Electromechanical handle locking cam latch with keyed mechanical override

A panel-mounted latch module includes a cable extending from a housing of the latch module to deliver either power or signals either to or from the latch module. A rotatable member is rotatably connected to the housing. A pawl is mounted to the rotatable member and is moveable between a locked position to prevent access to the secured area and an unlocked position to permit access to the secured area. A sleeve is fixed to the housing and at least partially surrounds the rotatable member, such that the rotatable member rotates with respect to the sleeve. A fastener is configured to be mounted to the sleeve for attaching the latch module to the panel. A washer is positioned between the fastener and the panel. The washer has a channel through which the cable passes so as to either limit or prevent the fastener from compressing the cable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to systems for providing controlled access to a secure area, and more specifically to electronic access systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic access systems are used to control access to secured areas, including but not limited to data centers, research labs, vaults, storage areas, and other types of enclosures. Some systems feature one or more latches, where each latch facilitates the unlocking and locking of a panel, door or other structure that controls access to the secured area. These latches sometimes include built-in user interfaces, or “readers”, that receive an input from a user seeking to access the secure area. Depending on the type of input, the input may be converted to a signal and sent to a controller. If the user's input is accepted, the controller will send a signal to unlock each latch. Advancements in the area of electronic access systems are continually sought in the interests of performance, security, cost, and operability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the present disclosure describes and illustrates specific embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited only to the details and arrangements shown. Various modifications may be made to the details and arrangements shown in the present disclosure, and the full range of equivalents, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1-9, an electronic access system10for providing controlled access to a secure area is disclosed. The system10generally includes a latch module100and a reader module200that is secured to the latch module100. Latch module100is configured for mounting to a panel160that provides access to a secure area. The panel of the closure is disclosed inFIGS.10A and10B.

Once installed to the panel160, latch module100is operable in two different modes to control access to the secure area. In particular, latch module100is operable in a locked mode to lock a panel and prevent access to the secure area. Latch module100is also operable in an unlocked mode to unlock the panel and allow access to the secure area.

The reader module200is connected to latch module100by a sliding mechanism (such as disclosed in U.S. Patent App. No. 62/681,945) or fasteners, for example. Reader module200includes a housing210having a hollow interior in which an authentication mechanism is at least partially positioned. The authentication mechanism may be, for example, an RFID reader that is operable to receive data from a user's RFID tag or transponder. Alternatively, the authentication mechanism may include a keypad, a biometric scanner, a card slot, or any other device that is known to those skilled in the art for either single factor or dual factor authentication. Further details regarding the reader module are described in U.S. Patent App. No. 62/681,945 to Southco, Inc., which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Referring now to individual features of the latch module100, latch module100includes a housing102defining an interior space for accommodating various components of the system10, and the handle110that is rotatably mounted to the front face of housing102. The handle110has an elongated body that defines a longitudinal axis111about which the handle110can rotate with respect to housing102. Handle110has an elongated portion120extending along and at least partially defining longitudinal axis111and a handle portion130for gripping. It should be understood that the geometry and structure of the handle portion130may vary, and could be round, for example.

As best shown inFIG.4, the elongated portion120is a rotatable member to which the pawl126is connected that is configured to rotate about axis111. The rotatable member comprises a sleeve104that extends from the handle portion130, a post106having male threads that is connected to female threads of the sleeve104, and another sleeve108having male threads that surrounds the post106. It should be understood that the rotatable member may vary from that which is shown and described.

Handle portion130, which is connected to front side122of housing portion120, can be manually operated to open the panel160when latch module100is in the unlocked mode. Handles in accordance with the present disclosure may take the form of an L-handle (as shown), a T-handle, a swing handle or other type of handle which can be manually operated to open and close the closure.

A latch arm or pawl126is fixed to the male threads of the sleeve108of the elongated portion120and is sandwiched between two nuts109such that the pawl126is configured to rotate along with the handle portion130. Pawl126is rotatable to a locked position when latch module100is in the locked mode, and an unlocked position when the latch module is in the unlocked mode. The panel126rotates along with the handle110.FIGS.1-9show pawl126in the locked position. Pawl126can be rotated ninety degrees from the locked position shown to an unlocked position. It should be understood that the panel126engages with an opening to which the panel160is moveable attached. In the locked position of the panel126, the panel160is locked to the opening.

