Electromagnetic cabinet lock
OwnerJohn Gerhardt, Robert Griffithsinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A latching mechanism selectively joins two surfaces and/or objects and includes a latch and a catch. The latch includes a pivoting locking member with respect to the latch that pivots between a locked position and an unlocked position. First and second electromagnetic coils housed within the latch are selectively energized to cause pivotal movement of the locking member. The catch defines at least one pocket for receiving a portion of the locking member when the locking member is in the locked position and the latch and the catch are engaged.
Claims19
A latching mechanism for selectively joining two surfaces and/or objects comprising:
- a latch comprising:
- a locking member having a magnetic end and a locking end, wherein the locking member pivots with respect to the latch between a locked position and an unlocked position;
- a first electromagnetic coil disposed above the magnetic end of the locking member, and a second electromagnetic coil disposed below the magnetic end of the locking member, such that energizing the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil causes pivotal movement of the locking member;
- and
- a power source for selectively energizing the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil;
- and
- a catch defining at least one pocket for receiving the locking end of the locking member when the locking member is in the locked position.
A system of latching mechanisms for selectively locking at least one first object to at least one second object, the system comprising:
- a plurality of latching mechanisms each comprising:
- a latch comprising:
- a locking member having a magnetic end and a locking end, wherein the locking member pivots with respect to the latch between a locked position and an unlocked position;
- a first electromagnetic coil disposed above the magnetic end of the locking member, and a second electromagnetic coil disposed below the magnetic end of the locking member, such that energizing the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil causes pivotal movement of the locking member;
- and
- a power source for selectively energizing the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil;
- and
- a catch defining at least one pocket for receiving the locking end of the locking member when the locking member is in the locked position;
- and
- an electronic control unit configured to selectively energize the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil.
A latching mechanism, comprising:
- a latch that comprises
- a housing,
- a circuit board disposed within the housing, the circuit board comprising extensions and a secondary board disposed on the extensions, the circuit board, the extensions, and the secondary board defining a partial enclosure, and
- a locking member pivotally mounted within the housing, the locking member including a locking end, a magnetic end, and pivots disposed between the locking end and the magnetic end, the locking member being configured to pivot about the pivots;
- a first electromagnetic coil and a second electromagnetic coil, the first electromagnetic coil being disposed on the secondary board, the second electromagnetic coil being disposed on the circuit board, the magnetic end being disposed within the partial enclosure, and energizing and de-energizing of the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil causing the locking member to pivot between a locked and an unlocked position;
- and
- a catch defining at least one pocket for receiving the locking end of the locking member when the locking member is in the locked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.