Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6666056
-
Patent Number
6,666,056
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, September 10, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, December 23, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 070 337
- 070 387
- 070 103
- 070 104
- 070 113
- 070 120
- 070 423
- 070 455
- 070 209
- 070 223
- 070 188
- 070 189
- 070 DIG 63
- 070 456 R
- 070 82
- 070 224
- 070 427
-
International Classifications
-
-
Disclaimer
Terminal disclaimer
Abstract
An internal locking device adapted for use with the magazine doors of a weapons storage facility to lock the magazine doors and secure the facility. The internal locking device use a single key and key guide for key insertion and for reduction of key breakage. The internal locking device includes a locking bolt which when dis-engaged from the output shaft by an operator rotating the key allows the operator turn handle which turns the output shaft for the device unlocking the magazine doors.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to locking mechanisms and devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a key activated internal locking device for use on weapons storage magazine doors.
Presently, magazine doors for weapons storage facilities/magazines at military installations are secured by high security padlocks which include hasps. High security padlocks are generally placed on the exterior of the magazine doors which subject the padlocks to extreme environmental conditions such as intense heat, bitter cold, rain and snow. These environmental conditions can have an adverse impact on the operational capabilities of the padlocks and their effectiveness in preventing theft of munitions from the weapons storage facilities.
Weapons storage facilities which use high security padlocks are generally not resistant to forced entry. The high security padlock also requires periodic lubrication and maintenance to insure that it operates correctly. Key damage and breakage is problem associated with the use of high security padlocks at weapons storage facilities. Further, there is a need locking device that allows for the integration of an electrical intrusion detection system into the locking device.
One such device used in the past to secure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,817, entitled “High Security Internal Locking System” issued May 13, 1986 to Henry L. Self. Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,817 is a locking system consisting of two locking mechanisms protected by a drill resistive shutter plate. The shutter plate can be rotated to expose a first lock which when unlocked allows it to be further rotated to uncover the second lock. Upon unlocking the second lock, the drive for the main bolt lock can be actuated.
Accordingly, there is a need for a high security locking device which provides substantial improvement to force entry resistance over high security padlocks and is not vulnerable to the environment and operational problems associated with a harsh environment. In addition, the high security locking device should preferably not require periodic lubrication and maintenance. The high security locking device be adapted for use with an electrical intrusion detection system which senses the presence of a person not authorized to use the locking device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a highly efficient and effective high security internal locking device which is adapted for use with the magazine doors of a weapons storage facility and which is highly resistant to forced entry by individuals not authorized to access the facility. The internal locking device may be configured to require the use of either two keys or one key to open the magazines doors for the weapons storage facility.
To open the magazine doors of the weapons storage facility the operator first turns a handle ninety degrees which rotates a shutter plate connected to the handle. This allows the operator to insert a key into a single lock cylinder when the internal locking device utilizes a single key operated device to open the magazines doors. When the internal locking device utilizes a pair of keys to open the magazine doors for the weapons storage facilities, the operator inserts a pair of keys into a pair of lock cylinders within the internal locking device after the shutter plate is rotated which exposes the lock cylinders.
The internal locking device includes key guides which allow for quick, fluid key insertion of the keys into the lock cylinders. The key guides, in turn, reduce key breakage. The internal locking device also has a push-through key feature which allows the user to remove a broken key from a lock cylinder by pushing the key through the lock cylinder using another key.
A one key operated internal locking device has one locking bolt slidable mounted in its housing, while a two key operated internal locking device has a pair of locking bolts slidably mounted in its housing. The locking bolts engage and lock the output shaft in a fixed rotational position which insures that the magazine doors remain locked. For a one key operated internal locking device the locking bolt is operatively connected to the lock cylinder so that rotation by the operator of the key dis-engages the locking bolt from the output shaft. For a two key operated internal locking device each of the locking bolts is operatively connected to one of the two lock cylinder so that rotation by the operator of the keys dis-engages the locking bolts from the output shaft.
