Patent Application
20220178169
The present invention relates to a lock release mechanism for selectively releasing multiple locks on a closure. For convenience, the invention will be described in relation to security doors. However, the invention has broader application to securing a range of closures, including windows and gates.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
Security doors are specially designed to secure an area, and are often used on emergency exit routes. In some cases, security doors are also designed to resist or prevent the spread of fire. For example, security doors typically have a fire resistance rating and are used as part of a passive fire protection system to reduce the spread of fire or smoke between compartments of a building and to enable safe exit from a structure, such as a building or a ship, in the event of an emergency.
Security doors comprise a door leaf, door frame and door hardware and are required to meet local standards and certification requirements. Security doors that are also fire doors, typically include special fire door hardware such as automatic closing devices, positive latching mechanisms and smoke seals. Fire doors are typically limited to having a primary mortice lock which is self-latching.
The use of two locks on a door is common practice for various reasons including to restrict access to an area or the items within a room or building.
Under normal circumstances, unlocking one or more locks of a door rarely presents a problem. However, in the event of a fire, security risk or other hazardous event it is important that all the locks on a door be able to be quickly opened. Any delays can increase the risk of escaping the hazard, or in the case of emergency responders, increase the time taken to deal with the hazard.
Clearly, in such situations, it would be advantageous if the bolts of the locks on a door could be withdrawn from their locking position at essentially the same time by the rotation of a single handle or door knob.
In the past there have been a number of arrangements for the simultaneous unlocking of two locks by the rotation of a single handle. These include the mechanism described of U.S. Pat. No. 616,144 (dated 190 98), to open two spaced apart locks on a door constructed of wood that will warp out of line after being hung. Other mechanisms are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,992, Australian Patent Application No. 2006252130, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,109,494, 6,454,322, 3,875,772, US Publication No. US2004/0107747 A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,791,180 and 5,657,653 and Australian Patent No. 2010202397.
Each of these mechanisms includes a respective rotatable member operatively associated with each lock, with an interconnection between each rotatable member, such that when both locks are locked and one rotatable member is rotated, so is the other rotatable member, and each lock is unlocked. The interconnection may be a rod or a pair of rods (for example, the mechanisms of US Pat. Nos. 616,144, 5,077,992 and 6,454,322), a pulley and cable arrangement (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,772), or a more complex arrangement.
European Patent Publication No. 2924201, the publication of European Patent Application No. 15159962.8, to ASSA ABLOY Sicherheitstechnik GmbH, discloses self-locking lock for a closure for a panic room that has an automatic extension of a bolt 3 controlled by an auxiliary latch 5 and latch 4 all on the one door lock. An electric motor 13, triggered by a reading unit reading an identification chip, can be used to couple the bolt
U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,485, to eff-eff Fritz Fuss GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, is also directed to a closure for a panic room. Both a bolt 4 and a lock catch 5, on the one door lock, may be retracted by operation of an inner or panic nut 26, a panic rack 40, a cam 28, transport lever 29, side plate 12 and catch lever 30. The outer latch may also be activated under conditions of authorised access such as with an access control system.
WO2007/000763, the publication of International Patent Application No. PCT/IL2006/000746 to GOLTEK MIGON 2005 LTD., relates to a mortise lock with a panic selector. The mortise lock has a latch 74 and a plurality of face bolts 76 on the one mortise lock. Also disclosed are top and bottom auxiliary locks 84T, 84B connected with extension rods 82T, 82B. All of the latch 74, face bolts 76 and auxiliary locks 84T and 84B are opened or retracted by a mechanism within the mortise lock. A panic selector 138 may be used to permit a person at an inside of the door to unlock the latch 74, face bolts 76 and top and bottom bolts with a single depression of the inside handle 46.
German Patent Application No DE3032086, to Scovill Sicherheitseinrichtungen GmbH, discloses a panic lock that has an electromagnet to activate the panic function. Also described is a panic tube frame lock that has two lock nuts 33, 34 in the same housing one of which is operated by the panic lever 26.
There is an ongoing need for new, low cost, reliable alternatives to the mechanisms of the prior art, many of which are generally extremely complicated.
It is a preferred object of embodiments of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art and/or provide a useful commercial alternative.
One example of a multi-lock mechanism, with a bolt withdrawal mechanism for releasing two locks, is described in the present applicant's co-pending Australian Patent Application No. 2018247281 entitled “MULTI-LOCK AND METHOD FOR USE.” The entire contents of Australian Patent Application No. 2018247281 are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.
However, it would still be desirable to provide a release mechanism for a multi-lock resulting in even less delay in unlocking a door in an emergency situation.
Generally, embodiments of the invention relate to a lock release mechanism. In a particular embodiment, the lock release mechanism is for selectively releasing multiple locks on a closure.
In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a lock release mechanism comprising:
a chassis adapted to receive a first lock comprising a first bolt and a second lock comprising a second bolt,
a linkage mechanism comprising at least one arm in operative connection with at least one of the first lock and the second lock,
a connector comprising a first position in which the linkage mechanism is engaged and a second position in which the linkage mechanism is disengaged,
a drive mechanism to move the connector between the first position and the second position, and
an actuator,
wherein when the connector is in the first position, operation of the actuator causes unitary movement of the first bolt and the second bolt, and when the connector is in the second position, operation of the actuator causes movement of the second bolt but not the first bolt.
