CA1140357A

CA1140357A - Code type lock

Info

Publication number: CA1140357A
Application number: CA000353501A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Inguald Hamre; Bjoern Lyng; Nils T. Dreyer
Original assignee: DREYER NILS T; HAMRE INGUALD
Current assignee: DREYER NILS T
Priority date: 1979-06-07
Filing date: 1980-06-06
Publication date: 1983-02-01
Also published as: EP0021670A1; DE3069925D1; EP0021670B1; AU5912780A; GR68382B; NO801694L; BR8003504A; PT71357A; IN154292B

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A locking system suitable for use in a safe has locking and unlocking conditions. An electronic device determines whether the locking system is in its locking or unlocking condition and comprises: a store, an input device for entering a master code into the store to be retained therein and a comparison device for comparing the master code with an opening code subsequently entered through the input device. The electronic device further comprises a counter for registering the entry through the input device of an opening code which is not identical to the master code and disabling the operation of the lock for a predetermined time when the number of registered opening codes which are not identical to the master code reaches a predetermined number. A display device indicates the condition of the lock and the occurrence of at least one predetermined failure event.

Description

V3S~7 Cod~_~y~ o ~ for_saf~s.
'~he object of this invelltion consists of a cocle type ;ock comprising a key operated bolt and an eLectronic device capable of storin~ a code and pe~ ittin~r or preventing the opening of said bolt depending on the coincidence or non-coin~
cidence of another code entered through a keyboard with the ~ previously stored code.
~his lock is intended to be used in a safe and pre-sents the particularity whereby each time said safe is opened J IO the stored code is erased and the user~ on leaving it closed, is able to set a new code, which rnay be identical to or dif--~ ferent from the previously stored one.
By mere vray of illustration, it is indicated -that the use of safes provided with this type of lock is extremely advantageous for hotel rooms, as on each occasion each guest will be able to apply a different code to the lock o the safe installed in his room and will thus obtain a high degree of security. With the system which has been deve:Loped it is fu ther possible to make i~ unnecessary for users to carry the keys of their corresponding safes with them; hence, said users will not have to run the risk of losing thern.
If an unauthorized person unfamiliar with the n~nber of the code entered at the time in the safe wished to open it he would attempt to do so by pressing keys to try his luck and endeavour to find the correct code with which said safe has to be opened. ~
The object of this in~ention pro~ides a means of dissuading said undue manipulations which consists in bloc}ing the lock for a certain time, for example, half an hour, when the keyboard is unduly pressed. In addition, there are alarm 3~ 2.
means which are energized by that misuse.
' The control system requires a direct current elec j tric power supp~y, for which reason the safes will have to be connected to the mains through a current rectifying system.
The in~ention further provides:
- An emergency power supply system with a battery, which is energized in the eve~t of a failure in the mains supply.
- A suitably arranged system of lamps which will always show the state of the various components of the safe and, if pertinent, indicate the possibility of performing t~e necessary operations to open it.
- ~ key which has to be inserted in the lock of -the safe on co~nencing the service, which serves as an activator thereof and has a mechanical system which prevents its extrac-tion v~hen the pin of the lock is engaged.
To activate the control system, the key has at its forward end d~y positioned conductor rings which, with their ¦ positioning~ number, mutual separation and thickness, also make it possible to obtain a high number of combinations so that only one key may be used with a given safe.
'llo improve the function of this safe it is desirable to provide an arrangement which enables an authorized person to open the safe when it is closed and, therefore, have access to the mechanisms and other mechanical ~ld electronic systems ~ of the safe located in its rear part.
t For this purpose, the present invention has developed an arrangement according to which, when the safe is closed, it is nevertheless possible to open it, in an emergency, with a special auxiliary key which shifts the entire lock unit backward, therefore releasing the anchoring systems which close its rear cover, thanks to this it is possible to attain access to the mechanisms and other mechanical and electronic systems of the safe.
However, in the case of normal operation, the lock unit is only actuated by a striker with an electric motor and solely in case of emergency is it actuated with the special auxiliary key.
The invention will be described below with reference to the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 shows, in block diagram form, the operation of the electric circuits of the lock, Figure 2 schematically shows the key in its co-operation with a pin;
Figure 3A shows the electromechanical combination of the system in the position in which the key is disengaged and the door open, Figure 3B shows a detail of the preceding Figure depicting the position in which the key is blocked, Figure 4 shows a section, along line IV-IV, of Figure 3A, Figures 5A and 5B are partially sectional side eleva-tional views of the lock unit, to show the inside thereof in its blocked position and in its shifted position, respect.ively, Figures 6A and 6B are front elevational and sectional views, respectively, along line VIB-VIB, of the rear cover with its anchoring system in the blocked position, the internal latches and pawls being shown in outline, ~ Figures 7A and 7B are front elevational and 1-~

