Apparatus And Method For Attaching An Electronic Module To A Lock Assembly

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed for engaging an electronic module with a lock assembly. The electronic module may have a first end with an electronic circuit disposed therein and a second end with a slot extending therethrough. At least one profile may be formed in the slot and at least one profile may be formed in exterior portions of the lock assembly. Each profile of the slot may be engaged with a profile of the lock assembly. At least one engagement device may be disposed in the electronic module to releasably engage the electronic module with the lock assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete and thorough understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing one example of a system operable to communicate information between remotely located equipment and a network operations center for various functions including, but not limited to, controlling access to the remotely located equipment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing an exploded, isometric view with portions broken away of a vending machine and an associated lock assembly;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing an isometric view with portions broken away of a lock assembly and one example of an electronic module engaged with the lock assembly in accordance with some teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing an isometric view of an electronic module having a housing which may be releasably engaged with a lock assembly in accordance with some teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an isometric drawing showing one example of a lock assembly housing having exterior portions which may be releasably engaged with the electronic module of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing in section taking along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded, schematic drawing with portions broken away showing various components of the lock assembly and electronic module of FIG. 4.

Claims

1. An apparatus for engaging an electronic module with a lock assembly comprising: a housing having a first end and a second end with at least portions of the electronic module disposed within the housing proximate the first end;a slot formed in and extending through the housing proximate the second end;at least one land operable to be received within at least one channel;at least one engagement device disposed in the housing;the engagement device operable to releasably engage the land and the channel with each other; andeach land and the associated channel having a relatively snug fit to minimize deforming by the engagement device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the land formed in a portion of the slot; andthe channel formed in a portion of the lock assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: the land formed in a portion of the lock assembly; andthe channel formed in a portion of the slot.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: exterior portions of the lock assembly having at least one profile defined in part by a first land and a second land with a first channel disposed therebetween;the slot having at least one profile defined in part by a second channel and a third channel with a third land disposed therebetween; andeach profile of the lock assembly operable to be slidably received within at least one profile of the slot.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: the lock assembly having at least one portion with a generally square cross section; andthe slot in the housing having a width and length operable to slidably receive the portion of the lock assembly having the generally square cross section.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: the portion of the lock assembly having the generally square cross section defined by four sides; andeach side of the lock assembly having substantially the same profile.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: the slot defined in part by a first interior surface and a second interior surface;each interior surface of the slot having substantially the same profile; andeach profile of the slot operable to respectively receive one of the profiles of the generally square cross section of the lock assembly.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic module further comprises an access control module (ACM).

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the at least one engagement device disposed in the second end of the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the slot defined in part by a first leg and a second leg extending generally parallel with each other from the first portion of the housing;each leg terminating at the second end of the housing; anda respective engagement device disposed in each leg proximate the second end of the housing.

11. An apparatus for securely engaging a housing containing at least one electronic circuit with a lock assembly comprising: the at least one electronic circuit disposed within a first portion of the housing;a slot formed in and extending through a second portion of the housing proximate the first portion of the housing;a plurality of lands and grooves formed within the slot;a plurality of lands and grooves formed on exterior portions of the lock assembly;the lands and grooves of the slot sized to receive respective lands and grooves of the lock assembly;respective engagement devices operable to releasably engage the respective lands and grooves of the lock assembly with the lands and grooves of the housing; andeach land and the associated groove having a relatively snug fit to minimize deforming by the engagement device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the housing further comprises: a first end with the at least one electronic circuit disposed proximate thereto; anda second end with the engagement devices disposed proximate thereto.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: the at least one electronic circuit operably coupled with an electrical actuator disposed within the first portion of the housing;a plunger having a first, extended position and a second, retracted position relative to the electrical actuator;one end of the plunger operable to engage a portion of the lock assembly when the plunger is in its first, extended position; andthe at least one electronic circuit operable to energize the solenoid and shift the plunger from its first extended, position to its second, retracted position to release engagement between the one end of the plunger and the portion of the lock assembly.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising multiple electronic circuits disposed in the housing.

15. A method for controlling access to remotely located equipment comprising: releasably engaging an electronic module with a lock assembly by slidably engaging a first profile formed on an exterior portion of the lock assembly with a matching profile formed in a slot of the electronic module;forming a snug fit between the first profile and the second profile to minimize deforming or damage while releasably engaging the electronic module with the lock assembly; andcommunicating electronic signals with the electronic module to disengage of the lock assembly to allow access to the remotely located equipment and to engage the lock assembly to limit access to the remotely located equipment.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein controlling access to the remotely located equipment further comprises releasably securing the portion of the lock module within the slot using an engagement device.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein communicating electronic signals further comprises communicating the electronic signals using wire-line transmission techniques.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein communicating the electronic signals further comprises communicating the electronic signals using wireless transmission techniques.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein communicating electronic signals further comprises communicating the electronic signals using both wireline transmission techniques and wireless transmission techniques.

20. A method for forming an electronic module operable to be releasably engaged with a lock assembly comprising: forming a slot in the electronic module sized to receive a portion of the lock assembly therein; andforming at least one profile within the slot with a configuration and dimensions compatible having a close fit with portions of a matching profile of the lock assembly to minimize deforming of the profiles when the electronic module is releasably engaged with the lock assembly.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: forming the electronic module with a first end and a second end;installing at least one electronic circuit in the electronic module proximate the first end; andforming the slot in the electronic module extending from the second end.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising forming a pair of profiles in the slot operable to be slidably engaged with corresponding profiles on exterior portions of the lock assembly.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein forming each profile in the slot further comprises forming a first channel and a second channel with a land disposed therebetween on an interior portion of the slot.