GB2182975A - A card-type combination lock - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a combination lock, which can be unlocked with a card key; the card key is furnished with a plurality of code holes, which can be passed through partially by some steel balls. The lock includes a body portion having an outer case 1 and an inner case 2 for mounting various mechanical parts, a switch seat 3 for sensing a code signal upon the card key being inserted in, a push-button 4 for inspecting the code of the card key and for lifting up a solenoid 28, and a circuit assembly 5 for comparing the code signal of the card key and lifting up the solenoid. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A card-type combination lock This invention relates to a lock, particularly with A CARD-TYPE COMBINATION LOCK.

As a result of the rapid advancement of today's material civilization, the electronic industry has made an extraordinary advancement than other industries. In the field of locks, it has also developed from the conventional door latch, and padlock to the present horn-shaped door lock, the combination lock, the electromagnetic lock, and the electronic lock, etc., moreover, the design and manufacturing techniques are still being improved continuously so as to reach a satisfactory condition to prevent the burglar from picking the locks used. Unfortunately, all the aforesaid locks can hardly show any effective function in preventing the locks from being picked.

Currently, there are many types of electronic locks, but they may be classified into two major categories, i.e., the push-button combination electronic lock and the wireless remote control electronic lock; the former category of locks usually has a push-button panel to be mounted on the door; that push-button panel is liable to be damaged by the kids. In case of the lock being out of order, the user would have a hard time to open the door. Even in normal use condition, the user has to remember the combination code carefuliy. In emergency case, the user may happen to push the buttons in a wrong sequence, and the door would not open unless repeating the operation carefully; that would cause a lot of inconvenience. Moreover, this kind of combination lock is very difficult to unlock in dark condition.In the event of the combination code being peeped by other person, the lock will become useless because of the person, who knows the combination code, able to enter the house any time. The latter kind of electronic locks is usually operated with a radio wave signal at a specific frequency or with an invisible infrared rays to trigger the control circuit for unlocking the lock. However, this category of locks needs a small transmitter as a key; however, the frequency set in the lock may be tested with an oscillator, and once the frequency is detected, the lock becomes useless, and has no security at all.

This invention relates to a card-type combination lock, which comprises a body portion including an outer case and an inner case for mounting the mechanical parts, a switch seat for receiving a card key and sensing the code signal thereof, a push-button for detecting the code of the card key and releasing a solenoid, a circuit assembly for comparing the code signal of the card key and releasing the solenoid, and a card key. The lock according to the present invention has the features of providing a strong mechanical structure and a circuit assembly having multiple functions. After that two major features being combined together, more practical features are created. Therefore, it may be installed and used by any person in all walks of life.Particularly, the circuit assembly and body portion are assembled or disassembled in a cartidge mode; in case of the circuit assembly being out of order, it can be disassembled immediately for repair, and the lock can be operated normally with its mechanical portion and its spare key.

An embodiment of this invention is described by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a disassembled view of the circuit assembly and the inner case in the present invention.

Figure 3 is a disassembled view of the switch seat and the outer case in the present invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the embodiment according to this invention.

Figure 5 illustrates the closing operation of the magnet according to the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates the open operation of the magnet according to the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates the unlocking operation of the magnetic lock according to the present invention.

Figure 8 illustrates the operation view of the big coupling plate according to the present invention.

Figure 9 illustrates the operation of a lever plate according to the present invention.

Figure 10 illustrates a circuit of the embodiment of the present invention.

This invention relates to card-type combination lock, of which the prime object is to operate the lock with a card key that has a plurality of holes for receiving a number steel balls to form a code to indicate an "ON" (1) or "OFF" (0) state so as to preset the lock for locking or unlocking condition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spare mechanical key for the lock so as to operate the lock as usual in case of the card key missing or the circuit being out of trouble.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combination lock which comprises an outer case and an inner case, and which may be assembled and repaired by any person.

A further object of the present invention is to cartridge-type circuit assembly which can simply be inserted into the lock body and can also be pulled out for repair or replacement; in that case, the lock may be operated with the spare key.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lock which can be operated either with a card key or a spare key, or both so as to adapt to every possible situation.

