Fail-secure lock system

• US 4,691,948 A
• Filed: 11/27/1985
• Issued: 09/08/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: A-Dec Incorporated
• Original Assignee: A-Dec Incorporated
• Inventors: Austin, George K. Jr., Lietz, Larry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/802,533
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 292/144, 292/171, 292/201, 292/141
• US Class Current: 292/171
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 51/02 by pneumatic or hydraulic means E05B17/0029 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0992 Flexible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1021 Motor

Abstract

A fail-secure lock apparatus includes a normally pneumatically actuated locking bolt that can be manually operated to withdraw the same in the event of a power failure. The apparatus incorporates a standard key operated lockset connected to operate the pneumatic power drive means or, in the event of a power failure, is connected to rotate a cable reel mechanically to effect movement of the locking bolt to the unlocked position.

Claims

1. A lock mechanism for a door or the like comprising:

a frame,

a latch bolt,

a cylinder body fixedly mounted on said frame and slidably receiving the latch bolt for movement between an extended locking position and a retracted unlocked position,

spring means operatively arranged between said body and latch bolt to bias said latch bolt toward said locking position,

said body and latch bolt defining a piston and cylinder means adapted upon the introduction of air therebetween to cause said latch bolt to be urged toward said unlocked position,

conduit means for supplying air under pressure to said piston and cylinder means, said conduit means including a solenoid operated three-way valve for controlling the flow of air to and from said piston and cylinder means,

circuit means connected to said solenoid for effecting operation thereof,

switch means in said circuit,

a mortise lock having a key rotatable plug mounted in said frame,

an operating lever mounted on said plug and operatively connected to said switch to cause the same to close the circuit through said solenoid upon predetermined rotation of said plug whereby said solenoid operates said three-way valve to supply air under pressure to the cylinder body to move said latch bolt toward the unlocked position, said lever causing the switch to open the circuit through said solenoid upon counterrotation of said plug, whereby said solenoid operates said three-way valve to release air from the cylinder body and enable the spring means to bear said latch bolt toward the locking position,

a spool,

means rotatably mounting said spool in said frame,

cable means connected to said latch bolt and to said spool whereby rotation of said spool will cause movement of said latch bolt toward said unlocked position,

and means on said spool for operatively engaging said operating lever as the same is rotated with said key beyond a predetermined degree whereby further rotation of said key and operating lever causes said cable to be wound on said spool and said latch bolt to be moved to said unlocked position.

2. A mortise lock mechanism for a door or the like comprising:

a frame;

a latch bolt;

a cylinder body fixedly mounted on said frame and slidably receiving the latch bolt for movement of the latch bolt between an extended locked position and a retracted unlocked position;

power drive means for retracting the latch bolt;

a key operated lock set on said frame; and

means operatively connecting said lock set to the power drive means for actuating the power drive means upon operation of said lock set; and

means connecting said lock set to the latch bolt for effecting manual movement of said bolt upon operation of said lock set.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 including bias means operatively arranged between said cylinder body and latch bolt for biasing said latch bolt toward said locked position.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the power drive means includes pneumatic drive means and said cylinder body and latch define a piston and cylinder means adapted, upon the introduction of pressurized air therebetween, for causing said latch bolt to be urged toward said unlocked position.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 including conduit means for supplying air under pressure to said piston and cylinder means, said conduit means including a solenoid operated three-way valve for controlling the flow of air to and from said piston and cylinder means, and electric circuit means, including switch means, connected to said solenoid for effecting operation thereof.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said key set includes,

a key lock having a key rotatable plug mounted on said frame;

operating lever means mounted on said plug for engaging said switch means for actuating said power drive means upon a first predetermined degree of rotation of said plug whereby said latch bolt is caused to move toward said unlocked position; and

manual latch bolt retracting means operatively connected to said key rotatable plug for manual retraction of said latch bolt upon a second predetermined degree of rotation of said plug greater than said first predetermined rotation.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said manual latch bolt retracting means comprises:

a spool;

means for rotatably mounting said spool on said frame;

cable means connected to said latch bolt and to said spool whereby rotation of said spool to wind said cable thereon causes movement of said latch bolt toward said unlocked position; and

means on said spool for operatively engaging said operating lever means as the same is rotated with said key to said first predetermined degree of rotation, and further rotation of said key and operating lever causes said spool to rotate thereby to cause said latch bolt to move toward said unlocked position.

8. An apparatus according to claim 2 including indicator means operatively connected to said latch bolt for sensing movement thereof and remotely indicating when said latch bolt is retracted or extended.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6 including indicator means operatively connected to said latch bolt for sensing movement thereof and remotely indicating when said latch bolt is retracted or extended.