Patent Publication Number: US-9845618-B2

Title: Shock resistant lock

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a nationalization of PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2011/031620, filed Apr. 7, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/321,619 filed on Apr. 7, 2010, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to locks. More particularly, the present invention related to locks that are more difficult, if not impossible, to open when a shock or impact force is applied in an effort to defeat the lock. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly is provided for securing a container having an interior region. The lock assembly includes a housing, a bolt moveable relative to the housing between an extended position inhibiting access to the interior region of the container and a retracted position to facilitate access to the interior region, and a blocking lever rotating relative to the housing between a blocking position blocking movement of the bolt to the retracted position and an unblocking position permitting the bolt to move to the retracted position. The blocking lever has a first lever arm and a second lever arm. The lock assembly further includes a positioning assembly including a threaded shaft, a motor that rotates the threaded shaft, and a nut that moves relative to the housing along the threaded shaft as the motor rotates the threaded shaft to adjust the location and/or amount of force applied to the blocking lever by the nut. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a lock assembly is provided for securing a container having an interior region. The lock assembly includes a housing, a bolt moveable between a locked position to inhibit access to the interior region of the container and an unlocked position to facilitate access to the interior region, a bolt blocker moveable between a blocking position to inhibit movement of the bolt to the unlocked position and an unblocking position to facilitate movement of the bolt to the retracted position, and a positioning assembly moveable between a first position applying a force to a first location on the bolt blocker and a second position applying a force to a second location on the bolt blocker to change the position of the bolt blocker. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly is provided for securing a container having an interior region. The lock assembly includes a housing, a bolt moveable relative to the housing between an extended position inhibiting access to the interior region of the container and a retracted position to facilitate access to the interior region, a bolt blocker rotating relative to the housing between a blocking position blocking movement of the bolt to the retracted position and an unblocking position permitting the bolt to move to the retracted position. The bolt blocker translates relative to the housing between a starting position and an ending position when external force is applied to the bolt, such as by a person using a shock attack against the bolt works to attempt unauthorized access to the interior region. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly is provided for securing a container having an interior region. The lock assembly includes a housing, a bolt moveable relative to the housing between an extended position inhibiting access to the interior region of the container and a retracted position to facilitate access to the interior region, a bolt blocker movable relative to the housing between a blocking position blocking movement of the bolt to the retracted position and an unblocking position permitting the bolt to move to the retracted position, and a positioning assembly including an electric machine that moves the bolt blocker between the blocking and unblocking positions. The electric machine floats relative to the housing to permit relative movement of the electric machine relative to the housing. The lock assembly further includes a compliant member positioned between the electric machine and the housing to absorb impact of the electric machine resulting from relative movement of the electric machine relative to the housing. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly is provided for securing a container having an interior region. The lock assembly includes a housing having an interior region, and either a rotary bolt adapted to rotate relative to the housing between an extended position inhibiting access to the interior region of the container and a retracted position to facilitate access to the interior region of the container, or a translating bolt adapted to translate relative to the housing between an extended position inhibiting access to the interior region of the container and a retracted position to facilitate access to the interior region of the container. The housing is adapted to receive either of the rotary bolt and the translating bolt. In either case, because of the structures of the housing and bolts of the present invention, the rotary bolt and the translating bolt are positionable within the interior region of the housing to move between their respective extended and retracted positions. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly is provided for securing a container having an interior region. The lock assembly includes a housing, a bolt moveable relative to the housing between an extended position inhibiting access to the interior region of the container and a retracted position to facilitate access to the interior region, a bolt blocker movable relative to the housing between a blocking position blocking movement of the bolt to the retracted position and an unblocking position permitting the bolt to move to the retracted position, and a positioning assembly movable between first, second, and third positions. The positioning assembly blocks movement of the bolt blocker from the blocking position when in the first position. Movement of the positioning assembly from the first position to the second position allows the bolt blocker to move to the unblocking position. When in the third position, the positioning assembly resists movement of the bolt blocker to the first position. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly is provided for securing a container having an interior region. The lock assembly includes a housing, a bolt moveable relative to the housing between an extended position inhibiting access to the interior region of the container and a retracted position to facilitate access to the interior region, a bolt blocker movable relative to the housing between a blocking position blocking movement of the bolt to the retracted position and an unblocking position permitting the bolt to move to the retracted position, and a positioning assembly movable between a first position blocking movement of the bolt blocker from the blocking position, and a second position allowing the bolt blocker to move to the unblocking position. The positioning assembly includes an urging assembly normally applying a force to the bolt blocker at each of the first and second positions. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly is provided for securing a container having an interior region. The lock assembly includes a housing, a bolt moveable relative to the housing between an extended position inhibiting access to the interior region of the container and a retracted position to facilitate access to the interior region, a bolt blocker having a range of motion and being movable relative to the housing between a blocking position blocking movement of the bolt to the retracted position and an unblocking position permitting the bolt to move to the retracted position, and an urging assembly positioned to urge the bolt blocker toward the blocking position. The bolt blocker has a range of motion against the urging assembly that is insufficient to move the bolt blocker to the unblocking position. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of securing a container having an interior region is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a lock assembly including a housing, a bolt moveable between a locked position to inhibit access to the interior region of the container and an unlocked position to facilitate access to the interior region, a bolt blocker moveable between a blocking position to inhibit movement of the bolt to the unlocked position and an unblocking position to facilitate movement of the bolt to the retracted position, and a positioning assembly. The method further includes the step of moving the positioning assembly between a first location applying force on the bolt blocker and a second position applying a force to a second location on the bolt blocker to change the position of the bolt blocker. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of securing a container having an interior region is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a lock assembly including a housing, a bolt moveable between a locked position to inhibit access to the interior region of the container and an unlocked position to facilitate access to the interior region, a bolt blocker moveable between a blocking position to inhibit movement of the bolt to the unlocked position and an unblocking position to facilitate movement of the bolt to the retracted position, and a positioning assembly. The method further includes moving the positioning assembly to a first location blocking the bolt blocker from moving to the unblocking position, moving the positioning assembly to a second location urging the bolt blocker toward the unblocking position, and moving the positioning assembly to a third location urging the bolt blocker toward the blocking position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a safe showing the safe cabinet in phantom, the bolt works in solid lines, and a lock of the present invention in solid lines; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the lock of the present invention showing the lock including a case and a rotary bolt in an extended position to block movement of the bolt works, and a bolt blocker positioned to block retraction of the rotary bolt; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  showing a portion of the bolt blocker and a nut including a spring-biased ball that contacts the bolt blocker; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  showing the nut of  FIG. 3  driven to a position by a threaded shaft extending into the nut and a motor driving the nut; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the nut driven to a raised position rotating the bolt blocker and allowing the bolt works to retract the rotary bolt into the case; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the nut driven back to an intermediate position urging the bolt blocker toward the rotary bolt; 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing rotary bolt extending out of the case and the bolt blocker urged by the nut into a notch in the rotary bolt; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing an alternative embodiment lock of the present invention with a linear bolt and the bolt blocker of  FIG. 2  positioned to block retraction of the linear bolt; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  showing the nut driven to a raised position rotating the bolt blocker and allowing the linear bolt to retract into the case; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  showing the nut driven back to an intermediate position urging the bolt blocker toward the linear bolt; and 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  showing the linear bolt extending out of the case and the bolt blocker urged by the nut into a notch in the linear bolt. 
         FIGS. 12A-12E  are schematic force diagrams of the forces applied against the bolt blocker of the present invention by the positioning assembly of the present invention, corresponding to the positions of such elements shown in  FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments of the present invention disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that those skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a container, such as a safe  10 , is shown including a case  12  (shown in phantom) defining an interior region  14 , and a door  16  (shown in phantom) pivotably coupled to case  12  to normally block access to interior region  14 . Door  16  may be opened by authorized users to permit access into interior region  14  and the objects stored therein (not shown). 
