NL2012381A

NL2012381A - Locking device with tampering detection, lock plug for such locking device, cabinet provided with such locking device, and method for detecting tampering of a locking device.

Info

Publication number: NL2012381A
Application number: NL2012381A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Platschorre Tim
Original assignee: Ubilock Holding B V
Priority date: 2014-03-07
Filing date: 2014-03-07
Publication date: 2015-11-17
Also published as: NL2012381B1

Description

Locking device with tampering detection, lock plug for such locking device, cabinet provided with such locking device, and method for detecting tampering of a locking device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of locks or locking devices, and more specifically to a locking device for a cabinet, in particular for a locker cabinet. In particular, the invention relates to a cabinet locking device, that is electrically/electronically controllable and that can be monitored, in particular electronically, for tampering attempts. The invention further relates to a lock plug for a locking device. Still further, the invention relates to a cabinet, in particular a locker cabinet, provided with a locking device. Also, the invention relates to a method for detecting tampering of a locking device.

Herein, structures such as cabinets, compartments, cupboards, etc., which comprise a door or lid which provides access to the interior, and which door can be locked and unlocked by a lock, are generally referred to as cabinets. The cabinets can e.g. be made of wood, metal, plastic, or combinations and laminations thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the secure storage of different items, such as personal belongings, a cabinet may be used. The cabinet has a door to provide access to an interior space of the cabinet. The door can be locked by a locking device which can be operated by a key, by a mechanical or electronic keyboard or by any other means, such as radio frequency identification, RFID, tags. A plurality of cabinets, also referred to as lockers or locker cabinets, arranged in columns and/or rows, may be provided in public places to be used by individuals of groups of people, such as clients, students, and employees. The plurality of cabinets may have the same or different dimensions.

Many measures have been taken to improve the locking device, operative between a cabinet door and a cabinet enclosure, to withstand tampering, for example by reinforcing parts of the locking device. Also, the cabinet has been improved in designs which limit possibilities to break into the cabinet. However, this does not, and will not, eliminate attempts to open the cabinet by force to gain access to its contents, in particular by forcefully opening the door of the cabinet by moving it outwardly. Furthermore, solutions have been proposed to detect false codes being inputted to an electronic locking device, or false tags being used.

Accordingly, a need exists to counteract such tampering actions. In particular, a need exists for a locking device capable of detecting or monitoring a tampering attempt, wherein it is attempted to break into a cabinet by trying to force the door open.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable to provide a locking device, and a cabinet equipped with such a locking device, deterring persons to attempt to tamper with it. It would also be desirable to provide a locking device, and a cabinet equipped with such a locking device, capable of detecting a tampering attempt.

To better address one or more of these concerns, in a first aspect of the invention locking device is provided, in particular for a cabinet enclosure being closable by a door. The locking device comprises: a lock plug; a latch device configured to engage the lock plug in a locking device lock state; and a detector device coupled to the lock plug in the locking device lock state. The detector device is configured to detect, in the locking device lock state, a first lock plug position, and a second lock plug position different from the first lock plug position. One of the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position represents a state of tampering of the locking device. The other one of the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position can be one of a plurality of lock plug positions, as long as it is not a lock plug position representing a state of tampering of the locking device.

Here, a locking device lock state indicates that the lock plug is connected to the latch device, or held by the latch device, or engaged by the latch device, such that the lock plug and the latch device cannot be separated. Conversely, when the locking device is in a locking device release state, the lock plug is, or can be, separated from the latch device. A coupling of the detector device to the lock plug may involve a mechanical contact, either direct or indirect through one or more elements, between the detector device and the lock plug. In some embodiments, however, a coupling of the detector device to the lock plug may be contactless, for example including magnetic or optical components.

In accordance with the inventive concept, a state of tampering with the locking device, or a cabinet provided with the locking device, can be detected by the detector device detecting the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position. After detection of the tampering state, the detector device may trigger an alarm, at the locking device, the cabinet provided with the locking device, and/or remotely, following which appropriate action can be taken against the tampering, in particular such tampering which will cause the lock plug to take a lock plug position indicating a state of tampering, more in particular where the tampering involves an attempt to open the door of a cabinet. When users of cabinets equipped with the locking device according to the inventive concept know about the presence of the detector device, this knowledge in itself will reduce any tampering of the cabinets.

