US3013248A

US3013248A - Code operated device

Info

Publication number: US3013248A
Authority: US
Inventors: Victor E Carbonara; William G Delp
Original assignee: Kollsman Instrument Corp
Current assignee: Kollsman Instrument Corp
Priority date: 1959-01-22
Filing date: 1959-01-22
Publication date: 1961-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 1978-12-12

Description

Dec. 12, 1961 v. E. CARBONARA ET AL 3,013,248

CODE OPERATED DEVICE Filed Jan. 22', 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4 m mw m 2 v2. 4 N. 5 1 x 7A WM m v. E. CARBONARA ETAL 3,013,248

Dec. 12, 1961 CODE OPERATED DEVICE 4 SheetS- -Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1959 T f w 7 V V 0/ Mw M Dec. 12, 1961 v. E. CARBONARA ET AL 3,013,248

CODE OPERATED DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 22, 1959 12, 1961 E. CARBONARA ET AL 3,013,248

CODE OPERATED DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORE' warm? 5- mead W Arraex/m\ United States Patent 3,013,248 CODE OPERATED DEVICE Victor E. Carbonara, Manhasset, N.Y., and William G.

Dclp, Pasadena, Calif., assignors to Kollsman Instrument Corporation, Eimhurst, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 22, 1959, Ser. No. 788,454 5 Claims. (Cl. 340-164) Our invention relates to code operated devices and more particularly to an electric lock in the form of a code operated device adapted to operate on a succession of accurately timed pulses. On the occurrence of any pulse in the wrong time sequence, the operation of the lock will be defeated and the lock operating elements will be restored to the original condition existing before the first code pulse. A full properly timed code sequence is, therefore, necessary to operate the lock and any step by step attempt to defeat the lock will be frustrated.

In the operation of remote control devices, such as for instance garage door openers, it is desirable to permit the user to send a coded signal which will initiate operation while at the same time it is necessary to prevent unathorized operation. A garage door opener consists of: a motor for operating the door, preferably through a reduction gear sufficiently large in ratio to be self-locking against any force which could lift the door when the motor has stopped; a switch for actuating the motor; means for receiving a motor actuating signal; and means (the lock) for translating the motor actuating signal into an operation of the motor switch.

Thus, the car will have some means for generating a series of timed pulses over a short space of time. This may well be a hand-wound clock-work mechanism in the car which, on a quarter turn of a handle, will unwind to create the timed sequence of pulses; any, even crude, clock-work will be accurate over the fifteen seconds or so required to generate the timed set of code pulses. These pulses may be used to operate the car headlights in cooperation with a photocell receiver at the door or may be used in connection with a transmitter on the car and a receiver at the door to generate a succession of timed pulses usable at the lock. Our improved lock is then arranged to operate in response to such pulses to close the door opening circuit provided the correct number of pulses is received in the correct time sequence.

Essentially our invention contemplates a rotatable lock disk and a cooperating follower arm biased against a main surface of the disk. The follower is secured to the armature of a relay whose energization and deenergization is controlled by the coded pulses transmitted from the car.

A track in the shape of an open ring is formed on the main surface of the disk projects in an axial direction therefrom and is arranged concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the disk. The track is further positioned sothat the follower normally rides on the track when the relay is both energized and deenergized.

Extending upwardly from the raised track are a plurality of deflectors arranged in a predetermined relationship. The deflectors are so positioned that if the relay is energized and deenergized in'the proper sequence the follower will remain on the raised track from its entrance end to its exit end. If an incorrect code is utilized to control relay operation the follower will be engaged by a deflector and be swept off of the projecting track "ice to the main surface until the disk completes a revolution.

If the follower remains on the projecting track until the exit end thereof it will engage an actuator formation at the exit end which will deflect the follower causing it to close a set of normally open actuator contacts connected in a circuit controlling a garage door motor so that the garage door may be operated. Thus, the follower must be on the projecting track at the exit end in order for the coded signals to effect operation of the garage door.

