Patent Application
20250230685
The subject disclosure relates to locking systems and, more particularly, a lock mechanism adaptable with a smart lock for any commercial or residential door, window, cabinet, or other barrier, wherein the lock mechanism enables independence from the handle of the barrier.
A deadbolt, deadlock, spring bolt lock and other door locks are morticed into a periphery of the door to operatively associate with a bolt thrown into the door frame, using a key from either side or applying force directly to the deadbolt, to secure the door. The mortise is a pocket, recess, or hole cut through the door to make space the locking mechanism.
A “smart lock” is an electromechanical lock that is designed to perform locking and unlocking operations on a door when it receives a prompt via an electronic keypad, biometric sensor, access card, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or equivalent electromagnetic signal from a registered mobile device. Smart locks configured to be universal and adapted to almost any door or window do not exist. Also, most smart locks rely on batteries that need replacement.
Furthermore, current smart lock devices for doors and windows require removal of existing locks and utilization of the mortice and sometimes its reconfiguration as well as the door/window to match the smart lock. This can be a long and difficult task. As a result, many commercial doors and windows do not “adapt” to smart locks.
In short, existing smart locks for commercial doors, non-standard doors, and most windows are not universal and require extensive modifications that require the elimination of the existing locking mechanism.
Put another way, smart locks and universal mechanisms to easily adapt to almost any door or window do not exist. Also, most smart locks rely on batteries that need replacement. Most off-the-shelf smart locks require an exterior key and special cutouts, mortices, or modified mortices, which are not desirable, practical, optimal, or even possible for most commercial doors, residential sliding doors, overhead doors, windows, or drawers (i.e. portals). Often a smart lock upgrade is desired when a lock or handle breaks, keys get lost, or security upgrade is needed, but traditional locksmith solutions are prohibitively expensive.
As can be seen, there is a need for a universal smart lock mechanism adaptable with a standard smart lock for any commercial door, residential door, window, or other barrier, wherein the smart lock mechanism is barrier independent, so that the smart lock mechanism does not need to use the door mortice or be located anywhere near the barrier handle.
The subject disclosure is easily installed, can use almost any existing smart lock, and can leave the existing locking mechanism in place since the smart locking mechanism can be fixed along any portion of the periphery of the barrier it locks.
The locking mechanism embodied in the subject disclosure enables smart lock installation to almost any door or window, regardless of the existing lock. The inventive device also allows for AC power option or integration of a DC power supply without the need for moving wires or cables, thereby eliminating the need for batteries when adding a smart lock.
As a result, the subject disclosure allows many existing smart locks to be easily used on almost any commercial door, residential door, or window. The AC power supply option contemplated by the subject disclosure eliminates the need for batteries while allowing for robust cable and wiring.
The subject disclosure allows for quick and easy off-the-shelf smart lock installation to most any portal barriers. If desired, a keyed deadbolt cylinder is an option for use with this invention. If desired, this mechanism allows for easy integration of a DC power supply to eliminate batteries. Often a smart lock upgrade is desired when a lock or handle breaks, keys get lost, or security upgrade is needed; thus, the subject disclosure is a quick and easy way to avoid costly traditional locksmith solutions.
In sum, the subject disclosure offers a universal adapter kit to allow any smart lock to be installed on almost any door, window, or other barrier in need of locking.
In other words, the subject disclosure provides a universal deadbolt latch bracket assembly for smart lock adaptation and mechanisms to easily adapt a standard smart lock to almost any commercial or residential door, window or barrier, wherein the intrinsic mechanisms of the smart lock assembly allow for independence of the locking mechanism relative to the barrier, barrier frame, and its handle mechanisms.
In one aspect of the subject disclosure, a locking assembly for enabling a smart locking engagement between a barrier and an associated barrier frame at any point along the barrier frame, the locking assembly provides a moving receiver configured to attached to said barrier at an attachment point; and a barrier interface configured to attach to the barrier frame to removably retain a smart lock that operatively associates with a lock mechanism moveable between the barrier interface and the moving receiver forming a locked engagement.
In another aspect of the subject disclosure, the locking assembly further provides one or more of the following: wherein the barrier interface is a mounting plate, wherein the attachment point is at least one foot from a handle of the barrier, wherein the barrier is a commercial door, wherein the barrier is a window, or wherein the barrier is a drawer.
In yet another aspect of the subject disclosure, a method of locating a locking mechanism for a barrier away from a handle of the barrier, the method including the following: attaching a barrier interface of the lock assembly of claim 1 to a barrier frame of the barrier at an attachment point at least one foot away from the handle of the barrier; attaching the moving receiver to the barrier adjacent to the barrier interface; and moving a lock mechanism of the lock assembly of claim 1 to the locked engagement; and removably attaching a smart lock to the barrier interface so that the locked engagement is formed via activation of the smart lock by a registered smart device.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present subject disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the subject disclosure, since the scope of the subject disclosure is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the subject disclosure provides a lock assembly adapted to operatively associate a smart lock with any commercial or residential door, window, or barrier in a manner independent of the frame or handle for the barrier.
Referring to
The smart lock assembly 100 may include the following systemic components: a lock plate 20, a lock mechanism 22, mounting bracket 24, a smart lock 35; one or more electrical connections 32, an optional tamper proof secondary lock; and, also optionally, an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pull chain 40. The mounting bracket (or barrier interface) 24 is referred to a ‘stationary sender’ because it stays fixed to a frame 52 of the barrier 50 to be locked. The lock plate 20 is sometimes referred to as the ‘moving receiver’ as it move with the barrier 50.
Smart lock assembly 100 is operatively associated with installed onto barrier 50 (e.g., commercial door, window or the like) by way of the frame 52 of said barrier 50, then the smart lock 35 may be installed to said frame 52, by way of the mounting bracket 24, along any portion thereof. The selectivity of the mounting along frame 52 allows for electrical connections 32 to power the smart lock 35. In some embodiments, the tamper proof secondary lock 34 prevents unauthorized entry if the mechanism is tampered with. In some embodiments, the ADA pull chain 40 allows for ADA compatibility. The smart lock 35 may provide a battery component 30.
In other words, the subject disclosure enables a user to reposition a smart lock-enabled lock mechanism 22 (in some instances a deadbolt) anywhere along any barrier 50 (even a desk drawer, or the like, see
The elements of the subject disclosure allow for easy installation and integration of an off-the-shelf smart lock 35 to be integrated into almost any commercial or residential door, window or other barrier 50. Integrating the smart lock 35 on the fixed door frame side allows for power cords and cables to be integrated without the need for problematic moving power wires and cables which also eliminates the need for batteries.
To make this subject disclosure one needs to create a proper interface between the barrier 50, barrier frame 52, lock mechanism 22 and smart lock 35. The interface (mounting bracket 24) that can be attached along any place that it fits along the frame 52 and barrier 50 between the door and door frame, lock mechanism and smart lock. Optional elements include the DC power supply to eliminate batteries, the AC power supply (electrical connection), a tamperproof secondary lock, and an ADA pull chain 40.
A method of using the subject disclosure involves a person in need of solving the following problems: where a smart lock might not fit the door and/or frame; where an existing lock might be broken and therefore standard smart lock installation is prevented; and installation of a smart lock on a barrier without a lock.
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein is not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/619,951, filed Jan. 11, 2024, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63619951 | Jan 2024 | US |
