AU2010206109A1

AU2010206109A1 - Locking Arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2010206109A1
Application number: AU2010206109A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Martin Stuckey
Original assignee: David Stuckey Investments Pty Ltd
Current assignee: David Stuckey Investments Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-08-05
Filing date: 2010-08-04
Publication date: 2011-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2030-08-04
Also published as: AU2010206109B2

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: DAVID STUCKEY INVESTMENTS PTY LTD Actual Inventors: DAVID MARTIN STUCKEY Address for Service: Houlihan 2 , Level 1, 70 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North, Victoria 3104, Australia Invention Title: LOCKING ARRANGEMENT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to the Applicant:- -2 LOCKING ARRANGEMENT Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a locking arrangement, preferably a locking 5 arrangement for use with a lockable access point such as a door, a storage container, a compartment, a locker or the like. The invention relates particularly to a more secure locking arrangement, whereby an opening mechanism may be restricted by a locking mechanism. 10 Background of the Invention The need for a highly secure, highly vandal-proof, on-demand storage locking system is readily apparent. A variety of locks for lockers, safes and cabinets exist. Some are mechanical and work with keys or combination dials, while others are electronic and operate with use of keypads or other electronic identification data. However, no 15 existing locking arrangement provides a high security arrangement that also allows adaptability to various door applications and additional lock-type combinations. Metal lockers are typically equipped with a vertical locking bar, which secures the door unit to the frame at a number of points. Lock mechanisms are generally provided 20 in order to prevent movement of this vertical locking bar. Such lock mechanisms are typically incorporated into a handle that is used to engage, and disengage, the locking bar with the frame. The present invention seeks to provide an added level of security to such locking arrangements, whereby movement of the locking bar may be impeded by an independent means. 25 The present invention therefore seeks to provide a locking arrangement having improved security. More particularly, the present invention provides a locking arrangement, which seeks to minimize or ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art. 30 Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there may be provided a locking arrangement comprising: (i) a handle assembly comprising a handle member linked to a work cam, wherein the handle assembly is movable between an open and a closed position, and -3 wherein the work cam includes at least one locking bar operably connected thereto and wherein the at least one locking bar including an impeding portion; and (ii) a primary locking mechanism comprising a lock barrel and a cam bar 5 connected thereto, wherein the cam bar is rotatable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition; wherein the primary locking mechanism is configured such that when the cam bar is in the locked condition, the cam bar substantially contacts the impeding portion of the locking bar to substantially impede movement of the handle assembly from the closed 10 position to the open position. The work cam preferably moves in unison with the handle member as the handle assembly is moved between an open and closed position. 15 More preferably, the locking arrangement comprises: (i) a handle assembly which is used to move one or more locking bars; and (ii) a primary locking mechanism which is capable of impeding movement of said one or more locking bars. One of the advantages offered by the present invention is that once the primary 20 locking mechanism has been placed in the locked condition, the handle assembly cannot be moved to the open position. Therefore, the integrity of the locking arrangement is substantially maintained in the event that the handle assembly is vandalised. 25 Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a plan view of the general principle of the functioning of a locking arrangement according to the present invention. Panel A shows the arrangement in a closed and locked condition. Panel B shows the arrangement in a closed and unlocked condition. Panel C shows the arrangement in an open and unlocked condition. 30 Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a locking arrangement according to the present invention when installed on a door from the outside (A) and in cross-section (B & C) as indicated.

