WO2013007990A1

WO2013007990A1 - Lock and method of operation of a lock

Info

Publication number: WO2013007990A1
Application number: PCT/GB2012/051587
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terry Park; Keith Lupton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-08
Filing date: 2012-07-06
Publication date: 2013-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-08
Also published as: GB2507898B; GB201402214D0; GB2507898A; GB201111694D0

Abstract

There is provided a lock including one or more movable locking members movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position following actuation of the same in use. An intermediate movable member is arranged with respect to the one or more movable locking members such that the intermediate member is moved from a first position to a second position on movement of said locking members from the non- actuated position to the actuated position. A locking bolt is connected to or associated with the intermediate member. The locking bolt is movable from a locked position to an unlocked position in use on movement of the intermediate member from the first position to the second position. The lock further includes additional locking means arranged to prevent movement, directly or indirectly, of the intermediate movable member from the first position to the second position until one or more pre-determined conditions are met.

Description

Lock and Method of Operation of a Lock

The invention to which this application relates is a lock and a method of operating a lock.

Although the following description refers almo st exclusively to a lock for a safe or other container, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used to prevent access to other locations, such as the door to a room and/ or the like.

It is well known to provide safes and other security containers with combination locks, which can be mechanical or electronic. Less common, although equally well known, is the provision of key-operated lever locks for such uses.

A conventional rotary combination lock may comprise a combination dial attached to a spindle, which runs through several wheels and a drive cam inside the safe. The drive cam is provided with a drive pin and the wheels are provided on each side with a proj ecting wheel fly. When the dial is rotated, the spindle rotates the drive cam, such that the drive pin may engage the wheel fly of the adjacent wheel to rotate the same, which may in turn rotate the next wheel via corresponding wheel flys until all the wheels are rotating. Each wheel has a recess or notch known as a gate thereon such that when the correct combination is dialled, the gates line up. A small metal bar known as a fence rests across the wheels and blocks the path of the bolt that secures the safe door. However, when the gates line up, the fence falls into the gap, either due to a spring force or gravity, and the bolt can then slide back to allow the safe door to be opened. A problem with the conventional rotary combination lock is that an unauthorised person may open the safe if they are provided with the combination, if for example they observe someone opening the safe or the combination is written down.

A further problem is that even if the combination is not known, a lock expert can listen to the mechanism as the dial is rotated to determine the combination thereof, as the fence rests on the wheels and the sound of the same impacting the gates and/or the wheel flys contacting each other as the dial is turned can be recognised.

It is possible to replace the rotary dial with a mechanical key in which grooves are journalled therearound which correspond to the correct degree of rotation of the wheels when the key is turned. However, it is still possible for a lock expert to pick the lock by using appropriate tools.

An alternative type of lock which does not present such problems is the electronic combination lock. In this system a solenoid member blocks the path of the bolt that secures the safe, but on entering the correct combination on a keypad, the solenoid member is withdrawn and the bolt can then slide past to allow the safe door to be opened.

However, the same problem exists with this system in that an unauthorised person may open the safe if they are provided with the combination. It may also be subjected to other, more surreptitious, attacks.

A typical lever lock may comprise a number of pivoted levers or tumblers that prevent a bolt from moving in the lock, from either a locked position to an unlocked position, or vice versa. Each tumbler comprises a slot or gate, the heights of which vary between each tumbler. When each tumbler is lifted above a certain height, in such a way that the gates of each of the tumblers that make up the lock are aligned, the bolt is permitted to slide past, thereby allowing the locking or unlocking of the particular door in which the lever lock is located. Conventional lever locks are locked and unlocked by means of a key. The teeth or bittings of the key are cut to match the required height the tumblers must be lifted in order to align the gates and allow the bolt to move from one po sition to another. Rotation of the key in the appropriate lock activates this mechanism. The number of levers within such lock may vary. For locks that can be opened from either side of the door in which it is located, there will usually be an odd number of levers to provide symmetry. This is not a requirement for the locks present in safes and other security containers.

