LOCK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND CARD READER

Abstract: An actuator assembly is mounted in a housing and is ac­ tuatable by a solenoid carried in the housing. The housing also includes, integral therewith, a card reading arrangement.

Description: The invention relates to an actuator assembly mechanism comprising a mechanism having input means and output means ; means for rotating said input means ; means for actuating for changing the state of said assembly from a rest condition, when said means for actuating is unactuated, to an actuated condition, when said means for actuating is actuated ; means for preventing rotation of said output means with said input means when said assembly is in a rest condition, and for permitting a rotation transmitting connection between said input means and said output means when said assembly is in an actuated condition ; and means for automatically returning said assembly from said actuated condition to said rest condition. Our co-pending application Ser.No. 593, 833, filed March 27, 1984, describes an actuator assembly mechanism of the above general description. The present arrangement is an alternative to our earlier arrangement. It is also known in the art to use card reader arrangements for actuating actuator assembly mechanisms. One such card reader is shown in U.S. Patent 4, 488, 036, Butts, December 11, 1984. Although Butts attacks the problem of coins entering slot 18, he does not even consider the problem of liquids, or other foreign objects, falling into the slot. It is further known by GB-A-1 452 032 to provide a door lock equipped with an actuator assembly mechanism comprising : a mechanism having input means and output means ; means for rotating said input means ; means for actuating for changing the state of said assembly from a rest condition, when said means for actuating is unactuated, to an actuated condition, when said means for actuating is actuated ; means for preventing rotation of said output means with said input means then said assembly is in a rest condition, and for permitting a rotation transmitting connection between said input means and said output means when said assembly is in an actuated condition ; means for automatically returning said assembly from said actuated condition to said rest condition. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an actuator assembly mechanism which meets the above general description but which does so with an arrangement alternative to the arrangement taught in our co-pending application. The actuator assembly mechanism, according to the invention, comprises: a clutch mechanism having an input disc and an output disc; means for rotating said input disc comprising a handle rotatable with said input disc and means for detecting movement of said handle ; means for preventing rotation of said output disc with said input disc comprising an opening in said output disc, solenoid means having a shaft member and being positioned relative to said output disc such that said shaft member is adapted to extend into said opening in said output disc, whereby to fix said output disc in position to thereby prevent rotation of said output disc with said input disc, said shaft member extending into said opening in said output disc when said solenoid is in its unactuated condition, and being able to be removed from said opening in said output disc by means for actuating said solenoid whereby to permit a rotation transmitting connection between said output disc and said input disc ; means for automatically returning said assembly from said actuated condition to said rest condition : if said input disc is rotated within a given time delay, upon said rotation ; or if said input disc is not rotated within said given time delay, upon the expiration of said time delays ; whereby said output disc can be rotated only once within said time delay, and whereby said output disc is not rotatable if said input disc is not rotated within said time delay ; a card reader arrangement for reading codes on an encoded card, and for sensing when a card is inserted in said card reader arrangement ; wherein said means for actuating said solenoid comprises said card reader arrangement, said means for sensing when a card is inserted in said card reader arrangement, and said means for detecting movement of said handle, whereby, when said card reader arrangement reads a valid code on said encoded card, and when said handle movement is sensed, said solenoid is actuated. According to an embodiment of the invention, said means for detecting movement of said handle comprises : a stop plate rotatable with said handle ; switch means ; one end of said stop plate being adapted to abut said switch means when said handle is in a rest position ; the state of said switch being changed when said one end of said stop plate is moved away therefrom ; whereby the charge of state of said switch is indicative of movement of said handle. The actuator assembly mechanism may further include spring means for returning said stop plate to its rest position. The actuator assembly mechanism may further include override means for mechanically removing said shaft member from said opening in said output disc. Said override means for mechanically removing comprises a limiting disc mounted on said solenoid shaft member ; and cam means engaging said limiting disc to thereby move said limiting disc upwardly and to thereby remove said shaft member from said opening in said output disc. Said card reader arrangement is integral with an outer casing, and comprises : a covered slot extending downwardly from a top surface of said outer casing ; an opened window disposed below and in communication with said covered slot ; whereby, when a card is inserted in said covered slot it will extend through said covered slot and into said open window. Said card reader arrangement includes means for reading coded messages on an encoded card inserted into said override slot, said means for reading being located behind said covered slot. The invention will be better understood by an examination of the following description together with the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of an actuator assembly mechanism, in accordance with the invention, shown in its rest condition with a card inserted in the slot of the card reader, portions thereof being shown in section; FIGURE 1A is a portion of Figure 1 showing the actuator assembly mechanism in its actuated condition; FIGURE 2 is a rear view of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the clutch mechanism; FIGURE 4 illustrates the facing surfaces of the input and output discs of the clutch mechanism; FIGURE 5 illustrates means for sensing that the handle has been turned; FIGURE 6 is an operational flow chart for process control for the inventive actuator assembly mechanism; FIGURE 6A is a purely schematic illustration of the physical process which takes place in the operational chart of Figure 6; FIGURE 7 is a partial view of Figure 2 in section showing how the override mechanism operates; FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the housing. Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the actuator assembly mechanism includes a clutch mechanism, illustrated generally at 1, and means, illustrated generally at 3, for preventing or permitting a rotation transmitting connection of the clutch mechanism. The actuator assembly mechanism is housed in a housing 5, mounted on the front (outside) of a door and having an opening 7 therethrough at the front end of the assembly. A knob, or handle, hub 9, which is spring loaded, as will be shown below, to return to its initial position, extends through the opening and is in rotation transmitting communication with a connecting member 11 at the input of the clutch. A shaft receiving member 13 is disposed at the output side of the clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism is housed in a clutch cover 15. Referring to Figure 3, the clutch member includes an input disc 17, which is connected to the input connecting member 11, for rotation therewith, and an output disc 19, which is connected to the shaft receiving member 13 for rotation therewith. The shaft receiving member 13 receives a drive shaft 14. The connecting member 11 is connected to hub 9 for rotation therewith so that the input disc 17 rotates with the rotation of hub 9. As the facing surfaces of both input and output discs are identical, only the facing surface of the output disc is shown in Figure 4 to illustrate the facing surfaces of both input and output discs. The facing surfaces of both the input and output discs include diametrically opposed abutments 21 having bevelled surfaces 23 at their terminating edges. The abutments are disposed on, and rise above, a lower surface 24 and are preferably formed integrally with the lower surface. Returning to Figure 3, disposed in the clutch cover is a spring means 25 which urges the output disc against the input disc. Closing slot means comprising, for example, a slot 27 is disposed on the upper peripheral surface of the output disc 19 as can also be seen in Figures 1 and 2. The clutch mechanism operates in a manner known in the art, namely, with the spring 25 urging the output disc against the input disc, and with the abutments of the input disc being arranged to be located on the lower surfaces of the output disc, and vice-versa, when the input disc is rotated, the output disc will also rotate. However, if the output disc is held against rotation, for example, by applying the fixed means in the closing slot 27 thereof, rotation of the output disc will not be possible even when the input disc is rotated, whereby to prevent a rotation transmitting connection of the clutch. Instead, the bevelled surfaces of the input disc will cam with the bevelled surfaces of the output disc to push the output disc rearwardly against the force of spring 25. Thus, the rotation of the input disc will still be possible, however, the rotation of the input disc will, in this condition, not be transmitted to the output disc. Thus, means for permitting a rotation transmitting connection of the clutch comprises a means for removing the fixed means from the closing slot 27. As above-mentioned, the means for permitting a rotation transmitting connection of the clutch is illustrated generally at 3 and comprises a solenoid 29 (see Figures 1, 2 and 7) mounted on a solenoid mounting plate 31. Extending downwardly from the solenoid is a solenoid shaft 33 which is attached to a limiting disc 35 at the bottom end thereof, and whose top end abuts spring member 30. Extending downwardly and centrally of the limiting disc 35 is a blocking pin 37. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the blocking pin 37 will extend into the slot 27 when the assembly is in its rest condition. With the blocking pin in the slot 27, the output disc is held against rotation, so that rotation of the input disc will not be transmitted to the output disc. The solenoid is contained in a solenoid housing 39, and the blocking pin 37 extends through a wear-resistant reinforcement bushing 41 in the housing 39. The wear-resistant bushing accurately guides the travel of the pin 37 and prevents wear resulting from such travel, and provides protection against material deformation from lateral forces of the pin. The clutch mechanism and means for effecting rotation transmitting connection are mounted on a mounting plate 43. As in the above-mentioned co-pending application, it is desirable to detect rotation of the handle (connected to the hub 9) in order to signal to the processor that the solenoid should be activated as will be seen below. Means for detecting handle rotation is illustrated generally at 45 in Figures 1 and 5 and includes a stop plate 47. Referring to Figure 5, one end 60 of the stop plate 47 abuts against a switch arrangement 49. A retaining ring 51 is provided to prevent hub 9 from sliding out of the housing 5. A spring means 53 has one end connected to a fixed point 55 on casing 5 and the other end connected to point 57 on the stop plate. Stop plate limiter 59, which is part of casing 5, limits the rotary motion of the stop plate and thereby the rotary motion of the hub 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the hub 9 is rotated in a clockwise direction (Figure 5) and the stop plate 47 is rotated with it. When the hub 9 is released, the spring means 53 will cause the stop plate 47 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction (Figure 5) until the edge 60 of the stop plate abuts against the stop-plate limiter 59 and thereby the end 60 abuts against switch arrangement 49. In the illustrated embodiment, switch 49 is of that kind which is closed in its normal condition, i.e., it must be pressed to be opened. With stop plate 47 in its rest condition, as illustrated in Figure 5, end 60 of the stop plate is pressed up against the switch 49 so that the switch 49 is open. When the hub 9, and therefore stop plate 47, is rotated in the clockwise direction, as soon as edge 60 releases the switch 49 (which happens when handle is even slightly rotated, i.e., between 1° and 5°); switch 49 will change state, i.e., it will assume its normal condition and will therefore be closed, i.e., the circuit of which it is a part will be complete. This circuit will then provide a signal that the handle has been rotated. When hub 9 is released, plate 47 will return to the position shown in Figure 5, that is, with the end 60 of plate 47 abutting against the switch 49, and the switch 49 will again be open. In operation, the mechanism works as follows: In order to change the assembly from its rest condition to its actuated condition, the solenoid 29 must be actuated. The solenoid can be actuated by means well known in the art, for example, a keyed mechanism, or an electronic or mechanical numerical combination means, or other means well known in the art. In the present application, it is contemplated to use a card reader arrangement which will read a magnetically encoded card. As will be seen below (with reference to Figure 6), if the card includes a valid activation code, then as soon as the handle (connected to hub 9) is rotated in a clockwise direction, power will be provided to the solenoid to actuate it. When the solenoid is actuated, the solenoid shaft 33 is lifted upwardly, against the force of spring member 30, lifting with it both the limiting disc 35 and the blocking pin 37 so that the blocking pin is moved out of the slot 27 as shown in Figure 1A. With pin 37 out of slot 27, there is permitted a rotation transmitting connection between the hub 9 and the output shaft 14. Accordingly, 14 will rotate when 9 is rotated and when the actuating assembly is in its actuated condition. Power is applied to the solenoid and then removed a short time (1/3 sec.) later. However, by that time, the rotation of the handle will have caused rotation of the output disc. Thus, when the blocking pin 37 drops because power is removed from the solenoid, it will fall onto the outer surface of the output disc, and it will loosely ride on this outer surface as long as the handle is out of its normal position. When the handle is returned to its rest position, returning the output disc to its rest position, the blocking pin 37 will fall into slot 27 of the output disc. Spring 30 is provided to provide a downward push on the shaft 33 should gravity not provide sufficient pull to pull the shaft 33 downwardly. The hub 9 is connected to, for example, a door knob lever handle or the like for rotation, and the shaft 14 can comprise the shaft of, for example, a latch mechanism or the like to retract the latch of a lock as is well known in the art. It will be seen that the assembly is automatically returned to the rest condition from the actuated condition either after a single opening or after a predetermined time delay. The mechanism is under the control of an electronic processor which receives data both from the card reader and from the switch 49. Although the processor will have several other functions, we will consider here only its operation in providing power to the solenoid at the appropriate time. Figure 6 illustrates an operational flow chart of the software which drives the processor. Each cycle of the processor starts, as is well known, with a BEGIN step. The BEGIN step in this case would be actuated by the insertion of a coded card into the card reader arrangement, which insertion is sensed by a card-in sensor means 90 (see Figure 