GB2521057A

GB2521057A - Key operated actuators

Info

Publication number: GB2521057A
Application number: GB1421655.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Mark Wheatcroft
Original assignee: AVANSYS LLP
Current assignee: AVANSYS LLP
Priority date: 2013-12-05
Filing date: 2014-12-05
Publication date: 2015-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-05
Also published as: GB201321460D0; GB201421655D0; GB2521057B

Abstract

A key-operated actuator assembly for an electrical circuit comprises a mounting plate 18 carrying a key operated rotary lock 16 having an actuating cam rotatable on operation of the lock, a switch 26 that is operated by the cam on rotation of the lock past a given position, connectors 27 supported from the mounting plate 18 for the attachment of circuit wiring and feedback means 29,41,42 for indicating that the switch 26 has been actuated. An interface circuit board 25 is also included to provide appropriate actuating signals for an electrical circuit via the connectors 27 on operation of the switch 26. The feedback means may comprise a detent 29 supported from the mounting plate to hold the cam in the switch operating position and provide tactile feedback or an audible or visual means, such as an LED 41,42. The switch 26 may comprise two switches 28 wired in parallel so that if one fails the other can still actuate the circuit. The assembly may be used for the actuation of a fire alarm system or a circuit which controls the release of lockable doors and/or other electrical functions.

Description

KEY OPERATED ACTUATORS

This invention relates to key operated actuating arrangements for electrically actuated functions.

It is an object to provide an improved key operated actuating arrangement which is suitable for the actuation of fire alarm systems.

Although the key actuating arrangement of the present invention is described below in relation to the triggering of a fire alarm system it will be understood that the actuating arrangement can be used to operate a wide range of electrically actuated functions.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided a key operated actuator assembly for an associated electrical circuit controlling an electrically actuated function, the assembly comprising:- -a mounting plate carrying a key operated rotary lock with an actuating cam rotatable on operation of the lock, -switch means supported from the mounting plate and operated by the cam on rotation of the lock past a given position, -connector means supported from the mounting plate for the attachment of wiring of the circuit, and -feedback means which give feedback to the key operator that the switch has been operated to actuate the function.

This provision of a feedback means is an important feature of the invention as it enables the key operator to feel confident that the operation of the key has succeeded in actuating the associated electrically actuated function. This is particularly important in safety critical functions such as fire alarm systems.

The feedback means may comprise detent means also supported from the mounting plate to hold the cam in the switch operating position on rotation of the lock past the given position and provide tactile feedback to the user that the switch has been operated.

The feedback means may additionally or alternatively provide visual and/or audible feedback to the key operator.

Interface means may also be carried by the mounting plate and provide the appropriate actuating signals for the circuit on operation of the switch means.

The interface means may include a mount for a circuit interface board, the board providing the appropriate signals for the circuit on operation of the switch means.

This is a particularly versatile arrangement in which the electrically actuated function can be made key operated simply by fitting the appropriate interface board.

The mount for the interface board may comprise a rectangular box within which the interface board is received, the box also carrying the switch means and the connector means.

One end of the box may have locating formations which cooperate with complementary locating formations supported from the mounting plate to locate the box relative to the mounting plate and the other end of the box has releasable fastening means to complete the attachment of the box to the mounting plate.

This is a particularly useful feature of the invention as it allows the entire actuating arrangement to be easily detached from or mounted on the shroud.

The box may be formed from sections of circuit board material or other sheet material with tinned interlocking formations which are secured together to form the box by heating the tinned portions, applying solder and allowing them to fuse together.

The box may have tinned connections for the switch means and connector means to connect with the interface board in the box.

The mounting plate may carry a shroud which surrounds the lock and to which the lock is secured.

The shroud may carry the switch means, interface means and connector means.

The switch means may comprise two switches wired in parallel so that if one switch fails the other switch can still actuate the circuit.

The above actuating assembly is particularly suitable for the actuation of a fire alarm system. Such a key operated actuation of an alarm system is particularly suitable for use in situations (e.g. certain areas of mental hospitals) where the mischievous actuation of the system via conventional break glass buttons or switches is a problem.

The assembly may additionally or alternatively actuate a circuit which controls the release of lockable doors and/or other electrical functions.

The invention also provides a key operated actuator assembly for an associated electrical circuit controlling an electrically actuated function, the assembly comprising: -a mounting plate carrying a key operated rotary lock with an actuating cam rotatable on operation of the lock, -switch means carried by the plate and operated by the cam on rotation of the lock past a given position, -interface means also carried by the mounting plate and providing the appropriate actuating signals for the circuit on operation of the switch means, and -connector means also carried by the mounting plate for the attachment of wiring of the circuit and the transmission of the actuating signals from the interface means to the circuit.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a key operated actuating assembly in accordance with the present invention for use in the actuation of a fire alarm system; Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 with the associated fire alarm system shown diagrammatically; Figure 3 shows the actuating arrangement of Figure 2 in an exploded condition; Figures 4 and 5 show exploded views of part of the actuating arrangement of Figures 1 to 3 showing an interface card supporting box and associated switches and connector; Figures 6 and 7 show partial vertical sections on the plane A-A of Figure 2 with the switches in their non-actuated and actuated positions respectively; Figures 8 and 9 show partial perspective plan views of the switches in their non-actuated and actuated positions respectively, and Figures 10, 11 and 12 show perspective views of an alternative form of actuating assembly in accordance with the present invention with a simplified interface arrangement.

Referring to the drawings, a key operated actuator assembly 10 is provided for a fire alarm system 11 which may have the customary sirens 12, flashing warning lights 13, smoke sensors 14 and may also have the customary break glass alarm buttons or switches 15 as shown diagrammatically in Figure 2.

Key operated assembly 10 has a cylinder lock 16 which is mounted on a shroud 17 which surrounds the lock and is carried on a mounting plate 18. Lock 16, which is of the Euro profile type, is secured to shroud 17 by a nut and bolt 19, 19a which extends through holes 20 in the shroud and a hole 21 in the lock 16.

Mounting plate 18 is provided with holes 22 through which it is attached to a wall mounted box (not shown).When the assembly 10 is used for fire alarm actuation the mounting plate 18 may be red in colour.

Shroud 17 has an aperture 1 7a through which the lock can extend if necessary so that locks of different lengths can easily be housed within the shroud. Any other suitable form of lock can be used such as the British oval profile type or the Swiss or Europrofile type.

Lock 16 has an actuating cam 23 which rotates when the key of lock 16 is rotated. Also mounted on shroud 17 is an interface means in the form of a box 24 which houses a proprietary interface board 25 which carries the necessary circuitry to provide appropriate actuating signals for actuating the circuit of the fire alarm system 11 when switch means 26, which is also carried by box 24, is operated by cam 23. An interface board 25 from any one of a number of alarm manufacturers can be used. A connector 27 is also carried by box 24 for the attachment of wiring to transmit actuating signals from the interface board 25 to the alarm system 11. Thus rotation of cam 23 by the key is arranged to actuate the alarm system.

By using the interface board 25 the above actuator assembly enables a wide range of electrically actuated functions to be actuated by the operation of a key simply be providing the appropriate interface board between the switch means 26 and the connector 27.

Such a key operated actuation of the alarm system is particularly suitable for use in situations (e.g. certain areas of mental hospitals) where the mischievous actuation of the system via conventional break glass buttons 15 is a problem.

Switch means 26 comprises two micro switches 28 connected in parallel so that if one switch fails the other switch can still actuate the interface card 25 and hence the alarm system 11. Any other appropriate switching arrangement can be used if desired Mounted on shroud 17 is a spring ball type detent 29 which is held on the shroud by a spring clip washer 30. As can be seen best from Figures 6 to 9, as lock 16 is rotated using its key, cam 24 moves from a position to the right of detent 29 (see Figures 6 and 8) to a position to the left of the detent (see Figure 7 and 9). In the Figure 7 and 9 position the detent 29 holds the cam 24 against the two switches 28 to trigger the interface card 25 and hence actuate the fire alarm system. As the cam 23 rides over the detent 29 this provides positive feedback to the operator that the alarm system has been actuated.

Box 24 has five sections 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 made from circuit board material or other suitable sheet material (see exploded Figures 4 and 5). The sections have tinned interlocking formations 31 a, 32a, 33a, 34a and 35a which are secured together to form the box by heating the tinned portions and applying solder and allowing them to fuse together. The box 24 can alternatively be formed in any other suitable way by, for example, moulding the box out of suitable plastics material.

Sections 31 and 32 may included embedded connections between the circuit board 25 and the external switches 28 on section 31 and the connector 27 on section 32. The sections 31 and 32 may also have tinned connections for the switch means 26 and connector 27. Section 32 may also include a cut out 36 through which DIP switches 36a on the interface board can be accessed and set appropriately.

The upper end of box 24 has locating formations 37a on sections 31 and 32 which cooperate with complementary locating formations in the form of slots 37 formed in the top of shroud 17. The lower end of box 24 has screw holes 38 through which fastening means in the form of screws pass to engage holes 40 in the base of shroud 17 to hold the box on the shroud. This allows the entire a assembly of the interface box 24, switches 28 and connector 27 to be easily mounted on and demounted from the shroudl7.

An LED 41 is mounted on box 24 adjacent to switches 28. This LED is illuminated when the interface card 25 has actuated the alarm system. The LED is visible to the key operator via a hole 42 in mounting plate 18 giving further feedback that the alarm system has been actuated. An audible beep or sound may also be provided to give yet further or alternative feedback that the system has been actuated.

