MXPA00006597A

MXPA00006597A - Dead bolt combination lock and push-pull lock, each with integrated re-locking features, lock with auxiliary security features, and lock keypad with tamper detection and response features

Info

Publication number: MXPA00006597A
Application number: MXPA/A/2000/006597A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Michael R Clark; Greg Lainhart; Ned Urschel; Marshall Horne; Cedric Cuenot; Christophe Dexet; Jacques Wicht
Original assignee: Sargent & Greenleaf Inc
Priority date: 1998-01-02
Filing date: 2000-07-03
Publication date: 2002-06-05

Abstract

A dead bolt lock (214) automatically blocks the extended bolt (204) to prevent externally-applied force from thrusting the bolt (204) back into the lock case (100), and in the event of physical attack the lock responds by prolonging or perpetuating the deadbolt blocking condition. A push-pull lock has a bolt whose motion in both directions is stopped in response to detection of a rise in motor current above a certain level:a cushioning arrangement allows the current-limiting feature (600) to be implemented without risk of damage to the motor (202), gear teeth or other drive components. A re-locker arrangement includes an angled flange that is part of a motor-supporting bracket (206);when forcibly pressed, the flange breaks plastic pins (920) to release a spring-biased re-locker wire (950) to block the bolt from being withdrawn. The system also provides a position sensor switch (692), a keypad tampering detection and response system (646), remote enable/disable unit (5), duress detection and response unit (7), low-battery sensing arrangement (600) and bolt extension indication, adjustable bolt throw and audit trail features.

Description

DEAD SCREW COMBINATION PLATE AND SHEET PUSH-JALON. EACH UNNAA C COONN CCAARRECOURCING FEATURES INTEGRATED., C CHHAAPPAA CCOONN SECURITY SAFETY AUXILIARY? RREASS. &Y TTEECCLL / ADO OF PLATE WITH CHARACTERISTICSI D DETE DDEETTEECCCCIIOON AND RESPONSE TO FORCES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to plates, especially electronic plates that have motor-driven screws. More specifically, the invention relates to sheets where it is desired that the screw, once extended, can not be forcedly pushed, but rather can only be removed in the sheet with the entry of an appropriate combination or other authorization. The invention also relates to plates where it is desired to respond to certain types of physical attacks by making the screw incapable of being removed. The invention further relates to plates wherein various security improvements are provided. 2. RELATED TECHNIQUE Numerous conventional sheet designs have been provided, wherein a screw can be extended or removed in response to the entry of a combination of another authorization. However, some of the designs have not provided a "dead screw" feature, which involves the physical locking of the extended screw, so that, after the screw has been extended to its "locked" position, the sheet resists the externally applied pressure that tries to force the screw back towards the box of the sheet. Also, it can be observed that the plates are physically attacked in many ways, including perforation in the sheet metal box. It is desired that a plate not merely and physically resist such attacks, but rather respond appropriately to such attacks by ensuring that the screw can not be removed during or after the attack. In other words, it is desirable to prolong or perpetuate the state of the "dead bolt", so that in the case of a physical attack, it becomes more difficult for the perpetrator to gain access to the protected area. Many known plates do not prolong or perpetuate the state of a "dead bolt" after the plate has been physically attacked, and thus do not provide adequate additional protection in that scenario. In addition, many known sheet metal systems involve "Screw mechanics" require two separate actions to extend the door locking member towards the door stud, and to extend the screw from the body of the sheet. This is not merely inconvenient, but represents an additional security risk if the individual is not careful when performing the second action. Furthermore, it is desirable that said systems provide a "screw projection" (extension of screw movement) that is adjustable in order to easily adapt an individual sheet to a variety of installations and different types of screw work. In addition, many known sheet systems have minimal closing functions, and do not provide additional safety enhancement features. Applicants have recognized that such security enhancements include detection and response to tampering with a keyboard unit, remote enabling and disabling of the sheet, detection and response to a user's attempt to open the sheet while under duress, and skill to store and subsequently transmit a history of occurrences in the closing system. The invention is directed to satisfy these and other objectives. No known conventional sheet is believed to have the characteristics and advantages of the sheets of the invention which are described in the following specification.

COMMENT OF THE I NVENTION The invention provides a dead bolt plate that automatically locks the extended bolt in order to prevent the externally applied force from pushing the bolt rearwardly into the case of the plate. Advantageously, the dead screw feature does not require additional energy consumption, but rather is invoked by the mere extension of the screw to its "closed" position. The invention further provides that, in the case of certain types of physical attack, the plate responds by prolonging or perpetuating the dead bolt locking condition. This response is ensured through the physical relationship of the sheet elements, and does not require any additional power operation or control in the sheet part. Advantageously, both the characteristics of automatic dead bolt and the characteristics of response to attack which prolong or perpetuate the dead bolt state are provided, using essentially the same mechanical elements, thus reducing the number of parts required for the construction of the sheet and reducing its manufacturing cost. The invention also provides a "push-pull" plate with a screw whose movement in both directions is stopped in response to the detection of an elevation in the motor current above a certain level. A cushioning configuration allows the current limiting feature to be implemented without the risk of damaging the motor, gear teeth or other drive components. A reclosing configuration involves an angled flange that is part of an engine support fastener. When the flange is compressed with a sufficiently high force to allow a piercer to begin removing the material from a hard protective plate, the flange breaks plastic bolts to release a spring-loaded re-closing wire to block the removal of the screw. In addition, when the wire is in the dead screw position, an extension of the re-closing wire engages a flange of the sheet case to prevent the re-closure from being tampered with back to its original position. The invention also provides a sheet metal system, wherein a sheet controls the position of a screw work locking element that selectively couples a lever-driven mechanism that locks and unlocks the door to be opened. A sensor switch, preferably located inside the screw work mechanism, tells the sheet when the mechanism has been moved to a safe position, so that the sheet automatically closes the sheet again (extends the screw and moves the element Lock screw work to attach the lever-driven mechanism). In this way, the user does not have to perform a second step of manually extending the screw. Finally, the invention provides various features for improving security, such as a novel keyboard forcing detection and response system, a remote enable / disable unit, a duress detection and response unit, and a verification trace feature.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the detailed description appended with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDIX DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to similar elements, and wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sheet metal box 100 with a cover 101, according to a dead screw sheet according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of certain important mechanical components according to an embodiment of the dead screw plate according to the present invention. Figure 3A is a plan view of the sheet of Figure 2 with the screw in its withdrawn (not closed) position, and Figure 3B is a plan view of the sheet of Figure 2 with the screw in its extended position (closed). Figure 4 is a partially exploded plan view (two layers). The upper layer shows an engine 202, a motor fastener 206, a bolt 216, a notch 230 and a screw 204. The partial lower layer shows an oscillator 214, a spring-loaded bolt 220, and a 206E motor fastener extension , which are arranged below the screw. The two layers of the pattern repeat certain elements, such as the box and the extension of the motor fastener, to facilitate the understanding of how the two layers are fixed together. Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C (which collectively may be dominated herein, like Figure 5) are a flow chart illustrating the operation of the dead bolt plate embodiment of Figures 1-4. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating illustrative configurations for motor control, battery level perception, motor current perception, keyboard forcing perception, and screw position perception according to the sheet of any of the Figures 1-5 or Figures 8-10C. Figure 7 graphically illustrates the energy level detection configuration which involves determining the motor current at a selected time after the motor is turned on. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a sheet metal case 800 with a cover 801, in accordance with a push-pull screw plate according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of certain important mechanical components according to the second embodiment of the invention, the push-pull plate. Figure 10A is a partial cut-away plan view of the sheet of Figure 9 with the screw in its withdrawn (not closed) position, and Figure 10B is a partial cut-away plan view of the sheet of Figure 9 with the screw in its extended (closed) position. Figure 10C is a plan view showing the characteristics of the screw 904 of Figures 9, 10A and 10B. Figure 11A schematically illustrates a sheet metal system according to one embodiment of the invention, including a keypad unit 2 and a keypad, together with elements for performing functions such as coercion detection, remote enablement and disabling, generation of verification trace , keyboard forcing response, and screw extension indication. Figure 11B schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment for implementing the functions of Figure 11A. Collectively, Figures 11A and 11B may be referred to herein as "Figure 11". Figure 12A is an exploded perspective view of a keyboard cover 642 and base 644, with a metal part 646 used in a keyboard forcing response system according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 12B is a plan view of the interior of the cover, and Figure 12C is a plan view of the interior of the base. Figure 12D illustrates the metal part 646 of the base juxtaposed with the Reed switch 648 of the cover and a magnet 650. Figure 12E shows the base and cover balanced for installation, and Figure 12F shows how, when the cover is installed on the base, the metal part 646 is located between the magnet 650 and the Reed switch 648. Figures 1 3A and 1 3B schematically illustrate a closure system including a plate 1, screw mechanics 1310 and a switch detection 1350, shown in closed (locked) and open (unlocked) positions, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES To describe the preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology thus selected, and it should be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to achieve a similar purpose. For example, the terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", according to the hands of the clock, contrary to the hands of the clock, and the like, are intended to be relative terms to facilitate the understanding of the illustrated modalities, and not as absolute limiting terms for the invention that is claimed. Modalities First, a first embodiment of a sheet, specifically a dead screw sheet according to the invention, is described. Then, a second embodiment directed to a push-pull plate is described. Finally, several characteristics