-4 Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a locking arrangement according to the present invention when installed on a door from the outside (A) and in cross-section (B & C) as indicated. 5 Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show plan views of various preferred embodiments of locking arrangements according to the present invention in the closed and locked conditions. Figure 5 shows perspective views of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4D, in a 10 closed and locked condition (A) and in an open and unlocked condition (B). Detailed Description of the Invention The following description relates to a locking arrangement. While the description and figures are directed to a locking arrangement as applied to a metal locker or cabinet, 15 such description and illustration are in no way intended to limit the generality of the present invention. Referring to all the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. The following description refers to the specific, 20 illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific, illustrated embodiments. The present invention is directed to a locking arrangement 100 comprising a handle assembly 200, which comprises a handle member 210 linked to a work cam 220, 25 wherein the handle assembly 200 is movable between an open (Figure IC) and a closed position (Figures 1A & B). Handle member 210 moves in unison with work cam 220 as the handle assembly 200 is moved between the open and closed positions. The work cam 220 is operably linked to at least one locking bar 230, wherein the at least one locking bar 230 includes an impeding portion 235. In a preferred 30 embodiment, the locking bar 230 may be composed of more than one component. In the preferred embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 4A-C, the locking bar 230 comprises an asymmetrical arm member 231 and an elongate portion 237 connected thereto. The work cam 220 engages with and operates at least one substantially -5 asymmetrical arm member 231. The locking arrangement 100 also comprises a primary locking mechanism 300, which typically comprises a lock barrel 310 and a cam bar 320 connectable thereto, wherein the cam bar 320, being of a substantially obloid or ovoid configuration, is rotatable wherein the locking assembly 100 is placed 5 in either a locked condition (Figure 1A, 5A) or an unlocked condition (Figures IB, IC and 5B). When the cam bar 320 substantially contacts the impeding portion 235 of the at least one arm member 231, movement of the handle assembly 200 from the closed position and the open position is substantially impeded. 10 In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 4D and 5, the locking bar 230 comprises an asymmetrical arm member 231 and an elongate portion 237 connected thereto. The work cam 220 engages with and operates at least one substantially asymmetrical arm member 231, each arm member 231 having a guide portion 233 and an impeding portion 235. The guide portion 233 further includes a guide means 238 15 and the impeding portion 235 further includes an operating means 239. In common with the above described embodiments, the locking arrangement 100 also comprises a primary locking mechanism 300, which comprises lock barrel 310 and a cam bar 320 connectable thereto, wherein the cam bar 320, being of a substantially obloid or ovoid configuration, is rotatable wherein the locking assembly 100 is placed in either a 20 locked condition (Figures 1A, 4A-D and 5A) or an unlocked condition (Figures IB, IC and 5B). When the cam bar 320 substantially contacts the impeding portion 235 of the at least one arm member 231, movement of the handle assembly 200 from the closed position and the open position is substantially impeded. 25 The at least one arm member/s 231 preferably performs a number of functions. As noted above and described in more detail below, the impeding portion 235 interacts with the cam bar 320 to substantially impede opening of the handle assembly 200. Rotation of the work cam 220 engages the at least one arm member/s 231 directly (Figures 2 and 4A-C) via operating means 239 (Figures 3, 4D and 5)which in turn 30 causes the arm members 231 to move. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4D and 5, the operating means 239 is in the form of a slot and the work cam 220 operably engages with the operating means 239 via an operating pin 229. Rotation of the work cam 220 moves the -6 operating pin 229 along slot 239, thereby urging arm member 231 to move. Arm member 231 further includes a guide means 238 which is engaged by a guide member 401. Preferably the guide member 401 is a pin. Guide means 238 and guide member 401 cooperate to allow arm members 231 to move in a substantially linear manner. 5 Various other embodiments of these features will be apparent to the skilled addressee. The handle member 210 may be of any suitable type, including, but not limited to a knob handle, a sliding handle, a T-handle, a folding T-handle or a swing handle. The preferred embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 show a basic swing handle 210. 10 In all preferred embodiments of the present invention, which incorporate a swing handle, the swing handle 210 may optionally include additional locking means (not shown), such as, but not limited to a locking mechanism incorporated into the swing handle 210, or means by which an additional lock may be used in conjunction with the swing handle 210. Similarly, knob handles, sliding handles and/or T-handles may 15 also incorporate an additional locking mechanism as known in the art. The handle member 210 can be linked to the work cam 220 in any way commonly employed in the field of handles, such that rotation of the handle member 210 results in concomitant rotation of the work cam 220. In preferred embodiments of the present 20 invention, such as those illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4A-D, connection between the handle member 210 and the work cam 220 is indirect and is achieved via the locking shaft 215 and a cam drive 240, wherein the cam drive 240 is connected to the work cam 220 by at least one cam drive pin/s 245. 25 In preferred embodiments of the present invention, connection of the cam drive 240 to the locking shaft 215 is by way of the distal end 218 of the locking shaft 215 being keyed, and the cam drive 240 having a keyed mounting hole (not illustrated) corresponding to, and being fitted securely around, the distal end 218 of the locking shaft 215. In further alternative (non-illustrated) preferred embodiments of the present 30 invention, the work cam 220 may be driven directly by the locking shaft 215 and engagement of the work cam 220 with the locking shaft 215 being driven in a manner similar to that described above for the locking shaft 215 and cam drive 240.

-7 It is envisaged that the locking arrangement 100 of the present invention may be used in situations where a door 500 needs to be secured into its opening. One example of such a use is for the door of a locker. While the present invention provides a locking arrangement 100 that includes at least one arm member/s 231, it is envisaged that 5 most embodiments will include two arm members 231. In such embodiments, when cam bar 320 is in the locked condition, opposite ends of cam bar 320 substantially contact the impeding portion 235 of each arm member 231, when the handle member 210 is rotated. In particular, the cam bar 320 is substantially held between the impeding portions 235, thereby substantially impeding movement of the handle 10 assembly 200 from the closed position to the open position. In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the arm member 231 may be attached to an elongate portion 237 that is able to engage with or bear against an inner edge (not shown) of the opening in which the door 500 is located when the 15 handle assembly 200 is in the closed position, thereby preventing the door 500 from being opened. The elongate portion 237 may be of any suitable shape in cross-section. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, the elongate portion may be substantially rectangular or circular in cross-section, as illustrated in Figures 4Aand B or 4C and D, respectively. Attachment of the elongate portion 237 to the arm member 231 may be 20 by any suitable means as known to the skilled addressee, including, but not limited to, one or more bolts, or welding. While the impeding portion 235 shown in Figures 4A-C has a substantially asymmetrical T-shape and different shapes in Figures 4D and 5, the impeding portion 25 235 may be of any suitable shape which allows the impeding portion 235 to contact the cam bar 320, whereby, when the handle member 210 is rotated when the cam bar 320 is in the locked condition, the handle member 210 and work cam 220 are substantially impeded from rotating. 30 The work cam 220 preferably further comprises a tongue portion 225. The tongue portion 225 is also preferably used for bearing against an inner edge (not shown) of the opening in which the door 500 is located, thereby providing additional means by which the door 500 can be prevented from opening.

-8 The locking arrangement 100 of the present invention also includes a primary locking mechanism 300 comprising a lock barrel 310 and a cam bar 320 connected thereto. Preferably, the cam bar 320 is rotatable between a locked condition (Figure 1A) and an unlocked condition (Figures lB &C). Rotation of the cam bar 320 is achieved by 5 use of a key to rotate the lock barrel 310. When in the locked condition, the cam bar 320 is brought into substantial contact with the impeding portion/s 235 of arm members 231, which contact serves to substantially impede movement of the arm members 231. 10 When cam bar 320 is in the unlocked condition, there is no contact with impeding portion 235, allowing the handle assembly 200 to be moved between the open and closed positions. When the handle assembly 200 is in the closed position, the cam bar 320 is free to be rotated to either the locked or unlocked condition. Further, the handle assembly 200 must be in the closed position in order to rotate the cam bar 320 from 15 the unlocked condition to the locked condition.Accordingly, it is the interaction between the impeding portion 235 and the cam bar 320, which substantially prevents the handle assembly 200 from being rotated to the open condition. In some (non-illustrated) preferred embodiments of the present invention, the 20 components of the locking arrangement 100 illustrated in Figure 1 may be housed beneath a cover, wherein the cover includes openings through which the or each locking bar 230 protrudes. There are several methods by which a locking arrangement 100 of the present 25 invention may be mounted upon a door. In the preferred embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 4A, the working parts of the lock are positioned on a raised platform 400. Between the platform 400 and the door 500 is a space 410 in which fasteners 420 are positioned, wherein the fasteners 420 are used to attach the handle assembly 200 and the primary locking mechanism 300 to the door 500. In the embodiments 30 illustrated in Figures 3, 4B-D and 5, a platform 400 is mounted flush against the door 500 through which the handle assembly 200 operates and the primary locking mechanism 300 passes. The platform 400 is held in position by (i) a fastener 421, which passes through the platform 400 into the handle assembly 200, thereby sandwiching the platform 400 and door 500 between the fastener 421 and the handle -9 assembly 200; (ii) a nut 422, which also secures the primary locking mechanism 300 to the door 500; and (iii) a boss member 423, which comprises a threaded portion for attachment to the handle assembly 200 and a shoulder portion that is adapted to engage the platform, thereby sandwiching the platform 400 and door 500 between the 5 boss 423 and the handle assembly 200. This arrangement allows the working parts of the locking arrangement 100 to be mounted close to the door 500. In this way, the locking arrangement 100 does not protrude as far into the locker, or cabinet or similar, as in other preferred embodiments of the invention. 10 In one preferred embodiment of the present invention (see Figure 4C), a stop means 430 is positioned such that impeding means 235 cannot be inadvertently or deliberately moved away from the cam bar 320 in order to override the primary locking mechanism. 15 Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof. 20 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the invention described herein for simplicity's sake has referred in particular to lockers, it has a general applicability to doors or lockable access points in general. It is to be understood that the invention includes all variations and modifications of the features identified, including all types of handles and locks referred to or indicated in the specification individually or 25 collectively and any and all combinations of any two or more of said features.

Claims

1. A locking arrangement comprising: (i) a handle assembly comprising a handle member linked to a work cam, wherein the handle assembly is movable between an open and a closed 5 position, and wherein the work cam includes at least one locking bar operably connected thereto and wherein the at least one locking bar includes an impeding portion; and (ii) a primary locking mechanism comprising a lock barrel and a cam bar connectable thereto, wherein the cam bar is rotatable between a locked 10 condition and an unlocked condition; wherein the primary locking mechanism is configured such that when the cam bar is in the locked condition, the cam bar substantially contacts the impeding portion of the locking bar to substantially impede movement of the handle assembly from the closed position to the open position. 15

2. The locking arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking bar comprises an asymmetrical arm member and an elongate portion, wherein the impeding portion is a part of the asymmetrical arm member. 20

3. The locking arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an operating pin on the work cam operably engages with an operating means located on the locking bar.

4. The locking arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the operating means 25 comprises a slot in the locking bar.

5. The locking arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle member is a swing handle. 30

6. The locking arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the primary locking mechanism is a keyed lock.

7. A locking arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.