Patent Publication Number: US-11643845-B2

Title: Locking assembly with spring mechanism

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/815,703 filed on Mar. 8, 2019; and 62/729,112 filed on Sep. 10, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of door locks. More particularly, this invention relates to internal mechanisms of a locking assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Door locks are commonly installed in residential and commercial settings. There are many different types of door locks used throughout residential and commercial settings as well. Door locks are already routinely used to simply lock a door. As technology progresses, there has been a growing trend to improve door locks by adding electronics thereby allowing a user to unlock a door without a traditional key. 
     When designing and manufacturing electronic lock housings, chassis are often required to house the electronics. As technology progresses, the electronic components increase in size and complexity, but increasing the size of the lock is not desirable. In electronic deadbolts, the latch&#39;s hub is typically driven by a motor. In addition, the lock houses a transmission, clutch, and preload device. Traditional transmissions have gears that are driven by the motor. However, having multiple components provides more opportunity for components to break or malfunction. What is therefore needed is an improved transmission, clutch, and preload device. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general terms, this disclosure is directed towards a locking assembly for use on internal and external doors. This disclosure release generally to an electronic lock with or without a traditional lock cylinder. The electronic lock includes an internal spring actuated mechanism. 
     In a first aspect, a locking assembly is described. The locking assembly comprises a motor, spindle, barrel, and flange. The spindle is actuatable by the motor and is positioned to rotate around a first axis in response to actuation of the motor. The spindle includes a lateral projection that engages a first spring such that, upon rotation of the spindle, a position of the first spring changes relative to the lateral projection along the first axis between a neutral position and a biasing position. The barrel has a recess operatively engageable by a pin movable between an engaged position in which the pin resides within the recess and a disengaged position in which the pin remains outside the recess. The pin is biased toward the disengaged position by the second spring, and the barrel is rotatable around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis by an actuator. The flange at least partially surrounds the barrel, the pin, and the second spring. The flange is engageable by the first spring at least when the first spring is in a biasing position. The flange is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the flange remains in the first portion when the first spring is in the neutral position and wherein the flange is biased toward the second position when the first spring is in the biasing position. Biasing the flange toward the second position urges the pin toward the engaged position. 
     In another embodiment, a locking assembly for use on a door separating an exterior space from a secured space is described. The locking assembly includes a means for rotating a spindle around a first axis, and the spindle includes a first engagement means. A second engagement means is engaged with the first engagement means, and the second engagement means is moved along the first axis from a first position to a second position. Moving the second engagement means to the second position causes a third engagement means to be biased toward a fourth engagement means. When the fourth engagement means is biased, it is in position to engage a means for latching. In response to rotation, a means for rotating engages the fourth engagement means and retracts a latch. 
     In yet another aspect, a method for operating a locking assembly is described. The method comprises: in response to receiving an input, actuating a motor from a control circuit to rotate a spindle around a first axis. The spindle includes an engagement that engages a first spring to move the first spring relative to the lateral projection along the first axis from a neutral position to a biasing position. Movement of the first spring to the biasing position biases a movable flange toward a second position from a first position. Biasing the movable flange toward the second position biases a pin toward a recess in a barrel to position the pin for engagement of a latch. In response to rotation of an actuator, the pin is engaged with the latch and retracts the latch. 
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of an exterior portion of the locking assembly. 
         FIG.  2    shows a perspective view of an interior portion of the locking assembly. 
         FIG.  3    show a partially exploded perspective view of the internal mechanisms of the exterior portion of the locking assembly. 
         FIG.  4   a    illustrates a perspective view of a motor and spindle assembly according to an example embodiment of the locking assembly. 
         FIG.  4   b    illustrates a perspective view of a connection pin, coupling, and lock cylinder according to an example embodiment of the locking assembly. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an example method of actuating the locking mechanism. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of the internal mechanisms of a locking assembly in a locked position. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a perspective view of the internal mechanisms of a locking assembly in an unlocked position. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a perspective view of the internal mechanisms of a locking assembly in an unlocked position with the handle in an actuated position. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a perspective view of the internal mechanisms of a locking assembly in a locked position with the handle in an actuated position. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a perspective view of the internal mechanisms of an alternative locking assembly in a locked position. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a perspective view of the internal mechanisms of an alternative locking assembly in an unlocked position. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a perspective view of the internal mechanisms of an alternative locking assembly in a locked position. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a perspective view of the internal mechanisms of an alternative locking assembly. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a perspective view of the worm gear feature of  FIG.  13   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified to illustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of the herein described devices, systems, and methods, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, other aspects that may be found in typical devices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognize that other elements and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessary to implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. Because such elements and operations are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, a discussion of such elements and operations may not be provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C). 
