Method for retrofitting a deadbolt assembly with an electrically operated actuator

Abstract

A method is provided for retrofitting an existing dead-bolt assembly with an electrically operated actuator (12, 112, 212, 312, 800). The electrically operated actuator automatically operates the dead-bolt assembly while preserving manual operation of the lock. The actuator assembly has rotating means for rotation of the drive bar (18), which in turn extends or retracts the bolt (14) of the lock. The rotating means may be a lever (28,128, 238, 328, 438, 818) attached to the drive bar (18) that is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the drive bar (18). The actuator assembly has driving means that forces the rotating means to rotate. The driving means is responsive to an electrical signal, which, for example, may be initiated from a remote-controlled transmitter (502, 602). The driving means may include a motor (20, 120, 220) for rotating a rod (22, 122, 222, 322) that in turn operates an assembly that rotates or drives the rotating means. In response to an electrical signal, the driving means actuates the rotating means to affect either a locking or unlocking operation, which operations are always completed by placing the actuator assembly in a state whereby the bolt of the lock may subsequently be extended or retracted manually, or automatically by the driving means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.