GB2404689A - Electrically operable door lock - Google Patents

Electrically operable door lock Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2404689A
GB2404689A GB0318120A GB0318120A GB2404689A GB 2404689 A GB2404689 A GB 2404689A GB 0318120 A GB0318120 A GB 0318120A GB 0318120 A GB0318120 A GB 0318120A GB 2404689 A GB2404689 A GB 2404689A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
door lock
locking
sound generating
setting
output
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0318120A
Other versions
GB2404689B (en
GB0318120D0 (en
Inventor
Nicholas Royston Bartlett
Roy Alan Schofield
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
INTERNAT ENGINEERING Co L
Original Assignee
INTERNAT ENGINEERING Co L
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by INTERNAT ENGINEERING Co L filed Critical INTERNAT ENGINEERING Co L
Priority to GB0318120A priority Critical patent/GB2404689B/en
Publication of GB0318120D0 publication Critical patent/GB0318120D0/en
Publication of GB2404689A publication Critical patent/GB2404689A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2404689B publication Critical patent/GB2404689B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05BLOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B47/00Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
    • E05B47/0046Electric or magnetic means in the striker or on the frame; Operating or controlling the striker plate
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05BLOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B47/00Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05BLOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B47/00Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
    • E05B2047/0048Circuits, feeding, monitoring

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  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

A door lock comprises a door latch keeper (11) movable between a locking setting and an unlocking setting, an electrically operable device (12), such as a solenoid, to move the keeper (11) from the locking to the unlocking setting and a power supply module (13) for supplying operating current to the device (12). The module has input terminals (14a, 14b) for input alternating or direct current, output terminals (16a, 16b) for output direct current and a rectifier (15) for converting input AC into output DC. The module further includes a buzzer (17) responding to the presence of output DC to provide an audible signal indicative of actuation of the unlocking device (12). The buzzer can be disabled by removal of a plug connector (18) if so desired.

