US3836945A - Rental locker system - Google Patents

Rental locker system Download PDF

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Publication number
US3836945A
US3836945A US00346881A US34688173A US3836945A US 3836945 A US3836945 A US 3836945A US 00346881 A US00346881 A US 00346881A US 34688173 A US34688173 A US 34688173A US 3836945 A US3836945 A US 3836945A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
electrical
contact
control mechanism
rental locker
lock control
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00346881A
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English (en)
Inventor
Y Kinoshita
M Akamatsu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Glory Ltd
Original Assignee
Glory Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Glory Ltd filed Critical Glory Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3836945A publication Critical patent/US3836945A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/10—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
    • G07F17/12—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S439/00—Electrical connectors
    • Y10S439/928—Modular electrically interengaging parts, e.g. stove with replaceable heating elements formed on coupling parts

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A rental locker system including a lock control mechanism freely removable from its installed position thereon and comprising an electrical control means supported by a support means in the lock control mechanism, a required number of electrical contact means provided on a contact board secured stationarily on a structural part of the rental locker, and a corresponding number of electrical contacting means provided on a contact board secured to the lock control mechanism thereby to be connected with the electrical control means included therein, each of the electrical contacting means on one of the two contact boards being made reciprocative and urged toward a corresponding contact means on the other contact board, whereby a good electrical connection is always assured between the electrical control means and electrical members in the rental locker through the electrical contacting means when the lock control mechanism is inserted into its position.
  • This invention relates generally to rental locker systems, and more particularly to a type thereof wherein there is included a lock control mechanism operated electrically.
  • the control ofthe locking system is effected by a lock control mechanism provided in a chamber on one side of the compartment. It is often found that the lock control mechanism must be drawn out of the chamber comparatively frequently for maintenance and replacement of, for instance, the lock.
  • the lock control mechanism is connected to an electric power source or a timer unit for generating a signal indicative of the termination of a rental period, both installed in a stationary part of the rental locker.
  • a primary object of the present invention is to provide a rental locker system wherein all of the above-described drawbacks ofthe conventional system are substantially eliminated.
  • an object of the invention is to provide an improved rental locker system wherein the lock control mechanism operated electrically can be drawn out of installed position without being disturbed by the accompanying cables or the like.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an improved rental Iocker system wherein the lock control mechanism can be easily inserted back into the original position without requiring any accurate alignment between the engaging parts.
  • an improved rental locker system including a lock control mechanism freely detachable from its installed position thereon and comprising an electric control means supported by a support means in the lock control mechanism, a required number of electrical contact means provided on a contact board secured stationarily on a structural part of the rental locker, and a corresponding number of electrical contacting means provided on a contact board secured to the lock con trol mechanism and connected with the electrical control means, each of the electrical contacting means on one of the two contact boards being made reciprocative and urged toward a corresponding contact means on the other contact board, whereby a good electrical connection is always established between the electrical control means and other members in the rental locker through the electrical contacting means when the lock control mechanism is inserted into its installed position.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, with parts cut away. showing a rental locker system constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two contact boards used in the rental locker system shown in FIG. I;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of a contact which is urged against an opposing contact.
  • FIG. 1 there is illustrated one part of a rental locker wherein a lock control mechanism generally designated by 1 is included in a chamber 5 formed on one side of a door 4 which is provided for each compartment 3 of the rental locker 2.
  • a base plate 6 of the lock control mechanism 1 is supported by the bottom wall of the chamber 5, and the lock control mechanism 1 is thereby made removable forward from the chamber 5.
  • a second lock 7 and a cylindrical part 11 of a first lock 10 are provided on a front panel 9 attached to the front edge of the base plate 6, a second lock 7 and a cylindrical part 11 of a first lock 10 are provided.
  • the first lock 10 is used for locking the door 4 to the compartment 3, and the second lock 7 is used for locking the lock control mechanism 1 in its position after it is inserted into its position in the chamber 5.
  • the first lock 10 comprises an outer sheath l2 fixedly mounted on the front panel 9 and the above-mentioned cylindrical portion 11 rotatable within the sheath portion 12.
  • a locking lever (not shown) is swung about its axis, and the door 4 of the rental locker is thereby locked or unlocked.
  • the rotation of the cylindrical portion 11 of the lock is additionally controlled by coins inserted through a coin inlet 14 also provided on the front panel 9.
  • a required number of coins are firstly inserted through the coin inlet 14, and after a piece of baggage, for instance, is placed in the compartment 3 of the rental locker, the cylindrical portion 11 is turned by means of a key 13 so that the door 4 of the closet 3 is locked.
