US3903718A

US3903718A - Door locking device

Info

Publication number: US3903718A
Authority: US
Inventors: Aaron M Fish
Original assignee: Unican Security Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Unican Security Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1973-02-26
Filing date: 1974-04-25
Publication date: 1975-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-09

Abstract

A high security door locking device comprising first and second interdependent lock mechanisms. The first is a permutation lock having decoding means, a latch bolt, and a control shaft which is rotatable in one direction from a normal position to effect projecting of the latch bolt and resetting of the mechanism, and which can be rotated in the opposite direction from normal only after operation of the decoding means in accordance with a prescribed schedule. The second lock mechanism has a cylinder which serves to prevent access to the control shaft and also serves as an actuator therefor when released for rotation by a proper key.

Description

.- Umted States Patent 1191 1111 3,903,718

Fish Sept. 9, 1975 [54] DOOR LOCKING DEVICE 1,092,474 4/1914 Carroll 70/284 1,811,110 6/1931 Best et al1... 292/169.16 [75] Inventor- Montreal Canada 3,115,765 12/1963 Fengler 70 315 [73] Assignee: Unican Security Systems, Ltd.,

Montreal, Canada Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr.

[22] Filed: Apr. 25, 1974 [21] App]. No.: 463,911 ABSTRACT Related Application Data A high security door locking device comprising first [63] continuatiomimpan of Ser No 335 904 Feb 26 and second interdependent lock mechanisms. The first 1973 abandoned i is a permutation lock having decoding means, a latch bolt, and a control shaft which is rotatable in one di- 52 US. Cl. 70/156- 70/284' 70/299- rectio" from a Omal Position effect Projecting 70/370. 310/379 the latch bolt and resetting of the mechanism, and 51 Int. c1. EOS B 63/14 which can be rotated in the opposite directim from [58] Field 61 Search 70/129 133 134 156 "Ormfil only after "Permion 0f the decoding means in R accordance a prescribed schedule. second DIG lock mechanism has a cylinder which serves to prevent access to the control shaft and also serves as an [56] References Cited actuator therefor when released for rotation by a UNITED STATES PATENTS pmper 714,458 11/1902 Dalton et al. 70/284 1 Claim, 4 Drawin Fi ures DOOR LOCKING DEVICE This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 335,904, filed Feb. 26, 1973, for a Door Locking Device, now abandoned.

This invention relates to locks for doors and the like, and has more particular reference to improvements in door lock mechanisms comprising locks of the pushbutton permutation type on the order of that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,115,765, and commonly known as Simplex combination lock.

Permutation locks of that nature are provided with a number of push buttons which must be depressed in accordance with a prescribed unlocking schedule in order to free a control shaft for actuation in a clockwise direction out of a normal position by means of a hand perated knob or handle. When so actuated, the control shaft may function to effect closure of an electrical switch, or more commonly, to effect retraction of a latch bolt from an operative door latching position.

The hand operated knob or handle on the control shaft of the conventional Simplex lock can at any time be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, without interference from the permutation lock mechanism, to effect scrambling or resetting of the combination. Indeed, counter rotation of the control shaft is necessary to effect projection of the latch bolt to its operating position, and to reset the combination following improper manipulation of the push buttons. Hence, it is a feature of considerable convenience for one authorized to operate the lock to be able to rotate the control shaft by a mere turning of a protruding knob or handle to reset the combination after an erroneous entry of the proper combination.

Unfortunately, such feature is of equal convenience to an unauthorized operator seeking surreptitious entry, since it is possible for a transient operator methodically to enter combinations and to reset the lock until, by trial and error, he accidentally or skillfully discovers the proper unlocking combination. Thus access to the control shaft for easy rotation by a knob or handle to reset the permutation mechanism is a detriment to a high security lock such as herein concerned.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to eliminate completely all opportunities for opening a permutation lock mechanism of the character described by .trial and error methods.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a door locking device featuring a permutation type door lock mechanism such as described, the latch bolt of which can be withdrawn only by first properly decoding the mechanism, followed by key actuation of a cylinder lock mechanism whose cylinder has a driving connection with the control shaft.

