[0001] The invention relates to a locking arrangement for a locking mechanism for a door
and of the kind that comprises a crossbar rotatably mounted in the door and connected
in a conventional manner to a lock bolt or cremone bar in the door, and a handle for
rotating the crossbar.
[0002] By the concept door is, within the scope of the invention, meant an object for closing
an opening in a wall. Examples are a door in a house, a safe, or a car.
[0003] In the following, the invention is described on basis of the example that the object
is a hinged door for closing and giving access through a door opening in a house.
[0004] By the concept locking pawl is, in this context, meant a relatively short bar which,
upon activation, can be displaced between a retracted position in the door and an
extended position in which an end part of the locking pawl is extending out of a lateral
edge of the door. When the door is closed, said end part can extend into a corresponding
locking opening in the wall or in a frame on the wall and thereby keep the door closed
and if so desired, locked.
[0005] By the concept cremone bar is meant a relatively long bar basically functioning in
the same way as the above mentioned locking pawl. Usually, there are two such bars
working in opposition upon activation and engaging opposite locking openings in the
wall or frame on the wall. A three-point locking is thereby formed together with a
locking pawl.
[0006] Normally, doors are provided with handles on both sides. The handles are pivotally
mounted in the respective door and moment-resistantly connected to a usually square
crossbar. A locking pawl on the crossbar engages with a lock bolt or cremone bar in
such a way that the lock bolt or cremone bar is pushed back and forth or up and down
between a closing position and an opening position upon turning of the handle.
[0007] Said arrangement is normally used for merely keeping a door closed. If the door is
to be locked as well, a separate lock is generally used, for example a cylinder lock
having a cylinder that only can be turned by means of a specific key adapted to the
lock. However, it is relatively costly to buy both arrangements and mount them on
the same door.
[0008] In recent years, locking arrangements have been developed that can be activated without
use of keys. Instead, e.g. biometric fingerprint scanners or code readers are used
to ensure that unauthorized persons do not unlock a door.
[0009] This solution is particularly convenient to use and especially in places where a
lot of people must have access to the same area, for example a building.
[0010] Authorized persons are spared from having to have often large bunch of keys just
as e.g. institutions or companies housed in a building are relieved from the trouble
of having to keep track of keys that have been handed out and keep count of whether
or not persons that are no longer authorized have forgotten to turn in the keys.
[0011] Another advantage is that a forgotten or missing key would not prevent a person from
entering or exiting a door to e.g. his home or workplace. For example, a fingerprint
cannot be forgotten or be lost.
[0012] However, fingerprint scanners and code readers only function as long as they are
connected to a power supply. If the power supply is interrupted or circuit of the
locking arrangement is broken, the locking arrangement stops functioning. Then, a
locked door cannot be opened so that people cannot get in or out of the door opening.
[0013] The above disadvantages of the known locking arrangements are overcome according
to the invention by
in a first aspect according to the invention providing a locking arrangement of the
kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, that has a simple structure,
in a second aspect according to the invention providing a locking arrangement of the
kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, that can be mounted on a door at fewer costs
than hitherto known,
in a third aspect according to the invention providing a locking arrangement of the
kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, that can be activated both electrically and
manually,
in a fourth aspect according to the invention providing a locking arrangement of the
kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, that can be activated by a fingerprint and/or
a code.
[0014] The novel and unique feature according to the invention, whereby this is achieved,
is the fact that the locking mechanism of the locking arrangement comprises a first
coupling having two coupling parts for bringing the crossbar into and out of engagement
with the handle, a second coupling having two coupling parts for bringing the crossbar
into and out of engagement with the handle, an electrically operating first actuator
for engaging and disengaging the first coupling, and a manually operated second actuator
for engaging and disengaging the second coupling.
[0015] This locking arrangement is inexpensive to produce and easy to mount on the door
because there is no need for a separate lock to lock the door but only the handle
or handles and the crossbar that are already there.
[0016] The locking arrangement according to the invention comprises electrically operated,
biometric fingerprint scanners and/or code readers for activating the electrically
operating first actuator for engaging and disengaging the first coupling.
[0017] The presence of the manually operated second actuator for engagement of the second
coupling effectively ensures that a locked door can be unlocked if the power to the
locking arrangement should fail.
[0018] According to the invention, the crossbar and the handle can form part as essential
structural elements of both couplings whereby the locking arrangement according to
the invention is given a simple, inexpensive and very effective structure.
[0019] In an especially advantageous and simple embodiment, one of the coupling parts of
the first coupling according to the invention can be shaped as a disc mounted displaceably
and moment-resistantly on the crossbar whereas its second coupling part can be made
in an end section of the handle. The two coupling parts can e.g. be formed with cooperating
claw couplings.
