GB2121863A

GB2121863A - A security arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2121863A
Application number: GB08216475A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Isaac Green
Original assignee: HELMSMAN COIN CONTROLLED LOCKE
Current assignee: HELMSMAN COIN CONTROLLED LOCKE
Priority date: 1982-06-07
Filing date: 1982-06-07
Publication date: 1984-01-04
Also published as: GB2121863B

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling access to portable tools, such as pricing guns, has a basket (6) for the tool hanging from a casing (2). A security arrangement for the tool is housed within the casing (2) and comprises a user lock (10) and a tool lock (12). The tool is securely fixed to a key (8) of the tool lock (12). A link mechanism interconnects the user lock (10) and the tool lock (12) and is arranged to ensure that at all times one of the two locks is in a position in which its key is held captive. Thus, either the key (8) attached to the tool is captive in the tool lock (12) or a user key is held in the user lock (10). Furthermore, the keys for both locks must be in position in the respective locks (10, 12) in order to change the position of either of the locks. All authorised personnel can be issued with a uniquely marked user key such that if the key (8) of the tool, and hence the tool, is removed the identity of the person who released the tool is immediately apparent from the retained user key. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A security arrangement The present invention relates to a security arrangement, for example, for controlling access to an article.

It is often required to control access to an article, for example, because of the intrinsic value of the article and/or because the article may be required by more than one person.

Thus, supermarkets generally have pricing guns for affixing price labels to their goods. Obviously, it is required that theft of these guns should be prevented. It is also important that anyone needing to use one of these guns should not have to spend time searching for a gun which has not been returned by its previous user.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a security arrangement comprising two key operable lock means each having at least two positions, each lock means being movable into one said position in which its key is held captive, and a link mechanism interconnecting said lock means and arranged such that each lock means can only be moved out of its one position in which its key is held captive by moving the other lock means into its one position in which its key is held captive.

It will be appreciated that at all times one of the lock means will be in its one position in which its key is held captive. Furthermore, in order to release the captive key of said one lock means, it is necessary to have a key for the other lock means. Thus, keys for both lock means must be available in order to change the position of either of the lock means.

It is envisaged that one of the lock means should be used to control access to an article.

Thus, the key for one of the lock means could be securely attached to the article such that when said one lock means is holding the key captive the article is secured to the security arrangement.

Keys capable of operating the other lock means would only be issued to authorised personnel. To release the article it would only be necessary to turn a key in the other lock to move the one lock out of its key captive position. However, this would necessarily cause the other lock to hold its key captive and this key cannot be released until the key attached to the article has been replaced.

It is envisaged that keys issued to authorised personnel would be marked to indicate their identity so that whenever the article is removed the key held captive in the other lock would enable the identity of the person who had removed the article to be established.

Preferably, each of said lock means is a lock having a rotatable lock cylinder rotatable between an unlocked position in which its key is held captive and a locked position in which its key is releasable.

Preferably, the link mechanism comprises two bars, each bar being coupled to a respective lock cylinder for rotation therewith, and means interconnecting said bars.

In one embodiment, in which each lock cylinder is rotatable in the same sense to its key captive position, each bar extends radially with respect to the respective lock cylinder, and the bars are telescopically connected together. The bars may be telescopically interconnected by providing a longitudinally extending slot in one bar in which a pin carried by the other bar is slidably engaged.

In an embodiment, in which the lock cylinders are rotatable in opposite senses to their respective key captive positions, each bar extends radially with respect to the respective lock cylinder, and the bars are each pivotably connected to a link bar.

In another embodiment, in which each lock cylinder is rotatable in the same sense to its key captive position the link mechanism comprises a toothed segment rotationally fixed to each lock cylinder, the teeth of the segments being intermeshed. Preferably, each segment is a quadrant.

If required, the link mechanism could comprise a gear train. For example, each lock cylinder could be coupled to a gear and the gears either directly intermeshed or in driving engagement by way of one or more intermediate gears.

The present invention also extends to apparatus for controlling access to an article including a security arrangement as defined above and means securely affixing the key of one of the lock means to the article.

In an embodiment said one lock means is arranged within an enclosure for housing the article and the other lock means is arranged to lock a door of the enclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of apparatus for controlling access to articles, Figs. 2a and 2b show schematically two positions of a link mechanism of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Figs. 3a and 3b show schematically two positions of an alternative link mechanism, Figs. 4a and 4b show schematically two positions of a further embodiment of a link mechanism, and Fig. 5 shows a sectional plan view of a further embodiment of apparatus for controlling access to an article.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 can be used for controlling access to any portable tools or equipment, such as, the pricing guns used in supermarkets, measuring instruments used in machine shops or laboratories, and the like.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 has a casing 2 which is affixed to a wall. Two separate security arrangements for two separate tools (not shown) are housed within the casing 2. The casing 2 has lugs 4 from which a basket 6 is suspended.

The two tools (not shown) are normally kept in the basket 6. Each tool is securely fixed to a respective key 8, by means of a chain, wire or the like (not shown). Each security arrangement comprises a user lock 10 and a tool lock 1 2. The locks 10 and 12 are interconnected by a link mechanism which is described below.