In an embodiment of the locking device, the detector device comprises a switch having a first switching state when the lock plug is in the first lock plug position, and having a second switching state different from the first switching state when the lock plug is in the second lock plug position. The switch may be a mechanical, magnetic or optical switch arranged to detect different lock plug positions.

The switch may comprise electric contacts, wherein the electric contacts may open and/or close electric circuits arranged to trigger an alarm in a predefined one of the first and second switching state. Also, in the other one of the first and second switching state, the electric contacts may open and/or close electric circuits arranged to trigger an indication of normal locking device lock state.

In an embodiment of the locking device, the detector device comprises a detector part movable between a first detector part position associated with the first lock plug position, and a second detector part position associated with the second lock plug position.

The detector part may be coupled to the lock plug in the locking device lock state, and used to operate e.g. a switch. Thus, the switch is indirectly coupled to the lock plug.

In an embodiment of the locking device, at least one of the lock plug and the latch device comprises a resilient member allowing, in the locking device lock state, the lock plug to move between the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position by deformation or relaxation of the resilient member.

The resilient member, on the one hand, allows the latch device to engage the lock plug to keep the locking device in its locking device lock state, such that the lock plug cannot be separated from the latch device. On the other hand, the resilient member allows the lock plug to move relative to the latch device, without however being separable therefrom, between the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position. The resilient member is relaxed, i.e. not compressed, in one of the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position, and is compressed, i.e. not relaxed, in the other one of the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position. As an example, when pulling a door of a cabinet provided with a locking device in a locking device lock state, the resilient member resists the pulling of the door by becoming compressed. When the pulling force, and thereby the compression of the resilient member, exceeds a particular limit such that the lock plug takes a lock plug position indicating a locking device tampering state, this is detected by the detector device, and an appropriate action may be triggered by the detector device.

In some embodiments of the locking device, the lock plug has a longitudinal axis, is configured to move along said longitudinal axis, and has at least one side extending along said longitudinal axis, wherein the lock plug comprises a recess located at said side, and wherein the resilient member is located in the recess, the latch device being configured to engage the resilient member in the locking device lock state. Herewith, a simple and effective construction of the locking device is provided.

In an embodiment of the locking device, the latch device comprises a latch lever and a catch lever, wherein: the latch lever is rotatable around a first axis, and biased to a first position by a spring device, the latch lever being arranged to be rotated from the first position to a second position by the lock plug against the bias exerted by the spring device, to engage the lock plug; and the catch lever is rotatable around a second axis, and arranged to be rotated to lock or release the latch lever in the second position thereof.

In an embodiment of the locking device, the lock plug comprises a lock plug foot slidable to a lock plug support at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the lock plug.

In such embodiment, the lock plug may align itself to the latch device in case of a misalignment between the two, just by moving them together, such as when a cabinet door is closed.

In an embodiment of the locking device, the lock plug foot is slidable to the lock plug support in two opposite directions against a spring bias. The spring bias balances the lock plug in an initial position when no external force acts on the lock plug, thereby predefining such initial position while preserving a slidability of the lock plug foot in two opposite directions.

In an advantageous use of the locking device, the lock plug is configured to be mounted to a cabinet door, and the latch device is configured to be mounted to a wall, in particular an interior wall, of a cabinet enclosure. The state of tampering of the locking device is reached by moving the cabinet door away from the cabinet enclosure, by pulling at the door or otherwise attempting to open the door while the locking device is in a locking device lock state.

In a second aspect of the present invention, a lock plug for a locking device is provided. The lock plug is configured to take, in a locking device lock state, a first lock plug position, and a second lock plug position different from the first lock plug position, wherein one of the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position represents a state of tampering of the locking device, wherein the lock plug comprises a resilient member allowing, in the locking device lock state, the lock plug to move between the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position by deformation or relaxation of the resilient member.

