Patent Application
20050086983
1. Field of the Invention
The exemplary aspects of the present invention relates to a locking device and an electric lock, lock assembly, drop-box and delivery system and method incorporating the lock device, and more particularly, to a locking device (e.g., low-power locking device), and an lock, lock assembly, drop-box and delivery system and method incorporating the locking device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic lock systems are useful in many applications such as hotel rooms, general building management, drop boxes, security areas at airports, apartment buildings, automobiles and so on. These electronic lock systems have many advantages over conventional mechanical keyed systems for control and access management of groups or individuals as well as the ability to actively track all transactions electronically at a low cost. These locks consist of an access control device and a mechanical locking device connected and controlled by the access device.
Many such electronic locks use a magnetic or a smart cards and reader as the access control device connected directly to the lock. Others may use an attached keypad that requires the user to enter a specific sequence of digits to open or unlock the mechanism. Finally, others may use a wireless system (Infra red or radio frequency) with a small transmitter placed either in a small key fob or a card. The mechanical locking devices are usually simple solenoids where a pin can be either pushed or pulled into the locked position, or an escapement system that enables a mechanical system that allows a user to mechanical pull.
A major technical challenge in the design of all mechanical locking devices is the balance between battery life, performance and cost. A simple solenoid with coil and plunger is disclosed by Gillham, Electrically Controlled Locks (U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,207). The Gillham device has a spring-loaded dead bolt and is the simplest possible lock mechanism. When the solenoid is activated the ‘bolt’ is pulled back from the locking area by the coil and the door is free to open. The advantage of mechanical simplicity is attractive, but the major disadvantage of this approach is that the large current surge required to pull the solenoid open will quickly drain the batteries.
A second conventional system uses a motor that drives a set of gears to mechanically move a locking bolt into and out of a locking area (e.g., see Doong, Power Supplying Device for a Door Lock (U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,999)) and/or a set of cams (e.g., see Geringer et al., Door Locking and Monitoring Assembly to Move the Bolt In and Out (U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,411). These all tend to be mechanically complex with many moving parts that might lead to failure particularly when placed outside year round.
A third prominently used system uses a small motor to create an “escapement” mechanism, (e.g., see Doong, Door Lock (U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,646) that enables an end-user to mechanically move the lock mechanism. The so-called escapement locks are commonly used in hotel rooms and security areas. They have the advantage of using a small DC motor that can move a cam or a pin a very short distance that enables a more complex mechanical system to be turned by hand.
The advantages of the escapement locks are reduced power which results in extended battery life. However, the major disadvantage is mechanical complexity and the fact that the user must still mechanically open the lock.
Thus, conventional electric locks are complex and, therefore, expensive, and/or have a large power consumption so that the batteries must be frequently replaced.
In view of the foregoing and other problems, disadvantages, and drawbacks of the conventional methods and structures, an object of the exemplary aspects of the present invention is to provide a locking device (e.g., locking mechanism) which provides a secure lock and has a low power consumption.
The exemplary aspects of the present invention include a locking device (e.g., low-power locking device) which includes a drive motor connected to a finite power supply, the drive motor having a shaft and a predetermined number of windings, and a threaded rod axially connected to the shaft, the rod having a predetermined thread pitch. Further, at least one of the number of windings and the thread pitch are selected to minimize a power consumption (e.g., maximize a life of the finite power supply).
The exemplary aspects of the present invention also include an electric lock which includes the inventive locking device. Specifically, the electric lock includes a drive motor having a finite power supply, the drive motor having a shaft and a predetermined number of windings, a threaded rod axially connected to the shaft, the rod having a predetermined thread pitch, a traveller having a threaded bore which mates with the threaded rod so that rotation of the threaded rod causes the traveller to move along an axis of the threaded rod, and a lock member which contacts the traveller. Further, at least one of the number of windings and the thread pitch are selected to minimize a power consumption (e.g., maximize a life of the finite power supply).
The exemplary aspects of the present invention also include a lock assembly (e.g., electric lock assembly) which includes the inventive locking device. Specifically, the lock assembly includes a drive motor connected to a first member and having a finite power supply, the drive motor having a shaft and a predetermined number of windings, a threaded rod axially connected to the shaft, the rod having a predetermined thread pitch, a traveller having a threaded bore which mates with the threaded rod so that rotation of the threaded rod causes the traveller to move along an axis of the threaded rod, a lock member which contacts the traveller, the lock member having a leading end, and a strike connected to a second member, the strike having an opening for receiving the leading end so as to lock the first and second members. Further, at least one of the number of windings and the thread pitch are selected to minimize a power consumption (e.g., maximize a life of the finite power supply).
