AU2413201A

AU2413201A - A lock

Info

Publication number: AU2413201A
Application number: AU24132/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James Malcolm Granville; Neil Richard Hingston
Original assignee: Loktronic Industries Ltd
Current assignee: LOKTRONIC INDUSTRIES Ltd
Priority date: 1999-12-17
Filing date: 2000-12-18
Publication date: 2001-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-18
Also published as: CN1246559C; HK1057912A1; DE10085310T1; TW414826B; CN1433497A; WO2001044604A1; AU784880B2

Description

WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 A LOCK Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to a lock. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to an electric lock that senses when the bolt is deadbolted or not and further relates to an electric lock which is configurable in a power to lock and power to unlock mode. 10 This invention includes improvements of our lock described in international publication number WO 99/34079. The publication WO 99/34079 is therefore herein incorporated in its entirety where appropriate. 15 Background Of the Invention Many electric locks have been developed that provide remote operation and control of the locking action. These locks may generally 20 be grouped as nominally unlocked, or power to lock and nominally locked, or power to unlock. The lock described in WO 99/34079 is configurable in either power to lock or power to unlock modes. Therefore, only one type of lock needs to be stocked to cover both applications of power to lock and power to unlock. 25 Electric locks may include, as part of the locking mechanism a toggle, or similar device driven by a solenoid, whereby the lock becomes deadbolted once extended beyond a certain point. The bolt of the deadbolted lock can not then be pushed back into the lock manually by 30 pushing on the bolt. Once the lock has become deadbolted, the lock is secure. Similarly, on retraction of the bolt, once the bolt has been retracted past a certain point, the lock becomes not deadbolted. For security monitoring, it may be required to sense the operation 35 of the lock. The lock described in WO 99/34079 senses operation of the lock by means of a switch, which detects when the solenoid is actuated and the bolt extended. This provides an accurate measurement of whether the lock is deadbolted when the lock is in power to lock mode as WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 2 the end of the actuation of the solenoid substantially corresponds to the deadbolting of the lock. However, in power to unlock mode, the switch is only triggered when the bolt is mostly retracted. Therefore, accurate measurement of when the bolt changes to or from deadbolt state is not 5 achieved in power to unlock mode. Accurate measurement of when the bolt is deadbolted or not, rather than when the lock has been substantially fully extended or retracted may be required for security purposes. 10 Many electronically controlled locks may be overridden either by electronic means, mechanically or using a combination of both mechanical and electrical means. This may be required in certain circumstances when the lock must be locked or unlocked independent of the primary electronic controls. Typically such override systems 15 incorporate some type of security mechanism such as a keyway or identification means. For security reasons, the supervisor of the lock, whether it be a manual or automatic supervisor, may require notification as soon as a lock changes between being deadbolted or not and whether the cause of the change was due to remote controlled operation or 20 mechanical or electrical override. Accordingly, it is an object of one embodiment of the present invention to provide an electric lock with means to accurately sense whether the lock is deadbolted or one which overcomes or alleviates 25 problems in locks at present or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. It is an alternative object of one embodiment of the present invention to provide an electric lock which is alternatively configurable 30 to either require power for the lock to lock or require power for the lock to unlock and which provides accurate sensing of when the lock is deadbolted, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. It is a further alternative object of one embodiment of the present 35 invention to provide an electric lock with sensing means to detect when the lock has been overridden manually or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 3 Other objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description. 5 Summary Of The Invention According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock including a bolt, which is extendible and retractable to lock or unlock the lock respectively, the lock configurable as either 10 nominally locked or nominally unlocked, wherein the lock is deadbolted when the bolt is extended beyond a certain extent and not deadbolted otherwise, the lock including: - actuation means adapted to either retract the bolt when the lock is nominally locked or extend the bolt when the lock is 15 nominally unlocked by moving from a first to a second position, - sensing means to sense, in use, a transition when the lock changes to or from being deadbolted. 20 Preferably, the sensing means may detect the position of the actuation means. Preferably, the sensing means may be configurable to detect either when the actuation means is in a third or a fourth position, wherein 25 the third and fourth position correspond to the transition between the lock being deadbolted or not deadbolted, when the lock is nominally locked or nominally unlocked respectively. Preferably, the actuation means may be electronically controlled 30 and more preferably, the actuation means includes a solenoid. Preferably, the lock may include a further actuation means adapted to unlock the lock independent of the operation of the actuation means. 35 Preferably, the lock may include a further sensing means to sense, in use, whether the lock has been operated by the actuation means WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 4 or by the further actuation means. Preferably, the further actuation means may unlock the lock by mechanically moving the actuation means when the lock is nominally 5 locked, wherein the further actuation means may be reconfigured corresponding to whether the lock is nominally locked or nominally unlocked so that the mechanical operation of the further actuation means to move the actuation means is disabled when the further actuation means is configured corresponding to when the lock is nominally 10 unlocked. Preferably, the further actuation means may include a removable control member, which in use engages with the actuation means to unlock the lock, wherein the control member is removed when the lock 15 is configured as nominally unlocked. Preferably. the lock may include a controller operable, in use, to unlock the lock when the lock is configured as nominally unlocked by ceasing or interrupting a supply of power to the actuation means on 20 detection by the further sensing means of the actuation of the further actuation means. In one preferred form, the sensing means may include a single sensor, wherein the sensor is locatable in a first and a second position to 25 sense when the actuation means is either in the third or the fourth position respectively. Preferably, the actuation means may include a sensing means engagement portion locatable in a first and a second position to engage 30 with the sensing means when the actuation means is in the third or fourth position respectively. In an alternative form, the sensing means may include two sensors or sensing areas, one adapted to sense when the actuation means 35 is in the third position and one to sense when the actuation means is in the fourth position.

WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 5 Preferably, the sensing means and/or further sensing means may include at least one switch. Preferably, the lock may include a protrusion extending from the 5 actuation means, wherein the sensing means senses the position of the protrusion. Preferably , the protrusion may be locatable in two positions along the axis along which the actuation means moves to retract or 10 extend the bolt Preferably, the actuation means may include a first and a second engagement portion adapted to engage said protrusion, the first and second engagement portions located to position the protrusion so that the 15 sensing means is operated by the protrusion to detect the transition of the lock to or from being deadbolted when the lock is configured as nominally locked or nominally unlocked respectively. Preferably, the first and second engagement portions may be 20 located on a rod extending along the axis that the actuation means moves to retract or extend the bolt and the protrusion may be a cam or e-clip. Preferably, the lock may include communication means to communicate when the lock changes to or from being deadbolted to a 25 receiver and more preferably, the communication means may also be adapted to communicate whether the lock was unlocked by the actuation means or further actuation means. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is 30 provided a method of detecting when a lock is deadbolted, the lock including a bolt extendible and retractable by a bolt actuation means moving between a first and second position to lock and unlock the lock respectively, wherein the lock is deadbolted when the bolt is extended beyond a certain extent and not deadbolted otherwise, and wherein the 35 lock is configurable as either nominally locked or nominally unlocked, the method including providing a sensing means and locating the sensing means to sense when the lock is in a transition of being deadbolted or not WO 01/44604 PCT/NZ00/00253 6 deadbolted and using an output from the sensing means to detect when the lock is deadbolted. Preferably, the method may include locating the sensing means 5 to sense when the bolt actuation means is in a position corresponding to the transition of the lock between being deadbolted and not deadbolted. Preferably, the method may include communicating a change in the state of the lock to or from being deadbolted to a supervisor or 10 controller. Preferably, the method may include changing the position and/or orientation of the sensing means between two positions when reconfiguring the lock to detect either when the actuation means is in a 15 third position corresponding to a transition of the lock to or from being deadbolted when the lock is nominally locked or in a fourth position corresponding to a transition of the lock to or from being deadbolted when the lock is nominally unlocked. 20 Preferably, the method may include changing the sensed portion of the actuation means sensed by the sensing means from a first to a second location when reconfiguring the lock to reduce or minimise the change in location of the sensing means. 25 Preferably, the first and second locations may be displaced along an axis of movement of the actuation means. Preferably, the method may further include providing at least one switch as the sensing means. 30 Further aspects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 35 Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1: Shows a perspective view of an electric WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 7 lock in power to unlock mode according to one aspect of the present invention. Figure 2: Shows a second perspective view of an 5 electric lock in power to unlock mode according to one aspect of the present invention. Figures 3A-D: Show schematic representations of a side 10 view of the lock during remote operation in power to unlock mode. Figures 4A-D: Show schematic representations of a side view of the lock during override operation 15 in power to unlock mode. Figures 5A-D: Show schematic representations of a side view of the lock during remote operation in power to lock mode. 20 Detailed Description of the Invention Referring first to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a 25 schematic representation of an electric lock, generally referenced by arrow I is shown. The lock includes actuation means including a faceplate 2 through which a bolt 3, housed within housing 20 may protrude to engage with a strike plate (not shown). 30 The lock 1 includes an electric actuator 4 contained within and supported by a housing 5, a connecting rod 6 and pivotal link 7 (see Figure 2) acting between the electric actuator 4 and the bolt 3. The pivotal link 7 pivots about a fixed pivot 8, thereby extending and retracting the bolt 3 depending on the direction of rotation of the pivotal 35 link 7. A solenoid rod pin 16 extends from the actuator 4 and out of the WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 8 housing 5. A cam or e-clip 9 is attached to the rod pin 16 and a first switch 10 is positioned so as to be switched by the e-clip 9 as it moves towards or away from the switch 10. It will be appreciated that any other sensing means may be used instead of the switch 10 including, but not 5 limited to proximity sensors, magnetic sensors and optical sensors. Furthermore, the e-clip 9 may be replaced by any appropriate protrusion or other part or device detectable by the sensing means. A second actuator or control means 11, in this embodiment a 10 keyway, is mounted at a distal end of a chassis 12, which includes a pin or control member 13 near its end. The control member 13 controls the movement of the actuator 4 through the engagement means 14. When the control means 11 is rotated, thereby moving the chassis 12 and control member 13, the actuator 4 is moved in direction A, thereby 15 retracting the bolt 3. A suitable housing 17 is provided to support the control means 11. The chassis 12 includes a protrusion 18 which engages with a second switch 19. The second switch 19 senses when the control means 20 11 is used to operate the lock 1 and also allows electrical override of the lock 1 as described later herein. Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of the lock 1. The connecting rod 6 and pivotal link 7 are pivotally connected by a 25 connecting pivot 15. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the engineering arts that the action of the actuator 4, connecting rod 6 and pivotal link 7 causes the bolt to become deadbolted once it is extended beyond a certain point. Before that point, the bolt 3 may be retracted back into faceplate 2 by pushing the end of bolt 3. Therefore, for 30 security reasons it may be required to sense when the lock becomes deadbolted and when it becomes not deadbolted. Figures 3A-D show the remote operation of the lock by controlling actuator 4 in nominally locked or power to unlock mode. In 35 Figure 3A, the bolt 3 is fully extended and actuator 4 is in a first or nominal position. In Figure 3B, actuator 4 has moved slightly in direction A and e-clip 9 has moved sufficiently to change the state of WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 9 switch 10. This position corresponds to the transition of the bolt 3 becoming not deadbolted. Figures 3C and 3D show the acutator 4 moving fully in direction 5 A, thereby fully retracting bolt 3. As chassis 12 does not move, switch 19 does not change state, indicating that the operation of the lock has been caused by the operation of actuator 4. Referring now to Figures 4A-D, the override operation of the 10 lock configured in nominally locked or power to unlock mode is shown. In Figure 4A, the bolt 3 is fully extended and actuator 4 is in a first or nominal position. In Figure 4B, the control means 11 has been rotated, moving the chassis 12 and control member 13 to the left and hence moving the actuator 4 to the left and slightly retracting the bolt 3. Figure 15 4B illustrates the position of the bolt 3 when the lock makes the transition from being deadbolted to not deadbolted. Therefore, to detect this change in status, the switch 10 and e-clip 9 are positioned so that the state of the switch 10 is changed at this point. At substantially the same point, protrusion 18 causes switch 19 to change state. By sensing the 20 state of switch 19, indication that the lock 1 has been unlocked by control means 11 is given. Figures 4C and 4D show the bolt 3 being further retracted until the actuation means has moved to a second position and the bottom of 25 the bolt lies flush or above the faceplate 2. Of course, in extending the bolt 3 out from faceplate 2, the switch 10 will change state again at the point where the lock becomes deadbolted. Therefore, the switch 10 provides an effective means of sensing when the lock is deadbolted. Furthermore, switch 19 indicates when the control means 11 is used to 30 lock the lock 1. If the connecting rod 6 and pivotal link 7 are inverted so that connecting pivot 15 was below rod pin 16, then the bolt would be fully retracted when the actuator 4 was in the first position and fully extended 35 when the actuator 4 was in the second position. In this configuration, the state of switch 10 would not be changed as the lock made the transition from being deadbolted or not, instead it would be triggered WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 10 approximately when the bolt was in the position shown in Figures 3C and 4C. This would provide an inaccurate indication of when the lock was deadbolted. 5 Therefore, to configure the sensing means for correct operation when the lock is configured as power to lock, the switch 10 is reversed to face to the right and the e-clip 9 is repositioned along the solenoid rod pin 16 (see Figure 5). Switch 19 remains in the same position. Two recesses 21, 22 are provided in the rod pin 16 to position and hold the e 10 clip 9, recess 21 used when the lock 1 is configured as power to unlock and recess 22 used when the lock 1 is configured as power to lock. The housing 5 provides support for the rod pin 16 to help prevent the rod pin 16 being bent during the repositioning of e-clip 9. 15 Referring now to Figures 5A-D, the actuator 4 is shown in the first position, which would correspond to the nominal position of a solenoid, and the bolt 3 is fully retracted. As power is applied to the actuator 4 and it moves in direction A, the bolt 3 is extended out from the faceplate 2 until it reaches the transition where the lock I becomes 20 deadbolted. This transition corresponds to the position shown in Figure 5C. In Figure 5C, the actuator 4 is in a position whereby the e-clip 9 is in contact with switch 10 and the state of the switch 10 is changed. In Figure 5D. the actuator 4 has completed moving to the second 25 position and the bolt 3 is fully extended. Of course, the state of the switch 10 will change again as the bolt 3 is retracted and will indicate when the lock 1 is no longer deadbolted. Control means I1 may also be used in this configuration to 30 retract the bolt 3. In power to lock mode, the override mechanism is electrical rather than mechanical. Therefore, the control member 13 is removed to avoid it stopping the lock 1 from becoming unlocked when the electrical override is operated. The control member 13 may be stored within the lock 1 in any appropriate position, and may for example, be 35 screwed into the housing 5. When the control means 11 is rotated, the chassis 12 moves in WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 11 direction A. This causes a change in state of the switch 19. In power to lock mode, the switch 19 controls the supply of power to the actuator 4. Therefore, when the state of the switch 19 changes due to movement in direction A of chassis 12, power is cut to the actuator 4 and the actuator 5 4 returns to its nominal position, retracting the bolt 3 and unlocking the lock 1. Switch 10 indicates when the lock becomes not deadbolted. Thus, when the control means 11 is used to lock or unlock electric lock 1, the switch 10 senses the moment the lock I changes to 10 either become deadbolted or not deadbolted. The switch 10 may be connected to a communication means which could signal a controller or supervisor that the status of the lock 1 has changed. The switch 19 indicates whether the lock has been operated by control means 11. A controller may be signalled regarding the status of the lock 1, or the 15 controller may interrogate the lock I or directly interrogate the status of the switch 10 in order to ascertain whether the lock 1 is in a deadbolted state. If after an attempt to lock or unlock the lock 1, switch 10 does not indicate a change in status of the lock 1 to or from being deadbolted, the controller may attempt to lock or unlock the lock 1 after a predetermined 20 delay. If after a specified number of attempts the lock still has not changed states, an alarm may sound or a communication sent to a supervisor. The controller may be located on the lock 1, local to the lock 1 or at a central location. The controller may be in communication and control one or a plurality of locks 1. 25 In an alternative embodiment, two sensing means, or a sensing means capable of sensing two positions of the e-clip may be used instead of repositioning switch 10. In the case of two switches 10 being used, one may be positioned in each location shown in Figures 3 and 5. Of 30 course space considerations may require an alternative sensing means from the switch shown Figures 3 and 5. A function selector, for example a jumper may determine which switch 10 is active, depending on whether the lock is configured in a power to lock or power to unlock mode. If one e-clip 9 is used, it is repositioned depending on the 35 required configuration of the lock. Of course, if two e-clips 9 are used, they will not need to be moved and can be permanently secured to the solenoid rod pin 8. This may reduce the risk that the rod pin 8 is bent.

WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 12 In a further alternative embodiment, a first switch 10 or other sensing means may be positioned as shown in Figure 3 and a second switch (not shown) positioned towards direction A from the first switch 5 and is oriented in the opposite direction. In this embodiment, only a single e-clip 9 or equivalent device is required and the e-clip does not need to be moved. The first switch 10 is used to sense the transition to and from deadbolt when the lock 1 is in power to unlock mode and the second switch is used to sense when the lock is in power to lock mode. 10 Thus, there is provided a lock 1 which can sense the transition between when the lock 1 is deadbolted or not and how the lock was operated, either by electronic remote control or override by local control means. This information can be used, for example, to notify a central 15 supervisor or controller, set off an alarm, or create a record in log. It is envisaged that the lock 1 will have particular application in situations when security is important. Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to 20 specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Although this invention has been described by way of example 25 and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lock including a bolt, which is extendible and retractable to lock or unlock the lock respectively, the lock configurable as either 5 nominally locked or nominally unlocked, wherein the lock is deadbolted when the bolt is extended beyond a certain extent and not deadbolted otherwise, the lock including: - actuation means adapted to either retract the bolt when the lock is nominally locked or extend the bolt when the lock is 10 nominally unlocked by moving from a first to a second position; and - sensing means to sense, in use, a transition when the lock changes to or from being deadbolted. 15