The operator next pushes the handle forward towards the housing which moves a spring loaded clutch to the output shaft. The clutch engages the output shaft allowing the operator to rotate the output shaft by rotating the handle counter-clockwise ninety degrees. Rotating the shaft removes a door locking bolt operatively connected to the shaft from a locking bolt receiver located on one of the two magazine doors allowing the operator to open the magazine doors and gain access to the weapons storage facility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
illustrates a front view of the magazine doors for a weapons storage facility which utilizes the internal locking device comprising the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a side view, in partial section, which depicts the door locking bolt assembly for the magazine doors of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a top view of the door locking bolt assembly of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 4
is a view from inside the weapons storage facility of the door locking bolt assembly of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 5
is an opposite side view which depicts the door locking bolt assembly for the magazine doors of
FIG. 1
;
FIGS. 6A-6C
depict the key and key housing used to unlock the internal locking device comprising the present invention;
FIG. 7
is a rear view of the internal locking device comprising the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a detail schematic, in section, of the internal locking device comprising the present invention;
FIG. 9
depicts a shutter plate which engages a normally open alarm activation switch for an alarm system used in conjunction with the present invention;
FIG. 10
depicts the electrical for the alarm system used in conjunction with the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a view in partial section which depicts a key lock cylinder mounted in the housing of the present invention.
FIGS. 12-15
are views in partial section which depict the housing, clutch, output shaft and lock cylinder for the present invention;
FIG. 15
illustrates a single locking bolt arrangement which engages and prevents rotation of the output shaft until the operator dis-engages the locking bolt from the output shaft using a single key;
FIG. 16
illustrates a dual locking bolt arrangement which engages and prevents rotation of the output shaft until the operator dis-engages the locking bolts from the output shaft using a pair of keys; and
FIGS. 17-20
illustrate the operation of the internal locking device of the present invention when the operator uses a pair of keys to open the magazine doors for the weapons storage facility.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to
FIG. 1
, an internal locking device
20
is mounted on the inside surface of a magazine door
22
. A plurality of welds
23
are used to secure the internal locking device
20
to the inside surface of magazine door
22
. The internal locking device
20
is very useful in preventing entry into a high security facility such as weapons storage facility. The internal locking device
22
is specifically designed to improve forced entry resistance delaying entry into a secured facility over five times the forced entry time required when a high security padlock and hasp are used to secure the facility. In addition, the internal locking device
22
is also designed to shelter device
22
from hostile environmental conditions. This, in turn, results in a high security locking system that is very resistant to wind driven sand, dust, rain and ice, corrosive salt spray, extreme heat and cold and freeze-thaw conditions.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, the secured facility has a second magazine door
24
which is secured to magazine door
22
by the internal locking device
20
. Device
20
comprises a lever arm subassembly, designated generally by the reference numeral
25
, which has a handle
26
attached to a handle extension
28
. Handle
26
is secured to handle extension
28
by a plurality of hex head screws
30
. Handle extension
28
passes through an opening
32
in magazine door
22
. Opening
32
has a brass bearing or other type of bearing
33
mounted therein which allows for substantially frictionless rotational movement of handle extension
28
within magazine door
22
.
Referring to FIGS.
1
and
6
A-
6
C, magazine door
22
includes pair of cylindrical shaped openings
34
and
36
which are adapted to receive the high security key assemblies
38
of the type illustrated in
FIGS. 6A-6C
. Each cylindrical shaped opening
34
and
36
has a guide slot
40
which receives the key guide
42
for key
44
. The key guide
42
for each key
44
insures quick, fluid key insertion and substantially reduces the chances of key breakage when the key is inserted into the lock cylinder
92
. As shown in
FIG. 6A
, the key
44
is fully extended from the key housing
46
and locked into a recess
48
within the key housing
46
. The key housing
46
is cylindrical shaped and sized to fit within cylindrical shaped openings
34
and
36
within door
22
.
This allows the user to insert key
44
into the lock cylinder
92
and then open the weapons storage magazine doors
22
and
24
. Since the door
22
has slots in each of its cylindrical shaped opening
34
and
36
to guide the key into the lock cylinder
92
, it is almost impossible to break the key. If the key is broken, the key can be removed from the lock cylinder
92
by pushing the broken portion of the key through the lock cylinder
92
using another key.
The key illustrated in
FIGS. 6A-6C
is designed such that the key can not be turned until the key is fully inserted into the key cylinder as shown in FIG.
11
. This prevents breakage of the key which was a significant in high security locks utilized in the past.
At this time, it should be noted that the shutter plate
74
provides a limited seal to keep dirt and dust out of the key cylinder for the lock cylinder
92
since the shutter plate makes direct with locking device housing
78
.
As shown in
FIG. 6B
, the key
44
is fully retracted and locked into a recess
52
within the key's housing
46
which prevents damage to key
44
when key
44
is not in use. A slot
53
within housing
46
connects recess
50
to recess
48
.