Further, the finite power supply may supply pulses of electricity to the drive motor, and at least one of the number of windings and the thread pitch may be selected so as to reduce the pulses to a level selected. This may help to provide for maximum battery life. Further, the finite power supply may include a battery (e.g., A-type battery, AA-type battery (e.g., a plurality of AA batteries) and the pulses may each be low (e.g., lower than conventional pulses) (e.g., less than 100 milliamps) and the number of windings may be high (e.g., higher than conventional devices)(e.g., twice the windings of a conventional motor). For example, the pulses may include approximately 50 milliamp pulses in one exemplary aspect.
The exemplary aspects of the present invention may also include a drop box having the locking device (e.g., the lock or lock assembly) described above. In this case, the locking device may be used to control an access to the drop-box. For instance, the first member may include a wall of the drop box and the second member may include a door of the drop box.
The exemplary aspects of the present invention also include a system utilizing the drop box (e.g., with the inventive locking device, lock or lock assembly) for delivery of an item. For example, the system may include an electronic tag associated with the item and including a first transceiver. In this case, the drop box may be located at a destination for the item. The drop-box may further include a second transceiver which wirelessly communicates with the first transceiver to open the locking device (e.g., lock or lock assembly). In addition, the system may also include an access card having a third transceiver, for wirelessly communicating with the second transceiver to open the locking device (e.g., lock or lock assembly).
For instance, the drop-box may include a first memory device for storing a first identification number, and the electronic tag may include a second memory device for storing a second identification number. Thus, the processor in the drop-box may compare the first identification number and the second identification number, and unlock (e.g., open the locking device, lock or lock assembly) when the first identification number has a predetermined relationship with (e.g., matches) the second identification number.
The exemplary aspects of the present invention also include an inventive method which utilizes the drop box (e.g., including the inventive locking device, lock or lock assembly) for delivery of an item. An exemplary aspect of the inventive method includes associating the item with an electronic tag having a first transceiver, transporting the item to a destination, and placing the item in the drop box which is located at the destination, the drop box including a second transceiver which wirelessly communicates with the first transceiver to open the locking device (e.g., lock or lock assembly).
The exemplary aspects of the present invention also include a programmable storage medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing assembly to perform a method utilizing the drop-box having the inventive locking device (e.g., lock or lock assembly) for delivery of an item.
With its unique and novel aspects, the exemplary aspects of the present invention provide a locking device, lock and lock assembly which has a low power consumption (e.g., lower than conventional locks). The locking device, lock and lock assembly may be used in drop-boxes and delivery systems shipping containers, storage sheds, and methods incorporating the locking device (e.g., low-power locking device, lock or lock assembly), to provide a low-cost, simple, secure locking mechanism, the batteries of which seldom, if ever, need to be replaced or recharged.
The foregoing and other purposes, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:
Referring now to the drawings,
In general, the inventors have developed a lock mechanism (e.g., a wireless dead-bolt type lock) that may require no mechanical assistance to open, can be self-contained with only a single moving part. The inventive lock mechanism may, therefore, be made “tamper-proof”, self-contained, wireless and have only a single moving part. Further, the inventive lock can be “tuned” to reduce (e.g., optimize or minimize) power consumption and improve (e.g., maximize) battery life.
The expected battery life of an AA alkaline battery is five to seven years or 25,000 cycles. For C or D alkaline batteries, the expected battery life maybe as much 10 or more years. Conventional locks (e.g., locks with an escapement mechanism) typically have battery lives of two to three years maximum. Moreover, in most cases these locks require at least four AA batteries, and in some cases C batteries. In addition, escapement locks require complex mechanical and electrical connections to the outside world.
Further, such locks (e.g., lock mechanisms) are commonly used to secure the doors of drop-boxes used in courier delivery systems (e.g., unattended and overnight delivery systems). Such drop-boxes (e.g., relay boxes) often include a battery-powered electric lock mechanism, and may be used by couriers and post offices to pick-up and drop-off delivered parcels and mail at a location. Thus, such drop-boxes allow deliveries to be made overnight or when the owner is not present (e.g., unattended delivery).
