US 5,933,086 A · Remotely-operated self-contained electronic lock security system assembly

Abstract

A keyless locking mechanism for use in a door or the like. An operator activates the system by means of a portable remote handheld controller or a remote keypad unit, which transmit coded signals to an electronically controlled, electromechanical door lock device. The electronic and electromechanical device components are configured for secure mounting within the void or hollow portions of existing door locking apparatus, such as within the hollow interior doorknob, or hollow cylindrical sleeve latch actuators, or beneath the interior rose or escutcheon plates. A sensor or receiver/antenna mounted within 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 electromechanical device, which acts solely along or about the locking axis to enable or disable the door locking assembly, according to the command initiated by the operator. When locked, the outer doorknob turns freely. When unlocked, it operates in the normal manner, to engage and move the doorlatch and or locking member. Several embodiments of the electromechanical locking device are disclosed. 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. Two-way communication between the handheld controller, or keypad and the electronic lock assembly is provided. A master programming unit for programming or reprogramming the electronic lock assembly is also disclosed.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An electronic lock apparatus for a door, comprising:

(a) a strike plate;
(b) a latch cooperatively engageable with said strike plate and movable along a latching axis between engaged and disengaged positions;
(c) mechanical locking means, operatively connected with said latch, for selectively preventing movement of said latch between said engaged and disengaged positions, said locking means requiring only a primary motive force acting coincidentally along or about a locking axis, said locking axis being substantially perpendicular to said latching axis;
(d) at least two oppositely disposed knobs, said knobs being arranged and configured to rotate about said locking axis, for actuating said latch between said engaged and disengaged positions, wherein a user provides the force to actuate said latch;
(e) knob connecting means, substantially disposed between said knobs, through the door, for connecting said knobs to said latch;
(f) electromechanical means, operatively connected to said mechanical locking means, for providing the primary motive force to said locking means;
(g) electronic control means, responsive to an encoded received over the air signal, for selectively energizing said electromechanical means, wherein said electromechanical means provides force only along or about the locking axis, wherein said electromechanical means and electronic control means are located entirely within said knobs and said knob connecting means, thereby sealing and protecting said electromechanical means and electronic control means from being accessed by an unauthorized user;
and
(h) wherein said knob connecting means includes at least one decorative rose or escutcheon member disposed between one of said knobs and said door, and wherein at least a portion of said electronic control means is located within said rose or escutcheon member.

6 more elements

An electronic lock system, comprising:

(a) key means for generating a signal;
(b) receiver means for receiving said signals;
(c) a lock mechanism, said lock mechanism being engaged and disengaged by longitudinal movement of a locking 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 locking member;
(d) 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 for receiving a deactivate signal to terminate said actuation signal;
(e) primary mover means, operatively connected to said processor means and including a shaft cooperatively rotatably connected to said locking member, for longitudinally moving said locking member along said axis in response to said actuation signal, whereby only the longitudinal movement of said locking member is utilized to lock and unlock said lock mechanism;
(f) lock mechanism detection means, operatively connected to said primary mover means, for providing said deactivate signal to said processor means when said lock mechanism has been longitudinally moved to said engaged or disengaged positions, wherein said processor means receives confirmation that said lock mechanism has actually longitudinally moved between said engaged or disengaged positions;
(g) wherein said lock mechanism includes:
(i) a screw member coaxially mounted for movement with said shaft of said primary mover means;
and
(ii) wherein said locking 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 means causes longitudinal motion of said locking member along said longitudinal axis.

7 more elements

An electronic lock apparatus with no mechanical key access for a door, comprising:

(a) a strike plate;
(b) a latch cooperatively engageable with said strike plate and movable along a latching axis between engaged and disengaged positions;
(c) mechanical locking means, operatively connected with said latch, for selectively preventing movement of said latch between said engaged and disengaged positions, said locking means requiring only a primary motive force acting coincidentally along or about a locking axis, said locking axis being substantially perpendicular to said latching axis;
(d) at least two oppositely disposed knobs, said knobs being arranged and configured to rotate about said locking axis, for actuating said latch between said engaged and disengaged positions, wherein a user provides the force to actuate said latch;
(e) knob connecting means, substantially disposed between said knobs and through the door, for connecting said knobs to said latch;
(f) at least one rose or escutcheon member cooperatively mounted by said knob connecting means adjacent at least one of said knobs;
(g) electromechanical means, operatively connected to said mechanical locking means, for providing the primary motive force to said locking means;
and
(h) electronic control means, responsive to an encoded received over the air signal, for selectively energizing said electromechanical means, wherein said electromechanical means provides force only along or about the locking axis, and wherein said electromechanical means and electronic control means are located entirely within said knobs, said rose or escutcheon member and said knob connecting means, thereby sealing and protecting said electromechanical means and electronic control means from being accessed by an unauthorized user.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Remotely-operated self-contained electronic lock security system assembly

Life of this patent

Remotely-operated self-contained electronic lock security system assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23