Abstract:
An improved storage system includes a plurality of individual storage units enclosed in a secured perimeter with security gates for entry and exit. Each individual storage unit has a door, an alarm and a locking mechanism. Each door has a sensor which senses whether that door is open or closed. Each locking mechanism has a sensor which senses whether that locking mechanism is locked or unlocked. The sensors are in electrical communication with a computer. Each locking mechanism has a motor for moving between locked and unlocked, the motor controlled by the computer. Access control units are located near the security gates in electrical communication with the computer. The computer device reviews information from the access control unit and opens and closes the security gate, locks and unlocks the locking mechanisms, turns on and off the alarms, and determines the open and closed status of each door in response to the information.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates generally to the field of locking systems including self storage facilities in which customers rent individual storage units, and, more particularly, to a self storage facility having either a resident manager or one that operates virtually unattended. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Self-storage facilities are well known in the art and generally comprise a plurality of individual storage units disposed within a secured perimeter for the purpose of safeguarding/storing articles. In a typical arrangement, each storage unit includes a storage compartment disposed within a garage or shed-like structure for receiving goods/articles therewithin, a door member for accessing the interior of the storage compartment, and a locking mechanism for fastening the door member in a closed position to securely maintain the contents of the storage compartment when unattended. As is required, the customer will provide, or the facility will sell or give each customer their own lock with associated key for securing the locking mechanism. 
   The secured perimeter typically includes a fence or barrier surrounding the storage facility having at least one access point such as an automated gate for exiting and entering, wherein gate access is restricted to only those individuals having proper clearance or authorization to enter the storage facility so as to deter theft and/or vandalism. The storage units are usually offered for rent for various periods of time such that a person in need of short or long term storage may simply lease one or more storage units until such time that they are able to transfer or otherwise dispose of the stored goods. 
   Self storage facilities are old in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,448 entitled “Security System for Roll Down Doors” which issued on Apr. 11, 2000 to Lanigan et al. shows a roll down door solenoid lock suitable for use in such facilities. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,333 entitled “Locking Assembly” which issued on Feb. 24, 1998 to Turvey discloses a lock for a rolling gate using a solenoid. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,544 entitled “Wireless Access System” which issued on Aug. 10, 1999 to Gonzales et al. provides wireless access through multiple doors. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,038 entitled “Remote Controlled Mechanical Chain Barrier” which issued on Feb. 16, 1999 to Gompertz et al. shows a remote controlled gate with a solenoid lock. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,660 entitled “Automated Storage System” which issued on Aug. 31, 1999 to McCarty et al. shows a self storage facility having kiosks available for users to undertake self storage transactions without the need for an attendant. 
   While the self-storage facilities of the prior art do accomplish the goal of providing temporary storage space to people in need thereof, there are several significant disadvantages which precipitate the need for the present invention. 
   First, if a customer falls behind in payments, that customer often is able to access their individual storage until an attendant or accounting software changes the access rights to the gate for that particular customer. However, even after the access code is deleted, the customer can often still obtain access to the facility via a friend or simply “tailgating” a legitimate user with a valid code through the gate. Once inside, the delinquent customer will have access to the individual unit, particularly if he or she provided their own lock and the facility attendant has not put an additional lock on the unit manually, in the parlance of the profession, adding an overlock to the individual unit. 
   Thus, there is a need in the self storage industry for a system which allows a remote facility to allow or disallow access to a particular storage unit without the need for an on site attendant as well as additional protection for attended facilities. Such an automatic overlock system would facilitate payments, and may be combined with a kiosk which allows a tenant to lease or pay rent at any time thereby reducing the number of man hours needed for staffing and allowing managerial personnel to focus on increasing business rather than servicing existing or new clients. 
   The present invention meets these needs. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of this invention to provide a system which allows or disallows access to a particular storage unit without the need for an on site attendant. 
   It is an further object of this invention to provide an improved system which provides security and safety for a storage facility without requiring an attendant. 
