OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, relates to
an electromechanical lock, which falls within the field of the locksmith trade and
more specifically, within the field of electromechanical locks.
[0002] It is a retractable, modular anti-panic lock, with magnetic and mechanical self-locking,
automatic/manual closure by means of a closure latch, remote opening, a side-hung
door with a door retainer, anti-panic door handle operation and key operated opening.
[0003] The magnetic and mechanical self-locking feature is a new benefit provided by the
lock object of the invention, the same possessing relevant and characteristics that
distinguish it from the self-locking mechanisms built into other conventional electromechanical
locks. Its characteristic design is remarkably suitable for European chamber doors
and the characteristics related to the mounting, adjustment and stockage thereof are
furthermore noteworthy, advantageously making it possible for the same to be used
for its designated purpose.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The lock object of the present invention includes a series of significant improvements
on utility model No.
ES 1 036 179 (property of the same holder as the holder of the present invention), which relates
to a modular, retractable electromechanical mortise lock with mechanical remote opening
and closure and manual anti-panic operation, a key and a door retainer, the same constituting
a first retractable electromechanical lock built into the door frame, the configuration
of which had not previously been introduced.
[0005] Utility model no.
ES 1 068 812 property of Montajes Electrónicos Dorcas, S.L., is also known about, the same presenting
several considerable similarities with utility model
ES 1 036 179 mentioned in the paragraph above.
[0006] Another, general type of electric locks to be installed in doors are known, but they
are clearly disadvantageous in that they require an electrical pre-installation in
the hinge shaft between the door and the frame in order to facilitate remote opening.
[0007] Finally, the arrangement of the mechanical lock and electric strike plate continues
to prove advantageous in that the door mobile piece does not have wiring, since the
electrics are installed in the frame or fixed piece, in which the electric strike
plate is housed. The disadvantages presented are mainly derived from the design of
the electric strike plate and side hung door, such that, in order to release the bolt,
the profile of the frame in which it is installed must be broken from the front, the
damage caused remaining visible in outward swinging doors, as is generally the case
in the new anti-panic legislation for communal doors.
[0008] Another problem is the fragility in mechanical bolt locks linked to electric strike
plates generally known as "door openers", in doors through which many people pass,
for example in the communal doors to flats. Finally, the diverse range of opening
options, for example in inward swinging and outward swinging, rotational and left
or right sliding doors, requires sellers to hold a wide range of stock.
[0009] As such, the present invention aims to prevent the door from being forced open as
a result of the closure latch being moved inappropriately.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] With the aim of fulfilling the objectives and preventing the limitations set out
above, the invention proposes an electromechanical lock comprising a strike plate
fixed to a door frame and a housing fixed to said door, where the housing and strike
plate delimit internal spaces where different elements of mechanisms and devices are
housed, both the strike plate and the housing being provided with front plates with
through holes, through which they are respectively fixed to the door and to the frame.
[0011] A drive lever that pivots around a fixed shaft is located inside the housing, a fixed
guide rod is located above which the fixed shaft, a first compression spring being
coupled to the fixed guide rod and a double latch retainer being coupled to said fixed
guide rod.
[0012] The retainer is moved towards the inside of the housing against the resistance of
the first spring when the door is closed and comes into contact with the frame, where
this backwards movement of the retainer drags the drive lever with it by means of
a second spring that works in torque, said second spring is coupled to the fixed shaft
and said drive lever rotating in an anti-clockwise direction, in turn dragging the
same a closure latch in a forwards direction, until reaching an advanced closure position,
whereby an upper portion of the drive lever is linked to the first spring.
[0013] The lock of the invention furthermore includes additional devices for acting on the
drive lever and making it to rotate in a clockwise direction, where the closure latch
moves in a backwards direction, thereby releasing the door opening.
[0014] Moreover, the invention comprises a characteristic closure latch locking device to
prevent the door from being forced open by inappropriately moving the closure latch
in a backwards direction in order to release it.
