NZ270159A - Lock assembly with indication when actuation of the lock has occurred - Google Patents

Description

Patents Form # 5 Priority CorM??ri?3 Sj-'&ci':. ^...^o^rauo^oo £o;s<fe^ij[.oo 2 9 OCT 1996 r-.^i t-v,; IJtfrf-rr.Tl t»-nr.2r I?;.-; --cvIsJcr.-: ~p latSon 23"> 2.$..&Ct.l99§. tiOKKifikk* Spocifiow.'.ior, )v<z$ bson cnlu-c&to-*! tgf3fc. .l^rrr.

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.-J}*' ' AMENDED under Section ^ of the Patents Act 1953 from A HazIewoo3 ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Cr'-fce 19 DEC 1984 DIVISIONAL OUT OF PATENT APPLICATION # 244230 Monitoring the Actuator of a Lock Assembly We, Lockwood Australia Pty Ltd, an Australian company, of Edward Street, Huntingdale, Victoria 3166, Australia, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The following page is numbered "la" PF05.JWP FEE CODE - \ 27 0 1 5 9 - la MONITORING THE ACTUATOR OF A LOCK ASSEMBLY This invention relates to locks of tyhe kind including a bolt which is movable between lock y6nd unlock conditions. Such locks are commonly used to /ecure doors and the like in a closed position. It will/be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with particular reference to door locks, but it is to b# understood that the invention has other uses.

Solenoid controlled locks are /Known, and examples 10 are described in the specificatitfhs of U.S. patents 2299646, 3641396, 3907343, and 4073618. Such locks may be of either the fail safe or fai/l secure kind. In the former kind of lock the solenoid driven component of the lock is arranged to adopt a lc/ck release condition in the 15 event of a power failure. I/i the latter kind of lock, the solenoid driven component /is arranged to adopt a lock secure condition in the eyent of power failure.

Prior systems incorporating such locks have not been able to conveniently inonitor the status of the lock, or 20 the door with whi/ch the lock is associated. In particular, separate means is generally required to monitor the lockr condition and the door condition respectively. Furthermore, remote controlled locks which incorporate a manual override facility, do not have means 25 for monitoring/that manual override.

It is yn object of the invention to provide improved means for /Monitoring the condition of a lock (which is preferablVbut not necessarily solenoid controlled) from a remote Location. Yet another object of the invention is 30 to provide means for achieving convenient manual override of a Remotely controlled lock.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pa^rti ipparent from the following detailed description of :icular form of lock which incorporates an embodi/'irlte'nt >f the invention. ih y 1" AUG 1996 In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provtded a fC« C £ t V lock assembly including, a housing, a lock bolt mounted on the housing for relating AS AMENDED 1a 9 MONITORING THE ACTUATOR OF A LOCK ASSEMBLY This invention relates to locks of the kind including a bolt which is movable between lock and unlock conditions. Such locks are commonly used 5 to secure doors and the like in a closed position. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with particular reference to door locks, but it is to be understood that the invention has other uses.

Solenoid controlled locks are known, and examples are described in the specifications of U.S. patents 2299646, 3641396, 3907343 and 4073518. 10 Such locks may be of either the fail safe or fail secure kind. In the former kind of lock the solenoid driven component of the lock is arranged to adopt a lock release condition in the event of a power failure. In the latter kind of lock, the solenoid driven component is arranged to adopt a lock secure condition in the event of power failure.

Prior systems incorporating such locks have not been able to conveniently monitor the status of the lock, or the door with which the lock is associated. In particular, separate means is generally required to monitor the lock condition and the door condition respectively. Furthermore, remote controlled locks which incorporate a manual override facility, do not have 20 means for monitoring that manual override.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved means for monitoring the condition of a lock (which is preferably but not necessarily solenoid controlled) from a remote location. Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for achieving convenient manual override of a remotely 25 controlled lock.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of one particular form of lock which incorporates an embodiment of the invention. provided a lock assembly including, a housing, a lock bolt mounted on the housing for relative movement between a locking position and an unlocking In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is Intellectual Property Oirice of NZ 0 l An( 1938 IT*" mm a « • t 270 1 5 9 movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, actuator means which is operable to move said bolt from the locking position to/he unlocking 5 position, and detection means operably associated with the actuator means so as to be thereby operable to actuate signal means connectabjje to the detection means.

