Magnetic lock with relatively slidable elements

Claim 2

Magnetic lock adapted for cooperation with a key having zones of magnetization thereon in predetermined locations with respect to the outline of the key, said lock comprising a first body (1) having a plurality of first chambers (2) formed therein of predetermined shape and location within the body; a second body (3) having a plurality of second chambers (4) formed therein which, at least in part, match the outlines of the chambers (2) in said first body, said second body being additionally formed with at least one additional chamber; said chambers (2, 4) in both said bodies forming locking chambers and being of essentially rectangular outline, the plurality of chambers being placed adjacent each other in a plurality of rows of chambers located in columnar arrangement adjacent, and above each other; locking elements (6) of magnetically responsive material located in matching chambers and spanning said chambers in the first and second bodies; at least one of said bodies (3) being additionally formed with interconnecting channels (5), at predetermined locations, interconnecting the chambers in said body, the location of said interconnecting channels (5) matching the location of the zones of magnetization of the key for the lock so that, when the proper key is placed against said bodies, the locking elements will line up with the interconnecting channels and permit relative movement of said first and second bodies and shifting of the locking elements from the matching chambers of said second body into those chambers which are still matching the first body, and into the additional chamber.

Claim 3

Lock according to claim 1, wherein one additional chamber in the second body is located adjacent the terminal chamber in the row of chambers.

Claim 4

Lock according to claim 1, wherein the chambers are formed as grooves in the thickness of the bodies, the grooves being approximately half as deep as the thickness of the magnetically responsive locking elements.

Claim 5

Lock according to claim 1, wherein one of the bodies (1) is formed with a locking shoulder (FIG. 7: 14) and the other body (3) is formed with an engaging portion (15), the shoulder (14) and engaging portion (15) being relatively located for relative sliding motion of said bodies, when a key is present, so that the locking elements are aligned with the interconnecting channels (5) effecting unlocking of said engaging member and, in the absence of a key, the shoulder (14) formed on said one body engaging the engagement portion (15) of the other body and blocking relative sliding motion of said bodies.

Claim 6

Lock according to claim 1, wherein one of said bodies is formed as a locking bail operating member.

Claim 7

Lock according to claim 5, wherein said one body is the one having only said predetermined number of chambers.

Claim 8

Lock according to claim 1, in combination with a key having zones of magnetization thereon in predetermined location with respect to an edge thereof, the zones of magnetization being placed to be juxtaposed to the intersection of the interconnecting channels with the chambers.

Claim 9

Lock according to claim 1, wherein adjacent chambers in the second body are interconnected by one interconnecting channel only.

Claim 10

Lock according to claim 1, wherein adjacent chambers in said second body are interconnected by more than one channel to provide operation of the lock with the key specific to one channel or with another key specific to the location of another channel.

Claim 11

Lock according to claim 1, including means locating the magnetically responsive elements at an extremity of the chambers.

Claim 12

Magnetic lock adapted for cooperation with a key having zones of magnetization thereon in predetermined locations with respect to the outline of the key, said lock comprising a first boDy (1) having first chambers (2) formed therein of predetermined shape and location within the body; a second body (3) having second chambers (4) formed therein which, at least in part, match the outlines of the chambers (2) in said first body, said second body being additionally formed with at least one additional chamber; said first and second bodies being platelike elements (20, 21) having the chambers (2, 4, 4'') formed therein; said chambers (2, 4) in both said bodies forming locking chambers; locking elements (6) of magnetically responsive material located in matching chambers and spanning said chambers in the first and second bodies; at least one of said bodies (3) being additionally formed with interconnecting channels (5), at predetermined locations, interconnecting the chambers in said body, the location of said interconnecting channels (5) matching the location of the zones of magnetization of the key for the lock so that, when the proper key is placed against said bodies, the locking elements will line up with the interconnecting channels and permit relative movement of said first and second bodies and shifting of the locking elements from the matching chambers of said second body into those chambers which are still matching the first body, and into the additional chamber; and means (22, 25) retaining said bodies together.

Claim 13

Magnetic lock adapted for cooperation with a key having zones of magnetization thereon in predetermined locations with respect to the outline of the key, said lock comprising a first boDy (1) having first chambers (2) formed therein of predetermined shape and location within the body; a second body (3) having second chambers (4) formed therein which, at least in part, match the outlines of the chambers (2) in said first body, said second body being additionally formed with at least one additional chamber; said first and second bodies being platelike elements (20, 21) having the chambers (2, 4, 4'') formed therein; said chambers (2, 4) in both said bodies forming locking chambers; locking elements (6) of magnetically responsive material located in matching chambers and spanning said chambers in the first and second bodies; at least one of said bodies (3) being additionally formed with interconnecting channels (5), at predetermined locations, interconnecting the chambers in said body, the location of said interconnecting channels (5) matching the location of the zones of magnetization of the key for the lock so that, when the proper key is placed against said bodies, the locking elements will line up with the interconnecting channels and permit relative movement of said first and second bodies and shifting of the locking elements from the matching chambers of said second body into those chambers which are still matching the first body, and into the additional chamber; and means (22, 25) retaining said bodies together.

Claim 14

Lock according to claim 11, including locking means engageable by one of said plate-like elements, locking and unlocking being effected by relative motion between said plates.

Claim 15

Lock according to claim 11, wherein the means retaining the bodies together comprises a housing; the lock including locking means engageable by one of said plate-like elements, locking and unlocking being effected by relative motion between said plate-like elements and the housing.

Claim 16

Lock according to claim 11, wherein one of said bodies is formed as a locking bail operating member.

Claim 17

Lock according to claim 11, in combination with a key having zones of magnetization thereon in predetermined location with respect to an edge thereof, the zones of magnetization being placed to be juxtaposed to the intersection of the interconnecting channels with the chambers.

Claim 18

Lock according to claim 11, wherein adjacent chambers in said second body are interconnected by more than one channel to provide operation of the lock with the key specific to one channel or with another key specific to the location of another channel.

Claim 19

Lock according to claim 11, including means locating the magnetically responsive elements at an extremity of the chambers.

Claim 20

Magnetic lock adapted for cooperation with a key having zones of magnetization thereon in predetermined locations with respect to the outline of the key, said lock comprising a first body (1) having first chambers (2) formed therein of predetermined shape and location within the body; a second body (3) having second chambers (4) formed therein which, at least in part, match the outlines of the chambers (2) in said first body, said second body being additionally formed with at least one additional chamber; said chamber (2, 4) in both said bodies forming locking chambers; locking elements (6) of magnetically responsive material located in matching chambers and spanning said chambers in the first and second bodies; at least one of said bodies (3) being additionally formed with interconnecting channels (5), at predetermined locations, interconnecting the chambers in said body, the location of said interconnecting channels (5) matching the location of the zones of magnetization of the key for the lock so that, when the proper key is placed against said bodies, the locking elements will line up with the interconnecting channels and permit relative movement of said first and second bodies and shifting of the locking elements from the matching chambers of said second body into those chambers which are still matching the first body, and into the additional chamber; the locking chambers in at least one of the bodies are profiled to provide locating portions (9) engageable with the locking elements to assist in positioning the locking elements in predetermined locations within the chambers and tend to inhibit placement of the locking elements in positions other than the predetermined location.

Claim 21

Magnetic lock adapted for cooperation with a key having zones of magnetization thereon in predetermined locations with respect to the outline of the key, said lock comprising a first body (1) having first chambers (2) formed therein of predetermined shape and location within the body; a second body (3) having second chambers (4) formed therein which, at least in part, match the outlines of the chambers (2) in said first body, said second body being additionally formed with at least one additional chamber; said chamber (2, 4) in both said bodies forming locking chambers; locking elements (6) of magnetically responsive material located in matching chambers and spanning said chambers in the first and second bodies; at least one of said bodies (3) being additionally formed with interconnecting channels (5), at predetermined locations, interconnecting the chambers in said body, the location of said interconnecting channels (5) matching the location of the zones of magnetization of the key for the lock so that, when the proper key is placed against said bodies, the locking elements will line up with the interconnecting channels and permit relative movement of said first and second bodies and shifting of the locking elements from the matching chambers of said second body into those chambers which are still matching the first body, and into the additional chamber; the locking chambers in at least one of the bodies are profiled to provide locating portions (9) engageable with the locking elements to assist in positioning the locking elements in predetermined locations within the chambers and tend to inhibit placement of the locking elements in positions other than the predetermined location.

Claim 22

Lock according to claim 18, wherein the locating portions are formed as projections extending inwardly of the chambers directed towards prohibited positions of the locking elements.

Claim 23

Lock according to claim 18, wherein one of said bodies is formed as a locking bail operating member.

Claim 24

Lock according to claim 18, in combination with a key having zones of magnetization thereon in predetermined location with respect to an edge thereof, the zones of magnetization being placed to be juxtaposed to the intersection of the interconnecting channels with the chambers.

Claim 25

Lock according to claim 18, wherein adjacent chambers in said second body are interconnected by more than one channel to provide operation of the lock with the key specific to one channel or with another key specific to the location of another channel.

Claim 26

Lock according to claim 18, including means locating the magnetically responsive elements at an extremity of the chambers.

Claim 27

In a magnetic lock, a first plate-like body having a plurality of grooves formed therein; a second plate-like body having a like plurality of grooves at matching locations formed therein, said plate-like bodies being placed against each other so that the grooves will, together, form chambers; interconnecting channels formed at predetermined locations interconnecting the grooves in at least one of the bodies; at least one additional groove formed in one of said plate-like members and located with respect to the other grooves in the plates to form a chamber with the grooves in the other plate when the plates are shifted relative to each other; an interconnecting channel connecting said additional groove to the next adjacent groove; and magnetically responsive elements in said chambers.

Claim 28

In a magnetic lock, a first plate-like body having a plurality of grooves formed therein; a second plate-like body having a like plurality of grooves at matching locations formed therein, said plate-like bodies being placed against each other so that the grooves will, together, form chambers; interconnecting channels formed at predetermined locations interconnecting the grooves in at least one of the bodies; at least one additional groove formed in one of said plate-like members and located with respect to the other grooves in the plates to form a chamber with the grooves in the other plate when the plates are shifted relative to each other; an interconnecting channel connecting said additional groove to the next adjacent groove; and magnetically responsive elements in said chambers.