Our invention is distinguished from prior art devices of this type in that the costly stepping relay of prior art devices has been eliminated without a sacrifice in any desirable operating features. Further, all of the elements of our device are stationary until such time as the device receives a coded signal combination which may readily open the lock by manipulating the headlight controls assisted by the flashing bulb, even though he might have a poor sense of timing. However, an unauthorized person, i.e., one not knowing the combination, who succeeds in starting the drive motor and flashing the assist indicator, will receive no aid in attempting to open the lock. Thus, the need has been eliminated for providing a separate means for generating a series of timed code pulses.

The lock disk is normally stationary and is rotated through a complete cycle each time coded signals are received by the lock whether or not the signals comprise the correct code. Since it is preferable to transmit the coded signals from the car to the lock by means of the car headlights, means are provided whereby the light transmitted by passing cars will not initiate a cycle of the lock disk. This means comprises a delay device which must be continuously actuated by the headlights for a short interval of time before the motor which drives the lock disk may be energized. The interval is chosen so as to exceed the continuous time duration during which the headlights of passing cars could reasonably be expected to impinge upon the photoelectric device associated with the lock.

Our novel electric lock may also be used to control the closing as well as the opening of the garage door. This is accomplished by means of circuitry which includes the aforesaid actuator contacts. In the circuitry hereinafter described closing of the door must be preceded by a complete opening thereof.

Accordingly, a primary object of our invention is the provision of a novel electric lock which will operate only on an accurately timed series of code pulses to close a circuit and which will be defeated on the occurrence of any incorrectly spaced or timed pulse.

Another object is to provide a novel electric lock including means for assisting the manual control of code pulses required for opening.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a novel electric lock which does not require the stepping relay characteristic of locks of this type but which never theless cannot be opened by one who does not know the the proper opening sequence.

A further object of our invention is to provide a novel electric lock including provisions for automatic closing as well as opening of a garage controlled thereby.

A still further object is to provide a novel electric lock including a rotatable lockdisk including a raised track having deflectors positioned in predetermined relationship thereon, whereby a relay operated follower, normally on the raised track, will be deflected from the raised track unless the proper pulse sequence is utilized to energize the relay. The exit end of the raised track includes a cam formation which will deflect the follower into engagement with an actuator if the follower remains on the raised track for its entire length.

The foregoing and many other objects of our invention will become apparent in the following description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of our novel code operated device with the elements in their at rest positions at the end of a complete cycle.

FIGURE 1a is a side elevation of the device of FIG- URE l with the elements in the same position as they occupy in FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 2 and 3 are front elevations of the device of FIGURE 1 illustrating the locking disk in two different intermediate positions.

FIGURE 4 is another front elevation of the device of FIGURE 1 with the elements shown at the time when the follower has reached the end of the track and is deflected by the actuator formation.

FIGURE 4a is a side elevation illustrating the elements of the device in their positions illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary exploded View of the code operated device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of the code operated device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of a signal pickup means which may be utilized as part of my novel device.

FIGURE 8 is a wiring diagram illustrating the manner in which the code matching device may be utilized to control a motor for garage door operation.

Now referring to the figures, a local source of energy (notshown) is controlled from a remote point to provide a plurality of appropriately spaced and timed signals. This source for the unlocking signals is connected to coil of operating relay 21 which is supported by bracket 22 on the chassis 2'3. Coil 20 is provided with a suitable core 24 arranged to attract armature 25 when coil .20 is energized. Armature 25 is hingedly mounted at 27 on member 28 secured to relay bracket 26, with armature 25Ihaving one end thereof secured to one end of tension spring 29 whose other end is secured to lug 30 of member 28. Thus, armature 25 is biased away from core 24 of relay 2 1 by spring29.

