GB2090626A

GB2090626A - Lock release mechanisms

Info

Publication number: GB2090626A
Application number: GB8130308A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: EXPRESS LIFT CO Ltd
Current assignee: EXPRESS LIFT CO Ltd
Priority date: 1981-01-07
Filing date: 1981-10-07
Publication date: 1982-07-14
Also published as: GB2090626B

Abstract

A lock release mechanism comprising a rod shaped release key which has a profiled end section 21a jointed to the main body of the key 21b, and a complementarily profiled aperture 11c within a plate 11b attached to one side of a door panel 5. To effect release of the lock the profiled section of the key is inserted through a hole 7 in the door panel from the side remote from the plate to fall under gravity to a position at the side of the aperture 11c. By turning the release key through an arc within the hole in the door panel the profiled section of the release key passes through the profiled plate to push against a lever 1, rotating the lever and thus effecting release of an electro-mechanical lock. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lock release mechanisms This invention relates to lock release mechanisms. More especially, but not exclusively the invention relates to lock release mechanisms suitable for use with doors and especially as emergency release mechanisms for lift landing doors.

It is an object of the present invention, to provide a lock release mechanism which is of simple construction but is proof against release and/or damage by foreign objects.

According to the present invention a lock release mechanism comprises: a panel member; an operating member on one side of the panel member movement of which operating member effects release of the lock; an aperture extending through the panel member; a profiled plate secured to said panel member and disposed on said one side of the panel member between said aperture and said operating member; a release key in the form of a rod having a profiled end section jointed to the main body of the key so that the key has a first condition in which the profiled end section and main body are aligned and a second condition in which the profiled end section is at an angle to the main body; the aperture and key can be inserted through the aperture in the panel member only with the key in its first condition, and the profiles of the plate and the profiled end section of the key being complementary so that after insertion of the key through said aperture from the side of the said panel remote from said plate and the key assuming its second condition, rotation of the key in said aperture to cause movement of the profiled end section past the profiled plate to release the lock by movement of the operating member is possible.

In a preferred arrangement the key assumes its second condition under the action of gravity after insertion of the key through said aperture.

In one such arrangement, the profiled plate extends substantially vertically, perpendicular to said panel member, and lies below and to one side of said aperture, and said profiled end section is at an angle of substantially 900 to the main body of the key when the key assumes its second condition.

Preferably part of said main body of said release key is shaped to provide a handle to facilitate rotation of the key in use.

Preferably said main body of said release key is provided with an appendage which prevents its penetration through said aperture to a position beyond that in which, when the key assumes its second condition, said profiled end section of the key is in line with said profiled plate.

Preferably there is also provided a cover plate round said plate.

Preferably said operating member is provided with an edge which is contacted by said release key after passing through said key plate to displace said operating member and effect release of the lock and said release key has a notch positioned to co-operate with said edge in use.

Preferably said operating member is arranged to operate an electro-mechanical lock mechanism.

There is now described one example of a lock release mechanism in accordance with the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a rear view of the lock release mechanism, with its release key inserted but not operated to release the lock; Figure 2 is a section on I1--II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section on Ill-Il! of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the release key.

The mechanism serves as an emergency release mechanism for a sliding lift door panel lock mechanism.

Referring firstly particularly to Figure 1, the mechanism includes a lever comprising two sections 1 a, 1 b at right angles and pivotally mounted where they adjoin at 3 on the lift shaft side of the frame (not shown) surrounding the lift door panel 5. The end of the section 1 a remote from the pivot 3 is connected with an electromechanical lock mechanism (not shown) associated with the door panel, which, on rotation of the lever is released so as to allow the door panel 5 to be slid open manually. The second section 1 b of the lever extends substantially vertically, the lower portion of the lever section 1 b being offset so that it lies a small distance from the lift shaft side of the upper part of the door panel 5.

Referring now also to Figure 2, on the landing side of the door panel 5 there is an escutcheon plate 7 surrounding a circular hole 9 extending through the door panel, to one side of the lever section 1 b, the plate 7 having a tubular extension 7a which lines the interior of the hole 9. On the same side of the door panel 5 as the lever section 1 b, and situated generally between the hole 9 and the lever section 1 b there is a key plate. As best seen in Figure 3 the key plate comprises two sections 11 and 1 5 welded together. The section 11 has a first portion 1 a welded to a plate 13 which is riveted to the door panel 5, and a second portion 1 b extending at right angles to the portion 11 and the door panel 5.The section 1 5 of the key plate has a first portion 1 spa which is welded to the portion 1 b of the section 11 and a second portion 1 sub which extends parallel to the door panel 5 adjacent the lower end of the lever section 1 b, the lower end of the lever section 1 b thus being surrounded on three sides by the key plate portions 11 a, 1 1 b and 1 sub respectively.

Adjacent the lever section 1 b the key plate portion 1 b has a profiled aperture 1 C formed in it. and the portion of the edge of the lever nearest the aperture 1 C is formed into a knife edge 2.

