Retrofit electrical blocker for mechanical lock

摘要

A mechanical lock or latch is retrofit with an auxiliary electronic apparatus that prevents unlocking of the lock/latch until an electric actuation signal is applied. The retrofitting is desirably accomplished without an disassembly or modification of the original lock/latch. An exemplary application of the illustrated blocker is to retrofit mechanical locks used in postal mailboxes to provide electronically-keyed access. Such electronic control enables generation of electronic access data useful for enhancing postal employee accountability and improving customer satisfaction.