In an embodiment, the lock plug has a longitudinal axis, is configured to move along said longitudinal axis, and has at least one side extending along said longitudinal axis, wherein the lock plug comprises a recess located at said side, and wherein the resilient member is located in the recess, and configured to be engaged by a latch device of the locking device in the locking device lock state.

In a third aspect of the present invention, a cabinet is provided. The cabinet is provided with a locking device according to the invention.

In an embodiment, the cabinet comprises a cabinet door and a cabinet enclosure, wherein the lock plug is provided on the cabinet door, and the latch device is provided on an interior wall of the cabinet enclosure.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for detecting tampering of a locking device is provided, the locking device comprising a lock plug, and a latch device. The method comprises the steps of: engaging, by the latch device, the lock plug in a locking device lock state; detecting, in the locking device lock state, a first lock plug position, and a second lock plug position different from the first lock plug position, wherein one of the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position is representative of a tampering of the locking device.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 schematically depicts a locker cabinet according to the present invention, in opened position and in a perspective view, the locker cabinet comprising a locking device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 schematically depicts a side view of a locking device, comprising a lock plug mounted on a cabinet door shown in cross-section, and a lock body interior showing some component parts.

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate different positions of the lock plug as shown in Figure 2, relative to the cabinet door.

Figure 4 illustrates the operation of the locking device when closing the cabinet door.

Figure 5 illustrates the operation of the locking device when it is tampered with.

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a control system for controlling the locking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 depicts a cabinet 2, in particular a locker cabinet, comprising an enclosure 4 and a door 6 hingably connected to the enclosure 4 to open and close the cabinet 2. Figure 1 shows the cabinet 2 opened, with the door 6 rotated more than 90° relative to the orientation it would take when closing the cabinet 2. The enclosure 4 comprises a bottom wall 4a, left side wall 4b, right side wall 4c, top wall 4d and back wall 4e. In the interior of the enclosure 4, as defined by the walls 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 4e, a support wall 8 is fixed. A front face of support wall 8 forms a stop face for the door 6. A locking device comprises an elongated lock plug 10 and a lock body 12. The lock plug 10 is mounted, in a way explained in more detail below by reference to Figures 2 and 3a-3c, to the door 6 using a mounting plate 14 comprising a status indicator window 16. The lock body 12 comprises a housing 18 having a first aperture 20 configured to receive the lock plug 10 when closing the door 6 of the cabinet 2, and a second aperture 22 to pass light generated by a light source 24 (shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5).

Figure 2 shows a side view, partially in cross-section, of the lock plug 10. Further, the lock body 12 is shown with part of the housing removed to expose some components in the interior of the lock body 12.

The elongated lock plug 10 has a longitudinal axis 30, and has an end 31 having a converging shape, in particular a rounded shape, more in particular a semi-circular shape when seen in cross-section. The lock plug 10 , at one side thereof, has a recess 32 which in this embodiment is V-shaped in cross-section. A first side 32a of the recess 32 comprises an essentially rigid material, whereas a second side 32b of the recess 32 is formed by a side of an essentially J-shaped resilient member 34 made of a resilient material, such as a material comprising rubber.

The lock plug 10 comprises a plug foot 40 slidably mounted in a guide cavity 42 of a lock plug support 44 to be movable at right angles to the longitudinal axis 30. With the orientation of the lock plug 10 as shown in Figure 1, the plug foot 40, and thereby also the lock plug 10, may slide upwards and downwards.

At two opposite ends of the guide cavity 42, compression springs 46a, 46b are provided which balance the position of the plug foot 40 in the guide cavity 42, in the absence of other forces, to be centered in the guide cavity 42.