Whenever'the headlight beams of a car impinge upon photosensitive device 31 current from energy source 32 'sufficient to energize relay coil 20, passes therethrough. In order to prevent stray lights from initiating operation, a time delay means 33 is provided. Time delay means 33 'may be of the type manufactured by the Amperite Company, Inc. designated 115N051, and comprises a heater 34 associated with normally open contacts 35. With relay 21 energized'the normally closed contacts 36 thereof open. Thus a complete circuit between L and L exists through heater 34. This circuit, beginning at L compriseslead 38, heater 34, lead 39, closed contacts 37, lead 40 to contact 41 "of switch 42, contact arm 43, and finally through lead 44 to L When heater 34 has been energized for a predetermined interval of time, say five seconds, contacts 35 are thereby closed so that upon subsequent deenergization of coil 20, synchronous motor 46 is energized through a circuit from L comprising lead 47, motor lead 48, contact 36 of relay 21, leads 49 and 50, closed contacts 34 and lead 54 to L The output of motor 46 provides the input for speed reducer 55 whose output shaft 56, passing through an opening in chassis 23, drives holding cam 57 and lock disk 58 in a clockwise direction with respect to FIGURES 1-5 as indicated by arrow A. The initial rotational movement of holding cam 57 causes the tip 5'8 of arm 43 to move out of cam recess 59 so that contact arm 43 disengages contact 41 and engages holding contact 45. Thus, motor 46 is energized regardless of the condition of

contacts

35 and 36 until cam 57 completes a full revolution.

In the at rest, or starting, position'of FIGURE 1 the offset tip 61 of resilient follower 60, which is secured to relay armature 25, rests upon track 62 which projects outwardly from the main surface 63 of lock disk 58. Raised track 62 is of an open ring shape having an inclined entrance 64 and an inclined exit 65.

A plurality of deflectors 66-74 project from track 62, and for the purposes of illustration only, are arranged in three groups which form a slalom which must be successfully negotiated by follower tip 61, in a manner to be hereinafter explained, in order to unlock our novel electrick lock. The first group comprises deflectors 6669, the second group comprises deflectors 70-72, and the third group comprises

deflectors

73 and 74. Each of the deflectors 66-74 is comprised of a wire like member bent to a general shape with one arm having an outward bulge.

In order for follower tip 61 to successfully negotiate slalom 66-74 relay 21 must be energized and deencrgized for predetermined intervals which are as follows. After time delay means 33 has been actuated to close contacts 35 relay coil 20 must be deenergized for a first interval or the time required for the first group of deflectors 66-69 to pass opposite follower tip 61. Then relay coil 2% must be energized for a second interval or the time required for the second group of deflectors 70-72 to pass opposite follower tip 61 and finally relay coil 20 must be deenergized for a third interval or the time required for the third group of

deflectors

73 and 74 to pass opposite follower tip 61.

That is, if relay coil 20 is energized while any of the deflectors of the first group 66-69 or the

third group

73, 74 are opposite follower tip 61, the tip 61 will be swept over the inside edge 75 of track 62. Resilient follower 6% is self biased toward disk surface 63 so that when tip 61 passes over edge 75 tip 61 will be forced against disk surface 63 and will remain against this surface even though coil 20 is deenergized until exit passes tip 61 and continued rotation of disk 58 causes tip 61 to ride up on inclined entrance 64.

The preceding operation is illustrated in FIGURE 2 wherein follower 60 occupies the solid line position when relay 21 is deenergized and the phantom position when relay 21 is energized. Thus, energization of relay 21 when disk 58 is in the position of FIGURE 2 moves follower tip 61 against the lower side of deflector 67. With continued rotation of disk 58 the upper side of the next deflector 68 will engage tip 61 and guide follower 60 toward the center of disk 58 so that tip 61 passes over the inside edge 75 of track 62.

As seen in FIGURE 3, a similar operation takes place when the deflectors of the second group -72 are opposite follower tip 61. In FIGURE 3 follower 60 is in the solid line position when relay 21 is energized and in the phantom position when relay 21 is deenergized. Thus, deenergization relay 21 when disk 58 is in the position of FIGURE 3 moves follower tip 61 against the lower side of deflector 71. With continued rotation of disk 58 the upper side of the next deflector 72 will engage tip 61 and guide follower 60 away from the center of disk 58 so that tip 61 passes over the outside edge 76 of track 62. Once tip 61 passes over outside edge 76 tip 61 cannot return to track 62 except through entrance 64.

It is to be noted that tip 61 is of a greater length than the combined heights of track 62 and any one of the deflectors 66-74 so that when tip 61 rides on disk surface 63 all of the deflectors 6644 Will pass freely beneath follower 69.

