Patent Grant
11248396
Deadbolts typically are operated by a user (e.g., with a key on an outside of the door or a thumbturn on the inside of the door) to secure a door against unwanted intrusions. Motorized deadbolt systems are also available. However, the electronics and battery connections of the motorized deadbolt systems are subject to corrosion when exposed to environmental conditions, such as humidity, temperature changes, and salt air environments.
In an aspect, the technology relates to an electronic keeper including: a housing defining a battery chamber and an actuator chamber; an actuator at least partially disposed within the actuator chamber, wherein the actuator includes a strike and a magnet, wherein the actuator is pivotable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing; and wherein the actuator is biased towards the first position; and a senor disposed within the battery chamber, wherein when a locking element is in contact with the strike, the actuator pivots from the first position towards the second position so that the magnet moves relative to the sensor.
In an example, the housing includes a wall extending between the battery chamber and the actuator chamber, and the battery chamber is separate from the actuator chamber. In another example, the battery chamber is sealed to prevent exposure to corrosive conditions. In yet another example, the magnet defines an axis, and wherein the axis is substantially parallel to a depth of the wall. In still another example, a face plate is coupled to a first end of the housing, and the face plate defines an opening for access into the actuator chamber. In an example, the actuator is completely disposed within the actuator chamber, and the strike is positioned proximate the opening and the magnet is positioned proximate the sensor.
In another example, the opening is configured to at least partially receive the locking element to contact the strike within the actuator chamber. In yet another example, a strike plate is coupled to the face plate opposite the housing and proximate the opening, and the strike plate at least partially defines a lock volume configured to at least partially receive the locking element. In still another example, at least the strike of the actuator extends from the actuator chamber and into the lock volume when the actuator is in the first position. In an example, the actuator further includes a stop plate that the strike extends from, and when the actuator is in the first position, the stop plate at least partially engages the face plate. In another example, the actuator further includes a lever arm extending between the stop plate and the strike.
In yet another example, when the actuator is in the second position, the strike is completely disposed within the actuator chamber. In still another example, the actuator further includes a first member having the strike and a second member having the magnet, and wherein the first member is pivotably mounted within the actuator chamber and is pivotable in a first direction from the first position towards the second position, and the second member is pivotably mounted within the actuator chamber and is pivotable in an opposite second direction from the first position towards the second position. In an example, the first member further includes a stop plate that the strike extends from, and wherein the stop plate engages with the second member. In another example, when the actuator is in the first position, the strike is angled to receive the locking element rotating in a first direction, and the first direction is opposite to a second direction that the actuator pivots when moving from the first position towards the second position. In another example, the housing includes a back plate coupled to a second end of the housing opposite the face plate, and at least a portion of the back plate is secured to the housing by ultrasonic welding both a butt joint and a shear joint between the housing and the back plate.
In another aspect, the technology relates to an electronic keeper including: a first compartment configured to at least partially receive a locking element; an actuator disposed within the first compartment, wherein the actuator includes a strike and a magnet, and wherein the strike is configured to contact at least a portion of the locking element and move the magnet from a first position towards a second position; a second compartment separately sealed from the first compartment; and a sensor configured to detect the position of the magnet in at least one of the first position and the second position. In an example, the first compartment is separated from the second compartment by a wall, and the sensor and the magnet are both positioned proximate the wall.
In another aspect, the technology relates to an electronic keeper including: a housing defining a battery chamber and an actuator chamber; a strike plate extending from the housing, wherein the strike plate at least partially defines a lock volume; an actuator at least partially disposed within the actuator chamber, wherein the actuator includes a magnet and a strike, and wherein at least the strike of the actuator extends from the actuator chamber and into the lock volume when the actuator is in a first position; and a sensor disposed within the battery chamber, wherein when a locking element is in contact with the strike, the actuator is pivoted towards a second position so as to trigger the sensor by positioning the magnet in a predetermined position relative to the sensor. In an example, the actuator includes a first member having the strike and a separate second member having the magnet.
There are shown in the drawings, examples which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
In the example, the door panel 104 is a pivoting door; however, the electronic deadbolt remote lock systems described herein can be utilized in entry doors, sliding doors, pivoting patio doors, and any other door as required or desired. In sliding patio doors, the electronic remote lock systems 102 may have linearly extending locking elements that may extend from the head 108 or the sill 110 of the sliding door. If utilized on the locking edge 112 of a sliding door, the electronic remote lock system 102 may require a rotating hook-shaped locking element (e.g., a rhino-bolt) that would hook about a keeper so as to prevent retraction of the door 104.
In the example, each electronic remote lock system 102 is positioned to as to extend into a keeper 114. The keepers 114 may be standard keepers or electronic keepers that can detect the presence and/or absence of a locking element therein. The system 100 also includes an electronic keeper 116 configured to receive a locking element 118. The locking element 118 can be a standard deadbolt (e.g., manually actuated), as typically available on an entry or patio door and that linearly extends into the keeper 116, or may be an electronic deadbolt (e.g., electronically actuated). In other examples, the locking element 118 can be a pivoting mortise lock such as either a standard rhino-bolt or electronic rhino-bolt, as typically available on a sliding door and that rotates into the keeper 116. Examples of various electronic keepers 116 are described further below in reference to
In one example, once the locking element 118 is actuated into the locking position, the electronic keeper 116 detects a position of the locking element 118 therein. A signal may be sent to the remotely located electronic remote lock systems 102, thus causing actuation thereof. At this point, the door 104 is now locked at multiple points. Unlocking of the locking element 118 is detected by the electronic keeper 116 (that is, the keeper 116 no longer detects the presence of the locking 118 therein) and a signal is sent to the remote electronic remote lock systems 102 causing retraction thereof, thus allowing the door 104 to be opened. Thus, the electronic keepers described herein may be utilized to create a robust multi-point locking system for a door and improving the security thereof.
In another example, the system 100 may include a controller/monitoring system, which may be a remote panel 120, which may be used to extend or retract the electronic remote lock systems 102, or which may be used for communication between the various electronic keepers 114 and remote lock systems 102. In other examples, the remote panel 120 may also be used to extend or retract the locking element 118, or which may be used for communication between the keeper 116 and the locking element 118. Alternatively or additionally, an application on a remote computer or smartphone 122 may take the place of, or supplement the remote panel 120. By utilizing a remote panel 120 and/or a smartphone 122, the electronic remote lock systems 102 and/or the locking element 118 may be locked or unlocked remotely, thus providing multi-point locking ability without the requirement for manual actuation of the locking element 118. Additionally, any or all of the components (e.g., electronic remote lock systems 102, keepers 114, 116, locking element 118, panel 120, and smartphone 122) may communicate either directly or indirectly with a home monitoring or security system 124. The communication between components may be wireless, as depicted, or may be via wired systems.
A post 214 or other support strut may span the interior chamber 212 from the back plate 210 to the face plate 208 and may act as a guide for a screw or other fastener (not shown) to secure the face plate 208 and/or the back plate 210 to the housing 202. The housing 202 includes a wall 216 that extends from the face plate 208 to the back plate 210 and separates the interior chamber 212 into a battery chamber 218 and a discrete actuator chamber 220. As such, the battery chamber 218 can be completely sealed from the actuator chamber 220 and prevent the components within the battery chamber 218 from being exposed to corrosive conditions.
The face plate 208 defines a battery opening 222 adjacent to the battery chamber 218 that enables access into the battery chamber 218 and defines an actuator opening 224 adjacent to the actuator chamber 220 that enables access into the actuator chamber 220. The battery chamber 218 can be sealed by a first portion 226 of the back plate 210 and by a removable front cover 228 over the battery opening 222 attachable with one or more fasteners 230. A circuit board assembly 232 having a sensor 234 and a power source 236 (e.g., a battery) are disposed within the battery chamber 218 and are described further below in reference to
The actuator chamber 220 is partially enclosed by a second portion 238 of the back plate 210 and is open at the actuator opening 224, which is configured to receive a locking element extending therethough. An actuator 240 having a strike 242 and a magnet 244 are completely disposed within the actuator chamber 220 and are described further below in reference to
In the example, the first portion 226 and the second portion 238 of the back plate may be separate components. As such, the first portion 226 may be ultrasonically welded to the back end 206 of the housing 202 and provide a seal to the battery chamber 218. The first portion 226 is described further below in
Additionally, in the biased deactivated position 248, the magnet 244 is positioned proximate the wall 216, toward the back plate 210, and in a first position with respect to the sensor coupled to the circuit board assembly 232. When the magnet 244 is located in the first position, the sensor is deactivated thus indicating that there is no deadbolt D extended within the keeper sensor 200. The sensor can be powered by the power source 236 that is disposed within the battery chamber 218. In the example, a strike plate 258 may also be attached to the face plate 208 and surrounding the actuator opening 224.
Referring now to
Because the entire circuit board assembly 232, power source 236, and sensor are sealed within the battery chamber 218, for example, by the portion of the back plate 210 that is welded to the housing 202 and the front cover 228 that is sealed to the face plate 208, exposure to corrosive conditions is reduced. Thus, the life cycle of the components of the keeper sensor 200 are extended. Furthermore, once the deadbolt D is retracted out of the actuator chamber 220, the actuator 240 is biased to pivot back into its deactivated position 248 as illustrated in
The magnet 244 is disposed in, or on, the end of the lever arm 252 with a magnet axis 266 extending substantially perpendicular to the face plate 208 and/or the back plate (not shown). That is, the magnet axis 266 is substantially parallel to a depth of the wall 216 that extends between the face plate 208 and the back plate. By orienting the magnet 244 in this direction, the magnet field more easily engages with the sensor 234 to activate or deactivate depending on the position of the magnet 244. The sensor 234 is disposed within the battery chamber 218 and is positioned proximate the magnet 244 on the other side of the wall 216. As such, the sensor 234 can be sealed to reduce exposure to corrosive conditions. In the example, the sensor 234 may be a Hall Effect sensor, which operates as an electronic switch. In other examples, the sensor 234 the sensor can be any other magnetic-type sensors, such as a reed switch that enable the keeper sensor 200 to function as described herein.
At least a portion of the actuator 412 extends into the lock volume 418 so that it can be engaged by the locking elements and activate a sensor as described above. Because the locking elements of the sliding door lock rotate, rather than linearly slide like the swing and entry doors, the strike plate 416 extends from the face plate 404 so as to more easily receive the locking elements. A variety of locking element configurations may be used on the sliding door, for example, a one-point lock system (e.g., the 537 series lock sold by Amesbury Group, Inc.) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,885,200, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In other examples, a multi-point lock system may also be used.
As such, the actuator 412 is configured to extend from the face plate 404 so that it may project within the lock volume 418 and more easily contact the locking elements. Since the actuator 412 extends from the face plate 404, the actuator chamber 410 may be sized to have a reduced depth 420 when compared to the keeper sensors 200, 300. Additionally, to accommodate different reaches of the locking elements (e.g., for difference sliding door and/or lock configurations), the actuator 412 can be modified to accommodate different projection lengths as described further below. By only changing the shape and size of the actuator 412, the number of unique components to be manufactured for the sliding door keeper sensor is reduced, and assembly efficiencies are increased because many of the components can be used in many different design configurations. For example, all of the battery compartment components (e.g., circuit board assembly, power source, sensor, cover, etc.), the housing 402, the face plate 404, and the back plate 406 can be the same for all of the sliding door keeper sensors described below.
In other examples, the sliding door keeper sensor 400 may have the face plate 404 forming the strike plate so that the rotating locking elements can rotate into the housing 402 and contact the actuator 412 housed therein (e.g., similar to the keeper sensors 200, 300 described above). In this example, the depth 420 of the housing 402 and the shape and size of the actuator 412 may be changed to accommodate different reaches of the locking elements as required or desired. The external strike plate may not be required in this example.
The actuator 500a includes an axle 508a aligned with the axis A, and which may be secured within a housing. An arm 510a extends from the axle 508a and includes a magnet 512a disposed on an end 514a thereof. The arm 510a may be disposed at an angle β to the stop plate 504a, as required or desired for a particular application. In general, internal housing clearances, internal void sizes and dimensions, location of the magnetic sensor, and other factors may be relevant to the angle β of the arm 510a from the stop plate 504a. Length of the arm 510a (e.g., from the axle 508a to the end 514a or magnet 512a may also be considered). In examples, a spring, such as a torsion spring (not shown), may be disposed in a recess 516a proximate the axle 508a so as to bias the actuator 500a in a position where the strike 502a extends from the housing. In other examples, the torsion spring may be disposed elsewhere, for example around the axle 508a.
In the depicted figures, one difference between the various actuators 500a-500c is a reach R of the strike 502a. In one example, the reach R is shown as the distance between the farthest edge 518a to the stop plate 504a. In the actuator of
Furthermore, in the exemplary actuators 500a-500c, the angle β between the stop plates 504a-504c and the arms 510a-510c are substantially similar in each example. This enables, for the same size housing to be used for each actuator 500a-500c and increase assembly efficiencies. In other examples, any of the features of the actuators 500a-500c may be modified in a number of different ways as necessary to meet space, clearance, performance, and other requirements as required or desired.
In general, and as described in more detail below, the strike faces 506a-506c of each of the actuators 500a-500c depicted herein are configured so as to actuate when contacted by a locking element of an associated locking system, such as a hook. In the actuators 500a-500c depicted in
In the first position, the magnet 512a is also disposed proximate the printed circuit board (PCB) 604a and a magnetic sensor 606a disposed thereon. However, the magnet 512a and sensor 606a are disposed in separate chambers. This position or presence of the magnet 512a relative to the sensor 606a may be detected when in the first position. A locking direction L of an associated lock element (not shown) is also depicted. In general, the locking element approaches the actuator 500a in a generally downward locking direction L. Once the locking element contacts the face 506a, the actuator 500a rotates P about the axle 508a until it reaches the second position depicted in
In this example, the strike 502b of the actuator 500b extends a greater distance D than the example above in
In this example, the strike 502c of the actuator 500c extends a greater distance D than the example above in
The magnet part 750a includes an arm 710a that extends from a magnet part axle 724a and includes a magnet 712a disposed on an end 714a thereof. The magnet part axle 724a defines a magnet part axis AM. The arm 710a may be disposed at an angle β to an interface plate 726a, as required or desired for a particular application. In general, internal housing clearances, internal void sizes and dimensions, location of the magnetic sensor, and other factors may be relevant to the angle β of the arm 710a from the interface plate 726a. Length of the arm 710a (e.g., from the magnet part axle 724a to the end 714a or magnet 712a may also be considered). In examples, a spring, such as a torsion spring (not shown), may be disposed in a recess 716a proximate the magnet part axle 724a so as to bias the actuator 700a in a position where the strike 702a extends from the housing. Because the magnet part 750a is biased, the actuator part 740a does not necessary need to be individually biased since movement of the actuator part 740a can be induced by the locking element or the magnet part 750a. In other examples, the torsion spring may be disposed elsewhere, for example around the axle 708a. In still further examples, both the actuator part 740a and the magnet part 750a can be individually biased.
In the exemplary actuators 700a-700c, the angle β between the stop plates 704a-704c and the arms 710a-710c are substantially similar in each example. Additionally, the magnet part 750a may be the exact same in each example, with only the size and shape of the actuator part 740a changing. This enables, for the same size housing and magnet part 750a to be used for each actuator 700a-700c and increase assembly efficiencies. In other examples, any of the features of the actuators 700a-700c may be modified in a number of different ways as necessary to meet space, clearance, performance, and other requirements as required or desired.
In the depicted figures, one difference between the various actuators 700a-700c is the reach of the strike 702a. In one example, the reach R is shown as the distance between the farthest edge 718a to the stop plate 704a. In the actuator of
In general, and as described in more detail below, the strike faces 706a-706c of each of the actuators 700a-700c depicted herein are configured so as to actuate when contacted by a locking element L of an associated locking system, such as a hook. In the actuators 700a-700c depicted in
The materials utilized in the manufacture of the keepers described herein may be those typically utilized for lock manufacture, e.g., zinc, steel, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, etc. Molded plastics, such as PVC, polyethylene, etc., may be utilized for the various components. Other materials, such as glass-filled ABS may also be utilized. Material selection for most of the components may be based on the proposed use of the locking system. Appropriate materials may be selected for mounting systems used on particularly heavy panels, as well as on hinges subject to certain environmental conditions (e.g., moisture, corrosive atmospheres, etc.).
Any number of features of the different examples described herein may be combined into one single example and alternate examples having fewer than or more than all the features herein described are possible. It is to be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
While there have been described herein what are to be considered exemplary and preferred examples of the present technology, other modifications of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. The particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. It is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in the following claims, and all equivalents.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/536,150, filed on Jul. 24, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/641,093, filed on Mar. 9, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
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