Dead bolt system having multiple security features

Details Dead bolt system having multiple security features Dead bolt system having multiple security features

2000-09-14

2003-09-23

Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3676)

Locks

Special application

For closures

C070S210000, C070S283000, C070S422000, C292S092000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06622534

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed generally to dead bolt locks and, more particularly, to dead bolt locks used on doors for accessing secure areas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of dead bolts for security purposes is widespread. One example of a high security dead bolt lock is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,519 to Miller, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Another example of these types of dead bolt mechanisms is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,504 to Wolfe, the disclosure of this patent also incorporated by reference herein. These dead bolt locks are combined with a safe lock for security purposes. The lock bolt of the safe lock provides the motive force to extend and retract the dead bolt of the dead bolt lock during operation. When using a combination type lock, a correct combination will permit retraction of the lock bolt. One drawback of such devices is that safe lock bolts and actuating mechanisms may not be well suited for long term use in this manner. In other words, they may not be designed to exert the necessary pushing or pulling force during extension and retraction of the dead bolt.
A dead bolt hold back feature has also been provided which retains the dead bolt in a retracted state. The dead bolt automatically extends as the door closes and a trigger member contacts the door strike. The extended dead bolt may be retracted from the inside of the secured area by rotation of a dead bolt knob. The aforementioned patents also disclose a life safety feature which retains the dead bolt in a retracted position so that a person inside a secured area can close the door without having the dead bolt extend. This feature enables quick exit from the secured area, however, it is not usually desirable to leave the door unlocked in this manner. On the other hand, when the life safety feature is not enabled, the above-mentioned dead bolt knobs do not provide a particularly easy manner of escape for individuals with various disabilities.
Often times, dead bolt locks on doors are combined with a second electric lock. The second lock often takes the form of an electronic access control linked to an electric door strike or lock associated with the door knob. Unlocking information provided to the access control actuates the door strike and, upon the additional retraction of any dead bolt, allows the door to be opened. It will be appreciated that this combination of a dead bolt lock and a doorknob lock makes it difficult to exit the secured area. A person leaving the secured area must use two hands to turn the doorknob and the dead bolt retraction knob simultaneously to open the door. Again, disabled individuals may have problems when trying to exit through such a door, particularly in the event of an emergency.
In view of these and other problems in this area of the lock industry, a need has developed to provide an improved dead bolt lock system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one general aspect, therefore, the present invention provides a dead bolt lock system for use on a door, for example, for accessing a secure area. The dead bolt lock system includes at least one security lock or access control having a movable lock member and requiring the input of correct unlocking information to change the lock from a locked to an unlocked condition. When the security lock is in an unlocked condition, a dead bolt element may be withdrawn and the door opened, for example, simply by turning a door handle on the outside of the door. In the first general aspect of this invention, a test member is provided in the dead bolt lock system, and is operatively connected to the security lock to test whether the security lock is in the locked or unlocked condition. If the security lock is unlocked, the test member can move into a space previously occupied by the movable lock member. The test member is also operatively connected to the dead bolt element such that movement of the test member in the described manner allows retraction of the dead bolt element. If the security lock is in a locked condition, then the test member is prevented from moving through the space occupied by the lock member and either the test member or other structure operatively associated with the test member prevents retraction of the dead bolt element. Preferably, this testing occurs each time the user attempts to turn the door handle.
The dead bolt lock system may be operatively coupled to more than one security lock. As an illustrative example, one security lock may be used as a primary or high security lock and one or more additional security locks may be used as secondary high or lower security locks. In each case, a locked or unlocked condition of the security lock is tested by the dead bolt lock system and, if each security lock operating in the system is found to be in an unlocked condition, the dead bolt system may be operated by the door handle to withdraw the dead bolt and open the door. The security locks may specifically include lock bolts, such as linearly extendable bolts or swing bolts, and may comprise mechanical, electrical or electro-mechanical locks. For example, in the case of locks having linearly extendable bolts, the lock bolt will block the test member when extended and will not block the test member when retracted. In the case of swing bolts, the swing bolt will block the test member when in a locked condition, but may be forced into a retracted position by the test member when in an unlocked condition. Other types of security locks and lock bolts are also within the scope of this invention. A torque override clutch is preferably connected to the door handle to prevent transmission of excessive force to the internal components of the dead bolt lock system when the system is locked and the door handle is being rotated with excessive torque.
Stated generally, the dead bolt lock can provide different levels of security and monitoring capability. By providing at least one primary lock and one secondary lock, the dead bolt lock system can have at least two levels of control or security. The primary lock in combination with the secondary lock may be used for nighttime control and the secondary lock may be used alone for daytime control. That is, the primary lock or high security lock can remain unlocked during the day and entry into the secured area can be controlled by the operation of one or more high or lower security lock devices. Another type of security lock device which may be optionally incorporated into the system is referred to herein as an access control device. This device includes an electrically actuated movable lock member which normally blocks movement of a test member similarly associated with retraction of the dead bolt element. If the movable lock member is actuated through the input of proper unlocking information, then the test member will be able to move through the space previously occupied by the movable lock member. Due to the movement of the test member in this manner, the dead bolt element will retract, for example, as the operator turns the door handle. Preferably, the access control device comprises a solenoid having an electrically actuated movable member, such as a reciprocating piston element. This device may be controlled, for example, simply by one or more push button switches or by higher security controls like card readers, retinal scanners, voice identifiers or fingerprint identifiers.
An escape lever is also provided on the interior side of the lock system and may be operated by either pushing or pulling on the lever. This actuating movement is preferably a pushing movement toward the door or a pulling movement away from the door, but may also be a sideward or up and down pushing or pulling movement. This overrides all locking mechanisms associated with the system, except for a relock feature to be discussed below, to allow quick escape from the secure area. The lever is configured to be easily operated by persons having various disabilities.
Preferably, the inventive dead bolt lock also includes one or more blocking elements posi

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