IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0001828
(2001-12-05)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Friar, Timothy A.
- Hsu, Paul E.
- Perkins, Jay F.
- Roth, Robert H.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Artromick International, Inc.
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
27 인용 특허 :
23 |
초록
▼
A keyless locking system for a cart includes a lock mechanism with a drive mechanism in the form of a solenoid that is electrically coupled to an integrated circuit and a long lasting power supply. In an unenergized state, an armature of the solenoid prevents operation of the lock mechanism to relea
A keyless locking system for a cart includes a lock mechanism with a drive mechanism in the form of a solenoid that is electrically coupled to an integrated circuit and a long lasting power supply. In an unenergized state, an armature of the solenoid prevents operation of the lock mechanism to release drawers supported by the cart. Upon entry of a correct access code via a keypad associated with the integrated circuit, current is supplied to the solenoid to permit operation of the lock mechanism and thereby release the drawers. Advantageously, the lock mechanism only draws from the power supply to temporarily release the solenoid only thereby requiring minimal power and significantly reducing the re-charging, replacement and maintenance requirements for the power supply and the down time for the cart.
대표청구항
▼
1. A locking system for a cart having at least one drawer moveable between an open position and a closed position, the system comprising: a lock mechanism adapted to engage and disengage the drawer on the cart to selectively retain and release the drawer, the lock mechanism having a locked configu
1. A locking system for a cart having at least one drawer moveable between an open position and a closed position, the system comprising: a lock mechanism adapted to engage and disengage the drawer on the cart to selectively retain and release the drawer, the lock mechanism having a locked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may not be opened and having an unlocked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may be opened; an armature selectively engageable with the lock mechanism, the armature being engaged with the lock mechanism in the locked configuration; a drive mechanism coupled to the armature; a power supply electrically coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively energize the drive mechanism; an input device for receiving an input code from a user, the input device being in electrical communication with the power supply and controlling current from the power supply to the drive mechanism such that current is provided to the drive mechanism to disengage the armature from the lock mechanism when in the locked configuration; and an override device, the override device comprising: a yoke coupled to the armature,whereby actuation of the yoke moves the armature to disengage the lock mechanism and thereby permit the lock mechanism to be operated from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, anda key-operated lock coupled to the yoke, whereby operation of the key-operated lock actuates the yoke.2. The locking system of claim 1 further comprising: a cable coupling the yoke to the key-operated lock. 3. The locking system of claim 1 wherein current is provided to the drive mechanism only when a correct code is received by the input device.4. The locking system of claim 1 wherein current is not supplied to the drive mechanism unless the lock mechanism is to be released from the locked configuration.5. A locking system for a cart having at least one drawer moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a drawer locking tab to selectively retain the drawer in the closed position and release the drawer for movement to the open position, the system comprising: a lock mechanism adapted to engage and disengage the drawer on the cart to selectively retain and release the drawer, the lock mechanism having a locked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may not be opened and having an unlocked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may be opened; an armature selectively engageable with the lock mechanism, the armature being engaged with the lock mechanism in the locked configuration; a drive mechanism coupled to the armature; a power supply electrically coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively energize the drive mechanism; and an input device for receiving an input code from a user, the input device being in electrical communication with the power supply and controlling current from the power supply to the drive mechanism such that current is provided to the drive mechanism to disengage the armature from the lock mechanism when in the locked configuration; the lock mechanism further comprising: a cam to engage and disengage the locking tab of the cart to selectively retain and release the drawer, respectively, anda handle having a first position corresponding to the locked configuration of the lock mechanism and a second position corresponding to the unlocked configuration of the lock mechanism,wherein the handle is coupled to the cam and rotatably and slidably mounted to the lock mechanism, andwhereby the cam is movable to disengage the locking tab of the cart when the handle is moved from the first position to the second position by rotating and sliding the handle.6. The locking system of claim 5 wherein the lock mechanism further comprises; a spring coupled to the handle to bias the handle toward the second position. 7. The locking system of claim 5 wherein the lock mechanism further comprises; a spring coupled to the handle to both bias the handle rotationally toward the first position and axially toward the second position. 8. A locking system for a cart having at least one drawer moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a drawer locking tab to selectively retain the drawer in the closed position and release the drawer for movement to the open position, the system comprising: a lock mechanism adapted to engage and disengage the drawer locking tab to selectively retain and release the drawer, the lock mechanism having a locked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may not be opened and having an unlocked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may be opened; an armature selectively engageable with the lock mechanism, the armature being engaged with the lock mechanism in the locked configuration; a drive mechanism coupled to the armature; a power supply electrically coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively energize the drive mechanism; and an input device for receiving an input code from a user, the input device being in electrical communication with the power supply and controlling current from the power supply to the drive mechanism such that current is provided