Abstract: A door strike assembly includes a strike housing and latch release assembly. The door strike assembly is used in conjunction with a lockset which includes a door latch moveable from a latched condition when a door is closed and an unlatched condition where the door may be opened. The lockset includes a deadlatch to prevent unauthorized movement of the door latch when the door is closed. The latch release assembly is received within the strike housing and includes a latch ejector which engages the deadlatch when the door is closed. A motor is coupled to the latch ejector where actuation of the motor rotates the latch ejector to disengage the latch ejector from the deadlatch. Further rotation of the latch ejector causes the latch ejector to engage the door latch to move the door latch to the unlatched condition such that the door may be opened.

Abstract: A latch system includes a releasably secured latch or keeper and a solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly has a solenoid driver coupled to a power supply, a switching circuit connected with the solenoid driver, and a function generator to selectively adjust a frequency of a pick current output from the power supply and provided to the solenoid driver. The frequency is adjusted until the pick current induces a resulting vibration of said latch system sufficient to free a preloaded latch or keeper. The adjusted frequency may be a target frequency or a range of frequencies. Also included may be a preload sensor. When a preload is sensed, the frequency may be adjusted by the function generator until the pick current induces a resulting vibration of said latch system sufficient to free a preloaded latch or keeper.

Abstract: A modular surface mounted electric strike system is provided. The system comprises a universal base plate having first and second sides, each having first and second mounting points. Each electric strike module includes a header, a keeper assembly, and an actuator assembly configured for moving between a keeper blocking mode and a second mode. When the first and second latches are separated a first distance, the first and second electric strike modules are attached to the first mounting locations on the respective first and second sides of the base plate. When the first and second latches are separated a second distance, the first electric strike module is attached to the second mounting location on either the first or second sides of the base plate, and the second electric strike module is attached to the second mounting location on the other of the first or second side of the base plate.

Abstract: An actuator-controlled electric strike for operating in conjunction with a spring latch of a lockset is provided. The strike comprises a housing having an entry chamber therein, and a spring latch keeper disposed in the entry chamber for movement between a keeper locked position and a keeper unlocked position. The spring latch keeper includes a keeper face, a second surface recessed from the keeper face and a contact ridge between the keeper face and second surface. The keeper face is contactable by the spring latch when the spring latch keeper is in the keeper locked position. The contact ridge, disposed at a non-perpendicular angle with the rotational axis of the keeper is contactable by the spring latch as the keeper moves toward its unlocked position so that a contact point on said spring latch changes as said spring latch exits said entry chamber.

Abstract: A door strike assembly includes a strike housing and latch release assembly. The door strike assembly is used in conjunction with a lockset which includes a door latch moveable from a latched condition when a door is closed and an unlatched condition where the door may be opened. The lockset includes a deadlatch to prevent unauthorized movement of the door latch when the door is closed. The latch release assembly is received within the strike housing and includes a latch ejector which engages the deadlatch when the door is closed. A motor is coupled to the latch ejector where actuation of the motor rotates the latch ejector to disengage the latch ejector from the deadlatch. Further rotation of the latch ejector causes the latch ejector to engage the door latch to move the door latch to the unlatched condition such that the door may be opened.

Abstract: A modular surface mounted electric strike system is provided. The system comprises a universal base plate having first and second sides, each having first and second mounting points. Each electric strike module includes a header, a keeper assembly, and an actuator assembly configured for moving between a keeper blocking mode and a second mode. When the first and second latches are separated a first distance, the first and second electric strike modules are attached to the first mounting locations on the respective first and second sides of the base plate. When the first and second latches are separated a second distance, the first electric strike module is attached to the second mounting location on either the first or second sides of the base plate, and the second electric strike module is attached to the second mounting location on the other of the first or second side of the base plate.

Abstract: A surface mounted electric strike for selectively retaining a door latch of a door is provided. The electric strike comprises a housing mounted to a surface of the door frame, wherein the housing defines a cavity configured for receiving the door latch. A keeper is mounted within the housing and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The keeper includes a keeper body portion and an extended lobe portion having a terminal end. An actuating assembly is configured for moving between a first mode and a second mode, wherein when the actuating assembly is in the first mode the keeper is prevented from moving toward the unlatched position, and wherein when the actuating assembly is in the second mode the keeper is permitted to move toward the unlatched position.

