WO2019210356A1

WO2019210356A1 - Lock system for sensing or detecting a door state and associated method

Info

Publication number: WO2019210356A1
Application number: PCT/AU2019/050386
Authority: WO
Inventors: Travis Thorn; John Constantino
Original assignee: Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited
Priority date: 2018-04-30
Filing date: 2019-04-30
Publication date: 2019-11-07

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a lock system (100) and associated method for detecting a door state, comprising: a lock body (30) having: a latch bolt (35) that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the latch bolt (35) in the extended position being configured to be received in a recess of a strike plate provided on a door frame adjacent a door in or upon which the lock body is mounted when the door is in a closed and latched state, and an auxiliary bolt (37) that is arranged adjacent to the latch bolt (35) and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the auxiliary bolt (35) being configured to be pressed in against the strike plate in the retracted position when the door is in a closed and latched state; a sensor device (50) for sensing whether each of the latch bolt (35) and the auxiliary bolt (37) is in its respective extended position or its respective retracted position; and a processor (99) for assessing data from the sensor device (50) to determine the door state.

Description

LOCK SYSTEM FOR SENSING OR DETECTING A DOOR STATE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock system and method for sensing or detecting a door state in a lock system, and particularly to a system and a method associated with a lock assembly having door state sensing capability.

[0002] It will be appreciated that the system and method of invention can be employed with a range of different types of lock assemblies and lock arrangements and can be used in domestic as well as commercial or industrial security applications.

Background

[0003] As the various parts of security systems for both the home and for commercial premises become increasingly integrated and electronically monitored, it is important that door lock assemblies be able to be integrated into such monitoring systems. Although there have been a number of different door lock systems developed that offer the potential for electrically sensing the state of a door, these known systems have various drawbacks. Many known systems, for example, rely on the interaction between a reed switch provided in the lock assembly mounted on the door and a magnet mounted in the door frame. The change in the reed switch when it is either in proximity to or remote from the magnet can be used to detect or sense the position or state of the door (e.g. between a closed state and an open state). These known systems have the disadvantage, however, that installers of the lock assembly are also required to separately install a magnet in the door frame. This not only requires additional time and installation effort, but experience has shown that installers frequently entirely overlook the installation of the magnet. This leads to customer dissatisfaction, service calls, and replacement magnets being required when the overlooked originals are mistakenly discarded.

Summary of Invention

[0004] In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lock system and a method for sensing or detecting a door state in a lock system that substantially overcomes or at least ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages of known lock systems. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a new and improved lock system or lock assembly having a door state sensing capability and an associated method.

[0005] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a lock system for sensing or detecting a door state. The lock system comprises a lock body having: a latch bolt that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the latch bolt in the extended position being configured to be received in a recess of a strike plate provided on a door frame adjacent a door in or upon which the lock body is mounted when the door is in a closed and latched state; and an auxiliary bolt that is arranged adjacent to the latch bolt and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the auxiliary bolt being configured to be pressed in against the strike plate in the retracted position when the door is in a closed and latched state. The lock system further comprises a sensor device for sensing whether each of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt is in its respective extended position or its respective retracted position; and a processor for assessing data from the sensor device to determine the door state.

