Force deflector

Disclosed herein are various exemplary mechanisms by which external forces applied to doors and their locking mechanisms are deflected or directed away from the critical components of the locking system thereby preserving the integrity of the locking system and preventing unauthorized entry. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

BACKGROUND

The claimed inventions relate generally to locking mechanisms, particularly those for doors, and more particularly, to safe or security doors. The claimed inventions concern mechanisms that improve the ability of such doors and their locking systems to withstand external forces intended to disable the locking systems and allow unauthorized entry.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are various exemplary mechanisms by which external forces applied to doors and their locking mechanisms are deflected or directed away from the critical components of the locking system thereby preserving the integrity of the locking system and preventing unauthorized entry. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Reference will now be made in detail to various systems incorporating a force deflector with a force transfer plate and force actuator bar that may include some embodiments of the claimed inventions, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Many persons have come to rely on security devices such as safes and security doors to protect themselves and their property. To use such a security safe or security door and take advantage of its security features and protection, one must operate a locking system that allows only certain operators access to inside the safe or inside the security door. Typically, such a locking system involves the actual lock, but also a wheel or handle or other such device used, usually by turning, to disengage the latch of the safe or security door and allow the same to be opened after the actual lock has been deactivated. The operation of such a typical locking system usually involves closing the safe door or security door, turning the wheel or handle or otherwise activating a latch or series of locking pins, which engage the door frame, to prevent the safe door or security door from being opened, and then activating a lock to prevent the latch or series of pins from being deactivated without the proper entry permission parameter, such as a combination or key to the lock or locking system. When the operator correctly uses the combination or key to activate the lock and lock the safe or security door, the operator causes a physical object, sometimes referred to as a “tongue” to move into a certain position in contact or near contact with the latch or locking pins, thereby preventing the latch or locking pins from disengaging from the door frame. Accordingly, unless the operator uses the proper entry permission parameter, such as a combination or a key, the latch or locking pins will not disengage and the lock will not be deactivated and the safe or security door remains locked.

Over time those persons desiring to open a safe or security door without the proper entry permission parameter have devised numerous methods of doing so. One particularly effective and simple method of gaining such unauthorized entry involves supplying force to one or more of the latches or locking pins engaged in the door frame. Typically, this is done by drilling through the outside wall of the safe or security door frame to expose a latch or locking pin or pins. A force is then applied to the latch or locking pin, usually by striking the latch or pin with a physical object. That force is transferred through the latch or locking pin back to the lock tongue. If the applied force is great enough, the tongue is sheared or otherwise broken or disabled. As the tongue is the main component of the lock or locking system, once it is sheared off, disabled, or broken, the wheel or handle or other such device on the outside of the safe or security door can be activated to disengage the latch or locking pins from the door frame. At that point the safe or security door is opened, and access is gained to the persons or property within the safe or security door, without the use of the proper entry permission parameter combination or key.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A and 1B, an exemplary force deflector system is depicted in locked position. Door1resides within door frame2, which is connected to the sides of the safe or security door, and engages the door frame2by a series of locking pins or latches3. Door1opens through the operation of hinges4. Door1has attached to it a locking pin connection plate or latch plate5, which is likewise welded or otherwise attached to locking pins3.FIG. 1Bshows the locking pins3and the safe or security door from the side view. When in the locked position as shown inFIG. 1A, the locking pins3extend through the side of the safe or security door1and behind (shown) or into (not shown) the door frame2and engage the door frame2(and the sides of the safe or security door, if desired) to prevent the door from opening.

As shown inFIG. 1A, one locking pin connection plate or bar5is depicted as a long narrow plate attached to the door1that has its long axis parallel to the long axis of the door1, but there may be any number of plates, and they may be of any size or shape and may or may not be attached to the door, or they may be attached indirectly or directly. Also in this example and as shown inFIG. 1A, the locking pin connection plate5is attached to a force transfer plate or bar6and a single bar force transfer actuator7, which is a plate or rod that, as more fully explained below, is connected directly or indirectly with the wheel or handle or other such device on the outside of the safe or security door and as the operator turns or otherwise activates the wheel or handle on the outside of the door, the single bar force transfer actuator7also turns or is activated.

As more specifically shown inFIGS. 1C and 1D, the locking pins3are welded or otherwise connected to the locking pin connection plate5.FIG. 1Cshows the locking pins3, the locking pin connection plate5, and the force transfer plate6without the safe or security door. As shown, the locking pin connection plate5is welded or otherwise attached to the force transfer plate6.FIG. 1Dshows the locking pins3, the locking pin connection plate5, and the force transfer plate6from the side view without the safe or security door.