of the sheet metal system are described, which may include plates according to the first and second embodiments. Dead screw plate: mechanical structure and basic operation. Figures 1-4 illustrate the construction of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of a dead screw plate according to the present invention, with the flow diagram of Figures 5A-5C showing its operation. An engine 202 which can be driven by batteries or other suitable means, is motive power in addition to the operation of the plate, and controls whether the screw 204 is removed from or extended from the sheet metal case 100. Preferably, the batteries are located away from the same sheet, in a housing to which the sheet is connected through a cable (not shown specifically), which may be, for example, a ribbon cable. In a particular embodiment, the batteries are located in a keyboard housing, and provide power to the keyboard and the sheet metal, as well as to other modular elements that may be present in the system. The ribbon cable is led from a keyboard, card reader or other access control device through a cushioned opening 104 to the side of the sheet metal box 100. After passing through the cushioned opening, the cable is connected with a circuit board (not shown, but described below) that is connected through the motor 202 through a suitable internal cable. The motor 202 is fixed within the box 1 00 through a motor fastener 206 which secures the motor by capturing the motor hub 202A in a motor fastener hole 206C, without fasteners. The motor fastener is attached to the box at points 206A, 206B. The motor shaft passes through an opening 206C in the motor holder. A circuit board (not shown) is attached to the box at points 266A, 266B. The circuit board includes a microprocessor or microcontroller (hereinafter abbreviated as μC), together with a conventional support and protection circuit system (level shifters, shock absorbers, bypass capacitors, discharge tip suppressors, etc.). ). The board also includes a suitable memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), all of which may reside in the same μC (see Figure 6). ). Except where specifically described in this specification, the particular selection, design, programming and operation of the circuit board lie within the skill of those skilled in the art, and no additional detail thereof needs to be provided for any expert in the art. technique to appreciate and easily implement the invention. Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, a partially threaded pin 216, having an arrow with a threaded inner portion 216T and an unthreaded outer portion 216U, is driven by the engine 202. The motor moves a notch 230 axially along the pin 216, either towards the engine or away from the engine, depending of its rotation direction. As the bolt 216 rotates, the groove 230 is displaced axially on the bolt, but remains within a generally rectangular cavity 240 in the bolt. The cavity has an inner surface 242 that is disposed closer to the engine, and an outer surface 244 that is disposed beyond the engine and closer to the outside of the sheet. A first coil spring 208, coaxially disposed about the bolt, is compressed axially between the groove 230 and an end external surface 246 of the screw cavity 240, to compress the bolt 204 away from the notch / bolt assembly. This pressure deflects the screw in a direction away from the sheet metal case 100. The position of the nut 230, being controlled by the rotation of the bolt, sometimes acting together with the first coil spring 208, determines the position of the sheet metal screw. . As the motor rotates the bolt in a direction to force the notch away from the motor, the notch is compressed against the first helical spring, which in turn pushes the screw to extend from the sheet case. Conversely, as the motor rotates the screw in one direction to force the notch towards the motor, the screw is removed in the plate. The surface of the screw 204 that can be seen in Figures 3A, 3B and 4 is provided with first and second detents 270A, 270B. As the screw is extended, it moves until the detents 270A, 270B make respective contact with the blocks 272A, 272B which are integral parts of the sheet metal case 100. The blocks 272A, 272B in this way limit the g to which the screw 204 can be extended from the sheet case. In the box of the sheet shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4A, the main body of the screw 204 extends above a platform 102, while a lower projection 204L exits downwardly from the screw (Figures 2, 4) passes through a notch 1 03 in the box (Figure 2). The sheet metal box 1 00 is provided with two projections 210, 212 which retain and limit an oscillator 214 (Figures 2, 4) as the oscillator rotates about a center of rotation 214C. A bolt 220 (Figures 2.4) is provided with first and second projections 220A, 220B. In normal operation, a torsion spring 226 pushes the bolt 220 in a clockwise direction (as seen in Figures 2 and 4) around a center of rotation 220C. When the bolt is thus pushed clockwise, the first projection 220A is compressed against a serrated surface 2141 (Fig. 2) formed on the "bottom" face of the oscillator (it is understood that it is the face that does not it is visible in Fig 4). The pressure of the first bolt projection 220A pushes the oscillator 214 counterclockwise (as seen in Figure 4). In normal operation, the motor fastener extension 206E blocks the rotation of the second projection 220B in the latch. The notch 230 is provided with a post 232 (Figure 2) extending radially away from the screw, through the bottom of the screw cavity 240, and into the oscillator 214. The "upper" surface of the oscillator 214 (in this discussion , denoting the surface of the oscillator that is visible in Figure 4) is provided with first and second post guides 214A, 214B which form a channel 215 for the notch post. Operation of dead bolt plate. Now we will describe the preferred methods for the operation of the sheet, in the extension and removal of the screw. Special reference is made to the functional flow diagram of Figures 5A to 5C. Dead screw plate closure (screw extension). In summary, as the motor rotates, the bolt 216 causes the bolt to be extended from the plate, the pole 232 (Figure 2) moves within the channel 215 of the oscillator (Figure 4) during a first part of the axial movement of the notch along the bolt. However, as the post moves sufficiently far from the engine 202, the screw approaches its fully extended position, and the post 232 surrounds the shoulder 218 and escapes from the channel 215 towards an open area 219 on the oscillator. In normal operation, when the post is inside the channel 215 of the oscillator, the post 232 governs the rotational position of the oscillator 214 despite the spring-loaded latch 220. However, when the post escapes to open the area 21 9 when the screw is fully or nearly fully extended, the oscillator 214 is pushed counterclockwise to the maximum extent through the spring-loaded latch 220. When the oscillator 214 is in its fully counter-clockwise position, its blocking surface 21 3 is disposed immediately opposite an angled surface 204A (Figure 4), extending from the projection 204L (Figure 2) on the " "bottom of the screw 204 which is not visible in Figure 3. When in this position, the blocking surface 213 blocks the shoulder 204L of the screw and thus avoids any externally applied pressure for it to force the screw back towards the inside of the