[0006] In this way, the lock system of the invention is able to detect the door state based on the respective positions and/or changes in position of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt. When, for example, the lock system senses both the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt move from their extended position to their retracted position, followed by the latch bolt moving from its retracted position and to its extended (i.e. latching) position, while simultaneously sensing the auxiliary bolt remain in its retracted position, the processor may determine that the door has moved to a closed and latched state. Furthermore, if the door state is determined as the closed and latched state, then sensing the auxiliary bolt move from its retracted position to its extended position without the latch bolt moving from its extended position to its retracted position, the processor may determine that the door has been forced out of the closed and latched state.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the sensor device comprises: a first sensor arrangement for sensing whether the latch bolt is in its extended position or its retracted position; and a second sensor arrangement for sensing whether the auxiliary bolt is in its extended position or its retracted position.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the first sensor arrangement comprises a first sensor mechanism operatively connected with the latch bolt and a first switch actuated by the first sensor mechanism. The first sensor mechanism is desirably configured to transfer reciprocating movement of the latch bolt between its extended and retracted positions for switching the first switch between on and off positions.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the first sensor mechanism includes a first rotary member for transferring the movement of the latch bolt to parts of the first sensor arrangement external to the lock body, including the first switch. In this regard, the first sensor mechanism preferably includes: a first link member that operatively interconnects the latch bolt with the first rotary member, and a first coupler member that operatively interconnects the first rotary member with the first switch. In this context, the first rotary member preferably includes a first cam for transferring rotary movement of the first rotary member to substantially linear movement of the first coupler member for moving the first switch between the on and off positions.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the second sensor arrangement comprises a second sensor mechanism operatively connected with the auxiliary bolt and a second switch actuated by the second sensor mechanism. The second sensor mechanism is preferably configured to transfer reciprocating movement of the auxiliary bolt between its extended and retracted positions for switching the second switch between on and off positions.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the second sensor mechanism includes a rotary member for transferring the movement of the auxiliary bolt from the lock body to parts of the second sensor arrangement external to the lock body, including the second switch. In this regard, the second sensor mechanism preferably includes: a second link member that operatively interconnects the auxiliary latch bolt with the second rotary member, and a second coupler member that operatively interconnects the second rotary member with the second switch. In this connection, the second rotary member preferably includes a second cam for transferring rotary movement of the second rotary member to substantially linear movement of the second coupler member for moving the second switch between the on and off positions.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, both the latch bolt and the auxiliary latch bolt is resiliently biased to its respective extended position. In this way, the extended position may be considered the neutral or rest position, and the movement of the latch bolt and the auxiliary latch bolt to its respective extended position is against the resilient bias.

[0013] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of detecting a door state in a lock system. The method comprises: providing a lock assembly having: a latch bolt that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the latch bolt in the extended position is configured to be received in a recess of a strike plate provided on a door frame adjacent a door in or upon which the lock assembly is mounted when the door is in a closed and latched state, and an auxiliary bolt that is arranged adjacent to the latch bolt and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the auxiliary bolt being configured to be depressed against the strike plate in the retracted position when the door is in a closed and latched state. The method further comprises: sensing whether each of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt is in its respective extended position or its respective retracted position; and determining a door state based upon a sensed position and/or a change in the sensed position of each of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the step of sensing the latch bolt move from its retracted position and to its extended latching position, while simultaneously sensing the auxiliary bolt remain in its retracted latching position, is determined as the door moving to a closed and latched state.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the step of sensing the latch bolt move from its extended position to its retracted position and then back to its extended position, while simultaneously sensing the auxiliary bolt move from its extended position to its retracted position together with the latch bolt and then remain in its retracted position as the latch bolt returns to its extended position, is determined as the door moving into the closed and latched state.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, when the door state is determined as the closed and latched state, the step of sensing the auxiliary bolt move from its retracted position to its extended position without the latch bolt moving from its extended position, is determined as the door being forced out of the closed and latched state.

[0017] According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of detecting a door state in a lock assembly having a latch bolt that is movable between an extended latching position and a retracted position, and an auxiliary bolt next to the latch bolt that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the method comprising:

sensing whether each of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt is in its respective extended position or its respective retracted position; and determining a door state based upon a sensed position and/or a change in the sensed position of each of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, sensing the latch bolt move from its retracted position and to its extended latching position, while simultaneously sensing the auxiliary bolt remain in its retracted latching position, is determined as the door moving to a closed and latched state.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, sensing the latch bolt move from its extended position to its retracted position and then back to its extended position, while simultaneously sensing the auxiliary bolt move from its extended position to its retracted position together with the latch bolt and then remain in its retracted position as the latch bolt moves back to its extended position, is determined as the door moving into the closed and latched state.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, when the door state is determined as the closed and latched state, sensing the auxiliary bolt move from its retracted position to its extended position without the latch bolt moving from its extended position, is determined as the door being forced out of the closed and latched state.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0021] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs designate like parts, and in which:

[0022] Fig. l is a perspective view of a lock system according to a preferred embodiment as it would be assembled on a door, but without the door being specifically shown;

[0023] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lock system shown in Fig. 1 with most components of the system rendered transparent to reveal components of the lock body and the sensor device;

[0024] Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of the components of the lock system shown in Fig. 2;

[0025] Fig. 4 is a lower perspective view of the lock system shown in Fig. 3; [0026] Fig. 5 is an opposite side perspective view of the lock system shown in Fig. 3;

[0027] Fig. 6 is a side view of the lock system in Fig. 3 with both the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt in its extended position, corresponding to the door being in the open and unlatched state;