2. A lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing means detects the position of the actuation means.

3. A lock as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensing means is configurable to detect either when the actuation means is in a third or 20 a fourth position, wherein the third and fourth position correspond to the transition between the lock being deadbolted or not deadbolted, when the lock is nominally locked or nominally unlocked respectively. 25

4. A lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuation means is electronically controlled.

5. A lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein the actuation means includes a solenoid. 30

6. A lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lock includes a further actuation means adapted to unlock the lock independent of the operation of the actuation means. 35

7. A lock as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lock includes a further sensing means to sense, in use, whether the lock has been operated by the actuation means or by the further actuation means. WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 14

8. A lock as claimed in either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the further actuation means unlocks the lock by mechanically moving the actuation means when the lock is nominally locked, wherein the 5 further actuation means is reconfigurable corresponding to whether the lock is nominally locked or nominally unlocked so that the mechanical operation of the further actuation means to move the actuation means is disabled when the further actuation means is configured corresponding to when the lock is nominally unlocked. 10

9. A lock as claimed in claim 8, wherein the further actuation means includes a removable control member, which in use engages with the actuation means to unlock the lock, wherein the control member is removed when the lock is configured as nominally unlocked. 15

10. A lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock includes a controller operable, in use, to unlock the lock when the lock is configured as nominally unlocked by ceasing or interrupting a supply of power to the actuation means on detection by 20 the further sensing means of the actuation of the further actuation means.

