Mechanism for a manually and electronically responsive multi-state lock

Abstract

A locking mechanism includes a motor and a dial gear mechanically coupled to the motor. The locking mechanism also includes a circular toothed gear mechanically coupled to the dial gear and having a plurality of teeth and a linear gear linearly extending along a width of a housing of the locking mechanism. The linear gear being mechanically coupled to the circular toothed gear and being configured to engage with the plurality of teeth of the circular toothed gear. The locking mechanism also includes a bolt connected to the linear gear and a controller coupled to at least one sensor and the motor.

Description

MECHANISM FORA MANUALLY AND ELECTRONICALLY RESPONSIVE MULTI¬STATE LOCKCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This international application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 567,522, filed on March 20, 2024, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to a mechanism for manually and electronically controlling a locking mechanism that has many position states exceeding the two states of locked and unlocked.BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional locking mechanisms typically require manual control of locking elements to change the state of the locking mechanism from an unlocked state to a locked state and vice versa. Reliance on manual operation presents significant limitations in terms of convenience, such as scenarios involving sanitary concerns. Despite advancements in field of automation, there is a need in the art for hands-free / touchless locking mechanisms.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure seeks to address the above issues by way of a locking mechanism with more than two states that includes a manual and a motorized method of manipulating the state of the lock. The locking mechanism comprises a servo motor, driving gear, a partial driven gear, an exteriorly accessible gear, a rack or linear gear, a bolt, and an elastic component.

[0005] The rotation distance of the partially toothed gear determines the extension of retraction of the linear gear and therefore the bolt. The locking mechanism may also comprise of a complimentary mortise or keeper that interacts with the bolt that secures the mechanism in a locked state or other based on the retraction or extension of the bolt.

[0006] The driving gear can be positioned at several different angles by the servo motor. The partial teething of the gear allows the free movement of the gear or the limited movement of the partially toothed gear depending on the position of the driving gear in relation to the gap in the gear’s teeth.

[0007] The driven partially toothed gear may also be manually manipulated by the user without the engagement of the servo motor. The partially toothed gear also directly contacts another gear that functions to display the state of the lock and is also able to be manually manipulated. The bolt element comprises of a spring-like component configured to allow elastic movement of the bolt in cooperation with the position of the dial gear.

[0008] In one embodiment, a locking mechanism with more than two states that includes a manual and a motorized method of manipulating the state of the lock is provided. The locking component comprises a servo motor, driving gear, a partial driven gear, an exteriorly accessible gear, a rack or linear gear, a bolt, an elastic component, and a mortise or keeper complimentary to the bolt. The rotation distance of the partially toothed gear determines the extension of retraction of the linear gear and therefore the bolt. The driving dial gear can be positioned at several different angles by the servo motor. The partial teething of the gear allows the free movement of the gear or the limited movement of the partially toothed gear depending on the position of the driving dial gear in relation to the gap in the gear’s teeth. The driven partially toothed gear may also be manually manipulated by the user without the engagement of the servo motor. The partially toothed gear directly contacts another gear that functions to display the state of the lock and is also able to be manually manipulated. The bolt element comprises of a springlike component configured to allow elastic movement of the bolt in cooperation with the position of the dial gear.