[0015] Said locking device comprises a self-locking lever, which pivots on a fixed front
shaft located above the closure latch, the self-locking lever having an first lower
angular recess and a second lower inverted V-shaped recess opposite a copier shaft
integrally joined to the drive lever, the self-locking lever furthermore being provided
with an open channel opposite a spool built into a guide shaft located above the copier
shaft, where said guide shaft is integrally joined to the drive lever.
[0016] The first lower angular recess of the self-locking lever is complemented with a rear
cornered area of the closure latch, which buts against said first lower angular recess
when the same is located in a resting position in which the copier shaft is found
inside the second lower inverted V-shaped recess and the closure latch is in the advanced
door closed position.
[0017] The spool of the guide shaft constitutes a means for driving the self-locking lever
as it rotates as a result of the rotation of the drive lever, where the self-locking
lever is initially driven via the copier shaft.
[0018] The locking device is furthermore complemented by a permanent magnet housed in an
upper grooving of the closure latch, such that when the same is in an advanced position
closing the door, the self-locking lever is retained by the permanent magnet upon
which it is supported in a resting position.
[0019] The surface upon which the self-locking lever is supported by the permanent magnet
is located on a lower plane below the fixed front shaft integrally joined to the housing.
[0020] The drive lever integrates a curved portion arranged in front of a drive shaft integrally
joined to the closure latch, whilst a lower branch of a third spring, that also that
works in torque, is found behind said drive shaft butting against the same. This third
spring has another upper branch, which is anchored to the drive lever itself, where,
when the closure latch is in an advanced position, there is a clearance "C" located
between the drive shaft and the curved portion of the drive tilt lever.
[0021] The third spring is coupled around the guide shaft integrally joined to the drive
lever, where this third spring tends to push the closure latch forwards to the door
closed position.
[0022] The lock of the invention includes a modular support fixed to the closure latch,
in which there is a straight groove where a front shaft integrally joined to the housing
is fitted, where the same is driven on said front shaft as the closure latch moves,
through the straight groove of the modular support.
[0023] One of the additional devices for acting on the drive lever comprises a cam linked
to a first crank that pivots on a first fixed front shaft, one end of said first crank
having an end shaft coupled in a groove located on a lower stretch of the drive tilt
lever below the curved portion thereof.
[0024] Another additional device for acting on the drive lever comprises a cam linked to
a second crank, which pivots on a second fixed front shaft, the second crank being
linked to the drive tilt lever by means of a connecting rod with a longitudinal groove
in which an end pin integrally joined to the drive tilt lever and a pin integrally
joined to the second crank are coupled.
[0025] The articulated join of the self-locking lever around the fixed front shaft is located
at a front end of the self-locking lever, opposite a rear end where the bottom of
the open channel pertaining to said self-locking lever is found. In turn, the fixed
front shaft is located in an area adjacent to the edges of an opening in the housing
upon which the front plate thereof sits.
[0026] The closure latch has a staggered relief that buts against the front plate of the
housing when said closure latch in which the door is closed is in advanced position.
[0027] In order to facilitate a better understanding of this specification, a series of
drawings have been included below, which form an integral part of the same and provide
a non-limiting illustration of the object of the invention:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028]
Figure 1 is an elevation view of the electromechanical lock in theory comprising a housing
fixed to a side hung element such as a door and a strike plate fixed to a door frame.
A set of elements is stored in the housing, of which it is worth noting a drive tilt
lever linked to a closure latch and a door retainer with a double latch linked to
the strike plate, which has an electric device built inside it and unlocks the door
by means of the retainer when activated.
Figures 2 to 6 are elevation views showing the elements of various mechanisms located in the housing
in different positions.
Figure 7 is an elevation view of the electromechanical lock, wherein it is possible to observe
the elements in the housing in addition to the elements in the strike plate.
Figures 8 to 10 are elevation views in which it is possible to observe the door retainer in various
positions.
Figures 11 and 12 represent two alternative embodiments of the drive lever supported by the housing
fixed to the door.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the closure latch built into the housing fixed to the door.
