Electronic locking system and key therefor

An electronic lock comprising:

• a shell,
• a cylindrical plug supported for rotation within said shell and having a keyway to receive the blade of a key which rotates said cylindrical plug,
• a locking pin which is movable into engagement with said cylindrical plug to prevent the rotation of said cylindrical plug and the operation of said electronic lock, an movable out of engagement with said cylindrical plug to allow the rotation of said cylindrical plug and the operation of said electronic lock,
• a solenoid core coupled to said locking pin to drive said locking pin into and out of engagement with said cylindrical plug,
• a second pin slideably supported for movement of at least a portion of said second pin into and out of said keyway,
• retention means supported for movement transversely to said solenoid core between a first position in which it is able to maintain said solenoid core in an orientation corresponding to the removal of said locking pin from said cylindrical plug and a second position in which it is not able to maintain said solenoid core in said orientation, said retention means including means responsive to the movement of said second pin or moving said retention means from said second position to said first position.

A process for operating an electronic lock having a shell, a cylindrical plug supported for rotation within said shell and having a keyway to receive the blade of a key which rotates said cylindrical plug, a first pin which is movable into engagement with the cylindrical plug to prevent the rotation of said cylindrical plug and the operation of said electronic lock, and movable out of engagement with said cylindrical plug to allow the rotation of said cylindrical plug and the operation of said electronic lock and a solenoid core coupled to said first pin to drive said first pin into and out of engagement with said cylindrical plug, said process comprising the steps of:

• positioning a second pin in said keyway,
• positioning a permanent magnet out of the path of said solenoid core,
• inserting said key blade into said keyway to move at least a portion of said second pin out of said keyway and using the movement of said second pin to drive said permanent magnet into the path of said solenoid core but with a clearance region to permit the movement of said solenoid core associated with the withdrawal of said first pin from said cylindrical plug, and
• activating said solenoid to drive said first pin out of engagement with said cylindrical plug and said solenoid core through said clearance region and into engagement with said magnet such that said magnet retains said solenoid core and maintains said first pin out of engagement with said cylindrical plug.