AU2008258191B2 - A lock - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A lock comprising a bolt; a pivot for mounting the bolt for pivotal movement in a lock casing between a locking 5 position and an open position; the pivot being located to one end of a body of the bolt to allow the bolt to swivel between the locking and open positions; a blocking element for movement between a blocking position and a release position, the blocking element 10 blocking the bolt when the lock is locked and preventing movement of the bolt from the locking position to the open position; and a locking mechanism for controlling movement of the blocking element between the blocking position to lock the 15 lock and a release position to open the lock. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76332 AU l\Specis\P76332 AU.1 Specification final 2008-12-9.doc 17/12/08 3? 33 370g3 F/ u5 2_

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant: K. J. ROSS SECURITY LOCKS PTY. LTD. Invention Title: A LOCK The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P76332.AU 1 PaLSet_Fihng Applicaion 2008-12-15doc (M) 2 A LOCK Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to a lock and in particular but not exclusively, to a lock for a safe. Background of the Invention 10 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. 15 A major consideration in lock design is to design the lock to be as resistant as possible against jimmying and other attempts to open the lock. Locks have been known to fail where the object on which the lock is mounted is shaken 20 vigorously in order to dislodge a biasing mechanism inside the lock to open the lock. Jimmying a lock by inserting a screwdriver into the lock and prying apart internal components is also a technique used to gain unauthorized entry into a locked area. Such failure and unreliability 25 in maintaining the lock in a locked condition are undesirable in a lock. Summary of the Invention 30 The invention provides a lock comprising: a bolt; a pivot for mounting the bolt for pivotal movement in a lock casing between a locking position and an open position, the pivot being located to one end of a body of 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 3 the bolt to allow the bolt to swivel between the locking and open positions; a blocking element mounted on a second pivot that has a pivot axis substantially parallel to the bolt pivot 5 axis for movement between a blocking position and a release position, the blocking element blocking an end of the body of the bolt that is opposite to the end at which the pivot is located when the lock is locked to prevent movement of the bolt from the locking position to the open 10 position; and a locking mechanism for controlling movement of the blocking element between the blocking position to lock the lock and a release position to open the lock. 15 The anti-bounce element is an inclined surface on the blocking element that, when blocking the bolt, forms a wedge between the bolt and a post on the casing. The inclined surface is inclined at an angle of 4' to an opposing contacting edge of the bolt. 20 In one embodiment the casing has a pivot, the bolt being mounted on the pivot for pivotal movement between the locking position and the open position. 25 In one embodiment the biasing element comprises a spring. In one embodiment the blocking element is a balanced blocking element, and has biasing means for biasing the blocking element towards the blocking position. 30 In one embodiment the locking mechanism comprises a solenoid which, in one of an activated or deactivated state, allows the blocking element to remain in the blocking position, and in the other of the activated or 35 deactivated state moves the blocking element from the 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 4 blocking position to the release position for opening the lock. In one embodiment the lock has an opener. 5 In one embodiment the opener comprises an electronic opener for receiving a biometric sample to activate the opener to in turn cause the solenoid to move the blocking element to the release position to open the lock. 10 In one embodiment the biometric element comprises a finger print. In other embodiments the opener may comprise a 15 conventional key, touch button key pad or the like. In an embodiment described herein there is a lock comprising: a bolt biased into a locking position in a lock casing; a blocking element mounted on a pivot for 20 movement between a blocking position and a release position, the blocking element blocking the bolt when the lock is locked to prevent movement of the bolt from the locking position to an open position; an anti-bounce element on the blocking element for engaging the bolt when 25 the blocking element is in the blocking position to prevent the lock from being bounced open; and locking means for controlling movement of the blocking element between the locking position to lock the lock and a release position to open the lock. 30 In one embodiment the bolt is pivotally mounted on a fixing post of the lock casing, and the pivot is located in a corner of the casing on the fixing post. The bolt is substantially 'L' shaped and includes a tongue that 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 5 protrudes from the lock casing at one end of the 'L' with the pivot located at the other end of the 'L'. In one embodiment a biasing element is provided to bias 5 the bolt to the locking position. In one embodiment the blocking element is a balanced blocking element, and has biasing means for biasing the blocking element towards the blocking position. 10 In one embodiment the locking mechanism comprises a solenoid which, in one of an activated or deactivated state, allows the blocking element to remain in the blocking position, and in the other of the activated or 15 deactivated state moves the blocking element from the blocking position to the release position for opening the lock. In one embodiment the lock has an opener. 20 In one embodiment the opener comprises an electronic opener for receiving a biometric sample to activate the opener to in turn cause the solenoid to move the blocking element to the release position to open the lock. 25 In one embodiment the biometric element comprises a finger print. In other embodiments the opener may comprise a 30 conventional key, touch button key pad or the like. Brief Description of the Drawings 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 6 An embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; 5 Figure 1 is a view of a lock according to one embodiment; Figure 2 is a plan view of the internal details of the lock of Figure 1 in a locked position; 10 Figure 3 is view along the line III-III of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a view along the line IV-IV of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the 15 bolt of the lock of Figure 2; Figure 6 is an isometric view of the bolt shown in Figure 5; 20 Figure 7 is a side view of a blocking element of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a plan view of the blocking element of Figure 7; 25 Figure 9 is an isometric view of the blocking element of Figures 7 and 8; and Figure 10 is a view of the lock in a open position; and 30 Figure 11 is an isometric view of the lock in a locked position. Detailed Description of an Embodiment of the Invention With reference to Figure 1 a lock 11 according to an 35 embodiment of the invention is shown. The lock has an 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 7 opener 10 and a lock section 15. The opener 10 is in the form of a biometric pad having an opening 12 for receiving a finger to provide a finger print sample to open the lock section 15. The opener 10 may also have keys 14 for 5 programming the lock to accept finger prints of authorized users. Such biometric openers are known and therefore will not be described in any detail herein after other than to say that the opener 10 is connected to the lock section 12 by an electrical cable 16. 10 The lock section 15 has a first casing 18 for engaging together with a second casing 20. The second casing 20 has notches or projections 21 to engage with the other notches or projections (not shown) on the first casing 18 15 to help properly engage the casing 5, 18 and 20. In the case of a safe lock the safe has a main bolt 19 which has a recess 23. The main bolt 19 is received in a hole in the front face or side of the safe. When the lock 20 section 15 is locked and a lock bolt 50 is located in recesses 23 the bolt 19 cannot be moved to open the door of the safe. When the lock section 15 is unlocked the main bolt 19 can be moved to the right in Figure 1 by a linkage and handle schematically shown at 25 coupled to 25 the main bolt, and by the main bolt pushing the bolt 50 in the direction of Arrow A so the bolt 50 swivels out of recesses 23 and into casing 18, 20 in one move. This automatic retraction of the bolt 50 allows a user to open the main bolt 19 and the lock bolt 50 in one move. Aside 30 from being convenient this also ensures that lock bolt 50, which is biased to the closed position, does not accidentally remain open when the lock 11 is next used. The second casing 20 supports a printed circuit board 24 35 (Figure 2) which receives signals from cable 16 via a plug 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 8 26 which can be plugged through an opening 28 in the second casing 20. The second casing 20 has posts 30 which are secured to the 5 second casing 20 and are received in holes 31 in the casing 18 to structurally support the first and second casings 18 and 20. The second casing 20 also supports bosses 33 for receiving 10 screws via holes 35 to secure the casings 18 and 20 together. The circuit board 24 is connected to a flapper solenoid 38 which has a flapper 40. 15 Shorter posts 37 engage the underside of first casing 18 to structurally support the casing 18 and space it from the second casing 20 so the casings cannot be compressed together to impair operation of the lock section 15. 20 As illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11 the lock bolt 50 is pivotally mounted tightly on a pivot which is formed by one of the posts 30 (marked 30' in Figures 2, 3 and 4) for pivotal movement in the direction of Arrow B in Figure 25 2. Posts 30 are fixing holes through which screws are inserted to fix the lock 11 into the door, frame or other object to be secured. A spring 39 wraps around the pivot 30' and has one end which engages boss 33 and the other end which engages a stud 41 on the bolt 50 to bias the 30 bolt 50 to the locked position shown in Figures 2 and 10. If the lock is opened, namely in an unlocked condition, the door with which the lock is associated can be opened and surface 43 of the bolt 50 will engage end 37 of recess 23 which will swivel the bolt 50 to the left in Figure 2 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 9 (and to the right in Figure 1) against the bias of the spring 39 to allow the door to open. Offsetting the swivel point of lock bolt 50 to one end of 5 the bolt and mounting it on one of the posts 30 has advantages. Lock bolt 50 is roughly 'L' shaped having a tongue 52 that engages with recess 23 in main bolt 19, and a leg 54. The end of leg 54 is mounted on post 30' so that swivel point of the bolt 50 is offset of the bolt body and 10 allows the bolt to follow an arc swinging into and out of the casings 18, 20. 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 19 and spring 39. 