EP0022831B1 - Alarm device for doors - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/CH80/00012 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 1, 1980 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 29, 1980 PCT Filed Jan. 31, 1980 PCT Pub. No. WO80/01617 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 7, 1980.An alarm device for doors having in series an electric supply, such as batteries, three switches and a relay. The relay is locked upon the simultaneous closing of the three switches and actuates an alarm circuit. The first and second switches are respectively closed and open when the door is closed and respectively open and closed when the door is fully open. The three switches are closed during the opening and closing of the door and when the door is ajar and the door bolt is retracted. The third switch is controlled by the bolt and is closed except when the bolt is retracted.

Description

The invention relates to an alarm device for a door, automatically deactivated during lawful access, either by the use of a key, or by the lock being already unlocked.

This type of alarm device avoids the drawback of certain prior devices (see for example US-A 3,653,022) which had to be activated only after the authorized persons had left the premises, for example every evening after closing from a workplace or establishment, or when leaving a home for example for a trip. We expose ourselves to an untimely alarm if we forget to put the device off before entering the protected places again and, conversely, we expose ourselves to a break-in if we forget to put the device in operation before leaving the premises.

There are known alarm devices with automatic deactivation avoiding this drawback, for example that described in the document FR-A-2.125.436, with reference to FIG. 5 of this patent, reproduced in FIG. 1 of the attached drawing.

The switch SW1 is arranged in the keeper, on the frame, so as to open when the bolt of the lock is operated, thus cutting the supply line coming from the current source S. The switch SW2 is placed for example on the top of the doorframe and opens if you open or force the door. If the door is opened normally, having used a key, opening SW2 has no effect because SW1, open, cuts the power. If, on the other hand, the door is forced without operating the lock, the opening of SW2 triggers the alarm because the relay Ry has contacts C1, C2 which close the alarm circuit passing through the siren Bz as soon as the coil Co stops d be fed. In other words, the relay Ry is closed at rest.

However, this solution has certain drawbacks. Indeed, because the relay is closed at rest, the coil Co, which keeps the contacts C1 and C2 apart as long as it is supplied, consumes current, and this for the entire period during which the premises are locked . This results in a waste of current. This disadvantage practically eliminates the possibility of producing the device in a compact form comprising its own power supply, for example in the form of a battery, which would quickly run out and risk becoming flat when it is needed to produce the alarm signal.

In addition, the contacts are arranged on the frame, which makes the installation less convenient.

The present invention aims to remedy such drawbacks by proposing a device where the relay does not consume at rest and where the contacts are provided on the door leaf, which makes possible a compact design and facilitates installation of the device.

The subject of the invention is therefore an alarm device for a door, automatically deactivated during lawful access, either by using a key, or by the lock being already unlocked, comprising a circuit control comprising, in series, an electrical power source and switches, one of which is controlled by the bolt and closed except when the bolt is retracted, and a relay locking in the working position during simultaneous closing of the switches, and an alarm circuit actuated by the relay when the latter is in the working position which, to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks, is characterized in that the control circuit comprises three switches, the first and the second being respectively closed and open when the door is closed and, conversely, open and closed when the door is wide open, but nevertheless simultaneously closed for the door operating phase where, the door being just ajar e, the bolt is necessarily retracted, the third being the aforementioned switch controlled by the bolt.

It should be noted that the control by switches placed in series and a relay with working contacts, in order to save electrical energy, poses a particular problem which the present invention has solved. The problem is as follows: if we are inspired by a classic solution, we will put a switch closing when the door is open (either lawfully or by break-in) and, to distinguish these two cases, we will have a second switch in series with the previous one, open if the bolt is retracted, otherwise closed. However, there are doors with a single bolt, controlled both by the lock and by the door handle. So, in this case, when the door is wide open and the handle released, the bolt comes out and the alarm will go off unexpectedly. Such a circuit cannot therefore be suitable and the solution to this problem is not obvious.

It is quite remarkable that the particular arrangement of the device according to the invention completely avoids this problem.

• la figure 1 représente le schéma électrique d'un dispositif connu cité ci-dessus,
• la figure 2 montre un dispositif d'alarme installé sur une porte,
• la figure 3 représente une vue de chant de la porte et du dispositif de la fig. 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue analogue à celle de la fig. 3, la porte étant fermée, une partie du chambranle apparaissant en coupe,
• la figure 5 est une vue selon une coupe horizontale partielle illustrant l'agencement de l'interrupteur C,
• la figure 6 représente un schéma électrique possible pour le dispositif,
• la figure 7 représente un autre schéma électrique possible,
• la figure 8 représente schématiquement l'état des interrupteurs pour différentes phases de la manoeuvre de la porte,
• la figure 9 est un diagramme illustrant le comportement des interrupteurs lors de la manoeuvre de la porte,
• la figure 10 est une coupe horizontale analogue à celle de la fig. 5, illustrant une autre forme de réalisation du dispositif,
• la figure 11 est une coupe horizontale analogue à celle de la fig. 10, illustrant un agencement de l'interrupteur C,
• la figure 12 illustre un agencement de l'interrupteur C selon une vue analogue à celle de la fig. 3,
• la figure 13 illustre une forme de réalisation du dispositif selon une vue analogue à celle de la fig. 2,
• la figure 14 illustre, selon une vue analogue à celle de la fig. 12, une variante de l'agencement de l'interrupteur C.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description of some embodiments given below by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 represents the electrical diagram of a known device cited above,
• FIG. 2 shows an alarm device installed on a door,
• 3 shows a song view of the door and the device of FIG. 2,
• Figure 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, the door being closed, part of the doorframe appearing in section,
• FIG. 5 is a view in a partial horizontal section illustrating the arrangement of the switch C,
• FIG. 6 represents a possible electrical diagram for the device,
• Figure 7 shows another electrical diagram as possible,
• FIG. 8 schematically represents the state of the switches for different phases of the operation of the door,
• FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the behavior of the switches during the operation of the door,
• Figure 10 is a horizontal section similar to that of FIG. 5, illustrating another embodiment of the device,
• FIG. 11 is a horizontal section similar to that of FIG. 10, illustrating an arrangement of the switch C,
• FIG. 12 illustrates an arrangement of the switch C according to a view similar to that of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to a view similar to that of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 14 illustrates, in a view similar to that of FIG. 12, a variant of the arrangement of the switch C.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an alarm device 40 mounted on a door 10. The door 10 conventionally comprises a lock 22 with cylinder 24, controlling a bolt 28, also shown in the retracted position 28 '. The bolt 28 is also controlled by the door handle. We see on the cleanliness plate 20 the opening 26 corresponding to the door handle. The diagnostic 40, represented schematically, comprises an alarm member 120, for example a siren, or a remote control of the alarm signal, or an automatic call control. The alarm device 120 is controlled by a relay 110, and in 100 are provided cells or batteries for the supply of electrical energy. Some secondary circuit details and connections are not shown. The device 40 comprises three switches A, B and C. Each of these switches comprises a mechanical part comprising a cylindrical socket 51 movable axially in a housing 50 arranged in the device 40. The socket 51 has an axial threaded hole in which is engaged the adjustable way a threaded rod 52.

The state of switches A and B depends on the position of the door, and the state of switch C depends on the position of the bolt, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The sockets of the respective switches are pushed back by elastic blades 60, 70 and 90, which at the same time serve as electrical contact elements. The blade 90 presses on the socket 51A of the switch A. The blade is made of metal, it is fixed by a screw 62 to the housing of the device 40, which is made of insulating material, for example plastic.

On the socket 51A also supports a portion of the blade 60. The socket is made of conductive material or, at least, has a conductive element where it cooperates with the blades 90 and 60. Thus, when ta-douitte 51A is protruding, it establishes contact between the blades 90 and 60. However, when the sleeve 51A is completely pushed back into its housing 50A by the blade 90, the contact is cut off because the blade 60 is retained by a stop 64A and therefore does not touch the sleeve 51A.

Another portion of the blade 60 presses on the socket 51C of the switch C and is also retained by a stop 64C. A portion of another blade 70 also presses on the socket 51C. The rod 52C abuts against the bolt 28 when the latter is in the normal position, that is to say projecting relative to the edge of the door. When the bolt is retracted at 28 ', the rod 52C is no longer in abutment, so that the blade 70 can push the socket 51C completely into its housing 50C. The contact between the blade 70 and the blade 60 is then cut, because the blade 60 is retained by a stop 64C, in a manner similar to that which was the case for the switch A. The other portion of the blade 70 relates to the socket 51 B. When this socket is completely pushed back into its housing, the blade can bear on a terminal 80. When the socket 51 B is sufficiently protruding, the contact between the blade 70 and the terminal 80 is cut.

