Lock and safes using same

Abstract

This disclosure provides a lock, particularly an anti-tamper lock suitable for use in safes or for retrofitting safes. The lock comprises a housing that houses a bolt, a bolt blocking mechanism, a main electric motor, and an engagement mechanism that is configured to provide engagement between the main electric motor and the bolt to obtain various functional states of the lock.

Description

[0001] Lock and safes using same

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] This disclosure concerns a lock, particularly locks that may be used in safes, for example, for retrofitting a safe.

[0004] GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0005] Provided by this disclosure is a lock, e.g. for use in a safe. The lock can be fitted onto, or may be an integral part of, a safe door. The locks of this disclosure may also be used for retrofitting safes.

[0006] By one of its aspects, the present disclosure provides a lock, that comprises: a housing, that houses a bolt, a bolt blocking mechanism, a main electric motor, and an engagement mechanism; wherein

[0007] the bolt is switchable, in a bolt path extending in a locking plane, between a bolt open position and a bolt locking position, the switching being by rotation of the main electric motor that is coupled to the bolt through the coupling mechanism;

[0008] the bolt blocking mechanism comprises

[0009] a blocking cam that is rotatable in a cam plane normal to said locking plane, between a blocking state, in which the blocking cam blocks the bolt from switching into the bolt open position, and a non-blocking state in which such switching is enabled,

[0010] a floating block that is reciprocally displaceable between a first block position and a second block position, and being biased, by a biasing element, into a first block position, and comprises

[0011] an auxiliary electric motor that is rotatable in an opening rotation between a closed state and an open state and rotatable in a closing rotation between the open state and the closed state, wherein

[0012] the blocking cam, the floating block and the auxiliary electric motor are coupled to one another such that the opening rotation of the auxiliary electric motor causes rotation of the blocking cam between the blocking state to the unblocking state and a displacement of the floating block from the first blockposition into the second block position, and such that the bias of the biasing element on the floating block biases rotation of the blocking cam back into said blocking state;

[0013] the main electric motor being rotatable in an unlocking rotation between a first rotational position in which the bolt is in the bolt locking position to a second rotational position in which the bolt is in the bolt open position, and being rotatable in a locking rotation between the second position to the first position, the main electric motor being engageable with the bolt by an engagement mechanism that permits:

[0014] a disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the unlocking rotation and a subsequent second phase of an engaged unlocking rotation, the engaged unlocking rotation driving the switching of the bolt from the bolt locking to the bolt open position, and permitting

[0015] a disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation and a subsequent second phase of an engaged locking rotation, the engaged locking rotation driving the switching of the bolt open to bolt locking position; and wherein

[0016] the lock is operable to have an unlocking sequence that comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the unlocking rotation and inducing the auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said opening rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in said first phase of the unlocking rotation is configured to occur during a first period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the open state, and to have a locking sequence that comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the locking rotation and inducing the auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said closing rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation is configured to occur during a second period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the closed state.

[0017] In other words, the lock comprises a housing that houses a bolt, a bolt blocking mechanism, a main electric motor and an engagement mechanism between the main electric motor and the bolt. The lock further comprises an auxiliary electric motor that is rotatable in an opening rotation between a closed state and an open state and rotatable in a closing rotation between the open state and the closed state.The bolt is switchable, in a bolt path that extends in a locking plane, between a bolt locking position that locks the safe when installed in a safe door and the door is closed, and a bolt open position in which the safe can be opened. The switching of the bolt between the locking and open positions is by rotation of the main electric motor that is coupled to the bolt through the engagement mechanism.

[0018] By one embodiment, the bolt is a sliding bolt that is displaced in a linear bolt path between the bolt locking and bolt open positions. By another embodiment, the bolt is a rotary bolt that is displaced in a rotary bolt path between the bolt locking and bolt open positions. As will become clear from the description below, the disclosure herein is not limited by the nature of the bolt’s displacement direction and / or the bolt path.

[0019] As will be further noted below, the lock has a blocking cam that has a blocking state, in which the blocking cam blocks the bolt in the bolt locking position; the bolt’s switch to the bolt open position is enabled when the blocking cam is rotated into a nonblocking state.

[0020] The main electric motor is typically a servo motor, and may be a gear motor. This electric motor is rotatable between a first rotational position, in which the bolt is in the bolt locking position, to a second rotational position in which the bolt is in the bolt open position, and being rotatable in an opposite, locking rotation from the second position to the first position.

[0021] The main electric motor is engageable with the bolt by the engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism permits both a disengaged rotation and an engaged rotation. In a first phase of the unlocking rotation, there is a disengaged rotation of the main electric motor and in a subsequent second phase there is an engaged rotation, the engaged unlocking rotation driving the switching of the bolt from the bolt locking to the bolt open position. In a first phase of the locking rotation, there is a disengaged rotation of the main electric motor and then a subsequent second phase of rotation, the engaged locking rotation driving the switching of the bolt from the open to the locking position.

[0022] The lock is operable to have an unlocking sequence and a locking sequence. The unlocking sequence comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the unlocking rotation and inducing an auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said opening rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in said first phase of the unlocking rotation is configured to occur during a first period of time sufficient to permitthe auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the open state. The locking sequence comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the locking rotation and inducing the auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said closing rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation is configured to occur during a second period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the closed state.

