Technical Field

The invention relates to an electronic safe lock that can be installed in front of the key entries of the safe deposit boxes that prevents the keys from being used in the lock when the safe deposit box customer is not present or the safe is trying to be opened by unauthorized individuals.

Prior Art

Normally, the bank customer who wants to reach the safe deposit box, provides access to the safe by inserting the keys into the safe with the bank personnel and turning them simultaneously. After the customer finishes the transaction in the safe deposit box, the safe is locked by the bank customer and related bank personnel and the customer receives their own key. After the master key is placed in a locker in the vault by the related bank personnel, the transaction is completed. In this scenario, it is unknown if there is another copy of the key given to the customer. The keys might be copied by malicious people before they were given to the customers. Also, since the master key is not kept in a completely secure environment, it is unknown whether there is a copy of it.

Some of the safe deposit boxes currently used in bank branches are rented to customers and it is not possible to open safes without customers being present. For this reason, banks cannot make an electronic lock conversion related to the mechanical locks used on rental safes and cannot utilize technology sufficiently to overcome known security problems. There is no other solution designed related to this purpose. As an alternative method, an electronic lock system can be considered instead of current mechanical locks on the safes. However, this method is not a preferable method in terms of time and cost, because all customers who have rented the safe deposit boxes will need to be called to the bank to implement the relevant conversion.

In the Chinese patent document numbered CN2016110866U of the prior art, a secure smart lock is disclosed. Said smart lock includes an electronic lock, hand machine, electronic lock cover, wire cable and battery, single chip microcomputer, GPS module and a spring lock.

In prior art, the Chinese patent document numbered CN2721807Y, particularly mentions an electronic lock with an electromechanical converter. This lock includes a cross deadbolt, a square deadbolt, a cross deadbolt transmission rod and a shift fork in the lock bolt. A circuit board and a microswitch on the one side of the lock housing have also been provided.

In prior art, a Chinese patent document numbered CN2703839Y, mentions a local electronic lock body. Said electronic lock body, contains an intelligent electronic card circuit.

In prior art, the Turkish patent document numbered 2017/11136, mentions an access control system and method in which one-time passwords are used for logging on to personal computers and servers (Windows Log-on) and to access any software or digital files. In the system developed within the scope of the invention, one-time passwords are specially generated according to the person, computer, related applications or electronic documents, to time and to single or multiple access status.

When the systems existing in the technique were examined, it was necessary to develop an electronic safe lock that could be mounted in front of the key entries of the safe deposit boxes and prevents the keys from being used on the lock by unauthorized individuals or for the times when the safe deposit box customer is not present.

Objectives of the Invention

The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic safe lock that can be mounted in front of the key entrances of the safe deposit boxes, that prevents the keys from being used in the lock when the safe deposit box customer is not present, or when the safe is trying to be opened by unauthorized persons.

Another purpose of this invention is to prevent keys from being used in the lock when the safe deposit box customer is not present, or when the safe is trying to be opened by unauthorized persons thanks to the electronic circuit board located therein which works with one time codes generated for the safe deposit box customer.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The electronic safe lock designed to achieve the objectives of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures.

These figures are;

Figurel: Is the general perspective view of the inventive electronic safe lock in exploded form.

Figure 2: Is the schematic view of the inventive electronic safe lock when the metal curtain is closed.

Figure 3: Is the schematic view of the inventive electronic safe lock when the metal curtain is open. Figure 4: Is the schematic view of the inventive electronic safe lock when the safe is closed.

Figure 5: Is the general perspective view of the inventive electronic safe lock.

Each of the parts in the figures is numbered and the references of these numbers are given below.

1. Main Body

2. Top Cover

3. Metal Curtain

4. Right cover bearing 5. Left cover bearing

6. Customer key stopper

7. Master key lock

8. Key stopper hinge

9. Lock hinge 10. Curtain deadbolt

11. Master key cover

12. Customer key cover

13. Motor gear

14. DC gear motor 15. Motor top cover

16. Toothed rack

17. Spring seat cover

18. Metal curtain compression spring

19. Master key lock compression spring 20. Lock hinge tension spring

21. Bolt

22. Switch

23. USB port 24. Support plate

25. Electronic control circuit

26. Master key

27. Customer key The inventive electronic safe lock comprises:

- A top cover (2) positioned on the main body (1),

- A metal curtain (3) located inside the main body (1) and positioned over the keyholes,

- A right cover bearing (4) and a left cover bearing (5) which are located in the main body (1) that enable the metal curtain (3) to easily slide over the main body (1),

- A customer key stopper (6) located inside the main body (1) that prevents the customer key (27) from being removed from its place,

- A master key lock (7) located inside the main body (1) which activates the customer key stopper (6),

- A key stopper hinge (8) located in the main body (1) which activates the customer key stopper (6) with the help of the master key lock (7),

- A lock hinge (9) located inside the main body (1) which activates the deadbolt to open the metal curtain (3), - A curtain deadbolt (10) connected to the lock joint (9),

- A master key cover (11) which is located inside the main body (1) and is positioned to cover the master key lock (7) slot,