A problem with conventional lever locks, as with combination locks, is that it is possible for an unauthorised person to pick the lock by using the appropriate tools and having the appropriate skill.

Furthermore, it is possible simply for a person to make a copy or impression of a key for a particular lever lock, or even steal the key, which may then be used by an unauthorised person. If it becomes known to the owner of the lever lock that this has occurred, then a full replacement of the lock itself is required to prevent an unauthorised person gaining access.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a lock which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a method of operating a lock which overcomes the abovementioned problems. In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock, said lock including:

one or more movable locking members movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position following actuation of the same in use;

an intermediate movable member arranged with respect to said one or more movable locking members such that the intermediate member is moved from a first position to a second position on movement of said locking members from the non- actuated position to the actuated position;

a locking bolt connected to or associated with said intermediate member, said locking bolt movable from a locked position and an unlocked position in use on movement of the intermediate member from the first position to the second position;

characterised in that said lock further includes:

additional locking means, said additional locking means arranged to prevent movement, directly or indirectly, of the intermediate movable member from said first position to said second position until one or more pre-determined conditions are met.

Thus, the present invention provides a lock that cannot be picked, or at least is significantly more difficult to pick compared to conventional locks, because the additional locking means prevents the intermediate movable member from being moved, and thus prevents the bolt from being unlocked, until the one or more pre-determined conditions have been met. The one or more pre-determined conditions are typically a different set of conditions associated with actuation of the one or more movable locking members. In one embodiment the one or more movable locking members are in the form of one or more rotatable wheels. Preferably the one or more rotatable wheels are coaxially mounted in the lock.

In an alternative embodiment the one or more movable locking members are in the form of one or more slidable or pivotable levers.

In one embodiment, each of the one or more rotatable wheels or movable locking members include a notch or recess which, in one embodiment forms a gate.

Preferably, in the wheel embodiment, each notch or recess extends radially of the wheel. Further preferably, each wheel has a predetermined width or radius and each notch or recess spans sub stantially said entire width or radius.

In one embodiment a plurality of locking members or wheels are provided and each of the one or more locking members or wheels can be rotated or moved through different degrees or through different distances when being moved from the non- actuated position to the actuated position. Preferably the different degrees or different distances are pre-determined for each locking member or wheel.

Preferably rotation or movement of each of the plurality of locking members or wheels by a particular degree or through a particular distance moves the notches or recesses provided on said wheels or locking members from a non-aligned position to a sub stantially aligned position. The substantially aligned po sition of the rotatable wheels or locking members typically equates to the actuated position of the wheels or locking members. Preferably the intermediate movable member moves from the first position to the second position once the notches or recesses on the one or more rotatable wheels or locking members are substantially aligned following actuation of the same.

Preferably at least part of the intermediate movable member engages the substantially aligned notches or recesses in the second position. For example, at least part of the intermediate movable member can fall into engagement with the notches/recesses, either via a biasing force or via gravity, once the notches or recesses on the wheels or locking members are sub stantially aligned or in the actuated position.

The intermediate movable member is preferably a spaced distance apart or out of engagement from the notches or recesses when the intermediate movable member is in the first position and/or when the locking members or rotatable wheels are in the non-actuated or non-aligned position.

In one embodiment the lock is mounted inside a housing. Preferably the lock housing is mounted in or on a container or door. For example, the container can be in the form of a safe.

In one embodiment the door or container is provided with one or more door or container bolts. In one embodiment these door or container bolts are preferably independent of and separate to the locking bolt of the lock. Thus, in order to open the door or container, a user may be required to actuate the lock, either before or after actuation of the one or more door or container bolts.

In one embodiment the intermediate movable member is in the form of a fence lever and/or is provided with an arm portion. At least part of the fence lever and/or arm portion preferably engages the one or more notches or recesses on the one or more rotatable wheels or locking members when said wheels or locking members are substantially aligned or when in the actuated position and the intermediate movable member is in or moves to the second position.