1), i.e., a switch which is tripped by the card as it is being inserted. The tripping of the switch activates both the microprocessor and the reader, which would be normally unactivated, for their respective functions. The sensor means 90 also senses when the card is removed from the slot whereby to ensure that the card is not accidentally left in the slot after the door is opened. The processor would then read the code on the card and determine whether or not this is a valid code. If it is not a valid code, then the program skips to the END, thus avoiding actuation of the assembly, and is ready for the beginning of a new cycle. If the code is valid, then the processor initiates a security timing period. In one embodiment, if it is desired to prohibit actuation of the assembly if the handle is turned before there is an indication that the handle should be turned, the switch 49 is checked to determine whether the handle is in the rest position. If it is not, then the program will skip to the END thus prohibiting the actuation of the assembly. If the handle is in its rest position, then an indicator, such as indicator 79 in Figure 8, is turned on indicating to the user that he can now rotate the handle. The processor now senses alternatively in cycles two conditions, namely, whether the security timing period has elapsed and whether the handle has been rotated. If, in any one of the cycles, the security timing period has not elapsed, and the handle has been rotated, then the solenoid is activated for a predetermined period, e.g., 1/3 sec. The cycle is then completed and the processor is ready to begin a new cycle. If, on the other hand, the security timing period elapses without the handle being rotated, then the program will once again skip to the END and the actuator mechanism will not be activated. Figure 6A is a purely schematic illustration of the physical process which takes place. As can be seen , the electronic processor receives input from switch 49, card-in sensor 90, and the card reader magnetic head 89 (see Figure 1). It provides an output to the power supply to provide power to activate the solenoid under the appropriate conditions. In some instances, it may be necessary to override the rest condition of the actuator assembly by purely mechanical means, for example, in the event of battery failure. For this purpose, override mechanism, illustrated generally at 61 in Figures 2 and 7 is provided. As seen in these Figures, the override mechanism comprises a cylindrical core 63. In the illustrated embodiment, as the override mechanism has to extend for a distance greater than the distance of the cylindrical core itself, there is provided a cylindrical core adapter 65 and a cylindrical core extension member 67 connected to the adapter 65 whereby the extension 67 will rotate with the cylindrical core 63. It is of course understood that the adapter 65 and the extension 67 are required only when the override mechanism must extend for a distance greater than the distance of the core 63 itself. Disposed at the free end of the extension 67 is an override cam member 69. Extending into the solenoid housing at right angles to the extension member 67 is an override plunger 71. The plunger 71 has a camming end 73 and a disc end 75. Spring means 77 has one end thereof abutting against the disc end 75 and the other end abutting against stopping edge of the solenoid housing. In operation, the override mechanism works as follows: When the core 63 is rotated, extension member 67 will rotate with it and cam 69 will abut against the plunger 71 and force the plunger inwardly,that is, to the left in Figure 7. The camming end of the plunger will act against the limiting disc 35 to raise the limiting disc and to thereby lift the blocking pin 37 out of the slot 27 against the action of spring 30. Thus, the actuator assembly will assume the position shown in Figure 1A, that is, the actuated condition. When the core 63 is again rotated to return the cam to the position shown in Figures 1 and 7, spring 75 will force plunger 71 rearwardly, that is to the right in Figure 7 so that it will return to the position illustrated in Figure 7. It will of course be appreciated that the core 63 can rotate only by use of an appropriate key. Referring now to Figures 1 and 8, the housing for the mechanism is shown to include the casing 5 and a handle 6 which is connected with the hub 9 as is well known. The card reader assembly, illustrated generally at 81, includes a slot 83 for receiving a card 85. The card reader arrangement also includes a window 87 which is in communication with the slot 83. The inclusion of the window permits a user to see that the card has been inserted as far as it should go. It also makes it easy and convenient to clean the arrangement and especially to dislodge any foreign objects which might get stuck in the slot. The card reader assembly also includes a magnetic head 89 for reading the code on the card as is also well known in the art, and a card-in sensor means 90. The sensor means 90 is located so that the card activates the sensor 90 before or at the same time that it reaches the head 89. The magnetic head is mounted on a spring 91 which biases it in the direction of the card so that there will be good physical contact between the magnetic head and the coded portion of the card. In operation, a coded card is inserted in the slot and the code on the card is read by the magnetic head and provided to the processor as illustrated schematically in Figure 6A.