[0028] Fig. 7 is an opposite side view of the lock system shown in Fig. 6;

[0029] Fig. 8 is a side view of the lock system in Fig. 3 with both the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt partially moved from their extended position towards their retracted position, corresponding to the door being closed and the latch bolt being retracted by contact with the strike plate, which in turn acts to retract the auxiliary bolt;

[0030] Fig. 9 is an opposite side view of the lock system shown in Fig. 8;

[0031] Fig. 10 is a side view of the lock system in Fig. 3 with both the latch bolt and auxiliary bolt moved to the respective retracted position, corresponding to the door being closed normally as the latch bolt is retracted against the strike plate, which in turn retracts the auxiliary bolt;

[0032] Fig. 11 is an opposite side view of the lock system shown in Fig. 10;

[0033] Fig. 12 is a side view of the lock system in Fig. 3 with the latch bolt in its extended position and the auxiliary bolt in its retracted position against the strike plate, corresponding to the door being in the closed and latched state;

[0034] Fig. 13 is an opposite side view of the lock system shown in Fig. 12;

[0035] Fig. 14 is a side view of the lock system in Fig. 3 with the auxiliary bolt in its retracted position against the strike plate and the latch bolt moved to its retracted position by operation of the lever, corresponding to the door being opened normally via the lever;

[0036] Fig. 15 is an opposite side view of the lock system shown in Fig. 14;

[0037] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the lock system according to the preferred embodiment arranged or assembled in a left-handed configuration; and [0038] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the lock system according to the preferred embodiment arranged or assembled in a right-handed configuration.

[0039] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate particular embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood with reference to the following detailed description.

Description of Embodiments

[0040] With reference firstly to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a lock system 100 according to the invention is shown assembled as if mounted on a door (not shown) for detecting a state of the door; e.g. whether the door is in a closed and latched state, or in an open and unlatched state, or perhaps in some other state.

[0041] The lock system 100 comprises a housing 10 upon and/or within which a handle mechanism 20 and a lock body unit 30 of the lock system 100 are mounted and supported. The housing 10 comprises outer casing members 11, 12 which respectively cooperate with two plate members 13, 14 to form respective enclosures 15, 16 in which various components of the handle mechanism 20 are held and housed. The plate members 13, 14 are fixed via screws 17 on an inner side Si and an outer side So of the door, respectively, such that they cover and securely enclose components of the lock body unit 30 which is set in a cavity formed in the door.

[0042] The handle mechanism 20 comprises an inner handle 21 on the inner side Si of the door and an outer handle 22 on the outer side So of the door, each of which handles 21, 22 is mounted and supported on a respective one of the plate members 13, 14 of the housing 10 for manual movement or rotation about a handle axis 23. To this end, each of the handles 21, 22 has a stub shaft 24 (seen in broken lines in Fig. 2) that is received and seats within a respective aperture 18 formed in each plate member 13, 14. As can be seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings in broken lines, the handle mechanism 20 includes various components, such as a hub member and gear members associated with each handle 21, 22 and stub shaft 24 for transferring movement of the handle 21, 22 about the handle axis 23 to the lock body unit 30. The handle mechanism 20 also includes one or more torsion spring (not shown) inside the housing 10 associated with each handle 21, 22 for resiliently biasing both the inner handle 21 and the outer handle 22 about the handle axis 23 to the neutral or non-rotated position. Thus, when each handle 21, 22 is manually turned about the axis 23, it is turned against the bias of the torsion spring, which acts to return the handle 21 when released. For the purposes of this description, the specific configuration of the handle mechanism 20 is not particularly relevant, and is therefore not shown or described in detail.

