Abstract:
Provided is a telescopic lock that can be fixed to a variety of closures of different configurations to thereby provide another closure protection measure.

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure is in the field of locks and closures. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Closure systems which include bolts that axially move between locked and unlocked positions are in common use both domestically, e.g. in filing cabinets, and also in a variety of installations, such as telecommunication boxes, etc. The axial bolts in such a closure system are, typically, coupled to a knob or handle in such a manner that rotation of the knob or handle induces axial movement of the bolts. The handle or knob may be provided with an integral locking arrangement operated by a key, combination lock, etc., for locking the closure. However, such closures can be easily tampered with and afford relatively low level security. 
         [0003]    High level security closure systems are typically costly and complex. Cost considerations and complexity are a stumbling block for increased level of security of such closures. 
         [0004]    There is often a desire to convert a relatively low security closure into a higher security one. However, cost and complexity often impose a barrier to do so widely. 
       GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with this disclosure, a lock is provided that can be fixed to a variety of closures of different configurations to thereby provide another closure protection measure. 
         [0006]    One, non-limiting, example of use of the lock of this disclosure is in a door closure with at least one pair of elongated door bolts of a kind that can displace axially between locking and unlocking (open) positions and are coupled such that they are jointly displaced between the two positions. Such bolts are typically functionally coupled to a door knob or handle, operation of which, e.g. through rotation, induces such displacement. Where the bolts are coupled to a door knob or handle that is operated by rotation, the bolts typically extend form a hub of the knob or handle to the closure&#39;s periphery. A closure of the kind discussed in this paragraph will be referred to herein, at times, as a “two axial-bolts closure”. 
         [0007]    It should, however, be noted that use in a two-axial bolts closure is one example of many. Other examples are use of such locks in locking of containers, or locking a vehicle by fixing to two parts that are displaced on versus the other in operation of the vehicle (e.g. the steering wheel and one of the pedals in a car, or the handle bar and the wheel in a bicycle or motorcycle). 
         [0008]    Provided by this disclosure is a lock that comprises a first and second elongated lock members, an electrically-driven blocking arrangement and an electric control mechanism. The first and second elongated lock members are telescopically fitted one into the other and jointly define an axis extending between a first end of the first member and a second end of the second member. The two members can be axially displaced with respect to one another between one or more locking states and one or more open states. In some manifestations of this disclosure there is only one locking state. This may be the case, for example, for a lock with a well defined intended use with a single locked state; e.g. in the case of a lock for use in a two axial-bolts closure. In other examples, such as in the case of a lock for use in a vehicle, there may be a need to define multiple locking states to accommodate various distances between the elements to be locked in different vehicle models. 
         [0009]    The electrically-driven blocking arrangement is (i) housed within one or both of the two members, and (ii) has two extreme operational states: a blocking state, in which relative axial displacement of the two lock members is blocked, and a facilitating state, in which the relative axial displacement is enabled. The electric control mechanism is associated (through wired or wireless link) with the blocking arrangement for causing said arrangement to switch between the blocking and the facilitating states. 
         [0010]    The lock may comprise integral attachment members or may be associated with attachment members. The attachment members are intended for fixing the lock to an installation or a closure system to be locked by it. The attachment members may be configured, for example, for fixing to axial door bolts. 
         [0011]    Typically, albeit not exclusively, the lock is configured such that in the locking state the two lock members are extended one versus the other as compared to the open state. However, the lock may also be oppositely configured, such that in the locking state the two lock members are contracted one versus the other as compared to the open state. The terms “extended” and “contracted” denote that the ends of the first and the second members are, respectively, more distant and more proximal with respect to one another. 
         [0012]    Typically, the first member has at least one opening in its sidewalls and the second member has at least one set of recesses corresponding to each of the at least one opening. Within the context of the present invention, the term “recess” is meant to encompass a local recess, a circumferential groove or slit, or a circumferential channel. 
         [0013]    Each such opening is aligned with one of the corresponding recesses in the one or more locking states and is configured to accommodate a blocking element, e.g. a ball-shaped element. Thus, locking of the lock is achieved by blocking (arresting) the blocking elements within the recess through an appropriately configured blocking arrangement that can switch between a blocking state, in which it blocks said elements in position by not permitting their inward radial displacement, and a facilitating state permitting such displacement. 
