Electronic lock

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a lock including a blocker (e.g., a bolt) useable to selectively prevent access through a portal such as a door. The blocker can be retained in a blocking position to prevent access through the portal by a retainer. In alternative embodiments, the blocker can also be retained in an open position to allow access through the portal. A retainer can be utilized to retain the blocker in the blocking position preventing access through the portal and can also be utilized, in certain embodiments, to retain the blocker in the open position to allow access through the portal. A retainer blocker can be utilized to maintain the retainer in position to retain the blocker (e.g., bolt) in a fixed position. An actuator may, in certain alternative embodiments, be employed to position the retainer blocker. In certain embodiments, the actuator is controlled by an electronic controller.

1 . A storage area, comprising:
 a door;   a lock, comprising:
 a blocker positioned atop a front side of the door, the blocker moveable between an extended position locking the door and a retracted position unlocking the door along a first direction; and 
 a blocker actuator operable to receive a user input motion along the first direction to actuate the blocker between the extended position and the retracted position; 
 an electronic controller operatively coupled to the lock and actuatable to selectively block movement of the blocker actuator; 
 an input device, the electronic controller actuatable by the input device; 
 a retainer, selectively positionable to a blocking position to block the blocker actuator from actuating the blocker and selectively positionable to an unblocking position to allow the blocker actuator to actuate the blocker; and 
 a retainer blocker operable to selectively cooperate with the retainer to maintain the retainer in the blocking position to block the blocker actuator from actuating the blocker, the electronic controller operatively coupled to the retainer blocker and actuatable to position the retainer blocker to cooperate with the retainer to maintain the retainer in the blocking position, wherein the retainer is reciprocatable between the blocking position and the unblocking position along a reciprocation direction, the retainer blocker comprising a stop insertable along an insertion direction orthogonal to the reciprocation direction into a stop position preventing a movement of the retainer blocker along the reciprocation direction and wherein the stop comprises a bearing insertable along the insertion direction to a stop position creating a physical barrier to a reciprocation of the retainer from the blocking position to the unblocking position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The lock of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a motor; and   an armature linkage moveable by energization of the motor, the armature linkage positioned to selectively position the bearing in the stop position and move the bearing from the stop position.   
     
     
         3 . The lock of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a magnet carried by the armature linkage, a magnetic attraction between the bearing and the magnet capable of effecting movement of the bearing from the stop position.   
     
     
         4 . The lock of  claim 3 , wherein the retainer, the bearing, the motor and the armature linkage are carried by a carriage, the carriage, the retainer, the bearing, the motor and the armature linkage comprising a subassembly securable to the blocker for translation therewith. 
     
     
         5 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A lock, comprising:
 a blocker;   a blocker actuator operable to selectively actuate the blocker;   a retainer selectively positionable to a blocking position to block the blocker actuator from actuating the blocker and selectively positionable to an unblocking position to allow the blocker actuator to actuate the blocker; and   a retainer blocker operable to selectively cooperate with the retainer to maintain the retainer in the blocking position to block the blocker actuator from actuating the blocker, wherein the retainer is reciprocatable between the blocking position and the unblocking position along a reciprocation direction, the retainer blocker comprising a stop insertable along an insertion direction orthogonal to the reciprocation direction into a stop position preventing a movement of the retainer blocker along the reciprocation direction and wherein the stop comprises a bearing insertable along the insertion direction to a stop position creating a physical barrier to a reciprocation of the retainer from the blocking position to the unblocking position.   
     
     
         16 . The lock of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a motor; and   an armature linkage moveable by energization of the motor, the armature linkage positioned to selectively position the bearing in the stop position and move the bearing from the stop position.   
     
     
         17 . The lock of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a magnet carried by the armature linkage, a magnetic attraction between the bearing and the magnet capable of effecting movement of the bearing from the stop position.   
     
     
         18 . The lock of  claim 17 , wherein the retainer, the bearing, the motor and the armature linkage are carried by a carriage, the carriage, the retainer, the bearing, the motor and the armature linkage comprising a subassembly securable to the blocker for translation therewith. 
     
     
         19 - 26 . (canceled)