AU783885B2 - A locking mechanism - Google Patents

Description

ZI A 104 lzuu I J, I! U )f r' Kun 3( rN~fl Xlele 5 TO 0262832734 P 42 P 0 4 2 7

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFCATION

(ORIGINAL)

Applicant: BACOZ DEVELOPMENTS PTY LTD Actual Inventor- Brian Arthur Cook Title: A Locking Mechanism Priority: Refer PQ5757 22 February 2000 Address for Service; Bacoz Developments.Pty Ltd PO Box 207 North Shore 3214 The foowing statement is a full description of' this invention, including the best method of perf'orming it known to the applicant(s): RECEIVED TIM C.,21I. FEB. 9 0 7PR TTIE 2.FB 11 PRINT TIME. 21.FEB, 11:08 A Locking Mechanism The present invention relates to a mechanism for use in locks and fastening devices for securing doors, gates, windows, grilles, lids, covers and like structures in buildings, containers, enclosures and vehicles.

Locks securing doors usually have one or more bolts projecting from a lock casing or housing beyond the edge of the door and engaging with an adjacent frame or structure defining the door opening. One method of locking the bolt is by a dctent means extending laterally of the bolt and engaging with a part of the casing containing the locking mechanism. The detent means is controllable by a key cylinder or other assembly or apparatus to move the detent means from a bolt immobilising position to a bolt releasing position. In such arrangements the detent means either cannot be dead locked or its operation cannot be controlled by more than one key cylinder, for example.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a detent means that can be dead locked and can be controlled by more than one key cylinder, padlock, key mechanism or other device. These facilities are of particular advantage in improving the security of a locking device and in circumstances where representatives of different organisations need shared access to a building, container or storage facility, but wish to maintain continuity in their respective keying systems. The present invention can also provide facility to necessitate the operation of all of the key mechanisms controlling a detent means in order to unlock a door, thus, the presence of all key -holders would be required to gain access to the enclosure or passageway secured with a lock.

In its broadest form the present invention provides a mechanism for use in locks and :fastening or locking devices for securing doors, gates, windows, lids, covers and like closure means wherein, the mechanism comprises an elongate bolt component or assembly mountable in a casing or housing and the bolt is reversibly slidable along its longitudinal axis between at least one door fastening position and at least one door unfastening position; wherein, at least one actuator is disposed laterally of the bolt and "is accommodated within or mounted to a part of the casing or housing or a different structure or assembly adjacent to the bolt; wherein, the bolt has one or more grooves, bights, indentations, holes, recesses or other cavitous forms enabling at least one member, comprising of a component, an assembly or a set or series of co-operable components or assemblies, to relcaseably interlock with the bolt; wherein, at least a part or portion of the at least one member is reversibly movable away from the bolt and into closer proximity with each at least one actuator that interacts with the same at Page 1 A Locking Mechanism least one member and each at least one actuator has at least one groove, bight, indentation, hole, recess or other cavitous form into which a different portion or part of a respective same at least one member is receivable; wherein, each at least one actuator interacting with the same at least one member can be moved to any of a number of positions intermediate to the extents of its travel to cause and maintain interlocking between the respective at least a part or portion and the bolt to detain the bolt in a door fastening position; wherein, movement of at least one actuator from a position that maintains said interlocking is controllable by at least one key cylinder, padlock, key mechanism or other device mounted to or within said casing or housing or fastenable or lockable to it; wherein, the casing or housing is a component, an assembly or a part of a different structure or assembly.

Movement of a member is conditional upon a cooperative juxtaposition of respective portions of a respective actuator and a bolt. For example, movement of an actuator may force the adjacent end of a member to move from a cavity within the actuator, up an incline to bear against a major diameter of the actuator, displacing said at least a part or portion of the member further from the actuator and toward the bolt.

Accordingly, the bolt would need to be in a position in which a suitable bight or cavity is available to receive an adjacent portion of the member, otherwise in such an arrangement the member would be precluded from moving into said interlocking. A bolt and/or an actuator may have one or more respective portions able to cooperate in this fashion. The number and arrangement of cooperative displacements between the o actuator(s) and a bolt enabling each said interlocking primarily determines the number of bolt detaining positions available in a mechanism according to the present 25 invention. Engagement of the bolt by a member may be continuous, however, said interlocking is effected when the at least a part or portion enters a groove or bight in 'e the bolt such that further substantial movement of the bolt is conditional upon movement of at least a part or portion outwardly of the bolt. When an actuator is in a bolt releasing position then that movement of the at least a part or portion outwardly of the bolt is possible by the different at least a portion or part entering a groove or bight in an actuator: and when an actuator is in a bolt detaining position it prohibits sufficient movement of a respective at least a part or portion to enable the bolt to be S :moved from at least a door fastening position. An actuator may drive or otherwise impose movement upon a member in one direction but action of the bolt or a bias means moves the member in an opposite direction, or the actuator may cause movement of the member in both directions, or the disposition of the actuator may allow or disallow driving of the member by other means.

Similarly, a key mechanism controlling the movement of an actuator may impart Page 2 ,L~?XI1L~L~III~~ 3~ yptun ee *10 U 262832734 P.07/27 A Locking Mechanism motion to the actuator in one or more directions, or allow or disallow driving of the actuator by other means, but it is not a requirement of the present invention for it to more directly affect the disposition of a member or any said interlocking.