In one embodiment the one or more locking members or wheels are actuated via a key. For example, the locking members or wheels can be moved or rotated from the non-actuated or non- aligned po sition to the actuated or substantially aligned position using a key.

Typically the lock is provided with an aperture through which the key may be inserted in use to allow actuation of the lock and one or more locking members.

The key is preferably provided with a plurality of grooves journalled therearound or formed therein. Each groove is preferably arranged to engage with or be associated with a particular notch or recess on the plurality of locking members or rotatable wheels. The po sition or size of each of the grooves on the key typically corresponds to the required or pre-determined degree of rotation or distance the rotatable wheels or locking members need to move in order to move from the non-actuated or non-aligned po sition to the actuated or sub stantially aligned position in use.

In one embodiment at least one of the one or more rotatable wheels is a drive wheel. Movement of the drive wheel, in one example, results in movement of one or more other rotatable wheels. Thus, in one embodiment actuation of the drive wheel results in actuation or driving movement of one or more other rotatable wheels. Preferably a notch or recess on the drive wheel may be differently shaped to a notch or recess on the, or one or more, other rotatable wheels. Such a feature may be provided to ensure secure engagement of the arm portion of the intermediate movable member or fence le ver therewith in the second position.

In one embodiment the drive wheel may have a different diameter than the other rotatable wheels with which it is associated, such as for example, a smaller diameter.

In yet another embodiment the drive wheel may not be provided with any notch or recess thereon.

Typically once the intermediate movable member or fence lever engages with the one or more rotatable wheels or locking members in the aligned or actuated position, further rotation or movement of the one or more rotatable wheels or locking members causes the locking bolt joined to or associated with the intermediate movable member or fence lever to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

In one embodiment, the intermediate movable member or fence lever is pivotally mounted to the locking bolt.

In one embodiment biasing means are provided to bias the intermediate movable member or fence lever towards the second position. For example, resilient biasing means can be provided to resiliently bias the intermediate movable member or fence lever into engagement with the aligned or actuated locking members and/or rotatable wheels. The resilient biasing means can be a spring, sprung member and/ or the like. In an alternative embodiment th e intermediate m ovable member or fence lever moves from th e first position to the second position under gravity once the one or more lo eking members are in the actuated position.

In one embodiment the additional locking means includes a blocking member or a solenoid member, and optionally a detent member.

Preferably the blocking member or solenoid member is movable with respect to the intermediate movable member or to the detent member from an inactivated position to an activated position once the one or more pre-determined conditions are met.

Typically the inactivated position corresponds to the blocking or solenoid member being in an extended position with respect to the intermediate movable member or detent member, and the activated position corresponds to the blocking or solenoid member being in a retracted po sition with respect to the intermediate movable member or detent member.

In one embodiment the blocking or solenoid member, when in the extended or inactivated position, abuts or engages the detent member. Movement of the blocking or solenoid member from the extended or inactivated position to the retracted or activated position typically moves the detent member from a primary position to a secondary position.

Preferably with the detent member in the primary position, movement of the intermediate movable member or fence lever is prevented. With the detent member in the secondary position, movement of the intermediate movable member or fence lever is allowed. In one embodiment the detent member is rotatably mounted in the lock and movement of said detent member from the primary position to the secondary position is via rotation.

In one embodiment the detent member is provided with a first arm and at least a second arm. Typically in the primary position, the at least first arm of the detent member engages, directly or indirectly, the intermediate movable member or fence lever and the at least second arm abuts the blocking member or solenoid member. In the secondary position, the at least first arm of the detent member can be moved clear o f the intermediate movable member.

In one embodiment the at least first and second arms of the detent member extend substantially at right angles to each other but it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to a particular angle.

Typically when the detent member is in the secondary position, it covers the blocking or solenoid member to maintain the same in the retracted or activated position.

In one embodiment the detent member is provided with resilient biasing means. Preferably the biasing means biases the detent member to the secondary position (i.e. the position in which the intermediate movable member is able to move to the second position and move the locking bolt to the unlocked po sition) . As such, once the blocking or solenoid member is moved from the inactivated or extended position to the activated or retracted position, this allows the detent member to move under the biasing force of the biasing means to the secondary position. In a further embodiment, the biasing means of the detent member are provided on the intermediate movable member.

