GB2331122A - Electronic input and dial entry lock - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic combination lock has a dial-shape handle (110) with a keypad (18) incorporated in it. Rotation of the handle (110) extends or retracts a plurality of bolts (150) that close or open the lock. A gear (102) rotated by a shaft (114) displaces rack ends (124) of the radially-extending bolts that extend or retract. The keypad (18) includes indicia (30) that inform the user of the extended or retracted condition of the bolts (150). A battery pack (16) is used to energize circuitry, and the circuitry provides a control signal that activates a solenoid (138) to extend or retract a bolt blocking device (140). A movable element (134), which is movable between a first position preventing bolt movement and a second position allowing bolt movement, is selectively prevented or allowed to move by the bolt blocking device (140). This in turn prevents or enables rotation of the shaft (114) and handle (110). A visual indicator (68) warns of a low voltage or power condition in the battery pack (16). Electrical contacts (66) are provided in the face plate of the handle (110) to connect the circuitry to an external power source in case the battery pack (16) fails.

Description

ELECTRONIC INPUT AND DIAL ENTRY LOCK The present invention relates to combination locks.

More precisely, the present invention relates to an electronic push button lock, wherein the push buttons have indicia and are located on the lock handle.

Electronic locks have gained wide popularity for several reasons. First, it is usually less expensive to fabricate the electronics necessary to decipher an open combination than it is to machine and assemble mechanical parts to perform the same function. Second, the material and labour costs involved in manufacturing an electronic lock tend to be lower as compared to a completely mechanical combination lock.

Third, an electronic lock is sometimes superior to a mechanical lock in defeating a potential safe cracker. For example, it is sometimes possible to manipulate a mechanical combination lock by relying on sounds generated by the moving tumblers inside, thereby obtaining the correct combination through sounds. On the other hand, an electronic lock deciphers the dial-in combination without moving parts and therefore does not serve as a feedback mechanism to assist the safe cracker in breaching the lock.

Fourth, electronic locks are popular in that they can be easily reprogrammed to change the combination when necessary. The reprogramming is easy to accomplish electronically perhaps with only a few key punches. In contrast, a mechanical door lock requires disassembly of certain portions of the lock cylinder. In a hotel room setting, an electronic lock that is easily reprogrammed is significantly more advantageous than a key lock, for instance, because the former can be reprogrammed if the key to the lock is lost or stolen.

There are many variations of electronic locks in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,665,727 to Uyeda discloses an electronic digital safe lock including a slide plate pivotally connected by an articulated linkage to a bolt operating lever for retracting the safe door locking bolts after digital input of the electronic lock combination. The invention of Uyeda further includes a mechanical bypass system wherein a manual combination lock can be manipulated to release the locked bolt.

U.S. Patent No. 4,745,784 to Gartner discloses an electronic dial combination lock having a spindle journalled within the lock for movement within two degrees of freedom; i.e., rotational and axial displacement to cause engagement of a push pin located on an internal cam wheel to engage one of a plurality of pressure-sensitive switches within the lock. Each switch is capable of making a discrete electrical connection. Circuitry is included to detect when a predetermined, sequential order corresponding to the lock's combination is input through the pressuresensitive switches. Gartner replaces conventional combination locks which typically comprise a plurality of tumbler wheels coaxially journalled on a rotating spindle which projects outwardly from the lock and is manipulated within one degree of freedom (rotational) through a predetermined, sequential series of rotations to operate a bolt within the lock.

U.S. Patent No. 4,831,851 to Larson discloses a lock mechanism having a mechanical combination lock and an electronic lock, wherein the mechanical combination lock serves as a fail safe entry in case of failure of the electronic lock. In that same vein, U.S. Patent No.

4,967,577 to Gartner et al. discloses an electronic lock with a manual combination override for opening of a lock by both an electronic and manual means.

