Method for setting or emergently opening and resetting locking password of coded lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for setting and resetting a locking password of a coded lock, comprising a lock cylinder having an input device for inputting the locking password and a code memory which can be coupled to the input device via a coupling element, a latch and an adjusting element for actuating the latch, the method has the method steps for setting the locking password: a) entering the locking password via the input device, b) fixing the locking password in the code memory by manually actuating the coupling element, c) adjusting the latch from the release position into the locking position by actuating the adjusting element in a first adjusting direction, in step c) additionally placing the input device into the neutral position by actuating the adjusting element and locking the adjusting element in the locking position at the end of the adjusting movement, the method comprises the following method steps for deleting the locking password: d) inputting the previously set locking password via the input device, e) adjusting the latch from the locking position into the release position by actuating the adjusting element in a second adjusting direction, in step d), the actuating element is additionally unlocked from the locking position after the correct locking password has been entered, and in step e), the input device is additionally placed in the neutral position and the locking password is deleted from the code memory. The invention further relates to a method for emergently opening and resetting a locking password of a coded lock.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for setting and resetting a locking password of a password lock and a method for emergency opening and resetting a locking password of a password lock. Background Art

[0002] Such password locks are typically used as locker locks or furniture locks in areas where the object to be locked should only be stored temporarily and the locker or furniture should be available for another user after the object has been removed, such as in the case of lockers in gymnasiums, universities or train stations.

[0003] In these areas, barrel locks that can be operated with a key have hitherto been commonly used. In these barrel locks, the key is inserted into the barrel core in the unlocked state and is removed and kept by the corresponding user after locking the locker or furniture drawer until the user retrieves the stored object from the locker or furniture. To this end, the key of the lock is inserted into the locking barrel and then retained in the locking barrel.

[0004] The disadvantage of such key locks is that such keys can be easily lost.

[0005] This problem can be avoided by using a password lock.

[0006] Such password locks are known, for example, from document DE102014109224A1 or EP2942457A1 and mainly include a digital lock and a locking barrel for the necessary emergency opening. Via the digital lock, the user can enter a locking password (here a digital code) known only to him at the start of use by adjusting an adjustment wheel.

[0007] After entering the locking password, in DE102014109224A1, when locking the lock, the locking password is stored in the digital lock via a coupling disk coupled to the adjustment wheel by operating a turning handle, and at the same time the adjustment wheel is adjusted back to the neutral position.

[0008] However, in the case of password locks of the above type, it is necessary that, in order to clear the lock password, a separate operating button or the like is installed on the inner side of the lock facing the storage room, and the lock password must be reset to a neutral value or a starting value by using the operating button or the like.

[0009] Therefore, in order to delete the locking password of the password lock known from EP2942457A1, it is necessary to actively press an operating element protruding from the housing of the digital lock and at the same time turn the housing of the digital lock.

[0010] DE102017004622A1 describes a password lock in which, by means of a control element, the actuating element of EP2942457A1 is replaced such that the deletion of the locking password is carried out automatically.

[0011] Here, the storage of a newly entered locking password is carried out similarly to the password lock known from DE102014109224A1.

[0012] Here, the problem is that when operating the rotary handle, an unintentional and unnoticed adjustment of the locking password may occur due to an accidental contact with one or more of the adjusting wheels, which results in: the locking password stored during the opening rotary movement of the rotary handle no longer corresponds to the locking password initially set by the user. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for improving the setting and resetting of the locking password of a password lock with simplified operation.

[0014] Another object is to provide a method for emergency opening and resetting of the locking password of a password lock, which can also be carried out when the password lock is locked.

[0015] The first object is solved by a method having the features of claim 1.

[0016] The second object is solved by a method having the features of claim 5.

[0017] In the method for setting and resetting the locking password of a password lock, in a first method step a), the locking password is entered via the input device. Subsequently, the locking password is fixed in the code memory (method step b)) by manually operating the coupling element, and the locking password is stored in the lock cylinder of the password lock such that the entered locking password is "stored" in the password lock.

[0018] Subsequently, in method step c), the bolt of the password lock is adjusted from the release position to the locking position by operating the adjusting element in a first adjustment direction. The operation of the adjusting element additionally further causes: the input device to be placed in the neutral position and the adjusting element to be latched in the locking position at the end of the adjustment movement, such that on the one hand, the drawer to be protected by the password lock is locked and on the other hand, the adjusting element coupled to the bolt is also latched, so that it is impossible to open the drawer protected by the password lock without re-entering the locking password.

