WO1998015703A1

WO1998015703A1 - Electro-mechanical lock

Info

Publication number: WO1998015703A1
Application number: PCT/IL1997/000321
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shmuel Gonen
Original assignee: Lucky Lock Ltd.
Priority date: 1996-10-08
Filing date: 1997-10-06
Publication date: 1998-04-16
Also published as: AU4395597A; IL119375A0

Abstract

An electro-mechanical lock assembly for operating a locking means installed in a door and having manually operated manipulator means (8). The lock assembly comprises a functional unit for mounting on the door separate from the locking means. The functional unit has an electric drive means (10; 43; 51) in association with a clutch means (9). The clutch means is shiftable by the electric drive means (10; 43; 51) between a first extreme position in which the manually operated manipulator means (8) is uncoupled from, and a second extreme position in which the manually operated manipulator means is coupled with said locking means.

Description

Electro-mechanical Lock

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of electro-mechanical door locks of the kind that comprise manually operated locking means such as a bolt or a latch and coded electric drive means capable of blocking and de- blocking the lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electro-mechanical locks have been known for many years and a wide variety thereof is commercially used, for example in hotels, offices and a large variety of other public and private establishments. In known electro-mechanical locks of the kind specified, the electric drive means is permanently coupled to manual actuator means a drawback of which is, that in a locking state the actuator means is blocked so that an attempt to force the lock may lead to breakdown of the locking mecha- nism and unauthorized opening of the locked door. Furthermore, in many known electro-mechanical locks of the kind specified, the electric drive means is integrated in and inseparable from the locking means whereby maintenance and repair operations are complicated and can usually be performed only by an expert; and in case of breakdown of the electric drive means the entire lock must be replaced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved electro-mechanical lock having manual manipulator means which in the locking state are disengaged from the locking mechanism, and electric drive means which are separate of the locking means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a functional add-on or retrofitting unit holding the electric drive means and capable of replacing the cylinder of a conventional mechanical cylinder lock.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electro-mechanical lock assembly for operating a locking means installed in a door and having manually operated manipulator means, the lock assembly comprising a functional unit for mounting on the door separate from the locking means and having electric drive means in association with clutch means shiftable by said electric drive means between a first extreme position in which said manually operated manipulator means is uncoupled from, and a second extreme position in which said manually operated manipulator means is coupled with said locking means.

The term "functional unit" used herein signifies that the assembly drive means and the coupling means fulfill together the specific function of coupling and uncoupling while they may or may not form together a mechanical unit.

The term "locking means" used herein refers either to actuator means such as, for example, a swinging lever, which serve to actuate the locking means proper, e.g. a bolt or a latch, or to locking means proper, such as, for example, a swinging bolt;

The term "electric drive means" is used herein in a broad sense and includes electromotors, as well as translatory prime movers such as electromagnets and solenoids. In accordance with the present invention the manually operated manipulator means is disconnected in the locking state from the locking means, and accordingly any attempt at manipulation merely results in an idling of the manipulator means.

Since, in accordance with the invention, the functional unit holding the electric drive means is separate of the locking means, the drive means can be withdrawn for maintenance and repair and be replaced, if required, without having to dismantle the locking means.

By a second aspect the invention provides for incorporation in an electro-mechanical lock assembly, a functional unit comprising electric drive means linked to mechanical clutch means shiftable between first and second extreme portions.

A functional unit according to the invention may be withdrawn from the electro-mechanical lock assembly of which it forms a part, for maintenance or replacement. Furthermore, it may be designed as an addon or retrofitting unit for replacement of a cylinder in a mechanical cylinder lock.

In the following description and claims, the state of the lock when the clutch means is in the first extreme position will be referred to as "locking state " and the state of the lock when the clutch means is in the second extreme position will be referred to as "unlocking state". Thus, in the locking state the manually operated manipulator means is uncoupled from and in the unlocking state it is coupled with the locking means.