[0009] In another embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided. The locking mechanism includes a servo motor connected to a dial gear configured to rotate the dial gear. The dial gear is engaged with a partially toothed gear. The partially toothed gear may be adjusted via manual adjustment or by the movement of the dial gear. The partially toothed gear is engaged with a linear gear, the linear gear attached to a bolt, such that rotation of the dial gear adjusts the position of the linear gear relative to the dial gear thereby extending or retracting the bolt. The linear gear is also connected with a partially toothed gear, such that rotation of the partially toothed gear may also extend or retract the linear gear and bolt. The locking mechanism may be adjusted manually in two ways: the direct rotation of the partially toothed gear via the manual knob, or through the state display via the rotation of the exteriorly accessible gear which in turn rotates the partially toothed gear. The bolt is put in contact with a spring-like component allowing for elastic movement of the bolt in directions of compression and decompression of thespring-like component. The spring-like component allows for additional states of the bolt including (1) a locked state, (2) an unlocked state, (3) resting state whereby the user may engage with the motor manually, and (4) a holding state whereby the bolt is extended into position to allow engagement to a mortise or keeper associated with the locking mechanism where the bolt is extended such that the spring-like component provides compression and decompression enough to allow the bolt to be removed from the mortise or the keeper by an pushing on the locking mechanism in a direction orthogonal to the locking mechanism. In some examples, the locking mechanism may communicate with various sensors to determine which state adjust the bolt to.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 depicts a top view of an exemplary internal locking mechanism, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 depicts a bottom view of an exemplary internal locking mechanism, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 3A depicts a top view of an exemplary internal locking mechanism similar to Figure 1 but with a hidden component so an additional component may be seen, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3B depicts an example of how a driven dial gear may engage a partially toothed gear, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary internal locking mechanism, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 5A depicts a top view of an exemplary internal locking mechanism with the bolt in its extended state, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 5B depicts a top view of an exemplary internal locking mechanism similar to Figure 5Abut with a hidden component so an additional component may be seen with the bolt in its extended state, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 6A depicts a top view of an exemplary internal locking mechanism with the bolt in its retracted state, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6B depicts a top view of an exemplary internal locking mechanism similar to Figure 6Abut with a hidden component so an additional component may be seen with the bolt in its retracted state, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 7 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary lock state display, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 8 depicts a block diagram representing a circuit of an exemplary locking component, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figures 9A and 9B depict an exemplary locking mechanism including the full housing and keeper, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 10 depicts a locking mechanism that may be inset within a door.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Disclosed solutions include a potential embodiment of a locking mechanism that allows for the manual and motorized manipulation of a locking mechanism that has more than two states.

[0025] The locking mechanism may include a driven gear that contacts a partially toothed gear. This partially toothed gear may have a coinciding slot that connects with the driven gear so that the driving gear may contact the partially toothed gear and rotate this gear when triggered. The gap in teeth that coincides with a slot in the gear allow the partially toothed gear to freely rotate within the limitations of the slot without the necessary movement of the driving gear. Thus, the partially toothed gear may be rotated manually or by the motor.

[0026] The motor may rotate the partially toothed gear by rotating beyond the angle of the slot so that the driving gear contacts the edge of the slot on the partially toothed gear and pushes it into a desired position.

[0027] The partially toothed gear may be contacting a linear gear or rack so that when the partially toothed gear is rotated this rotation translates into linear motion. This linear motion may extend and retract a bolt intended to but not limited to locking, unlocking, or holding in a closed but not locked state a locking mechanism.

[0028] The locking mechanism may also comprise of a complimentary mortise or keeper that interacts with the bolt that secures the mechanism in a locked, unlocked, or holding in a closed but not locked state based on the retraction or extension of the bolt.

[0029] The driving gear may connect directly or indirectly to a servo motor so that when the servo motor rotates the driving gear follows the rotation of the motor and holds position where the motor holds position. The servo motor may include one or more potentiometers, and may communicate with the micro controller its position and therefore effectively move to several different states. Thus, the servo motor may drive the driving gear into a position that retracts the bolt, extends the bolt, allows the free movement of the bolt via manual manipulation, or holds the bolt in particular positions and resists the bolt leaving that position.

[0030] Exemplary Internal Locking Mechanisms

[0031] Figure 1 depicts a locking mechanism 100 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The locking mechanism 100 may include a bolt 101 connected to a linear gear 102 that is in contact with a partially toothed gear 103 which is driven by a driving dial gear 305, 405, 505, 605. This driving dial gear 105 may be connected to a servo motor.

[0032] The partially toothed gear 103 may also contact an exteriorly accessible gear 104 that may be manually manipulated. This exteriorly accessible gear 104 may be manually manipulated from both sides of whatever hinged enclosure, such as a door, the locking mechanism operates.

[0033] Furthermore, this exteriorly accessible gear 104 can also rotate a state display that may indicate to a user whether the locking mechanism is in a locked or unlocked state. These components may be held together in a housing 108 in such a way that they function in the way described by this disclosure.