11. A lock as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the sensing means includes a single sensor, wherein the sensor is locatable in a 25 first and a second position to sense when the actuation means is either in the third or the fourth position respectively.

12. A lock as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the actuation means includes a sensing means engagement portion locatable in a 30 first and a second position to engage with the sensing means when the actuation means is in the third or fourth position respectively.

13. A lock as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the sensing means includes two sensors or sensing areas, one adapted to sense 35 when the actuation means is in the third position and one to sense when the actuation means is in the fourth position. WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 15

14. A lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensing means includes at least one switch.

15. A lock as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the further 5 sensing means includes at least one switch.

16. A lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock includes a protrusion extending from the actuation means, wherein the sensing means senses the position of the protrusion. 10

17. A lock as claimed in claim 16, wherein the protrusion is locatable in two positions along the axis along which the actuation means moves to retract or extend the bolt. 15

18. A lock as claimed in claim 17, wherein the actuation means includes a first and a second engagement portion adapted to engage said protrusion, the first and second engagement portions located to position the protrusion so that the sensing means is operated by the protrusion to detect the transition of the lock to or from being 20 deadbolted when the lock is configured as nominally locked or nominally unlocked respectively.

19. A lock as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first and second engagement portions are located on a rod extending along the axis 25 that the actuation means moves to retract or extend the bolt and wherein the protrusion is a cam or e-clip.

20. A lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock includes communication means to communicate when the lock 30 changes to or from being deadbolted to a receiver

21. A lock as claimed in claim 20, wherein the communication means is adapted to communicate whether the lock was unlocked by the actuation means or further actuation means. 35

22. A method of detecting when a lock is deadbolted, the lock including a bolt extendible and retractable by a bolt actuation means moving WO 01/44604 PCT/NZO0/00253 16 between a first and second position to lock and unlock the lock respectively, wherein the lock is deadbolted when the bolt is extended beyond a certain extent and not deadbolted otherwise, and wherein the lock is configurable as either nominally locked or 5 nominally unlocked, the method including providing a sensing means and locating the sensing means to sense when the lock is in a transition of being deadbolted or not deadbolted and using an output from the sensing means to detect when the lock is deadbolted or not deadbolted. 10

23. The method of claim 22, further including locating the sensing means to sense when the bolt actuation means is in a position corresponding to the transition of the lock between being deadbolted and not deadbolted. 15

24. The method of either claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the method further includes communicating a change in the state of the lock to or from being deadbolted to a supervisor or controller. 20

25. The method of any one of claims 22 to 24, further including changing the position and/or orientation of the sensing means between two positions when reconfiguring the lock to detect either when the actuation means is in a third position corresponding to a transition of the lock to or from being deadbolted when the lock is 25 nominally locked or in a fourth position corresponding to a transition of the lock to or from being deadbolted when the lock is nominally unlocked.

26. The method of claim 25 further including changing the sensed 30 portion of the actuation means sensed by the sensing means from a first to a second location when reconfiguring the lock to reduce or minimise the change in location of the sensing means.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first and second locations of the 35 sensed portion are displaced along an axis of movement of the actuation means. WO 01/44604 PCT/NZOO/00253 17

28. The method of any one of claims 22 to 28, further including providing at least one switch as the sensing means.

29. A lock substantially as herein described with reference to the 5 accompanying drawings.

30. A method of detecting when a lock is deadbolted substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10