Patent · US Expired

Combination lock with motor-driven tumblers

US5184491A · kind A · utility

34Cited by
17References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 19, 1990
Grant dateFeb 9, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 19, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T70/8405
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A combination lock wherein the tumblers can be moved to predetermined positions, preparatory to retraction of the locking bolt from extended position, by an electric motor which is controlled by a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives signals from a keyboard or from a disc and can start the motor for the purpose of aligning the normally scrambled tumblers only in response to reception of a predetermined sequence of signals. A manually operated knob can be coupled to a driver for the tumblers in order to change the positions of the tumblers and/or to move the locking bolt between extended and retracted positions independently of the motor. The microprocessor is programmed to start the motor only in response to reception of a predetermined sequence of signals in accordance with a selected combination.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.