     In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may not be included or may be combined with other features. 
     This disclosure relates generally to an electronic lock without a traditional clutch and transmission assembly. The electronic lock includes an internal spring actuated mechanism. Unlike existing locks, which include a transmission, clutch, and a preload device, the electronic lock as disclosed does not require any of these features and instead includes a motor and a single spring mechanism. Further, unlike existing door handles and locking mechanisms, embodiments herein describe a lock that can be opened regardless of whether the external lever has been actuated first or second (before or after entering an electronic passcode). 
       FIG.  1    shows a locking assembly  100  according to one embodiment of the disclosure, for example an electronic locking assembly. The term “electronic locking assembly” is broadly intended to encompass electro-mechanical locks with a bolt that is movable between a locked and unlocked position electronically and/or mechanically, including but not limited to, single cylinder, double cylinder, and vertical deadbolts. 
     In the example shown in  FIG.  1   , the locking assembly  100  includes an interior assembly  106 , a latch assembly  104 , and an exterior assembly  102 . Typically, the interior assembly  106  is mounted on the inside of a door (not shown), while the exterior assembly  102  is mounted outside of the door (not shown). The latch assembly  104  is typically mounted in a bore hole (not shown) formed in the door. The term “inside” is broadly used to denote an area inside a door and “outside” is also broadly used to mean an area outside a door. For example, with an exterior entry door, the interior assembly  106  may be mounted inside a building and the exterior assembly  102  may be mounted outside a building. In another example, with an interior door, the interior assembly  106  may be mounted inside a room to be secured by the locking assembly  100  located inside the secured room, and the exterior assembly  102  may be mounted outside the secured room. The locking assembly  100  is applicable to both interior and exterior doors. The locking assembly  100  may also be used in such a way to secure any room with the interior assembly  106  located on the inside of the room and the exterior assembly  102  located on the outside of the room. The locking assembly  100  may also be used in a way where the interior assembly  106  is located outside a door and the exterior assembly  102  is located inside the door. 
     In the embodiment shown, the exterior assembly  102  is in communication with the interior assembly  106  and latch assembly  104  for electronically unlocking/locking the locking assembly  100 . In some embodiments, the exterior assembly  102  can be used to receive and communicate with an electronic key to a control circuit (not shown) in the exterior assembly  102  for authentication, such as through a keypad  108 , a biometric sensor (not shown), wirelessly, etc. 
     The latch bolt  120  moves linearly in and out of a barrel  122 . When the latch bolt  120  is in a retracted position, the end of the latch bolt  120  is generally flush with a faceplate  124 . When the latch bolt  120  is in an extended position, the latch bolt  120  protrudes through an opening of a faceplate  124 , which is positioned in a jamb adjacent the door. A retracted position is broadly used to denote an “unlocked” position and an extended position is broadly used to denote a “locked” position. 
     The locking assembly  100  includes an exterior assembly  102  including a keypad  108 . In use, a user enters a predetermined passcode at the keypad  108 , which functions to unlock the door. Entering a passcode at the keypad  108  may unlock the door itself. Alternatively, to unlock the locking assembly, an additional step of using a mechanical key may be required. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a biometric sensor is used instead of a keypad  108 . 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 circuit. The control circuit compares the sensed fingerprint to a stored fingerprint, and may allow access into the building if the sensed fingerprint matches the stored fingerprint. 
     In yet another embodiment a keypad is not present. A user may use an RFID tag that allows the motor to actuate when the correct RFID tag is detected. In further embodiment, alternative methods of electronically communicated with the motor are contemplated. 
