Patent ID: 8353189

Claim:
An override mechanism for an electronic door lock assembly, the lock assembly including a handle, a retractor and an electronic clutch mechanism with a coupler and an actuator, the coupler operatively connecting the handle with the retractor when the coupler is located in an engaged position and disconnecting the handle and the retractor when the coupler is located in a nonengaged position, the actuator being operable to displace the coupler between the nonengaged position and the engaged position, the override mechanism comprising: an override member movable between an unlocked position, a neutral position, and a locked position, the override member configured to retain the coupler at the engaged position despite actuator operation when the override member is disposed at the unlocked position to couple the handle and the retractor, to retain the coupler at the disengaged position despite actuator operation when the override member is disposed at the locked position to disconnect the handle and the retractor to prevent movement of the retractor to an open position, and to allow movement of the coupler between the engaged and nonengaged positions in response to actuator operation when the override member is in the neutral position.