Alignment-related operation and position sensing of electronic and other locks and other objects

An apparatus comprising an alignment assistance system for a lock assembly which is for locking a first object to a second object, the first and second objects being movable relative to each other, the lock assembly comprising a fastener which is for being installed on the first object and for being operable to engage the second object in an aligned state in which the fastener is aligned with the second object, to lock the first and second objects together in the aligned state;

• wherein the first and second objects are for being positioned so that in the aligned state, the first object is movable relative to the second object in at least two opposite directions;
• wherein the alignment assistance system comprises magnetic material in the first and second objects, the magnetic material being arranged so that at least when the first and second objects are in a vicinity of the aligned state, the magnetic material urges the first and second objects into the aligned state, and when the first and second objects are in the aligned state, then the magnetic material resists the first and second objects moving out of the aligned state in any one of the two opposite directions;
• wherein the magnetic material comprises at least three magnets each of which is located in one of the first and second objects, each of the first and second objects comprising at least one of the magnets;
• wherein the magnets are arranged so that in the aligned state, at least two of the magnets in one of the first and second objects repel at least one of the magnets on the other one of the first and second objects to simultaneously force the first object into both of the two opposite directions relative to the second object.

A method comprising operating a lock assembly for providing access, wherein the lock assembly is for locking a first object to a second object, the first and second objects being movable relative to each other, the lock assembly comprising a fastener installed on the first object and operable to engage the second object in an aligned state in which the fastener is aligned with the second object, to lock the first and second objects together in the aligned state;

• wherein access is not provided in the aligned state;
• wherein access is operable to be provided in at least a first state of the first and second objects, the first state being a non-aligned state;
• wherein in the aligned state, the first object is movable relative to the second object in at least a first direction and a second direction opposite from the first direction;
• wherein movement from the aligned state in the first direction leads to the first state, wherein movement from the first state back in the second direction causes a return to the aligned state;
• wherein the alignment assistance system comprises magnetic material in the first and second objects, the magnetic material being arranged so that at least when the first and second objects are in a vicinity of the aligned state, the magnetic material urges the first and second objects into the aligned state, and when the first and second objects are in the aligned state, then magnetic forces induced by the magnetic material resist the first and second objects moving out of the aligned state in any one of the first and second directions;
• the method comprising urging at least one of the first and second objects towards the aligned state, the urging being performed by the magnetic material in the first and second objects.

A method comprising operating a lock assembly which is for locking a first object to a second object, the first and second objects being movable relative to each other, the lock assembly comprising a fastener installed on the first object and operable to engage the second object in an aligned state in which the fastener is aligned with the second object, to lock the first and second objects together in the aligned state;

• wherein in the aligned state, the first object is movable relative to the second object in at least two opposite directions;
• wherein the alignment assistance system comprises magnetic material in the first and second objects, the magnetic material being arranged so that at least when the first and second objects are in a vicinity of the aligned state, the magnetic material urges the first and second objects into the aligned state, and when the first and second objects are in the aligned state, then the magnetic material resists the first and second objects moving out of the aligned state in any one of the two opposite directions;
• the method comprising urging at least one of the first and second objects towards the aligned state, the urging being performed by the magnetic material in the first and second objects;
• wherein the magnetic material comprises at least three magnets each of which is located in one of the first and second objects, each of the first and second objects comprising at least one of the magnets;
• wherein the magnets in the aligned state, at least two of the magnets in one of the first and second objects repel at least one of the magnets on the other one of the first and second objects to simultaneously force the first object into both of the two opposite directions relative to the second object.