Deadbolt assembly

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 for longitudinal movement, the traveler comprising a second deadlocking feature operable to engage the first deadlocking feature when the traveler is moved laterally in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis;
• a bolt mounted in the housing for longitudinal movement, wherein the bolt is movably engaged with the traveler and is operable to move the traveler laterally in response to a proximal pushing force on the bolt to thereby cause engagement of the first deadlocking feature and the second deadlocking feature;
• wherein the first deadlocking feature and the second deadlocking feature are configured to prevent the proximal pushing force from moving the bolt proximally when the first deadlocking feature and the second deadlocking feature are engaged.

A deadbolt assembly, comprising:

• a housing;
• a traveler movably mounted in the housing;
• a bolt movably mounted in the housing and engaged with the traveler;
• and
• a deadlocking mechanism comprising:
• a first deadlocking region, wherein one of the housing or the traveler comprises the first deadlocking region;
• and
• a second deadlocking region, wherein the other of the housing or the traveler comprises the second deadlocking region;
• wherein the first deadlocking region and the second deadlocking region are configured to engage one another in response to a proximal pushing force on the bolt, thereby preventing the proximal pushing force from driving the traveler and the bolt in the proximal direction;
• and
• wherein the first deadlocking region and the second deadlocking region are configured to disengage one another in response to 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 for movement along the longitudinal axis, and a bolt movably engaged with the traveler, wherein the longitudinal axis defines a proximal direction and an opposite distal direction, the method comprising:

• in response to a proximal pushing force on the bolt, driving the traveler laterally 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, preventing the proximal pushing force from pushing the traveler and the bolt in the proximal direction;
• and
• in response to 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.