AU2011224106B2 - Powered latch assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a rim lock assembly 1 for use with a door 2, the lock assembly 1 including a first actuator 6 operable from an inner side of the door 2 5 to move a latch bolt 9 relative to the door 2. A second actuator 8 operable from the outer side of the door which is controlled by an electric lock means 23 operable from the outer side of the door 2. The rim lock assembly also includes an electrical power supply mean 12 for supplying electrical power to the electric locks mean 23, the electrical power supply means 12 being located on the inner 10 side of the door 2. 'fl~oI

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: POWERED LATCH ASSEMBLY 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: 1 6067 SYC 2 POWERED LATCH ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a rim lock assembly for use with a door and other movable members adapted to close an access opening. The invention also relates to an electrically controlled actuator assembly for forming part of a rim 5 lock assembly. A rim lock assembly includes a housing that houses a bolt whereby the housing is mounted to a surface of the door on the inner side of the doorway. One actuator is operable from an outer side and one operable from an inner side of the door to move the bolt relative to the housing. The inner actuator is often in 10 the form of a turn knob while the outer actuator is often in the form of a key operated lock. The operation of the inner turn knob may be controlled by a key operated lock also. The lock assembly may also include a deadlocking function whereby the bolt can be prevented from moving from an extended position under the influence of a force acting on the exposed end of the bolt. 15 The rim lock assembly provides a medium level of security, and as its housing is attached to a surface of the door it is considered easier to fit than for example a mortice lock. This makes the rim lock assembly a suitable option for residential security and it is particularly popular with the home handyman wanting to install the locks themselves. However as with all security products, there is an 20 expectation that locks should evolve to provide greater flexibility in the way they function. Electrically controlled lock assemblies obviously require electrical power to operate and are often wired to the mains for their power. Wiring an electrical device to the mains power requires a qualified electrician, which makes the 25 locks expensive to install. It is also generally beyond the qualifications of most home handymen which makes the locks less desirable to this section of the market. Another option is for the lock to have its own power supply, such as a battery, which forms part of the outer actuator. The outer actuator needs to be designed to allow for the battery to be changed and this can compromise the 30 security of the lock.

