Battery holder for an electronic lock

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a battery holder for an escutcheon comprising a frame mountable to the escutcheon; a battery cradle separable from the frame; and a support secured to a base of the frame within the frame for seating the battery holding compartment within the frame; wherein the support is actuatable from a neutral position to an actuated position to move the battery cradle between a recessed position in which the battery cradle is seated on the support within the frame and an extended position raised from the base of the frame.

Description

BATTERY HOLDER FOR AN ELECTRONIC LOCKField

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic lock assemblies.Background

[0002] Electronic lock bodies typically include one or more batteries located within the lock body. These batteries are typically held within a battery compartment which is fixed within the lock body so that battery power can be provided to the locking mechanism.

[0003] Installation of batteries into the lock body requires individual installation of the battery and assembly of related components within the lock body, and then closing the lock body with a cover or escutcheon which is screwed in place. When the batteries need to be replaced, a user needs to remove the escutcheon and dissemble the lock body so that the old batteries can be removed and replaced with new batteries before reassembling the lock body. The installation and replacement of batteries can require special tools, and is often time consuming, complicated, and cumbersome.

[0004] It is desirable to simplify installation and replacement of batteries for electronic locks.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to address at least one shortcoming of the prior art and / or provide a useful alternative.

[0006] Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and / or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.Summary of Invention

[0007] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a battery holder for an escutcheon comprising: a frame mountable to the escutcheon;a battery cradle separable from the frame; and a support secured to a base of the frame within the frame for seating the battery holding compartment within the frame; wherein the support is actuatable from a neutral position to an actuated position to move the battery cradle between a recessed position in which the battery cradle is seated on the support within the frame and an extended position raised from the base of the frame.

[0008] In an embodiment, the support comprises at least one boss moveable between a first position and a second position on actuation of the support, the at least one boss engageable with the battery cradle to lift the battery cradle from the recessed position to the extended position on movement of the boss to the second position.

[0009] In an embodiment, the support is actuatable by a user via an interface on an exterior of the frame.

[0010] In an embodiment, the frame has an open end opposite the base through which a first end of the battery holding compartment is insertable into the frame to be received by the support.

[0011] In an embodiment, in the recessed position the battery cradle is located proximal to the base, and in the extended position the battery cradle is located distal to the base.

[0012] In an embodiment, the support comprises first and second actuatable sub-components, the support being actuatable between the neutral position and the actuated position by moving the first and second actuatable sub-components between a spaced apart configuration and a close configuration.

[0013] In one form of the above embodiment, the first and second actuatable sub -components are first and second slides, the first and second slides being movable linearly along a common slide axis between the spaced apart configuration and the close configuration.

[0014] In one arrangement, each of the first and second slides are screw mounted to the base via a screw passage, the screw passage elongated in a direction along the common slide axis to permit the first and second slides to linearly move along the common slide axis.

[0015] In one form of the above embodiment, the first actuatable sub-component comprises a first base with a first boss and the second actuatable sub-component comprises a second base with a second boss, wherein the first boss and the second boss are in contact with the battery cradle and are configured to lift the battery cradle to the raised position on movement of the first and second actuatable sub-components to the close configuration.

[0016] In one arrangement, the first boss and the second boss each have a ramped surface, the ramped surface being raised in a direction along the common slide axis.

[0017] In one arrangement, the battery cradle comprises: a first cooperative boss engaged with the first boss having a first cooperative ramped surface and, a second cooperative boss engaged with the second boss having a second cooperative ramped surface, wherein the first and second ramped surfaces are arranged in contact with, and in opposition to, the first and second cooperative ramped surfaces.

[0018] It is preferred that the first ramped surface and the second ramped surface are outwardly inclined relative to the battery holder, and the first cooperative ramped surface and the second cooperative ramped surface are inwardly declined relative to the battery holder.

[0019] It is preferred that movement of the first and second actuatable sub -components causes ramped surfaces of the first boss and the second boss to move in slidable contact with the cooperative ramped surfaces of the first cooperative boss and the second cooperative boss.

[0020] In one form of the above embodiment, the first and second actuatable sub -components are interlocked.

[0021] In one arrangement, the first and second actuatable sub -components are interlocked by a linkage, the linkage rotatable to move the first and second actuatable sub-components between the spaced apart configuration and the close configuration.