AlthoughFIGS. 1A and 1Cshow only one locking pin connection plate5on one side of the door and only one force transfer plate6and single bar force transfer actuator7, another locking pin connection plate5could be used on the other side of the door with a separate force transfer plate6and single bar force transfer actuator7. Indeed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional locking pin connection plates5may be used, on any side of the door (left, right, top, and bottom), and each such plates may interact with separate force transfer plates6and single bar force transfer actuators7, or multiple such force transfer plates and actuators.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A,2B,2C, and2D the components and operation of an exemplary force deflector are further described. As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the force deflector includes a rotational entry shaft or pin8and a force transfer shaft or pin9, which are both welded or otherwise connected (such as by a slip collar) to the single bar force actuator7. The rotational entry shaft8is a physical object, typically cylindrical in shape, that projects through the door, from the handle or other opening mechanism on the outside, through the door itself, through an opening (described in more detail below) in the force transfer plate6, and finally is welded or otherwise connected to the single bar force transfer actuator7.

The rotational entry shaft8may be of any length necessary to allow communication between the wheel or handle or other opening mechanism on the outside of the door and the single bar force transfer actuator7on the inside of the door. Likewise, the rotational entry shaft8may be of any shape, including square or rectangular in cross section. The rotational entry shaft8is also in contact with the safe or security door, in a manner that allows the shaft to engage the door but still rotate when operated, through any one of many methods well known to those of skill in the art, such as through use of bearings.

The force transfer shaft9does not run through the door, but instead is welded or otherwise attached to the single bar force transfer actuator7on the inside of the door and projects toward the outside of the door through an opening in the force transfer plate6. Similar to the rotational entry shaft8, the force transfer shaft9may be of any length or shape necessary to allow communication between the single bar force transfer actuator7and the force transfer plate6.

The positions of the rotational entry shaft8and the force transfer shaft9are shown by example only, and those of skill in the art will appreciate that those positions can by varied at any point along the single bar force transfer actuator7to achieve many objectives, such as increased performance or ease of construction, and still fall within the present invention.

FIG. 2Cis a more detailed view of the openings in the force transfer plate through which the rotational entry shaft8and the force transfer shaft9pass. In its position of communication between the handle or other opening mechanism on the outside of the safe or security door and the single bar force transfer actuator7on the inside of the safe or security door, the rotational entry shaft8passes through the rotational shaft travel slot10, which is an aperture or opening in the force transfer plate6. The rotational shaft travel slot10may be of any shape, but as more particularly described below, must be large enough to permit the force transfer plate6(and therefore the connected single bar force transfer actuator7and force transfer shaft9) to rotate and move spatially. Likewise, in its position of attachment with the single bar force transfer actuator7, the force transfer shaft9passes through the force transfer shaft travel slot11, which is another aperture or opening in the force transfer plate6. The force transfer shaft travel slot11may also be of any shape, but similar to the rotational shaft travel slot10, and as more particularly described below, it also must be large enough to permit the force transfer plate6(and therefore the connected single bar force transfer actuator7and force transfer shaft9) to rotate and move spatially.

In normal or typical operation, when an operator desires to lock the safe or security door, or in other words to secure the door from unauthorized entry, the operator activates the lock or locking mechanism12, and more particularly the tongue or bar of the locking mechanism13, which then engages the force transfer plate through slot14to prevent the movement of the force transfer plate, and therefore the movement of the locking pins out of the door frame. The slot14in the force transfer plate6is an aperture or opening through which the tongue13passes when the locking mechanism12is activated. Similar to the rotational shaft travel slot10or the force transfer travel slot11, the slot14allows an object to pass through another object. In case of slot14, it allows the tongue13to engage the force transfer plate6, and prevent the force transfer plate6from moving, when the tongue13passes through the slot14in the force transfer plate6.

Assuming as shown inFIG. 2Athat the safe or security door is unlocked, or in other words that the locking mechanism tongue13is withdrawn from the tongue locking slot14in the force transfer plate6, then the safe or security door is free to open when the handle or other opening mechanism is activated. InFIG. 2A, the safe or security door is unlocked and the wheel or handle or other such mechanism on the outside of the door has been turned so as to also turn the force transfer actuator7, and as described in more detail below, the safe or security door is in a position to be pulled open. As shown, the force transfer plate6(and therefore the locking pin connection plate5and locking pins3) have been moved spatially as a result of the tongue13being withdrawn from the slot14.

