Vertical door locking system

• US 20050235711A1
• Filed: 04/21/2004
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB), Single Access Lock, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Secure Access Lock Incorporated
• Inventors: Hunt, Robert C., Martin, Dale, Slusarski, Ronald S., Huff, Joshua M., Corwin, Larry G., Hayde, John, Guck, Herb, Yang, Shilin, Roth, Thomas E., Bains, Gurdev, Wojdan, Dennis E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,032,418 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/100
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/08 for sliding wings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/36 Overhead door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/11 Garage door lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/699 Motor controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/519 Projecting or extending bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5195 Projectable bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7107 And alternately mechanically actuated by a key, dial, etc.

Abstract

A vertical door locking system includes a door lock with a deadbolt that moves horizontally, a striker with an upward facing strike opening that vertically receives the deadbolt and a lock controller. The striker includes an electrically operated catch to engage and release the deadbolt. The door lock and striker are mounted opposite each other, one to the vertical door and the other to an adjacent fixed mounting point. The lock controller electrically operates the striker to release the deadbolt and allow it to move vertically out of engagement with the striker for primary access to a secure area and the door lock allows the deadbolt to be retracted horizontally away from the striker for secondary access. A remotely located control system optionally controls the lock controllers of multiple doors and a central office control system is optionally connected to multiple remotely located control systems.

Claims

1. A vertical door locking system comprising:

a deadbolt;

a striker including;

an upwardly open strike opening for vertically receiving the deadbolt, and

an electrically operated catch mechanism for engaging and releasing the deadbolt from the strike opening;

the deadbolt and striker being adapted for mounting, one to a door that opens and closes vertically to provide access to a secure area and the other to an adjacent fixed mounting point, the door lock and striker cooperating to lock the door and prevent it from being opened vertically when the deadbolt is engaged by the striker catch mechanism; and

an electric lock controller adapted for mounting outside the secure area and connected to the striker to electrically operate the catch mechanism in response to receiving a secure access key and release the deadbolt from the strike opening thereby providing access to the secure area.

2. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the electric lock controller further includes a status indicator to indicate the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area.

3. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the striker further includes a switch providing a signal to indicate the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area.

4. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the electric lock controller further includes a keypad and the secure access key comprises a selected personal identification number, the electric lock controller releasing the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area when the selected personal identification number is entered into the electric lock controller via the keypad.

5. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the electric lock controller further includes a wireless receiver and the secure access key comprises a selected access code wirelessly transmitted to the electric lock controller, the electric lock controller releasing the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area when the selected access code is received by the wireless receiver.

6. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the electric lock controller further includes a card reader and the secure access key comprises a selected access code magnetically stored on an access card, the electric lock controller releasing the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area when a user swipes the access card in the card reader and the card reader detects the selected access code stored thereon.

7. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the electric lock controller may be temporarily disabled to prevent access to the secure area.

8. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the striker includes an override accessible from within the secure area to release the deadbolt from the strike opening and allow the vertical door to open to exit the secure area.

9. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the striker includes a mount for mounting the striker to a vertical track for the door and the deadbolt includes a mount for mounting the deadbolt to a panel of the door.

10. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the electric lock controller is responsive to at least one additional secure access key, the electric lock controller releasing the deadbolt in response to each of the secure access keys.

11. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the electric lock controller includes a storage memory for storing transaction data related to accessing the secure area.

12. The vertical door locking system according to claim 11 wherein the transaction data includes a date and time the electric lock controller releases the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area.

13. The vertical door locking system according to claim 11 wherein the transaction data includes a date and time of access and an identification corresponding to the secure access key.

14. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the catch mechanism automatically engages the deadbolt when the door is vertically closed.

15. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the catch mechanism pivots between an engaged position and a released position.

16. The vertical door locking system according to claim 15 wherein the catch mechanism includes a locking arm, the locking arm pivoting between a locked position to lock the catch mechanism in the engaged position and an unlocked position where the catch mechanism may move to the released position, the striker further including a solenoid connected to the locking arm for moving the locking arm between the locked and unlocked positions.

17. The vertical door locking system according to claim 16 further including a manual override connected to the locking arm and accessible from outside the striker, the manual override allowing a user to pivot the locking arm to the unlocked position and disengage the deadbolt from the striker to open the vertical door and exit the secure area.

18. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the catch mechanism includes at least one roller contacting the deadbolt when the deadbolt is engaged by the catch mechanism.

19. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the striker further includes a switch connected to the lock controller and operated by the catch mechanism to provide a signal to the controller indicating the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area, and wherein the lock controller includes a storage memory for storing an indication of the date and time the switch has indicated the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt.

20. The vertical door locking system according to claim 1 wherein the striker further includes a switch connected to the lock controller and operated by the catch mechanism to provide a signal to the controller indicating the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area, and wherein the lock controller includes an illuminated status indicator having a first state to indicate the deadbolt is released and a second state to indicate the deadbolt is engaged by the catch mechanism.

21. A vertical door locking system comprising:

a door lock including;

a deadbolt that moves horizontally between an extended position and a retracted position; and

a lock mechanism connected to move the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position;

a striker including;

an upwardly open strike opening for vertically receiving the door lock deadbolt, and

an electrically operated catch mechanism for engaging and releasing the deadbolt from the strike opening;

the door lock and striker being adapted for mounting, one to a door that opens and closes vertically to provide access to a secure area and the other to an adjacent fixed mounting point, the door lock and striker cooperating to lock the door and prevent it from being opened vertically when the deadbolt is extended and engaged by the striker catch mechanism; and

an electric lock controller adapted for mounting outside the secure area and connected to the striker to electrically operate the catch mechanism in response to receiving a secure access key and release the deadbolt from the strike opening thereby providing access to the secure area, the door lock providing an alternative access to the secure area by horizontally retracting the deadbolt to disengage the deadbolt from the striker.

22. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the electric lock controller further includes a status indicator to indicate the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area.

23. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the striker further includes a switch providing a signal to indicate the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area.

24. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the electric lock controller further includes a keypad and is responsive to a secure access key comprising a selected personal identification number, the electric lock controller releasing the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area when the selected personal identification number is entered into the electric lock controller via keypad.

25. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the electric lock controller further includes a wireless receiver and is responsive to a secure access key comprising a selected access code wirelessly transmitted to the electric lock controller, the electric lock controller releasing the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area when the selected access code is received by the wireless receiver.

26. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the electric lock controller further includes a card reader and is responsive to a secure access key comprising a selected access code magnetically stored on an access card, the electric lock controller releasing the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area when a user swipes the access card in the card reader and the card reader detects the selected access code stored thereon.

27. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the electric lock controller may be temporarily disabled to prevent access to the secure area.

28. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the striker includes an override accessible from within the secure area to release the deadbolt from the strike opening and allow the vertical door to open to exit the secure area.

29. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the striker includes a mount for mounting the striker to a vertical track for the door and the deadbolt includes a mount for mounting the deadbolt to a panel of the door.

30. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the lock mechanism of the door lock includes a lock cylinder mechanically operated by a key.

31. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the electric lock controller includes a storage memory for storing transaction data related to accessing the secure area.

32. The vertical door locking system according to claim 31 wherein the transaction data includes a date and time the electric lock controller releases the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area.

33. The vertical door locking system according to claim 31 wherein the transaction data includes a date and time of access and an identification corresponding to the secure access key.

34. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the catch mechanism automatically engages the deadbolt when the door is vertically closed.

35. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the catch mechanism pivots between an engaged position and a released position.

36. The vertical door locking system according to claim 35 wherein the catch mechanism includes a locking arm, the locking arm pivoting between a locked position to lock the catch mechanism in the engaged position and an unlocked position where the catch mechanism may move to the released position, the striker further including a solenoid connected to the locking arm for moving the locking arm between the locked and unlocked positions.

37. The vertical door locking system according to claim 36 further including a manual override connected to the locking arm and accessible from outside the striker, the manual override allowing a user to pivot the locking arm to the unlocked position and disengage the deadbolt from the striker to open the vertical door and exit the secure area.

38. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the catch mechanism includes at least one roller contacting the deadbolt when the deadbolt is engaged by the catch mechanism.

39. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the striker further includes a switch connected to the lock controller and operated by the catch mechanism to provide a signal to the controller indicating the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area, and wherein the lock controller includes a storage memory for storing an indication of the date and time the switch has indicated the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt.

40. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 wherein the striker further includes a switch connected to the lock controller and operated by the catch mechanism to provide a signal to the controller indicating the striker catch mechanism has released the deadbolt to permit access to the secure area, and wherein the lock controller includes an illuminated status indicator having a first state to indicate the deadbolt is released and a second state to indicate the deadbolt is engaged by the catch mechanism.

41. The vertical door locking system according to claim 21 further including a remotely located control system connected to the electric lock controller and operable to remotely disable access to the secure area via the electric lock controller.

42. The vertical door locking system according to claim 41 wherein the remotely located control system is connected to control a plurality of additional electric lock controllers corresponding to a plurality of additional secure areas.

43. The vertical door locking system according to claim 41 wherein the remotely located control system is connected to monitor a plurality of additional electric lock controllers corresponding to a plurality of additional secure areas, the remotely located control system recording transaction data received from the plurality of additional electric lock controllers.

44. The vertical door locking system according to claim 41 wherein the remotely located control system is connected to the electric lock controller via a wireless connection.

45. The vertical door locking system according to claim 41 further including a central office control system connected to the remotely located control system via a network and also operable to remotely control access to the secure area via the electric lock controller.

46. The vertical door locking system according to claim 45 wherein the network is a packet switching network.

47. The vertical door locking system according to claim 45 wherein the central office control system is connected to at least one additional remotely located control system via the network.

48. A vertical door locking system comprising:

a door lock including;

a deadbolt that moves horizontally between an extended position and a retracted position; and

a lock mechanism connected to move the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position;

a striker including;

an upwardly open strike opening for vertically receiving the door lock deadbolt, and

an electrically operated catch mechanism for engaging and releasing the deadbolt from the strike opening;

the door lock and striker being adapted for mounting, one to a door that opens and closes vertically to provide access to a secure area and the other to an adjacent fixed mounting point, the door lock and striker cooperating to lock the door and prevent it from being opened vertically when the deadbolt is extended and engaged by the striker catch mechanism;

an electric lock controller responsive to a secure access key and adapted for mounting outside the secure area and proximate the door, the electric lock controller being connected to the striker to electrically operate the catch mechanism and release the deadbolt from the strike opening thereby providing access to the secure area by a first method when the secure access key is provided to the lock controller, the door lock providing a second access method to the secure area by horizontally retracting the deadbolt to disengage the deadbolt from the striker; and

a remotely located control system connected to the electric lock controller and operable to remotely disable access to the secure area via the electric lock controller.

49. A vertical door locking system comprising:

a door lock including;

a deadbolt that moves horizontally between an extended position and a retracted position; and

a lock mechanism connected to move the deadbolt between the extended position and the retracted position;

a striker including;

an upwardly open strike opening for vertically receiving the door lock deadbolt, and

an electrically operated catch mechanism for engaging and releasing the deadbolt from the strike opening;

the door lock and striker being adapted for mounting, one to a door that opens and closes vertically to provide access to a secure area and the other to an adjacent fixed mounting point, the door lock and striker cooperating to lock the door and prevent it from being opened vertically when the deadbolt is extended and engaged by the striker catch mechanism;

an electric lock controller responsive to a secure access key and adapted for mounting outside the secure area and proximate the door, the electric lock controller being connected to the striker to electrically operate the catch mechanism and release the deadbolt from the strike opening thereby providing access to the secure area by a first method when the secure access key is provided to the lock controller, the door lock providing a second access method to the secure area by horizontally retracting the deadbolt to disengage the deadbolt from the striker;

a remotely located control system connected to the electric lock controller and operable to remotely control access to the secure area via the electric lock controller; and

a central office control system connected to the remotely located control system via a network and also operable to remotely control access to the secure area via the electric lock controller.