IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,746,023
Granted Patent B2
US 8,746,023 · App. 13/706,291 · Granted Jun 10, 2014

Electronic lock and key assembly

Inventors: Dohn J. Trempala (Phoenix, AZ); Keith Wolski (Phoenix, AZ)
Assignee: The Knox Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,746,023
App. No.
13/706,291
Granted
Jun 10, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A locking device comprises a key that comprises a key power coil and a key data coil and an electronically-actuatable lock comprising a lock power coil and a lock data coil. The key power coil and the lock power coil are coaxial and at least partially overlapping one another when the key engages the lock. The key data coil lies in a first plane and the lock data coil lies in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to one another.

Claims (20)

1. An electronic locking apparatus comprising:

an electronic key comprising:

a key power coil comprising a plurality of first wire windings configured to be in communication with a power source; and

a key data coil comprising a plurality of second wire windings;

wherein the key power coil and the key data coil are positioned such that they do not substantially interfere with one another during simultaneous power communication by the key power coil and data communication by the key data coil.

2. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the key power coil and the key data coil are at least partially enclosed in a metal casing, the metal casing comprising at least one opening configured to allow magnetic fields to pass through the metal casing.

3. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the key data coil is substantially torus-shaped.

4. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the key power coil is substantially solenoid-shaped.

5. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the key power coil and the key data coil are substantially concentric.

6. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the key power coil and the key data coil each comprises an inductor.

7. An electronic locking apparatus comprising:

an electronic lock comprising:

a lock power coil comprising a plurality of first wire windings; and

a lock data coil comprising a plurality of second wire windings, the second wire windings of the lock data coil being substantially perpendicular to the first wire windings of the lock power coil;

wherein the lock power coil and the lock data coil are configured such that they do not interfere with one another, such that the lock data coil is thereby enabled to inductively receive data simultaneously while the lock power coil inductively receives power.

8. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 7 , wherein one or both of the lock power coil and the lock data coil are at least partially enclosed in a metal casing, the metal casing comprising at least one opening configured to allow magnetic fields to pass through the metal casing.

9. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the lock data coil is substantially torus-shaped.

10. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the lock power coil is substantially solenoid-shaped.

11. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lock power coil and the lock data coil are substantially concentric.

12. The electronic locking apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the lock power coil and the lock data coil each comprises an inductor.

Continuity (5)
Continuation 13159326 · Jun 13, 2011
Continuation 11855031 · Sep 13, 2007
Provisional Application 60888282 · Feb 5, 2007
Provisional Application 60825665 · Sep 14, 2006
Related Publication 20130160505A1 · Jun 27, 2013