The present invention generally relates to electromechanical locks, and more specifically relates to an electromechanical lock which is configured to provide mechanical latch holdback and remote release.
A typical lock which is employed in, for example, correctional facilities (i.e., to secure cell blocks, etc.) is configured to allow a correctional officer to unlock the lock by inserting and rotating a key, causing a latch of the lock to retract and stay retracted even after the guard removes the key. This feature gives a correctional officer the ability to use his key to set one or more doors to an unlocked state for prolonged periods (e.g., during non-lockdown hours). In order to re-lock the lock, the correctional officer is required to re-insert and rotate the key, causing the latch to extend once again, thereby locking the door. The correctional officer must repeat this process for each lock he wants to lock.
An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an electromechanical lock which is configured to provide not only mechanical latch holdback, but also remote release.
Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an electromechanical lock which is configured to provide a mechanical latch holdback feature, whereby a key is useable to retract a latch of the electromechanical lock, the key can be removed, and the latch remains mechanically held back (i.e., the latch is maintained in the held back or retracted position) such that the lock remains unlocked. The electromechanical lock comprises an internal linkage which provides that the latch which is being mechanically held back is electronically remotely releasable. As such, a correctional officer can use his key to cause the lock to mechanically hold back the latch, such that the lock remains open. Subsequently, a control signal can be sent from a remote location causing the latch to be released and extended, such that the lock locks.
This feature allows a correctional officer at a control center to overcome the mechanical latch holdback and remotely lock doors either individually or severally (i.e., by groups), depending on the wiring logic between the electromechanical lock and the control center. This ability to override the mechanical latch holdback from a control station can be useful in a correctional institution—for example, when the mechanical latch holdback has been engaged for cell doors and an emergency situation arises where a quick remote lockdown may be necessary, instead of having to perform the, still possible but, time-consuming task of re-locking the doors one-by-one, locally by key. The option to remotely relock, singularly or in a group (depending on control circuit logic) may be employed with this feature.
The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:
While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated.
The actuator 18 may comprise, for example, an alternating or direct current motor 22 which is coupled to a gearbox 24, which is configured to drive a rotatable member 26 (see, for example,
The rotatable member 26 is preferably linked, via a link point 29, to a link member 30 which is keyed to an operating lever 32. More specifically, preferably the link member 30 has a slot 34 thereon (see
As shown in
Preferably, a torsion spring 52 is disposed on the operating lever 32 and is configured to bias the operating lever 32 into an up position. A compression spring 54 is preferably provided proximate the latch 16, to spring bias the latch 16 into the extended position. The operating lever 32 preferably comprises an extending finger portion 56 which engages a shoulder 58 on the latch 16, such that the finger 56 can move the latch 16 toward a retracted position, against the force of the compression spring 54.
The operating lever 32 is preferably linked, via a pin 60, to the hold release lever 40 as well as a prop lever 62. Preferably, a torsion spring 64 (see
Preferably, the prop lever 62 comprises a hook end portion 68 which is configured to engage in a hole or slot 70 in the housing 50, thereby ultimately providing that the latch 16 is maintained in a hold back position (i.e., retracted).
As discussed above, the lock 10 comprises a key cylinder 12. Specifically, in addition to being configured to receive a key 14, the lock cylinder 12 comprises an internal cam 72 which is selectively rotatable into engagement with either the hold release lever 40 or the operating lever 32, depending on which direction the key 14 is rotated.
Operation of the electromechanical lock 10, and its various states, will now be described referring to the various Figures.
As discussed above,
To unlock the lock 10 using the key 14, the key 14 must be inserted into the key cylinder 12 as shown in
The progression from
The progression from
The progression from
While the lock 10 is configured such that the key 14 can be used to release the latch 16 from its held back position, the lock 10 is also configured such that the latch 16 can be released remotely via a control panel 19 at a control center, without having to engage a key 14 with the key cylinder 12. To this end, the switches 28 which are in contact with the rotating disc 26 effectively inform the control center whether the lock 10 is in the unlocked or locked state. If the lock 10 is in the locked state and the remote signal is given to unlock the lock 10, the control panel 19 in the control center sends a signal to the lock 10 which causes the motor 22 to start. This causes the motor 22 to drive the gearbox 24 which causes the rotatable disc 26 to rotate. Rotation of the disc 26 causes the link member 30 to pivot downward until a hook portion 38 of the link member 30 contacts and pushes down on the hold release lever 40. This causes the operating lever 32 to be pivot downward as well, and causes the hook portion 68 of the prop lever 62 to move downward and pivot out of engagement with the hole or slot 70 in the housing 50. Further rotation of the disc 26 causes the link member 30 to move upward which causes the torsion spring 52 on the operating lever 32 to pivot the operating lever 32 about axis 42. This causes the finger portion 56 of the operating lever 32 to shift, allowing the compression spring 54 to push the latch 16 back to its extended position.
The lock 10 is also configured such that the latch 16 can be retracted remotely, via the control panel 19 at the control center, without having to use a key 14. To this end, the switches 28 which are in contact with the rotating disc 26 effectively inform the control center whether the lock 10 is in the unlocked or locked state. If the lock 10 is in the unlocked state and the remote signal is given to lock the lock 10, the motor 22 is driven such that the rotatable disc 26 rotates one hundred eighty degrees. This causes the link member 30 to move down and pull the hold release lever 40 downward, causing the operating lever 32 to pivot about axis 42, causing the finger portion 56 of the operating lever 32 to push on the shoulder 58 of the latch 16, thereby driving the latch 16 to the retracted position (see
The ability to remotely override the mechanical latch holdback is useful in a correctional facility—for example, when the mechanical latch holdback has been engaged for cell doors and an emergency situation arises where a quick remote lockdown may be necessary, instead of having to perform the time-consuming task of re-locking the doors one-by-one, locally by key.
While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/504,338, filed May 10, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180328080 A1 | Nov 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62504338 | May 2017 | US |