CA2059384A1 - Card operated lock - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A lockset 2 has a card key actuated locking knob 4. A
key 10 is adapted to enable a locking member 8 to be withdrawn by bearing, or pulling, on the free end 20 of the key 10 to rotate the knob 4. The key is preferably longer than is usual so that it can be used as a lever handle and may have a T-bar 24 or the like hung on its free end 20 to facilitate gripping by the handicapped, elderly and very young.

Description

2 ~

CARD OPERATED ~OC~

This invention relates to a card operated lock, that is a lock in wh~ch the key is i~ the form o~ a card which carries a code for unlocking the lock. Such 'card keys' are typically ~emi-rigid, substantially flat and formed of cardboard, plastics and/or metal. The code may be in various forms and typically may aomprise a pattern of holes which i~ detected electronically in the lock, or a pattern of magnetic poles such as described in lo VS-A-4133194.

To assist handicapped persons, a lever operated lock is specified in many applications. A lever is used to unlatch the lock, but a separate key is still provided to unlock the lock. This is particularly suitable with a card operated lock where the card is inserted into the lockset to unlock the lock, the card being retained in the lock and the same hand being used to turn the lever to withdraw the latch and open the door, after which the card can be withdrawn and the lock returns to the locked 20 mode. Such a lock is described in EP-A-0241323.

To assist handicapped persons, the elderly and children with the use of keys which compri~e a stem and a bow (head) on thQ ~tem, the bow has been enlarged, or elongated to form a T or ~ ~hape, which thus offers better leverage and i~ easier to grasp, squeeze and rotate when unlocking the lock. The key is turned to throw a bolt or latoh, or otherwise to unlock ths lock.
Thus in ~ome lock~èts the key i~ turnad to allow the bolt or latoh to be withdrawn by turning a lever-type handle, and in others the turning of the key itself will withdraw a bolt or latch.

A lever-type lockset is often more expensive than the cylindrical type lock~et, such as is desaribed in US-A-4133194, in which the lever is replaaed by a 15 cylindrical knob which is turned to withdraw the latch.
This is because a greater force can be applied to the lever to try and force the lock, and a strong spring-return mechani~m must be provided ~o return and hold the lever in the horizontal position. Typically the lever will be of steel or brass, except in very light duty applications where it may be of aluminium, which is more easily damaged. The cylindrical lockset is, however, more difficult for the handicapped, elderly and very young to operate ~ecause of the aombined grasping and turning motion which is required. It i5 2~3~

also known to modify a cylindrical lockset by attaching a lever to the knob. HoweverJ this is cumbersome, there is often a problem with the spring return on the knob not bsîng sufficient to counter the weight of the lever, and also there i 8 ~till a need or a key to unlock the lock.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a card operated lock comprising a lockset having a knob which i6 arranged to be turned to withdraw a lo locking member, and a key in the form of a card which is inserted into a slot in the knob to unlock the lock, a free end of the card extending out of the knob whsn the card is inserted in the knob to unlock the lock, whe.rein the free end of the card is adapted to be operated on by the user to turn the knob to withdraw the locking member.

The free end of the aard may be adapted by providing a card of increased length which protrudes sufficiently far out of the knob to be gripped or for the user to bear on the card end, similar to the operation of a lever. In another form, a T-bar or loop may he attached to the free end of the card, the user gripping or bearing on the T-bar or loop to pull on the end of the card to rotate the knob.

2 ~ 3 ~

Very preferably the slot is arranged ao that the card is inserted generally horizontally i~to the knob so that it extenas out sideways fro~ the knob for optimum leverage when a downwar~s forae is applled to the end o the card. Preferably the slot will ~ace away from the adjacent door jamb.

Other arrangement6 may be provided. For sxample the card may be L-shapea to facilitate application of a downwards force when the card is inssrted vertically into a 810t, although such an arrangement provides for a lar~er card key.

Another aspeat of the invention provides a aard operated 7Ock aomprising a lockset having a cylindriaal knob which is arranged to w;thdraw a latah, and a key in the form of a card which is inserted into a slot in the knob to unloak the lock, wherein the slot is positioned sideways of the knob for the card to be inserted generally horizontally into the slot, and the knob :is - -rotatable cloakwise and anti-clockwise, rotation in either direction serving to withdraw the latah. In this way, the lockset i5 completely reversible on a door.
The lockset may be positioned on the left or right of the door, with the slot always ~acing the hinged side of the door. As is usual, a bevelled latch i5 provided which is reversible to suit the direction of opening of the door.