It is to be understood that reference to movement of an actuator to a bolt releasing or a bolt detaining position indicates that there may be more than one of each of these respective positions. Similarly, the bolt may be movable to a number of positions that are locking or unlocking positions enabling the securing or opening of a door and it may travel beyond those positions. An actuator may be able to be moved to a number of bolt releasing and detaining positions and travel to other positions in addition to those. In some preferred forms of the present invention a bolt can have a number of locking and unlocking positions available within respective ranges of movement available to the bolt during its travel. Similarly, an actuator may have respective.

ranges of bolt detaining and releasing positions. Because said interlocking is dependent upon an appropriate disposition of both the bolt and the actuator(s), users of the present invention can often allocate relatively extensive respective ranges of locking and/or unlocking positions and/or bolt detaiining and/or bolt releasing positions without substantially compromising the security or safety offered by the mechanism. A bolt may be a single component or an assembly that extends beyond said casing or housing sufficiently to fasten a door when in use, orit may be used to drive a different component, assembly, mechanism or device that performs the door fastening function. Alternatively, the bolt may be employed to operate a part of an electrical or a fluid circuit that operates door fastening bolts. An actuator may be a single component or it may be an assembly, or it may be a part of a different assembly, 25 device or mechanism. And where the actuator undergoes reciprocal motion its position S. may be monitored to indicate that it has been moved to a bolt releasing and/or detaining position and the direction in which the actuator is moved can be monitored to indicate the person(s) who operated the mechanism.

The bolt can be a single elongate component accommodated within said casing or housing a part of the bolt being engaged by the at least one member and a different part extending beyond said housing or casing. In some preferred forms of the present invention, the bolt is such a component with a hole or other suitable aperture extending from one of its ends within which a hardened insert can be accommodated.

35 Alternatively, the bolt may be of hardened steel and accommodates a copper insert or one made from another type of non-ferrous material to deter cutting of the bolt. In other preferred forms, the bolt is a relatively short component to which an extension can be mounted. In some embodiments the extension may be an cylindrical or Page 3 RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21J EB. 11 :08 4V I.IKun J11ee X lu eybzUZ2734 P.08/27 A Locking Mechanism polygonal tube connecting the mechanism to another mechanism, apparatus or device, or one that has a solid door fastening bolt mounted to its free end. Or the extension may be a door fastening bolt made from special material(s) or specially treated.

Alternatively, the extension may be an assembly having a number of substantially parallel door fastening bolts. In other preferred forms, the bolt can be operatively coupled to a mechanism that drives fastening bolts to different edges of a door, gate or other closure means. In further preferred forms, the bolt can be subject to a bias element driving it toward a locking position or an unlocking position. While a bolt manufactured from a solid profile might be considered to be more secure, this is not to necessarily the case, and by a judicious selection of options available to them, users of the present invention can employ hollow sections (in combination with solid profiles) S to manufacture a suitable bolt.

In some preferred forms of the present invention, a member is a single component or assembly that is movable toward said axis to achieve said interlocking and movable outwardly of it to release the bolt. In other preferred forms, the member is a series or a set of components or assemblies each functionally cooperable with respective adjacent members but are with or without couplings between them one or. more of the members of the set or series may be reciprocally movable toward and away from said axis and one or more of them may be movable in a different direction.. For example, a member comprises three steel balls one adjacent the bolt, another adjacent a first actuator and the third adjacent a second actuator the first ball may move toward and away from said axis to respectively detain and release the bolt the third ball may exhibit substantially similar travel when the second actuator is moved to respective bol detaining and releasing positions whereas, the second ball may also exhibit reciprocal movement but in a direction extending transversely of the direction of reciprocal travel of the first and third balls. When an at least a part of the member moves to and from said interlocking the same or a different at least a part of the member moves respectively outwardly or inwardly with respect to an actuator. It is usually convenient to accommodate a member that is an assembly or a set or series of components or assemblies within a compartment, tube or like hollow structure to constrain its movement in directions other than those intended by users of the present invention. However, such an arrangement may be unnecessary when the member is a single component or said casing or housing readily lends itself to the provision of 35 internal partitioning or other means to guide movement of the member.

In some preferred forms of the present invention an actuator is an cloagate component or assembly reversibly slidable along its longitudinal axis. In other preferred forms an Page 4 RECEIVED TiME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21JEBe. 11:07 4 f A r V 0 r K 1 ;leie v IU 0262832734 P.09/27 A Locking Mechanism actuator is a disc or plate like component rotatable on a stump, boss, spigot or like axle mounted to a part of said casing or housing. The configuration of the actuator and the amount of travel and the method by which it is made movable is selectable by users of the present invention. The actuator may be reciprocally movable orits movement may be constrained so that its movement is in one direction only, for example, a rotatable disc. An actuator can be moved to number of positions in which the same member or two or more different members are moved to or can be moved to respective bolt releasing and/or bolt detaining positions. In some preferred forms of the present invention at least one of the positions available to the actuator may be available to the actuator irrespective of the operational status of a key mechanism or other apparatus or device.

