초록 ▼

A portable lock includes a wireless signal receiver. The lock may be unlocked by transmitting a wireless unlock signal from a portable device such as a cellular telephone. Various actuation mechanisms which may include a solenoid, motor or memory wire of a type that contracts when energized are prov

A portable lock includes a wireless signal receiver. The lock may be unlocked by transmitting a wireless unlock signal from a portable device such as a cellular telephone. Various actuation mechanisms which may include a solenoid, motor or memory wire of a type that contracts when energized are provided in example embodiments. Self-locking embodiments are readily operated with one hand.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A portable lock comprising: a lock body;a locking arm having a first end pivotally connected to the lock body for pivotal rotation about a first axis and a free end movable relative to the lock body, the locking arm pivotally movable between a closed position wherein the free end engages a portio

1. A portable lock comprising: a lock body;a locking arm having a first end pivotally connected to the lock body for pivotal rotation about a first axis and a free end movable relative to the lock body, the locking arm pivotally movable between a closed position wherein the free end engages a portion of the lock body and an open position wherein the free end is spaced apart from the portion of the lock body by a gap, the locking arm constrained to move relative to the lock body only by rotation about the first axis;a bias mechanism arranged to bias the locking arm toward the closed position;an electrically-controlled locking mechanism having: a locked configuration wherein, with the locking arm in the closed position, the locking mechanism locks the locking arm in the closed position; and an unlocked configuration wherein the locking arm is pivotally movable from the closed position to the open position;a signal receiver connected to control the locking mechanism to switch from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to receiving an unlock signal; anda gate wheel fixed to pivot with the locking arm, the gate wheel having a gate wheel notch;wherein the locking arm and lock body lie in a common plane when the locking arm is in the closed position and wherein the locking arm and the body remain in the common plane as the locking arm moves from the closed position into the open position and the electrically-controlled locking mechanism comprises:a pawl pivotally movable between an engaged position wherein the pawl is positioned to be received in the gate wheel notch and a disengaged position, the pawl biased toward the engaged position; anda pawl wire coupled to move the pawl between the engaged position and the disengaged position. 2. A portable lock according to claim 1, wherein the portable lock is configured with an access limit that limits a number of times the unlock signal may be used to activate the locking mechanism. 3. A portable lock according to claim 1, in combination with a portable control comprising a transmitter configured to transmit the unlock signal to the signal receiver. 4. A portable lock according to claim 1, comprising a catch biased into contact with the pawl, the catch located to stop the pawl from moving into the engaged position; the catch movable by applying tension to a catch wire into a position such that the catch does not block the pawl from moving into its engaged position. 5. A portable lock according to claim 4, wherein the pawl wire and the catch wire are made of memory wire of a type that contracts when energized. 6. A portable lock according to claim 5, wherein: a first end of the pawl wire is anchored to the lock body and a second end of the pawl wire is coupled to the pawl such that when the pawl wire is energized and contracts, the pawl wire pulls the pawl to pivot into the disengaged position;a first end of the catch wire is anchored to the lock body and a second end of the catch wire is coupled to the catch such that when the catch wire is energized and contracts, the catch wire pulls the catch out of contact with the pawl;if the catch wire is energized and the pawl wire is de-energized, the pawl is free to move into the engaged position to secure the locking arm in the closed position; andif the pawl wire is energized and the catch wire is de-energized, the pawl is secured in the disengaged position by the catch, allowing the locking arm to pivot freely. 7. A portable lock according to claim 1, in combination with a portable programmable device comprising a processor, a wireless transmitter and software configured to cause the wireless transmitter to send a wireless unlock signal to the signal receiver. 8. A portable lock according to claim 7 wherein the portable device comprises a remote control, a mobile phone, or a portable computer. 9. A portable lock according to claim 8, wherein the software is configured to require one or more of biometric and audio input before causing the wireless transmitter to transmit the wireless unlock signal. 10. A lock according to claim 1 wherein the pawl wire is made of memory wire of a type that contracts when energized. 11. A portable lock according to claim 10, wherein: a first end of the pawl wire is anchored to the lock body and a second end of the pawl wire is coupled to the pawl such that when the pawl wire is energized and contracts, the pawl wire pulls the pawl to pivot into the disengaged position. 12. A portable lock comprising: a lock body;a locking arm having a first end pivotally connected to the lock body for pivotal rotation about a first axis and a free end movable relative to the lock body, the locking arm pivotally movable between a closed position wherein the free end engages a portion of the lock body and an open position wherein the free end is spaced apart from the portion of the lock body by a gap, the locking arm constrained to move relative to the lock body only by rotation about the first axis;a bias mechanism arranged to bias the locking arm toward the closed position;an electrically-controlled locking mechanism having: a locked configuration wherein, with the locking arm in the closed position, the locking mechanism locks the locking arm in the closed position; and an unlocked configuration wherein the locking arm is pivotally movable from the closed position to the open position;a signal receiver connected to control the locking mechanism to switch from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to receiving an unlock signal; anda gate wheel fixed to pivot with the locking arm, the gate wheel having a gate wheel notch;wherein the electrically-controlled locking mechanism comprises:a pawl pivotally movable between an engaged position wherein the pawl is positioned to be received in the gate wheel notch and a disengaged position, the pawl biased toward the engaged position; anda pawl wire coupled to the pawl. 13. A lock according to claim 12 wherein the pawl wire is made of memory wire of a type that contracts when energized. 14. A portable lock according to claim 13, wherein: a first end of the pawl wire is anchored to the lock body and a second end of the pawl wire is coupled to the pawl such that when the pawl wire is energized and contracts, the pawl wire pulls the pawl to pivot into the disengaged position. 15. A portable lock according to claim 12 comprising a catch biased into contact with the pawl, the catch located to stop the pawl from moving into the engaged position; the catch movable by applying tension to a catch wire into a position such that the catch does not block the pawl from moving into its engaged position.