Typiaally a lock6et will have a cylindrical/ card operated lock on one end of the lookset spindle, and a cylinder or lever direatly couplsd to the other end o~
the spindle. Where a second aylinder i6 used, it may be provided with a ~lot to receive a card key for lever-type operation, although the lock mechanism per se is not needed (unless the opening of the door i8 to be lo controlled by a key from both ~ides)~

third a~pect of the invention providss a card key for a card operated lockset, the key being in~erted into a 510t in the lockset to unloak the lock, wherein the key is adapted to be operated on by the user to perform an unlatching operation of the lockset.

Preferably the key is adapted by providing a card of increased length, and~or by providing a deviae on the end of the card which can be readily gripped or engaged by a handicapped or elderly person.

In operation, a separate handle or lever operated latch is usually provided for moving the door open so that the end of the card key itself will not be pushed or pulled to open the door.

2 ~ 3 ~

The aspects of the invention are especially suitable for use in magnetic key operated locks, such as described in, inter alia, EP~A-0024242 ana US-A-4133194.

Other aspects, preferred features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following ~escription and the accompanying claims.

The i.nvention will be further described by way of example with reference to the acoompanying drawing~, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lockset forming an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an snd view of the lockset of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view on llne III-III of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional part view on line I~-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an entrance-type lockset 2 form.ing an embodiment of the invention. The lockset 2 comprises a card-opsrated cylindrical locking knob 4, and a rear locking knob 6 which has a turn-button (not shown) to lock and unlock a front spindle 12 (Figure 3) and in so doing also knob 4.
~he knobs 4, 6 are rotated to withdraw a locking member in the form of a latch 8.

The aonstruction and working of the locking knob 4 is as described in EP-A-0024242, subject to modifications which will be described hereinafter in relation to Figures 3 and 4.

The lockset 2 functions as follows. When the turn-button ~not shown) in the end of the knob 6 is pu~hed in, it locks the front spindle 12 (Fig.3). A key 10 must be insertsd into the knob 4 in order to unlock the lock, the key being retained in the lock in unlocked io mode. This couples the knob 4 to a aentre tailpiece driver 11 to be rotated to cause withdrawal of the latch 8. This operation will cause the push button in the knob 6 to pop-out and leave the lock in the unlocked mode until the push button on knob 6 is pushed in again. The front spindle 12 is thus free to rotate. In this situation the latch 8 can be r~tracted by rotating the rear casing 18 of the locking knob 4. The rear casing 18 is attached to a core 36 which is fixed to a spindle 61eeve 9 which is coupled to the front spindle 12 to rotate it. Rotation of the rear casing 18 thus rotates the front spindle 12 to retract the latch 8.
This requires grasping the rear casing 18.

If the button is pushed-in and rotated ninety degrees, it does not pop-out on turning of the knob 6 or by use 2'~3~

of a key to unlock the lock, and ~o continued keyed operation of the lock is required. ~his ~ystem of cylindrical lockset operation i8 well-known, and the operation o~ the knob 4 and rear casing 18 are particularly described in EP-A-00~4242.

The knob 4 has ~ front cylindrical oasing 12 whioh houses a magnetic key operated loaking mechani~m. In such a mechanism, a plurality of magnet pins are carried in a slide member which is moved by the key 10 to 1~ operate ths lock. ~he magnet pins extend out of the slide membe.r and project through holes in a lockplate which is fixsd in the body of the knob 4. When the correct key i8 inserted the pins are repelled out of the holes in the lock plate, into the sli~e member, and so further insertion of the key moves the slide member to an unlocking position at which point the key i~ retained in the mechanism, allowing the key to be released ~y the user while the lock remains in the unlocked mode. In the embodiment des~ribed, the front outer caslng 14 of knob 4 is then coup~ed to the centre tailpiece driver 11 so that the casing 14 can be turned to rotate the tailpiece 11 to withdraw the latch 8 with the same hand that inserted the key 10.