FIG. 2Dis a more detailed view of the top of the force transfer plate6, showing the slot14into which the tongue13projects when the locking mechanism12is activated using the proper entry permission parameter, such as a combination or a key.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bshow a more detailed view of the single bar force transfer actuator7. As shown inFIG. 3A, the rotational entry shaft8is positioned between the force transfer shaft9and an optional secondary force transfer shaft9shown at position15. The position15of the secondary force transfer shaft is shown by example only, and those of skill in the art will appreciate that the position can by varied at any point along the single bar force transfer actuator7to achieve many objectives, such as increased performance or ease of construction, and still fall within the present invention. The operation of the additional force transfer shaft is described in more detail below.

As can be seen fromFIG. 3B, both the rotational entry shaft8and the force transfer shaft9project from the single bar force transfer actuator toward the outside the door. The projected end16of the rotational entry shaft8passes through the rotational shaft travel slot10and through the safe or security door and engages or is connected to the wheel or handle or other opening mechanism on the outside of the safe or security door. The projected end17of the force transfer shaft9passes through the force transfer shaft travel slot11.

Referring again toFIG. 2A, the safe or security door and the force deflector are in the unlocked position, and as the handle or other opening mechanism of the safe or security door is turned (to open the door), the rotational entry shaft8rotates, but because it is merely a shaft it turns but does not move spatially. Because the rotational entry shaft8is welded or otherwise attached to the single bar force transfer actuator7, which in turn is welded or otherwise attached to the force transfer shaft9, the single bar force transfer actuator7and the force transfer shaft9rotate as well. During rotation, the single bar force transfer actuator7and the force transfer shaft9also move spatially, unlike the rotational entry shaft8that merely turns around a single point, when the handle or other opening mechanism of the safe or security door is turned. When the rotational entry shaft8rotates, and the single bar force transfer actuator7and the force transfer shaft9rotate and move spatially, the force transfer shaft9engages the force transfer plate6through the force transfer shaft travel slot11.

As the rotational shaft8continues to rotate, the force transfer shaft9continues to engage the force transfer plate6through the force transfer shaft travel slot11and as a result, causes the force transfer plate6to move spatially (horizontally) away from the side of the safe or security door. InFIG. 2Athis is evident from the positions of the tongue13and the slot14. As shown, the tongue13of the locking mechanism12is withdrawn from slot14, and as the force transfer plate6moves spatially (horizontally) away from the side of the safe or security door, the locking mechanism12(and tongue13) stay stationary and the slot14, which is part of and moving with the force transfer plate6, cannot be engaged by the tongue13.

As the rotation continues and the force transfer plate6continues to move away from the side of the safe or security door, the force transfer shaft9travels up the force transfer travel slot11. The force transfer travel slot11both allows engagement between the force transfer shaft9and the force transfer plate6and allows the force deflector plate6to continue to move spatially away from the side of the safe or security door as rotation continues. It is understood that the single bar force transfer actuator7may have two or more force transfer shafts9connected to it and each such force transfer shaft9would have a corresponding force transfer slot11in the force transfer plate6. It is also understood that the single bar force transfer actuator7may have an optional secondary force transfer shaft or shafts, which would operate in the same manner as the force transfer shaft or shafts9. Also, just as the projected end17of the force transfer shaft9passes through the force transfer shaft travel slot11, the projected ends of any secondary force transfer shafts9at position15would also pass through the force transfer plate6via force transfer shaft travel slots11and allow any such secondary force transfer shafts to both engage the force transfer plate6and allow the force deflector plate6to continue to move spatially away from the side of the safe or security door as rotation continues.

Again referring toFIG. 2A, at the same time as the movement of the force transfer shaft9and as the force deflector plate6moves away from the side of the safe or security door, the rotational shaft travel slot10provides an opening for the rotational shaft8to prevent the rotational shaft8from preventing the movement of the force deflector plate6. The rotational shaft travel slot10allows the force deflector plate6to continue to move away from the side of the safe or security door as rotation continues.

In other words, the force transfer travel slot11allows the force transfer shaft9to engage the force transfer plate6and allows the force transfer plate6to continue to move away from the side of the safe or security door as rotation continues, while the rotational shaft travel slot10allows the force transfer plate6to continue to move away from the side of the safe or security door as rotation continues by providing a space for the rotational entry shaft8to rotate without coming into contact with, and preventing the movement of, the force transfer plate6.