Hence, in the broader sense, it is the purpose of this invention to providea high security locking system featuring a permutation lock mechanism and a key operated lock mechanism which is cooperable with parts of .the permutation lock mechanism to provide extraordinary assurance against entry to an enclosure protected by said locking system.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a high security locking device such as described in the preceding paragraphs, by which it is possible to have two authorized persons control entry to a restricted area, one such person having knowledge of the decoding procedure for the permutation lock mechanism,

and the other having custody of a proper key for the cylinder lock mechanism. The lock mechanisms thus cooperate to make it impossible for either person to gain entry to the restricted area without the cooperation of the other person.

It is a more specific object of this invention to prevent unauthorized tampering of the permutation lock mechanism by compelling actuation of the control shaft thereof through the medium of a key-actuated cylinder lock mechanism, whereby an unauthorized operator has but one opportunity to enter the correct combination into the permutation lock and cannot reset the lock without a proper key. Even this one opportunity can be foiled by the mere random and extraneous depression of one or more push buttons after locking the door in place with the cylinder lock key.

The accessibility of protruding knobs or handles on the exposed outer portion of the Simplex lock invites tampering and may actually present a challenge to an unauthorized operator, who after a period of frustrated attempts in opening the combination, can easily jam and completely disable the lock by forcefully twisting the knob actuated control shaft past normal stops either by hand or with a tool.

Thus it is still another object of this invention to provide a locking device of the character described wherein a cylinder lock mechanism conceals and protects the control shaft from manipulation and thus prevents possible damage to it or to the permutation lock mechanism by an unauthorized operator.

With these observations and objectives in mind, the manner in which the invention achieves its purpose will be appreciated from the following description and the accompanying drawings, which exemplify the invention, it being understood that changes may be made in the specific apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the essentials of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one complete example of an embodiment of the invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the lock mechanism of this invention mounted on a door to control opening thereof;

FIG. 2 is an edge view of the door with portions thereof broken away to show how the lock mechanism is mounted therein;

FIG. 3 is a separated perspective view of portions of the permutation lock mechanism removed from the door; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the control and timing shaft cam assembly of the permutation lock mechanism.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 5 generally designates a door having the locking device 6 of this invention mounted thereon. The door is conventional to the extent that it has the usual latch member, not shown, which must be retracted by rotary motion of either the conventional inside or outside door knob in order to free the door for opening. The door locking device comprises a so-called combination or permutation lock mechanism 7 having a latch bolt 8 which is projectable from one edge 9 of the door into a keeper or strike 10 on the door jamb to lock the door closed. The locking device also comprises a key operated cylinder lock mechanism 12 which is cooperable with the permutation lock mechanism to govern retraction of the latch bolt.

The door is provided with two spaced apart mounting holes 14 and 15 drilled therethrough on axes which lie in a common plane parallel to the edge 9 of the door andlocated a short distance inwardly from said edge.

The permutation lock mechanism is generally on the order of the Simplex lock disclosed in the Fengler Pat. No. 3,115,765, issued Dec. 31, 1963. One of the main differences is that its push button decoding ele ments 16 are here shown as arranged in a circle, whereas the patent shows them arranged in a row. Also, the mechanism here shown has three main housing portions which comprise an elongated rear section 17 that lies flat against the inner face 18 of the door and encloses the control mechanism of the permutation lock,

a front section 19 from which the push buttons 16 protrude to be accessible at the outer face 20 of the door,

and a tu bular intermediate section 21 which projects forwardly through the hole 14 in the door and encases the inner portions of the push buttons. The rear section 17 of the permutation lock mechanism is large enough to conceal both holes 14 and 15 at the inner face of the door, and it is secured thereto by screws such as indicated at 22.