Figure 14 is a cross-section of the closure latch, in which the incorporation of a magnet is
highlighted.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In view of the numbering adopted in the drawings, the electromechanical lock comprises
a strike plate (1) fixed to a door frame and a housing (2) fixed to said door. The
strike plate (1) and the housing (2) delimit internal spaces in which different elements
of mechanisms and devices used to achieve the operation foreseen are housed. Both
the strike plate (1) and the housing (2) have front plates (1 a), (1 b), through which
they are fixed to the door and to the frame respectively.
[0030] The electromechanical lock of the invention is a retractable, modular anti-panic
lock, with magnetic and mechanical self-locking, automatic manual closure with a closure
latch (3), remote opening, a side-hung door with a door retainer (4), anti-panic door
handle operation and key operated opening.
[0031] A drive lever (5) is located inside the housing (2) the drive lever (5) pivots around
a fixed shaft (6), above which a fixed guide rod (7) is located, a first spring (8)
working by compression, being coupled to the fixed guide rod (7) and the retainer
(4) with double latch being coupled to said fixed guide rod (7) opposite a through
window (9) located in the front plate (2a) of the housing (2).
[0032] The retainer (4) is moved towards the inside of the housing (2) against the resistance
of the first spring (8) when the door is closed and comes into contact with the frame,
such that this backwards movement of the retainer (4) drags the drive lever (5) by
means of a second spring (10) working by torque, said drive lever (5) rotating in
an anti-clockwise direction, the same in turn dragging the closure latch (3) to the
closure position, the same being introduced into a rear hollow (11) in the front plate
(1 a) of the strike plate (1). The front plate (2a) of the housing (2) has another
front hollow (12) through which the closure latch (3) is also guided and passes. An
upper portion of the drive lever (5) is linked to the first spring (8).
[0033] Moreover, the second spring (10) is coupled to the fixed shaft (6), such that this
second spring (10) has a front branch linked to the retainer (4) and a second branch
linked to a reset shaft (13) integrally joined to the drive lever (5).
[0034] The drive lever (5) incorporates a guide shaft (14), where a third spring (15) is
coupled, the third spring (15) working by torque and having an upper branch linked
to the drive lever (5) itself and a lower branch, which buts against a drive shaft
(16) integrally joined to the closure latch (3), where this third spring (15) tends
to push the closure latch (3) forwards.
[0035] The drive lever (5) incorporates a curved portion (5a) arranged in front (right side)
of the drive shaft (16) of the closure latch (3), whilst the lower branch of the third
spring (15) is located behind (left side) said drive shaft (16), butting against the
same. When the closure latch (3) is in closed position, there is a clearance "C" between
the drive shaft (16) and the curved portion (5a) of the drive lever (5).
[0036] A modular support (17) fixed to the closure latch (3) has been provided for, modular
support (17) incorporates a straight groove (18), in which a front shaft (19) integrally
joined to the housing (2) is fitted, such that as the closure latch (3) moves, the
same is driven in said front shaft (19) via the straight groove (18) in the modular
support (17).
[0037] When the door is closed by means of the closure latch (3), to release the door by
means of a first additional device and by means of a second additional device is possible,
the activation of both the first additional device and the second additional device
causes the drive lever (7) to rotate in a clockwise direction, thereby causing the
closure latch (3) to move back to its resting position, in which the door closure
is released.
[0038] A third additional device in order to release the closure of the door located inside
the strike plate (1) fixed to the frame has also been provided.
[0039] These three additional devices of the invention in question present a drive system
similar to that described in the utility model U 9 700 120 of the same holder that
the present invention.
[0040] The first additional device consists of a follower (20) linked to an intermediate
shaft (21) integrally joined to the drive lever (5), such that when the follower (20)
rotates in one direction with an external door handle against the resistance of a
fourth spring (22), the drive lever (5) rotates in a clockwise direction against the
resistance of the first spring (8), the closure latch (3) moving through its drive
shaft (16) during this operation, towards the open position having been dragged by
the curved portion of the drive lever (5).
[0041] There are two possible embodiments of the second additional device, both of which
include a cam (23) linked to a rotational cylinder, which rotates by means of the
action of the barrel of a when a key is introduced into the lock.