A variation of an electronic door lock is provided in U.S. Patent No. 4,899,562 to Gartner et al., wherein a single control knob is used for entering a predetermined combination through manipulation of the knob in a first arc of rotation, the code being entered by pushing the dial inwardly to bring a push pad into contact with individual switches in an array of electrical switches provided on a printed circuit board within the lock housing. The release of the door locking bolt is accomplished after entry of the predetermined code by further manipulation of the control knob through remaining portions of the knob rotations which were unavailable until after entry of the predetermined code. An alternative manner of entering the code for the electronic lock is provided through digital input pads located on the escutcheon.

In electronic locks, generally, the singular bolt or latch is mechanically operated. The electronic portion of the lock controls a solenoid which blocks or unblocks movement of the bolt thereby permitting the bolt to be respectively disabled or operated. Locks can have multiple bolt configurations, especially in a circular shape door for a safe. Typically, the bolts extend radially and are operated by a centrally located, rotating gear, cam, disk or the like. Examples of such multiple bolt locks include U.S. Patent No.l 4,127,995 to Miller, U.S. Patent No. 4,342,207 to Holmes et al., and U.S. Patent No.

4,493,199 to Uyeda.

An example of one such solenoid-operated lock is U.S.

Patent No. 4,904,984 to Gartner et al. The patent teaches a combination lock with an additional security lock wherein an electrically operable solenoid, having an armature post normally biased outward of a solenoid body, is mounted to the combination lock housing so as to position the armature post normally to block movement of either the combination lock bolt or the bolt release lever associated with the bolt. An electrical signal generator is used to selectively operate the solenoid to retract the post from a bolt and/or bolt release lever blocking position to allow operation of the combination lock.

An electronic lock has its limitations. In a typical keypad code entry electronic lock, for example, it is often difficult by sight to determine if the locking bolt is in the retracted or extended position. Because the dial in prior art mechanical locks are often replaced by a digital key pad, there are no visual indications as to the locked or unlocked condition of the lock. Thus, someone who is distracted or absent-minded might easily leave the electronic lock in the open position; conversely, the electronic lock might be locked accidentally because the user was not aware of its locked condition based solely on any visual cues.

Earlier British Patent Application No. 9421950.8 published as GB-A-2,287,981 describes and claims an electronic keypad operated combination lock wherein the keypad is merged into the handle. By virtue of the indicia on the keypad, it is possible to instantly recognise the open or closed condition of the lock based on the orientation of the indicia.

According, in a first aspect, the invention consists in apparatus for use with a combination lock, the combination lock including a plurality of bolts movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a handle operably connected to said bolts such that rotation of the handle will drive the bolts, and a controller adapted to determine when a predetermined combination has been input and produce a signal in response to an input of the predetermined combination, the apparatus comprising: a movable element movable between a first position wherein movement of the plurality of bolts is substantially prevented and a second position wherein movement of the plurality of bolts is not substantially prevented, the movable element being biased toward the first position; and a blocking device operably connected to the controller and adapted to substantially prevent the movable element from moving unless the signal provided by the controller is received.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a pawl and solenoid sub-assembly for use in a combination lock, the combination lock having a plurality of bolts movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a handle operably connected to the plurality of bolts such that rotation of the handle will drive the plurality of bolts, and a controller adapted to determine when a predetermined combination has been input and produce a signal in response to an input of the predetermined combination, the sub-assembly comprising: a pawl movable between a first pawl position wherein the pawl substantially prevents movement of the plurality of bolts and a second pawl position wherein the pawl does not substantially prevent movement of the plurality of bolts; a bias element operably connected to the pawl and arranged such that the pawl is biased toward the first pawl position; a solenoid device adapted to be operably connected to the controller and having a pin movable between a first pin position which substantially prevents movement of the pawl and a second pin position which does not substantially prevent movement of the pawl, the pin being biased toward the first pin position and moved to the second pin position in response to the signal from the controller.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention electronic combination lock is powered by a battery. The dial face includes electrical contacts that allow for connection to an outside electrical source in case the internal battery fails. As a safety precaution, the present invention preferably includes a battery power indicator located on the dial face to warn of a drained power supply.