The permutation lock mechanism also comprises a front plate 23 having a hole 24 therein which registers with the hole 14 and receives the front section 19 of the mechanism. The plate 23 is secured to the door as by screws 25 therein (only one of which is shown) threaded into apertures in the back of the plate. The front plate also has a second hole 26 therein coaxial with the hole 15 in the door and opening to the latter through a rear counterbore 27. The hole 26 opens to the front of the plate 23 through a front counterbore 28.

As is customary, the latch bolt 8 can be retracted at .any time from the inner face of the door by actuation of a knob 29 on the back of the rear portion 17 of the mechanism.

7 A characteristic of the Simplex type permutation lock mechanism shown is that it is provided with a control shaft 30 which must be rotated 90 clockwise, in the direction of the arrow 31 in FIG. 1, out of its normal position, in order to effect retraction of the latch bolt 8. The shaft is rotatable in the opposite direction from normal, as indicated by the arrow 32, to effect projection of the latch bolt to its operative position concomitantly with scrambling or resetting of the combination of the mechanism, all as described in the aforesaid Simplex" US. Pat. No. 3,115,765.

The-permutation lock mechanism does not prevent rotary motion of the control shaft 30 in the combination scrambling direction, but it normally precludes latch retracting rotation of the shaft. Such latch retracting rotation of the control shaft 30 is possible only after the permutation lock mechanism has been properly decoded by depression of its push button decoding elements 16 in accordance with a prescribed schedule. As mentioned previously, the push buttons are carried by the front and intermediate sections 19 and 21 of the permutation lock mechanism and have portions protruding from the front section to be accessible for manual actuation at the front face of the door 5.

In the conventional Simplex permutation lock mechanism, the control shaft projects forwardly through the front face of the door upon which the mechanism is mounted, and a knob on its front end facilitates manual actuation of the shaft. According to this invention, however, the control shaft projects only a short distance forwardly from the rear section 17 of the permutation lock mechanism and its forward end is inaccessibly located just inside the hole 15 in the door, adjacent to the inner face of the door.

It is one of the main features of the invention that the control shaft 30 is positively held against rotary motion, in either direction, despite such decoding of the permutation lock mechanism as is required to free the shaft for rotation in the bolt retracting direction indicated by the arrow 31. This feature is achieved by providing the control shaft with an actuator comprising the second lock mechanism 12 mentioned hereinbefore.

The lock mechanism 12 has an externally screw threaded body 36 which projects rearwardly through the mounting hole 26 in the front plate and into the hole 15 in the door. An enlarged head 37 on the front of the body is wholly received in the forwardly opening counterbore 28 and cooperates with a back nut 38 threaded onto the exterior of the body and against the bottom of the rear counterbore 27 in the front plate to securely mount the second lock mechanism 12 thereon. The lock mechanism 12 is provided with a rotatable cylinder 40, no part of which projects beyond the head 37, and which is normally held by tumblers (not shown) in a locked position of rotation. Insertion of a proper key 41 into the front of the lock mechanism releases the cylinder for rotation in either direction from the key inserting and removing position of the key shown.

Cylinder lock mechanism 12 is actuatable with key 41 to either retract or project latch bolt 8 by means including a link 65 which has a lost motion driving connection with a cam 65 fixed on control shaft 30.

The lock mechanism 12 is preferably of the axial pin tumbler type known as an Ace lock, having an annular key receiving opening therein. Other types of cylinder locks having paracentric keys and keyways could be used, but are somewhat less secure against attempts at forcing by screwdrivers or the like. In either case, it is important that the cylinder 40 have a rearward extension 43 which can be drivingly coupled with the forward end of the control shaft 30, as at 44.

For the purpose, the rearward extension 43 on the cylinder can have a drive sleeve 45 affixed thereto in any suitable fashion. A flat bar 46 fixed to the sleeve and extending transversely across its interior is engaged in an axial slot in the forward end of the control shaft to transmit rotation from the cylinder to the shaft. If desired, the sleeve 45 can be screw threaded onto the rear extremity of the cylinder extension 43, against a lock nut 47, to thus provide the necessary driving connec tion between the cylinder and sleeve.

It is important to note that the bar 46 is edgewise insertable into the slot in the forward end of the control shaft, so as to facilitate establishment of the driving connection between the cylinder and shaft during assembly of the mechanism on the door.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the control shaft can be key actuated in the counterclockwise direction of arrow 32 to project the latch bolt and/or to reset the permutation lock mechanism any time the key is inserted into the lock mechanism 12 to release the cylinder thereof for rotation. However,

the permutation lock mechanism 7 will positively prevent key produced actuation of the control shaft in the latch retracting direction of arrow 31 until such time as the decoding buttons 16 of the permutation lock mechanism are actuated in accordance with the proper schedule. This is to say that the combination of the permutation lock mechanism must be worked" before the control shaft can be rotated in the bolt retracting direction, and that a proper key must then be inserted into the cylinder lock mechanism 12 before the latch bolt can be retracted.

This makes possible the use of the locking device of this invention wherever high security is a prerequisite. For example, it is now possible for security reasons to entrust the combination" of the permutation lock mechanism 7 to someone other than the person having custody of the key 41 for the cylinder lock mechanism 12. In that way, two trusted individuals will be required to open the door leading to the area protected by the locking device one to properly actuate the push buttons 16 and the other to actuate the control shaft by the key for the cylinder lock mechanism 12.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conventional Simplex lock is provided with a housing having a face plate 50 which supports a number of key stems 51, which in turn effect advance of a timing shaft 62 upon depression of the stems 51 in the proper sequence. In order to transmit such motion to the linearly arrayed key stems 51 from the circularly arranged buttons 16, the mechanism is provided with an adapter plate 53. The adapter plate 53 is fitted over the face plate 50 of the permutation lock mechanism and secured thereto by means of screws 53, in the manner seen best in FIG. 1.

The rear of adapter plate 53 is channeled for constraining arms 54 to translatory movement toward and from key stems 51. One end 55 of each of translatory arms 54 is fixedly connected to a push button rod end 116. The purpose of translatory arms 54 is to translate inwardly directed motion of the circularly arranged push buttons 16 to the linear array of conventionally arranged key stems.

FIG. 4 shows a fragment of the Simplex lock mechanism comprising an inner end of control shaft 30, a reset cam 61 which is fixed to the shaft, and a timing shaft 62. Timing shaft 62 is moved in equal increments in one direction each time a button within the programmed permutation schedule is depressed in the proper sequence. The shaft 62 is moved in the opposite direction by the action of cam 61 on its follower 63, regardless of the direction in which the control shaft 30 is rotated. Hence, turning the key actuated cylinder lock 12 connected to control shaft 30 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 will scramble or reset the combination by returning the key stem actuated mechanisms to their home positions, all

?as explained at length in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No.

Another important feature of the locking device of this invention results from the protection which the cylinder lock mechanism 12 provides for the permutation lock mechanism 7. The cylinder lock mechanism completely conceals the control shaft 30 and thus prevents access thereto by unauthorized persons who may attempt forcefully to defeat the permutation lock mechanism.

In this respect, any conventional permutation lock mechanism having a readily accessible actuator knob on its controlshaft was subject to damage by persons attempting to open the lock through the application of force to said knob. In fact, the accessibility of the actuator knob on theordinary Simplex permutation lock mechanism more or less invited unauthorized persons tampering with the push button decoding elements thereof to apply excessive force to the control shaft through its knob.

The unique combination disclosed in the instant application provides a cylinder lock inter-connected and so cooperating with a portion of a permutation lock mechanism as to assure a higher degree of security than heretofore known. v v

Interdependence and mutual cooperation of the keyactuated cylinder lock and the control and timing shafts of the permutation lock mechanism are absolutely essential to proper functioning of this high security locking device. For example, before insertion of the appropriate combination by manipulation of the permutation lock push buttons, the proper key must be inserted into the cylinder lock for resetting the combination to an unworked position. After insertion of the proper key into the cylinder lock, the permutation lock mechanism may be worked and reworked", if necessary (as in the case of an authorized operator erroneously entering an improper sequence), to free the control shaft for rotation in the latch bolt releasing direction. Only after entry of the appropriate permutation combination sequence and presence of the proper key in the cylinder lock can the latch bolt be thus retracted to its unlocked position.