Thus, as illustrated in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, the lock plug 10 is movable at right angles to the longitudinal axis 30 thereof by virtue of the plug foot 40 being slidable in the guide cavity 42 against the forces exerted by the compression springs 46a, 46b. Figure 3a shows the same position of the plug foot 40 in the guide cavity 42 of the lock plug support 44 as in Figure 2. Figure 3b shows the plug foot 40 to be in a position in the guide cavity 42 wherein the compression spring 46a is fully compressed (and therefore not shown), while compression spring 46b is relaxed to have a greater length than in Figure 3a. The situation according to Figure 3b can be reached by exerting a force having a force component in the direction of arrow 48a on the lock plug 10 relative to the lock plug support 44. Figure 3c shows the plug foot 40 to be in a position in the guide cavity 42 wherein the compression spring 46b is fully compressed (and therefore not shown), while compression spring 46a is relaxed to have a greater length than in Figure 3a. The situation according to Figure 3c can be reached by exerting a force having a force component in the direction of arrow 48b on the lock plug 10 relative to the lock plug support 44.

The lock plug support 44 may be fixed to the mounting plate 14 through studs 50 extending in corresponding holes in the door 6. A light path 52 may be provided to allow light emitted by light source 24 to reach status indicator window 16 of the mounting plate 14.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the lock plug 10 is configured to be inserted into first aperture 20 of the lock body 12. With the feature of the lock plug 10 having a plug foot 40 being slidably mounted on the lock plug support 44 at right angles to the longitudinal axis 30 of the lock plug 10, an insertion of the lock plug 10 into the first aperture 20 is possible without undue effort even when the lock plug 10 would not be perfectly aligned with the first aperture 20. Thus, the mounting of the lock plug 10 on the door 6 has a self-aligning property. The self-alignment is enhanced by providing the first aperture 20 with a tapering inlet portion. The self-alignment is further enhanced by providing the lock plug 10 with the converging end 31.

The lock body 12 comprises a latch device comprising a latch lever 60 rotatable around an axis 62 in a direction indicated by arrow 64. The latch lever 60 comprises a latch part 60a having a latch side 60b. The latch lever 60 further comprises a first catch part 60c, and side 60d. A spring device 66 exerting a force on the latch lever 60 opposite to the direction of arrow 64 forces the latch lever 60 to the position shown in Figure 2, in the absence of other forces acting on the latch lever 60, with the first catch part 60c resting against a stop formed by part of the housing 18.

The latch device of the lock body 12 further comprises an electromagnetic actuator 70 comprising a rod 72 movable, in particular slidable, between a first position as shown in Figure 2 and a second position as shown in Figures 4, 5. The actuator 70 preferably is constructed such that it does not consume electric energy when the rod 72 is in the first position or in the second position, while only a transition from the first position to the second position, or from the second position to the first position, requires electric energy. Preferably, the rod 72 is freely movable between its first and second positions, when the actuator 70 is not energized. Then, by virtue of the force of gravity, from the situation shown in Figure 2 the rod 72 may slide to its second position.

An electric switch 74 comprises a spring-loaded arm 76 movable between a first position as shown in Figure 2 and a second position as shown in Figures 4, 5, wherein the spring-loading is such that the arm 76 tends to take the second position in the absence of external forces acting on the arm 76. The switch 74 comprises one or more electrical contacts which are opened and closed depending on the arm 76 taking its first position or its second position.

The latch device of the lock body 12 further comprises a catch lever 80 rotatable around an axis 82 in a direction indicated by arrow 84 between a first position as shown in Figure 2, and a second position as shown in Figures 4, 5. In the first position, as shown in Figure 2, the catch lever 80 is blocked from rotation in the direction of arrow 84 by the first catch part 60c of the latch lever 60. A rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow 84 is prevented by the electric switch 74 having the arm 76 in its first position. The catch lever 80 comprises a recess 80a and a second catch part 80b.

An electric switch 78 comprises a spring-loaded arm 79 movable between a first position as shown in Figure 2 and a second position as shown in Figure 4, wherein the spring-loading is such that the arm 79 tends to take the first position in the absence of external forces acting on the arm 79. The switch 78 comprises one or more electrical contacts which are opened and closed depending on the arm 79 taking its first position or its second position. Thus, the switch 78 has different switching states.

