Abstract:
A school locker having remote controlled locking, opening, and beeping functions. The locker includes a key pad transmitter having a first button that activates a locking mechanism, a second button that activates a door opening mechanism, and a third button that activates a sound-making device, much like the beeper in a wristwatch, in order to help a visually impaired student more easily find his or her locker. Two embodiments of the locking mechanism are presented, the first being a solenoid actuated remote control locking mechanism, and the other being a remote controlled motorized pendulum lock. Again, the second feature of the locker is a door opening device, which may be used in connection with either locking mechanism, and which opens the locker door after it is unlocked. The door opening mechanism utilizes a solenoid actuated system of release levers which urge the locker door&#39;s latch pins off of their corresponding latches. One electrical circuit is used for the locking mechanisms and the door opening device, and a different circuit is used for the beeping function of the locker.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to student lockers, and more specifically, a locker having remote control locking, opening, and noise-making mechanisms operable by a key chain transmitter. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Electronic locking systems for lockers have been the subject of earlier patents. Handicapped persons, especially students in wheelchairs need to be able to locate, unlock, and open their school lockers by remote control. The related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention. The related art of interest describes various locks, but none disclose the present invention as claimed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,277, issued in April 1999 to Keskin et al., describes a programmable digital electronic lock for a locker. The lock may be opened using a keypad that is permanently mounted to the locker door. Keskin discloses only a solenoid locking mechanism but not the higher efficiency pendulum lock. Moreover, Keskin does not disclose a locker assembly having separate mechanisms that cooperate to both unlock and then open a locker; nor does Keskin a keypad that can signal and cause the triple function of beeping, unlocking, and opening, in distinct intervals. Thus Keskin does not disclose the present invention as claimed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,086, issued in August 1999 to Tischendorf, et al., describes a keyless locking mechanism, with a portable remote to lock and to unlock a house door. The Tischendorf device is not suited to a gym locker and it lacks both the structure and functionality of the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,436, issued in October 1997 to C. E. Alexander, describes a remote control door lock system to remotely lock and unlock the deadbolt on a door. The Alexander device lacks the structure, combination of components, and functionality of the present invention. 
     United Kingdom Application No. GB 2,159,567, published in December 1985, describes a storage container that unlocks with the use of a remote control. However, the &#39;567 does not disclose a storage receptacle that both unlocks and opens with the remote control, just one that unlocks with the remote control. Nor does it have the additional features such as a release lever, pendulum lock to increase efficiency, or the noise-making mechanism. 
     Other patents which have some relevance to the present invention include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,206, issued October, 1988 to Motsumoto, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,776, issued September, 1991 to Anderson, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,260, issued November, 1993 to Lin, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,025, issued February, 1995 to Figh, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,274, issued April, 1995 to Lambropoulos, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,134, issued October 1997 to Tsui, P. Y., U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,094 issued April, 1999 to Narisada, et al.; and United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB 2,078,845 published February, 1982. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, there is a need for a remotely controlled school locker that is operable by a transmitter on a key chain, and that has one or more, or a combination of the features of the present invention in order to solve the problems of efficiency, security, and versatility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a remote control mechanism for a storage locker, such as those used in fitness centers, school gymnasiums, employee changing areas, etc. The mechanism, designed especially for handicapped students or employees, enables a locker to be located by an audible signal, unlocked and opened by remote control via a handheld transmitter. The locker assembly includes a transmitter having a first button that activates a door locking mechanism, a second button that activates a door opening mechanism, and a third button that activates a sound-making device, much like the beeper in a wristwatch, in order to help a visually impaired student more easily find his or her locker. 