As best seen in Figure 2, below the hole 9 and attached to the door plate 13 there is a shallow, square U-section bracket 1 7 whose side members 1 7a extend away from door panel 5 perpendicularly and lie in horizontal planes. The mechanism is enclosed on the lift shaft side of the door panel 5 by a cover plate 19 which is riveted with the door plate 13 to the door panel 5, the lever section 1 b extending through an appropriately positioned slot in the top of the cover plate 19.

Referring now particularly to Figure 4, the release key 21 is in the form of a rod composed of two jointed sections 21a and 21b. One of the sections 21 a has machined in it two recesses on opposite sides, such that its profile is complementary to the profile of the aperture 11 c in the key plate. The end of the section 21 a remote from the joint also has two tapered notches 22 machined at opposite sides of it one of which co-operates with the knife edge portion 2 of the lever section 1 b as explained hereafter. The unprofiled section 21 b of the key 21 has a drive pin 23 through it perpendicular to its axis. The end section 21 b is bent to provide a handle 21e for turning the key to release the lock mechanism, the handle terminating in a boss 25.

To release the lock mechanism the key 21 is inserted through the hole 9 in the door panel 5 from the opposite side of the door to the lever 1, the profiled section 21 a of the key entering the hole first and the key being disposed with sections 21 a and 21 b coaxial. After the profiled section 21 a has passed through the door panel, it will fall under gravity to subtend an angle of 900 with the section 21 b. The key 21 will further penetrate through the hole 9 until it is stopped by the drive pin 23 reaching the escutcheon plate 7, the drive pin being so positioned that the profiled section of the key 21 a then lies alongside the aperture 11 C in the key plate as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.By turning the release key 21 through an arc within the hole 7 in the door panel 5 by means of the handle 21c, the profiled section of the release key 21 a passes through the aperture 11 C in the key plate, the notch 22 on the release key adjacent the lever 1 engaging the knife edge 2 on the lever 1 to rotate the lever and thus effect releases of the electro-mechanical lock.

An alternative hole 27 may also be provided in the door panel 5 to permit an opposite hand arrangement of the door panel and lock release mechanism, the two notches 22 at the end of the release key allowing the release key to be used in either configuration.

It will be appreciated that the profiled form of the key plate will inhibit foreign objects, for example a bicycle chain, from being used to effect the unauthorised release of the lock. This is further prevented by the bracket 17 which, as best shown in Figure 2, is positioned so that its upper side member 1 7a extends, when the key is inserted, into the recess in the key section 21 a nearer the joint between the key sections 21 a and 21 b, and its lower side member lies just below the end of the key section 21 a. Thus, the bracket 17 prevents foreign objects inserted through the aperture 9 from entering the space occupied by the section 21 a of the key alongside the aperture 11 c, prior to the release of the lock mechanism by rotation of the key. The cover plate 19 prevents the intrusion of any foreign object through the hole 9 in the door panel 5 beyond the line of the landing sill.

It will also be appreciated that the portion 1 sub of the key plate acts as a guide for the lower end of the lever section 1 b, to maintain it in a position alongside the aperture 11 c.

Claims

1. A lock release mechanism comprising: a panel member; an operating member on one side of the panel member movement of which operating member effects release of the lock; an aperture extending through the panel member; a profiled plate secured to said panel member and disposed on said one side of the panel member between said aperture and said operating member; a release key in the form of a rod having a profiled end section jointed to the main body of the key so that the key has a first condition in which the profiled end section and main body are aligned and a second condition in which the profiled end section is at an angle the main body; the aperture and key having cross-sectional areas such that the key can be inserted through the aperture in the panel member only with the key in its first condition, and the profiles of the plate and the profiled end section of the key being complementary so that after insertion of the key through said aperture from the side of the said panel remote from said plate and the key assuming its second condition, rotation of the key in said aperture to cause movement of the profiled end section past the profiled plate to release the lock by movement of the operating member is possible.

2. A lock release mechanism according to Claim 1 wherein the key assumes its second condition under the action of gravity after insertion of the key through said aperture.

3. A lock release mechanism according to Claim 2 wherein said profiled plate extends substantially vertically, perpendicular to said panel member, and lies below and to one side of said aperture, and said profiled end section is at an angle of substantially 900 to the main body of the key when the key assumes its second condition.

4. A lock release mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims in which parts of said main body of said release key is shaped to provide a handle to facilitate rotation of the key in use.

5. A lock release mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims in which said main body of said release key is provided with an appendage which prevents its penetration through said aperture to a position beyond that in which, when the key assumes its second condition, said profiled end section of the key is in line with said profiled plate.

6. A lock release mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims including a cover round said plate.

7. A lock release mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims in which said operating member is provided with an edge which is contacted by said release key after passing through said plate to displace said operating member and effect release of the lock and said release key has a notch positioned to co-operate with said edge in use.

8. A lock release mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims in which said operating member is a lever arrangement.

9. A lock release mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims including a member which serves to align said operating member relative to said aperture.

10. A lock mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims including a member alongside said aperture which serves to prevent the intrusion of foreign objects into the space occupied by the jointed section of the key alongside said aperture when the key assumes its second condition.

11. A lock mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims in which said operating member is arranged to operate an electromechanical lock mechanism.

12. A lock mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A lock release mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims arranged to serve as an emergency release mechanism for a sliding lift landing door panel lock mechanism.