In a number of preferred forms of the present invention when a member is moved into said interlocking, it is dead locked by the actuator(s) and consequently, the bolt being detained by the member is dead locked in a locking or unlocking position, as the case may be. The dead locking of a member (and the bolt) is achieved when there is little if any loss of motion within the member and said interlocking cannot be diminished other than by movement of an actuator to a bolt releasing position, rather than the dead locking being directly affected by a part of a key cylinder, padlock or other device. For example, an actuator may not be dead locked by a key cylinder or padlock, so that even though the actuator may have a significant amount of free travel available to it the member is maintained in a dead locked condition, so long as the actuator is prevented from attaining a bolt releasing position and the presence and/or status of the S. key cylinder or padlock can be considered to be incidental to nature or character of 25 said interlocking. Each said interlocking available in a mechanism according to the S. present invention can be the same or different to any other said interlocking available to the same mechanism. It may be desirable, for example, that a bolt to be more or less readily moved from an unlocking position to a locking position, but having achieved a locking position further substantial movement of the bolt is prevented. A simple means of achieving this outcome would be to make a groove receiving the member.

when the bolt is in a locking position sufficiently deep to prevent camming ofa a part of the member by the bolt against a helical compression spring contained in the member whereas, the groove in the bolt corresponding to an unlocking position would be sufficiently shallow to allow part of the member to be cammed from said 35 interlocking. The nature or character of said interlocking is affected by the configuration of the bolt and the adjacent part(s) of the member, the composition of the member and to a lesser extent the configuration and/or disposition of the actuator.

While it may be convenient for a member to be disposed between an actuator and a Page RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21. FEB. 11:07 Z I A~(LCI 7UU 4Z 11KUMI Xlele TO 8262832734 P.10/27 A Locking Mechanism bolt because movement of the member can be driven by the bol and/or the actuator, the member can pass across the face of the bolt and/or the actuator or it may be thought desirable that the member obstructs the end of a bolt when it is in a locking position, meets the requirements of the present invention. How each said interlocking is achieved and the form of mechanical engagement between a member and the bolt and a member and respective actuator(s) is selectable by users of the present invention.

In some preferred forms of the present invention the actuator is an elongate component or assembly which is suitably configured to cooperate with a member disposed laterally of it. The actuator is movable to at least one boh releasing position that allows at least a part of a member to be received within the actuator or to clear a projection extending laterally of the actuator, thereby allowing an amount of movement to part(s) of the member toward the actuator sufficient for the member to disengage from said interlocking and permit movement of the bolt to a different position. When the actuator is moved to a bolt detaining position, then at least a part of the member would move away from the actuator and toward the bolt to engage with acavity or opening within the bolt or abut a projection extending laterally of the bolt, thereby restricting movement available to the bolt. To achieve this function the member may be an elongate component, a spherical ball or two balls adjacent an elongate component, for example the balls being desirable components because they introduce rolling friction to the engagement of the member with the bolt and/or the actuator, whereby the operation of the mechanism is improved. Alternatively, a member may be an elongate component with one or two chamfered ends lodging in respective grooves in a bolt and/or an actuator. Users of the present invention may select from a range of 25 alternatives in configuring an actuator, a member and a bolt to achieve a desirable g O number and type of said interlocking to be included in a mechanism according to the present invention.

SIn some preferred forms of the present invention, the disposition of an actuator is controllable by more than one key mechanism, padlock or a other device or apparatus.

Often it is desirable that persons holding keys from different keying systems are able to access an enclosure or operate the same lock independently of each other. For example, an elongate actuator is reversibly slidable in a part of said casing or housing so that an annular groove providing a bolt releasing position is-located toward the 35 respective longitudinal ends of the actuator and between the grooves is a range of bolt detaining positions. A respective padlock is locked to a part of said casing or housing adjacent each longitudinal end of the actuator preventing movement of the actuator to either bolt releasing position, however, when either of the padlocks is unlocked and Page 6 RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21. FE. 11:07 1. 2 20 (2001.7.8 43 FROM 4lele S TO 0262832734 P. 11/27 A Locking Mechanism removed then movement Qf the actuator to a respective bolt releasin position becomes possible. Unlocking and removal of either padlock has no effect upon said interlocking which is maintained until the actuator is moved to a bolt releasing position, thereby enabling sufficient movement of the member to allow the bolt to be driven from a respective locking or unlocking position. In one particularly preferred embodiment of this form, the actuator is an elongate cylindrical bar having an annular groove near each of its ends and a spigot projecting laterally from it to which an operating handle can be mounted. The actuator is movable longitudinally using an operating handle and it slides within a housing configured to enable a respective padlock to be lockably engaged with each of its ends, whereby the presence of each padlock prevents further movement of the actuator toward or beyond a respective end of the housing. A member is disposed laterally of the actuator and is mounted within a tube extending from the actuator housing to join a housing containing a door fastening bolt. The bolt is slidable along its longitudinal axis within the housing and contains two annular grooves, one aligned with the adjacent end of the meiber when the bolt is in a locking position and the other aligned with the member when the bolt is in an unlocking position. When the actuator is moved toward one end of its travel an annular groove is aligned with the member, thereby allowing a part of the member to be received into the groove sufficient to allow its other end to be moved from an annular groove in the bolt. When the actuator is moved toward the other end of its travel and the annular groove near that end is aligned with the member, the bolt is also freed to be moved. If only one padlock is locked to the actuator housing (which may be a part of an assembly accommodating the bolt) then the actuator can be moved to the free end of the housing, and vice versa, allowing the key holder(s) for each of the 25 padlocks to operate the mechanism to unfasten and secure the door independently of the other. If it is desirable that the key holder(s) for one of the padlocks be the "master" of the mechanism, a padlock shackle could pass through a portion of the actuator, thereby prohibiting use of the mechanism by the other key holder(s) until the actuator had been released from the "master" padlock If both padlocks were locked 30 through a part of the actuator, then use of the mechanism would be prohibited without the presence of a key holder for each padlock. Users of the present invention are able to select from a number of options available using this arrangement, especially as they can use a number of different padlocks to interchangeably lock the mechanism, whereby access control can be varied without requiring the on site presence of a locksmith. Similarly, the actuator may also be interchangeable with suitable differently configured actuators, thereby offering further variations in the functions available to users of the present invention.