     Safe  10  further includes bolt works  18  that normally blocks opening of door  16  and a lock  20  that normally blocks operation of bolt works  18 . Bolt works  18  may be supported on door  16  and includes one or more bolts  22  that extend across the interface between door  16  and case  12  into apertures (not shown) in case  12  to prevent opening of the door  16 . Bolts  22  are coupled to a throw member  24 . Bolt works  18  further includes a handle  25  coupled to a lever  26 . When handle  25  is rotated, lever  26  rotates to translate throw member  24  to the left (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), unless lock  20  is blocking this translation. Sufficient translation of throw member  24  will pull bolts  22  from the apertures in case  12  and allow door  16  to be opened. Additional details of a suitable bolt works is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,890 to Uyeda et al., the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     As mentioned above, lock  20  normally blocks movement of bolt works  18 ; and, therefore, unlocking of door  16 . Lock  20  includes an access control point  28  (shown in phantom), such as a round key pad, and a lock assembly  30 . Access control point  28  provides instructions to lock assembly  30  on when to allow safe  10  to be opened. Lock assembly  30  controls blocking of bolt works  18 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , lock assembly  30  includes a housing  32  and a bolt  34  that extends from housing  32 . When extended and in a locked state, bolt  34  blocks movement of throw member  24  and bolts  22 . When extended and in an unlocked state, bolt  34  allows movement of throw member  24  and bolts  22  to allow opening of door  16 . 
     In the lock assembly  30  of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , bolt  34  is a rotary bolt  36 . Another embodiment of the present invention, lock assembly  30 ′ shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , includes a linear bolt  36 ′. Otherwise, lock assembly  30 ′ is very similar to lock assembly  30 . As such, common structures will be described and illustrated using the same reference numbers. 
     In addition to safes, lock assemblies  30 ,  30 ′ may be used on other containers and devices providing secure access. For example, lock assemblies  30 ,  30 ′ may be provided on ATM&#39;s, filing cabinets, rooms, and other devices requiring secure access. Such devices may have cases with sliding doors. For example, filing cabinets have a case defining an interior region and a sliding drawer with a door defining the face of the door blocking access to the interior region. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , lock assembly  30  includes a bolt blocker  38  that controls the ability of rotary bolt  36  to retract. Rotary bolt  36  rotates about rotary bolt shafts  39  in rotary bolt shaft-receiving apertures  41 . 
     Bolt blocker  38  includes a blocking lever or lever body  40  defining a longitudinal axis A 1  having first and second arms  42 ,  44  and a pair of pivot pins  46  (one shown in  FIG. 2 ). Pivot pins  46  are received in identical oval-shaped recesses or slot  49  in housing  32  and a lock cover  33  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Pins  46  pivot in recesses  49  to allow lever body  40  to pivot. The first and second arms  42 ,  44  of bolt blocker  38  lie substantially along axis A 1 . 
     Lock assembly  30  further includes a positioning assembly including a nut  48  and an electric machine, such as a motor assembly  50  that drives nut  48  between several positions. Motor assembly  50  includes a motor  54  having a housing  55  and a threaded shaft  56  that extends into nut  48 . According to alternative embodiments of the present invention, other electric machines, such as a solenoid or other types of electric machines, may be provided. 