Description

ELECTRICALLY OPERABLE DOOR LOCK The present invention relates to a door lock and has particular reference to an electrically operable lock of the kind used for the purpose of, for example, securing doors of commercial buildings, offices and other buildings where security considerations may be present. Electrically operable door locks are normally activated from within a building to limit access to the building or to a specific room or area of the building to authorised or identified persons. Existing door locks of this kind are operable by either alternating current or direct current. Generally, lower-quality locks or locks associated with lower levels of access security are operated by alternating current. Higher-quality locks or locks requiring a higher degree of access security normally employ direct current. Direct current systems are preferably in many commercial situations since they provide smoother operation and permit twenty-four hour, seven-days-a-week control readiness for a power-to-lock/failunlocked or power-to-open/fail-locked configuration.Alternating current systems, on the other hand, offer only a power-to-open/fail-locked configuration, since the commercial solenoids normally used to actuate the lock are susceptible to damage if supplied with alternating current on a continuous basis. Moreover, solenoids activated by alternating current generally have a higher current draw than direct current solenoids, for example about 0.5 to 1.5 amps as opposed to 0.25 amp, for which reason use of direct current allows installation of a smaller and less expensive power supply unit. The lower current draw is also connected with a lower heat output, which avoids possible misunderstanding of the presence of latent heat in lock components as an indication of an electrical fault. On the other hand door locks operated by alternating current have the advantage that activation of the lock produces a clearly audible buzzing sound, which is used as indication that the lock has been actuated to unlock the door concerned and that the door can now be opened by the person seeking access. Locks operated by direct current are normally silent when actuated and thus do not provide any signal that the lock is released and the door can be opened. It is therefore the principal object of the invention to provide a door lock which can be operated by either alternating current or direct current and which, regardless of the current used, may provide an audible indication of an unlocked setting. A subsidiary object is the provision of a door lock of that kind with a compact arrangement of the principal power supply components. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description. According to the present invention there is provided a door lock comprising a locking element movable between a locking setting and an unlocking setting, electrically operable means for causing or allowing movement of the element from the locking setting to the unlocking setting and a power supply module for supplying current to the electrically operable means, the power supply module comprising input means for an input alternating or direct current, output means for an output direct current, converting means for converting alternating current at the input means to direct current at the output means and sound generating means for generating sound in response to the presence of current at the output means. A door lock of that kind can be operated with an input alternating current or input direct current as desired, applied alternating current being converted to direct current by the converting means integrated in the power supply module. An audible indication of the unlocked state is provided by the sound generating means similarly integrated in the module. Since direct current is supplied by the module to power the electrically operated unlocking means, the sound generating means is effective in the case of use of both forms of input current, i.e. the sound produced by the sound generating means is not only present with an input direct current, but is also provided in the case of alternating current as a substitute for the noise that would otherwise have been produced if the alternating current itself had been used to power the unlocking means.The converting means and sound generating means, together with the input and output means, can be inexpensively combined in a module of compact dimensions. The module as a whole, which may include moisture-sensitive elements, can be conveniently mounted in a suitable location adjacent to the unlocking element or, if desired, at a shielded location where the generated sound can still be associated aurally with an action affecting the element. Preferably, the door lock includes disabling means for disabling the sound generating means so as to inhibit the generation of sound, i.e. a signal indicating the unlocked setting of the latch, if this is not required in a particular situation. The disabling means can have the form of a selectably effective connection in a current feed path of the sound generating means, for example a removable connection or a switch. The use of a removable connection ensures a reliable interruption of the feed path and represents a particularly economic solution. The sound generating means itself preferably comprises a buzzer, since a buzzing sound is conventionally associated with actuation of electrically operated door locks. Other appropriate forms of sound can, of course, also be used. The converting means conveniently has the form of a rectifier, for example a bridge circuit, in which case the sound generating means is preferably connected with outputs of the bridge circuit. This connection is, for preference, by way of smoothing means for smoothing the rectifier output voltage, in particular to ensure that the sound generating means is operated by a voltage consistently within a range predetermined for fault-free function of sound generating means such as commercially available buzzers, which may be voltage-sensitive. The rectifier can be designed for, in particular, an alternating voltage of substantially 12 to 24 volts. Advantageously, the power supply module comprises a printed circuitboard provided at one side thereof with the input means, output means, converting means and sound generating means, all of these components being, for example, relatively inexpensive and commercially available items. The circuitboard can be provided at its other side with an insulating layer for insulating printed conductor tracks and component connection points, so that the module can be protected against unintended earthing on a metal enclosure or mounting plate. The electrically operable means can be of any desired form, for example it can comprise means for moving the locking element against the force