Patent Application
20140260448
This disclosure relates generally to locks; in particular, this disclosure relates to a system in which multiple locks may be interconnected to be locked and/or unlocked in a coordinated manner.
Many types of locks are available, such as deadbolts, knob locks, lever handle locks, mortise locks and slide locks. These locks can be used to secure doors and gates to prevent entry into a secured area. Although a single lock may suffice to secure some entries, there are circumstances when multiple locks are needed. However, multiple locking points create complexity.
If a user wants to have multiple points of locking on a door, multiple manual operations must be performed. For example, consider a customer with a deadbolt, lever, and a slide bolt on the front door. The customer must unlock the deadbolt, lever, and slide the bolt manually one at a time. The problem becomes even more complex in a double door scenario and as the number of locking points increase. Therefore, there exists a need for a new locking system that reduces this complexity.
According to one aspect, this disclosure relates to a locking system in which multiple locks may be interconnected to be locked and/or unlocked in a coordinated manner. For example, the locking system allows a user to lock or unlock a door with multiple locking points with a single activation of one of the locks, such as when a deadbolt or lever is activated. The multiple locking points communicate together wirelessly, for example, to activate all the locking points as desired or set by the user. There is no need to manually turn, unlock, or slide each individual locking point, some of which may be high and out of reach, which would be particularly useful for the young or infirm. This is convenient for the user and saves time, frustration, and provides the user additional security without the hassle of manual locks. This above scenario is an example of a typical door; however, this disclosure is a multi-locking solution that could be implemented on any door or more generically a portal such as a doorway, entrance, gate, or aperture.
In one embodiment, the interconnecting locking system includes a plurality of locking points each movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking points have a wireless communication feature configured to allow wireless communication between the plurality of locking points. Typically, the plurality of locking points are arranged in an approximately coplanar manner. The movement of the plurality of locking points between the locked position and the unlocked position is wirelessly coordinated responsive to actuation of at least one of the plurality of locking points between the locked position and the unlocked position. In some cases, at least a portion of the locking points move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications received from another locking point. Depending on the circumstances, at least one of the locking points is a deadbolt and a portion of the plurality of locking points move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position. For example, a knob could be configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position. Likewise, a plurality of mortised bolt mechanisms could be configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position. Embodiments are contemplated in which the system includes a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism, both associated with a first door. The first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are communicatively coupled to one another. Locking or unlocking actuation of the first locking mechanism triggers communication with the second locking mechanism to actuate locking or unlocking of the second locking mechanism.
In some cases, the system includes a third locking mechanism associated with the first door. The third locking mechanism may be communicatively coupled to the first and second locking mechanisms. Actuation of the first locking mechanism triggers locking or unlocking actuation of only the second locking mechanism.
In some cases, the system may include a third locking mechanism associated with a second door. The third locking mechanism is communicatively coupled to the first and second locking mechanisms. Locking or unlocking actuation of the first locking mechanism triggers locking or unlocking of both the second and third locking mechanisms.
According to another aspect, the disclosure provides an interconnected electronic lockset comprising a first lock mounted on the first door, and a second lock mounted on the first door. The first lock may be communicably coupled to the second lock. Locking or unlocking actuation of the first lock triggers wireless communication with the second lock to actuate locking or unlocking of the second lock.
In some cases, the lockset includes a third lock mounted externally to a frame of a second door. The third lock may be communicatively coupled to the first and second locks. The locking or unlocking actuation of the first lock triggers locking or unlocking of both the second and the third locks.
In some cases, the lockset includes a third lock mounted externally to a frame of the first door. The third lock may be communicatively coupled to the first and second locks. The locking or unlocking actuation of the first lock triggers locking or unlocking actuation of the second lock, but not the third lock.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the invention.
The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principals of the invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary 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 falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
This disclosure generally relates to a locking system in which multiple locks or locking points may be interconnected to be locked and/or unlocked in a coordinated manner. The term “lock” or “lockset” is broadly intended to include any type of lock, including but not limited to deadbolts, knob locks, lever handle locks, mortise locks and slide locks, whether mechanical, electrical or electro-mechanical locks. The locking points may have various mounting configurations and/or locations, including but not limited to: mortised within the door frame, mounted externally to the door frame or support structure, and/or affixed directly to the door.
The interconnected system may have an unlimited number of locking points. In one embodiment, for example, a first lock may wirelessly communicate with a plurality of interconnected locks so that actuation of the first lock also actuates one or more of the other interconnected locks. For example, the plurality of interconnected locks may have a wireless communication feature that allows communication between locks. By way of example only, the wireless communication capability of the locks could use the IEEE 802.11 standard, such as using Wi-Fi, or the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, such as using Zigbee, the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, such as Bluetooth, a cellular network, a wireless local area network, or other network protocols. Accordingly, the locks could communicate directly with each other, or use a wireless gateway, and/or coordinate with other networking devices.
In some embodiments, the interconnected locks could be configured with different modes. In a limited operation, for example, only one locking point is locked/unlocked upon activation. The selection of the locking point can be configured by the user. In another mode, which could be the normal operation mode that is primarily used for day-to-day operations, not all locking points lock/unlock after activation. The number and selection of the locking points can be configured by the user. In an extended operation, all locking points could be locked/unlocked upon single activation. By way of another example, in an emergency operation, all locks and mechanisms enter into their unlock positions upon activation.
The following are examples of certain locking point configurations, but this disclosure should not be limited to these particular locking point configurations.
The activation or authentication between the locking points could be done in a variety of manners, including but not limited to: biometric, combination (electronic), mechanical (“key”), encryption (mathematical or otherwise) and/or defined electronic signals or packets. This disclosure should not be limited by the particular manner by which the locks are authenticated.
This disclosure is not limited to wireless links between the locks. Embodiments are also contemplated in which the interconnection could be capacitively coupled (e.g., when someone touches the handle set or knob to open a door, some of the set locking points engages or disengages), mechanically linked, or electronically wired together.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the invention and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/780,511 filed Mar. 13, 2013, for an “Interconnected Locking System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61780511 | Mar 2013 | US |