     An urging assembly includes a nut  48 , which includes a nut body  57  and a circular member  58  at least partially positioned in nut body  57  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Circular member  58  is preferably a ball-shaped contact member, but may be other shapes, such as a cylinder, or non-circular shapes. As shown in  FIG. 3 , nut body  57  also includes a recess  60  including a cylindrical portion  62  having a diameter  64  equal to or slightly larger than a diameter of ball  58  to allow ball  58  to move within cylindrical portion  62  against the bias of a spring  66  (also included in the urging assembly) positioned in recess  60 . Recess  60  further includes a conical portion  68  and another cylindrical portion  70  that receive portions of spring  66 . Spring  66  urges ball  58  outward and against an outcropping portion  52  of second arm  44  of bolt blocker  38 , causing bolt blocker  38  to be biased by force F 1  in the counter-clockwise direction, as shown by arrow ccw in  FIG. 12A , when nut  48  is in the position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     When in the position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 12A , bolt blocker  38  is in a first or blocking position and prevents rotary bolt  36  from retracting. In this position, the lock assembly  30  of the present invention also resists a shock attack by someone attempting to gain unauthorized access to interior region  14 . A tip  72  of second arm  44  of bolt blocker  38  is positioned in a notch  74  of rotary bolt  36 . If an external force, such as from a violent shock or strike to bolt works  18 , is applied to rotary bolt  36 , bolt blocker  38  slides or translates up slot or recess  49  from a starting position in direction  76  along a longitudinal axis A 2  until first arm  42  of bolt blocker  38  contacts wall  78  of housing  32  and the bolt blocker reaches an ending position. Still referring to  FIG. 2 , when such external force is applied to the bolt works  18 , this creates a resultant force applied to the bolt blocker  38  by the rotary bolt  36 . To cause the bolt blocker to translate along slot  49 , the direction of such resultant force and the axis A 2  cooperate to define an angle α that is substantially greater than zero degrees and substantially less than ninety degrees. In  FIG. 2 , the resultant force is shown as being directed along axis A 1 . Lever body  40  is then under compression and bears most, if not all, of the external force being applied by rotary bolt  36 . Because pins  46  bear little, if any of this external force, they are not subject to much, if any, shearing load. Thus, enough force to crush or buckle lever body  40  (or wall  78  of housing  32 ) must be applied through rotary bolt  36  before lock assembly  30  will yield. Such force is difficult, if not impossible, to apply through bolt works  18 . As a result, lock assembly  30  of the present invention is very difficult to unlock through forced entry. 
     As mentioned above, safe  10  includes access control point  28  that receives access codes in the form of passwords or access codes, from a person, access cards, fobs, or from other sources. If access control point  28  receives a valid access code, it instructs lock assembly  30  to permit access to interior region  14  of safe  10 . Upon receipt of such instructions, electric motor  54  rotates threaded shaft  56  is a direction that causes nut  48  to move in direction  80 . Initially, as shown in  FIG. 12A , the force F 1  applied by ball  58  on bolt blocker  38  is below the axis of rotation A R  of pins  46  so that bolt blocker  38  continues to be biased in the counter-clockwise direction (arrow ccw in  FIG. 12A ). As nut  48  continues to move in direction  80 , the force applied by ball  58  on bolt blocker  38  passes through the axis of rotation A R  ( FIGS. 12A = 12 E) of pins  46  so that bolt blocker  38  is no longer biased in the counter-clockwise direction. As motor  54  and threaded shaft  56  continue to move nut  48  toward motor  54 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 12B , the force F 2  applied by ball  58  is applied above the axis of rotation A R  of pins  46  so that bolt blocker  38  is biased in the opposite or clockwise direction (arrow cw in  FIG. 12B ). Thus the bolt blocker  38  rotates to a second or unblocking position (also referred to as a first terminal position) so that tip  72  of bolt blocker  38  is no longer positioned in notch  74 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Because bolt blocker  38  is now in the unblocking position with tip  72  of bolt blocker  38  away from notch  74 , it no longer blocks rotation of rotary bolt  36  caused by external forces, such as bolt works  18 . As discussed above, throw member  24  translates as handle  25  rotates in the direction to open safe  10 . When bolt blocker  38  is in the unlatched position, throw member  24  pushes on rotary bolt  36  and causes rotary bolt  36  to move into housing  32 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Because rotary bolt  36  no longer blocks translation of throw member  24 , bolts  22  no longer block door  16  from being open. 
