NZ701861B - Lock assembly with electrically controlled lock mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a lock assembly 2 for installation in a door, including a latch bolt 23, a lock means 28 including electrically operated detent mechanism 40 with a rechargeable energy storage device 29 being the only supply of energy to the electrically operated detent means 40. The rechargeable energy storage device 29 is connected in use to a source of energy remote from the door. A problem with a lock assembly 2 having an electrically operable detent mechanism 40 can occur where multiple lock assemblies 2 are connected to the same remote energy source. The multiple lock assemblies can draw significant current so as to require wiring of greater capacity to support the multiple lock assemblies. A solution to this is to include an energy storage device in the lock assembly itself that is fed by the remote source of energy. geable energy storage device 29 is connected in use to a source of energy remote from the door. A problem with a lock assembly 2 having an electrically operable detent mechanism 40 can occur where multiple lock assemblies 2 are connected to the same remote energy source. The multiple lock assemblies can draw significant current so as to require wiring of greater capacity to support the multiple lock assemblies. A solution to this is to include an energy storage device in the lock assembly itself that is fed by the remote source of energy.

Description

LOCK LY WITH ICALLY CONTROLLED LOCK MECHANISM TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a lock assembly for mounting to a door, and a security system including the lock assembly and a reader for reading a key tag. More specifically the lock assembly is of the kind having a bolt movable between a locked condition and a released ion, with an actuator operable to move the bolt. In a preferred embodiment the lock assembly is a mortice lock assembly having a bolt the form of a latch bolt. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this preferred form. however it is to be iated that the invention is not limited to a mortice lock assembly only.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION A key tag for the purpose of this specification includes any device having means to send a . The signal may be a radio ncy signal (RF), the tag electromagnetic or like signals. The signal may be sent passively by or may require user activation. A reader for the purpose of this specification includes any device having means to receive the signal. The reader may process the signal for verification purposes or merely pass the signal on to a l verification facility located remote from the reader. that is locatable A mortice lock assembly is one form of lock ly cavity formed in a door panel. The location of the lock assembly within a mortice is often desirable when within a e hinders access to the lock assembly, which the operation selecting a lock assembly for use in a public building. Whilst traditionally it is becoming increasingly of mortice locks has been controlled by a mechanical key, in a public building. ble that key tags are used when the mortice lock is installed This may be partly due to the greater ease with which mechanical keys can be to unlock the duplicated. Furthermore verification of a signal emanating from a key tag lock assembly is often quicker and simpler than using a mechanical key. However rather there is still a high level of acceptance of mechanical keys providing a physical, than electrical, form of verification.

The use of key tags requires the mortice lock to have some form of ically controlled lock mechanism which communicates with a key tag reader.

The lock mechanism may include a solenoid. g to maintain a r supply of electricity to the solenoid can be problematic. The applicant has designed mortice locks that can respond to an electricity supply failure event by adopting a locked condition or a released condition. This can be referred to as fail secure or fail safe function.

The solenoid of an electrically controlled lock mechanism must have sufficient power to overcome frictional forces acting against it. The current drawn by one lock assembly may not be icant, however the current drawn from multiple locks can be significant. This can occur in public buildings that have multiple doors, each door having its own lock assembly. Furthermore, current losses can be significant in long wiring runs such as used in larger public buildings. The lock assembly installed at or near the end of the wiring run can struggle to be provided with ient current. This can require ing of the wiring to one with a greater diameter to ensure the lock assembly at the end of the wiring run can still draw sufficient current to activate the solenoid.

A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

SUMMARY OF ION According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a lock assembly for mounting to a door including, a housing having a body and cover attached to the body, a bolt movable relative to the housing between a locked condition and a ed condition, an actuator being operable to move the bolt from the locked condition towards the released condition, a lock means including an electrically operated detent means associated with the actuator being adjustable n an active condition and an inactive condition whereby it renders the or inoperable and operable respectively the electrically operated detent means includes a id having a body a plunger movable relative to the body when energy is supplied, a magnet which interacts with a solenoid coil to maintain the on of the plunger relative to the body when energy is not being supplied, a rechargeable energy storage device within the housing being the only supply of energy to the electrically operated detent means which in use is connected to a source of energy located remote from the door, wherein the lock means is le in a fail safe mode whereby in the event of an energy supply failure to the energy storage device the electrically ed detent adopts the inactive condition, or a fail secure mode whereby in the event of an energy supply failure to the energy e device the electrically operated detent adopts the active condition and is adjustable between the fail safe mode and the fail secure mode while the cover is attached to the body.