In prior art devices, the electronic keypad is immobile. Furthermore, in conventional electronic locks, the keypad is separate from the handle used to operate the locking bolts. The present invention therefore provides a unique and clever electronic lock wherein the keypad for entering an open code also serves as an indicator of the open or closed condition of the lock. The dial-like structure surrounding the keypad further serves as a handle to open and close the lock bolts.

Specifically, in the preferred embodiment the shaft is rotated by the round, dial-like handle having a keypad with indicia for entering a code thereon. The shaft is connected to a gear that rotates as the shaft rotates. A plurality of radially extending bolts each having a rack engaging teeth on the gear can be extended or retracted in accordance with the rotation of the gear. A controller receives a code via the keypad and enables or disables rotation of the shaft thereby freezing the position of the plurality of bolts. Thus the bolts are maintained in an extended and locked state, or in a retracted and unlocked state while the orientation of the indicia on the handle indicates to a user the position of the bolts. This aspect is described and claimed in our co-pending British Patent Application published as GB-A-2297354.

In order to prevent rotation of the shaft, the preferred embodiment utilizes a sliding dog that extends from a rotatable member that rotates with the shaft. When the sliding dog is extended and engages an immobile structure surrounding the rotatable member, further rotation of the rotatable member and the associated shaft is prevented. Disengaging the sliding dog from the surrounding immobile structure permits rotation of the rotatable member and the associated shaft. Therefore, after the correct combination has been punched into a keypad in the handle, a solenoid releases the sliding dog which retracts to permit rotation of the rotatable member. Now, rotating the handle turns the shaft, which turns the gear to operate the radially extending bolts to unlock the device.

A preferred example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic combination lock showing a dial shape handle having a digital keypad incorporated therein, said handle connected to a shaft to operate a lock, and the lock being powered by a battery pack; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dial-shape handle shown in Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2; Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are partial sectional views of a combination lock installed on a door, showing the bolt in its extended and retracted positions, respectively; Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are front views of the dial indicating a closed state and an open state of the lock, respectively; Fig. 7 is a front view of the dial housing showing two curved mounting slots, wherein each slot includes a cantilevered finger biased to extend into the curved slot; Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the dial shape handle assembly and shaft; Fig. 9 is another view of the dial housing shown in Fig. 7, wherein the dial housing has been rotated counterclockwise 90 degrees; Fig. 10 is a perspective of an example of the present invention showing the electronic combination lock adapted for use with a boltworks mechanism with the plurality of bolts retracted; Fig. 11 shows the present invention in a locked position with the plurality of bolts extended; and Fig. 12 is a perspective, exploded view of a preferred embodiment boltworks mechanism as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

The following specification describes an electronic lock with a digital keypad incorporated into the handle. In the description, specific materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a more complete understanding of the present invention. But it is understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without those specific details. In some instances, well-known elements are not described precisely so as not to obscure the invention.

The present invention relates to an electronic combination lock disposed on a door comprising a handle having a keypad with keys bearing indicia for entering a combination code, a shaft rotated by the handle mounted to the door, and a bolt having an extended position and a retracted position, selectively operated by rotation of the handle whereby an orientation of the indicia selectively indicates the extended position or retracted position of the bolt. An electromagnetically operated bolt blocking device is used to selectively block and unblock movement of the bolt based on a controller receiving the proper code entered from the keypad. Specifically, upon receipt of the proper code, the controller provides a control signal that triggers the bolt blocking device to unblock the bolt, thereby enabling movement of the bolt by rotation of the handle to displace the bolt to the retracted position.

Initially, with reference to Figures 1 to 9, the combination lock described in our earlier British Patent Application No. 9421950.8 will be described.

Fig. 1 shows an electronic lock with three major components including a handle 10 connected to a lock 12 through a shaft 14, powered by a battery pack 16 containing a DC cell.

The handle 10 is fashioned into a round dial shape with ridges 28 around the circumference. Incorporated into the face plate 24 of the handle 10 is a keypad comprised of individual push buttons 18. Each push button 18 optionally bears indicia 30 such as numbers, letters, symbols, and like alpha-numeric representations.