[0022] It is preferred that the linkage has a first end engaged with a first mount on the first actuatable sub-component and a second end engaged with a second mount on the secondactuatable sub -component, wherein the linkage is rotatably mounted to the base of the frame by a pivot mount located between the first end and the second end.

[0023] It is further preferred that the pivot mount is actuatable by a user from an external surface of the frame to move the first and second actuatable sub-components between the spaced apart configuration and the close configuration, and thus move the support between the neutral and actuated positions.

[0024] It is preferred that the pivot mount is mounted to the frame via an externally user accessible snib screw.

[0025] In an embodiment, the battery cradle and the frame are connectable to one another via snap fit connection.

[0026] In one form of the above embodiment, the snap fit connection comprises one or more tabs on the battery cradle in combination with a lip located within the frame.

[0027] In one arrangement, the one or more tabs are configured to engage the lip when the support is in the neutral position and disengage the lip when the support is in the actuated position.

[0028] In one arrangement, the snap fit connection comprises at least two tabs, a first tab on the first actuatable sub-component and a second tab on the second actuatable sub-component.

[0029] In an embodiment, the battery cradle comprises a contact compression spring for electrical contact with a battery, and which biases the battery away from the base of the frame.

[0030] In a second aspect of the invention there is provided an escutcheon comprising: an escutcheon body; and a removably mountable battery holder according to the first aspect of the invention, and / or embodiments thereof, and / or forms thereof, and / or arrangements thereof.

[0031] In an embodiment, the battery holder forms a bottom cover portion of the escutcheon.

[0032] In an embodiment, the support comprises at least one engagement tab configured to engage with a lip within the escutcheon body when the support is in the neutral position and disengage from the lip when the support is in the actuated position.

[0033] In an embodiment, the escutcheon body comprises a compression spring for electrical contact with a battery, and wherein the compression spring applies a spring force to the support via the battery to bias the support to the neutral position.

[0034] In an embodiment, the escutcheon body comprises a resilient contact member configured to contact a surface of the battery cradle when the removable battery holder is mounted to the escutcheon body to apply a resilient force to the support via the battery cradle to bias the support to the neutral position.

[0035] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock assembly comprising the battery holder according to the first aspect of the invention and / or embodiments thereof and / or forms thereof and / or arrangements thereof, and / or the escutcheon of the second aspect and / or embodiments thereof.

[0036] As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers, or steps.Brief Description of Drawings

[0037] Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an escutcheon including a battery holder in an assembled together state in accordance with one aspect of the invention.

[0039] Figure 2 is a plan view of an escutcheon including a battery holder of Figure 1 with the battery holder forming the lower portion of the escutcheon and being separated from an upper portion of the escutcheon.

[0040] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the battery holder of Figure 2.

[0041] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the frame portion of the battery holder of Figure 2 showing an actuatable slide mounted therein.

[0042] Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of the frame portion of the batter holder of Figure 2 showing a user actuatable snib screw for actuating the slide shown in Figure 4.

[0043] Figure 6 is a top-down plan view of the battery holder of Figure 2 showing the slide arrangement when the slide is in the neutral position.

[0044] Figure 7 is a top-down plan view of the battery holder of Figure 2 showing the slide arrangement when the slide is in the actuated position.

[0045] Figure 8 is a rear view showing the battery holder of Figure 2 loaded with batteries when the slide is in the neutral position.

[0046] Figure 9 is a rear view showing the battery holder of Figure 2 loaded with batteries when the slide is in the actuated position.

[0047] Figure 10 is a front view showing the battery holder of Figure 2 loaded with batteries when the slide is in the neutral position.

[0048] Figure 11 is a front view showing the battery holder of Figure 2 loaded with batteries when the slide is in the actuated position.

[0049] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the frame of the battery holder of Figure 2.

[0050] Figure 13 is an internal view showing the battery receiving compartment of the upper escutcheon portion of Figure 2.

[0051] Figure 14 is an internal view showing the connection mechanism between the battery holder and upper escutcheon portion when fitted together as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0052] Figure 15 is a detailed view of the battery receiving compartment illustrated in Figure13

[0053] Figure 16 is an internal view showing connection of the battery holder without batteries and upper escutcheon when fitted together as illustrated in Figure 1.Description of Embodiments

[0054] The inventors have developed a battery holder comprising a battery cradle for retaining one or more batteries. The battery holder can be easily released from an escutcheon so that a user can quickly remove the spent batteries from the battery cradle for replacement with fresh batteries. The battery holder, including the fresh batteries, can then be inserted and affixed to the escutcheon.