box of the sheet metal. In this manner, the spring-loaded bolt configuration 220, and oscillator 214 with a channel 215 of limited length and a blocking surface 213, serves as a dead bolt configuration. This configuration does not require any external energy to maintain its function as dead bolt, since the torsional force 222 finally maintains the blocking surface 21 3 in its blocking position. In order to extend the screw out of the sheet case, the motor rotates for a predetermined period of time (for example, 0.5 sec undos) which is sufficient to move the notch of the threaded portion 21 6T of the bolt 216 on its external portion. threaded 216U (Figure 2). After the notch 230 has reached the non-threaded portion 216U of the bolt, the bolt continues to rotate for a short period (the remaining period of time of 0.5 seconds), but the notch 230 remains fixed since it will no longer be on the portion threaded If the screw 204 is blocked to not extend (for example, through a door pillar or open screw mechanisms), the first coil spring 208 resists the movement of the groove 230 at a certain rate, but the motor does not experience the sudden resistance that could have if the notch suddenly found a motionless barrier. The notch moves out of the unthreaded portion of the bolt, increasing the load on the spring 208 until the notch stops movement. The oscillator can not move towards its blocking position until the screw mechanisms (or other blocking structure such as a door stud) are closed. The spring load 208 causes the screw to fully extend, and the screw 222 causes the oscillator to move to its blocking position. It is intended that the locked screw position be the position * that the plate assumes almost all the time during normal operation. A first exception is a few seconds after an authorized user has entered an authorization (combination of numbers, key card, or the like), in which case the oscillator 214 is temporarily moved out of the way of the screw, so that the screw It can be removed. Also, as described below, in the event that certain types of physical attack on the plate (not considered as a normal operation), the bolt 220 moves to a position that permanently locks the oscillator in its dead bolt position. These exceptions are described below. How to unlock the dead screw plate (removal of the screw). See Figure 5A. During normal operation, when a user enters a correct authorization, the motor 202 is activated to rotate the bolt 216 in a direction that causes the notch 230 and its attached post 232 to move towards the motor.

Before the motor is activated, the pole is located in an open area 219 of the oscillator. When the first motor is activated, the pole moves the second pole guide 214B over the oscillator 214. When the pole moves the pole guide 214B, it pushes the oscillator 214 to rotate in a clockwise direction. (as seen in Figure 4), against the torsion spring force 222 acting on the bolt 220. When the motor first starts to remove the bolt, the groove 230 is on the non-threaded portion 216U of the bolt 216. In a Preferred embodiment, during this initial movement of the notch and the post, the notch first traverses a small gap (not shown) between the resting position of the notch on the unthreaded portion of the bolt and the innermost edge 242 of the cavity. 240. The notch 230 is always pushed against the threads through the first icoidal helical spring 208, but the notch 230 does not engage the threads of the bolt until after the motor begins to rotate the bolt. The screw 204 does not actually begin to move inwardly until after the notch has engaged the threads of the bolt and has traversed and closed the small gap in order to make contact with the innermost edge 242 of the screw cavity. In this manner, the post 232 moves the oscillator 214 out of the path of the screw just before the notch 230 begins to move the screw. After the oscillator has rotated a sufficient amount, the post surrounds the shoulder 218 of the oscillator (Figure 4) to mark the maximum rotation according to the clock hands of the oscillator. At that time, the blocking surface of the oscillator has been turned out of the way of the angled surface 204A on the bottom of the screw. With the blocking surface 213 out of the way, the function of the dead bolt of the sheet has been removed, so that the screw can be withdrawn towards the box of the sheet. After the post 232 of the notch has surrounded the shoulder 218 of the oscillator, the post enters the channel 215 of the oscillator. The continuous rotation of the motor and the bolt moves the pole up the channel as the screw is withdrawn towards the box of the sheet. First and second bushings 234, 236 are provided coaxially around the bolt 216. The first bushing 234 and the second bushing 236 freely rotate on the bolt, the second bushing 236 being located closer to the inner end of the bolt 204. The bushings have respective annular flanges retaining a second helical spring 238 (shown in Figures 2, 3A, 3B, but omitted in Figure 4A). The second helical spring 238 cushions the stop of the screw, to prevent the motor from being overloaded. The bushings prevent wear of the spring, bolt and screw. As the second coil spring 238 begins to compress, it does not rotate with the screw, and the bushings prevent dislodging as the bolt continues to rotate. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the motor is turned off when a microprocessor or microcontroller (μC) senses the motor current exceeding a load limit. As shown schematically in Figure 6 a microprocessor (μC) 600 (such as an SGS Thompson ST62T60B) is shown together with a DC motor 602 and four electronic switches 61 0, 612, 614, 616. The microprocessor 600 controls the four switches to apply selectively to the motor, either (1) no voltage, when the motor is to be stopped, (2) a forward voltage, to make the motor run in a first direction, or (3) a reverse voltage, to spin the engine in a second direction. The forward and reverse voltages are derived from a voltage source 604 which may include (for example) two nine-volt alkaline batteries connected in parallel. The perception of the current can be done indirectly, measuring the voltage across a resistor (or resistor bank) 606. More specifically, when the microprocessor (μC) rotates the first and fourth switches 610, 616 toward its driving state, the current passes through the motor from terminal A to terminal B, and the motor rotates in a first direction (for example, to extend the screw). Conversely, when the microprocessor triggers the second and third switches 612, 614 toward its conduction state, the current passes to the motor from terminal B to terminal A, and the motor rotates to a second direction (e.g. , to remove the screw). When the screw is removed, the current perception characteristic of the invention is more useful. When the current is perceived with an excess of a certain load threshold, the microprocessor acts to cut off the power to the motor, thus interrupting the motor and preventing the mechanical connection or damage of the motor when the screw has reached its fully retracted position. . The electronic and microprocessor operation of the microprocessor and the motor control are described in more detail with reference to Figure 7, in the description of the low battery detection characteristic. After the dead bolt plate has been opened. The following discussion refers to the operation of the dead bolt plate inmediately after the plate has been opened.

