Abstract:
The present invention provides for a handle set for a lock with a latch, the handle set having an authentication circuit and actuator in the interior handle that allow access to authenticated transponders. The present invention also provides a device and method for transmitting a rotational movement and force in an electronic lock, wherein the transmission takes place in a coupled state and not in a decoupled state and wherein the transmission of force does not damage an actuator that requires little energy to change between the coupled and decoupled states. A coupling cartridge of an electronic lock can easily be handed. The electronic lock can be retrofitted in installed mortise locks and used with cylindrical locks. The electronic lock can include a security feature that prohibits the electronic lock from changing between the coupled and decoupled states.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/726,260, filed Dec. 2, 2003, which claims priority to German application No. 103 20 873.9, filed May 9, 2003, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/705,021, filed Nov. 11, 2003, which claims priority to German Application No. 103 20 873.9, filed May 9, 2003, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein; and this application is also continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/556,012, which is a national phase of international PCT application No. PCT/EP2004/004903, filed May 7, 2004, which claims priority to German Application No. 103 20 873.9, filed May 9, 2003, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein; and this application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/744,268, filed Apr. 4, 2006, and entitled “Handel Set for a Door Lock,” hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT CONCERNING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides for an electronic lock and lever set for a lock, the handle set having an authentication circuit and actuator in the interior handle that allow access only to authenticated transponders. The present invention relates also to a device and method, in particular for transmitting a movement as well as corresponding forces and/or moments and, in particular, a rotational movement to a lock, wherein the transmission takes place in a coupled state, but not in a decoupled state and wherein the lock cannot change between coupled and decoupled states when secured by a security assembly. The present invention also relates to a device and method for selecting the handedness of a lock. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Although key-operated locking mechanical systems may provide adequate protection in most situations, there are some drawbacks associated with their use. Firstly, keys for the most part can be easily copied and distributed to unauthorized users. Also, if the key is ever lost or stolen, it might be necessary to replace the whole lock cylinder in order to assure that an unauthorized user does not gain access. This can be a significant disadvantage in some cases. For example, it could be costly and rather inconvenient for a business location having many employees to replace a lock cylinder each time an employee loses his key. 
         [0005]    As an alternative to conventional key-operated mechanical locking systems, locking arrangements were designed which utilize electronic access control means for keyless entry. U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,047 discloses a keyless entry deadbolt locking system wherein an electronic access control means, in the form of a decoding means, is located next to the knob on the outside of the door. When the decoding means is decoded by an authorized user, a coil is energized such that a rod is moved rightward and the extensions of the rod are caused to engage with grooves of a disc whereby a shaft can be rotated and the door can be opened. Although the deadbolt offers security against prying, one of the disadvantages of this locking system is that the electronic access control means can be accessed from the outside, and thus can be tampered with. 
         [0006]    German Patent 198 51 308, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes a locking system for a door wherein the access control means is located within a knob on the inside of the door. The electronic access control means comprises a wireless data signal receiver which receives signals transmitted from a remote transmitter operated by a user. Once an authorized signal is recognized by the access control means, a solenoid is activated to control a coupling element which in turn allows the lock to be moved in a locked or unlocked position using a knob on the outside of the door. Since the remote transmitter transmits data signals using an alternating magnetic field, data signals can be transmitted with acceptable reception quality through even highly secure metal laminated doors. This allows the access control means to be placed on the inside of the door where it would be protected against tampering from the outside. However, this is only advantageous with locking cylinder standards which consist of a single element that goes through the whole door. The U.S. standard cylinder is a single cylinder. So the electronics in the knob are on the outside and can easily be manipulated. If the access control means are located on the inside of the door, an expensive through connection is necessary, which is dependent on the type of door and lock and which is furthermore difficult to install. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,086 discloses a keyless entry deadbolt lock arrangement for a door wherein the access control means is located within the door. The deadbolt lock arrangement can be opened manually by inserting a key or operating a switch, or opened remotely by using a RF (radio frequency) remote controller to activate an actuator that places the lock in a locked or unlocked position. Since reception of the wireless signal by the access control means located within the door can pose a problem depending on the type of door, the top portion of the housing containing the locking cylinder is provided with openings in order to permit better reception of the signal transmitted by the remote transmitter. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2004/0255628, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes an electronic lock system with improved lock and transponder for securing a door that is easy to install and can easily be retrofitted. The keyless electronic door lock system has an access control means which is located within the cylinder body of the lock. 
         [0009]    Some electronic locks require a coupling interface that transmits the movement from the outside handle to the latch to open the door in the unlocked state (coupled state) and to allow for the handle to rotate, but not transmit, the movement to the latch in the locked state (decoupled state). DE-C-37 42 189 discloses a lock cylinder, the coupling of which is connected to the locking bit and can be brought into engagement on one side with a bossed shaft. In order to configure such a lock cylinder in a more simple manner and to achieve better protection against unauthorized use of the lock cylinder, it is proposed that the bossed shaft be enclosed by a locking sleeve which can be displaced axially by the coupling and secured in certain positions. 
         [0010]    EP-A-1 072 741 discloses a lock cylinder, in particular, an electronic lock cylinder with electromechanical rotational blocking in which the electronic key has opposing electrical terminals on the shaft and the rotatable core of the lock cylinder has an external annular track that is electrically conducting, and with its inner face, communicates with an electrical contact supported on the terminal whereas the external annular track is supported in the electrical brushes of the external and internal rotors. 
         [0011]    EP-A-0 743 411 discloses a lock device in which the key of the lock device comprises a code transmitter formed by a transponder. An actuator, a transponder reading device, and a power supply device are arranged in the cylinder housing of the lock cylinder of the lock means. The actuator serves for displacing a locking means which locks or releases the cylinder core and which engages at the circumference of the cylinder core. 
         [0012]    EP-A-1 079 050 discloses a lock means comprising a lock bit being blockable by a locking mechanism, wherein a coupling is arranged between the blocking mechanism and the lock bit. The coupling can be separated from only one side of the lock means. The lock means should thus be unlockable from this side without any access authorization for the locking mechanism. 
         [0013]    EP-B-0 805 905 discloses a closing mechanism for a door comprising a spindle, an actuating means turning the spindle, a locking element in functional connection with the spindle to lock the door, and a coupling element fitted in the actuating means and acting on the rotation of the spindle. The coupling element moreover has a pin which moves to and from axially to the spindle and which can be moved to and fro via a spindle by means of a locking element arranged independent of the actuating means via an electric motor drivable by means of an electronic control in order for either to transmit the rotation of the freely rotatable actuating means to the spindle or, in the case of an actuating means, being rigidly connected with the shaft to allow only a slight rotation of the actuating means connected with the shaft. Moreover, a cam is formed on the pin and a spiral spring is clamped as a force storage means between the cam and the spindle of the electric motor, and on the front surface of the actuating means a contact disk is provided via which the electronic control from an electronic information carrier can be controlled via data exchange. 
         [0014]    Known coupling interface devices and methods of this kind prove to be disadvantageous in that relatively much energy is demanded for shifting the coupling or lock element that forces acting on the coupling element in the coupled and decoupled states and causes a load of the lock element and that a load of the coupling element or lock element is transmitted to the drive or actuator. 
