NZ563398A

NZ563398A - Electric deadlock assembly

Info

Publication number: NZ563398A
Application number: NZ56339807A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Craig S Murray
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-14
Filing date: 2007-11-14
Publication date: 2008-07-31

Abstract

An electric deadlock assembly includes a housing, a dead bolt being linearly moveable relative to the housing between an extended locked position and a retracted release position; a deadlocking means including a lever arm which is rotatable about an axis to move the dead bolt relative to the extended locked position. an electrically powered actuator that when energised is operable to move the lever arm relative to the deadlock position thereby moving the dead bolt in a first direction relative to the extended position, and a bolt biasing means for urging the bolt to move in a second direction relative to the extended position so that when the electric actuator is de-energised the bolt will move in the second direction which is opposite to the first direction. The lever arm is rotatable in one direction into a deadlock position and the deadbolt is prevented from being moved away from the extended locked position and rotatable in an opposite direction away from the deadlock position. When the lever arm is in the deadlock position the bolt biasing means urges the lever arm to rotate in the one direction.

Description

14. NOV. 2007 13:40 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK" *10054994802* Patent Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 56 33 98 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TITLE: ELECTRIC DEADLOCK ASSEMBLY We ASSA ABLOY Australia Pty Limited, of 235 Huntingdale Road, Oakleigh, 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: 4033(1 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z 1 * NOV 2007 RECEIVED 14.N0V. 2007"13:40 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 0229 P. 7/23 2 ELECTRIC DEADLOCK ASSEMBLY This invention relates to an electric deadlock assembly having a bolt linearly movable by operation of an electrically powered actuator relative to a 5 housing between an extended locked position and a retracted release position.

Such locks are often used to secure movable members such as doors and the like in a closed position, It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with particular reference to its use with doors, however it is to be understood that the invention has other uses.

A deadlock assembly, for the purpose of this specification, is a reference to s type of lock assembly having a deadbolt. A deadbolt will generally have a leading face that is perpendicular to the axis of the bolt, rather than have a bevelled leading face as in the case of a deadlatch. The deadlock assembly 15 also includes means that when in a locked condition enable the deadbolt to resist being moved from the extended position when pressure is applied in the axial direction to the end of the bolt. An actuator is included to move the deadbolt between the extended and retracted positions which may be powered manually or electrically. An electrically powered actuator may include a solenoid 20 or a motor and gear assembly. When the actuator is electrically powered it is often desirable to include means for monitoring the position of the bolt.

One type of lock assembly adapted to be located in a mortice cavity formed in the door is referred to as a mortice lock assembly. The housing of 25 such a iock assembly needs to be sufficiently thin to fit in the mortice formed in the door, and as such it can be difficult to fit the components of the lock mechanism into the housing. This problem is compounded when the lock assembly includes electrical components. It is generally desirable to minimise the number of components to be located in the housing so as to facilitate 30 assembly. However it is also desirable to maintain the functions of the lock assembly. It is often difficult to satisfy both.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electric deadlock assembly. In particular a preferred aim is to provide an electric deadlock Wtfiiraitarxfleointae Aw«ui»nsSMN (HIB) ASSA - EleMe DrooEplifiul wnbn) M Nmi 07.AK 14, NOV. 2007'13:41 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FIT2PATRICK NO. 0229 P. 8/23 3 assembly that maintains functionality while reducing components and that is relatively easy to assemble.

The above discussion of devices, articles and the like is Included in this 5 specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date of this invention.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided an electric deadlock assembly including a housing, a dead bolt being linearly moveable relative to the housing between an 15 extended locked position and a retracted release position, a deadlocking means including a lever arm which is rotatable about an axis to move the dead bolt relative to the extended locked position, the lever arm being rotatable in one direction into a deadlock position whereby the deadbolt is prevented from being moved away from the extended locked 20 position, and rotatable in an opposite direction away from the deadlock position, an electrically powered actuator that when energised is operable to move the lever arm relative to the deadlock position thereby moving the dead bolt in a first direction relative to the extended position, and bolt biasing means for urging the bolt to move in a second direction 25 relative to the extended position so that when the electric actuator is de-energised the bolt will move in the second direction which is opposite to the first direction, wherein when the lever arm is in the deadlock position the bolt biasing means urges the lever arm to rotate in said one direction.