[0043] Referring further to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the lock body unit 30 is formed as a separate or independent sub-assembly or unit of lock system 100 and includes a casing 31 and a sleeve or tube 32 that extends from the casing 31 to an end plate 33 that is configured to be fastened via a face plate P and screws (not shown) at an edge of the door. The lock body unit 30 has a key barrel 34 that projects through a correspondingly shaped opening 19 in each of the inner and outer casing members 11, 12 of the housing 10 and is operable from both sides of the door by a key (not shown) inserted into the key barrel 34. In particular, by turning the key in the key barrel 34, a cam (not shown) located in the casing 31 and operatively associated with the key barrel turns with the key. The lock body unit 30 further includes a latch bolt 35 configured for latching and/or locking engagement in a complementary recess provided in a strike plate (not shown) on a door frame for alignment with the latch bolt 35 when the door is closed. The latch bolt 35 is accommodated within the sleeve or tube 32 for generally linear movement in or along an axial direction of sleeve or tube 32. The latch bolt 35 is designed for movement between an extended position shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and a retracted position (shown later in Figs. 10 and 11) where it does not project substantially beyond the face plate P. Depending on a particular mode of operation of the lock system 100, the turning of the key (not shown) or the turning of either door handle 21, 22 may operate to withdraw or retract latch bolt 35 from its extended position, e.g. where it is usually positioned for latching engagement in the strike plate recess (not shown) in a door frame, to its retracted position such that the latch bolt 35 may disengage from the recess to enable the door to be opened. The latch bolt 35 is biased to its extended position by a spring 36, in this case, a coil spring, as can be seen in Fig. 5.

[0044] The lock body unit 30 can also be seen in Figs 1 to 5, and especially in Figs. 3 and 4, to include an auxiliary bolt 37 arranged adjacent to the latch bolt 35. Like the latch bolt 35, the auxiliary bolt 37 is configured for movement between an extended position, as seen in Figs. 1-5, and a retracted position (seen later in Figs. 10 and 12) where it does not project substantially beyond the face plate P. Again, like the latch bolt 35, the auxiliary bolt 37 is biased towards its extended position by a spring 38, in this case, a coil spring, as can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4. The auxiliary bolt 37 is configured to be depressed and activated by contact with the strike plate (not shown) when the door is closed, such that when the door is in the closed and latched position with the latch bolt 35 in its extended position within the recess of the strike plate, the auxiliary bolt 37 is depressed against the strike plate (i.e. adjacent the recess into which the latch bolt 35 extends) in its retracted position and acts to automatically dead-latch the latch bolt 35 against end pressure. Such auxiliary bolts 37 are known in the art and provide a security feature designed to prevent the latch bolt 35 from being forced out of its latched engagement within the recess in the strike plate by the application pressure to the free end of the latch bolt 35; e.g. by a tool or implement inserted between the door and the door frame. It will be noted that auxiliary bolt 37 is able to move between its extended position and its retracted position independently of the latch bolt 35 when the latch bolt 35 is in its extended position. However, auxiliary bolt 37 is configured and arranged nested in a recess 39 adjacent to the latch bolt 35 in such a manner that movement of the latch bolt 35 from its extended position to its retracted position causes the latch bolt 35 to engage and to move the auxiliary bolt 37 to its retracted position.

[0045] The lock body unit 30 includes a bolt retractor mechanism 40 for moving or retracting the bolt 35 into the sleeve or tube 32 from its extended position to its retracted position. The retractor mechanism 40 has a drive shaft 41 that pivots or turns about an axis X and a retractor member 42 integrally formed with, or rigidly connected to, the drive shaft 41 such that it rotates or pivots with drive shaft 41 as either one of the door-handles 21, 22 is turned. To this end, the retractor mechanism 40, and particularly the drive shaft 41, is operatively connected with the handle mechanism 20 (again seen in broken lines in Fig. 2) so that the drive shaft 41 is pivoted or turned about the axis X when one of the handles 21, 22 is operated. The retractor member 42 extends radially away from the axis of the drive shaft 41 and terminates in a curved nose 43 that is arranged to abut and engage an inclined surface 44 formed on an upper edge region of a bolt drive member 45. The manner in which the retractor member 42 operates upon rotation of the drive shaft 41 is generally known, but will be described in more detail later.

[0046] Referring still to Figs. 1 to 5, the lock system 100 of the invention further comprises a sensor device 50 (see Fig. 5) for sensing whether each of the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37 is in its respective extended position or its respective retracted position, and a processor 99 (such as an integrated circuit) optionally located within the housing 10 (see Fig. 1) for assessing data from the sensor device 50 to determine the door state. In this way, the lock system 100 is designed to detect the door state based on the respective positions and/or changes in position of the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37. For example, when the lock system 100 senses that both the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37 both move from their extended position to their retracted position, followed by the latch bolt 35 moving from its retracted position and to its extended (latching) position while simultaneously sensing that the auxiliary bolt 37 has remained in its retracted position, the processor 99 may determine that door has moved to a closed and latched state. Furthermore, if the door state is determined as the closed and latched state, then sensing that the auxiliary bolt 37 has moved from its retracted position to its extended position without the latch bolt 35 having moved from its extended position to its retracted position, the processor 99 may determine that the door has been forced out of the closed and latched state, which may be called or identified as a“door forced” state.

