AU2010219422A1

AU2010219422A1 - Lock actuator with biasing means

Info

Publication number: AU2010219422A1
Application number: AU2010219422A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Donald John Newman
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-09-18
Filing date: 2010-09-14
Publication date: 2011-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-14
Also published as: AU2010219422B2; NZ587988A

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: LOCK ACTUATOR WITH BIASING MEANS Applicant: ASSA ABLOY Australia Pty Limited The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: IP Australia RECEIVED 1 1 4 SEP 2010 8067 MSOiceO 2 LOCK ACTUATOR WITH BIASING MEANS This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Application No. 2009904575 filed on 18 September 2009, the contents of which are to be taken as 5 incorporated herein by this reference. This invention relates to an electrically controlled actuator for use with a lock assembly of the kind having a latchbolt. The invention has been developed for a particular application as an actuator for retracting the latchbolt of the lock assembly 10 and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to that particular application. However it should be appreciated that the actuator may have other applications. A cylinder lock is one form of actuator that can be used with a lock assembly for 15 retracting the latchbolt. The cylinder lock assembly will generally include a housing and barrel that is received within the housing. The barrel has a keyway to receive a key and the key interacts with tumblers so as to permit the barrel to rotate relative to the housing. A tailpiece in the form of a cam, tailbar or the like can be located at a distal end of the barrel to interact with features of the lock assembly. When the barrel 20 is rotated the tailpiece adjusts the position of features of the lock assembly, to cause the lock assembly to function in a particular fashion. It should be understood that the tumblers act as an obstruction to rotation of the barrel when the key is not in the keyway. The tailpiece, being connected to the barrel, will 25 also adopt a particular position and remain in that position when the key is not inserted in the keyway. Accordingly, the position that the tailpiece is left in, needs to be one that is suitable for the operation of the lock assembly. A cylinder lock can be configured to routinely leave the tailpiece in a preferred position as the key can only be extracted from the keyway when the barrel is in the rotational position that it was in 30 when the key was inserted. Electrically controlled actuators are often used in conjunction with a code reading device. The code may be stored in a form such as as a key card or tag which stores a code often in a magnetic, optical or electronic format. The code is read by the reading 3 device and a key with a valid code will result in the adjustment of the condition of the actuator to allow it to be operated by the user. However the electrically controlled actuator is different to the mechanical actuator in that, once the operation of the actuator is complete there is no physical disconnection of the key with the actuator 5 requiring elements of the actuator to be returned to their initial position. This can result in the tailpiece being left in a position whereby it obstructs elements of the lock assembly. A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is 10 not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims. According to this invention there is provided an electrically controlled actuator 15 assembly for use with a lock assembly including a bolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the actuator including an electrical control means for controlling the operating condition of the actuator whereby the actuator is operable to retract the bolt when in an active condition and inoperable to retract the bolt when in an inactive condition, a stator and a rotor that is rotated about an axis relative to the 20 stator in order to retract the bolt, biasing means for biasing the rotor to adopt one of a plurality of preferred positions relative to the stator when the actuator is in the inactive condition. The biasing means preferably includes a plurality of magnets associated with the rotor 25 and the stator. The plurality of magnets may be arranged such that one magnet is associated with the rotor and two or more magnets are associated with the stator. Alternatively the plurality of magnets are arranged such that one magnet is associated with the stator and two or more magnets are associated with the rotor. A further alternative is that the plurality of magnets are arranged such that an equal number of 30 magnets are associated with the stator and with the rotor. It is preferred that each magnet be located in its own bore formed in the rotor and the stator. The magnets are preferably arranged around the rotor and the stator whereby the magnets radially align when the rotor is in one of said plurality of preferred positions. <fdonam> 4 It is preferred that the actuator include a drive means that is in driving engagement with the rotor when the actuator is in the active condition, and is disengaged from the rotor when the actuator is in the inactive condition. It is preferred that the actuator include a clutch means operating between the drive means and the rotor, the clutch 5 means being controlled by the electrical control means so that an engaged condition for the clutch means corresponds to the active condition for the actuator and a disengaged condition for the clutch means corresponds to the inactive condition for the actuator. The clutch means preferably includes a movable member associated with the drive means that is movable relative to the drive means when the clutch is in 10 the disengaged condition and restricted in its movement relative to the drive means when the clutch is in the engaged condition. It is preferred that the movable member is movable in the axial direction when the clutch is in the disengaged condition. It is preferred that the clutch means includes biasing means for biasing the movable member towards an extended position and the electrical control means includes a 15 stop that when the actuator is in the active condition the stop restricts the movable member from moving from extended position. It is further preferred that the clutch means includes a surface of the rotor that is engaged by the movable member, the surface being angled to urge the movable member away from the extended position. It is preferred that the drive means includes a hand engagable member that is rotated 20 by the user when moving the bolt from the extended position. The electrical control means is preferably activated upon validation of a card by a reader of such cards, the card having a magnetic, optical or electronic code. It is preferred that the reader is formed integrally with the actuator. 25 It is preferred that the stator includes an aperture which is substantially perpendicular to a bore accommodating the rotor, the aperture is for receiving a fastener for fastening the stator to the lock assembly housing. 30 It is preferred that the actuator includes a battery for powering the electrical actuator. It is preferred that the actuator includes a tailpiece associated with the rotor for movement therewith, the tailpiece engages an element of the lock assembly when the 'fioa,"e> 5 actuator retracts the bolt. The tailpiece is preferably a cam is fastened to the rotor by at least one fastening element. It is preferred that the cam and the rotor are configured so that the cam keys into 5 engagement with the rotor. It is preferred that the stator is shaped as a cylinder lock housing. The actuator is preferably used with a mortice lock assembly. 10 It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to the attached illustrations, which show a preferred embodiment of the invention. The particularity of the drawings and the related detailed description is not to be understood to supersede the generality of the broad definition of the invention as 15 provided in the claims. Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a mortice lock assembly with the cover removed. 20 Figure 2 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the actuator according to the invention with part of the actuator illustrated as a transparent line drawing to illustrate the inner workings. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the actuator from Figure 2. 25 Figure 4a is a plan view of the carrier and rotor with the slider in an extended position. Figure 4b is a side elevation view of the carrier and rotor from Figure 4a. 30 Figure 5a is a plan view of the carrier and rotor with the slider in a retracted position. Figure 5b is a side elevation view of the carrier and rotor from figure 5a.

