AU2014253559B2 - A Lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock comprising: a casing; a bolt mounted to the casing for movement between a locked position and an open 5 position; a blocking element movable between a blocking position and a release position, the blocking element blocking preventing movement of the bolt from the locked position to the open position when the blocking element is in the blocking position, the blocking element allowing 10 the bolt to move from the locked position to the open position when the blocking element is in the release position; and an electronic locking mechanism for controlling movement of the blocking element between the blocking position and the release position; wherein the 15 electronic locking mechanism can be overridden by operating a mechanical override in order to move the blocking element into the release position. 20 58875291 (GHMatters) P98262.AU NADIA 24/10/14 i/it N / MM1N (G.MliW NQ-4 -'AN

Description

i/it

N /

MM1N (G.MliW NQ-4 -'AN

A Lock

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a lock and in particular but not exclusively, to a lock for a safe.

Background of the Invention

Many designs exist for locks including locks for doors, windows and high security locks such as those used for safes. The nature of the lock is dependent on the application and the operative functions required by the lock.

Many newer locks are now controlled by electronic keypad panels, allowing codes to be easily entered but also easily changed in order to keep the code safe from being disclosed or hacked by unauthorised users. However, when a code is forgotten it can be difficult to gain access to the safe. In addition, if the power supply to the electronic panel is lost, or if there is an electronics failure in the electronic panel or the lock itself it is very difficult to open the lock.

The present invention is provided against the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the invention provides a lock

comprising a casing, the casing housing a bolt pivotably

mounted to the casing for movement between a locked

position and an open position; a blocking element

pivotably movable between a blocking position and a

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 release position, the blocking element preventing movement of the bolt from the locked position to the open position when the blocking element is in the blocking position, the blocking element allowing the bolt to move from the locked position to the open position when the blocking element is in the release position; an electronic locking mechanism for controlling movement of the blocking element between the blocking position and the release position; and a mechanical override provided wholly within the casing configured to move the blocking element into the release position to override the electronic locking mechanism, wherein the blocking element directly engages with each of the mechanical override and the bolt.

By providing a mechanical override capable of overriding

the electronic locking mechanism to move the blocking

element into the release position the lock can be unlocked

if it is not possible to activate the electronic locking

mechanism.

The casing may have an opening through which the

mechanical override can be operated. The opening may be

located at a vertical distance of between 41 mm and 57 mm

from an uppermost mounting hole in the casing. The casing

may comprise a front casing and a rear casing, the opening

being located in the front casing. In addition, the bolt,

blocking element, electronic locking mechanism and

mechanical override may be mounted to the front casing.

The lock may be adapted to be fitted to a safe having a

pre-existing hole in the safe door, the opening in the

casing being aligned with the position of the hole in the

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 safe door so that the mechanical override can be operated through the hole in the safe door.

By adapting the lock to be retrofitted onto old safe doors

the lock may be easily used to upgrade older safes,

without the need to alter the safe.

In addition, the electronic locking mechanism may be

controlled by a touch button key pad, the touch button key

pad being removably attached to the safe door to cover the

opening in the casing.

By placing a touch button key pad so that it covers the

opening in the casing the opening may be hidden, except

when the touch button key pad is removed to gain access to

the opening in the casing.

The electronic locking mechanism may be controlled by an

electronic device over a Bluetooth connection. By using a

Bluetooth connection it is possible to omit a touch button

key pad and allow users to use a Bluetooth device, such as

a smart phone.

In some embodiments the mechanical override is a lever

lock pack and an operating element. The lever lock pack

and operating element may be operated by a key. In

addition, the lever lock pack may have two or more levers

with slots that are not normally aligned, wherein when the

mechanical override is operated the slots align and allow

a projection on the operating element to move laterally

into the void created by the aligned slots. Furthermore,

the key may have teeth and the teeth of the key engage a

side portion of each lever.

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20

In some embodiments of the invention the electronic

locking mechanism may be a motor.

In some embodiments, the bolt may have a protruding

portion configured to cooperate with the blocking member

of the blocking element to prevent rotation of the

blocking element when the blocking element is in the

blocking position and the bolt is in the locked position.

The mechanical override may comprise an operation element

configured to cooperate with the tab of the blocking

element to prevent rotation of the blocking element when

the blocking element is in the blocking position and the

bolt is in the locked position.