This invention is further described in detail, with reference to the drawings, as follows: Through many years of accumulated experiences in designing, making and using locks, and with the modern technology, the invention has been aware of the disadvantages of the conventional locks and the requisites of sale and practical use, and therefore the inventor has developed a lock that comprises a mechanical portion, a card key, and a cartridgetype of circuit assembly.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a sectional view of the present invention, which comprises an outer case 1, an inner case 2, a switch seat 3, a push-button 4, a circuit assembly 5, and a door body 6. The upper portion of the outer case 1 is mounted with a key lock assembly 7 and an outer shaft 8.

The switch seat 3 is fixedly mounted on screw 9 of the outer case 1. The outer edge of the push-button 4 is exactly mounted in the inner edge of the push-button aperture 10.

The outer case 1 has a screw 11, whereby the outer case 1 and the inner case 2 can be fastened on the door. The inner case 2 is furnished with a circuit-mounting aperture 12 which has four grooves 13 on two sides (as shown in Fig. 2) so as to guide the salient ribs 14 on the circuit assembly 5 upon the assembly being inserted into the inner case 2.

Through the grooves 13 and the salient ribs 14, the circuit assembly 5 can easiiy be pushed in and pulled out of the circuit mounting aperture 12, i.e. the so-called cartridgetype circuit assembly. The latch 15 is mounted in the door body 6; upon the outer shaft 8 or the inner shaft 27 rotating to drive a linking piece 28 so as to control the latch 15. The lever plate 20 is used for opening the door from the indoor side by pushing down the lever plate 20 so as to have the lever drive the lock arm 18 and the shaft 16 to rotate.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown a disassembled view of the circuit assembly and the inner case, in which the circuit assembly 5 and the inner case 2 are assembled or disassembled in a cartridge-type operation. The major feature of that structure is that the circuit assembly 5 may, in case of being out of order, be removed for repair without affecting the mechanical portion to be operated with the spare key. Upon the circuit assembly 5 being inserted in, the hammer 29 of the solenoid 28 will hit a lever 22 to let the battery lid 30 open to replace the battery 31, the plug 32 can exactly be pushed into a socket 33 to have both of them connected electrically together.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a disassembled view of the switch seat and the outer case, in which a base plate 34 is mounted with a plurality of steel bails 35 being each placed on a small spring 36; an insulation board 37 is mounted over the steel balls 35 to prevent them from being pushed away by the small springs respectively. Each of the steel balls 35 and each of the corresponding small springs 36 are connected electrically into a common point; under normal condition, that common points are connected with some given contact points of a circuit board 38.Upon a card key 40 being fully inserted along a guide groove 42 into the card slot 41, the steel balls 35 together with the various code holes 43 on the card key 40 will generate a code signal as an input to the circuit board 38; the code signal will be transmitted, through the connecting wires 44 and a socket 33, to the circuit assembly 5.

By means of the code holes 43 on the card key 40, over ten thousands of combination codes may be made. Upon the card key 40 being inserted in the lock, the circuit assembly 5 will decode the card if it is a correct card; if it is the correct card, push down the pushbutton 4, and the circuit assembly 5 will energize the solenoid 28 to have the hammer 29 press the lever 22 so as to remove the lock arm 18 from the shaft 16. In case of using a wrong card key and upon pressing the pushbutton 4, the circuit assembly 5 will energize the buzzer 45 to send out a warning signal.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown a sectional view of the present invention. Under normal condition, the lock arm 18 is fallen in a locking hole 46 on the shaft 16 to cause the shaft 16 to become non-rotatable; simultaneously, the coupling rod 47 is stopped on a stop stud 55. The shaft 16 is furnished at a suitable position with a steel ball 48 and a spring 49 as shown in Fig. 1 so as to provide a ciick effect upon rotating the shaft 16. Upon unlocking from the outer case 1 side by inserting the card key 40, the solenoid 28 will be energized immediately. Fig. 5 illustrates the closed operation of the solenoid 28, while Fig.