- A customer key cover (12) located inside the main body (1) that is positioned to cover the customer key lock (7) slot, - A motor gear (13) located on the DC motor (14) which transmits the motion received from the motor (14) to the toothed rack (16),

- A DC gear motor (14) located inside the main body (1) which enables the opening and closing of the metal curtain (3), - A motor top cover (15) which is positioned over the DC motor (14) that fixes the DC motor (14) into its place,

- A toothed rack (16) which is connected with the metal curtain (3) that enables the opening and closing motion of the switch cover by converting the circular motion received from the motor (14) to linear motion,

- A spring seat cover (17) which allows easy insertion of the springs inside the main body (1) that push the metal curtain (3),

- A metal curtain compression spring (18) connected with the metal curtain

(3), - A master key lock compression spring (19) located inside the main body (1) which is used to keep the master key lock (7) in constant pressure and to push it forward,

- A lock hinge tension spring (20) inside the main body (1) that is used to close the door deadbolt and to lock the metal curtain (3), - A USB port (23) located in the main body (1) and used for providing the necessary energy to the system, data exchange and software update.

The inventive electronic safe lock comprises a support plate (24) which is made of flexible and rigid spring steel, placed at the back of the metal curtain (3). When the metal curtain (3) is in the down position, it can be attacked by drilling holes with a drill. Since the metal curtain (3) is made from zamak alloy and this material is very soft, it is possible to drill it in a very short time with a drill. This is a backing material placed on the back to make the drilling attempt much more difficult.

The working principle of the inventive electronic safe lock is explained in detail below. 1. Generating the one-time code for the electronic safe lock

When the customer arrives at the bank branch, after stating that they want to visit the safe deposit box, the authorized bank personnel generates acode for the customer through the banking application and ensures that the codes isdelivered to the relevant customer via an SMS or via mobile application.

2. Unlocking the electronic safe lock with the one-time code that has been generated

When the bank customer arrives to the safe deposit box to enter the code, the customer will attach the keypad which is given by the authorized bank personnel to the USB port (23) located on the right side of the deposit box in order to enter the one-time code or, the customer will use the mobile application to send the one-time code to the electronic safe lock with Bluetooth, Zigbee or similar wireless communication methods. If the one-time code is sent to the electronic safe lock with a wireless communication method, the energy required for the system to work will be provided with tools like portable batteries etc.

If the one-time code is verified by the electronic control circuit (25), the metal curtain (3) of the lock will be opened. The motor (14) which drives the curtain (3) up, will wait for a specified period of time and during this time, first the bank customer and then the bank personnel will use their keys respectively. After the master key (26) and the customer key (27) are turned and the safe is opened, the customer will be left alone in the vault room to complete his/her private work in a safe and secure manner. (Figure 5)

3. Customer and authorized personnel access to the safe deposit box

After the one-time code entered by the bank customer is authenticated, the DC gear motor (14) which takes its energy from either the keypad or portable battery connected to the USB port (23), starts to rotate. The gear wheel (13) on the motor (14) moves the toothed rack (16). The toothed rack (16) bears on the metal curtain (3) and there is a 2mm gap in the bearing area. With the help of this gap, toothed rack (16) performs another task before pushing the metal curtain (3). As the toothed rack (16) moves forward, it pushes the lock hinge (9), lock hinge (9) makes a circular movement around its seat and pulls the curtain deadbolt (10) backwards to enable the metal curtain (3) to open. While the toothed rack (16) continues to move forward, it starts to push the metal curtain (3) and the metal curtain (3) moves upwards by overriding the compression springs (18). When the metal curtain (3) reaches its final point, it stops in its bearing and the metal curtain (3) remains open for a specified period of time. (Figure 2)

After the metal curtain (3) is opened, the customer key (27) and the master key (26) are inserted respectively. The motor (14) which waits for a specified period of time to keys to be inserted, starts to return, and the toothed rack (16) moves with the help of the gear on the motor (14) and returns to its original position. After the toothed rack (16) returns to its place, the compression springs (18) begin to push the metal curtain (3) down. However, since the keys are already attached, the metal curtain (3) stops on the keys and the metal curtain (3) is prevented from closing.

4. Opening, closing and turning off the electronic safe lock

The customer completes the transaction, but before the customer key (27) and the master key (26) have to be removed. The mechanism that provides this, operates such that; after the customer key (27) inserted, the bank personnel insert the master key (26). When the master key (26) is inserted into its place, the compression spring (19) and the master key lock (7) at the front section, move down by overriding the compression spring (19). The key stopper hinge (8) connected to the master key lock (7) moves around in its own axis and pushes the customer key stopper (6) forward. The forward moving stopper prevents the customer key (27) from being removed. In this way, first the bank personnel take out the master key (26) and then the customer takes out his/her own key (27), the customer sees that the metal curtain (3) is closed. (Figure 3) After the customer removes his/her own key (27) from the slot, the metal curtain (3) is closed by moving downwards together with the pushing force of the compression springs (18). The curtain (3) moving downward pushes back the deadbolt (10) with the help of the angled form at the deadbolts end, and the form on itself. The deadbolt pushes back the lock hinge (9) which it is attached to. This force overrides the lock hinge compression spring (20) and the metal curtain (3) snaps into to its place. The lock joint (9) which is released after the metal curtain (3) is set in its place, comes back to its position with the force of the spring and the metal curtain (3) which is connected to its end, brings the deadbolt to the locked position. The complete shutdown of the system is electronically controlled by the signals received from two different switches (22) as well as with the customer control. In order for the curtain (3) to close, the toothed rack (16) which comes to its first position with the return of the motor (14), triggers the switch (22) at the last point by its special form at its end. After the metal curtain (3) is in place, it triggers another switch (22) with the help of its special form. In this way, it is electronically checked if the system has completely shut down. (Figure 4)

