Magnetic captive key switch lock
OwnerRobert E. Wintringhaminventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cylinder and plug type lock mechanism drivingly connects an authorized key to the actuator of a switch device and captivates the key when turning the switch on. A magnetic latch activated in the captive position of the key, prevents return of the key to its release position. A magnetic release element is positioned on the key against the lock mechanism to disengage the magnetic latch.
Claims9
In combination with a lock mechanism having a tubular housing and a plug angularly displaceable by an authorized key from a release position in which said key is received in a keyway formed in the plug to a captive position in which the key cannot be withdrawn from the keyway, means for releasably preventing withdrawl of said key from the lock mechanism, comprising latch means automatically activated in response to positioning of the plug in the captive position for preventing angular displacement of the plug by said key to the release position, and release means operatively positioned in non-rotative relation on the key in the captive position of the plug for magnetically releasing the latch means to permit displacement of the plug to the release position.
In combination with an operating mechanism actuated through a lock mechanism by an authorized key in response to angular displacement thereof from an inactive position to an actuated position, said lock mechanism receiving said key in the inactive position and captivating the key in the actuated position, magnetic latch means automatically activated in the actuated position of the key for preventing return of the key to the inactive position and magnetic release means non-rotatively positioned on the key for disengaging the magnetic latch means in the actuated position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.