Once the unlocking state is established in an electro-mechanical lock assembly according to the invention, and the manipulator means is coupled to said locking means, the electric drive means come to a standstill and the lock is opened by operating the actuator means. After a predetermined time delay, the electric drive means is restarted in an opposite direction whereby the actuator means is uncoupled and the locking means snaps back into the locking state.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the said functional unit which may be accommodated within one housing or more, has the size and shape of a conventional cylinder lock, which enables to retrofit a door with an electro-mechanical locking assembly according to the invention, by substituting a functional unit according to the invention for an originally installed conventional cylinder lock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For better understanding, a preferred embodiment_of the present invention will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly broken open, of a door fitted with a locking assembly having a functional unit according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the clutch means in the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an axial section across the locking assembly of Fig. 1, drawn to a larger scale and showing the manual manipulator means in the uncoupled state;

Fig. 4 is a similar view as in Fig. 3 showing the manual manipulator means in the coupled state;

Figs. 5A and 5B are axial sections across another embodiment of a functional unit according to the invention in, respectively, the uncoupled and coupled states;

Fig. 6 is another embodiment of a functional unit according to the invention in, respectively, the uncoupled and coupled states of Figs. 5A and 5B;

Figs. 7A and 7B are axial sections across yet another embodiment of a functional unit according to the invention in, respectively, the uncoupled and coupled states; and

Figs. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a clutch member in the embodiment of Figs. 7A and 7B in the first and second extreme positions of the clutch, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a lock assembly 1 according to the invention, mounted within a door 2 and having a latch 3 adapted for snapping to engagement with a matching socket in the door 5 frame (not shown) and being operable by an inner knob 4. There is_ further provided an outer knob 5 which serves mainly for decoration and may also be used for pulling the door 2 when unlocked.

The electro-mechanical lock assembly 1 according to the invention is separate from the latch 3 and is located in chambers provided 0 within two cylindrical blocks 6 and 7. It comprises in alignment an outer manual manipulator knob 8, a clutch device 9, an electric motor 10 held by a clamp 11, and a flexible shaft 12 in form of a helical spring, coupling motor 10 with the clutch device 9.

■ The locking assembly further comprises a processor means 13, 5 an electric battery 14 powering the processor 13 and the electric motor 10, a first LED 15 serving as indicator for the state of the battery 14, an electronic reader 16 for access identification, second and third LEDs 17 and 18 for indicating whether the lock is in the locking or unlocking state, and a socket 19 for power supply in case battery 14 is emptied 0 while the door is locked.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 2 to 4 illustrating the clutch 9 and its coupling with the electrical motor 10. As shown, the clutch mechanism comprises a first, rotatable and axially stationary tubular clutch member 20 fitted with an actuator lever 21, a race 22 for engage- 5 ment by a pin or leaf spring integral with the block 6 for preventing an axial displacement of the clutch member 20, and a pair of diametrically opposed open-ended slots 23. The coupling mechanism further comprises a second, rotatable and axially stationary clutch member 24 integral with the manipulator knob 8 and having a race 25 for engagement by a pin or 0 leaf spring integral with the block 6 for preventing an axial displacement of the clutch member 24, and a socket 26 facing the first clutch member 20. The clutch member 24 has a pair of diametrically opposed open- ended slots 27 and an axial journal 28. The first clutch member 20 and the socket 26 of the second clutch member 24 have the same inner diameter.

There is further provided an intermediary, sliding tubular clutch member 29 fitting inside the first clutch member 20 and the socket 26 of the second clutch member 24 and being provided with two pairs of diametrically opposed brackets 30 and 31 fitting, respectively into the pair of open-ended slots 23 of the first coupling member 20 and the pair of open-ended slots 27 of the second coupling member 24. The interme- diary tubular clutch member 29 is slidable axially within the first clutch member 20 and is so designed that regardless of its axial position the brackets 30 always engage the slots 23. However, in sliding the clutch member 29 reciprocates between a first extreme position in which the brackets 31 are outside the slots 27 and in which it is disengaged from the second clutch member 24 (uncoupled or locking state), and a second extreme position in which the brackets 31 are received by the slots 27 and in which it engages the second clutch member (coupled or unlocking state).

The electric motor 10 has a motor shaft 32 on which is keyed a block 33 holding one end of the flexible shaft 12, the other end being coupled to a rotatable shaft 34 extending axially across the slidable clutch member 29, being journalled in a journal 35 of the first clutch member 30 and the journal 28 of the second clutch member 24 and having an integral follower pin 36. The rotatable shaft 34 is surrounded by a helically wound wire

37 located within the intermediary clutch member 29 and fastened thereto. The wire 37 forms a helical path which in operation is followed by the follower pin 36.

The first and second clutch members 20 and 24 are rotatably mounted within the cylindrical block 6. There are provided two pairs of pins 38 and 39 (only one of each pair being seen in Figs. 3 and 4) which are integral with block 6 and serve to prevent an axial displacement of the clutch member 20 and 24.

