Rotating Dead-Latching Slam Bolt Lock Resolving Outward Load Vulnerability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct locking slam bolt-type locks are vulnerable to outward loads from inside the safe, leading to wear and security risks, as the spring-biased bolt can be pressed outward against the door jamb, interfering with smooth opening and potentially allowing unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A rotating dead-latching slam bolt lock with a toggle mechanism that engages the bolt during door closure and is passive during opening, utilizing a spring detent plunger for bi-stable action to maintain the bolt in locked or unlocked positions, and a solenoid or manual actuator to control unlocking, ensuring the lock cannot be opened without actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring-biased bolt is used in a slam bolt lock, then the door can be closed without actuating the lock, but the bolt cannot be dead-latched and can be pressed outward against the door jamb, interfering with smooth opening and potentially allowing unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt is designed to be dynamic rather than static - it rotates between locked and unlocked positions based on door movement. The toggle mechanism automatically transitions the bolt to the locked position during closing, while the spring detent plunger maintains the locked position until intentional actuation occurs. This dynamic behavior enables dead-latching while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring detent plunger acts as an intermediary mechanism between the bolt and the door jamb. It engages with the bolt to maintain it in the locked position, preventing outward pressure from the door jamb from forcing the bolt open. This intermediary element enables dead-latching without compromising the automatic closing function.
2Productivity
If the bolt is pressed outward against the door jamb during door closure, then the door can be closed, but wear is imposed on surfaces not intended to be structurally loaded, leading to eventual failure
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle mechanism performs preliminary action by automatically engaging the bolt in the locked position before the door fully closes. This prevents the bolt from being pressed outward against the door jamb, eliminating unnecessary wear on surfaces not designed for structural loading. The bolt is locked in advance, maintaining service life while preserving closing speed.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional slam bolt lock is used, then the lock can be opened by pulling the door, but the bolt can be retracted without actuating the lock mechanism, allowing access through fishing probes
Solution Approach 1:
The spring detent plunger is designed as a disposable, single-use locking element that is engaged and disengaged with each door cycle. It provides a reliable dead-latch that prevents fishing probe access, while being automatically reset by the door movement itself. This inexpensive mechanism delivers high security without compromising ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a robust, secure locking mechanism that is unaffected by inward loads, maintaining structural integrity and preventing unauthorized access by ensuring the lock can only be opened through the intended electronic or manual actuation.
Implementation Method 1
A spring detent plunger holds the rotating bolt in either its locked or unlocked positions
Implementation Method 2
The locking mechanism may be manual or electronic, and controls the position of a blocking element
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a dead-latching slam bolt lock that includes a rotating dead-latching slam bolt which prevents attempts at breaking in without actuating the lock mechanism. A tongue or toggle acted on by the door jamb engages the bolt and initiates rotation thereof in the door closing direction, but is passive in the opening direction. The locking mechanism may be manual or electronic, and controls the position of a blocking element which alternately prevents and permits unlocking (rotation) of the rotating bolt. In a forward or blocking position, the blocking element prevents rotation of the bolt from a locked position, while in a retracted position the blocking element permits rotation of the bolt to an unlocked position. A spring detent plunger holds the rotating bolt in either its locked or unlocked positions.