• It is preferred that It is further preferred that a distal end of the lever arm operativeiy engages the deadbolt when moving the deadbolt in the first direction, the distal end of the lever arm being configured to engage the deadbolt so that when rotated to the deadlock position the bolt biasing means W^(hmirWr^C«r¥MeAppilca%DraVnN 6141$) AS3A -SlioicDrap Bol (ftnal wnlon) 14 (tor 07 Ae 14. NOV. 2007~13:41 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK" NO. 0229 P. 9/23 4 urges the lever arm to rotate in said one direction. It is further preferred that the deadlocking means is connected to the powered actuator. It is further preferred that the deadlocking means may include a drive arm that is connected to the actuator. It is further preferred that the drive arm is connected to the actuator at 5 a position spaced from the rotational axis of the lever arm.

It is preferred that the bolt biasing means is a spring. It is further preferred that the spring is a compression spring, the spring surrounds a shaft of the bolt and acts between a distal end of the bolt and a wall .of the housing, 10 the bolt is formed with a flange at the distal end thereof which is engaged by the spring as the bolt moves in the first direction.

It is preferred that the electric deadlock assembly Include a second biasing member which acts on the deadlocking means when the lever arm is in 15 the deadlock position to urge the lever arm away from the deadlock position. It is further preferred that the second biasing member is a torsional spring.

It is preferred that movement of the bolt in the first direction is movement towards the extended locked position and movement of the bolt in the second 20 direction is movement towards the retracted release position.

It is preferred that the electric deadlock assembly include a link member connecting the electric actuator to the deadlocking means. It is further preferred that the electric actuator includes a solenoid and a plunger that is moved 25 relative to the solenoid when the solenoid is energised, wherein the link member is connected to the plunger and to the drive arm.

It is preferred that the electric deadlock assembly include detection means for detecting when the lever arm reaches the deadlock position. The 30 detection means includes a switch which is operated by movement the link member. It is further preferred that the switch includes an operative element that engages the link member when the lever arm reaches the deadlock position and the engagement of the switch closes an electric circuit. It is further 14. NOV. 2007 13:41"" PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 0229 P. 10/23 preferred that the electric circuit includes visual or audible indication means for indicating when the lever arm reaches the deadlock position.

It is preferred that the deadlock assembly is a mortice lock assembly 5 locatable in a mortice formed in a door. i It is preferred that the housing includes a first part and a second part that are clipped together by at least one clip to assemble the housing, the first and second part each having a side wall formed with an opening through which 10 opening the bolt moves to adopt the extended position, the assembly also including a face plate which is connected to both side walls by fastening means to secure the first part with the second part. It is further preferred that the at least one clip is formed integrally with the housing. It is also further preferred that the at least one clip includes a first clip member formed with the first part of 15 the housing and a second clip member formed with the second part of the housing which directfy engages the first clip member when the first part and the second part of the housing clip together. It is also preferred that both the first clip member and the second clip member include a shoulder whereby the shoulder of the first clip member locates behind the shoulder of the second clip 20 member when the first part and the second part of the housing clip together, at least one of the first clip part or the second clip part includes a resilient tongue whereby the shoulder is located at a distal end of said tongue.

It is preferred that the housing is formed from glass fibre reinforced nylon.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings showing an example embodiment of the invention. The particularity of the drawings and the related detailed 30 description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the broad description of the invention as given by the claims.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an electric deadlock assembly in an assembled form.

WMharvn\Md^Cott0lm AKillcallQnnlFn own ASS* - Drqp Bo* (flrurf version} H NurOT.dH 6 Figure 2 is an exploded view of the electric deadlock assembly from Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation view of the assembled deadlock assembly from Figure 1 with part of the housing removed showing the deadbolt in the retracted position.