3 The inventor has appreciated that it would be desirable to provide a lock that allowed for greater flexibility in its functionality. It would also be desirable to provide a lock that is easy to install. A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior 5 art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, 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 one aspect of this invention there is provided a rim lock assembly for use on a door, the rim lock assembly including a first housing for attachment 10 to an inner face of the door, a latchbolt movable relative to a side of the first housing between an extended latching position and a retracted release position, a first actuator including a first hand engagable member operable from an inner side of the door to cause movement of the latchbolt from the extended position, a mechanical lock means operable from the inner side of the door that 15 when in an active condition renders the first actuator inoperable, a second actuator including a second hand engagable member being operable from an outer side of the door to cause movement of the latchbolt from the extended position, an electrical lock means operable from an outer side of the door that when in an active condition renders the second actuator inoperable, and an 20 electrical power supply means including a battery located adjacent the first housing for supplying power to the electrical lock means. It is preferred that the rim lock assembly include a casing which accommodates the battery, the casing being attachable to the inner face of the door adjacent 25 the first housing. It is further preferred that the rim lock assembly include a cover which is locatable to substantially cover the housing and the casing. It is still further preferred that the cover is detachably connectable to the casing, whereby the battery is accessible for replacement when the cover is detached from the casing. The casing preferably includes at least one latch means for 30 latching onto the cover. <filename> 4 It is preferred that the rim lock assembly the power supply means includes wiring connecting the battery to the electrical lock means, the wiring including a plug for attachment to a socket forming part of the electrical lock means. It is preferred that the rim lock assembly include a visual indicator visible from the 5 inner side of the door for indicating the condition of the electrical lock means. It is preferred that the electrical lock means includes and a programmable memory device for storing at least an access code and a user interface for inputting the access code whereby the electrical lock means adopts an inactive 10 condition when the access code is received by the programmable memory device. It is further preferred that the rim lock assembly include a reset switch located on the inner side of the door that when actuated allows at least the access code to be reset. It is preferred that actuation of the reset switch is prevented while the cover is attached to the casing. It is further preferred that 15 the user interface includes a key pad for inputting the access code. It is preferred that the electrical lock means includes a clutch that operably interacts with the second hand engagable member and the latchbolt so that when the electrical lock means is in an inactive condition the clutch is in an engaged condition whereby a retraction force caused by rotation of the second hand 20 engagable member is transferred through the clutch to retract the latchbolt, and when the electrical lock means is in an active condition the clutch is in a disengaged condition whereby the retraction force is not transferred through the clutch. It is further preferred that the clutch is a powered clutch that is energised by the electrical power supply means to adjust the condition of the clutch. It is 25 further preferred that the electric lock means include a motor to adjust the condition of the clutch and the clutch includes a biasing means that acts against the operation of the motor. It is preferred that the rim lock assembly include a deadlocking means which 30 interacts with the mechanical lock means whereby when the mechanical lock means is in an active condition the latchbolt is in a deadlocked condition. It is further preferred that the rim lock assembly include lock release means which is responsive to operation of the second actuator whereby rotation of the second hand engagable member moving the latchbolt to the retracted position causes <filename> 5 the deadlocking means to adjust from the deadlocked condition and causes the mechanical lock means to adopt an inactive condition. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided an electrically 5 controlled actuator assembly for forming part of a rim lock assembly for use on a door, the rim lock assembly including a first housing for attachment to an inner face of the door, a latchbolt movable relative to a side of the first housing between an extended latching position and a retracted release position, a first actuator including a first hand engagable member operable from an inner side of 10 the door to cause movement of the latchbolt from the extended position, a mechanical lock means operable from the inner side of the door that when in an active condition renders the first actuator inoperable, the electrically controlled actuator assembly including a second actuator including a second hand engagable member being operable from an outer side of the door to cause 15 movement of the latchbolt from the extended position, an electrical lock means operable from the outer side of the door that when in an active condition renders the second actuator inoperable, and an electrical power supply means including a battery located adjacent the first housing for supplying power to the electrical lock means. 20 It is preferred that the electrically controlled actuator assembly include a casing which accommodates the battery, the casing being attachable to the inner face of the door adjacent the first housing. It is preferred that the electrically controlled actuator assembly include a cover which is locatable to substantially 25 cover the housing and the casing. It is preferred that the cover is detachably connectable to the casing, whereby the battery is accessible for replacement when the cover is detached from the casing. It is further preferred that the casing includes at least one latch means for latching onto the cover. It is preferred that the power supply means includes wiring connecting the battery to 30 the electrical lock means, the wiring including a plug for attachment to a socket forming part of the electrical lock means. <filename> 6 It is preferred that the electrically controlled actuator assembly include a visual indicator visible from the inner side of the door for indicating the condition of the electrical lock means. 5 It is preferred that the electrical lock means includes and a programmable memory device for storing at least an access code and a user interface for inputting the access code whereby the electrical lock means adopts an inactive condition when the access code is received by the programmable memory device. It is further preferred that the electrically controlled actuator assembly 10 include a reset switch located on the inner side of the door that when actuated allows at least the access code to be reset. It is further preferred that the actuation of the reset switch is prevented while the cover is attached to the casing. 15 It is preferred that the user interface includes a key pad for inputting the access code. It is preferred that the electrical lock means includes a clutch that operably interacts with the second hand engagable member and the latchbolt so that 20 when the electrical lock means is in an inactive condition the clutch is in an engaged condition whereby a retraction force caused rotation of the second hand engagable member is transferred through the clutch to retract the latchbolt, and when the electrical lock means is in an active condition the clutch is in a disengaged condition whereby the retraction force is no transferred 25 through the clutch. It is further preferred that the clutch is a powered clutch that is energised by the electrical power supply means to adjust the condition of the clutch. It is preferred that the clutch includes a biasing means that acts against the operation of the motor. It is still further preferred that the electrically controlled actuator assembly include a deadlocking means which interacts with 30 the mechanical lock means whereby when the mechanical lock means is in an active condition the latchbolt is in a deadlocked condition. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to a illustrations of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The particularity of the <filename> 7 Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a rim lock assembly according to this invention when mounted to a door. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the rim lock assembly from figure 1. Figure 3 is a reverse view of the rim lock assembly from figure 2. 5 Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a rim lock assembly 1 according to the invention when attached to a door 2. Figure 1 illustrates in summary the door 2 shown in cross section with a first housing 3 attached to an inner side of the door 2, and a second housing 4 attached to an outer side of the door 2. A first hand engagable member 5 forms part of a first actuator 6 and is associated 10 with the first housing 3. A second hand engageable member 7 forms part of a second actuator 8 and is associated with the second housing 4. The form of hand engagable member 5, 7 illustrated is a turn knob and whilst this is preferred it may alternatively take the form of a handle. Referring still to figure 1 which illustrates a latch bolt 9 associated with the first 15 housing 3. The latchbolt 9 is movable relative to the first housing 3 and Figure 3 illustrates the latchbolt 9 in an extended latching position. The latchbolt 3 is movable to a retracted release position whereby it is substantially within the first housing 3 by operation of either the first or second actuator 6, 8. The operation of the first and second actuator 6, 8 will be described in greater detail later in the 20 specification The first housing 3 and the first actuator 6 may take any form and the form illustrated is merely preferred. Furthermore the manner in which in the first actuator 6 operates may take the form as that described and illustrated in Australian patent 702534, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein 25 by cross reference. In particular the actuator illustrated and described in 702534 includes a mechanical lock means including a cylinder lock. The cylinder lock interacts with a deadlocking means which prevents rotation of the first actuator when in a deadlock condition. The patent 702534 also describes a deadlock release means whereby operation of an outer actuator results in 30 adjustment of the deadlocking means from the deadlock condition. The outer

