AU657349B2 - Remote controlled lock - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 657349 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Application Number: Lodged: Class Int. Class Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: *r a *a S a.

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Applicant(s): OGDEN INDUSTRIES PTY. LTD., Edward Street, Huntingdale, Victoria 3166,

AUSTRALIA

Address for Service is: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "REMOTE CONTROLLED LOCK" Our Ref: 226470 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): 1 REMOTE CONTROLLED LOCK This invention relates to locks of the kind including a bolt which is movable between lock and unlock conditions. Such locks are commonly used to secure doors and the like in a closed position. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with particular reference to door locks, but it is to be understood that the invention has other uses.

Solenoid controlled locks are known, and examples are described in the specifications of U.S. patents 2299646, 3641396, 3907343, and 4073518. Such locks may be of either the fail safe or fail secure kind. In the former kind of lock the solenoid driven component of the lock is arranged to adopt a lock release condition in the event of a power failure. In the latter kind of lock, the solenoid driven component is arranged to adopt a lock *o secure condition in the event of power failure.

U o: A difficulty with prior solenoid controlled locks is that a different mechanism is generally required for the 20 fail safe and the fail secure kinds respectively. Another problem is that prior systems incorporating such locks have not been able to conveniently monitor the status of the lock, or the door with which the lock is associated.

o* In particular, separate means is generally required to monitor the lock condition and the door condition respectively. Furthermore, remote controlled locks which incorporate a manual override facility, do not have means for monitoring that manual override.

It is an object of the present invention to provide 30 a remote controllable lock of relatively simple form, and in particular such a lock which can be adapted for either fail safe or fail secure operation by use of the same components. it i anothr bject ofe th invontion, pprovide improved means for monitoring the -nd-ion of a lock, and the condition of the ossciated door, from a remote location. Yet er object of the invention is to provide s for achieving convenient manual override 9 Other objects and advantages of the invention will 2 be apparent from the following detailed description of one particular form of lock which incorporates an embodiment of the invention.

In accordance with one- apct of the present invention, there is provided a lock assembly including, a housing, a lock bolt mounted on the housing for relative movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, locking mechanism having a detent which is movable between active and inactive positions at which it prevents and does not prevent respectively movement of said lock bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position, detent control means having biasing means and electrically operated drive means which are arranged so that the biasing means urges said detent to move from one said position thereof to the other and the drive means is operable to drive said detent from said other position towards said one position against the influence of said biasing means, and means connecting said control means to 20 said detent and permitting selection of either a first 20 connection or a second connection, wherein the relative arrangement of said control means and said detent is different in each of said connections, and the direction in which said detent moves in response to operation of oe: said drive means is different in each of said connections.

The invention also extends to locking mechanism as described above when existing separate from other parts of the lock as'Snibly as described.

*r* The biasing means, which is gener-'lly in the form of a spring, in effect has continuous influence on the detent 30 so as to urge the detent towards one of its positions, whereas the electrically operated drive means is operable on demand to cause the detent to move into the other position. That is, the drive means becomes operative when connected to a source of electrical current, and in that sense only has intermittent or occasional influence on the detent.

It is a feature of the foregoing arrangement that the detent and the control means can be associated in 9 either of two possible relationships. In one of those KH 3 relationships, the resulting unit is operable in a fail safe system, and in the other relationship the unit is operable in a fail secure system. In a preferred arrangement, a change of that relationship is achieved by simply reversing the disposition of one component relative to other components, and at least the major components of the unit have the same physical form in both arrangements.

In use, the detent is operable to either prevent or permit lock release movement of a lock bolt a latchbolt or a deadbolt. That may be achieved by either direct or indirect influence on the lock bolt. In a typical lock assembly, the lock bolt undergoes linear movement between the lock active and lock release positions, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to such an assembly. The invention is also applicable to other types of lock assemblies including those in which the operative member (bolt, tongue, undergoes rotational or pivotal movement.

20 According to another aspect-----the-i-nvent-i-on,- a lo assembly i2 provided with status response means, and hat status response means is connectable to indicato means which is operative to produce a signal represe ative of the status of the lock. In a preferre form, that indicator means also indicates the condit*dn of a door or other member with which the lock assebly is associated.

Status response means of the fore ding kind is ideally suited for use in lock assemblieshaving a deadlocking or deadlatching facility. In suh a case, a microswitch or the like connected into app priate circuitry, responds to changes in position of a eadlocking or deadlatching lever for example, and caus generation of an indicator signal when the lever is perative to deadlock or deadlatch the associated lock ssembly.

Indicat r means as referred to above may or may not be used wth the reversible detent unit as previously descri d.

/According to yet another aspect of the invention, a \39 assembly-is-prvided--w--h-deteetinmeanswhich K H KH 4 It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention by reference to a particular form of lock assembly including a linearly movable latchbolt and a deadlatching facility.

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail in the following passages of the specification which refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, however, are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into :2 2

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In the drawings: Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic illustration of one form of latch assembly to which the invention is applicable and which is shown from the front edge, and the latch assembly is shown partially exploded for convenience of illustration.

Figure 2 is a view taken along line II-II of Figure 1 and which shows the latch assembly with one side plate removed so that internal components are visible, but in which some components have been omitted for convenience of illustration.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of part of the assembly shown in Figure 2 and which shows the locking mechanism in the inactive position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the locking mechanism in the active position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the locking mechanism arranged so that the active position is adopted while the solenoid is de-energised.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the locking mechanism in the inactive position.

Figure 7 is a semi-diagrammatic view of part of the assembly shown in Figure 1 and in which the deadlocking means is shown inoperative.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing ":.the deadlocking means in an operative condition.

30 Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 but with various parts omitted for convenience of illustration and in which part of an electric circuit is shown.

Figure 10 is a front elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 9.

The latch assembly 1 shown diagrammatically in Figure i, includes inner and outer handles 2 and 3 which are interconnected through a drive shaft 4, and which are operable to cause movement of a latchbolt 5 as hereinafter 39 described. In some forms of the assembly i, the drive 6 shaft 4 may be split into two separate components so that the handles 2 and 3 are independently operable. A cylinder lock 6 is operable by a key from the outside of the assembly 1 so as to influence locking mechanism as hereinafteL described which acts on the latchbolt 5, and a turn knob 7 may have corresponding influence from the inside of the assembly 1.

The assembly 1 is, in general terms, a typical latch assembly of the kind commonly used with swinging doors, and as previously stated is not the only form of assembly to which the invention is applicable. The following description of the assembly 1 assumes that the reader has a working knowledge of latch assemblies of the kind shown.

As best seen in Figure 2, the latch bolt 5 is mounted on a housing 8 so as to be movable longitudinally between the latched position, which is shown in Figure 2, and an unlatched position at which the head 9 of the bolt is at least substantially contained within the housing 8. A biasing spring (not shown) normally urges the bolt towards the latched position. Retraction of the bolt 5 is effected through a rotatable actuator 10 which is non rotatably mounted on the drive shaft 4, and is rotated as required through manipulation of the handles 2 and 3. The drive shaft 4 is not shown in Figure 2, but in use that shaft is received in the bore 10a of square cross-sectional shape which extends through the actuator A deadlatching lever 11 of known form is pivotally mounted on the bolt 5 and is engageable with a stop plate 30 12 so as to prevent retraction of the bolt 5. The lever *4 11 swings about a pivot 13 between an operative position, as shown in Figure 2, and an inoperative position at which it is not engageabie with the stop plate 12. Rotation of the actuator 10 in the direction of arrow A causes the lever 11 to be moved into the inoperative position, in a known manner. Operation of either the cylinder lock 6 or the turn knob 7 can have the same result, and again the means for achieving that is known.

39 Locking mechanism 14 of a preferred form is shown in 7 Figures 2 to 6 of the drawings. That mechanism 14 includes a detent in the form of a bar 15, and control means 16 connected to the bar 15 and arranged to control operation of that bar 15. In the particular arrangement shown, the control means 16 includes an electrically operable solenoid 17 and a biasing spring 18. The solenoid 17 includes a coil body 19 and a shaft 20 which is axially movable within the body 19. The coil is energised by connection to a source of electrical current and thereby generates magnetic flux which influences the shaft 20 to move in one direction. When the coil is de-energised, the spring 18 operates to move the shaft in the reverse direction.

The control means 16 may be used in either a fail safe arrangement, or a fail secure arrangement, according to requirements. Figures 2 to 4 show the former arrangement, and Figures 5 and 6 show the latter. In each arrangement, the detent bar 15 is mounted withir the :ehousing 8 for relative sliding movement between an active position as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, and an inactive position as shown in Figures 3 and 6. In the particular form of the detent bar 15 as shown, that bar has a head 21 and a tail 22 which are connected through a plate section 23. Other forms of detent bar are clearly available.

Referring to the fail safe arrangement of Figures 2 to 4, the coil body 19 is secured to the housing 8 against relative movement and is disposed between the bar head 21 and tail 22. The solenoid shaft 20 is attached to the bar 15 at or adjacent the tail 22, and any suitable means may 30 be used for that purpose. In the arrangement shown, that attaching means is formed by a pin 24 which is slidable within a hole formed in the bar tail 22. The biasing spring 18 is disposed between the pin 24 and the end 25 of the coil body 19, and is arranged to urge the shaft 20 out of the body 19. A reverse arrangement is possible.

Stop means may be provided to limit the degree of relative movement between the coil body 19 and the shaft In the arrangement shown, that stop means includes a 39 recess 26 formed in the bar plate section 23. Shoulders 8 27 and 28 formed at respective ends of the recess 26 are engageable with respective ends 25 and 29 of the coil body 19 so as to define the limits of the aformentioned relative movement.

The solenoid 17 is connectible to a source of electrical current through conductor wires 30. When current is connected to the coil, the shaft 20 is drawn into the coil body 19 as shown in Figure 4, and thereby activates the mechanism 14. In the absence of such a connection, the spring 18 operates to pull the shaft out of the body 19.

When the mechanism 14 is activated, the bar head 21 is operative to prevent operation of the actuator 10 such as to cause unlatching movement of the bolt 5. In the arrangement shown, that is achieved by placement of the head 21 adjacent an abutment surface 31 of the actuator (Figure When the mechanism 14 is de-activated, the bar head 21 is lifted clear of the abutment surface 31 so that the actuator 10 can be rotated as required.

20 It is a feature of the mechanism 14 as described, that it is usable with minimum modification in each of the arrangements of Figures 2 to 4 and Figures 5 and 6, respectively. In order to adapt the mechanism 14 to the latter arrangement, it is only necessary to reverse the disposition of the coil body 19 so that the shaft projects downwards rather than upwards as in the arrangement of Figures 2 to 4. Holes 32 and 33 formed at opposite end portions of the bar 15 enable the two alternative attachments between that bar and the shaft S 30 20. That is, either hole 32 or 33 can receive the pin 24. The only other change which may be required is that a relatively weak spring 18 may be satisfactory in the Figures 5 and 6 arrangement, whereas in the arrangement of Figures 2 to 4 the spring 18 needs to be of sufficient strength to be able to lift the bar The particular latch assembly 1 shown in Figure 2 includes status response means 34 which is operative to indicate or cause an indication of the status of the lock 39 assembly 1. The status response means 34 may take any 9 suitable form, but in the example shown includes a microswitch 35 secured to the housing 8, and a switch actuator in the form of a bar 36 slidably mounted on the housing 8. The switch bar 36 is responsive to change of position of the deadlatching lever 11 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. When the lever 11 is in the inoperative position as shown in Figure 7, the switch 35 is in an open circuit condition. Movement of the lever 11 to the operative position (Figure 8) causes the bar 36 to be lifted so as to operate the switch 35, and in particular move the switch to the closed circuit condition. The switch 35 is preferably arranged to automatically adopt the open circuit condition when the bar 36 eventually moves back to the Figure 7 position.

It is preferred that the condition of the switch is observable at a control room or other remote station from which the operation of the lock assembly i, and the associated door, may be monitored. For that purpose, the switch 35 is connectable into a circuit which includes S 20 appropriate indicator means The indicator means operates to reveal the condition of the switch 35, and may be of the visible and/or audible kind. In a preferred arrangement, the indicator means is positioned remote from the lock assembly 1.

It is a feature of the arrangement shown that the :status response means 34 can be readily adapted for use with either inwardly or outwardly opening doors. Figure 2 shows the status response means 34 associated with one hand of door, whereas Figure 7 and 8 show the status e•i 30 response means 34 associated with an opposite hand of door. In Figure 2, the deadlatching lever 11 swings downwards to adopt the operative condition, whereas it swings upwards in the Figures 7 and 8 arrangement. The status response means 34 is conditioned for either hand of operation by simply reversing the terminals through which the switch 35 is connected into the associated circuitry.

Also, in the Figure 2 arrangement, the bar 36 engages edge of the lever 11, whereas it engages the opposite edge 39 39 in the Figures 7 and 8 arrangement.

10 In the particular arrangement shown diagrammatically in Figures 9 and 10, the condition of the locking mechanism 14, and particularly the solenoid 17, is revealed by a visible indicator which is observable to a person approaching the door with which the assembly 1 is associated. Such an indicator may comprise a light emitting diode 38, or other form of indicator light, mounted on or in association with the housing 8 so as to be visible at the outside, for example, of the aforementioned door. If desired, a light 38 may be provided on both the inside and the outside of the door.