[0023] By an embodiment of this disclosure, the engagement mechanism comprises a first engagement member that is rotationally coupled to the main motor and a second engagement member that is rotationally coupled to the bolt to induce switching of the bolt between the open and the locking position. Bote the first and the second engagement members rotate about an axis. One of the two members comprises an arched slot that is defined between two limiting ends, and the other one of the two members comprises a pin received in the slot. The relative movement of the pin in the slot between the two limiting ends enables the two first phases, and the engagement of the pin with one of the two ends enables the engaged rotation of the two members in the two second phases. The pin may project in a direction parallel to the axis, and received in a slot; albeit a pin that is in not parallel to the axis is also possible in embodiments of this disclosure.

[0024] By an embodiment of this disclosure, said first member comprises said slot and said second member comprises said pin. However, the disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment and a reverse configuration is also possible.

[0025] By an embodiment of this disclosure, the main motor, the first member and the second member are rotatable about an axis normal to said locking plane.

[0026] The bolt blocking mechanism comprises a blocking cam, a floating block and the auxiliary electric motor, that may be a gear motor. The auxiliary electric motor is rotatable in an opening rotation between a closed state and an open state, and rotatable in a closing rotation between the open state and the closed state.

[0027] The floating block is reciprocally displaceable between a first block position and a second block position and is biased, by a biasing element, into the first block position. The biasing element is typically, but not exclusively, a helical spring that is housed within a track; the track also houses the floating block which is displaceable within the track between the two block positions.The blocking cam is rotatable in a cam plane normal to said locking plane, between a blocking state, in which it blocks the bolt from switching into the opening position, and a non-blocking state in which such switching is enabled.

[0028] The blocking cam, the floating block and the electric motor are coupled to one another, such that the opening rotation of the auxiliary electric motor causes rotation of the blocking cam from the blocking state to the unblocking state and a displacement of the floating block from the first block position into the second block position. Through its coupling with the floating block assembly, the bias of the biasing element on the floating block concomitantly biases the rotation of the blocking cam back into said blocking state.

[0029] By one embodiment, the blocking cam has an extending portion, e.g. a generally radially extending arm, that in the blocking state is situated within the bolt path to thereby block the switch of the bolt into the bolt open position.

[0030] By one embodiment, the blocking cam is physically coupled to the floating block. For example, the floating block may have a depression, the blocking cam may have a projection that fits into the depression the coupling being through such fitting, and the coupling may thereby permit concomitant rotation of the blocking cam and linear reciprocation of the blocking cam.

[0031] The auxiliary electric motor is configured to be switched off after completing the opening rotation.

[0032] As noted above, the auxiliary electric motor, as well as the main electric motor, may each be a gear motor in which the revolution rate of the motor is reduced through a gear system to lower revolution rate (lower RPM). The axle of the main electric motor is typically made to rotate at least about 2 times, 3 times or even 4 times faster than the auxiliary electric motor; whereby while the axle of the main electric motor (and elements connected thereto) makes one revolution, that of the auxiliary electric motor (and elements connected thereto) makes about 1 / 2, 1 / 3 or even only about 1 / 4 of a revolution. While the gear motor can induce a torque that can displace the floating block, the gear motor can function to resist rotation resulting from an incidental impact that may cause undesired displacement of the floating block or the bolt, respectively. The gear motor is utilized such that torque on the motor axel applied by such impact would be insufficient to cause rotation of the motor.Typically, in order to enable the blocking cam’s rotation, the rotational force exerted by the motor exceeds that of the biasing force of the biasing element. However, it should be noted that other arrangements may also be possible, for example blocking the biasing element during rotation of the blocking cam so as to block the biasing element’s ability to exert biasing force onto the floating block during such rotation.

[0033] Typically, the bolt locking mechanism comprises a motor cam that is fixedly coupled to the axel of the auxiliary electric motor, and hence rotatable thereby, and is also coupled to the blocking cam and to the floating block.

[0034] The bias on the floating block, that is coupled to the blocking cam, can cause the blocking cam to transition into a locking-ready intermediate state, in which the blocking cam rests against the bolt. This occurs after switching the bolt into its unlocked position. Consequently, when the bolt is subsequently switched from the bolt open position into the bolt locked position, the bias of the biasing element induces the motor cam to transition into its first rotational state to thereby rotate the blocking cam into the blocking state.

[0035] By one embodiment, the motor cam and the blocking cam are co-planar. In other embodiments of this disclosure, the blocking cam may rotate in a different plane than that of the motor cam and the two cams may, for example, be geared to one another.

[0036] The coupling between the motor cam and the blocking cam may be configured to permit a degree of relative rotation between the two cams. For example, in its rotation between the closed state and the open state, the motor cam has a first free rotation phase that is followed by a subsequent coupled rotation of the two cams. Similarly, after switching the bolt into the bolt open position, the auxiliary electric motor and the motor cam rotate in a closing rotation to the closing state, causing the blocking cam and the motor cam to rotate partially together - the motor cam rotated by the auxiliary electric motor while the blocking cam being biased to rotate by the biasing element through the intermediary of the floating block, until the further rotation of the blocking cam is blocked by the bolt; then the permitted relative rotation of the cams allows the motor cam to continue its rotation to its closed state, while the blocking cam remains in a lock-ready state, in which the blocking cam can rotate into said first rotational state upon switching the bolt to the bolt locking position, the rotation being induced by the bias of said biasing element.By an embodiment, one of the motor cam and the blocking cam has a recess on a coupling face facing the other one of the one of the motor cam and the blocking cam, the recess being defined between a first recess boundary and a second recess boundary, while such other one of the motor cam and the blocking cam has a projection fitting into said recess permitting relative rotation of the two cams between a first relative rotational position in which the first recess boundary rests against said projection and a second relative rotational position in which the second recess boundary rests against said projection. Said recess is typically, albeit not exclusively, defined in the coupling face of the motor cam and said projection in the blocking cam.

