Patents Assigned to Townsteel Inc.
  • Patent number: 11124992
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Sybor Ma
  • Patent number: 11120657
    Abstract: An integrated lock management and smart device control system comprises lock controllers configured to authenticate lock management system (LMS) credentials and also act as a hub for a collection of smart devices. The system also comprises a guest app that can receive and store an LMS credential or a functional derivative thereof and use the credential to unlock an entrance. The guest app also provides smart device controls. When these are selected, the guest app issues a command to the lock controller or an Internet gateway, backed by the LMS credential. After authenticating the LMS credential, the lock controller or gateway transmits a command to the smart device that is backed by a configurable smart device credential. Guest control of the smart devices is terminated by disabling the LMS credential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventors: Sybor Ma, Yongping Du
  • Patent number: 10890020
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Sybor Ma
  • Patent number: 10604963
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Moon
  • Patent number: 10400477
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Ernst K. Mitchell, Sybor Ma
  • Patent number: 10260253
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Moon
  • Patent number: 9732542
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: TOWNSTEEL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
  • Patent number: 9528300
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOWNSTEEL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
  • Patent number: 9394722
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: TOWNSTEEL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
  • Patent number: 9033375
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
  • Patent number: 8844330
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Townsteel Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
  • Publication number: 20140196509
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: TOWNSTEEL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
  • Publication number: 20130239632
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: TOWNSTEEL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
  • Publication number: 20130239631
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: TOWNSTEEL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Michael J. Wright
  • Patent number: 8424935
    Abstract: A mortise lock is provided with independently rotatable spindles and a highly accessible lock-handing selector. Also, a clutching mortise lock is provided that enables operative rotation in both directions to retract the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Moon
  • Patent number: 8419086
    Abstract: A mortise latchset has an improved leveraged cam assembly, completely internal to the latchset body, versatile enough to allow the door handles to be rotated in either direction to retract the latchbolt, and robust enough to independently bias each of two lever-type door handles toward a handle-centering position, even when one of the handles is being operated. The mortise latchset uses a pair of coaxially mounted cam followers independently leveraged by a cantilevered spring assembly. The cam followers are located between the operating cams and the latch retracting assembly, and each leveraged cam follower is operable to engage the latch retracting assembly to retract the latchbolt, while the other cam follower biases its operating cam in the handle-centering position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Moon
  • Patent number: 8292336
    Abstract: Several new components are provided for a mortise lock. First, a non-handed clutching assembly, including a pair of spindle hubs rotatable within a pair of outer operating cams, is provided for a mortise lock. Second, a spindle-mounted lock-handing selector—which can be removed from one side of the lockset body while the lockset body is installed in the mortise of a door—is provided to set the handing of the clutching assembly. Third, an escapement mechanism is provided for a reciprocating-slide-based clutchworks, enabling the slides to move into a position biasing a clutch lever arm toward a hub-coupling position, even if the outer and spindle hubs are misaligned. Fourth, a guardbolt-actuated blocking assembly for a lockset is provided to block movement of the stop works or clutchworks when the door is closed and the outside door handle is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Moon
  • Publication number: 20120198896
    Abstract: A mortise lock is provided with independently rotatable spindles and a highly accessible lock-handing selector. Also, a clutching mortise lock is provided that enables operative rotation in both directions to retract the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: TOWNSTEEL, INC.
    Inventor: Charles W. Moon
  • Patent number: 8201858
    Abstract: A locking system for a stop button employed in a mortise lock having a spindle for operating a latch utilizing a first spindle base and a second spindle base which are nested relative to one another. Each base includes an opening for the mortise lock spindle such that the spindle may enter the combined first and second bases from the left side or the right side. A locking hub overrides either the first or second base and is capable of selectively lying over either the first or second base. An abutment linked to the stop button interacts with the locking hub such that either the first or second base may not be turned by the spindle when this occurs. Locking hub selectively locks either the first or second base through its position relative to the same and allows the mortise lock to easily transform from a left-hand version to a right-hand version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Townsteel Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Moon, Michael Wright
  • Publication number: 20120013135
    Abstract: A mortise latchset has an improved leveraged cam assembly, completely internal to the latchset body, versatile enough to allow the door handles to be rotated in either direction to retract the latchbolt, and robust enough to independently bias each of two lever-type door handles toward a handle-centering position, even when one of the handles is being operated. The mortise latchset uses a pair of coaxially mounted cam followers independently leveraged by a cantilevered spring assembly. The cam followers are located between the operating cams and the latch retracting assembly, and each leveraged cam follower is operable to engage the latch retracting assembly to retract the latchbolt, while the other cam follower biases its operating cam in the handle-centering position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Moon