The operation element of the mechanical override may be

moved laterally by the mechanical override to contact the

tab of the blocking element and thereby cause rotation of

the blocking element into the release position

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment, incorporating all aspects of the invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a lock according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2 to 4 are further isometric views of the lock shown at various viewing angles;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the lock;

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20

Figure 6 is a plan view of the main operating components shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a reverse plan view of Figure 6;

Figures 8A to 8C are views of the mechanical override;

Figure 9 is a front view of the lock;

Figures 10 and 11 are exploded assembly views of the lock;

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the blocking mechanism shown in Figure 11; and

Figure 13 a plan view of the lock showing relative dimensions of the lock.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

Figures 1 to 5 show a lock 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The lock has certain aspects in common with the Applicant's earlier lock for a design as disclosed in Australian Patent Application number 2008258191, which specification is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The lock 1 has a casing 10, a bolt 20 mounted to the casing 10, and a blocking element 30. The bolt 20 is movable between a locked position and an open position. The blocking element 30 is movable between a blocking position and a release position. When the blocking element 30 is in a blocking position the blocking element 30 prevents movement of the bolt 20 from the locked position to the open position. When the blocking element 30 is in

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 the release position the blocking element 30 allows the bolt 20 to move from the locked position to the open position.

The casing comprises a front casing 12 and a rear casing 14. The front casing 12 has notches or projection 13 and the rear casing 14 has notches or projection 15, the notches or projections 13, 15 engaging with each other to help engage and align the front casing 12 and the rear casing 14. Preferably the casing 10 is made from metal. For example, the casing may be made from steel, and is preferably made from stainless steel or electroplated mild steel.

The front casing 12 has posts 16 that are integrally formed with the front casing 12. The rear casing 14 has corresponding holes 17 that align with the posts 16 on the front casing 12. The posts 16 are hollow and adapted to permit fasteners to be inserted through the posts, allowing the lock to be secured to a door, frame or other object. The posts 16 thereby act as fixing holes. If the lock 1 is a safe lock, as shown in Figure 9, the posts 16 act as fixing holes to secure the lock 1 to the door of the safe (not shown).

The posts 16 have a shoulder 16a at one end of the post to allow the posts 16 to be located in the holes 17 of the rear casing 14, and for the posts 16 to also support the rear casing 14. The structural support helps to prevent the lock 1 from being compressed or crushed to impair operation of the lock.

The front casing 12 also has bosses 18 receiving fasteners. The rear casing 14 has holes 19 corresponding to the location of the bosses 18. Fasteners, such as

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 screws (not shown), are used to secure the rear casing 14 to the front casing 12 via the holes 19 in the rear casing and bosses 18 in the front casing.

The bolt 20 is pivotally mounted on a pivot which is formed by one of the posts 16 (marked as 16'). It is however understood that the pivot need not be one of the casing's posts but could instead be a separate post or boss provided on the front casing 12 with the dedicated function of supporting pivoting movement of the bolt 20.

A spring 21 wraps around the pivot 16' and has one end which engages a side portion of the front casing 12 and the other end which engages a boss 22 on the bolt 20 to bias the bolt 20 to the locked position shown in Figures 1 to 5.

Offsetting the swivel point of the bolt 20 to one end of the bolt 20, and mounting it on one of the posts 16, has advantages. Referring to Figures 7 and 9, lock bolt 20 is roughly 'L' shaped having a tongue 26 that engages with recess 110 in main bolt 100, and a leg 28. The end of leg 28 is mounted on post 16' so that the swivel point of the bolt 20 is offset of the bolt body and allows the bolt to follow an arc swinging into and out of the casings 10. This swivel action provides a controlled movement of the bolt and makes it more receptive to smooth and controlled retraction and extension via movement of main bolt 100 and spring 21.

A further advantage of offsetting the mounting point of bolt 20 rather than having the mounting point provided centrally of the casing is that the mounting point is located in a corner of the casing 10 and in a location that is more difficult to reach if attempts are made to

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 pry the lock open than if the pivot point was directly next to the tongue 26.

A blocking element 30 is pivotally mounted to the front casing 12. When the blocking element 30 is in the blocking position a blocking member 32 obstructs the bolt 20 from pivoting into the open position. If a user attempts to move the bolt 20 from the locked position to the open position when the blocking element 30 is in the blocking position the blocking member 32 of the blocking element 30 abuts a rear face 24 of the bolt 20.

Referring to Figure 6, the bolt 20 also has a protrusion 29 that prevents over rotation of the blocking element 30 past the blocking position. For example, if a person attempted to force the lock the blocking element would become wedged between the leg 28 of the bolt 20 and the protrusion 29 of the bolt 20. The protrusion therefore helps to provide a more robust lock.

Referring to Figures 5 to 7, movement of the blocking element 30 between the blocking position and the release position is controlled by an electronic locking mechanism, shown as electronic motor 40. When the electronic motor 40 is activated to move the blocking element from the blocking position to the release position the blocking element 20 swivels about its pivot so that be blocking member 32 clears the area through which the bolt 20 is required to rotate through in order to be in the open position.

It will be understood that the electronic mechanism could be any suitable mechanism. For example, the electronic mechanism could be a solenoid.

In order for the electronic motor 40 to pivot the blocking

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 element 30 the electronic motor 40 moves a reciprocating member 42. The reciprocating member 42 engages with a pin 34 integrally formed with the blocking element 30. The pin 34 is offset from the pivot of the blocking member so that the reciprocal movement of the reciprocating member 42, which is imparted on the pin 34 of the blocking member 30, causes the blocking member 30 to rotate.

The reciprocating member 42 is "U" shaped, with a first surface 44 which contacts the pin 34 of the blocking element 30 to cause the blocking element 30 move to the release position when the electronic motor is activated to open the lock. The reciprocating member 42 also has a second surface 46 which contacts the pin 34 of the blocking element 30 to cause the blocking element 30 to return to the blocking position when the electronic motor returns to the locked position.

The reciprocating member 42 is biased into the blocking position when the electronic motor is in the locked position, however the position of the reciprocating member can be manually overridden. That is, when the electronic motor 40 is the locked position the reciprocating member 42 can be moved into the release position by force. In addition, if the reciprocating member 42 is in the release position and the electronic motor 40 returns to the locked position the reciprocating member 42 can remain in the release position if something is preventing it to return to the blocking position.

This feature is advantageous as the bolt 20 is able to be in the open position when the motor returns to the locked position. This allows the electronic motor 40 to be programmed to move the reciprocating member into the open position, and hold the reciprocating member in the open position, for a relatively short period of time, sufficient enough for the main bolt 100 to be moved into

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 the open position. Once the lock is opened the electronic motor 40 can return to the locked position and the lock 1 will relock itself once the bolt 20 is moved into the locked position, as the biased reciprocating member will automatically return the blocking element 30 to the blocking position. If such a feature was not included the motor could be damaged if the motor attempted to return to the normal position but the bolt 20 was in the way.

Typically the period of time for which the motor remains in the open position is between 2 and 20 seconds, and is more preferably between 2 and 10 seconds, and even more preferably between 3 and 6 seconds. In the embodiment described the period of time for which the motor remains in the open position is 6 seconds. It will be understood that the time period does not need to be a whole number of seconds and could instead be, for example, 4.6 seconds.

The front casing 12 supports a printed circuit board 80 which receives signals from a cable via a plug 82 which can be plugged through an opening in the front casing 12. The cable leads to a control panel such as an electronic number keypad, into which a pass code can be entered and, if correct, the electronic motor 40 will move the blocking element from the blocking position to the release position.

It will be understood that the control panel could be any suitable device that facilitates authentication that a user should be allowed access (i.e. be allowed to unlock the lock). For example, the control panel could be a biometric pad having an opening for receiving a finger to provide a finger print sample to activate the electronic motor 40. Alternatively, the lock 1 may not have a plug 82 for receiving a signal, and the circuit board may instead

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 receive the signal via a wireless device. For example, a user's phone may be used to enter a pass code or scan a fingerprint, and the signal may be sent via Bluetooth, or other near field communication, to the circuit board to activate the electronic motor.

Referring to Figures 5 and 8A to 8C, a mechanical override 50 allows moving the blocking element 30 from the blocking position without having to activate the electronic motor 40. This allows the electronic mechanism to be overridden by a mechanic override in situations when it is not possible to activate the electronic mechanism. As discussed above the position of the reciprocating member 42 can be manually overridden.

The mechanical override 50 functions by providing a secondary means for moving the blocking element into the release position. In the embodiment described the mechanical override is a lever lock pack 52 that is operated by a key 60. The front casing 12 has an opening 62 through which the key 60 can be inserted in order to operate the lever lock pack 52.

The lever lock pack has six levers 54 and an operating element 70. The operating element has a projection 72 that corresponds to slots 56 in each of the levers 54. The slots are not normally aligned, which prevents the operating element from moving, and therefore also prevents the operating element from moving the blocking element from the blocking position into the release position.

Inserting the key 60 into the lock 1 and rotating the key 60 causes the teeth 61 of the key 60 to engage the six levers, causing the slots 56 in the levers 54 to align. This is achieved by having the levers 54 pivotally mounted to the case, with the length of each tooth of the key

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 corresponding to a particular rotational displacement of the corresponding lever. The levers are biased into their normal position by springs 55. The teeth 61 of the key engage a side portion 58 of each lever 54 to act on the lever and cause rotation of the levers 54. The key may be a "wave key", having teeth that feature a 'wave' profile when the key is viewed axially.

There is also an opening 64 in the rear casing 14 that helps locate the key when the key is inserted so that the teeth 61 of the key 60 align with the correct levers 54.

When the slots 56 in the levers 54 are aligned the projection 72 is capable of moving into the void created by the slots. Further rotation of the key 60 moves the operation element 70 laterally. The operation element has a tab 74 that corresponds to a tab 36 on the blocking element. The tab 36 on the blocking element 30 is offset from the pivot of the blocking element 30. When the operation element is moved laterally the tab 74 of the operation element 70 contacts the tab 36 on the blocking element to cause rotation of the blocking element 30 into the release position.

The tab 74 on the operation element 70 is positioned so that it does not obstruct the movement of the blocking element 30 in normal use. That is, the operation element 70 does not obstruct movement of the blocking element 30 when the blocking element 30 is moved by the electronic motor 40.

If the lock is designed to be attached to the rear of a safe door then the safe door will be required to have a hole that will enable the key 60 to be inserted through in order to operate the mechanical override. The opening in the front casing 12 is aligned with the position of the hole in the safe door so that the mechanical override can

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 be operated through the hole in the safe door.

It will be understood that the lever lock pack may comprise any suitable number levers. For example, the lever lock pack may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 levers. It will also be understood that the mechanical override need not be a lever lock pack, and could be any suitable override system. For example, a standard tumbler style lock could be used.

It is envisaged that the lock described may be used to retrofit older safes with new electronic locks. As old safes have a spindle hole in the door for operation of the dial the opening 62 in the front casing 12 can be designed to align with the spindle hole in the safe door. By aligning the opening in the casing 12 the spindle hole in the safe door it is not necessary to create a new hole in the safe door in order to operate the mechanical override and the present lock can be easily retrofitted with the advantage of having both an electronic code entry as well as a mechanical override function.

The casing 10 is designed to be the same footprint as the American Industry Standard Combination Lock Footprint. Figure 13 applies that footprint to the currently described lock. That is, in the embodiment described, the casing 10 is 61 mm wide and 85 mm high. There are three posts located in three of the four corners of the casing 10. The centres of the posts, which act as fixing holes, are horizontally spaced 1 5/8" (41.28mm) and vertically spaced 2 5/8" (66.68mm) from each other in order to allow the lock to utilise the original mounting holes on older spindle safes. The posts are able to accommodate 4-20 UNC 2a machine screws to secure the lock to the safe door.

The spindle hole (location shown as dashed line in Figure 13) in the safe door is typically about 16 to 17 mm in

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 diameter, with the centre of the spindle hole located at a vertical distance of 49.23 mm from the uppermost mounting holes 101 (as shown in Figure 13). The centre of the spindle hole is also located at a vertical distance of 17.45 mm from the lowermost mounting hole 102 (as shown in Figure 13).The opening 62 can therefore be located at a vertical distance of between 41 mm and 57 mm from the uppermost mounting holes in the casing 10, and is more preferably located at a distance of between 44 mm and 54 mm from the uppermost mounting holes in the casing 10. The opening 62 is preferably located at the centre of the spindle hole, that is the opening 62 is preferably located at a distance of approximately 49.23 mm from the uppermost mounting holes in the casing 10.