Page 7 RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21EB. 11:07 Sa~ Zuel 44 I-Kuln Xlele S TO 8262832734 P.12/27 A Locking Mechanism In other preferred forms of the present invention the actuatoris a plate like or disc like component rotatable about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to a major face of the disc or plate. The actuator has cavities or openings formed within it to allow movement to a member located between the bolt and the actuator, whereby the member can be reversibly moved to a bolt releasing position. When the actuator is rotated a part of the member would be driven from the cavity or opening it has occupied toward the bolt and the same part or a different part of the member would engage within a suitable cavity or opening therein and restrain thebolt from moving.

For example, a bolt may have an annular groove able to partially accommodate a io member that is a ball maintained in a bolt detaining position by its engagement with a disc like actuator. When the actuator is rotated to align a drilling or milling in its surface with the member, then the bolt can be moved because the member would be driven to be partially accommodated within the drilling or milling as it is moved out of the annular groove in the bolt. In some preferred forms of the present invention the actuator is a plate like component or assembly slidable along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bolt. These forms are somewhat similar to the rotatable disc or plate, except that interaction between the actuator and the member is disposed linearly along the actuator instead of being disposed radially of a pivot axis.

Bias means can be introduced to a mechanism according to the present invention to affect movement of one or more of the components. For example, a member can be urged toward an actuator, whereby the part of the member adjacent the bolt can be square edged because it does not need to be subject to a cammiing action of the bolt to move it toward the actuator and allow the bolt to be movable. Or a bolt may be urged S 25 toward a door fastening position, which would allow the bolt to function as latch bolt if its leading end was bevelled or had a roller fitted to it. An actuator may be urged toward an intermediate position in its travel, thereby automatically moving a member S. into a bolt detaining position when the bolt attains a predetermined position relative to the member. However, the introduction of bias element(s) to the mechanism can be 30 considered to introduce convenience of use to the mechanism, rather than adding security to the mechanism. For example, a compression spring might be introduced between two components forming the ends of a member, whereby an actuator could be moved to a bolt detaining position prior to the bolt moving to its respective position.

While this arrangement would increase convenience of use to the mechanism, it would detract from the level of security the mechanism provides. Some users of the present invention may choose to adopt such an arrangement, but it is not one which would recommend itself for use in high security applications.

Page 8 RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21J EB. 11:07 I ZVXUei 200I08 45 FROM( ilele S TO 0262832734 P.13/27 A Locking Mechanism In a number of preferred forms of the present invention, movement of the actuator can be controlled and/or driven by electrical and pneumatic devices, mechanisms or apparatus operation of which is enabled or disabled employing a switching device that may be controlled by use of a mechanical, electronic, magnetic ortintellectual key. For example, a pneumatic cylinder may be used to move the actuator to a bolt releasing position and return it to a bolt detaining position, the operation of the cylinder being reliant upon a suitable circuit to supply pressurised air to the cylinder. The circuit could include a manual switch or a solenoid switch activated by a key pad. An arrangement including two cylinders would allow the actuator to be operated by one or other of the cylinders, each being a slave to a respective fluid circuit. Similarly, two electrical solenoids could be engaged to operate an actuator. These arrangements are of particular use when operation of the locking mechanism is to be controlled from a location remote from the door lock. Whereas, mechanical key mechanisms are usually employed when control of the actuator is by personnel on location except where the mechanical key is employed to control an electrical or fluid circuit.

Manufacture of a locking mechanism according to the present invention may employ most common materials used in the manufacture of locks and door bolts. Steel, brass and bronze are the more common of these materials, however, aluminium, nylon, reinforced plastics and other compounds and composites can be employed. The components and assemblies comprising the mechanism can be made using any suitable manufacturing process. These options are selectable by users of the present invention and will to some extent depend upon the configurationi of the bolt, member, actuator and the casing or housing in which they are accommodated and the 25 application to which the end product is to be put. For example, a lockable door bolt intended for use on a shop front might be made from pressed steel and a die cast material whereas, a similar product for use in a marine environment might be made from brass or, if a higher level of security was desirable, from stainless steel.

However, the whole of any part of the mechanism need not be manufactured from the 30 same material or employ the same manufacturing processes. For example, it would be desirable that a bolt has relatively high strength and not be susceptible to sawing or drilling whereas, a draw bar to move the bolt could be of significantly lighter construction.

