Patents by Inventor Charles W. Moon
Charles W. Moon has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230081964Abstract: A mortise lockset for a sliding door or double door includes adaptations to make it more resistant to blunt-force attacks. The lockset includes retractable locking hooks, tabs or catches that extend above and below a bolt to securely lock the door. The mechanism, which uses no springs to bias the catches, cams the catches to varying positions as the bolt travels between its retracted and projected positions. Pivotally mounted levers incorporating or carrying the catches include a contoured edge that cams upon cam posts to drive the catches between withdrawn and lockingly engaged positions into or from the bolt. The lockset also includes a channel shaped to cause the thumbturn tail to obstruct retraction caused by blunt forces exerted on the door or doorframe itself, proximate to the bolt.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Charles W Moon, Chad P. Moon
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Publication number: 20220034125Abstract: The standard spring retainer for a retract slide is upgraded in three embodiments. In the first embodiment, a first switch mounted on the upgraded spring holder is activated when the latch is retracted (from either side of the lock). In the second embodiment, the first switch is activated when either the latch is retracted or the latch bolt is pushed in by the latch hitting the strikeplate as the door is closing. A spring carrier/switch activator is added to the retract slide that is pushed back by the latch tailpiece. In the third embodiment, two switches monitor up to four conditions—when the door is open, closing, and closed and when the latch is being retracted by the inner or outer handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Chad P. Moon, Sybor Ma
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Patent number: 11124992Abstract: A latchset comprises a latch cam hub configured to rotate on a door handle tailpiece, a first and optionally also a second projection extending radially outward from the hub, a sliding actuator comprising an elongated body and a first tooth, and a spring that resists retraction of the sliding actuator and urges the first projection against the first tooth. The latch cam is operative to retract the sliding actuator when a coupled door handle is rotated in only one rotational direction, such that rotation of the coupled door handle in the opposite rotational direction is inoperative to retract the sliding actuator. The hub is configured to be rotated by 90° during installation to set the latch cam to operate in an oppositely handed door. The latch cam prevents lost motion in eight door configurations.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Sybor Ma
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Publication number: 20210277684Abstract: A lockset enables motion of an outside door handle in one direction to retract a latchbolt and motion of the outside door handle in an opposite direction to lock the deadbolt, and optionally also the latchbolt. The lockset then requires a key, code, or other credential to re-enter, unless another opens or unlocks the door from the inside. The ability to deadbolt the door from the outside makes it faster to secure a building or enclosure after exiting it.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Sybor Ma, Chad P. Moon
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Patent number: 10890020Abstract: A double latch lockset, or its kit form, generally includes first and second retractable latches connected by a drive assembly. The first retractable latch may be activated by a first inside and/or outside actuator, and the second retractable latch may be activated by a second inside and/or outside actuator that activates the second retractable latch (such as a deadbolt) independently of the first retractable latch. Movement of the first inside and/or outside actuator in a first direction simultaneously retracts the first and second retractable latches, and movement of the first inside and/or outside actuator in a second direction locks the second retractable latch. The first inside and outside actuators may be configured to move in the second direction without retracting the first retractable latch.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Sybor Ma
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Patent number: 10604963Abstract: A lock trim assembly incorporates an escapement assembly comprising a control member and an escapement spring. The escapement assembly is movable between a locking position that blocks rotation of the spindle and an unlocking position that does not block rotation of the spindle. A coupling assembly that couples the handle to the spindle rotates between a default orientation and a blocking orientation. The default orientation allows the escapement assembly to move into the locking position. The blocking orientation blocks the escapement assembly from moving into the locking position. When the coupling assembly is in the blocking orientation, operation of the motor to drive the blocked escapement assembly into the locking position causes the escapement assembly to store energy in the escapement spring for forcing the escapement assembly into the locking position once the coupling assembly is reoriented back to the default orientation.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.Inventor: Charles W. Moon
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Patent number: 10400477Abstract: An electronic deadbolt operator for a deadbolt lockset comprises an electronic actuator that rotates a powered driver and a follower that has a lost motion connection with the powered driver, enabling the follower to rotate with the powered driver when the follower is inside its range of travel, and enabling the powered driver to rotate freely of the follower after the follower is pushed to a travel limit. The follower is mounted to a connector driver, which drives the deadbolt, to toggle between two oppositely-disposed off-center positions relative to the connector driver. In one off-center position, only clockwise rotation of the powered driver is operative to rotate the follower. In the opposite position, only counterclockwise rotation of the powered driver is operative to rotate the follower. The interaction between the powered driver, the follower, and stops causes the follower to toggle to an opposite position after hitting a stop.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Ernst K. Mitchell, Sybor Ma