[0034] The bolt 101 may also contact a spring-like component 106 that gives the bolt an elastic characteristic. In some examples, the spring-like component 106 may be a spring or other elastic component to give the bolt an elastic characteristic. This spring-like component 106 may tend the bolt 101 to a certain position where the spring-like component 106 is at rest and not in tension or compression. The spring-like component 106 may work alongside the position of the dial gear 405 seen in Figure 5 to influence the position of the bolt 101. For instance, if the bolt 101 is positioned next to the spring-like component 106 at rest and the driven dial gear 305, 405, 505, 605 is positioned so that the linear gear 102 may not move away from the spring-like component106 without turning the motor, the bolt 101 maintains in its position unless the spring-like component 106 is compressed or the motor is rotated electronically or manually.

[0035] An additional component may be added in order to reduce the special requirements of the embodied seen in the locking mechanism in Figure 1. For instance, an additional gear including but not limited to a bevel gear or screw gear may be added between the motor and the driven dial gear 305, 405, 505, 605 that transfers the direction of the rotation of the gears so that the orientation of the motor may be arranged in various space optimizing ways.

[0036] Figure 2 depicts the bottom view of a locking mechanism 200 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 shows the bottom side of the bolt 201, linear gear 202, partially toothed gear 203 and the tooth gap 214, exteriorly accessible gear 204, and springlike component 206 and how they may engage.

[0037] Figure 3A depicts the same exemplary locking mechanism seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2 without the partially toothed gear 103, 203 thus the driven dial gear 305 may be seen. In this embodiment, the driven dial gear 305 may only transfer rotational force to the partially toothed gear 103, 203 via an extrusion 310 on the driven dial gear 205, 305, 405, 505, 605. This extrusion 310 can be positioned at a number of rotational angles to manipulate the state of the bolt 101, 201, 301 in cooperation with the other components found in the locking mechanism.

[0038] Figure 3B depicts how the driven dial gear 205, 305, 405, 505, 605 may engage the partially toothed gear 103, 203, 303. In Figure 3A & 3B the interlocking of the gears is visible. The partially toothed gear 103, 203, 303 can be seen to contact the linear gear 102, 202, 302 and the exteriorly accessible gear 104, 204, 304. This tooth gap 214, 314 allows the partially toothed gear 103, 203, 303 to be rotated between certain angles without engaging the driven dial gear 205, 305, 405, 505, 605. Thus, the partially toothed gear 103, 203, 303 may be manually rotated without engaging the servo motor 407. When the driven dial gear 205, 305, 405, 505, 605 is rotated via the servo motor 407 the dial gear’s extrusion 310 may travel along the tooth gap 214 until it contacts one of the gear’s teeth. Once the extrusion 310 contacts one of the teeth, the driven dial gear 205, 305, 405, 505, 605 may continue to rotate which may engage and rotate the partially toothed gear 103, 203. Furthermore, the rotation of the exteriorly accessible gear 104, 204, 304 may engage and rotate the partially toothed gear 103, 203, 303.

[0039] Figure 4 shows an isometric view of an exemplary locking mechanism 400. A potential orientation of the driven dial gear 305, 405 and partially toothed gear 403 shows how they maybe oriented to achieve the desired operation. This embodiment shows the servo motor 407 directly connected to the dial gear 405. The exteriorly accessible gear 104, 204, 304, 404 and its connection pin 409 can be seen protruding away from the rest of the embodied components. The connection pin 409 may protrude far enough so that it may be accessible from the opposite side of a hinged enclosure such as a door. The connection pin 409 may also transfer rotational force to a visual state display seen in Figure 7 that may be seen on the exterior of a hinged enclosure. This visual state display may also include an emergency exterior access point that can be seen in Figure 7.

[0040] Figures 5A&B depict an exemplary locking mechanism with the bolt 501 extended.