As rotation continues, because the force transfer plate6is connected to the locking pin connection plate5and the force transfer plate6move spatially toward the middle of the safe or security door, the locking pin connection plate5also moves spatially toward the middle of the safe or security door. As a result, the locking pins3are withdrawn from the door frame2and/or the sides of the safe or security door and accordingly the door may be opened.

To close the door, before the locking mechanism12is actuated, the handle or opening mechanism is operated, usually by turning in the opposite direction, to cause the above-described process to proceed in reverse. When reversed, the locking pin connection plate5and the force transfer plate6move spatially away from the middle of the safe or security door and toward the edge of the safe or security door. In such a manner, the locking pins3are inserted behind or into the door frame2and/or the sides of the safe or security door. In this manner the safe or security door is closed and prepared for locking.

Now referring toFIG. 2B, the safe or security door with the force deflector is shown in the closed and locked position. The tongue13of the lock is shown extended into the tongue lock slot14—the opening for the tongue—in the top of the force transfer plate6. The tongue13is separated from the edge of the force transfer plate6in the tongue lock slot14by a distance18.

The single bar force actuator7is shown in the horizontal position perpendicular to the locking pin connection plate5. The rotational entry shaft8and the force transfer shaft9are aligned with each other, in this case horizontally, and are aligned in a plane perpendicular to the locking pin connection plate5.

The force transfer shaft9, which engages the force transfer plate6through the force transfer shaft travel slot11, is separated from the edge of the force transfer shaft travel slot11by a distance19. Distance19can be any distance, including zero, which means that the force transfer shaft9is in contact with the force transfer plate6and the point of contact is the edge of the force transfer shaft9where it passes through the force transfer shaft travel slot11. Preferably, although it is not required, the distance19is less than the distance18so that with the locking mechanism12activated (and therefore the tongue13extended into the slot14), the force transfer plate6, as it moves spatially (horizontally), would engage, or come into contact with, the force transfer shaft9before it would engage, or come into contact with, the tongue13.

If the distance19is more than the distance18so that as the force transfer plate6moves it engages the tongue13before the force transfer shaft9, the force deflector will still work because the tongue13will deflect and can absorb some movement, thereby allowing the force transfer plate6to engage or come into contact with the force transfer shaft9. Accordingly, if the distance19is more than the distance18, the tongue13will deform or bend to a certain extent before failing, allowing time and distance for the force transfer plate6to engage or come into contact with the force transfer shaft9.

With the safe or security door and the force deflector in the locked position, any force applied to any of the locking pins3is transferred to the safe or security door without damaging the tongue13, thereby preventing the locking mechanism from being disabled. Specifically, when a force is applied to any of the locking pins3, the force is transferred to the locking pin connection plate5. From the locking pin connection plate5, the force travels to the force deflector plate6. Because the force deflector plate6is in contact with, or separated by a distance of19from the force transfer shaft9, as the force transfer plate6comes into contact with the force transfer shaft9, the applied force is transferred from the force transfer plate6to the force transfer shaft9. Likewise, because the force transfer shaft9is welded or otherwise attached to the single bar force transfer actuator7, which in turn is welded or otherwise attached to the rotational entry shaft8, the applied force is transferred from the force transfer shaft9to the rotational entry shaft8. Finally, because the rotational entry shaft8is in contact or close communication with the safe or security door itself, the applied force is transferred to the safe or security door. In summary, the force applied to locking pins3is transferred from the force transfer shaft9through the single bar force transfer actuator7, through the rotational entry shaft8to the safe or security door where it is harmlessly absorbed and dissipated.

Without this system, any force applied to the locking pins3is transferred to the tongue13. Specifically, when a force is applied to any of the locking pins3, the force is transferred to the force deflector plate6through the locking pin connection plate5. Without the interaction described above involving the force transfer plate6, the single bar force transfer actuator7, the rotational entry shaft8, the force transfer shaft9, and the travel slots10and11, any force applied to the locking pins3is transferred from the force transfer plate6directly to the tongue13. Similarly, if the force deflector plate6is separated by a distance of19from the force transfer shaft9, but that distance19is greater than the distance18between the tongue13and the tongue locking slot14, the force transfer plate6, as it moves spatially (horizontally) due to any applied force, would engage the tongue13before it would engage the force transfer shaft9.

