IP Verse

Electronic Cam Lock For Cabinet Doors, Drawers And Other Applications

Patent No. US10930099 (titled "Electronic Cam Lock For Cabinet Doors, Drawers And Other Applications") was filed by Security People Inc on Feb 17, 2020.

What is this patent about?

’099 is related to the field of electronic locks , specifically those designed as replacements for traditional mechanical cam locks used in cabinets, drawers, lockers, and similar applications. The background acknowledges the widespread use of simple cam locks and the need for an electronic alternative that maintains a compact form factor and ease of use.

The underlying idea behind ’099 is to create an electronic cam lock that can be easily retrofitted into existing standard cam lock openings. This involves integrating electronics, a user interface (keypad or electronic key reader), and a mechanical actuator (knob or handle) into a compact housing. The electronics control a mechanism that selectively allows or prevents the rotation of the actuator, which in turn operates the cam or other locking element.

The claims of ’099 focus on a cam lock assembly designed for retrofitting. The assembly includes a housing with electronics and a user interface, a drive shaft connected to a knob or handle, and a rotatable plug unit that fits into a standard cam lock cylinder shell. The electronics, powered by batteries, control whether the knob can be turned, thereby controlling the locking mechanism.

In practice, the user enters a code via the keypad or uses an electronic key. If the code is correct, the electronics disengage a blocking mechanism, allowing the user to turn the knob or handle. This rotates the drive shaft and the rotatable plug unit, which in turn moves the cam, bolt, or latch to unlock the cabinet or drawer. The device is designed to be compact, with all electronic components contained within the housing on the outside of the cabinet, minimizing intrusion into the interior space.

’099 differentiates itself from prior approaches by providing a self-contained electronic lock that can be easily installed in place of a mechanical cam lock without requiring extensive modifications. Unlike some prior electronic locker locks, it avoids the need for additional housings or electronic components on the inside of the door or panel. The design also allows for various mounting configurations and can accommodate different types of locking mechanisms, such as bolts, latches, or cams, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of applications.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the mid-2000s when ’099 was filed, at a time when electronic access control systems were typically implemented using microcontrollers and basic communication protocols, hardware or software constraints made secure wireless communication and low-power operation non-trivial. Systems commonly relied on physical contact methods for identification rather than more sophisticated wireless technologies.

Novelty and Inventive Step

Claims 120-139 were pending. Claims 120-139 were rejected. The specification was objected to. The drawings filed on 17 February 2020 were accepted. A rejection based on double patenting was made. Claims were rejected as being anticipated and obvious. The prosecution record does describe the technical reasoning and specific claim changes that led to rejection.

Claims

This patent contains 23 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 12, 15, 22, and 23. The independent claims generally focus on a cam lock configured to be retrofitted onto a cam lock cylinder shell, a cam lock assembly, and methods of retrofitting a key-operated mechanical cam lock with an electronic cam lock. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the features and configurations described in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Cam lock cylinder shell
(Claim 1, Claim 12, Claim 15, Claim 22, Claim 23)		“Metal and wood file cabinets, desk and cabinet drawers, locker doors, access panels and doors, mail boxes, dispensers and other secure situations often utilize relatively simple lock mechanisms known as cam locks. Such cam locks may or may not involve a camming action. In one of the simplest forms, a cam lock on a cabinet door typically fits in a ¾ inch diameter D-shaped or double D-shaped hole and, at the back side of the cam lock cylinder unit, has a metal blade or arm called a cam that rotates when the key is turned, from a position disengaged from surrounding cabinet hardware to a position of engagement in a slot or behind a ledge of the surrounding cabinet hardware.”A pre-existing structure in a door or panel, through which the rotatable plug unit is inserted. It houses the locking element and receives the rotatable plug unit.
Drive shaft
(Claim 1, Claim 12, Claim 15, Claim 22, Claim 23)		“From the back of the housing in one embodiment extends the cam lock cylinder unit of conventional cam lock size, and with a length to fit the application, i.e. the depth of material and configuration where mounted. In other embodiments a dummy plug can extend back from the housing unit, or simply a driver or spindle.”A component extending from the rear side of the housing and operatively coupled to the knob or handle. It transmits rotational motion from the knob or handle to the rotatable plug unit.
Locking element
(Claim 1, Claim 12, Claim 15, Claim 22, Claim 23)		“Essentially the only element at the back side of the door, drawer or panel is the rear-extending cam lock cylinder unit itself, with attached cam positioned to engage with a ledge or slot or other hardware to retain the door(s) or panel locked.”A component such as a cam, bolt, or latch that is operatively mounted to the cam lock cylinder shell and disposed in the interior of the furniture piece. It is shifted between positions to lock and unlock the furniture piece.
Rotatable plug unit
(Claim 1, Claim 12, Claim 15, Claim 22, Claim 23)		“In another preferred form, the invention is embodied in a cam lock for a door, cabinet or drawer and includes a compact housing containing electronics and having a keypad or other terminal enabling entry of codes by a user, a plug of the cam, plunger or cabinet lock cylinder unit extending from a back side of the housing that matches the size and shape of the cam lock shell already mounted on the door, cabinet or drawer, and with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics.”A component that is inserted into the cam lock cylinder shell and operatively couples to both the drive shaft and the locking element. It transmits rotational motion from the knob or handle to the locking element.
Selectively rotatable knob or handle
(Claim 1, Claim 12, Claim 15, Claim 22, Claim 23)		“The compact electronic locking device in one embodiment has a knob or handle that can rotate the cam lock cylinder plug when such manual rotation is permitted by the lock electronics.”A user-operable component located on the front side of the housing that allows manual operation of the cam lock. Its rotation is permitted or restricted by the electronics based on access code validation.

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US10930099

SECURITY PEOPLE INC
Application Number
US16792709
Filing Date
Feb 17, 2020
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
May 30, 2027
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents