ACTUATING HANDLE AND DEVICE FOR SECURING AGAINST BREAK-INS

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating handle (17), provided with a preferably electromechanical locking mechanism (8, 8a), having a predetermined breaking point (4) which is between a handle neck (21) and a grip part (1) and is in particular monitored by an electrical switch (3) that preferably also acts as an “opening detector”. During authorised opening of the actuating handle (17), a programmed switch (A1) closes the circuit of the electrical switch (3), the circuit of the physical switch (A2) is then opened, and therefore the grip part (1) can be brought into an opening or tilted position without the alarm being triggered by the switch (3). After the actuating handle has been brought into the closure position, and after the electromechanical locking process (8, 8a), the switch (A1, A2) procedure is executed in a reverse sequence.

Claims

1. An actuating handle for actuating a sash of a window or a door, comprising: a housing for attaching the actuating handle to the sash; a handle rotatably mounted on the housing and having a handle neck for gripping by a user and a grip part supported in the housing for rotation between a closed position and an open position for transmitting the rotational movement of the handle to a locking mechanism of the sash, at least one predetermined breaking point being provided between the handle neck and the grip part; a locking mechanism by means of which the grip part is configured be locked against rotation relative to the housing in the locked position; and a breakage monitoring device for monitoring the predetermined breaking point and for outputting information about a breakage of the predetermined breaking point.

2. The actuating handle according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one fastening means for fastening the housing to the sash; and a tamper protection device, wherein the tamper protection device is configured to detect a movement of the at least one fastening means and to output information on the movement of the fastening means.

3. The actuating handle according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is of electromechanical design.

4. The actuating handle according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism has a latch configured to be actuated by an actuator, for positive engagement in at least one latch recess on the grip part.

5. The actuating handle according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to be actuated by a monitoring panel and/or by a switching unit and/or by an alarm system and/or by means of a time recording system.

6. The actuating handle according to claim 1, further comprising a keyless personal identification device which is configured to initiate locking or unlocking of the grip part by the locking mechanism when an authorized person is identified.

7. The actuating handle according to claim 6, wherein the personal identification device is selected from the group of personal identification devices consisting of a biometric personal identification devices for detecting a personal characteristic of the authorized person, a fingerprint recognition, a face or retina recognition, a voice recognition, a code keypad, an NFC interface for near field communication with a user terminal or a chip, and an RFID reader.

8. The actuating handle according to claim 7, wherein the fingerprint recognition device is configured in such a way that one or more fingerprints of one or more authorized persons are read into and stored in an internally or externally mounted control unit by means of a fingerprint scanner that is either attached to/in the actuating handle or externally and that an applied fingerprint is compared directly with the stored fingerprints by means of radio transmission or in a wired manner.

9. The actuating handle according to claim 1, wherein the breakage monitoring device has a first sensor or a first switching unit for detecting a movement of the handle neck when the grip part is locked and is configured in such a way that, in the event of such detection, it supplies information about the breakage to a control unit for triggering an alarm.

10. The actuating handle according to claim 9, further comprising at least one circuit, which is configured to bridge the first switching unit by means of a switching bridge when an authorized person is detected by the personal identification device.

11. The actuating handle according to claim 10, wherein at least one switching bridge is installed between the control unit and the first switching unit, wherein, when the authorized finger is placed on the print reader, the switching bridge closes a circuit of the first switching unit before the authorized opening of the actuating handle to allow a switch of the first switching unit to open when the actuating handle is opened, without delivering the information about the breakage, wherein thereafter the electromechanical locking mechanism unlocks, wherein after the actuating handle is again brought into the closed position, it is again electromechanically locked, wherein, in the process, the switch closes the circuit, and wherein subsequently the at least one switching bridge opens again.

12. The actuating handle according to claim 1, further comprising a status monitoring device for monitoring the status of the locking mechanism and for supplying information about the status to a monitoring panel or control unit.

13. The actuating handle according to claim 12, wherein the status monitoring device comprises a second switching unit or a second sensor for detecting the position of the locking mechanism its latch or the position of the grip part.

14. The actuating handle according to claim 2, further comprising, as fastening means, at least one screw for fastening the housing to the sash, wherein the tamper protection device has at least one switch engaging the screw, wherein the screw has at least one portion of larger diameter and one portion of smaller diameter, wherein the tamper protection device is configured in such a way that, when an attempt is made to unscrew this screw in order to open or remove the actuating handle, the switching tongue of the switch is moved from the larger diameter to the smaller diameter of the screw or from the smaller diameter to the larger diameter of the screw, wherein through this movement a circuit is interrupted or closed by the switch as a result of the detected difference in diameter, and wherein in this way a tamper alarm is triggered by radio or in a wired fashion.

15. A device for securing an object against break-ins, wherein the object comprises one or more windows and/or one or more doors, the sashes of which are at least partially equipped with the actuating handle according to claim 1.

16. The device according to claim 15, further comprising at least one further opening detector, which comprises a reed switch with opposing magnets for detecting a movement of the actuating handle or of the sash provided therewith.

17. The device according to claim 15, further comprising at least one glass breakage detector provided outside the actuating handle and connectable or connected to the actuating handle.

18. The device according to claim 15, further comprising at least one further alarm detector which is connected or connectable to the actuating handle.

19. The device according to claim 15, wherein sensitizing or desensitizing of an electronic monitoring unit is performed via the automatic or signal-controlled locking mechanism, or autonomously each individual actuating handle located in the object performs the sensitizing or desensitizing by means of the automatic or signal-controlled locking mechanism directly or via an external connection.

20. A method for monitoring an object with regard to break-ins and for securing the object against break-ins, characterized by using the actuating handle according to claim 1 and triggering an alarm in the event of breakage of the predetermined breaking point or at least one of a plurality of predetermined breaking points.

Description

[0096] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Features of embodiments of the invention are described in particular by the example of a window with a window handle as an actuating handle; however, the invention is not limited thereto. It is shown by:

[0097] FIG. 1 a sectional view of one embodiment of an actuating handle with electronic monitoring;

[0098] FIG. 2 a top view of the actuating handle with electronic monitoring;

[0099] FIG. 3 one embodiment of a circuit diagram of the actuating handle mentioned in the above Figures; and

[0100] FIG. 4 a side view of an embodiment of a tamper protection device.

[0101] The device shown in a sectional view in FIG. 1 is used to detect and monitor the position of an actuating handle 17 and to transmit the detected position information to an evaluation unit, an alarm system, a bus system or the like.

[0102] The actuating handle 17 has, for example, a handle (window handle)—consisting of grip part 1 and handle neck 21—which is mounted on a stop body 14, for example a rosette, with a counter stop 22 so as to be axially fixed and rotatable. The actuating handle 17 is fastened by means of screws 101, 102, explained in more detail later with reference to FIG. 4, for example to a window sash, which is also not shown, wherein a driver 15, preferably a square pin, which is fixed in the neck of the handle 21 so that it cannot rotate, engages in a driver recess 19 adapted to the driver downstream of a predetermined breaking point 4 and then in an actuating device (gear) in the window sash, which is also not shown.

[0103] The predetermined breaking point 4 is checked for breakage by means of a breakage monitoring device described in more detail in the following by way of example.

[0104] In the handle neck 21 is a latch recess 20 (example of a latch counter-bearing). If the handle 1 is turned to the “locked” mode, a first switching unit 3 is closed. This is signaled by the first switching unit 3 to an electromechanical locking mechanism 8 mounted in the stop body 14, which now inserts a latch 8a into the latch recess 20 in the handle neck 21. This locks the rotary movement of the handle 1, 21. To achieve a higher locking effect, stabilizers 9 can be attached to the side of the latch 8a. When the latch 8a is locked into the latch recess 20, a second switching unit 7 signals this to a control unit 12 as “locked”.

