Rotatable battery mount for electronic locking devices

A rotatable battery mount includes a lock plate configured to be operatively coupled to a housing for an electronic locking device. The housing may be configured to mount to a panel or door of a cabinet or other article of furniture. A battery plate is pivotably coupled to the lock plate, and a battery case operatively coupled to the battery plate and configured to contain at least one battery for powering the electronic locking device. A hinge couples the lock plate and the battery plate, the hinge being configured to permit the battery plate to shift relative to the lock plate between a first position and a second position, the hinge configured to releasably secure the battery plate in at least the first position.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of locks for mounting on doors or panels of cabinets, lockers, drawers, and of similar items of furniture. More particularly, a battery case for an electronically-operated lock may be separate from the lock housing and may be shifted between a first position, in which the battery case is easily accessible, to a second position, in which the battery case is stowed.

BACKGROUND

Metal and wood file cabinets, desk and cabinet drawers, locker doors, access panels and doors, mailboxes, dispensers and other selectively accessible container units often utilize lock mechanisms known as cam locks. In most examples, cam locks have a rotatable component at a back side. In one of the simplest forms, a cam lock on a cabinet door typically includes a cylinder fixed in a ¾ inch diameter D-shaped or double D-shaped opening and extending through the door. A cylinder plug is rotatably disposed within the cylinder, and at the back side of the cam lock cylinder, inside the cabinet, a metal blade or arm called a “cam” is connected to the plug. When the correct key is inserted into the cylinder plug and turned, the cylinder plug rotates the cam from a position disengaged from surrounding cabinet hardware to a position engaging a slot, ledge, or strike plate of the surrounding cabinet hardware, thereby locking the door closed. Such cam locks may or may not involve a camming action.

Other locks, such as those for desk drawers, commonly referred as cabinet locks, involve a camming type action as the key and plug are rotated, and these are also referred to as cam locks herein. The rotation causes a cam or nipple to move a deadbolt linearly to a locking or unlocking position, or in the case of a spring loaded latch or deadlatch, the rotation causes the cam or nipple to move a latch or deadlatch to unlocking position and removing the key keeps the latch or deadlatch in the extended locked position. In other examples, the plug moves other mechanisms that are engaged with the door or drawer of the cabinet or engages with other mechanisms that are linked to the door and drawer of the cabinet or multiple doors or drawers of the cabinet.

Metal filing cabinets often utilize cam locks, but sometimes have a variation known as a plunger type lock in which a spring-loaded plunger/lock cylinder located in the top horizontal margin of the cabinet, when pushed in, will lock all drawers. The use of a key releases the spring plunger to return to the outward position and unlock the drawers. These plunger locks are also referred to as cam locks herein, even though they have no rotatable member that locks and releases doors or drawers.

Locker, cabinet, and other furniture locks may include electronic locking devices. In these examples, the electronic device includes a housing containing electronics, and rather than a mechanical key, a user enters code. If the code is correct, the electronics of the electronic locking device can permit the user to rotate a knob, thereby rotating the plug within the cylinder unit, to unlock the locking device. Some exemplary electronic locking device use keypads, wireless communication methods such as RFID, Bluetooth, and NFC, non-volatile memory devices which work on contact such as IButtons, or other structure or methods, including a combination of the listed structure and methods, to control locking and unlocking. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,495,898 (“the '898 patent”), which is incorporated herein by reference in full.

Electronic locking devices such as these may be powered with a power supply such as one or more batteries, which may be housed in a battery case. As disclosed in the '898 patent referenced above and further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,208,628 (“the '628 patent”) (which is also incorporated by reference in full), the battery case may be attached to or contained within the electronic locking device housing, or it may be separate from the electronic locking device housing but remain connected to the electronic locking device with a wire. In instances where the end user desires a small housing, that housing may not be large enough to contain the batteries necessary for the electronic locking device to operate. In other instances, wireless-based locks may require relatively large numbers of batteries. In those instances, the battery case may be separate from the housing and may be most desirably disposed in a location within an article of furniture that maximizes storage space within the furniture piece; that location, however, may not provide a user the optimum accessibility for the battery case when it becomes necessary to replace the lock's batteries. See, e.g., FIGS. 10-12 of the '628 patent.

There exists a need for a power supply of an electronic locking device to be concealable for normal operation, but to also be easily accessible when access to the power supply is necessitated, such as to change out spent batteries.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to examples of electronic locking devices and mounting these devices, examples of which are disclosed in the associated figures. Wherever possible, the same or corresponding parts will be referred to by the same or similar reference numbers across the drawings. Moreover, when more than one element of the same type is present, reference may be made either collectively or individually. Such reference is only exemplary, and, furthermore, reference to elements in the singular includes the plural and vice versa without limitation to the exact number or type of such elements.

FIG. 1discloses an example of a typical two-drawer file cabinet100having a top rail102, an upper drawer104, and a lower drawer106, the file cabinet100defining a front surface108common to all of the top rail102, the upper drawer104, and lower drawer106. Disposed in the top rail102is a first electronic lock device110, and a second electronic locking device112is disposed on the front surface108of the lower drawer106. As will be described further, the first electronic lock device110in this example is a cam lock of known construction that can lock and unlock the upper drawer104, and, in some embodiments, is able to lock and unlock the lower drawer106. In the example disclosed herein, the first lock110only addresses the upper drawer104, and the second electronic lock device112can lock and unlock the lower drawer106.