Thus, in order for follower tip 61 to successfully negotiate the slalom formed by deflectors 66-74 the followmust take place without deviation once lock disk 58 commences to rotate.

(1) Relay 21 must remain deenergized while deflectors 66-63 are opposite follower tip 61 and until the leading end 7 of deflector 69 passes tip 61 then track 62 is provided with an actuator formation 82 which projects away from disk surface 63. When tip 61 rides up on formation 82 (FIGURES 4 and 4a) follower 60 will be deflected so that a deformed portion 83 thereof engages switch arm 84 to close normally open actuator contacts 85 which remain closed only for the short interval of time that tip 61 is on formation 82 which is a sufficient time interval to operate the garage door motor 86 (FIGURE 8) as will be hereinafter explained.

The peripheral edge of lock disk 58 is provided with a series of equally spaced notches as well as a single time delay interlock lobe 90. Follower switch arm 52 is self biased toward the edge of lock disk 58. Thus when bend 91 of arm 52 is disposed in a peripheral notch arm 52 engages contact 53 and when bend 91 engages lobe 90 am 52 engages contact 51. It is to be noted that arm 52 engages contact 51 when holding cam 57 permits arm 43 to engage contact 41 (FIGURE 6).

Code assist light bulb 92 is normally off. When the contacts 35 of time delay device 33 are closed light bulb 92 is energized by source 32 through a circuit beginning at L and comprising lead 93, bulb 92, lead 94, switch arm 52, contact 51, lead 95, lead 50, contacts 35, and lead 54 to L Thus, when bulb 92 first lights this indicates that deenergization of coil 20, by turning off of the headlights, will energize motor 46 as hereinbefore explained.

Once motor 46 begins to operate, lock disk 58 rotates so that lobe 90 disengagcs bend 91 and arm 52 disengages contact 51. During the rotation of disk 58 arm 52 alternately engages and disengages contact 53 without engaging contact 51. When arm 52 engages contact 53 light bulb 92 is energized through lead 96 connected between L and contact 53. It is to be noted that the peripheral notches of lock disk 58 are equally spaced so that code assist light 92 flashes in an orderly fashion to indicate to the driver when his headlights are to be turned on .and off.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a signal pickup device 101 which may be utilized to receive light pulses from the car headlights. Device'101 is comprised of an L-shaped housing 102 having a vertical elongated arm with a photo-electric cell 31 disposed therein at the top free end thereof. Window-104 is located'at the free end of the horizontal leg.

.Mirror 105 is positioned at the juncture between the arm and leg of housing 102 and is inclined to reflect light rays passing through window 104 substantially parallel to the vertical leg upward to cell 31. Window 104 is oppositely inclined with respect to mirror 105 for purposes of drainage as well as to admit more light coming from below than from above. A water tight covering 106 is placed at the free end of the vertical leg with cable 107 projecting through covering 106 and extending to the other circuitry of FIGURE 6.

tor contacts 85 are momentarily closed with the circuit elements in the position of FIGURE 8 a circuit is completed between L and L This circuit, beginning at L comprises manual stop switch 120, closed actuator contacts 85, ganged upper limit switches 121, 122 and relay coil 123 to L Thus, relay coil 123 is energized thereby operating switch arm 125, which is pivoted at '126, toward coil 123.

This brings switch arm 125 in contact with motor contact 129 thereby placing winding 131 in parallel with the series combination of winding 132 and motor capacitor 133 with the parallel combination being connected across L and L When motor 86 is connected and energized in this manner it will rotate in a forward direction or the direction required to open the garage door. At the same time switch arm 125 engages holding contact 127 thereby completing a circuit through coil 123 which by-passes actuator contacts so that upon opening thereof motor 86 will continue to operate. When the door reaches the top of its travel, dogs (not shown) carried by the door operate upper limit switches 121, 122 to interrupt the circuit to coil 123 thereby releasing contact arm which moves to a central position being urged to this position by centering springs 134, 135 interrupting the power to motor 86.