Figure 4 illustrates the lock assembly from Figure 3 with the deadbolt in 10 the extended position.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 which illustrates one form of electric deadlock assembly 1 including a housing 2 with a deadbolt 3 which is movable relative to the housing 2 and shown in a retracted release position. The form of electric 15 deadlock assembly 1 shown is a mortice lock assembly. A mortice lock assembly is designed to locate within a mortice cavity formed in an edge of a door (not shown) with a faceplate 4 of the mortice lock assembly being attached to the edge of the door generally by a pair of screws (not shown). Figure 1 also illustrates an electrical socket 5 which in use is connected to a power supply. 20 The power supply is preferably 12 volt, however this may vary. The supply of power to the socket may be regulated via a remotely located control centre or an electronic key tag reader or by other means.

Referring now to Figure 2 which illustrates the housing 2 having a first 25 part 6 and a second part 7 which are clipped together to form the assembled housing. The first part 6 is shown with a pair of first clip members 8 each in the form of a resilient tongue with a shoulder located at a distal end of the tongue. The second part 7 of the housing includes a second clip member 9 which in the embodiment illustrated is in the form of a socket. When the first 6 and second 30 part 7 of the housing are clipped together it is preferred that the tongue 8 is located within the socket 9 so that the shoulder engages a ledge formed within the socket. Clearly other clipping arrangements are possible.

W:\eharon\brad\Compl9te Appllcati<>nslNZ15787-07 ASSA - El eerie Drop Bolt 23 January 2008.doc intellectual property office of nx 2 5 JAN 2008 RECEIVED. 7 The first housing part 6 and second housing part 7 are retained in this clip arrangement by the faceplate 4 which in the embodiment is attached by screws to the front wall 10 of the assembled housing 2. It is preferred that the housing 2 be formed from a glass reinforced nylon which will allow the tongue 8 5 to resiliency deform. The clip members 8,9 may be formed separately from the rest of the housing 2 which would allow for the housing to be formed from alternate materials.

Referring still to Figure 2 the lock assembly 1 illustrated includes a 10 deadbolt 3 which is substantially cylindrical in shape with a flange 12 formed at a distal end thereof. The shape of the bolt 3 may vary from that shown. A biasing means 13 which in the embodiment illustrated is in the form of a compression spring is located around a shaft 14 of the bolt 3. The compression spring 13 acts between the flange 12 and the front wall 10 of the housing so as 15 to urge the bolt 3 towards a retracted position as shown in Figure 1. A washer is shown located between a proximal end of the compression spring 13 and the front wall 10 of the housing 2. The form of spring 13 and its location may vary from that shown, for example the spring may act in tension between the distal end of the bolt 3 and the rear wall 16 of the housing.

Figure 2 also illustrates an electronic sub-assembly 17 for location within the housing 2. The electronic sub-assembly 17 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 18 on which is located a capacitor 19, electrical socket 5, a micro switch 20 and a read switch 21. The electric sub-assembly 17 can be easily dropped 25 into the second part 7 of the housing which simplifies the assembly process.

The electrical iock assembly 1 also includes an electrically powered actuator 22. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 the actuator is in the form of a solenoid 23 with a plunger 24 that is moved relative to the solenoid 30 23 when power is supplied to the solenoid 23. The power is supplied by wires 26 that are connected to the PCB 18.

W:\shfiwn\braiftComplete Applicafons\NZ15787-07 ASSA • Elecric Drop Bolt 23 January 2008.doc 14. NOV. 2007 13:42 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 0229 P. 13/23' 8 A link member 27 is connected to a free end of the plunger 24 by a pin so as to allow limited pivoting movement of the link member 27 relative to the plunger 24. The link member 27 illustrated is connected to a deadlocking means 28 which is pivotable about an axis X-X. The deadlocking means 28 includes a 5 lever arm 29 that rotates around the axis X-X so as to engage and move the deadbolt 3 relative to the housing 2, In the embodiment illustrated rotation of the lever arm 29 causes the deadbolt 3 to move from a retracted release position to an extended lock position (see Figure 4). This operation will be described in greater detail later in the specification, The illustrated deadlock assembly 1 also includes a second biasing means 30 which acts on the lever arm 29 against the operation of the actuator 22. The preferred embodiment of the second biasing means 30 illustrated is a torsional spring which acts about an axis Y-Y which is parallel to the axis X-X. 15 Clearly other forms of biasing means are possible.

