INTERCONNECTED LOCKING SYSTEM

• US 20140260448A1
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASSA Abloy Americas Residential Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kwikset Corporation (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: ALMOMANI, NEDAL AKRAM, BECK, CHASEN SCOTT, SZUBA, PHIL
• Granted Patent: US 10,378,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/263
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/0065 Operating modes; Transformable to different operating modes
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/143 Arrangement of several locks, e.g. in parallel or series, on one or more wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0003 for locking a plurality of wings, e.g. simultaneously E05B65/0017, E05B77/46, E05B65/462, E05C7/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/1006 of the vertical rod type
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 7/04 for wings which abut when closed pillarless vehicle doors E05B83/38
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/625 Operation and control

Abstract

An interconnected locking system in which multiple locks may be interconnected to be locked and/or unlocked in a coordinated manner. In one embodiment, the locking system allows a user to lock or unlock a door with multiple locking points with a single activation of one of the locks, such as when a deadbolt or lever is activated. The multiple locking points communicate together wirelessly, for example, to activate all the locking points as desired or set by the user.

Claims

1. An interconnected locking system comprising:

a plurality of locking points each movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the plurality of locking points have a wireless communication feature configured to allow wireless communication between the plurality of locking points, wherein the plurality of locking points are arranged in an approximately coplanar manner;

wherein movement of the plurality of locking points between the locked position and the unlocked position is wirelessly coordinated responsive to actuation of at least one of the plurality of locking points between the locked position and the unlocked position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications received from another locking point.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the locking points is a deadbolt and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the locking points is a knob that is configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of locking points includes a plurality of mortised bolt mechanisms configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points enter into the unlock position responsive to a wireless communication indicative of an emergency.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the locking points are of a different type of lock from each other.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the locking points that are wirelessly coordinated are selectable by a user.

9. An interconnected electronic lockset comprising:

a first lock movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the first lock includes a wireless communication feature; and

a second lock movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the second lock is configured to wirelessly communicate with the first lock, wherein the second lock is installed approximately coplanar with the first lock; and

wherein the first lock is configured to send a wireless communication responsive to moving between the locked position and the unlocked position, wherein the second lock is configured to actuate corresponding locking or unlocking of the second lock responsive to receiving the wireless communication from the first lock.

10. The lockset of claim 9, further comprising a third lock installed approximately coplanar with respect to the first lock, wherein the third lock is configured to wirelessly communicate with the first lock, wherein the third lock is configured to actuate locking or unlocking corresponding to the first lock responsive to receiving the wireless communication from the first lock.

11. The lockset of claim 10, wherein the first lock and the second lock are installed on the same door.

12. The lockset of claim 11, wherein the third lock is installed on a different door from the first lock and the second lock.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the first lock is configured move to the unlocked position responsive to detecting an emergency.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the first lock comprises a deadbolt moveable between an extended position and a retracted position.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second lock comprises a knob configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to the wireless communication.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the second lock comprises a mortised bolt mechanism configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to the wireless communication.

17. A method of wirelessly coordinating locking and unlocking of an interconnected locking system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of locking points each movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the plurality of locking points are arranged in an approximately coplanar manner, wherein the plurality of locking points are configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other locking point;

actuating at least one of the plurality of locking points between the locked position and the unlocked position;

generating a wireless communication indicating that at least one of the locking points has moved between the locked position and the unlocked position in response to the actuating step; and

triggering corresponding actuation of locking or unlocking of one or more other locking points in the plurality of locking points responsive to the wireless communication.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one of the locking points comprises a deadbolt moveable between an extended and retracted position.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the locking points are of a different type of lock from each other.