[0105] The stop body 14 of the actuating handle 17 thus accommodates a number of electrical switching units 3, 7, which transmit the respective position of the handle 1, 21 by radio or by cable to the control unit 12 integrated in the actuating handle 17 or to an evaluation unit not shown.

[0106] The first switching unit 3 is located on a monitoring lug 2 and monitors the “closed” or “open” state of the actuating handle 17. It is, as seen from the handle—grip part 1—positioned upstream of the predetermined breaking point 4. If, in the closed state of the actuating handle 17, a force in excess of the resistance of the predetermined breaking point 4 is applied to the grip part 1, for example in the case of an attempted break-in, the predetermined breaking point 4 breaks.

[0107] This interrupts the transmission of force from the grip part 1 to the driver 15, the first switching unit 3 switches, signals this to the evaluation unit or control unit 12, the grip part 1 can now be operated without force connection to the driver 15, and the window remains locked in the locked state. This process can be reported by the evaluation unit or control unit 12 in the stop body 14 as an alarm to an alarm panel not shown. The first switching unit 3, with its special circuitry, is to be regarded as an “opening detector”.

[0108] The second electrical switching unit 7 installed on the stop body 14 is connected to the latch 8a and monitors the locked and unlocked state of the latch 8a. This respective state, locked or unlocked, shown with the arrow 16, is passed on by the second switching unit 7 to the evaluation unit or control unit 12, which can pass it on to the alarm panel, which is not shown, if required. The second switching unit 7 thus acts as a so-called “lock detector” for the alarm panel.

[0109] Diodes 13 can be attached to the stop body 14. These indicate to the operator via the closure detector whether the grip part 1 is locked or not locked via the electromechanical locking mechanism 8 in conjunction with the latch 8a.

[0110] A further advantageous design of the actuating handle 17 is that the actuating handle 17 is controlled by means of a fingerprint scanner 11—also called a print reader (preferred example of a biometric personal identification device). Either in the evaluation unit, the control unit 12 or in an external evaluation not shown, fingerprints of the authorized persons can be scanned. If a person subsequently places his or her finger on the fingerprint scanner 11, the algorithmic code is communicated to the respective evaluation unit and checked. If the authorized code is present, the grip part 1 is unlocked, in contrast to the unauthorized code. In other embodiments, other biometric personal identification devices that use at least one previously stored specific biometric feature of an authorized person, or a code input device for entering an authorization code, or an NFC receiver or a Bluetooth interface or the like for communication with a mobile communication device (in particular cell phone) stored as authorized, or an RFID reader can be provided. The personal identification system should be designed in such a way that it can perform identification based on features usually found on the person, such as biometric features, memorized codes or typically carried objects such as mobile phones or such as RFID chips to be used universally, so that no separate key needs to be kept or used and operation remains simple and convenient.

[0111] Fingerprint sensors are particularly preferred.

[0112] In order to detect tampering of the electronics in the actuating handle 17 from the outside, a drilling protection 6 can be installed between the window sash, which is not shown, and the stop body 14, or an alarm board can be installed instead.

[0113] If the actuating handle 17 is to be installed in objects in which there are also foreign persons are present, the solution involving the print reader or similar identification device should not be used for fire protection reasons, at least along escape routes. For such applications of the actuating handle 12, identification, for example by means of the print reader, is not required, and the control of the locking mechanism 8, 8a, can be taken over by an intrusion panel H or by another control unit. In this case, the locking mechanism 8, 8a, is out of action during the stay of the foreign persons and is activated only with sensitizing an electronic monitoring or the like. The advantage of this solution is that the electronically monitored predetermined breaking point 4 triggers an alarm in advance in the event of an unlawful attack and that the attacker is then kept outside the object by the locking mechanism, which is still engaged.

[0114] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the window handle—example of the actuating handle 17—for mechatronic protection against unlawful attacks.

[0115] The operation has already been shown in part in FIG. 1 and is described in detail in FIG. 2.