'7 sectional views, respectively, along line VIIB-VIIB, of said anchoring system of the rear cover in the released position, the internal latches and pawls being shown in outline.
To explain the operation of the safe, refexence will be made firstly to the manner in which the code is entered in its lock. This code is entered after closing the door of the safe, for which it will suffice to turn the pin P shown in figure 2.
Referring now to figure 1, the key is then inserted in the corres-ponding keyhole 2 of the lock, on reaching the correct stop, this key will activate an electronic device which detects its presence, this electronic device is formed by an optoelectronic detector 3 which starts a timer 4 and an electronic switch 5, the impulse passes through the flip-flop switch 13, the green lamp 10A will then turn on, this green lamp will remain lit until a predeter-mined period of time elapses, for example, 30 seconds.
If it is not desired to block the door of the safe with the code lock according to the invention, that is, if it is not desired to set any code in the main storage 39, the door can be closed with the key operated bolt only, independently from the electronic circuit, and the green lamp will turn off after a pre-determined period of time, for example, 30 seconds.
On the other hand, if it is desired to leave the safe closed with the code lock according to the invention, entering the code which the user considers appropriate in the main stor-age 39, the key is inserted in the keyhole 2 and the code in question, formed by a pre-established number of digits, is pressed out on the keyboard 1. Each digit is visualized in said main storage 39.

After the last of the digits is pressed ou~, the yellow l.~mp 10-B turns on, through ~he counter 4-0, which means tha-t the code has been accepted.
If less digits than the pre-established number are pressed Ollt, the impulses will be coun-ted by thc- countel 40 which, on being connected with the yellow lamp 10-B, will make 3 the latter turn on and flash for a predetermined time, for `15 example, ~ seconds, thanks to the action of the timer 44~ it then being possible to enter a new code. In tnis case, the inputs 42-L~ serve to reset the main storage and the counter.
'~he subsequent digits which might be pressed out on the key-board would not be accepted.
'~he opening of the safe with a code already entered and stored in the code lock subject of the invention will be -~ 15 described below, again referring to figure 1.
When the user wishes to open said safe he firstly makes the ~ey, inserted in the keyhole 2, reach the correct stop, activating the electronic device which detects its pre sence, through the components 3, 4 and 5; the il;npulse passes ~¦ 20 through an oscillator 6 and a decoder ~ and turns on the yellow lamp 10-B.
J When the yello~ lamp lOB turns on, this indicates that a code is registered in the main storage 39 of the system and that there is a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds, to enter the correct code throug}l the keyboard 1, operated through the encoder 7. The impulses of the di~its pressed ou~
on the keyboard 1 will go to the opening storage 29 and ~qill be compared in the comparator 46 with the code contained in the storage 39.
If the result of this operation is positive, that .' 5~
is, i~ there is coincidence, the comparator 46 will emit an impulse to:~ard the flip-flop SWitC-L 13 which, in turn, ~ill turll on the green lamp lOA. ~t the same tirne, the m in stora~e 39 will be cleare or erased through the input 48.
When the green lc~mp lOA turns on alone in a conti-nuous manner, this indicates that the lock can ~e opened by depressing the opening permission button of the keyboard 1 and that there is a predetermined time for this, for example, 4 seconds. The lock can then be opened. ~his predetermined period, for example, 4 seconds, is set through the timer 19.
¦ When the green lamp lOA turns on alone and in a flashing ~anner, this indicates that the voltage of the cur-rent supp]ied by the battery 25 sensed by the detector 24 is lower than a predetermined voltage, for example, 9 volts.
If an incorrect code is pressed out or no code at all is pressed out after the yellow lamp has turned on and the pre-established time, for example, 30 seconds, has passed, this fact will be registered in a counter 28 of the storage 1 and af-ter another predetermined period passes, for exc~lple~
¦ 20 10 seconds, the yello~ lamp lOB will commence flashin~ for a short period of time, set by the timer 34, for example, four seconds, thanks to the action of the unit 35; as soon as said lamp co~ences flashing i-t will be possible to try to enter 1 another code. A signal is simultaneously supplied from the ~ 25 counter 28 to the door 32 to stop the timer 61 when a certain ! number of digits has been entered.
If three attempts have been made to press out incor-rect codes and there is no coincidence bet~Jeen the code stored in the main storage 39 and the code or codes entered throu~h the keyboard 1, the yellow lamp lOB will turn off and the red .

