Patent Application
20110227743
The present invention relates, generally, to a remotely actuatable locking system for a door, and methods for constructing a door usable for after-market installation of remote locking systems with any type of deadbolt or similar locking apparatus.
Conventional residential exterior doors typically include one or more manual, keyed deadbolt locks. These locks function through extension and retraction of a sliding bolt, which extends between the door and the adjacent doorframe when in a locked position, thereby preventing opening of the door. The interior of each lock is provided with a series of cut pins, the location of each cut corresponding to the height of the teeth disposed on a complementary key. When the proper key is inserted into a lock, each pin is raised by the corresponding tooth of the key inserted below, such that the cuts in each of the pins align, allowing manual rotation of the lock to retract the bolt. While deadbolt locks are generally regarded as an effective security measure, both due to their durability and due to the fact that a unique key is required to operate the lock, manual locks also suffer from a variety of difficulties and inconveniences. For example, modern keys are small in size, and can be readily lost or stolen, requiring any associated locks to be rekeyed to ensure security. Manual operation of a keyed lock can also be cumbersome, such as when attempting to carry objects into a residence, or when rapid entry is necessary, such as during inclement weather or when confronted by a potentially dangerous individual or animal.
Remote and/or keyless entry systems have become more prevalent as technology has advanced, with use of unique remote signals to actuate a lock providing comparable security to that of a key. Most remote entry systems have been restricted to vehicles, safes, and industrial applications, while residential uses have been limited due to the expense of such a system and the specific manufacturing requirements of differing door, lock, and remote system manufacturers. No convenient, inexpensive, and reliable method exists for after-market installation of remote entry systems on existing doors.
Remote entry systems are often encumbered by a limited range, due to ineffective antennae and similar receiving mechanisms. Conventional remote entry systems also require bulky and unsightly external wiring, motor housing, and electrical components. Additionally, many remote entry systems utilize battery power sources, which can unknowingly become depleted, and which require frequent, potentially costly replacement. Further, while some remote entry systems provide an audible signal when a lock is engaged or released, conventional systems provide this audible signal to the interior of a structure, mitigating the effectiveness of the signal when exiting the structure and remotely engaging the lock.
A need exists for a remotely actuatable locking system that overcomes the deficiencies of conventional remote entry systems by enabling use of powerful exterior antennae, components installable within the body of a door, structure-based power supplies, an audible signal produced external to the structure, or combinations of these features.
A need also exists for a method for forming doors that are able to accommodate after-market installation of a remotely actuatable locking system, usable with any type of locking mechanism.
The present invention meets these needs.
In the detailed description of the embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The depicted embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the listed Figures.
Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments depicted or described, and that the invention can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
The present invention relates, generally to remotely actuatable locking systems, methods for constructing doors capable of after-market installation of remotely actuatable locking systems, and methods for installation of remotely actuatable locking systems within such doors.
While installation of conventional remote entry systems requires specific manufacture of a door containing necessary components therein, or installation of cumbersome and unsightly external components, embodiments of the present method include a manufacturing process for a door having compartments that can accommodate fixed and adjustable components for installation of a remotely actuatable locking system either during manufacture, or as an after-market addition, including a sliding bolt or similar locking device, a motor, one or more adjustable gears, and electrical conductors usable to communicate between the motor and a power source, receiver, and/or sound device.
In an embodiment of the invention, a door (10) is provided, as shown in
Prior to filling the interior (12) of the door (10) with core material, embodiments of the present invention include installation of a spacer element (26) adjacent to the front edge (18) at a location within the door (10) where the installation of a lock assembly, a doorknob assembly, and corresponding latches is intended. The spacer element (26) can include a first orifice (28), which can be drilled or otherwise provided therein, sized to accommodate a motor, one or more gears or other similar mechanisms for transferring motion, and a lock assembly. The first orifice (28) can be sized such that the distance between the first orifice (28) and the front edge (18), and the diameter of the first orifice (28) correspond to standard sizes and distances used in the manufacture of doors. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, an upper portion of the first orifice (28) can have a diameter of approximately 2.125 inches for accommodating lock assemblies of a standard size, from any manufacturer, while the distance between the first orifice (28) and the front edge (18) can correspond to a standard length of a deadbolt latch. Lower portions of the first orifice (28) can be similarly sized for containment of gear assemblies and a motor. Inclusion of the first orifice (28) enables a motor, one or more gear assemblies, and/or other components to be readily installed into the interior (12) of the door (10), rather than externally, during manufacture, or as an after-market addition, without requiring extensive time or modification to the door (10).
In an embodiment of the invention, the spacer element (26) can have a second orifice (30) provided therein, the second orifice (30) being sized to accommodate a doorknob assembly. The second orifice (30) can be provided with a standard size, such as a diameter of 2.125 inches, for accommodating standard doorknob assemblies from any manufacturer. Similarly, the distance between the second orifice (30) and the front edge (18) can be a standard distance that corresponds to a standard length of a doorknob latch.
A tubular element (32) is also shown installed within the interior (12) of the door (10), extending from the front edge (18), through the spacer element (26), to the rear edge (20). The tubular element (32) can include any hollow, generally rigid object, such as a plastic, metal, or rubber tube, which is usable to define a channel through the door (10) for accommodating wiring and/or other conducting materials. While
In use, an end of a wire or similar conductor can be inserted into the first end (38) of the tubular element (32), then extended through the tubular element (32) such as by pushing the wire with a narrow rod or similar implement. Once the end of the wire has been extended beyond the second end of the tubular element (32), it can be pulled or otherwise drawn through the tubular element (32) until the end of the wire is disposed within the lower recess (40) of the first orifice (28). A motor can then be engaged with the wire, placed into the upper recess (44) through the first orifice (28) and allowed to drop into the lower recess (40). One or more gear assemblies, if necessary, can also be inserted through the first orifice (28) and allowed to drop into the middle recess (42). The gear assemblies can be adjustable to accommodate lock assemblies from varying manufacturers that require a differing vertical distance between the lower recess (40) and an engagement member of the lock assembly.
Before or after installation of a motor, gear assemblies, and a lock assembly, the opposing end of the wire can be engaged with one or more power sources, receivers, and/or audible devices external to the door. In an embodiment of the invention, a usable power source, receiver, and/or audio device can include an integral component or system within the structure into which the door is installed. For example, the motor can be engaged in electrical communication with a doorbell, a security system, or similar system or component within a structure, the doorbell or security system thereby providing electrical power to the motor, while also functioning as an exterior antenna, and optionally, an audio device able to produce sound on both the interior and exterior side of the door.
While a sufficient length of wire can be extended through the door to ensure movement of the door without impinging or breaking the wire, in an embodiment of the invention, a biased spool or similar apparatus for containing a quantity of cord or wire can be disposed within a wall adjacent to the door, and wire extending through the tubular element (32) can be secured around the spool. Extension and retraction of the wire caused by opening and closing of the door can then cause rotation of the spool to dispense and recover the wire, respectively. To avoid a need for external or intrusive wiring, a wire extended from the first orifice (28) through the tubular element (32) beyond the rear edge of the door can further be extended upward, downward, and/or laterally, as necessary, through the adjacent wall and/or doorframe, and above or below the door, to engage a power source or other components within the structure.
Referring now to
While the depicted lock assembly can be operated through use of manual keys and/or other rotatable members, the pin or tailpiece (60) can also be engageable with the gear assembly (48), such that actuation of the motor (46) causes rotation of one or more gears of the gear assembly (48), which in turn causes rotation of the pin or tailpiece (60), thereby extending or retracting the latch (50). In addition to the provision of electrical power to the motor (46), the wire (62) within the tubular element (32) is usable to communicate between the motor (46) and a receiver, such that receipt of a remote signal can cause actuation of the motor (46) and subsequent extension or retraction of the latch (50). Additionally, the motor (46) can be provided in communication with one or more audio devices, such that when the motor (46) is actuated and the latch (50) is extended or retracted, an audible signal can be provided to the interior and/or exterior of the structure. In an embodiment of the invention, differing audible signals can be provided when the latch (50) is extended or retracted. In a further embodiment of the invention, the first orifice (28) can be provided with a detector, usable to detect the position of the latch (50) such that actuation of the motor (46) can be ceased when the latch (50) becomes fully extended or retracted. For example, a tube or similar elongate member having a white or reflective tip can be provided behind the latch (50), such that when the latch (50) is fully extended, the tip of the tube is visible to an optical sensor operatively connected to the motor (46). Detection of the tube by the optical sensor can be thereby be used to control actuation of the motor (46).
Referring now to
The first faceplate (66) is shown having a first rotatable arm (82) disposed on the side of the first faceplate (66) opposite the central gear (74). Similarly, the second faceplate (68) includes a second rotatable arm (84) disposed on the side of the second faceplate (68) opposite the central gear (74). The rotatable arms (82, 84) are usable to secure an engagement gear (86) therebetween, in operative engagement with the central gear (74), the engagement gear (86) being engageable with a motor. Actuation of the motor then causes rotation of the engagement gear (86), which subsequently causes rotation of the central gear (74), which in turn rotates the upper tailpiece gear (76), thereby rotating the pin and/or tailpiece of the associated lock assembly to extend or retract the associated latch. The rotatable arms (82, 84) are adjustable to accommodate varying distances between a motor and lock assembly, and further, are rotatable about the circumference of the faceplates (66, 68), such that the engagement gear (86) can be engaged on either side of the central gear (74). The rotatable arms (82, 84) thereby enable the depicted gear assembly to be used within doors having lock assemblies on either side.
Embodiments of the present invention thereby provide for after-market installation of any type of remotely actuatable locking system and/or lock assembly from any manufacturer or builder. Embodiments of the present invention further provide for remotely actuatable locking systems that overcome the deficiencies of conventional remote entry systems, by enabling connection of a motor to systems usable as powerful external antennae, such as a home doorbell, security system, or similar component, which can function simultaneously as a power source, a receiver, and an audio device able to provide an audible indication both internal and external to a structure when a lock is actuated. Through use of an internal spacer element, with orifices sized for accommodating components of a remotely actuatable locking system, and a tubular element usable to accommodate wiring, all primary components of a remotely actuatable locking system are able to be installed with the body of a door, eliminating the need for external components.
While the present invention has been described with emphasis on certain embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention can be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