15 A further advantage of offsetting the mounting point of bolt 50 is that the mounting point is located in a corner of the casings 18, 20 and in a location that is more difficult to reach if attempts are made to pry the lock 20 open than if the pivot point was directly next to the tongue 52. Mounting lock bolt 50 onto fixing post 30' adds strength and integrity to the operation of the bolt. Again, this 25 mounting arrangement secures against prying the lock open by destroying the bolt's mount and on the whole provides for a strong and reliable bolt having balanced swinging movement. The bolt is able to resist prying forces. A clearance tolerance on the post 30' further gives the bolt 30 a tight pivot that avoids lateral movement of the bolt in the casings. A balanced blocking element 60 is mounted in the lock and (as is best shown in Figures 7 to 9) is formed by an upper 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 10 plate 60a, a lower plate 60b, interconnecting surface 60c, interconnecting abutment surface 60d and end weight 60e. The upper plate 60a and lower late 60b together with the 5 surface 60c define an open end 62. The blocking element 60 has a post 63 on which the blocking element pivots and about which is wrapped a spring 64. The post 63 is supported by the first and second casings 18 and 20 and is a structural element to take the load exerted by bolt 50 10 when the handle 25 is rattled and the main bolt 19 pushes against the bolt so to, in turn, push the bolt against blocking element 60 when the lock is locked. As is best seen in Figure 2, 10 and 11 one end of the spring 64 engages behind surface 60d and the other engages behind 15 post 37 (marked 37' in Figure 2). The spring 64 biases the blocking element 60 into a blocking position where, when the bolt 50 is in the locking position prevents rotational movement of the bolt 50 to the left in Figure 2 so the bolt 50 cannot move to the open position and 20 therefore the lock is in a locked condition. A post 75 in casing 20 engages in a notched section 76 of the blocking element 60 and guides and supports movement of the blocking element as well as prevents the blocking 25 element from being moved laterally to the right or left. As shown in Figures 2, 7 and 10, a front edge 65 of each upper and lower plate 60a, 60b is slightly inclined, or tapered, at angle a away from a straight rear edge 55 of 30 the bolt 50. Front edge 65 is the part of the blocking element 60 that contacts bolt 50 to stop, or block, the bolt from retracting. When the bolt 50 is in the locking position and the blocking element 60 is in the blocking position to secure the lock in the locked condition, taper 35 a will create a wedge on the blocking element between bolt 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 11 50 and post 75. If bolt 50 moves inwardly toward blocking element by accident or by an attempt to force or bounce the bolt, the force of the bolt against front edge 65 will only increase the wedge affect on the blocking element and 5 prevent the blocking element from unintentionally moving into the open position. This prevents the lock from being bounced open should the safe or other article to which the lock is attached be 10 tipped on its side, dropped, shaken, rattled or otherwise moved rapidly which may otherwise cause the blocking element 60 to move against the bias of the spring 64 out of the path of the bolt 50 and allow the lock to unwantedly open. The taper at the front edge 65 therefore 15 maintains the bolt in a locked position and holds the blocking element 60 against unwanted movement. In one embodiment the taper oa is between 20 and 100, and preferably 40. 20 Together with or as an alternative to the anti-bounce element of the tapered blocking element, another anti bounce element is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 which show a bolt 50 having a hook 70 on its inner edge. During unwanted movement of the bolt 50 towards the blocking 25 element, such as by bouncing the article, the hook 70 will locate in the open end 62 of the blocking element 60 and engage behind surface 60c. Engagement of the hook 70 in the opening 62 and behind the surface 60c prevents movement of the blocking element 60 and therefore retains 30 the lock in the locked condition. If the safe is tipped on its side and the handle is rattled to try and bounce the blocking element away from the blocking position, the handle 25 will move main bolt 35 19 which will contact the bolt 50 and swivel the bolt 50 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 12 so that taper a creates a wedge, and/or hook 70 engages behind surface 60c, before the bolt 50 is able to leave recess 23. This therefore maintains the lock locked and holds the blocking element 60 against unwanted movement. 5 In order to open the lock an authorized user locates his finger in opening 12 to provide the biometric finger print and if a match is found by the opener 10, the appropriate signal is forwarded to circuit board 24 to activate 10 solenoid 38. This causes the flapper 40 to be moved in the direction of arrow C in Figure 2 to engage the abutment surface 60d and pivot the blocking element 60 on the post 63 out of the path of the bolt 50 as is shown in Figure 10 to thereby allow the bolt to move from the 15 position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 10 to open the lock. When the door associated with the lock has been opened and the striker (not shown) has disengaged from the surface 43 20 the spring 39 again biases the bolt 50 to the closed position so that when the door is closed the bolt will move inwardly as the bolt 50 strikes the striker and then again be biased outwardly for position shown in Figure 2 to lock the lock. At the same time the solenoid 38 is 25 deactivated which withdraws the flapper 40 back to the position shown in Figure 2 and the spring 64 biases the blocking element 60 back to the position shown in Figure 2 to again lock the lock. 30 The post 37' also forms a stop for limiting the amount of movement of the blocking element 60 in the direction opposite arrow D in Figure 2 back to the blocking position so the blocking element 60 stops in the correct position to block movement of the bolt 50. 35 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 13 The blocking element 60 is balanced by the end weight 60e so that regardless of the orientation of the lock the spring 64 will bias the blocking element 60 as described above. Therefore the same spring bias is provided to the 5 blocking element 60 regardless of the orientation of the lock and therefore the blocking element 60. This enables the lock to properly operate in any orientation. It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the 10 invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context 15 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 20 features in various embodiments of the invention. 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL

Claims (13)

1. A lock comprising: a bolt; 5 a pivot for mounting the bolt for pivotal movement in a lock casing between a locking position and an open position, the pivot being located to one end of a body of the bolt to allow the bolt to swivel between the locking and open positions; 10 a blocking element mounted on a second pivot that has a pivot axis substantially parallel to the bolt pivot axis for movement between a blocking position and a release position, the blocking element blocking an end of the body of the bolt that is opposite to the end at which 15 the pivot is located when the lock is locked to prevent movement of the bolt from the locking position to the open position; and a locking mechanism for controlling movement of the blocking element between the blocking position to lock the 20 lock and a release position to open the lock.

2. The lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock casing has a fixing post to fix the lock to a door, the bolt being mounted on the fixing post with the pivot being 25 located at the fixing post.

3. The lock as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pivot is located in a corner of the casing. 30

4. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bolt is substantially 'L' shaped and includes a tongue at one end of the bolt that protrudes from the lock casing and the pivot at the opposite end. 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 15

5. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a biasing element to bias the bolt to the locking position. 5

6. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including an anti-bounce element on the blocking element for engaging the bolt when the blocking element is in the blocking position to prevent the lock from being bounced open. 10

7. The lock as claimed in claim 6, wherein the anti bounce element comprises an inclined surface on the blocking element that, when blocking the bolt, forms a wedge between the bolt and the casing. 15

8. The lock as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inclined surface is inclined at an angle of 4' to an opposing contacting edge of the bolt. 20

9. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking element is a balanced element, and has biasing means for biasing the blocking element towards the blocking position. 25

10. The lock as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a solenoid which, in one of an activated or deactivated state, allows the blocking element to remain in the blocking position, and in the other of the activated or deactivated state 30 moves the blocking element from the blocking position to the release position for opening the lock.

11. The lock as claimed in claim 10, comprising an electronic opener for receiving a biometric sample to 35 activate the opener to in turn cause the solenoid to move 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL 16 the blocking element to the release position to open the lock.

12. The lock as claimed in claim 10, comprising an 5 opener in the form of a conventional key or touch button key pad.

13. A lock, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 6724500_1 (GHMatters) P76332.AU.1 PCABRAL