the shaft, the neck having a first diameter;
- and
- a head, connected to the neck, the head having a second diameter,
- wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter, and wherein the post extends from the door;
- and
- a lockable volume having a wall, the door being moveably attached to the lockable volume;
- a rolling cam attached to the wall of the lockable volume, the rolling cam having an opening formed in a first surface, wherein the first surface comprises an opening configured to receive the neck and the head of the post, and a securing portion configured to secure the neck and head of the post;
- and
- wherein the opening comprises a curved edge configured to contact the neck or the head of the post, and wherein the rolling cam rotates about an axis of rotation from an open to a closed position while the neck or head of the post is in contact with the curved edge, wherein the contact between the curved edge and the neck or head of the post causes the neck or head of the post to move into the securing portion;
- and
- wherein, when the rolling cam rotates into the closed position, the door is securely locked.
A method of securing a door with a lock, the method comprising:
- moving a door, the door comprising a post, from a first position to a second position, wherein, in the second position, the post is received in an opening in a surface of a cam, disposed in a wall;
- and
- rotating the cam about an axis of rotation from a first position to a second position such that the opening in the surface of the cam secures the post and draws the door toward the wall, and prevents the door from being moved to the first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.