Patent Publication Number: US-6209931-B1

Title: Multi-point door locking system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a multi-point door locking system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known to use multi-point door locks in sliding or french doors to provide secure closure and locking. In configuring a multi-point door lock there are a number of design considerations that must be made such that the door lock is easily manufactured, easily installed, functionally and aesthetically appealing, and secure. 
     A main feature of a typical conventional multi-point door lock is that the door lock has more than one latch or bolt to engage a door frame. Plural latches or bolts create a lock that is substantially more difficult to overcome in a forcible entry than a single deadbolt and latch. Thus, it is desirable, for example, in a french door to have three bolts and a latch. A first bolt and latch engage with a second door. A second and third bolt engage the upper and lower portions of the door frame, respectively. Such door locks do not permit the addition of the second or third bolts or latches to the central locking unit. Further, such multi-point door locks are not adaptable to accommodate doors of various heights. Further still, such multi-point door locks are configured to be used with only one door type. For example, a conventional multi-point door lock may only have the option of allowing the second and third bolt or latch mechanisms to run along an edge of the door, even when it may be desirable to have the mechanisms fully concealed within the door itself. 
     Conventional multi-point door locks may allow the second and third bolts or latches, which extend out the top and bottom of the door, to be extended even when the door is open. Therefore, if the door is slammed shut while the bolts are extended, the bolts may cause damage to the door, the door frame, or a door frame molding. Furthermore, such conventional multi-point door locks typically require extension of all the bolts or latches according to a specific sequence without allowing them to be extended independently of one another. 
     Moreover, such conventional multi-point door locks are not easily reconfigurable for use as left handed or right handed doors. Furthermore, such conventional multi-point door locks require that a user must rotate the latch drive handle more than 45 degrees in order to fully engage or disengage the bolts. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock system having multiple bolts or latches designed to engage a door or a door frame. It would also be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock having a standard deadbolt and extension bolts or shoot bolts extending through the door. Further still, it would be advantageous to have a multi-point door lock with shoot bolts or extension bolts that extend either along the front edge of the door or through the interior of the door. Thus, it would be advantageous to have such a mechanism that is easily configurable for a variety of door designs. 
     It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock that has an activation button that allows actuation of at least one of the extension bolts or shoot bolts and the deadbolt when the activation button is depressed. Further, it would be desirable to have a multi-point door lock system in which the deadbolt may be extended independently of extension of the shoot bolts or extension bolts. Further still, it would be desirable to have a multi-point door lock system in which the extended extension bolts are prevented from retraction when the deadbolt is extended. 
     It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock system that is easily reconfigurable for one of a left hand door and a right hand door. It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock in which the door lock handle actuates the door latch and provides a positive indication of when at least one extension bolt is extended. It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock system such that the deadbolt and extension bolts move linearly at least one inch, thereby creating a more structurally sound locking system. It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock system having fewer parts, especially fewer springs, creating an easily manufactured door lock. 
     It would be desirable to provide for a multi-point door lock incorporating any one or more of these advantageous features. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a locking system. The locking system includes a base lock member moveable between a first position and a second position. The locking system further includes a first input device and an activation device. The locking system has a base lock member that is moveable between a first position and a second position in response to actuation of the first input device and the base lock member is prevented from moving from a first position to a second position when the activation device is not activated. 
     The present invention also relates to a locking system. The locking system includes a base lock member that is moveable between an open position and a fully locked position. The locking system also includes at least one secondary lock member that is moveable between an open position and a fully locked position and a first input device. The first input device is adapted to coact with at least one of the base lock member and the at least one secondary lock member. Movement of the base lock member to a fully locked position is selectively and sequentially independent of the movement of the at least one secondary lock member to the fully locked position. 
     The present invention further relates to a door lock assembly for use in locking a door. The door lock assembly includes a housing shaped to be inserted into an aperture in a door. The door lock assembly further includes a latch extendable from the housing, a first lock member extendable from the housing, and a first input device mounted adjacent the housing and coacting with the first lock member, the first input device affecting movement of the first lock member. The door lock assembly further includes at least one second lock member moveable relative to the housing, a second input device mounted adjacent the housing and configured to selectively actuate one of the at least one second lock member, adjacent the latch, and the at least one second lock member and the latch, and an activation device that allows actuation of one of the first lock member independent of the at least one second lock member, and the first lock member and the at least one second lock member independent of each other, when the activation device is activated. 
     The present invention still further relates to a lock assembly for securing a door to a door frame. The door has a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The door is movably coupled to the frame. The lock assembly includes a housing shaped to be inserted into an aperture in the door. A deadbolt is moveable through a deadbolt aperture in the housing, the deadbolt aperture is located along the first side edge of the door. A thumbturn is rotatably mounted adjacent the mortise housing and coacts with the deadbolt. The thumbturn affects movement of the deadbolt. A first lock member is moveable relative to the housing and a second lock member is also moveable relative to the housing. An activation device allows actuation of one of the first and second lock members, the first and second lock members and the deadbolt independent of each other, and the first and second lock members and the deadbolt dependent with each other when the activation device is activated. 
     The present invention still further relates to a lock assembly for securing a door to a door frame. The door has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The door is movably coupled to the fame. The lock assembly includes a housing shaped to be inserted into an aperture in the door. A latch is moveable through a latch aperture in the housing, the latch aperture being located along the first edge of the door. A deadbolt is moveable through a deadbolt aperture in the housing, the deadbolt aperture being located along the first edge of the door. A first input device is mounted adjacent the housing and coacts with the deadbolt, the first input device affecting movement of the deadbolt. At least one lock member is moveable within the housing. A second input device is rotatably mounted adjacent the housing and is configured to selectively actuate the at least one lock member, the latch, and the at least one lock member and the latch. The deadbolt and the at least one lock member may be selectively extended independently of one another. 
     The present invention still further relates to a lock assembly for securing a door to a door frame, the door has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The door is movably coupled to the frame. The lock assembly includes a housing shaped to be inserted into an aperture in the door. A latch is moveable through a latch aperture in the housing, the latch aperture being located along the first edge of the door. A deadbolt is moveable through a deadbolt aperture in the housing, the deadbolt aperture being located along the first edge of the door. A first input device is rotatably mounted adjacent the housing and coacting with the deadbolt. The first input device affecting movement of the deadbolt. A second input device, mounted adjacent the mortise housing is configured to selectively actuate the latch. An activation button, allows actuation of the deadbolt when the activation device is activated. 
     The present invention still further relates to a method of multi-point locking a door in a door frame. The method includes closing the door such that an activation device is activated. The method further includes releasing a first lock member from a held position, caused by interaction of the activation button with a stop. The method further includes extending the first lock member, releasing the secondary lock members from a held position caused by interaction of the activation button with a stop and extending the secondary lock members. 
     The present invention still further relates to a method of multi-point locking a double door in a door frame. The double door includes a passive door having a passive lock and an active door having an active lock. The method includes closing the passive door and extending lock members of the passive door. The method further includes opening a first lock member aperture in the passive lock and closing the active door such that an activation device is activated. The method further includes releasing the first lock member from a held position, caused by interaction of the activation button with a moveable stop, extending the first lock member, releasing the secondary lock members of the active door from a held position, and extending the secondary lock members of the active door. 
     The present invention still further relates to a lock assembly for securing a door in a door frame. The door has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the door is movably coupled to the frame. The lock assembly includes a housing shaped to be inserted into an aperture in the door and a faceplate coupled to the first edge of the door. A latch is moveable through a latch aperture in the housing, the latch aperture being located along the first edge of the door. A deadbolt is moveable through a deadbolt aperture in the housing, the deadbolt aperture being located along the first edge of the door. A thumbturn is rotatably mounted adjacent the mortise housing and coupled to the deadbolt, the thumbturn affecting movement of the deadbolt. At least one secondary lock member is moveable within the housing and a drive is rotatably mounted to the housing and configured to selectively actuate the at least one secondary lock member and the latch. The improvement of the invention includes, an activation button that allows actuation of one of the at least one secondary lock members, the deadbolt, and the at least one secondary lock member and the deadbolt, when the activation button is depressed. 
     The present invention still further relates to a door lock assembly for securing a door in a door frame. The door lock assembly includes a housing shaped to be inserted into an aperture in the door. A latch is extendable from the housing and a first lock member is extendable from the housing. A second lock member is moveable relative to the housing. A drive means selectively actuates one of the first lock member, the second lock member, and the first lock member and the second lock member. A lock out means prevents actuation of one of the first lock member independent of the second lock member, and the first lock member and the first lock member and the second lock member independent of each other, when the lock out means is not activated. 
     The present invention still further relates to a locking system including a base lock member moveable between an open position and a fully locked position, and at least one secondary lock member moveable between an open position and a fully locked position. The first input device is adapted to coact with at least one of the base lock member and the at least one secondary lock member. Movement of the base lock member is selectively and sequentially independent of movement of the at least one secondary lock member. The at least one secondary lock member is prevented from substantial movement when the base lock member and the at least one secondary lock member are in their respective fully locked positions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a door having a multi-point door lock system. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the door depicted in FIG. 1 showing a second door in the closed position. 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the doors of FIG. 2 having a deadbolt moving into a locked position. 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the doors of FIG. 3 showing the deadbolt locked and the extension bolts moving into a locked position. 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the multi-point door lock mortise unit of FIG. 1 having the cover plate removed and showing the mechanical mechanism of the door lock. 
     FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the multi-point door lock of FIG. 5 showing the deadbolt, the latch, and the extension bolts in a retracted position. 
     FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the multi-point door lock of FIG. 6 having the deadbolt and the latch in an extended position and the extension bolts in a retracted position. 
     FIG. 8 is the multi-point door lock of FIG. 7 having the latch, the deadbolt, and the extension bolts in the extended position. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the multi-point door lock mortise unit taken across line A—A of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the multi-point door lock unit taken across line B—B of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the multi-point door lock unit taken across line C—C of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the multi-point door lock mortise unit taken across line D—D of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the multi-point door lock mortise unit taken across line E—E of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the multi-point door lock mortise unit taken across line F—F of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 15 is a partial cross sectional view of the multi-point door lock unit taken across line G—G of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the multi-point door lock unit taken across line H—H of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 17 is a partial cut away view of the latch reversal mechanism of the multi-point door lock unit. 
     FIG. 18 is a partial cut away view of the latch reversal unit of FIG. 17 depicting the reversal mechanism being activated. 
     FIG. 19 depicts a partial cut away view of the latch showing rotation of the latch provided by the latch reversal mechanism. 