Thus according to the invention, a L6ck assembly is provided with detection means which/ responds to a particular operation of the lock assembly so as to enable 10 production of a signal indicating thai/ that operation has occurred. For example, the detection/means may respond to operation of a handle or knob /at one side of the assembly. In a particular example, that handle or knob will be located on the inner siae of the door or other 15 member with which the lock assembly is associated. The detection means may include/ a microswitch or similar device located within the /ock assembly and which is responsive to movement of a -relevant part of that assembly.

According to anothey aspect of the invention there 20 is provided a lock assembly including, a housing, a lock bolt mounted on the housring for relative movement between a locking position and/ an unlocking position, an actuator mounted on the housing for rotation relative thereto and being operable when /rotated in one direction to cause said 25 bolt to move from a^aid locking position to said unlocking position, said /actuator being connectable to hand engageable means -which is located at an inner side of said housing and which is operable to cause said actuator operation, and/ a switch located within said housing and 30 being responsive to rotational movement of said actuator in said one ^direction to open or close an electric circuit.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention/ a lock assembly is provided with switch means which i? responsive to use of a key to operate the lock 35 assembly. The response may be to activate or de-activate, as re/uired, an alarm system, or the response may simpl#t jneration of a signal which reveals operation of/'€he assembly at a remote location. Still further, r, the ALiC 1336 ' AS AMENDUU 2?015Q 2 position, actuator means which is operable to move said bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position, and detection means operably associated with the actuator means so as to be thereby operable to actuate signal means connectable to the detection means, and wherein said lock assembly further 5 includes a locking mechanism having a detent which is movable between active and inactive positions at which it prevents and does not prevent, respectively, movement of said lock bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position, and detent control means including electrically operable drive means for moving said detent between said active and said inactive 10 positions, wherein said detent control means permits selection of either a first connection or a second connection between said electrically operable drive means and said detent such that the direction in which said detent moves in response to operation of said drive means is different for each of said connections.

Thus according to the invention, a lock assembly is provided with detection means which responds to a particular operation of the lock assembly so as to enable production of a signal indicating that that operation has occurred. For example, the detection means may respond to operation of a handle or knob at one side of the assembly. In a particular example, that 20 handle or knob will be located on the inner side of the door or other member with which the lock assembly is associated. The detection means may include a microswitch or similar device located within the lock assembly and which is responsive to movement of a relevant part of that assembly.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a lock assembly including, a housing, a lock bolt mounted on the housing for relative movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, an actuator mounted on the housing for rotation relative thereto and being operable when rotated in one direction to cause said bolt to move from said locking position to said unlocking position, said actuator being connectable to hand engageable means which is located at an inner side of said housing and which is operable to cause said actuator operation, and a switch located within.said housing and Intellectual Property Ou'ice of NZ o i a:;, i3S8 Received AS AMENDED 0 1 A" n 2a being responsive to rotational movement of said actuator in said one direction to open or close an electric circuit, and wherein said lock assembly further includes a locking mechanism having a detent which is movable between active arid inactive positions at which it prevents and does not prevent, 5 respectively, movement of said lock bolt from the locking position to the unlocking position, and detent control means including electrically operable drive means for moving said detent between said active and said inactive positions, wherein said detent control means permits selection of either a first connection or a second connection between said electrically operable drive 10 means and said detent such that the direction in which said detent moves in response to operation of said drive means is different for each of said connections.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a lock assembly is provided with switch means which is responsive to use of a key to operate 15 the lock assembly. The response may be to activate or de-activate, as required, an alarm system, or the response may simply be generation of a signal which reveals operation of the lock assembly at a remote location. Still further, the Intellectual Property Oivice of NZ 01 A: rn P n r M / r r\ Ul i ^ u response may have an influence on a control unit.

Switch means o*c the foregoing kind may or may not be used with other aspects of the invention as previously referred to.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention, according to its various aspects, by reference to a particular form of lock assembly including a linearly movable latchbolt and a deadlatching facility. Each aspect of the invention is applicable to other forms of 10 lock assemblies. Also, the example assembly hereinafter described will be described as including each aspect of the invention, but only one of those aspects may be adopted in practice, or any two or more may be adopted according to particular requirements.

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail in the following passages of the specification which refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, however, are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect, so that the specific form and arrangement of the 20 various features as shown is not to be understood as limiting on the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic illustration of one form of latch assembly to which the invention is 25 applicable and which is shown from the front edge, and the latch assembly is shown partially exploded for convenience of illustration.

