AU2007101222B4

AU2007101222B4 - Improved Lock

Info

Publication number: AU2007101222B4
Application number: AU2007101222A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Mark Hill; Vincent Kieron King; Michael Raymond Percy
Original assignee: Ingersoll Rand Architectural Hardware Ltd
Current assignee: Allegion New Zealand Ltd
Priority date: 2003-12-03
Filing date: 2007-12-24
Publication date: 2009-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-25
Also published as: AU2007101222A4; WO2005054610A1; AU2004295641A1; AU2004295641B2; AU2008227060A1

Description

02-MRR-2009 15:39P3PPI6495690 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 Regulation 3,2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

FOR AN INNOVATION

PATENT

ORIGINAL

N amne ofI A p pIi c ant. 1 NGE-R5OL a- RR fl NN1)-A RC1iTE~ -fC TU -O I HAR DWARE.

LIMITED

Actual Inventors: KING, Vincent Kieron; HILL, Peter Mark; PE RCY, Michael Address for service in Australia: Invention Title.

A J PARIK, Lcvel 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra

ACT

2601, Austzalia Improved Lock The foIlcowinig statement i, a Cull description of this invention, including the best method of perforrming it known to us.

122829_r.0Dcc COMS ID No: ARCS-225535 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:47 Date 2009-03-02 0-MR-009 15:39 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 P.06 -2- 0\ 0 The present invention relates to locks.

BACKGROUND

SThe present invention relates to an improved lock and in particular but not solely to Slocks whose status (locked or unlocked) can be controlled electronically, and in the 5 situation where power is lost to the electronic control the lock is predetermined to be either locked ("filsecure") or unlocked ("failsafe").

C There are many forms of lock (including such electronically controlled locks) reliant c, upon an electrically actuated solenoid or other drive means in order to control the locking Sstatus of a locking bar or device of a lock assembly.

One such electrical lock form is that of Lockwood patent NZ 244230, which is reliant upon a solenoid that includes a core member that withdraws upon electrical actuation against the compressive bias of a spring. Such a lock, in one orientation of the solenoid with respect to the locking bar or device, in a power off (or power failure) situation, the locking bar prevents rotation of the latch actuator thereby holding the lock in its closed condition (so called "failsecure"). With such a lock kind, however, it is necessary to reverse the whole solenoid assembly if change from a "failsafe" to a "failsecure" condition is desired. The setting of "failsafe" or "failsecure" is thus carried out at the factory. This involves opening of the housing with consequential risks to part loss or displacement and/or loss of warranty.

Another lock is that disclosed in NZ 329164 of Lockwood which has a solenoid with single orientation which can be used for both "failsafe" and "failsecure". However in order to achieve the change from "failsafe" to "failsecure" the housing must be in part disassembled and substantial disassembly, new parts and reassembly is required to effect the change from "failsafe" to "failsecure".

The present invention recognises an advantage to be derived from an assembly whereby a solenoid or any equivalent electrical drive can be used in either a "failsafe" or a "failsecure" condition whilst in the same orientation and/or location within the overall lock assembly i. e. which does not require disassembly of the lock assembly housing, but rather is externally selectable.

With a view therefore to that end the present invention envisages e. a status determining "failsafe" or "failsecure") mechanical artangement between the solenoid (or its equivalent) and the locking bar/locking device which has the effect of limiting or preventing the actuation of the actuator of the door latch.

1272r828rtl.D COMS ID No: ARCS-225535 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:47 Date 2009-03-02 0-MR-2009 15:39 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 P.07 -3- 0\ 0 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a lock or which C' goes some way to addressing die shortcomings of the prior art, or one which at least C provides the public with a useful choice.

SAs an alternative object of the present invention, the present invention in at least some embodiments offers the prospect of alteration from a "failsafe" to a "failsecure" condition and/or vice versa without disassembly of the lock housing and/or rearrangement C of the solenoid or the equivalent.

SBRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION SIn a first aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a lock assembly that provides a post assembly choice of a "fail safe" condition or a "fail secure" F condition, said assembly comprising or including a housing of at least two main components, a latch bolt that projects from the housing but which can be withdrawn, at least in part, into the housing by an actuator for, a said actuator within said housing for withdrawing the latch bolt moveable from at least one side of the housing, a locking bar within said housing moveable between locking and non-locking conditions, the locking condition preventing movement of the actuator which causes said, at least in part, withdrawal of the latch bolt and the non-locking condition not preventing such movement, and a drive to cause movement of said locking bar between said locking and nonlocking conditions, wherein said drive for said locking bar can be modified from outside of the housing without separation of said two main components of said housing so that there can be a selection of either a power off "fail safe" condition and a power off "fail secure" condition.

Preferably said drive includes a solenoid and said solenoid acts against a return bias.

Preferably one of said two main components of the housing includes at least one opening or window to allow the drive for said locking bar to be modified.

Preferably the modification is to a mechanical transmission between the solenoid and the locking bar.