6 Figure 6a is a plan view of the carrier and rotor with the tongue of the slider engaging the shoulder of the rotor corresponding to the clutch being in an engaged condition. Figure 6b is a side elevation view of the carrier and rotor from figure 6a. 5 Figure 7a is a part end view illustrating the clutch in a disengaged condition. Figure 7b is the view from figure 7a with the clutch in the engaged condition. 10 Referring now to Figure 1 which illustrates a mortice lock assembly 1 with the cover of the housing 2 removed to reveal the inner workings of the lock assembly 1. The lock assembly 1 includes a latch bolt 3, a head 4 of which extends out through an aperture in the front face 5 of the housing 2. The latch bolt 3 also includes a draw bar 6 located to the rear of the head 4 and within the housing 2. A biasing means 7 in the 15 form of a helical spring urges the latch bolt 3 towards the extended position illustrated. Whilst Figure 1 illustrates a mortice lock assembly 1 with a latch bolt 3, it ought to be appreciated that the invention may also be used with a mortice lock assembly having other forms of bolt such as a deadbolt or swing bolt. Furthermore, it also ought to be appreciated that the invention may be suitable for use with lock assemblies other than 20 mortice lock assemblies such as rim locks or cylindrical lock assemblies. A preferred embodiment of a rear part of an actuator 8 according to the invention is illustrated as attached to the housing 2 in a position where traditionally a cylinder lock assembly would be attached. Whilst it is convenient to attach the actuator 8 in this 25 way and in this location, it is not essential. The actuator 8 is attached to the housing 2 by a fastener 9, which in the embodiment illustrated is in the form of a pin 9. The pin 9 extends through the housing 2 by an aperture (not shown) formed in the front face 5 of the housing 2 and engages a body 10 of the actuator 8. The body 10 will be hereinafter referred to as the stator for reasons which will become apparent later. 30 This pin 9 fixes the position of the stator relative to the housing. The actuator 8 includes a tail piece 11 which in the embodiment illustrated is in the form of a cam 11. The cam 11 is attached to a rotor 12 (not shown in Figure 1) of the actuator 8 which will be described with reference to later illustrations. The rotor 12 is 7 rotatable relative to the stator 10 so as to move a head 13 of the cam 11 into engagement with various elements of the lock assembly 1. The cam 11 illustrated is designed so that rotation in the anti-clockwise direction will cause the head 13 of the cam 11 to engage the drawbar 6 of the latch bolt 3. Further rotation of the cam 11 in 5 the anti-clockwise direction will cause retraction of the latch bolt 3 into the housing 2. The cam 11 may alternatively, or additionally, interact with a detent 14 that control the operation of handle hubs (not shown). It ought to be appreciated that the tail piece 11 may take other forms such as a tail bar particularly where the actuator is required to interact with elements of other lock assemblies such as rim locks. Accordingly, the 10 shape of the tail piece 11 may vary according to the requirements of the lock assembly. Figure 1 illustrates the cam 11 with the head 13 rotated towards the left, or nine o'clock position. In this position the head 13 avoids obstructing the operation of other 15 elements of the lock assembly 1. It should be appreciated that by rotating the cam 11 in the clockwise direction towards the twelve o'clock position, the cam head 13 would again avoid obstructing elements of the lock assembly. Furthermore, in a twelve o'clock position the actuator 8 can be detached from the lock assembly 1 housing without the cam head 13 engaging the lock assembly housing 2. These preferred 20 positions for the cam to remain in will be further explained in greater detail with reference to the other illustrations later in the specification. Referring now to Figure 2 which illustrates an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the actuator 8. The actuator 8 illustrated includes in summary a hand 25 engagable member 15 and the stator 10. The preferred form of hand engagable member 15 illustrated is a knob 15, however it ought to be appreciated that the knob 15 may be replaced by a handle. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the stator 10 illustrated is in the shape of an oval cylinder lock housing, however this shape may vary to suit other lock assembly housings. 30 The knob 15 forms part of a drive means 16 which will be described in greater detail with reference to Figure 3, however it should be noted that the knob is rotatable about an axis X-X relative to the stator 10. The drive means 16 also includes a carrier 17 which is rotatable with the knob 15. The carrier 17 carries an electrical control means <filfo1 6>.

