High security, card operable magnetic lock

Claim 2

In a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, and a striker in said door jamb in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening; the improvement comprising: a card-operable magnetic lock mechanism for releasing said striker and permitting said door to be opened; said mechanism comprising means normally maintaining said striker in the path of said abutment when the door is urged in an opening direction, releasing means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened, and a card-operable magnetic lock mounted on said door jamb for actuating said releasing means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded card; said cardoperable magnetic lock comprising a core member; a magnetic tumbler movably disposed in said core member; a pair of locking members disposed on either side of said core members so as to sandwich said core member therebetween; each of said locking members having an opening therein for receiving a portion of said magnetic tumbler to prevent relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking members; said magnetic tumbler being movable in said core member between a locking position wherein a portion of said tumbler extends into said opening in one of said locking members, and an unlocked position wherein said tumbler does not extend into an opening in either of said locking members; said magnetic tumbler being adapted to be moved into its said unlocked position by magnetic means on a properly coded card inserted in said lock; and means responsive to insertion into said lock of a properly coded card to actuate said striker releasing means and permit opening of said door.

Claim 3

In combination with a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, and a striker in said door jamb in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening; the improvement comprising: a magnetic lock mechanism for releasing said striker and permitting said door to be opened; said magnetic lock mechanism comprising means normally maintaining said striker in the path of said abutment when the door is urged in an opening direction, releasing means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened, and a magnetic lock for actuating said releasing means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded key; said magnetic lock comprising means defining a key-receiving slot therein; a pair of spaced locking members and a tumbler-carrying member disposed on one side of said slot; said tumbler carrying member being sandwiched between said locking members; a plurality of magnetic tumblers movably disposed in said tumbler carrying member; each of said locking members having at least one opening therein; each of said magnetic tumblers being slidable in said tumbler-carrying member between a locking position wherein a portion of said tumbler extends into one of said openings in one of said locking members, and an unlocked position wherein said tumbler does not extend into an opening in either of said locking members; magnetic means disposed on the other side of said slot and attracting at least one of said magnetic tumblers into its said locking position with one of said lOcking members said slot being adapted to receive a key member having magnetic means thereon which will repel said one magnetic tumbler out of its said locking position; and means responsive to insertion into said key-receiving slot of a properly coded key member to actuate said striker releasing means and permit opening of the door.

Claim 4

In combination with a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, and a striker in said door jamb in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening; the improvement comprising: a magnetic lock mechanism for releasing said striker and permitting said door to be opened; said magnetic lock mechanism comprising means normally maintaining said striker in the path of said abutment when the door is urged in an opening direction, releasing means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened, and a magnetic lock for actuating said releasing means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded key; said magnetic lock comprising means defining a key-receiving slot therein; a pair of spaced locking members and a tumbler-carrying member disposed on one side of said slot; said tumbler carrying member being sandwiched between said locking members; a plurality of magnetic tumblers movably disposed in said tumbler carrying member; each of said locking members having at least one opening therein; each of said magnetic tumblers being slidable in said tumbler-carrying member between a locking position wherein a portion of said tumbler extends into one of said openings in one of said locking members, and an unlocked position wherein said tumbler does not extend into an opening in either of said locking members; magnetic means disposed on the other side of said slot and attracting at least one of said magnetic tumblers into its said locking position with one of said lOcking members said slot being adapted to receive a key member having magnetic means thereon which will repel said one magnetic tumbler out of its said locking position; and means responsive to insertion into said key-receiving slot of a properly coded key member to actuate said striker releasing means and permit opening of the door.

Claim 5

In combination with a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, and a striker in said door jamb in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening; the improvement comprising: a magnetic lock mechanism for releasing said striker and permitting said door to be opened; said magnetic lock mechanism comprising means normally maintaining said striker in the path of said abutment when the door is urged in an opening direction, releasing means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened, and a magnetic lock for actuating said releasing means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded key; said magnetic lock comprising: a pair of spaced locking members; a generally planar core member sandwiched between said locking members; said core having a plurality of channels extending therethrough; a magnetic tumbler slidably disposed in each of said channels; each of said locking members having at least one opening therein in alignment with a channel in said core member for receiving a portion of the magnetic tumbler in said channel; said openings in said locking members being of substantially the same size; whereby relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates is prevented if any of said magnetic tumblers extends into an opening in one of said locking members.

Claim 6

In combination with a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, and a striker in said door jamb in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening; the improvement comprising: a magnetic lock mechanism for releasing said striker and permitting said door to be opened; said magnetic lock mechanism comprising means normally maintaining said striker in the path of said abutment when the door is urged in an opening direction, releasing means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened, and a magnetic lock for actuating said releasing means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded key; said magnetic lock comprising: a pair of spaced locking members; a generally planar core member sandwiched between said locking members; said core having a plurality of channels extending therethrough; a magnetic tumbler slidably disposed in each of said channels; each of said locking members having at least one opening therein in alignment with a channel in said core member for receiving a portion of the magnetic tumbler in said channel; said openings in said locking members being of substantially the same size; whereby relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates is prevented if any of said magnetic tumblers extends into an opening in one of said locking members.

Claim 7

In combination with a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, and a striker in said door jamb in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening; the improvement comprising: a magnetic lock mechanism for releasing said striker and permitting said door to be opened; said magnetic lock mechanism comprising means normally maintaining said striker in the path of said abutment when the door is urged in an opening direction, releasing means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened, and a magnetic lock for actuating said releasing means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded key; said magnetic lock comprising: a generally planar core member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough, each of said openings being adapted to slidably receive a tumbler magnet; a first locking plate disposed adjacent one face of said core member; a second locking plate disposed adjacent the other face of said core member; a plurality of tumbler magnets slidably disposed in said openings in said core member; means defining at least one opening in said first locking plate in substantial alignment with one of said tumbler magnets in said core member; means defining at least one opening in said second locking plate in substantial alignment with a second of said tumbler magnets in said core member; said opening in said locking plates being adapted to receive portions of the tumbler magnets with which they are aligned to prevent relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates; each of said tumbler magnets being slidable in its opening in said core member between a locking position wherein a portion of said magnet extends into one of said openings in one of said locking plates, and an unlocked position wherein said magnet does not extend into an opening in either of said locking plates; magnetic biasing means spaced from said second locking plate and attracting said tumbler magnets toward said second locking plate, whereby a portion of at least one of said tumbleR magnets extends into one of said openings in said second locking plate to prevent relative sliding movement between said core and said second locking plate; and means defining a key opening between said magnetic biasing means and said second locking plate for receiving a key having at least one magnetized portion thereon for repelling at least said one tumbler magnet away from said second locking plate to permit relative sliding movement between said core member and said second locking plate.

Claim 8

In combination with a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, and a striker in said door jamb in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening; the improvement comprising: a magnetic lock mechanism for releasing said striker and permitting said door to be opened; said magnetic lock mechanism comprising means normally maintaining said striker in the path of said abutment when the door is urged in an opening direction, releasing means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened, and a magnetic lock for actuating said releasing means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded key; said magnetic lock comprising: a generally planar core member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough, each of said openings being adapted to slidably receive a tumbler magnet; a first locking plate disposed adjacent one face of said core member; a second locking plate disposed adjacent the other face of said core member; a plurality of tumbler magnets slidably disposed in said openings in said core member; means defining at least one opening in said first locking plate in substantial alignment with one of said tumbler magnets in said core member; means defining at least one opening in said second locking plate in substantial alignment with a second of said tumbler magnets in said core member; said opening in said locking plates being adapted to receive portions of the tumbler magnets with which they are aligned to prevent relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates; each of said tumbler magnets being slidable in its opening in said core member between a locking position wherein a portion of said magnet extends into one of said openings in one of said locking plates, and an unlocked position wherein said magnet does not extend into an opening in either of said locking plates; magnetic biasing means spaced from said second locking plate and attracting said tumbler magnets toward said second locking plate, whereby a portion of at least one of said tumbleR magnets extends into one of said openings in said second locking plate to prevent relative sliding movement between said core and said second locking plate; and means defining a key opening between said magnetic biasing means and said second locking plate for receiving a key having at least one magnetized portion thereon for repelling at least said one tumbler magnet away from said second locking plate to permit relative sliding movement between said core member and said second locking plate.