In one embodiment the drive wheel of the one or more locking members is provided with a protrusion. Preferably the protrusion or drive wheel is arranged to move the detent member from the secondary position to the primary position when the drive wheel is rotated from the aligned or actuated position to the non-aligned or non-actuated position. Thus, when the one or more rotatable wheels are rotated from the actuated position back to the non-actuated position, the protrusion on the drive wheel, or the drive wheel itself, overcomes the biasing force on the detent member, thereby allowing the blocking or solenoid member to move back into the extended or inactivated position.

In one embodiment the additional locking means or blocking or solenoid member is operable via an electronic lock. Thus, in one example the one or more pre-determined conditions are met following correct activation of the electronic lock.

Preferably the electronic lock is provided with any or any combination of input means or a keypad for inputting a code or combination therein; a contactless system including detection and authentication means for detecting and authenticating a card, chip or electronic identifier; a card reader operable via a swipe card; or a detection system. The one or more predetermined conditions are met when any or any combination of the above systems/means are appropriately or correctly activated.

Typically the electronic lock is provided with input means or a keypad for inputting a code, combination and/or the like. Input of the correct code, combination and/or the like results in correct activation of the electronic lock, which in turn preferably results in the blocking or solenoid member moving from the extended or non-activated position to the retracted or activated position.

In one embodiment the electronic lock is a contactless system. Preferably the contactless system includes detection and authentication means for detecting and authenticating a card, chip, electronic identifier and/or the like. Correct authentication of the card, chip or electronic identifier is typically required for the one or more pre-determined conditions to be met.

In one embodiment the card, chip, electronic identifier and/or the like is integral with a key or the key of the lock that actuates the locking members. Alternatively, the card, chip, electronic identifier and/or the like is provided separate part to a key or the key of the lock that actuates the locking members.

In a further embodiment the electronic lock includes a card reader. A correct code, combination and/or the like is required to be entered via the swipe card encoded with the same in order to meet the one or more pre-determined conditions.

In one embodiment rotation of a key in the lock (i.e. to move the locking members in one example) in combination with correct authentication via a detection system associated with the additional locking means is sufficient to meet the predetermined condition, thereby allowing the locking bolt to be unlocked.

A detection system can be associated with the additional locking means, which allows the additional locking means to be moved from an activated position to a non-activated po sition once the detection system has been correctly activated via one or more means, such as for example one of the means mentioned above.

The detection system can be provided with a substantially constant power supply or the power can be selectively supplied thereto. In one embodiment power can be supplied to the detection system by one or more batteries.

In a yet further embodiment the detection system is selectively activatable by rotation of the key in a lock.

In one embodiment the lock is a euro cylinder. Preferably the euro cylinder is connected to a key bit.

Further preferably a container of the lock is provided with a euro cylinder housing, containing a circuit board and a cam.

Yet further preferably, insertion of the euro cylinder into the euro cylinder housing and rotation of the key in the euro cylinder moves an end of the cam across a face of the circuit board.

Typically power is selectively supplied to the detection system of the additional locking means when the cam of the euro cylinder is rotated by the key.

Typically the locking bolt is slidably mounted in the lock housing such that it protrudes from the lock housing in the locked po sition, and moves inwardly with respect to the lock housing to form the unlocked position.

In one embodiment the container is provided with a handle.

Preferably the handle is disposed on the door of the container. Further preferably the handle is operable to move locking bolts within the door.

Typically the locking bolt prevents movement of the one or more door bolts until the locking bolt is moved to the unlocked position.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for improving a conventional lock by providing additional locking means for the conventional lock. Preferably the additional locking means includes a detent member and a blocking or solenoid member, the blocking or solenoid member preventing or blocking movement of the detent member when in an inactivated or extended position and allowing movement o f the detent member when in an activated or retracted position.

Preferably the activated position is achievable once one or more of pre-determined conditions of the additional locking means are met.

