Patent ID: 7165428

Claim:
A lock comprising: a secure housing having discrete first and second portions disposed apart either side of an element incorporating engaging recess means and wherein, said first portion comprises receival means for mechanical components said mechanical components providing a plurality of selectable means for independent control and operation of said lock; and said second portion comprises selectively latchable receival means for an electronics module latchably engageable with said engaging recess means of said element of said housing and selectively removable therefrom and providing means when present and functional for control and operation of said lock, and rotatable handle means external of said first portion of said secure housing selectively operatively and connectably engaged with said mechanical components of said portion of said lock said mechanical components in said first portion of the housing comprising: a bolt, and; a retaining pin for releasably retaining said bolt in position in said lock and a linkage mechanism for operatively connecting said rotatable handle means to said retaining pin to cause rotating movement of said rotatable handle means to displace said retaining pin, a mechanical key-operated lock; a key for said mechanical key-operated lock; means for selectively releasing said electronics module, said selectively removable electronics module comprises: a power supply; wireless transceiver and antenna means capable of receiving an authorisation signal from non-contact electronic key means; and actuator means responsive to said authorisation signal, wherein when said electronics module is present and functional within said second portion of said secure housing of said lock receipt of an authorisation signal from said non-contact key means causes said actuator means to interact with said linkage mechanism to permit rotatable movement of said rotatable handle means to displace said retaining pin, and; wherein when said electronics module is latchably engaged within said second portion of said secure housing of said lock turning of said key for said mechanical key-operated lock for releasing said electronics module, releases said electronics module permitting said lock to be operated manually by rotatable handle means to displace said retaining pin.