Claim 9

In combination with a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, and a striker in said door jamb in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening; the improvement comprising: a magnetic lock mechanism for releasing said striker and permitting said door to be opened; said magnetic lock mechanism comprising means normally maintaining said striker in the path of said abutment when the door is urged in an opening direction, releasing means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened, and a magnetic lock for actuating said releasing means upon insertion into said lock of a properly coded key; said magnetic lock comprising: a core member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough, each of said openings being adapted to slidably receive a locking magnet; a first locking member disposed on one side of said core member; a second locking member disposed on the other side of said core member; at least two locking magnets slidably disposed in two of said openings in said core member; abutment means on said first locking member in substantial alignment with one of said locking magnets in said core member, and abutment means on said second locking member in substantial alignment with another of said locking magnets in said core member; said abutment means on said locking members being adapted to be engaged by portions of the locking magnets with which they are aligned to prevent relative sliding movement between said core and said locking members; each of said locking magnets being slidable in its opening in said core member between a locking position wherein a portion of said magnet engages said abutment means on one of said locking members; and an unlocked position wherein said magnet does not engage any of said abutment means; magnetic biasing means spaced from said second locking member and attracting said locking magnets toward said second locking member, whereby a portion of at least one of said locking magnets engages said abutment means on said second locking member; means defining a key opening between said magnetic biasing means and said second locking member for receiving a key having a magnetized portion thereon for moving at least said one locking magnet away from said abutment means on said second locking member to permit relative sliding movement between said core member and said second locking member; and a housing mounting said magnetic lock on the door jamb adjacent to the striker; said housing comprising a mounting plate secured to said door jamb adjacent to said striker opening; a cover plate; and an end wall on one of said mounting plate or said cover plate extending between said mounting plate and said cover plate; means securing said cover plate on said mounting plate; and a slot in said end wall for permitting a card to be inserted into said lock.

Claim 10

In combination with a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, and a striker in said door jamb in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening; the improvement comprising: a magnetic lock mechanism for releasing said striker and permitting said door to be opened; said magnetic lock mechanism comprising means normally maintaining said striker in the path of said abutment when the door is urged in an opening direction, releasing means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened, and a magnetic lock for actuating said releasing means upon insertion into said lock of a properly coded key; said magnetic lock comprising: a core member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough, each of said openings being adapted to slidably receive a locking magnet; a first locking member disposed on one side of said core member; a second locking member disposed on the other side of said core member; at least two locking magnets slidably disposed in two of said openings in said core member; abutment means on said first locking member in substantial alignment with one of said locking magnets in said core member, and abutment means on said second locking member in substantial alignment with another of said locking magnets in said core member; said abutment means on said locking members being adapted to be engaged by portions of the locking magnets with which they are aligned to prevent relative sliding movement between said core and said locking members; each of said locking magnets being slidable in its opening in said core member between a locking position wherein a portion of said magnet engages said abutment means on one of said locking members; and an unlocked position wherein said magnet does not engage any of said abutment means; magnetic biasing means spaced from said second locking member and attracting said locking magnets toward said second locking member, whereby a portion of at least one of said locking magnets engages said abutment means on said second locking member; means defining a key opening between said magnetic biasing means and said second locking member for receiving a key having a magnetized portion thereon for moving at least said one locking magnet away from said abutment means on said second locking member to permit relative sliding movement between said core member and said second locking member; and a housing mounting said magnetic lock on the door jamb adjacent to the striker; said housing comprising a mounting plate secured to said door jamb adjacent to said striker opening; a cover plate; and an end wall on one of said mounting plate or said cover plate extending between said mounting plate and said cover plate; means securing said cover plate on said mounting plate; and a slot in said end wall for permitting a card to be inserted into said lock.

Claim 11

In a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, an opening in said door jamb and a striker in said door jamb opening in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening, and release means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened; the improvement comprising: a card-operable lock for releasing said striker and permitting said door To be opened; and a housing mounting said card-operable lock on the door jamb adjacent to the striker; said housing comprising a mounting plate secured to said door jamb adjacent to said striker opening; a cover plate; and an end wall on one of said mounting plate or said cover plate extending between said mounting plate and said cover plate; means securing said cover plate on said mounting plate; and a slot in said end wall for permitting a card to be inserted into said lock.