It should be noted that keys are often difficult and subject to breakage when inserted in padlocks with shrouded hasp which are typically used on the magazines doors of weapons storage facilities. The novel approach utilized by device
20
tends to prevent this breakage and allows for easy removal of a key in the event a key breaks within the lock cylinder
92
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1-5
and
8
,
9
and
10
, an output shaft
56
extends from the back plate
58
of internal locking device
20
. A cam arm
60
is connected to the end of output shaft
56
which extends from internal locking device
20
. A locking screw
62
is used to secure cam arm to output shaft
56
. Rotation of output shaft
56
rotates cam arm
60
in clockwise direction when a user desires to unlock magazine doors
22
and
24
and a clockwise direction when a user desires to lock magazine doors
22
and
24
.
A door locking bolt
64
is operatively connected to the cam arm
60
by a nut and bolt assembly
65
which is best depicted in
FIGS. 2 and 4
. Nut and bolt assembly
65
includes a plurality of washers
67
which allow the nut and bolt assembly
65
to rotate freely within the a vertically positioned slot
70
disposed at one end of cam arm
64
as shown in FIG.
4
. When output shaft
56
rotates in a clockwise direction, cam arm
60
also rotates in clockwise direction causing door locking bolt
64
to withdraw from locking bolt receiver
68
which is attached to magazine door
24
by welds (not illustrated). This allows a user to open the magazine doors
22
and
24
and gain access to weapons and the like stored within the weapons storage facility. Alignment of the door locking bolt
64
is maintained by a locking bolt receiver
66
when the magazine doors
22
and
24
are unlocked and open. Locking bolt receiver
64
is attached to magazine door
22
by welds (not illustrated).
When output shaft
56
rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, cam arm
60
also rotates in counter-clockwise direction causing door locking bolt
64
to engage and slide through locking bolt receiver
68
securing and locking magazines doors
22
and
24
.
Positioned on the top of internal locking device
20
is a wire conduit
72
which includes the wire for an electronic monitoring and control system. When the user rotates the handle
26
in the clockwise direction positioning a shutter plate
74
in vertical position as depicted in
FIG. 8
, the bottom end of the shutter plate
74
engages a normally open alarm activation switch
76
as depicted in FIG.
9
. When a security alarm
77
(
FIG. 10
) is active and an unauthorized user attempts to turn the handle
26
to gain access to the weapons storage facility, the shutter plate
74
engages the alarm activation switch
76
which activates the alarm
77
alerting the appropriate individuals as to the presence of intruder at the weapons storage facility.
As shown in
FIG. 10
, a circuit to activate the security alarm may include a battery
79
having its output connected to a push button switch
81
. Push button switch
81
is normally closed and may only be opened by an authorized user who needs to gain access to the weapons storage facility. When an individual, not authorized to access the weapons storage facility, attempts to access the facility the alarm is activated by rotating the shutter plate
74
which completes the electrical current flow path for the circuit of FIG.
4
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1
,
8
A and
8
B, a partial sectional view of the internal locking device
20
. The internal locking, device
20
includes a internal locking device housing
78
. A back plate
80
is secured to housing
78
by means of a plurality of set screws
82
. Removal of the back plate
80
allows a user to access the internal components of internal locking device
20
.
Shutter plate
74
is attached to a shutter plate hub
84
. A pin
86
extending from a cam shaft or lock shaft
88
and secured thereto is recessed within a slot or groove
90
on the backside of shutter plate hub
84
. The shutter plate hub
84
and the shutter plate
74
comprise the shutter plate subassembly for internal locking device
20
. The groove allows the shutter plate
74
to engage and dis-engage shaft
88
. For example, when the handle is pushed inward in the direction indicted by arrow
156
(FIG.
19
), the pin
86
is removed from groove
90
which dis-engages the shutter plate
74
from the shaft
88
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1
,
8
,
11
and
15
, the housing
78
has a lock cylinder
92
, which is depicted in FIG.
11
. When there is a requirement for two keys to open the magazine doors
22
and
24
(as shown in FIG.
11
), the housing
78
would have an additional lock cylinder
92
of the type illustrated in FIG.
11
. High security lock cylinders of the type used in the present invention are commercially available from Medeco Security Locks, Inc. of Salem, Va. Such locks, which are virtually pick proof, are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,302.
The lock cylinder
92
includes a rotatably mounted plug or cylinder. When the key
44
is inserted in the lock cylinder
92
, the lower segments of a plurality of pin tumblers are raised by exactly the correct amount to bring their tops flush with the outer surface of the cylinder. As the lower and upper surfaces of the pin tumblers are separated, that is not interconnected, the plug or cylinder is free to rotate when the key housing
46
is rotated by the user.