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8 actuator described in the patent 702534 is to be substituted by the second actuator 8 for the purpose of the current invention. The second actuator 8 of the current invention may take any form however it is preferred that the second actuator 8 include a clutch arrangement. Referring to 5 figure 3 the clutch is preferably housed within the barrel 10 and interacts between the second hand engagable member 7 and the tail bar 11. The clutch arrangement may be a mechanical clutch however it is preferred that the clutch be in the form of an electrically powered clutch. The form of electrically powered clutch adopted may for example be as that described and illustrated in 10 Australian patent application no. 2008244687, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. In particular the clutch illustrated in that patent specification is energised by an electrical power supply. The energisation activates a motor to cause the clutch to adopt an engaged condition. When the motor is activated, the clutch is considered to be in an engaged condition, so 15 that rotation of the second hand engagable member 7 results in rotation of the tail bar 11. Furthermore the patent specification 2008244687 describes a biasing means in the form of a spring acting against the operation of a motor. Once the motor is deactivated, the clutch adopts a disengaged condition under control of the biasing means, so that rotation of the second hand engageable 20 member 7 does not result in rotation of the tail bar 11. Clearly other forms of powered clutch may be suitable for achieving a similar function, and the powered clutch of this invention is not limited to that described and illustrated in 2008244687. The rim lock assembly 1 according to the invention also includes an electrical 25 power supply means 12. The electrical power supply means 12 illustrated in figure 2 includes a battery (only battery recess 13 shown) that is preferably located in a casing 14 positionable adjacent the first housing 3. The casing 14 may take any form and the casing 14 illustrated in Figure 2 is merely one preferred form. The casing 14 illustrated in Figure 2 includes a pair of recesses 30 13 for receiving a pair of batteries through openings in the top and bottom of the casing 14.