The rods 52A, B and C leave the device 40 at the base of the respective housings 50A, B and C and engage in the respective holes 53A, B and C provided for this purpose in the rim 14 of the door 10. To establish the location of the holes to be drilled, it is possible to use a template or use the housing of the device 40, the holes made at the bottom of the housings 50 making it possible to precisely position the location of the holes 53 that must be drilled in the door. If the housing is constructed with a bottom plate (not shown), it can also be used as a template.

There are thus three switches in series: A, B and C.

Fig. 3 represents the door seen from edge with partial sections. We can see there what the states of the switches are when the door is wide open and the latch 28 protruding, the door handle having been released. Switch A is then open and switches B and C closed.

Fig. 4 shows the door closed and the jamb in partial section along a plane passing through the axes of the rods 52 of the switches. In this section, we see a portion of the frame 30 with the keeper 32 in which the bolt 28 (not shown in this figure) is intended to engage. The hole 53C is extended by a hole 33 made in the keeper, and possibly drilled at the same time as the hole 53C. In this figure, the bolt is supposed to be retracted, so that the rod 52C is no longer in abutment, which allows the socket 51C to be fully pushed back into its housing by the blade 70. Because of the presence of the stop 64C, the blade 60 cannot come into contact with the socket 51C: the switch C is therefore open.

In fig. 4, it can be seen that the rod 52B of the switch B simply bears against the surface of the frame 30, forcing the socket 51 B to come out, which cuts the contact between the terminal 80 and the blade ₇₀ .

Opposite the rod 52A of the switch A is a peg 36 housed in a hole 37 extending the hole 53A formed in the leaf 14 of the door 10 and, possibly, drilled on the same occasion as it. When the door is closed, this piton pushes back the rod 52A so that the socket 51A leaving its housing establishes contact between the blades 90 and 60. The piton meets the following purpose. When the door is wide open (fig. 3), the fact that the rod 52B is projecting is of little consequence. If it is pushed back accidentally or voluntarily by a child, for example, this opens the switch B, but it is already in series with an open switch: A. On the other hand, one should not be able to accidentally operate this way l switch A, the only one left open, because it would operate the closing intem- pest ⁱ vely the alarm. Also the rod 53A should not be projecting when the door is open. This means that it cannot be pushed back by the surface of the jamb 14. It is then the peg 36 which causes the movement of the rod 52A.

As mentioned above, each rod 52 is adjustably engaged in the axial threaded hole of the corresponding socket 51. The sleeve 51 may have an external axial groove cooperating with a corresponding axial groove in the housing 50 to prevent the sleeve from turning when the threaded rod is adjusted by screwing (not shown in the drawing). This adjustment makes it possible to obtain the behavior provided for the switches, as described more particularly with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 5 represents a partial horizontal section passing through the axis of the socket 51 C; the bolt is shown in the non-retracted position and it is engaged in the strike 32. The rod 52C passes through the hole 33 of the strike 32 and is in abutment on the bolt 28. The socket 51C is therefore pushed back into the projecting position out of its housing 50C. Switch C is therefore closed.

Figure 6 shows a possible electrical diagram for the alarm device. The switches A. B and C are in the respective states they have when the door is closed and the bolt is in the normal position. The three switches are in series; an electrical energy source 201 is inserted in the series. The circuit is closed by the coil of a relay 210. The latter must be irreversible. By this is meant that if a pulse excites the coil and, thus, actuates a controlled switch 214, the latter must not return to its rest position even if the coil ceases to be excited. In other words, it only takes one pulse for the relay to "stick". To “take off”, a specific action must be taken, for example unscrew the protective cover and remove the batteries or operate any command such as an unlocking lever provided on this kind of relay.

When the relay 210 is actuated, closing the contact 214, the alarm circuit is excited which comprises a power source 202 and an alarm device 220 such as a siren or an apparatus controlling an automatic telephone call or actuating at distance an alarm signal.

The source 201 could be placed elsewhere, in the circuit, and the order of the switches could be modified without changing the principle of series mounting. Alternatively, an additional switch D can be provided, constituted by a particular detector which reacts by closing when an attempt is made to force the lock itself. This switch is placed in parallel with B and C, normally open.

FIG. 7 represents a variant where the device 40 has only one power supply 200. The switch D provided as a variant can be arranged in parallel either with B and C, as shown, or with the whole series B, C, A The circuit is such that current is consumed only when the alarm is triggered. However, a battery can, in the long run, run down without being used. It is useful to provide on the alarm device 40 a small circuit for indicating the charge of the battery or the battery. This circuit, not shown, would be connected to the terminals of the power supply. It can include, for example, a working contact switch controlled by a push button, in series with a voltmeter, or an indicator which only lights up if the charge is still sufficient.

