GB2188668A

GB2188668A - Locking systems

Info

Publication number: GB2188668A
Application number: GB08608412A
Authority: GB
Inventors: P J Calver; D R Leather
Original assignee: FURNITURE IND RES ASS
Current assignee: FURNITURE IND RES ASS
Priority date: 1986-04-07
Filing date: 1986-04-07
Publication date: 1987-10-07
Also published as: GB8608412D0

Abstract

A locking system for furniture comprises locks adapted for locking pieces of furniture. Lock operating means (eg. 32,33,34, and 42,43,44 and 52) are associated with each lock and control means 22 controls the lock operating means remote from the locks by means of signals (eg infra-red as shown) which communicate between the control means 22 and receivers 30 and 40 and 50; such that, in use, the locks can be locked or unlocked by one operation of the control means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Locking systems The invention relates to locking systems.

In offices, it is frequently a problem to unlock at the start of a day and lock at the end of a day every unit of office furniture such as pedestals, filing cabinets, drawers and trays, and storage cupboards. Several different keys are commonly involved and locking at the end of the day, for example, can easily be overlooked.

According to the invention there is provided a locking system for furniture comprising a plurality of locks adapted for locking pieces of furniture, a lock operating means associated with each lock, and control means for controlling the lock operating means remote from the locks such that, in use, the locks can be locked or unlocked by one operation of the control means.

There is preferably a multiplicity of locks.

The invention further provides furniture comprising a locking system according to the invention.

The lock operating means and the control means may be connected together by electrical cable such that operation of the control means generates an electrical signal which passes to the lock operating means to change the state of the locks.

Alternatively, the control means may comprise a generator of electromagnetic radiation and one or more receivers of electromagnetic radiation, which receiver or receivers convert electromagnetic radiation signals to electrical signals which electrical signals are conveyed to the lock operating means.

The receiver, or each receiver may be electrically connected to more than one lock operating means. The electrical signals may be in a low voltage circuit at, for example, 12 volts.

The lock operating means may comprise a solenoid operable to move a locking element between a locked position and an unlocked position.

By way of example, embodiments of a locking system according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a typical office; Figure 2 is a view of a typical lock arrangement; and Figure 3 is a circuit diagram for a locking system according to the invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates a typical office and how a locking system according to the invention might be arranged.

The office 10 is shown with a central desk 11 having two lockable pedestals 12, 13 under it. Along one wall is arranged a group of high level storage units 14, 15 and 16 and along another wall is arranged a group of storage units 17, 18 and 19. Along a third wall is arranged a computer desk 20 including lockable storage space.

Located under the desk 11 is a receiver unit 21 capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation signals from an electromagnetic radiation signal emitter 22 operated by a person 23.

The receiver 21 converts the signal from the emitter 22 into an electrical signal in a low voltage (typically 12 volt) circuit indicated by chain lines 24 leading to servo lock operaters 25 and 26. Thus the person 23 can lock or unlock the pedestals 12 and 13 by using the emitter 22. The receiver 21 is powered from the mains via a mains outlet 27 although it will be appreciated that the system could be battery powered.

In a similar way, the high level storage units 14, 15, and 16 have a receiver 30 for receiving signals from the emitter 22 and powered by a mains outlet 31. The receiver feeds low voltage electrical signals to servos 32, 33 and 34 in the units 14, 15 and 16 respectively to allow locking and unlocking thereof.

Similarly, the storage units 17, 18 and 19 have a receiver 40 powered from a mains outlet 41 and sending low voltage signals to servos 42, 43 and 44 in the units 17, 18 and 19 respectively.

Similarly, the desk 20 has a receiver 50 powered from a mains outlet 51 and sending a low voltage signal to a servo 52 to control locking of the lockable unit.

It will be appreciated that the person 23 by operating the emitter 22 can from a single location in the room control locking and unlocking of all lockable units previously described.

Fig. 2 illustrates a typical lock operating mechanism. A furniture unit 60 includes a locking bar 61 movable vertically in Fig. 2 between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A bell crank lever 62 pivoted about an axis 63 and pivotally connected to the locking bar 61 by a pin or the like 64 is also pivotally connected by a pin or the like 65 to a movable element 66 of a servo unit generally indicated at 67. The servo unit includes a solenoid operable in accordance with electrical signals it receives to move the element 66 in and out of the servo unit 67, thereby rotating the bell crank lever 62 to raise or lower the locking bar 61.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a typical circuit.

The diagram shows an electromagnetic radiation signal emitter 70 and a receiver 71 for receiving the electromagnetic signals from the emitter 70. The receiver converts the signals it receives into electrical signals which feed along lines 72 and 73 to a servo control unit 76 and a master servo 77.

Power input to the receiver 71 and servo control unit 76 is from a 12 volt source 78 fed from the mains via a line 79. The 12 volt circuit feeds the remote control receiver via line 74 and 75 and feeds the servo control unit via lines 78 and 79.

The servo control unit 76 also controls three slave servos 80, 81 and 82.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description has been in respect of the embodiment in which there is an electromagnetic radiation signal emitter and receiver, with the receiver sending electrical signals to a servo system for operating the locks. The entire system could be electrically operated if wiring were feasible so that a single key switch and/ or switch could be used to control the locking and unlocking operation centrally.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description has been by way of example only and that many alternative arrangements and embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A locking system for furniture comprising a plurality of locks adapted for locking pieces of furniture, a lock operating means associated with each lock, and control means for controlling the lock operating means remote from the locks such that, in use, the locks can be locked or unlocked by one operation of the control means.

2. A locking system as claimed in Claim 1 comprising a multiplicity of locks.

3. A locking system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the lock operating means and the control means are connected together by electrical cable such that operation of the control means generates an electrical signal which passes to the lock operating means to change the state of the locks.

4. A locking system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the control means comprise a generator of electromagnetic radiation and one or more receivers of electromagnetic radiation, which receiver or receivers convert electromagnetic radiation signals to electrical signals, which electrical signals are conveyed to the lock operating means.

5. A locking system as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the or each receiver is electrically connected to more than one lock operating means.

6. A locking system as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5 wherein the electrical signals are in a low voltage circuit.

7. A locking system as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the voltage is at 12 volts.

8. A locking system as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the lock operation means comprise a solenoid operable to move a locking element between a locked position and an unlocked position.

9. A locking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. Furniture comprising a locking system as claimed in any preceding Claim.