The push buttons 18 are used to enter a preset combination code to open the lock. In addition, as discussed in detail below, the orientation of the indicia 30 gives the user an indication of the open or closed condition of the lock. To that end the individual keys may be formed into unique shapes that give the user a frame of reference without need for imprinted or embossed indicia.

As partially illustrated in Fig. 2, the handle 10 is mounted on an exterior 32 of a door 22 while the lock 12 and battery pack 16 are preferably located on the interior side of the door 22. Being on the interior side of the door protects the hardware from unauthorized tampering.

The lock is useful in a variety of applications.

Therefore, the door 22 may be part of a safe, a hotel room door, a locker door, a security gate, a lock box, a vault door, a front door of a residence, etc.

As mentioned above, the handle 10 is connected to the lock 12 through a shaft 14 which includes an optional channel 34 extending the length thereof. As seen in Fig. 2, the channel 34 is needed so that the electrical cable 36 interconnecting the circuitry in the handle 10 to the lock 12 can be protected from torsional forces when the handle 10 and the shaft 14 are rotated.

Fig. 8 illustrates the major components of the handle 10, including a face plate 24, the keypad 38 with push buttons 18, a printed circuit board 26, and a round, dial-shape housing 40. In this exemplary embodiment, the foregoing parts are snapped together using snap-on hooks 42 as best illustrated in Figs. 8 and 2. On the other hand, other fastening means for assembling the major components together known in the art, such as screws or cement, can be used as well.

The keypad 38 includes individual push buttons 18 that when depressed by a finger actuate contact switches 44, preferably located beneath a membrane 46. The contact switches 44 are disposed on the printed circuit board 26, which carries the electronics for the lock. Power for the printed circuit board 26 is preferably supplied by the battery pack 16 via cables 48 and 36. The membrane covered contact switches 44 are of a type generally known in the art.

The contact switches 44 comprise mechanical switches including a movable spring arm contact positioned over a stationary contact. The pressure sensitive switches 44 are used to complete an electrical circuit provided in a known manner on the printed circuit board 26.

The printed circuit board 26 includes circuitry known in the art for sensing electrical connections completed by depressing the contact switches 44, and detecting when a given series of connections have been made in a predetermined, sequential order corresponding to a code or combination for the lock. Once this occurs, the printed circuit board 26 generates an electrical control signal, such as a square wave, spike, or ramp, to operate the lock.

In an alternative embodiment, the printed circuit board may carry a sophisticated microprocessor with a nonvolatile random access memory, known in the art, if a more complex, user programmable combination scheme is desired.

As best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the control signal is conveyed via cable 36 to a solenoid 52 located inside the lock 12. Within the solenoid 52 is preferably an electromagnetically operated bolt blocking device 62 that moves into a blocked or unblocked position based on whether an inductor in the solenoid 52 is energized or not. The principle behind the solenoid is well-known and need not be explained further here.

Importantly, the blocked and unblocked positions of the bolt blocking device 62 disable or enable movement of a locking bolt 50. In the preferred embodiment, the lock 12 includes the bolt 50 operated by rotation of the handle 10 and the shaft 14. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the end of the shaft 14 includes a wheel 54 having an outward extending pin 56. The pin 56 slides along a straight slot 58 formed into a translational element 60.

Thus, when the handle 10 rotates the shaft 14, the wheel 54 rotates the pin 56 in an arcuate path. In turn, the pin 56 slides along the slot 58 while simultaneously forcing the translational element 60 to move laterally, as shown in the top views of Fig. 3 and 4, to the left or right depending on the direction of rotation of the wheel 54. Still in the top view of Figs. 3 and 4, the foregoing occurs because while the pin 56 is displaced through an arcuate path by rotation of the wheel 54, it is simultaneously moving freely vertically along the slot 58, but engages the translational element 60 in the horizontal component of its path. Thus, the horizontal component of the motion of the pin 56 is transferred to the translational element 60, causing the latter to move laterally.

In other words, the translational element 60 converts the rotational motion of the handle 10 and shaft 14 to a lateral, translational motion. The lateral motion of the translational element 60 causes the bolt 50, which is connected thereto, to either extend out or retract back into the lock 12, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, respectively.

Based on whether or not the solenoid 52 is energized, the bolt blocking device 62 selectively engages or disengages from the translational element 60. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 3, the bolt blocking device 62, which may be a spring-loaded, electromagnetic pin, engages the translational element 60 thereby preventing its lateral movement, even under torque from the shaft 14 and handle 10. Under these conditions, the bolt 50 is extended into the door frame 64 and the door 22 is effectively locked.

On the other hand, when the printed circuit board 26 generates the control signal after the proper code is entered, the solenoid 52 is energized, thereby disengaging the bolt blocking device 62 from the translational element 60. This condition is shown in Fig. 4. At this instant, the translational element 60 is free to move laterally and any rotation of the handle 10 and associated shaft 14 extends or retracts the bolt 50. Fig. 4 shows the bolt 50 retracted into the lock 12, thus permitting the door 22 to be opened. Of course, the foregoing only describes a preferred embodiment; there are numerous other mechanisms known in the art to accomplish the same blocking and unblocking of the bolt.

Under power-off, standby conditions, the spring-loaded bolt blocking device 62 is preferably biased to engage the translational element 60 thereby maintaining the bolt 50 in the locked position, as shown in Fig. 3. Assuming the battery pack 16 has drained and no power is available, the present invention also features an optional pair of polarized contacts 66, located in the face plate 24. These contacts 66 are connected to the printed circuit board 26 and wired to the solenoid 52. Accordingly, even if the battery pack 16 is drained, under emergency conditions, a power source can be connected to the polarized contacts 66 to energize the electronics so that the proper code can be entered to retract the bolt 50 to unlock the door 22. The external power source can be a generator terminal or a simple nine-volt battery which has two terminals that conveniently mate with the polarized contacts 66.

The combination lock further includes an optional power level indicator 68, nestled in the face plate 24. The power level indicator 68 may be a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or a like low power consumption device that indicates the voltage level of the battery pack 16. Through circuitry known in the art, when the battery pack 16 voltage drops below a threshold level, the power level indicator 68 can be illuminated. This would inform the user that the battery pack 16 should be replaced with fresh cells.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 provide various views of the handle housing 40. Notably, the back 70 of the housing 40 preferably includes two curved mounting slots 72, which facilitate assembly of the housing 40 to the door 22. Each curved mounting slot 72 further includes a resilient, cantilevered finger 74 that projects inward into the slot 72. At an end of each mounting slot 72 is a large opening 76 through which the head of a mounting screw 78 may pass.

So during initial assembly of the housing 40 to the door 22, the screw head passes through the opening 76, and the housing 40 is then rotated. This changes the position of the curved mounting slot 72 relative to the immobile mounting screw 78. The mounting screw essentially translates along the slot 72.

In Fig. 7, when the housing 40 is rotated counterclockwise, the mounting screw 78 is translated passed the cantilevered finger 74, at which point the spring back in the cantilevered finger 74 biases the finger 74 inward toward the interior of the slot 72. This prevents the mounting screw 78 from translating along the slot 72 in the reverse direction. As a result, the housing 40 as shown in Fig. 7 cannot be rotated any farther in the clockwise direction because the cantilevered finger 74 has engaged the mounting screw 78. Conversely, the housing 40 can be rotated in the counter-clockwise direction, simultaneously causing the mounting screw 78 to slide along the curved mounting slot 72.

Once the mounting screws 78 have translated past the cantilevered fingers 74, they are free to slide along the curved slot 72 and cannot slide back into the large openings 76. Once the housing 40 is assembled to the screws 78, the housing 40 cannot be disassembled by passing the screw head through the same openings 76.

Importantly, it is the rotation of the housing 40 that moves the shaft 14 which ultimately extends or retracts the bolt 50. The curved mounting slots 72 therefore permit easy assembly to the door but inhibits disassembly therefrom, while allowing the housing 40 to still rotate after assembly. A collar 80 positioned on the shaft 14 when mated to a lock washer 82 keeps the shaft 14 from being pulled out or pushed inward along its rotational axis.

