Electronic lock system for door latch assembly

Claim 2

A door lock system comprising: door means having opposite first and second sides; latch means for latching said door means comprising a latch and first operating means at said first side for operating said latch; electronic lock means comprising an input means accessible at said first side for generating an electrical signal in response to a pre-established input; engagement means comprising a locking dog, said locking dog being engageable with a receiver for preventing operation of said latch; driving means responsive to said electrical signal for engaging and disengaging said locking dog with said receiver; and coupling means for coupling said driving means and said engagement means, said coupling means comprising a spring and drive screw means, said spring having first and second end portions, said spring first end portion being fixedly coupled to said driving means, said spring second end portion being fixedly coupled to said drive screw means, said drive screw means being threadably engaged with said engagement means, wherein said driving means rotates said coupling means to displace said engagement means.

Claim 3

The door lock system of claim 1 wherein said locking dog defines an axial longitudinal bore having a threaded surface.

Claim 4

The door lock system of claim 2 wherein said drive screw means has a threaded first portion, said drive screw means threaded portion being received by said locking dog bore wherein said drive screw means is threadably engaged with said locking dog.

Claim 5

The door lock system of claim 3 wherein said drive screw means further comprises a second portion, said spring second end portion being fixedly mounted to said drive screw means second portion.

Claim 6

The door lock system of claim 1 wherein said spring has a normal state and is transformable to a stretched state when said signal for engaging is generated and said engagement means is prevented from linear movement by an external agent, said spring permitting said drive screw means to continue rotational motion, wherein said spring returns to said normal state when said external agent is removed so that said engagement means is moved to an engaged position.

Claim 7

The door lock system of claim 1 wherein said spring has a normal state and is transformed to a compressed state when said signal for disengaging is generated and said engagement means is prevented from linear movement by an external agent, said spring permitting said drive screw means to continue rotational motion, wherein said spring returns to said normal state when said external agent is removed so that said engagement means is moved to a disengaged position.

Claim 8

The door lock system of claim 1 wherein said driving means comprises a motor.

Claim 9

The door lock system of claim 3 wherein said driving means is located at said second side of said door.

Claim 10

The door lock system of claim 1 wherein said input means comprises an electronic card reader.

Claim 11

The door lock system of claim 1 wherein said input means comprises an electronic contact activatable data port.

Claim 12

The door lock system of claim 1 wherein said input means comprises a key pad.

Claim 13

An electronic lock system for adding a security level to a door having a latch operable by a rotatable handle accessible at a first side for operation thereof comprising: electronic reader means for electronically reading an input; engagement means engageable with a receiver for preventing operation of said latch; lock means responsive to said electronic reader means for operating said engagement means, said lock means comprising a motor having a drive shaft; coupling means for coupling said drive shaft to said engagement means, said coupling means comprising a spring and a drive screw, said spring being fixedly coupled to said drive shaft and fixedly coupled to said drive screw, said drive screw being threadably engaged with said engagement means, wherein said drive shaft drives said coupling means to displace said engagement means to thereby engage or disengage said receiver; power supply means for supplying power to said lock means and said reader means; and mounting means for mounting said coupling means, lock means, supply means, and said electronic reader means to said door, wherein said latch may be selectively unlocked by a valid input at said electronic reader means.

Claim 14

An electronic lock system for adding a security level to a door having a latch operable by a rotatable handle accessible at a first side for operation thereof comprising: electronic reader means for electronically reading an input; engagement means engageable with a receiver for preventing operation of said latch; lock means responsive to said electronic reader means for operating said engagement means, said lock means comprising a motor having a drive shaft; coupling means for coupling said drive shaft to said engagement means, said coupling means comprising a spring and a drive screw, said spring being fixedly coupled to said drive shaft and fixedly coupled to said drive screw, said drive screw being threadably engaged with said engagement means, wherein said drive shaft drives said coupling means to displace said engagement means to thereby engage or disengage said receiver; power supply means for supplying power to said lock means and said reader means; and mounting means for mounting said coupling means, lock means, supply means, and said electronic reader means to said door, wherein said latch may be selectively unlocked by a valid input at said electronic reader means.

Claim 15

The electronic lock system of claim 12 wherein said lock means comprises a bi-directional motor generally coaxial with said engagement means.

Claim 16

The electronic lock system of claim 12 wherein said electronic reader means comprises a card reader.

Claim 17

The electronic lock system of claim 12 wherein said electronic reader means comprises a key pad.

Claim 18

The electronic lock system of claim 12 wherein said electronic reader means comprises a contact activatable data port.

Claim 19

The electronic lock system of claim 12 wherein said power supply means comprises a battery.

Claim 20

A door lock system comprising: door means having opposite first and second sides; latch means for latching said door means comprising a latch and handle means at said first and second sides for operating said latch, said handle means defining an axis; input means accessible at said first side for generating an electrical release signal in response to a valid input; engagement means engageable with a receiver for preventing operation of said latch; lock means for imposing a lock condition on said latch and responsive to said signal, said lock means comprising a motor having a drive shaft defining an axis wherein said motor axis is coaxial with said handle axis; and coupling means for coupling said lock means to said engagement means, said coupling means comprising a spring and drive screw means, said spring being fixedly coupled to said motor and fixedly coupled to said drive screw means, said drive screw means being threadably engaged with said engagement means, wherein said drive shaft rotates said coupling means whereby said drive screw means displaces said engagement means to engage or disengage said receiver.

Claim 21

A door lock system comprising: door means having opposite first and second sides; latch means for latching said door means comprising a latch and handle means at said first and second sides for operating said latch, said handle means defining an axis; input means accessible at said first side for generating an electrical release signal in response to a valid input; engagement means engageable with a receiver for preventing operation of said latch; lock means for imposing a lock condition on said latch and responsive to said signal, said lock means comprising a motor having a drive shaft defining an axis wherein said motor axis is coaxial with said handle axis; and coupling means for coupling said lock means to said engagement means, said coupling means comprising a spring and drive screw means, said spring being fixedly coupled to said motor and fixedly coupled to said drive screw means, said drive screw means being threadably engaged with said engagement means, wherein said drive shaft rotates said coupling means whereby said drive screw means displaces said engagement means to engage or disengage said receiver.

Claim 22

The door lock system of claim 18 wherein, wherein said spring is axially compressed when said release signal is generated and said engagement means is prevented from linear movement by an external agent, said spring permitting said drive screw means to continue rotational motion, wherein said spring axially expands when said external agent is removed to force said engagement means to a disengaged position.

Claim 23

The door lock system of claim 18 wherein said motor is a low speed, high torque micro motor.