6 illustrates the opening operation of that solenoid. In Fig. 5, it is shown that the lock arm 18 is still in the locking hole 46 of the shaft 16. Upon the solenoid 28 being energized, the hammer 29 will move downwards to let the lever 22 move downwards; as a result of the fulcrum 50, the lock arm 18 moves upwards.

In that moment, the lever 22 will be attracted by the magnet 25 in place for the time being regardless of the hammer 29 being returned or not so as to release the shaft 16 being locked by the lock arm 18. Upon rotating the shaft 16, the outer shaft 8 will rotate to control the latch 15. Referring to Fig. 7, there is shown a view of the magnet locking operation being removed. Upon the shaft 16 rotating counter-clockwise, the coupling rod 47 will drive the a pendulum member 19 pivotally mounted on a screw bolt 51; in that case, the coupling plate 52 on the pendulum member 19 will push both the lock arm 18 and the lever 22 downwards so as to carse the iron piece 53 on the lever 22 to be release from the magnet 25. Upon the shaft 16 rotating clockwise to a position, the lock arm 18 will again enter into the locking hole 46 to have the shaft 16 locked in position.In the event of the card key 40 missing, or the switch seat 3 or the circuit assembly 5 being out of order, the spare key of the key-lock assembly 7 may be used to operate the lock. Fig. 8 illustrates the operation view of the big coupling plate 23; upon the spare key rotating, the iron piece 53 will cause the big coupling plate 23 to move downwards and simultaneously to drive the lever 22 so as to lift up the lock arm 18 and to let the shaft 16 rotate.

The big coupling plate has a stop bolt 54 (see Fig. 5), which can fix the big coupling plate 23 in position. Upon the big coupling plate 23 being fixed in position, the combination lock according to the present invention can only be unlocked with the card key. Fig. 9 illustrates the operation of a lever plate 20, which can have the combination lock unlocked from indoor side. The fulcrum of the lever plate 20 is fixed on the inner case 2; the lever plate 20 is controlled with a spring 24 mounted on a stop stud 55. Upon the lever plate 24 being pushed down, the lever 22 and the lock arm 18 will be lifted up to release the shaft 16 from being locked. Beside the lever plate 20, there is furnished with a complete lock-up latch 21, which can be slid laterally. Upon the lever 22 being locked, the whole combination lock can not be unlocked with the card key, or the day or the lever plate.That complete lock-up latch 21 may be used to lock the door from the indoor inside during night time.

Fig. 10 illustrates a circuit of the embodiment of the present invention, in which the switch 57 will be turned on upon the card key 40 being inserted into the switch seat 3, and the diode 58 will cause the transistor 59 to be in open-circuit state. The capacitor 62 will start to discharge through resistors 61 and 63, and will cause the transistors 64 and 65 in conducting state to have an output of "V+". At that moment, the output of inverter 66 is "1" to have capacitor 68 charged, while the NAND gate 70 has an output of "O" as a result of resistor 67 and inverter 66; then, that output "0" will pass through inverter 71 to become an output of "1".The code holes 43 on the card key 40 will have the steel balls 35 on the switch set 3 contacted with the circuit board 38 to generate a code signal to be coupled into an exclusive or gate 92 so as to compare with the code set in DIP switch 91. The output of the exclusive or gate 92 and the push-button signal 4 will be coupled into the NAND gate 93 for logic operation.

If the code signal of the card key 40 is identical with the code set in the DIP switch 91, the NAND gate 93 will, upon the push-button being pressed down, have an output of "0", which will pass through the inverter 94, the NAND gate 73, the capacitor 75 and the resistor 76 to trigger IC 82; the output will also pass through resistor 83 and capacitor 85 to trigger a monostable for time delay, and also will pass through the NAND gate 81, inverter 95, resistors 96, 97, and 100, the transistors 98, 99 and a diode 101, etc. to drive the solenoid 28.Simultaneously, the inverter 80 will, through resistor 79, trigger SCR 69 to let the NAND gate 70 have an output of "O". In the event of the code signal of the card key 40 being not identical with that set in the DIP switch 91, the NAND gate 93 will have an output of "1" to cause the output of the NAND gate to be "0", which will pass through inverter 74, resistor 84, the capacitor 86 to trigger the melody IC 87, and the signal will be amplifiad through transistor 89 to drive the loud-speaker 90 to generate a sound.

