Abstract:
An electronic lock device for lockers of similar uses has an input for a user code (keypad or electronic key reader), and a separate input for a manager key. Contacts at the manager key include power jumper contacts, so that when a user is unable to open his assigned locker, whether this is due to a low battery in the lock or failure of the user&#39;s key or the user&#39;s forgetting a PIN code, the manager key device will open the lock.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is concerned with security of lockers, safes, desks, cabinets or other such storage devices assigned for temporary or long-term use. In particular, the invention relates to a lock for such storage situations. 
   Electro mechanical locks are well known. For example, hotel safes for temporary use by guests have included digital locks with keypad and other electronic identification means to provide access to the hotel guest. In some cases, the guest is able to select his/her own combination for the lock and in others the guest is issued a pre-selected number or some electronic identification means used as the “key” for the lock device. 
   The following U.S. patents are believed to have some relevance to this invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,886,644, 5,894,277 and 6,655,180, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
   There has been a need for a battery-powered electro mechanical lock operated by an electronic identification means of relatively inexpensive construction, with manager or attendant override and with provision for efficient access in a low-battery state. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention now described applies to locker locks and similar lock situations, with the electronic lock itself being similar to those described in the three patents referenced above and incorporated by reference. The &#39;180 patent describes a manager key slot in an electronic locker lock that is normally opened using a PIN number entered into a keypad. That manager key slot, as described in the patent, is to receive a small key held by a manager, the key comprising a circuit board with traces connected to an ibutton, so that a manager can insert a key to open the locker without the need to enter a manager PIN code on the keypad. The &#39;644 and &#39;277 patents describe locker locks with jumper contacts available from the front of the lock, to allow a lock to be “jumped” with outside power when the lock battery is too low to open the lock. The application of “jump” power could be accomplished using a dedicated device having contacts arranged to align with and touch the jumper contacts on the lock body. In a situation where a particular lock would have a dead battery and the last assigned PIN code was also unknown or forgotten (as in an exercise club with many lockers), the manager key arrangement of the &#39;180, even if it were provided with power jumping contacts as disclosed in the &#39;644 and &#39;277 patents, would provide for a cumbersome situation where the manager would have to apply and maintain jump contact between the contacts on the lock and the jumper device, while also making contact with the special access or manager key. 
   In the invention an electronic lock device of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,180, for lockers or similar uses, has an input for a user code (keypad or electronic key reader), and a separate input for a manager key. Contacts at the manager key include power jumper contacts, so that when a user is unable to open his assigned locker, whether this is due to a low battery in the lock or failure of the user&#39;s key or the user&#39;s forgetting a PIN code, the manager key device will open the lock. 
   The lock of the invention can typically be used on locker locks for day use or long-term assigned use, on cabinets with battery-powered locks, usually in a system including a number of such locks, on drug carts and drug cabinets in hospitals, and on computer-enclosing cabinets for securing access to computers that may have sensitive information such as patient records at hospitals. Any battery-powered lock that is electronically accessed, where a user chooses or is assigned a PIN code or an electronic key that could be lost, can advantageously employ the principles of the invention, with convenience, economy and security. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a locker with a lock device of the invention, including an input for a manager&#39;s or attendant&#39;s key. 
       FIG. 2  is a frontal view of the lock device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a manager&#39;s key to access the lock device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the manager&#39;s key in the lock. 
       FIG. 5  is a view showing another embodiment of a lock device, again with an input for a manager&#39;s key according to the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the manager&#39;s key in the lock of the second embodiment. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a lock device  10  according to the invention, incorporated in a locker door or cabinet door  12  of which a portion is illustrated. The door  12  has a recessed lock mounting  14 , within which the electronic lock  10  is secured. As discussed in the patents referenced above, the illustrated door can have a standard three-hole door prep, and the electronic lock  10  of the invention can be configured so as to fit in such a standard door prep and, as in the above patents, the lock  10  has not only the outer housing  16  seen in  FIG. 1 , but also an inner housing which is mounted on the inside of the door and secured through the door to the outer housing  16 . 
