Intermediate door locking mechanism

Claim 2

An intermediate locking mechanism for a door interposed between an existing door bolt and an associated door knob having a lock cylinder, said locking mechanism being unlockable by either a key or by entry of a combination code, said locking mechanism comprising: a camshaft axially connected between said lock cylinder and said door bolt, said camshaft having a cam surface; a sleeve enclosing said camshaft and axially connecting said door knob to said door bolt; a ring rigidly surrounding said sleeve, said ring having an external notch and a radial bore centered within said notch; a movable locking plate having an oblong opening, a radially depending tooth normally positioned to engage said notch, and a contacting surface, said locking plate encompassing said ring within said oblong opening; a pin having a first end and a second end, said pin being movable within said radial bore, said first end of said pin contacting said cam surface and said second end of said pin contacting said tooth; and an actuator and associated cam adjacent to said contacting surface; whereby rotation of said key within said lock cylinder rotates said camshaft which urges said pin upwardly relative said ring to disengage said tooth from said notch, enabling unimpeded rotation of said sleeve, and entry of said combination code energizes said actuator causing said cam to engage said contacting surface and manipulate said locking plate upwardly to disengage said tooth from said notch, also enabling unimpeded rotation of said sleeve.

Claim 3

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein: said lock cylinder further comprises an axially connected forward tab; and said camshaft further comprises an axial slot at an end of said camshaft, said forward tab and said slot cooperating together to translate rotation of said key in said lock cylinder to said camshaft.

Claim 4

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a lost motion connection between said camshaft and said door bolt, said lost motion connection enabling rotation of said camshaft through a first ninety degree arc in response to associated rotation of said key without translating said rotational motion to said door bolt, and rotational movement of said camshaft through a second ninety degree arc is translated to said door bolt.

Claim 5

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a data entry means for manually entering the combination code, said entry means comprising a keyboard and a display screen.

Claim 6

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said-sleeve has a plurality of elongated slits and said ring has a plurality of internal splines that mate with said elongated slits.

Claim 7

In a door having a door bolt and an associated door knob, said door knob having an internal lock cylinder and associated key, said lock cylinder having an axially connected forward tab, the improvement being an intermediate locking mechanism which is unlockable by either said key or by entry of combination code, said intermediate locking mechanism comprising: a camshaft having a cam surface, a lost motion connection to said door bolt, and an axial slot, said forward tab mating with said slot to translate rotation of said key in said lock cylinder to said camshaft; a sleeve enclosing said camshaft and axially connecting said door knob to said door bolt; a ring rigidly surrounding said sleeve, said ring having an external notch and a radial bore centered within said notch; a movable locking plate having an oblong opening, a radially depending tooth normally positioned to engage said notch, and a contacting surface, said locking plate encompassing said ring within said oblong opening; a pin having a first end and a second end, said pin being movable within said radial bore, said first end of said pin contacting said cam surface and said second end of said pin contacting said tooth; and an actuator and associated cam adjacent to said contacting surface; whereby rotation of said key within said lock cylinder rotates said camshaft which urges said pin upwardly relative said ring to disengage said tooth from said notch, enabling unimpeded rotation of said sleeve, and entry of said combination code energizes said actuator causing said cam to engage said contacting surface and manipulate said locking plate upwardly to disengage said tooth from said notch, also enabling unimpeded rotation of said sleeve.

Claim 8

In a door having a door bolt and an associated door knob, said door knob having an internal lock cylinder and associated key, said lock cylinder having an axially connected forward tab, the improvement being an intermediate locking mechanism which is unlockable by either said key or by entry of combination code, said intermediate locking mechanism comprising: a camshaft having a cam surface, a lost motion connection to said door bolt, and an axial slot, said forward tab mating with said slot to translate rotation of said key in said lock cylinder to said camshaft; a sleeve enclosing said camshaft and axially connecting said door knob to said door bolt; a ring rigidly surrounding said sleeve, said ring having an external notch and a radial bore centered within said notch; a movable locking plate having an oblong opening, a radially depending tooth normally positioned to engage said notch, and a contacting surface, said locking plate encompassing said ring within said oblong opening; a pin having a first end and a second end, said pin being movable within said radial bore, said first end of said pin contacting said cam surface and said second end of said pin contacting said tooth; and an actuator and associated cam adjacent to said contacting surface; whereby rotation of said key within said lock cylinder rotates said camshaft which urges said pin upwardly relative said ring to disengage said tooth from said notch, enabling unimpeded rotation of said sleeve, and entry of said combination code energizes said actuator causing said cam to engage said contacting surface and manipulate said locking plate upwardly to disengage said tooth from said notch, also enabling unimpeded rotation of said sleeve.