Claim 12

In a door and door lock mechanism comprising a door, an abutment extending through a side edge of said door, a door jamb in which said door is swingably mounted, an opening in said door jamb and a striker in said door jamb opening in substantial alignment with said abutment for engaging said abutment and preventing said door from opening, and release means for releasing said striker to permit said door to be opened; the improvement comprising: a card-operable lock for releasing said striker and permitting said door To be opened; and a housing mounting said card-operable lock on the door jamb adjacent to the striker; said housing comprising a mounting plate secured to said door jamb adjacent to said striker opening; a cover plate; and an end wall on one of said mounting plate or said cover plate extending between said mounting plate and said cover plate; means securing said cover plate on said mounting plate; and a slot in said end wall for permitting a card to be inserted into said lock.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 6, and further comprising a second end wall on one of said mounting plate or said cover plate extending between said mounting plate and said cover plate; and wherein said securing means includes a latch rotatably mounted on said second end wall and an opening in the other of said mounting plate or said cover plate for receiving the end portion of said latch.

Claim 14

A magnetic lock comprising means defining a card-receiving slot therein; a tumbler-carrying member; a first locking member disposed on one side of said tumbler-carrying member between said tumbler-carrying member and said slot; at least one opening in said first locking member; a plurality of magnetic tumblers movably disposed in aid tumbler-carrying member; magnetic means disposed on the other side of said card-receiving slot and attracting all of said magnetic tumblers toward said first locking member, said magnetic means attracting a first one of said magnetic tumblers into said opening in said first locking member to prevent relative movement between said tumbler-carrying member and said first locking member; a second locking member disposed on the other side of said tumbler-carrying member; said second locking member having at least one opening therein for receiving a second one of said magnetic tumblers; and shield means disposed between said tumbler-carrying member and one of said locking members for blocking at least one of said magnetic tumblers from extending into said opening in said locking member; said card-receiving slot being adapted to receive a card having magnetic means which will repel said first magnetic tumbler out of said opening in said locking member to permit relative movement between said tumbler-carrying member and said locking member.

Claim 15

A magnetic lock comprising means defining a card-receiving slot therein; a tumbler-carrying member; a first locking member disposed on one side of said tumbler-carrying member between said tumbler-carrying member and said slot; at least one opening in said first locking member; a plurality of magnetic tumblers movably disposed in aid tumbler-carrying member; magnetic means disposed on the other side of said card-receiving slot and attracting all of said magnetic tumblers toward said first locking member, said magnetic means attracting a first one of said magnetic tumblers into said opening in said first locking member to prevent relative movement between said tumbler-carrying member and said first locking member; a second locking member disposed on the other side of said tumbler-carrying member; said second locking member having at least one opening therein for receiving a second one of said magnetic tumblers; and shield means disposed between said tumbler-carrying member and one of said locking members for blocking at least one of said magnetic tumblers from extending into said opening in said locking member; said card-receiving slot being adapted to receive a card having magnetic means which will repel said first magnetic tumbler out of said opening in said locking member to permit relative movement between said tumbler-carrying member and said locking member.

Claim 16

A magnetic lock comprising means defining a key-receiving station; a tumbler-carrying member and a locking member disposed adjacent to said station; a plurality of magnetic tumblers movably disposed in said tumbler-carrying member; locking means on said locking member adapted to cooperate with said tumblers to prevent relative movement between said tumbler-carrying member and said locking member; said key-receiving station being adapted to receive a key member having magnetic means which will magnetically bias said magnetic tumblers out of locking engagement with said locking member; and shield means disposed between said tumbler-carrying member and said locking member for preventing at least one of said magnetic tumblers from engaging said locking means on said locking member.

Claim 17

A magnetic lock comprising means defining a key-receiving station; a tumbler-carrying member and a locking member disposed adjacent to said station; a plurality of magnetic tumblers movably disposed in said tumbler-carrying member; locking means on said locking member adapted to cooperate with said tumblers to prevent relative movement between said tumbler-carrying member and said locking member; said key-receiving station being adapted to receive a key member having magnetic means which will magnetically bias said magnetic tumblers out of locking engagement with said locking member; and shield means disposed between said tumbler-carrying member and said locking member for preventing at least one of said magnetic tumblers from engaging said locking means on said locking member.

Claim 18

A magnetic lock comprising: a pair of spaced locking plates; a generally planar core member sandwiched between said locking plates; said core having a plurality of channels extending therethrough; a magnetic tumbler slidably disposed in each of said channels; each of said locking plates having a plurality of openings therein in alignment with said channels in said core member for receiving the end portions of the magnetic tumblers in said core member to prevent relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates; and a shield disposed between said core member and each of said locking plates for preventing at least some of said tumblers from being moved into the openings in said locking plates.

