Patent ID: 12241280

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims.

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. It should further be appreciated that although reference to a “preferred” component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particular component or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure is not so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such a component or feature. 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 implement 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 of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A 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); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of “A, B, and/or C” can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the use of words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “at least one portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use of phrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of such element unless specifically stated to the contrary.

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in certain specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not necessarily be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures unless indicated to the contrary. 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 be omitted or may be combined with other features.

The disclosed embodiments may, in some cases, be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried by or stored on one or more transitory or non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage media, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable storage medium may be embodied as any storage device, mechanism, or other physical structure for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a volatile or non-volatile memory, a media disc, or other media device).

With reference toFIGS.1and2, illustrated therein is a closure assembly80including a door frame82, a door84pivotably mounted to the door frame82, and an exit device system90according to certain embodiments. The exit device system90generally includes a trim assembly100mounted to a first side86of the door84, and a pushbar assembly200mounted to an opposite second side88of the door84. The first side86of the door84may also be referred to herein as the non-egress side86, and the second side88of the door84may also be referred to herein as the egress side88.

The trim assembly100generally includes an escutcheon110, a handle120mounted to the escutcheon110, and a credential reader130mounted to the escutcheon110. In the illustrated form, the credential reader130is mounted to the escutcheon110. It is also contemplated that the credential reader130may be a standalone reader that may, for example, be mounted to the wall adjacent the door84. In certain forms, the trim assembly100is provided as dummy trim assembly, in which the handle120is not operably coupled with the pushbar assembly200. For example, the trim assembly100may be provided as a fixed trim assembly in which the handle120is non-rotatably secured to the escutcheon110. The credential reader130may, for example, be provided as a card reader, a keypad or code entry device, a biometric credential reader, or another form of credential reader. The credential reader130is operable to receive a credential (e.g., an electronic token, a code, or a biometric credential) from a user positioned on the non-egress side86of the door84. As described herein, if the credential is valid, the user will be permitted to open the door84.

With additional reference toFIG.3, the pushbar assembly200generally includes a mounting assembly210, a drive assembly220movably mounted to the mounting assembly210, and a latchbolt mechanism230operably coupled with the drive assembly220such that the drive assembly220is operable to transition the latchbolt mechanism230between a secured state and an unsecured state. The pushbar assembly200further includes an electronic unlocking assembly240operable to selectively transition the latchbolt mechanism230to the unsecured state, and a control assembly250in communication with the unlocking assembly240and the credential reader130. The electronic components of the pushbar assembly200, including the electronic unlocking assembly240and the control assembly250, are connected with a power supply260such that the electronic components are operable to draw power from the power supply260.

The mounting assembly210is configured for mounting to the door84, and generally includes an elongated channel member211defining a channel, a cover plate213covering a distal end portion of the channel, and a header case217positioned at a proximal end of the channel member211. In certain forms, the cover plate213may include a window through which the control assembly250is operable to wirelessly communicate with an external device.

With additional reference toFIGS.4and5, the drive assembly220is movably mounted to the mounting assembly210, and generally includes a pushbar222mounted for movement between a projected position and a depressed position, and a control link224operably connected with the pushbar222such that the control link224moves between a deactuated position and an actuated position as the pushbar222moves between the projected position and the depressed position. The control link224may, for example, be engaged with pushbar222via one or more bell cranks that translate the transverse movement of the pushbar222to longitudinal movement of the control link224. The drive assembly220is biased toward a deactuated state, in which the pushbar222is in its projected position and the control link224is in its deactuated position. As the pushbar222is driven to its depressed position, for example by a user exerting a force on the pushbar222, the drive assembly220transitions to an actuated state, in which the control link224is in its actuated position. As described herein, the latchbolt mechanism230is configured to move between the secured state and the unsecured state in response to movement of the drive assembly220between its actuated and deactuated states.