The lock cylinder
92
is positioned within housing
78
by a cylinder plug
98
which aligns lock cylinder
92
with key
44
and allows the key
44
to be removed from housing through an opening
101
in the back plate
58
of internal locking device housing
78
. The cylinder plug
98
is secured to the housing
78
by a plurality of screws
100
. Positioned at the rear of opening
101
is a plastic plug
102
.
The cylinder plug
98
allows the user to remove the lock cylinder
92
and replace it with a different lock cylinder without removing the internal locking device
20
from the inside surface of a magazine door
22
. In the past, security locks have required removal of the entire lock from the magazine door to change the key cylinder.
As depicted in
FIG. 13
, there is a dust seal
83
positioned between the lock body or locking device housing
78
and the shutter plate
74
. The dust seal
83
assist in preventing dust from entering lock cylinder
92
which could render the lock cylinder inoperable.
It should be noted that the clearance between cylinder plug
98
and the locking device housing
78
is excessive (in the order of several thousandths of inch). This clearance feature allows the lock cylinder
92
to float within the locking device housing
78
providing means whereby the lock cylinder
92
and cam
94
align with the openings in the back of cover plate
80
.
For an internal locking device
20
which requires the use of one key to open magazine doors
22
and
24
, the plug or cylinder of lock cylinder
92
is in rotatable engagement with an eccentric cam shaft/lock cylinder cam
94
. An eccentric cam shaft
95
is attached to the cylinder for lock cylinder
92
. The lock cylinder cam
94
is mounted on shaft
95
such that rotation of the shaft
95
rotates the cam
94
.
After the user inserts the key
44
into the lock cylinder
92
, the user turns the key
44
housing
46
counter-clockwise rotating the key
44
which rotates the lock cylinder cam
94
. The lock cylinder cam
94
rotatably engages a locking bolt/locking plate
96
slidably mounted within the internal locking device housing
78
. The locking bolt
96
has a U shaped slot
120
in which the lock cylinder cam
94
rotates when the operator turns the key
44
. The locking bolt
96
includes a trio of horizontally positioned slots
122
,
124
and
126
. Affixed to a front portion of internal locking device housing
78
and removable therefrom are a trio of set screw
128
,
130
and
132
. As depicted in
FIG. 15
set screw
128
is positioned within slot
122
and in slidable engagement therewith, set screw
130
is positioned within slot
124
and in slidable engagement therewith and set screw
132
is positioned within slot
126
and slidable engagement therewith.
The output shaft
56
has a generally circular shaped plate
134
affixed thereto. Rotation of the output shaft
56
rotates plate
134
. Plate
134
includes a semi-circular indent
136
formed on its outer edge which engages a set screw
138
bolted to locking plate
96
. Locking bolt
96
also has semi-circular indents
137
and
141
formed on its outer edge which respectively engage locking pins
139
and
143
affixed to internal locking device housing
78
. Set screw
137
and locking pins
139
and
143
prevent rotational movement of output shaft
56
until an operator dis-engages set screw
138
from indent
136
within plate
134
, locking pin
139
from indent
137
and locking pin
143
from indent
141
by rotating key
44
counter-clockwise which moves locking bolt
96
in the direction indicated by arrow
140
.
When an operator turns the key
44
counter-clockwise, the lock cylinder cam
94
rotates in a clockwise direction which moves the locking plate
96
away from plate
134
in the direction indicated by arrow
140
. Movement of the locking plate
96
in the direction indicted by arrow
140
dis-engages set screw
138
from indent
136
, locking pin
139
from indent
137
and locking pin
143
from indent
141
which allows for rotational movement of the output shaft
56
. To lock the output shaft
56
in a fixed positioned, the cam
94
is rotated in a clockwise direction which causes locking bolt
96
to move to plate
134
which locks plate
134
in a fixed position with respect to locking bolt
96
in the manner illustrated in FIG.
15
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1
,
8
,
11
and
16
, a two key locking device
20
which requires the use of two keys to open (such as shown in
FIGS. 17-20
) has two lock cylinders
92
of the type illustrated in FIG.
11
. Each of the two lock cylinders
92
are mounted in the housing
78
for internal locking device
20
by using a cylinder plug
98
.
As is best depicted in
FIG. 16
, there are two locking bolts/locking plates
160
and
162
slidably mounted in housing
78
. The locking bolt
160
has a U shaped slot
161
in which a lock cylinder cam
161
rotates when the operator turns one of the two keys. An eccentric cam shaft
171
is attached to the cylinder for one of the two lock cylinders
92
of device
20
. The lock cylinder cam
161
is mounted on shaft
171
such that rotation of the shaft
171
rotates the cam
161
.
The locking bolt
160
includes a pair of horizontally positioned slots
164
and
166
. Affixed to a front portion of internal locking device housing
78
and removable therefrom are a pair of set screw
168
and
170
. As depicted in
FIG. 15
set screw
168
is positioned within slot
164
and in slidable engagement therewith and set screw
170
is positioned within slot
166
and in slidable engagement therewith.
Similarly, the locking bolt
162
has a U shaped slot
165
in which a lock cylinder cam
167
rotates when the operator turns the second of the two keys. An eccentric cam shaft
173
is attached to the cylinder for the other of the two lock cylinders
92
of device
20
. The lock cylinder cam
167
is mounted on shaft
173
such that rotation of the shaft
173
rotates the cam
167
.
The locking bolt
162
includes a pair of horizontally positioned slots
172
and
174
. Affixed to a front portion of internal locking device housing
78
and removable therefrom are a pair of set screws
176
and
178
. As depicted in
FIG. 15
set screw
176
is positioned within slot
172
and in slidable engagement therewith and set screw
178
is positioned within slot
174
and in slidable engagement therewith.
Internal locking device
20
uses an aluminum body and lock bolt construction to reduce cost and provide predetermined failure points rather than to resist attacks. This allows the lock to break at identified points. For example, one failure point is depicted in
FIG. 15. A
mounting shoulder
146
which is fabricated from very thin circular shaped aluminum rim is used in combination with a mounting bolt to the secure the housing
78
for device
20
to a mounting plate on the magazine door
22
. As depicted in
FIG. 15
, there are four mounting shoulders and their associated mounting bolts required to mount the internal locking device to the magazine door. In addition, to allowing the locking device to break loose, the mounting shoulders and mounting bolts provide a means for mounting device
20
in two directions.
As shown in
FIG. 16
, the internal locking device
20
includes a second failure point which consist of the use of aluminum lock bolts
160
and
162
and shoulder/set screws
168
,
170
,
176
and
178
. When the weapons storage facility is attacked, the second failure point causes the lock bolts to fail to retract which makes it impossible for the output shaft
56
to rotate. Failure of the output shaft
56
to rotate results in attacker not being able to open the magazine doors
22
and
24
for the weapons storage facility.
It should be noted at this time that a Teflon anodized coating on an aluminum body, that is the internal locking device housing and its associated components and the locking bolts. The use of Teflon on the elements of internal locking device
20
makes device
20
maintenance free.
For the embodiment of device
20
which uses two keys to open the magazine doors
22
and
24
, The output shaft
56
has a generally circular shaped plate
182
affixed thereto. Rotation of the output shaft
56
rotates plate
182
. Plate
182
includes a semi-circular indent
184
formed on its outer edge which engages a set screw
186
bolted to locking plate
160
.
Locking bolt
160
also has a semi-circular indent
188
formed on its outer edge which engages a locking pin
190
affixed to internal locking device housing
78
. Similarly, locking bolt
162
has a semi-circular indent
192
formed on its outer edge which engages a locking pin
194
affixed to internal locking device housing
78
.
Set screw
186
and locking pins
190
and
194
prevent rotational movement of output shaft
56
until an operator dis-engages set screw
186
from indent
184
, locking pin
190
from indent
188
and locking pin
194
from indent
192
by rotating the keys counter-clockwise which moves locking bolts
160
and
162
in the direction indicated by arrow
196
.
Referring now to
FIG. 8
, handle extension
28
is affixed to one end of cam shaft
88
by set screw
89
and a keeper ring
91
positioned around the periphery of handle
28
. The opposite end of cam shaft
88
is attached to the clutch sleeve
103
for a clutch
104
. Attached to a forward portion of clutch
104
and extending therefrom in a forward direction (toward to the output shaft
56
) is an shaft engagement pin
105
. The clutch
104
is a spring loaded clutch utilizing a spring
106
centrally located within a rear portion housing
78
between the clutch
104
and the output shaft
56
. The spring
106
maintains the clutch
104
in a fixed positioned relative to the output shaft
56
separating the clutch
104
from output shaft
56
until the operator desires to unlock the magazine doors
22
and
24
.
When the operator desires to unlock the magazine doors
22
and
24
, the operator pushes the handle
26
and handle extension
28
forward such that the output shaft engagement pin
108
will pass through an opening
108
and engage a spring loaded detent
110
. When pin
108
engages the detent
110
, the operator can turn handle
26
ninety degrees in a counterclockwise direction. The detent
110
insures that the handle
26
, clutch
104
, clutch sleeve
103
and output shaft
56
are synchronized when the handle
26
is turned. The detent
110
also prevents the shaft
56
from being turned prior to depressing the handle
26
.
At this time it should be noted that internal locking device
20
is a true dual locking system since the shutter plate
74
is not controlled or locked in position by a key. The shutter plate
74
is used to activate the alarm system illustrated in FIG.
10
and as a dust cover to prevent damage to the internal components of the internal locking device
20
.
Referring to
FIGS. 17-20
, the unlocking procedure for the magazine doors
22
and
24
when there is a requirement to use two keys
150
and
152
to unlock the magazine doors
22
and
24
is depicted in
FIGS. 17-20
. The operator first pushes the keys
150
and
152
forwarded and latches the keys
150
and
152
into an extended position as shown in FIG.
6
A. The operator next rotates the handle
26
ninety degrees counter-clockwise to allow access to the internal locking device
20
two lock cylinders. The keys
150
and
152
are inserted into cylindrical shaped openings
34
and
36
within magazine door
22
which are adapted to receive the high security keys
150
and
152
. The guide slots
40
for each opening
34
and
36
insures that each key
150
and
152
is in the correct positioned for insertion into the lock cylinders for internal locking device
20
.
The operator next rotates the keys
150
and
152
counter-clockwise 180 degrees as is best indicated by arrow
154
(FIG.
19
). The operator pushes the handle
26
inward until the handle
26
stops (as indicated by arrow
156
) and rotates the handle
26
ninety degrees counter-clockwise (as indicated by arrow
158
). The magazine doors
22
and
24
are now unlocked and may be opened by the operator.
The dual key locking procedure for the internal locking device
20
requires the operator to first rotate handle
26
ninety degrees clockwise, rotate the keys
150
and
152
one hundred eighty degrees clockwise and then remove the keys
150
and
152
from the magazine door
22
. The handle
26
is rotating an additional ninety degrees and the keys are retracted into the key housings as depicted in FIG.
6
B.
For a single lock, the unlocking and locking procedures are almost identical. To unlock device
20
, the operator rotates the operating handle 90 degrees counter clockwise to allow access to the lock cylinder, inserts key into the lock cylinder and rotates the key 180 degrees. The operator the handle inward until the handle stops and rotates the handle ninety degrees counter-clockwise which allows the operator to open the magazine doors and access the weapons storage facility. To lock device
20
, the operator rotates the handle ninety degrees clockwise, rotates the key 180 degrees counterclockwise, removes the key and then rotates the handle an additional ninety degrees clockwise.
From the foregoing it may readily be seen that the present invention comprises a new, unique and exceedingly useful internal locking device for use with the magazine doors of a weapons storage facility which constitutes a considerable improvement over the known prior art. Obviously, many modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Claims
- 1. A method for opening magazines doors on a weapons storage facility, comprising the steps of:(a) rotating a handle for a security lock, mounted on one of said magazine doors, counterclockwise approximately ninety degrees, said handle being coupled to a shutter plate to rotate said shutter plate when said handle is rotated, said shutter plate when rotated exposing a lock cylinder mounted within said security lock; (b) inserting a key into said lock cylinder; (c) rotating said key counter-clockwise approximately one hundred eighty degrees after said key is inserted into said lock cylinder, said lock cylinder being connected to an eccentric cam wherein said eccentric cam rotates when said key rotates, said eccentric cam engaging a locking plate such that said locking plate moves laterally when said eccentric cam rotates, said locking plate holding an output shaft for said security lock in a fixed rotational position until said key is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to move said locking plate away from said output shaft; (d) pushing said handle inward to a position where a clutch connected to said handle engages the output shaft for said security lock, said handle being released from said shutter plate when said handle is pushed inward; and (e) rotating said handle counterclockwise approximately ninety degrees which rotates the output shaft for said security lock allowing a user to open the magazine doors for said weapons storage facility.
- 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of withdrawing a door locking bolt from a locking bolt receiver mounted on the other of said magazine doors, said door locking bolt being connected to said output shaft wherein a rotation of said output shaft in a clockwise direction approximately ninety degrees causes said door locking bolt to be withdraw from said locking bolt receiver allowing said user to open the magazine doors for said weapons storage facility.
- 3. The method of claim 2 wherein a cam arm is connected to an end of said output shaft which extends from said security lock, said door locking bolt having a substantially vertically positioned slot disposed at one end of said door locking bolt, said cam arm having a locking screw, the locking screw of said cam arm being slidably positioned within the slot for said door locking bolt.
- 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of deactivating a security alarm connected to the shutter plate for said security lock prior to unlocking said magazine doors.
- 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said security alarm is deactivated by opening a normally closed switch, said normally closed switch being connected to said security alarm and a normally open alarm activation switch, said normally open alarm activation switch engaging said shutter plate when said shutter plate is rotated to expose said lock cylinder.
- 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of removing a broken key from said lock cylinder whenever said key breaks within said lock cylinder by using a duplicated key inserted into said lock cylinder, said duplicate key forcing said broken key from said lock cylinder through a back plate within said security lock.
- 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said key includes a cylindrical housing which allows said user to retract said key into said cylindrical housing to prevent damage to said key whenever said key is not in use.
- 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said shutter plate prevents dust and contamination from entering said lock cylinder preventing damage to said lock cylinder.
- 9. A lock apparatus for securing a pair of magazine doors on a weapons storage facility, comprising:a handle having a handle extension rotabably mounted within a door handle opening in a first magazine door of said pair of magazine doors; a rotatable shutter plate positioned on the inside of said first magazine door, said handle extension rotatably engaging said shutter plate when said handle is fully extended from said first magazine door; a retractable key having a cylindrical shaped housing and a key guide, said retractable key being adapted to fit within a cylindrical shaped opening having a slot within said first magazine door; a lock housing mounted on the inside of said first magazine door in alignment with said cylindrical shaped opening and said door handle opening, said housing having a back plate; a lock cylinder mounted within said lock housing, said lock cylinder being aligned with said cylindrical shaped opening to receive said retractable key when said handle is rotated approximately ninety degrees counterclockwise which rotates said shutter plate permitting key access to said lock cylinder; an eccentric cam rotatably mounted within said lock housing, said eccentric cam being connected to said lock cylinder wherein said eccentric cam rotates when said retractable key rotates within said lock cylinder; a locking plate slidable mounted in said lock housing, said eccentric cam engaging said locking plate such that said locking plate moves laterally within said housing when said eccentric cam rotates; an output shaft rotatably mounted in said lock housing, said output shaft extending from said lock housing through a shaft opening within the back plate of said lock housing, said locking plate holding said output shaft in a fixed rotational position; and a spring loaded clutch affixed to said handle extension, said spring loaded clutch having an engagement pin, said spring loaded clutch being aligned with said output shaft to move in a forward direction within said housing and engage said output shaft to permit rotational movement of said output shaft after said eccentric cam rotates in a first direction which moves said locking plate laterally away from said output shaft releasing said output shaft from said fixed rotational position.
- 10. The lock apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a spring loaded detent positioned within said output shaft in alignment with the engagement pin for said spring loaded clutch, said spring loaded detent when engaged by the engagement pin for said spring loaded clutch insuring synchronous rotational movement between said output shaft and said clutch.
- 11. The lock apparatus of claim 9 wherein a user inserts said retractable key into said lock cylinder and rotates said retractable key approximately one hundred degrees counterclockwise which releases said output shaft from said locking plate allowing said user to depress the handle of said locking apparatus engaging said output shaft and dis-engaging said shutter plate and then rotate said handle ninety degree counterclockwise to open said pair of magazine doors.
- 12. The lock apparatus of claim 9 wherein the slot of said cylindrical shaped opening is adapted to receive said key guide for said retractable key aligning said retractable key with said lock cylinder which prevents damage to said retractable key when said user inserts said retractable key into said lock cylinder.
- 13. The lock apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a door locking bolt which extends into a locking bolt receiver mounted on a second magazine door of said pair of magazine doors, said door locking bolt being retractable from said locking bolt receiver, said door locking bolt being connected to said output shaft wherein a rotation of said output shaft in a clockwise direction approximately ninety degrees causes said door locking bolt to be withdraw from said locking bolt receiver allowing a user to open the magazine doors for said weapons storage facility.
- 14. The lock apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a cam arm is connected to an end of said output shaft which extends from said security lock, said door locking bolt having a substantially vertically positioned slot disposed at one end of said door locking bolt, said cam arm having a locking screw, the locking screw of said cam arm being slidably positioned within the slot for said door locking bolt.
- 15. The lock apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a security alarm connected to the shutter plate for said security wherein a user de-activates said security alarm prior to unlocking said magazine doors.
- 16. The lock apparatus of claim 15 wherein said security alarm is deactivated by opening a normally closed switch, said normally closed switch being connected to said security alarm and a normally open alarm activation switch, said normally open alarm activation switch engaging said shutter plate when said shutter plate is rotated to expose said lock cylinder.
- 17. The lock apparatus of claim 9 wherein said shutter plate prevents dust and contamination from entering said lock cylinder preventing damage to said lock cylinder.
- 18. A lock apparatus for securing a pair of magazine doors on a weapons storage facility, comprising:a handle having a handle extension rotabably mounted within a door handle opening in a first magazine door of said pair of magazine doors; a rotatable shutter plate positioned on the inside of said first magazine door, said handle extension rotatably engaging said shutter plate when said handle is fully extended from said first magazine door; a retractable key having a cylindrical shaped housing and a key guide, said retractable key being adapted to fit within a cylindrical shaped opening having a slot within said first magazine door; a lock housing mounted on the inside of said first magazine door in alignment with said cylindrical shaped opening and said door handle opening, said housing having a back plate; a lock cylinder mounted within said lock housing, said lock cylinder being aligned with said cylindrical shaped opening to receive said retractable key when said handle is rotated approximately ninety degrees counterclockwise which rotates said shutter plate permitting key access to said lock cylinder; an eccentric cam rotatably mounted within said lock housing, said eccentric cam being connected to said lock cylinder wherein said eccentric cam rotates when said retractable key rotates within said lock cylinder; a locking plate slidable mounted in said lock housing, said eccentric cam engaging said locking plate such that said locking plate moves laterally within said housing when said eccentric cam rotates; an output shaft rotatably mounted in said lock housing, said output shaft extending from said lock housing through a shaft opening within the back plate of said lock housing, said locking plate holding said output shaft in a fixed rotational position; and a spring loaded clutch affixed to said handle extension, said spring loaded clutch having an engagement pin, said spring loaded clutch being aligned with said output shaft to move in a forward direction within said housing and engage said output shaft to permit rotational movement of said output shaft after said eccentric cam rotates in a first direction which moves said locking plate laterally away from said shaft releasing said output shaft from said fixed rotational position; a door locking bolt which extends into a locking bolt receiver mounted on a second magazine door of said pair of magazine doors, said door locking bolt being retractable from said locking bolt receiver, said door locking bolt being connected to said output shaft wherein a rotation of said output shaft in a clockwise direction approximately ninety degrees causes said door locking bolt to be withdraw from said locking bolt receiver to permit an opening of the magazine doors for said weapons storage facility; a cam arm connected to the end of said output shaft which extends from said security lock, said door locking bolt having a substantially vertically positioned slot disposed at one end of said door locking bolt, said cam arm having a locking screw, the locking screw of said cam arm being slidably positioned within the slot for said door locking bolt; and a security alarm connected to the shutter plate for said security wherein said security alarm is de-activate prior to unlocking said magazine doors.
- 19. The lock apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a spring loaded detent positioned within said output shaft in alignment with the engagement pin for said spring loaded clutch, said spring loaded detent when engaged by the engagement pin for said spring loaded clutch insuring synchronous rotational movement between said output shaft and said clutch.
- 20. The lock apparatus of claim 18 wherein a user inserts said retractable key into said lock cylinder and rotates said retractable key approximately one hundred degrees counterclockwise which releases said output shaft from said locking plate allowing said user to depress the handle of said locking apparatus engaging said output shaft and dis-engaging said shutter plate and then rotate said handle ninety degree counterclockwise to open said pair of magazine doors.
- 21. The lock apparatus of claim 18 wherein the slot of said cylindrical shaped opening is adapted to receive said key guide for said retractable key aligning said retractable key with said lock cylinder which prevents damage to said retractable key when said user inserts said retractable key into said lock cylinder.
- 22. The lock apparatus of claim 18 wherein said security alarm is deactivated by opening a normally closed switch, said normally closed switch being connected to said security alarm and a normally open alarm activation switch, said normally open alarm activation switch engaging said shutter plate when said shutter plate is rotated to expose said lock cylinder.
- 23. The lock apparatus of claim 18 wherein said shutter plate prevents dust and contamination from entering said lock cylinder preventing damage to said lock cylinder.
US Referenced Citations (13)