   It is still another object of this invention to provide a system which allows initial leasing of a storage unit without the need for an attendant. 
   Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic showing the basic elements of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a access control unit used in the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a lock in an unlocked position used in the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the lock of  FIG. 3  in an intermediate position used in the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the lock of  FIG. 3  in a locked position used in the present invention; 
       FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ,  6   d  are, in combination, a flow chart showing the system used when attempting access to, from or within a storage facility; 
       FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  are, in combination, a flow chart showing the alarm system employed as part of the present invention in a storage facility; 
       FIG. 8  shows an alternate lock in a locked position; and 
       FIG. 9  shows the alternate lock of  FIG. 8  in an unlocked position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference,  FIGS. 1–9  disclose combinations of features which constitute the components of a storage facility system  10  of the present invention. In the presently preferred embodiment, system  10  comprises a plurality of individual storage units  12  located behind a secured perimeter  13  having a security gate  14  controlling access thereto. At security gate  14 , an access control unit  16  is located which, as described in detail below, allows a user to access their individual storage unit  12  via a computer  15 . 
   Those skilled in the art will recognize that other systems are certainly contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, the use of a secured perimeter  13  with security gate  14  is optional as, in some facilities, the perimeter is not secure and no gate  14  is employed. The user simply approaches a free standing access control unit  16  without the gate  14  or secured perimeter  13 . 
   As best seen in  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of access control unit  16  comprises a housing  18  having a numeric access control unit  20  comprising a plurality of keys  22  mounted on the front thereof. In the preferred embodiment, there are 12 keys  22  having numerals 0–9 and an asterisk (*) and pound (#) sign thereon. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the particular layout of access control unit  16  depicted herein is for exemplary purposes only, and that the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment. Other access methods such as card swipes or finger prints are certainly within the scope of this invention. 
   A speaker  24  is preferably provided for communication with an attendant if needed. Note that the attendant does not have to be on site; in fact, the attendant can be located anywhere in the world. A camera can also be used to facilitate face to face communication if desired. Lastly, a display  26  is provided to facilitate communication between the user and computer  15 , again located anywhere in the world. 
     FIGS. 3–5  depict a locking mechanism  30  suitable for use with the present invention. Locking mechanism  30  is used in combination with a roll up door  32  which rotates about an axle  34  to open and close as is well known in the art. A U-shaped locking member  36  has a base  38  around axle  34  and two legs  40  extending away from axle  34 . A pin  42  extends through said locking member  36  and axle  34  to secure said elements to each other. 
   A lock bar  44  is mounted by two brackets  41  to slide between a locked position between legs  40  as depicted in  FIG. 5  and an unlocked position outside of legs  40  as depicted in  FIG. 3 . An intermediate position in which lock bar  44  is proximate to the ends of legs  40  is depicted in  FIG. 4 . In the locked position, lock bar  44  prevents legs  40 , and hence locking member  36  and axle  34  from rotating thereby preventing door  32  from moving. In the unlocked position, lock bar  44  does not interfere with movement of legs  40 , and hence locking member  36  and axle  34  can rotate freely to open door  32 . 
   The movement of lock bar  44  is controlled by a motor  46  having a drive shaft  48  extending upwardly therefrom to engage a drive arm  50  which is affixed to lock bar  44 . The rotation of drive shaft  48  moves drive arm  50 , and hence lock bar  44 , between the respective positions as shown in  FIGS. 3–5 . 
   To determine the particular position of lock bar  44  at any given time, two position sensors  52  work in conjunction with a pair of shoulders  54  and  56  formed on lock bar  44 . As illustrated, position sensors  52  are simple limit switches which detect when arms  58  extending therefrom engage shoulders  54  and  56 . As shown, one position sensor  52  is positioned to engage shoulder  54  when lock bar  44  is in an unlocked position as shown in  FIG. 3 . The other position sensor  52  is positioned to engage shoulder  56  when lock bar  44  is in a locked position as shown in  FIG. 5 . When neither position sensor  52  is engaged, lock bar  44  is in the intermediate position as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Position sensors  52 , motor  46  and locking mechanism  30  are all in electrical communication via jacks  60  with lock controller  53  and communicator  55  to computer  15  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Further, locking mechanism  30  connects to alarms  31 . 