The lock body 12 further comprises a detector part 90 rotatable around the axis 62 from the first position shown in Figure 2 in the direction of arrow 64 to a second position shown in Figure 4. The detector part 90 is mounted on the axis 62 in another axial position than the latch lever 60. The detector part 90 has a side 90a of a wall of the detector part 90, wherein the wall extends parallel to, and is adjacent to, the side 60b of the latch lever 60. In the situation shown in Figure 2, the spring-loaded arm 79 of the electric switch 78 and/or the spring device 66 force(s) the detector part 90 into its first position. In the situation shown in Figure 4, the lock plug 10 forces the detector part 90 in its second position, to bring the arm 79, contacting the detector part 90, also in its second position.

It is noted that the latch lever 60 and the detector part 90 are both rotatable independently from each other at different axial positions of the axis 62.

The operation of the locking device comprising the lock plug 10, the latch device, and other components of the lock body 12 will now be described in detail.

Figure 2 illustrates a situation of closing the cabinet 2 by rotating the door 6 towards the enclosure 4. With such movement of the door 6, the lock plug 10 is moved into the first aperture 20, where the slidable plug foot 40 allows the lock plug 10 to align itself to the first aperture 20, as illustrated in, and explained by reference to, Figures 3a, 3b and 3c.

During insertion of the lock plug 10 into the first aperture 20, the end 31 of the lock plug 10 passes the latch part 60a of the latch lever 60 in its first position urged by the spring device 66. During further insertion, the end 31 pushes on side 90a of the detector part 90, and thereby also on side 60d of latch lever 60, to rotate the latch lever 60 from its first position in the direction of arrow 64 against a counteracting force exerted by the spring device 66.

With this rotation, the latch part 60a moves into recess 32 of lock plug 10. At the same time, the end 31 pushes on side 90a of the detector part 90, thereby rotating the detector part 90 from its first position in the direction of arrow 64 against a counteracting force exerted by spring device 66 and/or the spring-loaded arm 79 of the electric switch 78.

The rotation of the latch lever 60 stops when the first catch part 60c abuts the catch lever 80 near its rotation axis 82. Then, the latch lever 60 is in its second position. Also, the detector part 90 is in its second position. The second position of the detector part 90 is detected by the electric switch 78 having its arm 79 in the second position thereof indicating a switching state. With such detection, the actuator 70 may be operated to bring its rod 72 into the second position thereof. However, if the rod 72 is freely slidable when the actuator 70 is not energized, the rod 72 may be moved by the catch lever 80 to its second position, the catch lever 80 being urged to move to its second position by the spring-loaded arm 76 of the switch 74.

Now, the situation as shown in Figure 4 has been reached, wherein the switch 74 detects the catch lever 80 being in its second position. In this second position, the catch lever 80 catches the first catch part 60c of the latch lever 60 in the recess 80b, whereby the second catch part 80b prevents the first catch part 60c, and consequently the latch lever 60, to move. At the same time, the latch part 60a is fully accommodated in the recess 32 of the lock plug 10, with second side 32b of the recess 32 abutting latch side 60b of latch lever 60. As a consequence, the door 6 of the cabinet 2 is locked, and the locking device is in a locking device lock state (as opposed to the situation shown in Figure 2, where the locking device is in a locking device release state).

Figure 5 illustrates positions of lock body 12 parts in case of tampering with the door 6. As can be clearly seen when comparing Figures 4 and 5, when the door 6 is pulled away from the lock body 12, while the locking device remains in a locking device lock state, the resilient member 34 allows the lock plug 10 to move along its longitudinal axis 30 over a limited distance by the resilient member 34 being compressed against latch side 60b of latch lever 60 from a first lock plug position (Figure 4) to a second lock plug position (Figure 5). Herewith, the end 31 of the lock plug 10 is displaced from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5. As a consequence of this movement, the detector part 90 rotates from its second position (Figure 4) to its first position (Figure 5), urged by the spring-loaded arm 79 of switch 78 and/or the spring device 66. The first position of the detector part 90 is detected by the electric switch 78 having its arm 79 in the first position thereof, which switching state, by a simultaneous detection of arm 76 of switch 74 being in the second position, can set off an alarm or other indication to signal a tampering of the door 6 of the cabinet 2 by moving the door 6 away from the enclosure 4.