[0047] Referring also now to Figs. 6 to 13 of the drawings, as well as to Figs. 3 to 5, the sensor device 50 of the lock system 100 will be described in greater detail with reference to the door being moved to the closed state. In particular, as the door moves from an open state to a closed and latched state, the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary hot 37 are moved from respective extended positions to their retracted positions as they are, for example, depressed by their contact with the strike plate (not shown) mounted on the door frame or doorjamb. In this context, Figs. 1 to 5 and Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the position of the various parts of the lock system 100 in use when the door is in an open state. Both of the handles 21, 22 are in a neutral non-activated orientation and both the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary hot 37 is in its extended position.

[0048] The sensor device 50 of the lock system 100 comprises a first sensor arrangement 51 for sensing whether the latch bolt 35 is in its extended position or its retracted position and a second sensor arrangement 52 for sensing whether the auxiliary bolt 37 is in its extended position or its retracted position.

[0049] To this end, the first sensor arrangement 51 comprises a first sensor mechanism 60 that is operatively connected with the latch bolt 35 and a first switch 53 (provided in the form of a micro-switch) that is actuated by the first sensor mechanism 60. Specifically, the first sensor mechanism 60 is configured or adapted to transfer reciprocating movement of the latch bolt 35 between its extended and retracted positions to the first switch 53 for switching the first micro- switch 53 between its on and off positions. The first sensor mechanism 60 is provided at an end region of the bolt drive member 45 remote from the latch bolt 35. Indeed, the first sensor mechanism 60 includes an end part 61 of the bolt drive member 45 having a cutout 62, and a first rotary member 63 that is connected to the cut-out 62 in the end part 61 of the bolt drive member 45 via a linkage or link member 64 for transferring the movement of the latch bolt 35 (i.e. imparted via the bolt drive member 45) to a first switch coupler or actuator 65 that is operatively associated or coupled with the first switch 53. The first switch coupler or actuator 65 is a generally Y-shaped member that is arranged externally of the lock body unit 30 but within the housing 10 and has upstanding arms 66 for interaction with the first rotary member 63 and a generally central depending stem 67 that is operatively coupled with the first micro-switch 53.

[0050] Similarly, the second sensor arrangement 52 comprises a second sensor mechanism 80 that is operatively connected with the auxiliary bolt 37 and a second switch 54 (provided in the form of a micro-switch) that is actuated by the second sensor mechanism 80. In this regard, the second sensor mechanism 80 is configured or adapted to transfer reciprocating movement of the auxiliary bolt 37 between its extended and retracted positions for switching the second switch 54 between its on and off positions. To this end, the second sensor mechanism 80 includes a pusher member or second link member 81 which is engaged and linearly driven by the auxiliary bolt 37 as it retracts, and a second rotary member 83 for transferring the movement of auxiliary bolt 37 (i.e. imparted via the pusher member or second link member 81) to a second switch coupler or actuator 85 that is operatively associated or coupled with the second switch 54. The second switch coupler or actuator 85 is a roughly U-shaped member that is arranged externally of the lock body unit 30 but within the housing 10 and has upstanding arms 86 for interaction with the second rotary member 83 and a base region 87 that is operatively coupled with the second micro-switch 54.

[0051] As noted above, Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the position of the lock system 100 in use when the door is in an open state, both of the handles 21, 22 are in a neutral, non-activated orientation and both the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37 is in its extended position. When the door is pulled closed from the inner side Si or pushed closed from the outer side So, the chamfered end face 35’ of the latch bolt 35 contacts and bears against the strike plate mounted in the opposite door frame (not shown) which acts to gradually depress the latch bolt 35 against the bias of its spring 36 and, in turn, also the auxiliary bolt 37 against the bias of its spring 38. This moves the components of the lock system 100 to the positions shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. As the door is moved further towards the closed position, the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37 are fully depressed to their respective retracted positions as shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. When the door reaches its fully closed position, the latch bolt 35 aligns with the complementary recess provided in the strike plate, which thereby releases the latch bolt 35 from bearing against the strike plate and allows the latch bolt 35 to return to its extended position projecting into the recess under the force or bias of the spring 36. At the same time, the the auxiliary bolt 37 remains depressed in its retracted position, providing the configuration of the lock system 100 as shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, with the door in the closed and latched state.

