Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B47/00—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
  • E05B47/06—Controlling mechanically-operated bolts by electro-magnetically-operated detents
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B37/00—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks
  • E05B37/08—Permutation or combination locks; Puzzle locks with tumbler discs on a single axis, all the discs being adjustable by a rotary knob which is not shifted for adjusting the discs
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B49/00—Electric permutation locks; Circuits therefor ; Mechanical aspects of electronic locks; Mechanical keys therefor

Definitions

• This invention relates in general to an electroni lock for use as a means for securing goods and area requiring a high degree of security.
• the introductio of electronics into the lock field has seen man improvements.
• the use of sophisticated electronic logi circuitry has enabled the implementations of a series o complex and unique electronic combinations which ha made tampering for improper entry into secured area more difficult.
• While electronic locks do provide fo improved security, they do present a number of uniqu problems. Electrical surges in the power line supplying powe to the electronic lock can damage the circuitry makin impossible the opening of the lock by the prope operator.
• the resultant cost to have the safe o secured area opened could be significant in light of th materials used for the enclosure and the difficulty i gaining entry by cutting through those materials. I addition, misfunction could also result from tampering or loss of power making opening of the lock impossible.
• One of the objects, therefore of the curren invention is to disclose and provide for an electroni lock which can be opened, despite an electronic catas trophe.
• one object is to have th electronic lock have a manual combination override whic enables opening of the electronic lock by a strictl mechanical mechanism.
• a further object of the presen invention is to disclose and provide for a commo mechanism for opening the lock operable by either electronic mode or a manual combination overrid feature. Such a mechanism would enable the electroni lock of the present invention to minimize space an components, as well as have it utilized for application where either electronic or manual locks are now utilized to secure goods or an area.
• another object of the .present invention is to disclose and provide for a conversion kit to convert current electronic locks and manual combination locks over to the multifunction electronic lock with manual combination override.
• the manual combination override would incorporate tumblers and gates in a design similar to that found in U.S. Patent No, 3,981,167.
• An object of the inventions using such a design is to provide for a mechanical means for opening an electronic lock.
• the improvement of an electronic lock by means of the current invention will enable the manual opening of the lock through a manual combination override provi ⁇ sion.
• the electronic lock incorporating the current invention includes a dial operated plurality of tumbler wheels having gates to receive a fence member of a bolt operating release mechanism when the manual combination is dialed, an electronic means for generating a lock opening signal when a second combination is entered into said electronic means.
• the improvement comprises a bolt operating release mechanism.
• the bolt operating release mechanism has three components assembled as one unit which interacts with the .dial and tumblers above, and a dial operated cam.
• the bolt operating lever has a nose portion at one end that meshes with the cam and an opposite end pivotally attached to a lock bolt.
• a control plate is trans ⁇ versely mounted to the fence and matingly mounted to the bolt operating lever.
• the fence-spindle assembly, bolt operating lever, and the control plate move as a unit when the lock is opened when the manual override provision is utilized.
• the bolt operating lever is released from the unitary movement with the control plate and said fence when the lock is opened using the electronic mode.
• the electronic mode comprises a series of pressure- sensitive switches which, when contacted by a push pin on the cam of the dial operated cam, causes an electri- cal contact. Subsequent and repetitive manipulations of the dial operated cam with axial displacement will generate a electronic signal to release the holding means, which holds the control plate in position with the bolt operating lever.
• the holding means for example could be a solenoid, but it is not limited to such.
• the input of the electronic combination as noted above, will have the bolt operating lever move to mesh with the cam disc. Upon subsequent rotation of the dial operated cam, the lock will open.
• Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the electronic lock with manual combina ⁇ tion override in accordance with the current invention.
• Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the bolt operating release mechanism and cam disc of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through plane III- III of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 4 is an exploded and partially in section view of the electronic bolt with manual combination override of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 5 is an exploded and partially in section view of the exemplar of Fig. 1 rotationally adjusted thereto.
• Fig. 6 is an exploded and partially in section view of the exemplar of Fig. 1 subsequent to the generation of an opening electronic signal by the electronic means thereof.
• Fig. 7 is an exploded and partially in section view of the exemplar of Fig. 1 subsequent to the operation of the manual override feature thereof.
• Fig. 8 is a plan view of the electronic means of the exemplar of Fig. 1 in accordance with the invention for generation of an opening electronic.signal.
• Fig. 9 is a plain view of the opposite side of the electronic means of Fig. 8.
• Fig. 10 is a plan view of the combination adjust ⁇ ment key for the electronic means of the exemplar herein.
