1 A LOCK REMOTE CONTROL AND A LOCK ARRANGEMENT Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a lock remote control and a lock arrangement. [0002] The invention has been primarily developed for use with an electrically powered lock having passage, privacy and deadlock modes. However, the invention is not limited to this particular application and is suitable for use with electrically powered having more than three operational modes or controllable features. Background of the Invention [0003] Remote control of electrically powered locks is known. An example of a remotely controllable lock is that marketed under the Trade Mark: NEXION by Lockwood Security Pty Ltd. The NEXION lock can operate in three modes: passage mode; safety (i.e. privacy); and secure (i.e. deadlock). [0004] The remote control for the NEXION lock has two buttons, one with a locked symbol and one with an unlocked symbol. The NEXION lock is placed into deadlock mode by pressing the lock button. Pressing the unlock button selects passage mode. The lock will also revert back to safety mode after 6 seconds. Pressing the unlock button will also select safety mode, but only when the lock is already in passage mode. The NEXION lock will then switch to passage mode and then switch to safety mode after 6 seconds. [0005] The NEXION lock and remote control have several disadvantages. Firstly, the NEXION remote control is difficult and counter-intuitive to operate as the user must know which mode the lock is in in order to recognize that they must press the unlock button twice in order to select safety mode. Secondly, the NEXION lock also uses differently coloured lights and different sounds to indicate the mode selected. However, the colour or sound for each mode must be memorised to be useful. The NEXION lock must also be in visual and hearing range when the remote control is operated for these indicators to be useful.
2 Object of the Invention [0006] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages. Summary of the Invention [0007] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a lock remote control including first, second and third input devices adapted upon activation to cause issuance of first, second and third control signals respectively, the first, second and third control signals adapted to cause a lock to configure in a first, second and third mode respectively. [0008] The remote control preferably includes a fourth input device adapted upon activation to cause issuance of a fourth control signal. [0009] The first, second and third control signals issue in response to manual activation of the first, second and third input devices respectively, most preferably depression of the first, second and third input devices. [0010] The first, second and third modes are preferably passage, privacy and deadlock respectively. [0011] The first, second and third input devices are preferably buttons, most preferably with a visual indicator of passage, privacy and deadlock modes respectively thereon. [0012] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a lock arrangement including: a lock operable in passage, privacy and deadlock modes; and a remote control with first, second and third input devices adapted upon activation to cause issuance of first, second and third control signals respectively, the first, second and third control signals adapted to cause the lock to configure in passage, privacy and deadlock mode respectively.
3 Brief Description of the Drawings [0013] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings: [0014] Fig. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a lock remote control; [0015] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a lock; and [0016] Fig. 3 is a top view of a second embodiment of a lock remote control. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0017] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a lock remote control 10. The remote control 10 has a generally elongate housing 12 with an opening 14 at one end for connection to a key ring or the like. The remote control 10 has first, second and third buttons 16, 18 and 20 respectively. The first button 16 has a symbol indicative of passage mode. The second button 18 has a symbol indicative of privacy mode. The third button 20 has a symbol indicative of deadlock mode. [0018] Fig. 2 shows schematically an electrically powered lock 22 able to operate in passage, privacy and deadlock modes. The construction and operation of such locks are understood by persons skilled in the art. The lock 22 includes a receiver 24. Together the remote control 10 and the 22 form a lock arrangement. [0019] When a user presses the first button 16 the remote control 10 issues a first signal which is received by the receiver 24 and causes the lock 22 to operate in passage mode. When a user presses the second button 18 the remote control 10 issues a second signal which is received by the receiver 24 and causes the lock 22 to operate in privacy mode. When a user pushes the third button 20 the remote control 10 issues a third signal which is received by the receiver 24 and causes the lock 22 to operate in deadlock mode. [0020] Advantageously, a user does not need to be aware of the existing mode of the lock 22 in order to select any particular mode given the presence of a button associated with each of the modes. Each mode can simply be selected by pressing the button associated with that mode, 4 which is easily discernable by the symbols on each button. Accordingly, the remote control 10 is far easier to operate correctly by users having no former knowledge or instruction in relation to the lock arrangement, by users in distressing situations or by users that are visually or hearing impaired or that are not within visual or hearing range of the lock 22. [0021] Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of lock remote control 30. The lock remote control 30 is similar to the lock remote control 10 previously described and like features have been indicated with like reference numerals. However, the remote control 30 also includes a fourth button 32 which, upon pressing, issues a fourth control signal to control another aspect of the lock 22 other than the passage, privacy and deadlock modes previously discussed. This advantageously allows other functions of the lock 22 to be controlled, without requiring a second remote control. [0022] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.