         [0014]    A lock according to the teaching herein may comprise one recess in the internal sidewall of the second member for each opening in the walls of first member. In such a case the lock has a single locking state in which such recess aligns said opening and accommodates the blocking element. However, it is also possible to have a set of recesses for each of the openings, whereby the lock may have a plurality of locking states corresponding to the number of recesses in the set. Thus, when a first recess of a set aligns its corresponding opening in the sidewall of the first member the lock may switch into a first locking state; when a second recess aligns with the opening the lock may enter a second locking state; etc. 
         [0015]    By one embodiment of this disclosure (the “solenoid embodiment”), the electric mechanism comprises a solenoid and the switch between the two operational states of the blocking arrangement is achieved through the displacement of a solenoid plunger between a pulled-in position and a pushed-out position. The solenoid is, typically, axially oriented such that the movement of the plunger between the pulled-in and pushed-out positions is axial. 
         [0016]    In the solenoid embodiment the blocking arrangement may comprise a slider that is axially displaceable between its two functionally distinct states: (i) the blocking state, in which it obstructs the radial movement of the blocking elements out of the recess to thereby maintain the first and second members in the locking state, and (ii) the facilitating state, in which the blocking elements can radially move out of the recess to thereby permit relative axial displacement of the first and second members into the open state. The slider is associated with an urging element, e.g. a spring that urges the slider into the blocking state. As noted above, the lock of this embodiment comprises a solenoid with a solenoid plunger, the plunger being switchable between a pulled-in and a pushed-out position and having a leading element or portion that defines a leading end of the plunger that bears on the slider to displace it into the facilitating state. 
         [0017]    The solenoid plunger may comprise an axially compressible elastic element at its leading end. The axially compressible elastic element may be constituted by an auxiliary plunger that can axially displace relative to the solenoid plunger between drawn-in and pressed-out states against the bias of a biasing element, e.g. a spring, that biases the auxiliary plunger into the pressed-out state. 
         [0018]    By another embodiment of this disclosure (the “electric motor embodiment”), the electric mechanism comprises an electric motor. The blocking arrangement in the electric motor embodiment comprises a rotating element, coupled to the electric motor and rotatable thereby. The rotating element can rotate between a blocking state, in which it obstructs the radial movement of the blocking elements out of the recess to thereby maintain the first and second members in a locking state, and a facilitating state, in which the blocking elements can radially move out of the recess to thereby permit axial relative displacement of the first and second members into an open state. 
         [0019]    The lock of this disclosure may also comprise one or more radially-urged and radially displaceable pins, being part of or being associated with said first member with said second member comprising corresponding one or more pin-receiving recesses formed in its internal walls. In the locked state said pin-receiving recesses align with and accommodate heads of the pins. The pin-receiving recesses are configured to engage the pins&#39; heads in a manner such as to permit inward radial displacement of the pins upon relative displacement of the two lock members in one axial direction and not upon axial displacement in the opposite direction. For example, where the locking state is extended relative to the open state, said one direction is one of relative contraction; and the pin-receiving recess may then be configured with walls that are slanted from the recess&#39;s interior towards said second end. 
         [0020]    By one implementation of the teaching of this disclosure, the control mechanism may be housed within the first or the second lock members. By another implementation the control mechanism may be a module external to the two lock members that is electrically coupled to the blocking arrangement. The coupling may be wired or wireless. 
         [0021]    The control mechanism may comprise or may be coupled to a sensing utility for receiving an activation signal for opening of the lock, e.g. transmitted from a user carried device. Such an activation signal may, for example be electromagnetically transmitted, e.g. by the use of the Bluetooth communication protocol, may be an optic signal, e.g. infrared signal or may be an acoustic signal, e.g. a knocks-based access control signal of the kind disclosed in PCT publication no. WO 98/39539, in which case the sensing utility may comprise an acoustic pick-up sensor of the kind disclosed in PCT publication no. WO 01/59238. 
