Abstract:
An electric strike assembly includes a housing including a mounting device and defining an internal longitudinal cavity, a keeper pivotally arranged in the housing, and a selectively locatable component including a locking device to cooperate with the mounting device to secure the component at a predetermined incremental position along the length of the removable cavity. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, an electric strike assembly includes a housing defining an internal longitudinal cavity, a keeper pivotally arranged in the housing, and a keeper shim assembly, including a shim, slidably engaged with the keeper to position the shim at a predetermined position along a length of the cavity. A method of securely capturing a latch bolt mounted in a door includes mounting an electric strike assembly in an associated door jamb and positioning a shim at a predetermined position in the cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/545,384, filed on Oct. 10, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to door locking mechanisms, more particularly to electric door locking mechanisms known as electric strikes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Electric strikes, also known as electric door openers, electric releases and electric release strikes, are part of a locking mechanism conventionally used to control access to buildings or areas, for example. An electric strike assembly is typically mounted into a door jamb and receives a locking feature, such as a latch bolt and/or a dead bolt, which is part of a locking mechanism typically mounted in a door. An actuation means (e.g., an electrically driven motor or solenoid) is used to either block or release a rotatable keeper to either prevent or allow release of a door&#39;s latch bolt, to lock the door or allow it to be opened. 
         [0004]    There is a wide variety of lock sets available in the market, with different lock sets often having locking features that engage the strike assembly at different positions with respect to a strike center. Conventional strike assemblies thus include faceplates having a hole(s) provided at a set position for receiving the locking feature(s). As such, when a different lock set is desired and/or exchanged for a replacement lock set, often the faceplate and/or the entire strike assembly must be simultaneously replaced to accommodate the dimensions of the new lock set. Due to this lack of interchangeability, conventional lock sets and strikes are often sold together as a packaged set even if only one component may be desired. The result is an increase in the cost of the product to the consumer as well as an increased cost for the associated installation of the packaged set. There is a need and desire for an electric strike assembly that is adjustable to accommodate dimensional differences in the locking features of corresponding lock sets. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, for conventional electric strike assemblies to include certain optional devices, such as a latch monitor module, for example, the optional device must be built into the strike assembly. As such, a consumer must decide up front whether to include or exclude the optional feature or face the prospect of having to entirely replace the strike assembly and/or lock set if the optional feature later becomes desirable or, conversely, is no longer required. Accordingly, there is a need and desire to improve the form, fit and function of electric strike assemblies by providing an electric strike assembly having interchangeable and adjustable optional components that may be easily and efficiently installed or removed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide an electric strike assembly and methods of use thereof A preferred embodiment of an electric strike assembly includes a housing having a positioning member and an internal longitudinal cavity, a keeper pivotally arranged in the housing, and a selectively locatable component having an engagement member to cooperate with the positioning member to secure the component at a predetermined incremental position along a length of the cavity. 
         [0007]    In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, an electric strike assembly includes a housing including an internal longitudinal cavity, a keeper pivotally arranged in the housing, and a keeper shim assembly, including a shim, slidably engaged with the keeper to position the shim at a predetermined position along a length of the cavity. 
         [0008]    In accordance with yet other aspects of the present invention, a method of securely capturing a latch bolt mounted in a door includes mounting an electric strike assembly in an associated door jamb, the electric strike assembly having a housing including an internal longitudinal cavity, a keeper pivotally arranged in the housing, and a keeper shim assembly, including a shim, slidably engaged with the keeper to position the shim at a predetermined position along a length of the cavity, and positioning the shim at the predetermined position in the cavity to be in substantial alignment with a position of the latch bolt mounted in the door. 