As best seen in Figs. 5 and 6, the handle 10 includes indicia 30 positioned on the push buttons 18. When the handle 10 rotates, the indicia 30 rotate. Using the orientation of the indicia 30 as a visual cue, it is thus possible for the user to immediately recognize the open condition or closed condition of the bolt 50.

For example, when the handle 10 is in its upright state with the indicia 30 in their upright position, the bolt 50 is in its extended position as shown in Fig. 3. On the other hand, when the handle 10 is rotated clockwise, the indicia 30 assume a different orientation thus informing the user that the bolt 50 has been retracted. hand, when the handle 10 is rotated clockwise, the indicia 30 assume a different orientation thus informing the user that the bolt 50 has been retracted.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic lock with a digital keypad incorporated into the handle as shown in Figs. 1-9 is adapted for use with multiple bolts in a boltworks mechanism shown in Figs.

10-12. Specifically, Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of the present invention electronic lock with a digital key pad incorporated into the handle, wherein Fig. 10 shows the plurality of bolts in a retracted state and Fig. 11 shows the plurality of bolts in an extended state.

As shown in Fig. 10, the present invention provides a handle 110 attached to a shaft 114 to rotate the latter in order to actuate the bolts, as in the earlier examples. The handle 110 includes a keypad with alpha-numeric indicia as in the earlier examples. Furthermore, the handle 110 is fashioned into a round dial-shape with ridges 128 spaced about the circumference. The ridges 128 provide a gripping surface to rotate the handle 110, which in turn, turns the shaft 114 to operate the boltworks 100.

As seen in Figs. 10 and 11, rotating the handle 110 operates the boltworks 100 to extend or retract the three bolts 150. Fig. 12 provides an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the boltworks 100, shown in Figs.

10 and 11. In Fig. 12, the handle 110 and shaft 114 have been omitted for the sake of clarity, but it is clear that the shaft extends through the centre-line of the major components.

The boltworks 100 preferably comprises a gear 102, a rotatable member 104, a printed circuit board 106, and an immobile frame 108. These major components are aligned on a plate 112. The plate 112 can be mounted to a safe door, hotel room door, gate, or any like fixture. The plate 112 can also represent a part of the door itself.

When assembled, the gear 102 and rotatable member 104 are journalled on the shaft 114, which is preferably splined so that rotation of the shaft 114 generates concurrent rotation of the gear 102 and rotatable member 104. The shaft 114 passes through opening 116 in the plate 112 and opening 118 in printed circuit board 106. Keyed holes 120, 122 in the rotatable member 104 and the gear 102, respectively, ensure that the latter components rotate along with the splined shaft 114. Rotational motion of the handle 110 is transferred through shaft 114 to the gear 102 and the rotatable member 104.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 12, there are three bolts 150 arranged at right angles. of course, there can be fewer or more bolts arranged in a variety of configurations known in the art. Each bolt 150 includes a rack 124 that engages the teeth 126 of gear 102. Each bolt 150 features a slot 130 to receive a corresponding boss 132 protruding from the surface of the plate 112.

When the bolt 150 is assembled to the plate 112, the boss 132 passes through the slot 130. Therefore, when the handle 110 is rotated, the gear 102 rotates therewith and the teeth 126 travel along the corresponding racks 124 of each bolt 150. The travel of the rack 124 along teeth 126 moves the bolt 150, and the boss 132 sliding within slot 130 ensures that the bolt 150 moves along a radial direction.

In the preferred embodiment, the rotatable member 104 includes a mechanism to selectively engage the immobile frame 108 to prevent rotation of the rotatable member 104, thus immobilizing the shaft 114 as well. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the rotatable member 104 further comprises a sliding dog 134 that slides within slot 136 formed in the outer circumference of the rotatable member 104. A solenoid 138 is positioned adjacent to the dog 134 within the rotatable member 104. A pin 140 selectively extends from or retracts into the solenoid 138, depending upon whether the solenoid 138 is energized or not. A corresponding hole 142 is designed to receive the pin 140 when it is extended thus locking the dog 134 in position.

