WO2005049529A2

WO2005049529A2 - Double actuator lock

Info

Publication number: WO2005049529A2
Application number: PCT/IL2004/001038
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adalbert Matyko
Original assignee: Mul-T-Lock Technologies Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-11-23
Filing date: 2004-11-12
Publication date: 2005-06-02
Also published as: WO2005049529A3; IL159012A0

Abstract

A locking system including a lock including a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position, and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to the locking element, wherein at least one of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to both the locked and unlocked positions and another of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions.

Description

DOUBLE ACTUATOR LOCK FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to locks, and particularly to a lock with more than one lock actuator mechanism, wherein one of the lock actuator mechanisms may permit unlocking the lock whereas the other lock actuator mechanism may permit locking the lock, for example. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is clear that delivery of goods by vehicle must be secured from theft. Would-be thieves may wish to break into the vehicle and pilfer the goods. Another type of possible thief is a member of the staff, including the driver, who have access to the vehicle or to the commodity in the vehicle, from the time the commodity is loaded on the vehicle to the time it is unloaded. For example, fuel, such as heating oil, gasoline and the like, is often delivered in tanker trucks. Prior to delivery to wholesale dealers, petrol stations and the like, the tanker is typically filled by the driver at a central filling depot. The amount of fuel is recorded in some log and the tanker is locked with a lock. The driver is then supposed to deliver the fuel to the destination, whereat the entire contents of the tanker are typically emptied. The capacity of the tanker is generally quite formidable, perhaps in the order of thousands of gallons. Some unscrupulous drivers may open the lock en route to the destination and steal a "relatively small" amount of fuel for their own personal profit. Since such a large amount is delivered at one time, the "relatively small" amount of fuel stolen may go undetected. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a novel lock with more than one lock actuator mechanism, as is described more in detail hereinbelow. In one of the many uses of the invention, the lock may be used in a reliable system and method for locking a delivery vehicle that overcomes the abovementioned problems, as is described more in detail hereinbelow. There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a locking system including a lock including a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position, and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to the locking element, wherein at least one of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to both the locked and unlocked positions and another of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions. For example, one of the locking element actuators may bring the locking element from the locked position to the unlocked position or from the unlocked position to the locked position, whereas another locking element actuator may move the locking element in only one direction, that is, only locking but not unlocking (or only unlocking but not locking). There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a locking system including a lock (which may be a padlock, for example) including a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position, and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to the locking element, wherein at least one of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions and at least another of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to only the opposite one of the locked and unlocked positions. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the locking element actuators include first and second lock cylinders, and the locking element includes a first locking element arranged to move in a housing, the first locking element being actuable by a first lock cylinder so as to permit the first locking element to be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position, and a second locking element actuable by a second lock cylinder, the second locking element being arranged to prevent returning the first locking element from the unlocked position to the locked position unless the second lock cylinder has been actuated to permit movement of the second locking element. Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the housing may include a first housing portion separated by a gap from a second housing portion, the first locking element being arranged to pass through a first bore formed in the first housing portion and through a second bore formed in the second housing portion, wherein in the locked position the first locking element passes completely through the first bore and the gap and at least partially into the second bore, and wherein in the unlocked position the first locking element is moved completely out of the second bore. Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in the unlocked position of the first locking element, a first biasing device urges the second locking element to move along the at least one bore from a first location to a second location, wherein at the second location a second biasing device urges a locking member into locked engagement with the second locking element, the locking member being in operative communication with the second lock cylinder, and wherein the locking member is movable out of locked engagement with the second locking element only upon actuation of the second lock cylinder. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the locking element actuators are actuable by different keys. Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention two of the locking element actuators have keyways on opposite sides of the housing. There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a locking system including a chamber lockable with a lock including a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position, and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to the locking element, wherein one of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to both the locked and unlocked positions and another of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions. There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a locking system including a chamber lockable with a lock including a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position, and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to the locking element, wherein one of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions and another of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to only the opposite one of the locked and unlocked positions. There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method including providing a delivery vehicle having a filling chamber lockable by a lock that includes a lock including a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position, and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to the locking element, wherein a first of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to both the locked and unlocked positions and a second of the locking element actuators is adapted to bring the locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions, at least partially filling thefilling chamber with a commodity, locking the lock, providing a driver of the delivery vehicle with a second key that actuates the second locking element actuator, and providing a person different than the driver with a first key that actuates the first lock cylinder. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the method further includes not accepting delivery of the commodity if the amount of the commodity at the destination is not the same as the amount of the commodity prior to delivery thereof, or if the lock is not locked, or if the lock has been tampered with, for example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a locking system, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a simplified side-view illustration of the locking system of Fig. 1, showing two different keys for operation thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a simplified end-view illustration of the locking system of Fig. 1; and Figs. 4 and 5 are simplified sectional illustrations of the locking system of Fig. 1, in respective locked and unlocked positions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to Figs. 1-5, which illustrate a locking system 10, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Locking system 10 may include a first locking element 12 arranged to pass through one or more bores formed in a housing 14. In the illustrated embodiment (although the invention is not limited to this embodiment), housing 14 is a padlock housing that includes a first housing portion 16 separated by a gap 18 from a second housing portion 20. The first locking element 12 may be arranged to pass through a first bore 22 formed in the first housing portion 16 and through a second bore 24 formed in the second housing portion 20. First locking element 12 may be actuated by a first lock cylinder 26 that permits sliding first locking element 12 at least partially out of first bore 22 and/or second bore 24 from a locked position to an unlocked position. For example, first lock cylinder 26 may comprise a cam 28 biased by a spring 29 (or other suitable biasing device) against an undercut 30 formed in first locking element 12. Actuation of first lock cylinder 26 by a first key 32 (Fig. 2) brings cam 28 out of locked engagement with undercut 30 of first locking element 12, thereby permitting sliding first locking element 12 completely out of second bore 24 and partially out of first bore 22. A spring-biased pin 34 may be provided in first housing portion 16 to catch undercut 30 and prevent completely pulling first locking element 12 out of first bore 22 (as seen in Fig. 5). Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, in the locked position shown in Fig. 4, first locking element 12 passes completely through first bore 22 and gap 18, and at least partially into second bore 24. In the unlocked position shown in Fig. 5, first locking element 12 is moved completely out of second bore 24. A second locking element 36 may be disposed in second bore 24 and is actuable by a second lock cylinder 38. The second locking element 36 is arranged to prevent returning the first locking element 12 from the unlocked position (Fig. 5) to the locked position (Fig. 4) unless the second lock cylinder 38 has been actuated to permit movement of the second locking element 36, as is now described. In the illustrated embodiment (although the invention is not limited to this embodiment), in the unlocked position of first locking element 12 (Fig. 5), a first biasing device 40, such as a coil spring, urges second locking element 36 to move along second bore 24 from a first location (shown in Fig. 4) to a second location (shown in Fig. 5) in the direction of an arcow 42. At the second location (Fig. 5), a second biasing device 44 urges a locking member 46 (such as, but not limited to, a pin or lug) into locked engagement with an undercut 48 formed in second locking element 36. Locking member 46 is in operative communication with second lock cylinder 38. Locking member 46 may be moved out of locked engagement with second locking element 36 only upon actuation of second lock cylinder 38. First lock cylinder 26 is actuable by inserting first key 32 (Fig. 2) into a keyway 50 (seen in Figs. 3-5). Second lock cylinder 38 is actuable by inserting a second key 52 (Fig. 2) into a keyway 54 (seen in Figs. 3-5). The first key 32 is preferably different than the second key 52. The key ways 50 and 54 may be on opposite sides of housing 14 or any other portion of housing 14. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, locking system 10 may be advantageously used to lock a filling chamber 56 of a delivery vehicle 58 (seen partially in Fig. 1). The filling chamber 56 may be at least partially filled with some commodity, such as but not limited to, fuel (e.g., heating oil, gasoline and the like), water, produce and the like. The filling chamber 56 may be provided with a staple 60 through which first locking element 12 passes to lock filling chamber 56. The following is an exemplary method of using the locking system 10 to lock delivery vehicle 58, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. However, the invention is not limited to this example. After at least partially filling the filling chamber 56 with the commodity, such as at a filling depot, the locking system 10 is locked, as described hereinabove. The locked position is shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The amount of the commodity in filling chamber 56 may be recorded prior to delivery thereof to a destination. A driver (not shown) of delivery vehicle 58 may be provided with the first key 32, which actuates first lock cylinder 26. The driver is not provided with the second key 52 that actuates second lock cylinder 38. Instead, a different person, such as but not limited to, an authorized person at the destination to which the commodity is being delivered, is provided with the second key 52. In other words, only the authorized person, not the driver, can actuate second lock cylinder 38. If the driver were to try to steal some of the commodity, he could open the lock by inserting the first key 32 into keyway 50, actuating first lock cylinder 26 and sliding first locking element 12 out of second bore 24, as described above. However, the driver would be unable to relock the lock because second locking element 36 prevents returning first locking element 12 from the unlocked position (Fig. 5) to the locked position (Fig. 4) as described above, and the driver does not have the second key 52 in order to actuate the second lock cylinder 38 that would permit movement of the second locking element 36. The driver would then arrive at the destination with the lock unlocked. The authorized person at the destination would then not accept delivery of the commodity if the lock were not locked. Of course, alternatively or additionally, delivery may not be accepted if the amount of the commodity at the destination is not the same as the amount of the commodity recorded prior to delivery thereof, or if the lock has been tampered with. The first lock cylinder 26 is thus a locking element actuator that may permit bringing first locking element 12 into an unlocked position, but which cannot bring it to a locked position. On the other hand, the second lock cylinder 38 is a locking element actuator that may permit bringing first locking element 12 to a locked position. Optionally, the second lock cylinder 38 may also permit bringing first locking element 12 to an unlocked position. The present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A locking system comprising: a lock comprising a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position; and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to said locking element, wherein at least one of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to both the locked and unlocked positions and at least another of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions.