     FIG. 20 is a partial cut away view of the latch reversal mechanism of FIG. 17 showing the latch being extended. 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the multi-point door lock mortise unit showing the door lock mechanism. 
     FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the door lock unit embedded in a door. 
     FIG. 23 is an edge elevational view of the door lock unit attached to the edge of a door. 
     FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the door lock unit showing the opposing side to that shown in FIG.  22 . 
     FIG. 25 is a partial cut away elevational view of the multi-point door lock unit depicting the extension bolt assembly to slide plate couplings, the extension bolt assemblies being in the retracted position. 
     FIG. 26 is a partial elevational cut away view of the multi-point door lock unit showing the extension bolt base to slide plate couplings, the extension bolt bases being in the extended position. 
     FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of the face plate embodiment of the door lock unit. 
     FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of the face plate embodiment of the door lock unit. 
     FIG. 29 is a rear elevational view of the face plate embodiment of the door lock unit. 
     FIG. 30 is an elevational view of the passive multi-point door lock mortise unit having the cover plate removed and showing the mechanical mechanism of the passive door lock. 
     FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of the passive door lock unit taken across the line I—I of FIG.  30 . 
     FIG. 32 is an elevational view of the passive door lock unit of FIG. 30 showing the extension bolts in an extended position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a door lock mortise unit  20  is shown. Mortise unit  20  is embedded in (or otherwise associated with) a primary door  50 . Primary door  50  is typically used for ingress and egress whereas a secondary door  52 , depicted in FIGS. 2-4 is typically latched to a door frame  54  (and used for access only as needed). (Alternatively, door  50  may be mounted singly in a door frame.) Doors  50  and  52  are rotatably coupled to door frame  54  by a set of hinges  60  so that when primary door  50  and secondary door  52  are in an unlatched condition they may swing freely from an open position to a closed position. (Alternatively, doors  50  and  52  each may be in a sliding door arrangement whereby doors  50  and  52  slide along a track attached to door frame  54 , from an open to a closed position.) Latches  56  and  58  fix door  52  from movement when latches  56  and  58  are extended and engaged with door frame  54 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, mortise lock  20  includes a base lock member shown as deadbolt  22 , a latch  24 , an activation device shown as activation button  26 , a housing  28 , a first input device shown as thumbturn handle  64 , a second input device shown as handle  62 , an upper secondary lock member shown as upper extension bolt assembly  34 , and a lower secondary lock member shown as lower extension bolt assembly  36 . Deadbolt  22  is actuated by rotation of thumbturn handle  64  (e.g. an input device). Retraction of latch  24  into housing  28  is caused by rotation of handle  62  (e.g. an input device). 
     In operation, secondary door  52  would be closed, as depicted in FIG. 2, with latches  56  and  58  engaged with door frame  54 . Primary door  50  is then closed. To cause locking of door  50 , an operator typically first turns thumbturn handle  64 , in a counterclockwise direction, as depicted in FIG. 3, thereby extending deadbolt  22 . Latch  24  is spring biased to cause latching engagement with secondary door  52 . Next, an operator causes engagement of extension bolts  35  and  37  with door frame  54 . (Alternatively, door  50  may have any of a variety of lock members such as extension bolts, latches, hooks, or other suitable locking members to engage door  52  or door frame  54 .) Engagement of extension bolts  35  and  37  is caused by a counterclockwise rotation of handle  62 , as depicted in FIG.  4 . Once latch  24 , deadbolt  22 , and extension bolts  35  and  37  are engaged, doors  50  and  52  are in a fully locked state. Lock  20  also allows alternative sequences to be used to lock door  50 . For example, an operator may first turn thumbturn handle  64 , to extend deadbolt  22  and then lift handle  62  to extend extension bolts  35  and  37 . Thus, deadbolt  22  and extension bolts  35  and  37  are extendably independent of one another. (Alternatively, the movement of deadbolt  22  and extension bolts  35  and  37  may be dependent on one another.) It should be noted that any lock members (e.g. both extension bolts  35  and  37  and deadbolt  22 ) may be any of a variety of types of locking members including, but not limited to flippers, hooks, and other suitable locking members (having any of a variety of locking actions, e.g. directions, orientations). For example, extension bolts may be configured to move laterally or horizontally and may be configured to engage a door or a door frame. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, mortise door lock unit  20  is depicted in the door open state, with latch  24  extended and activation button  26  also extended. Because activation button  26  is extended, both deadbolt  22  and extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  cannot be extended. (Alternatively, activation button  26  may be configured to prevent movement or engagement of only one of deadbolt  22  and extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36 .) Deadbolt  22  is actuated by rotation of thumbturn  32 , thumbturn  32  being coupled to thumbturn handle  64  (depicted in FIG.  1 ). The extension of latch  24  is caused by a latch biasing spring  38 . Therefore, latch biasing spring  38  causes latch  24  to be extended while a drive  30  (drive  30  is coupled to handle  62 , as depicted in FIG. 1) is not being rotated in the clockwise direction. It should be noted that both drive  30  and thumbturn  32  extend through both sides of mortise unit  20  (see FIGS.  22  and  24 ). Therefore, rotational directions are reversed if operated from the opposing side. In a preferred embodiment, thumbturn  32  is coupled to a thumbturn handle  64  as depicted in FIGS. 1-4 on one side of the door and is coupled to a keyway on the opposite side of the door such that a key must be used to turn thumbturn  32 . (Alternatively, keyways are interchangeable with thumbturn handle  64  and handle  62 ; also, thumbturn handle  64  may be any suitable handle and handle  62  may be a thumbturn handle or any other suitable handle.) 
     Latch  24  is preferably made from a polymeric material such as a plastic resin (e.g., DELRIN polyester resin or other polymers or composites) to provide a quieter latching action when latch  24  engages a strike plate situated on the edge of an opposing door or door frame. (Alternatively, latch  24  may be made from a metal or metal alloy and the strike plate may be made from a polymeric or metallic material.) The application of a plastic latch may also produce less wear on a strike plate. (According to a preferred embodiment, most of the components of the door lock assembly are made from metallic materials such as steel, and steel alloys, however is may be preferable to manufacture some of the components from polymeric materials and polymer composite materials to provide ease of manufacturing, lower manufacturing costs, required strength properties, required flexibility properties, and other desired properties.) As drive  30  is rotated clockwise to unlatch or retract latch  24 , a drive spring  44  causes an opposing torque that returns an input arm  42  to a nominal position, as depicted in FIG. 5, after the latch retracting torque is released from drive  30 . Further, during the latching action, a strike plate attached to a second door or a door frame, causes latch  24  to retract into housing  28 . Latch  24  is then forced into an aperture in the strike plate by a latch biasing spring  38 . 
     Drive unit  30  is also used to extend upper extension bolt base assembly  34  and lower extension bolt base assembly  36 . In one embodiment of the present invention extension bolt base assembly  34  is attached to an extension bolt  35  as depicted in FIGS. 1-4. Lower extension bolt base  36  is likewise coupled to an extension bolt  37 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, thumbturn  32  may actuate both the extension bolt bases  34  and  36  as well as deadbolt  22 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 5, mortise door lock unit  20  is depicted as with the door open position such that everything (e.g. all lock members) is in the fully unlocked position. Furthermore, activation button  26  is extended thereby preventing the extension of deadbolt  22  and extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36 . Alternatively, activation button  26  may be configured to prevent movement of any combination of extension bolt base assemblies  34  and  36 , handle  62 , thumbturn  32 , or deadbolt  22 . Activation button  26  is free to move within an activation button housing  72 . As activation button  26  is depressed into housing  28 , activation button  26  moves into activation button housing  72  where it engages a push rod  74 . (According to an alternative embodiment, activation button  26 , activation button housing  72 , and push rod  74  may be combined into a single integrated activation device.) As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, push rod  74  has a stop  76 , extending therefrom, that is slidably engaged with a slot  78  on a slide plate  91 . Therefore, as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 9 the interaction between stop  76  and slot  78  when activation button  26  is extended prevents slide plate  91  from substantially moving in the vertical direction. As activation button  26  is depressed, and push rod  74  causes stop  76  to slide out of slot  78 , slide plate  91  will be freed for movement in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to operate extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  independent of the operation of deadbolt  22 . 
     During normal operation, door  50  closes and latch  24  is extended into an opposing door or door frame, thereby latching door  50  in a closed position. When door  50  is in a closed position, activation button  26  engages the strike plate on the opposing door or door frame and is thereby depressed into housing  28 . If an operator chooses to open door  50 , handle  64  is rotated in the clockwise direction. Clockwise rotation of handle  64  rotates drive  30  in the clockwise direction causing a first end  40  of input arm  42  to engage latch stop  43 , as depicted in FIG. 6, thereby pulling latch  24  into housing  28 , as shown by arrow  25  in FIG.  6 . (Alternatively, latch  24  may be configured to be actuated by thumbturn  32 .) FIG. 6 depicts mortise lock unit  20  when door  50  is in the closed and unlocked position and drive unit  30  is turned to unlatch door  50  from door  52 . 
     FIG. 5 depicts deadbolt  22  in the retracted state, that is deadbolt  22  is retracted into housing  28 . In the position depicted in FIG. 5, deadbolt  22  is in a held position; that is an operator attempting to turn thumbturn  32  in order to cause deadbolt  22  to be extended is prevented from turning thumbturn  32  unless activation button  26  is depressed. Thumbturn handle  64 , depicted in FIGS. 1-4, causes deadbolt  22  to be extended when thumbturn handle  64  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Thumbturn handle  64  is coupled to thumbturn  32 . Consistent therewith, deadbolt  22  is retracted when thumbturn handle  64  is turned in the clockwise direction. As depicted in FIG. 5, thumbturn  32  is coupled to a thumbturn link  66 . Thumbturn link  66  is designed to provide an extended moment arm for thumbturn  32  and to engage a thumbturn stop  68  at a thumbturn link engagement site  70 . Alternatively, any number of suitable mechanisms may be used to provide movement to deadbolt  22 , including, for example a system of gears or a system of links and gears. 