It is noted here that instead of providing a resilient member 34 in the recess 32 of the lock plug, or in addition thereto, a resilient member may be provided at latch side 60b of latch lever 60.

It is also noted that the resilient member, instead of being made of a resilient material such as rubber, may also comprise a spring element capable of being compressed.

The locking device can be brought into the locking device release state, starting from the situation shown in Figure 4, by operating the actuator 70 to move the rod 72 thereof from its second position (Figure 4) to its first position (Figure 2). By such movement of the rod 72, the catch lever 80 is rotated from its second position to its first position, in opposite direction to arrow 84 against the force exerted on the catch lever 80 by the spring-loaded arm 76 of the switch 74. When the catch lever 80 is in its first position, the second catch part 80b releases the first catch part 60a, whereby the latch lever 60 may rotate, under the force exerted by the spring device 66, from its second position to its first position, whereby the lock plug 10 is pushed out of the first aperture 20, and/or when the lock plug 10 is retracted from the first aperture 20. The electric switch 74 signals the locking device release state by the arm 76 being in its first position.

It is noted that the operation (energizing) of the actuator 70 to move the rod 72 from its second position to its first position needs only be for a limited time sufficient for the second catch part 80b to release the first catch part 60a.

As indicated in Figure 6 by dashed lines, the switches 74 and 78, the actuator device 70, and the light source 24 may be coupled to a processing system 100 for controlling the locking device, and detection and signaling of the state of the locking device. Here, coupling may be wireless or hard-wired, and may involve detecting states of the switches 74 and 78, such as detecting an open or closed circuit electrical, magnetical and/or optical circuit by the processing system.

As has been explained above, the switches 74 and 78 may detect different states of the locking device, namely a locking device lock state, a tampering state during the locking device lock state, and a locking device release state. A locking device release state is indicated by the arm 76 of the switch 74 being in its first position. In the locking device release state, a position of the arm 79 of the switch 78 may be ignored. A locking device lock state is indicated by the arm 76 of the switch 74 being in its second position. In the locking device lock state, the first position of the arm 79 of switch 78 indicates a tampering of the locking device, whereas the second position of the arm 79 of switch 78 indicates a normal locking device lock state.

The positions of the arms 76 and 79, represented by the switches being in predefined states, such as by contacts taking an opened/closed position, can be detected by the processing system 100 by measuring the switch state. The processing system may indicate the locking device release state, the normal locking device lock state, and the tampering of the locking device in the locking device lock state, by controlling the light source 24 to emit a predefined color of light. The light may be modulated in intensity.

The light source 24 can be controlled to e.g. emit green light when the locking device is in a locking device release state, to emit red light when the locking device is in a locking device lock state, and to emit orange light when the locking device is in a locking device lock state with tampering being detected. Furthermore, different audio signals generated by an audio generator known per se may accompany the different light colors.

The processing system 100 is configured such that an operation of the actuator 70 may only have an effect of changing the position of catch lever 80 from its first position to its second position, or back, in the second position of the arm 79 of switch 78. Otherwise, an operation of actuator 70 will not have an effect. In the second position of the arm 79 of switch 78, an operation of actuator 70 by the processing system 100 to bring the rod 72 thereof from its first position in its second position will bring the locking device from a locking device release state in its locking device lock state, whereas an operation of actuator 70 by the processing system 100 to bring the rod 72 thereof from its second position in its first position will bring the locking device from a locking device lock state in its locking device release state.

The processing system 100 may receive an input signal 102 from an input device for controlling opening and/or closing of the locking device. Such input devices are known per se, and include keyboards and tag readers.

The processing system 100 may be local, for example accommodated in the lock body 12, or remote, and may be coupled to a further processing system, for example for central control and monitoring of a plurality of cabinets 2, as indicated by dashed line 104. Exchange of data to and from the processing system 100 may be provided through different systems and communication protocols. For such data exchange and other purposes, the lock body 12 may be provided with appropriate connectors 106, 108, 110.

Connector 106 is a Universal Serial Bus, USB, connector to which a user of the cabine 2 may connect a user device e.g. for charging it. Connector 108 is a RJ45 connector to provide power and control signals. Connector 110 is an SPI connector allowing peripheral devices to be coupled to the cabinet 2, such as a fingerprint scanner, a display, etc.