[0052] Considering the operation of the sensor device 50 in the lock system 100, and especially the operation of the first sensor arrangement 51 and the second sensor arrangement 52, the lock system 100 will be considered as the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37 move through the range of positions from Figs. 6 and 7 to Figs. 12 and 13. As is apparent from Figs. 6 and 7, the auxiliary bolt 37 in its extended position does not project from the tube 32 of the lock body 30 quite as far as the latch bolt 35 in its extended position. This creates a small gap or“play” d between the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37. Thus, the auxiliary bolt 37 is only moved or depressed towards its retracted position after the latch bolt 35 has moved this distance d and come to engage the shoulder of the auxiliary bolt 37 where it nests in the recess 39 of the latch bolt 35.

[0053] After movement to the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the latch bolt 35 has engaged the auxiliary bolt 37 and both have been partially depressed towards their respective retracted positions, as is apparent from the relative compression of the coil spring 36 between Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 and from the relative compression of the coil spring 38 between Fig. 6 and Fig. 8. The movement of the latch bolt 35 imparts movement to the first sensor mechanism 60 via the bolt drive member 45. In particular, the link member 64 engages in the cutout 62 at the end region 61 of the bolt drive member 45 and transfers the movement of the latch bolt 35 (i.e. imparted via the bolt drive member 45) to the first rotary member 63. In this regard, the link member 64 is mounted to pivot on a shaft 68 which is keyed to a socket 69 (see Fig. 4) of the first rotary member 63. The first rotary member 63 further includes a first cam 70 which engages a shoulder 71 formed in a recess of one of the upstanding arms 66 of the Y-shaped first switch actuator member 65 for transferring rotary movement of the first rotary member 63 to substantially linear (downward) movement of the first switch actuator 65. In this regard, the compression of a return spring 72 provided at a base of the depending stem 67 of the first switch coupler or actuator 65 can be seen comparing Fig. 7 and Fig. 9. During this same stage of operation, the movement of the auxiliary bolt 37 imparts movement to the second sensor mechanism 80. In this connection, an extension 37’, especially a pin or rod-like extension, provided on an inner end region of the auxiliary bolt 37 engages a depending flange 82 of the pusher or second link member 81 and imparts linear movement to this pusher or second link member 81. The pusher member 81, in turn, transfers the movement of the auxiliary bolt 37 to the second rotary member 83 via a lever 84 pivotally mounted on a shaft 88 that is keyed to a socket 89 (see Fig. 5) of the second rotary member 83. The second rotary member 83 includes a second cam 90 that engages a shoulder 91 formed in a recess of one of the upstanding arms 86 of the U-shaped second switch coupler or actuator member 85 for transferring rotary movement of the second rotary member 83 to substantially linear (sideways) movement of the second switch coupler or actuator 85.

[0054] Because there was no initial movement of the auxiliary bolt 37 as latch bolt 35 moved to close the gap d and take up the“play” between them, there is minimal or only marginal change in the position of the second switch coupler or actuator member 85 between Figs. 6 and 7 and Figs. 8 and 9. This change becomes substantially more pronounced, however, as both the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37 are depressed to their fully retracted positions shown in Figs. 10 and 11. In this regard, the compression of a return spring 92 provided at an end region of the second switch actuator member 85 can be seen clearly comparing Fig. 9 and Fig. 11. In this way, the second micro-switch 54 is activated via the actuator member 85 to communicate to the processor 99 that the auxiliary bolt 37 is in its retracted position. The first sensor mechanism 60 has simultaneously also driven the Y-shaped first switch actuator member 65 further downwards such that the return spring 72 at the base of the depending stem 67 of the first switch actuator member 65 is fully compressed. In this way, the first micro-switch 53 is activated via actuator member 65 to communicate to the processor 99 that the latch bolt 35 is in its retracted position.