A subsequent closing of actuator contacts 85 completes a circuit between L and L which includes relay coil 124. This circuit, beginning at L comprises manual stop switch 120, actuator contacts 85, back contacts 136 of upper limit switch 121, bottom limit switch 137, and relay coil 124 to L Thus, relay coil 124 is energized thereby operating switch arm 125 toward coil 124.

This brings switch arm 125 in contact with motor contact 130 thereby placing winding 132 in parallel with the series combination of winding 131 and capacitor 133 with the parallel combination being connected across L and L When motor 86 is connected and energized in this manner it will rotate in reverse direction or the direction required to close the garage door. At the same time switch arm 125 engages holding contact 128 thereby completing a circuit through coil 124 which by-passes actuator contacts 85 so that upon opening thereof motor 86 will continue to operate. When the door reaches the bottom of its travel, another door (not shown) carried by the door operates lower limit switch 137 to interrupt the circuit to coil 124 thereby releasing contact arm 125 which then moves to its central position interrupting power to motor 86.

Relay coils 123 and 124 are so proportioned that when one is energized, the subsequent energization of the other before deenergization of the first coil will not cause the switch arm 125 to be attracted toward the other coil.

It is readily seen that the opening of manual stop switch 120 will cause the motor to stop regardless of the position of the other circuit elements. Switch is utilized for manual control. That is, when switch arm 151 engages contact 152 relay coil 123 is energized if upper limit switch 122 is closed and when switch arm 15 engages contact 153 relay coil 124 is energized if lower limit switch 137 is closed.

While this invention has been illustrated with deflectors 66-74 arranged in a particular manner, it is obvious many diiferent deflector arrangements may be utilized. By merely varying the positions of the deflectors by merely placing the ends thereof in different holes 9 of track 62, the combination of the code operated device may be changed.

Although we have here described preferred embodiment of our novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, and we therefore prefer to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

We claim:

1. A code operated electric lock device, openable in response to a combination 'of correctly coded pulses, in-

7 cluding a first means normally stationary in a start position and being movable through a cycle back to said start position; said first means including a track having an entrance and an exit; a second means including a follower operatively positioned to ride on said track; a receiver operatively connected to said second means whereby said pulses are translated into motion of said follower; said first means including a formation constructed to guide said follower through said entrance on to said track and being further constructed to prevent said follower from entering said track except at said entrance; a slalom comprised of a plurality of deflectors operatively positioned to engage and thereby deflect said follower off of said track before said exit when an incorrectly coded pulse is picked up by said receiver; said follower leaving said track at said exit only when correctly coded pulses are picked up by said receiver; said first means comprising a body rotatable about an axis; said track comprising a ring formation extending outwardly from a first surface of said body and arranged concentrically about said axis.

2. A code operated electric lock device, openable in response to a combination of correctly coded pulses, including a first means normally stationary in a start position and being movable through a cycle back to said start position; said first means including a track having an entrance and an exit; a second means including a follower operatively positioned to ride on said track; a receiver operatively connected to said second means whereby said pulses are translated into motion of said follower; said first means including a formation constructed to guide said follower through said entrance on to said track and being further constructed to prevent said follower from entering said track except at said entrance; a slalom com prised of a plurality of deflectors operatively positioned to engage and thereby deflect said follower off of said track before said exit when an incorrectly coded pulse is picked up by said receiver; said follower leaving said track at said exit only when correctly coded pulses are picked up by said receiver; said first means comprising a body rotatable about an axis; said track comprising a ring formation extending outwardly from a first surface of said body and arranged concentrically about said axis; means biasing said follower in a direction parallel to said axis toward said first surface; some of said plurality of deflectors being arranged to deflect said follower over a first side of said track and others of said plurality of deflectors being arranged to deflect said follower over a second side of said track; said formation being said second side.