A meahanism to retain the key in the knob, holding the 3 ~ ~

lock in the unloaked mode while the knob is turned, is described in detail in EP-A-0241323 at Figures 5 and 6 and its application to the cylindrical knob of EP-A-00242g2 is briefly described below by re~erence to Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, for the user to open the look, i.e. withdraw the bolt 8, when the turn-butto~ i8 pushed in (i.e. the lock is locked), the user inserts the magnetic card key 10 into a slot 16 which i~
lo positivned sideways of the outer casing 14~ the ksy 10 being inserted in the horizontal direction. If the key has the correct code it unlocks the lock, retains the lock in the unlocked mode and so couples the casing 14 to the tailpiece 11. The outer free end 20 of the key 10 i~ then pushed or pulled laterally ~f the direction of insertion in the plane of rotation of the knob 4 to rotate the Xnob 4f (clockwise in Figure 2,~ and so withdraw th~ latch 8. To facilitate the operation of pushing or pulling on the key end 20, the card 10 is made somewhat longer than usual, and/or is povided with a T-bow, hook, ring or other means which can be engaged by the user by a finger, prosthesis, etc, to apply ,a turning movement or downwards force to the key end 20.

In practice the key movement will usually be at right 2 ~
angles to its long axis A-A, and so a rotational force is applied generally in the dixection of arrow B (Figure 2).

The key is adapted to be operat~d on to rotate the knob 4 by, or example, being o inareased length, of increased rigidity and/or by having a manually grippable member attached to the free end ~0. Shown in Figure~ 1 to 3 ls a T-bar 24 whiah i~ suspended from an eyelet 22 in the key end 20 by a ring 26. Ring 26 i~ dimensioned to clear the corners of the end 20 of the key 10. The ~-bar may be a ring or other shape.

The key 10 is of increased length so that when inserted fully in the knob 4 to unlock the lock, the key end 20 extends further out than usual, by about 1.Scm to lS provide additional leverage for the T-bar 24. Where a T-bar or the like i~ not provided, an extra long key, of increased length about 4¢m i8 provided so that the user can bear down ~ireatly on the free ~nd 20 of ths key, in the direction of arrow C (Fig. 2).

Thus, preferably the key 20 extends out of the casing 14 by from about 1.5 to 6cm, and particularly on the shorter key an additional means is provided for operating on the key.

In some othsr applications the front casing 14 of the knob 4 is arranged to be free-spinning when the key is 3 ~

not inserted, so that the lock cannot be forced by turning the casing 14. The key of this invention can be used to operate such locks, in a ~imilar manner to that described herein.

In the preferred embodiment, the knob 4 is sprung so that when rel~ased it returns to a position with the 810t 16 facing sidaway~, in line w~th and away from the latch 8. The mechanism shown in Figure 3 provides two functions, one is to return knob 4 so that the slot 16 lo faaes sideways, and the seaond is to limit the rotation of the casing 14 relative to the front spindle 12, so that the casing 14 can be freely turned ninety degrees, after which further turning will rotate the spindle 12 to withdraw the latch 8 when the lock i8 not locked~
i e. the turn-but~on is not pushed in.

Referring to Figure 3, the outer casing 14 which carries the lock mechanism (not shown) such as the slider and lock plate, has a fixed annular plate 30 which ls fastened to the casing 46 by screws 32. A rotatable annular plate 34 is fixed to a core 36 which rotates in the annular plate 30 and is fixed to a cylindrical spindle sleeve 9. Core 36 is coupled to the rear casing part 18 ~Fig. 1) by screws 38, and casing part 18 thus rotates with the core 36 and applies turning force to the spindle 12.

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The rotatable plate 34 has two shoulders 40, ~2 which are positioned to abut a tongue 44 extending in the axial direction out of the plane of the plate 30. ~hus, when plate 30 rotates ninety degree~ clockwise, tongue 44 abuts shoulder 40 and when rotated :ninety degrees counter-clockwise, tongue 44 abuts shoulder 42. When the lock i~ unlocked, the outer casing part 14 can be rotated ninety degrees (in sither dir~ction~ to bring tongue 44 against a shoulder 40 or 42, and further 10 rotation then rotate~ the plate 34, and so spindle 12 will withdraw the latch 8. For the handicapped~ this rotation can be effected by inserting a key 10 in the usual way in slot 16. The key does not need to be inserted fully into the slot 16 because the lock is not 15 loc~ed. ~owever, where the mechanism includes means for holding the key in the 810t 16 la~ described below), it i~ preferred to insert the key fully as this helps hol~
the key in as the key i8 levered on. Also, this will couple the casing part 14 to the aentre tailpiece driver 20 11, which will withdraw the latch 8 on rotation of the casing part through only ninety degrees.

