LOCKING SYSTEM

Abstract: A door locking system including a plurality of doors each having a mechanical key operated door lock, each door lock including a lock cylinder including a lock body defining an elongate bore, a tumbler rotatably mounted in the elongate bore of the lock body and having a keyway, and a pin assembly associated with the tumbler and with the lock body for preventing rotation of the tumbler with respect to the lock body other than when a correctly configured key is placed in the keyway, an electrical rotation sensor sensing rotation of the tumbler in the keyway and providing a tumbler rotation electrical output in response thereto, and an electromechanical interlock which, notwithstanding rotation of the tumbler of the lock cylinder, permits actuation of the door lock only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal.

Description: LOCKING SYSTEM The present invention relates to locks general¬ ly and more particularly to mechanical key operated locking systems. Electronic access control systems are well known in the art. Such systems employ various input devices such as keypads, optical sensors, voice sensors and fingerprint sensors for identifying persons seeking access and provide various modalities of access authori¬ zation, which may be person specific, time specific, area specific, event specific or may rely on combinations of the above and/or other parameters. U.S. Patent ^,507,9^4 describes a cylinder lock and key combination wherein the key bears coded informa¬ tion in the form of regions of mutually different magnet¬ ic permeability. This information is read by a sensor in the cylinder lock and may be processed by a data process¬ ing device which can, for example, register at a given point of time that the lock in question has been opened by an authorized or an unauthorized person. It is noted in the specification of this patent that by using simple auxiliary devices it is possible to arrange, for example, that an attempt to open the lock by an unauthorized person fails. Alternatively each attempt to open the lock can be registered in the data processing device so that it is possible subsequently to determine by means of which keys the attempts have been made and the times of such events. A disadvantage of this system is that it only senses insertion of the key and is not readily retrofit- table into other locks. The following U.S. Patents are believed to be representative of the art: 5.005.393. 4,802,353. 4,937.560, 4,770,012, 4,457,1 8. 5,444,440, 4,677,834, 4,389.817, 4,196,422, 4.760,380, 4 , 656 , 851 . 5,041.814, 5.266.923. 5,488,843. 5.311.168, 4,803.467. 4,360,803. 4,129.865, 3.685.036, 5,532,522. 5.365.235, 5.532.686, 3.585.625. 5.208,579. 5.561,430. 4.738,334, 5.561,420, 5.508,694, 5.461,385. 5.365.235. 4,980,680, 5.523.746, 5.311.757. 5.483.193. 4,875.351 and 4,738,334. and Euro pean Patent Application EP O385 049 Al . The present invention seeks to provide an improved mechanical key operated locking system which is relatively inexpensive and readily installed and which provides access control functionality combined with the convenience and security of conventional mechanical key operated locks. There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a door locking system including a plurality of doors each having a mechanical key operated door lock, each door lock including a lock cylinder including a lock body defining an elongate bore, a tumbler rotatably mounted in the elongate bore of the lock body and having a keyway, and a pin assembly associated with the tumbler and with the lock body for preventing rotation of the tumbler with respect to the lock body other than when a correctly configured key is placed in the keyway, an electrical rotation sensor sensing rotation of the tumbler in the keyway and providing a tumbler rotation electrical output in response thereto, and an electromechanical interlock which, notwithstanding rotation of the tumbler of the lock cylinder, permits actuation of the door lock only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal. The interlock may be located inside a locking mechanism, or alternatively may be mounted externally, such as in a door frame or keeper. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tumbler is associated with a lock operating cam and the electrical rotation sensor senses rotation of the tumbler by sensing rotation of the cam. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrical rotation sensor senses at least one of the direction of rotation of the tumbler and the extent of such rotation. The electrical rotation sensor is preferably mounted externally of the lock body. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrical rotation sensor is retrofittable onto a lock cylinder. The electrical rota¬ tion sensor may be located within or outside a lock mechanism housing, or may be mounted in or on a lock escutcheon. Further in accordance with a preferred embodi¬ ment of the present invention, the door locking system also includes an auxiliary key identification sensor which senses a coded key identification indication borne by a key and provides the auxiliary signal. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coded key iden¬ tification indication includes a passive interrogatable resonant circuit resident in a key handle portion. The key handle portion may be molded onto a key shank or may be retrofitted onto an existing key. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary key identification sensor includes an electrically powered detector which provides the auxiliary signal only when a key bearing a correct coded key identification indication is inserted into the keyway. The electrically powered detector may be bat- tery powered or supplied with electrical power from electrical mains. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the door locking system also includes input/output apparatus responsive to at least one of the presence or absence of the auxiliary signal and at least one of the presence or absence of the tumbler rotation electrical output for providing an output indication of attempted lock operation. Preferably the output indication generates at least one of an alarm, an access log, an access control function and an indication of tumbler rotation that was effected. There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a locking assembly including a lock body defining an elongate bore, a tumbler rotatably mounted in the elongate bore of the lock body and having a keyway, a pin assembly associated with the tumbler and with the lock body for preventing rotation of the tumbler with respect to the lock body other than when a correctly configured key is placed in the keyway, an electrical rotation sensor sensing rota¬ tion of the tumbler in the keyway and providing a tumbler rotation electrical output in response thereto, and an electromechanical interlock which, only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal, permits the tumbler to actuate a lock mechanism, notwithstanding rotation of the tumbler of the lock cylinder. There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for retrofitting an electronic access control or monitor¬ ing system on to a mechanical key operated lock cylinder, the lock cylinder including a lock body defining an elongate bore and a tumbler rotatably mounted in the elongate bore of the lock body and having a keyway, the method including the steps of mounting an electrical rotation sensor in propinquity to the tumbler, the elec¬ trical rotation sensor sensing rotation of the tumbler in the keyway and providing a tumbler rotation electrical output in response thereto, and installing an electrome¬ chanical interlock in association with the lock body which, only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal, permits the tumbler to actuate a lock mechanism, notwithstanding rotation of the tumbler of the lock cylinder. There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for mastering a multiplicity of door locks each including a mechanical key operated lock cylinder including a lock body defining an elongate bore and a tumbler rotatably mounted in the elongate bore of the lock body and having a keyway, the method including the steps of providing in association with each lock cylinder an electromechanical interlock which, notwithstanding rotation of the tumbler of the lock cylinder, permits actuation of the door lock only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal, providing outside each lock cylinder an auxiliary key identifica¬ tion sensor which senses a coded key identification indication borne by a key and provides the auxiliary signal, providing a key for each lock cylinder which is mechanically configured to be capable of rotating the tumbler of the lock cylinder and which bears on a key head thereof a coded key identification indication, and programming at least one of the electromechanical inter¬ lock and the auxiliary key identification sensor of each door lock to operate the door lock in the presence of a plurality of coded key identification indications. The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed de¬ scription, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which : Fig. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a locking system constructed and operative in accord¬ ance with one preferred embodiment of the present inven¬ tion ; Fig. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a locking system constructed and operative in accord¬ ance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a simplified illustration of a door locking assembly constructed and operative in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention which is useful in the locking system of either of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a simplified illustration of a door locking assembly and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention which is useful in the locking system of either of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5 is a simplified illustration of a door locking assembly and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention which is useful in the locking system of either of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 6 is a simplified illustration of a tum¬ bler driven lock actuating cam useful in the apparatus of Figs. 3 - 5; Fig. 7 is a simplified sectional illustration of the apparatus of Fig. 3; and Fig. 8 is a simplified flow chart which illus¬ trates operation of a door locking system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which is a simplified pictorial illustration of a locking system constructed and operative in accordance with one pre¬ ferred embodiment of the present invention. In the embod¬ iment of Fig. 1 a plurality of doors 10 are each equipped with a self-contained mechanical key operated locking assembly 12 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each mechanical key operated locking assembly 12 communicates with a central unit 14, which may be embodied in a personal computer or other suitable data processing device. The central unit 14 preferably monitors the operation of each of the locking assemblies and provides both an on-line and historical record of operation and attempted operation thereof. The central unit 14 may also provide a key authentication function and/or a lock override function. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, communication between the various locking assemblies 12 and the central unit 14 is wireless, as by means of RF or IR links. In such an embodiment, central unit 14 need not be in a fixed location, but may alternatively be portable. Fig. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a wired connection is provided between each locking assembly 16 and a central unit 18, which may have the same functionalities as assembly 12 and central unit 14 respectively. Reference is now made to Figs. 3 and 7. which illustrate a door locking assembly and operative in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention which is useful in the locking system of either of Figs. 1 and 2. The door locking assembly of Figs. 3 and 7 comprises a locking mechanism 20, which may be a conven¬ tional mortise lock which is operated by a lock cylinder 22, which may be an entirely conventional pin tumbler cylinder. The lock cylinder 22 typically comprises a lock body 24 having a longitudinal bore 26 in which is dis¬ posed a tumbler 28 having a keyway 30. A pin assembly 3 is associated with the tum¬ bler 28 and with the lock body 24 for preventing rotation of the tumbler 28 with respect to the lock body 24 other than when a correctly configured key 34 is placed in the keyway 30. A lock operating cam 3 is preferably fixedly associated with the tumbler 28 for rotation therewith. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an electrical rotation sensor 40 is provided within the locking mechanism 20 in operative association with the lock cylinder 22 , preferably exter¬ nal thereof. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the electrical rotation sensor 4θ comprises a plurality of mutually rotationally spaced electrical contacts 42 which are formed on a relatively thin elec¬ trical circuit board 44 and which are engaged by a spring loaded electrical contact 46 mounted on cam 36, as shown with particularity in Fig. 6. As the cam 36 rotates about the longitudinal axis of the tumbler 28, the contact 46 engages different ones of contacts 42. In this manner, rotation of the tumbler is sensed by sensor 40. Alternatively, sensor 40 may comprise a non- contact rotation sensor which may operate, for example, by electromagnetic induction. Other types of proximity sensors, such as capacitance sensors or shaft encoders, may also be used. Sensor 40 is operative for sensing rotation of the tumbler 28 in the bore 26 and providing a tumbler rotation electrical output in response thereto. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is also provided an auxiliary key identification sensor 0 which senses a coded key identification indication 52 borne by the key. Key iden¬ tification sensor 50 may sense identification indication 52 with or without physical contact therewith. The coded key identification indication 52 is preferably a passive interrogatable resonant circuit 4 and is resident in a key handle portion 58. Handle por¬ tion 58 may be molded onto the key shank or alternatively retrofitted onto an existing key. Auxiliary key identification sensor 0 is preferably an electrically powered detector which may be battery powered or supplied with electrical power from electrical mains and which provides a key identity elec¬ trical output only when a key bearing a correct coded key identification indication is inserted into the keyway. Preferably, so as to conserve energy, the key identity electrical output is provided only when a key bearing a correct coded key identification indication is not only inserted into the keyway, but also rotated therein. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is also provided an elec¬ tromechanical interlock 60 which, notwithstanding rota¬ tion of tumbler 28, permits actuation of locking mecha¬ nism 20 only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal. Prefer¬ ably, electromechanical interlock 60 normally allows tumbler 28 to only partially rotate, and allows full rotation of tumbler 28 and actuation of locking mechanism 20 only upon receipt of the auxiliary signal . Interlock 60 may include a solenoid 62 which selectively moves a bar 64 in and out of locking engagement with a locking bolt 66. Bar 64 preferably lockingly engages with a notch 68 formed on locking bolt 66. Alternatively, interlock 60 may comprise other suitable mechanisms, such as an elec¬ tric motor and worm gear. Interlock 60 may be located inside locking mechanism 20, or alternatively may be mounted in a door frame or keeper (not shown) . Preferably a control device 70 is provided for coordinating operation of rotation sensor 40, key identi¬ fication sensor 50 and interlock 60. In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, control device 70 includes a manual switch, preferably located remotely from locking mechanism 20, for actuating interlock 60. In this embodi¬ ment, no key identification is necessary for operating interlock 60. 10 In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, interlock 60 is actuated by auxiliary key identification sensor 50. Upon insertion and rotation of key 34, a correct coded key identifica¬ tion indication is sensed by key identification sensor 50. Sensor 50 then provides a key identity electrical output to actuate interlock 60, such as via control device 70. Only upon actuation of interlock 60 can lock¬ ing assembly 12 be actuated, notwithstanding rotation of tumbler 28 of lock cylinder 22 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided input/output apparatus 72 responsive to one or more of the presence or absence of the key identity electrical output and the presence or absence of the tumbler rota¬ tion electrical output for providing an output indication of attempted lock operation. The output indication may generate an alarm, an access log and/or an access control function, and provide particulars and/or a report of tumbler rotation that was effected. Fig. 3 illustrates rotation sensor 40 located inside locking mechanism 20. Reference is now made to Fig. 4 which illustrates a locking mechanism 73 con¬ structed and operative in accordance with another pre¬ ferred embodiment of the present invention. Locking mechanism 73 is substantially identical to locking mecha¬ nism 20, with like elements being designated by like numerals. Locking mechanism 73 differs from locking mechanism 20 in that a rotation sensor 75 is located outside of locking mechanism 73 and hidden from outside view behind a rosette or escutcheon 74. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the bolt-actuating cam (not shown) does not contact rotation sensor 75- Instead, an auxiliary element 76 may be used to electrically contact rotation sensor 75- Alternatively, a magnetic device 78 or other suitable rotation position sensor may be embedded in tumbler 28, rotation of which is sensed by rotation sensor 75- Reference is now made to Fig. 5 which illus¬ trates a locking mechanism 80 constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Locking mechanism 80 is substan¬ tially identical to locking mechanism 73, with like elements being designated by like numerals. Locking mechanism 80 differs from locking mechanism 73 in that a rotation sensor 82 is located outside of locking mecha¬ nism 80 and mounted on an outside surface of escutcheon 62. Reference is now made to Fig. 8, which illus¬ trates operation of the door locking system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A key is inserted into the keyway. If its key cuts are matched to the configuration of the pins in the cylinder lock, the key turns the tumbler. The rotation of the tumbler is sensed and may be displayed and/or recorded, with an indication of one or both of direction and extent of rotation, such that key rotation for lock opening is distinguished from key rotation for lock closing and also distinguished from key rotation which is not successful in locking or unlocking the lock, such as by attempted manipulation of the cylinder. This information may be transmitted to a remote monitoring location for providing a log of activity. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a coded electronic identification indication is preferably provided by the key and is sensed by key identification sensor 50. If a required identification indication is not received by key identification sensor 50, rotation of the tumbler will not release interlock 60 and hence open the door. In such a case, information from the rotation sensor 40, indicat¬ ing the attempted opening of the door, combined with information from the key identification sensor 50, indi¬ cating use of an unauthorized key, may be transmitted to a monitoring facility for alarm or recording purposes or may generate a local alarm. The door locking system of the present inven¬ tion may be useful, for example, in a hotel building. By sensing rotation of the tumbler of any of the door locks in the hotel, recording the identification particulars of the key used to rotate the tumbler and recording the time, the system of the present invention can be used to monitor and record entry and exit of specific classes of persons into and out of a particular room. In this way, for example, the system can record when a maid came to tidy a room and how long it took her to finish and exit the room. Entry and exit of authorized guests into rooms can be monitored, as well as detecting unauthorized attempts to break into rooms. Similarly, the system of the present invention can used to monitor prisons, school buildings, town halls, etc. An advantage of the door lock system of the present invention is that a method is provided thereby for retrofitting an electronic access control or monitor¬ ing system on to a mechanical key operated lock cylinder. The method includes mounting an electrical rotation sensor (such as electrical rotation sensor 40) that senses rotation of a tumbler of the existing lock in its keyway and provides a tumbler rotation electrical output in response thereto in propinquity to the tumbler, and installing an electromechanical interlock (such as elec¬ tromechanical interlock 60) which, only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal, permits the tumbler to actuate a lock mechanism, notwithstanding rotation of the tumbler, in association with the existing lock body, such as inside a lock body or in a keeper or door frame. The existing lock, once retrofitted in accordance with this method, provides the aforementioned rotation and identi- fication sensing and monitoring of the present invention. Another advantage of the door lock system of the present invention is that a method is provided there¬ by for mastering a multiplicity of existing door locks. The method includes providing in association with each lock cylinder an electromechanical interlock (such as electromechanical interlock 60) which, notwithstanding rotation of a tumbler of the existing door lock, permits actuation of the door lock only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal, providing outside each existing lock cylinder an auxiliary key identification sensor (such as key identification sensor 50) which senses a coded key identification indication borne by a key and provides the auxiliary signal, providing a key for each lock cylinder which is mechanically configured to be capable of rotat¬ ing the tumbler of the lock cylinder and which bears on a key head thereof a coded key identification indication, and programming at least one of the electromechanical interlock and the auxiliary key identification sensor of each door lock to operate the door lock in the presence of a plurality of coded key identification indications. It is appreciated that various features of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the con¬ texts of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, de¬ scribed in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims: C L A I M S What is claimed is: 1. A door locking system comprising a plurality of doors each having a mechanical key operated door lock, each door lock comprising: a lock cylinder comprising: a lock body defining an elongate bore; a tumbler rotatably mounted in said elon¬ gate bore of said lock body and having a keyway; and a pin assembly associated with said tum¬ bler and with said lock body for preventing rotation of said tumbler with respect to said lock body other than when a correctly configured key is placed in said keyway; an electrical rotation sensor sensing rotation of said tumbler in said keyway and providing a tumbler rotation electrical output in response thereto; and an electromechanical interlock which, notwith¬ standing rotation of said tumbler of said lock cylinder, permits actuation of said door lock only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal. 2. A door locking system according to claim 1 wherein said tumbler is associated with a lock operating cam and said electrical rotation sensor senses rotation of said tumbler by sensing rotation of said cam. 3. A door locking system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said electrical rotation sensor senses at least one of the direction of rotation of said tumbler and the extent of such rotation. 4. A door locking system according to any of claims 1 - 3. wherein said electrical rotation sensor is mounted externally of said lock body. 5. A door locking system according to any of claims 1 - 4, wherein said electrical rotation sensor is retrofittable onto a lock cylinder. 6. A door locking system according to any of claims 1 - 3. wherein said electrical rotation sensor is located within a lock mechanism housing. 7. A door locking system according to any of claims 1 - 3. wherein said electrical rotation sensor is located outside a lock mechanism housing. 8. A door locking system according to any of claims 1 - 3. wherein said electrical rotation sensor is mounted in a lock escutcheon. 9. A door locking system according to any of claims 1 - 3. wherein said electrical rotation sensor is mounted on a lock escutcheon. 10. A door locking system according to any of the preceding claims, and comprising an auxiliary key identi¬ fication sensor which senses a coded key identification indication borne by a key and provides said auxiliary signal . 11. A door locking system according to claim 10 wherein said coded key identification indication com¬ prises a passive interrogatable resonant circuit resident in a key handle portion. 12. A door locking system according to claim 11 wherein said key handle portion is molded onto a key shank . 13. A door locking system according to claim 11 wherein said key handle portion is retrofitted onto an existing key. 14. A door locking system according to any of claims 10 - 13 wherein said auxiliary key identification sensor comprises an electrically powered detector which provides said auxiliary signal only when a key bearing a correct coded key identification indication is inserted into said keyway. 15. A door locking system according to claim 14 wherein said electrically powered detector is battery powered. 16. A door locking system according to claim 14 wherein said electrically powered detector is supplied with electrical power from electrical mains. 17- A door locking system according to any of the preceding claims and also comprising input/output appara¬ tus responsive to at least one of the presence or absence of said auxiliary signal and at least one of the presence or absence of said tumbler rotation electrical output for providing an output indication of attempted lock operation. 18. A door locking system according to claim 17 wherein said output indication generates at least one of an alarm, an access log, an access control function and an indication of tumbler rotation that was effected. 19- A door locking system according to any of the preceding claims wherein said electromechanical interlock is mounted externally to said lock cylinder. 20. A locking assembly comprising: a lock body defining an elongate bore; a tumbler rotatably mounted in said elongate bore of said lock body and having a keyway; a pin assembly associated with said tumbler and with said lock body for preventing rotation of said tumbler with respect to said lock body other than when a correctly configured key is placed in said keyway; an electrical rotation sensor sensing rotation of said tumbler in said keyway and providing a tumbler rotation electrical output in response thereto; and an electromechanical interlock which, only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal, permits said tumbler to actuate a lock mechanism, notwithstanding rotation of said tumbler of said lock cylinder. 21. A method for retrofitting an electronic access control or monitoring system on to a mechanical key operated lock cylinder, said lock cylinder comprising a lock body defining an elongate bore and a tumbler rotata¬ bly mounted in said elongate bore of said lock body and having a keyway, the method comprising the steps of: mounting an electrical rotation sensor in propinquity to said tumbler, said electrical rotation sensor sensing rotation of said tumbler in said keyway and providing a tumbler rotation electrical output in response thereto; and installing an electromechanical interlock in association with said lock body which, only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal, permits said tumbler to actuate a lock mechanism, notwithstanding rotation of said tumbler of said lock cylinder. 22. A method for mastering a multiplicity of door locks each comprising a mechanical key operated lock cylinder including a lock body defining an elongate bore and a tumbler rotatably mounted in said elongate bore of said lock body and having a keyway, the method comprising the steps of: providing in association with each lock cylin¬ der an electromechanical interlock which, notwithstand¬ ing rotation of said tumbler of said lock cylinder, permits actuation of said door lock only upon receipt of an auxiliary signal, providing outside each lock cylinder an auxil¬ iary key identification sensor which senses a coded key identification indication borne by a key and provides said auxiliary signal; providing a key for each lock cylinder which is mechanically configured to be capable of rotating the tumbler of said lock cylinder and which bears on a key head thereof a coded key identification indication; and programming at least one of said electromechan¬ ical interlock and said auxiliary key identification sensor of each door lock to operate said door lock in the presence of a plurality of coded key identification indications.

Inventors: CHARNLEY JOHN, MCALLISTER DION, CHARNLEY, JOHN, MCALLISTER, DION
Applicants: CHARNLEY JOHN, MCALLISTER DION, MUL T LOCK TECHNOLOGIES LTD, CHARNLEY, JOHN, MCALLISTER, DION, MUL-T-LOCK TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: E05B
IPC codes: G07C9