ARRANGEMENT, AND A KEY AND LOCK FOR A LOCK ARRANGEMENT

FIELD OF INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to lock arrangements, and to a cabinet comprising a lock arrangement, particularly to a cabinet of the type utilized in power distribution applications, as well as a lock and a suitable key for a lock arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cabinets of the type used in power distribution are typically in the form of steel boxes having suitable locking arrangements which engage with inner chassis which are usually mounted at particular locations. Power cables, and the like are then attached to distribution boards located on the chassis.

The locking arrangements associated with conventional cabinets of the type contemplated herein often comprise conventional key and tumbler type of arrangements which allows one to gain access to the chassis using a mated key. However a problem associated with these conventional locking mechanisms is that it takes very little to overcome the locking mechanism. For example, a metal rod driven through the same is often enough to dislodge the locking mechanism from the cabinet. Moreover, mated keys are often difficult to keep proper track of as not all locking mechanisms make use of the same keys.

It is thus an object of the present invention at least to address the aforementioned problems by providing an alternate locking mechanism and cabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock arrangement comprising: a first bracket; a locking bolt assembly attachable, and resiliently displaceable relative, to the first bracket between a locked position and an unlocked position; a guide channel member defining a guide channel with a predetermined length, wherein the guide channel has an entrance inlet to receive and direct a key to the locking bolt assembly; a key comprising a proximal handle end portion, and a distal end portion spaced from the handle end portion by an intermediate portion, wherein the distal end portion is transversely displaceable between a first position in which the distal end portion is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the intermediate portion, and a second position in which the distal end portion is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the intermediate portion (or the longitudinal axis of the key), wherein the key is slidably receivable in the guide channel, wherein at a predetermined location whilst the key travels in the guide channel, the distal end portion is permitted to displace transversely to the second position in which it is adjacent the locking bolt assembly such that actuation of the key causes displacement of the locking bolt assembly between the locked and unlocked positions, in use.

It will be noted that the first bracket, the locking bolt assembly and the guide channel member may collectively be referred to as the lock.

The actuation of the key in the guide channel may be rotation of the key in the guide channel such that the distal end portion thereof engages with the locking bolt assembly and said rotation of the key urges the locking bolt assembly between the locked and unlocked positions. The rotation may be clockwise to urge the locking bolt assembly to the locked position and anticlockwise to urge the locking bolt assembly to the un-locked position, or vice versa, i.e., clockwise to the unlocked position and anti-clockwise to the locked position.

The first bracket may be in the form of a mounting bracket mountable to a surface by suitable means. In this regard, the term "first bracket" may be used interchangeably with the term "mounting bracket". It will be noted that the suitable means may be selected from a group comprising welding or weld joints, screws, bolts, and the like.

The locking bolt assembly may comprise a locking bolt displaceable relative to the first bracket via a spring. The locking bolt may be cylindrical and the spring may this be co-axially arranged around the locking bolt. The spring may be a helical spring provided at a predetermined tensioning.

The first bracket may comprise at least one locking aperture, and wherein the locking bolt is located in the at least one locking aperture and may be resiliently displaceable along its longitudinal axis in the locking aperture between the locked and unlocked positions of the locking bolt assembly.

The locking bolt assembly may comprise a trigger bracket, wherein the trigger bracket is attached to the locking bolt. The trigger bracket may be displaceably attached to the first bracket via the spring.

The locking bolt may couple the first bracket and the trigger bracket. The spring may be disposed between the first bracket and the trigger bracket so as to facilitate resilient displacement of the trigger bracket relative to the first bracket, in use.

The first bracket and the trigger bracket may each comprise a pair of parallel walls. For example, the first bracket may be a U-shaped bracket having a pair of parallel walls or may be two planar plates welded together in a parallel configuration. The parallel walls of the first bracket may define aligned locking apertures in which the locking bolt is slidably receivable in.