The light 38 is connected by conductor wires 37 to the solenoid 17, or to means which is responsive to the status of the solenoid 17. In operation, the light 38 may be energised when the locking mechanism 14 is in the locked condition, and de-energised when the mechanism 14 is in the unlocked condition.

The condition of the associated door open or closed may be also detected by condition response means 20 41 (Figure In the arrangement shown, that response :means 41 includes a magnet 42 secured to the frame 43 which surrounds the opening controlled by the door with which the lock assembly 1 is used, and a reed switch 44 or similar device attached to the housing 8. Other arrangements may be adopted for the same purpose.

When the door is closed the reed switch 44 responds to its resulting close proximity to the magnet 42 by adopting a particular condition. The switch 44 adopts another condition when moved away from the magnet 42 as a 30 consequence of the associated door being opened. The change in condition of the switch 44 may be detected in any appropriate manner. Preferably, that switch 44 is connected into a circuit such as to cooperate with the status response means 34 in such a way that a "secure" signal is generated at the control room or other remote location only if the two conditions are satisfied. That is, the "secure" signal indicates that the door is closed and the deadlatching lever 11 is in its operative 39 condition. The individual condition of each of the 11 switches 35 and 44 may be observable or otherwise detectable at the control room or other remote station referred to, but in that event it is nevertheless preferred that a correct status or "secure" signal is detectable at that room or station only if the two relevant conditions are satisfied at the one time. That is, the lock assembly 1 is deadlatched and the associated door is closed.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to monitor operation of the lock assembly 1 from the inside by use of the inner handle 2 or the turn knob 7.

Detection means may be provided for that purpose, and such detection means may or may not be used with the mechanism 14, or the response means 34 and 41, as previously described. Figures 2 and 9 show one form of detection means 45, and other forms of detection means may be adopted.

The detection means 45 includes a microswitch 46, or 2 similar device, fixed to the housing 8, and a switch bar 20 47 mounted on a housing 8 for movement relative thereto.

A switch operator in the form of a bar 47 is arranged to respond to movement of the actuator 10, and biasing means (not shown) may operate to normally urge the bar 47 into the position shown in Figures 2 and 9. In that position, the switch 46 is conditioned to indicate no change in the condition of the lock assembly i. The switch 46 is connected into appropriate circuitry through conductor wires 48.

When the actuator 10 is turned to move the latchbolt 30 5 to the unlatched position, a finger 49 attached to the actuator 10 pushes against the bar 47 to move it to the left of the position shown in Figures 2 and 9. As a result of that movement, the bar 47 engages the switch 46 and causes a change in the condition of that switch, which is reflected through the aforementioned circuitry.

Indicator or signal means at a remote location may be part of that circuitry. The indicator or signal means may be of the visible and/or audible kind. In one arrangement 39 the indicator or signal means includes or comprises an 12 alarm system, and that system is activated or de-activated according to the condition of the switch 46.

Detection means of the foregoing kind is particularly suited for use with a lock assembly in which there is a split drive oetween the actuator 10 and the two handles 2 and 3. That is, the inner handle 2 may be operated to rotate the actuator 10 while the mechanism 14 holds the outer handle 3 against corresponding movement.

A key override facility may be incorporated in the lock assembly 1. In the particular arrangement shown, that facility includes a microswitch 50, or similar device, which is responsive to operation of the cylinder lock 6. That is, a member 51 (Figure 1) attached to the barrel lock 6 is operable to strike and actuate the switch 50 when the lock 6 is operated by a key. Actuation of the switch 50 may have any desired result. For example, it may result in de-activation of an alarm system associated with the lock assembly 1 and/or the door on which the 20 assembly 1 is mounted. Actuation of the switch 50 may be 20 also recorded permanently or temporarily at the aforementioned control room or other remote station.

Operation of the lock 6 is also effective to retract the bolt 5, and that is achieved in a known manner.

In a preferred arrangement as shown in Figures 2 and 9, each of the switches 35, 44, 46 and 50, and the light emitting diode 38, are connected to a multi-pin socket 52 attached to the rear edge of the housing 8. That enables convenient attachment of the lock assembly 1 into appropriate circuitry by means of a plug (not shown) 30 associated with that circuitry. Separation of the assembly 1 from the circuitry can be achieved with equal convenience. Obviously, the positions of the socket and the plug could be reversed so that the plug is attached to the housing 8 and the socket is part of the connectable circuit.