   Those skilled in the art will recognize that the discussion herein relating to roll up doors is exemplary only and that other types of doors are suitable for use with the present invention. For example, swing doors or fixed shaft roll up doors are certainly contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  for a fixed shaft roll up door  32 ′, locking mechanism is identical to that used in  FIGS. 3–5 . However, lock bar  44  interacts with a plate  45 , interfering with movement of same shown in  FIG. 8  while allowing free rotation of same in  FIG. 9 . 
   In addition, the above discussion refers to motors. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other mechanism are suitable for use with the present invention, including, but not limited to, hydraulic systems. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c  and  6   d , upon arrival at the storage facility, the tenant enters an access code such as a personal identification number (PIN) into access control unit  16  at box  200  which is transmitted to computer  15 . Computer  15  verifies that the access control unit  16  is in fact in the system at  202 . If it is not, then a log of this event is recorded at  204 . If a valid access control unit, computer  15  then verifies the validity of the PIN number at  206 . If an invalid PIN, display  26  provides a message to the user to that effect at  208  and the event is entered in the transaction logs at  210 . 
   If the PIN is valid, then, at box  212 , computer  15  updates the tenants last visit records. Next, at box  214 , computer evaluates whether the particular tenant is authorized entrance at the particular location. If not, a message is transmitted back to the display  26  indicating that status at  216  and the event logged at  218 . This might occur if a tenant has a valid PIN for a multi-location system but their storage unit is not located at the location of the access control unit  16 . 
   If the tenant is authorized for the particular location, computer  15  next checks, at  220 , as to whether the tenant is authorized at this particular time. If not, a message is transmitted back to the display  26  indicating that status at  222  and the event logged at  224 . 
   If the tenant is authorized for the particular time, computer  15  verifies and cross references that the PIN entered is associated with an existing storage unit  12  at  226 . If not, a message is transmitted back to the display  26  indicating that status at  228  and the event logged at  230 . 
   If the cross reference checks out, computer  15  proceeds to determine that storage unit  12  is equipped with a locking mechanism  30  at  232 . If not, computer  15  moves to the on-site management phase of this system at  234 . If the storage unit  12  is equipped with a locking mechanism  30 , computer  15  checks to see if the tenant is attempting an interior entry, an interior exit, an exterior exit or and exterior entry at  236 . An interior entry occurs when a tenant has already gained access to the interior of perimeter  13 , as, for example, by accessing one storage unit and now wants to access a second storage unit. In some instances, the facility may be divided into a plurality of interior secured units and the user may be moving from one such interior secured unit to another. In interior exit is when the tenant is leaving one unit for that second unit. An exterior exit is when the tenant desires to leave the facility and an exterior entry is when a tenant is trying to enter perimeter  13  via security gate  14  or other access point. 
   If the tenant is attempting an interior entry or interior exit or exterior entry, computer  15  moves to the on-site management phase of this system at  234 . If the tenant is attempting an exterior exit, computer  15  moves to the exit phase of the system, shown at  FIG. 6   d , at  238 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 6   d , computer  15  first checks the lock database at  302  for the status of all of the tenant&#39;s doors  32 . Computer  15  also queries door  32  itself at  304  for its status. If door  32  is closed at  306 , computer  15  moves on at  308  to the on-site entry/exit process described in  FIG. 6   b.    
   If, instead, door  32  is open at  306 , computer  15  checks to determine if the tenant has exceeded a pre-determined number of attempts at  310 . If not, computer  15  displays a message to that effect on display  26  indicating that status at  312 , enters the event in the transaction file at  314  and enters the attempt in a database at  316 . 