         [0015]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/705,021 published as 2005/0050929, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes an electronic lock that requires relatively little energy for shifting the coupling or lock element. The coupling mechanism is shifted into the coupled and decoupled states by a bi-stable actuator that is powered by batteries. The actuator rotates to move a coupling locking element into a position where it causes the lock to be in a coupled state. The coupling locking element moves in a linear direction. In the coupled state, the coupling locking element allows for the rotational force from the exterior knob to be transferred to the latch in order to open the door. In the decoupled state, the rotational force from the exterior knob is not transferred to the latch. 
         [0016]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/556,012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes an electronic lock with a coupling locking element that is positioned between two reel elements in the coupled state so that reels can overcome the mechanical potential of a take-off, and thereby cause the latch to operate. In the decoupled state, the coupling locking element is not positioned between the reels, and the reels cannot overcome the mechanical potential of the take-off. 
         [0017]    The coupling interface and/or actuator may not be configured to handle the stress of the forces exerted by the user, especially when excessive force is exerted through a lever. The transmission of forces to the drive or actuator can result in increased wear and reduced functional safety. In the United States, building codes may require that locks have levers, and levers can transmit large amounts of torque to a lock. Low-energy electronic lock mechanisms may not be strong enough to handle the torque from a lever without breaking or wearing down. 
         [0018]    Building and fire codes may require that a lock be operable by exerting a downward force on a lever (e.g. a code may require that lock must be operable by persons with disabilities). Depending on the orientation of the door (left-hand or right-hand), the downward direction of the outside lever of a lock may be a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. Using the outside of the door as a reference (i.e. the side of the door where one locks the door after exiting the room that the door encloses), a left-hand door is an inward swinging door with hinges on the left side and a right-hand door is an inward swinging door with the hinges of the right side. Some locks can be handed, which means that the locks can be employed in a left-hand or a right-hand door arrangement by rearranging the interrelationship of some of the internal components of the lock. Presently, for those locks which cannot be so handed, two separate models must be manufactured and inventoried throughout the trade. For the locks that can be handed, some locks can be handed by specially trained personnel in the field, and some locks require handing by trained personnel at the factory or by a locksmith. Locks are typically installed by carpenters or other building tradesmen with no special locksmith training so that even the partial disassembly and reassembly of the intricate components by such personnel to “hand” the lock results in a maximum of frustration, limited success, and added expense. The alternate choice of engaging a locksmith to install the lock adds considerable expense. 
         [0019]    Electronic door locks may be susceptible to tampering, especially when the lock circuitry and/or actuator are/is located within the exterior handle. Door locks utilizing magnetic/electromagnetic actuators should be secured against tampering by an applied external magnetic field. 
         [0020]    It can also be difficult to provide electronic lock hardware that mechanically interacts with existing conventional door locks, and it can be especially difficult to provide electronic lock hardware that can be retrofitted into installed/mounted conventional door locks. Electronic lock hardware that can be retrofitted into installed/mounted conventional door locks should be easy to install so that installation does not require a locksmith. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present invention provides a handle set for a door lock having a latch, the handle set having an authenticator circuit and actuator preferably arranged in or at least partially in an interior handle so that they are protected from tampering from the exterior side of the door. The handle set can be retrofitted into existing door locks thereby turning the door lock into an electronic lock and/or forming an electronic door locking and lever assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the exterior handle is coupled to the latch when the handle set is in a coupled state and a blocking member is in a coupled position. The handle set is configured to allow the exterior handle to transfer force to a coupling apparatus without transmitting large amounts of force to the blocking member when the blocking member is in the coupled position. In another embodiment of the invention which relates to a double lock design, the interior handle and the exterior handle can be coupled to the latch when the handle set is in a coupled state, so that the door can be opened by the interior handle and the exterior handle. In this embodiment both the inside handle and the outside handle require an authorization and the coupling apparatus to be in a coupled state. The coupling apparatus can be adapted to couple in a coupled state both the interior handle and the exterior handle. In an alternative embodiment, the coupling apparatus can be adapted to couple the interior handle and the exterior handle independent from each other. 
         [0022]    The present invention provides a coupling cartridge for an electronic lock with an exterior handle, an interior handle, a lock body with a latch, and an access control circuit. The coupling cartridge is configured to handle increased torque transmitted by a lever without damaging a low-power actuator. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the coupling cartridge comprises a coupling member with spring ramps, a plurality of camming blocks rotatably coupled to the exterior handle, and a blocking member; wherein the camming blocks can transmit rotation and force from the exterior handle to the coupling member when the blocking member is positioned between the camming blocks and wherein the camming blocks cannot transmit rotation and force from the exterior handle to the coupling member when the blocking member is not positioned between the camming blocks. 
         [0023]    The present invention also provides a security apparatus configured to prevent the blocking member from moving to a position between the camming blocks and from a position between the camming blocks so that the electronic lock cannot change between coupled and decoupled states unless authorized to do so. 
         [0024]    The present invention also provides a coupling cartridge with a plurality of handing marks that allows for untrained personnel to hand the electronic lock. 
         [0025]    The present invention also provides for a method of handing a coupling cartridge having a coupling member with a right-hand marling and a left-hand marking, an interior handle linkage with a first alignment marking, and an exterior handle linkage with a second alignment marling, the method comprising rotating the coupling member to align one of the right-hand marking and left-hand marking between the first and second alignment markings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a view of a handle set according to the present invention installed in a door, 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a handle set for a cylindrical lock according to an embodiment of the present invention installed in a door that is shown in phantom; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a handle set for a cylindrical lock according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a section view of the handle set shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an outer coupling member according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a coupling cartridge of a handle set in a left-hand orientation; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a coupling cartridge of a handle set a right-hand orientation; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of a coupling cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9   a  is a sectional view of a coupling mechanism in a decoupled state; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9   b  is a sectional view of an electronic lock in a decoupled state; 
           [0037]      FIG. 10   a  is a sectional view of a coupling mechanism in a decoupled state; 
           [0038]      FIG. 10   b  is a sectional view of a coupling mechanism and actuator assembly in a decoupled state; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11   a  is a sectional view of a coupling mechanism in a coupled state; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11   b  is a sectional view of a coupling mechanism and actuator assembly in a decoupled state; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of a coupling mechanism and actuator assembly in a coupled state; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a handle set for a mortise lock according to an embodiment of the present invention installed in a door that is shown in phantom; 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a coupling cartridge of a handle set for a mortise lock in a left-hand orientation; 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a coupling cartridge of a handle set for a mortise lock in a right-hand orientation; 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a handle set for a mortise lock according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of an adapter mechanism of the handle set shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 18  is a side view of an actuator assembly of a handle set in a decoupled state; 
           [0048]      FIG. 19  is a side view of an actuator assembly of a handle set in the coupled state; 
           [0049]      FIG. 20  is an end view of a security assembly and an actuator assembly of a handle set in an unsecured and decoupled state; 
           [0050]      FIG. 21  is an end view of a security assembly and an actuator assembly of a handle set in an unsecured and coupled state; 
           [0051]      FIG. 22  is an end view of a security assembly and an actuator assembly of a handle set in a secured and decoupled state; 
           [0052]      FIG. 23  is an end view of a security assembly and an actuator assembly of a handle set in a secured and coupled state; 
           [0053]      FIG. 24  is a side view of a security assembly and an actuator assembly of a handle set with an external magnetic field applied; 
           [0054]      FIG. 25  is a side view of a security assembly and an actuator assembly with an external magnetic field applied; and 
           [0055]      FIG. 26  is an end view of a security assembly and an actuator assembly of a handle set with an external magnetic field applied. 