Summing up the aforesaid description, it is deemed that the present invention has provide a complete and practical card-type combination lock, which can be unlocked either with a card key or a spare key. When suing the card key without using the spare key, just push the push-button to open the door, and when opening the door from the indoor side, use the lever plate to release the shaft. In case of the circuit assembly being out of order, just pull out the cartridge-type circuit assembly and use the aforesaid rest means to unlock the door. Therefore, the present invention is deemed having the features of novelty, pickproof, unlimited combination code, and lower making cost, etc.

Claims (11)

1. A card-type combination lock comprising: a lock body portion including an outer case and an inner case for mechanical coupling operation; a switch seat in which a card key is to be inserted, and from which a code signal is to be sensed; a push-button for checking the code of a card key and releasing the magnet; a circuit assembly for comparing the code signal of said card key and releasing said magnet; and a card key for unlocking the door lock.

2. A card-type combination lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the body portion of the lock comprises a key-lock assembly, and outer shaft, a latch, a shaft, a fixed block, a lock arm, a pendulum member, a lever plate, a lock knob, a lever, a big coupling plate, a spring, a magnet, a complete lock-up latch, and an inner shaft; and said lock arm being mounted in the fork portion of said lever and passing through the center hole of said fixed block and aligning with the locking hole of said shaft; and upon the solenoid hitting said lever or upon said lever being pushed upwards by the other end of said lock knob, or upon the linking piece being driven by said key-lock as sembly to have said big coupling plate move downwards, said lock arm between the fork portion of said lever being pulled upwards immediately; and since the iron piece on said lever being attracted by said magnet, said lever being fastened in place for the time being, and simultaneously said lock arm being pulled out of said locking hole so as to have said shaft become rotatable to drive the latch upon said outer or inner shaft rotating; and upon said shaft rotating to its middle point, the coupling rod of said shaft causing the coupling plate on said pendulum member to press said lock arm downwards so as to release the iron piece on said lever from said magnet; and upon said shaft rotating back its normal position, said lock arm again falling into said locking hole to lock said shaft in place.

3. A card-type combination lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said switch seat comprises a base plate, a circuit board, a fixing board, and a socket; and said base plate being mounted with a plurality of steel balls and corresponding springs which are held in position with an insulation board; and said base plate, said circuit board, and said fixing board being all fixedly mounted on said outer case with screws; and between said base plate and said circuit board, there is furnished a groove for said card key.

4. A card-type combination lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said push-button is mounted on said switch seat; and the outer edge of said push-button is exactly mounted on the push-button aperture of said outer case.

5. A card-type combination lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said circuit assembly comprises a plug having a plurality of pins, a case, a control panel, a set of batteries, a buzzer, and a magnet; and the code signal sensed by the card key will, through the multi-pin plug, be coupled to said control panel for comparison; and if the code is correct, the solenoid will be energized upon pressing the push-button; otherwise, the buzzer will be triggered upon pressing said push-button.

6. A card-type combination lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said card key is furnished with a plurality of code holes.

7. A card-type combination lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the circuit assembly mounting aperture of said circuit assembly in said inner case has four grooves.

8. A card-type combination lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the stop bolt of said big coupling plate is used for fastening said big coupling plate in position to prevent the lock from being unlocked through said key-lock assembly.

9. A card-type combination lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said complete lock-up latch can have said lever locked up.

10. A circuit assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the both sides of the outer body surface of said circuit assembly are furnished with two salient ribs; and the front portion of said outer body is furnished with a battery lid.

11. A circuit assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said magnet can exactly be aligned with said lever upon said circuit assembly being inserted into said inner case along said grooves and said salient ribs.