Referring now to Figure 3 which shows the bolt 3 in a retracted position with the compression spring 13 relaxed. The deadlocking means 28 is shown in a first position with a distal end of the lever arm 29 engaging a distal end of the 20 bolt 3. The link member 27 is attached to a drive ami 31 of the deadlocking means 28 by a connection which is spaced from the axis X-X so that retraction of the plunger 24 into the solenoid 23 will cause rotation of the lever arm 29.

Referring now to Figure 4 which illustrates the deadbolt 3 In the extended 25 position having being moved by rotation of the deadlocking means 28 in a clockwise direction. The compression spring 13 is now compressed and therefore urging the bolt 3 towards the retracted position. However, the distal end of the lever arm 29 is rotated passed a position relative to the axis of rotation x-x so that the distal end of the bolt 3 engages an angled surface of the 30 distal end of the lever arm 29 to urge the lever arm 29 to continue to rotate in a clockwise direction. The plunger 24 bottoms out in the solenoid 23 so as to resist any further movement of the lever arm 29 in the clockwise direction. This effectively renders the assembly deadlocked in that any end pressure on the wmhmnw&ttcomplile apjdtttonbwftn 0101(13 aS&A ■ SeciIc Drop bm (hftttfodon) 1« nw 07doe "14. NOV, 2007 13:42 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK .NO. 0229 P. 14/23 ! 9 t i deadbolt 3 will not result in movement of the deadbolt from the extended w | position. j The deadbolt 3 can be moved to the retracted position by de- I 5 energisation of the solenoid 23 which allows the plunger 24 to move to an j! ] extended position by operation of a biasing means (not shown) within the ; solenoid 23, The torsion spring 30 which is compressed when the deadlocking j means is in the deadlocked position releases the energy to encourage the lever arm 29 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction away from the deadlocking I 10 position. i \ It is preferable that the position of the deadbolt 3 be monitored and whilst $ this may be achieved in numerous ways the preferred embodiment illustrated t | shows the link arm 27 including a protrusion 23 that engages the reed switch 20 i 15 when the plunger 24 is retracted. This engagement closes the switch 20 which j indicates the deadbolt is in the extended position. \ ,1 j It will be apparent from the foregoing description that an electric deadlock ! assembly 1 according to the present invention provides a very simple yet r 20 functional means of operating a deadbolt 3, The utilisation of the lever arm 29 to : combine the functions of both movement and deadlocking of the deadbolt reduces the number of parts required and simplifies the assembly. Furthermore I the ability to load the components into part of the housing and to clip the housing together further simplifies the assembly, j 25 j; Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangement of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined by the claims.

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Claims

14. NOV. 2-007 13:43 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 0229 P. 15/23 10 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An electric deadlock assembly including a housing, 5 a dead bolt being linearly moveable relative to the housing between an extended locked position and a retracted release position, a deadlocking means including a lever arm which is rotatable about an axis to move the dead bolt relative to the extended locked position, the lever arm being rotatable in one direction into a deadlock position whereby the 10 deadbolt is prevented from being moved away from the extended locked position, and rotatable in an opposite direction away from the deadlock position, an electrically powered actuator that when energised is operable to move the lever arm relative to the deadlock position thereby moving the dead bolt in a first direction relative to the extended position, and 15 bolt biasing means for urging the bolt to move in a second direction relative to the extended position so that when the electric actuator is de-energised the bolt will move in the second direction which is opposite to the first direction, wherein when the lever arm is in the deadlock position the bolt biasing 20 means urges the lever arm to rotate in said one direction.

2. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 1 wherein a distal end of the lever arm operatrvely engages the deadbolt when moving the deadbolt in the first direction, the distal end of the lever arm being configured to engage the 25 deadbolt so that when rotated to the deadlock position the bolt biasing means urges the lever arm to rotate in said one direction.

3. An electric deadlock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the deadlocking means is connected to the powered actuator. 30

4. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 3 wherein the deadlocking means includes a drive arm that is connected to the actuator. wmwAMWSwokm ApuiramttiRN Stem MS* ■ EMeDnv ion Ifiialtmon) 14 Nw 07,1toe 11

5. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 4 wherein the drive arm is connected to the actuator at a position spaced from the rotational axis of the lever arm. 5

6. An electric deadlock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bolt biasing means is a spring.

7. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 6 wherein the spring is a compression spring. 10

8. An electric dead lock assembly according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the spring surrounds a shaft of the bolt and acts between a distal end of the bolt and a wall of the housing. 15

9. An electric dead lock assembly according to claim 8 wherein the bolt is formed with a flange at the distal end thereof which is engaged by the spring as the bolt moves in the first direction.

10. An electric dead lock assembly according to any one of the preceding 20 claims including a second biasing member which acts on the deadlocking means when the lever arm is in the deadlock position to urge the lever arm away from the deadlock position.

11. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 10 wherein the second 25 biasing member is a torsional spring.

12. An electric deadlock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein movement of the bolt in the first direction is movement towards the extended locked position and movement of the bolt in the second direction 30 is movement towards the retracted release position.

13. An electric deadlock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including a link member connecting the electric actuator to the deadlocking means. W:\sharon\brad\Complete Applications\NZi 5767-07 - ASSA.- Electric Drop Bolt Amendments 2Qfeb08.doc intellectual property office of n.z. 25 FEB 2008 RECEIVED 14. NOV. 2007 13:43 ""PHILLIPS ORMONDE & HTZPATRlClC m 0229—P. 17/23" 12

14. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 13 wherein the electric actuator includes a solenoid and a plunger that is moved relative to the solenoid when the solenoid is energised, wherein the link member is connected to the 5 plunger and to the drive arm.

15. An electric deadlock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including detection means for detecting when the lever arm reaches the deadlock position. 10

16. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 15 when dependant upon claim 12 wherein the detection means includes a switch which is operated by movement the link member. 15

17. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 16 wherein the switch includes an operative element that engages the link member when the lever arm reaches the deadlock position.

18. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 16 wherein the 20 engagement of the switch closes an electric circuit.

19. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 18 wherein the electric circuit includes visual or audible indication means for indicating when the lever arm reaches the deadlock position. 25

20. An electric deadlock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the deadlock assembly is a mortice lock beatable in a mortice formed in a door. 30 21. An electric deadlock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the housing includes a first part and a second part that are clipped together by at least one clip to assemble the housing, the first and second part each having a side wall formed with an opening through which opening the bolt moves to adopt the extended position, the assembly also

21. WSjruidrtltrafllCsmaclc apblawnsvrn gieitt »SSe ■ Sboieqtojiboi pngi vwtM 11 Nov® iter 13 including a face plate which is connected to both side walls by fastening means to secure the first part with the second part.

22. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 21 wherein the at least 5 one clip is formed integrally with the housing.

23. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 21 or 22 wherein the at least one clip includes a first clip member formed with the first part of the housing and a second clip member formed with the second part of the housing 10 which directly engages the first clip member when the first part and the second part of the housing clip together.

24. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 23 wherein both the first clip member and the second clip member include a shoulder whereby the 15 shoulder of the first clip member locates behind the shoulder of the second clip member when the first part and the second part of the housing clip together.

25. An electric deadlock assembly according to claim 24 wherein at least one of the first clip part or the second clip part includes a resilient tongue whereby 20 the shoulder is located at a distal end of said tongue.

26. An electric deadlock assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein the housing is formed from glass fibre reinforced nylon. 25

27. An electric deadlock assembly substantially as herein before described with reference to the illustrations. W:\eharonVbrad\Complete AfpllcaHons\NZ1B787-07 ASSA - Elecric Drop Bolt 23 January 2003.doc intellectual property OFFICE OF n.z. 2 9 JAN 2008 RECEIVED