       
    
    
       [0056]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0057]    One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. Nothing in this application is considered critical or essential to the present invention unless explicitly indicated as being “critical” or “essential.” 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is generally shown handle set hardware for a lock  10 , which makes the lock an electronic door lock or electronic door locking and lever assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention as operatively mounted in a door  12  or other type of closure panel. The lock hardware  10  is constructed in a conventional cylindrical configuration, having interior and exterior handles  14  and  16 , respectively, that are cooperatively connected through the door  12  to operatively move and lock a latch member  18 . The latch member  18  engages a strike plate (not shown) in a door frame (not shown) to secure or release the door  12  for pivotal motion within the door frame in a manner well known in the art. The lock hardware  10  is normally in a decoupled state which means that the exterior handle  16  cannot cause the latch member  18  to move. When the lock hardware  10  is in the decoupled state, the exterior handle  16  may rotate, but this rotation is not coupled to the latch member  18 . The lock hardware  10  is configured so that the interior handle  14  can always cause the latch member  18  to move so that the door can always be opened from the interior. In an alternative embodiment, the lock hardware  10  can be a double lock and the interior handle  14  can operate like the exterior handle  16  in the coupled and decoupled states. 
         [0059]    Upon activation by a user, an authorization means  20  which can be a transponder  20  as shown in  FIG. 1  communicates a wireless data signal  22  to access control circuitry (not shown) of the lock hardware  10 . The access control circuitry determines whether or not the wireless data signal  22  identifies an authorized transponder. If the transponder  20  is determined to be an authorized device, the access control circuitry causes the lock  10  to change to a coupled state so that the exterior handle  16  can cause the latch member  18  to move to open the door. After a period of time, the access control circuitry causes the lock hardware to return to the decoupled state so that the exterior handle  16  can no longer cause the latch member  18  to move. The access control circuitry may also be configured to change from the coupled to the uncoupled state when an appropriate signal is sent from the transponder. The verification of an authorization means such as the transponder or some other type of key could occur in the transponder or some other authorization device and the lock  10  can be sent a signal to couple or decouple. In this context, a transponder can be adapted as a portable device which can be worn and/or carried by a user (i.e. as a credential) as shown in  FIG. 1  and/or can be mounted at the door or next to the door and/or within the exterior handle. The transponder contains data for authorization and is able to communicate wirelessly and/or passively. The transponder can be activated by a user. The lock hardware  10  may also be set on a timer to place the lock in the coupled and decoupled state for a certain time in the day. A control center could also cause a wireless signal to be sent to couple/decouple the lock  10 . The access control circuitry can be programmed wirelessly, and can be controlled, programmed, and read out through a wireless network. In particular, the access control circuitry can be programmed from a programming device, including a central computer, through wireless data exchange, e.g., via Bluetooth, Zigbee, a mobile phone or other wireless technology in the LF or RF frequency band, wherein information stored in the access control circuitry can be retrieved and transmitted to a programming device or a central computer. Further, the access control means can be programmed such that the coupling apparatus  36  couples either only temporarily (e.g. 10 seconds after a correct authorization of a user) or switches permanently to the coupled state (until switched back from the coupled to the uncoupled state through the next authorized user) or switches automatically between the coupled and the uncoupled state at predetermined time units (e.g. day/night mode). 
         [0060]    The access control circuitry can contain a processor or processing unit, a memory storage device or memory unit, a power supply (comprising, e.g., a battery and/or an accu and/or a solar cell and/or a fuel cell and/or a piezo-electric device) and/or a communication device (comprising, e.g., an antenna and/or a RFID unit and/or passive reader) configured to send and/or receive non-contact signals (e.g. wireless signals, RFID signals, passive electromagnetic signals). In an embodiment, the processing unit and the memory unit can be located within the interior handle. Further, the processing unit can compare a received signal of a user requesting access to the data stored in the memory unit and can activate an actuator of an access control device  75  described below to change a coupling apparatus from the decoupled state to the coupled state. 
         [0061]    In a further embodiment, the antenna or any other communication device for the wireless data exchange can be located within the interior handle and/or within the exterior handle. In a further embodiment the antenna or any other communication device for the wireless data exchange can be located in an interior or exterior rose of the lock  10 . The antenna can be connected to the processing unit through a wire that is conducted through a connecting element  72  of the coupling apparatus, wherein the antenna is preferably suited to receive and handle signals from common-used passive cards, e.g., operating at a frequency of 125 kHz or 13.56 MHz. 
         [0062]    In a preferred embodiment, the access control circuitry and the communication device are housed within the interior handle  14 . The communication device can also be housed in the exterior handle  16  and can be wirelessly and/or electrically connected to the access control circuitry by wire(s) run through the lock hardware  10 . The exterior handle  16  can include a biometric reader or biometric fingerprint sensing unit configured to transmit information to the access control circuitry via a wire or wirelessly. The biometric fingerprint sensing unit can be equipped with a processing unit, a memory and a wireless data exchange unit, wherein the biometric fingerprint sensing unit can compare a user&#39;s fingerprint with a fingerprint stored in the memory and can send a wireless authorization signal to the access control circuitry in, e.g., the interior handle. 
         [0063]    In a further embodiment, when the exterior handle  16  is operated a signal is transmitted to an access control circuitry in the interior handle  14 , causing the access control circuitry to emit a wireless request signal e.g. to a users credential. In a further embodiment, the exterior handle  16  comprises a capacitive sensor which is able to sense a human&#39;s skin, wherein upon detection of a human skin a wireless request signal is emitted. 
         [0064]    The handles  14  and  16  can also have LEDs or other such visual indicators that can be used to indicate the status of the lock hardware  10  and/or access control circuitry. 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a handle set for a cylindrical door lock  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention can be installed in a door in a conventional manner. The door lock  10  has interior and exterior handles  14  and  16 , respectively, and interior and exterior roses  24  and  26 , respectively. The exterior handle  16  is rotatably attached to the exterior rose  26  so that an attack of over-torque on the rose  26  is not transmitted to the handle  16  or the internal components of the lock  10 . The lock  10  further comprises a latch member  18 , a lock body  28  having an exterior flange  30 , a lock body interior flange  32 , an interior rose spring assembly  34 , and a coupling cartridge  36 . 
