A method of operating a door system includes receiving a signal from a pressure sensor disposed in a sill or a frame of the door system, authenticating the user after receiving the signal, shifting the lock from a locked configured to an unlocked configuration in response to receiving the signal after authenticating the user, and moving the door panel from a closed position to an ajar position in response to receiving the signal.

A privacy lock assembly and method of operation are provided. The lock assembly has a push button offset from the central axis of the lock assembly for locking and unlocking the assembly. The lock assembly includes compression springs to maintain integrated handles in predetermined orientations when the handles are not subject to a load.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a selectively operated safety latch having an active mode and a stowed mode. In an illustrative example, a retractable safety latch may include a tongue element extending in a first plane and a base element extending in a second plane. The tongue element, for example, may include multiple mode selection slots. The base element may include a brace slot. For example, one of the multiple mode selection slots and the brace slot may receive a security pin long a longitudinal axis so that a predetermined mode is selected. In the active mode, the tongue element extends away from the base element to releasably engage a striker element. In the inactive mode, the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel such that the tongue element is prevented from engaging the striker element. Various embodiments may advantageously provide quick switching security latch operations.

A latching system and method are configured to selectively latch and unlatch a first component in relation to a second component. The latching system and method include an actuator, a first coupler secured to the actuator, a latch, and a second coupler secured to the latch. The first coupler is configured to couple to the second coupler to couple the actuator to the latch. The first coupler is configured to uncouple from the second coupler to uncouple the actuator from the latch in response to the latch being manually operated.

A dispenser includes a front panel and a body coupled to the front panel to form an interior cavity. The body includes a wall portion having a top portion. An opening is formed through the top portion, and a housing includes a first housing wall and a second housing wall that each extend from the top portion adjacent the opening and into the interior cavity. The first and second housing walls include first and second rails, respectively, which are coplanar and extend from the respective first and second housing walls in opposing directions relative to each other.

A method of controlling a lock mechanism of an active door includes transiting an access controller of the lock mechanism to an authorized access mode and transitioning the access controller from the authorized access mode to an entry mode. Transitioning the access controller to the authorized access mode is in response to an authorized user being sensed approaching the active door from an exterior side of the active door or in response to input on a remote device. In the authorized access mode, an exterior handle of the active door is decoupled from a main latch of the lock mechanism. Transitioning the access controller to the entry mode is in response to sensed contact with the exterior handle. In the entry mode, the exterior handle is capable of rotating to transition the access controller to an unlocked mode in which the exterior handle is operably coupled to the main latch.

An electric latch retraction device comprising a housing for receiving a plurality of internal components of the electric latch retraction device. An actuator mechanism is included in the housing, the actuator mechanism is adapted to impart linear movement on a latch, such that the latch is retracted towards the housing. A holding mechanism is also included in the housing, the holding mechanism holds the latch in a fully retracted position.

A lock for a door including a configurable lock function. The lock includes a removable and user accessible actuator which when removed from the lock disables a lock function, and when inserted into the lock enables the lock function. Removal of the actuator places the lock in a disabled condition in which the lock cannot be locked by other means. Insertion of the actuator into the lock places the lock in an enabled condition in which the lock is locked or unlocked by the position of the actuator. The lock is installed without the actuator when the lock is intended to be used only in a passage operation where the door provides access only, but does not restrict access. The lock is installed with the actuator when the lock is intended to be used in a privacy operation where the lock is intended to restrict access to an area.

Systems and methods are disclosed for maintaining security and data gathering for a number of vehicles. The systems include a vehicle activity module for each of the vehicles. The vehicle activity module has a wireless transmitter, a storage device, at least one sensor for receiving event information from identification devices, such as RFID cards, keypads, magnetic ID cards, and the like, a releasable key container, and a processor for accessing and analyzing information. The VAMs are wirelessly connected to a computer system. The VAMs control access to the keys, monitor information relating to access, and store and transmit information relating to sales events, non-sales events, and intrusion events. The VAMs are capable of autonomous operation, without the need to access the computer system to verify event information. The VAMs further include signal attenuating mechanisms to facilitate use of “smart keys.”

A motor vehicle lock having a positioning element, especially a control shaft, and a drive unit for moving the positioning element, wherein the drive unit has a rotor and a stator, the stator having a coil arrangement and at least two magnetically conducting poles associated with the coil arrangement for conducting the magnetic field created by the coil arrangement. It is proposed that the poles each time form, with the rotor, an axial air gap relative to the geometrical rotor axis, possibly in dependence on the rotor position, and a first segment of the coil arrangement with at least two coils and a second segment of the coil arrangement with at least two coils are arranged along the geometrical rotor axis on opposite sides of the rotor.