         [0022]    Provided by another aspect of this disclosure, as noted above, is a closure comprising a lock as disclosed herein. One example is a two axial-bolts closure that comprises at least one pair of bolts that are coupled to one another to be jointly axially displaceable towards each other into an unlocked position and away from each other into a locked position. A lock of this disclosure is then fixed to the two axial bolts and, as long as the lock is in a locking state it does not permit axial displacement of the bolts from a locked to an unlocked position. In the axial displacement from their locked to their unlocked position, the bolts move towards one another, namely any two points on one of each of a pair of bolts, are closer to one another in the unlocked state than in the locked position. The lock in such a case is one in which the open state is contracted relative to the locking state. The lock is firmly attached to each of a pair of bolts and as long as it is in a locking state, it stops the bolts from displacing one versus the other, to thereby firmly secure them in their locked position. Once the lock is switched to an open state it allows the points of attachments to move one towards the other, thereby permitting the bolts to displace to their unlocked position. 
         [0023]    Provided by another aspect is, also, a door closure, comprising at least one pair of axial door bolts and a lock according to this disclosure. 
         [0024]    As can also be appreciated, in order to further increase the security level, use of more than one lock of this disclosure may also be envisaged; for example two locks fixed to the same pair of bolts; or in a closure system that comprises 3, 4 or a plurality of bolts, each lock may be fixed to a different pair of bolts. Where a closure includes more than one lock, operation of both may be controlled by a single control utility or each may have its independent control utility, and accessed by the same or different code. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1A  shows a view from a door&#39;s interior of a closure system according to one embodiment of this disclosure with a lock in a locking state. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1B  is a view of the closure system in the direction of arrow I in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows the closure system of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in the open state. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lock. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side views of the lock of  FIG. 3  in respective extended and retracted states. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 5A-5E  are longitudinal cross-sections of the lock in several operational states, where: 
           [0032]      FIG. 5A  shows the lock in its locking state; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5B  shows the lock after activation of the solenoid and displacement of the solenoid plunger from its rear position into a more forward position, in which it bears on and applies pressure onto the slider; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5C  shows the lock after the slider has been displaced from its ball-blocking state in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , to a more forward, facilitating state; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5D  shows the lock in its fully retracted state; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 5E  shows the lock in an interim state towards a fully extended and locking state shown in  FIG. 5A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The current disclosure will be illustrated by a specific description of lock configured according the solenoid embodiment of the invention in which the open state is relatively contracted from the locking state. The specifically described utility of this lock is its implementation in a two axial-bolts closure. It should however be noted that this illustration is not intended to be limiting but rather intended to exemplify the invention disclosed herein that encompasses the full scope of this disclosure. 
         [0038]    Referring first to  FIG. 1A , shown is a two axial-bolts closure system generally designated  100  fitted in the interior of a door  101 . The closure system  100  has two oppositely oriented bolts  102 ,  104  coupled to a knob  106 . The coupling is such that rotation of the knob  106  causes the bolts to substantially axially displace between the locked position shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , and the unlocked position shown in  FIG. 2 . In their locked position, the end of each of the bolts  102 ,  104  fits into a matching bolt receptacle, e.g. cavity or recess formed in the frame of the door (not shown). The axial displacement of the bolts is guided by guiders  103 ,  105 . Fixed to this pair of substantially oppositely oriented bolts is a lock  108  which is tightly fixed at each of its ends to the bolts via attachment members that are seen clearly in  FIG. 3  and that will be described below. As a consequence of this tight fixing, the substantially axial displacement of the bolt from the locked to the unlocked position is accompanied by a contraction of lock  108  and the opposite displacement of the bolts is accompanied by an extension of the lock. The lock  108  is linked to a control mechanism shown schematically as box  110 . 
         [0039]    The control mechanism may be a separate unit linked to the lock by wire or wireless link and may also, by some examples, be integral with the lock. The control mechanism is adapted to receive an access control signal, which may be a knocks-based access control signal of the kind disclosed in PCT publication no. WO 98/39539, in which case the control mechanism may include an acoustic pick-up sensor of the kind disclosed in PCT publication no. WO 01/59238. 