It will be appreciated that when the lock is locked, the spindle 12 will not rotate and so movement of the casing 14 is limited by the tongue 44 abutting the shoulders 25 40, 42. ~o withdraw the latch 8, the key 10 is inserted -fully to unlock the lock and so couple the casing part 14 to the tailpiece driver 11. Rotation of the casing part 14, and hence tailpiece driver 11, through only ninety degrees then serves to withdraw the latch 8.

A coil spring 46 extends twice around the core 36, underneath tabs 48 on th~ rotatable plate 34, and its ends SO, 52 are hookad around tongue 44 and a ~imilar tongue 54 on plate 34. Thus, when plate 30 is rotated clockwise as seen in Fig. 3 (by rotating casing 14) tab iO 44 pulls end 50 to tighten the spring, which will return the plate 30, and casing part 14 to its rest po~i.tion (Figure 3) when the casing part 14 i8 released.
Similarly, counterclockwise rotation causes tab 44 to pull end 52 to tighten the spring. Thu~, the spring 46 serves to orient the casing part 14 with the slot 16 facing siaeways.

Figure 4 shows a ~ross-sectional detail o the knob 4 to illustrate the mechanism for holding the key in the lock in the unlocking position. The mecanism is similar to that seen in EP-A-0241323 at Figures 5 and 6, with minor adaption to suit the cylindrical lock of the type seen in EP-A-024282. As it is well known, a slide member 60 carries in blind bores tnot shown) a plurality of magnet pins (not ~hown). The pins are attracted by a 2 ~

steel plate 62 so as to project through holes ~not shown~ in a bra~s locking plate 64 and abut an intermediate plate 66. ~he loaking plats 64 is fixed in position in the ~ront casing part 14 and so the pin#
prevent movement of the slide member ~0 rslatl~ to the locking plate, thus the lock is locXed. To unlock the lock, the key 10 is inser~ed between the intermediat~
plate 66 and ~teel plats 62 whi~h moves back agai~t plate spring 68. The key, having the correct code, iO repels the magnet pins to the bottom of the blind bores out of engagement in the holes in the locking plate 64.
The Xey 10 abuts at its inner end (not shown) a to~ on the slide member and so further movement of the key moves the slide member which effects an action of unlocking the lock. In the embodiment shown, movement of the slide member couples the front casing part 14 to the tailpiece 11.

.
The slide member 60 is moved against the urging force of a coil spring (not shown) which urges the slide~member to the locking position. ~o facilitate operation of the lock with one hand, a key hold in mechanism holds the slide member in the unlocked position while the key is fully inserted in the lock. The key 10, as it is inserted, bears on a cam 70 which is pivotally mounted on a side of the slide member 60. As the slide member 3 ~ ~

is moved to the unlocked position, a claw 72 on the cam rides under a leg 74 of a leaf spring 76 which i8 fixed to a stationary plastics guide 78 in the front casing part 14. The claw 72 catohes on a foot 80 of the leg 74 and so holds the slide member 60 in the unlocking position, against the urging force of a coil spring (not shown). The ~orce o the coil spring, when the slide member 60 is held in the unlocking position, tends to ~ create a pressing ~orce urging the cam 70 against the key 10, thus tending to hold or maintain the key in place, enhancing the similar pressing force applied to the other side of the key by the plate spring 68. ~f course, the key 10 ~an ba readily withdrawn despite this surface pressure. When the key is removed from the lock, ths cam 70 is free to pivot away from the leaf spring 76, and so the claw 72 can disengage from the foot 80 by passing under it, to allow the slide member to mcve back to the locking position.

The lockset is reversible,i.e. it can be used on either edge of a door, since casing 14 can be rotated in either direction to withdraw the latch 8 (which itself is reversible).

