Abstract:
An interlock is provided such that when a standard door lock handle is actuated, it will also open a deadbolt. The interlock is normally in a non-operational position. When a biometric sensor senses that a user wishing to use the door is approved, the interlock is actuated. The use of the interlock saves user movement by allowing the deadbolt to be opened with simple actuation of the standard lock structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This application relates to the use of a biometric sensor that actuates an interlock between a door lock set and a deadbolt such that the deadbolt can be opened along with a standard door lock when a handle is turned.  
         [0002]     Entry doors to and from buildings are often provided with more than one lock. There is often a standard lock set which is actuated by a key from the outside of the building, and by a push button/turn knob/etc. from the inside of the building to lock and unlock.  
         [0003]     Doors are often also provided with a deadbolt. A deadbolt is also provided with a key lock on the outside, and some form of locking actuation turn pin/lever/button/etc. on the inside.  
         [0004]     It is typically the case that both the door lock and the deadbolt must be separately opened when the deadbolt is in a locked position, and one wishes to enter or leave a building. Thus, when the deadbolt is locked, a user wishing to use the door must separately turn the lever for the standard lock set, and also unlock the deadbolt in some manner. As one problem, a user must thus be outside the building for a relatively long period of time.  
         [0005]     Biometric sensors are known in the lock industry. A biometric sensor is a sensor that has been programmed to remember an individual characteristic of an authorized user for the building. For example, a resident of a home may have a fingerprint stored within the biometric control system. The user moves a finger across the sensor, and the sensor transmits the sensed fingerprint to a control. The control compares the sensed fingerprint to a stored fingerprint, and may allow access into the building if the sensed fingerprint matches the stored fingerprint. Biometric sensors provide a higher level of security than normal locks in that with a normal lock, an intruder could copy or steal the key.  
         [0006]     It would be desirable to simplify the entry into a building, and the biometric sensors do provide additional security that can facilitate simplification.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, a biometric sensor senses characteristics of a user. If sensed characteristics match a stored characteristic, then a control recognizes that the user is authorized. An interlock is then actuated such that when the standard door handle is turned, the interlock also unlocks the deadbolt. Both the standard lock set and the deadbolt can now be opened by simply actuating the standard door handle. In this manner, entry or exit of the building is made simpler. Also, a user can enter the building more quickly due to the inventive interlock, providing increased safety.  
         [0008]     In the disclosed embodiment, an interlock cam is normally out of position relative to an actuation structure for the deadbolt. The interlock cam turns with the door handle. However, unless the biometric sensor has sensed an approved individual, the interlock cam is out of line with the actuation structure. Thus, in this position, turning of the handle will not actuate the deadbolt actuation structure.  
         [0009]     When an approved user is sensed, a force is applied to move the interlock cam into alignment with the deadbolt actuation structure. At this point, when the door handle is turned, it will actuate the deadbolt actuation structure, and the deadbolt will be opened, or closed.  
         [0010]     These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a view of an outer face of a door.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1B  shows a detail of the  FIG. 1A  door.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the inventive door lock assembly.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of the assembled interlock in an unactuated position.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3B  shows an unbiased position for an interlock cam.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3C  shows an interlock cam having been moved to its biased position.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a first position when the cam is in its biased position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  shows the interlock cam having turned in a first direction.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  shows the interlock cam having turned in a second direction. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]      FIG. 1A  shows a door  20  having a standard handle  29  for turning a lock  23 . A deadbolt  32  controls a deadbolt lock  26 . As is known, key slots S receive a key to lock or unlock the locks  23  and  26  from an outer face of the door. It should be understood that any type of actuation structure would come within the scope of this invention, as would any type of door handle. Thus, while the illustrated lever  29  is a turning lever, the present invention would extend to other types of door handles, including thumb latch, etc.  
         [0021]     FIG  1 B shows a detail of outer face  28  of the door. As shown, deadbolt cover  32  has a sensor  30  behind an extension.  