Each of the locks 10, 12 has a lock cylinder which is rotatable by an appropriate key between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position the key is releasable but in the unlocked position the key is held captive in the cylinder. Such locks are known and will not be further described herein.

The two tool locks 12 have different combinations such that they cannot be operated by the same key. A number or other identifying mark 14 is affixed to the casing 2 in proximity to each tool lock 12 and the tool affixed to the key 8 for that tool lock is itself marked with the same number or mark.

In the position illustrated in Fig. 1 each of the keys 8 is held captive in the respective tool lock 12 such that the tool affixed to the key 8 is secured relative to the casing 2. Each of the tool locks 12 is thus in its unlocked position. Each of the user locks 10 is in its locked position and its key has been removed.

In order to release one of the tools it is necessary to insert the appropriate key into one of the user locks 10. Depending upon the link mechanism, either of the locks 10 or 12 or one of the locks 10, 12 can then be turned by the respective inserted key. The link mechanism ensures that turning one of the keys turns both lock cylinders such that the tool lock 12 is moved into its locked position in which its key is releasable and at the same time the user lock 10 is moved into its unlocked position in which its key is held captive. Thus, the tool and attached key can be removed for use but the user key remains held in the user lock 10.

It is envisaged that all authorised personnel would be issued with their own user key but that each key would be individually numbered and that a record would be kept of the number of the key issued to each person. Thus, by checking the number of the key held captive in a user lock 10 it would be possible to identify the person responsible for the release of the tool from the corresponding tool lock 12.

It will be appreciated that the user key cannot be removed from the user lock 10 as the tool lock 12 cannot be turned until its key is inserted and the link mechanism ensures that both lock cylinders must be rotated simultaneousiy.

The user key can be removed when the tool is returned and its key is reinserted in the tool lock 12. One of the keys is then turned to rotate both of the lock cylinders such that the tool lock 12 is turned to its unlocked position in which the tool key is held captive and the user lock 10 is turned to its locked position in which the user key is releasable.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 includes two security arrangements for controlling access to two tools. A supermarket may have 30 or 40 pricing guns and require that these be made available to 100 or more people. Accordingly, an individual security arrangement for each gun would be provided. The security arrangements could be housed in one or more casings at one or more locations. Each tool lock would have a different combination such that each pricing gun would have to be returned to its original location.

However, all of the user locks would have the same combination such that each authorised user would be able to gain access to any pricing gun.

Figs. 2a and 2b show one embodiment of a link mechanism for a user lock 10 and a tool lock 12.

In this embodiment the locks 10 and 12 are arranged vertically above one another as shown in Fig. 1. Each of the locks 10 and 12 are conventional locks of the type normally fitted to a cabinet door and each includes a rotatable lock cylinder indicated at 1 6 which rotates through 900 between its locked and unlocked positions. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2a and 2b each of the locks 10 and 12 is of the type normally fitted to a left hand edge door, that is, the lock cylinders 1 6 of each lock rotate in the same sense to the unlocked position. As seen in Figs. 2a and 2b each lock cylinder 1 6 rotates clockwise to the unlocked position and anti-clockwise to the locked position.

A bar 1 8 is fixed to the lock cylinder 1 6 of the user lock 10 for rotation therewith and extends radially of the lock cylinder 1 6. Similarly, a bar 20 is fixed to the cylinder 1 6 of the tool lock 12 for rotation therewith and extends radially of the lock cylinder. The bar 1 8 has a longitudinally extending slot 22 therein in which a pin 24 carried by the bar 20 is engaged. The pin 24 is siidable along the slot 22 such that the bars 18 and 20 are telescopically connected.

Fig. 2a shows one end position of the link mechanism with the user lock 10 in its locked position in which its key is releasable. The tool lock 12 is in its unlocked position in which its key is held captive. It will be seen that in this one end position of the link mechanism the two bars 1 8 and 20 are substantially at right angles.

The interconnected bars 1 8 and 20 ensure that neither of the lock cylinders 16 can be rotated separately. When appropriate keys are in place in each lock enabling rotation of both lock cylinders 1 6 it will be seen that rotation of the lock cylinder of tool lock 12 by its key will move the bars 18 and 20 towards the other end position shown in Fig. 2h such that both lock cylinders 1 6 will be rotated.

In the other end position illustrated in Fig. 2b, the user lock 10 is in its unlocked position in which its key is held captive and the tool lock 1 2 is in its locked position in which its key is releasable.

It should be noted that with the particular arrangement shown in Figs. 2a and 2b it is only possible to move the link mechanism to either of its end positions by rotating the key of the tool lock 12.

Figs. 3a and 3b show a further embodiment of the link mechanism interconnecting a user lock 110 and a tool lock 112 whose lock cylinders 116 are rotatable in opposite senses. Thus, the lock cylinder 11 6 of the user lock 110 rotates clockwise to its unlocked position and anticlockwise to its locked position. The lock cylinder 116 of the tool lock 112 rotates anticlockwise to its unlocked position and clockwise to its locked position as seen in Figs. 3a and 3b. Each lock cylinder 11 6 rotates through 900 between its locked and unlocked positions.

