Remotely-operated self-contained electronic lock security system assembly

• US 6,297,725 B1
• Filed: 06/21/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlage Lock Company (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlage Lock Company (Allegion PLC)
• Inventors: Glezer, Ari, Tischendorf, Andrew, Schultz, Kenneth, Lehman, Gary, Andreou, Demos
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/337,423
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.73, 340/5.64, 702/72, 702/78, 702/83, 703/86, 702/10, 702/16, 704/77, 704/78, 359/142, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0017 with rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0023 Nuts or nut-like elements moving along a driven threaded axle
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0024 Cams
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0026 Clutches, couplings or braking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0054 using microprocessor, printed circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 41/00 Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or unlocked indicator lights E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0661 axially, i.e. with an axially engaging blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/068 axially, i.e. with an axially disengaging coupling element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 55/005 Cylindrical or tubular locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00833 by code input from switches
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00841 by a portable device
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00873 by code input from the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/06 Involving synchronization or resynchronization between transmitter and receiver; reordering of codes
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 : where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 : the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5442 : Key-actuated lock releases dog
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 : Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A keyless locking mechanism is activated by a remote unit which transmits coded signals to an electromechanical door lock device. The electromechanical device components are configured for secure mounting within the void or hollow portions of existing door locking apparatus. A sensor in the outer doorknob receives and forwards the coded signals to a processor which compares them with a predetermined stored signal. If an acceptable comparison is made, the processor generates control signals for the device, which acts solely along the locking axis to enable or disable the door locking assembly. The coded signals include two separate signals which are transmitted in segments interleaved with one another. The first signal includes an entrance code, while the second signal provides information concerning the frequency over which the next segments will be transmitted. The processor uses the second signal information to tune the receiver.

Claims

1. An electronic lock system, comprising:

(a) key means for generating a signal;

(b) receiver means for receiving said signal;

(c) latching mechanism including a retractable latch moveable between an extended position to a retracted position;

(d) an inner handle means for operating the latching mechanism;

(e) an outer handle means for operating the latching mechanism;

(f) a clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging the outer handle means from the latching mechanism, the clutch mechanism being engaged and disengaged by longitudinal movement of a clutching member between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said engaged and disengaged positions being defined at predetermined longitudinal positions along the longitudinal axis of said clutching member;

(g) processor means, cooperatively connected to said receiver means, for comparing said received signal with a stored reference signal, for generating an actuation signal if said received signal is determined to be equivalent to said reference signal; and

(h) primary mover means, operatively connected to said processor means and including a shaft cooperatively rotatable connected to said clutching member, for longitudinally moving said clutching member along said axis in response to said actuation signal, whereby only the longitudinal movement of said clutching member is utilized to engage and disengage said outer handle means and said latching mechanism.

2. The electronic lock system of claim 1, wherein said clutch mechanism further comprises:

(a) screw member coaxially mounted for movement with said shaft of said primary mover means; and

(b) wherein said clutch member defines an axially threaded bore sized and configured to cooperatively threadably mate with said screw member, whereby rotation of said screw by said prime mover causes longitudinal motion of said clutch member along said longitudinal axis.

3. The electronic lock system of claim 1, further comprising:

lock detection means, operatively connected to said primary mover means, for providing a deactivate signal to said processor means to terminate said actuation signal when said lock mechanism has been longitudinally moved to said engaged or disengaged positions, wherein said processor means receives confirmation that said clutch member has actually longitudinally moved between said engaged or disengaged positions.