  • the cylindrical portion 11 of the lock 10 is not allowed to be rotated in the door opening direction without a further insertion of a required number of coins which is indicated in a window 15 also provided on the front panel 9.
  • a coin returning lever 16 is also provided to protrude through a slot 17 which is formed in the front panel 9.
  • Two side plates 8 and 8 are fixed to the base plate 6 on both sides thereof, and on a supporting plate 18 secured to one of the side plates 8 and 8, an electrical control unit 19 for controlling the above-mentioned locking lever (not shown) is provided to operate cooperatively with the lock control mechanism.
  • the electrical control unit 19 is operated by a switch activated by the insertion of the key 13 into the lock 10. Another switch activated by the operation of the locking lever (not shown). Still another switch activated by the operation of an electric motor 20 included in the lock control mechanism, and a timer switch activated by the elapse of a predetermined rental period.
  • the lock control mechanism 1 is operated to a certain extent. the electric motor 20 starts its operation, thereby indicating a required number of coins in the window 15 and rotating the locking lever in either of the closing and opening directions.
  • the contact board 21 comprises an insulating plate made of. for instance, Bakelite, throuh which a required number of holes 22 are bored, and contactors 24 passing through these holes 22 in a freely reciprocating state.
  • Each of the contactors 24 has a diametrically enlarged portion 23 at one end thereof and a coil spring 25 inserted between the enlarged portion 23 of the contactor 24 and the insulating plate whereby the contactor 24 is urged outwardly departing from the insulating plate.
  • Each contactor 24 has an expanded portion 26 on the other end thereof, so that there is no possibility ofthe contactor 24 being pulled out of the insulating plate.
  • the contactors 24 are connected to the electrical control unit 19 through lead wires 27.
  • Another contact board 28 is mounted obliquely on a supporting plate 29 secured to the main body 2 of the rental locker so that when the above-mentioned lock control mechanism 1 is inserted into its chamber in the main body 2 of the rental locker, the contact board 28 is brought into contact with the above-mentioned contact board 21.
  • the contact board 28 comprises also an insulating plate made of, for instance, Bakelite. and contacts 30 of a number equal to that of the contactors 24, disposed at positions thereon such that when the lock control mechanism 1 is inserted into the main body 2 ofthe rental locker, the contactors 24 of the contact board 21 automatically engage the contacts 30 of the contact board 28, whereby the electrical control unit 19 in the lock central mechanism can be connected to the power source and other control elements such as a timer and the like provided in the stationary part of the rental locker.
  • the rental locker system of the above-described organization operates as follows.
  • the lock 7 is first unlocked, and the entire assembly is pulled out of the chamber. At this time. the contactors 24 on the contact board 21 are disengaged from the contacts 30 of the stationary contact board 28, and the lock control mechanism 1 can be drawn out of the chamber completely.
  • the base plate 6 of the lock control mechanism 1 is aligned with the opening 5 of the main body 2 of the rental locker, and the entire assembly is slipped back into its original position by simply pushing the assembly inward and finally operating the lock 7.
  • the contactors 24 on the contact board 21 engage the contacts 30 on the contact board 28 under the elastic forces of the coiled springs 25. Since the contactors 24 have diametrically enlarged portions 23, minor displacement of the contactors 24 relative to the contacts 30 does not cause any failure in electrical connection between them.
  • the present invention has been described with respect to an embodiment thereof wherein the contactors 24 on the movable contact board 21 are made reciprocative and provided with coiled springs 25 thereby to urge the contactors 24 toward the corresponding contacts 30 on the stationary contact board 28, it is, of course, possible to provide the reciprocative contactors together with the coiled springs on the stationary contact board 28, and to provide immovable contacts on the movable contact board 21. In either of the cases. since a diametrically enlarged portion 23 is provided in each of the contactors 24, any possibility of disconnection beteen the contactors 24 and contacts 30 can be substantially eliminated even if the lock control mechanism is inserted into its position with less accuracy.
  • each of the contactors 24 is brought into contact with a corresponding one of the contacts 30 in a somewhat sliding manner, whereby any deleterious effect of dirt or dust collected on these contactors or contacts can be eliminated.
  • a rental locker system including a lock control mechanism which is removably mounted in a chamber of the locking compartment, said system comprising an electrical control means supported by a support means mounted in the lock control mechanism, a required number of electrical contact means provided on a contact board secured stationarily to a structural part of the rental locker, and a corresponding number of electrical contacting means provided on a contact board secured to the lock control mechanism and connected with said electrical control means included therein, each of said electrical contacting means on one of the two contact boards being made reciprocative and urged against a corresponding electrical contact means on the other contact board, whereby a good electrical connection is always assured between said electrical control means and the structural side of the rental locker through said electrical contacting means when the lock control mechanism is inserted into its installed position.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Coin-Freed Apparatuses For Hiring Articles (AREA)
US00346881A 1972-04-13 1973-04-02 Rental locker system Expired - Lifetime US3836945A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1972043542U JPS537117Y2 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1972-04-13 1972-04-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3836945A true US3836945A (en) 1974-09-17

