GB2380224A

GB2380224A - A locking arrangement comprising two independent locking mechanisms

Info

Publication number: GB2380224A
Application number: GB0123450A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Robert Harris; Stephen Paul Beeby; Michael John Tudor; Neil Maurice White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-29
Filing date: 2001-09-29
Publication date: 2003-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-29
Also published as: GB0123450D0; GB2380224B

Abstract

A locking arrangement comprising an independent electrical locking mechanism 5 and an independent mechanical locking mechanism 1, operated by a single key 2. The electrically controlled mechanism 5 matches a code, received electronically from the key, to a code stored locally to the lock. The mechanically controlled lock is operated by a conventional bitted key. In use, the electronic part of the lock interrogates the key for its electronic code and if this is acceptable then the lock can be opened. The key 2 combines a conventional bitted key with a passive transponder circuit 4 such that the key appears to be substantially conventional in appearance. The control module 3 may be powered by means of batteries or by connection to the mains power supply. Keys may be programmed to activate the lock using a control box and either a master key containing a unique code or use of control buttons. The locking arrangement may also activate and deactivate a burglar alarm.

Description

An Improved Security Device The Technical Background This invention relates to a locking mechanism that combines both an electronic key and a conventional bitted key, both of which are necessary to effect complete unlocking of the mechanism. Specifically, the invention requires two separate locks, one of which is controlled by the electronic code, and the other controlled by the bitted key. However, in this embodiment, both keys are combined into one entity, in such a way that the key is easily recognised as a conventional key so that the electronic part is not obvious to the user. In use, the key appears to work as a conventional mechanical lock, with the electronic decoding being carried out without the users knowledge. The key uses available techniques to extract power from the door lock in order to power itself, and as such requires no battery, adding to the transparency of use. The advantages of such a locking system are that even if the bitted part of the key is copied at, for example, a key-cutting shop, the key is still unable to grant entry as the electronic code stored in the original key is not present, thus improving security. Moreover, if the original key is lost, the door mechanism can be programmed to ignore the electronic code of that key, thus denying that key entry, and saving the cost of replacing the lock.

The Prior Art Previous locks which are substantially combinations of electronic and mechanical locks concentrate on locking the mechanical lock with the electronic lock, so in effect there is still only one lock. For example in US5552777 the lock cylinder is prevented from turning by the electronic lock, and the same principle is described in EP0712981. Such a class of devices can be described as electromechanically lockable lock cylinders, in that the cylinder itself is locked and thus unable to rotate unless electronically unlocked by some means. The present invention is substantially different from this class of mechanism, as it does not prevent the cylinder from turning.

Another class of lock provides for opening by replacing the conventional key with an alternative mechanism. For example there are many systems that use a swipe card to activate the lock. These are used in the main for places that have many locks that require short term entry permissions, such as hotels. Other examples would include entry control systems for commercial organisations, allowing selective entry to sections of the workplace. Further examples are biometric systems. For example, a fingerprint sensor can be utilised to identify the person requesting entry. All these mechanisms seek merely to replace the key by an alternative form of entry control, and as such are still a single lock. The present invention is substantially different from these systems as it is a combination of two independent locks.

Statement of Invention Accordingly, this invention provides a lock mechanism, consisting of two independent locks. One lock is controlled electromechanically, by matching a code received electronically from the key to a code stored locally to the lock. The other, mechanical, lock is controlled by a conventional bitted key. The invention provides for the key to combine a conventional bitted key with a passive electronic transponder

circuit so that the key appears to the user to be substantially conventional in appearance. In use, the key is inserted into the lock and operates the mechanical lock normally. During the activation of the mechanical lock, the electronic part of the lock interrogates the key for its electronic code. If the code is acceptable, then the electronic lock opens, and access can be effected.

The General Description The preferred embodiment of the present invention has the electric lock, separate from the mechanical lock as shown in fig 1, and the purpose of this embodiment is to mount the electric lock on for example, a residential door in the same position as would normally be installed a secondary lock, commonly referred to as a security bolt. Conventionally, such bolts are operated by a simple key, and only from one side of the door (usually the inside) and therefore have no means of operation from the other side. It is therefore not possible to use such security features effectively when there is no occupancy in the premises, as at least one door has to be used for a final exit, and so the security bolts on this door cannot be closed. By placing the electric lock provided for in the current invention in the position of a traditional security bolt, it is possible to leave premises unattended with all security bolts activated, providing increased security for the premises. Having the locks operating at different points on the door frame increases the overall security of the door to forced entry means.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention provides for the electric lock to be mounted in the same housing as the mechanical lock, as illustrated in fig 4. The two locks are still independent, and operate in the same manner as the preferred embodiment, but the more compact physical design allows for easier installation.

Any embodiment requires the control module to be powered, and this can be provided by batteries installed within the control box, or by an electrical connection to the premises power supply. In the case of a control box powered from the premises main power supply, there should be a battery power supply, preferably rechargeable from the premises main power supply, and preferably included (but not necessarily) within the control box to allow for correct operation for a limited number of operations if the main power supply should fail for any reason.

The control module should also be provided with means for opening the electrical security bolt by means other than the key, in order to allow the electrical lock to be activated from the inside of the premises.