[0020] According to the invention, the electrically operating first actuator for engagement
and disengagement of the first coupling can furthermore comprise an engaging fork
pivotally mounted on a pivot pin in the locking arrangement and pivotal about this
pivot pin by an electric motor. The fork attacks the back (seen in the disengagement
direction) of the first coupling disc.
[0021] The two coupling parts of the first coupling are coupled when the current is switched
on to the first actuator. The door can now be opened by turning the handle.
[0022] The first actuator is only arranged to engage the disc of the first coupling with
its second coupling part.
[0023] According to the invention, the locking arrangement therefore comprises a spring
having a spring power applying force to the disc of the first coupling in the disengagement
direction whereby the first coupling is automatically disengaged if the power to the
motor of the first actuator is disconnected, for example upon power failure.
[0024] According to the invention, one of the coupling parts of the second coupling can
furthermore be formed on a pin mounted displaceably and moment-resistantly in a recess
in the handle whereas its second coupling part can be formed in an end section of
the crossbar.
[0025] As it appears, both the crossbar and the handle are thus used for both the first
coupling and the second coupling whereby the number of component parts for producing
the two couplings is advantageously reduced.
[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the manually operated, second actuator can comprise
a cylinder lock moment-resistantly mounted in the recess of the handle and a screwed
connection between the cylinder of the cylinder lock and the pin of the second coupling.
[0027] If the power to the first actuator fails, the second coupling can be engaged by manually
turning a key fitting the cylinder of the cylinder lock so that the pin of the second
coupling is screwed into engagement with the second coupling parts of the second coupling
on the crossbar by means of the screwed connection.
[0028] Now, the lock can be unlocked and the door be opened.
[0029] According to the invention, the screwed connection can be arranged in such a way
that the key has to be turned many times to engage the second coupling. An unauthorized
person who is in possession of a correct key would therefore tend to abandon the attempt
as the key normally only has to be turned a part of a rotation to be able to unlock
a regular lock.
[0030] The invention will be explained in greater details below, describing only exemplary
embodiments and advantageous characteristics with reference to the drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a front fractional view of a door having a control panel and a handle for
a locking arrangement according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a locking mechanism for the locking arrangement,
Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the locking mechanism in a locking state,
Fig. 4 is a view of the locking mechanism in fig. 3 in an electrically activated unlockable
state,
Fig. 5 is a view of the locking mechanism in fig. 3 in a manually activated unlockable
state,
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an electrically operated actuator
for bringing the locking mechanism into the unlockable state in fig. 4, and
Fig. 7 is a front view of the same.
[0031] In the following, an exemplary embodiment according to the invention is described
in which the locking arrangement 1 is for a door 2 for closing a door opening 3 encircled
by a frame 4.
[0032] Usually, a door can be operated from both sides. In fig. 1 it is shown that a control
panel 5 and a handle 6 are mounted on at least one side of the door.
[0033] In the case shown, a lock bolt 7 is pushed into a locking opening 8 formed in a lock
washer 9 recessed in the lateral edge 10 of the frame. The door is closed and possibly
locked.
[0034] The door can be unlocked electrically by means of a fingerprint on a fingerprint
scanner 11 or by entering a specific code on a code reader 12. Both the fingerprint
scanner 11 and the code reader 12 are located on a cover 13 on the door 2.
[0035] Alternatively, the door can be unlocked manually by a key fitting a cylinder lock
14 mounted in the handle 6 which is pivotally mounted on the cover 13.
[0036] When the door is to be opened in one of the above-described ways, a locking mechanism
15 in the locking arrangement 1 is activated. This locking mechanism, shown in an
exploded view in fig. 2, is partly located in a recess (not shown) in the door.
[0037] The locking mechanism 15 comprises the cylinder lock 14 shown in fig. 1 in the handle
6. In the cylinder lock is a cylinder 16 in which a groove 17 is made in its end face
18. An adapter 19 having a threaded connection 20 fits the groove 17. A pin 21 is
screwed onto the threaded connection of the adapter. The cylinder can be turned by
a key 22 having a predetermined shape and fitting a keyhole 23 in the cylinder 16.
The keyhole is shown in fig. 1.
[0038] The locking mechanism 15 furthermore comprises a crossbar 24 having in this case
a square cross section. The crossbar is rotatably mounted in the door and connected
in a conventional manner to the lock bolt 7.
[0039] On rotating the crossbar, the locking pawl 8 is pushed sideways out of the door 2
in a normal manner and into the locking opening 8 in the lock washer 9.
[0040] A disc 25 is displaceably, but moment-resistantly mounted on the crossbar. The disc
is formed with claws 27 which can cooperate with corresponding claws 28 on the end
part of the handle 6.
[0041] A second disc 26 is fastened on the end of the crossbar. The disc is made with a
slot 29 which can cooperate with a corresponding key 30 on the pin 21.
[0042] Figs. 3, 4, and 5 show in detail how the locking mechanism 15 is arranged and functions.