In order that the present invention may be understood in more detail, description is now directed to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of those drawings and the associated description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description of the present invention.

Page 9 RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21. FEB. 11:07 2.1'20:Z(2001708 46 FROM 2lele S TO 0262832734 P. 14/27 ALocking Mechanism Brief Description of the Drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a locking mechanism according to the present invention having an elongate actuator and a member engaging with a bolt Figure 2 is an isometric partially cut away view of locking mechanism according.to the present invention for use with a padlockable door bolt Figure 3 is a schematic view of a locking mechanism according to the present invention with an elongate actuator controlled by two key cylinders Figure 4 is a partially exploded view of a locking mechanism according to the present invention having a disc like actuator.

Detailed Description of the Drawings: In Figure 1 a mechanism 100 according to the present invention is shown to comprise an elongate cylindrical bolt 101 with annular grooves 102 and 103'formed in it and a stump 104 protruding longitudinally from one of its ends. Stump 104 enables an extension (not shown) that may be made from a different material and/or specially treated to be mounted to bolt 101, however, stump 104 may be omitted and bolt 101 extended to a desirable length. Adjacent groove 102 (as drawn) a miember 105 is disposed laterally of bolt 101. Member 105 comprises spherical balls 106 and 107 25 with a cylindrical block 108 between them. Ball 106 is engageable with bolt 101 and ball 107 is engageable with an actuator 110, which has annular grooves 111 and 112 formed in it and a spigot 113 extending from it, to which an operating knob (not shown) can be mounted. As drawn, bolt 101 is in a locking position and actuator 110 Sis in a bolt releasing position that allows a portion of ball 107 to be received into .30 groove 111, whereby block 108 has been allowed to move toward actuator 110 and away from bolt 101 allowing ball 106 freedom to-move out of groove 102 and freeing bolt 101 to move along its longitudinal axis. If actuator 110 is moved to the left (as drawn) it would achieve a bolt detaining position and ball 107 would be driven from groove 111 and it would drive block 108 toward bolt 101 moving ball 106 into groove 102, thereby restraining movement to bolt 101. If actuator 110 was moved further to the left then it would achieve another bolt releasing position and a portion of ball 107 would be receivable into groove 112, enabling ball 106 to disengage from groove 102 and freeing bolt 101 to move. When bolt 101 is moved to the left (as drawn) to a door Page RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 -PRINT TIME 21JB. 11:07 S 21X2,(2001708 47 FROM lele S TO 0262832734 P. 15/27 Locking Mechanism releasing position, groove 103 can receive a portion of ball 106 and bolt 101 can be restrained by moving actuator 110 so that the engagement of ball 107 with actuator 110 is intermediate to grooves 111 and 112. Actuator 110 is accommodated within a housing (not shown) onto which one or more padlocks, for example, can be locked to s prevent substantial movement of actuator 110 from a position in which its engagement with ball 107 is intermediate to grooves 111 and 112 and preventing bolt 101 moving from a door releasing or door fastening position, as the case may be. If a padlock is locked to the left of actuator 110 as drawn, then actuator 110 could move rightwards to allow ball 107 to be partially received into groove 111, but it could not be moved to the left sufficiently to allow a part of ball 107 to be received into groove 112. If groove 111 is omitted from actuator 110, then bolt 101 could only be freed to move when the padlock was unlocked and removed from the housing. The opposite is true if a padlock is locked to the right of actuator 110 and groove 112 was omitted. When grooves 111 and 112 are present, then locking a respective padlock at either end of actuator 110 would enable bolt 101 to be freed to move by removing one or other of the padlocks and moving actuator 110 so that ball 107 was aligned with groove 111 or groove 112, as the circumstances may allow. Actuator 110 may be manufactured so that it can be removed and replaced with a different suitable actuator that has only one annular groove formed in it, for example. Or, actuator 110 may be replaced with an a different actuator that has two annular grooves, but necessitates that one of the padlock shackles pass through an opening in the actuator when the padlock is locked to the housing.

This padlock could then be considered to be the-"master" padlock because the different actuator could not be moved to a bolt releasing position without the padlock being unlocked and removed, regardless of the absence of another padlock. This 25 situation would exist irrespective of any relationship between the keys used to operate the padlocks and can be used to establish strict access and audit controls. In a further alternative, a different actuator with both ends engaged by respective padlocks would necessitate the presence of a key holder for both padlocks to operate the locking mechanism.