         [0040]    It should further be noted that the invention is not limited to a control mechanism housing an acoustic sensor picking up a code encoded as a series of knocks and may be designed for picking up codes transmitted through other means such as visible or infrared light (in which case the sensor should have a line of sight to the exterior), Bluetooth, radio waves, and other communication links. The control mechanism, by some examples, may also be linked to an external socket accessible to an operator and the code may then be inputted by connecting an appropriate access control device to that socket. 
         [0041]    In addition, as will be explained later, the lock of this solenoid embodiment comprises a solenoid that requires an electric power source. The power source may be embedded within the lock, may be included in the control mechanism or may be a separate unit. The invention is not limited by the manner in which the electric power is supplied to the lock or control mechanism. For example, in the case where there is an external socket, the power for operation may also be applied from the exterior, e.g. by the access control device. 
         [0042]    In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the lock  108  is in its fully extended, locking state. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the lock contracts as a result of the axial displacement of the bolts to the unlocked state. As will be explained further below, the lock has an internal arrangement that arrests the lock in its fully extended state shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , as long as the internal mechanism is not activated to permit contraction and hence opening of the closure system to the state shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0043]    Lock  108  is seen in isolation in  FIG. 3 . It is generally elongated having two cylindrical members including a first member  112  defining a first end  114 , telescopically fitted into a second cylindrical member  116  defining a second end  118  of the lock. The lock  108  defines an axis II extending along the device between the two ends  114 ,  118 . For ease of description of this embodiment the axis will regarded as extending arbitrary in the rearward-forward direction extending between respective first  114  and second  118  ends. Thus, the terms “rear”, “forward” and any lingual variations thereof should be understood with reference to this arbitrary direction. 
         [0044]    The two members are axially displaceable with respect to one another, between the extended state shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4A , which is the state of the lock in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  (i.e. the locked state) and the retracted state shown in  FIG. 4B , which is the state of the lock in  FIG. 2  (the open state). As can further be seen in  FIG. 3 , fitted to each of first and second ends are attachment members  120  including two clamping disks  122 ,  124  formed with an axial groove, of which only groove  126  formed in disk  122  is seen but there is typically also an opposite one formed in disk  124  (not shown in this view). The two disks can be pressed one against the other through rotation of a pair of clamping nuts  128  (only one of which is seen in this view), the other one being on the opposite side of disk  122 . Disk  124  is fitted through bolt  125  to an L-shaped plate  127  that is fixed to an end of the lock through nuts  129 . As can be appreciated the attachment members may be replaced, if needed, by others to fit specific dimensions and configurations of the specific closure system. Through this, the lock is not specific for a specific type of closure but rather may be a generic one that can be used in closure of many different kinds. 
         [0045]    The internal arrangement and the mechanism of operation of the lock will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5A to 5E , which are longitudinal cross-sections at various operational stages of the lock. 
         [0046]    The telescopic engagement of the two members  112 ,  116  is clearly seen in  FIG. 5A . The blocking arrangement responsible for switching the lock between the blocking state shown in  FIG. 5A  and the facilitating state shown in  FIGS. 5C to 5E , which is housed within the lumen of first member  112 , will now be described. Seen is a spring  130  that has no functional significance for the lock&#39;s operation other than an assembly aid for bringing the solenoid  136  into its position within the first member. Spring  130  is confined between nut  132  and a base plate  134  of the solenoid  136 . 
         [0047]    Solenoid  136  includes a solenoid plunger  138  that is switchable between its rear position seen in  FIG. 5A  and fore position through activation of the solenoid. The solenoid plunger  138  has associated biasing spring  140  fitted around the external portion of the solenoid plunger  138  and is confined in position by shoulders  142 . The solenoid plunger  138  also comprises an axially compressible elastic element at its front end, generally designated  150 . It includes an auxiliary plunger  152  that can axially displace relative to the solenoid plunger, between a drawn-in state shown in  FIG. 5A  and a pressed-out state that will be illustrated below. The auxiliary plunger  152  is biased into the drawn out state by spring  154 . As will also be described below, the auxiliary plunger  152  when displaced to its pressed-out state comes to bear on slider  160 . 
         [0048]    Slider  160  can slide between a rearward position shown in  FIG. 5A , which is a blocking state, in which it obstructs inward radial displacement of blocking elements  172  (described below) and a forward position shown in  FIG. 5D , which is a facilitating state permitting inward radial displacement of elements  172 . Slider  160  has an associated urging element that is constituted by a spring  162  which urges the slider into the rearward position. Slider  160  has a main portion  169  and an obstructing portion that is constituted as shoulders  170  that in the state shown in  FIG. 5A  obstruct the radial displacement of blocking elements, constituted as balls  172 , to hold them firmly in their position. 
         [0049]    As can further be seen, the walls of first member  112  have an opening  180  which in the position shown in  FIG. 5A  is aligned with recesses, at this specific embodiment constituted as circumferential groove  182  formed on the internal face of the second member  116 . In this blocking state of the slider, balls  172  are fixed within the groove  182  and this causes the first and second members to be locked in the extended state and their retraction is inhibited. In this specific embodiment, the lock includes combination of two opening-recess-balls but in other embodiments there may be 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. or at times even 1. 
         [0050]    Another element that can be seen in  FIG. 5A  are two pins  190  radially urged by spring  192  through openings  194  formed in the side walls of member  112  and into recesses (circumferential groove)  196  formed in side walls of member  116 . In this state, openings  194  and groove  196  are aligned. 
         [0051]    As can best be seen, for example in  FIG. 5B , groove  196  has walls that are slanted from the interior in the foreword direction. Thus, upon retraction of the first and second members, this slanted wall guides the two pins to radially contract and, therefore, do not block such retraction. Against this, upon extension, once the alignment in  FIG. 5A  is achieved, the pins snap, by the urging force of spring  192 , back into groove  196  and arrest the two members in the state shown in  FIG. 5A  from further extension. This is important to ensure that the lock is not unintentionally disassembled, e.g. prior to or during its installation within a closure system. Openings  200  in the side walls of the second member that open into groove  196  enable insertion of appropriate tools to radially press on the pins to permit intentional disassembly. 
         [0052]    Upon activation of the solenoid through a proper activation code received by the control mechanism, solenoid plunger  138  switches between a pulled-in position to a pushed-out position by the biasing force of spring  140  and consequently, the leading, front end of auxiliary plunger  152  bears onto slider  160  and as a result its associated spring  154  is compressed. Spring  154  acts as a kind of an energy storage buffer to temporarily store and release the forward bias energy of the solenoid plunger  138  to cause the eventual displacement of slider  160 . As seen in  FIG. 5C , this causes slider  160  to move forward towards facilitating state, against the urging force of spring  162 , which is compressed. As can be appreciated the properties of the different springs are such that the forward force applied by each one of plunger-associated springs  140  and  154  is stronger than the reverse force applied by spring  162  which permits the forward displacement of the slider. 
         [0053]    Once slider  160  is displaced, shoulders  170  no longer bear on balls  172  and consequently these can radially move out of groove  182  into the position shown in  FIG. 5C  and permit retraction of members  112  and  116  toward one another. It should be noted that the balls  172  are dimensioned to be about or slightly less than the distance between main portion  169  and the internal face of member  116 . As noted, once the balls move out of the recesses, the two members  112  and  116  can contract, which causes pins  190  to radially contract as well, as explained above. 
         [0054]    This permits the lock to compress to the fully contracted state shown in  FIG. 5D , which corresponds to that shown in  FIG. 2 . Upon closing of the closure, knob  106  is rotated causing axial displacement of the bolts towards their locked position which causes the lock to extend. 
         [0055]    The control mechanism of solenoid  136  is such that it is typically switched to cause the solenoid plunger to shift to the position shown in  FIG. 5B  for a defined time period, e.g. of a few seconds, in which the closure can be opened. After this period, the solenoid plunger is retracted as shown in  FIG. 5E  to assume a locking stand-by position. Once pins  190  snap back into groove  196 , slider  160  is allowed to move back to the obstructing position as in  FIG. 5A , forcing balls  172  into groove  182 . This stand-by position allows the closure to be locked automatically once the bolts are displaced into their blocking state.