When the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is in the locked state, the dog 134 protrudes out of the rotatable member 104 under the bias of a spring 144. The pin 140 is extended at this instant and plugs into hole 142. When the solenoid 138 is energized, the pin 140 retracts and through external pressure, the dog 134 can be forced against the bias of spring 144 inward to retract the dog 134 into slot 136. This allows the rotatable member 104 to turn freely to achieve the unlocked state.

When the dog 134 is in the extended, protruding position, the tip thereof engages a groove 146 or detent formed into-a guide 148 disposed on the immobile frame 108.

With the dog 134 engaging the groove 146, the rotatable member 104 is mechanically locked to the immobile frame 108, thereby preventing rotation of the rotatable member 104. Because the rotatable member 104 is interlocked with the splined shaft 114, the shaft 114 cannot be rotated. As a result, the handle 110 and the gear 102 cannot be rotated, thus freezing the bolts 150 in either their extended state or retracted state. In the preferred embodiment, the bolts 150 are locked when in their extended state.

After the correct combination is entered into the keypad on the handle 110, the solenoid 138 is energized to retract pin 140, thus freeing the dog 134. From this moment on, it is possible to retract the protruding dog 134 against the bias of the spring 144. Therefore, rotating the handle 110 turns the rotatable member 104, which motion correspondingly slides the dog 134 out of groove 146 and toward groove 152. During this rotational translation of the dog 134, the tip of the dog 134 encounters guide 148 which is sloped with a decreasing radius to slowly translate the dog 134 back into slot 136.

During this same motion, rotation of the shaft 114 rotates the gear 102. The rotating gear 102 in turn displaces rack 124 of the bolt 150 to extend or retract the bolt. In the preferred embodiment, as the dog 134 moves into groove 152, the bolts 150 are fully retracted.

Optional groove 152 serves as a detent to indicate the limit of travel as the handle 110 is rotated.

A printed circuit board 106 contains electronic circuitry known in the art for deciphering the keypad entry code and for generating an electrical impulse to operate the solenoid 138. A battery (not shown) connected to the printed circuit board 106 powers the electronics. The printed circuit board 106 is held inside the rotatable member 104, and is protected by a cover 154. Alternatively the printed circuit board 106 may be mounted in the dial housing 110.

The present invention therefore preferably operates as follows. In the locked position, the bolts 150 are extended and the dog 134 is extended and engaging groove 146. Pin 140 of solenoid 138 is held inside hole 142 of the dog 134.

When assembled to the plate 112, holes 156 are aligned with bosses 132. Therefore, when the dog 134 is engaging groove 146, the rotatable member 104 cannot turn relative to the immobile frame 108, because the latter is mounted to plate 112 which is stationary. The splined shaft 114 is accordingly held in place and cannot rotate. The locked state is shown in Fig. 11.

A user enters a key combination through the keypad of the handle 110 as in the previous embodiment. The code is read by the circuitry of the printed circuit board 106, which then energizes the solenoid 138 to retract pin 140.

This releases dog 134. When the user twists the handle 110, the rotational motion is translated to the rotatable member 104, which motion causes the dog 134 to slide out of groove 146 and along guide 148, which guide 146 eventually forces the dog 134 into the slot 136.

Simultaneously, rotation of the shaft 114 rotates the gear 102, which pulls the bolts 150 radially inward through the respective racks 124. With the bolts 150 in the retracted position, the lock is open as shown in Fig. 10.

An optional position switch 158 is mounted inside the rotatable member 104 to indicate the orientation of the rotatable member 104. This information is passed to the electronic circuity, and can be shown on an optional display panel in the handle 110.

Cover 154 includes an optional tab 160 which can be bent outward. If the tab 160 is bent outward, it serves as a stop to prevent over-rotation of the entire mechanism. In particular, the outwardly bent tab 160 rotates into contact with the leading edge 162 of the immobile frame 108 when the handle 110 is turned to open the lock. This is shown in Fig. 10. With the tab 160 bent outward, the tab stops rotation of the rotatable member 104 so that the dog 134 never reaches groove 152. As a result, handle 110 remains free to rotate and the dog 134 may be slid back into groove 146.