The customer who wants to reach the safe deposit box is given a one-time code depending on the location, person and time. The electronic safe lock we have designed, cannot be opened without this access code and does not allow keys to be inserted. In order to open the metal curtain (3), the bank customer must enter the one-time code produced for them at the right time. The access code gets authenticated by the electronic lock on the safe deposit box. Then, the metal curtain (3), which prevents the keys from being inserted, is opened by driving the electric motor (14), and waits by keeping the metal curtain (3) open for a specified period of time for the keys to be inserted. Before this time expires, the keys must be inserted into the locks. Therefore, even if one or all keys have been copied by malicious people, the system will not operate, and the key slot cannot be accessed without entering the customer’s one-time code. Unless the master key (26) is removed, the customer’ s key (27) cannot be removed. The inventive electronic safe lock guarantees the removal of the customer key (27) after the master key (26) by use of a mechanism in itself. Therefore, when the customer key (27) is removed, the metal curtain (3) closes. The possibility of the customer leaving the safe before the metal curtain (3) is closed is prevented. The opening and closing processes of the system is taken completely under the control by the customer.

For the installation of the inventive electronic safe lock on site, the safe deposit customers do not need to be present. The inventive electronic safe lock can be mounted externally on the front part of the covers of all rented or non-rented safes, and this process can be carried out at any time without the customer and said process does not cause any security problems.

The inventive electronic safe lock can be mounted on the safe deposit boxes by making use of the bolt (21) holes on the safe cover.

The inventive electronic safe lock includes an electronic control circuit (25), a metal curtain (3) that controls access to the lock slots, a motor (14) that can move the curtain (3) up and down and other mechanical movement elements.

The inventive electronic safe lock stays in the off position normally. It receives energy from an external power source. It must remain connected to an external power supply during the opening and closing processes. After the cover is closed, its power can be turned off again.

The inventive electronic safe lock does not have to be constantly connected to any network or energy source. That’s why, it does not need a fixed wiring for this purpose. There are two different options for entering the code and transmitting instant status information to the central management application. The inventive electronic safe lock can access a mobile device registered to the system over Bluetooth connection, or a wired connection can be established with a keypad developed for this purpose by the USB port (23). Where the keypad option is used, the necessary energy for the system is supplied from the battery on the keypad.

In order for the inventive electronic safe lock to be disassembled after it is mounted and activated, the cover must be opened again or the movable metal curtain (3) must be broken.

The inventive electronic safe lock is defined to a central lock management system that generates one-time codes only for the bank customer or for both the bank customer and the authorized bank employee within the framework of the workflow in accordance with the bank procedures. These codes are generated by an algorithm based on person, lock, time and validity period. These codes transmitted to the inventive electronic safe lock over Bluetooth connection or by a keypad are subject to offline authentication by the electronic control circuit (25) located in the device. Unauthenticated codes get rejected. For the authenticated codes, the metal curtain (3) is lifted by the motor (14) and the moving mechanism and the curtain is held up for a certain period of time. In the meantime, the bank employee key (26) and the bank customer key (27) are inserted into the key holes to unlock the safe. When the customer completes the transaction, the safe is locked again. The bank employee pulls out the key (26) first, then the bank customer pulls out his/her own key (27). The spring mechanism in the system ensures that the metal curtain (3) is closed by pushing it downwards. Therefore, the opening / closing process is completed.

With the inventive electronic safe lock an additional electronic security step is introduced for the safe locks that can be opened only by mechanical means previously. Security dependence on personnel is reduced, human error is eliminated. The duplication of the keys and attacks on the safes by malicious people from inside or outside the bank are prevented. The need for security and control of the master key is reduced. Protection of the customer’s belongings is provided. Financial and emotional damages that may occur are prevented.

The safe cannot be opened without the one-time code, which is generated for the customer and the safe is closed by the customer by removing his/her key as the last step. The customer feels more confident and special. It is possible to replace the mechanical lock with new electronic locks to avoid the security gaps of the mechanical key system. However, for this process, an appointment should be made with the customers and they should be invited to the vault room to change the locks.

The presence of the customer is not required for the on-site application of the present invention. This can be applied at any time. Although the security level is increased with an electronic solution, the customers continue to use the mechanical key they are accustomed to and they feel more secure.