[0055] The invention will be described below in relation to one embodiment thereof.

[0056] Figure 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of an electronic lock body 100 that comprises an escutcheon 102 having an upper escutcheon portion 104 and a lower escutcheon portion in the form of removable battery holder 106, and a user actuatable handle 108.

[0057] Figure 2 shows electronic lock body 100 with battery holder 106 removed from the bottom end of upper escutcheon portion 104.

[0058] Figure 3 is an exploded view of battery holder 106. Battery holder 106 comprises frame 300 mountable to upper escutcheon 104 via insertion through an opening in the underside of upper escutcheon 104, a battery support in the form of slide subcomponents 302 A and 302B which assemble together to form a slide (as will be discussed in more detail below), a rotatable linkage 304 which engages with slide subcomponents 302 A and 302B to form the slide, screws 305 A and 305B for affixing slide subcomponents 302 A and 302B to a base of frame 300, a snib screw 306 for rotatably mounting rotatable linkage 304 to frame 300, a battery cradle 308 having a body with a shape complementary to receive and carry one or more batteries, and batteries 310A, 310B which are removably insertable into battery cradle 308.

[0059] Slide subcomponents 302A and 302B have a body comprising a head 310A, 310B, first arm 312A, 312B and second arm 314A, 314B.

[0060] Head 310A, 310B comprises an elongate screw hole 316A, 316B for receiving screw 305A, 305B therethrough. Helical thread of screws 305A, 305B engage with the base of frame300 to mount slide subcomponents 302 A, 302B thereto via a head portion of screws 305 A, 305B which have a diameter that is greater than the width of elongate screw holes 316A, 316B. Elongate screw holes 316A, 316B are sized to allow linear movement of slide subcomponents 302 A, 302B about a shaft of screws 305 A, 305B between an assembled close configuration and an assembled spaced apart configuration. Head 310A, 310B also each comprise a boss 318A, 318B in the form of ramped surfaces, the purpose of which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0061] First arm 312A, 312B comprises a first pin 320A, 320B on a first side of first arm 312A, 312B and a second pin (not clearly visible) on a second opposite facing side of first arm 312A, 312B. Second arm 314A, 314B comprises an elongate slot 324A, 324B.

[0062] Slide subcomponents 302 A and 302B are assembled together by placing a respective first arm 312A, 312B over a respective second arm 314B, 314A such that first pin 320A is received in elongate slot 324B and first pin 320B is received in elongate slot 324A. Slide subcomponents 302 A and 302B are slidable between the close configuration and spaced apart configuration which is delimited by the movement of a respect first pin 320 A, 320B in a corresponding elongate slot 324B, 324A.

[0063] Rotatable linkage 304 is in the form of a lever defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a first lever arm 326 and a second lever arm 328 disposed diametrically along the longitudinal axis, and a central rotation mount 330 located centrally between first lever arm 326 and second lever arm 328. First lever arm 326 and second lever arm 328 each comprise mounting structure in the form of holes which engage with second pins to mount rotatable linkage 304 to each of slide subcomponents 302A and 302B. Rotatable linkage 304 is rotationally fixed to frame 300 via snib screw 306. Snib screw 306 includes structure, such as a screw drive interface e.g. Philips, slotted, square, hex, and the like, to permit a user to, via a screwdriver or Allen key etc., rotate snib screw 306 to actuate the slider between the close configuration and the spaced apart configuration.

[0064] Figure 4 to Figure 7 illustrate the assembly and operation of slide 400 mounted within frame 300 to a base of frame 300.

[0065] Figure 4 is a perspective view of frame 300 with slide 400 installed therein. Slide 400 is formed by assembling slide subcomponents 302 A and 302B and slidably mounting these to thebase of frame 300 via screws 305A, 305B. Slide 400 is engaged with rotatable linkage 304. Rotatable linkage is also rotatably mounted to the base of frame 300 via snib screw 306.