V~5~ 7.
l~mp 11 will turn on, thus indicating that the current supply 24 or 25 for the systen has been cut off for a predetermined period of time, ~or e~nple, half an hour, thanks to the action of the timer 36.
The lock according to the invention is also provided with an alarm system, to signal possible undue manipulations, comprising three sensors 49: a first thermal sensor, a second movement sensor and a third sensor formed by a microswitch for ¦ the door. Inside the lock, the sensors operate a timer 50 ~ 10 through a door 51 which actuates an electronic switch 52 to ¦ energize an alarm siren or a warning light 53.
. ~'he 110-220 volt alternating current mains 54 are used as the primary electric power supply for the electric circuits ~hich have just been described. From said mains the curren-t is passed through a transformer ~hich converts it to 13.5 volts. From there it passes to a diode bridge where it is converted into direct current. From this point the current i passes to a 5 vol-t direct current regulator 5~, which suppliesthé entire electronic system, except the mechanical lock, 1 20 which is actuated by the solenoid 22, and the siren 53. In the event of a failure in the mains, the system would be sup-plied from the battery 25, through the door 57; thc inven-tion also provides an auxiliary battery charging unit.
In the event of a failure in the mains supply~ a sensor 55 will activate a flashing unit 5G ~hich m~{es the red lamp commence flashing by;action of the door 37. The bat-tery will then be connected and will asswne the task of sup-plying the electric circuits of the device.
Finally, it has to be indicated that if for any reason the user loses or forgets the opening code set in the 7 8 r main storage, there is a master code which permits the lcck to ~e opened, whate~er may be the code existing in sa:id main storage.
Referring now to figure 2, the key is designated there with the general reference 101.
On the external end of the key there is a detachable handle. If anyone attempts to extract the key by force, this handle breaks off from the body of the key, which remains in-side the lock.
In ~ront of the body of the key there is a reinforced stop lC4 which lirnits the movement of the key. This stop is solidly co~Lnected with the door 103, sho~Nn in section, in said figure 2.
~'he body of the key is provided with a circular recess which cooperates with a likewise circular pin P, which prevents its extraction from the time at ~thich the lock is engaged.
On the internal end of the body of the key, the lat-I ter makes contact ~tith the microswitch Ml, through duly posi~
tioned conductor rings 105. With the thickness and the nwnbcr of rings, the separation between rings and the positioning thereof it is possible to create extremely nurnerous cornbina-tions, as previously explained.
! In figures 3A (key disengaged and door open), 3~) (key blocked and shaft blocked lock) and 4, l~ql designatcs the key microswitch; ~I2 the lock microswitch (open); ~3 the lock microswitch (closed); and M4 the shaft R actuating microswitch.
designates the control microcornputer. This v~ry strong shaft R, controlled by the solenoid 122, blocks the pin P in the cases where said solenoid operates.