     Normally, lock  20  allows a predetermined time for door  16  to be opened. If this time has passed or another triggering event occurs, lock assembly  30  begins the process of re-securing door  16 . After the trigger event, motor  54  and threaded shaft  56  move nut  48  down in direction  79  as shown in  FIG. 6 . During this movement, the force applied by ball  58  moves from applying a clockwise force to bolt blocker  38  to again applying a counter-clockwise force (arrow ccw in  FIG. 12C ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 12C , ball  58  applies a force F 3  to a first ramped surface  83  of bolt blocker  36  in a counter-clockwise direction (arrow ccw in  FIG. 12C ) causing bolt blocker  38  to rotate (such rotation is not shown in  FIG. 6 ). The movement of ball  58  along ramped surface  83  is limited by a finger or stop  81  on bolt blocker  38  to a third or intermediate position. During the downward movement of nut  48 , nut  48  will contact finger  81  if it attempts to travel too far. By limiting the movement of nut  48 , the movement of ball  58  is also limited. The farther ball  58  moves along ramped surface  83 , the more ball  58  compresses spring  66  ( FIG. 3 ). As the compression increases, the force applied against ball  58  increases, which increases the force applied by ball  58  on rotary bolt  36 . Thus, by limiting the travel of nut  48 , the amount of force applied by ball  58  on rotary bolt  36  is also limited. Additionally, when the positioning assembly is in the third or intermediate position shown in  FIGS. 6 and 12C , friction between finger  81  and nut  48  resists, but does not prevent, the ability of bolt blocker  38  to rotate towards rotary bolt  36 . By resisting this rotation, less force is applied to bolt blocker  38  by ball  58 , and bolt blocker  38  applies less force on rotary bolt  36  so that spring  84  has sufficient force to extend rotary bolt  36  out of housing  32 . 
     With the application of the counter-clockwise force F 3  by ball  58 , as shown by arrow ccw in  FIG. 12D , bolt blocker  38  moves counter-clockwise and into contact with rotary bolt  36 . If bolt works  18  failed to rotate rotary bolt  36  into housing  32  (ex. the authorized person failed to open bolt works  18  in a timely manner), tip  72  would be positioned in notch  74  of rotary bolt  36  and would again block movement of rotary bolt  36  into housing  32 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     If rotary bolt  36  was moved inside housing  32  by bolt works  18 , bolt blocker  38  would move to a position contacting rotary bolt  36  due to the counter-clockwise force applied by ball  58 . When bolt works  18  are moved to the locked position, throw member  24  provides clearance for rotary bolt  36 . torsion spring  84  rotates rotary bolt  36  outward to the position shown in  FIGS. 7 and 12D . As rotary bolt  36  rotates, bolt blocker  38  rides on an edge  86  of rotary bolt  36  until tip  72  is again positioned in notch  74  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     During this movement, movement of bolt blocker  38  is detected by a sensor. For example, a lug  89  of bolt blocker  38  strikes a switch  90  mounted on a PCB  92  as shown in  FIG. 7 . When switch  90  is moved by lug  89 , the controller (not shown) recognizes that bolt blocker  38  is again positioned in notch  74 . In response, the controller powers motor  54  to continue moving nut  48  downward in direction  79  until it strikes a portion of housing  32  as discussed below. As nut  48  moves further downward, applying force F 4  as shown in  FIG. 12E , ball  58  moves further into recess  60  until it touches conical portion  68  so that ball  58  substantially bottoms out in nut body  57 . Because ball  58  is substantially bottomed out, bolt blocker  38  is unable to push ball  58  any farther into nut body  57 , and is therefore unable to rotate clockwise a sufficient distance, if at all, for tip  72  to leave notch  74  of rotary bolt  36 . (The nut  48  has now reached a second terminal position.) Thus, if something applies an impact or physical shock to lock  20 , bolt blocker  38  will continue to block retraction of rotary bolt  36 . 
     Movement of nut  48  alters the range of motion of bolt blocker  38 . For example, as noted above, when in the position shown in  FIG. 2 , bolt blocker  38  has a limited range of motion against ball  58  that is insufficient to allow bolt blocker  38  to move from a blocking position blocking retraction of rotary bolt  36  to the unblocking position permitting retraction of rotary bolt  36 . When nut  48  moves to the position shown in  FIG. 6 , bolt blocker  38  has a greater range of motion against ball  48  and can move from the unblocking position to the blocking position. Thus, by operating motor  54  to move nut  48 , the range of motion of bolt blocker  38  is adjusted as is the range of motion of ball  58 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, electric motor  54  is battery operated. As discussed above, motor  54  rotates shaft  56  to move nut  48  along shaft  56 . The controller on PCB  92  monitors the electric current pulled by motor  54  to determine the position of nut  48  along shaft  56 . When nut  48  reaches its end of travel on shaft  56 , motor  54  draws additional current because nut  48  encounters additional resistance (ex. when nut  48  strikes either of walls  88 ,  90  of housing  32 ). The controller monitors this increased current and determines that nut  48  has reached its end position. The controller then turns off the electrical power supplied to motor  54 . 