     The mechanism includes a receiver that receives signals from the transmitter and which responds to commands that actuate the door locking mechanism, the door opening mechanism, and the noise-making mechanism. Two embodiments of the remote control locking mechanism are presented, the first being a solenoid actuated remote control locking mechanism, and the other being a remote controlled motorized pendulum lock that uses less energy than the solenoid mechanism. The door locking mechanism is particularly useful for students who are visually impaired or who have problems with manual dexterity and are unable to operate the conventional combination lock, enabling them to unlock the locker by remote control and thereafter opening the locker by lifting the handle on the locker door. The door opening mechanism is particularly useful for students who are confined to a wheelchair, and enables them to both unlock and open the locker door by remote control before moving the wheelchair up to the locker. 
     As stated, the second primary feature of the locker is a door opening device, which may be used in connection with either embodiment of the door locking mechanism. The door opening mechanism unlocks and opens the locker door. The door opening mechanism utilizes a method of lifting the locker door latch pins using a remote controlled, solenoid actuated system of release levers. A cable connecting the solenoid to the release levers causes the levers to rotate about a fulcrum, which urges the locker latch pins off of their corresponding latches. 
     Similar circuits, each having slightly different values, are used for both the locking mechanisms, and the door opening device. A different circuit is used for the beeping function of the locking mechanism. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a device that provides students with disabilities, and other students, convenient access to their school lockers. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a useful device to employers who offer employee lockers, by providing the option to furnish a locker that can serve the needs of a broader spectrum of employees, most notably those who are disabled or handicapped. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an efficient and versatile locker assembly that can be operated using a remote controlled, handheld, push button device. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a generic embodiment of an automated locker according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of the automated door locking mechanism. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the automated door opening mechanism according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the automated door locking mechanism, showing the locked position. 
     FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the automated door locking mechanism in an unlocked position. 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the second embodiment with the locker handle raised. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the circuit that controls the locking mechanisms of FIG. 2, and of FIGS. 4 through 6, as well as the opening mechanism of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the circuit that controls the noise making device in the present invention. 
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to a remotely control mechanism for a locker  10 , especially for use by handicapped students or employees. Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a school locker equipped with a generic embodiment of the present invention. FIG.  2  and FIGS. 4 through 6 show two different embodiments of a door locking mechanism, showing a locker door  16  to which is mounted enclosure  76  containing remote controlled locking mechanisms  80  and  90 , respectively. FIG. 3 illustrates a remotely controlled door opening mechanism  20 , as distinguished from the aforementioned locking mechanisms. Opening mechanism  20  is connected to door frame  18  of locker  10 . FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the preferred circuit used for both the locking mechanisms (FIGS.  2  &amp;  4 ), and for the opening mechanism (FIG. 3) of the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates the preferred circuit used for a noise-making mechanism of locker  10 . 
     Referring to FIG. 1, locker  10  includes a transmitter  40  having a plurality of buttons. The transmitter  40  and receiver may operate by radio frequency wave, infrared, or ultrasonic means. According to the preferred embodiment, a first button  50  activates locking mechanisms  80  and  90 . A second button  54  activates door opening mechanism  20 . A third button  58  activates a sound-making mechanism  70 , much like the beeper in a wristwatch. When enabled, this device causes the lock to “beep,” and it is intended to help a visually impaired student to easily find his locker. For the purposes of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 4-6, noise-making transducer  70  is illustrated diagrammatically incorporated or contained in lock enclosure  76 , and has a noise-making circuit, as shown in FIG. 8, disposed within control module  60 . Each automated locker  10  may have its own control module  60  and power supply. In the alternative, multiple lockers may share a power supply, or they may share a power supply and a control module. The power supply could be a battery within the control module itself, or it could be a separate stand alone unit next to the control module. 