The first lock110is recess-mounted in the top rail102of the file cabinet100above the upper drawer102such that only a front face114and a rotatable knob116are visible and accessible to the user. The second electronic lock device112in this example is also a cam lock of known construction that is mounted on the front surface108of the lower drawer106, and so a housing118and rotatable knob120of the second lock112are accessible to the user.

Referring now toFIG. 2A, the first lock110is shown in greater detail. The first lock110can be of known construction, having a housing122, a threaded cylinder124extending rearwardly from the housing122, a rotatable core disposed within the threaded cylinder124and operatively coupled to the knob116, and a rotatable locking element126operatively coupled to the rotatable core, such that rotation of the knob116will rotate the core and the locking element126. In this example, with the first lock110being designed to be recess mounted, the housing122includes a main body128and a peripheral rim130extending out from the main body128. Further, the locking element126is of the type that can raise and lower a rod (not shown) for simultaneously locking or unlocking a series of file cabinet drawers. As will be discussed later, the second lock112can be of similar construction to the first lock110with only slight variations.

The first and second locks110,112may be operated in a known manner through input of an electronic credential or other access code via a terminal, such as by inputting a PIN into a keypad, reading an ID such as a barcode or QR scanner, communicating credentials through wireless communication (e.g., an RFID, NFC, or Bluetooth device), identifying biometric information, or using any other data input method known in the art or any combination therein. As is further known, a microcontroller will analyze the access code, and upon a proper access code being entered, the locks110,112will permit manual rotation of the respective rotatable knob or lever116,120, thereby allowing rotation of the locking element126from a locked position to an unlocked position. This rotation will allow opening of the drawer or panel. Other locking mechanisms known in the art may also be used, such as a cam, a latch, or a bolt. Although the term microcontroller is used herein, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill that any number of structures can be used to effectuate the functions described herein, e.g. controllers, processors, microprocessors, and addressable switches, and therefore the term microcontroller as used herein shall be understood to encompass all such structures.

As seen inFIGS. 2A-2E, the first lock110may include a battery case132separate from the housing122and a rotatable mount134connecting the housing122to the battery case132. The battery case132is electrically connected to the housing122by a wire136to supply power to the housing122.

The battery mount134includes a lock plate138for mounting to the housing122and a battery plate140for mounting to the battery case132. In this embodiment, both the battery case132and the housing122are mounted to the rotatable battery mount134using fasteners142. The lock plate138and the battery plate140are integral with, and jointly define, at least in part, a hinge144such that the battery plate140—and thus the battery case132—may be pivoted relative to the lock plate138. In particular, in this example, the lock plate138and the battery plate140comprise and are integral to a first leaf and a second leaf of the hinge144itself. In other examples, the lock plate138and the battery plate140are connected to the hinge144.

The hinge144includes first and second knuckles146,148extending laterally out from the lock plate138, and third and fourth knuckles150,152extending laterally out from the battery plate140. Disposed within each knuckle146,148,150,152is a respective opening154,156,158,160, each of which is coaxial. The hinge144further includes a pin162disposed through each knuckle146,148,150,152and defining an axis of rotation between the battery plate140and lock plate138.

The distance between first and second knuckles146,148is greater than the distance between third and fourth knuckles150,152, and as such, the third and fourth knuckles150,152fit in between the first and second knuckles146,148, and, moreover, the battery plate140can slide laterally a short distance along the pin162in directions U and L. The hinge144further includes compression spring164disposed between the first and third knuckles146,150such that the battery plate140is biased in direction L. Finally, a cotter pin166is disposed in the pin162and a washer168is disposed on the outside of the first knuckle146such that the cotter pin166bears against the washer168, which bears against the outside of the first knuckle146, and thereby prevents the pin162from sliding out of the hinge144in direction L.

The first lock110further includes structure to selectively fix the battery plate140in either a first position or a second position. The battery plate140includes a lock tab170. While the battery plate140is in the first position as shown inFIG. 2B, the lock tab170bears on a top edge172of the second knuckle148of the lock plate138, thereby maintaining the battery plate140in the first fixed position and preventing the battery plate140from rotating downwardly. This first fixed position is the position typically maintained during day-to-day usage of the first lock110, with the battery plate140and battery case132held in a position that does not interfere with usage of the upper drawer104.

To enable the battery plate140to rotate downward, a user may first slide the battery plate140horizontally along the pin162in direction U, from the first fixed position as shown inFIG. 2Bto a first intermediate position shown inFIG. 2C, by manually pushing the battery plate140horizontally against the biasing force of the compression spring164. Upon reaching the position shown inFIG. 2C, the lock tab170no longer bears on the top edge172of the second knuckle148of the lock plate138.