1272828_i.DOC( COMS ID No: ARCS-225535 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:47 Date 2009-03-02 02-MR-2009 15:40 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 P.08 -4- 0\ Preferably the modification is t>y movement of a pivot axis in said mechanical 0 transmission and the modification does not involve rearrangement of the solenoid or solenoid and bias within the housing.

STo those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the C] appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are C not intended to be in any sense limiting.

SBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the o accompanying drawings whereby: C] Figure 1 shows a general lock housing and assembly inside elevation with the cover removed to reveal the internals. In the configuration shown the lock is in a failsecure configuration, and the power is on, Figure 2 is a close up of the solenoid and mechanism in "failsafe" mode with the power-on, Figure 3 is a similar view to that of Figure 1 with the lock being in the failsecure configuration however in this situation the power is off, Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figures 1 and 3 except the lock is in a "failsafe" configuration and the power is on, Figure 5 is a similar side on view to that of Figures 2 and 4 prior to removal of the pivot member from the drive plate, to switch from failsafe to failsecure, and Figure 6 is a similar view to that of Figure 5 with the stop member installed in the drive plate to allow the pivot member to be installed into the failsecure position in the drive plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to Figures 1 through 6 is shown an electronically operatable "failsafe" "failsecure" lock assembly and locking mechanism.

The lock assembly 1 having a lock face 2 which is presented on the peripheral edge of the door to engage within an assembly in the door jamb and a lock assembly back 4, the lock assembly from the face to the back being recessed into the door periphery. The lock assembly consists of a lock housing 3 within which are housed the components of the lock assembly, namely a drive means 5 which in this case is an electrically activated solenoid which consists of a external coil aand an internal core, which upon application of electrical 1272828 COMS ID No: ARCS-225535 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:47 Date 2009-03-02 02-MAR-2009 15:40 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 P.09 0\ o power to the external coil drives the internal core up into the external coil. Upon removal C, of power, such as when selected or in the instance of a power failure, there is no attraction of the core into the external coil and under the action of a biasing means 6, in this case a Scoil spaing, the core is urged our from the solenoid to extend there from. Carried or 5 actuated by the core of the solenoid is a drive plate 7 which is guided by a spigot The spigot extends, in this embodiment, from the housing but may equally be a separate attached member or similar to the housing, or may be attached to the housing C, cover or may be split, having part on the housing and part on the cover. The spigot remains stationary and the drive plate 7 runs on the spigot 10 via a guide way or trunnion 8 C 10 which is sufficiently long to allow full or desired travel of the drive plate. The drive plate o has pivot apertures 22A and 22B.

N, A pinion gear 11 which is pivoted about the spigot 10 has a toothed region 24 for engaging with a complimentary toothed region on the rack 14.

The pinion gear 11 also has apertures 26.

A pivot member 12 (in Figure 2 located at 22a) is passed through one of the drive plates apertures into a mating pinion gear aperture at the pinion drive axis and fixed there.

In the preferred embodiment the pivot member has a threaded portion which engages in a complimentary threaded portion on the drive plate 7. The pinion gear apertures 26A and B are distended longitudinally.

The vertical (in this example) motion of the drive plate 7 causes the rotation of the pinion gear 11. The relative motion of rotation of the pinion gear 11 to the vertical motion of the drive plate 7 requires the pinion gear apertures 26A and B to be distended longitudinally.

In Figure 1 the pivot member 12 is in the left hand of the two pivot locations. Thus when the power is applied to the solenoid 5 the internal core is drawn up into the external coil of the solenoid and due to the pivot member 12's location the pinion gear 11 is rotated clockwise thus raising the rack 14 and the locking bar 15 and locking piece (which allows for different handing of the lock) which is attached thereto. On the occurrence of power off or power failure the biasing means 6 extends the core from the external coil and thus the drive plate 7 moves vertically down to rotate the pinion gear 11 counter clockwise and thus move the rack 14 downwards and locking bar 15 downwards also. In this configuration the lock is said to be failsecure, that is in the event of a power off or power failure the locking bar is moved into a position to lock the door. In the preferred embodiment the rack 14 is part of the locking bar COMS ID No: ARCS-225535 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:47 Date 2009-03-02 02-MAR-2009 15:40 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 -6- The locking bar 15 in an unlocked position (as shown in Figure 1) is free of the C rotation of rotatable latch actuating means 21. Such latch actuating means are common in the art and are often of a split hub variety whereby the means may be each rotated Sindependently from either side of the lock assembly and door. A selectable handing C1 5 mechanism known as a locking piece 25, also known in the art, exists on the locking bar.

When the locking bar is in a locked position as shown in Figure 2 then depending on the rotational orientation of the locking piece, only one of the two split hub mechanisms may C actuate the lock g. a door handle internal may activate the lock but a door handle external may not or vice versa) or both members of the rotatable actuating means are prevented from rotation g. in a fully locked door).

SThe latch actuating means 21 acts upon the latch bolt 17 which has a latch head 19 0 which in a normal unactuated manner sits proud of the lock face 2 to engage a door jamb or similar to hold the door dosed. Upon rotation (clockwise in Figure 1) of the latch actuating means 21 the latch bolt 17 is drawn back into the lock housing 3 to be free of the door jamb so that that door may be open or closed.