3. A code operated electric lock device, openable in response to a combination of correctly coded pulses, including a first means normally stationary in a start position and being movable through a cycle back to said start position; said first means including a track having an entrance and an exit; a second means including a follower operatively positioned to ride on said track; a received operatively connected to said second means whereby said pulses are translated into motion of said follower; said first means including a formation constructed to guide said follower through said entrance on to said track and being further constructed to prevent said follower from entering said track except at said entrance; a slalom comprised of a plurality of deflectors operatively positioned to engage and thereby deflect said follower off of said track before said exit when an incorrectly coded pulse is picked up by said receiver; said follower leaving said track at said exit only when correctly coded pulses are picked up by said receiver; said first means comprising a body rotatable about an axis; said track comprising a ring formation extending outwardly from a first surface of saidv body and arranged concentrically about said axis; means biasing said follower in a direction parallel to said axis toward said first surface; some of said plurality of deflectors being arranged to deflect said follower over a first side of said track and others of said plurality of deflectors being arranged to deflect said follower over a second side of said track; said formation being said second side; means including a relay having an armature movable between a first and a second position; said followe-r being secured to said armature and being movable thereby; said follower being movable by said armature to successfully negotiate said slalom when correctly coded pulses are picked up by said receiver.

4. A code operated electric lock device, openable in response to a combination of correctly coded pulses, including a first means normally stationary in a start position and being movable through a cycle back to said start position; said first means including a track having an entrance and an exit; a second means including a follower operatively positioned to ride on said track; a receiver operatively connected to said second means whereby said pulses are translated into motion of said follower; said first means including a formation constructed to guide said follower through said entrance on to said track and being further constructed to prevent said follower from entering said track except at said entrance; a slalom comprised of a plurality of deflectors operatively positioned to engage and thereby deflect said follower off of said track before said exit when an incorrectly coded pulse is picked up by said receiver; said follower leaving said track at said exit only when correctly coded pulses are picked up by said receiver; said first means comprising a body rotatable about an axis; said track comprising a ring formation extending outwardly from a first surface of said body and arranged concentrically about said axis; means biasing said follower in a direction parallel to said axis toward said first surface; some of said plurality of deflectors being arranged to deflect said follower over a first side of said track and others of said plurality of deflectors being arranged to deflect said follower over a second side of said track; said formation being said second side; means including a relay having an armature movable between a first and a second position; said follower being secured to said armature and being movable thereby; said follower being movable by said armature to succesfully negotiate said slalom when correctly coded pulses are picked up by said receiver; code assist means operated by said first means while said first means is moving through said cycle; said rotatable body including depressions along the periphery thereof; a switch means including a follower in engagement with said periphery; said code assist means being alternately energized and de-energized by said switch means.

5. A code operated electric lock device, openable in response to a combination of correctly coded pulses, including a first means normally stationary in a start position and being movable through a cycle back to said start position; said first means including a track having an entrance and an exit; a second means including a follower operatively positioned to ride on said track; a receiver operatively connected to said second means whereby said pulses are translated into motion of said follower; said first means including a formation constructed to guide said follower through said entrance on to said track and being further constructed to prevent said follower from entering said track except at said entrance; a slalom comprised of a plurality of deflectors operatively positioned to engage and thereby deflect said follower off of said track before said exit when an incorrectly coded pulse is picked up by said receiver; said follower leaving said track at said exit only when correctly coded pulses are picked up by said receiver; said first means comprising a body rotatable about an axis; said track comprising a ring formation extending outwardly from a first surface of said body and arranged concentrically about said axis; means biasing said follower in a direction parallel to said axis toward said first surface; some of said plurality of deflectors being arranged to deflect said follower over a first side of 9 said track and others of said plurality of deflectors being arranged to deflect said follower over a second side of said track; said formation being said second side; means including a relay having an armature movable between a first and a second position; said follower being secured to said armature and being movable thereby; said follower being movable by said armature to successfully negotiate said slalom when correctly coded pulses are picked up by said receiver; code assist means operated by said first means while said first means is moving through said cycle; delay means normally in a first position operable to a second position by a coded signal whose duration exceeds a predetermined minimum time interval; driving means operatively connected to said first means for movement thereof through said 15 10 cycle; said delay means being operatively connected to said driving means whereby operation of said delay means to its said second position is eflective to condition said driving means to initiate said cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,205,460 Lyons Nov. 21, 1916 10 21,544,330 Koenig Mar. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 824,957 France Feb. 21, 1938