Preferably a drive member is provided for mounting on at least one of one or more movable locking members of the conventional lock, the drive member being arranged to abut the detent member.

In one embodiment a mounting aperture is made in the conventional lock housing and the detent member and/or blocking or solenoid member are located in the mounting aperture of said conventional lock housing.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a lock comprising; moving one or more movable locking members from a non-actuated position to an actuated position;

said movement allowing an intermediate movable member, arranged with respect to said one or more movable locking members, to move from a first position to a second position, thereby affecting movement of a locking bolt connected to or associated with said intermediate movable member from a locked position to an unlocked position;

characterised in that movement of the intermediate movable member is prevented, directly or indirectly, by additional locking means provided in the lock, until one or more predetermined conditions are met.

Preferably the one or more movable locking members are moved by inserting a key into the lock and rotating the key.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock comprising:

one or more rotatable wheels, each wheel being provided with a notch;

a fence lever provided with an arm, said fence lever being moveable between a first position in which the arm is clear of the notches and a second position in which the arm engages the wheels via the notches;

a bolt connected to the fence lever, such that when the fence lever engages the wheels the bolt is moveable from a first position to a second position;

characterised in that locking means are provided to prevent the fence lever moving from the first position to the second position until a predetermined condition is met.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for improving a lock, comprising

a detent member a movable member for mounting on at least one of one or more movable members of the conventional lock, and provided with means for abutting the detent member; and

a blocking member, for preventing movement of the detent member, the same being movable from a first position to a second position.

In one embodiment the detent member and/or solenoid member are located in a mounting hole of the lock.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a lock comprising;

inserting a key into the lock;

rotating the key such that notches on the wheel inside the lock align and allow a fence lever to engage the wheels;

further rotating the key such that a bolt connected to the fence lever is retracted;

characterised in that the fence lever is prevented from contacting the wheels until an appropriate electronic signal is received.

Typically the appropriate electronic signal is received if the user provides the correct authentication.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described wherein:-

Figure 1 illustrates a rear view of a lock according to one embodiment of the invention (a) in a locked configuration (b) in an unlocked configuration.

Figure 2 illustrates a view of the inside of a door of a container fitted with a lock according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a key operable with a lock according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 -2.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic side view of a key system operable with a lock according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates schematic views o f some of the components illustrated in Figure 4.

With reference to Figure l a, there is illustrated a rotary combination lock 2 comprising a plurality of movable locking members (in this instance wheels 4) rotatable about a common axis. The wheels 4 are located within a housing 12 and the lock housing can be mounted within a safe or other secure container (not shown) .

A door of the safe is provided with an aperture aligned with an aperture 10 in the lock housing. An end of a key 6 may be inserted into the aligned apertures in use and rotated to allowing the wheels 4 to be moved from a non-actuated po sition to an actuated position. In the illustrated example, the key is rotated in an anticlockwise direction (when viewed from the rear, as illustrated) to rotate the wheels 4 as indicated by arrow 22.

The key 6 is typically provided with a plurality of grooves journalled therearound. With the key inserted in the lock aperture, these grooves are configured to turn the corresponding wheels 4 by differing degrees or through different distances to form the actuated position as will be explained in more detail below. Each wheel 4 has a notch 8, known as a gate, on the perimeter thereof which spans a width of the wheel such that when the wheels are rotated by the correct key, the gates or notches 8 moved from a non-aligned po sition to an aligned po sition to allow an arm 14 of an intermediate movable member (in this instance a fence lever 1 6) to move into a resulting gap formed by the aligned notches/gates. Thus, the arm 14 of the fence lever 1 6 moves from a first position, wherein the arm 14 is clear of or not able to engage with all the notches/gates 8 of wheels 4, to a second position, wherein the arm 14 is able to engaged with the aligned notches/gates 8 of wheels 4.

The fence lever 16 is pivotably mounted in the locking housing about an axis 20. Biasing means in the form of a spring 18 are provided with the fence lever 1 6 to bias the arm 14 in an anticlockwise direction towards the gates/notches 8.