     The locking assembly  100  further includes an actuating mechanism  112 , for example a lever or handle. In an example embodiment, the actuating mechanism  112  is selectively engagement with a lock cylinder  110 . In an embodiment, the lock cylinder  110  accepts a mechanical key, which may be used in combination with the passcode, or alternatively, may be used instead of entering the passcode. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the interior assembly  106  includes an interior rose  130  that houses internal components of the interior assembly  106 . The exterior assembly  102  has an exterior rose  132  that houses the exterior assembly  102 . As shown, the exterior rose  132  has a decorative rectangular shape, but round, square, and other shapes for the exterior rose  132  are within the scope of the disclosure. The interior rose  130  and exterior rose  132  could be formed from metal or plastic depending on the circumstances. In the example shown, the exterior rose  132  defines an opening through which buttons  118  of a keypad  108  is accessible. 
     A keypad  108  with a plurality of buttons  118  extend through the exterior rose  132  in the example shown. The buttons  118  may be used to enter a passcode for unlocking the locking assembly  100  or otherwise control operation. The keypad  108  has a plurality of touch areas that use touch to function as buttons  118  for entering a passcode for unlocking the locking assembly  100  or otherwise controlling operation. For example, the keypad  108  could use a capacitive touch circuit. In the example shown, there are eight touch areas or buttons  118 , but one skilled in the art should appreciate that there could be more than eight touch areas or less than eight touch areas depending on the circumstances. For example, touch areas could be used for multiple passcode inputs, such as touching a button once for “1” and twice for “2,” etc. In this example, the keypad  108  does not have mechanical keys, but has touch areas or buttons  118  on the keypad  108  that allow an uninterrupted surface for the keypad  108 . Although a keypad  108  with buttons  118  is shown for purposes of example, other input devices could be used, including but not limited to a touch screen, biometric sensor, microphone, etc. 
     A mechanical key (not shown) may be inserted into the lock cylinder  110  to mechanically unlock the locking assembly  100 . Accordingly, in the embodiment shown, the exterior assembly  102  may be used to unlock the locking assembly  100  electronically using the keypad  108 , and mechanically using a mechanical key, or electronically using the keypad  108  alone. 
     The latch assembly  104  is disposed in a core in the door (not shown) and may be actuated manually by the actuating mechanism  112  to extend and retract a latch bolt  120 . The latch bolt  120  moves linearly in and out of a barrel  122 . When the latch bolt  120  is retracted, an end of the latch bolt  120  is generally flush with a faceplate  124 . When the latch bolt  120  is extended, the latch bolt  120  protrudes through an edge bore in the door into an opening of a strike plate (not shown), which is positioned in a jamb adjacent the door. As is typical, the strike plate is attached to the jamb using fasteners. 
       FIG.  2    shows the interior assembly  106  of the locking assembly  100 , the interior assembly  106  includes a housing that defines a recessed area for internal components of the interior assembly  106 . In an embodiment, the interior assembly  106  includes an internal deadbolt (not shown). The internal deadbolt is connected to an interior deadbolt lever  202 , which can be actuated by a user. When the interior deadbolt (not shown) is actuated, the door cannot be opened, regardless of whether the correct digital passcode and/or key are entered. 
     The interior assembly  106  has an interior rose  130  that houses the interior assembly  106 . As shown, the interior rose  130  has a decorative rectangular shape, but round, square, and other shapes for the interior rose  130  are within the scope of the disclosure. The interior rose  130  and exterior rose  132  could be formed from metal or plastic depending on the circumstances. In the example shown, the exterior rose  132  defines an opening through which the interior deadbolt lever  202  is accessible. 
     Components described herein as being in the exterior assembly  102  or interior assembly  106  should not be seen as limited. Components may alternatively be located in either assembly. 
       FIG.  3    is exploded view of the internal components of the exterior assembly  102  according to the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1   . The locking assembly  100  includes an exterior rose  132  (also referred to herein as an external faceplate) which includes a plurality of holes  308  to receive the buttons  118  of the keypad  108 . In an alternative embodiment, the keypad may be a touch panel configured to receive a fingerprint or other similar input mechanism. 
     The keypad  108  may be made from a variety of materials that are waterproof, such as plastics, rubber, or other similar materials. Further, the connection between the holes  308  of the exterior rose  116  and the buttons  118  comprises a seal to prevent water from penetrating the internal components of the locking assembly  100 . 
     As the rear surface of the keypad  108  and control circuit  318  is generally flat, keypad  108 , control circuit  318 , and control circuit housing  320  rests flush against the door with supports extending into a pocket (not shown) within the door. As the control circuit housing  320  is flush against the exterior side of the door, this provides an added security feature preventing an unauthorized user from using a pry bar between the keypad  108  and the door.  