[0066] Figure 5 is a perspective view of frame 300 from an underside thereof showing that the head of snib screw 306 is accessible by a user such that a user can rotate snib screw 306 via a tool (in this case a screw drive with hex head or Allen key) which in turn actuates slide 400 between its close configuration and its spaced apart configuration.

[0067] Figure 6 is a top-down view of frame 300 showing slide 400 mounted therein with slide 400 being in its spaced apart configuration, and Figure 7 is a top-down view of frame 300 showing slide 400 mounted therein with slide 400 being in its close configuration. As can be seen from Figure 6 and Figure 7, user rotation of snib screw 306 causes clockwise rotation of rotatable linkage 304 which causes slide subcomponents 302A and 302B to slide inwardly relative to frame 300 towards one another from the spaced apart to the close configuration. Inward movement of slide subcomponents 302A and 302B is delimited length of elongate screw holes 316A and 316B in cooperation with shafts of screws 305A and 305B.

[0068] Movement of slide 400 between a neutral position (corresponding to the spaced apart configuration of slide subcomponents 302 A, 302B) to an actuated position (corresponding to the close configuration of slide subcomponents 302 A, 302B) on rotation of snib screw 306 by a user causes inward movement of bosses 318A and 318B, and also inward movement of engagement tabs 600A and 600B. Engagement tabs 600A and 600B engage with internal receiving structure within upper escutcheon portion 104 to lock the battery holder 106 to upper escutcheon portion 104. Thus, actuating slide 400 from the neutral position to the actuated position disengages engagement tables 600 A and 600B from upper escutcheon portion 104 to permit battery holder 106 to be removed.

[0069] Figure 8 and Figure 9 provide a front view of battery cradle 308 loaded with batteries 310A, 310B and seated with frame 300 on slide 400 with slide 400 in the neutral position (Figure 8) and slide 400 in the actuated position (Figure 9). Battery cradle 308 has a body comprising base portion 802, and wall portion 804.

[0070] Base portion 802 and wall portion 804 together define an internal space for receiving batteries 310A, 310B. In this embodiment, battery cradle 308 includes a double contact spring 806 for electrical contact with batteries 310A, 310B.

[0071] Base portion 802 of battery cradle 308 comprises, on an external surface thereof, bosses 808A, 808B in the form of ramped surfaces. Bosses 808A, 808B are shaped and arranged in opposition to bosses 318A, 318B on slide 400 such that base portion 802 of battery cradle 308 is seated on slide 400 via contact between bosses 808 A, 808B and bosses 318A, 318B.

[0072] When slide 400 is in the neutral position, as illustrated in Figure 8, battery cradle 308 is seated in a recessed position on slide 400 within frame 300. However, on actuation of slide 400 from the neutral position to the actuated position, slide subcomponents 302A, 302B are brought into the close configuration which causes ramped surfaces of bosses 318A, 318B to move against the corresponding ramped surfaces of bosses 808 A, 808B on battery cradle 308 pushing battery cradle 308 from its recessed position to an extended position where battery cradle 308 is raised relative to the base of frame 300, as illustrated in Figure 9. Actuation of slide 400 from the neutral position to the actuated position moves slide subcomponents 302 A, 302B to the close configuration causes engagement tabs 600A, 600B to be withdrawn into the body of frame 300, and thus permits battery holder 106 to be removed from engagement with upper escutcheon portion 104.

[0073] Figure 10 and Figure 11 provide a rear view of battery cradle 308 loaded with batteries 310A, 310B and seated with frame 300 with slide 400 in the neutral position (Figure 10) and slide 400 in the actuated position (Figure 11).

[0074] Figure 10 and Figure 11 further illustrate engagement between battery cradle 308 and frame 300. In particular, battery cradle 308 comprises a male connector in the form of hook member 1000 and frame 300 comprises a complementary female connector in the form of opening 1002. When slide 400 is in the neutral position and battery cradle 308 is in the recessed position, hook member 1000 sits freely within opening 1002. On movement of slide 400 to the actuated position, battery cradle 308 is pushed via slide 400 from the base of frame 300 from its recessed position to its extended position. This movement causes hook portion 1000 to engage with an upper wall portion of opening 1002 such that battery cradle 308 is firmly retained by frame 300. Movement of battery cradle 308 from the recessed position to the extended position also causes the upper surfaces of batteries 310A or 310B and / or an upper abutment surface of battery cradle 308 to abut an internal surface of upper escutcheon 104 which acts to push battery holder 106 from upper escutcheon 104 to ease removal of the battery holder. Spring bias of contact spring 806 also pushes a corresponding battery 310A, 310B against the correspondingelectrical contact surface in the upper escutcheon 104 to similarly assist in pushing battery holder 106 from upper escutcheon 104.