Long battery life is particularly important in such drop-box field applications. The expense of changing batteries in an electronic lock in these applications is high. Further, mechanical “keyed” locking systems are difficult to manage and maintain with many thousands of employees requiring access.
As shown in
More specifically, the inventive locking device 100 may reduce power consumption and improve battery life by changing two (e.g., only two) key electrical or mechanical parameters. Battery capacity is generally rated in amp-hours (AH) (e.g., the total number of hours a battery is capable of producing power over a period of time). However, alkaline batteries, the least expensive source of battery power, have different amp-hour capacities depending upon the actual current needed over time.
It is possible to use a simple electronic circuit to limit current, such as adding a resistor, to a motor to achieve this result. However, such an approach would also limit the torque to the motor, leading to unreliable opening and closing, especially in severe cold or heat.
Further, an efficient method for minimizing current drain over time is to manufacture a special motor with many additional windings, thereby increasing the resistance but maintaining maximum torque. However, this would slow the motor down and increase the time it takes to open or close the lock, again increasing the total current drain.
The inventors, however, have discovered (e.g., using the design shown in
Specifically, the graph in
Motor 2 (which may be included in the present invention), on the other hand, has more windings than Motor 1 (e.g., approximately twice the number of windings). In addition, the thread pitch of the threaded rod used with Motor 2 is greater than that of locking device (e.g., lock assembly) which includes Motor 1. As shown in
Thus, battery life may be significantly extended by using motor 2 (e.g., having a combination of increased windings and modified (e.g., increased) thread pitch) as compared to motor 1. Indeed, the inventors have been able to extend battery life from one or two years to over five years using AA batteries by optimizing these two components (e.g., windings and thread pitch).
More specifically, in the low power locking device 100, the finite power supply may supply pulses of electricity to the drive motor, and at least one of the number of windings and the thread pitch may be selected so as to reduce the pulses to a level selected for optimizing a power consumption (e.g., maximum battery life). For instance, the finite power supply may include a AA-type battery, the pulses may each be less than about 100 milliamps, and the number of windings may be twice the windings of a conventional motor. Further, the pulses may be about 50 milliamp pulses or less.
Second Embodiment
Referring again to the drawings,
The electric lock 150 may also include a tube or guide 125 (e.g., a hollow tube) through which the lock member 120 may slide back and forth. The arrows in
Third Embodiment
Referring again to the drawings,
The electric lock assembly 175 may also include a tube or guide 125 (e.g., a hollow tube) through which the lock member 120 may slide back and forth. Further, the number of windings of the drive motor 105 and/or the thread pitch of the threaded rod 110 are selected to optimize (e.g., maximize) a life of the finite power supply, while ensuring a reliable operation of the lock assembly 175.
As noted above, the inventive lock assembly 175 may include a motor with a threaded rod mounted to the motor's shaft. The threaded shaft may move a square nut which may be prevented from rotation (e.g., by being flush to the mounting plate that holds the motor). The nut may have a hollow tube attached so that the threaded rod can freely move the nut back and forth. The tube, for example, may be attached to a bolt (e.g., a solid hardened-steel bolt) that may serve as the lock member (e.g., locking mechanism).
Thus, the lock assembly 175 in its simplest embodiment may include very few (e.g., two) moving parts. The motor and threaded shaft can be tuned or matched by changing the number of windings on the motor and/or the pitch of the thread. As the windings increase, the motor's speed decreases, and as the pitch of the thread is increased, the total time to open and close the lock assembly 175 can be increased.
This mechanical arrangement helps to allow a design that can be used to optimize a power consumption (e.g., minimize peak power), and minimize the time required to open or close the lock assembly 175, yet maintain adequate motor torque so the lock assembly 175 opens/closes (e.g., unlocks/locks) quickly and reliably. Therefore, regardless of the size of the lock required (e.g., regardless of the weight of the dead-bolt required) the design of the inventive lock assembly 175 can be used to optimize power consumption (e.g., maximize battery life).
Further, in this exemplary embodiment, the lock member 120 contacts the traveller 115 Directly and there is no tube (e.g., such as tube 125 shown in
As shown here, the assembly includes contacts near (e.g., under) the threaded rod which may be used to deactivate the motor (e.g., stop the motor from turning) when the lock member has been adequately retracted/extended (e.g., opened/closed).
Further, the spring shown in the photograph may help to slow the advancement (e.g., extension) of the lock member 120 toward the strike member 130. It should be noted that
In addition, although it is not shown in the photographs of
Fourth Embodiment
Referring again to the drawings,
The drop-box 200 may be used, for example, by couriers and post offices to pick-up and drop-off delivered parcels and mail at a location. For instance, the first member of the assembly 175 (to which the drive motor 105 is connected) may include a wall of the drop-box and the second member of the assembly 175 (to which the strike 130 is connected) may include a door of the drop box 200.
More specifically, as shown in
In addition, as shown in
Further, the drop-box 200 may also optionally include a light-emitting device 855 (e.g., one or two light emitting diodes) that can be optionally used to identify a correct package when a delivery driver arrives. In addition, as shown in
In addition, the drop-box 200 may be insulated to facilitate the delivery of sensitive (e.g., perishable) goods. The space inside the insulated drop-box may range, for example, from between about 1 cubic foot to 30 cubic feet. The temperature inside the box 200 may be controlled to between about 35 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
The drop-box 200 may also be formed of a variety of materials, such as plastic or metal, and may have good insulative properties. The lid of the box may also have a tight seal. Further, to insulate the drop-box, the walls may be formed of a single layer of a conventional insulative material having a sufficient thickness and density to provide the desired insulative features. Alternatively, the box may be double-walled and have insulative material (e.g., a conventional insulative material) therebetween.
The drop-box 200 may also include an optional humidity control feature to regulate the amount of moisture inside the box 200. In addition, the box 200 could have a switch to activate and deactivate the temperature control and/or humidity control features.
The drop-box 200 may be locked using the electric lock assembly 175 described above. For example, as shown in
Thus, the lock member 120 may be moved forward to lock the lid of the box 200 and rearward to unlock the box 200. As shown in
Fifth Embodiment
As shown in
For instance, in addition to the drop-box 200, the system 700 includes an electronic tag 210 associated with the item. The electronic tag 210 includes a first transceiver. Thus, the drop-box 200 may be located at a destination for the item, so that the second transceiver in the drop-box 200 may wirelessly communicate with the first transceiver (in the electronic tag 210) to allow access to the drop-box (e.g., open the lock assembly 175). The inventive system 700 may further include a transport vehicle 180 for transporting the item to the destination having the drop-box 200.
Further, as shown in
As shown in
The electronic tag 210 may also contain a transceiver 350 (e.g., a transmitter/receiver such as a two-way communication chip) for allowing the electronic tag 210 to communicate with the drop box 200 (or a base station). The two-way communications chip may be, for example, a low-cost CMOS analog/digital chip. The chip may be connected to orthogonal ferrite antennas 360 that are able to transmit and receive signals using low frequencies to the loop antenna (e.g., in the transport vehicle) wirelessly connected to the base station.
For instance, the drop-box 200 may include a first memory device for storing a first identification number, and the electronic tag 210 may include a second memory device for storing a second identification number. Thus, the processor in the drop-box 200 may the first identification number and the second identification number, and unlock (e.g., open the lock assembly 175) when the first identification number has a predetermined relationship with (e.g., matches) the second identification number.
As shown in
Further, the access card 900 which allows access to the drop-box 200 (e.g., opens the lock assembly 175) may include a short range wireless link to control the lock assembly 175 (e.g., a battery operated lock mechanism) included in the drop-box 200. The access card may include an inexpensive processor 920 (e.g., a low powered four bit microprocessor), a memory device 930 (e.g., a random access memory (RAM)) or other nonvolatile memory device for storing a unique identification number. The identification number may be permanent, so that it can be changed only with a special program and transmitter. The access card 900 may also contain a switch 975 (e.g., a button) to control an operation of the access card 900.
The access card 900 may also contain a transceiver 950 (e.g., a transmitter/receiver such as a two-way communication chip) for allowing the access card 900 to communicate with the drop-box 200 and other devices in the inventive system 100 (e.g., the base station 120). The two-way communications chip may be, for example, a low-cost CMOS analog/digital chip. The two-way communications chip may be connected to orthogonal ferrite antennas 960 that are able to transmit and receive using low frequencies to the loop antenna connected to the base station.