In one embodiment, the lock release mechanism may further comprise a first arm in operative connection with the first bolt and a second arm in operative connection with the second bolt.
In another embodiment, the first position of the connector may comprise the first arm and the second arm being engaged and the second position of the connector may comprise the first arm and the second arm being disengaged.
The lock release mechanism may be installed on a door or other closure.
The connector may, for example, comprise one or more pin and/or one or more shaft. In some embodiments, the pin may comprise a floating ball lock pin, optionally, captive in a slotted lever. In other embodiments, the pin may comprise an engaging pin. Thus, when the floating ball lock pin is in the first position both locks may be manually operated by the actuator. Activation of the actuator, such as, rotation of the lever or handle or depressing of the lever, simultaneously disengages the lock bolts from a strike that is attached to the frame, thus releasing the door.
In different embodiments, the drive mechanism may comprise an automated drive mechanism such as, various electrically operated drive mechanisms. For example, the drive mechanism may comprise a motor, to drive movement of the connector between the first and second position. The motor may, for example, rotate a gear, and the gear may be engaged with a toothed rack attached or connected to the connector. However, other drive mechanisms may be used, such as electronic or electromechanical mechanisms, including a solenoid, a sprung pin activated by a solenoid, or other motor driven cam arrangements. The electronic or electromechanical mechanisms may draw power from a power supply.
The drive mechanism may be internally located.
The solenoid may actuate the connector between a first, extended position and a second, retracted position. When the connector is extended, the linkage mechanism may be engaged so that the two locks may be operated at the same time. When the shaft is in the retracted position, the linkage mechanism may be disengaged so that the two locks operate independently.
The connector may further comprise a commissioning control. The commissioning control may comprise a locking tab which may be moved between an inactive position and a commissioned position. In the inactive position, the locking tab may extend in the direction of a flange, so that locking tab engages with the surface of the flange, such that the shaft is prevented from adopting the extended position. To move to the commissioned position, a fastener may be unfastened, and the locking tab rotated so that it does not engage with the flange.
The drive mechanism may be disposed inside the chassis. The device mechanism may be disposed within the linkage mechanism. The drive mechanism may act directly on the actuator.
The drive mechanism may be controlled electronically by an electronic control. The electronic control may comprise one or more of a circuit board or computer such as, a programmable logic controller. The electronic control may be disposed inside or external to the chassis. The drive mechanism may be connected or connectable to a main door or building access controller.
The drive mechanism may be actuated when a particular event is detected. For example, the drive mechanism may be actuated when a person activates an emergency feature of a building such as a “break glass” switch.
The drive mechanism may operate in a vertical or a horizontal direction.
The actuator may comprise a lever or handle. The lever or handle may rotate or be pushed. The lever may comprise a lever handle, or in some embodiments a door knob.
The connector may also be manually operable, in addition to being operated by the drive mechanism. In one embodiment, the connector may comprise an engaging pin that is manually operated by a push and/or pull button. The push and/or pull button may act as a lever on the engaging pin, moving it between the first position and the second position.
Preferably, one lock—the upper lock—is a deadbolt lock and the other is a latch lock such as, a mortise lock. Typically, each lock comprises a separate lock body including a keyway for insertion of a key in the lock and a face plate. The first lock may be comprised in a deadbolt lock body and the second lock comprised in a mortise lock body. The deadbolt lock body and the mortise lock body may be disposed in the chassis at a distance from each other. The position of one or both the deadbolt lock body and the mortise lock body may be adjustable within the chassis. The position of the deadbolt lock body and the position of the mortise lock body in the chassis may be adjustable independently of each other.
Each lock used in association with the lock release mechanism typically may comprise a lock body and a faceplate. The chassis may be elongate, and may support each of the lock bodies. The chassis may also comprise a first aperture for receiving the first lock and a second aperture for receiving the second lock. Typically, the faceplate of each lock seats neatly into the chassis aperture and is flush with the external surface of the chassis. In addition, to allow the adjustability described below, typically comprised are a first floating plate sandwiched between the first faceplate of the first lock and the chassis, and a second floating plate between the second faceplate of the second lock and the chassis.
The first lock and/or second lock may comprise an actuation sensor. When the first lock comprises a deadbolt lock, the deadbolt lock may comprise an actuation sensor to detect actuation or turning of the deadbolt lock mechanism. The actuation sensor may detect rotation of a rotatable disk or turn snib. The sensor may comprise a limit switch.
According to any one of the above forms or aspects, a monitoring sensor to detect removal of the chassis or actuator may be further comprised. The monitoring sensor may comprise a button which compresses when the actuator is installed on the door. The monitoring sensor will decompress or expand when the chassis or actuator is removed and activate to alert that the lock body has been tampered with.
In another form of embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of mounting the lock release mechanism of the present invention to a closure, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting the first lock in a first recess within the chassis, inserting the second lock in a second recess within the chassis, affixing the first lock and the second lock to the chassis, and attaching the chassis to the closure.
