# US 8,772,970 B2 · Lock arrangement and a method of providing power to a lock

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- Number: US 8,772,970 B2
- Document ID: US8772970B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/309,566
- Filed: 2007-07-10
- Published: 2009-12-17
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2006-07-27
- Assignees: Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited
- Applicants: Harry Lambrou
- Inventors: Harry Lambrou
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772970B2

## CPC

- E05B 47/02: {Movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means}; Adaptation of locks, latches, or parts thereof, for movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means {(by means in the striker E05B63/248)}
- E05B 47/0002: {with electromagnets}
- E05B 47/0012: {with rotary electromotors (actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68)}
- E05B 2047/0061: {using induction}
- G07C 2009/00634: {Power supply for the lock}
- Y10T 70/7062: Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
- E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A lock arrangement including an electrically powered lock actuator, a power receiver (30) and a power transmitter (18). The electrically powered lock actuator is adapted for mounting in or on a door (10). The power receiver (30) is adapted for mounting in or on the door (10) in electrical connection with the lock actuator. The power transmitter (18) is adapted for mounting adjacent the door (10) and for transmitting power across an air gap to the power receiver (30).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lock arrangement including:
an electrically powered lock actuator adapted for mounting in or on a door;
a power receiver including a first core with a first wire coil formed thereon, the power receiver adapted for mounting in or on the door in electrical connection with the lock actuator; and
a power transmitter including a second core with a second wire coil formed thereon, the power transmitter adapted for mounting adjacent the door and for transmitting power across an air gap to the power receiver,
wherein the magnetic axes of the first and second cores are substantially parallel, and spaced apart, when the door is closed, wherein the first and second cores generate first and second magnetic fields respectively and the first and second magnetic fields overlap longitudinally in a direction normal to the magnetic axes of the first and second cores.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further including a mechanical lock and/or latch mechanism adapted for movement in response to movement of the lock actuator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power receiver powers the lock actuator.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power receiver charges an energy storage device, which powers the lock actuator.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power receiver powers the lock actuator and charges an energy storage device, as a backup power source for the lock actuator.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the energy storage device is a battery.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement of claim 1, wherein the power transmitter and the power receiver are mounted in proximity to one another, with the minimum air gap between them sufficient to maintain door function.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the air gap is between 5 and 10 mm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the air gap is approximately 7 mm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power transmitter is mounted to a door frame or wall adjacent the door.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the power transmitter is mounted to an edge of the wall facing the door face where the lock is installed.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the power transmitter is mounted in a recess formed in the door frame.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power receiver is mounted to the door.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the power receiver is mounted to the edge of the door.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the power receiver is mounted in a recess formed in the edge of the door.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the power receiver is mounted in a recess formed in the edge of the door adjacent the lock.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrically powered lock actuator is a solenoid or motor or other electro-motional transducer.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further including means adapted for embedding control signals, for operating the lock actuator, into the power transmitted from the power transmitter to the power receiver.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 18, wherein the control signal embedding means are adapted to issue control signals in response to receiving a signal indicative of requiring the lock and/or latch mechanism to be unlocked or unlatched from a card reader, remote control, or RFID.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The lock arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance between the magnetic axes of the first and second cores in said normal direction is 3 to 10 mm.

### Claim 21

A method of providing power to an electrically powered lock actuator mounted in or on a door, the method including the steps of:
supplying power to a power transmitter mounted adjacent the door, the power transmitter including a first core with a first wire coil formed thereon;
transmitting power from the power transmitter across an air gap to a power receiver mounted in or on the door, the power receiver including a second core with a second wire coil formed thereon, wherein respective longitudinal axis of the first and second cores are substantially parallel, and spaced apart, when the door is closed, wherein the first and second cores generate first and second magnetic fields respectively and the first and second magnetic fields overlap longitudinally in a direction normal to the magnetic axes of the first and second cores; and
supplying power from the power receiver to the lock actuator.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein power is supplied directly from the power receiver to the lock actuator.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein power is supplied from the power receiver to an energy storage device, which supplies power directly to the lock actuator.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the energy storage device is a battery.

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein power is supplied from the power receiver to the lock actuator and also charges an energy storage device as a backup power source for the lock actuator.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the energy storage device is a battery.