On the other hand, if the tab 160 is bent downward, it passes underneath the leading edge 162, and the dog 134 travels along guide 148 until it encounters groove 152, which again permits the dog 134 to extend out of slot 136.

This locks the rotatable member 104 to the immobile frame 108. This also locks the handle 110 in the open position.

The aforementioned feature of maintaining the lock in the open state is sometimes useful in hotel safes when the room is vacant and the safe should remain unlocked for the next guest.

An optional secondary bolt 164 disposed on the outer circumference of the rotatable member 104 can be used to operate other linkages or levers in the lock. Thus, the rotational motion of the rotatable member 104 can be used to actuate other mechanical functions through secondary bolt 164.

The present exemplary embodiment utilizes a gear to operate the bolts. It is possible, however, to use cams or mechanical linkages known in the art to obtain similar type translational motion of the multiple bolts.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for use with a combination lock, the combination lock including a plurality of bolts movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a handle operably connected said bolts such that rotation of the handle will drive the bolts, and a controller adapted to determine when a predetermined combination has been input and produce a signal in response to an input of the predetermined combination, the apparatus comprising: a movable element movable between a first position wherein movement of the plurality of bolts is substantially prevented and a second position wherein movement of the plurality of bolts is not substantially prevented, the movable element being biased toward the first position; and a blocking device operably connected to the controller and adapted to substantially prevent the movable element from moving unless the signal provided by the controller is received.
2. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking device comprises a solenoid device having a pin movable between an extended position which substantially prevents movement of the movable element and a retracted position which does not substantially prevent movement of the movable element, the pin being biased toward the extended position and moved to the retracted position in response to the energization of the solenoid position.
3. 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pin engages the movable element when in the extended position.
4. 4. An apparatus as claimed in either one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the movable element defines an opening and the pin is received within the opening when in the extended position.
5. 5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the movable element moves in a first direction, the pin moves in a second direction, and the first direction is substantially different than the second direction.
6. 6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising: a spring adapted to bias the movable element toward the first position.
7. 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: a housing including a groove adapted to receive the spring.
8. 8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable element comprises a linearly slidable element.
9. 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the slidable element defines a cam surface.
10. 10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of bolts are associated with a bolt works having a rotating element which drives the plurality of bolts and the movable element prevents rotation of the rotating element.
11. 11. A pawl and solenoid sub-assembly for use in a combination lock, the combination lock having a plurality of bolts movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a handle operably connected to the plurality of bolts such that rotation of the handle will drive the plurality of bolts, and a controller adapted to determine when a predetermined combination has been input and produce a signal in response to an input of the predetermined combination, the sub-assembly comprising: a pawl movable between a first pawl position wherein the pawl substantially prevents movement of the plurality of bolts and a second pawl position wherein the pawl does not substantially prevent movement of the plurality of bolts; a bias element operably connected to the pawl and arranged such that the pawl is biased toward the first pawl position; a solenoid device adapted to be operably connected to the controller and having a pin movable between a first pin position which substantially prevents movement of the pawl and a second pin position which does not substantially prevent movement of the pawl, the pin being biased toward the first pin position and moved to the second pin position in response to the signal from the controller.
12. 12. A pawl and solenoid sub-assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the biasing element applies a predetermined amount of biasing force to the pawl and the predetermined amount is such that it may be overcome through manual rotation of the handle when the pin is in the second pin position.
13. 13. A pawl and solenoid sub-assembly as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the pawl includes a sliding surface.
14. 14. A pawl and solenoid sub-assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the pawl defines an opening and the pin is received within the opening when in the first pin position.
15. 15. A pawl and solenoid sub-assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the pawl is adapted to move linearly between the first and second pawl positions.
16. 16. A pawl and solenoid sub-assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the plurality of bolts is associated with a bolt works having a rotating element which drives the plurality of bolts and the pawl prevents rotation of the rotating element.
17. 17. A pawl and solenoid sub-assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.