초록 ▼

A lock assembly for a vending machine is provided for locking and unlocking a movable door of the vending machine with a remotely controlled electronic latching mechanism. The lock assembly includes at least one keeper assembly disposed on the door of the vending machine and at least one latching me

A lock assembly for a vending machine is provided for locking and unlocking a movable door of the vending machine with a remotely controlled electronic latching mechanism. The lock assembly includes at least one keeper assembly disposed on the door of the vending machine and at least one latching mechanism disposed within the interior of the vending machine and positioned for selective interaction and engagement with the keeper assembly when the door is moved between open, intermediate, and closed positions. When the door is moved from the open position toward the intermediate position, the latching mechanism captures the keeper assembly. Once captured, the latching mechanism is then withdrawn within the vending machine to pull the door into the closed position wherein a gasket disposed between the door and the vending machine is substantially uniformly compressed and sealed around its periphery. The lock assembly is also provided with a remote control unit which provides instructions to the electronic circuitry of the locking mechanism. For example, when the door is in the closed position, the door may be opened by transmitting a remote control signal from the remote control unit to the electronic circuitry of the locking mechanism.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A lock assembly for vending machines comprising:a keeper assembly for attachment to a movable door of a vending machine;a latching mechanism mountable within an internal compartment of the vending machine and positioned to interact with the keeper assembly during locking

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A lock assembly for vending machines comprising:a keeper assembly for attachment to a movable door of a vending machine;a latching mechanism mountable within an internal compartment of the vending machine and positioned to interact with the keeper assembly during locking and unlocking of the doors the latching mechanism receiving and capturing the keeper assembly when the door is moved from an open position toward an intermediate position; supporting means for mounting the latching mechanism for movement relative to the vending machine from an extended position, in which the latching mechanism extends, toward a retracted position, in which the latching mechanism is withdrawn to draw the door into a closed position; anda remote control unit for selectively disengaging the keeper assembly from the latching mechanism during unlocking of the door.