Lock Assemblies and Hinges

Abstract

A lock assembly has a bolt safety engagement structure formed as part of a locking bolt body and a receiver safety engagement structure complementary to the bolt safety engagement structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to safety structures for doors, windows, gates and the like. Background Art

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present application and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Traditional residential doors often use a wooden frame to hold the door in place. This wood frame is easily affected by the force of a person kicking or slamming a heavy object into the door. Existing methods for reinforcing door frames are costly, time-consuming, and depend on the requirements of the door. Some reinforcements can negatively affect the appearance of the door.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a reinforcement for a door that can provide increased resistance in the event that a door, window, safe or gate is forced open by kicking, prying or by applying blunt force to the door. Summary of the invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present application include structures and methods for improving vehicle door assemblies.

[0006] An exemplary embodiment includes a door lock assembly. The door lock assembly includes a locking bolt. The locking bolt has a locking bolt body and has a bolt safety engagement structure formed as a part of the locking bolt body. The door lock assembly also includes a receiver. The receiver has a receiving area for receiving at least a portion of the locking bolt, and the receiver has a receiver safety engagement structure formed as a part of the receiver. The receiver safety engagement structure is complementary to the bolt safety engagement structure.

[0007] Another exemplary embodiment includes a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge plate. The hinge assembly also includes a hinge receiver coupled to the first hinge plate and having a hinge receiver safety engagement structure formed as a part of the hinge receiver. The hinge assembly also includes a second hinge plate coupled to the first hinge plate at a pivot joint. In addition, the hinge assembly includes a hinge bolt having a hinge bolt body and having a hinge bolt safety engagement structure formed as a part of the hinge bolt body, the hinge bolt safety engagement structure being complementary to the hinge receiver safety engagement structure.

[0008] Another exemplary embodiment includes a door lock. The door lock includes a locking bolt having a locking bolt body and having a bolt safety engagement structure formed as a part of the locking bolt body. The door lock also includes a receiver having a receiving area for receiving at least a portion of the locking bolt, the receiver having a receiver safety engagement structure formed as a part of the receiver, the receiver safety engagement structure being complementary to the bolt safety engagement structure. In addition, the door lock includes a door lock driver coupled to the locking bolt and configured to drive the locking bolt into and out of the receiver.

[0009] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the foregoing descriptions, examples, and features, further aspects, embodiments, and features can be seen by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Illustrative embodiments are shown in the reference figures of the accompanying drawings.The embodiments and figures disclosed in this application are illustrative and not restrictive.

[0011] Figure 1 Perspective views of various exemplary embodiments are shown.

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary bolt and receiver combination.

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a hinge with an exemplary bolt and receiver combination.

[0014] Figure 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a bolt with a double spring combination.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of a bolt is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a receiver for a deadbolt.

[0017] Figure 7 is another exemplary embodiment of a bolt.

[0018] Figure 8 is with Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of a bolt complementary to another receiver.

[0019] Fig. 9 is another exemplary embodiment of a bolt.

[0020] Fig.10 is with Fig. 9 An exemplary embodiment of a bolt complementary to another receiver.

[0021] Fig.11 2 is an exemplary embodiment of another receiving plate combination. Like reference symbols in the various drawings generally indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the present application. In the accompanying drawings, the same symbols generally identify the same components unless the context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented in the present application.

[0023] Illustrative embodiments relate to a door locking bolt (e.g., a deadbolt) having teeth cut into it and a receiver for the bolt mounted in a door frame, the receiver having complementary teeth cut into it. The receiver may have a hole on the back to allow for installation of a suitable screw or other fastener to secure the receiver to the door frame, stud, main stud, or block (if building materials are used). A spring is attached within the receiver (or alternatively, the spring may be on the bolt) to separate the teeth of the bolt and the receiver when no force is applied to open the door. The separation between the teeth allows the door to be easily opened in a typical manner. However, if an attempt is made to force the door open by kicking or applying blunt force, the spring separating the teeth will collapse and the teeth will engage.

[0024] This engagement transfers the force applied to the door to the screws that secure the receiver to the door frame, stud, main bolt or block. By providing the bolt and receiver combination disclosed in the present application, greater security of the door can be achieved. The fastening bolt is interlocked to the receiver of the bolt, and the portion of the hinge connected to the door is interlocked to the portion of the hinge connected to the door frame, thereby providing enhanced reinforcement without changing the appearance or structure of the traditional door and door frame. The illustrative bolt-receiver combination not only helps prevent forced entry into the door by blunt force (such as by kicking), but also helps prevent forced entry by prying to deform the door or frame.