         [0009]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0010]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0011]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments consistent with the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an electric strike assembly, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an electric strike assembly with a faceplate removed, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of an electric strike assembly, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of an electric strike assembly having an adjustable keeper shim assembly, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are bottom rear perspective views of an electric strike assembly showing a solenoid and blocking assembly in alternate positions according to a selected mode of the electric strike assembly, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are bottom rear perspective views of the corresponding electric strike assemblies illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively to illustrate a bottom plate with locator holes for positioning the solenoid and blocking assembly in alternate positions according to the selected mode of the electric strike assembly, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a keeper with an adjustable keeper shim assembly, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates an adjustment member engaged with a keeper for positioning a keeper shim assembly, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a keeper shim assembly positioned for coupling with an adjustment member, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of an electric strike assembly having a dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket positioned on the strike housing, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged front perspective view of a dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket having multiple positional engagement members for engaging multiple positional locking members on an electric strike assembly, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged rear perspective view of a dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket having multiple positional engagement members for engaging multiple positional locking members on an electric strike assembly, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  illustrates a securing assembly for securing the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket in a predetermined position, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of an electric strike assembly having a dead bolt bracket positioned on the strike housing, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  illustrates a securing assembly for securing the dead bolt bracket in a predetermined position, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of an electric strike assembly having a dead bolt plug positioned on the strike housing, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  illustrates a securing assembly for securing the dead bolt plug in a predetermined position, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of an electric strike assembly having a latch monitor module positioned on the strike housing, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  illustrates a securing assembly for securing the latch monitor module in a predetermined position, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  illustrates a perspective view of a latch monitor module, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  illustrates another perspective view of the latch monitor module shown in  FIG. 20 , in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
         [0035]    Various aspects of an electric strike assembly may be illustrated by describing components that are coupled, attached, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms “coupled”, “attached”, and/or “joined” are used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being “directly coupled”, “directly attached”, and/or “directly joined” to another component, there are no intervening elements present. 
         [0036]    Relative terms such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top” may be used herein to describe one element&#39;s relationship to another element illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of an electric strike assembly in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. By way of example, if aspects of an electric strike assembly shown in the drawings are turned over, elements described as being on the “bottom” side of the other elements would then be oriented on the “top” side of the other elements. The term “bottom” can therefore encompass both an orientation of “bottom” and “top” depending on the particular orientation of the apparatus. 
         [0037]    Various aspects of an electric strike assembly may be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments of an electric strike assembly disclosed herein. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an assembled electric strike assembly  100  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The strike assembly  100  includes a keeper  200  pivotably mounted in a housing  300 . The keeper  200  may be pivotable between a rotated position (see  FIG. 9 ), which allows a latch bolt of a door to be removed from the strike to open the door, and a home position where the keeper  200 , if prevented from moving, blocks removal of the latch bolt and thus keeps the door locked. When the keeper  200  is allowed to pivot, the latch bolt can push the keeper aside, so that the door can be opened. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the housing  300  may be integrally formed with end walls  310  and a rear wall  320  extending longitudinally between the end walls  310 , and a bottom front wall  330  extending longitudinally between the end walls  310  and covering only a portion of the distance measured from the top to bottom of the strike assembly  100 . A bottom plate  340  (see  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) may be separately mounted to the housing  300  to enclose an open bottom portion of the strike assembly  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a solenoid  242  and blocking element assembly  244  may be accessed for maintenance, for example, through the open bottom portion of the strike assembly  100  by removing the bottom plate  340 . In accordance with yet other aspects of the present invention, the bottom plate  340  may be configured to have a louver surface  342  that slides behind a portion of the bottom front wall  330  to prevent tampering. As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , pivot holes  312  may be provided in the end walls  310  for rotatably mounting the keeper  200  to the housing  300  via the pivot pins  210  (see also  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0040]    Control over the pivoting of the keeper  200  may be provided by the solenoid  242  and the blocking element assembly  244 , as is well known in the art. For example, the keeper  200  may be biased toward the home position by a suitable biasing means, such as a torsion spring  230  (see  FIG. 7 ). For the door to be locked, i.e. for the keeper  200  to be prevented from pivoting, the keeper  200  has at least one and preferably several abutments  240  that are opposed by the blocking element assembly  244 . For the door to be able to open freely, i.e. for the keeper  200  to be allowed to pivot, the abutments  240  are not opposed by the blocking element assembly  244  so that the keeper  200  may freely rotate about one or more pivot pins  210 . In a fail-secure mode, as shown in  FIG. 5A , for example, the blocking element assembly  244  is actuated by the solenoid to move out of engagement with the abutments  240  (i.e., the abutments  240  do block in a power-off mode so the door is locked) and/or in a fail-safe mode, as shown in  FIG. 5B , the blocking element assembly  244  is actuated by the solenoid  242  to block the abutments  240  (i.e., the abutments do not block in a power-off mode so the door is unlocked). In either case, when the solenoid is energized, the blocking element assembly  244  will be actuated to allow or deny the pivoting motion of the keeper  200 . 