[0041] Figures 6A&6B depict an exemplary locking mechanism where the driven dial gear 305,405, 605 has pulled the bolt 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 into a fully retracted position. When the bolt 601 is pulled into a retracted position the spring-like component 606 may be compressed as seen in Figure 6A&B. At full retraction the spring-like component 106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606 may be engaged and therefore exert a force that pushes the bolt 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 back into its rest position if the gear mechanism allows the free movement of the spring-like component 106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606 to decompress. The bolt 601 may be directly fixed to the linear gear 602 so that the components move together. In one embodiment, the spring-like component 606 is held in place, such as held in place by the housing, yet not directly connected to the linear gear 602 or the bolt 601. Therefore, the bolt 601 may have an elastic like characteristic when it is pushed into contact with the spring-like component 606. When the bolt 601 is in its rest state or extended state the spring-like component 606 may not be contacting and therefore influencing the movement of the bolt 601. When the bolt 601 is either pushed via the opening or closing of the door or retracting of the gear mechanism, the bolt 601 may come into contact with the spring-like component 606 that makes the bolt 601 want to tend towards the rest position. The driven dial gear 305,405, 605 may change position to allow the free movement of the bolt 101, 201, 301, 401,5 01, 601. The dial gear 605 may also rotate just enough to allow the spring-like component 106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606 to decompress, yet not allow the bolt 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 to move beyond rest position.

[0042] Figure 7 depicts a potential embodiment of the combination of an external state display and exteriorly accessible gear 104, 204, 304, 404. The connection pin 709 connects the emergency access turn 710 and the state display indicator 711 to the rest of the gear mechanism.The cover of the state display 712 along with an internal housing component hold these components together. The emergency access turn 710 may be physically rotated to in turn rotate the connection pin 709 and therefore the exteriorly accessible gear 104, 204, 304, 404 which may change the state of the locking mechanism by turning the partially toothed gear 103, 203, 403, 503, 603 which moves the linear gear 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602. The linear gear 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602 may be fixed to the bolt 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, thus the movement of the linear gear may lock or unlock the device. The emergency access turn 710 may be useful in emergency situations in which it is necessary to access a locked enclosure from the outside.

[0043] Exemplary Circuit

[0044] Figure 8 depicts a block diagram representing the electrical components of a exemplary locking mechanism, such as the locking mechanism 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0045] A micro-controller 801 is powered by a power source 802, which may be a battery, a conductive wire connected to a power outlet, or other power source. The micro-controller 801 (or other logic circuit or processor) is operably connected to one or more sensors, such as a proximity sensor 804, 805 or similar devices. The micro-controller 801 may be also connected to an LED 806 and motor 803.

[0046] The motor 803 may have but is not limited to the capability of moving the driven dial gear 305, 505, 605. The motor 803 may be, but is not limited to the capabilities of, a servo motor. Using a potentiometer, the motor 803 may communicate with the micro-controller 801 to determine its position. This may allow the motor 803, when triggered by a sensor or series of proximity sensors 804, 805 to move the dial gear 305, 505, 605 to its proper position based on the users input detected by the proximity sensors 804,805.

[0047] The proximity sensors 804, 805 may have, but are not limited to, the capability of triggering the motor 803 without the user physically manipulating the locking mechanism 100. The proximity sensors 804, 805 may have, but are not limited to, the capability of communicating to the microcontroller the optimal position of the dial gear 305, 505, 605 based on the information the proximity sensors 804, 805 are communicating about the state of the lock and a potential user’s interactions with the lock. In some embodiments, the proximity sensors 804, 805 may work in parallel to limit the free movement of the bolt 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601. In some embodiments, the proximity sensors 804, 805 may work in parallel to optimally rotate the dial gear 305, 505, 605 into a position that allows the manual extension or retraction ofthe bolt 101, 201, 301 , 401, 501, 601 without the direct engagement of the motor 803. In some embodiments, the proximity sensors 804, 805 may work in parallel to limit the activation of the locking mechanism 100 or to optimize power consumption. In other words, different combinations of signals from the proximity sensors 804, 805 can be used by the micro-controller 801 to orient the locking mechanism in various states that optimally position the locking mechanism to function based on manual or electrical input from the user while optimizing power consumption and protecting the motor from direct manual rotation.

