Patent Application
20210285255
The disclosure relates to mechanisms for securing closure panels at points of ingress and egress. More particularly, the disclosure relates to lock assemblies for non-pivotable doors.
Door lock and latch assemblies are generally known in the art for use in latching and locking doors. Deadbolt locks are commonly and widely used in residential homes, apartments, commercial buildings, and other settings where it is desired to secure an entry against unwanted intrusion. Deadbolt locks are used in some instances as the sole means to lock an entry door, and in other instances in conjunction with other locking mechanisms. Latch and lock assemblies, including deadbolt locks, typically include one or more latch members mounted along a free side edge of a pivotable door and adapted to engage with associated keeper devices mounted on an adjacent doorjamb.
A lock assembly for a non-pivotable door is provided. The lock assembly comprises a housing configured to receive a locking mechanism. The housing comprises a first face, a second face, a first side, a second side, and a housing interior positioned therebetween. The housing further defines an interior void space and a first plurality of bores.
The interior void space being defined by a first lateral end, a second lateral end, and a rear wall. The interior void space extends laterally between the first lateral end and the second lateral end and further extends into the housing interior from the first face to the rear wall.
Each bore of the first plurality of bores is configured to receive one of a plurality of fastening features that fastens the housing to a fixed substrate, such as a wall or floor. The first plurality of bores comprises at least a first bore positioned laterally between the first side of the housing and the first lateral end of the interior void space and a second bore positioned laterally between the second lateral end of the interior void space and the second side of the housing. The first bore and the second bore are positioned longitudinally between the rear wall of the interior void space and the second face of the housing.
The lock assembly further comprises a spacer plate defining a spacer plate bolt void and a strike plate defining a strike plate bolt void. The spacer plate and strike plate are configured to be coupled to one another, such that the spacer plate bolt void and the strike plate bolt void are aligned. The spacer plate and strike plate are further fixedly coupled to the non-pivotable door.
The housing is configured to receive a locking mechanism within the interior void space. The locking mechanism may be a deadbolt-style locking mechanism, such that the locking mechanism comprises a latch bolt that is moveable between a retracted position within the housing and a deployed position. In the deployed position the latch bolt extends outwardly from the housing and into each of the spacer plate bolt void and the strike plate bolt void, thereby locking the non-pivotable door to the housing.
While the present disclosure may be described with respect to specific applications or industries, those skilled in the art will recognize the broader applicability of the disclosure. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, etc., are used descriptively of the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. Any numerical designations, such as “first” or “second” are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.
The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term “or” includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of” the referenced items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims, including “any one of” the referenced claims.
The terms “a”, “an”, “the”, “at least one”, and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, a disclosure of a range is to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and further divided ranges within the range.
Features shown in one figure may be combined with, substituted for, or modified by, features shown in any of the figures. Unless stated otherwise, no features, elements, or limitations are mutually exclusive of any other features, elements, or limitations. Furthermore, no features, elements, or limitations are absolutely required for operation. Any specific configurations shown in the figures are illustrative only and the specific configurations shown are not limiting of the claims or the description.
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose configurations of lock assemblies with housings, wherein the lock assembly 10 is used on a non-pivotable door 24. Although the lock assembly 10 is depicted as a lock assembly 10 for a commercial single sliding door (
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components throughout the several views, a lock assembly 10 is provided. In a general sense, the lock assembly 10 of the present disclosure includes a housing 12 permanently attached to a fixed substrate 17, such as a wall or floor, a spacer plate 16 (
Referring to
The housing 12 may comprise a first face 28, a second face 30, a first side 32, a second side 34, and a housing interior 36 having a housing thickness 35 positioned therebetween. The housing 12 may have a width 37 of from about 8.0 inches to about 9.0 inches, a thickness 35 of from about 2.0 inches to about 4.0 inches, and a height 39 of from about 3.0 inches to about 4.0 inches.
The housing 12 defines an interior void space 40, a first plurality of bores 42, a second plurality of bores 44, and a third plurality of bores 46. As shown in
Referring back to
Each of the bores of the first plurality of bores 42, including the first bore 42a and the second bore 42b, are positioned longitudinally between the rear wall 52 and the second face 30. More particularly, the center and/or central axis of the first bore 42a and the center and/or central axis of the second bore 42b are each positioned longitudinally, from about 0.50 inches to about 0.60 inches from the second face 30 and may be preferably spaced apart by about 0.55 inches. Further, each bore of the first plurality of bores 42 is configured to receive a fastening feature 54 that fastens the housing 12 to a fixed substrate 17, adjacent to the non-pivotal door 24. The fixed substrate 17 may be a floor in sliding door applications or a wall in overhead door applications. In one example, the fastening features may comprise a combination of nuts, bolts, and washers or nuts, screws, and washers. The fastening features may have an overall diameter of from about 0.625 inches to about 0.75 inches.
Referring again to
Referring still to
As shown in
The spacer plate 16 may define a spacer plate bolt void 18. The spacer plate bolt void 18 may have a depth, that extends from the first spacer plate surface 62 and into the spacer plate thickness 72, of from about 0.60 to about 0.75 inches, such that in some examples the spacer plate bolt void 18 extends through an entirety of the predetermined spacer plate thickness 72 between the first spacer plate surface 62 and the second spacer plate surface 64, and in other example the spacer plate bolt void 18 extends through less than an entirety of the spacer plate thickness 72. The center and/or central axis of the spacer plate bolt void 18 may be laterally disposed from about 1.80 inches to about 2.10 inches from the second lateral spacer plate side 70.
The spacer plate 16 may further define a spacer plate magnet cavity 74. The spacer plate magnet cavity 74 may have a depth, that extends from the first spacer plate surface 62 and into the spacer plate thickness 72, of from about 0.20 inches to about 0.75 inches, such that in some examples the spacer plate magnet cavity 74 that extends through the entirety of the predetermined spacer plate thickness 72 between the first spacer plate surface 62 and the second spacer plate surface 64, and in other example the spacer plate magnet cavity 74 extends through less than an entirety of the predetermined spacer plate thickness 72. In one example, the spacer plate magnet cavity 74 has a depth of about 0.25 inches. The spacer plate magnet cavity 74 may be laterally disposed between the spacer plate bolt void 18 and the first lateral spacer plate side 68, and more particularly, may be laterally disposed about 1.0 inches from the first lateral spacer plate side 68.
The spacer plate 16 may further define a plurality of spacer plate attachment bores 90 that extend through the entirety of the predetermined spacer plate thickness 72 between the first spacer plate surface 62 and the second spacer plate surface 64. At least one of spacer plate attachment bores 90 is disposed between the first lateral spacer plate side 68 and the spacer plate magnet cavity 74, and more particularly the center and/or central axis of the respective attachment bore is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.30 inches from the first lateral spacer plate side 68. At least another one of the spacer plate attachment bores 90 is disposed between the second lateral spacer plate side 70 and the spacer plate bolt void 18, and more particularly, the center and/or central axis of the respective attachment bore is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.30 inches from the first lateral spacer plate side 68.
Referring to
The strike plate magnet cavity 86 extends through the entirety of the predetermined strike plate thickness 84 between the first strike plate surface 80 and the second strike plate surface 82. The strike plate magnet cavity 86 is further disposed between the first lateral strike plate side 76 and the strike plate bolt void 22, and more particularly the center and/or central axis of the strike plate magnet cavity 86 may be laterally disposed about 1.0 inches from the first lateral strike plate side 76. The strike plate magnet cavity 86 and the spacer plate magnet cavity 74 are configured to receive a magnet 88 therein, such that the magnet 88 disposed and/or seated within the strike plate magnet cavity 86 as shown in
The strike plate 20 may further define a plurality of strike plate attachment bores 92 that extend through the entirety of the predetermined strike plate thickness 84 between the first strike plate surface 80 and the second strike plate surface 82. At least one of the strike plate attachment bores 92 is disposed between the first lateral strike plate side 76 and the strike plate magnet cavity 86, and more particularly the center and/or central axis of the respective attachment bore is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.30 inches from the first lateral strike plate side 76. At least another one of the strike plate attachment bores 92 is disposed between the second lateral strike plate side 78 and the strike plate bolt void 22, and more particularly the center and/or central axis of the respective attachment bore is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.30 inches from the second lateral strike plate side 78.
As shown in
To secure the coupled spacer plate 16 and the strike plate 20 to the non-pivotable door 24, the first spacer plate surface 62 is disposed adjacent to and in contact with the non-pivotable door 24, and each spacer plate attachment bore 90 and each strike plate attachment bore 92 are configured to receive one of a plurality of connection features therein, such that the connection features fix the spacer plate 16 and strike plate 20 to each other and further fix the spacer plate 16 and strike plate 20 to the non-pivotable door 24. In one example, the connection features may be one of a bolt or a screw.
As shown in
The housing 12 is configured to receive different types and configurations of locking mechanisms 14. Accordingly, the spacer plate 16 is likewise compatible with and configured to receive different types and configurations of locking mechanisms 14 and strike plates 20 associated therewith. The collective use of the spacer plate 16 and housing 12 as detailed herein allows for a variety of different makes, models, and configurations of locking mechanisms 14 to be adaptable to or utilized with existing and/or previously installed and operating non-pivotable door systems. For example, a traditional deadbolt lock alone, without the use of the housing 12 and spacer plate 16, would likely be incompatible with many existing non-pivotable doors 24, as the deadbolt lock alone would require that the same is inserted into the door itself and has an associated keeper device and strike plate 20 disposed within the fixed substrate 17. The housing 12 further provides the advantage of securing the locking mechanism 14 from potential tampering and further protects any associated electronics and/or electrical wiring 99 from the environment and/or surroundings.
In an illustrative example wherein the locking mechanism 14 is an electrified deadbolt lock, the locking mechanism 14 may include a latch bolt 94, a deadbolt hub 96, a faceplate 98, and a proximity sensor 95. The latch bolt 94 may be a cylindrical bolt comprised of a metallic material. The latch bolt 94 may have a diameter of greater than 0.5 inches. Further, the latch bolt 94 may have a first bolt end 81 and a second bolt end 83.
The locking mechanism 14 may further include a deadbolt hub 96 that defines a hub void space 47 therein, wherein the deadbolt hub 96 is configured to retain the latch bolt 94 within the hub void space 47. The deadbolt hub 96 is configured to be inserted into and contained in the housing 12 interior void space 40.
The faceplate 98 may have a first faceplate side 89 and a second faceplate side 91, and further defines a faceplate aperture 87 therein between the first faceplate side 89 and the second faceplate side 91. The faceplate 98 is configured to enclose the deadbolt hub 96 and the hub void space 47, such that the latch bolt 94 is contained within the deadbolt hub 96 on the first faceplate side 89, and is further seated and/or contained within the faceplate aperture 87.
A proximity sensor 95 may be positioned within the deadbolt hub 96 near the faceplate 98 or within the faceplate 98. The proximity sensor 95 may be operatively connected to a smart switch, wherein the proximity sensor 95 is configured to detect proximity of the magnet 88, disposed within the strike plate magnet cavity 86 and the spacer plate magnet cavity 74 respectively, to the proximity sensor 95.
The latch bolt 94 is moveable between the retracted position 100 and the deployed position 200. The locking mechanism 14 may further comprise an actuator 93 operatively connected to the second bolt end 83 and configured to move the latch bolt 94 between the retracted position 100 and the deployed position 200. The actuator 93 may be operatively connected to an electrical wiring 99 or an electrical connection, wherein the electrical wiring 99 is configured to be electrically connected to each of the actuator 93 and a power source. When proximity of the magnet 88 to the proximity sensor 95 is detected, the proximity sensor 95 activates the smart switch, and allows an electric current to be supplied to the actuator 93 via an electrical wiring 99 or electrical connection. The power source may supply the actuator 93 with about 0.9 Amps at 12 Voltage Direct Current (VDC) and/or 0.45 Amps at 24 VDC via the electrical wiring 99 when the smart switch is activated. At least one of the third plurality of bores 46 is configured to receive and house the electrical wiring 99. In one example, the electrical wiring 99 is routed through the respective bore 46 and out of the housing 12 on one of the first side 32 and the second side 34 along the fixed substrate 17, as show in in
As shown in
When the proximity sensor 95 detects proximity of the magnet 88, as the door 24 approaches a closed position, the proximity sensor 95 activates the smart switch, and allows electric current to be supplied from the power source to the actuator 93 via the electrical wiring 99, such that latch bolt 94 is actuated from the retracted position 100 to the deployed position 200.
Said another way, while an electric current is supplied to the actuator 93, if the proximity sensor 95 detects proximity of the magnet 88, the smart switch is activated such that the actuator 93 moves the latch bolt 94 from the retracted position 100 to the deployed position 200. In the deployed position 200, the latch bolt 94 extends outwardly through the faceplate aperture 87 and into each of the spacer plate bolt void 18 and the strike plate bolt void 22, thereby locking the non-pivotable door 24 to the housing 12. The latch bolt 94 may extend from the faceplate 98 into the spacer plate bolt void 18 and the strike plate bolt void 22 by a throw length of from about 0.6 inches to about 0.7 inches.
When the non-pivotable door 24 is locked to the housing 12 via the locking mechanism 14, and the latch bolt is in the deployed position 200, the non-pivotable door 24 may be selectively unlocked by eliminating the electrical current supplied to the actuator 93 from the power source via the electrical wiring 99. In one example, the locking mechanism 14 may be operable on a key card system, such that when a user swipes a key card, the electrical current supplied to the actuator 93 from the power source via the electrical wiring 99 is dropped or discontinued. When the electrical current is dropped to the locking mechanism 14, the actuator 93 actuates the latch bolt 94 from the deployed position 200 to the retracted position 100 allowing the non-pivotable door 24 to open.
In the key card system example, when a key card is swiped the electrical current is dropped to the actuator 93 in a time increment of from about 3.0 seconds to about 9.0 seconds, thereby allowing the non-pivotable door 24 to open for the specified time increment and/or to allow the user to pass through the port of ingress and egress. Upon the expiration of the time increment, the electrical current from the power source to the actuator 93 will be restored, and the non-pivotable door 24 will return to a closed position, such that the proximity sensor 95 will detect the proximity of the magnet 88, and thereby actuate smart switch, such that the actuator 93 moves the latch bolt 94 from the retracted position 100 to the deployed position 200, so the non-pivotable door 24 is once again locked to the housing 12.
The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the present teachings, but the scope of the present teachings is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the present teachings have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the present teachings defined in the appended claims.
While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claims.