[0019] The combination lock can be opened again in order to retrieve an object. First, the previously set locking code must be entered via the input device in step d). If the locking code is entered correctly, this results in: unlocking the adjusting element from the locking position.

[0020] In the subsequent method step e), the bolt can then be moved from the locked position to the released position by actuating the adjusting element in a second adjusting direction.

[0021] In this method step e), the input device is additionally placed in a neutral position and the locking code is deleted from the code memory.

[0022] This ensures that the initial starting position is reached again, so that another user can use the drawer protected by the combination lock without any further measures.

[0023] The coupling element enables reliable storage of the locking code, because the locking code is stored by actuating the coupling element before actuating the adjusting element in the subsequent method step c). Actuating the adjusting element always involves the risk of inadvertently adjusting one or more characters of the input device, so that when storing the locking code, a locking code that is not intentionally set is first stored when actuating the adjusting element.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the technical solutions of the dependent claims.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment variant, for simplified operation, the locking code is deleted from the code memory in step e) without manually actuating the coupling element.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment variant, in step b) the adjusting element is unlocked from the locking position to a release position in which the adjustment of the adjusting element is released, and in step e) the adjusting element is latched from the release position in which the adjustment of the adjusting element is released to the locking position.

[0027] Proceeding from this in the method according to the invention for emergency opening and resetting the locking code of a combination lock, that is, in order to open the combination lock, an incorrect character code is first entered.

[0028] In a first method step f), in this method, the cylinder lock coupled to the combination lock is first opened using an emergency key.

[0029] Actuating the tubular lock with the emergency key causes the release of the adjusting element such that in method step g) the adjusting element can be moved in a first adjusting direction and thus the bolt can be moved from the locking position into the release position in order to open a drawer or a locker etc.

[0030] Finally, in step h) the tubular lock is also locked with the emergency key.

[0031] When the tubular lock is opened, the adjusting element is additionally unlocked from the locked position, and in step g) the input device is additionally brought into the neutral position and the locking code is deleted from the code memory such that finally the password lock is again in its initial configuration in which another user can set the password lock to a locking code known only to him.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment variant, the adjusting element is also locked in step h).

[0033] According to another advantageous embodiment variant, the input device for entering the locking code is implemented by rotating at least one rotatable wheel configured as an input device, the rotatable wheel being provided with a plurality of character markings, and the rotatable wheel is rotated into a predetermined rotational position for selecting one of the characters as part of a locking code or a locking code consisting of a sequence of characters.

[0034] According to another advantageous embodiment variant, the bolt is moved from the release position into the locking position by rotating the adjusting element configured as a turning knob in a first rotational direction, and the bolt is moved from the locking position into the release position by rotating in a direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0035] Here, the adjustment by rotation has the advantage of space-saving and simply operable adjustment possibilities in both cases.

[0036] The method steps a) to e) to be carried out manually can preferably be carried out with one hand, which also simplifies the operation of the password lock. Description of the Drawings

[0037] An embodiment of the method according to the invention will be explained in detail below with the aid of the drawings.

[0038] In the drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary method flow for setting and resetting the locking code of a password lock according to the invention is shown, and

[0040] Figure 2A schematic diagram showing an exemplary method flow for an emergency opening and resetting of the locking code of a password lock according to the present invention is shown. Detailed implementation

[0041] Hereinafter, with the aid of Figure 1 A variant of an implementation of a method for setting and resetting the locking code of a password lock according to the present invention will be described.

[0042] Here, the password lock itself has a lock cylinder including an input device for entering the locking code and a code or password memory that can be coupled to the input device.

[0043] Here, the input device can be configured, for example, in the structure of one or preferably a plurality of character wheels, and each of the character wheels is correspondingly provided with a code wheel. The code wheel can be coupled to the corresponding character wheel via a coupling element, so that generally after setting the locking code by manipulating the character wheel and then coupling the character wheel and the code wheel by manipulating the coupling element, the locking code is stored or set in the lock cylinder of the password lock.

[0044] Here, the coupling element is preferably implemented as a sliding member, and the sliding member is preferably disposed directly on the front of the input device close to the character wheel and can thus enable a one-handed operation of the password lock.

[0045] It is also conceivable that the input device is configured as a keypad, a character disk, etc.

[0046] Here, the locking code can preferably be an alphabetic code, a numeric code, or a combination of letters and numbers.

[0047] In addition, other types of codes are also conceivable, such as geometric patterns, images, etc. Here, the characters can be applied as substantially two-dimensional images, but it is also conceivable that one or more of the characters have a three-dimensional structure.

[0048] In addition, the password lock has an adjusting element for manipulating the latch. Here, the adjusting element is preferably configured as a rotary knob. The latch is used to lock with the lock catch of a furniture drawer, a storage locker, etc., in which objects to be protected should be stored to prevent access.

[0049] In addition, a cylinder lock having a locking cylinder that can be manipulated by a key, especially an emergency key, is coupled to the password lock. The locking cylinder is used to emergently open the password lock, as will be further explained in detail below.

[0050] A password lock equipped with these components is used to implement a method for setting and resetting the locking code of a password lock.

[0051] Here, the password lock is set in the initial configuration 10 shown in the flowchart of Figure 1 such that the input device is also decoupled from the code or password memory, that is, no locking password is stored in the password lock yet.

[0052] In an implementation variant of the input device structured as multiple character wheels, these character wheels are placed in the starting or neutral position. Thus, the character wheels are marked, for example, with the ten digits one to nine and zero of the decimal system. For example, three, four, or five such character wheels are arranged side by side to correspondingly provide multiple combination possibilities for setting the locking password. In the starting or neutral position, all character wheels are set, for example, to the zero value.

[0053] By decoupling the character wheels from the code wheel, the password lock is correspondingly deprogrammed.

[0054] The latch is in its open position, and the physical locking device of the furniture drawer or storage locker, etc. can be locked using the latch.

[0055] Starting from this configuration, in the first method step a), the locking password can be input via the input device, in the above embodiment, by setting the character wheels to input the locking password.

[0056] If the locking password is set, then in method step b), the locking password is fixed in the code memory. In the above embodiment, manual manipulation of the coupling element preferably implemented as a slide is performed. Using the coupling element, the character wheels are coupled to the code wheel and thus the locking password is stored in the lock core of the password lock.

[0057] In method step b), the adjustment element is also unlocked so that in the subsequent method step c), the adjustment element can be moved in the first adjustment direction.

[0058] After implementing method step b), the password lock reaches configuration state 20, in which the latch is always open, the password lock is programmed, the locking password is stored in the code memory, and the adjustment element is released for adjustment movement.

[0059] In method step c), the adjustment movement of the adjustment element, in the above embodiment, the rotation of the rotary knob, causes the latch to be adjusted from the release position to the locked position, so that the drawer or storage locker is now locked in a manner protected by the password lock.

[0060] Furthermore, by the adjusting movement of the adjusting element, the input device is reset to the neutral position and the adjusting element is latched in the locking position at the end of the adjusting movement, so as to prevent: the set locking code of the input device from being readable by a third party, and the movement of the adjusting element without re-entering the locking code via the input device.

[0061] After adjusting the adjusting element in accordance with method step c), the password lock reaches configuration 30, in which the password lock is set such that the bolt is in the locking position, the input device is reset to the neutral position, and the adjusting element is locked against further rotational movement.

[0062] The password lock remains in configuration 30 for as long as the user who knows the locking code returns to the furniture or locker, etc., in order to reopen the password lock.

[0063] This is done in method step d), in which the stored locking code is entered via the input device, and subsequently in method step e) the adjusting element is adjusted in a preferably second adjusting direction, which corresponds to the adjusting direction opposite to the first adjusting direction.

[0064] In method step d), the password lock reaches configuration 40 after entering the locking code, in which the adjusting element is unlocked again from the locking position.

[0065] By adjusting the adjusting element in the second adjusting direction, the bolt is moved from the locking position to the release position, the input device is reset to the neutral position and the code memory is cleared.

[0066] Here, the decoupling of the character wheel of the input device from the code wheel of the code memory is preferably carried out without actively manually operating the coupling element.

[0067] Finally, in an implementation variant, the adjusting element is latched again in the locking position at the end of the rotational movement.

[0068] Thus, configuration 10 is reached again, which provides the use of a drawer or locker that can be locked by the password lock for reuse.

[0069] In the case where the owner of the locking code loses (forgets) the locking code, an object protected by the password lock in a drawer or locker can be obtained by a method for emergency opening and resetting the locking code of the password lock.

[0070] Here, the combination lock is protected by a cylinder lock with a matching emergency key via a second locking code. Here, the emergency key is usually owned by a third person, such as a supervisor, etc.

[0071] The method steps necessary for emergency opening are as follows here:

[0072] First, in method step f), the cylinder lock is opened using the emergency key.

[0073] For this purpose, the emergency key is inserted into the locking cylinder of the cylinder lock and then the emergency key is rotated by a predetermined angle, such as 90° or 180°.

[0074] Here, the initial configuration is configuration 30 described above, in which the latch is in the locked position, the input device is in its neutral position and the adjusting element is locked.

[0075] By entering a code that does not correspond to the locking code (shown as method step i) in Figure 1 ), configuration 50 is reached, in which, contrary to configuration 30, the input device is now set to an error code. Based on the error code, the adjusting element is of course not released but always locked in this state.

[0076] By opening the cylinder lock using the emergency key, the adjusting element is released from its locked position so that the adjusting element can now move. Then, in method step g), the adjusting element is moved in the same direction as in method step e).

[0077] Thereby, configuration 60 is reached, in which the latch is adjusted to its open position and thus the drawer or locker is released. Similarly, the reset of the input device to the neutral position and the deletion of the locking code from the code memory are accompanied by the adjustment of the adjusting element.

[0078] In the subsequent method step h), the cylinder lock is locked again using the emergency key, which is preferably done by rotating the key back to the inserted position by a predetermined angle and then pulling out the key.

[0079] Here, the rotation of the key optionally causes the adjusting element to be relocked so that configuration 10 is now reached again, in which the combination lock is ready for reuse.

Claims

1. A method for setting and resetting the locking code of a password lock, the password lock having - a lock cylinder including an input device for entering the locking code and a code memory that can be coupled to the input device via a coupling element; - a latch; and - an adjusting element for manipulating the latch, The method has method steps for setting the locking code: a) Enter the locking code via the input device, b) Fix the locking code in the code memory by manually manipulating the coupling element, c) Adjust the latch from the release position to the locking position by manipulating the adjusting element in a first adjustment direction, In step c), additionally place the input device in the neutral position and lock the adjusting element in the locked position at the end of the adjustment movement by manipulating the adjusting element, and the method has subsequent method steps for deleting the locking code: d) Enter the previously set locking code via the input device, e) Adjust the latch from the locking position to the release position by manipulating the adjusting element in a second adjustment direction, In step d), after entering the correct locking code, additionally unlock the adjusting element from the locked position and in step e), additionally place the input device in the neutral position and delete the locking code from the code memory.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein In step e), delete the locking code from the code memory without manually manipulating the coupling element.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In step b), unlock the adjusting element from the locked position to a release position where the adjustment of the adjusting element is released, and in step e), lock the adjusting element from the release position where the adjustment of the adjusting element is released to the locked position.

4. A method for emergency opening and resetting the locking code of a password lock, the password lock having • a lock cylinder including an input device for entering the locking code and a code memory that can be coupled to the input device; • a latch; and • an adjusting element for manipulating the latch, And the password lock is coupled to a cylinder lock that can be manipulated by an emergency key, the method having method steps for emergency opening the password lock: f) Open the cylinder lock with the emergency key, g) Move the latch from the locking position to the release position by manipulating the adjusting element in a first adjustment direction, h) Lock the cylinder lock with the emergency key, In step f), additionally unlock the adjusting element from the locked position, and in step g), additionally place the input device in the neutral position and delete the locking code from the code memory, and lock the adjusting element in step h).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that In step h), additionally lock the adjusting element from the release position where the adjustment of the adjusting element is released to the locked position.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The input of the locking code is carried out by rotating at least one rotatable wheel configured as an input device, the rotatable wheel being provided with a plurality of character markings, and rotating the rotatable wheel into a predefined rotational position for selecting one of the characters as part of the locking code or a locking code consisting of a sequence of characters.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The bolt is moved from the release position into the locked position by rotating an adjusting element configured as a rotary knob in a first rotational direction, and the bolt is moved from the locked position into the release position by rotating in a direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

8. The method according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that, The method steps a) to e) to be carried out manually can be carried out with one hand.

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