# US 11,980,697 B2 · Door latch, lock and open mechanism for medical device treatment system

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,980,697 B2
- Document ID: US11980697B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/007,289
- Filed: 2020-08-31
- Published: 2021-03-18
- Granted: 2024-05-14
- Earliest claimed: 2019-09-12
- Assignees: American Sterilizer Company
- Applicants: American Sterilizer Company
- Inventors: Sean Lambert; Sandeepan Dutta; Ethan K. Lange; Christopher J. Wiet; Michael Rabinovich
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11980697B2

## CPC

- A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
- E05B 57/00: Locks in which a pivoted latch is used also as locking means
- A61B 90/70: Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments
- A61L 2/26: Accessories
- E05B 17/0033: {for opening only (E05B17/0029 takes precedence)}
- E05B 47/0004: {said core being linearly movable}
- E05B 47/02: {Movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means}; Adaptation of locks, latches, or parts thereof, for movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means {(by means in the striker E05B63/248)}
- E05B 47/023: {the bolt moving pivotally or rotatively}
- E05B 47/0607: {the detent moving pivotally or rotatively}
- E05C 3/124: {with latch under compression force between its pivot and the striker (E05C3/122, E05C3/14, E05C3/16 and E05B65/0852 take precedence)}
- E05F 15/73: responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
- A61L 2103/05: Living organisms or biological materials
- A61L 2103/15: Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps
- A61L 2202/121: Sealings, e.g. doors, covers, valves, sluices
- A61L 2202/122: Chambers for sterilisation
- A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
- A61L 2202/17: Combination with washing or cleaning means
- E05B 9/02: {Casings} of latch-bolt {or deadbolt} locks
- E05B 17/0083: {Sound emitting devices, e.g. loudspeakers}
- E05B 17/2084: {Means to prevent forced opening by attack, tampering or jimmying (E05B15/1614 takes precedence; for ignition or steering locks B60R25/023)}
- E05B 17/22: Means for operating or controlling lock or fastening device accessories, i.e. other than the fastening members, e.g. switches, indicators {(E05B39/00 - E05B45/00 take precedence)}
- E05B 41/00: Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or unlocked {(indicator lights E05B17/10)}
- E05B 43/005: {Timer devices controlling electrically operated locks}
- E05B 47/0046: {Electric or magnetic means in the striker or on the frame; Operating or controlling the striker plate (E05B47/0696, E05B63/248 take precedence)}
- E05B 63/0056: {Locks with adjustable or exchangeable lock parts (adjustable strikers E05B15/024; adjustable to different keys E05B35/083; adjustable bolt or backset E05B63/06; adjustable coupling means for bars, rods, cables E05C9/20)}
- E05B 63/06: with lengthwise-adjustable bolts {; with adjustable backset, i.e. distance from door edge}
- E05B 2047/0007: {with two or more electromagnets}
- E05B 2047/0024: {Cams}
- E05B 2047/0037: {Powered actuators with automatic return to the neutral position by non-powered means, e.g. springs}
- E05B 2047/0056: {by sensing the presence of a person, e.g. body heat sensor}
- E05B 2047/0069: {bolt position}
- E05B 2047/0073: {Current to unlock only}
- E05B 2047/0094: {Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks}
- E05Y 2400/858: by body parts, e.g. by feet
- E05Y 2999/00: Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F)
- E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF

## Abstract

A latch and lock assembly includes a lever pivotable between a latched and unlatched position. A first actuator selectively moves a locking tab between a locked and unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking tab blocks pivotable movement of the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position. In the unlocked position, the locking tab allows pivotable movement of the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position. A second actuator selectively rotates a door opening tab between a first and second position when the locking tab is in the unlocked position is included. When the door opening tab is in the first position the lever is in a latched position, and when the door opening tab is rotated from the first position to the second position, the door opening tab abuts the lever and urges the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A latch and lock assembly comprising:
a lever pivotable between a latched position and an unlatched position,
a first actuator and a locking tab, wherein the first actuator is coupled to the locking tab to selectively move the locking tab between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position, the locking tab is configured to block pivotable movement of the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position, and wherein in the unlocked position, the locking tab is configured to allow pivotable movement of the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position, and
a second actuator and a door opening tab, wherein the door opening tab includes a cam segment, and wherein the second actuator is coupled to the door opening tab to selectively rotate the door opening tab between a first position and a second position when the locking tab is in the unlocked position, wherein when the door opening tab is in the first position the lever is in a latched position, and wherein when the door opening tab is rotated from the first position to the second position, the cam segment of the door opening tab abuts a side of the lever to urge the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking tab operates on a first side of the lever and the door opening tab operates on a second side of the lever, opposing the first side of the lever.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein in the locked position, the locking tab abuts a portion of the lever, and wherein in the unlocked position, the locking tab is spaced apart from the lever.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a lever biasing member configured to bias the lever toward the latched position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 4, wherein the lever biasing member is a spring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are pull-type solenoids.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a fixed housing to which at least one of the lever, first actuator, locking tab, second actuator, door opening tab and lever biasing member are mounted.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a door opening tab adjusting block mounted to the fixed housing and including a screw, wherein the door opening tab adjusting block is configured to adjust the position of the door opening tab within the fixed housing relative to the lever.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a switch configured to detect whether and when the locking tab is in a locked position or an unlocked position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A medical device treatment machine comprising:
a treatment chamber for washing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a medical device,
a door hingedly attached to the treatment chamber and moveable between an open position, to expose the treatment chamber, and a closed position, to seal the treatment chamber, wherein the door comprises a latch pin on a first side of the door, and
a latch and lock assembly according to claim 1 fixed to a wall of the treatment chamber,
wherein in the latched position, the lever engages the latch pin to prevent movement of the door from the closed position to the open position, and wherein in the unlatched position, the lever disengages the latch pin to allow movement of the door from the closed position to the open position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The medical device treatment machine according to claim 10, further comprising a hinge on a second side of the door opposite the first side of the door.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The medical device treatment machine according to claim 11, wherein the hinge of the door comprises a hinge biasing member for biasing the door toward an open position to automatically move the door from the closed position to the open position when the lever is in the unlatched position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The medical device treatment machine according to claim 10, further comprising:
a stop pin extending from the chamber, and
a stop block fixed to the door, the stop block comprising a roller pin extending from the stop block in a direction configured to be perpendicular to the stop pin when the door is in a closed position,
wherein when the door is in a closed position, the roller pin slidably abuts the stop pin to permit a lateral movement of the door between the closed position and the open position and block a vertical movement of the door in a direction perpendicular to the lateral movement of the door.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The medical device treatment machine according to claim 10, further comprising:
a sensing apparatus for detecting a presence and removal of a foot of an operator in a sensing zone of the sensing apparatus, and
a controller for controlling the operations of the second actuator according to the detection of the presence and removal of the foot of the operator in the sensing zone of the sensing apparatus.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The medical device treatment machine according to claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive a foot-presence signal from the sensing apparatus when the sensing apparatus detects the presence of the foot of the operator in the sensing zone of the sensing apparatus,
send an activation signal to an indicator apparatus on the medical device treatment machine to activate the indicator apparatus,
receive a foot-removal signal from the sensing apparatus when the foot sensor detects the removal of the foot of the operator from the sensing zone of the sensing apparatus, and
send an unlatch signal to the second actuator to rotate the door opening tab in abutting contact with the lever to pivot the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The medical device treatment machine according to claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to send the unlatch signal to the second actuator a predetermined period of time after receipt of the foot-removal signal.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

A method of operating a medical device treatment machine having a lock and latch assembly according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:
detecting, by a sensing apparatus disposed on the medical device treatment machine, the presence of a foot of an operator in a sensing zone of the sensing apparatus,
receiving, by a controller of the medical device treatment machine, a foot-presence signal from the sensing apparatus,
sending, by the controller, an activation signal to an indicator apparatus on the medical device treatment machine to activate the indicator apparatus,
detecting, by the sensing apparatus, the removal of the foot of the operator from the sensing zone of the sensing apparatus,
receiving, by the controller, a foot-removal signal from the sensing apparatus,
sending, by the controller, an unlatch signal to the second actuator of the latch and lock assembly according to claim 1 of the medical device treatment machine, and
rotating, by the second actuator, the door opening tab that is in abutting contact with the lever to pivot the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of operating the medical device treatment machine according to claim 17, wherein the unlatch signal is sent to the second actuator a predetermined period of time after receipt of the foot-removal signal.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of operating the medical device treatment machine according to claim 17, further comprising:
automatically moving a door of the medical device treatment machine from a closed position to an open position via a biasing force on a hinge of the door by a hinge biasing member.

### Claim 20

A latch and lock assembly comprising:
a lever pivotable between a latched position and an unlatched position,
a first actuator configured to selectively move a locking tab between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position, the locking tab is configured to block pivotable movement of the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position, and wherein in the unlocked position, the locking tab is configured to allow pivotable movement of the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position, and
a second actuator configured to selectively rotate a door opening tab between a first position and a second position when the locking tab is in the unlocked position, wherein when the door opening tab is in the first position the lever is in a latched position, and wherein when the door opening tab is rotated from the first position to the second position, the door opening tab abuts the lever and urges the lever from the latched position to the unlatched position,
further comprising a fixed housing to which at least one of the lever, first actuator, locking tab, second actuator, door opening tab and lever biasing member are mounted, and
further comprising an adjustable housing to which the fixed housing is adjustably attached.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 20, further comprising an alignment rod passing through a wall of the fixed housing and a wall of the adjustable housing to align the fixed housing relative to the adjustable housing.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The latch and lock assembly according to claim 20, further comprising an adjustment tuner passing through a wall of the fixed housing and a wall of the adjustable housing, the adjustment tuner comprising a threaded bolt and associated jam nut, which, when tightened, prevent movement of the fixed housing relative to the adjustment housing.