Figures lOto 12 show an alternative form of actuating assembly in which lock 16 with cam 23 is again mounted on plate 18 via shroud 17. In this arrangement micro switches 28 are again operated by cam 23 on rotation of the lock and a connector 27 is provided to transmit signals from the switches to an associated electrically actuated function. Switches 28 are mounted on a support 43 which can be made from circuit board material or other suitable sheet material. Support 43 is secured to shroud 17 using screws which extend through holes 44 and into holes 45 in the shroud. A spring ball type detent 29 is again provided to hold the switches 28 in their closed position. This detent provided feedback to the key operator that the switch has been actuated correctly. LED 41 also provides a visual feedback signal via hole 42. An audible beep or other sound can also provided to give still further feedback to the key operator that the function has been actuated correctly. No interface board is provided supported from the shroud 17 in this arrangement. If an interface is required by the associated electrically actuated function this interface will be provided between connector 27 and the function.

The present invention thus provides a key operated actuator assembly which is compact and will fit into a single gang electrical box (flush or surface mounted) and which confirms to BS 4662:2006i-A1:2009 or similar equivalent with a depth of 35/45mm depending on the design of the assembly.

Fire alarm actuation or call points are traditionally designed so that no particular skill is required for their operation and they may be easily activated in the event of emergency.

In some situations it is desirable to restrict their operation to persons with specific authority, as indicated above, mental health institutions being a prime

example.

Call Points of traditional design installed in patient areas of mental health institutions are prone to being operated by patients at times when there is no emergency causing panic and often requiring the involvement of emergency services with attendant cost and inconvenience.

The present invention with its key operated actuator assembly thus provides a facility which is particularly suitable for such situations and with its feedback means provides the key operator with certainty that the actuator assembly has been fully operated..

Also, in such situations where it is desirable to restrict operation of actuation or call points, physical access to parts of the premises will normally also be restricted by means of door locks typically employing standardised cylinder locks such as Europrofile' style cylinders which can also be utilised as part as part of the actuator assembly of the present invention. Thus the door and alarm locks of such premises can be standardised.

S

Claims

CLAIMS1) A key operated actuator assembly for an associated electrical circuit controlling an electrically actuated function, the assembly comprising:- -a mounting plate carrying a key operated rotary lock with an actuating cam rotatable on operation of the lock, -switch means supported from the mounting plate and operated by the cam on rotation of the lock past a given position, -connector means supported from the mounting plate for the attachment of wiring of the circuit, and -feedback means which give feedback to the key operator that the switch has been operated to actuate the function.
2) An assembly according to claim 1 in which the feedback means comprises detent means are also supported from the mounting plate to hold the cam in the switch operating position on rotation of the lock past the given position and provide tactile feedback to the user that the switch has been operated.
3) An assembly according to claim 1 or 2 in which the feedback means provides visual and/or audible feedback to the key operator.
4) An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which interface means are also carried by the mounting plate and provide the appropriate actuating signals for the circuit on operation of the switch means.
5) An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the interface means includes a mount for a circuit interface board, the board providing the appropriate signals for the circuit on operation of the switch means.
6) An assembly according to claim 6 in which the mount for the interface board comprises a rectangular box within which the interface board is received, the box also carrying the switch means and the connector means.
7) An assembly according to claim 6 in which one end of the box has locating formations which cooperate with complementary locating formations supported from the mounting plate to locate the box relative to the mounting plate and the other end of the box has releasable fastening means to complete the attachment of the box to the mounting plate.
8) An assembly according to claim 6 or 7 in which the box is formed from sections of circuit board material or other sheet material with tinned interlocking formations which are secured together to form the box by heating the tinned portions, applying solder and allowing them to fuse together.
9) An assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8 to in which the box carries tinned connections for the switch means and connector means to connect with the interface board in the box.
10) An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the mounting plate carries a shroud which surrounds the lock and to which the lock is secured.
11) An assembly according to claim 10 in which the shroud carries the switch means, interface means and connector means.
12) An assembly according to any one of claims ito 11 in which the switch means comprises two switches wired in parallel so that if one switch fails the other switch can still actuate the circuit.
13) An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12 which will fit into a single gang electrical box, flush or surface mounted, and which conforms to the requirements of BS4662:2006+A1:2009 or similar equivalent.
14) A key operated actuator assembly for an associated electrical circuit controlling an electrically actuated function, the assembly comprising: -a mounting plate carrying a key operated rotary lock with an actuating cam rotatable on operation of the lock, -switch means carried by the plate and operated by the cam on rotation of the lock past a given position, -interface means also carried by the mounting plate and providing the appropriate actuating signals for the circuit on operation of the switch means, and -connector means also carried by the mounting plate for the attachment of wiring of the circuit and the transmission of the actuating signals from the interface means to the circuit.
15) An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for the actuation of a fire alarm system.
16) An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for the actuation of a circuit which controls the release of lockable doors and/or other electrical functions.
17) A key operated actuator assembly for an associated electrical circuit controlling an electrically actuated function, the assembly being constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures ito 9 or 10 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.