Each of the switches 35, 46 and 50, may be attached to an appropriate circuit board (not shown) which is mounted within the housing 8.

39 It will be apparent from the foregoing description 13 that eaoh of the various appeets of the invention provides a significant improvement over prior remote controlled locks. Uez of two e- r E-r of thoeo -a-peets- in a look acombly r -su ts- in p aiculay--uniqu-e---a-n.d.-e~.t4e asembly. The various control features are achieved with minimum expense and without significant disturbance to the general arrangement of standard mechanical components. It is particularly advantageous that switch conductor wires can be accommodated, within the lock assembly housing so as to be protected from damage.

Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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Claims (9)

1. A lock assembly including, a housing, a lock bolt mounted on the housing for relative movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, locking mechanism having a detent which is movable between active and inactive positions at which it prevents and does not prevent respectively movement of said lock bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position, detent control means having biasing means and electrically operated drive means which are arranged so that the biasing means urges said detent to move from one Eaid position thereof to the other and the drive means is operable to drive said detent from said other position towards said one position against the influence of said biasing means, and means connecting said control means to said detent and permitting selection of either a first connection or a second connection, wherein the relative arrangement of said control means and said detent is different in each of said connections, and Si. the direction in which said detent moves in response to operation of said drive means is different in each of said connections.

2. A lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a solenoid having a coil body and a shaft axially movable within said coil body, an end portion of said shaft projects beyond an end of said coil body, said coil body is attached to said housing, and said connecting means includes a releasable connection between said shaft end portion and said detent.

3. A lock assembly according to claim 2, wherein said 30 detent has a head and a tail located at respective opposite ends thereof, said coil body is attached to said housing so that said end thereof is adjacent said detent head or said detent tail according to whether said first or second connection respectively is selected, and said releasable connection is located adjacent one end or the other of the detent according to whether said first or second connection respectively is selected.

4. A lock assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein 39 said detent includes a recess, said coil body is located 15 within said recess so as to be located between opposed shoulders of said detent which are formed by said recess, and a respective one of said shoulders engages said coil body in each of said detent positions.

5. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, including actuator means which is operable to move said bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position, and said detent is arranged to render said actuator means inoperable when said detent is in said active position.

6. Locking mechanism for use in a lock assembly having a lock bolt which is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, said mechanism including a detent which is movable between active and inactive positions at which it prevents and does not prevent repectively movement of said lock bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position, detent control means having biasing means and electrically operated drive means which are arranged so that the biasing means urges said detent to move from one said position thereof to the other 20 and the drive means is operable to drive said detent from said other position towards said one position against the influence of said biasing means, and means connecting said control means to said detent and permitting selection of either a first connection or a second connection, wherein the relative arrangement of said control means and said detent is different in each of said connections, and the direction in which said detent moves in response to operation of said drive means is different in each of said connections. 30

7. Locking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein said drive means includes a solenoid having a coil body and a shaft axially movable within said coil body, an end portion of said shaft projects beyond an end of said body, and said connecting means includes a releasable connection between said shaft end portion and said detent.

8. Locking mechanism according to claim7 wherein said detent has a head and a tail located at respective opposite ends thereof, said coil body end is adjacent said A detent head or said detent tail according to whether said 16 first or second connection respectively is selected, and said releasable connection is located adjacent one end or the other of the detent according to whether said first or second connection respectively is selected.

9. A lock assembly substantially as herein particularly described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Locking mechanism substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 13 December 1994 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: LOCKWOOD AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. S C 6589b *0 *a J04CL;1 4144z; C 17 ABSTRACT A lock assembly for use with doors and the like and which has a lock bolt mounted on a housing for movement between locking and unlocking positions. A rotatable actuator connected to a door knob or handle is operable to cause the lock bolt to move from the locking position to the unlocking position. Solenoid controlled locking mechanism is arranged to prevent movement of the lock bolt into the unlocking position and is adapted to be mounted on the housing in either of two positions. In one of those positions the mechanism operates to prevent the lock bolt movement while the solenoid is energised, whereas in the other position the mechanism so operates while the 15 solenoid is de-energised. The lock assembly also includes a. switch means which is responsive to changes in the condition of deadlocking means forming part of the assembly, and which is operative to open and close an E electric circuit. Such switch means may be also responsive to changes in the position of an associated door. The assembly may further include additional switch means which is responsive to movement of the rotatable actuator. Still further switch means is responsive to operation of a key operated lock forming part of the lock 25 assembly. 39 KH