Abstract: An actuator controlled electric strike for operating in conjunction with a latch of a lockset. The strike comprises a keeper support bracket movable between first and second positions. When the bracket is in the first position a keeper is held in either a locked or unlocked position, and when the bracket is in the second position the keeper is movable to the other position. An actuating mechanism is operatively connected to the bracket and is configured to allow the bracket to move between the first and second positions. First and second biasing mechanisms apply a net force to the bracket. The first biasing mechanism applies a first force to the bracket in the first direction, and the second biasing mechanism applies a second force to the bracket in the second direction. When the bracket is in the first position, the net force of the biasing member is approximately zero.

Abstract: An actuator controlled electric strike for operating in conjunction with a latch of a lockset. The strike comprises a keeper support bracket movable between blocking and unblocking positions. When the bracket is in the blocking position a keeper is held in a locked position, and when the bracket is in the unblocking position the keeper is movable to the unlocked position. A motor is operatively connected to the bracket and is actionable in first and second directions to move the bracket between the blocking and unblocking positions. A biasing member comprises first and second springs that apply a net force to the bracket. The first spring applies a first force to the bracket in the first direction, and the second spring applies a second force to the bracket in the second direction. When the bracket is in the blocking position, the net force of the biasing member is approximately zero.

Abstract: A door latch system includes an exit device having a housing mounted to an unsecured side of a door. A latch assembly is mounted in the housing and includes a latch for releasably securing the door in a door frame. An actuating assembly includes a driving member. A push bar is configured to be received within the housing. Relative movement between the push bar and base plate so as to reduce the distance between the push bar and base plate moves the driving member and latch to release the door from the door frame. A dashpot is connected to the driving member and configured to allow movement of the driving member when the push bar is manually depressed but to resist movement of the driving member when a secure side of the door experiences a high velocity impact. A method of resisting unwanted unlatching of the latch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A piezoelectric energy harvester system for collecting kinetic energy is provided, wherein the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, and wherein at least a portion of the converted electrical energy is utilized to operate a load. The system comprises an energy input portion and an energy harvesting portion. The energy input portion includes an input member configured to be actionable by an outside force. The energy harvesting portion includes a capture member, a sprocket portion, and a piezoelectric energy harvester. The capture member is adapted for receiving mechanical input from the input member. The sprocket portion is disposed for movement with the capture member. The sprocket portion includes at least one radially disposed sprocket actuator configured for making contact with and exciting the piezoelectric energy harvester. The piezoelectric energy harvester is excited by the contact to produce the kinetic energy.

Abstract: A door latch system comprises an interchangeable latch assembly for securing a door to a door frame. The interchangeable latch assembly comprises a head and a latch mounted to the head. The latch is moveable between latched and unlatched positions. A driven member is operatively connected to the latch, the driven member moveable to latch or unlatch the latch. The door latch system further comprises a universal actuating assembly removably couple-able to the interchangeable latch assembly. The universal actuating assembly comprises a mounting bracket and a driving member releasably coupled to the driven member. Actuation of the universal actuating assembly translates the driving member and the driven member, moving the latch to the unlatched position. A first interchangeable latch assembly may be swapped with a second interchangeable latch assembly without requiring modification of the universal actuating assembly.

Abstract: A constant-current control circuit comprising a switching circuit including a source voltage, and primary and secondary switches is provided. The primary GaNFET switch is connected with a solenoid assembly coil. The secondary switch is connected with the coil which has an inductance. From t0 to ton, the primary GaNFET switch is closed and the secondary switch is open, the source voltage is applied across the coil, and a counter EMF decays until the voltage across the coil equals the source voltage at ton, thereby allowing current to flow through the coil. From ton to T, the primary GaNFET switch is open and the secondary switch is closed, and a positive EMF equal to the source voltage is applied across the coil until the positive EMF decays to zero at T, such that the current continues to flow through the coil without the source voltage being applied across the coil.