Claim 19

A magnetic lock comprising: a pair of spaced locking plates; a generally planar core member sandwiched between said locking plates; said core having a plurality of channels extending therethrough; a magnetic tumbler slidably disposed in each of said channels; each of said locking plates having a plurality of openings therein in alignment with said channels in said core member for receiving the end portions of the magnetic tumblers in said core member to prevent relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates; and a shield disposed between said core member and each of said locking plates for preventing at least some of said tumblers from being moved into the openings in said locking plates.

Claim 20

A magnetic lock according to claim 10 wherein each of said shield has at least one hole therein between and in alignment with said core channel and a locking plate opening for permitting the tumbler in said channel to extend Through said hole and into said locking plate opening.

Claim 21

A magnetic lock according to claim 11 wherein said holes in one of said shields are out of alignment with the holes in the other of said shields.

Claim 22

In a padlock comprising a body portion and a shackle movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, means normally maintaining said shackle in said locked position, an actuator means moving said maintaining means to permit said shackle to be moved to said unlocked position the improvement comprising: a card-operable magnetic lock mounted in said body portion for actuating said actuator means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded card; ; said magnetic lock comprising means defining a key-receiving slot therein; a pair of spaced locking members and a tumbler-carrying member disposed on one side of said slot; said tumbler-carrying member being sandwiched between said locking members; a plurality of magnetic tumblers movably disposed in said tumbler carrying member; each of said locking members having at least one opening therein; each of said magnetic tumblers being slidable in said tumbler-carrying member between a locking position wherein a portion of said tumbler extends into one of said openings in one of said locking members, and an unlocked position wherein said tumbler does not extend into an opening in either of said locking members; magnetic means disposed on the other side of said slot and attracting at least one of said magnetic tumblers into its said locking position with one of said locking members; said slot being adapted to receive a key member having magnetic means thereon which will repel said one magnetic tumbler out of its said locking position; and means responsive to insertion into said key-receiving slot of a properly coded key member to actuate said striker releasing means and permit opening of the door.

Claim 23

In a padlock comprising a body portion and a shackle movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, means normally maintaining said shackle in said locked position, an actuator means moving said maintaining means to permit said shackle to be moved to said unlocked position the improvement comprising: a card-operable magnetic lock mounted in said body portion for actuating said actuator means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded card; ; said magnetic lock comprising means defining a key-receiving slot therein; a pair of spaced locking members and a tumbler-carrying member disposed on one side of said slot; said tumbler-carrying member being sandwiched between said locking members; a plurality of magnetic tumblers movably disposed in said tumbler carrying member; each of said locking members having at least one opening therein; each of said magnetic tumblers being slidable in said tumbler-carrying member between a locking position wherein a portion of said tumbler extends into one of said openings in one of said locking members, and an unlocked position wherein said tumbler does not extend into an opening in either of said locking members; magnetic means disposed on the other side of said slot and attracting at least one of said magnetic tumblers into its said locking position with one of said locking members; said slot being adapted to receive a key member having magnetic means thereon which will repel said one magnetic tumbler out of its said locking position; and means responsive to insertion into said key-receiving slot of a properly coded key member to actuate said striker releasing means and permit opening of the door.

Claim 24

A magnetic lock comprising: a pair of spaced locking plates; a generally planar core member sandwiched between said locking plates; said core having a plurality of channels extending therethrough; a magnetic tumbler slidably disposed in each of said channels; each of said locking plates having at least one opening therein in alignment with a channel in said core member for receiving a portion of the magnetic tumbler in said channel; said openings in said locking plates being of substantially the same size; whereby relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates is prevented if any of said magnetic tumblers extends into an opening in one of said locking plates.

Claim 25

A magnetic lock comprising: a pair of spaced locking plates; a generally planar core member sandwiched between said locking plates; said core having a plurality of channels extending therethrough; a magnetic tumbler slidably disposed in each of said channels; each of said locking plates having at least one opening therein in alignment with a channel in said core member for receiving a portion of the magnetic tumbler in said channel; said openings in said locking plates being of substantially the same size; whereby relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates is prevented if any of said magnetic tumblers extends into an opening in one of said locking plates.

Claim 26

A magnetic lock according to claim 14, wherein said magnetic lock comprises means defining slots on either side of said core member, and wherein said locking plates are removably disposed in said slots.

Claim 27

A magnetic lock according to claim 14, wherein said locking plates are connected to one another in fixed, spaced relationship.

Claim 28

A magnetic lock according to claim 16, wherein said locking plates are disposed in said lock for sliding movement relative to said core member when said magnetic tumbler does not extend into any of the openings in either of said locking plates.