to the drive mechanism to disengage the armature from the lock mechanism when in the locked configuration; the lock mechanism further comprising: a housing having opposing first and second apertures each in communication with a central cavity,an elongated rod having a first end and a second end, the second end of the rod extending though the first aperture of the housing and into the cavity, the first end of the rod protruding from the housing,a cam surface on the first end of the rod engaging the drawer locking tab to retain the drawer in the closed position when the cam surface is moved in a direction away from the housing, and to disengage the drawer locking tab to release the drawer when the cam surface is moved in a direction toward the housing,a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end of the handle having a knob adapted to be grasped by the user, the second end of the handle extending into the cavity of the housing through the second aperture and being coupled to the second end of the rod, the handle being slidably and rotatably coupled to the housing whereby the cam surface of the rod is movable in a direction away from the housing to engage the drawer locking tab by sliding and rotating the handle to a first position, and the cam surface is movable in a direction toward the housing to disengage the drawer locking tab by rotating and sliding the handle to a second position, anda coil spring disposed within the central cavity and coupled to the handle to bias the handle toward the second position.9. The locking system of claim 8 wherein the coil spring biases the handle in a rotational direction toward the first position and in an axial direction toward the second position.10. The locking system of claim 9 wherein the lock mechanism further comprises: a boss extending from the handle within the housing; a groove formed into the interior cavity of the housing proximate the second aperture; and wherein the boss and the groove mate together to preload the spring axially and rotationally upon initial assembly of the lock mechanism. 11. The locking system of claim 10 wherein the housing further comprises: a slot operatively engaging the boss on the handle, the slot being shaped to control motion of the handle between the first and second positions by limiting the motion of the boss within the slot. 12. The locking system of claim 11 wherein the housing further comprises: a tab proximate the slot and in communication with the groove, the tab being configured to engage the boss on the handle such that the boss may pass from the groove to the slot upon initial assembly of the lock mechanism to preload the spring. 13. The locking system of claim 12 wherein the boss is prevented from reentering the groove after initial assembly of the lock mechanism.14. A locking system for a cart having a drawer locking tab and at least one drawer moveable between an open position and a closed position, the system comprising: a lock mechanism including a housing having opposing first and second apertures each in communication with a central cavity, the lock mechanism having a locked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may not be opened and having an unlocked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may be opened; an elongated rod having a first end and a second end, the second end of the rod extending though the first aperture of the housing and into the cavity, the first end of the rod protruding from the housing; a cam surface on the first end of the rod engaging the drawer locking tab to retain the drawer in the closed position when the cam surface is moved in a direction away from the housing, and to disengage the drawer locking tab to release the drawer when the cam surface is moved in a direction toward the housing; a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end of the handle having a knob adapted to be grasped by the user, the second end of the handle extending into the cavity of the housing through the second aperture and being coupled to the second end of the rod, the handle being slidably and rotatably coupled to the housing whereby the cam surface of the rod is movable in a direction away from the housing to engage the drawer locking tab by sliding and rotating the handle to a first position, and the cam surface is movable in a direction toward the housing to disengage the drawer locking tab by rotating and sliding the handle to a second position; and a coil spring disposed within the central cavity and coupled to the handle to bias the handle in a rotational direction toward the first position and in an axial direction toward the second position; an armature selectively engageable with the lock mechanism, the armature being engaged with the lock mechanism in the locked configuration; a solenoid coupled to the armature; a power supply electrically coupled to the solenoid to selectively energize the solenoid; an input device for receiving an input code from the user, the input device being in electrical communication with the power supply and controlling current from the power supply to the solenoid such that current is provided to the solenoid to disengage the armature from the locked mechanism when in the locked configuration; a manual override device including a yoke coupled to the armature, whereby actuation of the yoke moves the armature to disengage the lock mechanism and thereby permit the lock mechanism to be operated from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration; and a key-operated lock coupled to the yoke, whereby operation of the key-operated lock actuates the yoke. 15. A lockable cart comprising; a frame; at least one drawer supported in the frame and moveable between an open position and a closed position; a lock mechanism adapted to engage and disengage the drawer on the cart to selectively retain and release the drawer, the lock mechanism having a locked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may not be opened and having an unlocked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may be opened; an armature selectively engageable with the lock mechanism, the armature being engaged with the lock mechanism in the locked configuration; a drive mechanism coupled to the armature; a power supply electrically coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively energize the drive mechanism; an input device for receiving an input code from a user, the input device being in electrical communication with the power supply and controlling current from the power supply to the drive mechanism such that current is provided to the drive mechanism to disengage the armature from the locked mechanism when in the locked configuration; and a manual override devic e, the override device comprising: a yoke coupled to the armature,whereby actuation of the yoke moves the armature to disengage the lock mechanism and thereby permit the lock mechanism to be operated