Referring still to components of latch module100, a cylindrical and hollow sleeve132surrounds the outer surface of the sleeve104. The sleeve132is fixedly mounted to housing102such that sleeve132does not rotate along with handle110. In other words, sleeve104, post106, sleeve108and pawl126rotate together with respect to the stationary sleeve132. A portion of the sleeve132is positioned within the housing102, and a portion of the sleeve132extends outside of the housing102. As best shown inFIGS.7and8, the top end of exterior surface of the sleeve132that extends inside of the housing102includes an outwardly extending cam-lobe shaped surface135. The cam-lobe shaped surface135is mounted within a recess to prevent rotation of the sleeve132with respect to housing102.

As best shown inFIGS.4-6,10B and10A, the portion137of the sleeve132that extends outside of the housing102has a non-circular and double “D” shaped outer perimeter that compliments the non-circular and double “D” shaped hole162in the panel160. The double “D” shaped hole162may also be referred to herein as a pre-sized aperture. Engagement between the non-circular hole162and the non-circular portion137of the sleeve132prevents rotation of the sleeve132and the housing102about axis111with respect to the panel160. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other geometries are known to prevent relative rotation, such as any non-circular shape.

The exterior surface of the portion137of the sleeve132includes two opposing flat portions139and two opposing rounded portions. The rounded portions include male threads141for receiving a nut163(shown schematically inFIG.6only) for mating the sleeve132(along with the entire latch module100) to the panel160in order to prevent axial movement of the latch module100with respect to the panel160. In an assembled configuration, a washer164is sandwiched between the nut163and the panel160. It should be understood that the panel160abuts the underside surface of the housing102. The nut163is also referred to herein as a fastener.

The washer164has a top side surface facing the panel160and a bottom side surface facing the nut163. The washer164has a non-circular and double “D” shaped interior opening. In an assembled configuration, the flat side walls of the interior opening of the washer164are radially aligned with respective flat portions139of the sleeve132and the hole162in the panel160.

The washer164includes an axially extending cut-out, depression, recess or channel165. The channel165is radially aligned with the flat part of its double “D” shaped interior opening. The channel165is formed on the top side surface of the washer164. The channel165has a depth sized to accommodate the thickness of cable166that extend from the latch module100. The cable166is routed through the hole162in the panel160, between the flat of the hole162in the panel160and the flat side wall of the opening in the washer164, along the length of the channel165in the washer164and in a direction toward a connection point. The washer164prevents the cable166from becoming crushed between the panel160and the nut163that is used to connect the sleeve132to the panel160.

Referring now toFIGS.7and8, a rectangular opening140extends radially through the wall thickness of the cam-lobe shaped surface135of the stationary sleeve132. The opening140is substantially aligned with the major axis A (seeFIG.7) of housing102. The top end of the sleeve104also includes a blind opening142formed in the exterior surface. In the rotational position of the sleeve104corresponding to the locked state of the latch module100, which is shown inFIGS.7and8, the openings140and142are radially aligned and register with one another to receive a locking end152of a lock bar150. The locking end152of the lock bar150prevents rotation of the sleeve104(as well as the entire handle110) when the end152is positioned within the openings140and142.

The latch module100includes various components for moving the lock bar150back and forth to accomplish locking and unlocking of the latch module100, and those components are positioned within the interior of housing102. More particularly, referring now toFIGS.7-9, a motor168is fixed to the housing102. Motor168includes an output shaft169that is capable of rotation in at least one rotational direction. The output shaft169is non-rotatably coupled to a cam device170, such that the cam device170rotates along with the output shaft169. The cam device170includes two teeth171(seeFIG.9) each having ramped surfaces, and a space formed between the teeth171. As best shown inFIG.7, the cam device170and the output shaft169extend along axis C, which is parallel to and offset from the major axis A of the housing102by a distance D.