Conventionally, continued rotation of the key 6 in lock 2 would cause continued movement of the wheels 4 and thus cause fence lever 16 engaged with the aligned gates/notches 8 of the wheels to move a locking bolt 36 from a locked position to an unlocked position. However, in accordance with the present invention, additional locking means are provided with lock 2 to provide additional security for opening the lock until a pre-determined condition has been met. The additional locking means in the illustrated example includes a detent member 26 and a blocking or solenoid member 32 which blocks or limits movement o f detent member 26.

The arm 14 and fence lever 1 6 are prevented from pivoting from the first position to the second position by detent member 26 until the predetermined condition has been met. Fence lever 1 6 is provided with a protrusion 24 thereon which is arranged to abut a first arm 28 of the detent member 26. A second arm 30 of detent member 26 abuts solenoid member 32. The detent member 26 is pivotally mounted in the lock housing about an axis 34.

The predetermined condition that has to be met to allow activation of the additional locking means in the illustrated example is authentication of an electronic code via the Genous system (not shown) of Charnley Security Services, which is certified to a governmental security level. The Genous system comprises detection means for detecting a chip held within a token, and on authentication of the same an electronic signal is provided to confirm that the predetermined condition has been met. In this example, the electronic signal temporarily activates solenoid member 32, thereby allowing solenoid member 32 to move with respect to detent member 26 from an extended or non-activated po sition to a retracted or activated position.

With solenoid member 32 retracted, solenoid member 32 is moved clear of second arm 30 of detent member 26, thereby allowing detent member 26 to pivot in a clockwise direction about its axis 34 from a primary position to a secondary position. In the secondary position, first arm 28 of detent member 26 is moved, which causes fence lever 1 6 to pivot in the anticlockwise direction such that arm 14 engages the notches/gates 8 of the wheels 4 if the same are aligned.

As mentioned previously, fence lever 16 is connected to a slidable locking bolt 36 via a pivot 20 such that further rotation of the wheels 4 pulls the fence lever 16 across and/or towards the wheels 4 (upwards, as shown in Figure l b) thereby sliding the locking bolt 36 from a locked po sition (Figure l a) inwardly with respect to the housing 12 to an unlocked configuration illustrated in Figure l b.

In order to move the locking bolt 36 back to the locked configuration, the key 6 is rotated in the opposite direction (in this example, clockwise) . In this example, a drive wheel 42 mounted co-axially with the other wheels 4 causes first arm 28 of detent member 26 to move from the secondary position back to the primary position. More particularly, drive wheel 42 is provided with a pin 38 such that rotation of the drive wheel 42 causes the pin 38 to contact inside edge 40 of the first arm 28 o f the detent member 26. This rotates the detent member 26 anticlockwise, thereby allowing the solenoid member 32 to move from the activated or retracted po sition with respect to detent member 26 into the extended or inactivated position with respect to detent member 26. The rotation of detent member 26 also lifts the fence lever 16 out of engagement with gates/notches 8 on wheels 4 and pushes the bolt 36 outwardly of the housing 12 from the unlocked position to the locked position.

With reference to Figure 2, there is illustrated a door 421 of a safe from the inside, in which lock 2 is mounted in use.

The lock 2 is in communication with detection means 48 of the Genous system which is able to provide the electronic signal to retract or activate the solenoid member 32 of the lock 2 on authentication of a particular token brought within range of the detection means. The Genous system can be configured via circuit board 50.

The door 421 is mounted on the safe via a pivot along edge 44, and the opposite edge is secured to the safe via bolts 46 which engage the frame of the safe (not shown) . The bolts 46 are mounted on frame 52 which can be slid inwardly towards the edge 44 by rotating a handle on the opposite side of the door 421 , the rear side 60 of which is connected to a lever 62 which is connected to the frame 52 via a slot 58. The frame 52 is also provided with a slot 56 to allow the frame to slide past the handle 60, and a stop 54 which abuts the bolt 36 when the lock 2 is in the locked configuration and prevents the safe from being opened.