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Patent number: 10260253Abstract: A door trim assembly comprises a handle coupler, spindle driver, clutch, motor, and clutch driver assembly. The clutch is configured to selectively engage and disengage the handle coupler to the spindle driver. When engaged, the spindle driver rotates with the handle. When disengaged, the handle rotates freely of the spindle driver. The clutch driver assembly includes an escapement spring positioned coaxially with the motor shaft and held between first and second spring seats. A motor is operable to rotate the first spring seat. The second spring seat carries a pin or cam to operate the clutch and is biased by legs of the escapement spring to rotate with the motor. If the second spring seat is blocked from rotating, then rotation of the first spring seat winds the escapement spring.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.Inventor: Charles W. Moon
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Publication number: 20180187464Abstract: A double latch lockset, or its kit form, generally includes first and second retractable latches connected by a drive assembly. The first retractable latch may be activated by a first inside and/or outside actuator, and the second retractable latch may be activated by a second inside and/or outside actuator that activates the second retractable latch (such as a deadbolt) independently of the first retractable latch. Movement of the first inside and/or outside actuator in a first direction simultaneously retracts the first and second retractable latches, and movement of the first inside and/or outside actuator in a second direction locks the second retractable latch. The first inside and outside actuators may be configured to move in the second direction without retracting the first retractable latch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: CHARLES W. MOON, SYBOR MA
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Publication number: 20180187454Abstract: A latchset comprises a latch cam hub configured to rotate on a door handle tailpiece, a first and optionally also a second projection extending radially outward from the hub, a sliding actuator comprising an elongated body and a first tooth, and a spring that resists retraction of the sliding actuator and urges the first projection against the first tooth. The latch cam is operative to retract the sliding actuator when a coupled door handle is rotated in only one rotational direction, such that rotation of the coupled door handle in the opposite rotational direction is inoperative to retract the sliding actuator. The hub is configured to be rotated by 90° during installation to set the latch cam to operate in an oppositely handed door. The latch cam prevents lost motion in eight door configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: CHARLES W. MOON, SYBOR MA
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Patent number: 9732542Abstract: A retractor assembly for a cylindrical lockset comprises inner and outer retractors. Each of the retractors has a cam engaging surface to convert rotary motion from the inside door handle into linear latch-retracting motion. Inner and outer spindles having retractor activation cams are configured to bear upon cam surfaces of the inner and outer retractors to retract the latch. When the inner door handle is operated, the inner retractor acts directly upon the tailpiece of the latch bolt assembly to retract the latch. When the outer door handle is operated, the outer retractor presses on the inner retractor, causing it to retract the latch. If there is an attack, a blocker assembly engages with members formed in the outer retractor to render the outer retractor inoperative to move into a latch-retracting position without interfering with operation of the inner retractor to move into a latch-retracting position.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: TOWNSTEEL, INC.Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
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Publication number: 20170122007Abstract: An electronic deadbolt operator for a deadbolt lockset comprises an electronic actuator that rotates a powered driver and a follower that has a lost motion connection with the powered driver, enabling the follower to rotate with the powered driver when the follower is inside its range of travel, and enabling the powered driver to rotate freely of the follower after the follower is pushed to a travel limit. The follower is mounted to a connector driver, which drives the deadbolt, to toggle between two oppositely-disposed off-center positions relative to the connector driver. In one off-center position, only clockwise rotation of the powered driver is operative to rotate the follower. In the opposite position, only counterclockwise rotation of the powered driver is operative to rotate the follower. The interaction between the powered driver, the follower, and stops causes the follower to toggle to an opposite position after hitting a stop.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: CHARLES W. MOON, ERNST K. MITCHELL, SYBOR MA
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Patent number: 9528300Abstract: A cylindrical lockset comprises a multiple-compartment lock cage subassembly. A retractor is housed within a middle lock cage compartment. Spindle return torsion springs, for biasing corresponding handle-carrying spindles to their default positions, are housed within axially adjacent lock cage compartments. A torque plate transfers torque from the lock cage subassembly to relatively radially distal trim posts. A knob catch assembly seated in each handle-carrying spindle comprises a generally elliptically-shaped wrap around catch spring and a knob catch backup washer to resist axial loads produced by efforts to pull a handle off of the spindle. A key spindle provides a dog travel window defined by a closed, continuous edge of the key spindle, which window is positioned opposite of an axially-extending seam of the key spindle.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: TOWNSTEEL, INC.Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