The locking bolt may be in the form of an elongate cylindrical rod disposed between parallel walls of the trigger bracket. One end of the locking bolt may be mounted to one wall of the trigger bracket, and a free end of the locking bolt may project through the opposite wall of the trigger bracket.

The trigger bracket may be arranged in a nested fashion relative to the first bracket such that the locking bolt passes through both locking apertures of the first bracket, and the spring is located between one wall of the first bracket and the wall of the trigger bracket through which the free end of the locking bolt projects.

It will be noted that in the locked position, the spring may be in an expanded or extended condition, and wherein the in the un-locked position, the spring may be in a compressed condition.

The key may be in the form of an elongate rod having a handle at the end of the handle end portion. The distal end portion may have a smaller length than the intermediate portion thereof and may be hingedly connected to the intermediate portion. The key may thus comprise a suitable hinge connecting the intermediate portion and the distal portion.

The guide channel may be shaped and dimensioned to receive the key. The guide channel may be adapted to permit the distal end of the key to be displaced to the second position when the distal end portion travels therein to the predetermined location. In the second position, the distal end portion of the key may be suitability located to engage the locking bolt assembly so as to cause displacement thereof between the locked and unlocked positions. The guide channel comprises an outlet spaced from the inlet at the predetermined length. The outlet may be located adjacent the locking bolt assembly. The predetermined length may be selected to permit the distal end portion to be adjacent to the locking bolt assembly as the distal end portion travels out of the outlet of the guide channel. The distal end portion may be displaced to the second position as it exits the outlet by one or both of gravity and by way of a suitable interference formation urging the distal end portion into displacement into the second position. The interference formation may be a projection provided along the path of travel of the key to interact with the distal end portion to urge the same to the second position. The distal end portion may have a suitable formation for complementary engagement with the interference formation to assist in urging the same to the second position. The distal end portion may be constructed of the same, or a different material than the other parts of the key.

The distal end portion may comprise a suitable electronic communication module which at least identifies the particular key.

The communication module may be selected from a group comprising a RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) tag, NFC (Near Field Communication) tag, and a magnetic tag.

The guide channel, or the locking bolt assembly may comprise a suitable electronic communication module; and a processor configured to generate a suitable log signal in response to the communication module of the distal end portion coming into contact with the communication module associated of the guide channel or the locking bolt assembly. The processor may be one or more microprocessors, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), microcontrollers, or the like.

The communication module associated with the guide channel, or the locking bolt assembly, is matched to read the communication module associated with the distal end portion, wherein the communication module associated with the guide channel, or the locking bolt assembly, is selected from a group comprising a RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) tag reader, NFC (Near Field Communication) tag reader, and a magnetic tag reader.

The processor may be communicatively coupled to a geographical positioning system (GPS), wherein the suitable log signal is capable of identifying the key and the geographical location.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cabinet assembly comprising: a chassis; a housing adapted to fit over the chassis; and a lock arrangement as described above, wherein the first bracket, the guide channel, and locking bolt assembly are attachable to the housing, wherein the locking bolt assembly is configured to engage with the chassis to fasten the housing to the chassis in the locked position with the locking bolt assembly in the locked position, and wherein the key is configured to operate the locking bolt assembly. The cabinet assembly may comprise a pair of locking mechanisms, wherein the first brackets, the guide channels, and locking bolt assemblies are mountable in an interior of the housing. The keys for the pair of locking mechanisms may be provided with varying lengths and guide channel lengths to ensure that the guide channels are configured to allow for the displacement of the distal end of the keys. The housing may define an aperture adjacent to the inlet opening of the guide channel for receipt of the key therein.

The locking bolt assembly may be normally in a locked position and is resiliently displaceable to an unlocked position therefrom. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock for a lock assembly, particularly a lock assembly as described above, the lock comprising: a first bracket; a locking bolt assembly attachable, and resiliently displaceable relative, to the first bracket between a locked position and an unlocked position; a guide channel member defining a guide channel with a predetermined length, wherein the guide channel has an entrance inlet to receive and direct a matching key to the locking bolt assembly.

Other aspects of the lock may be apparent from the foregoing. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a key for a lock assembly, particularly a lock assembly as described above, wherein the key comprises: a proximal handle end portion, and a distal end portion spaced from the handle end portion by an intermediate portion, wherein the distal end portion is transversely displaceable between a first position in which the distal end portion is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the intermediate portion, and a second position in which the distal end portion is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the intermediate portion.

The distal end portion may be adapted to drop to the second position under effect of gravity. The length of at least the intermediate portion may be matched to the distance between the inlet of the guide channel to a location of the locking bolt assembly. Other aspects of the key may be apparent from the foregoing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG 1 shows a three dimensional view of a portion of a cabinet assembly with an exploded view of a lid thereof comprising a pair of locking mechanisms and showing a cutaway of its housing illustrating a portion of a chassis thereof;

FIG 2 shows another three-dimensional view of a cabinet assembly in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention illustrating a cut away from the housing thereby illustrating a chassis thereof in accordance with the invention;

FIG 3 shows sectional view of a portion of the cabinet assembly at Ill-Ill in accordance with the locking bolt arrangement and thus the locking bolt assembly in a locked position;

FIG 4 shows sectional view of a portion of the cabinet assembly at Ill-Ill in accordance with the invention with the locking bolt arrangement and thus the locking bolt assembly in an un-locked position;

FIG 5 shows a three dimensional view of a cut away of portion of a cabinet assembly in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention illustrating interaction with a key in accordance with the invention with the chassis locked to the housing;

FIG 6 shows a three dimensional view of a cut away of portion of a cabinet assembly in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention illustrating interaction with a key in accordance with the invention with the chassis locked to the housing;

FIG 7 shows a three dimensional view of a cut away of portion of a cabinet assembly in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention illustrating interaction with a key in accordance with the invention with the chassis un-locked from the housing; and

FIG 8A & B illustrate a key in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention in first and second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of an embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details.

Referring to FIGs 1 to 7 of the drawings a cabinet assembly in accordance with an example embodiment the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The cabinet assembly 10 may typically be in the form of a cabinet assembly for use in electrical distribution arrangements (not shown), whereby the cabinet assembly 10 comprises a chassis 12 and a housing 14 which encloses the chassis 12 in a locked fashion as can best be seen in Figure 2.

The various electrical components associated with the electrical distribution arrangement may be attachable to the chassis 12 which is typically sealed from access by way of the housing 14 which enclosed the chassis 12 as will be discussed below. Though described with respect to electrical installations, it will be understood that the locking mechanism as well as the cabinet assembly 10 as described herein need not necessarily be limited to electrical distributions as may find application in other fields of endeavour. In any event, the housing 14 comprises rectangular box-like shroud 14.1 , hereinafter referred to as the "housing", and a lid 14.2. The housing 14.1 had open ends to slidably be located over the chassis 12, the latter being fixedly located at a particular location. The housing 14.1 may thus be shaped and dimensioned to receive and enclose the chassis 12. The lid 14.2 comprises a pair of locking mechanisms 16, 18 in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. The housing 14.1 typically encloses the chassis 12 completely with the lid 14.2 being lockably attachable to the open top portion thereof to lock the housing 14.1 to the chassis 12 in a fashion to restrict unauthorised access to the chassis 12, as will be described below.

The other open portion of the housing 14.1 , located adjacent the ground, may in some cases be lockable to bottom of the chassis 12 or the ground with suitable conventional locks, such as padlocks, etc. Notwithstanding being described as a separation lid, it will be appreciated that the lid 14.1 maybe integral with the housing 14.1 such that the entire housing 14 is attachable to the chassis 12 as contemplated herein.

Turning more particularly to FIGs 3 to 7 of the drawings, where a locking mechanism, particularly locking mechanism 16 of Figure 2, is illustrated in more detail. However, it will be noted that mechanism 18 is substantially similar and thus the explanation of the mechanism 16 will also apply to mechanism 18.

The locking mechanism 16 comprises a mounting bracket 20 which is mountable to an interior surface of the lid 14.2. The mounting bracket 20 may be in a form of a U-shaped bracket having a pair of parallel opposed walls 20.1 , 20.2. The bracket 20 is typically welded, with its profile abutting the internal surface of the lid 14.2, adjacent to a skirt or flange 14.2.1 of the lid 14.2. The locking mechanism 16 also comprises a locking bolt assembly 22, comprising a trigger bracket 24 fixedly attached to a locking bolt 26. The trigger bracket 24 is typically in the form of a U-shaped bracket having a pair of parallel opposed walls 24.1 , 24.2 wherein the locking bolt 26, in the form of an elongate cylindrical bolt, is located through aligned apertures on the walls 24.1 , 24.2 is affixed thereto. In one example embodiment an end of the locking bolt 26 is welded to the wall 24.2 of the trigger bracket 24, as can best be seen in FIGs 3 and 4.

The arrangement 22 is typically displaceably mounted to the mounting bracket 20 in a resilient fashion via a spring 28. The locking bolt 26 typically facilitates mounting of the assembly 22 to the bracket 20, wherein the bolt 26 is also located through aligned apertures provided on walls 20.1 , 20.2.

In construction, end wall 24.1 of the trigger bracket 24 may be provided adjacent end wall 20.1 of the bracket 20 on an inside thereof such that the brackets 20, 24 are provided in a nested configuration with the wall 24.2 being located outside of the wall 20.2 in a manner that the planes of extension of the parallel walls 20.1 , 20.2, and 24.1 , 24.1 are transverse to each other.

Respective apertures of walls 20.1 , 20.2, 24.1 , 24.1 are aligned with each other and the spring 28 and the cylindrical bolt 26 is passed through the aligned apertures and the spring 28. The bolt 26 is then welded to the wall 24.2 of the bracket 24 thus forming a complete unit which may be welded via the mounting bracket 20 to the lid 14.2 as described below. In this way, it will be appreciated that the trigger assembly 22 is displaceable relative to the mounting bracket 20 by way of the spring 28 in the direction of arrow A (FIG 3) and resiliently in the reverse direction.

It will be appreciated that the locking mechanism is typically in a locked position as illustrated in Figure 3 whereby the spring 28 is not compressed and the wall 24.1 of the trigger bracket 24 is substantially adjacent to the wall 20.1 of the mounting bracket 20.

The locking mechanism also comprises a guide channel member 29 which defines a guide channel 29.1 which is shaped and dimensions to receive a key 30 as will be described below.

The guide channel member 29 has an entrance opening in which intersects with an aperture provided on the skirt 14.2.2 of the lid 14.2. The member 29 also has an exit outlet which is located adjacent to the wall 20.2 of the mounting bracket 20. The guide channel member 29 is typically also a u-shaped member which is welded to an interior surface of the lid 14.2. It will be appreciated that the guide channel member 29 may have a length L (Figure 7) selected to bring the key 30 adjacent to the at least the trigger bracket 24 as will be described below. In some example embodiment, the guide channel member 29 may be attached to the bracket 24, or 20 such that the mechanism 16 is a complete unit.

In any event, the locking bolt assembly 22 is typically displaceable relative to the mounting bracket between the locked position as illustrated in Figure 3 and an unlocked position as illustrated in Figure 4 under operation of a key 30 to displace the member 26 to engage in aligned apertures of the housing 14.1 and the chassis 12, or in cases where the lid 14.2 is integral with the housing 14.1 just an aperture of a portion of the chassis 12. The key 30 is illustrated more clearly in Figure 8A and 8B. The key 30 is an elongate rod-like key having an elongate body which comprises a proximal handle end 30.1 and a displaceable distal end portion 30.2. The displaceable portion 30.2 is attachable to the elongated key by way of a suitable hinge etc. In one example embodiment, the end portion 30.2 maybe displaceable in a fashion which limits rotatable movement about the hinge C between 0 and 90 degrees. The end portion 30.2 is displaceable relatively freely under gravity, as the case maybe. The handle portion may typically be an upturned handle portion extending transversely from the longitudinal axis B of the key 30. The distal end portion 30.2 may comprise a communication module (not shown) to communicate with suitable reader or communication module/s in the housing so that unlocking of a particular locking arrangement with the associated key may be recorded in a conventional fashion as will be understood by those skilled in the field of invention. To this end, the communication module may be configured to communicate an identity of the key 30, particularly the bearer thereof.

In use, referring to Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings, the housing 14.1 and lid 14.2 typically covers the chassis 12 and is not permitted to be accessed without authorisation.

Should the chassis be required to be accessed, for example, for repair purposes and/ or maintenance, a pair of keys 30 will be required to be inserted into the locking mechanisms 16, 18 and then actuated simultaneously so as to remove the bolt 26 from engagement with the aligned apertures of the housing 14.1 and chassis 12 thereby to facilitate the lid 14.2 to be removed from attachment the chassis 12 and housing 14.1 . Whilst attached to the housing 14.1 , it will be noted that the skirts of the lid 14.2 covers the open top of the housing 14.1 in a nested fashion.

In any event, once the lid is removed, the housing 14.1 is then slidably displaced over the chassis 12 so that the chassis 12 may be accessed. As mentioned, in cases whereby the lid 14.2 and housing 14.1 are integral, the actuation of the mechanisms 16, 18 simultaneously enable the bolt 26 to be released from engagement with the chassis 12, for example, an aperture on an internal frame thereof.

To open the locks, reference will be made to lock 16 and the operation thereof shall be discussed. As described above, it will be appreciated that the operation locking mechanism 16 will also extend to the operation of the locking mechanism 18 as they are substantially similar.

In particular, the key 30 is inserted into the aperture on skirt 14.2.2 and is guided via the channel 29.1 , which his shaped and dimensioned to receive the key 30, to the trigger bracket 24. Once the key travels a predetermined distance or length L in the channel 29.1 , the distal end portion 30.2, particularly, adjacent the wall 24.2 of the bracket 24, it is no longer supported by the member 29. In this regard, under gravity, the end portion 30.2 is displaced under gravity or "drops" till it is substantially in a second position as illustrated in Figure 8B. The handle portion 30.1 of the key 30 is then operated to rotate the key (clockwise or anti-clockwise as the case may be). In rotating the key, the displaced end portion 30.1 is able to abut and wall 24.1 and thus on further rotation, urge the arrangement 22 in the direction of arrow A. In doing so, the walls 20.1 and 24.1 are displaced from each other and the spring 28 is thereby compressed between the walls 24.1 and 20.2 of the brackets 24 and 20 and the bolt 26 is moved in a resilient fashion in the direction of arrow A to be removed from engagement with the housing 14.1 and chassis 12, or just the chassis 12 as the case may be. In this way, the lid 14.2 and housing 14.1 may be removed from attachment to the chassis 12. Under action of the spring 28, once the key 30 is removed or tension or force on the same is released, the bolt 26 is urged back to its locked position wherein the walls 24.1 and 20.1 are adjacent each other. Should the relevant aperture/s housing 14.1 and/or the chassis 12 be adjacent the bolt 26 when returning to the locked position, the housing 14.1 is yet again locked to the chassis 12. In some example embodiments, the bolt 26, chassis 12 and/or the housing 14.1 may be configured to displace the bolt 26 upon frictional engagement thereof with each other, wherein the bolt 26 locates automatically in the respective apertures of the housing 14.1 and/or chassis 12 to lock the same in a fashion as described above under operation of the spring 28.

The invention described herein provides a convenient and simple locking mechanism and cabinet arrangement which at least assist in securing an enclosure from unauthorized access.