LOW FRICTION LOCKING DEADBOLT

• US 20150330120A1
• Filed: 05/16/2014
• Published: 11/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Inventors: Hogan, Michael Patrick, St. Amour, Brion Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 10,337,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/0006 Devices for aligning wing and frame; Anti-rattling devices for vehicle doors E05B83/367
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/0205 Striking-plates, keepers, staples means for reducing friction E05B17/007; electric strikers E05B47/0046; staples for padlocks E05B67/383; strikers for espagnolettes E05C9/1808
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/102 Bolts having movable elements E05B23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/007 Devices for reducing friction between lock parts E05B17/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/004 parallel to the surface on which the fastener is mounted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1014 Operating means

Abstract

An exemplary deadbolt includes a pair of rollers positioned on opposing sides of an axial centerline of the deadbolt. The deadbolt may include chamfers or tapered surfaces extending from side surfaces of the deadbolt toward a face of the deadbolt. The rollers may extend beyond the face, one of the side surfaces, and/or one of the tapered surfaces. As the bolt moves from a retracted position to an extended position, one of the rollers may engage an edge of an opening in a strike plate, for example when the deadbolt is misaligned with the strike plate opening. As the rollers engage the edge, the deadbolt may be urged to a more aligned position.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a deadbolt assembly including;

a deadbolt including an axial centerline, a first end, and a second end, the second end including a deadbolt face and a cavity extending axially inward from the deadbolt face;

a first deadbolt roller seated in the cavity, and rotatably mounted to the second end such that the first deadbolt roller extends beyond the deadbolt face, wherein a rotational axis of the first deadbolt roller is positioned on a first side of the axial centerline and is offset from the axial centerline by a first offset distance; and

a second deadbolt roller seated in the deadbolt cavity, and rotatably mounted to the second end such that the second deadbolt roller extends beyond the deadbolt face, wherein a rotational axis of the second deadbolt roller is positioned on a second, opposite side of the axial centerline and is offset from the axial centerline by a second offset distance; and

a strike plate assembly comprising;

a strike plate including a through-hole;

first and second strike plate rollers rotatably mounted to the strike plate at opposing sides of the through-hole such that the first and second strike-plate rollers define a strike plate opening therebetween, the strike plate opening comprising a width corresponding to a width of the second end.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second deadbolt rollers is rotatably mounted to the second end such that the at least one deadbolt roller is movable with respect to the deadbolt.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end includes a tapered surface extending from a deadbolt side surface toward the deadbolt face, and wherein one of the deadbolt rollers extends beyond the tapered surface.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a throwing system operably connected with the deadbolt apparatus, and operable to move the deadbolt between a locking position in which the deadbolt extends into the strike plate passage, and an unlocking position in which the deadbolt does not extend into the strike plate passage.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the throwing system comprises an electronic throwing mechanism structured to receive a user command, and to move the deadbolt from one of the locking and unlocking positions to the other of the locking and unlocking positions in response to the user command.

6. A locking system configured for use with a strike plate comprising a strike plate opening including first and second edges, the locking system comprising:

a deadbolt assembly operable in an aligned position and a first misaligned position with respect to the strike plate, the deadbolt assembly comprising;

a deadbolt operable in an extended position and a retracted position, and comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion including a central axial plane, a first side surface positioned on a first side of the central axial plane, and a second side surface positioned on a second, opposite side of the central axial plane; and

a roller assembly including first and second rollers, wherein each of the rollers is rotatably mounted to the distal end portion on opposing sides of the central axial plane;

wherein, with the deadbolt in the retracted position and the deadbolt assembly in the aligned position, the first and second side surfaces are aligned with the strike plate opening;

wherein, with the deadbolt in the retracted position and the deadbolt assembly in the first misaligned position, the first roller is aligned with the first edge, and wherein the first edge engages the first roller and urges the deadbolt assembly toward the aligned position in response to motion of the deadbolt from the retracted position toward the extended position.

7. The locking system of claim 6, wherein the distal end portion further comprises a first chamfer tapering inward from the first side surface toward the central axial plane;

and

wherein, with the deadbolt in the retracted position and the deadbolt assembly in the first misaligned position, the first chamfer is aligned with the first edge.

8. The locking system of claim 7, wherein the deadbolt assembly is further operable in a second misaligned position;

and

wherein, with the deadbolt in the retracted position and the deadbolt assembly in the second misaligned position, the second roller is aligned with the second edge, and wherein the second edge engages the second roller and urges the deadbolt assembly toward the aligned position in response to motion of the deadbolt from the retracted position toward the extended position.

9. The locking system of claim 8, wherein the distal end portion further comprises a second chamfer tapering inward from the second side surface toward the central axial plane;

and

wherein, with the deadbolt in the retracted position and the deadbolt assembly in the second misaligned position, the second chamfer is aligned with the second edge.

10. The locking system of claim 9, wherein the first roller is movable with respect to the deadbolt, is operable in a retracted roller position and an extended roller position, and is biased at least partially in a direction of deadbolt extension toward the extended roller position.

11. The locking system of claim 10, wherein, with the deadbolt in the retracted position and the deadbolt assembly in the first misaligned position, the first roller is urged toward the retracted roller position by the strike plate.

12. The locking system of claim 9, further comprising an electricity-powered throwing system configured to receive a user command, and to urge the deadbolt toward one of the extended and retracted positions in response to the user command.

13. The locking system of claim 10, wherein the user command comprises a remote user command issued by or on behalf of a user positioned at least three feet from the deadbolt assembly.

14. A system, comprising:

a deadbolt assembly including;

a bolt housing mountable in a door cross-bore;

a deadbolt positioned at least partially in the housing, and comprising an end portion including a bolt face and an opening extending axially inward from the bolt face, the deadbolt operable in a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the end portion protrudes from the housing in the extended position; and

first and second rolling elements rotatably mounted to the end portion and positioned partially in the opening such that each rolling element extends beyond the bolt face; and

an electronic throwing assembly comprising;

a receiver configured to receive a user command; and

an electromechanical throwing mechanism configured to move the deadbolt from the retracted position to the extended position in response to the user command.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first rolling element is positioned on an opposite side of a longitudinal axis of the end portion as the second rolling element.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the end portion includes a tapered surface extending from a side surface of the deadbolt toward the bolt face, and wherein the first rolling element extends beyond the tapered surface.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an energy storage device operable to provide electrical power to the electronic throwing assembly.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the user command comprises a remote user command issued by or on behalf of a user located at least three feet from the deadbolt assembly.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the first rolling element is operable in a first position and a second position, wherein the first rolling element extends beyond the bolt face by a greater distance in the second position than in the first position, and wherein the first rolling element is biased toward the second position.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein, with the deadbolt in the retracted position and the first rolling element in the second position, the first rolling element protrudes from the housing.