of resilient means biasing the element into the locking setting, thus a power-to-open/fail-locked configuration. A powerto-lock/fail-unlocked configuration is equally possible by inversion of the arrangement or the co-operation of appropriate components, for example the electrically operable means can comprise means for holding the element against the force of resilient means biasing the element into the unlocking setting. The locking element itself can comprise, for example a latch keeper or the latch itself. The invention also embraces a door locking installation comprising a door lock as defined above and either an alternating current or a direct current source connected to the input means of the power supply module of the lock. A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a schematic block circuit diagram of an electrically operable door lock embodying the invention. Referring now to the drawing there is shown an electrically operable door lock 10 comprising a door locking element 11, for example a pivotable latch keeper, which can be mounted on or in a door frame and which is movable between a locking setting in which it retains a co-operating element, for example a latch such as a mechanically operated catch or bolt, located on a door and an unlocking setting in which it releases the co-operating element and thus permits opening of the door. The locking element 11 could equally well be, for example, an electrically operated latch movable between a locking setting in which it engages in a recess or an aperture and an unlocking setting in which it is disengaged from the recess or aperture.Electrically operable door locks are commonly used for the purpose of access security, so that a person desiring entry into a building has to be identified by a building occupant before the lock is operated to unlock the latch. The element 11 can be moved from the locking setting to the unlocking setting by a device 12 in the form of a solenoid or other drive, in which case return of the element to the locking setting can be by way of a spring or similar. Alternatively, for example, the device 12 can be arranged to hold the element 11 in the locking setting and, when actuated, to release the element 11 to allow a spring to move the element into the unlocking setting. The specific form and manner of operation of the element 11 and device 12 can be selected in accordance with specific requirements, particularly with regard to whether power is to be supplied to produce the locking setting or to produce the unlocking setting. The door lock further comprises a compactly dimensioned power supply module denoted generally by 13 and preferably consisting of a circuitboard with printed conductor tracks and components mounted on the circuitboard and connected by the tracks. The mounted components include input terminals 14a and 14b for connection of feed wires conducting an alternating or direct current, a current rectifying bridge circuit 15 with diodes in the four bridge arms and connected at the junctions of two diode pairings with the input terminals by way of printed input conductors, and output terminals 16a and 16b connected with the junctions of the other two diode pairings by way of printed output conductors and with input terminals of the device 12 by way of output wires.The mounted components further include a sound generating device 17 in the form of a buzzer which is connected with the printed output conductors of the bridge circuit 15 by way of a disabling device 18, a diode and capacitor combination 19 and a voltage regulator 20. The disabling device 18 comprises, in this instance, a removable plug connector, but could equally well be a manually operable switch. The diode and capacitor combination 19 in conjunction with the regulator 20 serve to smooth the output direct voltage of the bridge circuit 15 to ensure, by way of the capacitor, maintenance of supply voltage for the sound generating device 17 above a nominal operating voltage minimum of the device, for example 10 volts, and additionally, by way of the regulator, limitation of the supply voltage to a nominal operating voltage maximum of the device, for example 18 volts.The smoothing circuit represented by, in particular, the capacitor and regulator protects the voltage-sensitive device 17 against damage due to voltage fluctuation. The circuitboard of the power supply module 13 is provided remote from the mounted components with an insulating layer which additionally has a self-adhesive face to facilitate fixing of the module to a mounting surface. In use of the door lock 10, after the principal elements of locking element 11, device 12 and power supply module 13 have been mounted in appropriate relationship, including location of the module at a spacing from the element 11 if necessary to ensure protection from moisture, the input terminals 14a and 14b are connected with feed wires supplying input alternating or direct current depending on user requirements and on the lock configuration, particularly whether power is to be applied to redispose the element 11 into the locking setting or the unlocking setting. In the case of input alternating current, the bridge circuit 15 is effective to provide direct current at the output terminals 16 and 16b and thus to supply converted direct current to operate the device 12. The sound generating device 17 will respond to the presence of output direct current to generate an audible buzzing and thus a signal indicative of actuation of the device 12 to cause or allow the element 11 to move into the unlocking setting. The input voltage range can be, for example, 12 to 24 volts, in relation to which the output voltage will generally be lower by 10%. Similarly, in the case of input direct current the current is supplied to the output terminals 16a and 16b and will again activate the sound generating device 17. If a sound signal is not required, the disabling device 18, i.e. plug connector, can simply be removed to interrupt the current feed path of the device 17. This may be desired for, inter alia, a lock with constant application of power to maintain the element 11 in the locking setting, in which case the device 17 can be disabled to prevent constant output of sound. A door lock embodying the invention thus offers significant versatility by virtue of its capability to accept an alternating current or direct current feed and may allow generation of an audible actuation signal regardless of the form of the current. The power supply module can be of particularly compact and economic construction compatible with mass production. Although the door lock will primarily find use in conjunction with door opening control, the lock can, of course, be used to control locking and unlocking of windows, panels, drawers or any other structural elements.