     Control circuit  318  is a printed control circuit configured to receive the touch input of the keypad  108 . When control circuit  318  receives the correct input, control circuit  318  sends an unlock signal to the motor  324 . Motor  324  is operatively coupled to a spindle  322  and is configured to rotated spindle  322  around a first axis. Rotation around the first axis may be in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. In an example, when motor  324  receives an unlock signal, motor rotates the spindle  322  in a clockwise direction, and when motor  324  receives a lock signal, motor rotates the spindle  322  in a counter clockwise direction. 
     In yet another embodiment, the motor  324  may automatically rotate the spindle  322  in a counter clockwise direction to lock the locking assembly  100  after a predetermined period of time. For example, the motor  324  may lock the locking assembly  100  after 10 seconds, 15 seconds, or other period of time. 
     Motor  324  is operatively connected to spindle  322 , which is operatively connected to a first spring  326 . Spindle  322  and first spring  326  are described in more detail below with regard to  FIG.  4 A . Spindle  322  is a rod-shaped mechanism oriented around a first axis, for example, vertically within the locking assembly  100 . Spindle  322  is capable of rotational motion along the first axis. Spindle  322  includes a first end having a recess that is connected to the motor. Spindle  322  also includes a lateral projection  404  (shown in  FIG.  4 A ) to engage with a first spring  326 . When spindle  322  is actuated, recess turns, causing the position of the first spring  326  to change relative to the lateral projection along the first axis between a neutral position and a biasing position. For example, the first spring may move in a downward direction along the spindle, away from the motor and toward the flange  342 .  
     First spring  326  is operatively engageable with the movable flange  342 . First spring  326  and spindle  322  are located above movable flange  342  within exterior assembly  102 . 
     Residing within movable flange  342  is a pin  336 . Pin  336  is configured to be engageable with a recess  422  of coupling  340  and a recess  423  of the barrel  122  when aligned and to lock rotation thereof. Pin  336  is a t-shaped pin that comprises a head and a shaft extending therefrom as shown in more detail in  FIG.  4 B . A second spring  338  extends around shaft of pin  336 . In a disengaged position, second spring  338  is slightly compressed. In an engaged position, second spring  338  is compressed by movable flange  342  and head of pin  336 . When second spring  338  is in a disengaged position, pin  336  remains outside of the recess  423  of the barrel  122  and/or the recess  422  of the coupling  340 .  
     When first spring  326  is in a neutral position, the first spring  326  is engageable with movable flange  342 , wherein movable flange  342  is in a first position. When first spring  326  is in a biasing position, first spring  326  is engageable with movable flange  342 , wherein movable flange  342  is in a second position and pin  336  is located in recess  422  of coupling  340  and the recess  423  of the barrel  122 .   
     A c-clip  310  and a single coil spring  346  are also shown. The single coil spring  346  and c-clip  310  aid in coupling the lock cylinder  110 , torque blade assembly  306 , barrel  122 , and coupling  340  to exterior assembly  102 . The lock cylinder  110  and torque blade assembly  306  and both are retained within the barrel  122  by the c-clip  310 . Optionally, the lock cylinder  110  can be replaceable by removal of the c-clip  310 , replacement of the lock cylinder  110 , and re-insertion of the c-clip  310 . The lock cylinder  110 , barrel  122 , and coupling  340  are affixed to each other and rotatable as discussed in further detail below. 
     Coupling  340 , barrel  122 , torque blade assembly  306 , and lock cylinder  110  are collectively referred to as a locking cylinder assembly. Locking cylinder assembly resides at least partially in actuating mechanism  112  and into interior of exterior assembly  102 . In an embodiment, lock cylinder  110  and torque blade assembly  306  reside in barrel  122 . Barrel  122 , lock cylinder  110 , and torque blade assembly  306  extend within coupling  340  and flange  342 . 
     The buttons  118  extend from a control circuit  318  that transmits electrical signals based on user actuation of the keypad  108  to a controller in the exterior assembly  102  using a wiring harness (not shown). In some cases, a wedge may be provided to fill and dampen any gap between the exterior rose  132  and the control circuit  318 . In this example, a plurality of fasteners  330  secure the back plate  334  and control circuit  318  to the exterior rose  132 . As shown, holes in the back plate  334  are aligned with holes in the control circuit  318  and fasteners  330  extending therethrough. In the embodiment shown, the control circuit  318  includes an opening that is aligned with a recess of the control circuit  318 , which allows wiring to extend therethrough. 