[0116] Shown is the grip part 1, which is fastened with the counter stop 22 in the stop body 14. In the closed position of the window, the monitoring lug 2 is located on the counter stop 22. The first switching unit 3 rests with its switching tongue or the like against the monitoring lug 2 in the closed state of the actuating handle 17, the actuating handle 17 thus being in the closed state.

[0117] If authorization to open the window via the actuating handle 17 is granted, the opening detector, the first switching unit 3, and possibly a further opening detector 10, which can be mounted in a recess or a free space 27 and connected via a connection 26 designed, for example, as a plug-in connection, are removed from the monitoring via the control unit 12, the electromechanical locking mechanism 8 is supplied with power for retracting the latch 8a, and the window can be opened via the grip part 1 without triggering an alarm. The switching details can be seen in FIG. 3. The required current is provided by an energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery 24, which can be charged via a charging connection 25.

[0118] Other details that can be learnt from FIG. 2, are the two stabilizers 9, which hold the latch 8a in the locked state against violent impact in engagement in the recess 20. This is advantageous, on the one hand, to achieve a higher resistance to the predetermined breaking point 4 and, on the other hand, to prevent an attacker from exposing the hardware on the window and attempting to lever the latch out of the strike plates.

[0119] Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows openings 18 through which the actuating handle 17 is fastened to the sash, which is not shown, by at least two screws 101, 102 or similar fastening means, preferably releasably. In order to make it more difficult to turn the grip part 1 even when the window is tilted, a further latch recess 20 for the latch 8a can be provided in the handle neck 21.

[0120] The locked or unlocked state can be indicated via diodes 13. In the base of the actuating handle 17 there are two apertures 23 through which a cable connection to a reporting center is made possible. The actuating handle 17 has a cover 5 which covers the electronics and the like.

[0121] If the actuating handle 17 is to be used exclusively for purely mechanical protection against unauthorized opening, the first switching unit 3 can be omitted. In this case, the actuating handle 17 is unlocked after the authorized fingerprint is placed on the fingerprint scanner 11 and after unlocking the latch 8a. In the case of the purely mechanical security system, the locked or unlocked state can also be indicated via diodes 13. In addition, a siren not shown in or outside the actuating handle can be actuated via the first switching unit 3.

[0122] FIG. 3 shows the circuit diagram of the actuating handle 17 referred to in the above Figures. For the high-security area, further detectors are connected to the actuating handle 17, in addition to the monitored predetermined breaking point 4, namely a reed contact with magnet 10, a glass breakage detector C1, an attack detector (e.g. drilling protection C1 or a detector which detects a lever open attempt in advance), and a tamper detector C2, here in particular designed as a tamper protection device 100, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0123] Switches A1 and A2 control the “opening detector”, first switching unit 3, at the electrically monitored predetermined breaking point 4.

[0124] At the first switching unit 3 (formed by the switches A1 and A2), in connection with the biometric identification, in particular print solution, the enormous advantage of the preferred design of the actuating handle 17 is evident. Together they are quasi the sensitizing and desensitizing and the monitoring of the individual windows against a break-in.

[0125] In the embodiment shown, the first switch A1, unlike the second switch A2, is not a physical switch but a programmed switch. In the locked state of the actuating handle 17, the second switch A2 of the first switching unit 3, which is designed as a mechanical switch, is closed and monitors the position of the actuating handle 17. If a previously authorized person places his/her finger on the fingerprint scanner 11 and is identified as authorized by the control unit 12, the programmed first switch A1 closes the contact to the first switching unit 3, the second switch A2 subsequently opens by actuating the actuating handle 17, whereby the latter can be turned to the open position without triggering an alarm due to the switching bridge of the first switch A1. If this window is integrated into a burglar alarm system, the actuating handle 17 can, from the point of view of the burglar alarm panel, be continuously sensitized without having to be desensitized before opening. If the window is closed again, the actuating handle 17 brought into the closed position, and the second switching unit 7 signals that the locking mechanism 8, 8a, is engaged, the procedure for switches A1 and A2 is carried out in reverse order. After this, the actuating handle 17 is again electronically monitored against unlawful attacks. The first switch A1 is thus a switching bridge for the duration of the opening of the actuating handle 17. False alarms due to incorrect operation can no longer be triggered with this procedure, since the technology acts for the operator, in contrast to current solutions.

