GB2216948A - An improved door lock asembly - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a door lock assembly of the kind having a bolt mechanism (2) an actuating handle (5) which in use extends from one side of a door (1) a keyhole (7) which in use is disposed on the opposite side of a door (1) to receive a lock actuating key and manually operable locking button or turn (6) in use disposed on the same side of the door 1 as the actuating handle (5) to lock the bolt mechanism (2). The assembly includes an opto electric indicator (8) and a battery to power the indicator. A switch operable by a push button or turn (6) activates the indicator (8) by completing an electrical circuit when the bolt mechanism is locked. <IMAGE>

Description

An improved door lock assembly This invention relates to door lock assemblies ot the kind having a bolt mechanism, an actuating handle which in use extend3 from one side of a door, a keyhole which in use is disposed on the opposite side of a door to receive a lock actuating key and manually operable locking means in use disposed on the same side of the door as the actuating handle to lock the bolt mechanism.

It is known to usc such assemblies on, for instance, hotel bedroom doors. In this application it is most desirable to provide an external indication of the lock status to service staff. In the past this has been done by the use of a flag pin. The Clag pin system works such that when the door is locked from the inside by means of a button mounted in the Joor handle a pin is caused to extend from an aperture nedr the external keyhole. In this way the chamber maid, other service staff, are warned when they are about to put a key into the door that the occupant does noL wish tu be disturbed.

The flag pin system has several disadvantages not the least of which is that should the pin be damaged while in the extended position its retraction may become {mpossible, and this in turn may prevent subsequent operation of the lock. In addition the flag pin itself constitutes a hawed which may inflict injury on the fingers of someone noL observing tne lock carefully wflen atternpting to insert the key. It is not desirable to arrange the pin to be more highly visible since by the nature of it: funcLiun it is intended to be unobtrusive.

We have now found it possible to provide an improved door lock assembly which will overcome or at least ameliorate the above disadvantagea.

Accordingly this invention consists in a door lock assembly of the kind having a bolt mechanism, an actuating handle which in use extends frum one side of a door, a keyhole which in use is disposed on the opposite side of a door to receive a lock actuating key and manually operable locking means in use disposed on the same side of the door as said actuating handle to lock the bolt mechanism, said assembly further comprising an opto-electric indicator, a battery to power said opto-electric indicator and switch means operable by said locking means to activate said opto-electric indicator by completing an electrical circuit between the battery and the illuminating device when the bolt mechanism is locked.

As used herein the term opto-electric indicator is intended to refer primarily to indicators which when activated provide a light output however it also refers to devices such as liquid crystal displays.

The arransemenl anr.rirrin to this invention hae tho adventages that there is flu. hazard to the user, and the light may be of sufficient intensity and suitably positioned to ensure that the warning given is both easy to observe yet discreet.

Preferably the light comprises a light emitting diode mounted behind a lens which concentrates the light output along a narrow beam. In this way the light may be clearly visible to a chamber maid standing in front of the lock, as she would have to do if she were to open the door1 yet invisible from all other positions. The light can also be directed to a location adjacent the keyhole to illuminate the key as it is inserted in the lock. In this way an effective but in-obstrusive indication is given.

Advantageously the warning light may be arranged to flash when the circuit is completed, and appropriate electronic circuitry may be included to control the duty cycle and period of the flashing.

Owing to the expense involved in supplying mains wiring to moving doors it is necessary for the door lock assembly to carry an on-board battery power supply. Tne battery ia preferably accessibly in its compartment via the edge of the door, tind a battery compartment cover is preferably situated near the door bolt.

In one embodiment the switch means to activate the opeo-electric indicator comprises a microswitch disposed within the lock assembly dnd activated in response to operation of the locking medns.

In another embodimeiit the switch means is formed by two conductive perts included in the lock assembly which come itu electrical contact in response to operation of said lockiny means. In this arrangement it is preferred that the lock assembly forms part of the electrical circuit between the battery and the illuminating device.

This invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows the front of a door including a lock assembly according to a first embodiment of this invention: Figure 2 shows the edge of the door shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part of the lock assembly shown in Figure 1 in one operational position; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the part in a second operational position; Figure 5 shows the front of a door including a lock assembly according to a second embodiment of this invention; Figure 6 shows the edge of the door shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is an enlarged parLly sectional view of part of the lock assembly shown in Figure 5.