Claim 9

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 6, further comprising: a data entry means for manually entering the combination code, said entry means comprising a keyboard and a display screen.

Claim 10

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 6, wherein said sleeve has a plurality of elongated slits and said ring has a plurality of internal splines that mate with said elongated slits.

Claim 11

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 6, further comprising: a lost motion connection between said camshaft and said door bolt, said lost motion connection enabling rotation of said camshaft through a first ninety degree arc in response to associated rotation of said key without translating said rotational motion to said door bolt, and rotational movement of said camshaft through a second ninety degree arc is translated to said door bolt.

Claim 12

An intermediate locking mechanism for a door interposed between an exiting door bolt and an associated door knob, comprising: interconnecting means for interconnecting said door knob to said door bolt within which manipulation of said door knob withdraws said door bolt; securing means for securing said interconnecting means to preclude its manipulation; electrically operated means for unlocking said securing means by entry of an electronically entered combination code; and mechanical key operated means or alternatively unlocking said securing means by manipulation of a key wherein said interconnecting means further comprises a sleeve axially connecting said door knob to said door bolt, and a ring rigidly surrounding a portion of said sleeve, said ring having an external notch, wherein said securing means further comprises: a movable locking plate having an oblong opening, a radially depending tooth normally positioned to engage said notch, and a contacting surface, said locking plate encompassing said ring within said oblong opening.

Claim 13

An intermediate locking mechanism for a door interposed between an exiting door bolt and an associated door knob, comprising: interconnecting means for interconnecting said door knob to said door bolt within which manipulation of said door knob withdraws said door bolt; securing means for securing said interconnecting means to preclude its manipulation; electrically operated means for unlocking said securing means by entry of an electronically entered combination code; and mechanical key operated means or alternatively unlocking said securing means by manipulation of a key wherein said interconnecting means further comprises a sleeve axially connecting said door knob to said door bolt, and a ring rigidly surrounding a portion of said sleeve, said ring having an external notch, wherein said securing means further comprises: a movable locking plate having an oblong opening, a radially depending tooth normally positioned to engage said notch, and a contacting surface, said locking plate encompassing said ring within said oblong opening.

Claim 14

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 10, wherein said sleeve has a plurality of elongated slits and said ring has a plurality of internal splines that mate with said elongated slits.

Claim 15

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 10, wherein said electrically operated means further comprises: a data entry means for manually entering the combination code, and an actuator and associated cam adjacent to said contacting surface, said cam being rotatable in response to entry of said combination code into said entry means to engage said contacting surface and manipulate said locking plate until said tooth has disengaged from said notch, enabling unimpeded rotation of said interconnecting means.

Claim 16

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 12, wherein said entry means further comprises a keyboard and a display screen.

Claim 17

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 12, wherein said mechanical key operated means further comprises: a lock cylinder operable by said key and positioned internal of said door knob, a camshaft within said sleeve axially connected between said lock cylinder and said door bolt, a pin having a first end and a second end, and a radial bore centered within said notch, said pin being movable within said radial bore, said camshaft having a cam surface, said first end of said pin contacting said cam surface and said second end of said pin contacting said tooth; whereby rotation of said key within said lock cylinder further causes rotation of said camshaft which urges said pin upwardly relative said ring, until said tooth has disengaged from said notch, enabling unimpeded rotation of said interconnecting means.

Claim 18

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 14, wherein said mechanically operated means further comprises: a lost motion connection between said camshaft and said door bolt, said lost motion connection enabling rotation of said camshaft through a first ninety degree arc in response to associated rotation of said key without translating said rotational motion to said door bolt and rotational movement of said camshaft through a second ninety degree arc is translated to said door bolt.