The closure may comprise a door panel.
In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a closure comprising a lock release mechanism according to the first aspect of the invention installed therein.
Further aspects of the present invention will also be described in the detailed description of the invention below.
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below, along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any one or combination of embodiments. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents.
For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purposes of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.
In particular, locking features usable in embodiments of the present invention are described in detail in Australian Patent Application No. 2018247281, which has already been incorporated by reference into this specification. Accordingly, the below description of embodiments of the invention focuses on features specific to the drive mechanism and other improvements to the lock(s) described in Australian Patent Application No. 20182047281. Other locking features described in Australian Patent Application No 2018247281 will be described at a high level and to provide context where appropriate. However, for full details of those other locking features, the applicant relies on the incorporation by reference of the full specification of Australian Patent Application No. 2018247281.
In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example only, wherein:
Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,” “exterior,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Typical deadbolt locks and mortise locks are depicted for example in the discussion of prior art deadbolt and mortise locks in Australian Patent Application No. 2018247281 incorporated above (
Doors normally require at least one lock so that the door can be secured in the closed position. Many doors have two locks a latch lock (such as a mortise lock) and a deadbolt lock for security which are typically located adjacent the closing edge of the door. Fire and/or security doors are usually configured so that both locks can be simply and quickly manually operated by a handle, simultaneously unlocking both locks. As the handle is moved, a latch hook or bolt disengages with a strike that is attached to the frame, thus releasing the door. A strike is a plate attached to a door frame with one or more holes for removably receiving a latch or bolt from a lock.
A Table of Parts is provided in Table 1 below.
The locking arrangement 101 has two functions a primary latching function and a deadbolt function. The locking arrangement 101 includes an actuator 120, which in the embodiment of
In other embodiments, actuator 120 may take the form of a lever. Such a lever or handle may be rotated or be pushed to be actuated.
The lock bodies 106, 108 are spaced apart and at either end of a linkage mechanism 180 carried on chassis 110, substantially as described in Australian Patent Application No. 2018247281. The chassis 110 also includes pre-drilled mount holes for mounting in a closure such as door 300 and is affixed using screws or other convenient fixing means. Regular rectangular cut outs are made in the door 300 to accept chassis 110, making mounting straightforward.
As shown in the embodiment of
The first lock 102 comprising the deadbolt lock body 106 and the second lock 104 comprising the mortise lock body 108 are shown to be disposed in the chassis 110 at a distance from each other. The position of one or both the deadbolt lock body 106 and the mortise lock body 108 is adjustable within the chassis. The position of the deadbolt lock body 106 and the position of the mortise lock body 108 may be adjustable independently.
According to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in
For example, when the multi-lock locking arrangement 101 of the invention is used on an emergency exit, a user can push the button 142 (engaging both locks) and operate the lower mortise lock 104 to open door 300. Thus, the user may operate door 300 and both locks 104, 106 simultaneously with single handed operation.
Also shown in
The invention may comprise various electrically or electromechanically operated drive mechanisms 130 for connector 150. In other embodiments, solenoid 138 (not shown), a sprung pin 139 (not shown) activated by a solenoid 138, or other motor driven cam arrangements may be utilised to operate connector 150.
The solenoid 138 actuates a shaft 154 between a first, extended position shown in close up view in
As shown in
Advantageously, the commissioning control 200 allows the door 300 to be installed and opened before the building has been powered up or commissioned. This is of significant advantage because in some cases a door 300 may be installed weeks or even months before all power connections are available and the door 300 fully operational.
Solenoid 138 is one example of a drive mechanism 130 disposed inside chassis 110. As shown in the embodiment of
The drive mechanism 130 may be controlled electronically by an electronic control 220.
As shown in
The lock release mechanism 100 may comprise an advisory sign 160 comprising instructions on use.
Advantageously, drive mechanism 130 may be actuated when a particular event is detected. For example, drive mechanism 130 may be actuated when a person activates an emergency feature of a building such as a break glass switch, which may be situated near door 300 comprising lock release mechanism 100 mounted thereon. Tying the operation of the drive mechanism 130 to emergency features of the door 300 and/or building means that in an emergency situation, the door 300 can advantageously be operated solely using handle 120.
As shown in
Advantageously, chassis 110 may be retrofitted to existing doors 300 because the cut-out required in the door panel will encompass the previously existing (now unnecessary) openings.
One of the advantages of the invention is that it does not need to include a device designed to defeat ‘under the door’ attacks. ‘Under the door’ attacks consist of simply passing a special tool, typically configured from wire, under the door and grabbing the handle from the inside. Such an attack cannot succeed when the floating ball lock pin 152 is disengaged because the locks operate independently. The wire would only operate the lower mortise lock 104.
The components of the lock release mechanism 100 may all be formed from steel, although different materials may be used for different applications. The components may be formed as castings or mouldings, extrusions, and/or may be machined to take their final shape for installation.
In this specification, the terms “comprises”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.
Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019901240 | Apr 2019 | AU | national |
| 2019902122 | Jun 2019 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2020/000031 | 4/14/2020 | WO | 00 |
