5413results about "Locking devices" patented technology

A wrapped surgical pack (400) includes a plurality of adhesive bindings (301,302) that retain an identification device (305) against an outer wrap (201) of the wrapped surgical pack (400). The identification device (305) is capable of being read by a remote reader (801). When the wrapped surgical pack (400) is opened, the physical structure of the identification device (305) is altered, thereby allowing one or more processors operable with the remote reader (801) to detect the opening event. A system (800) using the identification device (305) can be used for order fulfillment, inventory management, location tracking, and other systems.

A radio frequency identification seal comprises an antenna including a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion and an RFID tag coupled and tuned to the antenna. The RFID tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna.

An electronic lock box contains a secure compartment for storing keys to a structure. A sensing system allow the lock box to determine whether the contents of the lock box have been replaced as well as ensuring the correct key or object has been returned. The system reports the status of the object back to the central clearinghouse computer through an electronic key or secure memory device.

A system and method for controlling access to a moveable enclosure are provided. The system includes a lock on the moveable enclosure, a control circuit coupled to the lock and configured to i) receive an entry code and ii) open the lock in response to receipt of the entry code, a time measurement device and / or Global Positioning System device coupled to the control circuit and configured to generate time and position data, such as latitude and longitude data, relating to the moveable enclosure; and a personal computing device wirelessly coupleable to the control circuit and configured to generate the entry code using the latitude and longitude data. The entry code may be erased after a single use. The validity of entry code may depend upon the time of its entry and the physical location of the moveable enclosure.

A secure firearm holder (10) includes an outwardly swinging hinged plate (14) that is hinged to a holder base (12) with a gun (44) mounted at a side of the plate in a ready-to-use orientation when the plate swings outwardly. In a preferred embodiment, a bore shaft (36) is mounted on the hinged plate, the bore shaft extending into the firearm. When the plate is in a first, closed, position, the holder base prevents the gun from being removed from the bore shaft, but when a motivating member (52) rotates the plate to a second position, the gun can be easily and quickly removed from the bore shaft from a ready-to-use orientation. The motivating member biases the lid toward the second position but is held closed in the first position by a latch (50), which latch is remotely releasable. A locking mechanism has three positions: a totally-locked position (B) for locking the latch (50) against remote release of the lid; an active position (A) for allowing remote release of the lid; and a manual-release position (C) for releasing the lid manually.

A product security system includes an RFID chip and antenna that are polymerized onto separable parts of a commercial product package. The RFID chip includes a unique serial number that can be interrogated by a wireless reader. A database of such unique serial numbers associated with particular manufacturing production runs is used in a method to detect counterfeiting. The RFID chip and antenna are embedded such that attempts to remove or transfer them will be obvious to an inspector.

An apparatus for detecting tampering with a container sealed with a cap. The apparatus is comprised of a radio frequency transceiver for transmitting a signal upon receipt of a transmit command and an antenna attached thereto. In a first embodiment, the radio frequency transceiver and the antenna are mounted on a substrate attached to the container and the cap. The radio frequency transceiver is disabled when the antenna is separated into two portions upon breaking the seal between the container and the cap. In a second embodiment, the apparatus is mounted within a cap and is also comprised of a logic circuit and a probe that detects changes in the level of contents within the container. The probe produces an output relative to the level of contents in the container. The logic circuit then either prevents the radio frequency transceiver from communicating or causes it to transmit an alternative signal.

An access control system, has at least one door to a secured area, each door having a strike plate, a host computer, at least one door control module coupled to the host computer, one door control module for every door; and at least one door reader coupled to the at least one door reader coupled to the door control module to activate the strike plate to release the door. The access control system further has at least one electro-mechanical key to independently actuate a lock that corresponds to the door(s). A master keying device to rekey the lock that corresponds to door(s). The host system records information selected from the group consisting of time of entry, place of entry, identification of entered party, and / or any combination thereof. In addition, a door knob and mechanical locking mechanism selectively latches and unlatches the locking mechanism and can be actuated with a mechanical key; and circuitry to actuate the locking mechanism to selectively latch so that the door can open, the circuitry actuated by an electrical signal transmitted by an electrical key, the electrical signal communicated by an electrical contact extending through the mechanical locking mechanism. The circuitry is powered by a battery, which can be removed without disturbing or actuating unlocking mechanism. The contact is an insulated electrical wire that extends through the locking mechanism to the circuitry. All of the circuitry discussed can be integrated onto a single, monolithic piece of silicon in a multi-chip or single-chip format. A master rekeying device has input / output circuitry to receive and transmit electrical signals, circuitry coupled to the input / output circuitry to record a list of security passwords in order to check passwords against the list and a memory to store data; and the input / output circuitry also receives and transmits electrical signals to a host computer.