In the following description the operation of the lock assemblies which will be known to those skilled in the art are only Jeuribed to the extent necessary to gain an understanding of this invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 a door 1 is provided with a lock assembly comprising a bolt 2 which extends from one edge 3. The operation of the mechanism is generally similar to the "ENTRY" door lock manufactured by the applicant. The bolt 2 is operable by a bolt mechanism (not shown). Handles 4 and 5 are provided on each side of the lock assembly for operation of the bolt mechanism. A locking button 6 is concentricallY-mounted with handle 5 and comprises manually operable locking means to lock the bolt mochtniRm. Thp push button operates to lock the bolt mechanism in the conventional manner and this operation will not be described in detail.

A keyhole 7 which serves as the entry for a X nvontional tnk cylinder (not shown) is provided to receive a lock actuating key (not shown). This key can be used to disengage the locking of the bolt mechanism.

When the bolt mechanism is in the unlocked condition it may be retracted by means of manipulation of either of handles 4 or 5, or by handle 5 only.

However, when the button E is depressed to lock the bolt mechanism only handle S can be used to withdraw the bolt and simultaneously unlock the bolt mechanism. The bolt can only be withdrawn from the side of the door corresponding to handle 4 by means of first inserting a key (not shown) into the keyhole and unlocking the bolt mechanism.

A light emitting diode 8 is mounted in the door 1 and illuminated in the manner described below. A battery compartment (not shown) provided with a cover 9 in the edge 3 of the door is provided to house a buttery (also not shown) to power the illuminating service.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate part of the internal operation of the lock assembly. Push button 6 is mounted on a shaft 10 which carries a conductive metallic lock element 11. Element 11 includes a barb 12. The shaft 10 and element 11 protrude throUgh a further lock part 13 on which a conductive metallic contact 14 is mounted but insulated from part 13. A wire 15 forming part of an electric circuit is connected to contact 14. In figure 3 the mechanism is in the unlocked condition and there is no connection 14 with contact. Figure 4 shows the mechanism in the locked condition in which barb 12 is moved to abut contact 14.

This provided a electric connection between the wire 15 and the metallic and hence conductive remainder of the lock mechanism complete an electric circuit in the following manner. The baLLry compartment includes contacts for the respective positive and negative terminals of the battery (not shown) one of which is electrically connected to the body of the lock mechanism. The other Lei:ninal is connected by a suitable wiriny to one terminal of light emitting diode 8 and the other terminal of light emitting diode 8 is connected to wire 15. Tnus when contact is made between barb 12 and contact 14 an electrical circuit is completed and the light emitting diode is illuminated by means of power from the battery.When the bolt mechanism is unlocked the parts return to the configuration shown in figure 3 and the electrical connection is broken. The circuit can include any suitable known means to regularly make and break the circuit so as to cause the light emitting diode to flash.

The light emitting diode B is arranged on the door near the keyhole 7. The diode is protected by a lenss arrangement (not shown) which communicates with the outer surface of the door and preferably causes light emitted from the diode 8 to be channelled in a narrow beam. The ru of light may be arranged to shine in any convenient direction, for instance up tuwards the eyes of a person standing in front of the door, or alternatively downwards so that it shines on a key that is about to be inserted irstu the keyhole 7. In this way a chambermaid, or other service person, is signalled that the occupant does noL wish to be disturbed and warned not even tu interfere with the door lock.

Figures 5 to 7 show d door provided with a lock assembly according to a second aspect of this invention. The basic luk assembly is of the kind known as the Efco 3000 Series Lock manufactured by the applicant. The lock assembly is in principle generally similar to the "SENTRY lock assembly described above and the same reference numerals have been used un similar parts. For the sake of clarity only the dl Serences o! the two assemb I t es ro.levant to thiS invention will be desribd in Retail.