         [0041]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , which correspond with  FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively, the bottom plate  340  may be formed with solenoid locator holes  344  to mate with corresponding locating posts on the solenoid frame in order to selectively position the solenoid  242  and/or the blocking element assembly  244 . In this manner, selection of the appropriate bottom plate  340  positions the locator holes  344  so that the solenoid  242  and blocking assembly  244  are positioned to enable the strike assembly  100  to function in one of a fail-secure mode or a fail-safe mode. For example, configuring the locator holes  344  to be located as shown in  FIG. 6A  may result in positioning of the solenoid  242  and blocking element assembly  244  as shown in  FIG. 5A , corresponding to the fail-secure mode. On the other hand, configuring the locator holes  344  to be located as shown in  FIG. 6B , which may be slightly offset in one direction as shown by the circle and arrow, may result in positioning of the solenoid  242  and blocking element assembly  244  as shown in  FIG. 5B , corresponding to the fail-safe mode. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a strike cavity  350  is defined in the housing  300  by the end walls  310 , the rear wall  320 , the keeper  200  and a mid-wall  325  (see  FIG. 9 ) that extends from the rear wall  320  and forms a substantially planar surface with a ledge  220  of the keeper  200  (see  FIG. 8 ). In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, the mid-wall  325  may be a feature of the solenoid and blocking element assembly, such as an upper wall of a solenoid housing, for example. 
         [0043]    As described in further detail infra, the strike cavity  350  may extend substantially the entire longitudinal length of the strike assembly  100  and be configured to accommodate interchangeable and adjustable components including, among others, a keeper shim assembly  400  (see  FIGS. 7-9 ), a dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  (see  FIGS. 10-13 ), a dead bolt bracket  600  (see  FIGS. 14-15 ), a dead bolt plug,  700  (see  FIGS. 16-17 ), and/or a latch monitor module  900  (see  FIGS. 18 and 19 ). As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  13 ,  15 ,  17 , and  19 , a securing assembly  800 , including a faceplate  810  and/or a suitable adhesive  812 , for example, may be provided to further secure these components at predetermined positions in the strike cavity  350 . 
         [0044]    In an exemplary configuration, the faceplate  810  may secure the electric strike assembly  100  to the door jamb by a suitable attachment device, such as screws  820 , which may extend through holes  825  in the faceplate  810 . As shown more particularly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the housing  300  may include mounting flanges  360  extending perpendicularly from the end plates  310 . The screws  820  may extend through the holes  825  in the faceplate  810 , through holes or slots  365  provided in the mounting flanges  360 , and into the door jamb to effectively secure the electric strike assembly  100  in place. The slots  365  in the mounting flanges  360  allow the position of the housing  300  to be longitudinally adjusted in relation to the faceplate  810 . 
         [0045]    When installed in the door jamb, by virtue of the strike cavity  350  extending substantially the entire length of the strike assembly  100 , the strike cavity  350  may receive the locking feature(s) of the lock set, such as the latch bolt, dead bolt and/or guard bolt, along any longitudinal point of the strike assembly  100  regardless of where dimensionally the locking feature(s) is located with respect to the center of the strike assembly  100 . Furthermore, the interchangeability and adjustability of optional components allows an installer to configure the fit and function of the strike assembly  100  to provide the performance desired. For example, often there remains a certain amount of play between the door and frame after strike installation, which may be due to a horizontal gap formed between the latch bolt and the keeper  200  when the latch bolt is received in the cavity  350  of the strike assembly  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , an adjustable keeper shim assembly  400  may be slidably mounted into a shim channel  250  provided on a face  260  of the keeper  200 . The adjustable keeper shim assembly  400  may include an adjustable member  410  slidably mounted and retained in the shim channel  250 , such as through a dove-tail connection. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a configurable shim  420 , which may be of a particular thickness (e.g., 1.5 mm or 3 mm) appropriately sized to eliminate the horizontal gap, may be removably attached to the adjustable member  410  by an appropriate attachment device, such as screws  430 , which extend through holes  422  in the shim  420  to engage shim mounting holes  412  on the adjustable member  410 . With the shim  420  thus mounted to the adjustable member  410 , a locking screw  440  may be provided to lock the adjustable keeper shim assembly  400  at an appropriate position along the shim channel  250  corresponding to the longitudinal dimensional position of the corresponding latch bolt. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the screws  430  may be used to lock the adjustable keeper shim assembly  400  at an appropriate position along the shim channel  250 , alone or in combination with the locking screw  440 . Moreover, in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, when a shim  420  is not required, the locking screw  440  may be used to lock the adjustable member  410  at an appropriate location along the shim channel  250 . 
         [0046]    In accordance with aspects of the present invention, various mounting devices may be provided for mounting and adjusting the position of optional interchangeable components that may be provided in the cavity  350 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , a dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  may be mounted into the cavity  350  at a desired longitudinal position. The dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  may be easily locked into a predetermined position to interfere or push in the guard bolt of a lock set for providing extra security. When the guard bolt of a lock set is pushed in, the latch bolt cannot be depressed or pushed in. Furthermore, the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  may divide the cavity  350  into multiple compartments, wherein optional components, for example, can be simultaneously provided and protected from interference. In addition, the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  may provide additional support and strength to an optional component, such as a dead bolt bracket  600 , by further bracing the dead bolt bracket  600  in a desired position. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , each optional component, and in this case the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500 , may be provided with a mounting member  510 , such as an integrally formed hook flange, for example, to allow the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  to slidably engage an upper rail surface  322  of the rear wall  320 . A body portion  520  of the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  may be formed with an abutment surface  522  for engaging the rear wall  320  of the housing and cooperating with the mounting member  510  to mount and support the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  on the rear wall  320 . 
         [0048]    One or more positioning members may be provided or integrally formed with the housing  300 , for example, to lock the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  at a predetermined longitudinal position in the cavity  350 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , for example, the mid-wall  325  may have a rail slot  324  formed at the intersection of the mid-wall  325  with the rear wall  320 . The rail slot  324  may be configured to extend a predetermined depth into the mid-wall  325  and have a series of teeth  326 , or suitable peaks and valleys, for engaging a lock extension  526  on the dead lock lever or guard bolt bracket  500 . The lock extension  526  may be a continuation of the abutment surface  522  extending below the body portion  520  of the dead lock lever or guard bolt bracket  500 , and may be formed with a positional engagement member  528 , which may be a protrusion, such as a tooth, configured to engage one of the valleys between the teeth  326  of the rail slot  324 . The lock extension  526  may thus slide down into the rail slot  324  so that the positional engagement member  528  is keyed to fit into a particular valley for positioning the dead lock lever or guard bolt bracket  500  at a predetermined longitudinal position in the cavity  350 . The teeth  326  of the rail slot  324  may be formed to provide a series of precise, predetermined dimensional settings extending substantially the entire length of the cavity  350 . For example, the positioning member described above may be configured to allow the optional component, i.e., the dead lock lever or guard bolt bracket  500 , to be incrementally adjusted in 2 mm increments to position the optional component at virtually any position along