Claims:We claim,
1. A magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100, comprising:
a first member 102;
a second member104 adapted to be rotated within said first member 102, said second member104 defines a keyway106;
said first member 102and said second member 104 define a plurality of locking element cavities 108 which are aligned to each other and extend radially inwards from periphery of said first member 102towards said keyway 106;
at least one magnetically actuatable locking element 110 slidably disposed within each of said locking element cavity 108; and
a magnet embedded key 112 adapted to be received axially in said keyway 106,
wherein,
said magnetically actuatable locking element 110 are disposed in said locking element cavity 108 at a locking position so as to cease rotation of said second member 104 relative to said first member 102; and
said magnet embedded key 112 is adapted to displace each of said magnetically actuatable locking element 110from said locking position to an unlocking position by a magnetic force when said magnet embedded key 112 is inserted in said keyway 106, and thereby enabling rotation of said second member 104 relative to said first member 102.

2. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnet embedded key 112 is adapted to move each of said magnetically actuatable locking element 110radially inward in order to unlock said magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100.
3. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 are spring-less detainers made-up of material having one of paramagnetic, diamagnetic, and ferromagnetic property.
4. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 are displaced to said locking position by at least one of gravitational force and a biasing means, when said magnet embedded key 112 is withdrawn from said keyway 106.
5. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnet embedded key 112 includes a permanent magnet disposed at a predetermined position of said key 112.
6. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first member 102 is a casing and said second member 104 is a cylinder rotatably fitted in said casing.
7. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking element cavity 108 is an orifice including a first portion 108a having a first diameter and a second portion 108b having a second diameter.
8. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first diameter of said first portion 108a is greater than said second diameter of said second portion 108b.
9. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein said magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 are configured to move back and forth in said first diameter portion 108a of said locking element cavity 108, said second diameter of said second portion 108b of said locking element cavities 108 is adapted to stop said magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 from being exposed to said keyway 106.
10. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking element cavity 108 is closed by a stopper 114 at said periphery of said first member 102.
11. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetic hybrid locking mechanism is provided in combination with at least one of pin-tumbler, disc-tumbler, lever-tumbler, and slider type, whereby a two-fold unlocking action is achieved using said magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100.
12. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 defines said locking position which is formed between a shear line defined between adjoining surfaces of said first member 102 and said second member 104.
13. The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 defines said unlocking position in which said magnetically actuatable locking elements 110move away from said shear line as said key is inserted into said keyway 106, thereby enabling rotation of said second member 104 relative to said first member 102.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate locking mechanisms, and more particularly but not exclusively to a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism having magnetically actuatable locking elements configured to be operated by a magnetic key.
BACKGROUND
[002] Existing key-operated locks are normally of pin tumbler type. Each type has a rotor or inner cylinder mounted for rotation in a bore of a stator or outer cylinder. With the pin tumbler type, a portion of each pin is in both the stator and the rotor with a spring for each pin in the stator biasing the driver pin down into the operating pin to hold the cylinder against rotation. A proper key will raise each of the pins to a point where the break in the pin is at the junction between the inner and outer cylinders permitting the cylinders to rotate relative to each other. With a slider type lock, each slider is mounted for lateral movement in the inner cylinder, each slider being biased to project from bottom of the inner cylinder into a groove in the outer cylinder locking the cylinders together. A proper key inserted into the lock moves each slider to a lateral position where it is fully within the inner cylinder, permitting the cylinders to rotate relative to each other.
[003] Standalone mechanisms like pin tumblers or sliders are vulnerable to lock picking methods, namely single pin picking, raking, bumping and drilling. In single pin picking method, the locks described above may be tampered by inserting a suitable tool into the keyway and manipulating the pins/sliders to the unlocked position, maintaining a constant torque tension on the cylinder as this is done until the tumbler or pin is felt to release. Raking is done through rapid insertion, removal and wriggling of a rake tool inserted in the key way. Bumping is done through a hammering a bump key into the keyway. This bump key has serrations for the lowest key biting and on hitting with a hammer, it bumps and bounces all locking pins at once. All these methods involve manipulating the locking pins through physical contact with a special picking tool. Thus it is apparent that several features of existing locks contribute to be easily picked or tampered.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism having magnetically actuatable locking elements configured to be operated by a magnetic key and which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism having magnetically actuatable locking elements configured to be operated by a magnetic key.