It will be noted that with the card key of the invention the key can be used to withdraw the locking member, even if the lock is not previously locked, the key acting as a lever when it is inserted in the knob 4. Thus the user need not concern hi~self with whether or not the lockset is locked or to test it to determine if a ~ey is required. A handicapped person would be instructed to s always insert hi6 key in the lock Various modifications will be made to suit the many diff2rent lock requirements. The lo~king knob 4 might not be sprung to return, when released, to its rest position, with the slot 16 sideways, when operating a bolt action where the position of the bolt is coupled to the rotational position of the knob 4. Some locks will require the knob 4 to be rotated through more than ninety degrees to withdraw a latch or bolt. Where greater rotation is required, a shorter key may be used lS to avoid hitting the door jam~, or to avoid hitting a nearby lever.

Where the ~ey must be inserted with a particular face towardfi th~ user, a groove or peripheral rib 58, or other means such as an axially offset hole or a missing corner or embossed arrow is provided to identify the orientation of the key to a blind or partially sighted person, as well as a visible indicator such as a printed arrow. For magnetic lock systems, a metal or plastics key 10 may be used, the former ~eing descri~ed in GB-A-1569017 and the latter in GB~A-1209934, the metal key being more suitable for longer length ~eys.

2 ~

Generally the key will be of sufficient rigidity to enable it to be used as a lever. Where a cardboard key, in particular, is used it may be neaessary to reinforce the key. Although the invention has been desaribed with particular reference to a cylindrical lock, it can be used with other locking device&, such as rim locks, mortise locks, dead bolts, etc.

The knob slot 16 can be positioned at other locations than sideways. The plate 34 is coupled to the core 36 by four tangs 35 which engage in xeaesses 37 in the core 36. The tangs 35 and recesses 37 are spaced at ninety degree intervals and so the plate 34 may be relocated through ninety degree intervals relative to the core 36. This in turn will move the rest positions of the annular plate 30 and associated lock mechanism and casing 14 through ninety degrees.

Also it will be appreciated that the degree of free movement of the front casing part 14 relative to the rear casing part 18 (governed by the position of shoulders 40, 42) may be varied to provide greater or less free movement.

It may be preferable to locate the slot 16 facing downwards for an outsi~e door lock. The key 10 can 2~3~i~

still be in~erted and pushed or pulled through ninety degrees to open the lock, and the downwar~ly facing position may be easier for a small child or someone in a wheelchair.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiment and it i6 desired to include all such modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. A card operated lock comprising a lockset having a knob which is arranged to be turned to withdraw a locking member, and a key in the form of a card which is inserted into a slot in the knob to unlock the lock, a free end of the card extending out of the knob when the card is inserted in the knob to unlock the lock, wherein the free end of the card is adapted to be operated on by the user to turn the knob to withdraw the locking member.

2. A card operated lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the card is adapted by being of increased length.

3. A card operated lock as claimed in claim 1 wherein the card extends at least 1.5cm out of the slot when fully inserted.

4. A card operated lock as claimed in claim 3, wherein the card extends between 1-5cm and 6cm out of the slot.

5. A card operated lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein means is provided on the end of the card for it to be pulled laterally of the dirction of insertion in the slot.

6. A card operated lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein on insertion of a key to unlock the lock, a slide member is moved by the key from a locking to an unlocking position, and means is provided to hold the slide member in the unlocking position against the action of a biassing force urging the slide member to the locking position, while the key is substantially fully inserted.

7. A card operated lock comprising a lockset having a knob which is arranged to withdraw a locking member, and a key in the form of a card which is inserted into a slot in the knob to unlock the lock, wherein the slot is positioned sideways of the knob for the card to be inserted generally horizontally into the slot, and the knob is rotatable clockwise and anti-clockwise, rotation in either direction serving to withdraw the locking member.

8. A card key for a card operated lockset, the key being insertable into a slot in the lockset to unlock the lock, wherein the key is adapted to be operated on by the user to withdraw a locking member of the lockset.

9. A key as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the key is from 1.5 cm to 6 cm longer than a key which is not adapted to be operated on to withdraw a locking member.

10. A key as claimed in claim 8, wherein the key carries a formation which can be felt to indicate the orientation of the key.

11. A key as claimed in claim 8, wherein the key has a ring, T-bar or the like on a free end thereof for engagement by a user.