The rechargeable energy storage device may take any suitable form and one preferred form is a capacitor. It is further preferred that the capacitor is a super capacitor, and even further red that it be rated to supply electricity with a maximum of 4.8V. The use of a capacitor can have the advantage over, for example a battery, of permitting high powered discharge, a longer ing life and have less maintenance requirements. Also currently commercially available capacitors tend to be of a smaller size than batteries so they require less space within the housing.

The preferred form of solenoid is a latching solenoid. The use of a solenoid, over for e a motor, is particularly efficient in ing linear movement. Furthermore the use of a latching solenoid does not require a continuous supply of energy to the solenoid to retain it in a ular condition.

It is further red that the lock means includes a selector means to adjust the mode of operation of the lock means between fail safe and fail secure, the selector means being adjustable from outside the housing. It is still furthe r preferred that the selector means is a switch for adjusting a polarity of the solenoid. The inclusion of a fail safe/fail secure adjustment provides a back up option for when the energy supply is exhausted, and allows the ler to adjust the lock to suit the needs of the environment within which it is installed. Allowing adjustment of the selector means from outside of the housing avoids the housing from being opened, which is generally desirable as it reduces the likelihood of the other inner elements of the lock are accidently tampered with. Furthermore, the use of a switch makes it r, and quicker, for the adjustment to be made.

It is red that the electrically operated detent means includes a detent mechanism that moves relative to the actuator when ing between the active ion and the inactive condition. It is further preferred that the detent mechanism includes a detent slide that slides ve to the housing when the lock means adjusts between the active condition and the inactive condition. It is still further preferred that the detent slide includes a head and a slide member, the head being adjustable relative to the slide member between an operative position and an inoperative position so that when the lock means is in the active condition the actuator is includes an rendered operable or inoperable respectively. The detent head preferably inner head member and an outer head member each movable relative to the slide member n the operative position and inoperative position. The detent slide inner head preferably includes an inner cam and an outer cam for ction with the rotation member and outer head member respectively with the slide member whereby of either the inner cam member or outer cam member will move the inner head member and or outer head member between the operative inoperative positions respectively. It is preferred that the inner cam and outer cam are rotatable from outside of the housing. outer hub for It is preferred that the actuator includes an inner hub and an member on rotation by an inner hand operator member and an outer hand operator It is further preferred that each hub an inner and outer side of the door respectively. includes a lever arm that interacts with the bolt. It is still further preferred that each detent hub includes a surface configuration that interacts with the electrically operated means. switch means It is preferred that the lock assembly includes a key actuated includes for ction with a cylinder lock. The key actuated switch means preferably a e member which moves in response to rotation of a cam associated with the includes an electronic cylinder lock. The key actuated switch means also preferably switch which is adjustable between an open condition and a closed condition switch means response to movement of the movable member. The key ed preferably cts with a control panel to te the cylinder lock has been for controlling activated. The use of a key actuated switch means adds an extra option is an operation of the lock. Furthermore the use of a physical key and cylinder lock option that certain users have a high level of familiarity with to provide a certain type of security.

The lock assembly is preferably a mortice lock assembly.

According to another aspect of this invention there is ed a security system for use with a door, the security system including a lock assembly and a reader for reading a key tag. The security system preferably including includes a cylinder lock attached to the lock assembly housing.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe a preferred embodiment of the invention in greater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings. It ought to be appreciated however that the detailed description and the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect. The specific form and arrangement of the various features are shown and described is not to be understood as ng on the invention which is defined by these proceedings summary of invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a partially exploded view of a security system according to one aspect of the invention, incorporating a lock ly according to another aspect of the invention.

Figure 2 is an ric view of the lock assembly from Figure 1 with a cover plate of the housing removed, revealing the lock means in an inactive ion.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the lock assembly from Figure 2 with the actuator being operated to move the bolt to the release condition.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the lock assembly from Figure 2 with the lock means in an active condition.

Figure 5 is an ric view of the lock assembly from Figure 4 with an in head member forming part of a detent mechanism in an inoperative on relative to an inner hub of the actuator.