• FIG. 1 the preferred exemplary embodiment of an electronic lock with a manual combina ⁇ tion override, according to the present invention, mounted to a wall 22 (as shown in Fig. 3) which is representative of the door of a safe or security room, or portions of a wall adjacent to such doors with the dial and dial associated mechanism on a forward side o a wall.
• a wall 22 which is representative of the door of a safe or security room, or portions of a wall adjacent to such doors with the dial and dial associated mechanism on a forward side o a wall.
• the tumbler means, latch, releas lever and associated actuated means as known in th art, located on an opposite interior side of the wal from the dial within a housing 24, as much more full explained hereinafter.
• Housing 24 of lock 20 als contains an electronic means for generating electroni signal that will open lock 20 by throwing bolt 27 fro recess 28 of wall 29.
• the invention as shown in Fig. shows a tumbler 91, a gate of tumbler 92, a means fo enabling a nose portion 46 to mesh with a cam opening 7 of cam 70 which will allow the lock to be opened b those formulas in the art for manual tumbler operabl combination locks.
• Bolt operating release mechanism 40 as shown i Fig. 2, is incorporated into the lock housing as show in Fig. 1. It is through the operation of the bol operating release mechanism 40 which enables the lock t be opened by an electronic means as well as a manua combination tumbler gate arrangement. Bolt operatin release mechanism 40, as shown in Fig. 2, will be dis cussed in more detail hereinafter.
• Fig. 3 shows the lock 20 attached to the inside o a wall or door 22.
• the dial 34 is attached to shaft 30 its length is from the dial through wall 22 into th area of the bolt operating release mechanism 40 wher the shaft 30 connects with a cam disc 70.
• the manipula tion of the dial 34, shaft 30, and bolt operatin mechanism 40 enables the operation of the lock in traditional manual mode, utilizing tumblers as indicate by 90, or by an electronic means as indicated b electronic means 100.
• the shaft 30 is biased outward b a biasing means shown as a spring disc 38.
• Shaft 30 ca move axially into lock 30 by overcoming bias spring 38 enabling push pin 75 to contact the electronic mean 100.
• Push pin 75 rotates through the axial motion o shaft 30 by means of cam disc 70 (shown more clearly in Fig. 1) .
• - Electronic means 100 can be powered by an exterior power source as indicated by power cord 150 or by means of a battery power means 122 which can be either a dry or wet cell, as shown in Fig. 3.
• Dial 34 mounts to a dial disc ring 36 which attaches to wall 22 by means of bolt 37.
• a faceplate 35 is mounted to the front of dial 34.
• Dial 34 has along its edges divisions and markings 33 for rotational positioning of said shaft 30 in order to operate the lock 20 in the electronic or manual mode.
• Fig. 4 shows a rearward cutout view into the housing 24 of lock 20 inside wall of a secured area or door of a safe.
• Cam 70 is rotated by dial 34 through its connection by shaft 30.
• Fig. 4 shows push pin 75 which contacts electronic means 100 (not shown, but see Fig. 3) .
• dial 34 and shaft 30 are rotated, the nose portion 46 of the bolt operating release mechanism 40 rides along the circumference of cam disc 70.
• the bolt operating release mechanism 40 is a multi-component assembly as indicated in Fig. 2, including components 50, and 42, 60. During non-operation, the bolt operat ⁇ ing release mechanism 40 maintains a configuration as shown in Fig. 4 with the assistance of a solenoid holding means 80.
• nose portion 46 is contacted positionally by a raised portion 77 of cam disc 70 as shown in Fig. 5. Raised portion 77 positions a control plate 60 of the bolt operating release mechanism 40 for withdrawal of a solenoid armature 82 and its tab head 84 from control plate 60.
• Fig. 6 illustrates the nose portion 46 of the bol operating release mechanism 40 engaging cutout 72. Upo generation of an electronic signal which causes th withdrawing of said solenoid armature 82 and head ta 84, which enables said nose portion 46 to engage the ca disc 70, whereupon further rotation of dial 34 and shaf 30, bolt 27 will withdraw from its recess 28 in wall 2 opening lock 20.
• the lock 20 can be opened by use of the manual mod in the instance where the electronic combination is los or there is a loss of power to the electronic means 10 or a misfunction thereof.
• the operation of the manua mode is done with tumblers and gates in a manner know in the art for the manual operation of a combinatio lock.
• Fig. 7 shows the manipulation of shaft 30 an tumblers 90 so that a fence member 56 can enter gat opening area 94 to engage the gates and allow nos portion 46 to engage cam disc cutout 72.