Figure 2 is a view taken along line II-II of Figure 1 and which shows the latch assembly with one side plate 30 removed so that internal components are visible, but in which some components have been omitted for convenience of illustration.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of part of the assembly shown in Figure 2 and which shows the locking 35 mechanism in the inactive position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing che locking mechanism in the active position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the locking mechanism arranged so that the active position is adopted while the solenoid is de-energised.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the locking mechanism in the inactive position. 5 Figure 7 is a semi-diagrammatic view of part of the assembly shown in Figure 1 and in which the deadlocking means is shown inoperative.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the deadlocking means in an operative condition. 10 Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 but with various parts omitted for convenience of illustration and in which part of an electric circuit is shown.

Figure 10 is a front elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 9.

The latch assembly 1 shown diagrammatically in Figure 1, includes inner and outer handles 2 and 3 which are interconnected through a drive shaft 4, and which are operable to cause movement of a latchbolt 5 as hereinafter described. In some forms of the assembly 1, the drive 20 shaft 4 may be split into two separate components so that the handles 2 and 3 are independently operable. A cylinder lock 6 is operable by a key from the outside of the assembly 1 so as to influence locking mechanism as hereinafter described which acts on the latchbolt 5, and a 25 turn knob 7 may have corresponding influence from the inside of the assembly 1.

The assembly 1 is, in general terms, a typical latch assembly of the kind commonly used with swinging doors, and as previously stated is not the only form of assembly 30 to which the invention is applicable. The following description of the assembly 1 assumes that the reader has a working knowledge of latch assemblies of the kind shown.

As best seen in Figure 2, the latch bolt 5 is mounted on a housing 8 so as to be movable longitudinally 35 between the latched position, which is shown in Figure 2, and an unlatched position at which the head 9 of the bolt 5 is at least substantially contained within the housing 8. A biasing spring (not shown) normally urges the bolt 5 towards the latched position. Retraction of the bolt 5 is effected through a rotatable actuator 10 which is non rotatably mounted on the drive shaft 4, and is rotated as required through manipulation of the handles 2 and 3. The 5 drive shaft 4 is not shown in Figure 2, but in use that shaft is received in the bore 10a of square cross-sectional shape which extends through the actuator 10.

A deadlatching lever 11 of known form is pivotally 10 mounted on the bolt 5 and is engageable with a stop plate 12 so as to prevent retraction of the bolt 5. The lever 11 swings about a pivot 13 between an operative position, as shown in Figure 2, and an inoperative position at which it is not engageable with the stop plate 12. Rotation of 15 the actuator 10 in the direction of arrow A causes the lever 11 to be moved into the inoperative position, in a known manner. Operation of either the cylinder lock 6 or the turn knob 7 can have the same result, and again the means for achieving that is known.

Locking mechanism 14 of a preferred form is shown in Figures 2 to 6 of the drawings. That mechanism 14 includes a detent in the form of a bar 15, and control means 16 connected to the bar 15 and arranged to control operation of that bar 15. In the particular arrangement 25 shown, the control means 16 includes an electrically operable solenoid 17 and a biasing spring 18. The solenoid 17 includes a coil body 19 and a shaft 20 which is axially movable within the body 19. The coil is energised by connection to a source of electrical current 30 and thereby generates magnetic flux which influences the shaft 20 to move in one direction. When the coil is de-energised, the spring 18 operates to move the shaft 20 in the reverse direction.

The control means 16 may be used in either a fail 35 safe arrangement, or a fail secure arrangement, according to requirements. Figures 2 to 4 show the former arrangement, and Figures 5 and 6 show the latter. In each arrangement, the detent bar 15 is mounted within the I housing 8 for relative sliding movement between an active position as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, and an inactive position as shown in Figures 3 and 6. In the particular form of the detent bar 15 as shown, that bar has a head 21 5 and a tail 22 which are connected through a plate section 23. Other forms of detent bar are clearly available.

Referring to the fail safe arrangement of Figures 2 to 4, the coil body 19 is secured to the housing 8 against relative movement and is disposed between the bar head 21 10 and tail 22. The solenoid shaft 20 is attached to the bar 15 at or adjacent the tail 22, and any suitable means may be used for that purpose. In the arrangement shown, that attaching means is formed by a pin 24 which is slidable within a hole formed in the bar tail 22. The biasing 15 spring 18 is disposed between the pin 24 and the end 25 of the coil body 19, and is arranged to urge the shaft 20 out of the body 19. A reverse arrangement is possible.

Stop means may be provided to limit the degree of relative movement between the coil body 19 and the shaft 20 20. In the arrangement shown, that stop means includes a recess 26 formed in the bar plate section 23. Shoulders 27 and 28 formed at respective ends of the recess 26 are engageable with respective ends 25 and 29 of the coil body 19 so as to define the limits of the aformentioned 25 relative movement.

