Electrical transmission path for electrical and electro-mechanical locks

• US 5,791,178 A
• Filed: 12/26/1995
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlage Lock Company (Allegion PLC)
• Inventors: Davidian, Richard M., Chamberlain, L. C. Derek
• Primary Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUU, TUYET PHUONG PHAM
• Application Number:
  US08/578,259
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 70/278, 70/277, 70/279, 70/280, 70/281, 70/282, 70/283, 292/336.3, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.34, 340/64, 340/533
• US Class Current: 70/278.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/106 for handles pivoted about an axis perpendicular to the wing E05B13/101, E05B13/103, E05B13/105 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]

Abstract

An apparatus for providing an electrical transmission path in a door lock to an electrical lock operating system from an electrical contact pin protruding axially from a pin tower of an insulated key cylinder having an electronic touch button for a front face, the door lock having an outside spindle operably engaged with a door handle containing the insulated key cylinder, includes an insulated contact ring surrounding the spindle and having an electrically conductive pad on a portion of its outwardly facing surface, which contacts the electrical contact pin when the door handle is in its parked position, and a cable connected to the conductive pad and extending through the non-moving part of the door lock to the controlling electronics of the lock.

Claims

1. A door lock operable by either a mechanical key or an electronic touch key, said door lock having an electronic control for an electrical lock operating system, an outside spindle operably engaged with a door handle containing an insulated key cylinder having an electronic touch target for a front face, a contact pin supported by and extending axially from said insulated key cylinder, and apparatus providing an electrical transmission path from said contact pin to said electronic control, said apparatus comprising:

a stationary insulated contact ring surrounding said spindle and having an electrically conductive pad on a portion of an outwardly facing surface, said contact ring being contacted by said electrical contact pin when the door handle is in its parked position; and

a cable connected to the conductive pad and extending through a non-moving part of the door lock to the electronic control of the lock.

2. A door lock according to claim 1, wherein said cable comprises a flat, two-conductor cable, a first conductor being grounded to said spindle and a second conductor being connected to said conductive pad, said conductors being parallel in said cable except at a point at which both conductors have asperities which extend toward each other to form a narrow spark gap means for draining away excessive voltage.

3. A door lock according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical ground connection from said insulated key cylinder to said outside spindle.

4. A door lock operable by either a mechanical key or an electronic touch key, said door lock having electronic controls for controlling an electrical lock operating system and an outside spindle operably engaged with a door handle containing an insulated key cylinder having an electronic touch target for a front face, a conductive tailpiece extending from said key cylinder, and apparatus for providing an electrical transmission path between said conductive tailpiece and said electronic controls, said apparatus comprising:

means for insulating said tailpiece from the outside spindle;

a conductor cable extending from said electronic controls to said tailpiece; and

means for providing electrical contact between said cable and said tailpiece.

5. A door lock according to claim 4, wherein the means for insulating said tailpiece from the outside spindle comprises an insulating sleeve which fits over said tailpiece and insulates said tailpiece from a latch actuator cam operably engaged by said tailpiece.

6. A door lock according to claim 5, wherein the means for providing electrical contact between said cable and said tailpiece comprises an electrical contact clip within said insulating sleeve.

7. A door lock according to claim 4, wherein the means for insulating said tailpiece from the outside spindle comprises an insulating latch actuating cam operably engaged by said tailpiece.

8. A door lock according to claim 7, wherein the means for providing electrical contact between said cable and said tailpiece comprises an electrical contact clip connected to said tailpiece within said latch actuating cam.

9. A door lockset operable by either a standard mechanical key or an electronic touch key, said lockset having an electronic control for controlling its locking state and an insulated key cylinder in a door handle, said key cylinder having a cylindrical body and an electronic touch key signal target as a front face thereof, said key cylinder providing a mechanical drive connection between said door handle, a door latch operating spindle, and a door latch in a chassis of said door lockset, said door lockset further comprising:

a mechanical drive including conductive components for locking and unlocking said lockset in response to operation of said key cylinder;

means for providing an electrical connection for transmitting data signals between said electronic touch key signal target and said electronic control to control the locking state of the lockset, the means for providing electrical connection between said electronic touch key signal target and said electronic control comprising a contactor pin and a slip ring contact, one of which is connected to said signal target and the other of which is connected to said electronic control, and biasing means for maintaining contact between said contactor pin and said slip ring contact regardless of variations in separation between said signal target and said slip ring contact; and

means for electrically insulating said mechanical drive from said electrical connection.