         [0066]    The lock  10  can be installed in a door  12  that has a cylindrical hole (not shown) through the door  12 , the openings (not shown) of a cylindrical hole in the door  12  being on the interior face  38  and exterior face  40  of the door  12 . A latch hole (not shown) in the door  12  extends from the edge  42  of the door  12  to a portion of the door (not shown) that forms a side surface of the cylindrical hole. To install the lock  10 , the latch member  18  is first inserted into the latch hole in the door  12 . The lock body  28  is then inserted into the cylindrical hole in the door  12  so that the exterior flange  30  rests against the exterior face  40  of the door  12 . The lock body  28  and the latch member  18  mechanically interact with each other in a conventional manner. Next, threaded portion  44  of the lock body interior flange  32  is inserted into the cylindrical hole of the door  12  so that the flange  32  rests against the exterior face  40  of the door  12  and so that threading  44  of the lock body interior flange  32  can engage threading (not shown) of the lock body  28 . The lock body interior flange  32  is then threaded into the lock body  28  so that the lock body  18  is secured in the door  12  and so that notches  46  (one not shown) of the lock body interior flange  32  line up with notches  48  of the exterior flange  30 . Threaded bosses  50  (one not shown) of the exterior rose  26  are then fed through notches  48  of the exterior flange  30 . Guide tubes  52  of the interior rose spring assembly  34  are then fed through the notches  46  of the interior flange  32 . Bolts  54  are then inserted into the guide tubes  52  of the interior rose spring assembly  34 , and then the bolts  54  are fastened into the threaded bosses  50  of the exterior rose  26 . The coupling cartridge  36  is then handed as described hereinafter. Next, exterior end  46  of the coupling cartridge  36  is inserted through a hole (not shown) in the interior rose spring assembly  34  until the exterior end  46  engages a mechanical interface (not shown) of the exterior handle  16 . Interior handle  14  is inserted through interior rose  24  and a faceted end  58  of the handle  14  is placed onto a faceted outer portion  60  of the interior rose spring assembly  32 . A set screw  62  is then screwed into a set screw receptor  64  in the faceted outer portion  60  so that the handle  14  is secured to the interior rose spring assembly  32 . The interior rose  24  is then twisted one-quarter turn, concealing the set screw and securing the rose through an interlock between dimples on the rose and grooves in the interior rose spring assembly  32  to complete the lock assembly  10 . In an alternative embodiment, the coupling cartridge  36  can be upon manufacturer permanently left-handed or right-handed. 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the coupling cartridge  36  has an interior end  66  and an exterior end  68 . The exterior end  68  comprises a piezoelectric speaker spring mount  70  attached to the exterior-most portion of an exterior handle shaft  72 . The exterior handle shaft  72  comprises a square shaft portion  74  adjacent to where the spring mount  70  is attached and a round shaft portion  76  located interior of the square shaft portion  74 . As is known in the art, the square shaft portion  74  is sized and dimensioned to interfit with a square shaft adapter (not shown) of the exterior handle  16  so that the exterior handle  16  can be rotatably linked to the exterior handle shaft  72 , and so that the exterior handle  16  can transfer torque to the exterior handle shaft  72 . The exterior handle shaft  72  has a hollow center (not shown) configured so that wires may be run through its interior portion. 
         [0068]    As will be discussed hereinafter, the coupling cartridge  36  further comprises an outer coupling member  78  that is coupled to the exterior handle  16  when the lock  10  is in the coupled state and is not coupled to the exterior handle  16  when the lock  10  is in the decoupled state. The outer coupling member  78  comprises an octagonal link member  80  that interfits with the lock body  28  so that the octagonal link member  80  can cause the lock body  28  to operate the latch  18  when the outer coupling member  78  is rotated. 
         [0069]    The coupling cartridge  36  further comprises a faceted coupling barrel  82  that has two teeth  84 . The teeth  84  of the faceted coupling barrel  82  are positioned within two slots  86  of the outer coupling member  78 . The teeth  84  of the faceted coupling barrel  82  can be rotated to act against two teeth  88  of the outer coupling member  78  so as to cause the outer coupling member  78  to rotate thus causing the latch  18  to operate. As will be discussed hereinafter, the orientation of the faceted coupling barrel  82  in relation to the outer coupling member  78  depends on the handedness of the coupling cartridge  36 . 
         [0070]    The coupling cartridge  36  comprises a coupling apparatus which comprises a drive and a take-off, wherein the drive is formed essentially by the exterior handle shaft  72  and a force transfer member  83 . Further, the take-off is formed essentially by the outer coupling member  78  and the link member  80 . The link member  80  is a latch actuating means that actuates the latch member  18  to open the door  12 . When the coupling apparatus is in a coupled state, the drive  72 ,  83  is coupled to the take-off  78 ,  80  wherein a movement of the exterior handle  16  can be transmitted from the drive  72 ,  83  to the take-off  78 ,  80  to actuate the latch member  18  to open the door. When the coupling apparatus is in a decoupled state the drive  72 ,  83  is decoupled from the take-off  78 ,  80  so that a movement of the exterior handle  16  is not suitable to operate the tale-off  78 ,  80  to actuate the latch member  18  to open the door  12 . Further, a coupling barrel  82  which forms the coupling element  82  is linked to the take-off  78 ,  80  and further linked to the interior handle  14 , so that, when the interior handle  14  is moved or rotated the movement is transmitted to the coupling element  82  which moves the tale-off  78 ,  80  so that the latch member  18  can be operated when the coupling apparatus  36  is in a coupled or decoupled state. 
         [0071]    The coupling cartridge  36  comprises further an access control circuit cover  90  disposed on the interior end  66  of the coupling cartridge  36  and removably attached to an access control circuit housing (not shown), and covers and/or partially covers components of the access control circuit including an electronic circuit board (not shown), a pair of batteries (not shown), a piezoelectric speaker (not shown), and an antenna (not shown). A piezoelectric speaker (not shown), or other such speaker, can be housed within the exterior handle  16 . The antenna can also be positioned within the exterior handle  16 . The elements contained within the coupling cartridge  36  will be discussed hereinafter. 
         [0072]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an exploded view of the coupling cartridge  36  according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The coupling cartridge  36  includes an access control device  75 . As will discussed hereinafter, the access control device  75  houses the access control circuitry, the actuator, and a linkage system that connects the actuator to a blocking member  300 . The access control device  75  can move the blocking member  300  to a coupled position and to a decoupled position. In the coupled position, the blocking member  300  is positioned in between two coupling rectangular camming blocks  77 , the camming blocks  77  positioned within the outer coupling member  78 . Torsion springs  79  are connected to the camming blocks  77  and to a force transfer member  83 . The torsion springs  79  are positioned within the inner diameter of the force transfer member  83 . The force transfer member  83  is positioned within the inner diameter of the outer coupling member  78  and within the inner diameter of the faceted coupling barrel  82 . The force transfer member  83  has rectangular holes  85  that extend through the force transfer member  83  from its inner curvilinear face to its outer curvilinear face. The camming blocks  77  are fitted within the rectangular holes  85  of the force transfer member  83  so that the camming blocks  77  are perpendicular to the outer face of the force transfer member  83 . The camming blocks  77  can slide towards and away from the center of the force transfer member  83 . The torsion springs  79  force the camming blocks  77  radially outward towards the outer coupling member  78 . The force transfer member  83  has a notched and toothed end  87  that interfits with a notched and toothed end  89  of the exterior handle shaft  72 . A retaining ring  91  can be disposed in the notches of the end  87  and end  89  when they are interfitted together to keep the ends  87  and  89  together. The exterior handle  16  can cause the exterior handle shaft  72  to rotate, the exterior handle shaft  72  can cause the force transfer member  83  to rotate in the same direction as the exterior handle  16 , and the force transfer member  83  can cause the camming blocks  77  to rotate in the same direction as the exterior handle  16 . The holes  85  and the walls of the holes  85  of the force transfer member  83  are sized and dimensioned so as to transfer force to the camming blocks  77  without allowing the camming blocks  77  to rotate relative to the holes  85  and without allowing the camming blocks  77  to tilt relative to the outer surface of the force transfer member  83 . Therefore, the exterior handle  16  is always coupled to the camming blocks  77  so that rotational movement of the exterior handle  16  causes rotational movement of the camming blocks  77  in the same direction. 
         [0073]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an outer coupling member  78  according to an embodiment of the invention has an interior end  92  and an exterior end  96 . The octagonal link member  80  is disposed on the exterior end  96  (as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The teeth  88  of the outer coupling member  78  are disposed on the interior end  92 . The outer coupling member  78  has a body  98 , four spring mount portions  100 , and two coupling walls  102 . The inner and outer faces of the body  98 , spring mount portions  100 , and coupling walls  102  are curvilinear. The body  98  is generally proximate to the octagonal link member  80 . The outer diameters of the body  98  and spring mount portions  100  are the same. The inner diameter of the body  98  is smaller than the inner diameter of the spring mount portions  100 . The inner diameter of the coupling walls  102  is larger than the inner diameter of the body  98  and smaller than the inner diameter of the spring mount portions  100 . The inner and outer faces of the coupling walls  102  are curvilinear. Each of the coupling walls  102  has two edges  104  that are defined by generally radial lines from the center of the outer coupling member  78 . The spring mount portions  100  each include a groove  106 , each groove having a mounting slot and a ramp slot formed therein that holds a spring ramp  99  in place (as will be discussed hereinafter). The coupling walls  102  include channels  101  in which ramped ends  103  of the spring ramps  99  are positioned, the channels  101  allowing the ramped ends  103  of the spring ramps  99  to be pushed radially outward. The teeth  88  extend above the coupling walls  102  and have curvilinear inner and outer faces. The outer diameter of the teeth  88  is equal to the outer diameter of the coupling walls  102  and the inner diameter of the teeth  88  is larger than the inner diameter of the coupling walls  102  and is less than the inner diameter of the spring mount portions  100 . The teeth  88  have edges  108  that are defined by generally radial lines from the center of the outer coupling member  78 . 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 9   a , the spring ramps  99  have a ramp end  103 , a ramp portion  112 , a curvilinear portion  114 , and straight end  116 . Each spring ramp  99  is positioned within a groove  106  of a spring mount portion  100 . Each groove  106  includes a mounting slot  110 , a groove wall  118 , and a ramp slot  120 . The straight end  116  of the spring ramp  99  extends through the mounting slot  110 . The curvilinear portion  114  of the spring ramp  99  is adjacent to the inner portion of the groove wall  118 . The straight end  116  can be bent around the outer portion of the groove wall  118  to mount the spring ramp  99  in place. The ramp portion  100  of the spring ramp  99  defines a ramp that begins at the curvilinear portion  114  and extends inward, the ramp ending at the ramp end  103 . The ramp end  103  extends outward through the channels  101  of the coupling walls  102  so that the spring ramps  99  are not blocked from moving outward by the coupling walls  102 . 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , the lock  10  is in the decoupled state, which means that the blocking member  300  is not positioned between the camming blocks  77 . The lock  10  has been handed (as will be discussed hereinafter) so that each of the camming blocks  77  is positioned nearer to one coupling wall  102  than to the other coupling wall  102  when the exterior handle  14  has not been rotated from its default position. The torsion springs  79  outwardly push the camming blocks  77  so that they contact a pair of spring ramps  99 . When the exterior handle  14  is rotated, rotation is transferred to the camming blocks  77  and the camming blocks  77  cam on the spring ramps  99  in the direction of rotation of the exterior handle  14 . When the camming blocks  77  are rotated toward the nearest coupling wall  102 , the camming blocks  77  will cam along the ramp portions  112  of the spring ramps  99 . As shown in  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b , the ramp portions  112  cause the camming blocks  77  to be forced inward as the camming blocks  77  cam on the ramp portions  112  because the force of the torsion springs  79  is overcome. The camming blocks  77  are not able to overcome the force of the spring ramps  99 ; therefore, the camming blocks  77  do not contact the edges  104  of the coupling walls  102 . The camming blocks  77  can cam over the ramp portions  112  and then can cam along the coupling walls  102 . Not enough force is transferred from the camming blocks  77  to the coupling walls  102  to cause the outer coupling member  78  to rotate. If the camming blocks  77  are rotated in a direction away from the nearest coupling walls  102 , the camming blocks  77  cam along the spring ramps  99 , but will not rotate enough to reach the ramp portions  102 . 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b , the lock  10  is in the coupled state, which means that the blocking member  300  is positioned between the camming blocks  77 . The lock  10  has been handed (as will be discussed hereinafter) so that each of the camming blocks  77  is positioned nearer to one coupling wall  102  than to the other coupling wall  102  when the exterior handle  14  has not been rotated from its default position. The torsion springs  79  outwardly push the camming blocks  77  so that they contact a pair of spring ramps  99 . When the exterior handle  14  rotated, rotation is transferred to the camming blocks  77 , and the camming blocks  77  cam on the spring ramps  99  in the direction of rotation of the exterior handle  14 . When the camming blocks  77  are rotated toward the nearest coupling wall  102 , the camming blocks  77  will cam along the spring ramps  99  until they reach the ramp portions  112  of the spring ramps  99 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the camming blocks  77  are prevented from moving inward by the blocking member  300 . Thus, the camming blocks  77  are able to overcome the force of the spring ramps  77  and can cause the spring ramps  99  to be pushed outward. The camming blocks  77  can then contact the edges  104  of the coupling walls  102  thereby transmitting torque to the outer coupling member  78  and causing the outer coupling member  78  to rotate. The rotation of the outer coupling member  78  causes the latch to operate and the door can be opened. If the camming blocks  77  are rotated in a direction away from the nearest coupling walls  102 , the camming blocks  77  cam along the spring ramps  99  but will not rotate enough to reach the ramp portions  102 . In another embodiment of the invention, the camming blocks  77  can transmit torque to the edges  104  of the coupling walls through the spring ramps  77  and thereby cause the outer coupling member  78  to rotate when the lock  10  is in the coupled state. 