Figure 6 is an isometric view g a key actuated switch means in greater detail from Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a front elevation view of the key actuator switch means from Figure 6 interacting with a cam plate ated with an outer cylinder lock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a security system 1 according to one aspect of this invention. In summary, the security system includes a lock ly 2 and a reader 3 for reading a key tag (no shown). The lock assembly 2 illustrated in Figure 1 is a mortice lock assembly 2 which is one preferred form of lock assembly 2 to which the invention applies. However, the ion is not limited to mortice lock assemblies only. When installed, the mortice lock assembly 2 is d within a mortice cavity 4 formed in a side edge of a door 5. fitted to the outer Outer door furniture 6 and inner door furniture 7 are surface and inner surface of the door 5 respectively. The outer door furniture 6 illustrated includes an outer lever handle 8. which is rotatable relative to an outer axis XX. The heon plate 9 for rotating an outer spindle 10 about an actuator outer door furniture 6 also includes a cylinder lock 11 having a cam plate 12 that is rotatable about a cylinder axis YY. The inner door furniture 7 includes an inner door is rotatable relative to an inner escutcheon plate 14 for lever 13 which rotating an inner spindle 15 about the actuation axis XX. Whilst lever handles 8, 13 are rated. there may be substituted by turn knobs.

Figure 1 also rates wiring 16 connecting the reader 3 and lock located on a wall (not assembly 2 to a power source V. The reader 3 will generally be shown) adjacent the door 5. The wiring 16 will run within the wall and door 5 to the to the lock ly 2 and reader 3 may be power source V. The supply of power controlled by a door control panel (not shown) which may incorporate, or be connected to, or the like to analyse the signals a computer processor (not shown) received from the reader 3. Figure 1 illustrates the lock assembly 2 having a plug 17 which interacts with a socket 18 formed at a free end of the wiring 16, whereas the hardwired directly to the power source V. It would be reader 3 is illustrated appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the reader 3 may also include a socket and plug arrangement for tating installation.

The lock assembly 2 illustrated in Figure 1 includes a housing 19 formed from a body 20 and a cover plate 21. The cover plate 21 is ed to the body 20 by four screw fasteners 25. Figure 1 also illustrates an inner cam 26 visible through an opening in the cover plate 21 which forms part of a detent mechanism that will be described in greater detail with reference to latter illustrations. A faceplate 22 is positioned at the front of the housing 19, the faceplate 22 having apertures formed therein through which a latch bolt 23, and ary bolt 24 extend.

Figure 2 illustrates the lock assembly 2 from Figure 1 with the cover plate housing 19 d. This reveals the lock assembly 2 to 22 include, in of the latch bolt 23, a lock means 28 for controlling summary, an actuator 27 for moving the and geable energy storage device 29 for operation of the actuator 27 a supplying energy to the lock means 28. invention may take The actuator 27 of the lock assembly 2 according to the 2 is merely illustrative of one preferred form of actuator any suitable form, and Figure outer hub 31, each having a 27. The actuator illustrated includes an inner hub 30 and socket for independently interacting with the inner spindle and outer spindle 10 rotatable (see Figure 1) respectively. The inner hub 30 and outer hub 31 are each about the actuator axis XX. Each of the inner hub 30 and outer hub 31 include a lever from the actuator axis XX so as to interact arm 32, 33 which extends radially outward with the latch bolt 23. The latch bolt 23 illustrated includes a head 34 and frame 35 oned behind the head 34. Each lever arm 32, 33 interacts directly with the 31 will cause the frame frame 35 of the latch bolt 23 so that rotation of either hub 30, 34 s the ate 22. to move relative to the housing 19 retracting the head A spring biasing means 36 is included to urge the latch bolt 23 s an extended A further spring biasing position whereby the head 34 projects out of the housing 19. the outer hub 31 and the housing means 37 acts between each of the inner hub 30, 19, to urge the hubs 30, 31 to adopt the rest position as illustrated in Figure 2. detent The lock means 28 of the invention includes an electrically operated means 38 which may take any form. The preferred form of detent means 38 illustrated in Figure 2 includes a solenoid 39 and a detent mechanism 40. Figure 2 illustrates the solenoid 39 having a body 41 and a plunger 42, and it can be appreciated by comparing with the solenoid 39 in Figure 4 that the plunger 42 is moveable relative to the body 41 when adjusting the detent means 38 between an active condition as illustrated in Figure 4 and an ve condition as illustrated in at least Figure 2. The preferred form of solenoid 39 is a latching solenoid, as this form of solenoid includes a permanent magnet which interacts with the plunger to maintain its position relative to the body 41 even while energy is not being supplied to the solenoid 39. However other forms of solenoid 39 may also be le.