Claim 19

The intermediate lock mechanism of claim 14, wherein said lock cylinder has an axially connected forward tab, and said camshaft has an axial slot at one end, said forward tab and said slot cooperating together to translate rotation of said key in said lock cylinder to said camshaft.

Claim 20

An intermediate locking mechanism for a door interposed between an existing door bolt and an associated door knob, comprising: interconnecting means for interconnecting said door knob to said door bolt with which manipulation of said door knob withdraws said door bolt, said interconnecting means comprising a sleeve axially connecting said door knob to said door bolt, and a ring rigidly surrounding said sleeve and having an external notch; securing means for securing said interconnecting means to preclude its manipulation, said securing means comprising a movable locking plate having an oblong opening, a radially depending tooth normally positioned to engage said notch, and a contacting surface, said locking plate encompassing said ring within said oblong opening; electrically operated means for unlocking said securing means by entry of a combination code, said electrically operated means comprising a data entry means for manually entering the combination code, and an actuator and associated cam adjacent to said contacting surface, said cam being rotatable in response to entry of said combination code into said entry means to engage said contacting surface and manipulate said locking plate upwardly until said tooth has disengaged from said notch, enabling unimpeded rotation of said interconnecting means; and mechanical key operated means for unlocking said securing means by manipulation of a key, said mechanically operated means comprising a lock cylinder operable by said key and positioned internal of said door knob, a camshaft within said sleeve and axially connected between said lock cylinder and said door bolt, and a radial bore centered within said notch, and a pin having a first end and a second end, said pin being movable within said radial bore, said camshaft having a cam surface, said first end of said pin contacting said cam surface and said second end of said pin contacting said tooth, whereby rotation of said key within said lock cylinder further rotates said camshaft which urges said pin upwardly relative said ring, until said tooth has disengaged from said notch, enabling unimpeded rotation of said interconnecting means.

Claim 21

An intermediate locking mechanism for a door interposed between an existing door bolt and an associated door knob, comprising: interconnecting means for interconnecting said door knob to said door bolt with which manipulation of said door knob withdraws said door bolt, said interconnecting means comprising a sleeve axially connecting said door knob to said door bolt, and a ring rigidly surrounding said sleeve and having an external notch; securing means for securing said interconnecting means to preclude its manipulation, said securing means comprising a movable locking plate having an oblong opening, a radially depending tooth normally positioned to engage said notch, and a contacting surface, said locking plate encompassing said ring within said oblong opening; electrically operated means for unlocking said securing means by entry of a combination code, said electrically operated means comprising a data entry means for manually entering the combination code, and an actuator and associated cam adjacent to said contacting surface, said cam being rotatable in response to entry of said combination code into said entry means to engage said contacting surface and manipulate said locking plate upwardly until said tooth has disengaged from said notch, enabling unimpeded rotation of said interconnecting means; and mechanical key operated means for unlocking said securing means by manipulation of a key, said mechanically operated means comprising a lock cylinder operable by said key and positioned internal of said door knob, a camshaft within said sleeve and axially connected between said lock cylinder and said door bolt, and a radial bore centered within said notch, and a pin having a first end and a second end, said pin being movable within said radial bore, said camshaft having a cam surface, said first end of said pin contacting said cam surface and said second end of said pin contacting said tooth, whereby rotation of said key within said lock cylinder further rotates said camshaft which urges said pin upwardly relative said ring, until said tooth has disengaged from said notch, enabling unimpeded rotation of said interconnecting means.

Claim 22

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 17, wherein said sleeve has a plurality of elongated slits and said ring has a plurality of internal splines that mate with said elongated slits.

Claim 23

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 17, wherein said entry means further comprises a keyboard and a display screen.

Claim 24

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 17, wherein said mechanically operated means further comprises: a lost motion connection between said camshaft and said door bolt, said lots motion connection enabling rotation of said camshaft through a first ninety degree arc in response to associated rotation of said key without translating said rotational motion to said door bolt, and rotational movement of said camshaft through a second ninety degree arc is translated to said door bolt.

Claim 25

The intermediate locking mechanism of claim 17, wherein said lock cylinder has an axially connected forward tab, and said camshaft has an axial slot at one end, said forward tab and said slot cooperating together to translate rotation of said key in said lock cylinder to said camshaft.