[0037] By an embodiment, the lock has (i) a first, locked operational state, in which the motor cam is in the first rotational state, with said first recess boundary resting against said projection, thereby blocking rotation of the blocking cam; (ii) a second, intermediate operational state, in which the motor cam is rotated such that the second recess boundary comes to rest against said projection, whereby further rotation of the motor cam towards the second position yields concurrent rotation of the blocking cam against the bias of the biasing element; (iii) a third, open operational state in which the motor cam is in said second rotational state and said blocking cam is in the non-blocking state, permitting to switch of the bolt from the bolt locking position into the bolt open position; and (iv) a fourth, locking-ready operational state in which the blocking cam is in said locking-ready intermediate state, whereby upon switching the bolt into the bolt locking position, the blocking cam can rotate into said first rotational sate, the rotation being induced by the bias of said biasing element.

[0038] The lock typically comprises a control module and a battery (or a power unit), that may be housed within the housing or may be external to the housing and linked by appropriate power cables and communication links. The control module may be activated by an external module, for example from mobile communication device carried by a user and configured to emit a wireless encrypted command signal that activates the control module. Upon such activation, an opening sequence, as described herein, is initiated, permitting opening of the lock.

[0039] By some embodiments, the main electric motor and the auxiliary electric motor are activated simultaneously in said opening sequence. However, the activation may also be sequenced, by first activating one of the motors and then the other.By some embodiments, the main electric motor and the auxiliary electric motor are activated simultaneously in said locking sequence. However, the activation may also be sequenced, by first activating one of the motors and then the other.

[0040] By some embodiments, the bolt comprises a bolt-arresting element housed in a bore in the bolt and oriented normal to the locking plane. The bolt-arresting element is reciprocable within the bore between an extended state in which a portion thereof extends out of the bore and a retracted state in which it is fully housed within the bore and biased into an extended state. The bore is formed such that when the bolt is in the open position, the bolt-arresting element juxtaposes the blocking cam, extends to the extended state to thereby arresting the blot in the bolt open position. When the blocking cam rotates to the non-blocking state, the blocking cam pushes the bolt-arresting element to induce retraction thereof, permitting switching of the bolt into the bolt locking position.

[0041] The safe lock may comprise one or more internal microswitches that provide an indication of the overall lock status. In particular, the lock may comprise a blocking cam-associated microswitch configured to provide an indication that the blocking cam is in the closed state and, hence, a lock locking indication.

[0042] Also provided by this disclosure is a safe with a lock as described above.

[0043] Further provided by another aspect of this disclosure is a unit for converting a mechanically operated lock into a motor-operated lock. The lock is of the kind that comprises a housing, that houses a bolt and a bolt blocking mechanism, the bolt being switchable, in a bolt path extending in a locking plane, between a bolt open position and a bolt locking position, and the bolt blocking mechanism comprises (i) a blocking cam that is rotatable in a cam plane normal to said locking plane, between a blocking state, in which the blocking cam blocks the bolt from switching into the bolt open position, and a non-blocking state in which such switching is enabled, (ii) a floating block that is reciprocally displaceable between a first block position and a second block position, and being biased, by a biasing element, into a first block position, and comprises (iii) an auxiliary electric motor that is rotatable in an opening rotation between a closed state and an open state and rotatable in a closing rotation between the open state and the closed state; wherein the blocking cam, the floating block and the auxiliary electric motor being coupled to one another such that the opening rotation of the auxiliary electric motor causes rotation of the blocking cam between the blocking state to the unblocking state and a displacement of the floating block from the first block position into the secondblock position, and such that the bias of the biasing element on the floating block biases rotation of the blocking cam back into said blocking state.

[0044] The retrofitting unit comprises a main electric motor and an engagement mechanism, the main electric motor being rotatable in an unlocking rotation and in an opposite locking rotation and configured for engagement with the lock. When the unit is engaged with the lock, rotation of the main electric motor in the unlocking rotation operates to switch the bolt between the bolt locking position to the bolt open position, and rotation of the main electric motor in the locking rotation operates to switch the bolt between the bolt open position to the bolt locking position. The main electric motor is engageable with the bolt by an engagement mechanism that permits (i) a disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the unlocking rotation and a subsequent second phase of an engaged unlocking rotation, the engaged unlocking rotation driving the switching of the bolt from the bolt locking to the bolt open position, and permits (ii) a disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation and a subsequent second phase of an engaged locking rotation, the engaged locking rotation driving the switching of the bolt open to bolt locking position. When engaged with the lock, the unit also enables a lock operation that comprises an unlocking sequence that comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the unlocking rotation and inducing the auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said opening rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in said first phase of the unlocking rotation is configured to occur during a first period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the open state, and comprises a locking sequence that comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the locking rotation and inducing the auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said closing rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation is configured to occur during a second period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the closed state.

