Clutch for a lock
A lock clutch is provided to selectively couple a knob to a lock. In a locked configuration the clutch decouples the knob from the lock, so that rotating the knob does not operate the lock. In an unlocked configuration, the clutch rotationally connects the knob to the lock such that the lock may be operated by turning the knob. According to some embodiments, the knob may be a thumb turn and the lock may be a deadbolt lock.
1 . A door lock assembly, comprising:
a knob configured to allow a user to lock or unlock a door;
a clutch driving plate rotationally secured to the knob;
a tailpiece configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis, wherein rotation of the tailpiece is configured to retract or extend a latch;
a clutch driven plate rotationally secured to the tailpiece; and
an actuator comprising:
a motor including an output shaft shaft configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the longitudinal axis;
a first helical element mounted to the output shaft for motor driven rotation about the first axis; and
a clutch driver unit including a first end portion axially secured to the clutch driven plate and a second end portion aligned with the first axis and including a second helical element threadably engageable with the first helical element for motor driven axial movement of the clutch driver unit and the clutch driven plate between an unlocked configuration in which the clutch driven plate is coupled with the clutch driving plate for co-rotation of the knob and the tailpiece and a locked configuration in which the clutch driven plate is uncoupled from the clutch driving plate to prevent co-rotation of the knob and the tailpiece.
2 . The door lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the knob is a thumb turn.
3 . The door lock assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a deadbolt latch assembly including the latch.
4 . The door lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical interlocking clutch and the actuator are configured to be disposed within a bore hole of a door.
5 . A door comprising:
a door panel including a first face and a second face, wherein, with the door closed, the first face is exposed to an unsecured space and the second face is exposed to a secured space, the door panel including a circular bore hole extending between the first face and the second face; and
a door lock comprising:
a chassis mounted to the first face of the door panel, covering the circular bore hole and disposed at least partially within the circular bore hole;
a latch configured to prevent the door from opening when the latch is extended;
a knob disposed on the first side of the door and configured to extend and retract the latch;
a mechanical interlocking clutch configured to selectively couple the knob to the lock;
an actuator configured to move the mechanical interlocking clutch between a coupled position and an uncoupled position, and
wherein the mechanical interlocking clutch and the actuator are disposed within the circular bore hole.
6 . The door of claim 5 , wherein the mechanical interlocking clutch rotates about a first axis and wherein the actuator moves along a line defining a second axis and wherein the first axis is parallel with the second axis.
7 . The door of claim 5 , further comprising a clutch disconnector disposed between the knob and the mechanical interlocking clutch, the clutch disconnector configured to move the mechanical interlocking clutch into an uncoupled position when the knob is rotated while the lock is in a locked configuration.
8 . The door of claim 5 , wherein a portion of the actuator extends into the secured space, the portion of the actuator configured to couple or uncouple the mechanical interlocking clutch in response to a tactile input from a user.
9 . The door of claim 5 , wherein the latch is a striker latch and wherein a user must maintain force on the knob to hold the latch in a retracted position.
10 . The door of claim 5 , wherein the door lock is a deadbolt door lock, the latch is a deadbolt and the knob is a thumb turn.
11 . The door lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first helical element comprises a worm gear.
12 . The door lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second helical element comprises a helical spring.
13 . The door lock assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a stop switch connected with the motor, wherein when the clutch driver unit is moved to the locked configuration, the clutch driver unit engages the stop switch to discontinue operation of the motor.
14 . The door lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first end portion of the clutch driver unit comprises a fork element that rides in a grooved portion of the clutch driven plate.
15 . A door lock assembly, comprising:
a knob configured to allow a user to lock or unlock a door;
a clutch driving plate rotationally secured to the knob;
a tailpiece configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis, wherein rotation of the tailpiece is configured to retract or extend a latch;
a clutch driven plate rotationally secured to the tailpiece; and
an actuator comprising:
a motor including an output shaft extending along a first axis parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
a clutch driver unit including an axially extending portion disposed between the first axis and the longitudinal axis, the axially extending portion extending between a first laterally extending end portion axially secured to the clutch driven plate and a second laterally extending end portion aligned with the first axis and operatively connected with the motor for motor driven axial movement of the clutch driver unit and the clutch driven plate between an unlocked configuration in which the clutch driven plate is coupled with the clutch driving plate for co-rotation of the knob and the tailpiece and a locked configuration in which the clutch driven plate is uncoupled from the clutch driving plate to prevent co-rotation of the knob and the tailpiece.
16 . The door lock assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a first helical element mounted to the output shaft for motor driven rotation of the first helical element, wherein the clutch driver unit includes a second helical element disposed on the second end portion, the second helical element being threadably engageable with the first helical element for motor driven axial movement of the clutch driver unit and the clutch driven plate between the unlocked configuration and the locked configuration.
17 . The door lock assembly of claim 16 , wherein the first helical element comprises a worm gear.
18 . The door lock assembly of claim 16 , wherein the second helical element comprises a helical spring.
19 . The door lock assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a stop switch connected with the motor, wherein when the clutch driver unit is moved to the locked configuration, the clutch driver unit engages the stop switch to discontinue operation of the motor.
20 . The door lock of claim 15 , wherein the first end portion of the clutch driver unit comprises a fork element that rides in a grooved portion of the clutch driven plate.