Masonite International has been granted a patent for a method of controlling a lock mechanism for an active door. The method involves transitioning the access controller to an authorized access mode when an authorized user approaches the door or inputs a command on a remote device. In this mode, the exterior handle is decoupled from the main latch. The access controller then transitions to an entry mode when contact is sensed with the exterior handle. In this mode, the handle can rotate to unlock the door and retract the main latch, allowing the door to open. GlobalData’s report on Masonite International gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData, Masonite International's grant share as of June 2023 was 1%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method of controlling a lock mechanism for an active door
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11686126B2) describes a method and lock mechanism for controlling the access to an active door. The method involves transitioning an access controller to an authorized access mode when an authorized user approaches the door or when input is received from a remote device. In this mode, the exterior handle of the door is decoupled from the main latch of the lock mechanism. The access controller then transitions to an entry mode, where the exterior handle is capable of rotating to unlock the door by retracting the main latch. The access controller can also transition to a latch disconnect mode if it remains in the authorized access mode or entry mode for a predetermined time, with the exterior handle remaining decoupled from the main latch in this mode.
The access controller can be set to the authorized access mode for a predetermined access time, typically ranging from 5 to 30 seconds. Similarly, the access controller can be set to the entry mode for a predetermined entry time, typically ranging from 0.5 to 5 seconds. The access controller transitions to an unlocked mode when the exterior handle is rotated from a neutral position in a first direction, allowing the main latch to retract and the door to open. Rotating the exterior handle in a second direction opposite the first direction transitions the access controller to a latch disconnect mode, decoupling the exterior handle from the main latch.
The patent also describes a lock mechanism for the door, which includes a drive hub that rotates in response to the rotation of the exterior handle. The lock mechanism also features a main latch that can be in a latched position to prevent the door from moving or a retracted position to allow the door to open. An access controller controls the coupling and decoupling of the main latch to the drive hub, allowing the main latch to be actuated between the latched and retracted positions.
Overall, this patent presents a method and lock mechanism that provide controlled access to an active door, ensuring authorized users can unlock and open the door while maintaining security measures. The system allows for flexibility in access modes and includes safeguards such as predetermined time limits and latch disconnect modes to prevent unauthorized access.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