         [0022]     Biometric sensor  30  may be as known, and is operable to sense some characteristic of a user of the door. Biometric sensors are known that sense fingerprints, voice, or other individual characteristics that are tied to an approved user of the door. Thus, a resident of a building can store a fingerprint, voice, etc. The present invention is not tied to any particular biometric sensor type, although in a preferred embodiment, a fingerprint recognition sensor is utilized. The present invention is directed to an interlock that allows turning of a handle  29  to actuate both locks  23  and  26  when an approved user has been sensed by the sensor  30 .  
         [0023]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , lock actuation structure  132  turns with the handle  29  and with an inner handle (not shown). This aspect of the invention is as known, and is shown schematically. Further, the actuation of the lock  23  by the structure  132  is also illustrated schematically.  
         [0024]     Plates  34  and  36  mount hardware as will be disclosed below.  
         [0025]     A deadbolt cam  38  turns as will be explained to actuate the deadbolt  26 . The transmission between deadbolt cam  38  and the deadbolt  26  is shown schematically, and may be as known. The deadbolt cam can be turned by a key in the key slot S or by an inner turn pin. The present invention also discloses an interlock such that when the structure  132  turns under some conditions, the deadbolt cam  38  will also turn.  
         [0026]     The deadbolt interlock structure includes slides  40 . As shown, a slot  143  in the slides  40  is guided along a tooth  41  on the plate  34 . Thus, the movement of the slides is guided to be linear, and is limited at an extreme end of travel by the tooth. An insert  42  receives a spring  43 . An interlock cam  44  is positioned adjacent an actuator  46 . A clutch  48  and a driver  50  are associated with a gear  52 . A motor  54  drives a worm  56  to turn the gear  52  under certain conditions as will be explained below. As shown, the motor  54  is controlled by a control  55 . Control  55  receives signals from the sensor  30 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3A  shows a first unactuated position of the interlock assembly. This position is also shown in  FIG. 3B . As shown, the interlock cam  44  is spaced beyond the slides  40  relative to the plate  34 . Spring  43  has biased the interlock cam  44  to this position. As can be appreciated from both  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the interlock cam  44  thus is not aligned with the slides  40 , and if it is turned as shown in  FIG. 3A , it will not contact or move the slides  40 . With this movement, opening the lock  23  will not unlock deadbolt  26 . As shown, ears  58  are formed at two circumferential ends of the interlock cam  44 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 3C  shows movement after the application of force to the interlock cam  44  such that it is now forced against the spring  43  to be aligned with the slides  40 . The present invention is directed to actuating this movement when a sensor  30  has sensed an approved occupant. Thus, a user of the door shown in  FIGS. 1A  or  1 B will swipe a fingerprint (or otherwise actuate a biometric sensor). If the control  55  identifies the user as an approved user, then the motor  54  turns to drive worm  56 , to subsequently turn gear  52 . As gear  52  turns, the actuator  46  turns. Actuator  46  has a cam surface, which will force the interlock cam  44  against the spring force  43  to the  FIG. 3C  position. When in the  FIG. 3C  position, interlock movement as will be described below will occur. Otherwise, the interlock does not occur ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ) and turning handles  22  or  29  do not move the deadbolt. Of course, other mechanical transmission can be used to move the interlock cam  44 .  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the interlock cam  44  has now been forced towards the plate  34  such that it is aligned with the slides  40 . However, the door handle has yet to be turned.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a position wherein the door handle has been turned in one direction. When this occurs, the interlock cam  44  turns with the door handle, and the ear  58  forces the slide  40  upwardly on one side, actuating the deadbolt cam  38 . The deadbolt  26  is shown schematically, and as mentioned previously, may operate as is known when the deadbolt cam  38  turns.  FIG. 6  shows movement in the opposed direction.  
         [0031]     The present invention thus allows a user to unlock or lock both door locks by only utilizing the handle as is typically associated with one of the locks. In this manner, the present invention thus simplifies the use of the door. Still, adequate security is provided because only authorized users are admitted. For purposes of this application, “handle” means levers, thumb latches or any other structure for actuating a lock.  
         [0032]     While the interlock is shown only on the outer face, a similar interlock can be provided on the inner face by simply adding a second sensor.  
         [0033]     Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that many modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.