the longitudinal length of the cavity  350 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a second positioning member may be provided or integrally formed with the housing  300  for mounting and locking the optional component, in this case the dead lock lever or guard bolt bracket  500 , at a particular position in the cavity  350 , alone or in combination with the positioning member discussed above. The rear wall  320  may be integrally formed with a rail  380  having a series of teeth  382 , which form intervening valleys for engaging a corresponding mating member  512 , such as a tooth, on the mounting member  510 . The rail  380  may be formed on an upper portion of the rear wall  320  toward the upper rail surface  322  in order that a substantial portion of the rear wall  320  may remain as thick as possible, allowing for increased strength and stability of the strike assembly  100 . When formed with dual positioning members, the teeth  382  of the rail  380  may be incrementally formed in parallel and in line with the teeth  326  of the rail slot  324  so that the positional engagement member  528  and the mating member  512  may lock into place at the same predetermined longitudinal position with respect to the length of the cavity  350 . In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, one or more of the positional engagement member  528 , the mating member  512 , the teeth  382  and the teeth  326  may be provided in an offset configuration. For example, the positional engagement member  528  may engage the teeth  326  of the rail slot  324  at a different relative longitudinal position in the cavity  350  than the position at which the mating member  512  engages the teeth  382  of the rail  380 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the strike assembly  100  may be assembled by placing the optional component, i.e. the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500 , at a desired position along the longitudinal length of the cavity  350 . The mounting devices lock the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  at the predetermined position and, as described above, the securing assembly  800 , including a faceplate  810  and/or a suitable adhesive layer  812  may be provided to further secure the dead locking lever or guard bolt bracket  500  at the predetermined position in the strike cavity  350  by preventing the mounting member  510  from disengaging the upper rail surface  322  of the rear wall  320 . In an exemplary configuration, the faceplate  810  may secure the electric strike assembly  100  to the door jamb by a suitable attachment device, such as screws  820 , which may extend through holes  825  in the faceplate  810 , through the slots  365  provided in the mounting flanges  360 , and into the door jamb to effectively secure the electric strike assembly  100  in place. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate a configuration of the strike assembly  100 , wherein many of the features are the same as or similar to those described above, however the optional component to be inserted into the cavity  350  is a dead bolt bracket  600  having a mounting member  610  for engaging the upper rail surface  322  of the rear wall  320  and a lock extension  626  for engaging the rail slot  324 . The dead bolt bracket  600  provides additional support for receiving a dead bolt while maintaining a separate compartment in the cavity  350  for receiving the latch bolt, the guard bolt, and/or any other optional components that may be configured into the strike assembly  100 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate a configuration of the strike assembly  100 , wherein many of the features are the same as or similar to those described above, however the optional component to be inserted into the cavity  350  is a dead bolt plug  700  having a mounting member  710  for engaging the upper rail surface  322  of the rear wall  320  and a lock extension  726  for engaging the rail slot  324 . The dead bolt plug  700  blocks use of a dead bolt while maintaining a separate compartment in the cavity  350  for receiving the latch bolt, the guard bolt, and/or any other optional components that may be configured into the strike assembly  100 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate a configuration of the strike assembly  100 , wherein many of the features are the same as or similar to those described above, however the optional component to be inserted into the cavity  350  is a removable latch monitor module  900  having a mounting member  910  for engaging the upper rail surface  322  of the rear wall  320  and a lock extension  926  for engaging the rail slot  324 . The latch monitor module  900  operates, for example, to identify when the door is closed and the latch bolt of the door is fully extended and retained by the keeper  200  in the cavity  350 . In an exemplary configuration of the latch monitor module  900 , a latch bolt plate  930  is depressed when the door latch bolt is secured in the cavity  350 , causing a cam or similar actuation device to activate a microswitch to send a signal to a remote monitoring device regarding the status of the door. 
         [0054]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , a removable latch monitor module  950  may be the optional component to be inserted in the cavity  350 . The latch monitor module  950  may have a mounting member  952  for engaging the upper rail surface  322  of the rear wall  320 . The latch monitor module  950  may also be configured with an infrared sensor  954  to identify when the door is closed and the latch bolt of the door is fully extended and retained by the keeper  200  in the cavity  350 . In accordance with yet other aspects of the present invention, the latch monitor module  950  may include one or more sensors located on one or both sides of the module  950  for detecting a deadbolt on either side of the module  950 . Thus, the latch monitor module  950  may be used to monitor the position of the latch as well as the deadbolt. 
         [0055]    The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the invention.