[0025] Reference now Figure 1 , an exemplary deadbolt assembly 100 for a door and an exemplary hinge assembly 110 for coupling a door to a door frame are shown. The deadbolt assembly 100 includes a deadbolt 120 actuated by a locking mechanism 130. The locking mechanism 130 can be a manually operated mechanism as shown, or can be a power actuated mechanism common to many smart lock devices today. According to an exemplary embodiment, the deadbolt 120 includes a set of teeth 122.

[0026] The deadbolt assembly 120 includes a receiver 140 mounted within the door frame. The receiver 140 includes a set of opposing receiver teeth 142 and a bias spring 144. When in operation, the teeth 122 face the receiver teeth 142, but are biased from engaging each other by the bias spring 144. The bias spring may be a curved leaf spring, and other bias spring configurations and biasing mechanisms may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, during normal operation, the deadbolt assembly 120 slides into and out of the receiver 140 unimpeded.

[0027] When an attempt is made to open a door using deadbolt assembly 120 by force, which may include but is not limited to kicking or prying the door, deformation in the door and frame will cause bias spring 144 to deform and be depressed, causing deadbolt teeth 122 to engage receiver teeth 142 .

[0028] Once engaged, force is transferred to the receiver 140 which, if properly installed, is securely fastened to the door frame and wall frame or masonry, thereby helping to maintain the security of the door.

[0029] Similarly, hinge 110 includes bolt 150 with toothed bolt 120. Hinge 110 also includes receiver 160, which is configured as part of hinge plate 162. Receiver 160 can be formed with hinge plate 162, or can be configured to be connected to hinge plate 162 by any of a variety of means including, but not limited to, screws. Receiver 160 includes complementary receiver teeth similar to the receiver teeth of deadbolt assembly receiver 140, and has a bias spring similar to bias spring 144 of receiver 140. Hinge 160 works similarly to deadbolt 120, so that when the door is normally closed, bolt 150 easily slides into receiver 160 under spring bias. If the door is forced open, the frame or door may be deformed and cause the teeth of bolt 150 to engage with teeth 160. Receiver 160 is secured to the door frame and, in turn, to the main stud or masonry with one or more set screws through holes 165 in receiver 160. Since the fastener hole 165 is located on the back of the receiver 160, it is closer to the stud and can be used to hold the receiver 160 in place during forced entry attempts.

[0030] Reference now Figure 2 , shows another view of a deadbolt 120 having teeth 122 configured to work with a receiver 140, as described with respect to Figure 1 As shown, the receiver has teeth 142 and a biasing spring 144 .

[0031] Reference now Figure 3, another view of the hinge assembly 110 is shown. The hinge assembly 110 includes two plates 154 and 164 connected at a hinge pivot 155, which can be a pin or other type of pivot. The hinge bolt 150 is coupled to the plate 154 and includes a tooth 152 that is configured to work with the receiver 160, as described with respect to Figure 1 As described, the receiver has teeth 162 and an optional bias spring. In many configurations, the bias spring 162 is not required because the bolt 150 is limited in movement by the pivot 162, which prevents the teeth 152 and 162 from engaging unless a deformation event, such as a forced entry attempt, occurs.

[0032] Reference now Figure 4 and Figure 5 , an exemplary alternative bolt 420 that may be suitable for use with a hinge assembly or a deadbolt assembly is shown. The bolt 420 includes a set of bolt teeth 422 supported by a bolt body 424. A bias spring 426 is disposed on both sides of the teeth. In an exemplary embodiment, it may be desirable to have the bias spring attached to the bolt body at one end of the spring and free to move at the other end so that when deformed, the bias spring easily moves out of the path of the bolt teeth 422.

[0033] In one embodiment, there may be two biasing springs, such as Figure 4 and 5 As shown, one is located on one side of the tooth 422. In other exemplary embodiments, it may be desirable to use a single bias spring that may be located in the middle of the two rows of bolt teeth. According to alternative embodiments, the bias spring may be located on the bolt or receiver without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0034] Reference now Figure 6 , showing two views of an exemplary embodiment of a receiver 600, which can be used in the above-mentioned and Figure 1 The receiver 600 includes a support plate 610 having one or more holes 620 formed therein. The support plate 610 is coupled to and supports a receiving box 630 configured to receive a locking bolt of a deadbolt assembly or a security bolt of a hinge assembly. The receiving box 630 has one or more security holes 640 for receiving a set screw or other fastener for securing the receiver 600 to a stud, other column, or masonry to provide additional security in the event of an attempted forced entry. In order to secure the door and bolt to the receiver during forced entry, teeth 650 are provided to engage with complementary teeth of the bolt. During normal use, a biasing spring 660 prevents the teeth 650 from engaging the bolt teeth as the bolt moves in and out of the receiving box 630.