S The component(s) comprising member 105 may be any found suitable by users of the present invention. For example, balls 106 and 107 and block 108 may be replaced by an elongate component with ball nosed ends. The length of block 108 may be varied to suit the distance actuator 110 is disposed from bolt 101 and while there may be some advantages to be gained by reducing this distance as much as possible, there are few :i practical limits to the length of block 108. As it is shown, member 105 would be accommodated within a hollow tube or like hollow structure to maintain operational alignment of its components and to prevent tampering or damage. Block 108 may be S. Page 11 RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21. FEB. 11:07 I z 1U;' 200 I71aE 4U FROM Rlele S TO 0262832734 P.16/27 A Locking Mechanism replaced by a suitable spherical ball and another actuator could be disposed laterally of member 105 (in addition to actuator 110) to enable the ball replacing block 108 to move laterally through an opening made in the tube containing member 105, thereby allowing ball 106 to move away from bolt 101 to allow it to be moved. In this way a number of additional actuators can interact with one member by reconfiguring the member to allow intermediate parts of the member to be responsive to the disposition of respective actuators. And one actuator can affect the movement of more than member. For example, a different bolt and a different member could be introduced to the opposite side of actuator 110 to that of bolt 101 -and member 105, whereby movement of actuator 110 would release both bolts if both members were aligned simultaneously with a groove in actuator 110. Or, one bolt could be restrained from moving while the other was released if the additional member engaged actuator 110 at a position intermediate to grooves 111 and 112 when member 105 was aligned with one or the other groove, and vice versa. The functions available from a locking mechanism according to the present invention can be varied by configuring a bolt and/or a member and/or an actuator to cooperate in different ways. Further variations in functionality can be achieved by replacing an actuator with a different suitable actuator and/or by mounting components to an actuator.

The housing containing actuator 110 and to which padlocks, for example, are lockable may be a part of the housing accommodating bolt 101 and member 105. Or bolt 101, member 105 and actuator 110 may be accommodated in housing components that are used in combination to form the said casing or housing. Actuator 110 and bolt 101 are shown as respective single components, however, either or both may be an assembly 25 of parts. Bolt 101 would usually have a draw baror some type of operating handle attached to or extending from it. In Figure 1 actuator 110 is shown as being disposed vertically below bolt 101, however, it is to be understood that the disposition of actuator 110 (and any other actuators) may be in any lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of bolt 101 (and member 105). InFigure 1 bolt 101 is shown to 30 be of larger cross section than actuator 110, however, this need not be the case. Bolt 101 may be a solid cylindrical component as shown, or it may be a hollow component and/or it may be polygonal in cross section. Similarly, actuator 110 may be of any useful cross section or dimension selected by users of the present invention. It would be usual for bolt 101 to be of sufficient physical strength to provide a considerable.

impediment to the unauthorised opening of a door or gate whereas, actuator 110 could be of a lesser size and member 105 would usually somewhat smaller than either component but of sufficient substance to adequately restrain bolt 101.

Page 12 RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21. FEB. 11:07 z!~rz~zei~e413 FROM Flele S TO 0262832734 P. 17/27 A Locking Mechanism Actuator 110 is shown to be movable to the right or to the lef as drawn, and the position of actuator 110 can be mechanically or electrically monitored to indicate the key holder(s) that operated the mechanism. A mechanical monitor might be a resettable flag or dial which is driven one way or the other when actuator 110 is moved to release bol 101, for example. Electrical monitoring might be achieved by respective micro switches that open circuit when they engage with groove 111 and 112. Such arrangement would not necessarily indicate the identity of each key holder operating the mechanism unless there is only one key holder for each padlock, for example but it would enable identification of the key mechanism used to gain access and when used in conjunction with other data, individual key holders could become identifiable.

Movement of actuator 110 is shown to be bymeans of spigot 113 which would usually be used to mount a suitable operating handle for manual operation. However, it could be practicable to remove the padlocks and employ one or more solenoids, for example, to move actuator 110 to bolt releasing and bolt detaining positions and/or to move bolt 101 to door releasing and door fastening positions, whereby operation of the locking mechanism could be controlled remotely in response to an operator supplying a proper key or code. In this context, the ability to move actuator 110 in more than one direction to release bolt 101 could be considered to be a safety backup rather than an access control facility which might be readily achieved by other means.

Figure 2 shows a door or gate bolt 200 containing a mechanism according to the present invention comprising a bolt 201 slidable along its longitudinal axis within a 25 casing 202 and has a draw bar 203 attached to its trailing end. A guard 204 is mounted S. to casing 202 and has a casing 205 mounted to its under side (as drawn) within which an actuator (not shown) is slidable. Guard 204 is shown with a cutaway portion to disclose a tube 206 intersecting with casing 202 and casing 205 and accommodating a member (not shown) movable within tube 206 to and away from bolt 201. End 207 of 30 casing 205 is shown to be configured to receive the shackle ofa padlock that can be locked onto casing 205 to limit the movement of the actuator. The opposite end of casing 205 is similarly configured to allow a different padlock to be lockably engaged with that end of casing 205. When one or the other of the padlocks is unlocked and removed from casing 205 the actuator is able to move sufficiently toward that end of casing 205 to allow the member to achieve a bolt releasing position and allow bolt 201 to be moved to either a door releasing or a door fistening position by means of draw bar 203. Guard 204, casing 202, tube 206 and casing 205 may be separate components or assemblies that have been combined to form one assembly housing the locking Page 13 RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIM E 21J EB. 11:06 2020 (2.001 708 49 FROM 4lele S TO 0262832734 P.18/27 A Locking Mechanism mechanism. The presence of guard 204 serves.a dual purpose in providing a suitable mounting plate for casing 202 and casing 205 (and tube 206) and to protect the shackles and parts of the bodies of the padlock(s) that are locked to casing 205. Casing 205 and the actuator it accommodates could be disposed laterally in another direction relative to bolt 201, however, the arrangement shown enables the door or gate lock to have a relatively low profile above the surface of the door or gate, making it less susceptible to attack When more than two padlocks are to allow access through the door, then a transverse hole could be drilled through one side of tube 206 and a different casing and actuator mounted onto the face of guard 204. An additional guard plate could be mounted to this casing and to apart of guard 204, whereby the new assembly becomes a part of the housing accommodating the locking mechanism that can now be operated by up to four different key holders. This arrangement enables the physical strength of the housing to be maintained or improved and the security of the locking mechanism to be maintained with respect to each of the key holders.