   In the present invention in this particular embodiment the front face  18  of the electronic lock device  10  has a keypad  20  for entry of PIN codes, as discussed in the above referenced patents. Pursuant to the invention the front housing  16  of the electronic lock  10  also has an input or terminal  22  which functions to receive a manager&#39;s or attendant&#39;s special access key (in lieu of the manager&#39;s key slot  41  shown in the &#39;180 patent). This input or terminal or port  22  also serves to receive a power jump when the battery powering the lock device  10  is too low to retract the bolt or latch. As shown in  FIG. 1  and also in  FIG. 2 , three contacts  23 ,  24  and  25  are included, which are sufficient to pick up power from a power jump device using two of the contacts (a common and a power contact), and to communicate with the lock via the manager&#39;s device using two of the contacts (the common and a data contact). The terminal or port  22  preferably has a protective wall or collar  26 , with the contacts  23 - 25  recessed inwardly, so as to protect those contacts. 
     FIG. 3  shows a manager&#39;s or attendant&#39;s special access device  28  for use with the lock device  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The casing or housing  30  of the special access device  28  contains a jump battery (which can be a rechargeable battery which is recharged using two of the three contacts  31 ,  32  and  33  on the end of the accessing device  28 ), and circuitry capable of storing a master ID code or access code, and that communicates with the lock terminal  22  using two of the contacts  31 ,  32  and  33 . These contacts can be spring-biased contacts or plug-in type contacts, with the contacts  23 - 25  being sockets in the case of a plug-in arrangement. As shown, the device  28  preferably has a wall or collar  29  surrounding the contacts  31 - 33 , so that the wall  29  closely fits over the wall  26  of the lock  10 , with a complementary shape to assure current orientation in engagement. The pins  31 - 33  are recessed inwardly of the wall  29 . 
   The internal circuitry of the special access device  28  has an overriding unlock code for all locks  10  in the system, communicated via two of the contacts to the lock when the device  28  is pushed against or plugged into the lock as shown in  FIG. 4 . At the same time, the battery of the special access device  28  will provide “jump” power to the lock  10 . If desired, the casing  30  can have an external switch  34 , such as a momentary switch, to switch on the power jumping function only when needed, and not when the only problem is a lost electronic code. However, this is not necessary, since the jumping of power when not needed does not cause any problem. Moreover, it does provide protection against shorting of the power pins against metal when carried in a user&#39;s pocket. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  show the second embodiment wherein the lock  10   a  has an electronic reader receptacle  38 , such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,180 referenced above. This type of lock is accessed by an electronic key such as a device having an ibutton or other small memory device, or another type of electronic including a proximity device where contact is not needed. If the user, which can be temporarily assigned user, loses the key having a specific code signal for accessing lock  10   a , the lock can be accessed by a manager or attendant. Similarly, the lock may have a low battery, with insufficient power to retract the bolt or latch, the special access key or device  28 , when put in contact with the terminal  22  of the lock, will provide auxiliary power to “jump” the lock and allow it to open. In  FIGS. 4-6  only the front housing of the lock device is shown, with the back housing or inner housing, not seen in these drawings, having the battery. Accessing of the lock is necessary in order to change the battery. 
   The drawings also illustrate a status indicator  40  which may be included on the front panels  18  and  18   a  of the lock devices. The status indicator  40  will be illuminated, such as with green, red, or yellow LED lighting, when a correct code has been entered, or when a wrong code has been entered or during programming. When the battery in either of the locks  10  or  10   a  is low, and the correct code is entered (via PIN or electronic key), the lock will emit an audible beep (e.g., two strings of three beeps each), indicating the battery low condition. This can be via a small speaker such as shown at  42  in  FIG. 1 . 
   The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to these preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.