[0035] Reference now Figure 7 , showing the Figure 1Another exemplary embodiment of a deadbolt assembly or hinge similar to a deadbolt or hinge for use with a bolt 700 .

[0036] Similarly, refer to Figure 8 , showing the Figure 1 Another exemplary embodiment of a receiver 800 for use with a deadbolt assembly or hinge similar to a deadbolt or hinge. The bolt 700 includes a bolt body 710 and a slot 720 formed therein. The bolt 700 is configured to slide into and out of a receiving box 810 of the receiver 800. The receiving box 810 includes a protrusion formed to complement the slot 720. If the door is forced open, the bolt 700 can move so that the slot 720 engages with the protrusion 820 to retain the bolt 700 in the receiving box 810, thereby improving the security of the door.

[0037] Reference now Fig. 9 , showing the Figure 1 Another exemplary embodiment of a bolt assembly similar to the bolt assembly of the present invention is used together with the bolt 900. Similarly, referring to Fig.10 , showing the Figure 1 Another exemplary embodiment of a receiver 1000 for use with a deadbolt assembly similar to a deadbolt. The bolt 900 includes a bolt body 910 and a set of keyed protrusions and slots 920 formed therein. The bolt 900 is configured to slide into and out of a receiving box 910 of the receiver 900. The receiving box 910 includes a set of keyed protrusions formed complementary to the slots 920. If the door is forced open, the bolt 900 can be prevented from moving due to the keyed engagement with the set of protrusions 1020 to keep the bolt 900 in the receiving box 910, thereby increasing the security of the door. During normal use, the bolt is configured to move into and out of the receiving box 1010, wherein the keyed protrusions slide within the channel formed by the set of complementary keyed protrusions 1020.

[0038] Reference now Fig.11 , another receiver and plate assembly 1100 is shown.

[0039] Assembly 1100 includes a receiver portion 1110, which may be a receiver for any of a variety of sliding doors, valves, sliding windows, tracking doors, tracking windows, etc. Receiver 1110 includes a set of teeth 1120 that do not engage teeth 1140 of a plate 1130 during normal opening and closing operations, with plate 1130 sliding in and out of receiver 1110, biased by one or more springs 1150. Plate 1130 is another embodiment of a bolt as described above. As described with respect to the other various embodiments, when the door or window is forced open, when spring 1150 is deformed, teeth 1120 engage teeth 1130, thereby providing an additional layer of security against forced entry.

[0040] All of the above embodiments may be with or without a bias spring depending on the application. In some applications, a bias spring may be necessary for proper normal operation, while in other applications, a bias spring may not be required.

[0041] As discussed above, the exemplary embodiments may be applied to any situation or structure where it would be advantageous to provide another layer of security against forced entry, including but not limited to doors, windows, sliding doors, sliding gates, rolling garage doors, safes, and the like.

[0042] In some cases, one or more components may be referred to in this application as "configured to", "configured to", "configurable to", "operable / operable to", "adaptable / adaptable", "capable of", "compliant / compliant", etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such terms (e.g., "configured to") generally include active state components and / or inactive state components and / or standby state components unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0043] Although particular aspects of the subject matter described in this application have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based on the teachings of this application, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described in this application and its broader aspects, and the appended claims will include within their scope all such changes and modifications within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described in this application.

[0044] Those skilled in the art will understand that, in general, the terms used in this application, and particularly the words used in the appended claims (e.g., the bodies of the appended claims), are generally intended to be open-ended, terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "comprising" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," etc.). Those skilled in the art will further understand that if a specific number of claim statements is intended to be introduced, such intent is expressly stated in the claim, and in the absence of such a statement, no such intent is present. For example, to aid understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim statements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as implying that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite clause "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even if the same claim contains the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article, such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should generally be construed as "at least one" or "more than one"); the same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Moreover, even if a particular number of introduced claim recitations is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such references should generally be construed to mean at least the referenced number (e.g., two references without other modifiers generally mean at least two applications or two or more references). Furthermore, where a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, generally such construction is intended in the sense that those skilled in the art would understand the convention to be (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include, but is not limited to, systems having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, C together, etc.). Those skilled in the art will further understand that, unless the context dictates otherwise, disjunctive words and / or phrases presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, claims or drawings, are generally understood to contemplate the possibility of including one, one or both of the terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" is generally understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0045] About the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operations described therein can generally be performed in any order. In addition, although various operational flows are presented in one or more sequences, it should be understood that various operations can be performed in a different order than shown or in an order that can be performed simultaneously.

[0046] Unless the context dictates otherwise, examples of such alternative orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplementary, simultaneous, reverse, or other variations of ordering. In addition, unless the context dictates otherwise, terms such as "'responsive to," "related to," or other past tense adjectives generally do not exclude such variations.

[0047] While the disclosed subject matter has been described in terms of illustrative embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A lock assembly, comprising: a locking bolt having a locking bolt body and having a bolt safety engagement structure formed as a part of the locking bolt body; a receiver having a receiving area for receiving at least a portion of the locking bolt and including a receiver safety engagement structure formed as a part of the receiver, the receiver safety engagement structure being complementary to the bolt safety engagement structure; as well as At least one bias spring, wherein the at least one bias spring is configured to bias the bolt safety engagement structure so that it does not engage with the receiver safety engagement structure when the locking bolt is stationary in the position received in the receiver; and the at least one spring is configured so that when it is deformed, the receiver safety engagement structure contacts the bolt safety engagement structure, and the locking bolt includes at least one bias spring to form a lock assembly.

2. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bolt safety engagement structure includes at least one protrusion.

3. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bolt secure engagement structure includes at least one set of teeth.

4. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bolt safety engagement structure includes a keying protrusion.

5. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bolt safety engagement structure includes at least one slot and a protrusion.

6. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiver includes a biasing spring of at least one biasing spring.

7. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiver includes one or more bias springs of at least one bias spring.

8. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one biasing spring comprises a biasing leaf spring in the receiver.

9. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking bolt includes a biasing spring of at least one biasing spring.

10. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The lock assembly includes a locking bolt driver.

11. The lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lock assembly includes a locking bolt driver including an electric motor.

12. A lock assembly comprising: A locking bolt having a locking bolt body, wherein the locking bolt includes a bolt safety engagement structure having a plurality of teeth, the plurality of teeth forming a portion of the locking bolt body; a receiver having a receiving area for receiving at least a portion of the locking bolt, wherein the receiver includes a receiver safety engagement structure having a plurality of receiving teeth, the plurality of receiving teeth forming a portion of the receiving area, and the receiver safety engagement structure is complementary to the bolt safety engagement structure; At least one bias spring, the at least one bias spring is configured to bias the bolt safety engagement structure so that it does not engage with the receiver safety engagement structure when the locking bolt is in a stationary position received in the receiver; and the at least one spring is configured so that when it is deformed, at least two receiving teeth of the fixed engagement function of the receiving body contact with at least two teeth of the fixed engagement function of the locking pin to form a locking device and the at least one spring is configured so that when it is deformed, at least two receiving teeth of the receiver safety engagement structure contact with at least two teeth of the bolt safety engagement structure to form a locking assembly.

13. A lock comprising: a locking bolt having a locking bolt body and having a bolt safety engagement structure formed as a part of the locking bolt body; a receiver having a receiving area for receiving at least a portion of the locking bolt and including a receiver safety engagement structure formed as a part of the receiver, the receiver safety engagement structure being complementary to the bolt safety engagement structure; a lock driver coupled to the locking bolt and configured to drive the locking bolt into and out of the receiver; as well as At least one bias spring, wherein the at least one bias spring is configured to bias the bolt safety engagement structure so that it does not engage with the receiver safety engagement structure when the locking bolt is stationary in the position received in the receiver; and the at least one spring is configured so that when it is deformed, the receiver safety engagement structure contacts the bolt safety engagement structure, and the locking bolt includes at least one bias spring to form a lock assembly.

14. A lock comprising: A locking bolt having a locking bolt body, wherein the locking bolt includes a bolt safety engagement structure having a plurality of teeth, the plurality of teeth forming a portion of the locking bolt body; a receiver having a receiving area for receiving at least a portion of the locking bolt, wherein the receiver includes a receiver safety engagement structure having a plurality of receiving teeth, the plurality of receiving teeth forming a portion of the receiving area, and the receiver safety engagement structure is complementary to the bolt safety engagement structure; a lock driver coupled to the locking bolt and configured to drive the locking bolt into and out of the receiver; and At least one bias spring, the at least one bias spring is configured to bias the bolt safety engagement structure so that it does not engage with the receiver safety engagement structure when the locking bolt is in a stationary position received in the receiver; and the at least one spring is configured so that when it is deformed, at least two receiving teeth of the fixed engagement function of the receiving body contact with at least two teeth of the fixed engagement function of the locking pin to form a locking device and the at least one spring is configured so that when it is deformed, at least two receiving teeth of the receiver safety engagement structure contact with at least two teeth of the bolt safety engagement structure to form a locking assembly.

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