[0042] In one embodiment illustrated by way of example in Figures 2 and 3, the cam (23)
is linked to a first crank (24), which pivots on a first fixed front shaft (25), one
end of said first crank (24) having an end shaft (26) coupled in a groove located
in a lower stretch of the drive lever (5) below the curved portion thereof (5a).
[0043] In another embodiment of the second additional device, as shown in Figures 4 and
6, the cam (23) is linked to a second crank (28), which pivots on a second fixed front
shaft (29), the second crank (28) being linked to the drive lever (5) via a connecting
rod (30) with a longitudinal groove (31) in which an end pin (32) integrally joined
to the drive lever (5) and a pin (33) integrally joined to the second crank (28) are
coupled.
[0044] As shown in Figure 7, the third additional device comprises an electromagnet (34),
the activation of which mobilises the core (34a) that acts on an angular support (35)
against the resistance of a fifth spring (36) working by torque, which is coupled
to the angular support (25) on a ratchet shaft (37), such that one of the branches
of the fourth spring (36) buts against one of the branches of the angular support
(35), whilst the other branch buts against a fixed pin (38).
[0045] The third additional device is complemented by a tilt mechanism, which is held in
resting position by means of the angular support (35), such that said tilt mechanism
has a front peg (40) joined to a tilting base (39) coupled to an upper shaft (41)
alongside a sixth spring (42) working by torque.
[0046] When in resting position, the front peg (40) of the tilt mechanism covers a window
(43) in the front plate (1a) of the strike plate (1) against which the retainer (4)
is butting, such that the fifth spring (36) always tends to keep the tilting base
assembly in a depressed position, in which the front peg (40) is fitted into the window
(43) of the front plate (1a) of the strike plate (1). In this resting position, in
which the door is closed, the retainer (4) is retracted against the resistance of
the first spring (8), butting against the peg (40) of the tilting base (39).
[0047] Following on from the previous paragraph, when the front peg (40) of the tilting
base (39) covers said window (43) owing to the fact that an end portion of the tilting
base (39) hooks against another end portion of the angular support, such that when
the electromagnet is activated, the hook of the tilting base (39) is released, furthermore
releasing the door opening, since the closure latch (3) moves backwards (3) when the
drive lever (5) rotates in a clockwise direction as a result of the action of the
first spring (8), which pushes the retainer (4) towards the inside of the strike plate
(1 a) through the window in the front plate (1 a) of the closure latch (1).
[0048] Moreover, the lock of the invention furthermore comprises a locking device for the
closure latch (3) in order to prevent the door from being forced open as a result
of the closure latch (3) being inappropriately withdrawn.
[0049] The locking device comprises a self-locking lever (44) that pivots on a fixed front
shaft (45) located above the closure latch (3), the self-locking lever (44) having
a first lower angular recess (46) and a second lower inverted V-shaped recess (47)
opposite a copier shaft (48) integrally joined to the drive lever (5), the self-locking
lever (44) furthermore being provided with an open channel (49) opposite a spool (14a)
built into the guide shaft (14) located above the copier shaft (48).
[0050] The locking device is furthermore complemented by a permanent magnet (50) housed
in an upper grooving (3a) of the closure latch (3), such that when the closure latch
(3) is in an advanced door closed position, as shown in the detail represented in
Figure 2, the self-locking lever (44) is retained by the permanent magnet (50) upon
which it is supported in a resting position. When the self-locking lever (44) reinforced
by the permanent magnet (50) is found in this resting position, the copier shaft (48)
is located inside the second lower inverted V-shaped recess (47) of the self-locking
lever (44), such that should one attempt to move the closure latch (3) backwards in
this position, acting directly on the same, they would not be able to do so, since
upon attempting this forced withdrawal operation, a rear cornered area (3b) of the
closure latch (3) would but against the first lower angular recess (46) of the self-locking
lever (44).
[0051] Taking into account the closure of the door in which the self-locking lever (44)
is in resting position supported on the permanent magnet (50), when one of the three
additional devices for voluntarily releasing the door are activated, the drive lever
(5) would begin to rotate in a clockwise direction, such that in order to make this
operation possible, there is a necessary clearance "C" between the drive shaft (16)
of the drive lever (5) and the curved portion (5a) of said drive lever (5).