It will be understood that if the diameter of the spindle hole in the safe door is smaller, then the placement of the opening 62 will be positioned accordingly.

In order to conceal the spindle hole in the safe the electronic key pad may cover the spindle hole when installed. This can serve two purposes. The first, to hide the presence of the mechanical override. The second, to provide an aesthetically pleasing finish.

The bolt 20, blocking member 30 and electronic motor 40 are placed away from the location of the original spindle hole in the safe in relation to when the lock is retrofitted to an existing safe door. That is, the bolt 20, blocking member 30 and electronic motor 40 are placed towards the edges of the case 10, rather than having these elements in the central part of the lock 1. A lock with the major components away from the spindle hole provides a more robust design, as it is more difficult to gain access to the components of the lock by opportunely using the spindle hole as a vulnerable access point. A lock as described above provides an improved lock design over

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20 locks with major components located in a region that corresponds to the location of a spindle hole in a safe door.

In addition to providing a better lock design, positioning the bolt 20, blocking member 30 and electronic motor 40 are placed away from the location of the original spindle hole allows the components for the mechanical override to be positioned in the region that corresponds to the location of a spindle hole in a safe door to namely allow access to the key opening 62 by a key 60 after the key pad (not shown) has been removed.

It will be understood that while the components are described as being mounted to the front casing in the embodiment described, any one or more of the components could instead be mounted on the rear casing 14. An advantage of assembling the components on the front casing 12 is that the lock can be converted to be a right handing or opposite handing lock.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

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Claims (16)

Claims:

1. A lock comprising a casing, the casing housing:

a bolt pivotably mounted to the casing for movement

between a locked position and an open position;

a blocking element pivotably movable between a

blocking position and a release position, the blocking

element preventing movement of the bolt from the locked

position to the open position when the blocking element is

in the blocking position, the blocking element allowing

the bolt to move from the locked position to the open

position when the blocking element is in the release

position;

an electronic locking mechanism for controlling

movement of the blocking element between the blocking

position and the release position; and

a mechanical override provided wholly within the

casing configured to move the blocking element into the

release position to override the electronic locking

mechanism,

wherein the blocking element directly engages with

each of the mechanical override and the bolt.

2. The lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing

has an opening through which the mechanical override can

be operated.

3. The lock as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opening

is located at a vertical distance of between 41 mm and 57

mm from an uppermost mounting hole in the casing.

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20

4. The lock as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein

the casing comprises a front casing and a rear casing, the opening being located in the front casing.

5. The lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bolt,

blocking element, electronic locking mechanism and

mechanical override are mounted to the front casing.

6. The lock as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5,

wherein the lock is adapted to be fitted to a safe having

a hole in a safe door, the opening in the casing being

aligned with the position of the hole in the safe door so

that the mechanical override can be operated through the

hole in the safe door.

7. The lock as claimed in claim 6, wherein the

electronic locking mechanism is controlled by a touch

button key pad, the touch button key pad being removably

attached to the safe door to cover the opening in the

casing.

8. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the electronic locking mechanism is

controlled by an electronic device over a Bluetooth

connection.

9. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the mechanical override is a lever lock

pack and an operating element.

10. The lock as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lever

lock pack and operating element are operated by a key.

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20

11. The lock as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein

the lever lock pack has two or more levers with slots that

are not normally aligned, wherein when the mechanical

override is operated the slots align and allow a

projection on the operating element to move laterally into

the void created by the aligned slots.

12. The lock as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein

the key has teeth and the teeth of the key engage a side

portion of each lever.

13. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the electronic locking mechanism is a

motor.

14. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding

claims, wherein the blocking element comprises a blocking

member for engaging with the bolt and a tab for engaging

with the mechanical override.

15. The lock as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bolt has

a protruding portion configured to cooperate with the

blocking member of the blocking element to prevent

rotation of the blocking element when the blocking element

is in the blocking position and the bolt is in the locked

position.

16. The lock as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein

the mechanical override comprises an operation element

configured to cooperate with the tab of the blocking

element to prevent rotation of the blocking element when

the blocking element is in the blocking position and the

bolt is in the locked position..

16746047_1 (GHMatters) P98262.AU 6/11/20