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Publication number: 20160305160Abstract: A retractor assembly for a cylindrical lockset comprises inner and outer retractors. Each of the retractors has a cam engaging surface to convert rotary motion from the inside door handle into linear latch-retracting motion. Inner and outer spindles having retractor activation cams are configured to bear upon cam surfaces of the inner and outer retractors to retract the latch. When the inner door handle is operated, the inner retractor acts directly upon the tailpiece of the latch bolt assembly to retract the latch. When the outer door handle is operated, the outer retractor presses on the inner retractor, causing it to retract the latch. If there is an attack, a blocker assembly engages with members formed in the outer retractor to render the outer retractor inoperative to move into a latch-retracting position without interfering with operation of the inner retractor to move into a latch-retracting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: CHARLES W. MOON, MICHAEL J. WRIGHT
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Publication number: 20160298360Abstract: A lock trim assembly incorporates an escapement assembly comprising a control member and an escapement spring. The escapement assembly is movable between a locking position that blocks rotation of the spindle and an unlocking position that does not block rotation of the spindle. A coupling assembly that couples the handle to the spindle rotates between a default orientation and a blocking orientation. The default orientation allows the escapement assembly to move into the locking position. The blocking orientation blocks the escapement assembly from moving into the locking position. When the coupling assembly is in the blocking orientation, operation of the motor to drive the blocked escapement assembly into the locking position causes the escapement assembly to store energy in the escapement spring for forcing the escapement assembly into the locking position once the coupling assembly is reoriented back to the default orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventor: CHARLES W. MOON
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Publication number: 20160298358Abstract: A door trim assembly comprises a handle coupler, spindle driver, clutch, motor, and clutch driver assembly. The clutch is configured to selectively engage and disengage the handle coupler to the spindle driver. When engaged, the spindle driver rotates with the handle. When disengaged, the handle rotates freely of the spindle driver. The clutch driver assembly includes an escapement spring positioned coaxially with the motor shaft and held between first and second spring seats. A motor is operable to rotate the first spring seat. The second spring seat carries a pin or cam to operate the clutch and is biased by legs of the escapement spring to rotate with the motor. If the second spring seat is blocked from rotating, then rotation of the first spring seat winds the escapement spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventor: CHARLES W. MOON
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Patent number: 9394722Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to thwart an overtorquing attack on a cylindrical lockset. The cylindrical lockset comprises a lock cage, a split retractor assembly, and a torque-attack-activated spring-loaded blocker assembly coupled to the lock cage. The blocker assembly is set to a default non-blocking configuration. An overtorquing attack triggers the blocking assembly into a blocking setting. When in the blocking setting, the blocking assembly blocks movement of at least an outside door portion of a retractor assembly from translating into a latch-retracting position, but does not block the inside door handle from retracting the latch. A new split retractor assembly is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: TOWNSTEEL, INC.Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
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Patent number: 9033375Abstract: An anti-ligature door latch assembly comprises a door latch, an escutcheon, and an anti-ligature handle mounted to the escutcheon for movement along a guided linear path between a default non-operative position and an operative latch-retracting position. The anti-ligature handle includes a shroud that maintains contact with the escutcheon regardless of the position of the handle on the escutcheon and covers a linear slot in the escutcheon along which the handle rides. The anti-ligature door latch assembly is suitable for both mortise and tubular latch assemblies. The escutcheon and a back plate mounted to the door surface houses an activator plate that moves linearly with the handle. The activator plate has a cam surface that, when in the operative latch-retraction position, contacts a cooperating part of a spindle-mounted rotary hub, causing the spindle to rotate and retract the latch.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
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Patent number: 8844330Abstract: A cylindrical lockset comprises a multiple-compartment lock cage subassembly. A retractor is housed within a middle lock cage compartment. Spindle return torsion springs, for biasing corresponding handle-carrying spindles to their default positions, are housed within axially adjacent lock cage compartments. A torque plate transfers torque from the lock cage subassembly to relatively radially distal trim posts. A knob catch assembly seated in each handle-carrying spindle comprises a generally elliptically-shaped wrap around catch spring and a knob catch backup washer to resist axial loads produced by efforts to pull a handle off of the spindle. A key spindle provides a dog travel window defined by a closed, continuous edge of the key spindle, which window is positioned opposite of an axially-extending seam of the key spindle.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Townsteel Inc.Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
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Publication number: 20140196509Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to thwart an overtorquing attack on a cylindrical lockset. The cylindrical lockset comprises a lock cage, a split retractor assembly, and a torque-attack-activated spring-loaded blocker assembly coupled to the lock cage. The blocker assembly is set to a default non-blocking configuration. An overtorquing attack triggers the blocking assembly into a blocking setting. When in the blocking setting, the blocking assembly blocks movement of at least an outside door portion of a retractor assembly from translating into a latch-retracting position, but does not block the inside door handle from retracting the latch. A new split retractor assembly is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: TOWNSTEEL, INC.Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright