Interconnected locking system

Abstract

An interconnected locking system in which multiple locks may be interconnected to be locked and/or unlocked in a coordinated manner. In one embodiment, the locking system allows a user to lock or unlock a door with multiple locking points with a single activation of one of the locks, such as when a deadbolt or lever is activated. The multiple locking points communicate together wirelessly, for example, to activate all the locking points as desired or set by the user.

Claims

1. An interconnected locking system comprising: a plurality of locking points positioned around a single secure area opening, each locking point movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when in the locked position, the plurality of locking points lock the single secure area opening, wherein at least two locking points of the plurality of locking points have a wireless communication feature configured to allow wireless communication between the at least two locking points, wherein the plurality of locking points are arranged in an approximately coplanar manner; wherein the at least two locking points are further configured to: transmit wireless signals such that (i) a first locking point is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to actuate a second locking point, wherein the second locking point is configured to actuate between a locked and an unlocked position in response to the first wireless signal; and (ii) the second locking point is configured to transmit a second wireless signal to actuate the first locking point, wherein the first locking point is configured to actuate between a locked and an unlocked position in response to the second wireless signal, wherein wireless coordination of movement between the unlocked position and the locked position is user-selectable as to how many of the plurality of locking points wirelessly coordinate movement; wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to receiving the wireless signal; and wherein the at least two locking points have first and second modes that are configured by a user, wherein, in a first mode, less than all of the at least two locking points are locked or unlocked and, in a second mode, all of the at least two locking points are locked or unlocked, wherein, when either the first or second locking point is actuated by the user and based on if the actuated first or second locking point is in the first mode or the second mode, the actuated first or second locking point transmits the associated first or second signal to trigger the actuation of the other corresponding first and second locking point.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the locking points is a deadbolt and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the locking points is a knob that is configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the locking points includes a plurality of mortised bolt mechanisms configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points enter into the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of an emergency.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points are of a different type of lock from each other.

7. An interconnected lockset comprising: a first lock movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the first lock includes a wireless communication feature; a second lock movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the second lock is configured to wirelessly communicate with the first lock, wherein the second lock is installed approximately coplanar with the first lock and the second lock and first lock are installed around a single secure area opening, wherein when in the locked positions, the first and second locks lock the single secure area opening; and a third lock installed approximately coplanar with respect to the first lock, wherein the third lock is configured to wirelessly communicate with the first lock; wherein each of the first, second, and third locks is configured to: transmit wireless signals such that (i) the first lock is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to actuate the second lock, wherein the second lock is configured to actuate between a locked and an unlocked position in response to the first wireless signal; (ii) the second lock is configured to transmit a second wireless signal to actuate the first lock, wherein the first lock is configured to actuate between a locked and an unlocked position in response to the second wireless signal; and (iii) the third lock is configured to transmit a third wireless signal to actuate the first lock, wherein the first lock is configured to actuate between a locked and an unlocked position in response to the third wireless signal; wherein wireless coordination of locking or unlocking is user-selectable as to how many of the second and third locks wirelessly coordinate locking or unlocking with the first lock; and wherein the first, second, and third locks have first and second modes that are configured by a user, wherein, in a first mode, less than all of the first, second, and third locks are locked or unlocked and, in a second mode, all of the first, second, and third locks are locked or unlocked, and wherein, when either the first, second, or third lock is actuated by the user and based on if the actuated first, second, or third lock is in the first mode or the second mode, the actuated first, second, or third lock transmits the associated first, second, or third signal to trigger the actuation of the other corresponding locks.

8. The lockset of claim 7, wherein the first lock and the second lock are installed on the same door.

9. The lockset of claim 8, wherein the third lock is installed on a different door from the first lock and the second lock.

10. The lockset of claim 7, wherein the first lock is configured to move to the unlocked position responsive to detecting an emergency.

