Electronic and mechanical lock and key therefor
US5540069A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T70/713
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A locking device including both a mechanical lock operable with a key and an electrical lock, operable from the same key. The device includes an electrical circuit for operating the electrical lock. The electrical circuit has a microprocessor and memory which stores the identity of keys authorized to open both the mechanical lock and electrical lock. A master key is provided which includes at one end a connector which engages a connector within the mechanical lock when inserted. Information is read from the master key, identifying a set of keys which are authorized to open the lock. Whenever a key from the set of authorized keys is inserted in the lock, an identification number is read through a contact member from a memory associated with the key, and an electrical signal is generated by the electric circuit of the lock to operate the electrical lock.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.