Feature of "delay" or time out. During operation, when a correct combination or other authorization is entered, the screw is preferably removed only for a predetermined period of time (such as 15 seconds in the push-pull plate, or 6 seconds in the dead-bolt plate). After this predetermined time period has expired (a period of "delay"), the motor automatically extends (or attempts to extend) the screw. This "delay" feature ensures that if a correct combination has been entered, the security door must be opened almost immediately; otherwise, the screw extends until the end of the period of delay or time out and the combination could be introduced again. This feature provides extra security in a scenario where an authorized individual enters a correct combination, but is distracted and has to leave the area. Without the delay feature, a locked door to a security may falsely indicate that security or insurance is closed, and unauthorized individuals could access the insurance if the screw was not automatically extended again. However, with the characteristic of delay or time out, if the security door is closed and a combination has not been introduced in the last seconds, the screw automatically extends and the security risk is avoided. If the screw is blocked. See specifically the flow diagram of Fig. 5C. Normally, after the sheet is removed, the user opens the door completely, in which case, the screw is easily extended again since there is no blockage in the path of the screw. However, it is recognized that, after the screw has been removed, it is possible for the user to move the door only a small distance, large enough so that the screw no longer aligns with a cavity in the door stud safety, but not enough for the screw to clear the door stud. In this scenario, the motor attempts to push the screw outward, but the door jamb blocks the movement of the screw. In this scenario, the first helical spring 208 assures that, with the next movement of the door, the screw will extend. Specifically, if the door is pushed to its fully closed position, the screw is aligned with its hook in the upright and the first spring 208 extends the screw, closing the door. Conversely, if the door is pulled and opened, the spring extends the screw as it frees the door jamb, thus ensuring that the door can not be completely closed and providing a visual indication that the lock is unlocked . The invention can also be applied to situations where there are "screw mechanisms" for the safety. The following paragraphs apply to modalities where screw mechanisms are attached to the screw. Figures 13A, 13B show an example of screw mechanisms 1310. Figures 13A, 13B are discussed in more detail below. However, a simplified embodiment of the screw mechanisms (not specifically illustrated) involves screw mechanisms that differ from those shown in Figures 13A, 13B. In this simplified embodiment, there is no blocking member 1312, and the screw 1304 can extend directly into the notch 1322 without any intermediate blocking member. The operation of a sheet where the screw extends to a door post is very similar to the operation of the sheet where the screw extends into a notch in the screw mechanisms: if the notch is aligned with the screw, then the screw can be extended completely into the notch, but if the notch is not aligned with the screw (such as when the screw mechanisms are "open"), then the screw does not extend immediately, but will be extended again when the screw mechanisms are returned to their "closed" position. With respect to the additional automatic extension feature of the screw, the movement of the notch in the screw mechanisms with respect to the screw is equivalent to the opening and closing of the door and the realignment of the hole in the door upright with the screw; The principle of internal operation of the sheet is the same. Referring now to Figures 13A, 13B, if the sheet metal screw is retracted but the safety screw mechanisms are not placed to allow the safety door to be opened, the screw can easily be re-extended because it does not there is no blockage of the external path of the screw. When the security door is opened after the movement of the screw mechanisms, previously blocked by the sheet, after the screw has been removed, the screw mechanisms block the path of the screw, so that the screw can not extend. In this scenario, the motor attempts to push the screw outward, but the safety screw mechanisms block the movement of the screw. In this scenario, the first coil spring 208 ensures that, with the next movement of the safety screw mechanisms to secure the lock, the screw will extend. Specifically, if the screw mechanisms are moved back to the fully closed position, the screw is aligned with its locking point in the screw mechanisms and the first spring 208 extends the screw, closing the lock. The normal operation of the sheet that has been described will now describe other aspects of the invention. First safety feature of reclosing (described with special reference to the dead bolt plate). As understood by those skilled in the art, "re-closure" has two definitions. The first denotes an extension of the screw made after the screw has been removed. This re-closing by the regular is carried out automatically, without the intervention of the user. The automatic extension of the screw described above for a given period of time after the screw has been removed can be considered as a first example of re-closing. Below is a description of a second type of reclosing, one that is performed when the plate is physically attacked. It is noted that the sheet can be physically attacked with a hammer and metal rod or punch through a wire access passage in the safety door, the hole being aligned with the engine 202. In this scenario, the motor is probably 202 or its motor fastener 206 will be the element that receives the force of the punch attack. Since, in accordance with the invention, the motor 202 is brought into contact with its motor fastener 206, the motor fastener will be forced out of place. If the motor fastener 206 is forced out of position, the extension of the fastener 206E which normally contacts the bolt 220 (Figure 4) is also displaced. When the fastener extension 206E is displaced, it no longer blocks the second projection 220B of the bolt. Without being thus restricted, the rotational force of the torsion spring 222 causes the bolt to rotate according to the clock hands more than during normal operation. In a particular embodiment, the bolt rotates at least