• the tumbler 9 represents a plurality of parallel tumblers 90. Afte the fence member 56 engages gate opening area 94 subsequent rotation of the dial 34 will have lock bol 27 withdraw from its recess 28 within wall 29.
• Figs. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the electronic mean 100 of lock 20, wherein a combination can be entere into by contact with the electronic means by push pin 7 contacting upon pressure sensitive switches 102 as show in Fig. 8. Numerous predetermined contacting o switches 102 generates an electronic signal, which a noted above, will cause withdrawal of a solenoi armature 82 and head tab 84 from control plate 60. Thi will enable the opening of lock 20.
• the electroni means 100 for generation of that signal will be dis cussed in more detail hereinafter. o o
• the bolt operating release mechanism 40 enables the electronic and manual operation of lock 20 through its multifunction capa ⁇ bility.
• Components of the bolt operating release mechanism 40 include: a control plate 60, a bolt operating lever 42 and a fence-spindle assembly 50. The components assemble together and can rotate as one unit during the manual operation of the lock as shown in Fig. 7.
• Bolt operating lever 42 has a pivotally connected end 44 which mounts to lock bolt 27, as shown in Fig. 1, by means of mounting bolt 49.
• a free end with a cam following nose 46 At the pivotally attached end is a safety finger 43 which- prevents the over-rotation of the bolt operating lever during operation and opening of lock 20.
• the bolt operating release mechanism 40 is joine as a unit by means of a journalled spindle 54 of fence-spindle assembly 50, with a hex head end 55.
• Journalled spindle 54 connects the fence-spindl assembly 50 to the bolt operating lever 42 throug orifice 56.
• Hex head section 55 connects to contro plate 60 by means of hex orifice 62.
• Cam disc 70 is rotated about by shaft 30 an connected to it by opening 76 which slides on shaft 3 and where pins 79 (as shown in Fig. 1) are placed i cutouts 78 for attachment of the cam disc 70 to shaf 30.
• the solenoid 80 as shown in Fig. 1, mounts t mounting bracket 41 on bolt control lever 42. Th mounting nut 87 of solenoid 80, mounts the solenoid 80 to mounting bracket 41 for proper positioning along bol operating control lever 42 to ensure the proper inser- tion and withdrawal of solenoid armature 82 and head ta 84
• dial 34 Upon rotation of dial 34 as shown in Fig. 3, to position as marked by dial markings 33 on dial 34, whic also can be indicated on dial disc 36, the shaft 30 ca be axially displaced into lock 20 by applying pressur to the dial at faceplate 35 or by gripping around th dial 34 and pushing the dial 34 inward.
• the dial 34 ca be rotated to a position where its proper positionin will enable the push pin 75 connected to cam disc 70, t contact one of a plurality of circularly arrange pressure sensitive switches 102 on circuit componen mounting board 103 within the housing 24 of lock 20.
• the pressure sensitive switches 102 are located within housing 24 in a positio parallel to cam disc 70 in which push pin 75 concentric ⁇ ally rotates about said circular pattern of pressure sensitive switches 102.
• push pin 75 contacts one of a plurality of circularly arranged pressure sensitive switches 102, which generates an electrical signal for each contact.
• an electronic signal will be generated to a holding means as indicated here but not limited to a solenoid 80.
• the signal will cause the solenoid armature 82 and its head tab 84 to withdraw from control plate 60, allowing the meshing of nose portion 46 and cam disc 70.
• control plate 60 rotates with the pivotall attached bolt operating lever 42 in a clockwise fashio during rotation of dial 34.
• control plat 60 can also rotate in a clockwise fashion aroun journalled spindle 54 when the solenoid 80 is activated
• Control plate 60 will rotate counter-clockwise abou journalled spindle 54 when lock 20 is closed afte opening.
• Torque spring 59 enables th control plate 60 to maintain its position relative t the bolt operating lever 42 and rotate about hex hea portion 55.
• the electronic signal generated as note above, will allow the solenoid armature 82 to withdra from lock slot platform 65 and its associated lock slo 66 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
• Lock slot platform 65 ha in it a large lock slot opening 66 and a smaller slo 68, adjacent to lock slot 66. Insertion of head tab 8 and armature 82 into the lock slot platform 65 whe control plate 60 is the position as shown in Fig. 5, will occur because there is no interfering section t prevent its insertion or withdrawal.
• Fence-spindle assembly 50 has a journalled spindle 54 and its hex head 55 on a fence plate 52 at an opposite end from spindle 54, in the opposite direction to a fence member 56. (See Fig. 2.)