     Still referring to FIG. 1, locker  10  preferably includes a receiver, or control module  60 , that receives signals from transmitter  40 , and provides commands that actuate either of locking mechanisms  80  or  90 , or door opening mechanism  20 . In general, control module  60  includes a power supply and a receiver. More specifically, the following is included in the circuitry of control module  60 : (a) a receiver  61  to detect the signal of the correct transmitter  40 ; (b) timing circuitry, which can be adjusted to keep the door unlocked the necessary time depending upon preference; (c) diagnostic light emitting diodes (LEDs) (not shown) for trouble shooting and/or to indicate the status of the system; (d) an override switch to unlock the locker if the system stops functioning properly; and (e) control module  60  also has a mode of operation switch, including an “ON” switch  63  for permitting automatic door opening by remote control, and an “OFF” switch  65  for requiring manual door opening, that is, where the door automatically unlocks but does not automatically open. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, enclosure attachment means  100  holds the enclosure lid onto lock enclosure  76 . Plunger  92 , which protrudes from enclosure  76 , is a component of locking mechanism  90  that is used to prevent the opening of locker  10  by limiting the movement of latch pin release plate  102 . When the correct signal is received from transmitter  40 , control module  60  applies a voltage to first solenoid  104 , energizing the solenoid coil and withdrawing the plunger  92  into the magnetic field of the coil, causing it to retract from release plate  102 . Plate  102  can then be lifted, allowing latch pins  26  to raise and to release locker door  16 . After a set amount of time, control module  60  removes voltage from solenoid  104 . When power is cut, plunger spring  94  causes plunger  92  to protrude, so as to again clamp and thereby lock release plate  102  so that it may not be raised. 
     Solenoid  104  is preferably a standard solenoid as is well known in the industry. However, in order to make the locking mechanism battery operated, and to conserve energy, a latching solenoid or actuator may be used instead of solenoid  104 . In that case, when the correct signal is received from transmitter  40 , control module  60  sends a short voltage spike to the latching solenoid or actuator. This causes the device to go into a retracted state. The device remains in this state until another voltage surge is sent to it. The second surge returns the device to its initial, locked state. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, wire channel  74 , which is attached to second locking mechanism  90 , protects at least four, but up to seven wires that connect control module  60  to the locking mechanism  80  or  90  within enclosure  76 . Channel  74  creates a pathway through which the wires travel from enclosure  76  in order to reach control module  60 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 2, key switch  96  is used to power the locking mechanism on and off, and to program a new transmitter code into the system if the previous transmitter  40 , or transmitter code, is lost. A new code is programmed by turning the control module  60  switch to the off position, holding down the transmitter button, and then turning the switch  96  back on. 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of locking mechanism  80 , which is an alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism shown in FIG.  2 . FIGS. 4 through 6 show pendulum lock  84 , of mechanism  80 , in first, second, and third positions, respectively. Pendulum lock  84  is a wedge-shaped piece of steel mounted on the shaft of motor  86 . FIG. 4 shows locking mechanism  80  in a locked state, with the outside edge of pendulum lock  84  facing down and seated upon, and in mating alignment with, middle seat  64  of lock body  62 . Lock arm  82 , which must be raised in order to open locker door  16 , is a flat piece of steel that is connected to, and preferably made in one piece with, lock body  62 . Body  62 , together with arm  82 , is fixed by standoff screw  89 , which screws into standoff  88  to hold lock body  62  in place, body  62  pivoting about screw  89  within the limits set by recess  75  defined in enclosure  76 . So long as pendulum lock  84  rests upon middle seat  64 , lock arm  82  is held in a locked position. In order for locker  10  to be opened, it is necessary for lock arm  82  to be raised with locker handle  14 . Accordingly, when the correct signal is received from transmitter  40 , control module  60  sends a quick voltage surge to lock motor  86 . This causes pendulum lock  84  to rotate clockwise around its axis about 180° to an unlocked position, as shown in FIG.  5 . In its unlocked state, and even when no voltage is applied to motor  86 , pendulum lock  84  remains upright because one of