Thus it can be seen that an exceptionally high degree of security is afforded by the structure herein disclosed, in that the locking means completely prohibits and defeats any attempts at either decoding of the permutation lock mechanism by trial and error methods or retraction of the latch bolt by forcibly turning an exposed handle or knob.

From the foregoing description, together with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention provides a high security locking device featuring an unusual degree of simplicity through the cooperation of permutation and cylinder lock mechanisms, the latter of which serves additionally to protect the former from damage by unauthorized persons seeking to defeat the mechanism through the application of force thereto.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be embodied in forms other than as herein disclosed for purposes of illustration.

The invention is defined by the following claims.

1 claim:

1. In combination with a door having adjacent first and second holes therethrough at a zone near one edge of the door,

a permutation lock mounted on the door at said zone and having a latch bolt movable from a projected to a retracted position to free the door for opening, a control shaft which is rotatable in one direction out of a normal position to effect retraction of the bolt, decoding means which must be actuated in accordance with a prescribed schedule in order to free the control shaft for such rotation, and said control shaft being at all times rotatable in the A. said permutation lock having a rear housing section containing the mechanism thereof and which overlies the inner face of the door at said zone to conceal said holes in the door;

B a'front plate secured to the door at the outer face thereof and having first and second holes therein which register with the respective first and second holes in the door;

C. said permutation lock having another housing section which projects forwardly from said rear housing section and through said first holes to have a front portion thereof accessible at the outer side of said front plate;

D. actuating means for said decoding means mounted on the front portion of said other housing section so as to be accessible from the outer face of the door,

E. said control shaft being operatively connected with the mechanism in said rear housing section and projecting forwardly therefrom part way into said second hole in the door;

F. a key operable cylinder lock mechanism secured to the front plate in said second hole thereof for actuation of its cylinder by a suitable key from the outer side of the door, said cylinder lock mechanism projecting into said second hole in the door so as to conceal the control shaft, and the cylinder thereof having a portion adjacent to said control shaft;

G. and means providing a rotation transmitting connection between said adjacent portions of the cylinder and control shaft.

Claims

1. In combination with a door having adjacent first and second holes therethrough at a zone near one edge of the door, a permutation lock mounted on the door at said zone and having a latch bolt movable from a projected to a retracted position to free the door for opening, a control shaft which is rotatable in one direction out of a normal position to effect retraction of the bolt, decoding means which must be actuated in accordance with a prescribed schedule in order to free the control shaft for such rotation, and said control shaft being at all times rotatable in the other direction out of its normal position to effect resetting of the combination: A. said permutation lock having a rear housing section containing the mechanism thereof and which overlies the inner face of the door at said zone to conceal said holes in the door; B. a front plate secured to the door at the outer face thereof and having first and second holes therein which register with the respective first and second holes in the door; C. said permutation lock having another housing section which projects forwardly from said rear housing section and through said first holes to have a front portion thereof accessible at the outer side of said front plate; D. actuating means for said decoding means mounted on the front portion of said other housing section so as to be accessible from the outer face of the door; E. said control shaft being operatively connected with the mechanism in said rear housing section and projecting forwardly therefrom part way into said second hole in the door; F. a key operable cylinder lock mechanism secured to the front plate in said second hole thereof for actuation of its cylinder by a suitable key from the outer side of the door, said cylinder lock mechanism projecting into said second hole in the door so as to conceal the control shaft, and the cylinder thereof having a portion adjacent to said control shaft; G. and means providing a rotation transmitting connection between said adjacent portions of the cylinder and control shaft.