[0045] The various embodiments described above in relation to the lock apply also, mutatis mutandis, to said unit.

[0046] As used herein, the singular form a, an and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.As used herein, the term about is meant to encompass deviation of ±10% from the specifically mentioned value of a parameter.

[0047] Throughout this disclosure, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any integer or step or group of integers and steps.

[0048] Generally it is noted that the term at least one as applied to any component of a composition of the invention should be read to encompass one, two, three, four, five, six, or more occurrences of said component in the safe lock this disclosure.

[0049] It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosure. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

[0050] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] 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, schematically shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] Fig. 1A is a bottom elevational view of a lock in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure, electrically coupled a power module.

[0053] Fig. IB is top perspective view the lock of Fig. 1 A.

[0054] Fig. 1C is a perspective view of the lock of Fig. IB, with the housing being removed to allow view of some inner elements.

[0055] Figs. 2A-2F are mid-cross-sectional views of the lock in a plane defined by lines II-II in Fig. IB, showing the safe lock in several operational states, including a locked state (Fig. 2A), an intermediate unlocked state (Fig. 2B), an open state (Fig. 2C), alocking-ready state (Fig. 2D), a re-locked state (Fig. 2E), and a secured state (Fig. 2F) being identical to the locked state.

[0056] Figs. 3A-3F are cross-sectional views of the lock in a plane defined by lines III-III in Fig. IB, which is vertically below the plane defined by lines II-II in the orientation shown in Fig. IB, showing the corresponding to the states of Figs. 2A-2F, respectively.

[0057] Figs. 4A-4F are cross-sectional views of the lock along line IV-IV in Fig. IB, in corresponding states to those of Figs. 2A-2F, respectively.

[0058] Fig. 5 is a cross-section along line V-V in Fig. IB, among others, illustrating the bolt-arresting element.

[0059] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0060] In the following description specific embodiments will be described, with reference to the annexed drawings. These specific embodiments are schematic illustrations of the general disclosure discussed above and should not be construed in any way as limiting this disclosure.

[0061] In the following terms such as "top" and "bottom" will be made to indicate directions although such directions do not have any structural or functional significance. For example, an element which is on the top may, when the lock is installed, be at relative lower end of the lock or may be oriented to be on the side in reference to an absolute frame of reference.

[0062] Reference is first made to Fig. 1A, showing a lock 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure, for example a safe lock. The lock 100 has a housing 102 and is coupled through a power line 104 to a power module 106. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the power module, e.g. a battery, may be housed within the housing. The lock (and / or the power module) has an internal control module (not shown) that is wirelessly activated, through a receiver or transceiver, for example, by a mobile communication device with a dedicated application configured to transfer an encrypted activation signal to the control module, the activation signal including an unlocking or locking signal that induce, respective, unlocking and locking sequences discussed below. A transceiver may be configured for transmission of status signal to the mobile communication device, such as, for example an "open" status or a "locked" status signal. These may be activated by appropriate signals from sensor within the housing, such asmicroswitches, that are configured to detect position of certain mechanical elements within the housing and provide a corresponding status signal to the control module.

[0063] As can be seen in Fig. IB, mounted on the housing 102 is a casing element 103, that is fitted to housing 102 through two fastening screws 105, and having a bulging portion 107 that envelopes the upper part 111 of the main electric motor 112 (seen in Fig.

[0064] 1C) that is fitted on top of a base plate 113. The casing element 103, the base plate 113 and the main electric motor 112 jointly constitute a main motor unit that can be removably attached to the casing for the purpose of converting a mechanically operated lock into a motor-operated lock. The mechanically operated lock comprises the housing without the main electric motor, where the bolt is otherwise mechanically operated, through a handle mechanism coupled to the bolt through opening 115. The main electric motor 112 is electrically and electronically linked to the lock's power and electronic circuitry (not shown) through cable 117 and socket 117A that is formed in the housing 102 (it is below casing element and, hence, not seen in Fig. IB).

[0065] In the following the description will be focused on the entire lock with the main motor unit, functioning as one lock.

[0066] As can be seen in Figs. 1 A-1C, the lock comprises a bolt 108, seen in these figures in a bolt locking position. Bolt 108 may be actuated to switch in a linear bolt path, represented in Fig. 2B and 2C by bi-directional arrow 120, from the bolt locking position (Figs. 2A-2B) to a bolt open position (Figs. 2C-2D) in a manner which will be described below.

[0067] Housed within housing 102, as can particularly be seen in Fig. 1C, and as already noted above, is a main electrical motor 112, held within the housing by a motor housing 114, and an auxiliary electrical motor 116. The main motor 112 is rotatable about a vertical axis XI, while the auxiliary motor is rotatable about a horizontal axis X2. The main electric motor 112 is configured to rotate gear 118 that, depending on the direction of rotation, drives bolt 108 to retract into the housing 112 or extracted out of the housing, into respective bolt open position and bolt locking position, by engagement with toothed rack 122 (best seen in Figs. 2A-2F) that is integrally formed with the bolt 108.

[0068] As can be seen in Fig. 1C, formed within the bolt is a bolt-arresting element 119, that is biased to extract out of the bolt surface (opposite that seen in Fig. 1 C). As will also be explained further below, once extracted, the bolt-arresting element 119 functions to hold the bolt in its open position against the bias of spring 114. As will also be explainedbelow, the bolt-arresting element is retractable to permit switching of the bolt from the bolt open position into the bolt locking position and is so retracted by rotation of the blocking cam.

[0069] Reference is now being made to Figs. 2A-4F illustrating several operational states of the lock of Figs. 1 A-1C, where (i) Figs. 2A-2F are cross-sectional views in a mid-plane of the housing, (ii) Figs. 3A-3F show a cross-sectional view along a plane lower than the mid-plane in the view seen in Fig. IB, and (iii) Figs. 4A-4F are cross-sectional views along line IV-IV.

[0070] As can be seen in Figs. 2A-4F, bolt 108 is associated with spring 114 that acts to bias the bolt 108 into the bolt locking position as seen in Figs. 2A-2B and Figs. 2E-2F (and respectively in Figs. 3A-3B, 3E-3F). When the bolt switches to the bolt open position, seen in Figs. 2C-2D (and respectively in Figs. 3C-3D), this is against the bias of spring 114. The switching of the bolt into the bolt open position is through activation of the main electric motor 112, to be explained below. The switch of the bolt to the bolt open position is blocked, in a rest state of the lock, by a bolt blocking mechanism, generally designated 124, that is also housed within housing 102. The bolt blocking mechanism will now be described.

[0071] The blocking mechanism 124 comprises a blocking cam 126, seen in side-view in in Figs. 4A-4F and a cross-sectional view in Figs. 2A-2F. The blocking cam 126 has an extending portion in the form of an arm 128 that in the state shown in Figs. 4A, 4E and 4F blocks the rotational displacement of the bolt 108 from the bolt locking position (seen in Figs. 2A-2B) to the bolt open position (seen in Figs. 2C-2D). The blocking mechanism 124 also comprises an auxiliary electric motor 116, which may be a gear electric motor with a gear ration of about 1 :200. Extending from the auxiliary electric motor is a motor axel 132 and a motor cam 134 fixed to the motor axel 132 and rotatable thereby. The blocking mechanism 124 further comprises a floating block 136 accommodated within a space 138 and fitted over guiding rod 140, space 138 and rod 140 jointly define a linear vertical reciprocation track, guiding reciprocation of the floating block 136 in the direction represented by the bi-directional arrow 142 (shown in Fig. 4A). Floating block 136 is upwardly biased by biasing element, which, in this embodiment, is a helical spring 144 fitted around the guiding rod 140. The floating block 136 can be reciprocally displaced between its first position, seen in Fig. 4A and its second position, seen in Fig.4B, such reciprocation being against the bias of spring 144 in the downwards direction and biased by the spring 144 in the upwards displacement.

[0072] As can be seen, blocking cam 126 that envelopes the motor cam 134, as can best be seen in Figs. 2A-2F, has a rounded projection 146 that fits into a receiving recess 148 in the floating block 136. Consequently, the rotation of the blocking cam 126 causes a concomitant displacement of the floating block 136 to its second position (Fig. 4B) against the bias of biasing element 144.

[0073] The motor cam 134 has a recess 150 on a coupling face thereof, the recess extends between a first recess boundary 152 and a second recess boundary 154. The blocking cam 126 has a coupling projection 156 that fits into recess 150 and permitting relative rotation of the two cams between a first relative rotational position (seen, for example, in Fig. 4A) in which the first recess boundary 152 rests against the coupling projection 156, and a second relative rotational position (seen, for example, in Fig. 4B) in which the second recess boundary 154 rests against the coupling projection 156. This arrangement permits some degree of freedom in the rotation of the motor cam 134 between the two relative rotational positions, and then a coupled rotation where one of the recess boundaries causes coupled rotation of the cams. The coupled rotation when the motor cam 134 rotates in the opening rotation, which in the view of Figs. 4A-4B is clockwise and represented by arcuated arrow 158, yielding a concomitant displacement of the floating block 136, against the bias of spring 144, into the floating block’s second position. Consequently, when rotated in a closing rotation, represented by a counterclockwise arcuated arrow 160 in Fig. 4D, the bias of the spring 144, through the intermediation of the floating blook 136, induces a biased rotation of the blocking cam 126 in the same direction.

[0074] In this embodiment, the motor cam 134 and the blocking cam 126 are both coplanar, although, as already noted above, the co-planarity is an example, and other arrangements are also possible. The blocking mechanism may include microswitches and other sensors having the purpose of indicating the lock status. One such sensors, is microswitch 162 that is engaged when the blocking cam is in the locked position of Figs.

[0075] 4A and 4F, providing an indication that the lock is locked.

[0076] Figs. 2A-2F and corresponding Figs. 3 A-3F and 4A-4F show several operational states, that will now be described.

[0077] In the locked state, shown in Figs. 2A and 4A, arm 128 of blocking cam 126 prevents any displacement of bolt 108. As long as blocking cam 126 remains in thisposition, the lock is locked. Activating the auxiliary motor 116 results first in a free opening rotation of the motor cam 134 and until second recess boundary 154 contacts coupling projection 156, whereupon the motor cam 134 and the blocking cam 126 rotate together into the intermediate state (seen in Figs. 2B, 4B), concomitantly with the displacement of the floating block 136 into the second position, against the bias of spring 144. At this intermediate state, arm 128 is removed from the bolt path, thereby permitting switching of bolt 108 into the bolt open position (Figs. 2C, 4C), in a manner described above.

[0078] The auxiliary motor 116 is then activated into an opposite, closing rotation, represented by arcuated arrow 160, whereupon the bias of spring 144 (through the intermediation of floating block 136) induces rotation of the blocking cam 126 until arm 128 rests on top of bolt 108, and through the relative rotation permitted between the two cams, enables continued motor-induced rotation of the motor cam 134 to the state seen in Fig. 4D, in which recess boundary 152 rests against projection 156. This is a state referred to herein as a “locking-ready state” (Figs. 2D and 4D). In the locking-ready state, when the bolt 108 is switched into the bolt locked position, the blocking cam 126 is biased by spring 144 (through the intermediation of floating block 136) to rotate into its locked state.

[0079] When the bolt is switched into its locking state, the bias exerted by spring 144 causes the locking bolt to switch into its relocked state, blocking again the switch of the bolt 108 into the bolt open state, as seen in Fig. 4E. Subsequently, the auxiliary electric motor 116, with motor cam 134, completes the closing rotation into the secure state, seen in Fig. 4F, which is identical to the initial state, that of Fig. 4A.

[0080] Reference is now being made to Figs. 3A-3F, which, as noted above, showing operational states that correspond to those of Figs. 2A-2F, respectively. In the cross-sectional plane defined by line III-III (Fig. IB), shown is the engagement mechanism 200, between the main electric motor 112 (not seen in Figs. 3A-3F) and the bolt 108. The main motor 112 is rotatable about axis XI, and is configured to rotate gear 118 (seen in Figs.

[0081] 2A-2F) through the engagement mechanism 200, the operation of which will now be described.

[0082] The motor axel (not shown) of the main electric motor 112 is integral with, or rotationally fixed to, wheel 202. Thus, rotation of the motor will cause concomitantrotation of wheel 202. In the following the rotation of the motor will be explained and illustrated with reference to the rotation of the wheel 202.

[0083] Wheel 202 has an arched slot 204 that is defined between two limiting ends 206A,206B, separated by a solid bridge portion 208. Pin 210 is received within slot 204 and has curved walls that fit the corresponding juxtaposed surface portions of the slot. The wheel 202 with the slot 204 is one member of an engagement mechanism with the pin 210 being the other member of this mechanism. This pin and slot arrangement enables free relative rotation of the wheel between one engaged rotational position, in which limiting end 206A engages pin 210, and another engaged position in which limiting end 206B engages pin 210. Accordingly, when the main electric motor 112 rotates in a counterclockwise rotation represented by arcuated arrow 212 (Fig. 3 A), there would be a free rotation of the motor 112 and associated wheel 202 between the angular position shown in Fig. 3A and that shown in Fig. 3B, in which the pin 210 comes to engage the opposite limiting end 206B. Then the follow-on rotation along the same direction 212 will yield an engaged rotational movement, causing the concomitant rotation of pin 210, and with it, rotation of associated gear 118. This causes switching of bolt 108 to the bolt open position, as explained above. This occurs in the unlocking rotation of the main electric motor 112. The opposite occurs in the locking rotation, as seen in Figs. 3D-3F. Each of the unlocking and locking rotations has two phases.

[0084] In a first phase of the unlocking rotation, which is a counter-clockwise rotation, driving the rotation of wheel 202 between the rotational position thereof seen in Fig. 3 A to that seen in Fig. 3B, and a subsequent second phase of an engaged unlocking rotation, between the rotational position seen in Fig. 3B to that seen in Fig. 3C, in which shoulder 206B engages pin 210 and rotates jointly therewith. This drives the switching of the bolt 108 from the bolt locking to the bolt open position, as noted above. In a first phase of the locking rotation, which is a clockwise rotation, driving the rotation of wheel 202 between the rotational position thereof seen in Fig. 3C to that seen in Fig. 3E, through intermediate positions, one of which being seen in Fig. 3D, and a subsequent second phase of an engaged locking rotation, in which shoulder 206A engages pin 210 and rotates jointly therewith between the rotational position seen in Fig. 3E to that seen in Fig. 3F, which is identical to that seen in Fig. 3A. This drives the switching of the bolt 108 from the bolt open to the bolt locking position, as noted above.The lock is operable to have an unlocking sequence and a locking sequence. In the unlocking sequence the main electric motor 112 is induced to rotate in the unlocking rotation and the auxiliary electric motor 116 is induced to rotate in said opening rotation. The disengaged rotation of the main electric motor 112 in said first phase of the unlocking rotation is configured to occur during a first period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor 112 to complete rotation from its locked state (Fig. 2A) to its open state (Fig. 2C). In the locking sequence both electric motor are again activate to rotate in an opposite rotational direction, including locking rotation of the main electric motor 112 and closing rotation of the auxiliary electric motor 116, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation is configured to occur during a second period of time (which may be the same or different then the first period of time) sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the secured or locked state (Figs. 2F and 2A).

[0085] Reference is now being made to Fig. 5, with particular reference being made to bolt 108 and the bolt-arresting element 119. Bolt-arresting element 119 is housed in bore 123, in which it can reciprocate against the bias of spring 121, which biases bolt-arresting element 119 into an extended state (seen in Fig 5). In this state, heat portion 125 of the bolt-arresting element 119 extends out of the bore, beyond the upper surface 108A of the bolt 108. The bore is formed such that in the open position of the bolt 108, seen in Fig. 5, the head portion 125 juxtaposes the arm 128 of the blocking cam 126. In this state the blocking cam 126 is in the non-blocking state, defining a space into which head portion 125 can extend. In this extended state, head portion 125 rests against a shoulder 127, and thereby blocks the bolt 108 from switching into the bolt locking position by the bias of spring 114 (not seen in this figure).

[0086] When the locking sequence is induced, blocking cam 126 rotates, causing arm 128 to bear onto head portion 125, causing the bolt-arresting element to retract into bore 123, to thereby permit the switch of bolt 108 into the bolt locking position.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lock, comprising:a housing, that houses a bolt, a bolt blocking mechanism, a main electric motor, and an engagement mechanism; whereinthe bolt being switchable, in a bolt path extending in a locking plane, between a bolt open position and a bolt locking position, the switching being by rotation of the main electric motor that is coupled to the bolt through the coupling mechanism;the bolt blocking mechanism comprisesa blocking cam that is rotatable in a cam plane normal to said locking plane, between a blocking state, in which the blocking cam blocks the bolt from switching into the bolt open position, and a non-blocking state in which such switching is enabled,a floating block that is reciprocally displaceable between a first block position and a second block position, and being biased, by a biasing element, into a first block position, and comprisesan auxiliary electric motor that is rotatable in an opening rotation between a closed state and an open state and rotatable in a closing rotation between the open state and the closed state, whereinthe blocking cam, the floating block and the auxiliary electric motor being coupled to one another such that the opening rotation of the auxiliary electric motor causes rotation of the blocking cam between the blocking state to the unblocking state and a displacement of the floating block from the first block position into the second block position, and such that the bias of the biasing element on the floating block biases rotation of the blocking cam back into said blocking state;the main electric motor being rotatable in an unlocking rotation between a first rotational position in which the bolt is in the bolt locking position to a second rotational position in which the bolt is in the bolt open position, and being rotatable in a locking rotation between the second position to the first position, the main electric motor being engageable with the bolt by an engagement mechanism permittinga disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the unlocking rotation and a subsequent second phase of an engaged unlocking rotation, theengaged unlocking rotation driving the switching of the bolt from the bolt locking to the bolt open position, and permittinga disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation and a subsequent second phase of an engaged locking rotation, the engaged locking rotation driving the switching of the bolt open to bolt locking position; and whereinthe lock is operable to havean unlocking sequence that comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the unlocking rotation and inducing the auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said opening rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in said first phase of the unlocking rotation is configured to occur during a first period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the open state, and to havea locking sequence that comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the locking rotation and inducing the auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said closing rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation is configured to occur during a second period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the closed state.

2. The lock of claim 1, whereinthe engagement mechanism comprises a first engagement member, rotationally coupled to the main motor and a second engagement member rotationally coupled to the bolt to induce switching of the bolt between the open and the locking position, both members rotational about an axis, one of the two members comprising an arched slot defined between two limiting ends, and the other comprising a pin received in the slot, and whereinthe relative movement of the pin in the slot between the two limiting ends enables the two first phases and the engagement of the pin with one of the two ends enables the engaged rotation of the two members in the two second phases.

3. The lock of claim 1 or 2, wherein said first member comprises said slot and said second member comprises said pin.

4. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main motor, the first member and the second member are rotatable about an axis normal to said locking plane.

5. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a control module with a wireless receiver or transceiver that is configured for activating said opening sequence and for activating said locking sequence, the activation being triggered by respective unlocking and locking control signals received from a wireless device.

6. The lock of claim 5, wherein the main electric motor and the auxiliary electric motor are activated simultaneously in said opening sequence.

7. The lock of claim 5 or 6, wherein the main electric motor and the auxiliary electric motor are activated simultaneously in said locking sequence.

8. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the blocking cam has an extending portion that, in the blocking state, is situated within the bolt path to thereby block the switch of the bolt into the bolt open position.

9. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the blocking cam is physically coupled to the floating block.

10. The lock of claim 9, whereinthe floating block has a depression,the blocking cam has a projection that fits into the depression the coupling being through such fitting, andthe coupling permitting concomitant rotation of the blocking cam and linear reciprocation of the blocking cam.

11. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the floating block is reciprocally displaceable between a first block position and a second block position in a linear track.

12. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein rotational force exerted by the auxiliary motor exceeds that of the biasing force of the biasing element.

13. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bolt locking mechanism comprises a motor cam fixedly coupled to the axel of the auxiliary motor, the coupling of the motor axle to the blocking cam being through the motor cam.

14. The lock of claim 13, wherein the motor cam and the blocking cam are co-planar.

15. The lock of claim 14, wherein the coupling between the motor cam and the blocking cam is configured to permit a degree of relative rotation between the two cams.

16. The lock of claim 15, wherein in the rotation between the closed state and the open state, the motor cam has a first free rotation phase and a subsequent coupled rotation of the two cams.

