Abstract:
A lock assembly ( 10 ) including an orientation sensor ( 26 ) and at least one component operable in two modes ( 32 ). The orientation sensor ( 26 ) is adapted to indicate at least two orientations of the orientation sensor ( 26 ). The at least one component ( 32 ) is operable in a predetermined one of the at least two modes responsive to an indication of one of the at least two orientations from the orientation sensor ( 26 ) and is operable in a predetermined other of the at least two modes responsive to an indication of the other of the at least two orientations from the orientation sensor ( 26 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a lock assembly. The invention has been primarily developed in relation to a lock assembly for a door and will be described here in after with reference to that application. However, the invention can also be used in other types of lock assemblies, including surface mounted locks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Electrically controllable locks are known which use one or more electric actuators to retract or allow the user to retract a latch and/or lock bolt into the lock assembly for door opening. Electrically controllable locks are also known which use sensors to internally monitor their status or allow an external control switch to monitor the lock status. These types of locks can be mounted to a left handed door (i.e. hinges on the left hand side) or a right handed door (i.e. hinges on the right hand side). The way the actuator(s) operate differs depending on whether the lock is mounted on a left hand or right hand door. Similarly, the meaning of the sensor information differs depending on whether the lock is mounted on a left hand or right hand door. 
         [0003]    Such locks can include a switch or other mechanism which can be set by the lock installer to ensure that the lock operation is as desired on a left or right handed door. This saves the lock manufacturer from having to make, stock and sell two different locks, one for left handed doors and one for right handed doors. However, this also places an onus on the installer to set the switch correctly. A disadvantage of such locks is that the installer can incorrectly set the switch or, after not having read the instructions, not set the switch at all. This can cause one or more locks in an installation to not behave as desired, necessitating time and expense to identify and correct the problem. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a lock assembly including:
       an orientation sensor adapted to indicate at least two orientations of the orientation sensor; and   at least one component operable in at least two modes, the at least one component being operable in a predetermined one of the at least two modes responsive to an indication of one of the at least two orientations from the orientation sensor and being operable in a predetermined other of the at least two modes responsive to an indication of the other of the at least two orientations from the orientation sensor.       
 
         [0008]    Preferably, the orientation sensor is adapted to indicate two orientations of the orientation sensor and the at least one component is operable in two modes, wherein the to at least one component is operable in a predetermined one of the two modes responsive to an indication of one of the two orientations from the orientation sensor and being operable in a predetermined other of the two modes responsive to an indication of the other of the two orientations from the orientation sensor. 
         [0009]    The lock assembly preferably includes a controller adapted to operate the at least one component in a selected one of the least two modes responsive to the indication from the orientation sensor. In one form, the lock assembly includes a housing containing the orientation sensor, the at least one component and the controller. In another form, the controller forms part of an external access system. 
         [0010]    The orientation sensor is preferably a tilt switch, most preferably adapted to indicate two orientations of the tilt switch. In one form, the tilt switch is preferably adapted for determining whether a first or a second and opposite side of the lock assembly is adjacent a free (ie. non-hinged) edge of a door. In another form, the tilt switch is preferably adapted for determining whether a first or a second and opposite side of the lock assembly is upwardly facing or downwardly facing. 
         [0011]    The at least one component is preferably a motor, most preferably adapted for driving a latch or lock bolt. 
         [0012]    The lock assembly preferably includes a control component installable in at least two orientations. The control component preferably includes a printed circuit board (PCB). The orientation sensor is preferably associated with the control component The orientation sensor is preferably mounted on the PCB. The lock assembly preferably includes a housing for the control component. The housing is preferably also adapted for for storage of at least one battery or other power source. 
         [0013]    In a second aspect, the present invention provides a lock arrangement including:
       an orientation sensor adapted to indicate at least two orientations of the orientation sensor; and   a controller adapted to interpret data, or control at least one lock component, in at least a first way responsive to an indication of one of the at least two orientations from the orientation sensor and in at least a second way responsive to an indication of the other of the at least two orientations from the orientation sensor.       
 
         [0016]    Preferably, the orientation sensor is adapted to indicate two orientations of the lock assembly and the controller is adapted to interpret data, or control a lock component, in a first way responsive to an indication of one the two orientations from the orientation sensor and in a second way responsive to an indication of the other of the two orientations from the orientation sensor. 
         [0017]    The orientation sensor is preferably a tilt switch, most preferably adapted to indicate two orientations of the tilt switch. In one form, the tilt switch is preferably adapted for determining whether a first or a second and opposite side of the lock assembly is adjacent a free (ie. non-hinged) edge of a door. In another form, the tilt switch is preferably adapted for determining whether a first or a second and opposite side of the lock assembly is upwardly facing or downwardly facing. 
         [0018]    The at least one component is preferably a motor, most preferably adapted for driving a latch or lock bolt. 
         [0019]    In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a lock assembly including:
       determining which one of at least two orientations an orientation sensor associated with the lock assembly is in; and   controlling at least one component in the lock assembly to operate in a selected one of at least two modes responsive to the determination of the one of the at least two orientations with the orientation sensor and in a selected other of at least two modes responsive to the determination of the other of the at least two orientations with the orientation sensor.       
 
         [0022]    In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a lock arrangement including:
       determining which one of at least two orientations an orientation sensor associated with the lock assembly is in; and   interpreting data, or controlling at least one lock component, in at least a first way responsive to an indication of one of the at least two orientations from the orientation sensor and in at least a second way responsive to an indication of the other of the at least two orientations from the orientation sensor.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    A preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is an partially exploded perspective view of first embodiment of a lock assembly; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a fully exploded perspective view of the lock assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the lock assembly  FIG. 1 , installed in a left handed door; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional end view along line  4 - 4  of the lock assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the lock assembly of  FIG. 1  installed in a right handed door; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional end view along line  6 - 6  of the lock assembly shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a second embodiment of a lock assembly installed in a left handed door; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the lock assembly of  FIG. 7  installed in a right handed, door in an inverted orientation compared to the orientation of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a surface mounted lock assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral  10 . The lock assembly  10  is shown mounted adjacent an edge  12  of a door  14 . The lock assembly includes a pair of handles  16   a  and  16   b,  a pair of escutcheons  18   a  and  18   b  and a housing  20  for storage of batteries  22  and other components as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  also shows a printed circuit board (PCB)  24  on which is mounted an orientation sensor, in the form of a tilt switch  26 . A first cable part  28   a  extends from the the PCB  24  to a first connector part  30   a.  A second cable part  28   b  extends from a second connector part  30   b  to an electric motor  32 . The motor  32  is able to operate in two modes, a first mode being rotation in a first direction and a second mode being rotation in a second opposite direction. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  shows more clearly that the housing  20  includes a lid  36  for a recess  38  that locates the batteries  22  and the PCB  24 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  also shows that the door  14  includes a recess  40  for the housing  20 , a recess  42  for a shaft (not shown) that extends between the handles  16   a  and  16   b,  a recess  44  for the motor  32  and a recess  46  for a lock or latch bolt (not shown). 
         [0038]    The housing  20  includes an opening  48  through which the first connector part  30   a,  associated with the PCB  24 , and the second connector part  30   b,  associated with the motor  32 , can be connected. The door  14  includes a pair of corresponding openings  48   a  and  48   b  which allow the connector parts  30   a  and  30   b  to be connected regardless of the side of the door  14  in which the second cable part  30   b  and the motor  32  are located. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show the above components mounted in a left handed door. Lock installers are aware that any cable extending from the housing  20  should be positioned relatively inwardly from the door edge  12  which, in the installation shown, positions the connector parts  30   a  and  30   b  and the cable part  28   b  within the left side escutcheon  18   b.    
         [0040]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show how the components are installed in a right handed door with the connector parts  30   a  and  30   b  and the cable part  28   b  within the right side escutcheon  18   a.    
         [0041]    As the tilt switch  26  is relatively inverted between these two possible installations, the tilt switch  26  provides a differentiation of the motor  32  having to function in a left handed door or a right handed door. The PCB  24  then provides an appropriate signal to control the motor  32  to drive in a first direction to retract a bolt in a left handed door and in a second opposite direction to retract a bolt in a right handed door. 
         [0042]    As a result, the lock installer does not have to set any mechanisms or controllers in order to cause the motor  32  to rotate in the correct direction for bolt retraction, as the tilt switch provides an indication of left handed or right handed installation and causes the motor  32  to be controlled appropriately. This advantageously avoids locks being installed with an incorrect motor direction and any resulting inconvenience, lack of security, unintentional confinement and/or a requirement for the lock installation to be subsequently corrected. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show a second embodiment of a lock assembly, indicated by the reference numeral  10 ′. The lock assembly  10 ′ is somewhat similar to the lock assembly  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6  and like features have been indicated with like reference numerals. The lock assembly  10 ′ is of the mortice type and includes a housing  60  installed in a recess in the door  14 . The housing  60  includes a face plate  62  through which protrudes a bolt  64 . 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , the lock assembly  10 ′ is shown installed with a side  66  of the housing  60  facing upwards. In this orientation, the internal lever  16   b  is moved upwardly, as indicated by arrow  68 , to lock the door  14  by preventing movement of the external lever (not shown), and is moved downwardly, as indicated by arrow  70 , to unlock the door  14 , by permitting movement of the external lever and allowing retraction of the bolt  64  for door opening. If the lock assembly  10 ′ was mounted with the side  66  of the housing  60  facing downwards, then moving the internal handle  16   b  upwardly would unlock the door  14  and moving the internal handle  16   b  downwardly would lock the door. This is both inconvenient and confusing for users. 
         [0045]    However, and as shown in  FIG. 8 , when the lock assembly  10 ′ is inverted, such that the housing edge  66  is facing downwards, the orientation sensor  26  is also then relatively inverted. The orientation sensor  26  then issues a signal to components (not shown) that are operable in response to movement of the internal lever  16   a  such that they reconfigure so that moving the lever handle  16   a  upwardly (correctly) locks the door  14  and moving the lever  16   a  downwardly (correctly) unlocks the door  14 . 
         [0046]    The above operation can be carried out with the orientation sensor  26  providing a differentiation to the components between the internal and external levers and the bolt, appropriate to the correct functionality in a left handed door or a right handed door. Alternatively, the orientation sensor  26  can issue a signal to an external controller, is forming part of an external access system, and the access system can appropriately influence the operation of the internal components of the lock assembly  10 ′. 
         [0047]    Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.