[0048] The micro-controller 801 may have, but is not limited to, a communications module (not shown) to communicate with external systems and devices using Bluetooth, WIFI, RF, 3G, 4G, 5G, UHB, LoRaWAN and other wireless or wired communication technology. In some examples, a communications module may be configured by firmware for connecting to an internet of things (loT) system. The communications module may communicate information such as, but not limited to battery level, number of activations / uses, timestamp of activations / uses, and amount of time the locking mechanism 100 is in a particular state (open and unlocked, closed and unlocked, closed and locked etc.), to devices including but not limited to servers, gateways, smartphones, management apps, mobile devices, and computers. The loT capabilities of the micro-controller 801, including Bluetooth, BLE, WIFI, and LoRaWAN may also communicate with other hardware including but not limited to electromechanically powered hinges with similar capabilities.

[0049] The LED 806 may display light in one or more colors. The color of the LED may indicate to the user information about the locking mechanism 100 such as but not limited to whether the locking mechanism 100 is being triggered to change states between locked and unlocked, whether the locking mechanism 100 is locked or unlocked, whether the battery needs to be replaced or recharged, or whether the locking mechanism 100 is connected, disconnected, pairing, sending or receiving information from an loT system or other network. Multiple LED’s may be included in some designs.

[0050] The power source 802 may be rechargeable or disposable batteries. These batteries may be but are not limited to lithium, alkaline, carbon zinc, silver oxide, or zinc air batteries. Alternatively, the micro-controller 801 may be powered by being plugged into a standard (AC) power outlet or connected directly to a facility’s grid by installation as a fixture. Some of the functionalities of the locking mechanism 100 may be powered by one power source (e.g.,battery), while other functionalities may be powered by different power sources (e.g., AC power).

[0051] Exemplary Locking Mechanisms

[0052] Figure 9A&B depicts a locking mechanism 900. The bolt 901 may be extended or retracted in and out of a mortise or keeper 904 to change the state of the lock. The main body 902 may house the necessary components for the locking mechanism and include a manual turn knob 903 that allows the user to manually changed the state of the lock and proximity sensors 905 that allow a user to operate the locking mechanism without using physical contact. The manual turn knob 903 may directly attach to the partially toothed gear 103, and therefore the rest of the mechanism. By turning the manual turn knob 903 the user may lock and unlock the door manually. Simultaneously, on the exterior of the door the state display rotates to indicate if the door is in a locked state. Similarly, if a user uses a tool to rotate the emergency access turn 710 the knob 903 on the inside of the door rotates accordingly. The state display and it’s components, the state display cover 712, 912, emergency access turn 710, 910, the connection pin 409, 709, 909, and the state display indicator 711, 911 may be seen in a proper orientation relative to the lock. The state display connection bolts 913 can be seen attaching the state display to the lock. The lock and the state display when mounted to a door may sandwich each side of a door so that the lock is on the inside of the enclosed area and the state display is on the outside of the enclosed area. The state display is on the outside of the enclosed area to both indicate if the door is locked and offer an emergency access point.

[0053] Figure 10 depicts a locking mechanism 1000 that may be inset within a door. The door 1019 may have a cavity that may hold a locking mechanism similar to that described in this disclosure. The bolt 1015 may extend from the moveable door 1019 to interact with a complimentary stationary mortise 1021 found inset within the stationary frame of the door 1020. The bolt side and mortise side may also be swapped so that the bolt 1015 may extend from the stationary frame of the door 1020 and the mortise be found inset into the moveable door 1019. The locking mechanism may include a state display 1018 on the outside of the door 1019. The locking mechanism may include a manual turn knob 1016 to manually operate the lock. The locking mechanism may include sensors similar to the proximity sensors 905 found in Figure 9 and sensor housing 1017 to operate the lock without the user needing to touch the lock. In someembodiments the sensor housing 1017 may also double as a manual turn knob so that the rotation or manipulation of the sensor hosing’s 1017 physical position may operate the lock.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A locking mechanism comprising: a motor; a dial gear mechanically coupled to the motor; a circular toothed gear mechanically coupled to the dial gear and having a plurality of teeth; a linear gear linearly extending along a width of a housing of the locking mechanism and mechanically coupled to the circular toothed gear, wherein the linear gear is configured to engage with the plurality of teeth of the circular toothed gear; a bolt connected to the linear gear; and a controller coupled to at least one sensor and the motor, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor to rotate the dial gear based on a presence of an object detected by the at least one sensor to thereby cause the bolt to extend outwards in a locking direction.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the dial gear comprises an extrusion vertically protruding from the dial gear in a direction orthogonal to the locking direction, wherein the extrusion is configured to engage with the plurality of teeth of the circular toothed gear when the dial gear is rotated by the motor.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth is discontinuous around an outer circumference of the circular toothed gear such that a first portion of the outer circumference includes the plurality of teeth and a second portion of the outer circumference does not include the plurality of teeth thereby forming a tooth gap.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to position the dial gear in the tooth gap responsive to detection of a manual adjustment of the locking mechanism.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:a spring component aligned with the linear gear and the bolt, wherein the spring component is configured to apply a spring force in a direction aligned with the locking direction to maintain a position of the bolt.