another 90 °, so that the first bolt projection 220A contacts a rounded portion 224 (Figure 4) in the sheet case. When the bolt is in its position according to the hands of the extreme clock, any force applied against it by the oscillator 204 will actually tend to cause the bolt 220 to rotate more according to the hands than counter-clockwise as in normal operation . In this way, the position according to the clockwise extreme hands of the bolt 220 not only ensures that the oscillator 214 rotates towards its dead bolt position, but also ensures that the bolt can not be removed unless the bolt box be physically open and the bolt physically removed. Significantly, the same mechanical components that provide the functionality of the dead bolt of the sheet also provide its re-closing functionality. This integration of the re-closing feature with the dead bolt deflection feature reduces the number of parts in the sheet, thus reducing the cost and complexity of sheet metal fabrication. Low battery detection. Next, a preferred low battery detection configuration will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As can easily be appreciated by those skilled in the art, battery operation progressively deteriorating and its limited lifetime can endanger the proper functioning of the electronic or electrically driven plates that are based on said batteries. For example, in the plates described in this specification, if the screw is removed and the battery does not have enough energy to re-extend the screw, then the screw will remain in its retracted position. This is a serious problem in a scenario where an individual enters a correct combination, but immediately leaves the area, perhaps due to some distraction, but leaves the door closed to the insurance. If the bolt remains removed, the security door falsely appears to be locked when in fact it is vulnerable to access by unauthorized individuals. Especially for such scenarios, but also for routine owners when the batteries must be replaced, the present invention provides a battery detection configuration of the invention that accurately detects a useful and important determination of a battery's operating ability. . Conventional detection configurations detect the battery voltage, and cause the plate to respond accordingly, taking defensive action if the measured voltage is below a threshold that is determined according to the particular type of battery being tested. . In contrast, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is an electric current, instead of a voltage, that is detected. This aspect of the invention is particularly suitable for motor driven plates, since the motors are essentially current driven elements.

In addition, electrical measurements are made at particularly important points in time, instead of random points in time as is characteristic of known detection configurations. In this way, the configuration of the invention considers not merely an electrical measurement, but also implies a temporary measurement. According to an illustrative embodiment, a processor 600 (such as a Thompson ST62T60B) detects the magnitude of the motor current within a given time window after the motor is activated. When activated, the motor demands that the batteries increase their current output. According to a preferred embodiment, if the current supplied to the motor does not rise to a certain level within a predetermined time after activation, the decision is made that the battery has inadequate power to initiate an opening sequence, and a Adequate defensive action For example, if it is determined that the batteries do not have enough energy to successfully remove a screw, and wait for a given period of time, and then extend the screw, then it is decided not to remove the screw first, but merely sound an audible and / or visual alarm so that owners know that the batteries should be replaced. More specifically, reference is made to Figure 6 for a schematic illustration of the battery detection configuration. After the initiation of a screw retraction operation for the motor, the microcontroller or microprocessor (μC) verifies as a function of time, the current that passes through a resistor (resistor or resistor arrangement) 606. To allow this verification, the voltage signals received from opposite sides of the resistor are provided to the microprocessor 600 through suitable analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) 608A, 608B and the subtractor 609 which are schematically illustrated in Figure 6. It should be understood, in a practical mode, that a microprocessor must be chosen that incorporates the ADCs, and that the subtraction of the voltage signal values can be performed in the software. In any embodiment, the microprocessor divides the measured voltage difference between the known resistance value of the resistor 606 in order to arrive at a value representing the instantaneous current that passes through the motor as a function of time. During operation, an internal timer on the microprocessor starts at time t0 (see the timing diagram in Figure 7), when the sheet receives a correct authorization code. At t0, the detected current passing through the motor is zero, so that a graph of the current is at the origin of the graph in Figure 7. At this time, the voltage is applied to the motor, and the current begins to rise to overcome the frictional forces that resist motor rotation. When a time ti has elapsed, the microprocessor compares the measured current value with a threshold current ITH- If the measured current exceeds the threshold current, this is r X i considered acceptable as indicated by the "A" region, and the operation proceeds normally. However, if the measured current fails short of the threshold current, it is considered unacceptable 5 as indicated by the "U" region, and a "low battery" flag is set in the software. This flag indicates that the batteries have been drained below an acceptable operating standard, and thus must be replaced. The microprocessor sends a signal to the board through a cable, so that a suitable audible and / or visual indication is provided to alert the user. For this purpose, a conventional buzzer 1102 and a light emitting diode (LED) 1104 are provided in the keyboard housing (see schematic illustration in Figure 11), driven by the signal FDBK (feedback) 11 of the sheet. Also, in a preferred embodiment, two threshold levels are set. The first threshold alerts the user that the batteries are near the end of their lives. When the second