Fig. 3 shows the lock assembly in the locking state in which the clutch member 24 is in the uncoupled state, and Fig. 4 shows the lock in the unlocking state in which the clutch member 26 is in the coupled state. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the brackets 30 are at all times received within the slots 23 of the first coupling member 20 but reciprocate therein between two extreme positions. However, in the uncoupled, locking state the brackets 31 are clear of the slots 27 of the second clutch member 24 and as a result, the knob 8 is disconnected from the locking mechanism so that when the knob 8 is manually manipulated it merely idles about its axis.

For access, the operator brings his coded electronic means close to the reader 16 for identification. Upon positive identification, the processor 13 switches on the electric motor 10 which begins to revolve in one direction, say clockwise, whereby the rotation is transmitted to the shaft 34 via the flexible shaft 12. During the revolutions of the shaft 34, the follower pin 36 bears on the helical wire 37 and follows the helical path formed by the wire. In consequence, the slidable intermediary clutch member 29 is pushed in the direction of the second clutch member 24. It is assumed here, that while this happens the slots 27 are aligned with the brackets 31 so that the movement continues uninterrupted until the brackets 31 engage the slots 27 whereby the slidable clutch member 29 engages the second clutch member 24. If, however, there is no alignment so that the brackets in their movement will encounter a portion of the edge of the second coupling member 24, the operator has to turn the knob 8 gently until the brackets snap into the slots. The brackets 31 now engage the slots 27 while the brackets 30 continue to engage the slots 23, whereby the first and second clutch members 20 and 24 are coupled to each other through the intermediary clutch member 29, and in consequence the manipulator knob 8 is coupled with the actuator lever 21 of the first coupling member 20. This, then, is the coupled, unlocking state which is shown in Fig. 4. When in this state the second clutch member 24 is turned through the manipulation of the knob 8, the first coupling member 20 will also be turned whereby the lever 21 is caused to swing and actuate a mechanical locking mechanism (not shown and known per se) normally biased to block the latch 3, whereupon the latch 3 is deblocked and the lock is opened. The door is now unlocked and can be pulled open with the aid of either of knobs 5 and 8.

The processor 13 is so programmed that upon a predetermined first delay, so calculated to last until the brackets 31 engage the slots 27, the motor 10 comes to a standstill. After a further predetermined delay, say 30 seconds, the motor 10 begins to revolve in the opposite direction than before, say counter-clockwise, and as a result, the slidable coupling member 29 is withdrawn from the second coupling member 24 until the brackets 31 entirely clear the slots 27 whereby the locking assembly reverts to the locking state shown in Fig. 3. Once the second coupling member 24 is uncoupled, the latch 3 by its own bias reverts to the locking state so that when the door is closed the latch snaps into its socket and the door is locked. When the intermediary clutch member has been fully withdrawn, the motor 10 comes to a standstill until a new cycle is initiated upon the reader 16 recognizing an authorized user. Once the door is locked, it can be opened from within by turning the knob 4. The mechanism by which this is achieved is known per se and does not form part of this invention.

The LED 15 on the outer side of the door indicates the state of the battery so that the latter may be replaced whenever required. In a situation where the battery has not been timely replaced, it is possible to feed the mechanism with current from outside via the socket 19. As a rule, an externally supplied current taken from the electric net will have to be suitably transformed. The LEDs 17 and 18 indicate whether the door is in the unlocked or locked state. It should be noted that the invention is not confined to the above described embodiment. Thus for example, the electronic recognition means 14 may be replaced by voice, image, fingerprint and other recognition means. Furthermore, in case a plurality of authorized persons

-5- have entry access, the processor may include a memory which records chronologically all entries with their code identifications.

With regard to the locking means it should be noted, that instead of the latch 3 with an associated socket in the door frame, other suitable locking means may be used. For example, the lever 21 may itself 0 serve for locking means or else be designed to push upon actuation into the door from locking means other than a latch, e.g. a horizontal bolt.

Also, the flexible shaft 12 which operates in the manner specified, may be replaced by a rigid shaft.

It is further noted that the entire locking functional unit in- 5 eluding the cylindrical blocks 6 and 7 holding the coupling device 9 and motor 10 in which they are accommodated, can be retrofitted into a door fitted with the latch 3 and handles 4 and 5, in replacement of the cylinder of an originally installed conventional cylinder lock.