In the position shown inFIG. 2C, the lock tab170is free of the top edge172, and the battery plate140is able to be rotated downward such as through gravity or manual rotation by the user. Thus, from the first intermediate position shown inFIG. 2C, the battery plate140may be rotated downward to a second intermediate position shown inFIG. 2D. At the position shown inFIG. 2D, the user can release the battery plate140, and the compression spring164biases the battery plate140horizontally in direction L along the pin162towards the second fixed position shown inFIG. 2E. As the battery plate slides in the second position, the lock tab170lodges into a recess174in the lock plate138, thereby fixing the battery plate140in the second fixed position as shown inFIG. 2Eand preventing the battery plate140from being rotating in either direction. In the second fixed position, the battery case132is accessible to the user, and the user may open the case to remove any expired batteries and replace them with fresh batteries.

The user may return the battery plate140from the second fixed position shown inFIG. 2Eto the first fixed position shown inFIG. 2Bsimply by reversing the steps described above, as will be clear to one of skill in the art. A user may first slide the battery plate140horizontally along the pin162in direction U from the second fixed position shown inFIG. 2Eto the second intermediate position shown inFIG. 2Dby manually pushing the battery plate140horizontally against the biasing force of the compression spring164. Once reaching the position shown inFIG. 2D, the lock tab170is removed from the recess174of the lock plate138, thereby enabling the battery plate140to rotate upward, such as to the first intermediate position shown inFIG. 2C. Once rotated to the position shown inFIG. 2C, the biasing force of the compression spring164biases the battery plate140horizontally along the pin162in direction L towards the first fixed position shown inFIG. 2B. Once the battery plate140is in the position shown inFIG. 2B, the lock tab170once again bears on the top edge172of the second knuckle148, thereby once again affixing the battery plate140in the first fixed position as shown inFIG. 2B.

As shown inFIGS. 3A-3Bthe first lock110can be installed in the top rail102of the file cabinet100. The top rail102includes an opening176sized and shaped to allow passage of the main body128through the top rail102, while the peripheral rim130bears against the front surface108of the top rail102when mounted.

Affixed within the top rail102is a casing178sized and shaped to receive the main body128. The casing178includes a front edge180that bears against an internal surface182of the top rail102such that the peripheral rim130and the front edge180sandwich the front surface108and internal surface182of the top rail102.

The casing178includes a first clearance hole184that allows the threaded cylinder124to pass therethrough. A nut186can be threaded onto the cylinder124and against the casing178to help secure the housing122and force the front edge180of the casing178against the top rail102. The casing178also includes a second clearance hole188that allows the wire136to pass from the housing122to the battery case132.

The casing178further includes two fastener through holes190which are coaxial with first and second through holes192of the locking plate138, and which are further coaxial with two internally threaded holes194in the housing122. Fasteners142are used to affix the lock plate138and the casing178to the housing122via these aforementioned through holes190,192and threaded holes194.

The first position of the rotatable battery mount134in this embodiment as shown inFIG. 3Ballows the battery case132to remain concealed during normal use and corresponds to the first fixed position shown inFIG. 2B, whereas the second position as shown inFIG. 3Ccorresponds to the second fixed position shown inFIG. 2Eand allows a user to more easily access the battery case132, such as to change out spent batteries. The battery case132may include a snap-fit cover or a cover that is fastened using screws as is known in the art. Furthermore, to rotate the rotatable battery mount134between the first fixed position and the second fixed position using the steps described above, a user may simply open the upper drawer104and reach behind the top rail102to perform the rotation and shift the battery case132into a very accessible location.

FIG. 4Ashows in detail the installation of the second lock112to the lower drawer106of the file cabinet100. As mentioned above, the lower drawer106does not include an opening for recess-mounting. Rather, the housing118of the second lock112is mounted to the front surface108of the lower drawer106, and the lower drawer includes a first clearance holes196to allow passage of the threaded cylinder124and second clearance holes198for mounting purposes through a front panel200of the lower drawer106. Moreover, the front panel200includes a wiring opening202to allow passage of the wire136from the battery case132to the housing118.

The clearance holes198of the front panel200additionally allow the rotatable battery mount134to be mounted to the rear of the front panel200. Thus, the front panel200is sandwiched between the housing118and the rotatable battery mount134, thereby firmly holding the second lock112in place. In this embodiment, the second fixed position of the rotatable battery mount134is shown inFIG. 4B, which allows the battery case132to remain concealed during normal use. InFIG. 4C, the battery case132is shown in the first fixed position, which allows a user to access the battery case132, such as to change out spent batteries. Furthermore, to rotate the rotatable battery mount134between the first and second fixed positions the rotation steps described above, a user may simply to open the lower drawer106and reach behind the front panel200to perform the rotation.

The examples disclosed herein describe a battery compartment that is pivotable between two positions relative to the housing and has structure that maintains the battery case selectively in at least one of those two positions to allow for improved use of the furniture and ease of accessibility of the battery compartment. Based on the teachings of this disclosure, one of ordinary skill may recognize other structures that perform similar functions. These structures may include, for example, locking hinges, bi-stable springs, latches, magnets, bolts, clamps, straps, interacting teeth, frictional mounts, or other releasable mechanical or electro-mechanical fasteners or combinations of releasable fasteners.

The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to these preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.