A container (10) includes a slidable tray (12) including a slot (34) and a locking sleeve (14). The locking sleeve (14) is formed by attaching a base (16) to a top (18). The tray (12) is made from a conventional blister package, with blisters (30) formed in a single layer plastic top for holding items (31). A backing sheet comprising a sealing paper or foil layer is used to secure the items (31) within the blisters (30). The tray (12) is placed on sliding guides (70) of base (16) so that a stop (54) extends through the slot (34) to prevent the tray (12) from sliding out of the sleeve (14). The base (16) includes detents (56) that engage with holes (36) to prevent the tray (12) from sliding. Manipulating a biaser (20), warps the part of the tray (12) between ribs (64) against the force of springs (48) and away from the base (16), which moves holes (36) away from detents (56), thereby allowing the tray (12) to slide within the sleeve (14).

A clam-shell container comprising a cover hingedly connected to a tray, with both the cover and tray having cooperating structures that form a leak-proof seal when the clam-shell container is closed. The container and cooperating structures are formed such that the user can effect the formation of the leak-proof seal in a single step. The creation of the leak-proof seal preferably corresponds to the closing of the clam-shell container.

A security device includes a locking member, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of cables. The cables are wrapped around all six sides of a box-like article. An attachment clip is releasably snap-fitted into the body of the security device and locked therein by a magnetically attractable member. The ratchet mechanism includes a spool and a locking pawl or lever. A top wall of the housing or locking clip has a key receiving recess for positioning the key for unlocking the clip from the housing and releasing the spool from the ratchet mechanism. The housing has a rotatable handle for manually rotating the internal spool to further tighten the cable about the article after the cable slack is taken up by an internal spring. An alarm system is contained in the housing and actuates an audible alarm upon certain unauthorized actions occurring. The spool is biased by the internal spring to automatically wind the cable onto the spool after the clip has been unlocked from the housing. Insertion of the clip into the housing automatically actuates the ratchet mechanism preventing movement of the cable in the unwind direction and activates the alarm system.

An improved electronic lock system is provided for use with real estate lock boxes where there is the need for many people to access the secured compartment of the lock box in a controlled manner. Each user has an identification card with a non-volatile secure memory (known as a “smart card”), for exchanging data with the lock box, and with a portable computer capable of reading data from the smart card; or a cell phone can be used to gain access information from a central computer. The user first inserts the smart card into the connector attached to the lock box; the lock box reads the user's ID stored in the smart card memory and records this information in lock box memory. The lock box then transfers its access code information and other data to the smart card for further processing. The user then inserts the smart card in a portable card reader to learn the access code, or calls a central computer via a mobile phone system and interacts with the computer to elicit the necessary access code information. The access code is then manually keyed into the lock box keypad by the user to obtain access to the secure compartment. Other modes of operation include an “access token mode” and a “card only mode.”

A bait station for containing rat poison contains a housing; at least one opening in the housing for a rat to enter; and a bait position in the housing for locating poisoned bait. A divider is provided between the bait position and each opening to prevent direct access to the bait from the opening, for example by a child. However, there are at least two different routes from the bait position leading to openings. Research has shown that rats, unlike mice, prefer not to eat in a confined space and it is believed that the choice of escape routes offered by the bait station of the invention encourages a rat to eat more of the bait. The bait station may include a hinged lid with locking means to prevent tampering with the bait.

A product security system includes an RFID chip and antenna that are polymerized onto separable parts of a commercial product package. The RFID chip includes a unique serial number that can be interrogated by a wireless reader. A database of such unique serial numbers associated with particular manufacturing production runs is used in a method to detect counterfeiting. The RFID chip and antenna are embedded such that attempts to remove or transfer them will be obvious to an inspector.