Further, the access card 900 may wirelessly communicate with other devices via a bi-directional wireless link. The wireless link may include, for example, a low frequency conductive loop requiring minimal power and allowing communication within a small area. Further, the access card may include display devices 970 (e.g., light emitting diodes) which may be programmed to display both numeric as well as alphanumeric information transmitted to the access card 900.
The circuitry may also be solar powered or powered, for example, by a battery 980 or other power source. Due to the efficiencies provided by the inventive lock assembly 175, the life of the batteries (e.g., conventional alkaline batteries) may last five years, and with AAA batteries the life may be even longer. As mentioned above, a record of opening and closing times can be kept in the memory of the drop-box 200 so that when the driver opens the box 200 to place an order he can “harvest” this information.
Further, as shown in
Further, the access card 900 having a keypad 1000 could also be used by third party couriers, so that each driver might have a PIN. This would make it possible to change the program of the box 200 to disallow the use of a particular PIN, for example, if a driver left the delivery company. In addition, the PIN and keypad 1000 may be used to monitor who accesses the drop box 200.
More specifically, the wireless access card system may be used to control opening and closing of the electric lock assembly 175 on the drop-box 200. The access card 900 has a communication chip and small microprocessor and an antenna. The card 900 also has a button, when the button is pushed, a signal is transmitted to the lock communication chip that may include a string of digits.
Referring again to the circuit diagram in
Alternatively, the assembly 175 may be electrically connected to the circuitry in the drop-box 200 including the transceiver in the drop-box. Thus, the assembly 175 may receive (e.g., via its own transceiver or the drop-box transceiver) the signal (e.g., digits) from the access card 900 (or electronic tag 210). The assembly 175 may then compare the digits to the stored list and if a predetermined relationship (e.g., a match) is found, the assembly opens (e.g., causes the lock member 120 to be retracted back towards the drive motor 105). In addition, the lock assembly 175 may store the time and date of the transaction as a log. This makes it possible to occasionally harvest the data stored in the lock assembly 175 using the same wireless communication path to confirm all transactions.
The lock assembly may also have an optional detector operatively coupled to the locking device 100 (e.g., drive motor) that determines if the door or lid is open or closed. If it is in the closed position, the lock assembly 175 may close (e.g., cause the lock member 120 to move to a position near the strike member 130) automatically after a brief period (e.g., 10 seconds). It is also possible to program the lock assembly 175 to close only if it receives (e.g., wirelessly receives) a close signal, such as wirelessly transmitted by the access card 900. This could be as a result of pushing the same button on the access card 900 used to open the lock, or may be a separate “close” button.
In some high security applications the access card 900 can optionally have a ten digit keypad that requires the user to enter in a four or five digit pin number. The card can transmit both an ID and the pin number to provide positive identification of the person attempting to open the lock assembly.
Referring again to the drawings,
The exemplary aspects of the present invention include many advantages over conventional locks and delivery systems. For example, the lock assembly 175 can be placed into a door without any external mechanical mechanism so it is tamper resistant. For example, it can be easily mortised into the door directly with having the dead-bolt (e.g., lock member) sticking out. In other words, it may have a low cost installation.
Further, the lock assembly 175 can also be attached to rear surface of door as a dead-bolt. Thus, only a few minutes and few screws are needed for installation, resulting in a low cost installation.
In addition, the lock assembly 175 can keep data log of opening and closing and attempted opening and closings (e.g., of the drop-box or other container on which the assembly is used), including time and date of opening/closing, card ID, and PIN owner information. Thus, for example, the assembly 175 is useful in security applications on containers used for customs, as well as drop-boxes used for delivery and pickup of parcels.
Further, many different lock assemblies 175 can be created for different applications using the same basic design. For example, steel shipping containers used on ships can have a very heavy steel bolt. In this case, the motor and thread design may be optimized to produce optimum (e.g., maximum) battery life based on the heavy weight of bolt. On the other hand, smaller, lighter bolts can also be used for relay boxes or even apartment mailboxes. In other words, how the lock assembly 175 is tuned via thread and motor may depend on the application.
Further, the mechanics of the lock assembly 175 (e.g., drive motor, threaded rod, lock member, etc.) are simple and are not found in conventional locking mechanisms. This design (e.g., only having one (or two) moving part) leads to high reliability for the inventive locking device, lock and lock assembly.