Claims (18)

1. A door lock comprising a locking element movable between a locking setting and an unlocking setting, electrically operable means for causing or allowing movement of the element from the locking setting to the unlocking setting and a power supply module for supplying current to the electrically operable means, the power supply module comprising input means for an input alternating or direct current, output means for an output direct current, converting means for converting alternating current at the input means to direct current at the output means and sound generating means for generating sound in response to the presence of current at the output means.
2. A door lock as claimed in claim 1, comprising disabling means for disabling the sound generating means.
3. A door lock as claimed in claim 2, wherein the disabling means comprises a selectably effective connection in a current feed path of the sound generating means.
4. A door lock as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connection is provided by a removable electrical connector.
5. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sound generating means comprises a buzzer.
6. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the converting means comprises a rectifier.
7. A door lock as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rectifier comprises a bridge circuit.
8. A door lock as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sound generating means is connected with outputs of the bridge circuit.
9. A door lock as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sound generating means is connected with the bridge circuit outputs by way of smoothing means for smoothing the output voltage of the bridge circuit.
10. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the converting means is arranged to operate with an alternating voltage of substantially 12 to 24 volts.
11. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module comprises a printed circuitboard provided at one side thereof with the input means, output means, converting means and sound generating means.
12. A door lock as claimed in claim 11, wherein the circuitboard is provided at the other side thereof with an insulating layer for insulating printed conductor tracks and component connection points.
13. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically operable means comprises means for moving the locking element into the unlocking setting against the force of resilient means biasing the element into the locking setting.
14. A door lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electrically operable means comprises means for holding the locking element in the locking setting against the force of resilient means biasing the element into the unlocking setting.
15. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking element is a latch keeper.
16. A door lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the locking element is a latch.
17. A door locking installation comprising a door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and an alternating current source connected to the input means of the power supply module of the lock.
18. A door locking installation comprising a door lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 and a direct current source connected to the input means of the power supply module of the lock.
18. A door locking installation comprising a door lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 and a direct current source connected to the input means of the power supply module of the lock. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows : CLAIMS 1. A door lock comprising a locking element movable between a locking setting and an unlocking setting, electrically operable means for causing or allowing movement of the element from the locking setting to the unlocking setting and a power supply module for supplying current to the electrically operable means, the power supply module comprising input means for an input alternating or direct current, output means for an output direct current, converting means for converting alternating current at the input means to direct current at the output means and sound generating means for generating sound in response to the presence of current at the output means.
2. A door lock as claimed in claim 1, comprising disabling means for disabling the sound generating means. 3. A door lock as claimed in claim 2, wherein the disabling means comprises a selectably effective connection in a current feed path of the sound generating means.
4. A door lock as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connection is provided by a removable electrical connector.
5. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sound generating means comprises a buzzer.
6. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the converting means comprises a rectifier.
7. A door lock as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rectifier comprises a bridge circuit.
8. A door lock as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sound generating means is connected with outputs of the bridge circuit. 9. A door lock as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sound generating means is connected with the bridge circuit outputs by way of smoothing means for smoothing the output voltage of the bridge circuit.
10. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the converting means is arranged to operate with an alternating voltage of 12 to 24 volts.
11. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply module comprises a printed circuitboard provided at one side thereof with the input means, output means, converting means and sound generating means.
12. A door lock as claimed in claim 11, wherein the circuitboard is provided at the other side thereof with an insulating layer for insulating printed conductor tracks and component connection points. 13. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically operable means comprises means for moving the locking element into the unlocking setting against the force of resilient means biasing the element into the locking setting.
14. A door lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electrically operable means comprises means for holding the locking element in the locking setting against the force of resilient means biasing the element into the unlocking setting.
15. A door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking element is a latch keeper.
16. A door lock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the locking element is a latch. 17. A door locking installation comprising a door lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and an alternating current source connected to the input means of the power supply module of the lock.
GB0318120A 2003-08-01 2003-08-01 Electrically operable door lock Expired - Fee Related GB2404689B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0318120A GB2404689B (en) 2003-08-01 2003-08-01 Electrically operable door lock

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0318120A GB2404689B (en) 2003-08-01 2003-08-01 Electrically operable door lock

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GB0318120D0 GB0318120D0 (en) 2003-09-03
GB2404689A true GB2404689A (en) 2005-02-09
GB2404689B GB2404689B (en) 2005-06-22

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106522685A (en) * 2016-11-30 2017-03-22 泸县玉流机械制造有限责任公司 Key combination lock

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3965465A (en) * 1974-05-16 1976-06-22 Alexander Jerry L Self timing switch
US4117701A (en) * 1977-01-20 1978-10-03 Luigi Giovanni Del Mei Electro-thermal lock
US4763937A (en) * 1986-09-11 1988-08-16 Sittnick Jr Ralph A Electromagnetic door lock system
US5206782A (en) * 1991-01-18 1993-04-27 Hirsch Electronics Corporation Surge lock power controller
US5852944A (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-12-29 Stephen C. Cohen Remotely controlled door lock

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3965465A (en) * 1974-05-16 1976-06-22 Alexander Jerry L Self timing switch
US4117701A (en) * 1977-01-20 1978-10-03 Luigi Giovanni Del Mei Electro-thermal lock
US4763937A (en) * 1986-09-11 1988-08-16 Sittnick Jr Ralph A Electromagnetic door lock system
US5206782A (en) * 1991-01-18 1993-04-27 Hirsch Electronics Corporation Surge lock power controller
US5852944A (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-12-29 Stephen C. Cohen Remotely controlled door lock

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106522685A (en) * 2016-11-30 2017-03-22 泸县玉流机械制造有限责任公司 Key combination lock

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Publication number Publication date
GB2404689B (en) 2005-06-22
GB0318120D0 (en) 2003-09-03

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20220801