The latchbolt mechanism230generally includes a latchbolt232mounted for movement between an extended position and a retracted position, and a blocking member234operable to selectively retain the latchbolt232in its extended position. The blocking member234has a blocking position and an unblocking position, and may be biased toward the blocking position, for example by a biasing member235engaged between the mounting assembly210and the blocking member234. While the illustrated biasing member235is provided in the form of a torsion spring, it is also contemplated that other biasing members may be utilized, such as compression springs, extension springs, leaf springs, elastic members, and/or magnets. The illustrated blocking member234is pivotably mounted to the mounting assembly210, and includes a first arm236operable to engage the rear side of the latchbolt232and a second arm237operable to be engaged by the electronic unlocking assembly240. As described herein, the blocking member234is operable to be moved between its blocking position and its unblocking position both manually by operation of the drive assembly220and electronically by operation of the electronic unlocking assembly240. In the illustrated form, the blocking member234is mounted for pivotal movement between its blocking and unblocking positions. In other embodiments, the blocking member234may be mounted for another type of movement between its blocking and unblocking positions, such as linear movement.

When the door84is in its closed position and the latchbolt232is extended, the latchbolt232engages a strike83mounted to the door frame82. When the door84is urged toward its open position, the strike83urges the latchbolt232toward its retracted position. When the blocking member234is in its blocking position, however, this inward movement of the latchbolt232is prevented, for example by engagement of the arm236with the rear side of the latchbolt232. As such, the latchbolt mechanism230is in its secured state, and the pushbar assembly200retains the door84in the closed position. When the blocking member234is in its unblocking position, inward movement of the latchbolt232is permitted. As such, the latchbolt mechanism230is in its unsecured state, and the door84is capable of being moved toward an open position.

With additional reference toFIG.6, the electronic unlocking assembly240generally includes a housing241, a cam242movably mounted to the housing241, and a driver244mounted to the housing241and operable to drive the cam242between a locking position and an unlocking position. The unlocking assembly240may further include a position sensor246associated with the cam242such that the position sensor246is capable of detecting the position of the cam242. The driver244and the sensor246are in communication with the control assembly250such that the control assembly250is operable to control operation of the driver244and receive information from the sensor246.

While other forms are contemplated, in the illustrated form, the cam242is pivotably mounted to the housing241, and the driver244is provided as a rotary motor operable to rotate the cam242between its locking and unlocking positions. It is also contemplated that the driver244may take another form, such as that of a solenoid or a linear actuator. For example, in embodiments in which the cam242is slidably mounted to the housing241, the driver244may be configured to slide the cam242between its locking and unlocking positions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor246is provided in the form of a snap action mechanical switch that is actuated and deactuated as the cam242moves between its locking and unlocking positions. The sensor246includes an armature247that is depressed by the cam242when the cam242is in its locking position, and which is projected when the cam242is in its locking position. Depression and projection of the armature247actuates and deactuates the sensor246such that the locking/unlocking position of the cam242can be determined based upon the actuated/deactuated state of the sensor246. It is also contemplated that the position sensor246may be provided in another form, such as a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor. For example, the cam242may include a magnet, and the sensor246may be provided in the form of a Hall effect sensor or a reed switch.

The control assembly250is in communication with the credential reader130and the electronic unlocking assembly240, and generally includes a controller252operable to control the driver244and to receive information from the sensor246. The control assembly250may further include a wireless transceiver254to facilitate communication with an external device290, such as a mobile device or a gateway. The wireless transceiver254may, for example, include a Bluetooth transceiver and/or a Wi-Fi transceiver. Additionally or alternatively, the control assembly250may be in communication with the external device290via a wired connection. It is also contemplated that the exit device system90may be provided in a standalone configuration that is not necessarily in communication with an external device290.

The power supply260is connected with the control assembly250, and is operable to provide electrical power to the control assembly250such that the control assembly250is capable of powering the driver244. In certain embodiments, the power supply260may be an onboard power supply262, such as one or more batteries and/or one or more supercapacitors. Additionally or alternatively, the power supply260may be provided as line power264. In certain forms, the power supply260may further be connected to the credential reader130such that the credential reader130is operable to draw power from the power supply260. In other embodiments, the trim assembly100may include its own onboard power supply and/or connection to line power264.