When applied to the tongue13, experience has shown that if the force is great enough, the tongue13is sheared or otherwise broken or disabled. As the tongue13is an important component of the locking system, and sometimes the only or main component of the locking system, once it is sheared off, disabled, or broken, the wheel or handle or other such device on the outside of the safe or security door can be activated to rotate the rotational entry shaft. As previously explained, this ultimately withdraws and disengages the locking pins3from the door frame2and/or the sides of the safe or security door. At that point the safe or security door is opened, without the use of the proper entry permission parameter combination or key. Accordingly, by deflecting the force away from the tongue13, the force deflector prevents a means of unauthorized entry into the safe or security door.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that many variants of the above-described force deflector are possible and all fall within the present invention. For example, in an alternative operation, another locking pin connection plate5is added to the side of the door opposite from the current locking pin connection plate5. Those of skill in the art would appreciate that conceptually there is no limit to the number, locations, or shapes of locking pin connection plates5(and locking pins3) and multiple such devices may be located on the sides, top, and bottom of the safe or security door. The only restraint to such devices is the physical limitation of size and placement—the locking pin connection plates and pins must be configured to allow operation of the safe or security door.

For illustration,FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow a force deflector using two locking pin connection plates5, two force transfer plates6, and a single bar force transfer actuator7. As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the single bar force transfer actuator7may have two force transfer shafts9, and in this case it does. The secondary force transfer shaft9at position15allows the single bar force transfer actuator7to (1) engage a single force transfer plate6at multiple locations (through force transfer shaft travel slots11), (2) engage multiple force transfer plates6, and (3) to engage multiple force transfer plates6at multiple locations.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the size and shape of the force transfer shafts9, including the secondary force transfer shaft, may be varied to achieve any number of desired goals, such as the best possible security or ease of use of the mechanism. Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that althoughFIG. 4Ashows two locking pin connection plates5on one side of the door and two force transfer plates6, multiple locking pin connection plates5and multiple force transfer plate6could be added, and may interact with multiple single bar force transfer actuators7and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

In operation, the force deflector depicted inFIGS. 4A and 4Boperates in a similar manner as that described above. As the handle or other opening mechanism of the safe or security door is turned (with the goal being to open the door), the rotational entry shaft8rotates and the single bar force transfer actuator7and the force transfer shafts9move in an arc pattern. The arc pattern of movement of the single bar force transfer actuator7and the force transfer shafts9is created because these devices rotate and at the same time move spatially as the handle or other opening mechanism of the safe or security door is turned. The force transfer shafts9also engage the two force transfer plates6through the force transfer shaft travel slots11(one in each force transfer plate6). The force transfer travel slots11both allow engagement between the force transfer shafts9and the force transfer plates6and allow the force deflector plates6to continue to move away from the sides of the safe or security door (and toward the middle of the door) as rotation continues. Simultaneously, as the rotational entry shaft8rotates, the force deflector plates6travel along the two rotational shaft travel slots10(one in each force transfer plate6); this allows the force deflector plates6to continue to move away from the side of the safe or security door as rotation continues.

As rotation continues the two locking pin connection plates5and the two force transfer plates6move spatially toward the middle of the safe or security door and toward each other. In this manner the rotation withdraws the locking pins3from the sides of the safe or security door and allows the door to be opened. To close the door, before the locking mechanism12is activated, the handle or opening mechanism is operated, usually by turning in the opposite direction, to cause the above-described process to proceed in reverse. When reversed, the locking pin connection plates5and the force transfer plates6move spatially away from the middle of the safe or security door (and away from each other) and toward the door edge and the locking pins3are inserted behind or into the door frame2and/or sides of the safe or security door. In this manner the safe or security door is closed and prepared for locking; i.e. the door is closed, the locking pins are inserted, and the locking mechanism12can be activated to lock the safe or security door.

The force deflector depicted inFIGS. 4A and 4Bwith the secondary force transfer shaft9depicted inFIGS. 3A, and3B has several unique and beneficial characteristics. Although it is understood that this force deflector will operate with a single force transfer shaft9(engaging both force transfer plates6), more force transfer shafts offer improved performance and two such shafts are shown here (the force transfer shaft9and the secondary force transfer shaft at position15). Because of the secondary force transfer shaft9and the additional force transfer plate6, any force applied to any of the locking pins3, on any side of the safe or security door, is transferred away from the tongue13through the force transfer shafts9, thereby preventing the locking mechanism from being disabled. Specifically, when a force is applied to any of the locking pins3, the force is transferred to one of the locking pin connection plates5. From the locking pin connection plate5, the force travels to one of the force deflector plates6. As the force transfer plate6comes into contact with one of the force transfer shafts9, some of the applied force is transferred from the force transfer plate6to the force transfer shaft and eventually to the safe or security door through the single bar force transfer actuator7and the rotational entry shaft8. Some of the force, however, is transferred from the force transfer shaft9through the single bar force transfer actuator7to the other force transfer shaft9. In this manner, some of the force is transferred to the second force deflector plate6and ultimately the side of the safe or security door. This division and distribution of the applied force necessarily prevents any one component from bearing the full applied force, improves the deflection and absorption of the applied force, and prevents a means of unauthorized entry into the safe or security door. By expanding the number of force transfer shafts and having each engage multiple force deflector plates6, the applied force can be further divided and distributed.