level is reached, no removal of the screw is allowed after the flag "low battery" is fixed. The software merely causes the processor to ignore correct inputs of the combination and provides an audible and / or visual indication. In this way, before any attempt to remove the screw when the flag is set, this feature avoids the situation where the battery already does not have enough energy to re-extend the screw after removing it. An improvement to this flagging feature implies taking advantage of a battery's ability to "recover" its voltage over time. In embodiments having this improvement, each open-close cycle involves the current test described above. When the current in three consecutive cycles fails below the threshold current value, a "low battery" warning (such as five groups of double buzzers) is provided. When the current in the three consecutive cycles falls below a second threshold, less than the first threshold, the plate no longer operates and a "dead battery" indication is provided, (such as twenty consecutive beeps). Preferably, at the end of each cycle, when the sheet no longer operates, the microprocessor initiates a screw extension operation to ensure that the short time current is flowing during detection, the notch 230 does not move to the pin 216. Of course, The particular magnitude of the current that is chosen as a minimum threshold, and the particular time ti after activation, vary with several factors. These factors may include: the properties of the batteries, the motor used in the plate, the expected energy consumption for operations for which sufficient energy demand is crucial, a subjectively selected safety margin, etc. These parameters can easily be determined by those skilled in the art with routine experimentation with a given combination of battery, motor and functionality, and the details need not be elaborated. Screw position detection. The illustrated screw is provided with a magnet 290 which is illustrated literally in Figures 2, 3A, 3B, 4, and schematically as element 690 in Figure 6. The magnet is used in conjunction with a Reed switch 692 (Figure 6) which it is attached to (for example) the sheet metal circuit board (not shown). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the closing of the Reed switches is governed by the proximity to an external magnet. When a magnet is close to the Reed switch, the switch closes, and when the magnet is not near the switch, it presents an open circuit. In a first mode, when the screw is extended, a magnet in the circuit board is adjacent to the Reed switch, and the Reed switch signals the "locked" condition to the microprocessor or microcontroller (μC). When the screw is removed to the box, the magnet is not adjacent to the Reed switch and the signal is removed, allowing the software on the microprocessor to conclude that the sheet is unlocked. In an alternative mode, the Reed switch is placed adjacent to the position of the magnet when the screw is removed rather than when it is extended, in which case the signal presented to the microprocessor is an "unlocked" indicator in any mode, the microprocessor can cause an audible and / or visual indication to be present, to confirm a "locked" condition or (preferably) to alert of an "unlocked" condition. In a preferred embodiment, the audible and visual indicators are the buzzer 1102 and the LED 1104 in the keyboard unit (illustrated schematically in Figure 11). Thrust-pull mode. A second embodiment of the sheet of the invention, which can be summarized as a "push-pull" mode, is shown in Figures 8, 9, 10A, 10B, and 10C.

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the push-pull plate, Figures 10A and 10B showing partial cut-away plant views of the sheet in retracted and extended positions, respectively. The components in Figures 9, 10A and 10B are enclosed within a box having a base 800 and a cover 801 shown in Figure 8. A motor 902 provides the driving force to extend the screw 904 into and out of the box 800 of the sheet metal. The screw is provided with two female threaded holes 904A, 904B, which are useful for connection to the "screw mechanisms" which are described with reference to Figures 13A and 13B. The motor 902 is supported by a motor holder 906. The motor hub (located at 902A) is captured by the hole 906A in a motor holder. The motor shaft drives a series of gears 908A, 908B, 908C through an opening 906A in the motor holder. The final gear 908C has a configured hole 910 that coincides with an end 912 of a collar 914 that holds a threaded bolt 916. The collar 914 is fixed through an opening 918A in a bearing retainer 918 that matches a bearing housing 920. The bearing housing 920 has an opening 922 through which the collar 914 is fixed. The bearings 924 within the bearing housing 920 support the collar on the bearing surface 926 of the collar. A notch assembly 930 is disposed with its axis disposed transversely to the axis of rotation of the bolt 916. The notch assembly 930 has a central portion 932 with a larger diameter and two external portions 934A and 934B with a smaller diameter. Two compressible members such as annular rubber shock absorbers 936A and 936B are provided on the respective outer portions 934A and 934B, adjacent, but not touching the axially outer edges of the central portion 932. Preferably, the outer portions have annular indentations (not shown) that coincide with the annular dampers so that the dampers do not slide in the axial direction. The inner diameter of the annular dampers in this manner is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the outer portions in addition to the indentations to keep the annular dampers in place. Preferably, the cylinder is symmetrical about a hole 938 through which the bolt is threaded. The notch assembly 930 with the annular assemblies 936A, 936B is fixed in a depression 940 in the upper part of the screw 904. When the motor causes the bolt 916 in a first direction, the surface of the annular shock absorber 936A is compressed against the surface side 942A (see especially Figure 10C), and the surface of the annular cushion 936B is compressed against the side surface 942B. Conversely, when the bolt is rotated in the opposite direction, the surface of the annular cushion 936A is compressed against the lateral surface 944A (Figure 10C), and the surface of the annular cushion 936B is compressed against the lateral surface 944B. A re-closing wire, generally indicated as the element 950, includes an arm end 952 that is compressed against an inner surface 