6. The locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a release mechanism positioned on an outer surface of the housing for manually controlling the bolt.

7. The locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a door, wherein the locking mechanism is mounted to an interior surface of the door.

8. The locking mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a state display connected to the locking mechanism, wherein the state display passes through and is positioned on an exterior surface of the door, wherein the state display is configured to display a state of locked or a state of unlocked based on a position of the bolt.

9. The locking mechanism of claim 7, further comprising an LED positioned on the locking mechanism, wherein the LED is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the interior surface of the door, and wherein the controller is configured to change a color of the LED based on a position of the bolt, a battery level of the locking mechanism, or a network communications status of the locking mechanism.

10. The locking mechanism of claim 7, further comprises a second sensor, wherein the second sensor comprises a hall effect sensor configured to detect a position of the door.11 . The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to operate in a plurality of states, wherein the plurality of states comprises a locked state an unlocked state, and a holding state.

12. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the motor comprises a servo motor.

13. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a communications module is configured to transmit information associated with the lockingmechanism to a computing device using one or more of: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF, 3G, 4G, 5G, or UHB wireless technology.

14. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an infrared (IR) sensor, and wherein the object is a hand of a user.

15. A method of operating a hands-free locking mechanism, the method comprising: providing a locking mechanism including: a motor; a dial gear mechanically coupled to the motor; a circular toothed gear mechanically coupled to the dial gear and having a plurality of teeth; a linear gear linearly extending along a width of a housing of the locking mechanism and mechanically coupled to the circular toothed gear, wherein the linear gear is configured to engage with the plurality of teeth of the circular toothed gear; a bolt connected to the linear gear; and a controller electrically coupled to at least one sensor and the motor, detecting, by the at least one sensor, a presence of an object; activating, using the controller and responsive to detecting the presence of the object, the motor to rotate the dial gear, wherein rotation of the dial gear causes the circular toothed gear to engage with the linear gear; and extending the bolt in a locking direction.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: mounting the locking mechanism to an interior surface of a door; and displaying, via a state display connected to the locking mechanism, a state of locked or a state of unlocked based on a position of the bolt, wherein the state display passes through and is positioned on an exterior surface of the door.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an LED oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the interior surface of the door, and wherein the method further comprises:changing, using the controller, a color of the LED based on a position of the bolt, a battery level of the locking mechanism, or a network communications status of the locking mechanism.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: applying, using a spring component aligned with the linear gear and the bolt, a spring force in a direction aligned with the locking direction to maintain a position of the bolt.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of teeth is discontinuous around an outer circumference of the circular toothed gear such that a first portion of the outer circumference includes the plurality of teeth and a second portion of the outer circumference does not include the plurality of teeth thereby forming a tooth gap, wherein the method further comprises: detecting a manual adjustment of the locking mechanism; and positioning the dial gear in the tooth gap.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein detecting the presence of an object occurs at a first time, and wherein the method further comprises: detecting, by the at least one sensor at a second time occurring after the first time, a second presence of a second object; and retracting the bolt in an unlocking direction.

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