US 6,116,066 AGranted

Electronic input and dial entry lock

OwnerKlaus W. Gartner, Dieter Butterweck +1inventors

InventorsKlaus W. Gartner, Dieter Butterweck, Peter J. Phillips

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Abstract

An electronic combination lock having a dial-shape handle with a keypad incorporated therein is disclosed. Rotation of the handle extends or retracts a bolt that closes or opens the lock. The keypad includes indicia that give the user visual cues as to the orientation of the handle, thereby informing the user of the extended or retracted condition of the bolt. A battery pack is used to energize circuitry that recognizes a code entered through the keypad. The circuitry provides a control signal that activates a solenoid to extend or retract a bolt blocking device, which in turn prevents or enables movement of the bolt. A visual indicator warns of a low voltage or power condition in the battery pack. Electrical contacts are provided in the face plate of the handle to connect the circuitry to an external power source in case the battery pack fails.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A combination lock mounted to a door, comprising:

a rotatable handle, the rotatable handle being unbiased and movable between a first orientation which indicates that the lock is in a locked state and a second orientation which indicates that the lock is in an unlocked state;
a keypad mounted on the rotatable handle;
a bolt movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the bolt being unbiased and permanently operably connected to the rotatable handle such that the bolt moves linearly in response to any substantial rotational movement of the handle;
a blocking device movable between a blocking position which prevents substantial movement of the bolt and the rotatable handle and a non-blocking position which does not prevent movement of the bolt and rotatable handle, the blocking device being biased to the blocking position and only movable into the blocking position when the rotatable handle is in the first orientation;
and
a controller operably connected to the keypad and blocking device, the controller producing a signal in response to a series of keypad inputs that corresponds to a predetermined combination;
wherein the blocking device is moved from the blocking position to the non-blocking position in response to the signal from the controller;
wherein the combination lock is adapted to be mounted to the door, and the rotatable handle comprises a back including at least two curved mounting slots, each curved mounting slot having a cantilevered finger biased to extend into the slot and defining a large opening at an end of the slot, whereby a screw attaching the rotatable handle to the door passes through the large opening and slides along the slot past the cantilevered finger during mounting;
wherein the screw is slidingly coupled to the slot such that the screw slides along the slot when the rotatable handle is moved between the first orientation and the second orientation for opening the door;
wherein the door comprises a planar, exterior-facing surface and a planar, interior-facing surface, and the bolt and the blocking device are disposed on the planar, interior-facing surface.

7 more elements

An electronic combination lock and electronic key pad disposed on the face of the electronic combination lock, comprising;

a first assembly having a rotatable handle with the electronic keypad and an indicia disposed on a face of the rotatable handle, the rotatable handle being unbiased and movable between a first orientation whereby the indicia indicates that the lock is in a locked state and a second orientation whereby the indicia indicates that the lock is in an unlocked state;
wherein the first assembly being mounted on a planar, exterior-facing surface of a closure member such that the first assembly is accessible when the closure member is closed;
a second assembly having a locking mechanism including a bolt movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the bolt being unbiased and operably connected to the rotatable handle such that the bolt is moved in response to any substantial movement of the rotatable handle;
wherein the second assembly being mounted on a planar, interior-facing surface of the closure member such that second assembly is inaccessible when the closure member is closed;
shaft means for penetrating the closure remember such that a first end of the shaft is coupled to the first assembly and a second end of the shaft is coupled to the second assembly;
a means for allowing rotation of the rotating handle, the means comprising the rotatable handle having at least two curved mounting slots, each curved mounting slot having a cantilevered finger biased to extend into the slot and defining a large opening at an end of the slot, whereby a screw attaching the rotatable handle to the closure member passes through the large opening and slides along the slot past the cantilevered finger during mounting;
wherein the screw is slidingly coupled to the slot such that the screw slides along the slot when the rotatable handle is moved between the first orientation and the second orientation for opening the closure member;
and
control means for maintaining the rotatable handle in the first orientation by preventing substantial movement of the bolt until a predetermined combination is input through manipulation of the keypad and allowing the rotatable handle to rotate whenever the handle is not in the first orientation.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/627,799Filed 29 Mar 1996 · continuation
Priority: 30 Mar 1994
Granted: 12 Sep 2000
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

E05B 47/0673
Radially: with a rectilinearly moveable blocking element
E05B 41/00
Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or
E05B 47/06
Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means: controlling mechanically-operated bolts by…
G07C 9/0069
With switch-buttons: actuated in a predetermined sequence