17. The lock of claim 15 or 16, whereinone of the motor cam and the blocking cam has a recess having a first recess boundary and a second recess boundary, defined on a coupling face facing the other one of the motor cam and the blocking cam, andthe other one of the motor cam and the blocking cam has a projection fitting into said recess permitting relative rotation of the motor cam and the blocking cam, between a first relative rotational position in which the first recess boundary rests against said projection and a second relative rotational position in which the second recess boundary rests against said projection.

18. The lock of claim 17, wherein said recess is defined in the coupling face of the motor cam and said projection in the blocking cam.

19. The lock of claim 17 or 18, havinga first, locked operational state, in which the motor cam is in the first rotational state, with said first recess boundary resting against said projection, thereby blocking rotation of the blocking cam;a second, intermediate operational state, in which the motor cam is rotated such that the second recess boundary comes to rest against said projection, whereby further rotation of the motor cam towards the second position yields concurrent rotation of the blocking cam against the bias of the biasing element;a third, open operational state in which the motor cam is in said second rotational state and said blocking cam is in the non-blocking state, permitting to switch the bolt from the locking position into the bolt open position; anda fourth, locking-ready operational state in which the blocking cam is in said locking-ready intermediate state, whereby upon switching the bolt into the bolt locking position the blocking cam can rotate into said first rotational sate, the rotation being induced by the bias of said biasing element.

20. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the displacement of the bolt between the bolt open position and bolt locking positions is along a linear path.

21. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the displacement of the bolt between the bolt open position and the bolt locking position is along a rotary path.

22. The lock of claim 20 or 21, whereinthe bolt comprises a bolt-arresting element housed in a bore in the bolt that is oriented normal to the locking plane, the bolt-arresting element reciprocable within the bore between an extended state in which a portion thereof extends out of the bore and aretracted state in which said portion is fully housed within the bore and biased into an extended state,the bore is formed such that when the bolt is in the open position, the bolt-arresting element juxtaposes the blocking cam, extends to the extended state to thereby arresting the blot in the bolt open position, and wherein,when the blocking cam rotates to the non-blocking state, the blocking cam pushes the bolt-arresting element to induce retraction thereof, permitting switching of the bolt into the bolt locking position.

23. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 22, for retrofitting a safe.

24. A safe comprising the lock of any one of claim 1 to 23.

25. A unit for converting a mechanically operated lock into a motor-operated lock; the lock comprising:a housing, that houses a bolt and a bolt blocking mechanism, the bolt being switchable, in a bolt path extending in a locking plane, between a bolt open position and a bolt locking position, and the bolt blocking mechanism comprises (i) a blocking cam that is rotatable in a cam plane normal to said locking plane, between a blocking state, in which the blocking cam blocks the bolt from switching into the bolt open position, and a non-blocking state in which such switching is enabled, (ii) a floating block that is reciprocally displaceable between a first block position and a second block position, and being biased, by a biasing element, into a first block position, and comprises (iii) an auxiliary electric motor that is rotatable in an opening rotation between a closed state and an open state and rotatable in a closing rotation between the open state and the closed state; wherein the blocking cam, the floating block and the auxiliary electric motor being coupled to one another such that the opening rotation of the auxiliary electric motor causes rotation of the blocking cam between the blocking state to the unblocking state and a displacement of the floating block from the first block position into the second block position, and such that the bias of the biasing element on the floating block biases rotation of the blocking cam back into said blocking state;the unit comprising a main electric motor and an engagement mechanism, the main electric motor being rotatable in an unlocking rotation and in an opposite locking rotation, and configured for engagement with the lock; wherein when engaged rotation of the main electric motor in the unlocking rotation operates to switch the bolt between the bolt locking position to the bolt open position, and rotationof the main electric motor in the locking rotation operates to switch the bolt between the bolt open position to the bolt locking position, the main electric motor being engageable with the bolt by an engagement mechanism permitting (i) a disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the unlocking rotation and a subsequent second phase of an engaged unlocking rotation, the engaged unlocking rotation driving the switching of the bolt from the bolt locking to the bolt open position, and permitting (ii) a disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation and a subsequent second phase of an engaged locking rotation, the engaged locking rotation driving the switching of the bolt open to bolt locking position; and whereinthe lock is operable to have (x) an unlocking sequence that comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the unlocking rotation and inducing the auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said opening rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in said first phase of the unlocking rotation is configured to occur during a first period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the open state, and to have (y) a locking sequence that comprises inducing activation of the main electric motor to rotate in the locking rotation and inducing the auxiliary electric motor to rotate in said closing rotation, the disengaged rotation of the main electric motor in a first phase of the locking rotation is configured to occur during a second period of time sufficient to permit the auxiliary electric motor to complete rotation to the closed state.

26. The unit of claim 25, whereinthe engagement mechanism comprises a first engagement member, rotationally coupled to the main motor and a second engagement member rotationally coupled to the bolt to induce switching of the bolt between the open and the locking position, both members rotational about an axis, one of the two members comprising an arched slot defined between two limiting ends, and the other comprising a pin received in the slot, and whereinthe relative movement of the pin in the slot between the two limiting ends enables the two first phases and the engagement of the pin with one of the two ends enables the engaged rotation of the two members in the two second phases.

27. The unit of claim 25 or 26, wherein said first member comprises said slot and said second member comprises said pin.

28. The unit of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the main motor, the first member and the second member are rotatable about an axis normal to said locking plane.

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