As noted above, the blocking member234is operably connected with the drive assembly220such that the drive assembly220is operable to move the blocking member234between its blocking and unblocking positions. More particularly, the blocking member234is operably connected with the pushbar222via the control link224such that depression of the pushbar222causes the control link224to move the blocking member234from its blocking position to its unblocking position, thereby transitioning the latchbolt mechanism230to its unsecured state. When the pushbar222is released, the biasing member235returns the blocking member234to its blocking position, thereby returning the latchbolt mechanism230to its secured state. Thus, manual actuation of the drive assembly220is operable to cause the blocking member234to move from the blocking position to the unblocking position.

The blocking member234is also capable of being moved from its blocking position to its unblocking position by operation of the electronic unlocking assembly240such that the latchbolt mechanism230is capable of being electronically transitioned between the secured state and the unsecured state. As noted above, the cam242has a blocking position (FIG.4) and an unblocking position (FIG.5), and is capable of being driven between its locking and unlocking positions by operation of the driver244. The cam242is aligned with the second arm237of the blocking member234such that movement of the cam242from the locking position to the unlocking position pivots the blocking member234from its blocking position (FIG.4) to its unblocking position (FIG.5). Thus, by controlling operation of the driver244, the control assembly250is operable to electronically control the secured/unsecured state of the latchbolt mechanism230. The control assembly250is also operable to detect whether the latchbolt mechanism230has been electronically driven to the unsecured state by operation of the position sensor246, and may therefore determine an electrically-unlocked state of the latchbolt mechanism230based upon the information received from the sensor246.

In the illustrated form, the drive assembly220and the electronic unlocking assembly240are independently operable to move the blocking member234between its blocking and unblocking positions. In other forms, the electronic unlocking assembly240may be operably connected with the drive assembly220such that actuation of the electronic unlocking assembly240causes a corresponding actuation of the drive assembly220. For example, the driver244may be operably connected with the pushbar222and/or the control link224such that the driver244is capable of actuating the drive assembly220to move the blocking member234to its unblocking position. While such an arrangement will typically require more power than the illustrated configuration, the additional power requirements may be of lesser concern in certain embodiments, such as those in which the exit device system90is connected to line power264.

With additional reference toFIG.7, an exemplary process300that may be performed using the exit device system90is illustrated. Operations illustrated for the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and operations may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. Unless specified to the contrary, it is contemplated that certain operations or steps performed in the process300may be performed wholly by a credential, the credential reader130, the electronic unlocking assembly240, the control assembly250, and/or the external device290, or that the operations or steps may be distributed among one or more of the elements and/or additional devices or systems that are not specifically illustrated inFIGS.1-6. Further, while the blocks of the process300are illustrated in a relatively serial fashion, it is contemplated that two or more of the blocks may be performed concurrently. It should also be appreciated that while the process300is described with specific reference to the exit device system90illustrated inFIGS.1-6, it is also contemplated that the process300may be performed using exit device systems having additional and/or alternative features.

The process300may begin with block310, which generally involves selectively retaining the latchbolt mechanism230in the secured state. Block310may, for example, involve selectively retaining the blocking member234in its blocking position, such as by operation of the biasing member235. With the door84in the closed position, this selective retention of the secured state of the latchbolt mechanism230prevents opening of the door84from the non-egress side86. As noted above, however, the drive assembly220remains capable of transitioning the latchbolt mechanism230to the unsecured state to permit opening of the door84from the egress side88. The process300further includes selectively transitioning the latchbolt mechanism230to the unsecured state to selectively permit opening of the door84from the non-egress side86, for example by performing blocks320-350.

The process300generally includes block320, which involves receiving a credential input at the credential reader130. For example, in embodiments in which the credential reader130comprises a card reader, block320may involve receiving an electronic token from a physical credential. In embodiments in which the credential reader130comprises a keypad or code entry device, block320may involve receiving input of a personal identification number (PIN), a password, or another form of code. In embodiments in which the credential reader130comprises a biometric credential reader, block320may involve reading a biometric credential, such as via a fingerprint scan, an iris scan, and/or a retina scan. In other embodiments, block320may involve receiving credential information of another type.