         [0077]    In other words, the drive  72 ,  83  and the take-off  78 ,  80  can be coupled when the blocking element  300  is positioned between the camming blocks  77 . In the coupled state a movement of the exterior handle  16  can be transmitted from the drive to the take-off to actuate the latch member  18 . However, in the decoupled state a movement of the drive  72 ,  83  causes a movement of the camming blocks  77 , wherein said movement is not suitable for transmitting a movement from the drive  72 ,  83  to the take-off  78  so that a transmission of the movement is allowed in the coupled state but not in the decoupled state. 
         [0078]    In this embodiment the take-off is formed essentially by two separate parts, namely the outer coupling member  78  and the link member  80 . However, the outer coupling member  78  and the link member  80  can be also formed as one part or in other words can be integrally connected. 
         [0079]    Further, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ends of the camming blocks  77  that contact the spring ramps  99  are generally square. In another embodiment of the invention, the ends of the spring ramps  99  that contact the spring ramps  99  can be square with filleted edges, chamfered, and/or rounded. 
         [0080]    In another embodiment of the invention, the four spring ramps  99  may be replaced by a single band having four ramped surfaces extending from the band, the ramped surfaces configured to provide ramping like the ramping provided by the spring ramps  99 . The spring force of the ramped surfaces is not overcome by the camming blocks in the decoupled state, but is overcome by the camming blocks in the coupled state. 
         [0081]    The access control device  75  causes the lock  10  to move between coupled and decoupled states by moving the blocking member  300  between its coupled position and its decoupled position. Referring to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the blocking member  300  has a blocking head  302  and a counterweight head  304 . The blocking member  300  is in the coupled position when the blocking head  302  is positioned between the camming blocks  77 . The blocking member  300  is in the decoupled position when the blocking head  302  is not positioned between the camming blocks  77 . The blocking head  302  is sized and dimensioned to prevent the camming blocks  77  from moving radially inward in the coupled state as discussed hereinabove. The blocking member  300  is pivotably connected to the access control body  306 , the blocking member  300  having pivot pins  305  and the access control body  306  having pivot pin receptors (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 19 , the blocking member  300  is pivotably attached to the right of the camming blocks  77  (closer to the exterior handle  16 ). The blocking member  300  has a spring chamber  310  on the same side of the pivot pins  305  as the blocking head  302 . The spring chamber  310  is sized and dimensioned to receive and anchor a blocking member torsion spring  312 . One end of the torsion spring  312  is anchored in the blocking member  300  and the other end of the torsion spring  312  is anchored in the access control body  306  so that the torsion spring  312  biases the blocking member  300  to rotate until the counterweight head  304  rests against a square block  314  of the access control body  306 ; therefore, the blocking head  302  will be positioned between the camming blocks  77  if the camming blocks  77  have not been moved radially inward so that the blocking head  302  cannot fit in between the camming blocks  77 . Thus, the torsion spring  312  biases the blocking head  302  to be in the coupled state (to be positioned between the camming blocks  77 ). 
         [0082]    The access control device  75  includes an actuator assembly  316 . The actuator assembly  316  comprises a linkage push arm  318 , a linkage hook arm  320 , a switch element  322 , a yoke  324 , and a coil  326 . The actuator assembly  316  can cause the linkage push aim  318  to move into and out of a position where the linkage push arm  318  pushes the blocking head  302  of the blocking member  300  out of a position between the camming blocks  77 . The actuator assembly  316  is configured to transfer enough force to the linkage push arm  318  so as to overcome the spring force of the torsion spring  312  thereby causing the blocking member  300  to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction that the torsion spring  312  biases the blocking member  300 . The linkage push arm  318  is sized and dimensioned so that it does not inhibit the camming blocks  77  from moving radially inward when it is positioned between the camming blocks  77  (and therefore the blocking head  302  is not positioned between the camming blocks  77 ). 
         [0083]    The linkage push arm  318  is generally U-shaped. The linkage push aim  318  has a linkage head  328  disposed on the cross portion of the linkage push arm  318 , the linkage head  328  extending towards the camming blocks  77 . The ends of the linkage push arm  318  are pivotably connected to the linkage hook arm  320 . The linkage push arm  318  further includes a spring catch  330  that extends near one end of the linkage push arm  318 . 
         [0084]    The linkage hook aim  320  has a generally rectangular shape and has a security hook  332  extending from the side of the linkage hook aim  320  that is nearest to the camming blocks  77 . The security hook  332  extends in a direction perpendicular to the linkage head  328  of the linkage push aim  318 . The linkage hook aim  320  is pivotably attached to the access control body  306  so that it can pivot on a pivot axis (not shown) that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (not shown) of the lock  10 . The linkage push aim  318  pivots with the linkage hook arm  320 . The switch element  322  is generally U-shaped with a middle section  334  and parallel end sections  336 . The middle section  334  is flat and is generally wider than the end sections  336 . The end sections  334  are flat near the middle section  334  and gradually curve towards their ends so that the switch element  322  can rock on a flat surface. The linkage hook arm  320  includes a set of recesses  338  sized and dimensioned to receive the ends of the end sections  336  of the switch element  322  and a set of hooks  340  that are sized and dimensioned to grip the middle section  334  of the switch element  322 . Thus, the switch element  322 , linkage push arm  318 , and linkage hook aim  320  are arranged to pivot together, with the switch element  322  rocking on the yoke  324 . 
         [0085]    A linkage spring  342  pushes on the spring catch  330  of the linkage push arm  318  so that the linkage push aim  318 , the linkage hook aim  320  and the switch element  322  are biased towards the yoke  324 . Therefore, the linkage head  328  of the push arm  318  is biased to be in the decoupled state (i.e. biased to push the blocking head  302  from in between the camming blocks  77 ). In this decoupled state (as shown in  FIG. 18 ), the linkage head  328  pushes on a push nub  344  of the blocking member  300 . The push nub  344  is disposed on the blocking member  300  so that the blocking head  302  is not positioned between the camming blocks  77  when the linkage head  328  pushes on the push nub  344 . 
         [0086]    The access control device  75  can be controlled electronically by the access control circuitry to cause the linkage head  328  of the push arm  318  to move from the decoupled state to the coupled state. In the coupled state, the linkage head  328  is in a position where it does not push the blocking head  302 ; therefore, the blocking head  302  is positioned between the camming blocks  77  because the blocking head  302  is biased to that position and the linkage head  328  is not forcing the blocking head  302  from that biases position. To move the linkage head  328  into the coupled state, the access control device  75  causes the linkage push aim  318  to pivot away from the yoke  324 . The linkage push arm  318  is pivoted away from the yoke  324  when the yoke  324  is magnetized and middle section  334  of the switch element  322  is thereby attracted to the yoke  324 . When the yoke  324  is magnetically enabled, the magnetic attraction of the middle section  334  of the switch element  322  to the yoke  324  overcomes the force of the linkage spring  342  and the switch element  322  rocks so that the middle section  334  of the switch element comes into contact with the yoke  324  and the ends of the end sections  336  move away from the yoke  324 . The switch element  322  thereby moves the linkage push arm  318  and linkage hook arm  320  thus putting the lock  10  in the coupled state. 