The solenoid 17 is connectible to a source of electrical current through conductor wires 30. When current is connected to the coil, the shaft 20 is drawn into the coil body 19 as shown in Figure 4, and thereby 30 activates the mechanism 14. In the absence of such a connection, the spring 18 operates to pull the shaft 20 out of the body 19.

When the mechanism 14 is activated, the bar head 21 is operative to prevent operation of the actuator 10 such 35 as to cause unlatching movement of the bolt 5. In the arrangement shown, that is achieved by placement of the head 21 adjacent an abutment surface 31 of the actuator 10 (Figure 4). When the mechanism 14 is de-activated, the 27013 bar head 21 is lifted clear of the abutment surface 31 so that the actuator 10 can be rotated as required.

It is a feature of the mechanism 14 as described, that it is usable with minimum modification in each of the 5 arrangements of Figures 2 to 4 and Figures 5 and 6, respectively. In order to adapt the mechanism 14 to the latter arrangement, it is only necessary to reverse the disposition of the coil body 19 so that the shaft 20 projects downwards rather than upwards as in the 10 arrangement of Figures 2 to 4. Holes 32 and 33 formed at opposite end portions of the bar 15 enable the two alternative attachments between that bar and the shaft 20. That is, either hole 32 or 33 can receive the pin 24. The only other change which may be required is that a 15 relatively weak spring 18 may be satisfactory in the Figures 5 and 6 arrangement, whereas in the arrangement of Figures 2 to 4 the spring 18 needs to be of sufficient strength to be able to lift the bar 15.

The particular latch assembly 1 shown in Figure 2 20 includes status response means 34 which is operative to indicate or cause an indication of the status of the lock assembly 1. The status response means 34 may take any suitable form, but in the example shown includes a microswitch 35 secured to the housing 8, and a switch 25 actuator in the form of a bar 36 slidably mounted on the housing 8. The switch bar 36 is responsive to change of position of the deadlatching lever 11 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. When the lever 11 is in the inoperative position as shown in Figure 7, the switch 35 is in an open circuit 30 condition. Movement of the lever 11 to the operative position (Figure 8) causes the bar 36 to be lifted so as to operate the switch 35, and in particular move the switch to the closed circuit condition. The switch 35 is preferably arranged to automatically adopt the open 35 circuit condition when the bar 36 eventually moves back to the Figure 7 position.

It is preferred that the condition of the switch 35 is observable at a control room or other remote station rll o f .(• <} from which the operation of the lock assembly 1, and the associated door, may be monitored. For that purpose, the switch 35 is connectable into a circuit which includes appropriate indicator means. The indicator means operates 5 to reveal the condition of the switch 35, and may be of the visible and/or audible kind. In a preferred arrangement, the indicator means is positioned remote from the lock assembly 1.

It is a feature of the arrangement shown that the 10 status response means 34 can be readily adapted for use with either inwardly or outwardly opening doors. Figure 2 shows the status response means 34 associated with one hand of door, whereas Figure 7 and 8 show the status response means 34 associated with an opposite hand of 15 door. In Figure 2, the deadlatching lever 11 swings downwards to adopt the operative condition, whereas it swings upwards in the Figures 7 and 8 arrangement. The status response means 34 is conditioned for either hand of operation by simply reversing the terminals through which 20 the switch 35 is connected into the associated circuitry. Also, in the Figure 2 arrangement, the bar 36 engages edge 40 of the lever 11, whereas it engages the opposite edge 39 in the Figures 7 and 8 arrangement.

In the particular arrangement shown diagrammatically 25 in Figures 9 and 10, the condition of the locking mechanism 14, and particularly the solenoid 17, is revealed by a visible indicator which is observable to a person approaching the door with which the assembly 1 is associated. Such an indicator may comprise a light 30 emitting diode 38, or other form of indicator light, mounted on or in association with the housing 8 so as to be visible at the outside, for example, of the aforementioned door. If desired, a light 38 may be provided on both the inside and the outside of the door. 35 The light 38 is connected by conductor wires 37 to the solenoid 17, or to means which is responsive to the status of the solenoid 17. In operation, the light 38 may be energised when the locking mechanism 14 is in the locked £ r>- $ r? I / y I condition, and de-energised when the mechanism 14 is in the unlocked condition.

The condition of the associated door - i.e., open or closed - may be also detected by condition response means 5 41 (Figure 2). In the arrangement shown, that response means 41 includes a magnet 42 secured to the frame 43 which surrounds the opening controlled by the door with which the lock assembly 1 is used, and a reed switch 44 or similar device attached to the housing 8. Other 10 arrangements may be adopted for the same purpose.