It will be seen that the locks 110 and 112 are aligned and that each has a bar 118 fixed to the respective lock cylinder 11 6 for rotation therewith.

The bars 118 each extend radially of the respective lock cylinder 1 16 and are substantially parallel to each other. Near its free end, each bar 118 is pivotally connected to a link bar 120. This link bar 120 extends substantially parallel to a line connecting the centres of the two lock cylinders 11 6.

Fig. 3a shows one end position in which the user lock 110 is in its locked position with its key releasabie and the tool lock 11 2 is in its unlocked position with its key held captive. Fig. 3b shows the other end position in which the user lock 110 is in its unlocked position with its key held captive and the tool lock 11 2 is in its locked position with its key releasable.

With the arrangement shown in Figs. 3a and 3b the link mechanism can be moved to either of its end positions by turning either of the keys in its respective lock.

Figs. 4a and 4b show a variation of the embodiment of Figs. 2a and 2b in which the bars 18 and 20 are replaced by toothed quadrants 218 and 220 whose teeth are intermeshed. The operation of this embodiment will be apparent from the description above relating to Figs. 2a and 2b and will not therefore be further described.

Except to point out that in this embodiment the link mechanism can be moved by turning either of the keys. Fig. 4a shows the one end position in which the user lock 10 is in its locked position with its key releasable and the tool lock 12 is in its unlocked position with its key held captive. Fig. 4b shows the other end position in which the user lock 10 is in its unlocked position with its key held captive and the tool lock 12 is in its locked position with its key releasable.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment suitable for use where the tool is of a type or of a value which makes it desirable to keep it out of sight. The tool (not shown) is kept in an enclosure 300 to which access is only available by way of a door 302.

The tool is attached to a key 308 insertable in a tool lock 312 which is mounted in the side of the enclosure within a frame 304 for the enclosure.

Access to the tool and the tool key 308 can only be obtained through the door 302. The user lock 310 has a lock cylinder 316, which carries a lock cam 320. This lock cam 320 is engageable within a slot 322 in the door 302. When the user lock 310 is in its locked position its key is releasable and the lock cam 320 is engaged in the slot 322 such that the door is locked. When the user lock 310 is in its unlocked position its key is held captive and the lock cam 320 is disengaged from the door.

As previously, the user and tool locks 310 and 31 2 are always in opposite positions and they are caused to change positions simultaneously by a link mechanism. In the embodiment illustrated the link mechanism comprises two intermeshed bevel gears 324 each fixed to one of the lock cylinders 31 6 for rotation -therewith.

Thus, when the user lock 310 is rotated to unlock the door and captivate the user key, the bevel gears rotate and turn the tool lock 312 into its locked position in which its key is releasable.

The tool can therefore be removed from the enclosure. When the tool is returned its key is reinserted in the tool lock. Then, when the door has been closed the user lock 310 can be rotated to lock the door 302 and release the user key. At the same time the tool lock 312 is rotated into its unlocked position in which its key is held captive.

Preferably, the door 302 would be provided with spring means to keep it closed whilst the tool was being used.

Claims

1. A security arrangement comprising two key operabie lock means each having at leasttwo positions, each lock means being movable into one said position in which its key is held captive, and a link mechanism interconnecting said !ock means and arranged such that each lock means can only be moved out of its one position in which its key is held captive by moving the other lock means into its one position in which its key is held captive.

2. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said lock means is movable between an unlocked position in which its key is held captive and a locked position in which its key is releasable.

3. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein each said lock means is a lock having a rotatable lock cylinder.

4. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the link mechanism comprises two bars, each bar being coupled to a respective lock cylinder for rotation therewith, and means interconnecting said bars.

5. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 4, wherein each lock cylinder is rotatable in the same sense to its key captive position, each bar extends radially with respect to the respective lock cylinder, and the bars are telescopically connected together.

6. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 5, wherein one of said bars has a longitudinally extending slot therein and the other bar carries a pin engaged in and slidable with respect to said slot.

7. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the lock cylinders are rotatable in opposite senses to their respective key captive positions, each bar extends radially with respect to the respective lock cylinder, and the bars are each pivotably connected to a link bar.

8. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each lock cylinder is rotatable in the same sense to its key captive position, and wherein the link mechanism comprises two toothed segments, each toothed segment being coupled to a respective lock cylinder for rotation therewith, the teeth of said segments being intermeshed.

9. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said link mechanism comprises a gear train.

10. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each lock cylinder is rotatable in the same sense to its key captive position, and wherein a respective bevel gear is coupled to each lock cylinder for rotation therewith, said bevel gears being intermeshed.

11. A security arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

12. Apparatus for controlling access to an article comprising a security arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, and means securely affixing the key of one of the lock means to said article.

13. Apparatus for controlling access to an article comprising an enclosure for housing the article, the enclosure having a door, and a security arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11, one of the lock means of the security arrangement being arranged to lock the door of the enclosure and the other lock means being within the enclosure, and means securely affixing the key of said other lock means to said article.