Claims: An actuator assembly mechanism comprising : a mechanism having input means (17) and output means (19); means (9) for rotating said input means ; means (81) for actuating for changing the state of said assembly from a rest condition, when said means for actuating is unactuated, to an actuated condition, when said means for actuating is actuated ; means (27, 29, 33, 37) for preventing rotation of said output means (19) with said input means (17) when said assembly is in a rest condition, and for permitting a rotation transmitting connection between said input mean (17) and said output means (19) when said assembly is in an actuated condition ; means (30) for automatically returning said assembly from said actuated condition to said rest condition, characterized in that said mechanism is a clutch mechanism ; said input means and output means are respectively an input disc (17) and an output disc (19) of said clutch mechanism ; said means for rotating said input disc (17) comprising a hub means (9) rotatable with said input disc (17) ; said hub means mounting a handle rotatable with said hub ; and means (45) for detecting movement of said handle ; said means for preventing rotation of said output disc (19) with said input disc (17) comprising : an opening (27) in said output disc ; solenoid means (29) having a shaft member (33), said solenoid means being positioned relative to said output disc (19) such that said shaft member (33) is adapted to extend into said opening (27) in said output disc (19) ; whereby to fix said output disc (19) in position to thereby prevent rotation of said output disc (19) with said input disc (17) ; said shaft member (33) extending into said opening (27) in said output disc (19) when said solenoid (29) is in its unactuated condition ; said shaft member (33) can be removed from said opening (27) in said output disc (19) by means (81, 85, 45) for actuating said solenoid (29) whereby to permit a rotation transmitting connection between said output disc (19) and said input disc (17) ; said mean (30) for automatically returning said assembly from said actuated condition to said rest condition : if said input disc (17) is rotated within a given time delay, upon said rotation ; or if said input disc (17) is not rotated within said given time delay, upon the expiration of said time delay ; whereby said output disc (19) can be rotated only once within said time delay, and whereby said output disc (19) is not rotatable if said input disc (17) is not rotated within said time delay ; said actuator assembly mechanism further includes a card reader arrangement (81) for reading codes on an encoded card (85), and for sensing when a card is inserted in said card reader arrangement ; wherein said means for actuating said solenoid comprises said card reader arrangement (81), said means (90) for sensing when a card (85) is inserted in said card reader arrangement (81), and said means (45) for detecting movement of said handle ; whereby, when said card reader arrangement (81) reads a valid code on said encoded card (85), and when said handle movement is sensed, said solenoid (29) is actuated. An actuator assembly mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said means (45) for detecting movement of said handle comprises : a stop plate (47) rotatable with said handle ; switch means (49) ; one end (60) of said stop plate (47) being adapted to abut said switch means (49) when said handle is in a rest position ; the state of said switch (49) being changed when said one end (60) of said stop plate (47) is moved away therefrom ; whereby the charge of state of said switch (47) is indicative of movement of said handle. An actuator assembly mechanism as defined in claim 2, and further including spring means (53) for returning said stop plate (47) to its rest position. An actuator assembly mechanism as defined in claim 1 and further including override means (61) for mechanically removing said shaft member (33) from said opening (27) in said output disc (19). An actuator assembly mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein said override means (61) for mechanically removing comprises a limiting disc (35) mounted on said solenoid shaft member (33) ; and cam means (69) engaging said limiting disc (35) to thereby move said limiting disc (35) upwardly and to thereby remove said shaft member (33) from said opening (27) in said output disc (19). An actuator assembly mechanism as defined in anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein said card reader arrangement (81) is integral with an outer casing (5), and comprises : a covered slot (83) extending downwardly from a top surface of said outer casing (5) ; an opened window (87) disposed below and in communication with said covered slot (83) ; whereby, when a card (85) is inserted in said covered slot (83) it will extend through said covered slot (83) and into said open window (87). An actuator assembly mechanism as defined in claim 6, wherein said card reader arrangement (81) includes means (89) for reading coded messages on an encoded card (85) inserted into said covered slot (83), said means for reading being located behind said covered slot (83).

Inventors: BRANOVER, ALEXANDER, DAUSSEING, JEAN PAUL, FISH, AARON M., MAYZELS, LEON, MIRESMAILI, MASOUD
Applicants: ILCO UNICAN INC.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: E05B47
IPC codes: E05B17, E05B47, G07C9, G06K13, E05B13, G05G5