   If the user has exceeded the number of attempts, computer  15  next checks to see if an override is in place at  318 . If an override is not available, computer  15  displays a message to that effect on display  26  at  320 , enters the event in the transaction file at  322  and notifies the manager of the facility at  324 . If an override is available, computer  15  displays a message to that effect on display  26  at  326 , enters the event in the transaction file at  328  and notifies the manager of the facility at  330 . Next, computer  15  moves on at  308  to the on-site entry/exit process described in  FIG. 6   b.    
   Turning now to  FIG. 6   b , the on-site entry/exit process is described in more detail. Computer  15  first determines if this is an interior exit/entry or an exterior exit/entry at  240 . If an interior exit/entry, computer  15  reviews its transaction logs to verify that the tenant is actually on-site at  242 , i.e., that the tenant is logged in as entering storage facility  10 . If not, a message is transmitted back to display  26  indicating that status at  244  and the event logged at  246 . If the tenant is logged in, a message is transmitted back to display  26  indicating that status at  248 , the transaction logged at  250  and the interior access point is opened at  252 . 
   If an exterior entry/exit, i.e. the tenant either arriving at or leaving from security gate  14 , computer  15  first checks if this is primary account at  262  and adds another if not at  264  and if so at  266 . Computer  15  next checks the tenants account status at  268 . If the tenant is locked out, by for example, non payment of rent, a message is transmitted back to display  26  indicating that status at  270  and the transaction logged at  272 . If, on the other hand, the account is approved, then a message is transmitted back to display  26  indicating that status at  274 , the transaction logged at  276  and the on site database is updated at  278 . 
   Computer  15  next checks to see if the tenant has locking mechanism  30  on their individual storage unit  12  at  280 . If not, access point or security gate  14  is simply opened at  282  and the tenant allowed in or out. If the tenant&#39;s storage unit  12  does have locking mechanism  30 , computer  15  moves to managing those locks at  284  and as shown in  FIG. 6   c . First, computer  15  determines what type of access is being sought at  286 , namely, either exterior exit or exterior entry. If entry, computer  15  searches all storage unit  12  databases for matching PIN numbers at  288  and unlocks all such units  12  at  290 . The transaction is logged at  292  and security gate  14  opened at  293 . If exit, computer  15  searches all storage unit  12  databases for matching PIN numbers at  294  and locks all such units  12  at  296 . The transaction is logged at  298  and security gate or access point  14  is opened at  300 . 
     FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  detail the flow relating to alarms  31 . At  700 , computer  15  detects a change in the status of a given door  32 . If the unit is not alarmed at  702 , then the event is simply logged in a transaction file at  704 . If door  32  is alarmed, computer  15  next checks to see if alarm  31  is enabled at  706 . If alarm  31  is not enabled, the event is logged in the transaction file at  708 . At  710 , computer  15  changes door  32  status as determined. Next, computer  15  checks at  712  if the tenant for door  32  is on-site. If so, computer  15  checks at  714  whether the on-site tenant is the primary account. In either event, computer  15  logs the event in the transaction file at  716 . 
   If the tenant is not on-site, alarm  31  performs its designated functions, ranging from sounding an audible alarm, auto dialing police, flashing warning lights or any other function the facility elects to use at  718 . Computer  15  displays a message to the effect that the alarm has been activated at  720  and logs the event in the transaction file at  722 . The flow moves from  FIG. 7   a  at  724  to  FIG. 7   b  at  726 . 
   Computer  15  enables a timer at  728  which continuously monitors the time at  730 . Computer  15  checks to see if a selected time interval has passed at  732 . If not, computer  15  recycles back to monitoring the time at  730 . If the time interval has passed at  732 , computer  15  resets alarm  31  at  734  and logs the event in the transaction file at  736 . The timer is then disabled at  738  to await the next door status change 
   Although only certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.