Pourer (14) including a beverage dispensing controller (23) including a pinch valve solenoid (40, 83) to control the dispensing of a beverage; a cap (21) includes a locking system to releasably secure the cap to a beverage container (12). The cap has a cap body (31) having an outer duct (43), and the locking system includes a collar (32) with a central aperture for receiving and allowing the collar (32) to pass over the outer duct, and a locking tab located on the cap body. A clamp (34) is engaged by a slide (33) to thereby secure the cap to the container (12) and a locking pin (38) which when engaged acts to prevent rotation of the collar (32). Also, disclosed is a system (FIG. 2) that includes the pourer (14) having a unique identification (ID) and can trasmit wireless signals to a base station (15) about the amount of beverage dispensed; a personal identification unit (17) such as a passive RFID tag to identify the barman pouring the beverage; and an infra-red sensor (7) to allow the pourer (14) to communicate with a container scanner (18) that reads the barcode on the container.

A closure for covering an opening of a container. The closure includes an inverted U-shaped peripheral channel for receiving the rim of a container therein. A tear strip is formed with the skirt of the closure via a tear line that circumscribes the skirt. A breakaway pull tab having an inner surface with U-shaped ribs, the combination of the surface and ribs being such as to provide a concavity which assists in gripping the tab to pull the strip away. Linear vertical ribs may be provided on the outer surface to provide further assistance in the gripping function. The skirt includes a recessed area underlying the pull tab for providing access to the pull tab. An alternative embodiment uses a zig-zag structure of strengthening ribs in the skirt to reduce the amount of material necessary to provide the undercut. This reduces the probability of warpage in the closure structure.

A locking device has a base, a positioning element, a positioning frame, a cable and a lock assembly. The base has a positioning tab and a squeezing device. The positioning element is attached to the bottom of the base configured for the base being attached to an object. The positioning frame is pivotally attached to the base and has a telescopic body. The cable is moveably received in the base and has one end extending out from the base and provided by a hook to connect to the positioning frame. The lock assembly is mounted in the base and detachably locks the cable. Accordingly, a PDA and a charging base can be securely held on the base with the positioning frame and the cable. This can keep the PDA and the charging base from being unauthorizedly moved.

A method for controlling access to a storage unit owned by an owner, wherein a renter has access to the storage unit unless the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so. In this method, the storage unit is secured by a lock that is, at least in part, controlled by the renter. A remotely controllable lockout assembly, however, is capable of over locking the storage unit so that the renter can no longer gain entry when the lockout assembly is activated. The method includes remotely controlling the lockout assembly to deny the renter access to the unit when the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so.

An apparatus for detecting tampering with a container sealed with a cap. The apparatus includes a radio frequency transceiver for transmitting a signal upon receipt of a transmit command and an antenna attached thereto. In a first embodiment, the radio frequency transceiver and the antenna are mounted on a substrate attached to the container and the cap. The radio frequency transceiver is disabled when the antenna is separated into two portions upon breaking the seal between the container and the cap. In a second embodiment, the apparatus is mounted within a cap and includes a logic circuit and a probe that detects changes in the level of contents within the container. The probe produces an output relative to the level of contents in the container. The logic circuit then either prevents the radio frequency transceiver form communicating or causes it to transmit an alternative signal.

A cap and container for providing a child resistant closure by engaging one side of the cap with the container, and providing a non-child resistant closure by engaging another side of the cap with the container. The child resistant closure includes a wall and a bounding outer skirt having a tab formed therein. A pair of tangs are supported on a distal end of the tab on the child resistant closure side of the cap. The tangs engage a lip formed on a mouth flange of the container when the child resistant closure side of the cap is forced against the flange, for engaging the tang with the lip and securing the cap to the container. An inner skirt formed on the non-child resistant closure side of the cap is spaced from the outer skirt to form a friction fit with the mouth flange.

A cooler for maintaining food, beverage containers and / or consumable liquids in a thermally managed state. The cooler generally includes a housing having one or more cavities, a cover to selectively close or open the cavities and a plurality of tie down notches within the exterior portion of the housing to receive an elongated fastener for tying down the cooler. The cooler may include a first cavity that receives a food container and a second cavity that receives beverage containers. The first cavity may also store a liquid, such as water, that is dispensed from a spigot connected to the housing. A first cover and a second cover selectively close and open the cavities. The first cover includes a first access opening that removably receives the food container so the first cover doesn't have to be opened to retrieve the food container and its contents.

A product package embodying the principles of the present invention includes an integrated circuit device which is configured for radio frequency interfacing with associated equipment. The package is configured such that the integrated circuit device is disposed within the package, thus assuring that the device remains associated with the package's contents. Notably, this arrangement facilitates use of the device for applications apart from product tracking and inventory control, including product promotions, storage, and dissemination of product information, and quality assurance including tamper-indication. A packaging machine for writing information on, and or reading information from, the integrated circuit device is also disclosed.

A clam-shell container comprising a cover hingedly connected to a tray, with both the cover and tray having cooperating structures that form a leak-proof seal when the clam-shell container is closed. The container and cooperating structures are formed such that the user can effect the formation of the leak-proof seal in a single step. The creation of the leak-proof seal preferably corresponds to the closing of the clam-shell container.

A snake repellent system for use in repelling snakes so as to prevent the human user from being bitten. The snake repellent system consists of a receptacle into which is placed a quantity of garlic or onion, the aroma of which is believed to be effective in repelling snakes. The receptacle is provided with a lid having a plurality of openings for facilitating the dispersal of the garlic or onion aroma. The receptacle may be provided with a mincing rack used to mince a clove of garlic, thereby more fully releasing its aroma. The receptacle may also be provided with a means to both limit child access to the repellent substance within the receptacle and prevent removal of the repellent substance from the lid openings. An adjustable band is provided for attaching the receptacle to the arm or leg of the user.

An article surveillance includes a pair of components that are detachably connected together having a releasably grasping device engaging with an article intended to be protected. The device is coupled between the two components with a selected one of the components having an elongated prong insertably received within the other component and is held thereto by a ball clutch mechanism. The mechanism includes a tapered housing with an internal tapered wall surface enclosing a plug member having at least two balls carried in opposing grooves. The tapered housing and the plug member include a coaxial passageway for insertably receiving the elongated prong from the first component. The plug member is resiliently biased to a first position by an expansion spring causing the balls to bear against the tapered inner wall of the housing, restricting the passageway. When the prong of the first component is occupying the passageway, the sides of the prong force the balls outwardly as the plug member moves to compress the spring. The widened mouth of the housing permits the balls to expand or separate and does not place any restriction on the pin. Should the first component with the pin be withdrawn by unauthorized personnel, the plug member will be pushed into the tapered recess of the housing by expansion of the spring and the balls will contract and restrict the shaft or pin member of the first component, so as to hold the component together.< / PTEXT>

A twist closure for a container has a screw cap, which includes an inner cylinder and a cutting edge extending from the inner cylinder, and a supply container rotatably arrangeable on the inner cylinder. The supply container includes a supply container bottom and a pocket extending from the supply container bottom for accommodation of the cutting edge.

An accessory device mounting platform includes a substantially rigid frame and a substantially rigid mating tray that are slidably interconnected along a first direction, the frame and tray include a tongue-and-groove slide mechanism arranged therebetween for sliding the tray relative to the frame relative to a first direction. A resilient biasing mechanism, such as a cantilevered flexure or tension spring, is coupled between the frame and a latch bolt portion of a clasp mechanism for biasing the latch bolt portion toward a latch strike plate mechanism formed in the tray. The latch strike plate mechanism is formed with an inclined surface that is positioned to engage a latch bolt portion of the clasp mechanism and is structured for deflecting the latch bolt away from the frame, while the resilient biasing mechanism of the clasp mechanism is structured for biasing the latch bolt back toward the frame.

An electronic lock box contains a secure compartment for storing keys to a structure. A sensing system allow the lock box to determine whether the contents of the lock box have been replaced as well as ensuring the correct key or object has been returned. The system reports the status of the object back to the central clearinghouse computer through an electronic key or secure memory device.