Electro-mechanical lock assembly
AssigneeStar Lock Systems, Inc.
InventorWoodrow C. Stillwagon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electro-mechanical lock release assembly for an enclosure such as a vending machine and including an electronic lock controller for disengaging a lock assembly securing the door of the enclosure against the enclosure frame in a closed, locked position. The lock controller is actuated remotely through a key controller to disengage the lock assembly and enable the door of the enclosure to be moved to an open position for accessing the enclosure.
Claims17
An electronic lock release for unlocking a door of an enclosure, comprising:
- a locking assembly including a post, a T-handle for rotating said post, a lock housing defining a longitudinal passage adapted to receive a portion of said post therethrough, and a locking element housed in said T-handle and movable into locking engagement with said lock housing for securing the door in a locked position;
- a release mechanism mounted adjacent said locking assembly for disengaging said locking element from locking engagement within said housing to enable said T-handle to rotate said post within said lock housing to open the locked enclosure;
- wherein said release mechanism includes:
- a lock controller including an actuator automatically actuatable in response to a control signal for controlling the release of said locking element to permit rotation of said post within said lock housing, a key controller remotely transmitting the control signal indirectly through the enclosure to said lock controller, and
- a release element positioned adjacent said locking assembly and moveable between an engaging position and a non-engaging position by said actuator for disengaging said locking element of said locking housing to permit rotation of said post to unlock the door of the enclosure.
A lock release apparatus for securing a door to a door frame of an enclosure, comprising:
- a lock assembly having a post, a T-handle rotatably mounted to the door and having a locking element movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a lock housing mounted to the door frame and positioned to support said post therethrough whereby said locking element is urged into engagement with said lock housing to obstruct post rotation and to secure the door to the door frame in a locked position;
- an electronic lock control system including an actuator for causing said locking element to be released and enable said post to be rotated in said lock housing and a key controller capable of remotely communicating with said lock controller for transmitting a control signal indirectly through the enclosure to said lock controller;
- and
- a lock release mechanism mounted adjacent said lock assembly and having a release element adapted to engage and urge said locking element into a release position disengaged from said lock housing upon actuation of said actuator.
A method of unlocking a door releasibly secured to a frame of an enclosure, comprising:
- remotely transmitting a control command from a key controller indirectly through the enclosure to a lock controller;
- energizing an actuator for a locking assembly for the door;
- as the actuator is energized, moving a release element positioned adjacent the locking assembly into engagement with a locking element of the locking assembly;
- moving the locking element to an unlocked position with the release element, disengaged from a lock housing mounted to the frame of the enclosure;
- and
- disengaging the locking assembly and opening the door of the enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.