When the door is closed the reed switch 44 responds to its resulting close proximity to the magnet 42 by adopting a particular condition. The switch 44 adopts another condition when moved away from the magnet 42 as a 15 consequence of the associated door being opened. The change in condition of the switch 44 may be detected in any appropriate manner. Preferably, that switch 44 is connected into a circuit such as to cooperate with the status response means 34 in such a way that a "secure" 20 signal is generated at the control room or other remote location only if the two conditions are satisfied. That is, the "secure" signal indicates that the door is closed and the deadlatching lever 11 is in its operative condition. The individual condition of each of the 25 switches 35 and 44 may be observable or otherwise detectable at the control room or other remote station referred to, but in that event it is nevertheless preferred that a correct status or "secure" signal is detectable at that room or station only if the two 30 relevant conditions are satisfied at the one time. That is, the lock assembly 1 is deadlatched and the associated door is closed.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to monitor operation of the lock assembly 1 from the inside -35 i.e., by use of the inner handle 2 or the turn knob 7. Detection means may be provided for that purpose, and such detection means may or may not be used with the mechanism 14, or the response means 34 and 41, as previously -S C

Claims (1)

1. -10- described. Figures 2 and 9 show one form of detection means 45, and other forms of detection means may be adopted. The detection means 45 includes a microswitch 46, or 5 similar device, fixed to the housing 8, and a switch bar 47 mounted on a housing 8 for movement relative thereto. A switch operator in the form of a bar 47 is arranged to respond to movement of the actuator 10, and biasing means (not shown) may operate to normally urge the bar 47 into 10 the position shown in Figures 2 and 9. In that position, the switch 46 is conditioned to indicate no change in the condition of the lock assembly 1. The switch 46 is connected into appropriate circuitry through conductor wires 48. 15 When the actuator 10 is turned to move the latchbolt 5 to the unlatched position, a finger 49 attached to the actuator 10 pushes against the bar 47 to move it to the left of the position shown in Figures 2 and 9. As a result of that movement, the bar 47 engages the switch 46 20 and causes a change in the condition of that switch, which is reflected through the aforementioned circuitry. Indicator or signal means at a remote location may be part of that circuitry. The indicator or signal means may be of the visible and/or audible kind. In one arrangement 25 the indicator or signal means includes or comprises an alarm system, and that system is activated or de-activated according to the condition of the switch 46. Detection means of the foregoing kind is particularly suited for use with a lock assembly in which 30 there is a split drive between the actuator 10 and the two handles 2 and 3. That is, the inner handle 2 may be operated to rotate the actuator 10 while the mechanism 14 holds the outer handle 3 against corresponding movement. A key override facility may be incorporated in the 35 lock assembly 1. In the particular arrangement shown, that facility includes a microswitch 50, or similar device, which is responsive to operation of the cylinder lock 6. That is, a member 51 (Figure 1) attached to the -11- barrel lock 6 is operable to strike and actuate the switch 50 when the lock 6 is operated by a key. Actuation of the switch 50 may have any desired result. For example, it may result in de-activation of an alarm system associated 5 with the lock assembly 1 and/or the door on which the assembly 1 is mounted. Actuation of the switch 50 may be also recorded permanently or temporarily at the aforementioned control room or other remote station. Operation of the lock 6 is also effective to retract the 10 bolt 5, and that is achieved in a known manner. In a preferred arrangement as shown in Figures 2 and 9, each of the switches 35, 44, 46 and 50, and the light emitting diode 38, are connected to a multi-pin socket 52 attached to the rear edge of the housing 8. That enables 15 convenient attachment of the lock assembly 1 into appropriate circuitry by means of a plug (not shown) associated with that circuitry. Separation of the assembly 1 from the circuitry can be achieved with equal convenience. Obviously, the positions of the socket and 20 the plug could be reversed so that the plug is attached to the housing 8 and the socket is part of the connectable circuit. Each of the switches 35, 46 and 50, may be attached to an appropriate circuit board (not shown) which is 25 mounted within the housing 8. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that each of the various aspects of the invention provides a significant improvement over prior remote controlled locks. Use of two or more of those aspects in a lock 30 assembly results in a particularly unique and effective assembly. The various control features are achieved with minimum expense and without significant disturbance to the general arrangement of standard mechanical components. It is particularly advantageous that switch conductor wires 35 can be accommodated within the lock assembly housing so as to be protected from damage. Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements 27 -12- of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 10 15 20 25 35