Pivoting magnet security latch
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorMatthew S. Hill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking module (42) for selectively coupling a first component and a second component of a lockable device (20) includes a housing (44) and a locking element (62) movably connected to said housing (44) between a locked position and an unlocked position. A rotatable shaft (46) including a magnet (70) extends into said housing (44). The shaft (46) has an opening (66) complementary to a portion of said locking element (62). A biasing mechanism (64) is coupled to said locking element (62) to bias said locking element (62) towards said locked position. In said unlocked position, said locking element (62) is positioned within said opening (66) in said shaft (46).
Claims17
A locking module for selectively coupling a first component and a second component of a lockable device comprising:
- a housing;
- a locking element movably connected to said housing between a locked position and an unlocked position;
- a rotatable shaft including a magnet extending into said housing, said shaft having an opening complementary to a portion of said locking element;
- a biasing mechanism coupled to said locking element to bias said locking element towards said locked position;
- wherein in said unlocked position, said locking element is positioned within said opening in said shaft.
A locking assembly comprising:
- a first locking module for selectively locking a first component to a second component;
- a second locking module for selectively locking a third component to said second component;
- and
- a mechanism associated with both said first locking module and said second locking module, said mechanism being controllable to operate said first locking module and said second locking module independently.
A method of operating a locking module of a lockable device comprising:
- operating a mechanism in response to a user input;
- rotating a shaft associated with said locking module about an axis between a first position and a second position;
- moving said locking element from a locked position to an unlocked position;
- and
- retaining said locking element in said unlocked position via application of a magnetic field.
A method of operating a locking assembly comprising:
- providing a first locking module associated with a first component;
- providing a second locking module associated with a second component;
- providing a mechanism associated with both said first locking module and said second locking module;
- operating said mechanism in a first mode in response to a user input to unlock said first locking module;
- and
- operating said mechanism in a second mode in response to a user input to unlock said second locking module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.