     As depicted in FIG. 5, thumbturn stop  68  prevents thumbturn  32  from being rotated in a counterclockwise direction to extend deadbolt  22 . (Thumbturn stop  68  is but one exemplary embodiment of a stop mechanism that prevents deadbolt  22  from being extended; according to alternative embodiments, any number of alternative mechanisms may be employed to provide the function of thumbturn stop  68 .) Therefore, to extend deadbolt  22 , activation button  26  must first be depressed. As activation button  26  is depressed into housing  28 , activation button  26  moves into activation button housing  72  where it engages a push rod  74 . (Activation button  26  should not be considered limited to the “button” configuration disclosed, as other devices, mechanisms or linkages could be used to provide the function of activation button  26 .) Push rod  74  has a pin  76  extending therefrom that is slidably engaged with a slot  78 . As activation button  26  is depressed and push rod  74  causes pin  76  to ride in slot  78 , thumbturn stop  68  is caused to move in a downward direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of push rod  74 . Thumbturn stop  68  is constrained to move by a stop guide  69 , as depicted in FIGS. 5,  9 , and  11 . (Alternatively, thumbturn stop  68  could be constrained by a pin, a series of pins, constrained to rotate about an axis, or constrained to move in any number of suitable ways.) Stop guide  69  is constrained to move in a slot  71  in housing  28 , depicted in FIGS. 9,  11 , and  22 . Slot  71  and stop guide  69  constrains thumbturn stop  68  to move linearly in the direction shown by arrow  73  in FIG.  11 . When thumbturn stop  68  has fully moved downward in the vertical direction, as constrained by the engagement of pin  76  and slot  78  and stop guide  69  and slot  71 , thumbturn engagement extension  70  is released from engagement with thumbturn stop  68 . (Alternatively, thumbturn stop  68  may be a variety of mechanisms including but not limited to a link that is rotatably mounted and actuated through coaction with activation button  26 .) Therefore, thumbturn  32  may be rotated in the counterclockwise direction to extend deadbolt  22 . Thumbturn link  66  is rotatably coupled with a second thumbturn link  80 , that is rotatably coupled with deadbolt  22 . Deadbolt  22  is constrained to move in a linear direction by pin guide  82 . Pin guide  82  has a pin extending through pin guide  82  that rides in a slot  83 . 
     As will be recognized, if deadbolt  22  is extended while door  52  is closed and door  50  is open, and door  50  is subsequently closed, deadbolt  22  will contact door  52  thereby causing damage to door  52  (or to the frame in a single-door application). It is thus important to note that because activation button  26  must be depressed before deadbolt  22  may be extended, deadbolt  22  may be extended only under certain conditions, for example, when the door is in a closed position and activation button  26  is depressed by the abutting second door or door frame or, when activation button  26  is intentionally depressed by an operator. Therefore, the utilization of activation button  26  helps prevent closure (i.e. accidental slamming) of an “open” door, such as the type shown by door  50 , as depicted in FIGS. 1-4, when deadbolt  22  is extended. 
     Furthermore, it is important to note that extension of deadbolt  22  and extension assemblies  34  and  36  are independent of one another, providing an operator with full selectivity of extending the base lock member or the secondary lock members. In other words, deadbolt  22  may be extended (fully) while extension assemblies  34  and  36  are retracted, or extension assemblies  34  and  36  may be fully extended while deadbolt  22  is retracted. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, mortise lock unit  20  is depicted in the door closed position having deadbolt  22  and extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  in the unlocked state, and having latch  24  retracted. As depicted by directional arrow  31 , drive unit  30  is rotated in the clockwise position to engage first end  40  of input arm  42  with latch stop  43 . As depicted, drive  30  is rotated so that first end  40  engages latch stop  43  causing latch  24  to move in the horizontal direction as depicted by directional arrow  25 . Also, as drive  30  is rotated in the clockwise direction, drive spring  44  flexes which tends to put a counterclockwise torque on drive  30  so that when an operator induced torque is released from drive  30 , input arm  42  returns to the nominal position, depicted in FIG.  5 . Further, as latch  24  moves in the direction of arrow  25 , latch spring  38  is caused to flex thereby storing potential energy which is used to return latch  24  to an extended position (shown in phantom lines). 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, mortise lock unit  20  is depicted in a door closed position having deadbolt  22  extended and having extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  in an unlocked or retracted state. In the position depicted in FIG. 7, deadbolt  22  may be freely locked and unlocked by turning thumbturn  32 . Furthermore, latch  24  may be freely retracted by rotating drive  30  in a clockwise direction. Because activation button  26  is depressed, extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  are also free to move by rotation of drive unit  30  in the counterclockwise direction. As drive  30  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction input arm  42  engages a pin  84  that extends from slide plate  91 . The force of input arm  42  on pin  84  causes slide plate  91  to move in the vertical downward direction (as indicated by arrow  93  depicted in FIG.  8 ). As depicted in FIG. 8, downward movement of slide plate  91  causes a pinion gear  95  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by arrow  97 . As pinion gear  95  rotates in the clockwise direction, an upper slide plate  94  is caused to move in the vertical upward direction indicated by arrow  99 , thereby reversing the motion supplied by plate  91 . (Alternatively, other motion-reversing devices, mechanisms or linkages may be used, such as a suitably configured series of gears, links, or levers, or any other suitable combination of mechanical elements.) When slide plate  91  has moved to the fully locked position, as depicted in FIG. 8, pin  82  moves into a slot  45  on slide plate  91 . (Although slide plate  91  is depicted as a sliding plate, other mechanisms, such as rotating mechanisms, or latching mechanisms, etc. may be used to coact with drive  30  to cause movement of the extension bolt or extension members.) FIG. 15 also depicts a partial cross sectional cut away view of pin  82 , showing pin  82  engaged in slot  45  of slide plate  91 . Furthermore, FIG. 14 provides a cross sectional view of mortise lock unit  20 , showing pin  82  sliding in a slot  47  of deadbolt  22 . FIG. 14 also shows pin  82  to be slidable within lock unit  20 , pin  82  riding in a slot  27  provided in housing  28 . (The location of slot  27  and housing  28  can also be seen in FIG.  24 ). As depicted in FIGS. 1-4, extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  are concealed within door  50 . Extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  extend through channels interior to door  50  through which extension bolts  34  and  36  are freely moveable. To extend extension bolts  34  and  36 , extension bolt bases  46  and  48  must be extended therewith. Further, to extend extension bolt bases  46  and  48 , drive  30  must be rotated in a counterclockwise direction by using handle  62  as discussed above. 
     When activation button  26  is extended and extension bolt bases  46  and  48  are retracted, a stop  76  (depicted in FIGS. 9,  10 , and  21 ) on push rod  74  prevents lower slide plate  91  from any substantial movement, and therefore prevents extension bolt bases  46  and  48  from extending through housing  28 . When activation button  26  is extended and extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  are retracted, a counterclockwise rotation to drive  30  will not extend extension bolt bases  46  and  48  because stop  76  engages a groove  78  in lower slide plate  91  thereby preventing any linear upward or downward movement. If extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  were allowed to move freely without depression of activation button  26 , potential damage to door frame  54  or wood work surrounding doors  50  and  52  could result as shutting door  50  could cause extension bolts  35  and  37  to contact door frame  54  and cause damage. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1-4, if door  52  is closed and door  50  is in the open position, and extension bolts  35  and  37  were extended, closure of door  50  may cause extension bolts  35  and  37  to slam into door frame  54  possibly causing damage to any wood work surrounding door frame  54  (or the locking system). Therefore, activation button  26  is to be depressed before extension bolts  35  and  37  may be extended. When activation button  26  is depressed, stop  76  moves out of slot  78  and slider plate  91  is allowed to move freely along with slider plate  94 . (Closure of door  50  causes activation button  26  to be depressed by engagement with door  52 .) With door  50  in this closed position, engagement of extension bolts  35  and  37  will more firmly secure door  50  in door frame  54 . 
     In many conventional multi-point door lock systems, operation is not “intuitive” as to the extension bolts and the deadbolt, because the deadbolt is typically coupled to the extension bolt mechanism such that the deadbolt is extended if and only if the extension bolts are extended. According to any preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extension of deadbolt  22  is independent of the extension of extension bolts  35  and  37 . Therefore, an operator may choose to extend either deadbolt  22  or extension bolts  35  and  37 . Thus, when an operator does not understand how to extend extension bolts  35  and  37  for optimum security, deadbolt  22  may still be extended by the intuitive operation of thumbturn handle  64 , when activation button  26  is depressed. 
     To extend deadbolt  22  without extending extension bolts  35  and  37 , an operator first closes door  50 . If door  52  is already closed, activation button  26  engages door  52 , the engagement depresses activation button  26  into housing  28 . As activation button  26  is depressed, rod  74  pushes pin  76  to ride in slot  78 . As pin  76  rides in slot  78 , thumbturn stop  68  moves in the vertical direction thereby freeing thumbturn link  66  along thumbturn  32  to be rotated and thereby extending deadbolt  22  as earlier described. 
     Once multi-point door lock unit  20  is in the fully locked position, as depicted in FIG. 8, the door  50  may not be unlocked until deadbolt  22  is first unlocked. In other words, a user is prevented from retracting extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  or latch  24  until deadbolt  22  is first retracted. Pin  82  that rides in slot  83  of deadbolt  22  also sits in a slot  45  of slide plate  91  thereby preventing slide plate  91  from moving in the vertical direction. If slide plate  91  is prevented from moving in the vertical direction, extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  are also prevented from moving. Furthermore, if slide plate  91  is prevented from moving, input arm  42  is prevented from engaging latch stop  43  because a pin  71  prevents end  40  of input arm  42  from engaging latch stop  43 . A biasing spring  23  retains pin  82  within slot  45  of slide plate  91 . 
     To unlock door  50 , an operator first turns thumbturn  32  in a clockwise direction. As deadbolt  22  is retracted into housing  28 , end  47  of slot  45  engages pin  82  as depicted in FIGS.  6  and  12 - 14  and thereby moves pin  82  out of slot  45 . In such a position, slide plate  91  is freed to move. Therefore, clockwise rotation of drive  30  causes input arm  42  to engage pin  71 . This engagement drives slide plate  91  in the vertical upwards direction causing pinion  95  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction thereby driving slide plate  94  in the vertical downwards direction. Thus, extension bolt assemblies  34  and  36  are retracted into housing  28  thereby unlocking door  50 . As input arm  42  drives slide plate  91  in the vertical upward direction, end  40  of input arm  42  engages latch stop  43  thereby causing retraction of latch  24  into housing  28 . 
     Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, it should be noted that it may be preferable to have door lock  20  mounted in door  52  as opposed to door  50 . If it is desired to mount door lock  20  in door  52 , it would be necessary to install latch  24  (which has a “flat” face or surface and a diagonal face or surface) with its diagonal face turned in the opposite direction compared to the position of door lock  20  when installed in door  50 , as depicted in FIGS. 1-4 (so that it is readily guided into its receptacle in the other door or frame but yet may firmly hold against a pulling force once the door is closed). 