8 (see figure 3) which controls a clutch means (see figure 3), both of which will be described in greater detail with reference to Figure 3. However, it should be noted that the clutch means includes a movable member or a slider 18 which is slidable relative to the carrier 17 in the axial direction. The preferred form of clutch means 5 illustrated also includes a surface 19 of the rotor 20 that is engaged by a leading surface 21 of the slider 18. The slider 18 illustrated in Figure 2 is in an extended position, and can be moved to a retracted position by rotating the carrier about the axis X-X and allowing the leading surface 21 to slide over the surface 19 of the rotor 20. 10 Referring now to Figure 3 which illustrates the actuator from Figure 2 in an exploded form. It can be noted that the knob 15 is formed by a sleeve 22 with a cover plate 23 at a proximal end of the sleeve 22. A distal end of the sleeve 22 is open to receive the carrier 24 and the electrical control means 25. The electrical control means 25 15 includes a chassis 26 that accommodates a power source 27 in the form of a battery. An antenna 28 is attached to a proximal end of the chassis 26 to receive data in code from a key card or tag (not shown). The code is analysed by the electronic sub assembly 29 and if valid authorises operation of the motor 30. The motor 30 interacts with the slider to move the slider 18. 20 Referring still to figure 3, which shows a spring 31 to the rear of the slider 18 which is used to urge the slider 18 towards the extended position. The spring 31 is the preferred form of biasing means, however other forms are clearly possible. The leading surface 21 of at least the slider 18 is configured to slide over the surface of a 25 shoulder 19 formed of the rotor 20. Figure 4a illustrates the carrier 24 having been rotated in the direction A, so that the leading surface 21 of the slider 18 engages the shoulder 19 on the rotor 20. Figure 5a illustrates the carrier 24 having been further rotated in the direction whereby the leading surface 21 of the slider 18 is allowed to slide over the shoulder 19. This causes the slider 18 to move to a retracted position 30 and compress the spring 31. The slider also includes a lug 32 that moves in the axial direction, which movement can be appreciated by comparing figures 4b and 5b. When the slider 18 is permitted to retract in this manner, the clutch is considered to be in a disengaged condition which corresponds to the actuator 8 being in an inactive condition. In this condition rotation of the knob does not result in rotation of the rotor.

9 Figure 3 illustrates the electrical control means 25 including a stop member 33 attached to the drive shaft of the rotor 20. The motor 20 is operable to move the stop 33 between a position where it restricts movement of the lug 32 and a position 5 whereby it does not restrict movement of the lug 32. These two positions for the stop 33 can be seen in figures 7a and 7b, whereby in figure 7b a portion of the stop 33 is located behind the lug 32. The position of the stop illustrated in figure 7a corresponds to that as illustrated in figures 4b and 5b, whereas figure 7b corresponds to figure 6b. Rotation of the carrier 24 in the direction A, while the stop 33 is located behind the lug 10 32, results in a sleeve 34 of the slider 18 retracting as can be seen in figure 6a. This reveals a tongue 25 of the slider 18 that engages the shoulder 19 of the rotor 20. Further rotation of the carrier 24 will result in rotation of the rotor 20. When the tongue 35 of the slider 18 is held in this position the clutch is considered to be in an engaged condition, and the actuator 8 is considered to be in an active condition. This 15 is only one preferred form of clutch means suitable for the invention, and other forms of clutch means are clearly possible. The electrical control means 25 could for example have a worm drive that directly drives the lug 32 to extend and retract the slider 18. 20 The actuator 8 according to the invention includes a biasing means for biasing the rotor 20 to adopt one of the plurality of preferred positions relative to the stator 10 when the actuator is in the inactive condition. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the preferred form of biasing means illustrated takes the form of a plurality of magnets 36B located within the stator 10 which radially align with a plurality of 25 magnets 36A located in the rotor 20 (see Figure 3) when the rotor 20 is in one of said plurality of preferred positions. It can be appreciated from Figure 2 that one preferred position of the rotor 20 corresponds to having the head 4 of the cam 11 in the twelve o'clock position. Furthermore, it ought to be appreciated that if the user was to leave the rotor in, for example, the eleven o'clock position, while the clutch is disengaged 30 from the rotor 20, the magnets 36 will urge the rotor 20 to rotate about the axis so that the magnets radially align. It ought to be appreciated that the number and location of the magnets 36 may vary to satisfy different requirements of different lock assemblies. <4i1nme 10 Figure 3 illustrates four magnets 36A associated with the rotor 20 which are located in blind bores 37A formed around the periphery of the rotor 20. It ought to be appreciated that there need not be four magnets 36A associated with the rotor 20 and four magnets 36B associated with the stator 10. Instead a similar function could be 5 achieved by having four magnets 36 associated with the stator 10 and one magnet 36 associated with the rotor 20 or vice versa. It can also be appreciated from Figure 3 that the cam 11 is attached to the rotor 20 by way of a pair of fastening elements in the form of screws. Furthermore, the rear 10 surface of the cam 11 includes a ridge 39 which keys into engagement with a groove 40 formed in the distal surface of the rotor 20. It ought to be appreciated from the forgoing description that the invention provides an electrically controlled actuator that is capable of controlling the position of its tailpiece 15 when the actuator is inoperable. The provision of a plurality of preferred positions is a particular advantage, as it may be desirable to vary the position the tailpiece is left in. Various alterations and/or additions may be introduced into the actuator as hereinbefore described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as 20 defined by the claims. 25 <filename>