In response to receiving the credential input in block320, the process300may continue to block330, in which the credential reader130may transmit to the control assembly250credential information related to the received credential. In certain embodiments, a portion of the control assembly250may be included in the credential reader130such that the credential reader130transmits the credential information to that portion of the control assembly250. In certain embodiments, the credential reader130may transmit the credential information to a portion of the control assembly250that is positioned in the pushbar assembly200or at the external device290.

In response to receiving the credential information from the credential reader130, the process300may continue to block340, which generally involves validating the received credential information. For example, the control assembly250may validate the credential information by determining that the received credential information corresponds to an authorized credential assigned to or otherwise correlated with a user that is authorized to open the door84from the non-egress side86.

In response to validating the credential information in block340, the process300may continue to block350, which generally involves electronically transitioning the latchbolt mechanism230to the unsecured state to permit entry from the non-egress side86. Block350generally involves transmitting to an electronic unlocking assembly (e.g., as the electronic unlocking assembly240) an unlock signal that causes the unlocking assembly to move the latchbolt mechanism230to its unsecured state. In the illustrated form, block350may involve operating the driver244to move the cam242to the unlocking position, thereby moving the blocking member234to the unblocking position without actuating the drive assembly220. In other forms, block350may involve operating a driver to actuate the drive assembly220, thereby moving the blocking member234to its unblocking state.

In certain forms, the process300may further involve block360, which generally involves sensing whether the latchbolt mechanism230has been electronically unlocked. For example, when the cam242is in the blocking position, the armature247is projected such that the sensor246is deactuated. As a result, block360may involve determining that the latchbolt mechanism230has been electrically unlocked when output from the sensor246indicates that the sensor246is deactuated. Conversely, when the cam242is in the unblocking position, the armature247is depressed, and the sensor246is actuated. Thus, block360may involve determining that the latchbolt mechanism230has not been electrically unlocked when output from the sensor246indicates that the sensor246is actuated. Information related to the electrically-locked/electrically-unlocked state of the latchbolt mechanism230may, for example, be logged into an audit trail stored in memory of the control assembly250.

In the illustrated embodiment, the trim assembly100is provided as a fixed trim in which the handle120is secured in a single rotational orientation relative to the escutcheon110. As such, the trim assembly100is unable to provide a mechanical actuating force that would cause the pushbar assembly200to transition between the secured and unsecured states. In other embodiments, the trim assembly100may be provided as an active trim operable to provide such mechanical actuating forces. By way of example, the trim assembly100may include an electronic blocking assembly that selectively prevents rotation of the handle120, and the handle120may be operably connected with the latchbolt mechanism230such that rotation of the handle120actuates the latchbolt mechanism230. Exemplary embodiments of active trims including electronic blocking assemblies are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/265,116 (filed Feb. 1, 2019), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Referring now toFIG.8, a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of a computing device400is shown. The illustrative computing device400depicts at least one embodiment of a credential reader130, control assembly250, or external device290that may be utilized in connection with the system illustrated inFIG.3.

Depending on the particular embodiment, the computing device400may be embodied as a server, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, notebook, netbook, Ultrabook™ mobile computing device, cellular phone, smartphone, wearable computing device, personal digital assistant, Internet of Things (IoT) device, reader device, access control device, control panel, processing system, router, gateway, and/or any other computing, processing, and/or communication device capable of performing the functions described herein.

The computing device400includes a processing device402that executes algorithms and/or processes data in accordance with operating logic408, an input/output device404that enables communication between the computing device400and one or more external devices410, and memory406which stores, for example, data received from the external device410via the input/output device404.