         [0087]    The access control device  75  can switch the lock  10  from the coupled state to the decoupled state by demagnetizing the yoke  324  thus removing the magnetic attraction between the yoke  324  and the switch element  322  so that the linkage spring  342  returns the linkage push arm  318 , the linkage hook aim  320 , and the switch element  322  to the decoupled state. 
         [0088]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the yoke  324  is a configured to be demagnetized by AC current (or other such electric current) applied to the coil  326  and magnetized by DC current (or other such electric current) applied to the coil  326 . The switch element  322  is configured to be attracted to the magnetized yoke  324  with sufficient force to overcome the force of the linkage spring  342 . The access control device  75  only requires power to switch between states thereby prolonging battery life. In another embodiment of the invention, an energized electromagnet can be used to place and hold the lock  10  in the coupled state. The lock may also be configured so that a solenoid can also be used to directly move the blocking member  300  in and out of alignment with the camming blocks  77 . The blocking member  300  can also be moved to and from a position between the camming blocks  77  by an actuator such as an electromotor and/or a shape memory alloy and/or a piezoactuator and/or an electromagnet assembly and/or an actuator configured to transform an electronic signal into a mechanical movement. 
         [0089]    Referring now to  FIGS. 18-26 , in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access control device  75  further comprises a security assembly that prevents the lock  10  from changing between states when an external magnetic field is applied to the lock  10  in order to secure the lock  10  from tampering. The security assembly includes the security hook  332  of the linkage hook arm  320 , a pair of security plates  346  and  347 , and a security arm  348 . The security aim  348  is pivotably connected to an access control support structure  350 , which is connected to the access control body  306 , at pivot points  352 . The security arm  348  can pivot on a pivot axis (not shown) defined by the pivot points  352 . The security arm  348  includes a camming aim  356  that extends upward from the security arm  348  and to the right of the spring catch  330  of the linkage push arm  318  (as shown in  FIG. 20 ). The security arm  348  further includes a blocking aim  358  that extends downward from the security aim  348  and to the right of the yoke  324  (as shown in  FIG. 19 ). The blocking arm  358  includes a blocking bar  360  perpendicularly extending from the end of the blocking aim  358  in a direction away from the yoke  324 . A spring  362  is disposed between a spring retainer  364  extending from the camming aim  356  of the security arm  348  and a spring retainer  366  of the access control support structure  350 . The spring  362  biases the security arm  348  so that the blocking arm  358  is to the left of the security hook  332  of the linkage hook aim  320  (as shown in  FIG. 20 ). Thus, the blocking bar  360  does not inhibit movement of the security hook  332  in this position, and the lock  10  is said to be in the unsecured state. In the unsecured state, the security hook  332 , and therefore, the other parts of the actuator assembly  316 , are free to move so as to switch the lock  10  between the coupled and decoupled states. 
         [0090]    The security plates  346  and  347  are generally square and include on one end mounting tabs  368  and  369 , respectively, that extend through mounting orifices  370  in the access control support structure  350  so that the security plates  346  and  347  can be sandwiched together (as shown in  FIG. 20 ) or can pivot to be separated (as shown in  FIG. 22 ). The ends of the plates  346  and  347  opposite the mounting tabs  368  and  369  are in contact with a camming surface  372  on the inner portion of the camming arm  356 . A spring  362  biases the security arm  348  so that the camming surface  372  causes the security plates  346  and  347  to be sandwiched together. 
         [0091]    When an external magnetic force is applied to the lock  10  such as the external magnetic field  458  of a permanent magnet  460 , the lock  10  becomes secured against changing states because the plates  346  and  347  become magnetically opposed to each other and are forced apart thereby causing the security arm  348  to move. The magnetic field of the yoke  324  and/or coil  326  do not cause the plates  346  and  347  to become magnetically opposed to each other. The upper plate  346  cams upward on a curved portion of the camming surface  372  until the plate  346  is blocked from further movement by cam stop of a security fork  374 . The lower plate  347  cams downward until it is blocked from further movement by a cam stop  376  of the security arm  348 . The plates  346  and  347  transmit force to the security arm  348  and the force of the spring  362  is overcome. The security aim  348  pivots so that the blocking bar  360  of the blocking arm  358  is aligned below or above the security hook  332  of linkage hook arm  320 . Thus, the blocking bar  360  inhibits the security hook  332 , either from moving up or down, which means that the lock  10  cannot change between the coupled and decoupled states. As shown in  FIG. 22 , the lock  10  is in the decoupled state and the blocking bar  360  blocks the security hook from moving up; therefore, the lock  10  cannot change from the decoupled state to the coupled state. As shown in  FIG. 23 , the lock  10  is in the coupled state and the blocking bar  360  blocks the security hook  332  from moving down; therefore, the lock  10  cannot change from the coupled state to the decoupled state. 
         [0092]    To prevent the security hook  332  from moving the blocking bar  360  to an unblocking position when the lock  10  is in the decoupled state, and the security hook  332  is being forced upward in an attempt to change to the coupled state, the blocking bar  360  has an angled lower edge  378  that can engage an angled upper edge  380  of the security hook  332  so that the blocking bar  360  is not forced out of alignment with the security hook  332 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , both the angled lower edge  378  of the blocking bar  360  and the angled upper edge  380  of the security hook  332  angle downward from left to right. If the security hook  332  is forced upwards (as it would be forced to when changing from the decoupled state to the coupled state), the edges  378  and  380  come into contact and cause the security arm  348  to be pushed towards the linkage hook arm  320  instead of being pushed away. 
         [0093]    To prevent the security hook  332  from moving the blocking bar  360  to an unblocking position when the lock  10  is in the coupled state and the security hook  332  is being forced downward in an attempt to change to the decoupled state, the blocking bar  360  has an angled upper edge  382  that can engage a lower edge  384  of the security hook  332  so that the blocking bar  360  is not forced out of alignment with the security hook  332 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , the angled upper edge  382  of the blocking bar  360  angles upward from left to right. If the security hook  332  is forced downward (as it would be forced to when changing from the coupled state to the decoupled state), the edges  382  and  384  come into contact and cause the security arm  348  to be pushed towards linkage hook arm  320  instead of away. 
         [0094]    Referring now to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the security fork  374  and switch element  322  are configured to provide further protection from tampering by an external magnetic field such as the magnetic field  458 . The switch element  322  can be attracted to a lower finger  462  of the security fork  374  when an external magnetic field is applied thus preventing switching between the decoupled and coupled states. 
         [0095]    The security assembly can include a mechanical, electromechanical and/or electromagnetic tampering sensor that sends a signal to the access control circuitry when the lock hardware  10  is tampered with by an external magnetic and/or electromagnetic field. The access control circuitry can then send a signal to a control center reporting the attempt to tamper with the lock  10  and/or can cause the lock  10  to make an alarm sound. 
         [0096]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 16 , there is generally shown handle set hardware  400  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention as operatively mounted in a mortise lock body  402  that is installed in a door  404 . The handle set hardware  400  is configured to be retrofitted into already-installed mortise locks so that the mortise lock becomes a wireless electronic lock. The handle set hardware  400  replaces handles, shafts, spring returns, and other parts of the installed mortise lock. The handle set hardware  400  has an exterior handle  406  and an interior handle  408 . The handles  406  and  408  are individually coupled to a coupling cartridge  410 . The handles  406  and  408  are not coupled to each other directly thereby preventing a situation where one handle can prohibit the other handle from being actuated. The handle set hardware  400  is configured so that interior handle  408  transmits rotational force to a faceted coupling barrel  412 . As discussed above with regard to the cylindrical lock  10 , when the faceted coupling barrel  412  rotates, it can cause an outer coupling member  414  to rotate. The outer coupling member  414  includes a square link member  416  that transmits rotational movement to the mortise lock body  402  thereby operating the latch of the mortise lock body  402  when the outer coupling member  414  is rotated. The handle set hardware  400  is further configured so that the exterior handle  406  transmits rotational force to an exterior handle shaft  418  of the coupling cartridge  410 . As discussed hereinabove with regard to the cylindrical lock  10 , the exterior handle shaft  418  transmits rotational movement to the outer coupling member  414  when the handle set hardware  400  is in the coupled state and does not transmit rotational movement to the outer coupling member  414  when the lock  400  is in the decoupled state. 
         [0097]    The mortise lock bodies of different manufacturers have different mounting hole configurations. The hardware  400  is configured so that it can be retrofitted with different mortise lock bodies. The hardware  400  includes an exterior spring block  420 , an interior adapter plate  422 , and an interior spring block  424 . The exterior spring block  420  and interior adapter plate  422  are configured so that the handle set hardware  400  can be mounted to mortise lock bodies of different manufacturers. The exterior spring block  420  and interior adapter plate  422  have sets of holes that correspond to the mounting hole configurations of different mortise lock bodies. A pair of mounting tubes  426  extend through a set of mounting holes  428  of the mortise lock body  402  and through the corresponding holes in the exterior spring block  420  and interior adapter plate  422 . The exterior spring block  420  and interior adapter plate  422  are secured to the mortise lock body  402  with a set of bolts  430  that are secured to the mounting tubes  426 . The interior spring block  424  is then secured to the interior adapter plate  422 . The remaining parts of the lock  400  can then be secured to the interior spring block  424  and the exterior spring block  420  so that the lock  400  functions in a similar manner to the cylindrical lock  10 . The exterior spring block returns the exterior handle  406  to its default horizontal position after the handle  406  has been rotated. The interior spring block  424  returns the interior handle  408  to its default horizontal position after the interior handle  408  has been rotated. The interior spring block  424  is handed by rotating the cover of the interior spring block  424 , the exterior spring block  420  is handed by flipping it over in a conventional manner. 
         [0098]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  14 , and  15 , the difference between the coupling cartridge  410  for the mortise lock and the coupling cartridge  36  for the electronic cylinder lock is that the coupling cartridge  410  has a square link member  416  instead of an octagonal link member  80 . The link members  80  and  416  transmit rotational movement to the lock bodies, which in turn cause the latches to operate. The square link member  416  is square because mortise locks are designed to accept square link members or shafts. Other than the difference between the link members  80  and  416 , the coupling cartridges  36  and  410  are the same and operate in the same manner as discussed hereinabove with regard to the coupling cartridge  36 . 
         [0099]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the coupling cartridge  36  is configured to be easily handed by an assembler before being packaged and/or by an installer during installation. The cartridge  36  needs to be handed because the faceted coupling barrel  82  and the camming blocks  77  will cause the outer coupling member  78  to actuate the latch only when rotated in one direction. The coupling cartridge  36  has a handing marking  450  on the faceted coupling barrel  82 , a handing mark  452  on the round shaft portion  76  of the exterior handle shaft  72 , a right-handed marking  454  on one face of the octagonal link member  80  of the outer coupling member  78 , and a left-handed marling  456  on one face of the octagonal link member  80  of the outer coupling member  78 . The coupling cartridge  36  is handed by first lining up the markings  450  and  452  and then by rotating the outer coupling member  78  so that either the right-handed marking  454  is lined up between the handing markings  450  and  452  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) or the left-handed marking  456  is lined up between the handing markings  450  and  452  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). The coupling cartridge  36  is then held in a right-hand or left-hand configuration until it is installed in the lock  10 . When installed, the coupling cartridge  36  will remain in the default position until the handles are rotated. 
         [0100]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , which illustrates the left-hand configuration, the faceted coupling barrel  82  is aligned with the outer coupling member  78  so that one tooth  84  of the faceted coupling barrel  82  is positioned adjacent to and on the right of one tooth  88  of the outer coupling member  78 . The faceted coupling barrel  82  will cause the outer coupling member  78  to rotate (and thereby operate the latch) when the faceted coupling barrel  82  is rotated so that a tooth  84  moves in a direction towards the nearest tooth  88 . When the faceted coupling barrel  82  rotates in the opposite direction (i.e. when a tooth  84  moves away from the nearest tooth  88 ), the faceted coupling barrel  82  does not cause the outer coupling member  78  to rotate because the teeth  84  of the faceted coupling barrel do not engage the teeth  88  of the outer coupling member  78 . 
         [0101]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , which illustrates the right-hand configuration, the faceted coupling barrel  82  is aligned with the outer coupling member  78  so that one tooth  84  of the faceted coupling barrel  82  is positioned adjacent to and on the left of one tooth  88  of the outer coupling member  78 . The faceted coupling barrel  82  will cause the outer coupling member  78  to rotate (and thereby operate the latch) when the faceted coupling barrel  82  is rotated so that a tooth  84  moves in a direction towards the nearest tooth  88 . When the faceted coupling barrel  82  rotates in the opposite direction (i.e. when a tooth  84  moves away from the nearest tooth  88 ), the faceted coupling barrel  82  does not cause the outer coupling member  78  to rotate because the teeth  84  of the faceted coupling barrel do not engage the teeth  88  of the outer coupling member  78 . 
         [0102]    Referring now to  FIG. 9   a , each camming block  77  is positioned nearer to one coupling wall  102  than the other, which coupling wall  102  is the nearest depends on the handing of the cartridge  36 . When the lock  10  is in the coupled state, the camming blocks  77  transmit torque to the outer coupling member  78  only when the camming blocks  77  are rotated toward the nearest coupling wall  102 . Otherwise, the camming blocks  77  rotate away from the nearest coupling wall  102 , but do not reach the furthest coupling wall  102  so that the outer coupling member  78  is not rotated. 
         [0103]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the coupling cartridge  410  for the mortise lock  400  is the same as the coupling cartridge  36  for the cylinder lock  10  except that the coupling cartridge  410  has a square link member  416  instead of an octagonal link member  80 . The cartridge  410  is handed in the same manner that the cartridge  36  is handed. 
         [0104]    The above description also applies essentially to another embodiment of the invention which relates to the double lock design. In an embodiment of the double lock design, the force and motion from the inside handle can be for example transferred to the take-off means  78 ,  80  through the coupling apparatus  36 ,  410  by the drive means  83  when the coupling apparatus is in a coupled state. 
         [0105]    Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail. Many modifications and variations to the embodiments described will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the embodiments described, but should be defined by the claims that follow.