     As shown, a plurality of fasteners  330  secure a portion of the chassis  332  and the back plate  334  to the exterior rose  132 . In the embodiment shown, holes in the back plate  334 , control circuit  318 , and keypad  108  are aligned with threaded openings in the rear portion of the exterior rose  132 .  
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates an example embodiment of a motor and spindle combination  400 . As shown, motor  324  is operatively connected to spindle  322 , which extends from motor  324 . For example, spindle is positioned to rotate around a first axis, the first axis being positioned vertically. It should be noted that although components are described with reference to direction, other orientations of the components are contemplated. Motor  324  includes an electrical connection  402  at an end opposite the spindle  322 , which allows for motor  324  to connect to control circuit  318  to receive lock and unlock signals. 
     Spindle  322  includes an elongate body  408 , a lateral projection  404 , and a washer  406 . A first spring  326  is wrapped around the body  408  and is operatively connected to the lateral projection  404 . Washer  406  provides a connection surface to contact coupling  340 . In use, when motor  324  actuates spindle  322 , the lateral projection  404  rotates to move first spring  326  along spindle  322  from a neutral position to a biasing position. When motor  324  receives a lock signal from control circuit  318 , motor  324  rotates spindle  322  in an opposing direction to cause first spring  326  to move in an opposing direction. 
       FIG.  4 B  illustrates an example embodiment of a coupling and pin combination  420 . Pin  336  includes a head portion  424  and a shaft  426  extending from a surface of the head portion  424 . A second spring  338  having a first end  440  and a second end  442  is located around shaft  426  of pin  336 . Second spring  338  is held in position by head portion  424  of pin  336  and body of coupling  340 . In a disengaged position, second spring  338  is not compressed and pin  336  remains outside the recess  423  of the barrel  122 , the pin  336  is biased toward the disengaged position by the second spring  338 . In an engaged position, second spring  338  is compressed by head portion  424  of pin  336 , and pin  336  resides within the recess  422  and the recess  423 . 
     The first spring  326  has a first leg (not shown) at a first end and a second leg at a second end. The first leg and the second leg are coupled to an elongated slot  321  of the control circuit housing  320 . The first spring  326  may be restricted from rotating via the slot  321 . The second leg may also act as a ramp that allows the lateral projection  404  to engage and disengage the first spring  326  when the motor is actuated in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction.  
     Coupling  340  includes a round body positioned along a second axis. For example, the second axis may be located horizontally. Coupling  340  includes a recess  422  along a surface of the body. The recess  422  is sized to accept the shaft  426  of the pin  336 . Coupling  340  is operatively connected to barrel  122 . Both coupling  340  and barrel  122  are axially stationary, but rotationally movable.  
       FIG.  5    illustrates an example flowchart  500  of how locking assembly  100  is used to lock and unlock a door. At a first step  502 , an electronic passcode is entered at the keypad by a user. At  504 , it is determined if the passcode is correct. If the electronic passcode is incorrect then the motor does not actuate and the door is not able to be opened. When the passcode is incorrect, the locking assembly remains locked  506 . If the electronic passcode entered into the keypad is correct, the process moves to the next step  508 . At step  508 , the motor  324  receives an unlock signal from the control circuit so the motor  324  rotates the spindle  322  and corresponding first spring  326 . It should be noted that through the specification, a keypad  108  is used as receiving an electronic passcode, but alternative methods may be used to input a “passcode,” such as an RFID tag, biometric sensor, or other similar technologies.  
     At step  510 , it is determined if the actuating mechanism  112 , for example a handle, has been actuated, meaning the user has turned the handle. If the handle has already been actuated, then the pin  336  is not able to engage the coupling  340  at step  512 . If the handle is actuated before the electronic passcode has been received by the locking assembly  100 , the user is not able to open the door because the pin  336  cannot engage the coupling  340 . In this situation the user is not able to open the door until the handle has returned to an unactuated (or neutral) position at step  514 , at which time, the pin  336  engages the coupling  340  and the door is able to be opened at step  518 . 