Thus in use, a person would unlock the safe by bringing their token into range of the detector 48 which retracts/activates the solenoid member 32, inserting a key 6 into the lock 2 and rotating the same to retract the bolt 36 as described above, then rotating the handle 60 to retract the main door bolts 46 and allowing the door to be opened.

To lock the safe, the handle 60 is rotated in the opposite direction to engage the door bolts 46, and the key 6 is rotated in the opposite direction in the lock to extend the bolt 36 to a locked position, thereby limiting or preventing further movement of the handle 60. It is not typically necessary to also use the token on the electronic system to deactivate the additional locking means as the electronic activation to retract the solenoid member 32 is typically only temporary, and the solenoid member 32 is biased (via the biasing means associated with detent member 26) to move from the retracted position to the extended position automatically when the key 6 is turned to a locked position. The detent member 26 uncovers the solenoid member 32 when it is rotated back from the secondary position to the primary position.

It will be appreciated that a conventional rotary combination lock may be adapted to form the embodiment of the lock illustrated in Figures 1 -2, by mounting a detent member 26 and a solenoid member 32 via mounting holes 80 made in housing 12, and providing or adapting the other components as necessary.

With reference to Figure 3, there is illustrated a key 64 for use with the lock 2 illustrated in Figures 1 -2. The key 64 includes a stem portion 68 with a bit portion 70 provided adjacent a free end thereof. The bit portion 70 includes a plurality of grooves 72 formed therearound (i. e. around the peripheral edge) .

The stem portion 68 of the key 64 may be varied in length to suit the thickness of a door through which the key 64 must be inserted for the stem 68 to engage the lock 2. The bit portion 70 may be integral with the stem portion 68 or removably connected thereto. A user rotates the key 64 via a head 66 provided at the opposite end of stem portion 68 from bit portion 70.

In one embodiment of the invention, described with reference to Figures 1 -2, the solenoid member 32 is retracted or activated by activation of an electronic system via a separate token. However, the electronic system could be activated by a suitably configured portion of the key 64 itself.

With reference to Figure 4, there is illustrated a key system comprising a bit portion 70 removably mounted on a stem portion 68 which may vary in length, as indicated by the jagged ends 74.

The end of the stem portion 68 is mounted on a euro cylinder 76, into which a key 78 may be inserted as indicated by arrow 82. In this example, the key 78 is provided with a head 84 containing a chip for authentication by the Genous system as hereinbefore described, such that the Genous system is activated when the key 78 is inserted in the eurocylinder 76 and turned. The door 421 of the container is provided with a cylinder housing 88 and an antenna 90 for the Genous system. With further reference to Figure 5, the cylinder housing 88 contains a circuit board 82 with a recess 94 shaped to fit around the stem 68, and located such that on insertion of the euro cylinder 76 into the housing via aperture 96, as indicated by arrow 98, the end of a cam 86 mounted on the stem is moved acro ss the face of the circuit board 92 as the key 78 is rotated in the euro cylinder 76.

Rotation of the cam 86 via the 78 key in this way enables a power supply to the Genous detection means, such that the chip in the head 84 can be authenticated, thereby allowing the lock 2 to be moved to the unlocked configuration via rotation of the bit 70.

This embodiment has the advantage that a constant power supply to the Genous system is not required. As power is only required when the key 78 is rotated, the power may be supplied by one or more batteries.

However it will also be appreciated that the euro cylinder portion of the key may be removed such that the key of Figure 3 is, in effect, provided with an authentication chip in the head 66. This embodiment has the advantage that the physical and electronic keys are integrally formed, rather than having two separate components.

While the specific embodiments described above relate to rotary combination locks, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention and further additional modification applies equally to previously mentioned conventional lever locks. It will also be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention also includes further additional modifications made to the device which does not effect the overall functioning of the device.

Claims

1. A lock, said lock including:

characterised in that said lock further includes additional locking means, said additional locking means arranged to prevent movement, directly or indirectly, of the intermediate movable member from said first position to said second position until one or more pre-determined conditions are met.