Additionally, as a result of the multiple force transfer plates6, the force deflector can use multiple locking mechanisms12positioned at different locations on door1. Accordingly, the safe or security door would be more secure.

An alternative modification to the force deflector depicted inFIGS. 4A and 4Binvolves using two single bar force transfer actuators7, one for each force transfer plate6. In operation, one of the two single bar force transfer actuators7engages one of the two force transfer plates6through the force transfer shaft travel slot11by way of the force transfer shaft9, while the second single bar force transfer actuator7engages the remaining force transfer plate6in the same fashion. As the handle or other opening mechanism is activated on the safe or security door, the two single bar force transfer actuators7cause the two locking pin connection plates5and the two force transfer plates6move spatially toward the middle of the safe or security door and toward each other, and ultimately the locking pins3to be withdrawn from the sides of the safe or security door. In this manner, the door may be opened. By expanding the number of force transfer actuators7and having each engage multiple force deflector plates6, the applied force can be further divided and distributed.

Another exemplary alternative is set forth inFIGS. 5A and 5B, which depict a double bar force transfer actuator20. Similar to the force deflector depicted inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the additional force transfer shaft9, which corresponds to a second force transfer plate6, transfers any force applied to any of the locking pins3, on any side of the safe or security door, away from the tongue13, thereby preventing the locking mechanism from being disabled. Again, as with the force deflector shown in the locked position inFIG. 2B,FIG. 5Bshows the alternative arrangement in the locked position with the force transfer shafts9aligned with the rotational entry shaft8(in this case horizontally) and aligned in a plane perpendicular to the locking pin connection plate5.

One advantage of such a system results from the multiple force transfer plates6, which can be used in conjunction with multiple locking mechanisms12positioned at different locations on door1to improve security. Additional advantages of the force deflector shown inFIGS. 5A and 5Bstem from the offset nature of the offset distance21or22between each of the force transfer ends23and24of the double bar force transfer actuator20. The offset distance21or22allows the size and shape of force transfer plates6to be changed, and by varying the offset distance21or22, additional space around the rotational entry shaft8and the locking mechanism12can be created and controlled. The additional space is beneficial for ease of manufacturing and repair, as well as because it allows additional space for optional locking mechanisms to be used.

FIGS. 5C and 5Dshow an another alternative arrangement with additional advantages. Two additional force transfer shafts25are shown, one in each of the force transfer ends23and24of the double bar force actuator20. Again, as with the force deflector shown in the locked position inFIG. 2B,FIG. 5Dshows the alternative arrangement in the locked position with the force transfer shafts9aligned with the rotational entry shaft8(in this case horizontally) and aligned in a plane perpendicular to the locking pin connection plate5. Additionally, the two additional force transfer shafts25also aligned with the rotational entry shaft8(in this case vertically).

The force transfer shafts25correspond to two additional force transfer travel slots26, one in each of the force transfer plates6. One advantage of the force transfer shafts25is that any applied force is divided between four such shafts, further preventing any one component from bearing the total applied force, improving the deflection and absorption of the applied force, and preventing a means of unauthorized entry into the safe or security door.

Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that althoughFIGS. 5A and 5Cshow two locking pin connection plates5on one side of the door and two force transfer plates6, multiple locking pin connection plates5and multiple force transfer plate6could be added, and may interact with multiple double bar force transfer actuators20and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Although the systems described above have been discussed in relation to a safe or security door, those systems may be adapted to other door types with minor modification, for example garage doors or access doors of many other types. The scope of use of the above described force deflector should therefore be interpreted broadly rather than restrictively.

While various systems incorporating a force deflector have been described and illustrated in conjunction with a number of specific configurations and methods, those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the principles herein illustrated, described, and claimed. The present invention, as defined by the appended claims, may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The configurations described herein are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative, and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.