Electronic door control and light

• US 6,454,324 B1
• Filed: 08/25/2000
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lewis, John H., Lewis, John S.
• Original Assignee: Lewis, John H., Lewis, John S.
• Inventors: Lewis, John H., Lewis, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodgers, Matthew E.
• Application Number:
  US09/648,131
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 292/341.16, 292/DIG.4, 292/DIG.12, 292/DIG.25, 292/DIG.72, 702/57, 704/32, 392/100, 493/79, 493/64
• US Class Current: 292/341.16
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0033 for opening only E05B17/0029 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0083 Sound emitting devices, e.g. loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/10 Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
• 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 47/0047 Striker rotating about an axis parallel to the wing edge
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/105 with a compression spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00222 by more than one push button
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/04 Automatic release latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/12 Closure operators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/25 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/699 Motor controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8027 Condition indicators

Abstract

An electronic door control and light for permitting push-button and/or remote opening of a door and lighting of an area proximate the doorway. The electronic door control and light includes a control panel assembly designed for coupling to a building, a door latch assembly having a door jarring assembly and a latch mechanism, and at least one light operationally coupled to the control panel assembly. In an embodiment, a remote unit has a transmitter and the control panel assembly has a receiver for selectively activating the door latch assembly and light. In an embodiment, the control panel assembly has individual switches for facilitating selective activation of the door latch assembly and the light.

Claims

1. A door lighting and control system comprising:

a light adapted for positioning proximate a door of a structure;

a control panel assembly operationally coupled to said light for selectively operating said light;

a door latch assembly adapted for coupling to the structure proximate a bolt of the door, said door latch assembly being operationally coupled to said control panel for selectively opening the door of the structure;

said door latch assembly having a latch member selectively positionable between a retracted position wherein said latch member is positioned to permit free movement of the door when the bolt of the door is extended from the door and an extended position wherein said latch member is positioned adjacent to the bolt of the door when the door is in a closed position whereby said door is prevented from opening when the bolt of the door is extended from the door;

said door latch assembly further having a door jarring device adapted for pushing the door open when said latch member is in said open position; and

wherein said control panel assembly further comprises

a main switch for actuating said latch member and said light,

a light interrupt switch for selectively preventing turning on of said light when said main switch is activated, and

a latch member interrupt switch for selectively preventing actuation of said latch member when said main switch is activated.

2. The door lighting and control system of claim 1, wherein said control panel assembly further comprises:

a push button operationally coupled to said main switch for facilitating manual lighting and opening of door.

3. The door lighting and control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a remote control unit having a transmitter for transmitting an activation signal;

a receiver in said control panel assembly for receiving said activation signal whereby said main switch is activated.

6. The door lighting and control system of claim 1, further comprising:

said control panel assembly including a housing, said housing being adapted for coupling to a structure;

said control panel assembly including a panel door for covering a front face of said housing; and

a panel door locking mechanism for selectively locking said panel door in a closed position for preventing unauthorized access to said front face of said housing.

7. The door lighting and control system of claim 6, further comprising:

said panel door including an indicator light aperture; and

said control panel assembly including an indicator light positioned proximate said indicator light aperture such that said indicator light is visible through said indicator light aperture, said indicator light being actuated when said main switch is activated.

8. The door lighting and control system of claim 6, further comprising:

said panel door including a picture holding assembly for holding a picture whereby said panel door resembles a picture frame, said picture holding assembly being for facilitating disguising of said control panel assembly.

9. The door lighting and control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a timer for deactivating said light a pre-determined period of time after actuation of said light.

10. The door lighting and control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second light, one light being adapted for positioning on an exterior of the structure and said second light being adapted for positioning in an interior of the structure for providing light proximate the interior and exterior of the door of the structure.

11. The door lighting and control system of claim 1, wherein said door jarring device includes a main member slidably inserted through a bracket, said bracket being adapted for coupling to the structure proximate the door of the structure;

and

wherein said door jarring device further includes a biasing member operationally coupled to said main member for biasing said main member towards the door such that said main member abuts the door and the biasing member is in a compressed position when the door is in a closed position whereby said door is urged into an open position by said door jarring device when said latch member is in said retracted position.

4. A door lighting and control system comprising:

a light adapted for positioning proximate a door of a structure;

a control panel assembly operationally coupled to said light for selectively operating said light;

a door latch assembly adapted for coupling to the structure proximate a bolt of the door, said door latch assembly being operationally coupled to said control panel for selectively opening the door of the structure;

said door latch assembly having a latch member selectively positionable between a retracted position wherein said latch member is positioned to permit free movement of the door when the bolt of the door is extended from the door and an extended position wherein said latch member is positioned adjacent to the bolt of the door when the door is in a closed position whereby said door is prevented from opening when the bolt of the door is extended from the door;

said door latch assembly further having a door jarring device adapted for pushing the door open when said latch member is in said open position;

a remote control unit having a transmitter for transmitting an activation signal;

a receiver in said control panel assembly for receiving said activation signal whereby said main switch is activated; and

said remote unit having a unit locking mechanism for selectively activating and deactivating said remote unit for preventing unauthorized use of said remote unit.

5. The door lighting and control system of claim 4, further comprising:

said remote unit being integrally coupled to a dash board of a vehicle for facilitating activation of said main switch by a user positioned within an interior of the vehicle.

12. A door lighting and control system comprising:

a light adapted for positioning proximate a door of a structure;

a control panel assembly operationally coupled to said light for selectively operating said light;

a door latch assembly adapted for coupling to the structure proximate a bolt of the door, said door latch assembly being operationally coupled to said control panel for selectively unlocking and opening the door of the structure;

said door latch assembly having a latch member selectively positionable between a retracted position wherein said latch member is positioned to permit free movement of the door when the bolt of the door is extended from the door and an extended position wherein said latch member is positioned adjacent to the bolt of the door when the door is in a closed position whereby said door is prevented from opening when the bolt of the door is extended from the door;

said door latch assembly further having a door jarring device adapted for pushing the door open when said latch member is in said open position;

a main switch for actuating said latch member and said light;

a light interrupt switch for selectively preventing turning on of said light when said main switch is activated;

a latch member interrupt switch for selectively preventing actuation of said latch member when said main switch is activated;

a push button operationally coupled to said main switch for facilitating manual lighting and opening of door;

a remote control unit having a transmitter for transmitting an activation signal;

a receiver in said control panel assembly for receiving said activation signal whereby said main switch is activated;

said control panel assembly including a housing, said housing being adapted for coupling to a structure;

said control panel assembly including a panel door for covering a front face of said housing;

a panel door locking mechanism for selectively locking said panel door in a closed position for preventing unauthorized access to said front face of said housing;

a timer for deactivating said light a pre-determined period of time after actuation of said light;

a second light, one light being adapted for positioning on an exterior of the structure and said second light being adapted for positioning in an interior of the structure for providing light proximate the interior and exterior of the door of the structure;

said remote unit having a unit locking mechanism for selectively activating and deactivating said remote unit for preventing unauthorized use of said remote unit;

said panel door including an indicator light aperture;

said control panel assembly including an indicator light positioned proximate said indicator light aperture such that said indicator light is visible through said indicator light aperture, said indicator light being actuated when said main switch is activated;

said panel door including a picture holding assembly for holding a picture whereby said panel door resembles a picture frame, said picture holding assembly being for facilitating disguising of said control panel assembly;

said remote unit being integrally coupled to a dash board of a vehicle for facilitating activation of said main switch by a user positioned within an interior of the vehicle;

wherein said door jarring device includes a main member slidably inserted through a bracket, said bracket being adapted for coupling to the structure proximate the door of the structure;

wherein said door jarring device further includes a biasing member operationally coupled to said main member for biasing said main member towards the door such that said main member abuts the door and the biasing member is in a compressed position when the door is in a closed position whereby said door is urged into an open position by said door jarring device when said latch member is in said retracted position; and

said door jarring device further including an adjustment knob positionable along a length of said main member for selectively preventing extension of a length of said main member whereby a force provided to said door by said door jarring device is adjustable.