Figure 3 shows a mechanism 300 according to the present invention accommodated in a mortise lock housing 301 with its cap removed. An elongate bolt 302 is movable by rotating a follower 363 to which an operating handle or knob can be mounted. Bolt 302 has a shaped notch or bight 303 formed in it to receive a member 304, each end of which has a vertex approximately complimentary to notch 303 and similar notches 306 and 307 formed in an actuator 305. Actuator 305 also has a smaller notch 317 intermediate to notches 306 and 307 which assists in positioning actuator 305 more or less centrally in respect of member 304. Actuator 305 has spigots 308 and 309 extending from it near its respective ends adjacent key cylinders 310 and 311 that have 25 spigoted cams 312 and 313 respectively mounted to their key barrels so that each is rotatable with the key barrel to which it is mounted. When a suitable key operates cylinder 310, cam 312 can be rotated counter clockwise as shown in Figure 3 (or clockwise from the operator's view point) to contact spigot 308, whereby actuator 305 is moved to the right until 307 is aligned with member 304. Bolt 302 can then be 30 moved further within housing 301, thereby camming member 304 toward actuator 305 to be received within notch 307. Until bolt 302 is returned to a door fastening position the key cannot be removed from cylinder 310 because member 304 cannot be cammed toward bolt 302 by actuator 305 and spigot 308 obstructs sufficient rotation of cam 312 to allow the key to be removed from cylinder 310. Cylinder 311, cam 313 and spigot 309 perform in a similar fashion. Either the key holder(s) for cylinder 310 or cylinder 311 can operate the locking mechanism to release bolt 302 and open a door or gate to which the lock is installed and either key is retained in the lock until the bolt is moved to a door fastening position. Components 314, 315 and 316 are mounted to the Page 14 RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 PRINT TIME 21 FEB. 11:06 21.eP02.(2001-7i8 50 FROM 5lele S TO 0262832734 P.19/27 A Locking Mechanism interior of housing 301 to maintain the respective functional dispositions of member 304 and actuator 305. Bolt 302 could have an additional notch similar to notch 303 formed in to allow it to be engaged by member 304 when in a door releasing position.

In Figure 4 a mechanism 400 according to present invention is shown to have a sliding bolt 401 accommodated in a casing 403 that hasa a ahole 407 formed within it to accommodate a member in the form of ball 408 and it has a rectangular projection 404 extending from it. Projection 404 has a spigot or stump 405 protruding from it thatcan be received into hole 410 formed in an actuator in the form of disc 409. When disc 409 is mounted onto stump 405 it is rotatable on stump 405, whereby holes 412 and 411 and other portions of disc 409 can be aligned with hole 407. Holes 413,414,415 and 416 formed in disc 409 can accommodate the shackles of respective padlocks, enabling rotation of disc 409 to be restricted when one or more padlocks are locked onto it. There are many different configurations of disc 409 available to users of the present invention which will enable different functions to be obtainable from the arrangement shown in Figure 4. The locking mechanism as drawi releases bolt 401 to move longitudinally by means of draw bar 417 when either hole 411 or 412 is aligned with hole 407, thereby allowing ball 408 to move from a recess, groove or cavity (not shown) in bolt 401 and to be partially accommodated within either of holes 411 or 412. Holes 411 and 412 are or a conical shape, the part of each hole closest to casing 403 is ofgreater diameter than the respective opposite end of each hole, thereby preventing the escape of ball 408 through these holes. Movement of disc 409 to release bolt 401 can be restricted by locking a respective padlock into holes 414 and 416 the padlock shackles would abut the sides of projection 404 prior to the 25 alignment of either of holes 411 or 412 with hole 407 and ball 408 would be prevented .from moving away from bolt 401 by the presence of the portion of disc 409 Sintermediate to holes 411 and 412.

Disc 409 can be retained on stump 405 by means of a fastener mounted within longitudinal hole 406 within stump 405. The device as drawn would be unlikely to be 30 used as a security lock or fastening device, but would have application in safety applications to prevent operation of external equipment or machinery until all of the padlocks have been removed from disc 409: End 402 of bolt 401 can be configured to S.suit engagement with specific switching devices-or valves on equipment or machinery or it may have an external or internal thread to enable the mounting of suitable adaptors to bolt 401. Figure 4 shows an arrangement of basic components and assemblies to which additional components and/or assemblies can be mounted to increase the security of the resulting device and that of locking mechanism 400. For example, a more positive positioning of disc 409 could be achieved by omitting Page RECEIVED TIME 21. FEB. 9:07 _PRI.NT TIME 21,FEB. 1:06 c.02'(200 708 5 1 FROM Flele TO 0262832734 P.20/27 A Locking Mechanism projection 404 and mounting a copy of disc 409 to casing 403, necessitating more or less exacting alignment of each of holes 413, 414, 415 and 416 with their copies and more strictly limiting rotation of disc 409. To improve the security of the device a reinforcing bar could be mounted over disc 409 to casing 403, thereby concealing the conjunction of hole 407 with holes 411 and 412. To increase the number of padlocks usable with locking mechanism 400, the diameter of disc 409 could be increased and additional shackle receiving holes formed within it. Colour coding of portions of casing 403, bolt 401 and disc 409 could give readily identifiable signalling of the status of locking mechanism 400 and the person(s) using it. As drawn, the member comprises ball 408 because steel balls are readily available and are easily movable to and away from bolt 401, however, the member may comprise two or more balls, for example, or it be an elongate component. Bolt 401 is shown to be a cylindrical solid, but it may have a polygonal shape and/or be an assembly of components, one or more of which may be hollow to reduce its weight and cost of manufacture.