As explained in detail above, a locking device for a cabinet comprises a lock plug, a latch device to engage the lock plug in a locking device lock state, and a detector device coupled to the lock plug in the locking device lock state. The detector device can detect, in the locking device lock state, a lock plug position representing a state of tampering of the locking device wherein it is attempted to open the door of the cabinet, and other lock plug positions representing a normal locking device lock state. The detector device comprises a switch. At least one of the lock plug and the latch device comprises a resilient member allowing, in the locking device lock state, the lock plug to move between a lock plug position representing a state of tampering of the locking device, and other lock plug positions, by deformation or relaxation of the resilient member.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Claims

Closing device for a cabinet, the closing device comprising: a lock plug; a latching device configured to engage the lock plug in a locking device locking state; and a detector device coupled to the lock plug in the locking device locking state, wherein the detector device is configured to detect in the locking device locking state a first lock plug position and a second lock plug position different from the first lock plug position and one of the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position represents a state of tampering with the closing device.

The locking device of claim 1, wherein the detector device comprises a switch with a first switch state when the lock plug is in the first lock plug position, and with a second switch state different from the first switch state when the lock plug is in the second lock plug position.

The closure device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the detector device comprises a detector portion that is movable between a first detector portion position associated with the first lock plug position, and a second detector portion position associated with the second slot plug position.

Locking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the lock plug and the latching device comprises a resilient member which enables the lock plug in the closing device locking state to move between the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position by deformation or relaxation of the resilient member.

The closure device of claim 4, wherein the lock plug has a longitudinal axis, is configured to move along said longitudinal axis, and has at least one side extending along said longitudinal axis, the lock plug comprising a recess located on said side, and wherein the resilient member is in the recess, the latching device configured to engage the resilient member in the locking device locking state.

Locking device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the latching device comprises a latching lever and a locking lever, wherein: the latching lever is rotatable about a first axis and is biased by a spring device to a first position, wherein the latching lever is arranged to be rotated from the first position to a second position by the lock plug against the bias applied by the spring device to engage the lock plug; and the locking lever is rotatable about a second axis, and is adapted to be rotated to lock or release the latch lever in its second position.

Locking device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the lock plug comprises a lock plug foot that is slidable with respect to a lock plug support perpendicular to a longitudinal axis on the lock plug.

A closing device according to claim 7, wherein the lock plug foot is slidable with respect to the lock plug support in two opposite directions against a spring preload.

Locking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the lock plug is configured to be mounted on a cupboard door, and wherein the latching device is configured to be mounted on a wall of a cupboard enclosure.

The closure device of claim 9, wherein the state of tampering with the closure device is achieved by moving the cabinet door away from the cabinet enclosure.

A lock plug for a locking device, wherein the lock plug is configured to assume, in a locking device locking state, a first lock plug position and a second lock plug position different from the first lock plug position, one of the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position being in a state of tampering with the represents locking device, wherein the lock plug comprises a resilient member which allows the lock plug to move in the locking device lock state between the first lock plug position and the second lock plug position due to deformation or relaxation of the resilient member.

The lock plug of claim 11, wherein the lock plug has a longitudinal axis, is configured to move along said longitudinal axis, and has at least one side extending along said longitudinal axis, wherein the lock plug includes a recess located on said side, and wherein the resilient member is in the recess, and is configured to be engaged by a latching device of the closing device in the closing device locking state.

Cabinet provided with a closing device according to one or more of claims 1-9.

Cabinet as claimed in claim 13, comprising a cabinet door and a cabinet casing, wherein the lock plug is provided on the cabinet door, and the latch device is provided on an inner wall of the cabinet casing.

A method of detecting tampering with a locking device, the locking device comprising a lock plug and a latching device, the method comprising: engaging, by the latching device, the lock plug in a locking device locking state, detecting, in the locking device locking state, a first lock plug position and a second slot plug position that differs from the first slot plug position, one of the first slot plug position and the second slot plug position being representative of tampering with the closure device.