[0055] As noted above, when the door reaches its fully closed position in Figs. 12 and 13, the latch bolt 35 aligns with the recess provided in the strike plate, which releases the latch bolt 35 to return to its extended position projecting into the recess under the force of the spring 36. This causes the first sensor mechanism 60 to move back to the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7, so that the first sensor arrangement 51 communicates to the processor 99 via first micro-switch 53 that the latch bolt 35 is in its extended position. At the same time, however, auxiliary bolt 37 remains depressed in its retracted position shown in shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Thus, the second sensor arrangement 52 will continue to communicate to the processor 99 via second micro- switch 54 that the auxiliary bolt 37 is in its retracted position. The processor 99 is programmed to recognize that these relative positions of latch bolt 35 and auxiliary bolt 37, and especially the changes in the changes in the relative positions of latch bolt 35 and auxiliary bolt 37 described with reference to Figs. 6 to 13, correspond to the door being in, or having moved to, a closed and latched state. In the event that the second sensor arrangement 52 then later senses via the second micro-switch 54 that the auxiliary bolt 37 has moved to its extended position, while the latch bolt is sensed by the first micro-switch 53 to have remained in its extended position, the processor 99 is programmed to determine that the door has been forced out of the closed and latched state to what may be called or identified as“door forced” state. This state identifies a security breach and a forced opening of the door. The processor 99 may include communication software and/or hardware for sending an alarm signal in the event of such a detected state.

[0056] With reference now to Figs. 14 and 15, movement or operation of the lock system 100 via the handles 21, 22 is illustrated. When one of the door-handles 21, 22 is turned, the drive shaft 41 is also turned or rotated (i.e. anticlockwise in Fig. 14 and clockwise in Fig. 15). This forces the curved nose 43 of the retractor member 42 into and along the angled or inclined surface 44 on an upper edge region of the bolt drive member 45 which, in turn, drives the bolt drive member 45 towards the right-hand side of Fig. 14 (i.e. left-hand-side of Fig. 15) and, thus, draws the latch bolt 35 into its retracted position shown in Fig. 14. The movement of the latch bolt 35 to its retracted position occurs against a resilient bias provided by the spring member 36 accommodated on the registration pin 36’. As discussed above, the retracting latch bolt 35 will engage and also move the auxiliary bolt 37 after the gap or“play” d is eliminated. In this way, the activation of the lock system 100 via the handles 21, 22 also moves both the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37 to their respective retracted positions (corresponding to the positions shown in Figs. 10 and 11), and these positions are detected or sensed by the first and second sensor arrangements 51, 52, as described above. When the door-handle 21, 22 is released, the latch bolt 35 and the auxiliary bolt 37 are biased to return to the extended position shown in Figs. 1 to 5 by the springs 36, 38. This also assists the retractor member 42 and drive shaft 41, and thus also the door-handle 21, 22, to turn or pivot back to their respective original positions, although the torsion spring(s) in the handle mechanism 20 described above also operate in this regard.

[0057] Finally, the drawing Figs. 16 and 17 are intended to illustrate that the lock system of the preferred embodiment can be arranged or assembled in a left-handed configuration or in a right- handed configuration in a door. That is, it will be appreciated that the lock body unit 30 can be turned or reversed through 180° and integrated with the housing 10 and handle mechanism 20 in both orientations. In particular, the drive shaft 41 and the pivot shafts 68, 88 project from the casing 31 of the lock body 30 and form the interface with the components of the handle mechanism 20 and the other components of the first and second sensor mechanisms 60, 80, respectively, within the housing 10.

[0058] Although specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternative and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. It will, for example, be noted that the processor 99 may form part of a controller or monitor for monitoring lock system. The controller or monitor may include communication hardware and/or software for communicating the current door state and/or any change in door state to a user or a monitoring station.

[0059] It will also be appreciated that in this document the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", "contain", "containing", "have", "having", and any variations thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "a" and "an" used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.

Claims

1. A lock system for detecting a door state, comprising:

a lock body having:

a latch bolt that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the latch bolt in the extended position being configured to be received in a recess of a strike plate provided on a door frame adjacent a door in or upon which the lock body is mounted when the door is in a closed and latched state, and

an auxiliary bolt that is arranged adjacent to the latch bolt and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the auxiliary bolt being configured to be pressed in against the strike plate in the retracted position when the door is in a closed and latched state; a sensor device for sensing whether each of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt is in its respective extended position or its respective retracted position; and

a processor for assessing data from the sensor device to determine the door state.

2. A lock system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises:

a first sensor arrangement for sensing whether the latch bolt is in its extended position or its retracted position; and

a second sensor arrangement for sensing whether the auxiliary bolt is in its extended position or its retracted position.