2. The lock according to claim 1 wherein the one or more movable locking members are in the form of one or more rotatable wheels.

3. The lock according to claim 1 wherein the one or more movable locking members are in the form of one or more slidable or pivotable levers.

4. The lock according to claims 2 or 3 wherein each of a plurality of rotatable wheels or movable locking members include a notch or recess, rotation or movement of said rotatable wheels or locking members moves said notches or recesses from the non-actuated or a non-aligned position to the actuated or substantially aligned position.

5. The lock according to claim 4 wherein each of the plurality o f rotatable wheels or locking members is rotatable or movable by different degrees or through different distances to move said wheels or members from the non-actuated or non-aligned position to the actuated or sub stantially aligned position.

6. The lock according to claim 5 wherein the aligned position of the one or more rotatable wheels equating to the actuated position of the locking members.

7. The lock according to claim 4 wherein the intermediate movable member moves from the first position to the second position once the notches or recesses of the rotatable wheels or locking members are in the actuated or sub stantially aligned position.

8. The lock according to claim 7 wherein at least part of the intermediate movable member is moved into engagement in or with the aligned notches or recesses in the second position.

9. The lock according to claim 8 wherein the intermediate movable member is in the form of a fence lever including at least an arm portion, the arm portion moving into engagement with the aligned notches or recesses of the rotatable wheels or locking members when the intermediate movable member is in the second position.

10. The lock according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate movable member is resiliently biased to the second position via biasing means.

1 1. The lock according to claim 2 wherein a plurality o f rotatable wheels are provided, one of which is a drive wheel for driving movement of one or more other of said rotatable wheels.

12. The lock according to claim 1 wherein actuation of the one or more locking members is via actuation or rotation of a key in the lock.

13. The lock according to claim 12 wherein the key is provided with a plurality of grooves formed therearound or therein, each groove arranged to allow each of a plurality of locking members to move through a pre-determined degree or distance from the non-actuated po sition to the actuated position.

14. The lock according to claim 1 wherein the additional locking means includes a blocking or solenoid member, and optionally a detent member.

15. The lock according to claim 14 wherein the blocking or solenoid member is movable with respect to the detent member or intermediate movable member from an inactivated or extended position to an activated or retracted position once the one or more pre-determined conditions are met.

16. The lock according to claim 1 5 wherein movement of the blocking or solenoid member from the inactivated or extended position to the activated or retracted po sition moves the detent member from a primary position to a secondary po sition.

17. The lock according to claim 1 6 wherein movement of the detent member from the primary po sition to the secondary position allows the intermediate movable member to move from the first position to the second position.

18. The lock according to claim 14 wherein the detent member is rotatably mounted in the lock.

19. The lock according to claim 1 6 wherein the detent member is resiliently biased to the secondary position.

20. The lock according to claim 14 wherein the one or more locking members include a drive wheel and the detent member is moved by the drive wheel from a secondary position to a primary position on movement of the drive wheel from an actuated position to a non-actuated position.

21. The lock according to claim 14 wherein the additional locking means, blocking or solenoid member is operable via an electronic lock, the one or more pre-determined conditions of the additional locking means being met following correct activation of the electronic lock.

22. The lock according to claim 21 wherein the electronic lock is provided with any or any combination of input means or a keypad for inputting a code or combination therein; a contactless system including detection and authentication means for detecting and authenticating a card, chip or electronic identifier; a card reader operable via a swipe card; or a detection system.

23. The lock according to claim 22 wherein the detection system is activated by a key in a lock, the lock being in the form of a euro cylinder.

24. A kit of parts for improving a conventional lock, said kit of parts including a detent member and a blocking or solenoid member, the blocking or solenoid member preventing or blocking movement of the detent member when in an inactivated or extended position and allowing movement of the detent member when in an activated or retracted position, said activated position being achievable once one or more pre-determined conditions are met.

25. A method of operating a lock comprising;

moving one or more movable locking members from a non-actuated position to an actuated position;