Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
V3S~7
Cod~_~y~ o ~ for_saf~s.
'~he object of this invelltion consists of a cocle type
;ock comprising a key operated bolt and an eLectronic device
capable of storin~ a code and pe~ ittin~r or preventing the
opening of said bolt depending on the coincidence or non-coin~
cidence of another code entered through a keyboard with the
~ previously stored code.
~his lock is intended to be used in a safe and pre-
sents the particularity whereby each time said safe is opened
J IO the stored code is erased and the user~ on leaving it closed,
is able to set a new code, which rnay be identical to or dif-
-~ ferent from the previously stored one.
By mere vray of illustration, it is indicated -that
the use of safes provided with this type of lock is extremely
advantageous for hotel rooms, as on each occasion each guest
will be able to apply a different code to the lock o the safe
installed in his room and will thus obtain a high degree of
security. With the system which has been deve:Loped it is fu
ther possible to make i~ unnecessary for users to carry the
keys of their corresponding safes with them; hence, said users
will not have to run the risk of losing thern.
If an unauthorized person unfamiliar with the n~nber
of the code entered at the time in the safe wished to open it
he would attempt to do so by pressing keys to try his luck and
endeavour to find the correct code with which said safe has to
be opened. ~
The object of this in~ention pro~ides a means of
dissuading said undue manipulations which consists in bloc}ing
the lock for a certain time, for example, half an hour, when
the keyboard is unduly pressed. In addition, there are alarm
3~ 2.
means which are energized by that misuse.
' The control system requires a direct current elec
j tric power supp~y, for which reason the safes will have to be
connected to the mains through a current rectifying system.
The in~ention further provides:
- An emergency power supply system with a battery,
which is energized in the eve~t of a failure in the mains
supply.
- A suitably arranged system of lamps which will
always show the state of the various components of the safe
and, if pertinent, indicate the possibility of performing t~e
necessary operations to open it.
- ~ key which has to be inserted in the lock of -the
safe on co~nencing the service, which serves as an activator
thereof and has a mechanical system which prevents its extrac-
tion v~hen the pin of the lock is engaged.
To activate the control system, the key has at its
forward end d~y positioned conductor rings which, with their
¦ positioning~ number, mutual separation and thickness, also
make it possible to obtain a high number of combinations so
that only one key may be used with a given safe.
'llo improve the function of this safe it is desirable
to provide an arrangement which enables an authorized person
to open the safe when it is closed and, therefore, have access
to the mechanisms and other mechanical ~ld electronic systems
~ of the safe located in its rear part.
t For this purpose, the present invention has developed
an arrangement according to which, when the safe is closed, it
is nevertheless possible to open it, in an emergency, with a
special auxiliary key which shifts the entire lock unit
backward, therefore releasing the anchoring systems which close
its rear cover, thanks to this it is possible to attain access
to the mechanisms and other mechanical and electronic systems of
the safe.
However, in the case of normal operation, the lock
unit is only actuated by a striker with an electric motor and
solely in case of emergency is it actuated with the special
auxiliary key.
The invention will be described below with reference
to the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 shows, in block diagram form, the operation
of the electric circuits of the lock,
Figure 2 schematically shows the key in its co-
operation with a pin;
Figure 3A shows the electromechanical combination of
the system in the position in which the key is disengaged and
the door open,
Figure 3B shows a detail of the preceding Figure
depicting the position in which the key is blocked,
Figure 4 shows a section, along line IV-IV, of
Figure 3A,
Figures 5A and 5B are partially sectional side eleva-
tional views of the lock unit, to show the inside thereof in its
blocked position and in its shifted position, respect.ively,
Figures 6A and 6B are front elevational and sectional
views, respectively, along line VIB-VIB, of the rear cover with
its anchoring system in the blocked position, the internal
latches and pawls being shown in outline,
~ Figures 7A and 7B are front elevational and
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sectional views, respectively, along line VIIB-VIIB, of said
anchoring system of the rear cover in the released position, the
internal latches and pawls being shown in outline.
To explain the operation of the safe, refexence will be
made firstly to the manner in which the code is entered in its
lock. This code is entered after closing the door of the safe,
for which it will suffice to turn the pin P shown in figure 2.
Referring now to figure 1, the key is then inserted in the corres-
ponding keyhole 2 of the lock, on reaching the correct stop, this
key will activate an electronic device which detects its presence,
this electronic device is formed by an optoelectronic detector 3
which starts a timer 4 and an electronic switch 5, the impulse
passes through the flip-flop switch 13, the green lamp 10A will
then turn on, this green lamp will remain lit until a predeter-
mined period of time elapses, for example, 30 seconds.
If it is not desired to block the door of the safe
with the code lock according to the invention, that is, if it is
not desired to set any code in the main storage 39, the door can
be closed with the key operated bolt only, independently from the
electronic circuit, and the green lamp will turn off after a pre-
determined period of time, for example, 30 seconds.
On the other hand, if it is desired to leave the safe
closed with the code lock according to the invention, entering
the code which the user considers appropriate in the main stor-
age 39, the key is inserted in the keyhole 2 and the code in
question, formed by a pre-established number of digits, is
pressed out on the keyboard 1. Each digit is visualized in
said main storage 39.
7 5-
After the last of the digits is pressed ou~, the
yellow l.~mp 10-B turns on, through ~he counter 4-0, which means
tha-t the code has been accepted.
If less digits than the pre-established number are
pressed Ollt, the impulses will be coun-ted by thc- countel 40
which, on being connected with the yellow lamp 10-B, will make
3 the latter turn on and flash for a predetermined time, for
`15 example, ~ seconds, thanks to the action of the timer 44~ it
then being possible to enter a new code. In tnis case, the
inputs 42-L~ serve to reset the main storage and the counter.
'~he subsequent digits which might be pressed out on the key-
board would not be accepted.
'~he opening of the safe with a code already entered
and stored in the code lock subject of the invention will be
-~ 15 described below, again referring to figure 1.
When the user wishes to open said safe he firstly
makes the ~ey, inserted in the keyhole 2, reach the correct
stop, activating the electronic device which detects its pre
sence, through the components 3, 4 and 5; the il;npulse passes
~¦ 20 through an oscillator 6 and a decoder ~ and turns on the
yellow lamp 10-B.
J When the yello~ lamp lOB turns on, this indicates
that a code is registered in the main storage 39 of the system
and that there is a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds,
to enter the correct code throug}l the keyboard 1, operated
through the encoder 7. The impulses of the di~its pressed ou~
on the keyboard 1 will go to the opening storage 29 and ~qill
be compared in the comparator 46 with the code contained in
the storage 39.
If the result of this operation is positive, that
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is, i~ there is coincidence, the comparator 46 will emit an
impulse to:~ard the flip-flop SWitC-L 13 which, in turn, ~ill
turll on the green lamp lOA. ~t the same tirne, the m in stora~e
39 will be cleare or erased through the input 48.
When the green lc~mp lOA turns on alone in a conti-
nuous manner, this indicates that the lock can ~e opened by
depressing the opening permission button of the keyboard 1 and
that there is a predetermined time for this, for example, 4
seconds. The lock can then be opened. ~his predetermined
period, for example, 4 seconds, is set through the timer 19.
¦ When the green lamp lOA turns on alone and in a
flashing ~anner, this indicates that the voltage of the cur-
rent supp]ied by the battery 25 sensed by the detector 24 is
lower than a predetermined voltage, for example, 9 volts.
If an incorrect code is pressed out or no code at
all is pressed out after the yellow lamp has turned on and
the pre-established time, for example, 30 seconds, has passed,
this fact will be registered in a counter 28 of the storage
1 and af-ter another predetermined period passes, for exc~lple~
¦ 20 10 seconds, the yello~ lamp lOB will commence flashin~ for a
short period of time, set by the timer 34, for example, four
seconds, thanks to the action of the unit 35; as soon as said
lamp co~ences flashing i-t will be possible to try to enter
1 another code. A signal is simultaneously supplied from the
~ 25 counter 28 to the door 32 to stop the timer 61 when a certain
! number of digits has been entered.
If three attempts have been made to press out incor-
rect codes and there is no coincidence bet~Jeen the code stored
in the main storage 39 and the code or codes entered throu~h
the keyboard 1, the yellow lamp lOB will turn off and the red
.
V~5~ 7.
l~mp 11 will turn on, thus indicating that the current supply
24 or 25 for the systen has been cut off for a predetermined
period of time, ~or e~nple, half an hour, thanks to the
action of the timer 36.
The lock according to the invention is also provided
with an alarm system, to signal possible undue manipulations,
comprising three sensors 49: a first thermal sensor, a second
movement sensor and a third sensor formed by a microswitch for
¦ the door. Inside the lock, the sensors operate a timer 50
~ 10 through a door 51 which actuates an electronic switch 52 to
¦ energize an alarm siren or a warning light 53.
. ~'he 110-220 volt alternating current mains 54 are
used as the primary electric power supply for the electric
circuits ~hich have just been described. From said mains the
curren-t is passed through a transformer ~hich converts it to
13.5 volts. From there it passes to a diode bridge where it
is converted into direct current. From this point the current
i passes to a 5 vol-t direct current regulator 5~, which suppliesthé entire electronic system, except the mechanical lock,
1 20 which is actuated by the solenoid 22, and the siren 53. In
the event of a failure in the mains, the system would be sup-
plied from the battery 25, through the door 57; thc inven-tion
also provides an auxiliary battery charging unit.
In the event of a failure in the mains supply~ a
sensor 55 will activate a flashing unit 5G ~hich m~{es the
red lamp commence flashing by;action of the door 37. The bat-
tery will then be connected and will asswne the task of sup-
plying the electric circuits of the device.
Finally, it has to be indicated that if for any
reason the user loses or forgets the opening code set in the
7 8 r
main storage, there is a master code which permits the lcck to
~e opened, whate~er may be the code existing in sa:id main
storage.
Referring now to figure 2, the key is designated
there with the general reference 101.
On the external end of the key there is a detachable
handle. If anyone attempts to extract the key by force, this
handle breaks off from the body of the key, which remains in-
side the lock.
In ~ront of the body of the key there is a reinforced
stop lC4 which lirnits the movement of the key. This stop is
solidly co~Lnected with the door 103, sho~Nn in section, in said
figure 2.
~'he body of the key is provided with a circular
recess which cooperates with a likewise circular pin P, which
prevents its extraction from the time at ~thich the lock is
engaged.
On the internal end of the body of the key, the lat-
I ter makes contact ~tith the microswitch Ml, through duly posi~
tioned conductor rings 105. With the thickness and the nwnbcr
of rings, the separation between rings and the positioning
thereof it is possible to create extremely nurnerous cornbina-
tions, as previously explained.
! In figures 3A (key disengaged and door open), 3~)
(key blocked and shaft blocked lock) and 4, l~ql designatcs the
key microswitch; ~I2 the lock microswitch (open); ~3 the lock
microswitch (closed); and M4 the shaft R actuating microswitch.
designates the control microcornputer. This v~ry strong
shaft R, controlled by the solenoid 122, blocks the pin P in
the cases where said solenoid operates.
5~
As has been said, an auxiliary battery is provided for
the cases of mains current cutoffs. However, since this is a
low power battery, it cannot energize the solenoid, which cannot
therefore actuate the strong shaft R, the result of this is that
the pin P can be forced and the shaft can break. In order to
provide for this contingency, the pin P and the manual actuator
T are connected by a spring S so that the shaft cannot break on
attempting to force the system.
Figures 5A and SB show the situation of wall 207 and
door 209, and on the one hand, the lock unit assembly 201 and, on
the other, the pertinent parts with which an authoriz~d person
can open the safe even if it is closed.
In the normal position, the lock unit has its latch
203 inserted in the hole 205 existing in the wall 207 of the
safe, whereby the latter is kept closed.
When said authorized person wishes to open the safe, he
inserts a special key in the keyhole 202 of the lock and turns
the camming pin 204, which is applied against the slot 206 of the
lock unit' this pin 204 pushes said slot and, consequently, the
entire lock unit 201 backward, whereupon the latch 203 is released
from the hole 205 and the safe is opened.
Figures 6A and 6B, as well as figures 7A and 7B, show
the rear cover of the safe, which normally prevents access to
the mechanisms and mechanical systems thereof.
In the normal position (figures 6A and 6B), the latches
211, 212 and 213 are inserted in the holes 21~, 215 and 216,
respectively, of the walls of the safe, whereby the rear cover
remains fixed.
On inserting the special key, these latches move and
are released from the holes, passing to the position of
3~i~7 l(Jo
, figures 7~ and 7~, whereupon the entire rear cover can be re-
i moved, then attailling the desired access -to -the mentioned
IlleCh~nis~ nl mech~ ical ~ld electronic s~stems.
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