FIG. 8 represents the states of switches A, B and C as a function of the different phases of the operation of a door. In I, the door is closed and the bolt is in the normal position (28, fig. 5). In II, the handle is actuated, the bolt is retracted and the door still closed (fig. 4). In III, the door is just ajar. In IV the door is opened more widely, but the bolt is still necessarily retracted. In IV 'you can release the bolt. In V, the bolt is released (fig. 3). In VI, all switches are closed. This can only happen if you force the door without having a key. C can therefore only be closed. When the door is illegally ajar, for example by forcing it with a lever, switch B closes before switch A opens, as in phase III, except that C being closed also, the relay will be energized and the alarm given. It takes a while to disassemble the device and reach the batteries or the relay release lever, and this time is sufficient for the signal to be already transmitted before the perpetrator has the opportunity to stop the operation of the device.

Fig. 9 represents in the form of a diagram the phases I to V as a function of the angular position a of the door. Curve P relates to the operation of the bolt. The dotted line indicates that the bolt can be released later than necessary (or that, when closed, the bolt can be retracted earlier than necessary). Curves C, B, A relate to switches, 1 signifying closed switch, O signifying open switch. AB is the product of functions A and B.

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the device where the switches A, B and C are arranged outside the door, so as to avoid the obligation to pierce the latter. The switches A and B do not pose any particular problems.

For the switch C a different arrangement is provided, illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13. Two contact blades 150 are arranged, one above the bolt, the other below. These blades are bent so as to conform to the profile of the door. At the end of each of the blades is a conductive portion 159, slightly protruding and in elastic support against the bolt 28 when it is not retracted. The metal bolt then makes contact. When the bolt is retracted, the ignition is off, as provided for the operation of the device. The contact blades 150 cooperate with the bolt 28 to constitute the switch C.

Each plate is clamped in position against the housing of the device 40 by a plate 154 tightened by screws 156. When the blades 150 are put in place, when the latter are correctly positioned relative to the bolt 28, the plate 154 is screwed is made of insulating material. Each blade has small teeth 151 which penetrate into the insulator of the plate when it is screwed, thus immobilizing the blade in a rigorous manner.

As a variant, these teeth 151 could cooperate with a conductive area to establish the electrical contact. The electrical connections of the blades are not shown, but their realization does not offer any particular difficulty.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2. Note that the switches A and B are arranged on bosses 41, 42 to prevent the door from being pierced. The blades 150, not visible in FIG. 13, are held by the plate 154.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 showing a variant for producing the switch C. A single blade 170 carries two contacts 178, 179 cooperating with the bolt 28. Each contact is connected to a conductor, respectively 188 and 189, shown diagrammatically in the figure. The blade 170 is fixed to the housing by a screw 180 and a washer 181.

Each conductor could for example be constituted by a metallic deposit on a plate 170 made of insulating material. However, it is also possible to provide a conductive plate 170 constituting one of the two conductors, for example 189, the other conductor 188 being a metal strip bonded with interposition of insulation on the strip 170.

Claims (9)

1. Alarm system for a door which is automatically disengaged in the occurence of an authorised entry by means of a key or when the lock is unlocked, comprising a control circuit consisting of an electric source (202) in series with a plurality of switches, one of which (C) is controlled by the bolt (28) and is closed unless the bolt is withdrawn, a relay (210) which is locked in its operating position when all the switches are simultaneously closed, and an alarm circuit operated by said relay when the latter is in its operating position, characterized in that the control circuit comprises three switches (A, B, C), the first switch (A) and the second switch (B) being respectively closed and open when the door is closed and inversely open and closed when the door is wide open, but both closed when the door, in the process of being opened is ajar and the bolt withdrawn, the third switch being the aforementioned switch (C) controlled by the bolt (28).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized In that the energy source is a battery or an accumulator (201).

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a load indicator (220) for the battery or the accumulator.

4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm circuit is supplied with electricity from the same source (200) as that mounted on the circuit operating the relay (210).

5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the first circuit is set in a case designed to be installed on the door.

6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the case contains also the alarm circuit.

7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm circuit is designed to operate an alarm device at a distance.

8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm circuit is designed to dial a telephone.

9. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control circuit comprises a fourth switch (D) mounted on the door in parallel with at least the second switch (B) and designed to close if said lock is forced, thus closing the control circuit and operating the relay (210).

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