Other

La Gard, Inc.

John C Herrmann

Klaus W Gartner

Alan K Uyeda

Peter J Phillips

An electronic lock for a safe door is provided with a digital keypad entry device, a mechanical bolt works and associated handle for retracting the door bolts, and a spring biased rotary bolt which engages and precludes operation of the bolt works, such that upon entry of the predetermined code into the entry device, an electric signal causes a solenoid to energize and retract its armature from a blocking position relative the rotary bolt, further enabling the rotary bolt to rotate against its bias in response to mechanical manipulation of the handle by the user to retract the door bolts. Unauthorized operation of the safe handle causes the rotary bolt to be locked into a fixed position, preventing entry into the safe.

Electro-mechanical lock with rotary bolt

An electronic lock for a safe door is provided with a digital keypad entry device, a mechanical bolt works and associated handle for retracting the door bolts, and a spring biased rotary bolt which engages and precludes operation of the bolt works, such that upon entry of the predetermined code into the entry device, an electric signal causes a solenoid to energize and retract its armature from a blocking position relative the rotary bolt, further enabling the rotary bolt to rotate against its bias in response to mechanical maniupulation of the handle by the user to retract the door bolts. Unauthorized operation of the safe handle causes the rotary bolt to be locked into a fixed position, preventing entry into the safe.

A safe door bolt is rendered substantially punch-proof by providing as a part of the bolt a hardened plug. This plug has a tapered portion positioned to cause radial expansion of material forming part of the bolt in response to an end blow delivered to the bolt attempting to retract the same into the door. Thus, any force in the form of a sudden axial blow to the end of the door bolt by a burglar will result in the radial expansion of material of the bolt to block its retraction into the guide bore of the safe door thereby frustrating burglary attempts.

Safe door bolt

The safe door comprises a circular body with a recess formed in one face defining a cylindrical wall. This wall has radial bores passing therethrough for guiding locking bolts received in the bores between extended locked positions and retracted open positions. A cam plate is positioned in the recess and includes peripheral cam slots coupled to the inner ends of the bolts. The arrangement is such that rotation of the cam plate between first and second positions will retract and extend the bolts simultaneously. Features of the invention include providing a central opening in the cam plate with notches so that the same can be driven between its first and second rotated positions by a cam plate driver centrally located which driver in turn supports the combination lock components. The clearance between appropriate driving lugs received in the notches is greater than the clearance between the outer edge of the cam plate and the inner wall of the door recess such that lateral movement of the cam plate resulting from radially inwardly directed blows on any one of the bolts will result in the diametrically opposite portion of the cam plate engaging the inner wall of the recess before it will engage any of the combination lock components disposed within the central opening of the plate thereby avoiding damage to these components.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

John C Herrmann