[0126] The situation is similar if a further reed switch with an appropriately attached magnet is connected as an external “opening detector” 10 with the circuit B1 and B2. In the case that the actuating handle 17 is to be used up to the highest security classes, an absolutely secure closure detection must be carried out, as required by the German Association for Damage Prevention (VdS). Otherwise, an employee of a company, for example, could plan a theft and present it as a break-in. Without the external opening detector 10, which is e.g. a switching unit, this employee could override the faulty operation lock on the window sash, close a window only incompletely and move the handle to the locked position. The second switching unit 7 would then report a closure after the locking 8, 8a, which in this case only concerns the handle position. Therefore, an external switching unit as an opening detector 10 is preferable in designs of the actuating handle 17 which are configured for use in these safety classes.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 3, the external opening detector 10, like the second switching unit 3, is constructed as a switching unit with a first switch B1, in particular in the form of a programmed switch, and a second switch B2, in particular in the form of a physical switch, these switches B1, B2 of the external opening detector 10 also being connected in parallel. The switching units 3 and 10 are programmed in such a way that after closing the second switch A2 of the first switching unit 3, both the switching bridge (of the first switch A1) and the switching bridge at B1 are opened. In the case described here, the physical second switch B2—in particular designed as a REED contact—would still be open at this time on the external opening detector 10, since this is not applied against the corresponding magnet.

[0128] In this case, this external opening detector 10 would immediately trigger an alarm and in this way prevent incorrect operation or manipulation.

[0129] The major advantage of this solution described above is that all windows of an object are and can remain continuously sensitized and that only the window to be opened in each case after the authorization check is removed from sensitized state for the duration of opening. After the window is closed, it automatically and independently returns to the sensitized mode.

[0130] A connection of the electronically monitored actuating handle 17 to an intrusion panel H is advantageous. When connected to an intrusion panel H (EMZ), the second switching unit 7 (designed in the form of a lock monitoring unit D1 according to FIG. 3) exclusively indicates the opening status when the window is opened. The first switching unit 3 (with switches A1, A2) indicates, however, that the window has not been forced open but has been opened with authorization. Therefore, this process is not evaluated as an alarm, but is only registered by the EMZ to the effect that not all windows are closed when leaving the object. This is communicated to the operator when leaving by the fact that he cannot switch the block lock or the like.

[0131] In the circuit diagram, further detectors can be connected, for example a glass breakage detector at C1, a tamper detector at C2 and a drilling protection or the like at C3. If these detectors are to be mounted outside the actuating handle, tamper protection is required, e.g. in such a way that a 4-wire cable is connected to these detectors, with two wires connected to the tamper line E1 and, if necessary, to E2. In the sophisticated electronic intrusion protection, at least a 4-wire cable with cables of the same color is used. To prevent bridging attempts for removing a detector in this way from monitoring, the so-called Z-wiring is used, at the end of which a line end resistor G is attached. If an attempt is made to bridge the wires, the resistance thus changes, which is detected by the alarm panel and reported as an alarm. All the detectors shown above are monitored by the integrated evaluation unit 12. It only reports an illegal attack to the alarm panel. An exception is the lock detector—second switching unit 7—which is shown as D1 in the circuit diagram of FIG. 3. It has several functions. On the one hand, it informs the electromechanical locking mechanism 8, 8a and the intrusion panel H of the closure and, on the other hand, it controls the diode 13 attached to the stop body 14. Here the locking or opening status are indicated to the operator.

[0132] In the following, FIG. 4 is used to explain an example of one embodiment of a housing 106 of the actuating handle 17 with a tamper protection device 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, both parts 1, 21 of the handle are rotatably mounted in the housing 106. Accordingly, also the predetermined breaking point 4 and the breakage monitoring device are accommodated in the housing 106. The tamper protection device is arranged to detect a movement of the at least one fastening means with which the housing 106 is fastened to the sash of the window or door and to report accordingly, e.g. via the connection C2.