The input/output device404allows the computing device400to communicate with the external device410. For example, the input/output device404may include a transceiver, a network adapter, a network card, an interface, one or more communication ports (e.g., a USB port, serial port, parallel port, an analog port, a digital port, VGA, DVI, HDMI, FireWire, CAT 5, or any other type of communication port or interface), and/or other communication circuitry. Communication circuitry may be configured to use any one or more communication technologies (e.g., wireless or wired communications) and associated protocols (e.g., Ethernet, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi®, WiMAX, etc.) to effect such communication depending on the particular computing device400. The input/output device404may include hardware, software, and/or firmware suitable for performing the techniques described herein.

The external device410may be any type of device that allows data to be inputted or outputted from the computing device400. For example, in various embodiments, the external device410may be embodied as the credential reader130, the control assembly250, or the external device290. Further, in some embodiments, the external device410may be embodied as another computing device, switch, diagnostic tool, controller, printer, display, alarm, peripheral device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, touch screen display, etc.), and/or any other computing, processing, and/or communication device capable of performing the functions described herein. Furthermore, in some embodiments, it should be appreciated that the external device410may be integrated into the computing device400.

The processing device402may be embodied as any type of processor(s) capable of performing the functions described herein. In particular, the processing device402may be embodied as one or more single or multi-core processors, microcontrollers, or other processor or processing/controlling circuits. For example, in some embodiments, the processing device402may include or be embodied as an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), and/or another suitable processor(s). The processing device402may be a programmable type, a dedicated hardwired state machine, or a combination thereof. Processing devices402with multiple processing units may utilize distributed, pipelined, and/or parallel processing in various embodiments. Further, the processing device402may be dedicated to performance of just the operations described herein, or may be utilized in one or more additional applications. In the illustrative embodiment, the processing device402is of a programmable variety that executes algorithms and/or processes data in accordance with operating logic408as defined by programming instructions (such as software or firmware) stored in memory406. Additionally or alternatively, the operating logic408for processing device402may be at least partially defined by hardwired logic or other hardware. Further, the processing device402may include one or more components of any type suitable to process the signals received from input/output device404or from other components or devices and to provide desired output signals. Such components may include digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a combination thereof.

The memory406may be of one or more types of non-transitory computer-readable media, such as a solid-state memory, electromagnetic memory, optical memory, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the memory406may be volatile and/or nonvolatile and, in some embodiments, some or all of the memory406may be of a portable variety, such as a disk, tape, memory stick, cartridge, and/or other suitable portable memory. In operation, the memory406may store various data and software used during operation of the computing device400such as operating systems, applications, programs, libraries, and drivers. It should be appreciated that the memory406may store data that is manipulated by the operating logic408of processing device402, such as, for example, data representative of signals received from and/or sent to the input/output device404in addition to or in lieu of storing programming instructions defining operating logic408. As illustrated, the memory406may be included with the processing device402and/or coupled to the processing device402depending on the particular embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, the processing device402, the memory406, and/or other components of the computing device400may form a portion of a system-on-a-chip (SoC) and be incorporated on a single integrated circuit chip.

In some embodiments, various components of the computing device400(e.g., the processing device402and the memory406) may be communicatively coupled via an input/output subsystem, which may be embodied as circuitry and/or components to facilitate input/output operations with the processing device402, the memory406, and other components of the computing device400. For example, the input/output subsystem may be embodied as, or otherwise include, memory controller hubs, input/output control hubs, firmware devices, communication links (i.e., point-to-point links, bus links, wires, cables, light guides, printed circuit board traces, etc.) and/or other components and subsystems to facilitate the input/output operations.

The computing device400may include other or additional components, such as those commonly found in a typical computing device (e.g., various input/output devices and/or other components), in other embodiments. It should be further appreciated that one or more of the components of the computing device400described herein may be distributed across multiple computing devices. In other words, the techniques described herein may be employed by a computing system that includes one or more computing devices. Additionally, although only a single processing device402, I/O device404, and memory406are illustratively shown inFIG.8, it should be appreciated that a particular computing device400may include multiple processing devices402, I/O devices404, and/or memories406in other embodiments. Further, in some embodiments, more than one external device410may be in communication with the computing device400.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected.

It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.