For instance, a complex lock is disclosed in Chin, Automatic Locking/Unlocking Device and Method Using Wireless Communication (U.S. Pat. No. 5,942,985). In the Chin lock, a pilot signal is transmitted in an idle state and the lock waits for reception of a wireless reception signal, including a lock access code. This has the disadvantage of consuming power from the transmission of the pilot signal from the lock.
The inventive lock assembly 175, on the other hand, does not necessarily transmit a pilot signal, which allows the assembly 175 to conserve power. The assembly 175 may include a receiver that waits for an access card (or electronic tag) to transmit (e.g., wirelessly transmit) a signal (e.g., an ID number or ID/PIN combination if it is a pin card). An acknowledgment may be transmitted back to access card (or electronic tag) after the signal is read by the lock assembly 175.
Thus, in the inventive system, it is the access card (or electronic tag) that may transmit (e.g., wirelessly transmit) a signal to initiate the open/close (e.g., unlock/lock) sequence. Further, the lock assembly may receive the wireless signal and make a decision to unlock (or lock) and record the transaction in the data log. This further reduces (e.g., minimizes) power consumption. Therefore, conventional locks, such as the Chin lock) result in more power consumption and lower battery life than the inventive lock assembly, at least in part because of the pilot signal requirement of such conventional locks.
Further, one problem with conventional locks is the high cost to replace the batteries in each drop box (e.g., about $20), plus waste problem of disposing of spent batteries. With the claimed lock assembly, however, the inventors have now recorded 300,000 openings/closings with D batteries and 40,000 openings/closings with AA batteries. Therefore, the batteries do not have to be replaced as often in the inventive lock assembly, further reducing costs.
Further, conventional locks do not customize the windings and threads and are very complex. The claimed lock assembly, however, may be very inexpensive to produce, and may have a battery life greater than 5 yrs. In addition, it is very simple, having two moving parts (i.e., the motor and traveler).
Generally, as pitch is increased, the time required to open/close the lock is decreased (i.e., speed is increased), but the torque required to turn the motor is increased. Thus, by decreasing the pitch, the current required to open/close the lock is spread over time, and the torque required by the motor is decreased.
In fact, the inventive lock assembly has such a long life that the bore of the traveler may be worn away before the batteries are spent (i.e., before the life of the battery has terminated). Therefore, to help ensure that the lock will last at least as long as the battery, the bore may be reinforced (e.g., coated with a resistant material such as teflon) in order to increase the number of cycles the bore can withstand before wearing away.
Further, the characteristics of the deadbolt affects the torque required to open/close the lock. For example, the heavier the bolt, the more torque (and, therefore, more power) required to open/close the lock. In addition, the longer the throw (i.e., the distance the deadbolt has to travel to latch the lock) the more power consumed.
Thus, the preferred number of windings in the motor may be based, at least in part, on the weight of the deadbolt and the throw. If the windings are increased too much, the motor won't turn, but if the windings are too few, the motor turns to fast. It should be noted that the speed of the motor is determined by number of windings, the throw is determined by the length of thread, and speed (e.g., the time required to open/close the lock) is determined by thread pitch. The thread pitch should be as high as possible because the faster the lock is opened/closed, the less power the motor consumes. However, if the thread pitch is too high, the cost is high and the threads will get clogged.
For example, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
Thus, there is an optimal combination of windings and thread pitch depending on the application. The optimum number of windings and thread pitch for a particular application are best determined empirically and depend on many factors (e.g., weight of deadbolt, orientation of the motor (e.g., vertical, horizontal, etc.). An objective is to reduce (e.g., minimize) the time to open/close and at the same time maximize battery life (i.e., reduce power consumption).
With its unique and novel aspects, the exemplary aspects of the present invention provide a locking device (e.g., lock and lock assembly) which has a low power consumption. The locking device, lock and lock assembly may be used in drop-boxes and delivery systems and methods incorporating the low-power lock assembly, to provide a low-cost, simple, secure locking mechanism, the batteries of which seldom, if ever, need to be replaced or recharged.
While a preferred embodiment of the exemplary aspects of the present invention has been described above, it should be understood that it has been provided as an example only. Thus, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This Application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/407,984 entitled “LOW-POWER LOCK APPARATUS AND LOCK, DROP-BOX AND DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD INCORPORATING SAME”, which was filed on Sep. 5, 2002, assigned to the present assignee, and is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60407984 | Sep 2002 | US |