its side edges is balanced against upper seat  66  of lock body  62 . With lock  84  in an unlocked state, lock arm  82  is free to move upward with locker handle  14 . When locker handle  14  is then raised, pendulum lock  84  rotates counterclockwise, the shift in the center of gravity bringing pendulum lock  84  to a third resting position, as shown in FIG. 6, wherein a side edge of pendulum lock  84  rests upon lower seat  68  of lock body  62 . When locker handle  14  is released, pendulum lock  84  moves to a position where it no longer rests upon lock body  62 , and thus, lock  84  rotates back to the locked position shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the remotely operated automatic door opening mechanism  20 , which is incorporated in both embodiments of the remote control mechanism, but used as an alternative to either of locking mechanisms  80  and  90 . More precisely, door opening mechanism  20  opens door  16 , independent of door unlocking mechanisms  80  or  90 . The theory of mechanism  20  stems from the fact that latch pins  26  can be lifted in two different ways to open door  16 . The first way, as suggested by FIG. 1, is to manually lift latch pin release plate  102  which is connected to each of the latch pins  26 . The second way is to lift each individual latch pin  26 . Pins  26  are held down by springs. When closing door  16 , pins  26  can be lifted by the camming force upon pins  26  due to the beveled edge of each door latch  24 . This is what allows locker doors to be “slammed” shut without having to lift release plate  102 . Door opening mechanism  20  utilizes a method of lifting pins  26  that is closest to the “second way,” described above. Mechanism  20  includes at least one latch pin release lever  22  for each of the latch pins  26 . A given release lever  22  urges and slides each of pins  26  off of a latch  24 . Latch  24 , standard in the industry, is preferably a rigid, fixed hook, within door frame  18 , that latches, in a camming relationship, onto pin  26 . Latch pin  26 , also standard in the industry, is a spring-loaded pin which, in conjunction with latch  24 , holds locker door  16  shut. Mechanism  20  includes a second solenoid  28  which acts, through release lever cable  30 , upon an end of each lever  22 . Thus, when control module  60  detects the correct signal, a voltage is sent to second solenoid  28 . Second solenoid  28  then pulls down on lever cable  30  causing a release lever  22  in each lever housing  32  to rotate about pivot pin  34 , which acts as a fulcrum, and to thereby lift the corresponding latch pins  26  off of latches  24 . This releases door  16 , permitting door  16  to open. Door  16  may be biased by one or more springs (not shown) in the hinges so that the door  16  automatically swings open when pins  26  are lifted out of hooks  24 . Cable  30  is preferably a steel cable running from each release lever  22  to solenoid  28 . Stated more simply, cable  30  causes lever  22  to rotate about fulcrum  34  to disengage each of the pins  26  from their corresponding latch  24 . Release lever housing  32  encases that portion of lever  22  that is connected to cable  30  and to fulcrum  34 . The side walls of lever slot  36  of housing  32  serve to guide and to support lever  22  as it rotates about fulcrum  34 . Fulcrum  34  is a pin, preferably metal or hard plastic, that is connected to a wall of housing  32 . 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the circuit which controls the locking mechanisms of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 4 through 6, as well as the opening mechanism of FIG.  3 . The circuit shown in FIG. 7 is a timing circuit built around a timer chip T 1 , preferably a Motorola LM555 integrated circuit. The circuit has a power source V 1  which provides direct current at an appropriate voltage, preferably twelve volts. The power source V 1  may be provided by a battery or by a regulated power supply, as is known in the art. Transistor M 1  is an N-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) which is used to provide sufficient power, and particularly sufficient current, to energize the coil of solenoid  104  in the first embodiment of the door locking mechanism, shown in FIG. 2, the motor  86  of the second embodiment of the door locking mechanism, shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, or the solenoid  28  of the door opening mechanism, shown in FIG.  1  and common to both embodiments. The switch S 1 /S 2  designates a trigger signal generated by pressing either button  50  or button  54  of the transmitter  40  to unlock the door or to open the door, respectively, and triggers the timer chip T 1  to an “on” state. The timer chip T 1  is wired for monostable (one-shot) operation in this circuit configuration, with the duration of the “on” state determined by the values of resistor R 1  and capacitor C 1 . The output voltage is taken across the terminals O 1 . 
