Patent Application
20100236301
None.
The common deadbolt or multipoint deadbolt is the accepted standard for securing swing leaf and sliding leaf entry doors. These are the doors found in most residential and commercial structures. These mechanisms use a sliding bolt to engage a receiver in the jamb to create a barrier to the opening of the door. However the vast majority of the extensive prior art utilizes a bolt that travels outwardly from the door leaf at a right angle to the door edge. The bolt extends from the edge of the door to enter a receiver in the jamb to lock the door and then is retracted from the receiver to unlock the door. The strength of the connection or the ability of it to resist force is dependent on the shear strength of the bolt and the strength of the receiving device and the jamb itself. Historically, the methods to defeat this mechanism are prying the door and jamb apart at the point the bolt enters the jamb receiver or sudden impact at the bolt area which breaks the door or jamb due to the high concentration of forces in a limited area.
The limitations of the type of devices hereinabove has generated many improvements aimed at strengthening the connection of the door to the jamb by introducing either bolts that are longer, thicker or stronger. Bolts that are greater in number or located at the head and foot of the door have been used to make it more difficult to force the connection. The relative weakness of the jamb and door in resisting force has been addressed by reinforcing devices and stronger receivers for the bolt mechanism. These reinforcement devices often detract from the aesthetic appearance of the door and are not often used due to their appearance. However, in the end, all these mechanisms have failed to generate a lock mechanism that can resist most attacks from rams, hammers and pry bars. The limitations of common wood jambs, adjacent structures, light gauge steel studs and similar common building materials surrounding the door frame have not been adequately addressed. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a locking mechanism that is an improved securing means for the door in the closed position that provides a structurally more robust method of securing the door to the frame. It would also be beneficial to provide a locking mechanism that supplements the common door strike mechanisms, and replaces single point or multipoint lock systems.
With the contemporary focus on energy conservation, it is further desired that door locking mechanisms addressing the sealing of the door to prevent the entry of moisture, wind and the exfiltration of conditioned air from a building. Ideally the lock mechanism would enhance the sealing of the door as well as provide security functions. For example, the doors secured with a single latch point commonly are tight at the latch but loose at the door ends. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a locking mechanism that also functions to enhance drawing the door tight against weather seals, thereby increasing the seal of the door and preventing air leaks.
For the foregoing reasons as described, there is a need for a better method of securing the door leaf to the jamb than using either a single or multipoint sliding bolt mechanism. Furthermore, such a need exists for multiple leaf doors, sliding doors, and similar window mechanisms too. The bolt in shear concept is believed to be the limiting factor in producing a more secure connection between the door and jamb. This issue applies to virtually all doors and materials from the wooden residential doors to heavily reinforced steel doors used in commercial applications.
Advances in electronics and the fabrication of lock mechanisms have made it difficult to impossible to defeat door lock mechanisms by methods other than force. For example, a keypad can be placed at the non-secure side of the door and it is not subject to picking like a lock cylinder. Beyond keypads, there are card readers, biometric devices that read fingerprints, face recognition, palm recognition, retina scanners and radio controlled locks that have been introduced to operate the door locking device in a more secure manner. It would be beneficial to provide a locking mechanism that can be easily integrated with, interfaced to, or used with the described invention to provide a system that is now not only “pick proof” in the traditional sense but also virtually force proof within reasonable limits.
Prior art includes hundreds of variations of two themes. One is the use of a multipoint bolting system and the second is the door frame reinforcement devices. Hudson (U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,049) describes an improved door frame reinforcement at the deadbolt location. Previously Aliotta (U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,207) described a door frame reinforcement too as did Wendt (U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,480) but this approach alone is inadequate. Mortise lock improvements were described by Eller (U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,929) and MacNeil (U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,716) but these devices were simple latch pin devices with multiple connections between the door and frame that did little to prevent prying failure or frame material failures.
The reinforcement approach alone was also proposed by Arneson in his U.S. Patent application 20070096480. Another multipoint lock system was described by Fleming in his U.S. Patent application 20080078216. However, even these latest improvements fail to integrate improved multipoint locking with reinforcement and a method of clamping the door to the jamb in a manner that provides wide spread resistance to physical force. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a locking mechanism that provides a way to clamp the door to the jamb in order to spread resistance to physical force.
