Lock sensor detection system

• US 6,441,735 B1
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Marlin Security Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Marlin Security Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Kollin, Adam J., Marko, Matthew P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Toan
• Application Number:
  US09/789,693
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 340/542, 340/545.1, 340/547, 340/551, 70/571, 70/77, 70/81, 70/91, 70/99, 701/04, 701/06, 701/11, 701/16, 701/79, 701/76, 704/32, 704/33, 704/34, 702/73, 200/61.27, 200/61.45 M
• US Class Current: 340/542
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/083 with contact making either in the striking plate or by movement of the bolt relative to the striking plate
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/12 by movement of the bolt E05B45/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7057 Permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8027 Condition indicators

Abstract

Apparatus for providing a signal in response to the actuation of an internal lock mechanism for a door latch to a locked condition of the door latch and for detecting the locked condition when the door is in a closed position with the door latch bolt in the door jamb. Detection apparatus is located in the door jamb and senses the lock signal and in turn can provide a signal locally or to a remote security or surveillance system indicating the locked or unlocked condition of the latch bolt when the door is in the closed position.

Claims

1. A lock sensor detection system for sensing the locked or unlocked condition of a door latch assembly with the door latch assembly adapted to be located in a door and having a latch bolt actuable between extended and retracted positions and operative with a door jamb in its extended position for engagement with the door jamb for normally maintaining the door in a closed, unlocked condition and with the door latch assembly including opening means for manually moving the latch bolt between the extended and retracted positions for opening and closing the door and including lock means selectively actuable to a locked condition for preventing actuation of the opening means to move the latch bolt to its retracted position away from the door jamb to prevent opening of the door, the lock sensor detection system comprising:

detection means operatively connected with said door latch assembly,

said detection means comprising a magnetic circuit, and

a permanent magnet member,

operative means connected to said lock means for moving said magnet into said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the locked condition for providing a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit and for moving said magnet out of said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the unlocked condition,

said magnetic circuit including said latch bolt, said detection means further including magnetic signal means located in said magnetic circuit in a position in the door jamb to be proximate to the latch bolt when located in the door jamb,

said signal means providing a signal in response to the magnetic field in said magnetic circuit generated by said magnet when moved into said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the locked condition with the latch bolt in the door jamb.

2. The lock sensor detection system of claim 1

with said operative means including an actuating arm with said magnet member secured to said actuating arm,

said operative means including a pivot structure for pivotally securing said actuating arm at a preselected position relative to said magnetic circuit and further including bias means for resiliently biasing said actuating arm to locate said magnet to a position out of said magnetic circuit.

3. The lock sensor detection system of claim 1

with said operative means including an actuating arm with said magnet member secured to said actuating arm,

said operative means including a pivot structure for pivotally securing said actuating arm at a preselected position relative to said magnetic circuit and further including bias means for resiliently biasing said actuating arm to locate said magnet to a position out of said magnetic circuit,

said actuating arm having an engagement arm portion located proximate to said lock means and adapted to be moved upon actuation of said lock means to pivot said actuating arm to move said magnet to a position in said magnetic circuit to provide the magnetic field in said magnetic circuit to activate said signal means.

4. The lock sensor detection system of claim 1 with said latch bolt including a nose portion adapted to be selectively moved into and out of the door jamb for closing and opening the door,

said latch bolt further including an extension plate connected at the inner end of said latch bolt,

said door latch assembly further comprising a drive plate operatively connected to said extension plate for moving said latch bolt between its opened and closed positions in response to actuation of said opening means,

said drive plate being in generally sliding engagement with said extension plate with said extension plate slidable to permit said nose position to be moved to its retracted position independently of said opening means to permit door closure without actuation of said opening means,

said magnetic circuit including said drive plate.

5. The lock sensor detection system of claim 1 with said latch bolt including a nose portion adapted to be selectively moved into and out of the door jamb for closing and opening the door,

said latch bolt further including an extension plate connected at the inner end of said latch bolt,

said door latch assembly further comprising a drive plate operatively connected to said extension plate for moving said latch bolt between its opened and closed positions in response to actuation of said opening means,

said drive plate being in generally sliding engagement with said extension plate with said extension plate slidable to permit said nose position to be moved to its retracted position independently of said opening means to permit door closure without actuation of said opening means,

said magnetic circuit including said drive plate,

said operative means including an actuating arm with said magnet member secured to said actuating arm,

said operative means including a pivot structure for pivotally securing said actuating arm at a preselected position relative to said magnetic circuit and further including bias means for resiliently biasing said actuating arm to locate said magnet to a position out of said magnetic circuit.

6. The lock sensor detection system of claim 5 with

said actuating arm having an engagement arm portion located proximate to said lock means and adapted to be moved upon actuation of said lock means to pivot said actuating arm to move said magnet to a position in said magnetic circuit in line with said drive plate to provide the magnetic field in said magnetic circuit to activate said signal means.

7. In combination, a door latch assembly adapted to be located in a door and a lock sensor detection system for sensing the locked or unlocked condition of said door latch assembly the improvement comprising:

said door latch assembly having a latch bolt actuable between extended and retracted positions and operative with a door jamb in its extended position for engagement with the door jamb for normally maintaining the door in a closed, unlocked condition and with said door latch assembly including opening means for manually moving said latch bolt between the extended and retracted positions for opening and closing the door, said door latch assembly further including lock means selectively actuable to a locked condition for preventing actuation of the opening means to move said latch bolt to its retracted position away from the door jamb to prevent opening of the door,

said lock sensor detection system including detection means operatively connected with said door latch assembly,

said detection means comprising a magnetic circuit and

a permanent magnet member,

operative means connected to said lock means for moving said magnet into said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the locked condition for providing a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit and for moving said magnet out of said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the unlocked condition,

said detection means further including magnetic signal means located in a position in the door jamb to be in said magnetic circuit and for providing a signal upon actuation of said lock means to the locked condition and in response to said magnetic field generated by said magnet with said latch bolt located in the door jamb.

8. A lock sensor detection system for sensing the locked or unlocked condition of a door latch assembly with the door latch assembly adapted to be located in a door and having a latch bolt actuable between extended and retracted positions and operative with a door jamb in its extended position for engagement with the door jamb for normally maintaining the door in a closed, unlocked condition and with the door latch assembly including opening means for manually moving the latch bolt between the extended and retracted positions for opening and closing the door and including lock means selectively actuable to a locked condition for preventing actuation of the opening means to move the latch bolt to its retracted position away from the door jamb to prevent opening of the door, the lock sensor detection system comprising:

detection means operatively connected with said door latch assembly,

said detection means comprising a magnetic circuit, and

a magnetic member for providing a magnetic field,

operative means connected to said lock means for selectively connecting said magnetic member magnetically with said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the locked condition for communicating said magnetic field in said magnetic circuit and for selectively disconnecting said magnetic member out of communication with said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the unlocked condition,

said detection means further including magnetic signal means located in said magnetic circuit in a position in the door jamb,

said signal means providing a signal in response to the magnetic field in said magnetic circuit generated by said magnetic member when magnetically connected with said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the locked condition with the latch bolt in the door jamb.

9. In combination, a door latch assembly adapted to be located in a door and a lock sensor detection system for sensing the locked or unlocked condition of said door latch assembly the improvement comprising:

said door latch assembly having a latch bolt actuable between extended and retracted positions and operative with a door jamb in its extended position for engagement with the door jamb for normally maintaining the door in a closed, unlocked condition and with said door latch assembly including opening means for manually moving said latch bolt between the extended and retracted positions for opening and closing the;

door, said door latch assembly further including lock means selectively actuable to a locked condition for preventing actuation of the opening means to move said latch bolt to its retracted position away from the door jamb to prevent opening of the door,

said lock sensor detection system including detection means operatively connected with said door latch assembly,

said detection means comprising a magnetic circuit and

a magnetic member for providing a magnetic field,

operative means connected to said lock means for selectively connecting said magnetic member magnetically with said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the locked condition for communicating said magnetic field with said magnetic circuit and for selectively disconnecting said magnetic member out of communication with said magnetic circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the unlocked condition,

said magnetic circuit including said latch bolt, said detection means further including magnetic signal means located in a position in the door jamb to be in said magnetic circuit and proximate to said latch bolt when located in the door jamb and for providing a signal upon actuation of said lock means to the locked condition and in response to said magnetic field generated by said magnetic member with said latch bolt located in the door jamb.

10. The lock sensor detection system of claim 9

with said operative means including an actuating arm with said magnet member being operatively associated with said actuating arm,

said operative means including a pivot structure for pivotally securing said actuating arm at preselected positions relative to said magnetic circuit and further including bias means for resiliently biasing said actuating arm to place said magnet in a condition out of communication with said magnetic circuit.

11. The lock sensor detection system of claim 9

with said operative means including an actuating arm with said magnet member being operatively associated with said actuating arm,

said operative means including a pivot structure for pivotally securing said actuating arm at preselected position relative to said magnetic circuit and further including bias means for resiliently biasing said actuating arm to place said magnet in a condition out of communication with said magnetic circuit,

said actuating arm having an engagement arm portion located proximate to said lock means and adapted to be moved upon actuation of said lock means to pivot said actuating arm to place said magnet in a condition in said magnetic circuit to provide the magnetic field in said magnetic circuit to activate said signal means.

12. The lock sensor detection system of claim 9 with said latch bolt including a nose portion adapted to be selectively moved into and out of the door jamb for closing and opening the door,

said latch bolt further including an extension plate connected at the inner end of said latch bolt,

said door latch assembly further comprising a drive plate operatively connected to said extension plate for moving said latch bolt between its opened and closed positions in response to actuation of said opening means,

said drive plate being in generally sliding engagement with said extension plate with said extension plate slidable to permit said nose portion to be moved to its retracted position independently of said opening means to permit door closure without actuation of said opening means,

said magnetic circuit including said drive plate.

13. The lock sensor detection system of claim 9 with said latch bolt including a nose portion adapted to be selectively moved into and out of the door jamb for closing and opening the door,

said latch bolt further including an extension plate connected at the inner end of said latch bolt,

said door latch assembly further comprising a drive plate operatively connected to said extension plate for moving said latch bolt between its opened and closed positions in response to actuation of said opening means,

said drive plate being in generally sliding engagement with said extension plate with said extension plate slidable to permit said nose portion to be moved to its retracted position independently of said opening means to permit door closure without actuation of said opening means,

said magnetic circuit including said drive plate,

said operative means including an actuating arm with said magnet member being operatively associated with said actuating arm,

said operative means including a pivot structure for pivotally securing said actuating arm at preselected positions relative to said magnetic circuit and further including bias means for resiliently biasing said actuating arm to place said magnet in a condition out of communication with said magnetic circuit.

14. The lock detection system of claim 13 with

said actuating arm having an engagement arm portion located proximate to said lock means and to be moved upon actuation of said lock means to pivot said actuating arm to place said magnet in a condition with said magnetic circuit to provide the magnetic field in said magnetic circuit to activate said signal means.

15. A lock sensor detection system for sensing the locked or unlocked condition of a door latch assembly with the door latch assembly adapted to be located in a door and having a latch bolt actuable between extended and retracted positions and operative with a door jamb in its extended position for engagement with the door jamb for normally maintaining the door in a closed, unlocked condition and with the door latch assembly including opening means for manually moving the latch bolt between the extended and retracted positions for opening and closing the door and including lock means selectively actuable to a locked condition for preventing actuation of the opening means to move the latch bolt to its retracted position away from the door jamb to prevent opening of the door, the lock sensor detection system comprising:

detection means operatively connected with said door latch assembly,

said detection means comprising an energy transmission circuit, and

energy source means for providing a source of transmittable energy,

operative means connected to said lock means for selectively connecting said energy source means into said energy transmission circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the locked condition for communicating said transmittable energy with said energy transmission circuit and for disconnecting said transmittable energy from said energy transmission circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the unlocked condition,

said detection means further including energy signal means located in said energy transmission circuit in a position in the door jamb, said signal means providing a signal in response to said transmittable energy in said energy transmission circuit generated by said energy source when connected with said energy transmission circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the locked condition with the latch bolt in the door jamb.

16. In combination, a door latch assembly adapted to be located in a door and a lock sensor detection system for sensing the locked or unlocked condition of said door latch assembly the improvement comprising:

said door latch assembly having a latch bolt actuable between extended and retracted positions and operative with a door jamb in its extended position for engagement with the door jamb for normally maintaining the door in a closed, unlocked condition and with said door latch assembly including opening means for manually moving said latch bolt between the extended and retracted positions for opening and closing the door, said door latch assembly further including lock means selectively actuable to a locked condition for preventing actuation of the opening means to move said latch bolt to its retracted position away from the door jamb to prevent opening of the door,

said lock sensor detection system including detection means operatively connected with said door latch assembly,

said detection means comprising an energy transmission circuit and

energy source means for providing a source of transmittable energy,

operative means connected to said lock means for selectively connecting said energy source means into said energy transmission circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the locked condition for communicating said transmittable energy with said energy transmission circuit and for disconnecting said transmittable energy from said energy transmission circuit in response to actuation of said lock means to the unlocked condition,

said energy transmission circuit including said latch bolt, said detection means further including energy signal means located in a position in the door jamb to be in said energy transmission circuit and proximate to said latch bolt when located in the door jamb and for providing a signal upon actuation of said lock means to the locked condition and in response to said transmittable energy from said energy source means with said latch bolt located in the door jamb.

17. The lock sensor detection system of claim 16 with said energy source means comprising a magnetic member with said transmittable energy being a magnetic field provided by said magnetic member and with said energy transmission circuit being a magnetic circuit and with said signal means providing said signal in response to the magnetic field in said magnetic circuit generated by said magnetic member.