[0043] The displaceable disc 25 with claws 27 form together with the claws 28 on the end
part of the handle 6 a first coupling whereas the fixed disc with the slot 29 form
a second coupling together with the pin 21 with the key 30.
[0044] In fig. 3, both couplings are disengaged. If the door 2 is closed, it is also locked
as there is no connection between the crossbar 24 and the handle 6 which thereby can
be turned without bringing the crossbar.
[0045] Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views of an electrically operated actuator 31 for
engaging the first coupling 25, 28. The actuator comprises an engaging fork 32 pivotally
mounted on a pivot pin 33 fastened in the door. The engaging fork is provided with
two pins 34 catching behind the disc 25. An electric motor 35 has a pinion drive 36
engaging a toothed wheel 37 on the pivot pin 33. On connecting the motor to a power
source (not shown), it rotates the engaging fork to the position shown in fig. 6.
[0046] In the situation shown in fig. 4, the claws of the displaceable disc 25 are connected
to the claws 28 of the handle, resulting in the crossbar and the handle being connected
to each other. This means that the door now can be unlocked merely by turning the
handle so that the crossbar is rotated and the lock bolt 7 thereby is pulled out of
the locking opening 8 in the frame 4.
[0047] The motor can be connected to a power source (not shown) by providing a fingerprint
on the fingerprint scanner 11 of the control panel or alternatively entering a predetermined
code on the code reader 12 of the control panel.
[0048] If the power fails, the displaceable disc 25 of the first coupling is pushed back
by a pressure spring 38 acting between the displaceable disc 25 and the fixed disc
26 until it comes up against a collar 39 on the crossbar 24.
[0049] The situation is now the same as the one shown in fig. 3. A locked door cannot be
unlocked whereby the serious problem that people cannot get either in or out of the
door might occur.
[0050] This problem is solved by means of the second coupling 26,29 which comprises the
fixed disc 26 with the slot 29 and the pin 21 with the key 30.
[0051] As mentioned earlier, the adapter 19 is fitted into a groove 17 in the end face 18
on the cylinder 16 of the cylinder lock 14, and the pin 21 is screwed onto a threaded
connection 20 on the adapter.
[0052] Therefore when the cylinder is turned with the key 22, the pin 21 is screwed outwards
on the threaded connection 20 of the adapter 19 until its key 30 engages the slot
29 in the fixed disc 26 on the crossbar 24, the adapter being retained against turning
by a wedge 40 in a key groove 41 in a recess 42 in the handle.
[0053] In this way, a locked door can be opened manually if the power to the locking arrangement
fails.
1. A locking arrangement with a locking mechanism (15) for a door (2) and of the kind
comprising
- a crossbar (24) rotatably mounted in the door (2) and connected in a conventional
manner to a lock bolt (7) or cremone bar in the door, and
- a handle (6) for rotating the crossbar (24),
characterized in that the locking mechanism (15) comprises
- a first coupling (25, 28) having two coupling parts (25, 28) for bringing the crossbar
(24) into and out of engagement with the handle,
- a second coupling (21,26) having two coupling parts (21, 26) for bringing the crossbar
(24) into and out of engagement with the handle,
- an electrically operating first actuator (31) for engaging and disengaging the first
coupling, and
- a manually operated second actuator (16) for engaging and disengaging the second
coupling.
2. A locking arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the coupling parts of the first coupling is formed on a disc (25) displaceably
and moment-resistantly mounted on the crossbar (24) whereas its second coupling part
is formed in an end section (28) of the handle.
3. A locking arrangement according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the electrically operating first actuator comprises an engaging fork (32) pivotally
mounted on a pivot pin (33) in the locking arrangement and an electric motor (35)
for pivoting the fork.
4. A locking arrangement according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises a spring (38) having a spring power applying force
to the disc (25) of the first coupling in the disengagement direction.
5. A locking arrangement according to any of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the first coupling (25, 28) is a claw coupling.
6. A locking arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the coupling parts of the second coupling is a pin (21) displaceably and moment-resistantly
mounted in a recess (42) in the handle (6) whereas its second coupling part is made
in an end section (26) of the crossbar (24).
7. A locking arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the manually operated second actuator comprises a cylinder lock (14) moment-resistantly
mounted in a recess (42) in the handle (6), and a screwed connection (20) between
the cylinder (16) of the cylinder lock (14) and the pin of the second coupling.
8. A locking arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second coupling is a key and slot coupling (30, 29).
9. A locking arrangement according to any of the claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the locking arrangement comprises at least one signal unit (11,12) connected to a
power source, and a switch for connecting the electrically operating first actuator
(31) to the power source upon reception of a signal from the signal unit.
10. A locking arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the signal unit is a biometric fingerprint scanner (11) and/or a code reader (12).