Claims

1. An electrically controlled actuator assembly for use with a lock assembly including a bolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the 5 actuator including an electrical control means for controlling the operating condition of the actuator whereby the actuator is operable to retract the bolt when in an active condition and inoperable to retract the bolt when in an inactive condition, a stator and a rotor that is rotated about an axis relative to the stator in order to retract the bolt, biasing means for biasing the rotor to adopt one of a 10 plurality of preferred positions relative to the stator when the actuator is in the inactive condition.

2. An actuator according to claim 1 wherein the biasing means includes a plurality of magnets associated with the rotor and the stator. 15

3. An actuator according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged such that one magnet is associated with the rotor and two or more magnets are associated with the stator. 20

4. An actuator according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged such that one magnet is associated with the stator and two or more magnets are associated with the rotor.

5. An actuator according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged 25 such that an equal number of magnets are associated with the stator and with the rotor.

6. An actuator according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein each magnet is located in its own bore formed in the rotor and the stator. 30

7. An actuator according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the magnets are arranged around the rotor and the stator whereby the magnets radially align when the rotor is in one of said plurality of preferred positions. <rename> 12

8. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims including a drive means that is in driving engagement with the rotor when the actuator is in the active condition, and is disengaged from the rotor when the actuator is in the inactive condition. 5

9. An actuator according to claim 8 including a clutch means operating between the drive means and the rotor, the clutch means being controlled by the electrical control means so that an engaged condition for the clutch means corresponds to the active condition for the actuator and a disengaged condition for the clutch 10 means corresponds to the inactive condition for the actuator.

10. An actuator according to claim 9 wherein the clutch means includes a movable member associated with the drive means that is movable relative to the drive means when the clutch is in the disengaged condition and restricted in its 15 movement relative to the drive means when the clutch is in the engaged condition.

11. An actuator according to claim 10 wherein the movable member is movable in the axial direction when the clutch is in the disengaged condition. 20

12. An actuator according to claim 10 or 11 the clutch means including biasing means for biasing the movable member towards an extended position and the electrical control means includes a stop that when the actuator is in the active condition the stop restricts the movable member from moving from extended position. 25

13. An actuator according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the clutch means includes a surface of the rotor that is engaged by the movable member, the surface being angled to urge the movable member away from the extended position. 30

14. An actuator according to any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the drive means includes a hand engagable member that is rotated by the user when moving the bolt from the extended position. 'rdenamo 13

15. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical control means is activated upon validation of a card by a reader of such cards, the card having a magnetic, optical or electronic code. 5

16. An actuator according to claim 15 wherein the reader is formed integrally with the actuator.

17. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stator includes an aperture which is substantially perpendicular to a bore 10 accommodating the rotor, the aperture is for receiving a fastener for fastening the stator to the lock assembly.

18. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims including a battery for powering the electrical actuator. 15

19. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims including a tailpiece associated with the rotor for movement therewith, the tailpiece engages an element of the lock assembly when the actuator retracts the bolt.

20 20. An actuator according to claim 19 wherein the tailpiece is a cam is fastened to the rotor by at least one fastening element.

21. An actuator according to claim 20 wherein the cam and the rotor are configured so that the cam keys into engagement with the rotor. 25

22. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stator is shaped as a cylinder lock housing.

23. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lock 30 assembly is a mortice lock assembly.

24. An electrically controlled actuator assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. <rdename>