Abstract: An access control system including bi-directional communication between a controller and peripheral authentication devices utilized for selectively accessing a locked door is provided. The access control system provides components and circuitry to enable a user to securely assign and designate any card reader compatible card as an appropriate programming card and thereby activate or deactivate users and/or cards. The present invention further provides encrypted communication between the controller device and a PC.

Abstract: A device for transferring electrical power between a frame and a closable member such as a door includes a first housing and face plate disposed in an opening in the frame and a second housing and face plate disposed in an opening in the closable member edge. The openings are positioned so that when the closable member is closed the openings are aligned. A hollow elbow assembly is rotatably disposed and secured in each hole. A tube having a pivot guide at each end is rotatably and axially slidable in each elbow assembly. A slot in each elbow assembly allows the tube to pivot. A wire bundle in the tube is connectable to wire leads. Boots may be supplied around the tube/elbow assemblies' junctions to exclude water. Thus, the wire bundle is fully contained within a protective, articulated, armored sheath to prevent wear, chafing, breakage, and vandalism.

Abstract: An electromagnetic lock monitoring system for monitoring the strength of a magnetic field in an electromechanical lock which is created when a steel armature plate is closed against an electromagnet. The system utilizes dual Hall Effect devices positioned in such a way that both ends of the electromagnet and both magnetic fields are monitored, and that the resulting monitoring effectively covers the complete contact surface between the electromagnet and the armature plate. Preferably, the Hall Effect devices are disposed in series at the point of maximum flux density within the center element of an E-shaped electromagnetic core, at opposite ends of the core. If the magnetic flux is below a preset limit, a relay also in series drops out, triggering an alarm which may be sonic, electronic, and/or visual, as is known in the prior art.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical lock for gates and similar applications having a latch assembly and a strike assembly. The strike assembly has a strike which is self-adjusting to accommodate misalignment to guide the strike roller into proper engagement in the latch assembly. The latch assembly has a latch which is operably connected to a solenoid by a trigger and transfer mechanism which provides pre-load capability.

Abstract: A device for transferring electrical power between a frame and a closable member such as a door includes a first housing and face plate disposed in an opening in the frame and a second housing and face plate disposed in an opening in the closable member edge. The openings are positioned so that when the closable member is closed the openings are aligned. A hollow elbow assembly is rotatably disposed and secured in each hole. A tube having a pivot guide at each end is rotatably and axially slidable in each elbow assembly. A slot in each elbow assembly allows the tube to pivot. A wire bundle in the tube is connectable to wire leads. Boots may be supplied around the tube/elbow assemblies' junctions to exclude water. Thus, the wire bundle is fully contained within a protective, articulated, armored sheath to prevent wear, chafing, breakage, and vandalism.

Abstract: A vertical door locking system includes a door lock with a deadbolt that moves horizontally, a striker with an upward facing strike opening that vertically receives the deadbolt and a lock controller. The striker includes an electrically operated catch to engage and release the deadbolt. The door lock and striker are mounted opposite each other, one to the vertical door and the other to an adjacent fixed mounting point. The lock controller electrically operates the striker to release the deadbolt and allow it to move vertically out of engagement with the striker for primary access to a secure area and the door lock allows the deadbolt to be retracted horizontally away from the striker for secondary access. A remotely located control system optionally controls the lock controllers of multiple doors and a central office control system is optionally connected to multiple remotely located control systems.

Abstract: A door latch actuator and methodology actuates a mortise-type dead latch that has a spring latch to reciprocally engage and disengage the door latch actuator, and a dead latch pin to operate movement of the spring latch. The actuator's housing has a cavity to receive the spring latch and dead latch pin when the door is fastened, and a reciprocally movable spring latch plunger and dead latch plunger mounted therein. The spring latch plunger's head portion selectively engages the spring latch at different locations when the door is fastened. A striker assembly has arrangeable strike elements defining a strike surface for the dead latch pin and portals for the spring latch for different spring latch and dead latch pin arrangements. The actuator also includes a drive to reciprocally drive the dead latch plunger and advance the spring latch plunger.

Abstract: A door latch actuator operates a latch bolt assembly of a door. The door latch actuator employs a spring latch plunger and a dead latch plunger mounted in a housing that has a latch cavity sized to receive the spring latch bolt and the dead latch bolt pin. The spring latch plunger engages and retracts under the pressure of the spring latch bolt, and the dead latch plunger engages the dead latch bolt pin. A drive operates the plungers to first withdraw the dead latch plunger to allow the dead latch bolt pin to move to an enabling position for the spring latch bolt. Next, the drive advances the spring latch plunger and thereby the spring latch bolt in moved to a release position and the door may be opened. The drive is preferably a rotary drive using a motor driven crank and pin system. Sensors are provided to detect the position of the system. The method of the invention encompasses the operative steps of this door latch actuator, and the method can include timing steps.

Abstract: A magnetically-actuated, proximity switch system for use in physical security monitoring systems, machinery control systems and the like, including a stationary assembly and an actuator assembly moveable relative thereto. The stationary assembly includes at least two electrically-interconnected magnetic reed switches and at least two interacting permanent biasing magnets disposed in a predetermined physical relationship. The magnets are arranged to have opposing polarity orientations which produce a resultant interactive magnetic field. Each reed switch is biased in a magnetically actuated state by its orientation and position within that field. The actuator assembly in turn includes at least two permanent actuating magnets arranged to produce a number of apparent magnetic poles corresponding to the number of apparent (or consequent) poles produced by the permanent biasing magnets and in opposition thereto.

Abstract: The touch bar release locking system includes a hollow metal channel which affixes to a door at two points via insulating spacer blocks. Within the channel is housed a capacitive sensor which functions by detecting the additional capacitance coupled to the hollow channel by the act of a person touching it (even through gloves or clothing). When the additional capacitance is detected, a relay energizes and actuation of the relay contacts releases an electric lock which had been securing the door, thereby providing free egress. In the event of catastrophic sensor failure, egress can still be accomplished by pressing an electromechanical push button, mounted on the rear of the hollow channel, which duplicates the effect of energization of the sensor relay.