Patent Application
20200071964
This disclosure relates generally to a lockable device and, more particularly, to a locking module for use in a lockable device.
Lockboxes typically provide a secured storage area for a key or other access aid at a location close to a locked property accessible by the key. In this way, an authorized user can unlock the lockbox to gain access to the secured storage area and then use the key contained therein to unlock the locked property.
The lockbox is typically attached to a door handle or to another stationary object near the traditional lock. The lockbox typically requires the user to demonstrate that he is authorized to obtain access to the locked property before the secured storage area is unlocked to allow the user to obtain the key. In a mechanical lockbox, the user might be required to enter a correct lock combination to access the secured storage area. In an electronic lockbox, the user might be required to communicate a credential to lockbox (via a physical connection to the lockbox or via a wireless link to the lockbox) to access the secured storage area.
According to one embodiment, a locking module for selectively coupling a first component and a second component of a lockable device includes a locking element including a plurality of locking fingers movable between an open position and a closed position. The plurality of locking fingers being biased to said open position. A biasing mechanism is coupled to said locking element and a compression force applied by said biasing mechanism to said plurality of locking fingers controls movement of said plurality of locking fingers between said open position and said closed position. An actuator associated with said biasing mechanism is operable to control said compression force to selectively lock said locking element.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said actuator is movable between a first position and a second position, in said first position, said plurality of fingers are biased to said open position, and in said second position, said compression force of said biasing mechanism retains said plurality of locking fingers in said closed position.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said actuator is in said first position, said actuator reduces said compression force of said biasing mechanism acting on said plurality of locking fingers.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said biasing mechanism includes a pair of free ends and said actuator is positioned between said free ends.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said actuator has a first portion engaged with said biasing mechanism when said actuator is in a first position and a second portion engaged with said biasing mechanism when said actuator is in said second position, said first portion has a larger thickness than said second portion.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said actuator is rotatable about an axis between said first position and said second position.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said plurality of locking fingers define an opening, and when said plurality of locking fingers are in said open position, said opening has a first diameter, and when said plurality of locking fingers are in said closed position, said opening has a second diameter, said second diameter being smaller than said first diameter.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising a cable element receivable within said locking element.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said cable element has a cable body and a tip disposed at an end of said cable body, a diameter of said tip is smaller than a diameter of said cable body.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said diameter of said tip is larger than said opening when said plurality of locking fingers are in said closed position.
According to another embodiment, a method of operating a locking module of a lockable device includes applying a force to a cable element arranged within a hollow interior of a locking element of the locking module, biasing a plurality of locking fingers of said locking element to an open position, operating an actuator to retain said plurality of locking fingers in said open position, and decoupling said cable element from said locking element.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said diameter of said cable element biases said plurality of locking fingers to said open position.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments operating said actuator includes rotating said actuator relative to a biasing mechanism, said actuator being rotated to a position where a compression force of said biasing mechanism acting on said plurality of locking fingers is reduced.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments operating said actuator includes rotating an actuator such that a first portion of said actuator is positioned within a gap formed between a pair of free ends of said biasing mechanism, said first portion having a thickness larger than said gap.
According to another embodiment, a method of operating a locking module includes inserting a cable element into a hollow interior of a locking element of the locking module, the locking element having plurality of locking fingers movable between an open position and a closed position, operating an actuator to move said plurality of locking fingers to said closed position, and moving said cable element relative to said locking element such that when said plurality of locking fingers are in said closed position, further movement of said cable element is restricted by said tip of said cable element.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments operating said actuator includes applying a compression force to said plurality of locking fingers.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a diameter of said tip is greater than a diameter of an opening formed by said plurality of locking fingers in said closed position.
The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the present disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
Referring now to
A locking module 40 (
With reference now to
The distal end 48 of the plurality of locking fingers 46 defines an opening 50. The size of the opening 50 is dependent on the position of the locking fingers 46. For example, when the locking fingers 46 are in an open position, as shown in
Wrapped about a circumference of the locking fingers 46 of the locking element 42 is biasing mechanism 52, such as a compression spring for example. The compression force of the biasing mechanism 52 opposes the biasing force of the locking fingers 46. The free ends 54 of the biasing mechanism 52 are operably coupled to an actuator 56, such as a cam for example. In an embodiment, the actuator 56 is positioned between the free ends 54 of the biasing mechanism 52 and is operable to control the compression force applied by the biasing mechanism 52 to the locking fingers 46 to selectively transition the locking element 42 between an open position and a closed position.
In an embodiment, a thickness of the actuator 56 increases about the periphery of the actuator 56 such that at least one side of the actuator 56 is a cam or ramp-like surface 59. As shown, a first portion 58 of the actuator has a first, relatively large thickness, and a second portion 60 of the actuator 56 has a second, relatively small thickness. The actuator 56 is rotatable about an axis between a first position and a second position in response to operation of a mechanism, illustrated schematically at 57, operably coupled thereto. The mechanism 57 for rotating the actuator 56 may be mechanically operated by a user, or alternatively, may include an electromechanical mechanism, such as a motor, solenoid, or a piezoelectric device for example, directly or indirectly coupled to the actuator 56. In such embodiments, the mechanism 57 may be operable in response to an electrical input, such as generated by a code entered via a key pad or upon detection of an identification device, such as an RFID tag for example, having acceptable credentials.
When the actuator 56 is in a first position, as shown in
As best shown in
In operation, to lock the shackle 28 to the body 22, the shackle cable 62 is inserted through the locking element 42 when the actuator 56 is in the first position and the locking fingers 46 are arranged in an open configuration. The shackle cable 62 is inserted such that the cable 62 is positioned between the locking fingers 46. The mechanism 57 is then operated to rotate the actuator 56 from the first position to the second position, thereby allowing the biasing mechanism 52 to return to its compressed state. As the compression force of the biasing mechanism 52 is applied to the locking fingers 46, the shackle cable 62 moves relative to the locking element 42. The locking fingers 46 close about portion 66 of the cable 62 such that the diameter of the tip 64 engages the end of the locking fingers 46 to restrict further movement of the cable 62 away from the locking element 42. To release the shackle cable 62, the cable 62 is pushed upwardly through the locking fingers 46 to force the fingers 46 open. The actuator 56 is then rotated from the second position to the first position to retain the locking fingers 46 in the open position so that the shackle cable 62 may be removed from the locking element 42.
Alternatively, in embodiments where the locking fingers 46 are not in a fully open when the actuator 56 is in the first position, the outward force generated in the locking element 42 when the shackle cable 62 is inserted into the locking element 42 is configured to overcome the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 52. As a result, the free ends 54 of the biasing mechanism 52 spread to a distance greater than the thickness of the actuator 56, to allow the locking fingers 46 to bias open, and the shackle cable 62 to be received therein. In such embodiments, a sensor 70 may be operatively associated with the locking module 40, to determine when the shackle cable 62 is received within the locking element 42 and drive rotation of the actuator 56 to the second position to restrict movement of the shackle cable 62 therefrom.
The locking module 40 illustrated and described herein has a simplified configuration resulting in a reduced cost. Further, the locking module 40 is not susceptible to an attack or vandalism.
While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate in spirit and/or scope. Additionally, while various embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2018/020242 | 2/28/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62465364 | Mar 2017 | US |