[0052] As the drive lever (5) begins to rotate, it rotates freely without acting on the
drive shaft (16) of the closure latch (3), thereby meaning the copier shaft (48) simultaneously
causes the self-locking lever (44) to rotate releasing said self-locking lever (44)
from the permanent magnet (50) such that following the rotation of the drive shaft
(5) and the simultaneous rotation of the self-locking lever (44), the spool (14a)
of the guide shaft (14) integrally joined to the drive lever (5) is gradually introduced
into the open channel (49) thereof.
[0053] It must be noted that in one embodiment, the surface of the permanent magnet (50)
upon which the self-locking lever (44) is supported is located on a lower plane below
the fixed front shaft (45) integrally joined to the housing (2).
[0054] The articulated join of the self-locking lever (44) around the fixed front shaft
(45) is located at a front end of the self-locking lever (44), opposite a rear end
where the bottom of the open channel (49) pertaining to said self-locking lever (44)
is found.
[0055] Said fixed front shaft (45) is located in an area adjacent to the edges of an opening
in the housing (2), upon which the front plate (2a) thereof sits.
[0056] The closure latch (3) has a staggered relief (3c) that buts against the front plate
(2a) of the housing (2) when said closure latch (3) is in advanced position in which
the door is closed.
[0057] The front plate (1 a) of the strike plate includes a limiting stop (51) used to locate
the tilting base (39) of the third additional device when the same is found in resting
position driven by the sixth spring (42).
[0058] In order to limit the rotation of the follower (20) driven by the fourth spring (22),
when the first additional device is in resting position, a fixed support (52) integrally
joined to the housing (2) has been provided for.
[0059] The copier shaft (48) is tangent to the second lower inverted V-shaped recess (47)
including the self-locking lever (44) to this end. Upon first attempting to open the
door, either using the door handle, a key or through electric means, the copier shaft
(48) releases the magnetic-mechanical lock exerted by the self-locking lever (44)
made of ferrous-magnetic material, since there is a clearance or pre-travel stretch
"C" between the drive shaft (16) and the curved portion (5a) of the drive lever (5),
thereby enabling the door to be opened.
[0060] In the non-electrified application (Figures 2, 3, 5, 5 and 6), the locks facilitate
the general implementation thereof of an upper and/or lower doorframe in either a
vertical or horizontal direction, thereby keeping the magnetic-mechanical self-locking
feature active. This is something that no other similar lock model has accomplished.
[0061] The new independent self-locking lever (44) lock system of the invention prevents
unwanted attempts to release the door when the person attempting to sabotage the lock
does so by means of making a hole or perforation in the door frame at the height of
the closure latch (3), through which various tools in attempt to release this closure
latch (3) from its location in the frame, naturally pushing and/or causing vibrations
in attempt to open the door.
1. An electromechanical lock,
- comprising at least one housing fixed to a door, where the housing delimits an internal
space in which different elements of mechanisms and devices are housed, furthermore
comprising front plates opposite through holes, the front plates are fixed to the
door and the frame;
- a drive lever located inside the housing that pivots on a fixed shaft, above which
a fixed guide rod is located, with a first spring working by compression and a double
latch retainer that are coupled to said fixed guide rod;
- the retainer is moved towards the inside of the housing against the resistance of
the first spring when the door is closed and comes into contact with the frame, wherein
this backwards movement of the retainer drags the drive lever by means of a second
spring working by torque and is coupled to the fixed shaft, said drive lever rotating
in an anti-clockwise direction, in turn dragging a closure latch in a forwards direction,
until reaching an advanced closure position, whereby an upper portion of the drive
lever is linked to the first spring;
- moreover comprising at least one additional device for acting on the drive lever
and making it to rotate in a clockwise direction, wherein the closure latch moves
backwards thereby releasing the door opening;
- also comprising a closure latch locking device to prevent the door from being forced
open by inappropriately moving the closure latch backwards;
characterised in that:
- the locking device comprises a self-locking lever (44), which pivots on a fixed
front shaft (45) integrally joined to the housing (2), said fixed front shaft (45)
being located above the closure latch (3); the self-locking lever (44) having a first
lower angular recess (46) and a second lower inverted V-shaped recess (47) opposite
a copier shaft (48) integrally joined to the drive lever (5), the self-locking lever
(44) furthermore being provided with an open channel (49) opposite a spool (14a) built
into a guide shaft (14) located above the copier shaft (48), wherein said guide shaft
(14) is integrally joined to the drive lever (5);
- the first lower angular recess (46) of the self-locking lever (44) is complemented
with a rear cornered area (3b) of the closure latch (3), said rear cornered area (3b)
buts against said first lower angular recess (46) when the self-locking lever (44)
is located in a resting position in which the copier shaft (48) is found inside the
second lower inverted V-shaped recess (47) and the closure latch (3) is in the advanced
door closed position;
- the spool (14a) of the guide shaft (14) constitutes a means for driving the self-locking
lever (44) as it rotates as a result of the rotation of the drive lever (5), wherein
the self-locking lever (44) is initially driven via the copier shaft (48).
2. The electromechanical lock according to claim 1,
characterised in that:
- the locking device is furthermore complemented by a permanent magnet (50) housed
in an upper grooving (3a) of the closure latch (3), such that when the closure latch
(3)is in an advanced door closed position, the self-locking lever (44) is retained
by the permanent magnet (50) upon which it is supported in a resting position;
- the surface of the permanent magnet (50) upon which the self-locking lever (44)
is supported is located on a lower plane below the fixed front shaft (45) integrally
joined to the housing (2).
3. The electromechanical lock according to any of the previous claims,
characterised in that:
- the drive lever (5) integrates a curved portion (5a) arranged in front of a drive
shaft (16) integrally joined to the closure latch (3), whilst a lower branch of a
third spring (15), working by torsion, is found behind said drive shaft (16) butting
against the drive shaft (16); this third spring (15) has another upper branch, which
is anchored to the drive lever (5) itself, wherein, in an advanced position of the
closure latch (3), there exist a clearance "C" located between the drive shaft (16)
and the curved portion (5a) of the drive lever (5).
4. The electromechanical lock according to claim 3, characterised in that the third spring (15) is coupled around the guide shaft (14) integrally joined to
the drive lever (5), where this third spring (15) tends to push the closure latch
(3) forwards towards the door closed position.
5. The electromechanical lock according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the electromechanical lock includes a modular support (17) fixed to the closure latch
(3), which integrates a straight groove (18) in which a front shaft (19) integrally
joined to the housing (2) is fitted, wherein the closure latch (3) is driven in said
front shaft (19) as the closure latch (3) moves via the straight groove (18) of the
modular support (17).
6. THE ELECTROMECHANICAL LOCK according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that an additional device for acting on the drive lever (5) comprises a cam (23) linked
to a first crank (24), which pivots on a first fixed front shaft (25), one end of
said first crank (24) having an end shaft (26) coupled to a groove (27) located in
a lower stretch of the drive lever (5).
7. The electromechanical lock according to any of the previous claims 1 to 5, characterised in that an additional device for acting on the drive lever (5) comprises a cam (23) linked
to a second crank (28), which pivots on a second fixed front shaft (29), the second
crank (28) being linked to the drive lever (5) by means of a connecting rod (30) with
a longitudinal groove (31) in which an end pin (32) integrally joined to the drive
lever (5) and a pin (33) integrally joined to the second crank (28) are coupled.
8. The electromechanical lock according to any of the previous claims,
characterised in that:
- the articulated connection of the self-locking lever (44) around the fixed front
shaft (45) is located at a front end of the self-locking lever (44), opposite a rear
end where the bottom of the open channel (49) pertaining to said self-locking lever
(44) is found;
- the fixed front shaft (45) is located in an area adjacent to the edges of an opening
in the housing (2), upon which the front plate (2a) thereof sits.
9. The electromechanical lock according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the closure latch (3) has a staggered relief (3c), which buts against the front plate
(2a) of the housing (2) when said closure latch (3) is in the advanced position in
which the door is closed.