Amongst the functions provided by the control box should be means for allowing the control box to learn new electronic codes associated with extra keys, and conversely methods whereby lost keys can be excluded from the system. One such mechanism requires the use of a master key, which transmits a unique code, recognised by the control box, which switches the control box into programming mode by turning the master key to position 16, and then back to 15. At this point the master key is removed, and each of the keys that the lock is required to recognise is inserted into the lock and turned to position 16 to enable the keys code to be read and stored. When all the keys have been learned by this method, the master key is used again, which acts to switch the control box back to normal operating mode. In this way, any key not present at the time of programming is automatically excluded from the system. More

convenience of operation can be established if it is possible to add extra keys without the necessity of having to program all valid keys at the same time. A method for achieving this requires the control box to placed in the programming mode by use of the control buttons 11. The new key is then inserted into the lock and turned from position 15 to 16 and back again. The control box is then returned to normal operation via the control buttons 11.

Additional functionality can be provided for by allowing the control box to disable a burglar alarm automatically on recognition of a valid key. This functionality can be extended by allowing arming of the burglar alarm at the same time as the electrically activated lock is switched to the locked position.

Examples and Drawings The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art, by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several figures and in which: Figure 1 is a schematic, showing a first embodiment of the present invention as fitted to a door.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing more detail of the present invention as fitted to the interior facing side of the door.

Figure 3 is a perspective view, showing more detail of the present invention, as fitted to the exterior facing side of the door.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of part of the front of the door, fitted with an embodiment of the current invention, showing the method of activating and unlocking the lock.

With reference now to the drawings, a security system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a conventional mechanical lock, such as a cylinder lock, indicated generally at 1 in fig 1, a co-operating'key'shown at 2 in fig 1 (including a passive transponder circuit indicated generally by 4), a control module indicated generally at 3 in fig 1, an electrically activated lock at 5 and a means of communicating between the electrical lock 5, and the control box 3, indicated generally by 7.

In operation, the key 2 is inserted into the key hole 8 in the lock, and turned in the conventional manner from position 15 to position 16, thus operating the lock 1 and causing the bolt 12 to be pulled back into the housing 17. In this first embodiment, the turning of the key also closes a switch within the lock 1, activating the control module to interrogate the key 2 for a digital code. The control module activates its antenna 9, causing power to be transmitted over a short range at a certain frequency defined by the requirements of the passive transponder circuitry 4 incorporated into the key 2.

This causes the transponder circuit 4 to become powered for a short time, during which it is able to transmit its code, which is received by the control box's antenna 9.

The control box 3 then decides if a code was received, and if so, whether it was valid. Upon receipt of a valid code, the control box 3 activates the electric lock 5. Thus both locks are in the open position and entry can be effected. Should an invalid or no digital code be received, the control box 3 would maintain the electric lock 5 in the closed position, thus no allowing entry and maintaining security.

On form of operation of this new lock can be described as fully-automatic. In such a configuration, the electrically controlled lock 5, and the mechanical lock 1 both operate fully. For such operation a means of moving the electrically operated security bolts to the closed position only when the door is in the closed position is required, as activating the bolts while the door is open will result in the door being unable to be closed. There are many possible ways of achieving this, for example a microswitch can be installed in the door frame that will signal to the control box when the door is closed. The control box 3 can then activate the electrically controlled lock 5.

Alternatively, the security bolt can be configured so that it is permitted to move back into their housing by friction by the act of closing the door.

An alternative form of operation can be envisaged whereby the electrically activated lock is not utilised under all conditions, but is only required at certain times.

A method whereby selective operation of the electrically operated lock is achieved by using the key can be implemented thus: Figure 5 shows a front view of the lock 1, emphasising the key hole 8.

Once a key 2 is inserted in to the keyhole 8, turning to the right from position 15 to position 16 (in this embodiment) results in the mechanical lock operating as normal, and the electronic code reading mechanism being activated as described above, but only if the electrically operated lock 5 is in the locked position. If the electrically operated lock 5 is in the open position, it is not required to interrogate the key for an electronic code.

Activation of the electrically operated lock 5 is achieved by inserting the key 2 and turning it to the left. This activates an electrical switch within the lock cylinder which triggers the control unit to close the electrically operated lock. Should it be required that the electrically operated lock 5 is closed from the inside i. e. without the need for a key, then this can be implemented by pressing one of the control buttons 11 on the control unit 3, or as an alternative mechanism, rotating the inner handle 10 in the upwards direction to achieve the closing of the switch.

Claims

1. A door lock combining at least one independent electric lock mechanism and at least one independent mechanical lock mechanism, which are operated by independent opening means combined into a single key.

2. A door lock according to claim 1 wherein the opening means of the electronic lock mechanism is by means of an electronic code read from the key by remote means.

3. A door lock according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the independent mechanical lock mechanism is actuated by a bitted key.

4. A door lock according to claims 1,2 and 3 wherein the electronic lock mechanism's opening codes can be learned and unlearned by means incorporated into the lock.

5. A door lock according to all foregoing claims wherein the electronic lock mechanism may be independently activated by means incorporated into the lock

6. A door lock according to all foregoing claims wherein the combined independent opening means for each lock mechanism are combined into a single entity substantially resembling a conventional door key.