US3576536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic code permutation locking apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-04-05
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Granted: 1971-04-27
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Expires: 1988-04-05
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to electronic combination locks for operating an electromechanical apparatus, such as a door latch or ignition lock, when in its operative condition. It comprises a plurality of selectable operators digit switches which when operated in a predetermined sequence will switch the lock to its operative condition. A number of bistable or on-off devices are provided with each connected to a predetermined one of the selectable operators switches for operation to a first condition upon operation of its associated operators switch in the sequence and to the other condition upon subsequent operation. A multiple switch and/or logic component is connected to the plurality of bistable devices for sensing a predetermined pattern of conditions from the bistable devices indicative of the last digit of the sequence. A further device is responsive to the sensing means, when sensing the predetermined pattern, to render the lock operative for operating the electromechanical device. Switching means is provided for supplying power to operate the lock, and it is a two position device for supplying power in one of its conditions of operation only, which condition is established by proper selection of one of the operators switches. Reset means are provided for interconnecting the on-off or bistable devices and switching means to interrupt the power when anyone of the operators switches is operated out of the sequence, and a timing circuit is provided similarly to cut off the power to the bistable devices through the switching means after a predetermined interval of time. If the lock has been actuated, power is established over a separate line to the load and once operated is thus not further affected by the switching means or timing circuit until released.
Inventors
- 👤 James G Wolfe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:09
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00658; G07C9/00674; G07C9/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
An electronic combination lock, for operating an electromechanical means, when in its operative condition and having a normally nonoperative condition, comprising in combination a plurality of selectable operators digit switches which when operated in a predetermined sequence will switch the lock to its operative condition; a number of bistable means each connected to a different one of the selectable operators switches for operation to one condition upon operation of the associated operators switches in said sequence and to the other condition upon subsequent operation; means interconnecting said bistable means for operation in accordance with binary sequencing; output circuits for each bistable means to provide outputs indicative of the condition of operation; multiple switching means connected to the output circuits of the plurality of bistable means for preselecting the number of operators switches to be operated in the sequence to render said lock operative; sensing means connected to the multiple switching means and responsive thereto to sense a predetermined pattern of conditions in accordance with binary code therefrom indicative of the last digit of said sequence; means responsive to the sensing means when sensing said predetermined pattern to render the lock operative for operating the electromechanical means; switching means for supplying power to operate the lock, said switching means comprising two position operating means for supplying power in one of its conditions of operation; and reset means interconnecting the operators switches to the two position means to interrupt the power when one of the operators switches is operated out of said sequence. 2. The lock of claim 1 wherein the bistable means and the switching means comprise multivibrators.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lock of claim 1 wherein the switching means comprises a monostable multivibrator including timing means for resetting it, and the reset means are connected to reset the multivibrator independently of the timing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The lock of claim 1 further comprising circuit connections from the switching means to each bistable means to establish a predetermined set of operating conditions among the bistable means upon operation of the switching means to its one condition of operation, and said switching means being operated to said one condition of operation by actuation of its associated operators switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The lock of claim 4 wherein said switching means comprises a power lead connected from a source of power to the bistable means, a series gate connected in the lead to open and close it, said switching means further comprising a multivibrator for closing the series gate when in said one condition of operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The lock of claim 5 wherein said power lead is connected to the electromechanical means, and said means responsive to the sensing means comprises shunting means connected to the power lead for diverting energy from the electromechanical means until said predetermined pattern of conditions is sensed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electronic lock having an operative condition and a normally nonoperative condition and adapted to be placed in its operative condition by operation of a plurality of selectable operators means in a predetermined sequence, comprising in combination a number of multivibrator stages each connected to a different selectable operators means for operation to a first condition upon subsequent operation, means interconnecting Said stages for operation in accordance with binary sequencing, sensing means collectively responsive to the on-off means to sense a predetermined pattern of conditions therefrom conforming to a binary code, means responsive to the sensing means when sensing said predetermined pattern to render the lock operative, switching means for supplying power to operate the lock, and reset means interconnecting the respective operators means with the switching means to interrupt the power whenever an operators means is operated out of said sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electronic lock having an operative condition and a normally nonoperative condition and adapted to be placed in its operative condition by operation of a plurality of selectable operators means in a predetermined sequence, comprising in combination a number of multivibrator stages each connected to a different selectable operators means for operation to a first condition upon subsequent operation, means interconnecting Said stages for operation in accordance with binary sequencing, sensing means collectively responsive to the on-off means to sense a predetermined pattern of conditions therefrom conforming to a binary code, means responsive to the sensing means when sensing said predetermined pattern to render the lock operative, switching means for supplying power to operate the lock, and reset means interconnecting the respective operators means with the switching means to interrupt the power whenever an operators means is operated out of said sequence.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The lock of claim 7 further comprising a source of power connected to the switching means and to the operators means, said on-off means comprising bistable multivibrators, and said operators means comprising switches whereby closure of one of the switches applies a pulse to at least one of: the switching means and at least one of the multivibrators.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The lock of claim 8 wherein the sensing means comprises a logical circuit responsive to only one set of conditions of operation of the bistable multivibrators to actuate the means responsive thereto, and means for selecting said one set of conditions as the predetermined pattern from a plurality of patterns available from operation of the bistable multivibrators.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electronic permutation lock comprising binary counting means, switching means for connecting a source of power to the binary counting means, a plurality of operators switches, circuits interconnecting the operators switches with individual stages of the binary counting means to cause the latter sequentially to count when the operators switches are operated in a predetermined sequence, output circuits from the binary counting means, sensing means comprising a logic circuit responsive to a predetermined pattern of outputs selected from a binary code from the output circuits, load actuating means operated by the sensing means when the logic circuit senses the predetermined pattern, and reset circuits connected between the operators switches and the switching means to disconnect the source of power whenever an operators switch is operated out of said predetermined sequence.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electronic permutation lock comprising binary counting means, switching means for connecting a source of power to the binary counting means, a plurality of operators switches, circuits interconnecting the operators switches with individual stages of the binary counting means to cause the latter sequentially to count when the operators switches are operated in a predetermined sequence, output circuits from the binary counting means, sensing means comprising a logic circuit responsive to a predetermined pattern of outputs selected from a binary code from the output circuits, load actuating means operated by the sensing means when the logic circuit senses the predetermined pattern, and reset circuits connected between the operators switches and the switching means to disconnect the source of power whenever an operators switch is operated out of said predetermined sequence.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lock of claim 10 wherein the binary counting means comprise a plurality of bistable multivibrators.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The lock of claim 11 wherein the switching means comprises a multivibrator and a series gate, said gate being connected between the power source and the bistable multivibrators, and said multivibrator being connected to open and close the gate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lock of claim 12 wherein the load actuating means comprise electromechanical operating means connected across the power source, and shunting means for normally diverting energy from the operating means, said logic circuit opening the shunting means when the predetermined pattern is sensed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The lock of claim 10 further comprising an alarm circuit including an alarm connected for actuation from the reset circuits, the alarm circuit comprising storage means responsive to each error occasioned by operating the operators switches out of the predetermined sequence, and means for selecting a number of errors at the storage means to operate the alarm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The lock of claim 10 wherein the sensing means comprises multiple switching means connecting the output circuits to the logic circuit, and means at the multiple switching means for selecting the number of digits in the permutation to determine the predetermined pattern.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lock of claim 15 further comprising battery storage means, and rectifiers connecting the battery means across the power source to receive trickle charge during normal operation and to serve as emergency power when the power source fails.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-26 | 1974-10-26 | 1975-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-26 | 1978-10-26 | 1979-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-26 | 1982-10-26 | 1983-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |