Deadbolt assembly
AssigneeSchlage Lock Company LLC
InventorMatthew S. Graham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example system includes a deadbolt assembly including a housing, a traveler positioned in the housing, and a bolt including a ramp arm engaged with the traveler. The housing may include a first deadlocking component, and the traveler may include a second deadlocking component. The bolt is movable between a distal extended position and a proximal retracted position. When the bolt is pushed in the distal direction by an external force, the ramp arm urges the traveler in a lateral direction, and the first and second deadlocking components engage, deadlocking the bolt.
Claims23
A deadbolt assembly, comprising:
- a housing extending along a longitudinal axis defining a proximal direction and an opposite distal direction, the housing comprising a first deadlocking feature;
- a traveler mounted in the housing and configured for longitudinal and lateral movement relative to the housing, the traveler comprising a second deadlocking feature operable to engage the first deadlocking feature when the traveler is moved laterally in a lateral direction transverse to the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a bolt mounted in the housing and configured for longitudinal movement relative to the housing in a longitudinal direction, the bolt including a first portion that engages a second portion of the traveler to move the traveler laterally in the lateral direction in response to longitudinal movement of the bolt in the longitudinal direction caused by exertion of a proximal pushing force on the bolt, thereby causing the first deadlocking feature to engage the second deadlocking feature;
- and
- wherein the first and second deadlocking features comprise a protrusion receivable in at least one recess, and wherein engagement of the protrusion in the at least one recess prevents the proximal pushing force from moving the bolt proximally to thereby provide a deadlocking position of the deadbolt assembly.
A deadbolt assembly, comprising:
- a housing extending along a longitudinal axis;
- a traveler movably mounted in the housing and configured for longitudinal and lateral movement relative to the housing;
- a bolt movably mounted in the housing and configured for longitudinal movement relative to the housing in a longitudinal direction, the bolt configured to move relative to the traveler;
- and
- a deadlocking mechanism comprising:
- a first deadlocking component, wherein one of the housing or the traveler comprises the first deadlocking component;
- and
- a second deadlocking component, wherein the other of the housing or the traveler comprises the second deadlocking component;
- wherein the first deadlocking component and the second deadlocking component are configured to engage one another in response to exertion of a proximal pushing force on the bolt which moves the bolt in the longitudinal direction, movement of the bolt in the longitudinal direction engages a first portion of the bolt with a second portion of the traveler to laterally move the traveler in a lateral direction to engage the first deadlocking component with the second deadlocking component, thereby preventing the proximal pushing force from driving the traveler and the bolt in the proximal direction;
- and
- wherein the first deadlocking component and the second deadlocking component are configured to disengage one another in response to exertion of a proximal pulling force on the traveler, thereby permitting the proximal pulling force to drive the traveler and the bolt in the proximal direction.
A method of operating a bolt assembly comprising a housing extending along a longitudinal axis, a traveler mounted in the housing and configured for longitudinal movement in a longitudinal direction relative to the housing and for lateral movement in a lateral direction relative to the housing, and a bolt configured for longitudinal movement relative to the housing in the longitudinal direction, wherein the longitudinal axis defines a proximal direction and an opposite distal direction, the method comprising:
- in response to exerting a proximal pushing force on the bolt, moving the bolt in the longitudinal direction, engaging a first portion of the bolt with a second portion of the traveler, and driving the traveler laterally in the lateral direction to thereby engage a first deadlocking feature of the housing with a second deadlocking feature of the traveler;
- with the first deadlocking feature and the second deadlocking feature engaged with one another, preventing the proximal pushing force from pushing the traveler and the bolt in the proximal direction;
- and
- in response to exerting a proximal pulling force on the traveler, disengaging the first deadlocking feature and the second deadlocking feature to thereby permit the proximal pulling force to pull the traveler and the bolt in the proximal direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.