[0075] Figure 12 is a perspective view of frame 300 illustrating guide posts 1200A, 1200B, 1200C, and 1200D for facilitating insertion and removal of battery holder 106 from upper escutcheon 104.

[0076] Figure 13 illustrates a battery receiving compartment 1300 of upper escutcheon 104. Battery receiving compartment comprises lip 1302 on a lower wall portion thereof for engagement with engagement tabs 600A, 600B on support 400 when slide 400 is in the neutral position (e.g., when slide subcomponents 302A, 302B are in the spaced apart configuration). As previously discussed, actuation of slide 400 to the actuated position moves slide subcomponents 302A, 302B to the close configuration which withdraws engagement tabs 600A, 600B from engagement with lip 1302 to essentially unlock battery holder 106 from upper escutcheon 104 which, as discussed previously, also causes battery holder 106 to be biased away from engagement with upper escutcheon 104 via contact between an abutment surface on battery cradle 308 with an internal surface of upper escutcheon 104 and / or by spring 806 pushing a corresponding battery 310A, 310B against electrical contact surface 1304 within upper escutcheon 104. Upper escutcheon 104 also comprises a single contact spring 1306 for contact with a corresponding battery 310A, 310B. Advantageously, contact spring 1306 pushes against corresponding battery 310A, 310B which similarly helps to push battery holder 106 from upper escutcheon 104 when slide 400 is in the actuated position. A further advantage provided by contact spring 1306 is that when slide 400 is in the neutral position, and battery cradle 308 is seated on slide 400 in the recessed position, the spring bias provided by contact spring 1306 firmly presses against corresponding battery 310A, 310B which in turn presses via battery cradle 308 on slide 400 to bias slide 400 to its neutral position and ensure engagement tabs 600 A, 600B are firmly engaged with lip 1302.

[0077] Figure 14 is a part view illustrating engagement between upper escutcheon 104 and battery holder 106 which together form escutcheon 102. As can be seen, when slide 400 is in the neutral position, engagement tabs 600 A, 600B on slide 400 engage with lip 1302 to lock lower escutcheon 106 to upper escutcheon 104.

[0078] Figure 15 and Figure 16 illustrate battery receiving compartment 1300 of upper escutcheon 104 in more detail. Battery receiving compartment 1300 comprises battery guide 1500 for receiving batteries 310A, 310B and guiding batteries into connection with electrical contacts including single contact spring 1306. Battery guide 1500 comprises a resilient contact member 1502 configured to contact a corresponding engagement surface on battery cradle 308 to push against battery cradle 308 such that battery cradle 308 is pressed against slide 400 when in the neutral position, which in turn ensures engagement tabs 600A, 600B are firmly engaged with lip 1302. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when no batteries 310A, 310B are loaded in battery cradle 308, as shown in Figure 16, since the presence of batteries 310A, 310B would otherwise cause a similar biasing effect as discussed above.

[0079] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A battery holder for an escutcheon comprising: a frame mountable to the escutcheon; a battery cradle separable from the frame; and a support secured to a base of the frame within the frame for seating the battery holding compartment within the frame; wherein the support is actuatable from a neutral position to an actuated position to move the battery cradle between a recessed position in which the battery cradle is seated on the support within the frame and an extended position raised from the base of the frame.

2. The battery holder of claim 1, wherein the support comprises at least one boss moveable between a first position and a second position on actuation of the support, the at least one boss engageable with the battery cradle to lift the battery cradle from the recessed position to the extended position on movement of the boss to the second position.

3. The battery holder of claim 1 or 2, wherein the support is actuatable by a user via an interface on an exterior of the frame.

4. The battery holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame has an open end opposite the base through which a first end of the battery holding compartment is insertable into the frame to be received by the support.

5. The battery holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support comprises first and second actuatable sub -components, the support being actuatable between the neutral position and the actuated position by moving the first and second actuatable sub-components between a spaced apart configuration and a close configuration.