The lock assembly includes manipulating handles 4 and 5 which are of a bar type. Instead of push button 6 this lock assembly is provided with a locking "turn" 6a which is rotated between a position in which the bolt mechanism is locked so that the bolt can h withdrawn by handle 5 but not by handle 4 and an unlocked position in which either of the handles 4 or 5, or handle 5 only, can be used to withdraw the bolt. In this embodiment a keyhole 7a is located on one side of the door but is not within the handle 4 as in the first embodiment. The keyhole 7a also serves as an entry for a conventional lock cylinder (not shown) which is operable by a key (not shown) to disengage the locking of the bolt mechanism.

The lock assembly also includes face plates 16 and 17 which are respectively mounted on either side of the door 1. Light emitting diode 8 is mounted with the face plate 16 on the outside of the door.

Figure 7 shows part of the internal workings of the lock assembly. As with the first embodiment only those parts necessary for understanding of the present invention are described. The assembly includes a rotatable member 18 which has a cam extension 19 and an arm 20. Member 18 is rotated by turn 6a and cam 19 is used to effect locking of the bolt mechanism in the substantially conventional manner. A microswitch 21 having electrical contacts 22 and 23 dnd actuating element 24 is mounted adjacent member 18. When member 18 is rotated to a position corresponding to the locked condition of the bolt mechaniuin arm 20 comes into contact with element 24 which in turn closes a switch connection (not shown) between electrical contacts 23 and 22.When member 18 is returned to the unlocked condition the circuit is broken. As with the embodiment described above a battery compdrtment (not shown) includes respective contacts for the positive and negative terminals of the battery. Oile of the terminals is connected by suitable wiring to one contact ot the light emitting diode. The other terminal is connected via electrical wiring to contact 22. Contact 23 is connected via wire 25 tO the other terminal of the light emitting diode 8. In this way the electrical Connection of terminals 22 and 23 completes an electrical circuit which includes light emitting diode 8 so the diode is illuminated. AS with the first embodiment suitable means, such as a semiconductor chip of known type, can be included in the circuit to result in the light emitting diode flasning rather than remaining continuously illuminated. This has the advantage of reducing power consumption and hence prolongong battery life.

It should be appreciated that the invention may be embodied in many other forms, for instance the light may be positioned by the side of or even below the outside door handle. Also the switch may be incorporated into the inside door handle in any number of different ways.

Although the invention is described above with reference to two specific types of lock assembly it can be utilised in other suitable lock types.

It may also be desirable to associate the invention with other desirable features of hotel bedroom door locks, for instance the light may be activated in tandem with an obstruction which is introduced into the keyhole to prevent insertion of a key in the event of the light not being seen, or being ignored.

The invention also includes other kinds of light signals for instance a glowing display segment mounted on the surface of the door. Such an arrangement may even be incorporated into the door handle.

Claims (12)

1. A door lock assembly of the kind having 8 bolt mechanism, an actuating handle which in use extends from one side of a door, e keyhole which in use is disposed on the opposite side of a door to receive a lock actuating key and manually operable locking means in use aispossa on the same side ot tne qoor as said actuating handle to lock the bolt mechanism, said assembly further comprising an opto-electric indicator, a battery to power said opto-electric indicator and switch means operable by said locking means to activate said opto-electric indicator by completing an electrical circuit between the battery and the illuminating device when the bolt mechanism is locked.

2. A door lock assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein :said opto-electric indicator is provided with directing medns to make the indication visible at a selected location adjacent the door.

3. A door lock assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said a tiny means comprises a lens.

4. A door lock assembly as claimed in claim z or claim 3 wherein said opto-electric indicator produces a light output and said directing means directs the light output to u lvcdtion adjacent said keyhole to illuminate the key as it is inserted into the keyhole.

5. A door lock assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said opto-electric indicator is a light emitting diode.

6. A door lock assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising means to flash said opto-electric indicator whilst activated.

7. A door lock assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said switch mea comprises a microswitch disposed within the lock assembly and activated in response to operation of said locking means.

8. A door lock assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said switch Int:a-n:s is formed by two conductive parts included in the lock assembly which come into electrical contact in response to operation of said locking means.

9. A door lock assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the lock assembly form part of the electrical circuit between the battery and the illuminating device.

10. A door lock ase:nbly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the locking means comprises a push button or turn.

11. A door including a door lock assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A door lock assembly substantially as herein described wiLh refeterlue tu Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accolnpanying drawings.