FIELD

[0001] This relates to a lock and an access control system for a sliding panel.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Sliding panels, such as sliding doors or sliding windows, often have a lock which allows the panel to be latched, causing the panel to be retained to a closed position until a user unlatches the panel.

SUMMARY

[0003] In a first example, there is provided a lock for a sliding panel, the lock comprising: a body; a latch configured to move in concert with a sliding panel in a closing direction to contact a strike for the lock and configured to move relative to the body between an unlatching position and a latching position; and a trigger for driving movement of the latch, the trigger being configured to contact the strike; wherein movement of the latch to the unlatching position is caused by movement of the sliding panel in an opening direction; and wherein movement of the latch to the latching position is caused by movement of the sliding panel in the closing direction causing the trigger to contact the strike and translationally move in the opening direction relative to the body.

[0004] Optionally, movement of the latch to the unlatching position is caused by movement of the sliding panel in an opening direction causing the latch to abut the strike.

[0005] Optionally, movement of the latch to the unlatching position causes the trigger to move in the closing direction relative to the body.

[0006] Optionally, there is provided the lock further comprising a locker for locking movement of the latch between the unlatching position and the latching position. [0007] Optionally, there is provided the lock a washer positioned between the locker and the latch, the washer being configured to retain the locker against movement in a direction that is perpendicular to the opening direction and the closing direction.

[0008] Optionally, there is provided the lock a linear actuator for actuating movement of the locker relative to the latch.

[0009] Optionally, the linear actuator is a solenoid actuator.

[0010] Optionally, the latch comprises a pin, and the locker comprises a cut-out for receiving the pin.

[0011] Optionally, the locker locks movement of the latch between the unlatching position and the latching position when the pin is in a first position in the cut-out, and the locker allows movement of the latch between the unlatching position and the latching position when the pin is in a second position in the cutout, the second position being different from the first position.

[0012] Optionally, there is provided the lock further comprising a switch for allowing a user to manually actuate movement of the locker relative to the latch.

[0013] Optionally, the latch is biased by an overcentre spring.

[0014] In a second example embodiment, there is provided an access control system for a sliding panel, the access control system comprising: the lock above; a strike configured for engagement with the latch; an electronic input system for receiving a user input; an electronic control system for switching the access control system between a passage mode, a safety mode, and a deadlocked mode; wherein the passage mode affords unrestricted ingress and unrestricted egress; wherein the safety mode affords restricted ingress and unrestricted egress; and wherein the deadlocked mode affords restricted ingress and restricted egress.

[0015] Optionally, the lock further comprises a locker for switching the access control system to and from the safety mode. [0016] Optionally, the lock further comprises a deadlocker for switching the access control system to and from the deadlocked mode.

[0017] Optionally, switching the access control system requires a means of identification, the means of identification being at least one of a biometric input, a PIN, a password, a passcode, and an RFID identifier.

[0018] Optionally, the access control system is in communication with an loT network.

[0019] In a first example embodiment, there is provided a lock for a sliding panel, the lock comprising: a body; and a latch configured to move relative to the body between an unlatching position and a latching position; wherein movement of the latch to the latching position is caused by movement of the sliding panel in a closing direction and movement of the latch to the unlatching position is caused by movement of the sliding panel in an opening direction.

[0020] In a second example embodiment, there is provided an access control system for a sliding panel, the access control system comprising: a lock comprising: a body; and a latch configured to move relative to the body between an unlatching position and a latching position; a strike configured for engagement with the latch; an electronic input system for receiving a user input; an electronic control system for switching the access control system between a passage mode, a safety mode, and a deadlocked mode; wherein the passage mode affords unrestricted ingress and unrestricted egress; wherein the safety mode affords restricted ingress and unrestricted egress; and wherein the deadlocked mode affords restricted ingress and restricted egress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0021] The description is framed by way of example with reference to the drawings which show certain embodiments. However, these drawings are provided for illustration only, and do not exhaustively set out all embodiments.

[0022] Figure 1 shows an example lock and its corresponding strike. [0023] Figure 2 shows the interior of the lock.

[0024] Figure 3 shows the lock in an unlatched state.

[0025] Figure 4 shows the lock between the unlatched state and a latched state.

[0026] Figure 5 shows the lock in the latched state.

[0027] Figure 6 shows the lock in a locked state.

[0028] Figure 7 shows an example access control system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] A lock for a sliding panel such as a sliding door or a sliding window is described below.

[0030] The lock comprises one or more latches configured for engagement with a strike. When the one or more latches are in a latching position and in engagement with the strike, the sliding panel is retained in a closed position. This corresponds to the lock being in a latched state. When the one or more latches are in an unlatching position and are disengaged from the strike, the sliding panel is free to move in an opening direction or in a closing direction. This corresponds to the lock being in an unlatched state.

[0031] The lock is self-latching in the sense that movement of the latch to the latching position is caused by movement of the sliding panel in a closing direction. In other words, the latching is done by the movement of the sliding panel as it closes and does not necessitate separate actuation, e.g. by a user operating a handle.

[0032] Further, the lock is self-unlatching in the sense that movement of the latch to the unlatching position is caused by movement of the sliding panel in an opening direction. In other words, the unlatching is done by the movement of the sliding panel as it opens and does not necessitate separate actuation, e.g. by a user operating a handle. [0033] There is also described an access control system for a sliding panel. The access control system is switchable between three modes: the passage mode, the safety mode, and the deadlocked mode. The access control system comprises a lock.

[0034] If the access control system is in the passage mode, it will afford unrestricted ingress and egress through the sliding panel. Unrestricted in this context means that a person will not be required to provide any means of identification: anyone is free to enter or leave, and there is minimal security provided.

[0035] If the access control system is in the safety mode, it will afford unrestricted egress but restricted ingress. A degree of security is provided as a person desiring ingress will need to produce a means of identification. Specific examples of the means of identification are described below. The safety mode is asymmetric in that anyone is granted unrestricted egress.

[0036] If the access control system is in the deadlocked mode, it will afford restricted ingress and egress. No one may leave or enter through the sliding panel unless they produce a means of identification. The means of identification in relation to the deadlocked mode need not be the same means of identification in relation to the safety mode.

[0037] The lock of the access control system comprises a locker which is used to switch the access control system to and from the safety mode.

[0038] The access control system comprises a deadlocker which is used to switch the access control system to and from the deadlocked mode.

Lock

[0039] Figure 1 shows an example lock 100 comprising a handle 120 and a body [0040] Handle 120 allows a user to manually interact with lock 100. When lock 100 is in the unlatched state (e.g. as shown in Figure 1), the user can interact with handle 120 to move a sliding panel in a closing or opening direction.

[0041] Body 140 comprises a housing and components located substantially within the housing. Figure 2 shows the interior of body 140 with handle 120 omitted for clarity.

[0042] Lock 100 comprises one or more latches 142 configured for engagement with a strike 200. In the embodiment shown, there are two latches 142 symmetrically located about the centre of body 140. In the embodiment shown, latches 142 are located near the centre, but they may also be spaced further apart from the centre. Each latch 142 may comprise a beak for contacting strike 200. The beak extends out of a slot in the housing of body 140. Latches 142 are configured to counterrotate about bosses 144 such that their beaks engage and disengage from strike 200. Each latch 142 comprises a pin 149 and a pin 157, both pins laterally protruding in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which latch 142 is configured to rotate.

[0043] Latches 142 are spring biased by an overcentre spring 190, which is described in more detail below.

[0044] Latches 142 cooperate with other components of body 140 as well as strike 200 to provide a self-latching and self-unlatching function. This is described in more detail below.

[0045] Body 140 comprises a locker 146, which may be a locking plate in communication with latches 142. Locker 146 is configured to lock movement of latches 142 between the unlatching and latching positions. Locker 146 comprises one or more cut-outs 147 for receiving pins 149 of latches 142. In the example embodiment shown, there are two cut-outs 147 corresponding to the two pins 149. A cut-out 147 comprise an arcuate portion and a straight portion. A first end of cut-out 147 is a first end of the arcuate portion. A second end of cut-out 147 is a first end of the straight portion. The arcuate and straight portions meet at their respective second ends.

[0046] A pin 149 may move to different positions in cut-out 147 as a result of relative movement between locker 146 and the pin 149. For example, a pin 149 may move from the first end of the arcuate portion to the second end of the arcuate portion as latch 142 rotates. Or locker 146 may move longitudinally relative to pin 149, causing pin 149 to move from the second end of the arcuate portion into the straight portion. When a pin 149 is at the first end of the straight portion, a corresponding latch 142 is locked by locker 146 as it cannot rotate between the latching and unlatching positions.

[0047] Locker 146 may comprise further cut-outs 151 for at least partially receiving boss 144. A cut-out 151 may be contiguous with or separate from cutout 147.

[0048] Locker 146 may comprise further cut-out 153 for receiving pins 157 of latches 142. In the example embodiment shown, there are two cut-outs 153 corresponding to the two pins 157. Cut-out 153 may be a substantially straight section. A pin 157 is moveable between two ends of cut-out 153 via longitudinal movement of latch 142 relative to locker 146. A latch 142 and its corresponding cut-out 153 are relatively positioned such that rotation of the latch 142 causes its pin 157 to enter the cut-out 153.

[0049] Locker 146 may comprise a bore for receiving a coupler 159 of linear actuator 152.

[0050] Body 140 comprises a trigger 148 for driving movement of latches 142 by coupling a force exerted by strike 200 to latches 142. Trigger 148 comprises a cutout 198 for receiving a pin 157 of latches 142. Movement of trigger 148 in direction 155 can cause the beaks of latches 142 to rotate about bosses 144 towards strike 200. Conversely, movement of trigger 148 in a direction opposite to 155 can cause the beaks of latches to rotate about bosses 144 away from strike 200. A pin 157 may also longitudinally move within cut-out 198 as latch 142 rotates. The trigger 148 may consequently move, as a whole, along a linear axis along direction 155 and the direction opposite to direction 155. This leads to the trigger 148 moving translationally in the opening direction relative to the body.

[0051] Body 140 comprises a linear actuator 152 for actuating longitudinal movement of locker 146 relative to latches 142. Linear actuator 152 may be a linear solenoid actuator comprising electrical componentry and a plunger 161. A coupler 159 passes through a bore in locker 146 and a bore in plunger 161, effectively binding locker 146 to move in unison with plunger 161.

[0052] The stroke of the plunger may be approximately equal to or greater than the length of the straight portion of cut-out 147 and/or the length of cut-out 151. When pins 149 are at the second ends of the straight sections of cut-outs 147, longitudinal movement of linear actuator 152 (and locker 146) causes pins 149 to move to the first ends of the straight sections, which locks latches 142.

[0053] Lock 100 comprises a switch 154 configured to provide a manual alternative for actuating longitudinal movement of locker 146. In one example embodiment, switch 154 is directly or indirectly attached to locker 146, such that longitudinal movement of switch 154 causes locker 146 to move in unison. In an example where switch 154 is indirectly attached to locker 146, switch 154 may be attached to plunger 161, which is in turn attached to locker 146.

[0054] Switch 154 preferably has good ergonomics. In the example shown, switch 154 has a curved profile, which may be suitable for interfacing with one or more of a user's digits.

[0055] Lock 100 may be at least in part (e.g. linear actuator 152) battery powered. Body 140 may comprise one or more compartments 150 for housing batteries 158, which may supply power to PCBs 180. PCBs 180 may comprise circuitry for power management, controls, and/or telecommunications. [0056] A washer 156 may be provided between locker 146 and a latch 142. In this way, washer 156 retains locker 146 against transverse movement (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and direction 155). Washer 156 also limits the contact area between locker 146 and latch 142 to the contact area between the pins and their respective cut-outs. This advantageously contributes to smooth rotation of latches 142 and smooth longitudinal motion of locker 146.

Strike

[0057] A strike 200 is configured to be installed in a frame for a sliding panel and cooperates with lock 100 to provide a locking function for the sliding panel. Lock 100 is configured to engage and disengage strike 200 via both latches 142 as well as trigger 148.

[0058] Strike 200 comprises a mounting 202 for affixing strike 200 to a frame for a sliding panel. In the example shown, apertures 203 are provided so that fasteners may attach mounting 202 to the frame. Other methods of attachment may be employed.

[0059] Strike 200 comprises a receiver 204 having one or more cavities for receiving one or more latches 142. In the embodiment shown, receiver 204 is a substantially trapezoidal projection. In the latched position, the beaks of latches 142 will have sufficiently rotated to be received within the corresponding cavities of receiver 204.

[0060] In the embodiment shown, strike 200 contacts trigger 148 also at receiver 204. In another embodiment, however, it may be a different part of strike 200 that contacts trigger 148, and the interface between strike 200 trigger 148 may be of a different shape or form. Functionally, strike 200 needs to impart a force in direction 155 to trigger 148 so as to effect rotation of latches 142.

Self-latching and Self-unlatching

[0061] Lock 100 is self-latching in the sense that movement of latches 142 to the latching position is caused by movement of the sliding panel in a closing direction. In use, a user either manually or electronically causes the sliding panel, having installed thereon lock 100, to move in a closing direction towards strike 200 installed in a frame for the sliding panel.

[0062] Trigger 148 first comes into contact with receiver 204 of strike 200. Further motion of the sliding panel towards the frame causes receiver 204 to exert a reaction force on trigger 148, thereby causing trigger 148 to move in direction 155. This in turn causes latches 142 to counterrotate towards receiver 204 since trigger 148 is linked to latches 142 via cut-outs 151 and pins 157. Accordingly, overcentre spring 190 contained in trigger 148 is compressed by opposing forces applied at longitudinal ends of overcentre spring 190 by pins 157. This movement of latches 142 can be seen when comparing Figure 3 to Figure 4, noting that pins 149 occupy different positions in cut-outs 147 due to the rotation of latches 142.

[0063] After further rotation, beaks of latches 142 rotate deeper into receiver 204 as latches 142 move to the latching position (see Figure 5). This is assisted by the overcentre spring 190, which by this point has moved beyond the overcentre point, so the restoring force of the spring serves to push pins 157 to the distal ends of cutouts 198. Pins 157 move into first ends of respective cut-outs 153 in locker 146. Pins 149 move into respective second ends of the arcuate portions (also the second ends of the straight portions) of cut-outs 147 in locker 146. At this point, latches 142 are in the latched position.

[0064] In this way, the lock 100 has self-latched since the process did not necessitate a separate step, in addition to closing the sliding panel, for moving latches 142 to engage receiver 204. In a lock without self-latching, this separate step might involve a user operating a snib or a handle.

[0065] Lock 100 may self-unlatch as the sliding panel moves in an opening direction 155 away from strike 200. Unlatching reverts the state of lock 100 from that shown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure 3. As the sliding panel moves away from strike 200, so does trigger 148, which in turn causes latches 142 to abut and consequently be rotated about receiver 204. Overcentre spring 190 is compressed as latches 142 rotate out of and away from receiver 204. At this point, pins 149 will be at substantially the centre of cut-outs 147, and pins 157 will be at substantially the centre of cut-outs 198. Once overcentre spring 190 has moved beyond its overcentre point, the tension in the spring is released which assists in moving latches 142 to the position shown in Figure 3, where pins 149 are at the first ends of cut-outs 147. At this point, latches 142 have returned to the unlatched position.

Locking

[0066] When latches 142 are in the latched position, lock 100 can be operated to enter a locked state where further rotation of latches 142 is disabled. This is achieved by linear actuator 152 (or manual switch 154) causing plunger 161 and locker 146 to move relative to latches 142. Locking of latches 142 can be seen when comparing Figure 5 and Figure 6. In Figure 6, pins 157 are at the second (lower as depicted in the drawing) ends of cut-outs 153, indicating relative movement between locker 146 and latches 142. Further, pins 149 have moved to the first ends of the straight sections in cut-outs 147. In this state, an attempt to pull trigger 148 away from receiver 204 in direction 155 will cause pins 149 and 157 to abut locker 146. Latches 142 are not able to rotate out of receiver 204 and are retained in the latching position. In this way, locker 146 has locked movement of latches 142 between the unlatching position and the latching position.

Access Control System

[0067] Lock 100, strike 200 may be part of an access control system 500 also comprising an electronic input system 300 and an electronic control system 400. The access control system may be a "smart home" system comprising multiple computing devices. The computing devices may be interconnected in a network, e.g. in an Internet of Things (loT) network. Lock 100 may be a node in the smart home system. [0068] PCBs 180 may have circuitry mounted thereon for providing all or some of the control, computation, and/or communications functionalities necessary for the access control system.

[0069] A user's mobile device may be another node in the smart home system. The user node may communicate directly, or indirectly via a central node, with the node of lock 100.

[0070] Operation of the sliding panel access control system may be controlled by a user interfacing with a mobile application. In response to an "open" command, a corresponding "open" signal may be generated and transmitted to lock 100, which in turn triggers actuation of the sliding panel including unlatching and opening of the sliding panel. In response to a "close" command, a corresponding "close" signal may be generated and transmitted to lock 100, which in turn triggers actuation of the sliding panel including latching and closing of the sliding panel. One or more means of identification may be required depending on the mode of the access control system, as will be described in more detail below. The mobile application is an example of a remote control interface because a user need not be near the sliding panel to control it, contrasting a local control interface described below.

[0071] The access control system may further comprise a local control interface mounted to or in the vicinity of the sliding panel. The local control interface is accessible from both the interior and exterior side of the sliding panel. The local control interface is configured to receive inputs from a user and communicate the inputs to lock 100. Non-limitingly, example inputs include means of identification such as a PIN (personal identification number), a password (letters only), a passcode (combination of numbers, letters, and special characters), or a predetermined pattern. The local control interface may comprise a tactile input receiver (e.g. a keypad or a touchscreen) and/or a verbal input receiver (e.g. a voice command device). The local control interface may comprise a biometric input system configured to identify individuals. Non-limitingly, biometrics can include one or more of fingerprint mapping, facial recognition, and retina scans. These are also means of identification. The local control interface may comprise a reader for reading an RFID identifier.

[0072] The access control system may further comprise a plurality of sensors. A proximity sensor may detect whether a person or an object is obstructing movement of the sliding panel. If there is obstruction, the access control system may automatically reject a user input to close the sliding panel. A proximity sensor (e.g. Hall effect sensor) sensor may monitor the state of a solenoid linear actuator in lock 100. A further sensor may monitor the state of the sliding panel (whether it is closed or open). Substantially real-time information about the operation of the access control system may be stored locally and/or uploaded to an external server. This information may also be made available to a user, e.g. via a mobile application.

Configurability

[0073] The access control system is switchable between three modes: the passage mode, the safety mode, and the deadlocked mode.

[0074] In the passage mode, a user may cause latches 142 to move from the latching position to the unlatching position without needing to provide a means of identification. Non-limitingly, this may occur as a result of the user providing an open command to the local or remote control interface. In an embodiment where lock 100 is self-latching and self-unlatching, unlatching occurs simultaneously with opening of the sliding panel as described above. The access control system in the passage mode affords unrestricted ingress and egress.

[0075] In the safety mode, the access control system affords unrestricted egress but restricted ingress. This means a user on the interior side of the sliding panel may cause latches 142 to move from the latching position to the unlatching position without needing to provide a means of identification; however, a user on the exterior side of the sliding panel may not. A degree of safety is provided to a person or object on the interior side of the sliding panel as a person desiring ingress will need to provide a means of identification.

[0076] Switching the access control system to the safety mode can be performed by a user on the interior side of the sliding panel, or remotely. The access control system is configured such that switching to and from the safety mode may optionally require a means of identification.

[0077] The access control system is switched to the safety mode by a user causing linear actuator 152 to actuate movement of locker 146 relative to latches 142. The user achieves this by providing an input to the access control system via the local or remote control interface. With latches 142 in the latched position, pins 149 move from the second ends of the straight portions of cut-outs 147 to the first ends of the straight portions. This causes locker 146 to disable rotational movement of latches 142 to the unlatching position, so latches 142 are locked in the latching position in engagement with strike 200.

[0078] When the access control system is in the safety mode, a user on the interior side may cause linear actuator 152 to actuate movement of locker 146 to enable rotational movement of latches 142. Pins 149 move from the first ends of the straight portions of cut-outs 147 to the second ends, and consequently latches 142 are free to rotate to the unlatching position. The access control system may be configured so as to not require a separate input for switching from the safety mode to the passage mode. That is, the access control system may respond to a single open command from the user on the interior side (or an open command and the correct means of identification from a user on the exterior side) and automatically switch to the passage mode, followed by opening of the sliding panel to allow passage. However, a user may also switch the mode without issuing an open command.

[0079] The access control system can be switched from the safety mode to the deadlocked mode via a deadlocker. In the deadlocked mode, the access control system affords restricted ingress and restricted egress. This means a user on the interior side or exterior side of the sliding panel will be required to provide a means of identification before passage is granted. This means of identification may be different to the means of identification mentioned above in relation to the safety mode. For example, a biometric fingerprint scan may be required for a user to gain ingress when the access control system is in the safety mode, but a passcode may be required for a user to gain ingress (or egress) when the access control system is in the deadlocked mode.

[0080] Switching the access control system to the deadlocked mode can be performed by a user on the exterior side of the sliding panel, or remotely. The access control system is configured such that switching to and from the deadlocked mode may optionally require a means of identification.

[0081] The deadlocker may be a software construct which, when activated, restricts the controllability of linear actuator 152. When the lock assembly is in the deadlocked mode, the deadlocker is activated, and a user must provide a means of identification in order to gain control of linear actuator 152. Should the user fail to provide the correct means of identification, locker 146 will continue to prevent unlatching, thereby denying both ingress and egress.

[0082] The access control system may be configured so as to not require a separate input for switching between the deadlocked mode and the passage mode. That is, the access control system may respond to a single open command in conjunction with the correct means of identification and automatically switch to the passage mode, followed by opening of the sliding panel to allow the user ingress or egress. However, a user may also switch the mode without issuing an open command.

Interpretation

[0083] The discussion of any existing technology should not be construed as an admission that such technology forms part of the common general knowledge. [0084] The term "comprises" and other grammatical forms is intended to have ana inclusive meaning unless otherwise specified. That is, they should be taken to mean an inclusion of the listed components, and possibly of other non-specified components or elements. [0085] The present invention has been illustrated by the description of some embodiments. Where embodiments have been described in detail, it should not be taken to restrict or limit the scope of the claims to those details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details of the illustrate examples shown and described. Accordingly, modifications may be made to the details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.