The detent mechanism 40 illustrated in Figure 2 es a detent slide 43 that slides relative to the housing 19 and a linkage 44 acting between the plunger movement of and the detent slide 43 so movement of the plunger 42 ctly causes the detent slide relative to the housing 19. The linkage may take any form however 42 by a Figure 2 illustrates the linkage 44 including a plate 45 attached to the plunger pin 46. The plate 45 is in turn attached to a lever 47 which pivots about a shaft 48.

The detent slide 43 is also connected to the lever with the plate 45 connected to the 47. This linkage 44 lever 47 at a point between the shaft 48, and said end of the lever arrangement causes the length of travel of the plunger 42 to be magnified producing greater length of movement of the detent slide 43. It ought to be appreciated that this linkage 44 arrangement is merely red, and the solenoid plunger 42 could directly on the detent slide 43. actuator The detent slide 43 may take any form so as to interact with the 22. The form of the detent slide 43 illustrated includes a detent head 49 which adjustable relative to the slide member 50 between an operative position and an inoperative position so when the lock means 28 is in an active condition, the actuator 27 is rendered operable or inoperable respectively. In the embodiment illustrated outer head Figure 2, the detent head 49 es an inner head member 51 and an slide member 50. member 52 which are each ndently le relative to the whilst Figure 5 illustrates the inner head member 51 adopting an ative position the outer head member 52 s in the operative position. It ought to be appreciated that Figure 5 illustrates the lock means 28 in an active condition however is ble of preventing rotation of the inner hub 30. the inner head member 51 The manner in which the inner head member 51 and outer head member 52 are moved relative to the slide member may be by any suitable arrangement. However in the arrangement rated, the inner cam 26 and outer cam (not shown) interact between the inner head member 51 and outer head member 52 and the slide member 50 respectively. Rotation of either the inner cam 51 or outer cam relative to the slide member 50, will cause sliding movement of the inner head member 51 and outer head member 52 between the ive on and inoperative position. It can be appreciated when comparing Figures 2 and 5 that the inner cam member 26 has been rotated. It is preferred that each of the inner cam 53 and outer cam be rotated also be without having to detach the cover plate 21 from the body 20. It can appreciated from Figure 1 that the cover plate 21 is formed with an aperture so to detach the cover plate 21 from access to the cam 26 can be made without having the body 20 of the housing 19. An equivalent aperture is included in the body 20 to provide access to the outer cam.

The lock assembly 1 according to the invention includes a geable energy storage device 29. Whilst any rechargeable energy storage device may be suitable. a capacitor is preferred as it is more suited to supplying electrical energy at a seconds. This allows high current rating whilst still allowing for recharging within relatively low current wiring 16 to be used to supply power to the lock assembly 2.

Figure 2 illustrates the tor 29 positioned inside the housing adjacent a printed circuit board 54 (PCB) on the back wall of the housing 19. 2 include a It is a preferred aspect of the ion that the lock assembly lock 11 located at least key actuated switch means 55 for interaction with the cylinder on an outer side of the door 5. This provides the lock assembly 2 with the capacity for a secondary level of authorisation which may be used in ction with authorisation process associated with the key tag reader 3. The switch means 55 it is preferred that it interact with the cam plate may take any suitable form, however 12 of the cylinder lock 11.

Figure 6 illustrates a red embodiment of the features of the switch means including an electronic micro switch 56, a lever 57 and an inner cam plate follower 59 and outer cam plate er 58. it can be appreciated from Figure 7 that this engages with the outer cam plate 12 rotated to slide the outer cam follower 58, the lever to actuate the micro switch 56. This sends a signal to the PCB 54 confirming an authorised user with an appropriate ical key has operated the outer er lock 11, and is therefore provisionally authorised to operate the lock ly 2. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate that each of the inner cam plate follower 59 and outer cam plate follower 58 includes a return leg 60, 61 which is engaged by the cam plate 12 when returning the cam plate 12 to a vertical position, and returning cam plate follower 58, 59 to the retracted on.

It is a preferred aspect of the lock assembly that‘it be operable in a fail safe mode or a fail secure mode. In the embodiment illustrated in at least Figure 2, the lock assembly 2 includes a selector switch 62 which is operable to adjust the condition in which the lock assembly 2 operates in the event of energy supply failure to the capacitor 29. The switch 62 is operable whilst the cover plate 21 is attached to the body 20 of the housing 19. The switch 62 is in communication with the PCB 54 so as to adjust the polarity of the id 39. However, it ought to be iated that when the energy storage device is a capacitor 29, the lock assembly 2 is capable of continuing to operate for so long as the capacitor has sufficient charge.