Claim 29

A magnetic lock according to claim 14, wherein said core member is disposed in said lock for sliding movement relative to said locking plates when said magnetic tumbler does not extend into any of the openings in either of said locking plates.

Claim 30

A magnetic lock comprising: a generally planar core member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough, each of said openings being adapted to slidably receive a tumbler magnet; a first locking plate disposed adjacent one face of said core member; a second locking plate disposed adjacent the other face of said core member; a plurality of tumbler magnets slidably disposed in said openings in said core member; means defining at least one opening in said first locking plate in substantial alignment with one of said tumbler magnets in said core member; means defining at least one opening in said second locking plate in substantial alignment with a second of said tumbler magnets in said core member; said opening in said locking plates being adapted to receive portions of the tumbler magnets with which they are aligned to prevent relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates; each of said tumbler magnets being slidable in its opening in said core member between a locking position wherein a portion of said magnet extends into one of said openings in one of said locking plates, and an unlocked position wherein said magnet does not extend into an opening in either of said locking plates; magnetic biasing means spaced from said second locking plate and attracting said tumbler magnets toward said second locking member, whereby a portion of at least one of said tumbler magnets extends into one of said openings in said second locking plate to prevent relative sliding movement between said core and said second locking plate; and means defining a key opening between said magnetic biasing means and said second locking plate for receiving a key having at least one magnetized portion thereon for repelling at least said one tumbler magnet away from said second locking plate to permit relative sliding movement between said core member and said second locking plate.

Claim 31

A magnetic lock comprising: a generally planar core member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough, each of said openings being adapted to slidably receive a tumbler magnet; a first locking plate disposed adjacent one face of said core member; a second locking plate disposed adjacent the other face of said core member; a plurality of tumbler magnets slidably disposed in said openings in said core member; means defining at least one opening in said first locking plate in substantial alignment with one of said tumbler magnets in said core member; means defining at least one opening in said second locking plate in substantial alignment with a second of said tumbler magnets in said core member; said opening in said locking plates being adapted to receive portions of the tumbler magnets with which they are aligned to prevent relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates; each of said tumbler magnets being slidable in its opening in said core member between a locking position wherein a portion of said magnet extends into one of said openings in one of said locking plates, and an unlocked position wherein said magnet does not extend into an opening in either of said locking plates; magnetic biasing means spaced from said second locking plate and attracting said tumbler magnets toward said second locking member, whereby a portion of at least one of said tumbler magnets extends into one of said openings in said second locking plate to prevent relative sliding movement between said core and said second locking plate; and means defining a key opening between said magnetic biasing means and said second locking plate for receiving a key having at least one magnetized portion thereon for repelling at least said one tumbler magnet away from said second locking plate to permit relative sliding movement between said core member and said second locking plate.

Claim 32

In a padlock comprising a body portion and a shackle movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, means normally maintaining said shackle in said locked position, and actuator means moving said maintaining means to permit said shackle to be moved to said unlocked position the improvement comprising: a card-operable magnetic lock mounted in said body portion for actuating said actuator means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded card; said magnetic lock comprising a pair of spaced locking members; a generally planar core member sandwiched between said locking plates; said core having a plurality of channels extending therethrough; a magnetic tumbler slidably disposed in each of said channels; each of said locking members having at least one opening therein in alignment with a channel in said core member for receiving a portion of the magnetic tumbler in said channel; said openings in said locking members being of substantially the same size, whereby relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates is prevented if any of said magnetic tumblers extends into an opening in one of said locking members.

Claim 33

In a padlock comprising a body portion and a shackle movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, means normally maintaining said shackle in said locked position, and actuator means moving said maintaining means to permit said shackle to be moved to said unlocked position the improvement comprising: a card-operable magnetic lock mounted in said body portion for actuating said actuator means upon the insertion into said lock of a properly coded card; said magnetic lock comprising a pair of spaced locking members; a generally planar core member sandwiched between said locking plates; said core having a plurality of channels extending therethrough; a magnetic tumbler slidably disposed in each of said channels; each of said locking members having at least one opening therein in alignment with a channel in said core member for receiving a portion of the magnetic tumbler in said channel; said openings in said locking members being of substantially the same size, whereby relative sliding movement between said core member and said locking plates is prevented if any of said magnetic tumblers extends into an opening in one of said locking members.