The drive plate aperture 22B is slightly below that of the corresponding drive plate aperture 22A. This is to accommodate the correct throw length of the locking bar via the rack and pinion gear. Any position of the drive plate apertures which achieves the correct throw of the locking bar is considered to be within the scope of this invention.

Figure 3 shows the failsecure configuration of Figure 1 when the power has been removed and thus under the biasing of the spring 6 the drive plate 7 is driven out and thus the pinion gear 11 is rotated anti-clockwise to draw the rack 14 and thus the locking bar down to thus prevent the latch actuating means 21 from being able to activate the latch bolt 17.

Figures 2,4 and 5 show a "failsafe" configuration of the lock mechanism whereby the pivot member 12 is located in the 22A drive plate aperture. Thus when power is applied the core and thus the drive plate 7 is drawn up and towards the solenoid and the pinion gear 11 is rotated anti- clockwise to draw the rack 14 and thus the locking bar 15 down to prevent the rotation of the actuating means 21 thus preventing the withdrawal of the latch 17.

In a situation where there is power off or a power failure as shown in Figure 5 the solenoid core and drive plate are driven down under the influence of the biasing means 6 to thus rotate the pinion gear 11 clockwise which raises the rack 14 and locking bar 15 to 1272828 f.DOC COMS ID No: ARCS-225535 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:47 Date 2009-03-02 02-MAR-2009 15:41 A J PRRK 64 9 3566990 P.11 -7- S thus free the latch actuating means 21 so that the latch may be drawn into the body of the c lock housing.

t Control circuitry 27 and sensing means 28 (in the preferred embodiment as micro Sswitches) are also present.

5 The cover (not shown) for the lock housing and assembly produces an enclosed lock assembly externally accessible on which there are the pinion drive axes 13A and B (which correspond with and arc co-axial to drive plate apertures 22A and 22B) and thus the pivot member 12 can be removed from one pivot lock and moved across to another to turn the lock from a "failsafe" configuration to a "failsecure" configuration or vice versa.

The lock as described can thus be changed from "failsafe" to "failsecure" simply by Sremoval and replacement of pivot member 12. In the preferred method of removal the c lock is laid upon its side. To change the lock from fail safe to fail-secure the pivot member 12 is unthreaded from the drive plate 7 and removed through the aperture in the lock closure. The stop member 29 (in the preferred embodiment is a wire clip) is then inserted into the lock closure slot (not shown) to retract the drive plate 7 so that the corresponding aperture 22B in the drive plate 7, pinion gear aperture 26A and aperture in the closure all align. The stop member 29 engages on the upper face of the lock housing to retain the drive plate in the desired position. The pivot member 12 can then be inserted via another lock closure aperture into the aligned apertures and threaded into the drive plate 7 and the stop member removed. The lock is now changed from fail safe to fail secure.

To effect the change from fail secure to fail safe the above procedure is simply reversed.

Whilst the preferred embodiment of the stop member 29 is a wire clip engaging the drive member, other alternatives are considered within the scope of the invention. For example the stop member 29 may be a simple piece of wire, or a screw driver, screw or other elongate item which is sufficiently slender and elongate to engage at least the drive plate. Alternatively it is not the drive plate that is engaged but rather the solenoid or any other singular or multiple parts of the moving chain such as the pinion gear (which may be accessed if provision is made) from the other side of the lock to achieve a similar object.

S27Y2z8_ 1.I)C COMS ID No: ARCS-225535 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:47 Date 2009-03-02

Claims

02-MAR-2009 15:41 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 P.12 -8- 0\ 0 WHAT WE CLAIM iS: 0 C, 1. A lock assembly that provides a post assembly choice of a "fail safe" condition or a c "fail secure" condition, said assembly comprising or including a housing of at least two main components, O a latch bolt that projects from the housing but which can be withdrawn, at least in part, into the housing by an actuator for, a said actuator within said housing for withdrawing the latch bolt moveable from at least one side of the housing, a locking bar within said housing moveable between locking and non-locking Sconditions, the locking condition preventing movement of the actuator which causes said, at least in part, withdrawal of the latch bolt and the non-locking condition not preventing such movement, and a drive to cause movement of said locking bar between said locking and non-locking conditions, wherein said drive for said locking bar can be modified from outside of the housing without separation of said two main components of said housing so that there can be a selection of either a power off "fail safe" condition and a power off "fail secure" condition. 2. An assembly of claim 1 wherein said drive includes a solenoid and said solenoid acts against a return bias.
3. An assembly of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein one of said two main components of the housing includes at least one opening or window to allow the drive for said locking bar to be modified.
4. An assembly of claim 2 or 3 wherein the modification is to a mechanical transmission between the solenoid and the locking bar. An assembly of claim 4 wherein the modification is by movement of a pivot axis in said mechanical transmission and the modification does not involve rearrangement of the solenoid or solenoid and bias within the housing. 127228_.DOC COMS ID No: ARCS-225535 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:47 Date 2009-03-02