Finally, it will be appreciated that there may be other variations and modifications to the configurations described herein which are also within the scope of the present invention.

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Claims (9)

1. A mechanism for use in locks and fastening or locking devices for securing doors, gates, windows, lids, covers and like closure means wherein, the mechanism comprises an elongate bolt component or assembly mountable in a casing or housing and the bolt is reversibly slidable along its longitudinal axis between at least one door fastening position and at least one door unfastening position; wherein, at least one actuator is disposed laterally of the bolt and is accommodated within or mounted to a part of the casing or housing or a different structure or assembly adjacent to the bolt: wherein, the bolt has one or more grooves, bights, indentations, holes, recesses or other cavitous forms enabling at least one member, comprising of a component, an assembly or a set or series of co-operable components or assemblies, to releaseably interlock with the bolt; wherein, at least a part or portion of the at least one member is reversibly movable away from the bolt and into closer proximity with each at least one actuator that interacts with the same at least one member and each at least one actuator has at least one groove, bight, indentation, hole, recess or other cavitous form into which a different portion or part of a respective same at Icast one member is receivable; wherein, each at least one actuator interacting with the same at least one member can be moved to any of a number of positions intermediate to the extents of its travel to cause and maintain interlocking between the respective at least a part or portion and the bolt to detain the bolt in a door fastening position; wherein, movement of at least one actuator from a position that maintains said interlocking is controllable by at least one key cylinder, padlock, key mechanism or other device mounted to or within said casing or housing or fastenable or lockable to it; wherein, the casing or housing is a component, an assembly or a part of a different structure or assembly.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein, the at least one member is an elongate component, assembly, set or series. S3. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 2 wherein, at least one member can deadlock the bolt in a door fastening position. S4. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein, at least one actuator is a component or assembly reversibly slidable in the direction of its longitudinal axis within predetermined limits. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 4 wherein, at least one member is or includes at least one spherical ball or a like componcnt. Page 17 A Locking Mechanism

6. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 5 wherein, a part of the bolt serves as a door fastening or locking bolt or has a door fastening or locking bolt mounted or coupled to it.

7. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 6 wherein, movement of s the bolt from a door fastening position is affected by at least two key mechanisms, key cylinders, padlocks or other devices interacting with at least one actuator.

8. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 7 wherein, at least one actuator is movable by drive means in addition to or instead of manual force.

9. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 8 wherein, rotation of the at least one actuator about its longitudinal axis is restricted within predetermined limits. A mechanism according to any of the claims I to 9 wherein, detention of the bolt is available when the bolt is in a door unfastening position.

11. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 10 wherein, movement of at least a part of an at least one member that is a set or series is in a direction extending laterally of the at least one member.

12. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 1 1 wherein, detention of S 20 the bolt is affected by a bias element acting upon at least a part of a member. •13. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 12 wherein, there is two •or more actuators.

214. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 13 wherein, a bias 25 element affects the movement of at least one actuator. A mechanism according to any of the claims I to 14 wherein, at least one member includes a bias element. 16. A mechanism according to any of the claims I to 3 wherein, the at least one actuator is a disc like component or assembly. *ooo 17. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 16 wherein, the detention of the bolt is effected by at least two members. 18. A mechanism according to any ofthe claims 1 to 17 wherein, the reversible movement of at least one actuator from a bolt detaining position is predetermined or is sclectable as being available in one direction only. 19. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 18 wherein, at least one actuator is drivable only by a mechanical, electromechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic apparatus or device. Page 18 A Locking Mechanism A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 19 wherein, the casing or housing forms a part of a mortise, cavity, compartment, recess or hollow within a door, gate or other closure means. 21. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 20 wherein, the mechanism is accommodated within a mortise, cavity, compartment, recess or hollow within a door, gate or other closure means. 22. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 21 wherein, the bolt allows and disallows operation of a different mechanism or an apparatus or device. 23. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 22 wherein, rotation of the bolt about its longitudinal axis is available within predetermined limits. 24. A mechanism according to any of the claims 1 to 23 wherein, movement of at least one actuator is affected by the operation of a different mechanism according to the present invention. 25. A mechanism substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Date: 3 October 2005 Applicant: Bacoz Pty. Ltd. (formerly named "Bacoz Developments Pty. Ltd.") Author: Brian Arthur Cook e *0 o* Page 19