Family

ID=12666616

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00346881A Expired - Lifetime US3836945A (en) 1972-04-13 1973-04-02 Rental locker system

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US3836945A (enrdf_load_html_response)
JP (1) JPS537117Y2 (enrdf_load_html_response)
GB (1) GB1417740A (enrdf_load_html_response)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD288899S (en) 1984-07-27 1987-03-24 Sargent Manufacturing Company Magnetic card-operated electronic door lock
USD290442S (en) 1984-07-27 1987-06-23 Sargent Manufacturing Company Electronic door lock
US4907428A (en) * 1986-11-12 1990-03-13 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Centralized lock device for vehicle storage container
US5009384A (en) * 1990-06-29 1991-04-23 Inter-Link Communciations Inc. Overhead support system for TV monitors
US5219386A (en) * 1988-05-06 1993-06-15 Keba Gesellschaft M.B.H. & Co. Locker unit comprising a plurality of lockers
WO1999012133A1 (en) * 1997-08-29 1999-03-11 Metra Inz^¿Eniring D.O.O. Locker, particularly suitable for hotels, leisure pools and the like
US20150258737A1 (en) * 2014-03-17 2015-09-17 International Business Machines Corporation Device array locks and keys

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US726548A (en) * 1901-07-20 1903-04-28 Gen Electric Charging device for storage batteries.
US1542445A (en) * 1922-11-04 1925-06-16 Edwin L Grauel Locking-device control
US3003131A (en) * 1960-01-13 1961-10-03 Economics Lab Printed circuit contact and mounting assembly
US3193074A (en) * 1961-10-12 1965-07-06 American Locker Co Coin controlled locks

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US726548A (en) * 1901-07-20 1903-04-28 Gen Electric Charging device for storage batteries.
US1542445A (en) * 1922-11-04 1925-06-16 Edwin L Grauel Locking-device control
US3003131A (en) * 1960-01-13 1961-10-03 Economics Lab Printed circuit contact and mounting assembly
US3193074A (en) * 1961-10-12 1965-07-06 American Locker Co Coin controlled locks

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD288899S (en) 1984-07-27 1987-03-24 Sargent Manufacturing Company Magnetic card-operated electronic door lock
USD290442S (en) 1984-07-27 1987-06-23 Sargent Manufacturing Company Electronic door lock
US4907428A (en) * 1986-11-12 1990-03-13 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Centralized lock device for vehicle storage container
US5219386A (en) * 1988-05-06 1993-06-15 Keba Gesellschaft M.B.H. & Co. Locker unit comprising a plurality of lockers
US5009384A (en) * 1990-06-29 1991-04-23 Inter-Link Communciations Inc. Overhead support system for TV monitors
WO1999012133A1 (en) * 1997-08-29 1999-03-11 Metra Inz^¿Eniring D.O.O. Locker, particularly suitable for hotels, leisure pools and the like
RU2200447C2 (ru) * 1997-08-29 2003-03-20 Метра Инжениринг Д.О.О. Шкафчик, в частности, для гостиниц, плавательных бассейнов и подобных объектов
US20150258737A1 (en) * 2014-03-17 2015-09-17 International Business Machines Corporation Device array locks and keys
US9990447B2 (en) * 2014-03-17 2018-06-05 International Business Machines Corporation Device array locks and keys
US10157243B2 (en) * 2014-03-17 2018-12-18 International Business Machines Corporation Device array locks and keys

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS537117Y2 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1978-02-22
GB1417740A (en) 1975-12-17
JPS494697U (enrdf_load_html_response) 1974-01-16

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