from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, anda key-operated lock coupled to the yoke, whereby operation of the key-operated lock actuates the yoke.16. The cart of claim 15 wherein the override device further comprises: a cable coupling the yoke to the key-operated lock. 17. The cart of claim 15 further comprising: a drawer locking tab to selectively retain the drawer in the closed position and to release the drawer for movement to the open position; and wherein said lock mechanism is adapted to engage and disengage said drawer locking tab. 18. A lockable cart comprising: a frame; at least one drawer supported in the frame and moveable between an open position and a closed position; a lock mechanism adapted to engage and disengage the drawer on the cart to selectively retain and release the drawer, the lock mechanism having a locked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may not be opened and having an unlocked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may be opened; an armature selectively engageable with the lock mechanism, the armature being engaged with the lock mechanism in the locked configuration; a drive mechanism coupled to the armature; a power supply electrically coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively energize the drive mechanism; an input device for receiving an input code from a user, the input device being in electrical communication with the power supply and controlling current from the power supply to the drive mechanism such that current is provided to the drive mechanism to disengage the armature from the locked mechanism when in the locked configuration; and a drawer locking tab to selectively retain the drawer in the closed position and to release the drawer for movement to the open position; wherein said lock mechanism is adapted to engage and disengage said drawer locking tab; the lock mechanism further comprising: a cam to engage and disengage the locking tab of the cart to selectively retain and release the drawer, respectively,a handle having a first position corresponding to the locked configuration of the lock mechanism and a second position corresponding to the unlocked configuration of the lock mechanism,wherein the handle is coupled to the cam and rotatably and slidably mounted to the lock mechanism, andwhereby the cam is movable to disengage the locking tab of the cart when the handle is moved from the first position to the second position by rotating and sliding the handle.19. The cart of claim 18 wherein the lock mechanism further comprises; a spring coupled to the handle to bias the handle toward the second position. 20. The cart of claim 18 wherein the lock mechanism further comprises; a spring coupled to the handle to both bias the handle rotationally toward the first position and axially toward the second position. 21. A lockable cart comprising: a frame; at least one drawer supported in the frame and moveable between an open position and a closed position; a lock mechanism adapted to engage and disengage the drawer on the cart to selectively retain and release the drawer, the lock mechanism having a locked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may not be opened and having an unlocked configuration wherein the drawer of the cart may be opened; an armature selectively engageable with the lock mechanism, the armature being engaged with the lock mechanism in the locked configuration; a drive mechanism coupled to the armature; a power supply electrically coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively energize the drive mechanism; an input device for receiving an input code from a user, the input device being in electrical communication with the power supply and controlling current from the power su pply to the drive mechanism such that current is provided to the drive mechanism to disengage the armature from the locked mechanism when in the locked configuration; and a drawer locking tab to selectively retain the drawer in the closed position and to release the drawer for movement to the open position, wherein said lock mechanism is adapted to engage and disengage said drawer locking tab; the lock mechanism further comprising: a housing having opposing first and second apertures each in communication with a central cavity,an elongated rod having a first end and a second end, the second end of the rod extending though the first aperture of the housing and into the cavity, the first end of the rod protruding from the housing,a cam surface on the first end of the rod engaging the drawer locking tab to retain the drawers in the closed position when the cam surface is moved in a direction away from the housing, and to disengage the drawer locking tab to release the drawers when the cam surface is moved in a direction toward the housing,a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end of the handle having a knob adapted to be grasped by the user, the second end of the handle extending into the cavity of the housing through the second aperture and being coupled to the second end of the rod, the handle being slidably and rotatably coupled to the housing whereby the cam surface of the rod is movable in a direction away from the housing to engage the drawer locking tab by sliding and rotating the handle to a first position, and the cam surface is movable in a direction toward the housing to disengage the drawer rocking tab by rotating and sliding the handle to a second position, anda coil spring disposed within the central cavity and coupled to the handle to bias the handle toward the second position.22. The cart of claim 21 wherein the coil spring biases the handle in a rotational direction toward the first position and in an axial direction toward the second position.23. The cart of claim 22 wherein the lock mechanism further comprises: a boss extending from the handle within the housing; a groove formed into the interior cavity of the housing proximate the second aperture; and wherein the boss and the groove mate together to preload the spring axially and rotationally upon initial assembly of the lock mechanism. 24. The cart of claim 23 wherein the housing further comprises: a slot operatively engaging the boss an the handle, the slot being shaped to control motion of the handle between the first and second positions by limiting the motion of the boss within the slot. 25. The cart of claim 24 wherein the housing further comprises: a tab proximate the slot and in communication with the groove, the tab being configured to engage the boss on the handle such that the boss may pass from the groove to the slot upon initial assembly of the lock mechanism to preload the spring. 26. The cart of claim 25 wherein the boss is prevented from reentering the groove after initial assembly of the lock mechanism.27. The cart of claim 26 further comprising casters disposed on the cart to facilitate movement of the cart.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.