3. A lock system according to claim 2, wherein the first sensor arrangement comprises a first sensor mechanism operatively connected with the latch bolt and a first switch actuated by the first sensor mechanism,

wherein the first sensor mechanism is configured to transfer reciprocating movement of the latch bolt between its extended and retracted positions for switching the first switch between on and off positions.

4. A lock system according to claim 3, wherein the first sensor mechanism includes a first rotary member for transferring movement of the latch bolt from the lock body to parts of the first sensor arrangement external to the lock body, including the first switch.

5. A lock system according to claim 4, wherein the first sensor mechanism includes: a first link member that operatively interconnects the latch bolt with the first rotary member, and a first coupler member that operatively interconnects the first rotary member with the first switch, wherein the first rotary member includes a first cam for transferring rotary movement of the first rotary member to substantially linear movement of the first coupler member for moving the first switch between the on and off positions.

6. A lock system according any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second sensor arrangement comprises a second sensor mechanism operatively connected with the auxiliary bolt and a second switch actuated by the second sensor mechanism,

wherein the second sensor mechanism is configured to transfer reciprocating movement of the auxiliary bolt between its extended and retracted positions for switching the second switch between on and off positions.

7. A lock system according to claim 6, wherein the second sensor mechanism includes a rotary member for transferring the movement of the auxiliary bolt from the lock body to parts of the second sensor arrangement external to the lock body, including the second switch.

8. A lock system according to claim 7, wherein the second sensor mechanism includes: a second link member that operatively interconnects the auxiliary latch bolt with the second rotary member, and a second coupler member that operatively interconnects the second rotary member with the second switch, wherein the second rotary member includes a second cam for transferring rotary movement of the second rotary member to substantially linear movement of the second coupler member for moving the second switch between the on and off positions.

9. A lock system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein both the latch bolt and the auxiliary latch bolt is resiliently biased to its respective extended position.

10. A method of detecting a door state in a lock system, comprising:

providing a lock assembly having:

a latch bolt that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the latch bolt in the extended position is configured to be received in a recess of a strike plate provided on a door frame adjacent a door in or upon which the lock assembly is mounted when the door is in a closed and latched state, and

an auxiliary bolt that is arranged adjacent to the latch bolt and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the auxiliary bolt being configured to be depressed against the strike plate in the retracted position when the door is in a closed and latched state; sensing whether each of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt is in its respective extended position or its respective retracted position;

determining a door state based upon a sensed position and/or a change in the sensed position of each of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein sensing the latch bolt move from its retracted position and to its extended latching position, while simultaneously sensing the auxiliary bolt remain in its retracted latching position, is determined as the door moving to a closed and latched state.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein sensing the latch bolt move from its extended position to its retracted position and then back to its extended position, while simultaneously sensing the auxiliary bolt move from its extended position to its retracted position together with the latch bolt and then remain in its retracted position as the latch bolt moves back to its extended position, is determined as the door moving into the closed and latched state.

13. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, when the door state is determined as the closed and latched state, sensing the auxiliary bolt move from its retracted position to its extended position without the latch bolt moving from its extended position, is determined as the door being forced out of the closed and latched state.

14. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein both the latch bolt and the auxiliary latch bolt is resiliently biased to its respective extended position, such that movement to their respective retracted positions is against the resilient bias.

15. A method of detecting a door state in a lock assembly having a latch bolt that is movable between an extended latching position and a retracted position, and an auxiliary bolt next to the latch bolt that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the method comprising:

sensing whether each of the latch bolt and the auxiliary bolt is in its respective extended position or its respective retracted position;

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein sensing the latch bolt move from its retracted position and to its extended latching position, while simultaneously sensing the auxiliary bolt remain in its retracted latching position, is determined as the door moving to a closed and latched state.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein sensing the latch bolt move from its extended position to its retracted position and then back to its extended position, while simultaneously sensing the auxiliary bolt move from its extended position to its retracted position together with the latch bolt and then remain in its retracted position as the latch bolt moves back to its extended position, is determined as the door moving into the closed and latched state.

18. A lock system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein, when the door state is determined as the closed and latched state, sensing the auxiliary bolt move from its retracted position to its extended position without the latch bolt moving from its extended position, is determined as the door being forced out of the closed and latched state.