Abstract: A door latch system includes an exit device having a housing mounted to an unsecured side of a door. A latch assembly is mounted in the housing and includes a latch for releasably securing the door in a door frame. An actuating assembly includes a driving member. A push bar is configured to be received within the housing. Relative movement between the push bar and base plate so as to reduce the distance between the push bar and base plate moves the driving member and latch to release the door from the door frame. A dashpot is connected to the driving member and configured to allow movement of the driving member when the push bar is manually depressed but to resist movement of the driving member when a secure side of the door experiences a high velocity impact. A method of resisting unwanted unlatching of the latch is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric strike comprising a housing, keeper, actuator module, and actuator. The module comprises a keeper support bracket coupled with the actuator and configured to move between blocking and unblocking positions, and first and second keeper supports extending from opposite ends of the bracket. When the actuator is in a first position, the bracket is in the blocking position so that the first and second keeper supports are coupled to respective first and second ends of the keeper such that a load placed on the keeper when in a locked position is transferred through the keeper supports to a back housing wall. When the actuator is moved to a second position, the bracket is in the unblocking position so that the first and second keeper supports are decoupled with the respective first and second ends of the keeper to allow the keeper to rotate to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A door lock system comprising a first rotary configured to control extension and retraction of the deadbolt via a primary cam mechanism; a second rotary control configured to control extension and retraction of the latch; and a link configured to retract the deadbolt in response to operation of the second rotary control when the latch is retracted by the second rotary control. The link is configured to move along a linear path normal to the movement of the deadbolt and the door latch and to contact the primary cam mechanism upon the link movement to affect deadbolt retraction and extension. A lever may be used to retract the latch in response to rotation of the first rotary control in a first rotational direction when the deadbolt is retracted by the first rotary control.

Abstract: A strike plate mounting bolt assembly for resiliently mounting a strike plate to a door. The strike plate mounting bolt assembly includes a bolt and a post wherein the bolt is securably engageable with the post. The bolt is inserted through a bore in the door and the post is inserted through a bore in the strike plate. A resilient member such as at least one Belleville washer is disposed between a head of the post and a cavity in the strike plate wherein the at least one Belleville washer is compressed between the post head and cavity upon securing the bolt and post together to provide a resilient mount between the door and strike plate. The at least one Belleville washer may be a number of Belleville washers selectable stacked to form a pack of Belleville washers. By varying the number and orientation of the Belleville washers, the force/deflection characteristics of the pack may be tuned to accommodate the needs of a variety of electromagnetic lock design features.

Abstract: A door latch system comprises an interchangeable latch assembly for securing a door to a door frame. The interchangeable latch assembly comprises a head and a latch mounted to the head. The latch is moveable between latched and unlatched positions. A driven member is operatively connected to the latch, the driven member moveable to latch or unlatch the latch. The door latch system further comprises a universal actuating assembly removably couple-able to the interchangeable latch assembly. The universal actuating assembly comprises a mounting bracket and a driving member releasably coupled to the driven member. Actuation of the universal actuating assembly translates the driving member and the driven member, moving the latch to the unlatched position. A first interchangeable latch assembly may be swapped with a second interchangeable latch assembly without requiring modification of the universal actuating assembly.

Abstract: A lock unit of an electric locking device comprises a lock housing, a keeper, an inhibitor and a latch bolt. A second end of the latch bolt is positioned outwardly and cooperates with the inhibitor when in a locked orientation. The keeper includes a keeper shaft having a shaft axis of rotation, wherein said keeper is rotatable about said keeper shaft between first and second rotational positions, wherein the keeper is movable between first and second directional positions relative to the lock housing, wherein the movement between the first and second directional positions is generally linear, wherein when the keeper is held in the first rotational position and the first directional position by the inhibitor, the door is secured to the door frame, and wherein when the keeper is in the second rotational position and the second directional position, the door is allowed to move away from said door frame.

Abstract: A constant-current controller that supplies a constant-current to a solenoid driver for use with an electromechanical device. The controller comprises a PCB containing a constant-current control circuit. The circuit comprises a GaNFET primary switch and a secondary switch. The PCB is integrated with and made a part of the solenoid driver. A standard electromechanical device may be converted to a constant-current controlled electromechanical device by exchanging the solenoid driver.