Deadbolt lock

• US 7,963,134 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2007
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rafferty, Michael Stephen, Enslow, Mike, Terrill, Andrew Brian, Grosz, John William, Smith, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A
• Application Number:
  US11/738,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20070266747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 701/49, 702/18, 70222-224, 704/22, 702/791, 702/76, 702/77, 704/72, 704/16, 704/17, 704/68, 704/71, 70481-483, 704/87, 701/52, 701/53, 701/88, 701/89, 704/32, 704/38, 70D/IG.59, 70D/IG.73, 292/DIG.27, 292/359, 292/DIG.24, 292/336.3, 292/150, 292/347, 192/56.42, 192/56.61, 192/69.8, 192/84.92
• US Class Current: 70/218
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/00 Devices preventing the key or the handle or both from being used covers or guards for keyholes E05B17/14
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/004 by locking the spindle, follower, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0028 using electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/27 Disconnectable handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/96 Latch-spindle catches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5319 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5341 Key operable only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5398 Related dog for interior, manual, bolt manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5482 Slidable only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5805 Freely movable when locked
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5827 Axially movable clutch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

A deadbolt lock includes a deadbolt, a user rotatable actuator, and a lock interface. The user rotatable actuator is operatively connected with the deadbolt for movement of the deadbolt between locked and unlocked conditions when the actuator is changed from an inoperable condition to an operable condition. The lock interface is configured to change the actuator from the inoperable condition to the operable condition in response to proper user manipulation of the lock interface.

Claims

1. A deadbolt lock for assembly with a door, the deadbolt lock comprising:

a deadbolt movable between locked and unlocked positions;

a user rotatable actuator rotatable about a central axis and accessible from an exterior side of a door when the deadbolt lock is assembled with the door;

an actuation translating component selectively connecting the actuator to the deadbolt;

a latch mechanism having a body portion and a holding portion for engaging the actuation translating component; and

a lock interface accessible from the exterior side of the door when the deadbolt lock is assembled with the door, the lock interface being configured to change the holding portion of the latch mechanism from a first condition in which the holding portion is retractable with respect to the body portion to a second condition in which the holding portion is secured in an extended condition with respect to the body portion, in response to proper user manipulation of the lock interface;

wherein when the holding portion is in the first condition, rotation of the actuator moves the actuation translating component against the retractable holding portion and out of engagement with the actuator to prevent operation of the deadbolt; and

further wherein when the holding portion is in the second condition, the holding portion secures the actuation translating component in operative engagement with the actuator, such that rotation of the actuator moves the deadbolt between the locked position and the unlocked position.

2. The deadbolt lock of claim 1, further comprising a lock cylinder operable to move the deadbolt between locked and unlocked conditions, wherein the actuator comprises a cover member configured to cover at least a portion of the lock cylinder.

3. The deadbolt lock of claim 1, wherein the actuation translating component comprises a clutch ring, wherein the clutch ring securely engages an end portion of the actuator for mutual rotation of the actuator and clutch ring when the holding portion of the latch mechanism is in the second condition.

4. The deadbolt lock of claim 3, wherein the actuator comprises at least one notch and the clutch ring comprises at least one projection, wherein the at least one projection securely engages the at least one notch when the holding portion of the latch mechanism is in the second condition.

5. The deadbolt lock of claim 3, wherein the latch mechanism comprises an electronic latch connected with the lock interface, wherein proper user manipulation of the lock interface energizes the electronic latch to hold the clutch ring in secure engagement with the actuator.

6. The deadbolt lock of claim 3, further comprising a drive arm assembled with the clutch ring, the drive arm providing an operative connection between the clutch ring and the deadbolt.

7. The deadbolt lock of claim 6, wherein the clutch ring is axially slideable with respect to each of the actuator and the drive arm.

8. The deadbolt lock of claim 1, wherein the lock interface is configured to receive a data signal for comparison with one or more stored authorized data signals.

9. The deadbolt lock of claim 8, wherein the one or more stored authorized data signals are associated with an inherent trait of an authorized user.

10. The deadbolt lock of claim 9, wherein the inherent trait comprises a fingerprint pattern.

11. The deadbolt lock of claim 1, further comprising a lockout mechanism accessible from an interior side of a door when the deadbolt lock is assembled with the door, the lockout mechanism being configured such that when the actuator is in an operable condition and the lockout mechanism is moved to a lockout position, the lockout mechanism prevents rotation of the actuator to move the deadbolt between locked and unlocked positions.

12. The deadbolt lock of claim 11, wherein the lockout mechanism comprises a shaft operatively connected with the actuator when the actuator is in an operable condition, the shaft including a head portion having at least one depression, and a shaft housing including an opening for receiving said shaft and a collar surrounding at least a portion of said opening, wherein said head portion of said shaft is selectively movable into and out of nesting engagement with the collar such that when the head portion is nested within the collar, the at least one depression engages one or more portions of the collar, thereby preventing rotation of the shaft.

13. The deadbolt lock of claim 11, wherein the lockout mechanism further comprises an indication mechanism for providing a visual indication when the lockout mechanism is in the lockout position.

14. The deadbolt lock of claim 11, wherein the lockout mechanism further comprises a lockout release mechanism, wherein movement of the lockout release mechanism from an engaging position to a release position permits movement of the lockout mechanism to the lockout position.

15. The deadbolt lock of claim 14, wherein when the lockout mechanism is in the lockout position and the lockout release mechanism is in the engaging position, the lockout mechanism is freely moveable out of the lockout position.

16. The deadbolt lock of claim 4, wherein the at least one notch and the at least one projection include complementary tapered edges, such that when the holding portion of the latch mechanism is in the second condition, rotation of the actuator axially slides the clutch ring to disengage the at least one projection from the corresponding notch.

17. A deadbolt lock comprising:

a deadbolt movable between locked and unlocked positions;

a manually operable locking member operatively connected with the deadbolt for movement of the deadbolt between locked and unlocked conditions when the locking member is changed from an inoperable condition to an operable condition;

an actuation translating component selectively connecting the deadbolt with the locking member and movable with respect to the locking member;

a latch mechanism having a body portion and a retractable holding portion extending from the body portion to bias the actuation translating component into engagement with the locking member, wherein when the locking member is in the inoperable condition, movement of the locking member moves the actuation translating component against the retractable holding portion and out of engagement with the locking member to prevent operation of the deadbolt; and

a lock interface accessible from an exterior side of a door when the deadbolt lock is assembled with the door, the lock interface being configured to change the manually operable locking member from the inoperable condition to the operable condition by securing the holding portion of the latch mechanism in an extended position to secure the actuation translating component in operative engagement with the locking member when the lock interface receives an authorized data signal, such that rotation of the locking member moves the deadbolt between the locked position and the unlocked position.

18. The deadbolt lock of claim 17, wherein the lock interface comprises a fingerprint scanner and the authorized data signal is associated with a fingerprint of an authorized user.

19. The deadbolt lock of claim 17, wherein the latch mechanism comprises an electronic latch that is energized to secure the holding portion in the extended position to operatively connect the locking member with the deadbolt when the lock interface receives an authorized data signal.

20. A lock comprising:

a locking mechanism movable between locked and unlocked positions;

a user rotatable actuator rotatable about a central axis;

an actuation translating component selectively connecting the actuator to the locking mechanism;

a latch mechanism having a body portion and a holding portion extending axially from the body portion to engage the actuation translating component; and

a lock interface configured to change the holding portion of the latch mechanism from a first condition in which the holding portion is retractable with respect to the body portion to a second condition in which the holding portion is secured in an extended condition with respect to the body portion, in response to proper user manipulation of the lock interface;

wherein when the holding portion is in the first condition, rotation of the actuator axially slides the actuation translating component against the retractable holding portion and out of engagement with the actuator to prevent operation of the locking mechanism; and

further wherein when the holding portion is in the second condition, the holding portion secures the actuation translating component in operative engagement with the actuator, such that rotation of the actuator moves the locking mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position.

21. The lock of claim 20, wherein the latch mechanism comprises an electronic latch connected with the lock interface, wherein proper user manipulation of the lock interface energizes the electronic latch to secure the holding portion in the extended position.

22. The lock of claim 20, wherein the actuation translating component comprises a clutch ring, wherein the clutch ring securely engages an end portion of the actuator for mutual rotation of the actuator and clutch ring when the holding portion of the latch mechanism is in the second condition.

23. The lock of claim 22, wherein the actuator comprises at least one notch and the clutch ring comprises at least one projection, wherein the at least one projection securely engages the at least one notch when the holding portion of the latch mechanism is in the second condition.

24. The lock of claim 22, further comprising a drive arm assembled with the clutch ring, the drive arm providing an operative connection between the clutch ring and the locking mechanism, wherein the clutch ring is axially slideable with respect to each of the actuator and the drive arm.

25. A lock comprising:

a locking mechanism movable between locked and unlocked positions;

a manually operable locking member operatively connected with the locking mechanism for movement of the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked conditions when the locking member is changed from an inoperable condition to an operable condition;

an actuation translating component selectively connecting the locking mechanism with the locking member and movable with respect to the locking member;

a latch mechanism having a body portion and a retractable holding portion extending from the body portion to bias the actuation translating component into engagement with the locking member, wherein when the locking member is in the inoperable condition, movement of the locking member moves the actuation translating component against the retractable holding portion and out of engagement with the locking member to prevent operation of the locking mechanism; and

a lock interface configured to change the manually operable locking member from the inoperable condition to the operable condition by securing the holding portion of the latch mechanism in an extended position to secure the actuation translating component in operative engagement with the locking member when the lock interface receives an authorized data signal, such that movement of the locking member moves the locking mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position.

26. The lock of claim 25, wherein the latch mechanism comprises an electronic latch that is energized to secure the holding portion in the extended position when the lock interface receives an authorized data signal.

27. The lock of claim 25, wherein the actuation translating component comprises a clutch ring, wherein the clutch ring securely engages an end portion of the locking member for mutual movement of the locking member and clutch ring when the locking member is in the operable condition.

28. The lock of claim 27, wherein the locking member comprises at least one notch and the clutch ring comprises at least one projection, wherein the at least one projection securely engages the at least one notch when the locking member is in the operable condition. wherein the at least one notch and the at least one projection include complementary tapered edges, such that when the locking member is in the inoperable condition, movement of the locking member axially slides the clutch ring to disengage the at least one projection from the corresponding notch.