     Threaded shaft  56  includes a lead (i.e. the distance that nut  48  advances for one revolution of shaft  56 ). To reduce the likelihood of nut  48  from sticking or jamming at the ends of travel the lead should be sufficiently large. The necessary lead depends primarily upon the diameter of shaft  56  and the coefficient of friction between nut  48  and shaft  56 . The nominal diameter of this shaft  56  is 0.156″ and the lead is at least 0.094″. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a compliant member, such as leaf spring  91 , supports motor  54  in an axial direction. Motor  54  floats within housing  32  to allow for unrestrained alignment of the components, such as nut  48  and shaft  56 . Because of this floating, motor  54  may move relative to housing  32  during operation, creating linear inertia in motor  54 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , leaf spring  91  is positioned in notches  94  in housing  32  and cover  33  and may be secured to motor  54 . As nut  48  approaches wall  88 , nut  48  (and often motor  54 ) has linear inertia and the rotor (not shown) of motor  52  and threaded shaft  56  have rotational inertia. Upon impact of nut  48  into wall  88 , the kinetic energy of these inertias is absorbed by leaf spring  91  shown in  FIG. 4 . For example, when nut  48  runs into wall  88 , leaf spring  91  bends slightly to the right to absorb the kinetic energy and motor  52  and threaded shaft  56  also move slightly to the right. Leaf spring  91  (or another such spring) may also be used to reduce the impact of nut  48  into wall  90 . If motor  54  is attached to leaf spring  91 , leaf spring  91  will bend to the left upon impact of nut  48  into wall  90 . Springs other than leaf spring  91  may also be used to lessen the shock of nut  98  impacting walls  88  or  90 . For example, a coil spring, elastic material, or other springs may be used. 
     Lock assembly  30 ′ is shown in  FIGS. 8-11 . As mentioned above, lock assembly  30  includes a linear bolt  36 ′. Bolt blocker  38  blocks retraction of linear bolt  36 ′ in a manner similar to that for rotary bolt  36 . If external force is applied to linear bolt  36 ′ (or rotary bolt  36 ), bolt blocker  38  will translate along oval-shaped recesses or slots  49  so a compressive load is applied to bolt blocker  38 . When bolt blocker  38  is rotated so that linear bolt  36 ′ can be retracted, a user rotates access control point  28 , which may be a circular key pad dial. A spindle (not shown) extends through housing  32  and into spindle-receiving aperture  96  ( FIG. 8 ). The spindle couples to a leg  98  of linear bolt  36 ′ through a cam or other mechanism. The user rotates access control point  28 , causing the spindle to rotate to retract linear bolt  36 ′. When it is time to re-secure safe  10 , the user rotates the access control point  28  in the opposite direction to extend linear bolt  36 ′. 
     As mentioned above, many of the components of rotary lock assembly  30  and direct drive/translating lock assembly  30 ′ are identical. Some features provided for rotary lock assembly  30 , such as shaft-apertures  41 , are provided in translating lock assembly  30 ′ that are unnecessary. Similarly, some features provided for translating lock assembly  30 ′, such as spindle-receiving aperture  96 , are provided in rotary lock assembly  30  that are unnecessary. As a result, several regions are adapted to receive components, but are devoid of these components, such as shaft-aperture  41  being devoid of shafts in translating lock assembly  30 ′ and spindle-receiving aperture  96  being devoid of a spindle in rotary lock assembly  30 . Thus the housing  32  of the present invention, for example, is configured to selectively accept either the rotating lock assembly  30  or the translating lock assembly  30 ′, thereby providing increased flexibility with a minimum of different components. 
     Many of the features and sub-features described herein function partially or totally independently of each other. Thus, many features and sub-features are optional depending on the needs of the particular circumstances. Additionally, features and sub-features described herein with reference to a particular embodiment may also be provided on the other embodiments described herein.