11. The lockset of claim 7, wherein the first lock comprises a deadbolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

12. The lockset of claim 11, wherein the second lock comprises a knob configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to the wireless communication.

13. The lockset of claim 11, wherein the second lock comprises a mortised bolt mechanism configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to the wireless communication.

14. A method of wirelessly coordinating locking and unlocking of an interconnected locking system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of locking points positioned around a single secure area opening, each locking point movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when in the locked position, the plurality of locking points lock the single secure area opening, wherein at least two locking points of the plurality of locking points are arranged in an approximately coplanar manner, and wherein the at least two locking points are configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other locking point; actuating at least one of the plurality of locking points between the locked position and the unlocked position; wherein at least two locking points are configured to: transmit wireless signals such that (i) a first locking point is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to actuate a second locking point, wherein the second locking point is configured to actuate between a locked and an unlocked position in response to the first wireless signal, and (ii) the second locking point is configured to transmit a second wireless signal to actuate the first locking point, wherein the first locking point is configured to actuate between a locked and an unlocked position in response to the second wireless signal; wherein coordination of movement between the unlocked position and the locked position is user-selectable as to how many of the plurality of locking points actuate locking or unlocking responsive to the wireless communication; and wherein the at least two locking points have first and second modes that are configured by a user, wherein, in a first mode, less than all of the at least two locking points are locked or unlocked and, in a second mode, all of the at least two locking points are locked or unlocked, wherein, when either the first or second locking point is actuated by the user and based on if the actuated first or second locking point is in the first mode or the second mode, the actuated first or second locking point transmits the associated first or second signal to trigger the actuation of the other corresponding first and second locking point.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least two locking points comprise a deadbolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points are of a different type of lock from each other.

17. An interconnected locking system comprising: a plurality of locking points positioned around a single secure area opening, each locking point movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when in the locked position, the plurality of locking points lock the single secure area opening, wherein at least two locking points of the plurality of locking points have a wireless communication feature configured to allow wireless communication between the at least two locking points, wherein the plurality of locking points are arranged in an approximately coplanar manner; wherein the at least two locking points are further configured to: transmit wireless signals such that (i) a first locking point is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to actuate a second locking point, wherein the second locking point is configured to actuate between a locked and an unlocked position in response to the first wireless signal; and (ii) the second locking point is configured to transmit a second wireless signal to actuate the first locking point, wherein the first locking point is configured to actuate between a locked and an unlocked position in response to the second wireless signal; wherein wireless coordination of movement between the unlocked position and the locked position is user-selectable as to: (1) which of the plurality of locking points actuate locking or unlocking responsive to a wireless communication signal from at least one of the plurality of locking points; and (2) how many of the plurality of locking points wirelessly coordinate movement; and wherein the at least two locking points have first and second modes that are configured by a user, wherein, in a first mode, less than all of the at least two locking points are locked or unlocked and, in a second mode, all of the at least two locking points are locked or unlocked, wherein, when either the first or second locking point is actuated by the user and based on if the actuated first or second locking point is in the first mode or the second mode, the actuated first or second locking point transmits the associated first or second signal to trigger the actuation of the other corresponding first or second locking point.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications received from another locking point.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the plurality of locking points is a deadbolt and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of locking points is a knob that is configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the plurality of locking points includes a plurality of mortised bolt mechanisms configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position responsive to wireless communications indicative of the deadbolt moving between the locked position and the unlocked position.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locking points enter into the unlocked position responsive to a wireless communication indicative of an emergency.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the locking points are of a different type of lock from each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an example interconnected locking system with a deadbolt and knob according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an example interconnected locking system with a deadbolt and mortised bolt mechanisms according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of an example interconnected locking system with a deadbolt, lever, and cane bolt according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of an example interconnected locking system with a double door that has panic bars and in which each door has bolt release mechanisms according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of an example interconnected locking system with a slide bolt and a locking bolt according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of an example interconnected locking system with RV storage doors.

(8) Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principals of the invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(9) While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

(10) This disclosure generally relates to a locking system in which multiple locks or locking points may be interconnected to be locked and/or unlocked in a coordinated manner. The term lock or lockset is broadly intended to include any type of lock, including but not limited to deadbolts, knob locks, lever handle locks, mortise locks and slide locks, whether mechanical, electrical or electro-mechanical locks. The locking points may have various mounting configurations and/or locations, including but not limited to: mortised within the door frame, mounted externally to the door frame or support structure, and/or affixed directly to the door.

(11) The interconnected system may have an unlimited number of locking points. In one embodiment, for example, a first lock may wirelessly communicate with a plurality of interconnected locks so that actuation of the first lock also actuates one or more of the other interconnected locks. For example, the plurality of interconnected locks may have a wireless communication feature that allows communication between locks. By way of example only, the wireless communication capability of the locks could use the IEEE 802.11 standard, such as using Wi-Fi, or the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, such as using Zigbee, the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, such as Bluetooth, a cellular network, a wireless local area network, or other network protocols. Accordingly, the locks could communicate directly with each other, or use a wireless gateway, and/or coordinate with other networking devices.

(12) In some embodiments, the interconnected locks could be configured with different modes. In a limited operation, for example, only one locking point is locked/unlocked upon activation. The selection of the locking point can be configured by the user. In another mode, which could be the normal operation mode that is primarily used for day-to-day operations, not all locking points lock/unlock after activation. The number and selection of the locking points can be configured by the user. In an extended operation, all locking points could be locked/unlocked upon single activation. By way of another example, in an emergency operation, all locks and mechanisms enter into their unlock positions upon activation.

(13) The following are examples of certain locking point configurations, but this disclosure should not be limited to these particular locking point configurations. FIG. 1 shows an example residential door with an electronic deadbolt (1) and knob (2) mounted externally on the primary entrance. In this example, the locking system could be configured such that all locks and mechanisms enter into their respective lock/unlock positions as the deadbolt is locked/unlocked.

(14) FIG. 2 shows an example residential double door that has a deadbolt (1) and knob (2) mounted externally on the primary entrance. The secondary entrance has a knob mounted externally (3). Both entrances have mortised bolt mechanisms located in the door (5) (6) (7) (8). The locking system could be configured such that all locks and mechanisms enter into their respective lock/unlock positions as the deadbolt is locked/unlocked.

(15) FIG. 3 shows an example gate with a deadbolt (1), lever (2), and cane bolt (3). The locking system could be configured such that all locks and mechanisms enter into their respective unlock position as the deadbolt is unlocked.

(16) FIG. 4 shows an example commercial double door that has panic bars on both doors (1)(2). Each door in this example has bolt release mechanisms at the top (3)(4) and bottom (5)(6). The locking system could be configured such that all locks and mechanisms enter into their respective lock/unlock positions as one of these locks is locked/unlocked.

(17) FIG. 5 shows an example basement door that has two bolts: a slide bolt (1) and a locking bolt (2). The locking system could be configured such that all locks and mechanisms enter into their respective lock/unlock positions as one of the locks is locked/unlocked.

(18) FIG. 6 shows an example set of RV storage doors. This example has three doors with a paddle lock on each door (1). The locking system could be configured such that all locks enter into their respective locked/unlock position if any of the paddle locks are locked/unlocked.

(19) The activation or authentication between the locking points could be done in a variety of manners, including but not limited to: biometric, combination (electronic), mechanical (key), encryption (mathematical or otherwise) and/or defined electronic signals or packets. This disclosure should not be limited by the particular manner by which the locks are authenticated.

(20) This disclosure is not limited to wireless links between the locks. Embodiments are also contemplated in which the interconnection could be capacitively coupled (e.g., when someone touches the handle set or knob to open a door, some of the set locking points engages or disengages), mechanically linked, or electronically wired together.

(21) Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the invention and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.