Embodiments of lockset described herein relate generally to a lockset for use with a door, and more particularly to a lockset with a request to exit (REX) switch.
Door alarm systems may include an electronically controlled lockset in a door that receives a signal from a controller to unlock the door in response to a request to enter signal received from outside a secured area. A sensor may be provided that signals the controller when the door is opened. REX switches may be mounted in the door lockset to send a signal to the controller when a door is being opened from the inside. The REX signal overrides generation of an alarm signal by the controller that would otherwise occur in response to the door being opened without a valid credential approval. Known REX switches include electromechanical switches, such as microswitches, that are actuated by rotation of parts associated with an interior spindle. Such electromechanical switches may be actuated by depressing a button or lever arm with parts such as leaves or tabs, and are subject to breakage from repeated actuation over their life cycles. Wear that may cause the switch to malfunction may occur in the parts that actuate the switches as well.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a new lockset with a REX switch that avoids failures that may be seen with electromechanical switches.
In accordance with one embodiment, a sensor assembly for a door lockset operable with a latch operator and a controller is provided. The sensor assembly includes a mounting member adapted to be in a fixed position in the door lockset, a rotatable member adapted to rotate in response to rotation of the latch operator, and a sensor mounted to the mounting member. The sensor is spaced from the rotatable member and is configured to detect rotation of the rotatable member. In one embodiment, the rotatable member may be a hollow substantially cylindrical member including a wall defining a first void therethrough, and the mounting member may be a hollow member defining a substantially cylindrical opening and including a wall defining a second void therethrough. A portion of the rotatable member may be received in the mounting member substantially cylindrical opening and the first and second voids may be substantially in initial registration, and the sensor may be disposed in the second void. The sensor may be adapted to activate upon rotation of the rotatable member that results in the first void not being in registration with the second void and the wall of the rotatable member being detectable by the sensor.
In accordance with another embodiment, another sensor assembly for a door lockset operable with a latch operator and a controller is provided. The sensor assembly includes a rollback sleeve, an end cap, and a sensor. The rollback sleeve has a first end and a second end, includes a substantially cylindrical wall portion, and defines a void in the wall proximate to the first end. The rollback sleeve is adapted to be operatively connected to a door operator and to rotate upon rotation of the latch operator. The end cap receives the rollback sleeve, and includes a flange extending from a substantially cylindrical wall portion. The cylindrical wall portion of the end cap defines an opening that is in substantial initial registration with the void in the wall of the first rollback sleeve. The sensor is disposed in the opening in the wall of the end cap, and is adapted to activate upon rotation of the rollback sleeve that results in the opening in the wall of the end cap not being in registration with the void in the wall of the rollback sleeve and the wall of the rollback sleeve being detectable by the sensor.
In accordance with another embodiment, a chassis for a door lockset operable with latch operators on each side of a door and a controller a lockset assembly is provided. The chassis includes a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A retractor is disposed in the housing and includes a cam surface on each side. First and second rollback sleeves each have a first end and a second end, and each rollback sleeve includes a substantially cylindrical wall portion and camming elements extending from the first end of the cylindrical portion. The camming elements are engageable with the cam surfaces of the retractor. The first rollback sleeve defines a void in the wall proximate to the first end, and the first and second rollback sleeves are adapted for each to be operatively connected to a latch operator and to rotate upon rotation of the respective latch operator. A first end cap is mounted to the first side of the housing and receives the first rollback sleeve. The first end cap includes a flange extending from a substantially cylindrical wall portion, which defines an opening that is in initial registration with the void in the wall of the first rollback sleeve. A second end cap is mounted to the second side of the housing and receives the second rollback sleeve. The second end cap includes a flange extending from a substantially cylindrical wall portion. A sensor is disposed in the opening in the wall of the first end cap. The sensor is adapted to activate upon rotation of the first rollback sleeve that results in the opening in the wall of the first end cap not being in registration with the void in the wall of the first rollback sleeve and the wall of the first rollback sleeve being detectable by the sensor.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method of making a sensor assembly for a door lockset operable with a latch operator and a controller is provided. The method includes providing a mounting member adapted to be in a fixed position in the door lockset. A rotatable member is provided that is adapted to rotate in response to rotation of the latch operator. A sensor is mounted to the mounting member, spaced from the rotatable member, and is configured to detect rotation of the rotatable member.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method of generating a request to exit signal with a door lockset operable with a latch operator and a controller is provided. The door lockset includes a rollback sleeve, an end cap, and a sensor. The rollback sleeve has a first end and a second end, and including a substantially cylindrical wall portion while defining a void in the wall proximate to the first end. The rollback sleeve is adapted to be operatively connected to a door operator and to rotate upon rotation of the latch operator. The end cap receives the rollback sleeve and includes a flange extending from a substantially cylindrical wall portion that defines an opening in initial substantial registration with the void in the wall of the first rollback sleeve. The sensor is disposed in the opening in the wall of the end cap. The method includes actuating the sensor in response to a magnetic attraction of a component of the sensor to the rollback sleeve when the rollback sleeve is rotated to cause the wall of the rollback sleeve to be disposed in registration with the opening in the wall of the first end cap, and sending a request to exit signal to the controller.
For a more complete understanding, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings:
The embodiments of a REX assembly described herein may be for use in a conventional lockset such as, for example, the locksets described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,773 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,970, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, it is understood that the overall construction of the lockset assembly is not critical and, for purposes of illustration, may be as described herein or in the above-referenced U.S. patents. Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein with respect to a REX assembly function, detailed explanations of the functioning of all of the lockset components are deemed unnecessary for understanding by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the figures. The components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, an embodiment of a door alarm system for use with a conventional opening in a door is shown in
In one embodiment, the door detector 52 may be a reed switch and the door position indicator 54 may be a magnet. The reed switch may be mounted into a door jamb of the frame 44 for the door 42 on the face of the door jamb on the interior side 60 of the door. The magnet may be mounted into an edge of the door 42 or to the inside face of the door. The reed switch can be either normally open or normally closed. When the door 42 is open, the reed switch has its normal state indicative that the door 42 is open. When the door 42 is closed, the magnet induces the reed switch to take its actuated state, indicating that the door 42 is closed. The door open signal may use electrical power from the control unit 58 or from a power supply that is local to the door detector 52 for indicating the normal or actuated state of the reed switch to indicate that the door is open or closed. Alternative embodiments and positions of the door detector 52 and door position indicator 54 will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one such alternative embodiment, the door position indicator 54 may be a mount on the top edge of the door 42 for actuating a mechanical switch in the door detector 52. In another alternative embodiment, the door detector 52 may use an infrared signal generator and detector mounted in the door jamb and an infrared reflector mounted in edge of the door 42. In another alternative embodiment, the door detector 52 may use a microwave signal generator and detector mounted in the door jamb and the door position indicator 54 may be a microwave harmonic generator mounted in the edge of the door 42. The microwave generator generates a microwave signal triggering the harmonic generator to generate harmonics of the microwave signal, and the door detector 52 detects the harmonics at close range.
The entry request device 56 is mounted so that it is accessible from an exterior side 62 of the door 42 for enabling a user to request that the door 42 be unlocked to allow opening of the door 42 to enter a secured area. The entry request device 56 responds to the user request by issuing a request to enter (REN) signal in either a wired or a wireless form to the control unit 58. Embodiments of the entry request device 56 include but are not limited to card readers, keypads for authorization code entry, mechanical key mechanisms, and biometric devices. Alternative embodiments of the entry request device 56 will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The REN signal includes the authorization code for verification by the control unit 58. When the control unit 58 receives the REN signal from the entry request device 56, it tests the authorization code for validity. When the authorization code is valid, the control unit 58 issues a lock control signal to the door lockset assembly 50 to unlock the door 42.
The door 42 is locked and unlocked by the door lockset assembly 50 in response to the lock control signal that is received in a wired or wireless form from the control unit 58. The door lockset assembly 50 and the lock control signal can be implemented as fail secure where the door 42 is normally locked and the lock control signal supplies power to unlock the door 42 or as fail safe where the door 42 is normally unlocked and the lock control signal supplies power to lock the door 42.
The door lockset assembly 50 includes an exterior handle 64 on the exterior side 62 of the door 42 and an interior handle 66 on an interior side 60 of the door 42. When the door lockset assembly 50 unlocks the door 42, a user can use the exterior handle 64 to unlatch and open the door 42 and enter the area secured by the door 42.
The door lockset assembly 50 includes a REX switch. When the interior handle 66 is rotated 68, the door lockset assembly 50 unlatches the door 42 and enables the user to open the door 42 and exit from the area secured by the door 42. In response to the rotation 68 of the interior handle 66, the REX switch issues a REX signal in either a wired or wireless form to the control unit 58.
An alarm signal is generated by the control unit 58 when the door open signal from the door detector 52 indicates that the door 42 is open, unless either the alarm 70 is shunted by the REN signal with a valid authorization code for unlocking the door 42 for entering the secured area, or by the REX signal for exiting the secured area. The power for the door open signal, the REN signal, and the REX signal can be supplied locally or from the control unit 58.
The rose plates 86, 92 are each formed in a generally circular configuration and having an axial central opening 108, 110. Two pairs of holes 112, 114 are formed on the periphery of each rose plate 86, 92. One pair of holes 112 is adapted to pass bolts 116 which extend through the door. The other pair of holes is provided for receiving screws (not shown) for fastening the rose plates 86, 92 to their respective roses 88, 94. A pair of inwardly extending tabs 118 is formed in the outside rose plate 92 by punching holes through the outside rose plate 32.
The roses 88, 94 are each formed in a generally circular configuration and include a side wall 120, 122 defining an inner dish-like cavity in the inside surface of the rose 88, 94. An axial opening 124, 126 is formed through each rose 88, 94 and extends through rotating spindles 126, 130 which extend outwardly from the roses. A return spring 132 is positioned in the cavity of each rose 88, 94. As described above, the rose plates 86, 92 are fastened to the roses 88, 94 using screws for retaining the springs 132 within the cavity.
The levers 90, 96 each include a handle 134, 136 which is formed integrally with a hub 138, 140. Each hub 138, 140 has an axial opening 142, 144 which, in a locking lockset, may communicate with an axial opening formed through the handle for receiving a turn button or lock cylinder for locking of the latchbolt in the extended, or latched, position. Further, although levers are shown, it is understood that other latch operating means are suitable, such as a doorknob or the like.
Referring now to
The end caps 172, 174 are generally circular and have a central axial opening 186, 188 that extends through a substantially cylindrical portion 190, 192 with a flange 194, 196 at one end. Four spaced notches 198 are formed in each of the end caps 172, 174 for receiving the tabs 184 on the case 170.
The retractor 164 is formed with a base 200 having a cam surface 202 on each side and a pair of spaced, parallel arms 204. The sleeves 166, 168 are each formed with a pair of camming elements 206 at one end as shown in
Additional features include the lock components, which include a solenoid 210 disposed in the inside rollback sleeve 166, a solenoid support 212 that extends laterally through an opening 214 in the inside end cap 172 to encircle the solenoid 210 and hold it in place, and a large retention clip 216 that affixes the solenoid 210 to the solenoid support 212. A small retention clip 218 acts as a stop for the solenoid pin axial movement. A lateral slot 222 in wall of the inside rollback sleeve 166 allows the inside rollback sleeve 166 to rotate around the solenoid 210 and solenoid support 212 without turning the solenoid 210. Another smaller slot 224 (
On the outside of the lock are a release tube 230, pawl 232, and spring seat 234. The release tube 230 receives a tail piece from the key cylinder that is on the outside lever (not shown). When a person outside rotates the key, it will rotate the tail piece, which will interact with the release tube 230. A finger 236 on the release tube 230 pushes retractor 164 in the same manner as the camming elements 206. The pawl 232 is either in or adjacent to a notch 237 (
The embodiment of a REX assembly that is shown includes the inside end cap 172, the inside rollback sleeve 166, and a REX switch 238 disposed in an opening 240 through the wall of the inside end cap 172. In assembling the components of the chassis 100, the rollback sleeves 166, 168 are positioned so that the camming elements 206 are located adjacent the cam surfaces 202 on each side of the retractor 164. The sleeves 166, 168 and retractor 164 are then located in the case 170 between the legs 178 and close to the inner surface of the base 176. The ends of two springs 244 are positioned over a pair of spaced posts 246 extending outwardly from the base 176 of the case 170. The other ends of the springs 244 engage a retainer 248, which fits in a corresponding opening in the rear of the retractor 164 thereby placing the springs 244 in a contained position for subsequent compression. To complete the housing, the end caps 172, 174 are then slipped over the sleeves 166, 168 with the tabs 184 on the case 170 being inserted in the notches 198 in the end caps 172, 174 and twisted. The retractor 164, the inward ends of the sleeves 166, 168, the springs 244, and the retainer 248 are contained within the housing. The sleeves 166, 168 extend outwardly from the openings 186, 188 in the end caps 172, 174. In this arrangement, the lips 250 of the retractor 164 are exposed through the housing.
To assemble the latch assembly 102 to the chassis 100, ears 260 extending from the rear of the latch case 262 (
Next, the outside rose plate 92 (
The outside end cap 174 of the housing also includes a slotted longitudinal rib 270 (
The outside rose 94 fits against the outside rose plate 92. Openings in the outside rose plate 92 are aligned with threaded holes in the outside rose 94 for use with screws for securing the outside rose plate 92 to the outside rose 94.
The inside rose plate 86 is secured to the inside rose 88 and then moved over the inside end cap 172 and against the door surface. Bolt holes in the inside rose 88 are aligned with threaded bolt holes of the outside rose 94. The threaded ends of the bolts 116 are then passed through the unthreaded holes in the inside rose 88 and into the threaded holes of the outside rose 94. The bolts 116 are then tightened to draw the rose plates 86, 92 and roses 88, 94 to a secure assembled position on opposite sides of the door whereby the heads of the bolts 116 come to rest in countersunk holes in the outer face of the inside rose 88. It is noted that in attaching the roses 88, 94 in the manner described above, protrusions on the sleeves 166, 168 are aligned with corresponding slots (not shown) in the spindles 128, 130 such that the sleeves 166, 168 and spindles 128, 130 rotate together within the lockset assembly 80.
To complete the assembly, an inside rose scalp 272 is slipped over the inside spindle 128 and the inside rose 88 and the inside lever 90 is secured onto the inside spindle 128. Similarly, an outside rose scalp 274 is placed over the outside spindle 130 and the outside rose 94 and the outside lever 96 is secured onto the spindle 130. In attaching the levers 90, 96, the axial hub openings 142, 144 are positioned over the spindles 128, 130, which include a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 276. The slots 276 receive corresponding ribs formed in the levers 90, 96 to facilitate rotation of the spindles 128, 130 upon actuation of the levers 90, 96. The hub openings 142, 144 are also formed with transverse depressions and are positioned for alignment with transverse slots formed in spindles 128, 130. Spring-biased detents or catch plates (not shown) extend through the slots and into the depressions to retain the levers 90, 96 on the sleeves 166, 168.
The inside rollback sleeve 166 defines the longitudinal slot 224 or window at the end of the rollback sleeve 166 near the camming elements 206. The solenoid 210 and associated elements are not shown in
The embodiment of the switch 312 of
As shown in
Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described in considerable detail herein, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that we do not intend to be limited to such embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, although a cylindrical lock is shown, the novel REX assembly shown and described herein may be used with any type of latchset or lockset that has a detectible motion of internal parts associated with a door operator. It is envisioned that a variety of sensors and may be made to accommodate a variety of lock assemblies not discussed in detail herein. Accordingly, we intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.