Locks – Operating mechanism – Using a powered device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-27
2001-06-12
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Using a powered device
C070S256000, C070S280000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244084
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a remote control lock device and more particularly to a remote control lock device which can quickly and efficiently lock or unlock either a key lock, dead bolt, or a combination thereof typically associated with lock devices located in homes, offices and other application, by utilizing a hand held remote control transmitter. The unit is designed so as to be compatible with conventional locks on the market and one which will utilize a gear system for adequately engaging and disengaging the locking unit of a conventional door.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Over the years, incidents relating to home burglaries and theft have steadily grown. This increase has concerned the consumer and these concerns have lead them to invest in more elaborate home safety devices, including the use of dead bolts, burglar alarms, a combination thereof, or the like. Though these devices are known to work successfully, they may not offer the needed protection for some consumers. For example, some consumers do not have their keys ready for insertion into the lock and many find themselves searching through their belongings in hopes of finding their keys quickly. This pause in opening the door is a perfect invitation to a thief, robber or the like for jumping, attacking, harming and/or robbing the individual.
In other situations, some may have their hands full of groceries, a child, or the like. This causes their hands to be occupied and unavailable to quickly and efficiently unlock the door. A typical, yet dangerous, scenario.
As such, devices have been developed to assist the consumer and to inherently decrease the time needed to enter a home. One such device is a keyless entry dead bolt lock disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,086 issued to Bryant. In this patent, the dead bolt locking system includes an actuator which is coupled to a conventional dead bolt mechanism via a connection rod. The actuator is controlled by way of a motor. This motor is electrically and mechanically connected to a receiver. In operation, a signal from a transmitter is sent to the receiver. This receiver activates the actuator which pulls the connecting rod. This pulling of the connecting rod will inherently cause the dead bolt to rotate. Though this design will allow for the dead bolt to operate via a remote control unit, this system does suffer some shortcomings. One such shortcoming is that this configuration requires the device to extend horizontally across the door. This horizontal displacement can be obtrusive and bulky, thereby producing a product which is not aesthetically pleasing—something undesirable by many consumers. In addition, the design and configuration of the connecting rod to the conventional dead bolt and actuator is such that after extended use, it may dislodge therefrom. This dislodgment will defeat its intended purpose. Further still, this system is solely utilized for dead bolts and does not address other locking systems typically used in a home, office or the like.
Accordingly, it is seen that there exists a need for a system which can be installed and/or retrofitted easily and quickly to any existing door lock system, typically associated with homes, offices, or the like. Such a device should produce successful results without being obtrusive and bulky when installed.
As shown, none of these previous efforts provide the benefits intended with the present invention as identified by the needs above. Additionally, prior techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein. The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objectives and advantages over the prior art device through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, which is simple to use, with the utilization of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily available material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a remote control lock device that is designed and configured to be used on any type of rotating lock typically associated with residential homes, offices, or the like. This device can be a singular unit utilized with a dead bolt mechanism, a key operated lock or a combination thereof. Optionally, this system can be a kit which can be retrofitted and coupled to an existing dead bolt lock, a key operated lock, or a combination thereof. The unit is specifically designed with an adjusting mechanism so as to enable the product to be acceptable to all commercially available locks.
This particular unit is structured so as to be compact in size and dimension and to provide for a final product which is efficient, successful, and aesthetically pleasing.
The present invention is versatile and in one embodiment, the unit will be coupled solely to a deadbolt. In an alternative embodiment, the unit will solely be coupled to the a door knob having a conventional key lock secured thereto. When coupled to the door knob lock mechanism, the present invention will control the locking mechanism and not the door knob itself, so as to provide for the lock to rotate. In yet an alternative embodiment, the unit of the present invention will be coupled to both the deadbolt and the conventional key lock. Coupling the unit to both the deadbolt and the conventional key lock is the preferred embodiment.
When the present invention is coupled to the deadbolt, the rotating shaft member of the deadbolt will be mechanically coupled to the rotating means. The rotating means comprises a motor wherein its shaft is threaded in order to provide for the shaft to act as an auger. Coupled to the shaft is a first gear. The first gear is coupled to a second gear or connecting gear. This second gear or connecting gear, can optionally be coupled to a linkage gear. The connecting gear, or if used, the linkage gear, is coupled to a control gear. This control gear is centrally located around the conventional shaft of the deadbolt unit, but is not coupled to the conventional shaft of the deadbolt unit.
Secured to the locking mechanism of the conventional deadbolt is a finger adapter. This finger adapter is attached to the shaft of the deadbolt and includes a U-shape member extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom. Located in the control gear is a channel. The U-shape member is received within this channel.
Hence, during activation of the motor, located in proximity to the deadbolt, the auger (shaft of the motor) rotates. The rotation will cause the first gear to rotate, which will inherently cause the second gear to rotate and cause the rotation to reach the third or the control gear. Rotation of the control gear will provide for the member located within the channel to revolve, consequently causing the finger, and ultimately the lock mechanism to turn.
The control gear controls the amount of rotation by having a plurality of cams located thereon. A central cam provides for the device to be in a neutral position. A lock cam is located on one side of the central cam while an unlock cam is located on the opposite side of the central cam. A micro-switch is located in proximity to the control gear and is in engageable contact with each cam. Accordingly, in operation, rotation of the gear will cease upon the contact between the particular cam and the micro-switch. For example, if the deadbolt is in an unlock position and the user wants to lock the unit, the motor will run and continue to run until the micro-switch engages the lock cam. Once contact is made, the control gear returns to its neutral position to enable further operation of the unit.
When the device is used with a door knob lock, a specially designed control shaft is coupled to the locking mechanism of the conventional door knob. This control shaft will allow for the rotation of the lock, but not the rotation of the knob. Thereby, centralizing the control of the locking mechanism.
In this configuration, a motor assembly is located in proximity to the door kno
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Carnes, Cona and Dixon
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