As best shown inFIG.9the lock bar150has a follower end174that is positioned adjacent the cam device170. The above-described locking end152(obscured inFIG.9by sleeve132) is opposite the follower end174. A central portion175extends between the follower end174and the locking end152. The lock bar150is configured to translate in a direction along the major axis A of the housing102. The width of the follower end174of lock bar150is greater than that of the central portion175of the lock bar150. The follower end174extends from the central portion175in a first lateral direction that is parallel to the minor axis B of the housing102, whereas the locking end152extends from the central portion175in an opposite lateral direction along the minor axis B. It should be understood that the minor axis B is orthogonal to the major axis A. The locking end152is aligned with the major axis A of the housing, whereas the follower end174and the central portion175are offset from the major axis A.

A hole177is formed in the follower end174and extends in a direction parallel to the minor axis B. The hole177is sized to accommodate a pin180, and the pin180is immovably mounted to the hole177by way of a friction fit, for example. The pin180, which is a cam follower, is mounted in the follower end of the lock bar150.

One end of the pin180extends from the follower end174of the lock bar150. That end of the pin180is engaged with the teeth171of the cam device170. Specifically, the end of the pin180bears on and meshes with the teeth171. The pin180constitutes a cam follower, whereas the teeth171constitutes cams that rotate to cause translation of the pin180.

The axis C of the cam device170, which provides the input force to the lock bar150, is offset from the major axis A. Offsetting the cam device170from the major axis A results in a latch module100having minimal dimensions along both major axis A and minor axis B. Accordingly, the latch module100has a small footprint as compared with other competitive latch modules. However, it can be envisioned that the aforementioned offset D could cause the pin180to become dislodged in the housing102. Accordingly, as best shown inFIG.8, the ends of the pin180travel in respective grooves105formed in the opposing sidewalls103of the housing102and (optionally) slide along the sidewalls103. The sidewalls103and the grooves105, which extend in a direction parallel to the major axis A, prevent the pin180from rotating about an axis that is parallel to axis111and becoming dislodged.

The pin180and the lock bar150are biased by a spring182toward the sleeve132and the locked position, which is shown inFIGS.1-9. One end of the spring182is mounted to a fixed point in the housing102, and the other end of the spring182is mounted to a flange184(seeFIG.6) on the lock bar150.

Referring now toFIGS.3and6, a circuit board186is fixedly mounted to the housing102and resides beneath the lock bar150. The motor168is mounted to the circuit board186and receives power from electronic components mounted to the circuit board186. The circuit board186includes a clock, processor and/or controller for controlling operation of the motor168. A proximity sensor may be mounted to the board186for sensing the position of either the output shaft of the motor168, the cam device170or the lock bar150to understand whether the lock bar150is either in a locked or an unlocked configuration. The electronic components mounted to the circuit board186receive power and/or signals from a controller (not shown), which is remote from the system10. Specifically, a connector188is mounted to the bottom side of the circuit board186for communicating with the electronic components mounted to the circuit board186. One end of the cable166, which comprises a plurality of wires (for example), is connected to the connector188, and the opposite end of the cable166is attached either directly or indirectly to the external controller (not shown). The external controller delivers power and signals to the circuit board186by way of the cable166. Alternatively, the cable166may be omitted, and a wireless transmitter/receiver may be mounted to the circuit board for transmitting and receiving signals to/from the external controller.

As best shown inFIG.3, a second cable190extends between and electrically connects the reader module200to the latch module100to deliver power and signals between the reader module200and the latch module100. Specifically, one end of the cable190is mounted to a circuit board (or other device) within the reader module200, and the opposite end of the cable190is mounted to a connector192that is mounted to the circuit board186.

In operation of the access system10, the reader module200receives a user's authentication information in the form of a signal transmitted by the user's RFID tag, a combination entered by the user into the keypad, the user's fingerprint, etc. The reader module200transmits that authentication information in the form of a signal via the second cable190to the latch module100, which, in turn, transmits that authentication information through the cable166to an external controller (not shown). The external controller may or may not form part of the electronic access system10.

The external controller determines the validity of the authentication information. The external controller may utilize an open authentication method, meaning that an external data source confirms the user's identity. The external data source could be, for example, Microsoft Active Directory, an OAuth or an LDAP-compliant source.

If the authentication information is not valid, then the external controller transmits a rejection signal through the cable166to the latch module100, which transmits a signal through the second cable190to a processor in the reader module200. The processor transmits a signal to a visual and/or audible device, such as an LED, display or speaker, on the reader module200. The visual or audible device consequently displays or announces to the user that the authentication information is not valid. It should be understood that the visual and/or audible device may alternatively be provided on the latch module100.

