Alternative electronic and keyless mechanical single lock control

Abstract

A lock for an access door having an electrically powered electronic smart lock control and a keyless mechanical lock control, and a single locking bolt element. The single locking bolt element is made movably operable, to permit opening of the access door, with either of an electronic code entry via the electrically powered electronic smart lock control or a mechanical code entry via the keyless mechanical lock control. The mechanical lock control, with mechanical code entry, thereby provides a fail-safe back up for keyless entry through the access door in the event of electrical failure on the electronic smart lock.

Claims

1. A lock for an access door comprising an electrically powered electronic smart lock control and a keyless mechanical lock control, and a single locking bolt element, wherein the single locking bolt element is made movably operable to permit opening of the access door with either of an electronic code entry via the electrically powered electronic smart lock control and a mechanical code entry via the keyless mechanical lock control, wherein the mechanical lock control, with mechanical code entry, provides a fail-safe back up for keyless entry through the access door.

2. The lock of claim 1, wherein the electronic smart lock control and the keyless mechanical lock control alternatively effect movement to release a restraint from the single locking bolt element whereby the single locking bolt element is made movable to enable the access door locked with the lock to be opened.

3. The lock of claim 1, wherein electrical power for the electronic smart lock control comprises an electrical battery.

4. The lock of claim 2, wherein the electronic smart lock control comprises a keypad configured for the electronic entry of a predetermined code to mechanically permit the bolt element to be made movably operable to permit opening of the access door with release of the restraint and wherein the keyless mechanical lock control comprises one of a keypad, pushbuttons and alignable rotating combination rings.

5. The lock of claim 1, wherein the movably operable single bolt element is mechanically moved by one of a controlling handle lever and a rotating controlling dial.

6. The lock of claim 5, wherein the single locking bolt element and controlling handle lever and rotating controlling dial comprise meshing gears between the single bolt element and the controlling handle lever or rotating controlling dial wherein entry of the electronic code or mechanical code effects meshing of the respective gears to permit the single locking bolt element to be made movably operable.

7. The lock of claim 1 wherein the electronically powered smart lock control and keyless mechanical lock control are integrated in a single keypad whereby, with entry of either an electronic code or a mechanical code, the single locking bolt element is made movably operable to permit opening of the access door.

8. The lock of claim 1, wherein the mechanical code entry is electrically remotely reset and wherein entry and operation of the mechanical lock control is operable in the absence of electrical operational supply.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a latch bolt, with an electronic smart lock, and a push button mechanical lock control with an illustrative call out of inner mechanical operation.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a dead bolt, with an electronic smart lock, and a rotating dial combination mechanical lock control with an illustrative call out of inner mechanical operation.

(3) FIGS. 3A and 3B are views of an integrated single electrical and mechanical code entry key pad with alternative operative electrical and mechanical code entry functions with FIG. 3B being a cross section view of the key pad of FIG. 3A, taken along line A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) Operation of either lock (10, 10a) is identical with differences in bolt type (latch bolt 20 in FIG. 1 and dead bolt 20a in FIG. 2, type of mechanical code entry (push button pad 17 in FIG. 1 and dial combination 17a in FIG. 2) and bolt throwing mechanism (lever latch handle 18 in FIG. 1 and dial 18a in FIG. 2)

(5) In the locks 10 and 10a of both FIGS. 1 and 2, normal entry is effected with entry of a combination code known to the user via the key pad 11 and 11a. When the correct smart lock code is manually entered into the electronic smart lock keypad 11 and 11a, a mechanical connection 12, 12a, such as an electrically operated solenoid exerts a pulling force, shown by arrows 13, 13a to vertically move lifting connector 14, 14a to lift the restraint 15, 15a, out of notch 16, 16a in locking bolts 20, 20a, thereby enabling the locking bolts 20, 20a to be moved manually (via geared interface 19, 19a) by lever latch handle 18 in FIG. 1 or dial 18a, unlocking the door (not shown).

(6) Mechanically powered lock controls (100, 100a) in FIGS. 1 and 2 provide a fail-safe backup to the battery powered electronic controlled mechanism 10, 10a, by alternatively providing lifting of restraint 15, 15a with a separate mechanical connection 114, 114a. Entry of a push button code via keypad 111 in FIG. 1 or aligning a correct code combination in the dial 111a of FIG. 2 enables opening/reset control 21, 21a to be moved to activate mechanical connection 114, 114a to lift restraint 15, 15a. This provides an alternative back up mechanical control for moving the bolt (20, 20a) for opening of the door.

(7) For security purposes, reset element 22, 22a is linked to the lock controls 100, 100a whereby, activation of lever handle 18 or dial 18a causes the pushbuttons 17 of push button pad 17 in FIG. 1 to return to their original unpressed state (spring loaded automatic return push buttons obviate the need for reset element 22) or mechanical dial elements 17a in combination dial 17a to become randomly jumbled.

(8) FIG. 3A depicts a lock 50 with an integrated keypad 60 having both electronic and mechanical operation code entry functions. As shown in cross section view A-A of FIG. 3B, the respective pushbutton code entry elements 61 have a dual depth depression level, with L1 being the shorter for electrical contact control and the lower level L2 for longer activation of mechanical controls beneath the electronic controls, for the separate mechanical code entry operations. Entry of a code provides both electronic and mechanical entry and if one is correct the access door is made openable. Thus, if electrical power is available, entry of either an electronic or a mechanical code provides for opening of the access door and if electrical power is not available, entry of the mechanical code effects ability to open the access door with removal of the restraint and operation of lever latch handle 18 remaining the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

(9) It is understood that the above description and illustrative drawings are merely exemplary of the invention, with changes in components, electrical and mechanical requirements and structure being possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.