It ought to be appreciated from the foregoing that the lock assembly 2 according to the invention has the advantage of continuing to operate despite energy supply failure occurring. Furthermore, the use of a capacitor 29 allows for electricity to be supplied h relatively thin wiring. Still rmore, by ing the combination of a key tag reader 3 and mechanical key, this provides the lock assembly with a greater level of options for controlling and access.

Various alterations and/or additions may be introduced to the invention as hereinbefore described t departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of or claiming priority from the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are ed by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application.

Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention.

Claims (22)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1 A lock assembly for mounting to a door including, a housing having a body and 5 cover attached to the body, a bolt movable relative to the g between a locked condition and a released condition, an actuator being operable to move the bolt from the locked condition towards the released condition, a lock means including an ically operated detent means associated with the actuator being adjustable n an active condition and an inactive condition whereby it renders the actuator 10 inoperable and operable respectively the electrically operated detent means includes a solenoid having a body a plunger movable relative to the body when energy is supplied, a magnet which interacts with a solenoid coil to maintain the position of the plunger relative to the body when energy is not being ed, a rechargeable energy storage device within the g being the only supply of energy to the electrically 15 operated detent means which in use is connected to a source of energy located remote from the door, wherein the lock means is operable in a fail safe mode whereby in the event of an energy supply failure to the energy storage device the electrically operated detent adopts the inactive condition, or a fail secure mode y in the event of an energy supply failure to the energy storage device the electrically 20 ed detent adopts the active condition and is adjustable between the fail safe mode and the fail secure mode while the cover is attached to the body.

2. A lock assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rechargeable energy storage device is a capacitor.

3. A lock assembly ing to claim 2 wherein the capacitor is a super 25 capacitor rated to supply electricity with a m of 4.8V.

4. A lock assembly according to claim 1 wherein the solenoid is a ng solenoid.

5. A lock assembly according to claim 4 wherein the lock means es a selector means to adjust the mode of operation of the lock means between fail safe 30 and fail secure, the selector means being adjustable from outside the housing and the selector means being located outside the housing.

6. A lock assembly according to claim 5 wherein the selector means is a switch for adjusting a polarity of the solenoid.

7. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrically ed detent means es a detent mechanism that moves relative 5 to the actuator when adjusting between the active condition and the inactive condition.

8. A lock assembly according to claim 7 wherein the detent mechanism includes a detent slide that slides ve to the housing when the lock means adjusts between the active condition and the inactive condition. 10

9. A lock assembly according to claim 8 wherein the detent slide includes a head and a slide member, the head being adjustable ve to the slide member between an operative on and an inoperative position so that when the lock means is in the active ion the actuator is rendered operable or inoperable respectively.

10. A lock assembly according to claim 9 n the detent head includes an 15 inner head member and an outer head member each movable relative to the slide member between the operative position and inoperative on.

11. A lock assembly ing to claim 10 wherein detent slide includes an inner cam and an outer cam for interaction with the inner head member and outer head member respectively with the slide member whereby rotation of either the inner cam 20 member or outer cam member will move the inner head member or outer head member between the operative and inoperative positions respectively.

12. A lock assembly according to claim 11 wherein the inner cam and outer cam are rotatable from outside of the housing.

13. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the 25 actuator includes an inner hub and an outer hub for rotation by an inner hand operator member and an outer hand operator member on an inner and outer side of the door respectively.

14. A lock assembly according to claim 13 wherein each hub includes a lever arm that interacts with the bolt.

15. A lock assembly according to claim 13 or 14 wherein each hub includes a surface configuration that interacts with the electrically operated detent means.

16. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including a key actuated switch means for interaction with a cylinder lock. 5

17. A lock assembly according to claim 16 wherein the key actuated switch means includes a movable member which moves in response to rotation of a cam associated with the cylinder lock.

18. A lock assembly according to claim 17 n the key ed switch means includes an electronic switch which is adjustable between an open condition and a 10 closed condition in response to movement of the e member.

19. A lock assembly according to claim 18 n the key actuated switch means interacts with a control panel to indicate the er lock has been activated.

20. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lock assembly is a mortice lock assembly. 15

21. A security system for use with a door, the security system including a lock ly according to any one of the preceding claims and a reader for reading a key tag.

22. A security system according to claim 21 including a cylinder lock attached to the lock assembly housing. FIG 4 FIG 6