     At step  510 , if the handle has not been actuated, then the pin  336  is capable of engaging the coupling  340  at step  516 . When the pin  336  is engaged with the coupling  340 , the handle is actuated by the user, and the door is able to be opened at step  518 . 
     The sequence of events provides a two-step process to unlocking a door. First, the electronic passcode must correctly be entered in the keypad. Second, the actuating mechanism, for example a handle, must be actuated by a user. Even if the handle has been actuated before the electronic passcode is entered in the keypad the door is still able to be opened only after the user has just returned the handle to the unactuated (or neutral) position and actuated the handle a second time. 
     In an example embodiment, the handle is not able to be actuated if a mechanical key has not been entered into the lock cylinder. Alternatively, if the correct electronic passcode is not entered into the keypad, the door is not able to be unlocked regardless of whether the unit user has actuated the handle or not (with or without a mechanical key).  
     The locking assembly  100  can be subsequently locked by closing the door and allowing the actuating mechanism  112  to return to an unactuated (or neutral) position. In an embodiment, the motor  324  automatically rotates the spindle  322  in an opposing direction after a predetermined amount of time, which rotates moves the first spring  326  away from the movable flange  342  to a neutral position. Then, when the actuating mechanism  112  is returned to an unactuated (or neutral) position, the pin  336  is biased toward the disengaged position (outside the recess  423  and/or the recess  422 ) by the second spring  338  and the locking assembly  100  is locked. 
     Alternatively, the locking assembly  100  may require the electronic passcode to be re-entered to lock the door. When the control circuit  318  receives the correct electronic passcode, it sends a lock signal to the motor  324 . The motor  324  rotates the spindle  322  in an opposing direction, which moves the first spring  326  upwards away from the movable flange  342 . Then the movable flange  342  returns to the neutral position, and when the actuating mechanism  112  is actuated back to the unactuated position, the pin  336  is pushed out of the recess  423  and/or the recess  422  by the second spring  338 . This causes the locking assembly  100  to return to a locked state.  
       FIG.  6    illustrates the internal mechanisms of the locking assembly  100  in a locked state. As shown, in the locked state, the first spring  326  is located at the top of the spindle  322 . The first spring  326  is located in a neutral position, the pin  336  is in a disengaged position, and the flange  342  is in a first position. The first spring  326  is not contacting the movable flange  342 . The movable flange  342  is resting atop the pin  336 , and is not compressing the pin  336 . The second spring  338  is in a relaxed state, which maintains pin  336  from entering recess of coupling  340 . 
     As shown, the movable flange  342  is located relatively high compared to adapter  344 . The actuating mechanism  112  is not actuated and is in a neutral position. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates the internal mechanisms of the locking assembly  100  in an unlocked state. The unlocked position is attained by having a correct electronic passcode entered into the keypad (not shown). Once the motor  324  has received an unlock signal, the motor  324  rotates the spindle  322 , which moves the first spring (not shown). When the spindle  322  moves the first spring it becomes slightly compressed, which causes the movable flange  342  to be in a second position, because the first spring  326  is in a biasing position. The movable flange  342  compresses the pin  336 , and the pin  336  is within the recess  423  of the barrel  122 . 
     As shown, the movable flange  342  is located lower compared to adapter  344 . The actuating mechanism  112  is not actuated and is in a neutral position.   
       FIG.  8    illustrates the internal mechanism of the locking assembly  100  in an unlocked state while the actuating mechanism  112  is actuated. As shown, the first spring  326  has been rotated along the spindle  322  by the motor  324 . The first spring  326  causes the movable flange  342  to be in a second position, which causes the pin  336  to be within the recess  423  of the barrel  122 . Once the pin  336  is engaged within the recess  423 , actuating the actuating mechanism  112  rotates the coupling  340  and the pin  336  along the horizontal axis.  
       FIG.  9    illustrates the internal mechanism of the locking assembly  100  in a locked state while the actuating mechanism  112  is actuated. As shown, in the locked state, the first spring  326  has not been rotated along the spindle  322 . The first spring  326  is not contacting the movable flange  342 . The movable flange  342  is resting atop the pin  336 , but is not compressing the pin  336 . The second spring  338  is in a disengaged position, which maintains the pin  336  from entering recess of coupling  340 . 