     When the circuit of FIG. 7 is used with the door locking mechanism of FIG. 2, R 1  has a value of 432 kΩ and C 1  has a value of 100 μF. This sets the duration of the “on” state at about ten seconds. Consequently, when button  50  of the transmitter  40  is pressed, the timer T 1  is triggered to the “on” state and provides an output voltage at terminals O 1  sufficient to cause the solenoid  104  to retract plunger  92  for ten seconds, permitting the locker handle to be raised during this period in order to open the door. 
     When the circuit of FIG. 7 is used with the door locking mechanism of FIGS. 4 through 6, the value of R 1  is 15.65 kΩ and the value of C 1  is 100 μF. This sets the duration of the “on” state at about one second. The shorter duration of the “on” state is possible in this embodiment because once the motor  86  moves the pendulum  84  to the position shown in FIG. 5, the locker  10  remains unlocked until the handle  14  is used to raise and lower the lock arm  82 . In use, when button  50  is pushed, timer T 1  is triggered to the “on” state for one second, providing an output voltage at terminals O 1  sufficient to drive motor  86  to move pendulum  84  to the unlocked position. 
     When the circuit of FIG. 7 is used with the door opening mechanism of FIG. 3, R 1  has a value of 15.65 kΩ and the value of C 1  is 100 μF. This sets the duration of the “on” state at about one second. In use, when button  54  is pushed, timer T 1  is triggered to the “on” state for one second, providing an output voltage at terminals O 1  sufficient to energize the coil of solenoid  28 , pulling cable  30  and lifting the latch pins  26  from hooks  24  to open the door. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the circuit that controls the noise-making device of locker  10 . This circuit has some features similar to the circuit shown in FIG.  7 . V 1  is a power source similar to the power source shown in FIG. 7, and the same power source may be used for both circuits. The output of the circuit is taken across terminals O 1 , and is used to power the transducer  70 . Transistor M 1  is an N-channel MOSFET used to provide sufficient power to drive the transducer  70 . Switch S 3  receives a signal when button  58  is pressed which is used to trigger timer T 1 . Timer T 1  is again a Motorola LM555 integrated circuit wired for monostable operation. Resistor R 1  has a value of 865 kΩ and capacitor C 1  has a value of 100 μF, setting the “on” state duration to a period of about thirty seconds. The circuit of FIG. 8 applies the output voltage of timer T 1  to trigger a second timer T 2 , which is also a Motorola LM555 integrated circuit. Timer T 2 , however, is wired as an astable multivibrator in which the duty cycle and duration of the “on” state of timer T 2  are set by the values of resistors R 2  and R 3 , and capacitor C 2 . Preferred values of the resistors are 14 kΩ for R 2  and 43 kΩ for R 3 , while capacitor C 2  is preferably 100 μF. These values turn the output of timer T 2  to the “on” state for one second and off for three seconds, the pattern repeating for the thirty second duration set by timer T 1 . In operation, when button  58  is pressed, the circuit of FIG. 8 drives the transducer  70  to beep at the rate of one second on and three seconds off for thirty seconds in order to enable the student to locate his or her locker  10 . 
     All of the values provided for above for the components shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are merely preferred values that are subject to preferences based upon the individual needs of the user. The signals sent by transmitter  40  to control module  60  may include, but are not limited to, RF, infrared, or sonar to open locker door  16 . In some cases, it is desirable not to have the locker door actually open because the door can be opened by mistake, since control module  60  can receive a transmitted signal from a distance of up to 200 feet. Thus, if a user desires, he or she can enable locking mechanisms  80 ,  90 , and disable opening mechanism  20 . Under that option, door  16  would unlock when first button  50  is pushed, but handle  14  would have to be lifted to release, or to open door  16 . Thus, the unlock and the open mechanisms will not be used simultaneously. That is, when one is enabled, the other will be disabled. 
     The remote control mechanism according to the present invention may be installed as an after-market modification of conventional lockers, or may be supplied as original equipment with newly manufactured lockers. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.