Patent ID: 6496101
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: E05B,G07C,G07F,Y10T

Abstract:
A latching assembly for securing a door against a door frame, comprising:a post mounted to the door; a latch mounted to the frame in a position to be engaged by said post as the door is moved toward a closed position against the frame and including a retaining element for engaging and holding said post within said latch, said retaining element being movable between a locked position in engagement with said post and an unlocked position displaced from said post for enabling said post to be released to enable said door to be moved to an open position away from the frame, wherein said retaining element comprises at least one holding ball of a detent assembly that further includes at least one back stop ball which urges said at least one holding ball into engagement with said post for holding said post in a locked position within said latch, and a biasing element positioned to engage and urge said back stop ball against said holding ball; an electronic lock control; a key controller for supplying power to said lock control in a contact-free manner through a surface of the door and across a gap for energizing said lock control from outside the door; and an actuator for moving said retaining element from its locked position to its unlocked position for releasing said post from said latch in response to energizing of said lock control and permitting the door to be moved to an open position displaced from the frame without the use of a mechanical key and tumbler lock mechanism.