[006] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism having magnetically actuatable locking elements disposed in a lock cylinder and a magnet embedded key associated with the lock.
[007] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism construction utilizing a combination of magnetically actuatable locking elements with conventional pin-tumbler, disc-tumbler, lever-tumbler, slider type construction to enhance security of the lock.
[008] Still another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.
[009] A further object of the embodiments herein is to provide a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism capable of anti-picking, anti-bumping and having key control to improve security.
[0010] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism having magnetically actuatable locking elements disposed in locked condition, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism having the magnetically actuatable locking elements in un-locked condition, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein achieve a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism having magnetically actuatable locking elements configured to be operated by a magnetic key. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism construction utilizing a combination of magnetically actuatable locking elements with conventional pin-tumbler, disc-tumbler, lever-tumbler, slider type construction to enhance security of the lock. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism capable of anti-picking, anti-bumping and having key control to improve security. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a magnetic hybrid locking mechanism having magnetically actuatable locking elements disposed in locked condition, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 includes a first member 102, a second member 104, a keyway 106, a plurality of locking element cavities 108, at least one magnetically actuatable locking element 110, a magnet embedded key 112, and a stopper 114.
[0017] The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 includes the first member 102. The first member 102 is an external casing which is adapted to enclose the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110. In an embodiment, the first member 102 is configured to be cylindrical in shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other shape to the first member without otherwise deterring the intended function of supporting internal components as can be deduced from the description and drawings. In an alternate embodiment, the first member 102 is configured to include a combination of spring loaded detainers and spring-less detainers which may be implemented for conventional locks such as padlock, furniture lock and safe lock.
[0018] The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 includes the second member 104. The second member 104 is adapted to be rotated within the first member 102. In an embodiment, the second member 104 is configured to be cylindrical in shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other shape to the second member without otherwise deterring the intended function of supporting locking components as can be deduced from the description and drawings. Further, the second member 104 defines a central keyway 106. The keyway 106 is adapted to receive the magnet embedded key 112 axially therein. In an embodiment, the first member 102 is a casing and the second member 104 is a cylinder rotatably fitted in the casing.
[0019] The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 includes the plurality of locking element cavities 108 which extends from periphery of the first member 102 to the keyway 106. The locking element cavities 108 are located at predetermined positions. In an embodiment, the at least one locking element cavity 108 is defined vertically above the keyway 106. Further, at least two locking element cavities 108 are disposed angularly to the vertically defined locking element cavity 108 at predetermined positions. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any number of locking element cavities and corresponding magnetically actuatable locking elements without otherwise deterring the intended function of locking as can be deduced from the description and drawings. In an embodiment, the locking element cavities 108 are defined in a shape of an orifice. The locking element cavities 108 include a first portion 108a having a first diameter (not shown) and a second portion 108b having a second diameter (not shown). In an embodiment, the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide second diameter to be greater than the first diameter without otherwise deterring the intended function of supporting locking elements as can be deduced from the description and drawings. The first portion 108a is defined towards the first member 102 and the second portion 108b is defined away from the first member 102 i.e. the second portion 108b is defined towards the keyway 106. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to implement any shape and size for locking element cavities without otherwise deterring the intended function of supporting locking elements as can be deduced from the description and drawings. In an embodiment, the locking element cavity 108 is closed by a stopper 114 at the periphery of the first member 102.Further, the second diameter of the second portion 108b of the locking element cavities 108 stops the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 from being exposed to the keyway 106. In an alternate embodiment, the first member 102 may be fabricated to define plurality of locking element cavities 108 with a closed end. For example, the locking element cavity 108 could be a blind hole stopping short of the keyway 106, thereby creating a barrier for the locking elements 110. Further, the second portion 108b may be replaced by the solid wall. In another embodiment, an external plug (not shown) may be used for stopping the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 from being exposed to the keyway 106.
[0020] The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 includes the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110. The magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 are disposed in each of the locking element cavity 108. The magnetically actuatable locking element 110 are disposed in the locking element cavity 108 at a locking position so as to cease rotation of the second member 104 relative to the first member 102. The magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 are spring-less detainers made-up of material having one of paramagnetic, diamagnetic, and ferromagnetic property. For example, the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 may be made-up of hardened chrome steel balls.In an embodiment, the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 is configured to move back and forth in the first diameter portion 108a of the locking element cavity 108. In an embodiment, the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110(also referred as steel locking balls in this description) are hidden from the keyway 106 of the lock 100 so as to prevent manipulation of lock externally through various methods of lock picking. The steel balls 110 in the second member 104 stop before the keyway 106 so that it does not directly protrude into the keyway 106, by virtue of which they cannot be tampered with traditional lock picking tools and techniques. For example, the steel locking balls 110 are made from chrome steel hardened to 60 HRC or more which is capable of resisting drilling attacks from a wide variety of drill bit materials, thereby making the mechanism resistant to drilling attacks.
[0021] The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 defines the locking position which is formed between a shear line defined between adjoining surfaces of the first member 102 and the second member 104. In an embodiment, the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 is disposed mid to the shear line so as to prevent rotation of the second member 104 relative to the first member 102. The magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 are configured to slide from the locking position to an unlocking position by a magnetic force when the magnet embedded key 112 is inserted in the keyway 106. The permanent magnet provided in the key 112 is adapted to induce magnetic flux so that the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 disposed in mid of the shear line moves towards the magnet embedded key 112. The movement of the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 away from the shear line enables the second member 104 to rotate relative to the first member 102. Further, the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 are displaced to the locked position by gravitational force when the magnet embedded key 112 is withdrawn from the keyway 106.In an alternate embodiment, the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 includes a biasing means for displacing the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 to the locked position. For example, the biasing means could be a magnetic force applied to the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 by other magnets embedded within the locking element cavities 108. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to implement any other type of biasing means without otherwise deterring the intended function of displacing the locking elements as can be deduced from the description and drawings.
[0022] The magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 includes the magnet embedded key 112. The magnet embedded key 112is adapted to be received axially in the keyway 106. The magnet embedded key 112 includes a permanent magnet of predetermined strength and polarity disposed at a predetermined location of the key 112. The magnet embedded key 112 is adapted to displace each of the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 from the locking position to the unlocking position by a predetermined magnetic force. Thus enables rotation of the second member 104 relative to the first member 102. The magnet embedded key 112 is adapted to move each of the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 radially inward (i.e. away from the shear line) in order to unlock the hybrid locking mechanism 100. In an alternate embodiment, the magnet embedded key 112 is adapted to move each of the magnetically actuatable locking elements 110 radially outward in order to unlock the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100.A diamagnetic actuatable locking element having magnetic repelling property is used for moving the locking elements 110 to the unlocking position. In an alternate embodiment, the key 112 is coated to conceal location of the magnet.
[0023] In an alternate embodiment, the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 may be provided in combination with at least one of pin-tumbler, disc-tumbler, lever-tumbler, slider type, whereby a two-fold unlocking action is achieved using the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100. For example, the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism may include the magnetically actuatable locking elements configured to be operated by the magnetic keyintegrated into the traditional pin tumbler mechanism locks, which makes a highly secure hybrid technology locking system. Thus creating a hybrid locking mechanism comprising of two locking mechanisms, operating in a different manner, within the same lock and key. The embodiments herein provides benefit of hybrid mechanism in which a person needs to initially bypass a first type of locking mechanism and then bypass the second type of locking mechanism while maintaining the first locking mechanism in unlocked position. This makes magnetic hybrid locking mechanism more secured.
[0024] In an embodiment, the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism 100 is a combination of spring loaded detainers and spring-less steel balls which could be directly adopted inside locks, such as, padlock, furniture lock or safe lock. Further, the magnetic hybrid locking mechanism could be adapted to suite any lock cylinder of any shape (also called cartridge).The lock cylinder (cartridge) may be used with any kind of lock having a provision or mechanism which suits with the cylinder and unlocks the lock with the correct key as per the cylinder and key combination.
[0025] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.