     Referring now to FIG. 16, diagonal surface  25  of latch  24  is depicted. It may be preferable to install latch  24  with diagonal surface  25  facing in the opposite direction, as shown in phantom lines (that is to have latch  24  rotated 180 degrees about an axis that is perpendicular to a face plate  100 ). FIG. 17 depicts latch  24  in the position shown in FIG. 16. A latch retainer  102  guides latch  24  to slide in a linear horizontal direction. Latch retainer  102  is retained in its guiding position, depicted in FIG. 17, by a biasing spring  103  and a pin  104 . 
     To reorient (or “reverse”) latch  24 , an operator inserts a tool  106 , such as a screwdriver or other suitable tool, into a slot  105 . The operator then lifts tool  106  to rotate latch retainer  102  in a direction depicted in FIG. 18 by arrow  108 . Once retainer  102  is in the released position depicted in FIG. 18, latch  24  may be extended out of housing  28  in a direction shown by arrow  110  in FIG.  20 . Once latch  24  is extended as depicted in FIG. 20, latch  24  can be rotated as depicted by arrow  112  in FIG.  19 . The rotation of latch  24  reorients diagonal surface  25  into an alternative position as depicted in FIG. 16, in phantom. After latch  24  is rotated and reoriented in the desired position, latch  24  is reinserted into housing  28  in a direction opposite arrow  110  until latch stop  43  passes end  114  of latch retainer  102 . Retaining spring  103  and release from tool  106 , causes retainer  102  to return to its initial position, depicted in FIG.  17 . As depicted in FIG. 22, retainer  102  can be accessed through slot  105  which is located on one side of the door lock unit  20 . (According to an alternative embodiment, an access hole could be placed in an alternative position on housing  28  such that a tool, such as tool  106  could be used to access and manipulate the position of retainer  102 , that is to release retainer  102  from its initial position on pin  104 ; furthermore, other latch reorienting mechanisms may be applied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.) 
     According to a preferred embodiment, multi-point door lock  20  is reconfigurable and modular and the extension bolts may be installed to extend through the interior of the door, as depicted in FIGS. 1-4; in an alternative embodiment the extension bolts may be installed to extend along an edge  200  of a door  250 , as depicted in FIGS. 25,  26 , and  28 . As depicted in FIGS. 25 and 26, an extension bolt base  210  extends through a top slot  212  in housing  28 . Similarly, an extension bolt base  214  extends through a bottom slot  216  in housing  28 . Extension bolt base  210  is coupled to slide plate  294  which is actuated by drive  30 . Similarly, extension bolt base  214  is coupled to slide plate  291  which is also actuated by drive  30 . As drive  30  is turned in the counterclockwise direction, extension bolt bases  212  and  214  are extended from housing  28 , as depicted in FIG.  26 . 
     As depicted in FIGS. 28 and 29, extension bolt bases  210  and  214  are coupled to extension assemblies  218  and  220  respectively by pins  222  and  224  respectively. A series of spacer guides  226  have columnar pins  227 , running therethrough; the spacer guides  226  ride in elongated slots  228 . (Columnar pins  222  may be provided by, for example, appropriate fasteners such as but not limited to bolts, rivets, nails, or screws.) 
     Extension assemblies  218  and  220  are coupled to extension bolts  230  and  232  respectively. Extension bolts  230  and  232  extend into the door frame to securely latch door  250  to a door frame, such as door frame  54  as depicted in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 27 depicts face plate system  200  having a face plate  202 . Face plate  202  runs along the edge  201  of door  250 . 
     To install face plate system  200  on a door such as door  250 , an operator would form a mortise hole in door  250  having a size and shape that would accommodate insertion of mortise unit  20  therein. Also, an operator would provide a routed groove along edge  201  of door  250  that would accommodate the face plate system  200  such that face plate  202  would reside substantially flush with edge  201  of door  250 . When face plate assembly  200  is properly positioned, a plurality of pins  227  (or suitable fasteners) may be used to affix assembly  200  to edge  201  of door  250 . Pins  227  would extend into edge  201  of door  250  to fasten assembly  200  thereto. 
     It should be noted that extension assemblies  218  and  220  may be provided in a variety of lengths to accommodate different door sizes. Further, it should also be noted that a variety of extension bolts  230  and  232  may be attached to the ends of extension assembly  218  and  200  to provide customized output suitable for the application. For example, extension bolts  230  and  232  may be replaced by extension hooks or other locking elements or mechanisms. 
     According to a particularly preferred embodiment, deadbolt  22  and extension bolts  230  and  232  or extension bolts  35  and  37  will extend linearly a distance of approximately one inch or more (or other shorter distances if needed in alternative embodiments). Multi-point door lock  20  allows extension of the extension bolts  35  and  37  or  230  and  232  and the deadbolt  22  to be at least one inch or more; because of the length of input arm  42  that engages pin  88 , extension bolt base  36  is caused to move a distance of at least one inch or more. As slide plate  91  or  291  is moved downwardly by input arm  42  engaging pin  88 , slide plate  91  or  291  has teeth that engage a pinion wheel  92 . Downward movement of slide plate  91  or  291  causes pinion wheel  92  to rotate in a clockwise direction. The teeth on pinion wheel  92  engage second slide plate  94  or  294  which moves upwardly along with upper extension bolt base  34 . Upper extension bolt base  34  runs along a guide  35  to provide linear movement. According to a preferred embodiment, both upper bolt base  34  and lower bolt base  36  move linearly approximately one inch or more in opposite directions as caused by the reversing mechanism, pinion gear  92 . 
