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US 8,474,289 B2Granted
Locking systems
AssigneeSouthern Company Services, Inc.
InventorArnold Cory Solomon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are various embodiments of locking systems that include a barrel lock. The barrel lock is configured to damage, deface, and/or capture a key that is inserted into the barrel lock. Additionally, some embodiments include a locking mechanism adapter that can allow the locking mechanism to be operated by a key if the user has knowledge about the properties of the barrel lock.
Claims18
A locking system, comprising:
- a cylindrical barrel lock having a first end with an aperture, the cylindrical barrel lock having an inner shaft;
- at least one locking ball aperture configured to accept at least one respective locking ball, the at least one locking ball aperture extending through the inner shaft and positioned along a surface of the cylindrical barrel lock, the at least one locking ball configured to extend through the at least one locking ball aperture;
- a locking mechanism configured to cause the at least one respective locking ball to be positioned in a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking mechanism rigidly coupled to a threaded aperture;
- and
- an inner sleeve positioned within the inner shaft, the inner sleeve configured to accept a target key in the inner shaft via the aperture, wherein a first end of the inner sleeve is positioned adjacent to the aperture;
- a bait device positioned adjacent to a second end of the inner sleeve, the bait device comprising a bait plunger configured to be engaged by a gripping mechanism of the target key, wherein the bait device comprises at least one of a ferromagnetic and a paramagnetic material, wherein the inner sleeve is configured with a first circumference allowing insertion of the target through the inner sleeve to engage the bait device, the first circumference being less than a circumference of the gripping mechanism upon engagement of the gripping mechanism with the bait plunger, the bait device further being positioned between the threaded aperture and the aperture on the first end of the cylindrical barrel lock;
- wherein
- the threaded aperture is configured to engage an adapter pin inserted through the inner sleeve, the adapter pin having a first end that is compatible with the threaded aperture and a second end configured to engage another key exterior to the inner sleeve and adjacent to the first end of the inner sleeve.
5 more elements
A locking system, comprising:
- a cylindrical barrel lock having a first end with an aperture, the cylindrical barrel lock having an inner shaft;
- at least one locking ball aperture configured to accept at least one respective locking ball, the at least one locking ball aperture extending through the inner shaft and positioned along a surface of the cylindrical barrel lock, the at least one locking ball configured to extend through the at least one locking ball aperture;
- a locking mechanism configured to cause the at least one respective locking ball to be positioned in a locked position and an unlocked position;
- and
- a key disabling device positioned within the inner shaft, the key disabling device configured to perform at least one of:
- disabling of a target key inserted into the aperture or capturing of the target key inserted into the aperture, the key disabling device further comprising:
- an inner sleeve positioned within the inner shaft, the inner sleeve configured to accept the target key in the inner shaft via the aperture, wherein a first end of the inner sleeve is positioned adjacent to the aperture;
- and
- a bait device positioned adjacent to a second end of the inner sleeve, the bait device configured to be engaged by a gripping mechanism of the target key;
- wherein
- the inner sleeve is configured with a first circumference that is less than a second circumference associated with the gripping mechanism when the gripping mechanism engages the bait device.
8 more elements
A locking system, comprising:
- a cylindrical barrel lock having a first end with an aperture, the cylindrical barrel lock having an inner shaft;
- at least one locking ball aperture configured to accept at least one respective locking ball, the at least one locking ball aperture extending through the inner shaft and positioned along a surface of the cylindrical barrel lock, the at least one locking ball configured to extend through the at least one locking ball aperture;
- a locking mechanism configured to cause the at least one respective locking ball to be positioned in a locked position and an unlocked position;
- and
- a key disabling device positioned within the inner shaft, the key disabling device configured to perform at least one of:
- disabling of a target key inserted into the aperture or capturing of the target key inserted into the aperture, wherein the key disabling device further comprises an aperture configured to accept a first key and a key defacing mechanism configured to damage at least a portion of the first key upon insertion of the first key into the inner shaft, the key defacing mechanism further comprises a lock nut positioned in the inner shaft, the lock nut concave relative to the first end of the cylindrical barrel lock, the lock nut further having an aperture circumference similar to a first key circumference, wherein the lock nut is configured to allow insertion of the key through the lock nut and restrict extraction of the key from the lock nut.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.