• dial 34 and shaft 30 initializing the manual combination override mechanism of lock 20, fence member 56 engages the gate area 94 of a plurality of tumblers 90, as shown in Fig. 7.
• the manual combination override feature assures the capability of opening lock 20 in the event the electro ⁇ nic combination is forgotten, or there is an electronic misfunction or a power loss, and/or damage to the electronic means 100 of lock 20.
• the manual combination override feature has the bolt control release mechanism 40, rotate in a clockwise fashion as one entire unit, as opposed to the independent rotation of face plate 60 in the electronic mode of operation of lock 20 as shown in Fig. 6.
• Solenoid 80 is one method that can hold control plate 60 with for unitary movement with bolt operating lever 42. The operation in the electronic mode will releasably allow rotation of said plate 60 in order to mesh nose portion 46 with cam disc cutout 72.
• a solenoid 80 is not the only means in which this could be accomplished. Another method or manner in which this can be accomplished is with a series of magnetic switches, a series of withdrawable electronically li controlled pins and any number ways as well one skille in the art could contemplate for releasably holdin control plate 60.
• Fig. 8 shows the component mounting board 103.
• Component mounting board 103 has on it a series o circular pressure-sensitive switches 102 and a circui pattern containing circuit logic and design 106 fo retention of an electronic combination which will b contacted by push pin 75, as described above, fo generation of an electronic signal which will open loc 20.
• the electronic means is insid the wall or door 22 with its own covering 126.
• Th covering or housing 126 covers the backside or revers side of circuit component mounting board 103.
• Fig. 8 we see area 120 which contains a powe source 122 for the operation of the electronic means
• the power source 122 is contained within the housing 2 and alongside the electronic component mounting boar 103 as shown in Fig. 3.
• Power source 122 has in it cavity two holding areas 124 and 125 for the positionin and retention of two commercially available dry or we cell batteries or power source storage units. Th batteries are placed within the packaged area 120 b removal of bolt 123 and cover 121.
• the batteries enable the operation of lock 2 independent of a power source, such as AC or DC current.
• a power source such as AC or DC current.
• the batteries or storage cells, whic contain electrical current can operate the electroni means of lock 20, as an emergency power source back-up.
• power source 122 will generate sufficien power to operate lock 20.
• the batteries or power sourc would be stored in a hermetic environment encased in such material, which for whatever reason the chemical components of the batteries or storage cells would leak, would prevent such leakage into other areas of the lock 20 housing 24.
• a series of pressure-sensitive switches 108 and key seats 100 adjacent thereto are a series of pressure-sensitive switches 108 and key seats 100 adjacent thereto.
• the plurality of key seats 109 have key openings as indicated by 111, which has a key seat 112 in which a key 110 fits.
• the operator will insert the key, turn it to the opposite direction to that used to gain entry.
• the pattern or combination can be set by the turning of the key 110 and the pressing of the associated switches 108 a number of times to indicate the correct number. For example, if the firs number that was to be set in the electronic combination was to be five, the key 110 would be placed in the key seat, opposite to pressure-sensitive switch numbered 4 and key 110 would be turned and 4 would be contacted, and then key 110 would be withdrawn, key 110 would be then placed in the key seat associated with pressure- sensitive switch numbered 1, turned and would be con ⁇ tacted.
• switch 110 would be entered into the key seat associated with pressure-sensitive switch marked with Alpha C on it.
• the key would be turned and the Alpha C switch contacted and the number of the electro ⁇ nic combination would be entered.
• switches 4 and 1 are only as for example, as switches 3 and 2, could be utilized to generate the number 5.
• the switches 108 and associated keyseats 109 numbered one through four and indicated control pressure-switch with Alpha C are only for example.
• the embodiment of an alternative combination input mechanism could have nine switches and keyways or fewer or as indicated.
• dial 34 there could be divisions associated with zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or to whatever circular pattern of pressure- sensitive switches one would contemplate for the electronic combination.
• These designations and/or orientations of pressure-sensitive switches could also be marked on dial ring 36 in order to make its use easier for the operator to dial in the correct posi ⁇ tional orientations.

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• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
• Oscillators With Electromechanical Resonators (AREA)
• Transceivers (AREA)
• Mounting Of Printed Circuit Boards And The Like (AREA)

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• 1989
  • 1989-06-09 EP EP89907573A patent/EP0435870B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1989-06-09 AT AT89907573T patent/ATE121815T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1989-06-09 DE DE68922398T patent/DE68922398T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1989-06-09 WO PCT/US1989/002560 patent/WO1989012154A1/en active IP Right Grant

Non-Patent Citations (3)

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