     When the actuating mechanism  112  is actuated, the coupling  340  is rotated along the second axis. However, since the locking assembly  100  is in a locked state, the pin  336  is not engaged in the recess  423  of the barrel  122 . The door cannot be opened without the pin  336  being located within the recess  423  while the actuating mechanism  112  is being actuated.  
       FIG.  10    illustrates the internal mechanisms of a locking assembly  1000  in a locked state according to another embodiment. As shown, in the locked state, the first spring  326  is located at the top of the spindle  322 . The first spring  326  is engageable with gear teeth  1002  of second spindle  1004 . Second spindle  1004  is actuatable by motor  324 . When motor  324  receives an unlock signal from the control circuit, the motor  324  rotates the second spindle  1004 , which rotates the gear teeth  1002 . When gear teeth  1002  rotate, the first spring  326  rotates along spindle  322 . 
     As shown, the first spring  326  is located in a neutral position, the pin  336  is in a disengaged position, and the flange  342  is in a first position. The first spring  326  is not contacting the movable flange  342 . The movable flange  342  is resting atop the pin  336 , and is not compressing the pin  336 . The second spring  338  is in a relaxed state, which maintains pin  336  from entering recess of coupling  340 . The movable flange  342  is located relatively high compared to adapter  344 .  
       FIG.  11    illustrates the internal mechanisms of the locking assembly  1000  in an unlocked state. The unlocked position is attained by having a correct electronic passcode entered into the keypad (not shown). Once the motor  324  has received an unlock signal, the motor  324  rotates the second spindle  1004 , which also rotates the gear teeth  1002 . Gear teeth  1002  function to rotate first spring  326  along spindle  322  via a first leg engaging the first spring  326  to the gear teeth  1002 , so the first spring  326  becomes slightly compressed. This causes the movable flange  342  to be in a second position, because the first spring  326  is in a biasing position. The movable flange  342  compresses the pin  336 , and the pin  336  is within the recess  422  of the coupling  340  and the recess  423  of the barrel  122 . The movable flange  342  is located lower compared to adapter  344 . The actuating mechanism is not actuated and is in a neutral position.   
       FIG.  12    illustrates the internal mechanism of the locking assembly  1000  in a locked state, even though the first spring  326  is attempting to compress the movable flange  342 . In this embodiment, motor has received an unlock signal, so the motor  324  has rotated second spindle  1004 , which rotates gear teeth  1002  to move first spring  326  down along spindle  322 . Coupling  340  has been rotated by actuating mechanism (not shown), so pin  336  is not able to enter recess of coupling  340 . 
     The movable flange  342  is resting atop the pin  336 , but is not compressing the pin  336 . When actuating mechanism (not shown) resumed an unactuated position, pin  336  is able to enter recess of coupling  340 , and then the lock is able to be unlocked. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates the internal mechanism of the locking assembly  100  in a locked state while the actuating mechanism (not shown) is not actuated. As shown, in the locked state, the spindle  322  has not been rotated, the pin  336  is in a disengaged position, and the flange  342  is in a first position. The spindle  322  includes gear teeth  1302 , which may be a worm gear as part of a worm drive. The movable flange  342  is resting atop the pin  336 , and is not compressing the pin  336 . The second spring  338  is in a relaxed state, which maintains pin  336  from entering recess of coupling  340 . As shown, the movable flange  342  is located relatively high compared to adapter  344 . The actuating mechanism  112  is not actuated and is in a neutral position. 
     In the embodiment shown, spindle  322  includes gear teeth  1302  as part of a worm gear. Gear teeth  1302  are located on spindle  322 . A worm drive functions to move movable flange  342  in a downward position with spindle  322  rotates and engages a worm of a second mechanism. In an embodiment, the gear teeth  1302  are located on the spindle  322 , and the worm is located on movable flange  342 . In an alternative embodiment, the gear teeth  1302  are located on the spindle  322 , and the worm is located on the pin  336 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the worm is located on the spindle  322 , and the worm gear is located on movable flange  342 . In a further embodiment, the worm is located on the spindle  322 , and the worm gear is located on the pin  336 . 
       FIG.  14    shows a top-down view of the worm drive. The gear teeth  1302  are located on the spindle  322 . The second spring  338  is constrained within the movable flange  342 . In an example, the gear teeth  1302  rotate, which moves worms of the moveable flange  342 . Pin  336  moves with the movable flange  342  downward when the spindle  322  rotates.  
     Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.