9 It is preferred that the rim lock assembly 1 also include a cover 15 which is locatable to substantially cover the first housing 3 and the casing 14, as can be seen in Figure 1. It is preferred that the cover 15 is detachably connectable to the casing 14 and access at least to the batteries is prevented whilst the cover 5 15 is in place. The casing 14 includes a pair of latches 16 (one of which is obscured) on a top and bottom surface thereof for locating within apertures 17 formed in the cover 15 to facilitate detachment of the cover 15 from the casing 14. The power supply means 12 includes wiring 18 extending out from the rear of 10 the casing 14 and includes a plug 19 at a free end of the wiring 18. The preferred form of wiring 18 and plug 19 can be appreciated from Figure 2. The plug 19 is to be located within a socket 20 formed on a rear surface of the second housing 4. This provides electrical power to at least the clutch. The location of the socket on the rear surface of the second housing can be 15 appreciated from Figure 3. It is preferred that the rim lock assembly 1 include a visual indicator 21 that is visible from an inner side of the door 2, to indicate the condition of an electrical lock means controlling the operation of the second actuator. Figure 3 illustrates an LED 21 that is visible through an aperture formed in a front face of the cover 20 15. The LED 21 may be energised when the electrical lock means is in an inactive condition. Other forms of visual indicator are clearly possible. The rim lock assembly according to the invention includes an electrical lock means 23 for controlling operation of the second actuator 8. Any form of electrical lock means 23 would be suitable. The preferred form of electrical lock 25 means includes a digital keypad 24 that interacts with a programmable memory device. The programmable memory device preferable stores an access code that is selected by the user. The digital keypad 24 provides a user interface to allow the user to input their preferred access code or to adjust the access code. The form of user interface may vary from a digital keypad and could alternatively 30 include a key tag, biometrical reader or the like. The programmable memory device may allow for multiple access codes. When in use, entry of the correct access code will result in the electrical lock means 23 adopting an inactive 10 condition. In turn this results in energisation of the motor within the clutch. When the clutch is in an engaged condition rotation of the second hand engageable member 7 will result in rotation of the tail bar 11 causing retraction of the latch bolt. 5 The programmable memory device may also be capable of operating in a passage mode whereby whilst in passage mode the motor of the clutch remains energised. In this condition any user may rotate the second hand engageable member 7 without requiring the input of the access code through the digital keypad 24. 10 It is preferred that the electrical lock means include a reset switch 25. It is particularly preferred that the reset switch be located on an inner side of the door and in particular forming part of the casing (see figure 3). The reset switch 25 illustrated can only be accessed once the cover 15 has been removed. The reset switch 25 allows for resetting of the programmable memory device so as 15 to, for example, adjust the access code. The electrical lock means 23 is preferably powered by the electrical power supply means 12, however this may not be the only source of power. It ought to be appreciated from the foregoing that the second actuator assembly 8 and second housing 4 located on the outer side of the door could be retrofitted 20 to a rim lock assembly such as that described in Australian paten 702534. The casing 14 can be attached to the inner side of the door 2 by a number of fasteners, and also to the second housing 4 (see figure 1). Furthermore by locating the casing 14 incorporating the power supply 12 and reset switch 25 on the inner side of the door makes it more difficult for the rim lock assembly 1 to 25 be tampered with from the outer side of the door. Various alterations and/or additions may be introduced to the rim lock assembly as hereinbefore described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims (33)

1. A rim lock assembly for use on a door, the rim lock assembly including a first housing for attachment to an inner face of the door, a latchbolt movable 5 relative to a side of the first housing between an extended latching position and a retracted release position, a first actuator including a first hand engagable member operable from an inner side of the door to cause movement of the latchbolt from the extended position, a mechanical lock means operable from the inner side of the door that when in an active condition renders the first 10 actuator inoperable, a second actuator including a second hand engagable member being operable from an outer side of the door to cause movement of the latchbolt from the extended position, an electrical lock means operable from an outer side of the door that when in an active condition renders the second actuator inoperable, and an electrical power supply means including a battery 15 located adjacent the first housing for supplying power to the electrical lock means.

2. A rim lock assembly according to claim 1 including a casing which accommodates the battery, the casing being attachable to the inner face of the 20 door adjacent the first housing.

3. A rim lock assembly according to claim 1 or 2 including a cover which is locatable to substantially cover the housing and the casing. 25

4. A rim lock assembly according to claim 3 wherein the cover is detachably connectable to the casing, whereby the battery is accessible for replacement when the cover is detached from the casing.

5. A rim lock assembly according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the casing 30 includes at least one latch means for latching onto the cover.

6. A rim lock assembly according to claim 5 wherein the power supply means includes wiring connecting the battery to the electrical lock means, the <filename> 12 wiring including a plug for attachment to a socket forming part of the electrical lock means.

7. A rim lock according to any one of the preceding claims including a visual 5 indicator visible from the inner side of the door for indicating the condition of the electrical lock means.

8. A rim lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical lock means includes and a programmable memory device 10 for storing at least an access code and a user interface for inputting the access code whereby the electrical lock means adopts an inactive condition when the access code is received by the programmable memory device.

9. A rim lock assembly according to claim 8 including a reset switch located 15 on the inner side of the door that when actuated allows at least the access code to be reset.

10. A rim lock assembly according to claim 9 when dependent upon any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein actuation of the reset switch is prevented while the 20 cover is attached to the casing.