In the embodiment of a functional unit according to the 0 invention shown in Figs. 5A, 5B, and 6, parts and components analogous to those in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4 are designated with the same numerals. The unit according to this embodiment is more compact with a prime mover and clutch device being accommodated within one and the same block. As shown, a cylindrical block 41 accommodates a clutch 5 assembly comprising clutch members 20, 24 and 29 similar to those in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4. Also as in the previous embodiment the clutch member 24 is integral with the manipulator knob 8.

A chamber 42 of the cylindrical block 41 holds an electro-magnet 43 associated with a centrally bored sliding magnet plate 44 capable 0 of reciprocating between the two poles of electromagnet 43. There is further provided a swingable, suitably pivoted L-shaped crank 45 having a first arm 46 engaging a circumferential groove 48 of the intermediary clutch member 29, and a second arm 47 engaging the centrally bored magnet plate 44 in the manner shown.

Fig. 5A shows the magnet plate 44 and the intermediary clutch member 29 in the uncoupled, locking state. Upon positive access recogni- tion, the electromagnet 43 is energized with such polarity that the magnet plate 44 shifts into the position shown in Fig. 5B, whereby the L - shaped crank 45 swings clockwise and the intermediary clutch member 29 is shifted from right to left to engage the second clutch member 24 by the brackets 31 being received by the open-ended slots 27, while the brackets 30 continue to engage the slots 23 of the first clutch member 20. Similar as in the previous embodiment, upon such engagement the lock is in the coupled state and is opened by turning the knob 8. Also similar as in the previous embodiment, after a predetermined period of time, the action of the electromagnet 43 is reversed by reversal of the current flow there- through, whereupon polarity is reversed and the magnet plate 44 is shifted back to the position of Fig. 5A, as a result of which the intermediary clutch member 29 is shifted back to the uncoupling, locking state.

Figs. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B illustrate another embodiment of a compact functional unit and again parts and components analogous to those in the previous embodiments are designated with the same reference numerals. The cylindrical block 41 has a chamber 50 accommodating an electric motor 51 having a keyed on its shaft an external pulley 52. A two-armed swingable crank 53 pivoted at 54 and having two first arms 55, a crossbar 56 and a pair of second arms 57, links the pulley 52 with the slidable intermediary clutch member 29. As shown, the crossbar 56 engages the pulley 52 and the arms 57 engage a slot 58 on the exterior of the intermediary clutch member 29 in the manner shown in Figs. 8A and 8B.

In the uncoupled, locking state shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, the arms 57 are vertical. When in consequence of a positive recognition, the electric motor 51 is switched on and the pulley 52 begins to rotate, the crossbar 56 is guided by the pulley so as to cause the crank 53 to swing clockwise, and in consequence the arms 57 cause the slidable intermediary clutch member 29 to be shifted from the first to the second extreme position and the crank 53 reaches the position of Fig. 7B. The second extreme position of the crank 53 corresponds to the uncoupled, locking state and once this state is reached the motor 51 comes to a standstill. The door is now unlocked and opens and after a predetermined time the motor 51 begins to rotate in the opposite direction similar as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, whereby when the door is closed it is also automatically locked. Instead of an electromotor with an external pulley as shown in

Figs. 7A and 7B, it is also possible to use as prime mover a solenoid with an axially reciprocable bar which may be linked to the intermediary clutch member 29 by a crank similar to the crank 53 in the embodiment of Figs. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An electro-mechanical lock assembly for operating a locking means installed in a door and having manually operated manipulator means, the lock assembly comprising a functional unit for mounting on the door separate from the -locking means and having an electric drive means in association with a clutch means shiftable by said electric drive means between a first extreme position in which said manually operated manipulator means is uncoupled from, and a second extreme position in which said manually operated manipulator means is coupled with said locking means.

2. The lock assembly of Claim 1, wherein said clutch means comprises first and second rotatable and axially stationary clutch members spaced from each other, and an intermediary clutch member axially shiftable by said electric drive means between first and second extreme positions, said first and intermediary clutch members being permanently coupled to each other in a fashion which enables an axial dislocation of the intermediary clutch member, said second clutch member being integral with said manually actuated manipulator means, and said intermediary clutch member being capable of engaging said second clutch member in the unlocking state and of disengaging therefrom in the locking state of the lock assembly.

3. The lock assembly according to Claim 2, wherein said first clutch member is tubular, said second clutch member has a socket facing as said first clutch member, and said intermediary clutch member is tubular and fits into the first clutch member and the socket of the second clutch member.

4. The lock assembly of Claim 3, wherein the first and second clutch members both have terminal open-ended slots engageable by external brackets of said intermediary clutch member.

5. The lock assembly of any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein said electric drive means is an electric motor having a motor shaft that is coupled to a rotatable shaft journalled in said first and second clutch members and extending axially across said intermediary clutch member, which rotatable shaft has an integral follower pin engaging into a helical path surrounding said rotatable shaft, located within said intermediary clutch member and secured thereto, whereby when the electric motor is activated the intermediary clutch member is shifted in axial direction.

6. The lock assembly of Claim 5, wherein the electric motor shaft and said rotatable shaft are coupled by means of a flexible coupling member.

7. The lock assembly of Claim 6, wherein said flexible coupling member is a helical spring.

8. The lock assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said electric drive means is a solenoid having an axially reciprocable bar linked to said intermediary clutch member.

9. The lock assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said electric drive means is an electromagnet in association with a magnet plate shiftable between the poles of the electromagnet, which magnet plate is linked to said intermediary clutch member whereby, when the electromagnet is activated said intermediary clutch member is shifted between first and second extreme positions.

10. The lock assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said electric drive means is an electric motor having keyed on its shaft an external pulley which pulley is engaged by a crank linked to said intermediary clutch member whereby, when the electric motor is activated said intermediary clutch member is shifted between first and second extreme positions.

11. The lock assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein said second clutch member comprises an actuator means for the actuation of a locking mechanism.

12. The locking assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein said first clutch member comprises an integral direct locking means.

13. The lock assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, comprising magnetic recognition means.

14. The lock assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, comprising visual recognition means.

15. The lock assembly according to any one of Claims I to 12y- comprising voice recognition means.

16. The lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said processor means comprises a memory capable of storing data of any performed access.

17. A functional unit comprising an electric drive means linked to a mechanical clutch means comprising first, second and intermediary clutch members shiftable between two first and second extreme positions.

18. The functional unit of Claim 17, wherein said clutch means comprises first and second rotatable and axially stationary clutch members spaced from each other, and an intermediary clutch member axially shiftable by said electric drive means, said first and intermediary clutch members being permanently coupled to each other in a fashion which enables an axial dislocation of the intermediary clutch member, said second clutch member being integral with said manually actuated manip- ulator means, and said intermediary clutch member being capable of engaging said second clutch member in the unlocking state and of disengaging therefrom in the locking state of the lock assembly.

19. The functional unit of Claim 18, wherein said first clutch member is tubular, said second clutch member has a socket facing said first clutch member, and said intermediary clutch member is tubular and fits into the first clutch member and the socket of the second clutch member.

20. The functional unit of Claim 19, wherein the first and second clutch members both have terminal open-ended slots engageable by external brackets of said intermediary clutch member.

21. The functional unit of any one of Claims 18 to 20, wherein said electric drive means is an electric motor having a motor shaft that is coupled to a rotatable shaft journalled in said first and second clutch members and extending axially across said intermediary clutch member, which rotatable shaft has an integral follower pin engaging into a helical path surrounding - said rotatable shaft, located within said intermediary clutch member and secured thereto, whereby when the electric motor is activated the intermediary clutch member is shifted in axial direction.

22. The functional unit of Claim 21, wherein the electric motor shaft and said rotatable shaft are coupled by means of a flexible coupling member.

23. The functional unit of Claim 22, wherein said flexible coupling member is a helical spring.

24. The functional unit of any one of Claims 17 to 20, wherein said electric drive means is a solenoid having an axially reciprocable bar linked to said intermediary clutch member.

25. The functional unit of any one of Claims 17 to 20, wherein said electric drive means is an electromagnet in association with a magnet plate shiftable between the poles of the electromagnet, which magnet plate is linked to said intermediary clutch member whereby when the electromagnet is energized said intermediary clutch member is shifted between first and second extreme positions.

26. The functional unit of any one of Claims 17 to 20, wherein said electric drive means is an electric motor having keyed on its shaft an external pulley, which pulley is engaged by a crank linked to said intermediary clutch member whereby when the electric motor is activated said intermediary clutch member is shifted between first and second extreme positions.

27. The functional unit according to any one of Claims 17 to 26, wherein said second clutch member comprises actuator means for the actuation of a locking mechanism.

28. The functional unit of any one of Claims 17 to 26, wherein said first clutch member comprises integral direct locking means.

29. The functional unit of any one of Claims 17 to 28 having the size of a cylinder in a conventional mechanical cylinder lock, whereby said -functional unit is capable of replacing said cylinder.