6. The battery holder of claim 5, wherein the first and second actuatable sub-components are first and second slides, the first and second slides being movable linearly along a common slide axis between the spaced apart configuration and the close configuration.

7. The battery holder of claim 6, wherein each of the first and second slides are screw mounted to the base via a screw passage, the screw passage elongated in a direction along thecommon slide axis to permit the first and second slides to linearly move along the common slide axis.

8. The battery holder of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first actuatable subcomponent comprises a first base with a first boss and the second actuatable sub-component comprises a second base with a second boss, wherein the first boss and the second boss are in contact with the battery cradle and are configured to lift the battery cradle to the raised position on movement of the first and second actuatable sub-components to the close configuration.

9. The battery holder of claim 8, wherein the first boss and the second boss each have a ramped surface, the ramped surface being raised in a direction along the common slide axis.

10. The battery holder of claim 8 or 9, wherein the battery cradle comprises: a first cooperative boss engaged with the first boss having a first cooperative ramped surface and, a second cooperative boss engaged with the second boss having a second cooperative ramped surface, wherein the first and second ramped surfaces are arranged in contact with, and in opposition to, the first and second cooperative ramped surfaces.

11. The battery holder of claim 10, wherein the first ramped surface and the second ramped surface are outwardly inclined relative to the battery holder, and the first cooperative ramped surface and the second cooperative ramped surface are inwardly declined relative to the battery holder.

12. The battery holder of claims 10 or 11, wherein movement of the first and second actuatable sub -components causes ramped surfaces of the first boss and the second boss to move in slidable contact with the cooperative ramped surfaces of the first cooperative boss and the second cooperative boss.

13. The battery holder of any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the first and second actuatable sub-components are interlocked.

14. The battery holder of claim 13, wherein the first and second actuatable sub-components are interlocked by a linkage, the linkage rotatable to move the first and second actuatable subcomponents between the spaced apart configuration and the close configuration.

15. The battery holder of claim 14, wherein the linkage has a first end engaged with a first mount on the first actuatable sub-component and a second end engaged with a second mount on the second actuatable sub -component, wherein the linkage is rotatably mounted to the base of the frame by a pivot mount located between the first end and the second end.

16. The battery holder of claim 15, wherein the pivot mount is actuatable by a user from an external surface of the frame to move the first and second actuatable sub -components between the spaced apart configuration and the close configuration, and thus move the support between the neutral and actuated positions.

17. The battery holder of claim 16, wherein the pivot mount is mounted to the frame via an externally user accessible snib screw.

18. The battery holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery cradle and the frame are connectable to one another via snap fit connection.

19. The battery holder of claim 18, wherein the snap fit connection comprises one or more tabs on the battery cradle in combination with a lip located within the frame.

20. The battery holder of claim 19, wherein the one or more tabs are configured to engage the lip when the support is in the neutral position and disengage the lip when the support is in the actuated position.

21. The battery holder of claim 18 or 19 when dependent on any one of claims 5 to 17, wherein the snap fit connection comprises at least two tabs, a first tab on the first actuatable subcomponent and a second tab on the second actuatable sub-component.

22. The battery holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery cradle comprises a contact compression spring for electrical contact with a battery, and which biases the battery away from the base of the frame.

23. An escutcheon comprising: an escutcheon body; and a removably mountable battery holder according to any one of the preceding claims.

24. The escutcheon of claim 23, wherein the battery holder forms a bottom cover portion of the escutcheon.

25. The escutcheon of claim 23 or 24, wherein the support comprises at least one engagement tab configured to engage with a lip within the escutcheon body when the support is in the neutral position and disengage from the lip when the support is in the actuated position.

26. The escutcheon of any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the escutcheon body comprises a compression spring for electrical contact with a battery, and wherein the compression spring applies a spring force to the support via the battery to bias the support to the neutral position.

27. The escutcheon of any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the escutcheon body comprises a resilient contact member configured to contact a surface of the battery cradle when the removable battery holder is mounted to the escutcheon body to apply a resilient force to the support via the battery cradle to bias the support to the neutral position.

28. A lock assembly comprising the battery holder of any one of claims 1 to 22 and / or the escutcheon of any one of claims 23 to 27.

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