11. A rim lock assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the user interface includes a key pad for inputting the access code. 25

12. A rim lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical lock means includes a clutch that operably interacts with the second hand engagable member and the latchbolt so that when the electrical lock means is in an inactive condition the clutch is in an engaged condition whereby a retraction force caused by rotation of the second hand 30 engagable member is transferred through the clutch to retract the latchbolt, and when the electrical lock means is in an active condition the clutch is in a disengaged condition whereby the retraction force is not transferred through the clutch. <filename> 13

13. A rim lock assembly according to claim 12 wherein the clutch is a powered clutch that is energised by the electrical power supply means to adjust the condition of the clutch. 5

14. A rim lock assembly according to claim 13 wherein the electric lock means includes a motor to adjust the condition of the clutch and the clutch includes a biasing means that acts against the operation of the motor.

15. A rim lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 10 including a deadlocking means which interacts with the mechanical lock means whereby when the mechanical lock means is in an active condition the latchbolt is in a deadlocked condition.

16. A rim lock assembly according to claim15 including lock release means 15 which is responsive to operation of the second actuator whereby rotation of the second hand engagable member moving the latchbolt to the retracted position causes the deadlocking means to adjust from the deadlocked condition and causes the mechanical lock means to adopt an inactive condition. 20

17. An electrically controlled actuator assembly for forming part of a rim lock assembly for use on a door, the rim lock assembly including a first housing for attachment to an inner face of the door, a latchbolt movable relative to a side of the first housing between an extended latching position and a retracted release position, a first actuator including a first hand engagable member operable from 25 an inner side of the door to cause movement of the latchbolt from the extended position, a mechanical lock means operable from the inner side of the door that when in an active condition renders the first actuator inoperable, the electrically controlled actuator assembly including a second actuator including a second hand engagable member being operable from an outer side of the door to cause 30 movement of the latchbolt from the extended position, an electrical lock means operable from the outer side of the door that when in an active condition renders the second actuator inoperable, and an electrical power supply means including a battery located adjacent the first housing for supplying power to the electrical lock means. <filename> 14

18. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to claim 17 including a casing which accommodates the battery, the casing being attachable to the inner face of the door adjacent the first housing. 5

19. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to 17 or 18 including a cover which is locatable to substantially cover the housing and the casing. 10

20. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to claim 19 wherein the cover is detachably connectable to the casing, whereby the battery is accessible for replacement when the cover is detached from the casing.

21. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to claim 19 or 20 15 wherein the casing includes at least one latch means for latching onto the cover.

22. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to claim 21 wherein the power supply means includes wiring connecting the battery to the electrical lock means, the wiring including a plug for attachment to a socket 20 forming part of the electrical lock means.

23. An electrically controlled actuator assembly to any one of claims 17 to 22 including a visual indicator visible from the inner side of the door for indicating the condition of the electrical lock means. 25

24. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein the electrical lock means includes and a programmable memory device for storing at least an access code and a user interface for inputting the access code whereby the electrical lock means adopts an inactive 30 condition when the access code is received by the programmable memory device. <filename> 15

25. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to claim 24 including a reset switch located on the inner side of the door that when actuated allows at least the access code to be reset. 5

26. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to claim 25 when dependent upon any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein actuation of the reset switch is prevented while the cover is attached to the casing.

27. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to any one of 10 claims 24 to 26 wherein the user interface includes a key pad for inputting the access code.

28. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 27 wherein the electrical lock means includes a clutch that operably 15 interacts with the second hand engagable member and the latchbolt so that when the electrical lock means is in an inactive condition the clutch is in an engaged condition whereby a retraction force caused rotation of the second hand engagable member is transferred through the clutch to retract the latchbolt, and when the electrical lock means is in an active condition the clutch 20 is in a disengaged condition whereby the retraction force is no transferred through the clutch.

29. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to claim 28 wherein the clutch is a powered clutch that is energised by the electrical power 25 supply means to adjust the condition of the clutch.

30. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to claim 29 wherein the clutch includes a biasing means that acts against the operation of the motor. 30

31. An electrically controlled actuator assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 30 including a deadlocking means which interacts with the mechanical lock means whereby when the mechanical lock means is in an active condition the latchbolt is in a deadlocked condition. <filename> 16

32. A rim lock assembly for use on a door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5

33. An electrically controlled actuator assembly for forming a part of a rim lock assembly for use on a door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. <filename>