Alternatively, if the authentication information is valid, then the external controller transmits a validation signal through the cable166to the latch module100. Upon receiving the validation signal, the processor and/or a controller on the circuit board186of the latch module100activates the motor168. Consequently, the output shaft of the motor168rotates by a predetermined rotational angle, which causes the cam device170to rotate, which causes the pin180(along with the lock bar150) to ride along the teeth171of the cam device170. The pin180translates along axis A in a direction away from the sleeve104and against the bias of the spring182. Rotation of the output shaft of the motor168may be sensed by a proximity sensor located on the circuit board, for example. The end152of the lock bar150withdraws from the opening142in the sleeve104(and, without withdrawing from the opening140in the sleeve132). At this stage, the sleeve104is free to rotate about axis111, and the user may rotate the handle110and the pawl126to the unlocked position.

After a predetermined time duration has elapsed (as determined by the processor on the board186, for example), the processor and/or controller on the circuit board186transmits a signal to cause the output shaft of the motor168to rotate by a predetermined rotational angle in either the same rotational direction or an opposite rotational direction, as detected by the proximity sensor, which causes the cam device170to rotate, which causes the pin180(along with the lock bar150) to ride along the teeth171of the cam device170and translate along axis A in a direction toward the sleeve104due to the bias of the spring182. If the opening142of the sleeve104is not radially aligned with the end152of the lock bar150(because the handle110is rotated in an open state), then the end152will bear on the outer circumference of the sleeve104by the bias of the spring182. More particularly, upon rotating the handle110from the open state to the closed state, the end152rides along the outer circumference of the rotating sleeve104. Once the handle110reaches the closed state, the opening142in the sleeve104becomes radially aligned with the end152of the lock bar150, and the spring182urges the end152of the lock bar150into the opening142of the sleeve104, thereby locking the handle110and the pawl126in the locked state.

The latch module100in accordance with the present disclosure can be unlocked in response to instructions received from the external controller, as noted above. In addition, the latch module100includes one or more backup mechanisms for unlocking. Specifically, latch module100includes a key lock136as a backup mechanism. Alternatively, latch module100can include a different backup mechanism, such as a card slot, chip reader, or hasps for securing a standard or customized pad lock to the latch module.

Referring now toFIGS.4and5, the latch module100includes a key lock136that is disposed in an opening formed on a front face of the handle110. The key lock136is operable to rotate from a locked orientation to an unlocked orientation to manually move the lock bar150to the unlocked position. The key lock136includes a mechanical lock cylinder adapted to receive a key to rotate the key lock to the unlocked orientation and thereby move the lock bar150to the unlocked condition. In this arrangement, the key lock136can be used to unlock latch module100when the controller or other components of the electronic access system are disabled.

In operation, upon inserting the proper key into the mechanical lock cylinder of the key lock136and rotating the key in the lock cylinder, a post143at the lower end of the mechanical lock cylinder rotates along with the body of the lock cylinder. Rotation of the post143cause a plate145to translate toward the end152of the lock bar150and translate the end152out of the opening142in the sleeve104(and, without withdrawing from the opening140in the sleeve132). At this stage, the sleeve104is free to rotate about axis111, and the user may rotate the handle110and the pawl126to the unlocked position.

In one exemplary use of the access system10, the access system10may be applied to an enclosure. Details of one example of an enclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,236, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The enclosure may have a housing defining an opening. A moveable panel may be mounted to the housing and movable between an open position in which the moveable panel does not conceal the opening and a closed position in which the moveable panel conceals the opening. The moveable panel may be in the form of a door or drawer, for example. The access system10is fixed to the moveable panel. The latch module100of the access system10is configured to alternately lock and unlock the panel with respect to the housing while the panel is maintained in the closed position.

Latch modules and reader modules shown and described herein have a number of aesthetic and ornamental features that are not dictated by function or purpose. These aesthetic and ornamental features, which can be varied and changed without affecting the function or purpose of the latch modules and reader modules, include but are not limited to, the shape, color, surface texture, relative dimensions, opacity, transparency, translucency, and light intensity, where applicable, of the latch module alone, or the reader module alone, the latch module and reader module when assembled.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations, and that all such variations fall within the scope of the present disclosure.