The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for locking, and more particularly to devices, systems, and methods for door locking.
Physical security, for example, for storage facilities can present interesting challenges for appropriate access to the storage. For security storage doors which can require access by a various parties, maintaining permissions to access the secured storage can be cumbersome. For example, in owner-tenant relationships, access and/or infrastructure to support access can be complex.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a storage lock for a storage door, the storage lock may include a lock housing for mounting to one of the storage door or a storage frame supporting the storage door; and a lock mechanism arranged within the lock housing. The lock mechanism may include a latch selectively operable between a locked position in which the latch is extended to engage with the other of the storage door and storage frame to block against opening of the storage door, and an unlocked position in which the latch is retracted to disengage from the other of the storage door and storage frame to allow the storage door to be opened for access to storage, and a latch control system selectively operable between a restricted position to block against operation of the latch out from the locked position, and an unrestricted position to permit operation of the latch out from the locked position to the unlocked position.
In illustrative embodiments, the latch control system may include a controller and a latch operator. The controller may be configured to issue instructions to the latch operator to selectively arrange a key between the restricted position to block against operation of the latch out from the locked position, and the unrestricted position to permit operation of the latch out from the locked position to the unlocked position. In illustrative embodiments, the controller may include a processor for execution of instructions stored on a memory for issuing commands to the latch operator for selective operation, based on user input.
In illustrative embodiments, the latch control system may include a key selectively operable between blocked and unblocked positions corresponding with the restricted and unrestricted positions of the latch control system. In the blocked position, the key may be arranged to engage the latch to block movement of the latch out from the locked position to the unlocked position, and in the unblocked position the key may be arranged disengaged from the latch to permit movement of the latch out from the locked position to the unlocked position. In the blocked position, the key may be arranged within an opening of the latch to block movement of the latch out from the locked position. In illustrative embodiments, the key may be arranged as a pivotable member operable to pivot one end into engagement with the latch in the blocked position.
In illustrative embodiments, the latch control system may include a restrictor selectively operable between restricted and unrestricted positions. In the restricted position, the restrictor may be arranged to engage the key to block movement of the key out from the blocked position. The restrictor may be formed as a slider for linear movement between the restricted and unrestricted positions. In illustrative embodiments, the key may be pivotable between blocked and unblocked positions, and the restrictor may be arranged to block pivoting of the key out of the blocked position in the restricted position.
In illustrative embodiments, in the unrestricted position, the restrictor may be arranged disengaged from the key to permit movement of the key out from the blocked position to the unblocked position. The latch control system may include a latch operator for driving movement of the restrictor between the restricted and unrestricted positions. The latch operator may include an actuator and a resilient connector engaged between the actuator and the restrictor to transmit actuation force from the actuator to the restrictor.
The resilient connector may be selectively operable between a contracted position and an extended position. The actuator may be selectively operable to apply a restriction force to the resilient connector to bias the restrictor towards the restricted position. In illustrative embodiments, the resilient connector may be formed as a linear spring.
In illustrative embodiments, under the restriction force with the blocked position of the key, the resilient connector may be driven to bias the restrictor into the restricted position while the restrictor remains in the unrestricted position. Under the restriction force with the unblocked position of the key, the resilient connector may be driven to bias the restrictor into the restricted position to move the restrictor towards the restricted position.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a storage security door system may include a storage security door including a door and a frame; and a lock secured with one of the door and the frame. The lock may include a latch selectively operable between a locked position in which the latch is engaged with the other of the door and the frame to block against opening of the door, and an unlocked position in which the latch is disengaged from the other of the door and the frame to allow the storage security door to be opened for access to storage, and a latch control system selectively operable between a restricted position to block against operation of the latch out from the locked position, and an unrestricted position to permit operation of the latch out from the locked position to the unlocked position.
In illustrative embodiments, the latch control system may include a controller configured to issue instructions to the latch operator to selectively arrange a key between the restricted position to block against operation of the latch out from the locked position, and the unrestricted position to permit operation of the latch out from the locked position to the unlocked position. The controller may include a processor for execution of instructions stored on a memory for issuing commands to the latch operator for selective operation, based on user input. The controller may be operable to communicate with a network to permit remote communication for governing operation of the latch control system between the restricted and unrestricted positions.
In illustrative embodiments, the latch control system may include a key operable between blocked and unblocked positions. In the blocked position the key may be arranged to engage the latch to block movement of the latch out from the locked position to the unlocked position, and in the unblocked position the key may be arranged disengaged from the latch to permit movement of the latch out from the locked position to the unlocked position. In illustrative embodiments, the latch control system may include a restrictor selectively operable between restricted and unrestricted positions. In the restricted position, the slider may be arranged to engage the key to block movement of the key out from the blocked position.
The drawings disclose exemplary embodiments in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:
While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims.
Physical security, for example, for storage facilities can present interesting challenges for appropriate access to the storage. One example can include rental storage facilities which may rent or lease storage units to users (tenants/lessees), the units being individualized storage rooms that can be secured for each individual tenant. Challenges can arise in providing selective access to the storage units.
In traditional rental storage facilities, the user (lessee) of a storage unit can generally require access to the storage at will, but the owner (lessor) of the storage facility may need to maintain overriding or umbrella control of access to each storage unit. For example, the owner may require overriding control in order to lock out a user from access to the storage unit who has not paid according to their contractual agreement. Yet, manual provision of overriding control for access to storage units can be cumbersome and/or can require individualized governing controls for each storage unit. Storage facilities may have many tens, hundreds, or even thousands of individualized storage units which can each face such security challenges.
Referring now to
The lock mechanism 16 is illustratively arranged in communication with other lock mechanisms 16 which may be arranged to operate with other security doors 14, for example, other security doors 14 for different storage units of the same storage facility. The lock mechanisms 16 are illustratively arranged in communication with each other by forming a mesh network 22. The mesh network 22 is illustratively embodied to be configured in a partially connected mesh topology indicating that some lock mechanisms may be physically out of direct communication with others but may adaptably form a fully connected meshnet according to the particular arrangements, but in some embodiments, the mesh network 22 may have any suitable topology, including but without limitation, ring, star, tree, line, and/or combinations thereof. The lock mechanism 16 is illustratively arranged in communication with a remote network 24, which may be embodied as the internet. Communication between the lock mechanism 16 and the remote network 24 is embodied to be provided via the mesh network 22, but in some embodiments, may be provided directly from individual lock mechanisms 16. The lock mechanism 16 is arranged in communication with a personal mobile device 26, embodied as a smart phone. Communications with the mesh network 22, and communications between the lock mechanism 16 and the personal mobile device 26, are illustratively provided via low power Bluetooth, but in some embodiments may include any suitable manner of wireless communications, including but without limitation, infrared, radio frequency, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, 3G/4G/5G, and the like.
Communication between lock mechanism 16 and personal mobile device 26 can permit the user to activate the lock mechanism 16, for example, to selectively lock and unlock the security door 14. A user in proximity with the security door 14 may access a menu, based on prior authorization, and may select an activation button 28 to operate the lock mechanisms between an unrestricted state to release a latch for selective movement to unlock the door, and a restricted state maintaining the latch in a locked position, as discussed in additional detail herein. The user may enter and/or confirm identifying information such as Unit number, user identification information, to ensure authorization for operation of the particular security door 14. An owner of the security door 14 may remotely access the lock mechanism 16 via the remote network, as discussed in additional detail herein.
As shown in
In exemplary embodiments, the latch 30 includes a latch body 34 and an arm 36 extending out from the latch body 34 for engagement with the user's hand. The arm 36 provides a physical handle for engagement with the user's hand or finger to slide the latch 30 between locked and unlocked positions. The lock mechanism 16 illustratively include a user interface 38 for activation to communicate with the lock mechanism 16. The user interface 38 is illustratively embodied as a touch sensitive pad for receiving contact with the user's finger for input of commands, for example, by a predetermined series of long and/or short time presses. The user interface 38 may include selective illumination as feedback response, for example, as feedback to user touch to communicate the received touch inputs back to the user and/or as feedback indicating successful and/or unsuccessful change between restricted and unrestricted states by a series of confirming flashes with or without color (such as, but not limited to, green for success, red for failure).
Referring to
Referring now to
The housing 40 includes a sleeve 54 having a sleeve body 56 and bolt flanges 55 having fastener openings 57 for receiving the bolts 42. The sleeve body 56 includes a front side formed complimentary with the outer body 49 and a rear side formed complimentary with the grooves of the corrugated door for complimentary fit therewith. The sleeve body 56 includes the user interface 38 and defines an opening 59 for the arm 36 of the latch 30. The sleeve 54 defines an internal opening 58 for receiving an end stopper 69 to enclose the internal opening 58.
The sleeve 54 includes a casing 60 which houses a latch control system 62. The casing 60 includes a casing body 64 for securing with the open rear of the sleeve 54 (indicated by broken line 61 in
Referring to the illustrative embodiment of
The slider 78 includes a body 80 having an upper surface 82. The slider 78 includes an arm 84 extending upward from the surface 82 for engagement with the spring 77 to receive rotary driven motion from the spring 77 to drive translation of the slider 78. In
The lock key 86 is illustratively secured with the casing 60 via strut 88 to remain stationary relative to the movement of the latch 30 between locked and unlocked positions. The lock key 86 is pivotable about the pin axis 15 of the strut 88 and is biased by a spring into the upwardly angled position referred to as the blocked position as shown in
Referring now to
The resilient nature of the spring 77 can allow the driver 72 to move the arm 74 to apply a driving force (rightward) to the slider 78 to bias the slider 78 towards the restricted position even when the lock key 86 is disengaged from the latch 30 in the unblocked position, as in
Referring to
Returning to
To operate the latch operator 70 via mobile device, the user may address the lock mechanism 16 while in a sleep mode and may touch the user interface 38 to awaken the lock mechanism 16 for connection with the personal mobile device 26. Once activated and connected with the mobile device 26, the lock application enables the activation button 28 (shown in
Referring now to
The lock mechanism 16 can enable overlock by the owner (lessor). The owner may communicate with individual lock mechanisms 16 to activate and/or deactivate user access. The owner may communicate with individual lock mechanisms 16 via the remote network, mesh network, or direct communication by a control interface platform such as an application interface of the computing device. By selecting, confirming, and/or entering identifying information on such an application interface regarding the particular lock mechanism 16, the owner can be presented with an activation button and/or deactivation button to toggle overlock controls between activated and deactivated states as desired. In the activated state, the overlock enables user access as discussed herein. In the activated state, the overlock can disable user access by disabling the user operation of the latch operator 70 via the personal mobile device 26 and/or user interface 38.
Devices, systems, and methods within the present disclosure may include an electromechanical locking device (lock) which can be attached to a roll-up door allowing tenants to secure their belongings without the need of a padlock. The lock may be opened via one or more of three methods: smart-device app (such as, but not limited to, via Bluetooth), wireless fob (such as, but not limited to, radio frequency), and/or quick-click code (such as, but not limited to, touch the user interface of the lock with a predetermined series of short and long presses). In illustrative embodiments, the lock may be opened via an attached keypad. The lock can also be used by the site-operator to overlock tenants, such as those tenants who don't make timely rent payments.
The lock may be battery-powered and may communicate via direct connection between lock and smart-device or via a wireless mesh network. In illustrative embodiments, the lock may be hard-wired for power and/or communication.
Traditional access control for locks, such as storage unit door locks, is generally hard-wired. Installing and/or maintaining such hardwired lock arrangements can be time and/or resource consuming process which can drive high expense. Other difficulties may arise in implementing wired solutions on existing facilities.
Devices, systems, and methods within the present disclosure may lessen the problems of traditional lock systems. For example, padlocks can be troublesome if users forget and/or lose keys. Padlocks can be subverted by cutting with bolt cutters. Moreover, traditional padlocks do not ordinary communicate remotes, for example, of their status with site operators. Traditional padlock-style overlocks can require separate and/or additional locks. Traditional locks attached to the building like normal access control systems can be difficult and/or expensive in installation, and/or can generally require opening each door at a site and/or at the same time because waiting for a unit to become vacated could require an installer to come to site one-at-a-time creating very high installation costs. Moreover, existing electronic overlocking devices on doors may lack networking (such as, but not limited to, mesh-enabled) so they can't easily report status to the site operator, and/or may not be designed for simple locking but only for overlocking.
Devices, systems, and methods within the present disclosure may be easily installed by removing (four) bolts on an existing hasp and replacing the hasp with this device using the exact same bolts and bolt pattern. Such arrangements can create a simple installation that anyone can perform, and/or can allow for rolling additions to the system as tenants move out. Such arrangements may provide both simple locking and/or overlocking operation by a solitary unit. Such arrangements may provide constant communication of its status, for example, via a two-way mesh network. Such communication can provide remote locking, remote unlocking, remote and/or automated overlocking, remote removal of overlock without ever involving a site employee, reporting of temperature of unit, motion detection inside and/or outside the unit using two discrete infrared sensors.
While certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected. There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from the various features of the methods, systems, and articles described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the methods, systems, and articles of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the methods, systems, and articles that incorporate one or more of the features of the present disclosure.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/056,300, filed Nov. 17, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/001,344, filed Aug. 24, 2020, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/890,448, filed Aug. 22, 2019, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62890448 | Aug 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 18056300 | Nov 2022 | US |
Child | 18402349 | US | |
Parent | 17001344 | Aug 2020 | US |
Child | 18056300 | US |