The present invention is directed to a lock that provides a multipoint lock that includes reinforcement of the door and jamb on a relatively continuous basis. The lock is for installation in a residential or commercial door having a door frame or jamb and a door. The lock includes a fixed strip coupled to the door jamb, a sliding strip slidably coupled to an edge of the door configured to slidably engage the fixed strip, and a mechanism moveably engaged to the sliding strip for vertically moving the sliding strip to engage the fixed strip. Both the sliding strip and fixed strip have at least one tab extending outwardly therefrom and configured to engage each other. If desired, these tabs could be extended all along the sliding and fixed strips to provide a series of engagement points that serve to uniformly connect the door edge to the door jamb. Each tab on the door edge is formed so it can lock into the similar shaped tab on the door jamb to provide a secure point of connection. When the door is opened the tabs are aligned in a manner so they do not engage and then when the door is closed one set of tabs moves transversely to engage the opposite set of tabs. Unlike bolt mechanisms where the bolt moves or slides perpendicular to the hinge axis, this mechanism slides parallel to the door edge and hinge axis. For a typical vertical door, this device slides vertically while a conventional deadbolt mounted adjacent to the knob slides horizontally.
As one strip moves or slides parallel to the door edge, the tabs engage. Each end of the tab can be formed at or with a small angle to form a ramp or taper. As the tabs slide together, the door is forced more tightly against the door stop or seal. Thus, each tab can be configured, if desired, to uniformly force the door tight against the door seal.
The benefit of this invention in resisting force is developed by spreading out the forces of conventional attacking means. A hammer blow or kick that routinely would break a common deadbolt connection is spread out over a large area of the door edge and jamb edge. This invention distributes the force over such a large area that the strength of most jamb and door materials is now sufficient to resist the force of most common attacks. The thin strips engage multiple fasteners along the edge so there is no one point where forces can be concentrated. Using appropriate fasteners of the proper material and size allows the forces to be transmitted to the underlying structural members so the jamb material alone does not have to resist the attack forces.
The sliding strips and fixed strips can be formed from one piece of material or they can be formed from individual components mounted individually along the door edge and the door frame. Individual tabs can take the form of fastener devices like large flat head screws that allow individual depth adjustment for alignment purposes.
Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.
In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:
A lock 10 embodying various features of the present inventions is shown in the drawings. In a first embodiment, referring to
A second channel 80 is formed in a similar manner and for similar reasons as first channel 30 except second channel 80 is formed in a side face 74 of door jamb 70 extending from a top edge 76 of jamb 70 to a bottom edge 78 of jamb 70 and is configured to receive fixed strip 90. Channels 30 and 80, although helpful for reinforcing door edge 12 and side face 74, are not necessary. Fixed strip 90 is generally rectangular and includes a front wall 92, an opposing back face 94 defining an aperture 104 therethrough, a left wall 96, an opposing right wall 98, a top wall 100 and an opposing bottom wall 102, and a series of L-shaped tabs 106a, 106b extended from front face 92. Fixed strip 90 may be made of relatively strong but thin material. Fixed strip 90 may be made from, but is not limited to, stainless steel sheet metal, thin brass sheet, cast or extruded aluminum, and plastics or composite materials that are engineered to provide adequate shear and tensile strength. As illustrated in
Tabs 56a, 56b, 106a, 106b serve to uniformly connect door edge 12 to jamb 70. Tabs 56a, 56b, 106a, 106b can have a multiplicity of shapes such as L-shaped, U-shaped, triangular, circular, cylindrical, elliptical, oblong, rectangular, wedge, tubular or conical. It will be appreciated by one in the art that any of these and other appropriate shapes may be used for tabs 56a, 56b, 106a, 106b. Throughout this disclosure tabs 56a, 56b, 106a, 106b are illustrated as L-shaped. It will be appreciated that a variety of configurations of tabs 56a, 56b, 106a, 106b are possible so long as each tab 56a, 56b on sliding strip is configured so it can lock into the similar shaped tabs 106a, 106b on jamb 70 to provide a secure point of connection. When door 11 is opened tabs 56a, 56b and corresponding 106a, 106b are aligned in a manner so they do not engage and when door II is closed sliding strip 40 and therefore tabs 56a, 56b move transversely to engage the opposite set of tabs 106a, 106b on fixed strip 90. Unlike bolt mechanisms where the bolt moves or slides perpendicular to the hinge axis, this mechanism slides parallel to the door edge and hinge axis. For a typical vertical door, the present invention slides vertically while a conventional deadbolt mounted adjacent to the knob slides horizontally. As sliding strip 40 moves or slides parallel to the door edge, tabs 56a, 56b engage with tabs 106a, 106b, respectively. Alternatively, each end of tabs 56a, 56b, 106a, 106b can be formed at or with a small angle to form a ramp or taper (not shown). As tabs slide together, the door is forced more tightly against the door stop or seal. Thus, each tab can be configured, if desired, to uniformly force the door tight against the door seal.
Referring to
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In a second embodiment, referring to
Alternatively, door latch 39 and mechanism 200 can be combined into what is often referred to as a “combo” lock where a handle (not shown) of latch 39 can operate both the latch function and the deadbolt function. The configuration of lock 10 would then be very similar to the configuration that operates a conventional deadbolt. This is a feature of the invention that allows it to use these traditional and conventional mechanisms plus use the same holes and mounting configurations found into today's doors and frames.
In an alternative configuration, not illustrated in a particular drawing herein, the sliding strip or multiple sliding strips are coupled to other edges of the door rather than the door edge and door jamb edge. In another alternative configuration, not illustrated in a particular drawing herein, the sliding strip or multiple sliding strips are coupled to the door jamb while the fixed strip or strips are coupled to the door.
For any of the embodiments disclosed herein, both the sliding and fixed strips can be configured to be of any desired length providing engagement along the whole edge of the door or for only a portion of the door.
In a third embodiment, illustrated in
In a fourth embodiment, illustrated in
In a fifth embodiment, illustrated in
In addition to the above there are special configurations that may be used for commercial door construction. The door and door hardware industry is subject to extensive regulation based on fire codes and security requirements established by the NFPA and other code authorities and testing organizations. These established requirements affect the design, installation and operation of the described deadbolt replacement device. In particular, there is a requirement that fire doors not be field modified without losing their fire rating. This mandate implies the fire rated doors must be configured in the factory to use the new technology as described. Referring to
The sliding strip is normally positioned so the tabs on it are aligned to miss the tabs on the fixed strip when the door is being closed. After closing, the sliding strip is then moved to lock the door by aligning the tabs so they engage. However, in an alternate embodiment, the sliding strip and fixed strip can be made from a material that has flexible or spring properties. The door can then be closed with the tabs on the fixed and sliding strips aligned. The aligned tabs on the strips compress closed slightly and then spring open to engage when the door is closed. This snap action will cause the door to be automatically latched and locked whenever the door is closed. To open the door the sliding strip must slide in the normal manner to unalign the tabs and disengage the lock or latch function. If desired this latch and lock function can be controlled with a traditional door knob or lever operator, with or without, a key-in-knob lock cylinder. This latch function can be further enhanced by aligning the tabs so they are partially engaged when the door is closed to loosely latch the door and then they can be fully engaged by the operator to lock the door and draw in tight using the ramps incorporated into the tab design. It is further desirable that the tabs could be arranged to include several spring material latching tabs with several much more rigid locking tabs. Thus, the tabs on the strips need not be made from a uniform material or configuration to provide the latch and lock functions.
One benefit of this invention in resisting force is developed by spreading out the forces of a conventional assault on the door. A hammer blow or kick that routinely would break a common deadbolt connection is spread out over a large area of the door edge and jamb edge. This invention distributes the force over such a large area that the strength of most jamb and door materials is now sufficient to resist the force of most common attacks. The thin strips engage multiple fasteners along the edge so there is no one point where forces can be concentrated. Using appropriate fasteners of the proper material and size allows the forces to be transmitted to the underlying structural members so the jamb material alone does not have to resist the attack forces.
The following generally applies to all embodiments described herein. To operate this invention, conventional mechanical lock cylinders and rotating lock mechanisms can be used. Existing doors and pre-hung doors that are manufactured with an 1½ inch or 2⅛ inch round hole for a deadbolt cylinder, and a 2⅜ inch or 2¾ inch backset are easily adapted to a mechanism that uses the key cylinder to turn a worm and gear that is connected to a cam that causes the strip attached to the door to translate vertically a nominal ¾ inch to engage and disengage the tabs. This arrangement of components can be easily adjusted to accommodate other setbacks of the lock and other distances or pitches of the locking strip that would allow alternate travel distances from the locked to unlock positions.
Using an electronic based mechanism like a key reader, card reader or other electronic device, an electric motor or solenoid can be used to drive a gear, lever and/or cam to provide vertical travel of the strip to engage or disengage the tabs. The most elementary mechanism can be a handle attached to the strip to allow the strip to be moved directly by hand. The strip can be held in place, either engaged or disengaged by a variety of mechanical stops, catches or lever devices. With this invention, the physical lock mechanism and method of deploying the movable strip can be widely varied with little effect on the physical performance of the invention. As long as the lock mechanism used has adequate force to overcome the friction produced by the stationary and movable strips rubbing together the invention will function satisfactorily. Additional force is required to use the ramp feature to clamp the door against the door seal.
There are a number of fabrications, installation and operational issues that pertain to this invention as proposed. In terms of fabrication, the interlocking tabs can be made from a wide range of materials though a material like stainless steel may prove to be the most durable. The door jamb material itself can be used to form the tabs if desired when a metal jamb material is used. The material thickness of the strips and/or tabs can be varied to address the desired strength required for a specific application. Even a thin brass material like conventional weather stripping material can provide very substantial strength. For heavier duty, forgings or castings can be used for large scale and high strength applications.
The fixed tabs can be formed from one piece of material or they can be formed from individual components mounted individually along the door edge. Individual tabs can take the form of fastener devices like large flat head screws that allow individual depth adjustment for alignment purposes.
The sliding nature of the one strip and the rotation of the operator in many configurations as shown in the embodiment drawings can be utilized with appropriate sensor devices to indicate the condition of the device in a locked and secure position or in an unlocked and non-secure position. Appropriate devices like indicator lights or alarm inputs can be easily and readily connected to the invention to integrate it into conventional security and alarm systems. The ability to operate the device using a conventional small electric motor or solenoid operator allows traditional and conventional access control devices to be easily integrated with the device.
The device can be installed in a multiplicity of configurations. The strips can be almost continuous along the door edges or they can be shorter sections. One edge or all four edges can be fitted with the strips. The sliding strip can be placed on the door with the fixed strip on the jamb or they can be reversed with the sliding strip on the jamb and the fixed strip on the door. This flexibility allows the operator devices to be mounted on the door or on the wall as desired by a specific application. For multi-leaf doors, the fixed and sliding strips can be applied to each door for a door to door lock.
Most applications will require an alignment of the strips to limit friction and assure correct engagement and disengagement. The strips or row of tabs on each surface must be parallel. The U-shaped gap and pitch of the tabs can be varied to address a requirement for more or less alignment precision. Large gaps and larger pitches will have less strength relative to smaller gaps and smaller pitches but will require less critical alignment. To reduce friction and provide adjustment of the tab engagement the moving strip and fixed strip can be fitted with shims or a carrier strip material. For example a plastic U-shaped channel could be formed into the door to allow the strip to slide within it. Shimming would allow the strips to be aligned if the door edge to jamb alignment was uneven or non-parallel.
The previous discussion described single leaf swinging door applications but this description can be expanded to include double leaf swinging doors, sliding doors and articulated doors that have a similar jamb and door interface. Even circular doors or hatches can be fitted with the sliding and fixed strips to provide similar protection and function to that of the swinging door. Specific applications and materials may demand slight modifications to the shape of the tabs that are appropriate for the application in terms of positioning and strength.
The previous discussion was addressing building doors but cabinet doors, boat or ship hatches, aircraft doors and automotive doors would also represent suitable applications for the door fastening or locking method described herein. The term door can also be expanded to include windows and other openings that need securing with a lock similar to a door.
While the previous discussion described advantages of the device as it pertains to attacks by prying or physical ramming, the configuration of the device provides closure physical properties that are equally beneficial in resisting the forces of wind, explosion, and similar pressure caused by fluids like air or water under pressure. The application of the device with compressive seals as shown in illustrations provides a uniform pressure against the seals that allows for an improved sealing of the door against leakage when compared to traditional devices.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.