[0133] FIG. 4 shows in a side view an exemplary embodiment of the tamper protection device 100. One Embodiment of the tamper protection device 100 for protection against unlawful removal of the actuating handle 17 by means of an electronically monitored special screw 101, 102 is illustrated in a side view.

[0134] Illustrated is the housing 106 of the window handle 1, 21 (not shown in FIG. 4) and the cover 5, 107, which is fastened by the special screw 101, 102 through the housing 106 as well as by the window overlap 104 in the screw thread of the gear 105. The special screw 101, 102 has a threaded portion and a larger diameter portion 102 where the switching tongue of an electrical switch 103 engages in the assembled state. Since tamper monitoring is to be continuous here, the electrical switch 103 is in continuous monitoring mode, i.e., switched to non-stop operation.

[0135] When an attempt is made to unscrew the electrically monitored special screw 101, 102, the switching tongue of the electric switch 103 slides from the larger part of the diameter 102 of the special screw towards the part of smaller diameter 101 of the special screw, the switching tongue of the switch 103 thereby interrupting or switching the circuit. This is reported to the evaluation unit not shown—e.g. in particular to the control unit 12—whereupon an alarm is triggered.

[0136] Thus, an actuating handle (17) has been described, provided with a preferably electromechanical locking mechanism (8, 8a) having a predetermined breaking point (4) which is between a handle neck (21) and a grip part (1) and is in particular monitored by an electrical switch (3) that preferably also acts as an “opening detector”. During authorized opening of the actuating handle (17), a preferably programmed switch (A1) closes the circuit of the electrical switch (3), then the circuit of a preferably physical switch (A2) is opened so that the grip part (1) can be brought into the open or tilted position without the alarm being triggered by the switch (3). After the actuating handle has been brought into the closed position, and after the electromechanical locking (8, 8a), the procedure of the switches (A1, A2) takes place in the reverse sequence.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0137] 1 grip part [0138] 2 monitoring lug [0139] 3 first switching unit (as opening detector) [0140] 4 predetermined breaking point [0141] 5 cover [0142] 6 drilling protection [0143] 7 second switching unit (as locking detector) [0144] 8 electromechanical locking mechanism [0145] 8a latch [0146] 9 stabilizers [0147] 10 additional (e.g. external) opening detector [0148] 11 fingerprint scanner [0149] 12 control unit [0150] 13 diodes (whether closed or open) [0151] 14 stop body [0152] 15 driver [0153] 16 movement of lock [0154] 17 actuating handle [0155] 18 openings, e.g. for screws for fastening the actuating handle [0156] 19 driver recess (e.g. for a square pin) [0157] 20 latch recess (for latch 8a) [0158] 21 handle neck [0159] 22 counter stop [0160] 23 aperture for a cable connection [0161] 24 battery [0162] 25 charging connection for battery [0163] 26 connection for opening or glass breakage detector [0164] 27 free space for opening or glass breakage detector [0165] A1 first switch, in particular in the form of a programmed switch, on the internal opening detector (first switch unit, on the predetermined breaking point) [0166] A2 second switch, in particular in the form of a physical switch, on the internal opening detector (at the predetermined breaking point) [0167] B1 first switch, in particular in the form of a programmed switch, on the external opening detector 10 [0168] B2 second switch, in particular in the form of a physical switch, on the external opening detector 10 [0169] C1 glass breakage detector [0170] C2 tamper detector [0171] C3 drilling protection (signaling plate) [0172] D1 lock monitoring [0173] E1 tamper line for the glass breakage detector [0174] E2 tamper line for the external opening detector [0175] G line end resistor [0176] H intrusion panel [0177] 100 tamper protection [0178] 101 screw thread [0179] 102 enlarged diameter of the screw [0180] 103 electrical switch [0181] 104 window sash [0182] 105 gear of the fitting [0183] 106 housing [0184] 107 cover