5~

As has been said, an auxiliary battery is provided for the cases of mains current cutoffs. However, since this is a low power battery, it cannot energize the solenoid, which cannot therefore actuate the strong shaft R, the result of this is that the pin P can be forced and the shaft can break. In order to provide for this contingency, the pin P and the manual actuator T are connected by a spring S so that the shaft cannot break on attempting to force the system.
Figures 5A and SB show the situation of wall 207 and door 209, and on the one hand, the lock unit assembly 201 and, on the other, the pertinent parts with which an authoriz~d person can open the safe even if it is closed.
In the normal position, the lock unit has its latch 203 inserted in the hole 205 existing in the wall 207 of the safe, whereby the latter is kept closed.
When said authorized person wishes to open the safe, he inserts a special key in the keyhole 202 of the lock and turns the camming pin 204, which is applied against the slot 206 of the lock unit' this pin 204 pushes said slot and, consequently, the entire lock unit 201 backward, whereupon the latch 203 is released from the hole 205 and the safe is opened.
Figures 6A and 6B, as well as figures 7A and 7B, show the rear cover of the safe, which normally prevents access to the mechanisms and mechanical systems thereof.
In the normal position (figures 6A and 6B), the latches 211, 212 and 213 are inserted in the holes 21~, 215 and 216, respectively, of the walls of the safe, whereby the rear cover remains fixed.
On inserting the special key, these latches move and are released from the holes, passing to the position of 3~i~7 l(Jo , figures 7~ and 7~, whereupon the entire rear cover can be re-i moved, then attailling the desired access -to -the mentioned IlleCh~nis~ nl mech~ ical ~ld electronic s~stems.

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Claims

11.
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Improvements in or relating to a code type lock, comprising a key operated bolt and an electronic device capable of storing a code and which permits or prevents the opening of said bolt depending on the coincidence or non-coin-cidence of a code entered through a keyboard with the pre-viously stored code, characterized in that the lock comprises:
a key operated bolt; electronic means for blocking said bolt provided with a spring and a shaft actuated by a solenoid; a main storage, which registers and stores, as the opening code, a code set by a user through said keyboard; an opening storage, which registers and stores an opening code subsequently entered through said keyboard; comparing means, which compare the content of said opening storage with that of said main storage, which provide for the energization of said solenoid in order to release said bolt when said entered opening code coincides with said code contained in the mentioned main storage and which disable the actuation of said solenoid if said codes do not coincide; erasing means which clear said main storage when said codes coincide and said solenoid has been energized;
counting means which count the entry of an incorrect code through said keyboard and which disable the operation of the lock for a predetermined period of time on. counting the entry of a number of incorrect codes exceeding a predetermined limit;
alarm means which are activated in response to the emission of a signal by said counting means when said predetermined limit is exceeded or when an attempt is made to manipulate the safe 12.

in which said lock is mounted in an unauthorized manner; elec-tric power supply means, intended to supply direct current to operate the circuits of the lock; and a plurality of lamps, intended to indicate at all times the condition and the mode of operation of the lock, as well as a failure in the electric power supply in the system.

2. Improvements, according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock further comprises a sensor of the presence of said key therein, which prevents the operation of said lock while said presence is not sensed.

3. Improvements, according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock may be operated, in a first form, as a simple key operated lock when no opening code is set in said main storage and, in a second form, as a combined mechanical and electronic lock when, on closing it, a predetermined opening code is set in said main storage.

4. Improvements, according to claim 1, characterized in that said alarm means, on being activated, operate a device which emits an audible and/or visible signal and, at the same time, cut off the electric power supply to the circuits of the lock, making it impossible to open it for a pre-established variable period of time, following which the content of the main storage is erased and the power supply is resumed, said lock then readopting its second mentioned form of operation.

5. Improvements, according to claim 1, characterized in that the key is provided: a) with a handle which breaks off from its body if undue force is exerted thereon; b) with a circular annular recess in its body which cooperates with a likewise circular pin and prevents its extraction when the lock is engaged; and c) with conductor rings positioned in the 13.

forward part of its body, for the electrical contact.

6. Improvements, according to claim 1, characterized in that an auxiliary emergency supply battery is provided to supply the electric circuits in the event of a possible failure in the mains current supply.

7. Improvements, according to claim 1, characterized in that when the safe is closed it can nevertheless be opened, as an emergency measure, with an auxiliary key which shifts the entire lock unit backward.

8. Improvements, according to claim 1, characterized in that when the lock unit retracts on using the special key the anchoring systems which close the rear cover of the safe are released, access being attained to the mechan-isms and mechanical and electronic systems thereof.