2. A locking system comprising: a lock comprising a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position; and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to said locking element, wherein one of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions and another of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to only the opposite one of the locked and unlocked positions.

3. The locking system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said locking element actuators comprise first and second lock cylinders, and said locking element comprises a first locking element arranged to move in a housing, said first locking element being actuable by a first lock cylinder so as to permit said first locking element to be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position; and a second locking element actuable by a second lock cylinder, said second locking element being arranged to prevent returning said first locking element from the unlocked position to the locked position unless said second lock cylinder has been actuated to permit movement of said second locking element.

4. The locking system according to claim 3, wherein said housing includes a first housing portion separated by a gap from a second housing portion, said first locking element being arranged to pass through a first bore formed in the first housing portion and through a second bore formed in the second housing portion, wherein in the locked position said first locking element passes completely through the first bore and the gap and at least partially into the second bore, and wherein in the unlocked position said first locking element is moved completely out of the second bore.

5. The locking system according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein in the unlocked position of said first locking element, a first biasing device urges said second locking element to move along said at least one bore from a first location to a second location, wherein at said second location a second biasing device urges a locking member into locked engagement with said second locking element, said locking member being in operative communication with said second lock cylinder, and wherein said locking member is movable out of locked engagement with said second locking element only upon actuation of said second lock cylinder.

6. The locking system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said locking element actuators are actuable by different keys.

7. The locking system according to claim 6, wherein two of said locking element actuators have keyways on opposite sides of said housing.

8. The locking system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said lock comprises a padlock.

9. A locking system comprising: a chamber lockable with a lock comprising a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position; and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to said locking element, wherein one of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to both the locked and unlocked positions and another of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions.

10. A locking system comprising: a chamber lockable with a lock comprising a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position; and more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to said locking element, wherein one of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions and another of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to only the opposite one of the locked and unlocked positions.

11. The locking system according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein said locking element actuators comprise first and second lock cylinders, and said locking element comprises a first locking element arranged to move in a housing, said first locking element being actuable by a first lock cylinder so as to permit said first locking element to be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position; and a second locking element actuable by a second lock cylinder, said second locking element being arranged to prevent returning said first locking element from the unlocked position to the locked position unless said second lock cylinder has been actuated to permit movement of said second locking element.

12. The locking system according to claim 11, wherein said housing includes a first housing portion separated by a gap from a second housing portion, said first locking element being arranged to pass through a first bore formed in the first housing portion and through a second bore formed in the second housing portion, wherein in the locked position said first locking element passes completely through the first bore and the gap and at least partially into the second bore, and wherein in the unlocked position said first locking element is moved completely out of the second bore.

13. The locking system according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein in the unlocked position of said first locking element, a first biasing device urges said second locking element to move along said at least one bore from a first location to a second location, wherein at said second location a second biasing device urges a locking member into locked engagement with said second locking element, said locking member being in operative communication with said second lock cylinder, and wherein said locking member is movable out of locked engagement with said second locking element only upon actuation of said second lock cylinder.

14. The locking system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said locking element actuators are actuable by different keys.

15. The locking system according to claim 14, wherein two of said locking element actuators have keyways on opposite sides of said housing.

16. The locking system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said lock comprises a padlock.

17. A method comprising: providing a delivery vehicle having a filling chamber lockable by a lock that includes: a. a lock comprising a locking element movable to a locked position and an unlocked position; and b. more than one locking element actuator, each locking element actuator being coupled to said locking element, wherein a first of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to both the locked and unlocked positions and a second of said locking element actuators is adapted to bring said locking element to only one of the locked and unlocked positions; at least partially filling said filling chamber with a commodity; locking said lock; providing a driver of said delivery vehicle with a second key that actuates said second locking element actuator; and providing a person different than said driver with a first key that actuates said first lock cylinder.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising not accepting delivery of the commodity if the amount of the commodity at the destination is not the same as the amount of the commodity prior to delivery thereof.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising not accepting delivery of the commodity if said lock is not locked.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising not accepting delivery of the commodity if said lock has been tampered with.