     As depicted in FIGS. 1-4, handle  62  actuates drive unit  30 . In a preferred embodiment, handle  62  is designed to rotate approximately 30 degrees in each direction and preferably less than 45 degrees, to cause extension of extension bolts  35  and  37  or  230  and  232 . When extension bolts  35  and  37  or  230  and  232  have been extended, pin  71 , depicted in FIG. 8, rests against input arm  42  thereby providing the user with a positive-locked feel via drive unit  30  and handle  62 . For example, with extension bolts locked, a user providing a clockwise rotation to handle  62  will feel resistance from pin  71 , the resistance to movement caused by pin  82  riding in slot  45 , thereby indicating to the user that the extension bolts are extended. If the extension bolts are not extended and deadbolt  22  is extended, pin  71  is in the position as depicted in FIG.  7  and input arm  42  is not constrained to rotate in the clockwise direction, thereby indicating that the extension bolts are not extended. When extension bolts  35  and  37  or  230  and  232  are extended, clockwise rotation of drive  30  causes input arm  42  to engage pin  71  thereby causing retraction of extension bolts  35  and  37  or  230  and  232  simultaneously, arm  40  engages latch stop  43  thereby simultaneously causing latch  24  to retract into housing  28 . Therefore, if deadbolt  22  has already been retracted into housing  28  by rotating thumbturn  32  in the clockwise direction, doors  50  or  250  will be free to swing open. 
     In an alternative embodiment, depicted in FIGS. 30-32, a passive door lock  300  may be used to cooperate with multi-point door lock  20 , as described above. As shown in FIG. 30, multi-point door lock  20  is embedded in an active door (such as active door  50 , as depicted in FIGS.  1 - 4 ). Passive door lock  300  is embedded in a passive door  352  (door  352  being similar to door  52  depicted in FIGS.  1 - 4 ). Passive door lock  300  has a housing  328 , a deadbolt aperture  322  in housing  328 , a latch aperture  324  in housing  328 , a drive  330 , an input arm  342 , a slide plate  391 , and a slide plate  394 . FIG. 30 depicts passive lock  300  having extension bolt bases  346  and  348  in a retracted position. Extension bolt bases  346  and  348  are configured to be coupled to a set of extension bolt assemblies, the extension bolt assemblies extending through the door and out of the top edge of the door, to lock up and hold door  352  in a locked position, when extension bolt bases  346  and  348  are extended. In an alternative embodiment, extension bolt assemblies may be coupled to slide plates  391  and  394  at positions  392  and  393  respectively, similar to the extension bolt assemblies depicted in FIGS. 25 and 26. 
     As depicted in FIG. 31, passive lock  300  has a blocker pin  340  that interferes with the movement of deadbolt  22  through deadbolt aperture  322 , when passive lock  300  is in a retracted position. 
     If drive  330  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, input arm  342  engages a pin  384 , causing extension bolt bases  346  and  348  to be extended to the position shown in FIG.  32 . As slide plate  394  moves in the upward direction, so does blocking pin  340  such that when extension bolt bases  346  and  348  are in a fully extended position, deadbolt  22  is not restricted from moving through deadbolt aperture  322  and into housing  328 , as depicted in FIG.  32 . (Other types of lock members may be employed according to alternative embodiments.) 
     Passive lock  300  therefore requires that the passive door first be placed in a locked state before allowing the active door to be locked using deadbolt  22 . This prevents passive door  352  from being unlocked and an operator locking deadbolt  22 , whereby forcible entry may be obtained by pulling open both the active and passive doors simultaneously. 
     Lock  20  (in any preferred or alternative embodiment) may be applied to a variety of configurations, all within the spirit and scope of the present invention. These configurations include, lock  20  in an active door installed in a frame, lock  20  in an active door in a frame with a passive door in a frame, and lock  20  in an active door in a frame with a passive door in a frame with a passive lock. 
     According to alternative embodiments of the present invention, a variety of passive locks may be applied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. These passive locks may include passive locks that are automatically triggered by locking of the primary door, locks having different extension assembly arrangements, and locks having different locking mechanisms. 
     According to further alternative embodiments of the present invention, door lock  20  may be embodied without activation button  26  (while still retaining all of the structure functionality that does not depend on activation button  26 ), without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention; furthermore, activation button  26  may be viewed as a selectively removable device, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. For example, various input devices and/or different handle configurations may be coupled to the door lock, various alternative mechanisms may be used to provide locking action, different extension bolt and/or deadbolt configurations or hooks or latches may be used, members and elements may be coupled (or may co-act) directly or indirectly (e.g. through other intermediate links or structures), and the door lock may be applied to different door arrangements or configurations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. Furthermore, a variety of mechanisms may be applied to carry out the functions of the door lock. Although members and elements may be shown as directly or indirectly coupled in the exemplary embodiments, the present invention should not be considered to be limited to such couplings (e.g. such couplings may be direct or indirect) within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The method of operation of the lock according to preferred and alternative embodiments may be performed in various steps; any omissions or additions of steps to those steps disclosed, or any departure from the order or sequence of steps recited, should be considered to fit within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In the claims, each means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
     Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, size or proportion, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as described in the appended claims.