952A of the case (Figure 10B), a spring 954 (stabilized in the case by a mass 954H in the Figure 10B), a longitudinal portion 956 extending generally to a point adjacent the screw, a loop 958 positioned close to the inner end surface 982 of the screw when it extends, and a locking end 960 that normally fits within a notch 960A ( Figure 10B) in the box. The operation of the re-closing wire will be described below. A printed circuit board (not shown) is attached to box 800 at points 966A and 966B. The hardware that is present on the printed circuit board may be substantially equal to that provided on the printed circuit board in the dead bolt sheet mode that has been described above. A control element must be included, such as a microprocessor or microcontroller that executes instructions that control the operation of the motor, as well as other control and verification functions described elsewhere in this specification. During operation, assuming that the sheet is in its extended position shown in Figure 10B, the microcontroller in the printed circuit board responds to the input of a correct authorization signal (such as a sequence of numbers entered on a keyboard), and causes the motor 902 to rotate the pin 916 in a first direction. The rotation of the bolt causes the notch assembly 930 to move towards the engine, compressing the rubber shock absorbers 936A, 936B against the side surfaces 942A, 942B, respectively, in the screw recess 940. This pressure causes the screw to be removed in the sheet case until the screw surface 982 matches a stud of the screw projection adjusting bolt 980 exiting through the box. At that time, the motor current rises in response to the increased load, a rise that the microcontroller senses in a suitable manner (see, for example, Fig. 6). When the microcontroller detects the current rise, it commands the motor to stop the rotation. Advantageously, the annular shock absorbers 936A, 936B absorb much of the impact shock, thus reducing the severity of the current rise and allowing the microcontroller to react quickly, thus preventing damage to the motor, drive teeth and other impulse components, and reducing battery life.

To re-close the plate by extending the screw, the motor rotates in an opposite direction, causing the bolt to also rotate in the opposite direction. The rotation of the bolt forces (or attempts to force) the bolt out of the plate, from its position in Figure 1 0A to its position in Figure 10B. When this force is applied to the notch assembly, the annular dampers 936A, 936B are compressed against the side surfaces 944A, 944B, respectively, in the depression 949 of the screw. If the screw is not physically locked, this pressure extends the screw out of the sheet case until the screw projections 970A, 970B contact the locking surfaces 972A, 972B, respectively, of the box (see Figure). 1 0B). In this contact, the motor current rises, an elevation that is detected by the microcontroller, which cuts the energy to the motor in the form of a response. In the same way, as during the removal of the screw, the annular shock absorbers absorb much of the shock when the screw is stopped, allowing more time for the microcontroller to cut off the power and extend the longevity of the motor, teeth and other teeth. impulse components. If the screw is physically locked, the plate works mostly in the same way, except that the barrier that blocks the screw, instead of the box surfaces 972A, 972B, determine when the movement of the screw is stopped and the motor it's off.

In this way, the sheet shown in Figures 9, 10A and 10B moves the screw positively in both directions based on the rotation of the motor, and stops the movement of the screw in both directions based on the current detection. This operation gives rise to the term "push-pull" that is applied to the sheet. Although the screw can be made to remain in the withdrawn position (FIG. 10A), in a preferred embodiment a "delay or time out" characteristic similar to that described with reference to the dead screw plate is provided. In summary, the delay feature is a safety feature that ensures that the microcontroller automatically re-extends the screw (Figure 10B) or for a short time (eg, 15 seconds) after the bolt is removed (Figure 10A) . This safety feature ensures that the screw is not left for extended periods in the retracted position (Figure 10A), possibly giving the impression that safety is locked when in fact it is not locked. A preferred application of the push-pull plate is in a sheet metal system where "screw mechanisms" are employed, as shown in Figures 13A, 13B. When used in that application, the push-pull plate can extend the screw in response to a single movement of the user (rotation of the handle shown in Figures 13A, 13B). The microcontroller responds to the position of a switch that indicates whether the safety screws (depressions 1341-1343) have been moved to their extended position, and extends the screw of the sheet automatically. One or more bolt holes (as indicated in element 980) are provided through the rear of case 800. When a bolt is inserted through bolt hole 980, the plate operates in the manner described above. . However, when the bolt is removed from the hole 980, it can not interrupt the movement of the screw, so that the screw can be withdrawn towards the box to a maximum degree. Without any pins installed, the screw is withdrawn to a position in which the screw surface 984 (Figure 10C) is blocked by the bearing housing 990, at which point the microcontroller cuts the power to the motor, the screw being slightly withdrawn to the motor. the box of the sheet metal. One purpose of the bolt hole 980 is to adapt the scale of movement of the screw to suit installations and particular geometries of the screw mechanisms. In this way, essentially the same plate (including or excluding an easily installed and easily removed bolt) can be used in a variety of installations and geometries of screw mechanisms. Therefore, sheets need not be designed separately, thus saving design and manufacturing costs for the sheet metal designer and manufacturer. Also as shown in Figures 9, at 10C, there is a magnet 990 whose purpose and function are substantially equal to the magnet 290 in the dead screw plate of Figure 2. The magnet is formed as the element 690 in the Figure 6. In this way, this configuration of screw extension indicator and / or screw removal including magnet 990, can also be used in the push-pull plate, as are the features of low battery detection, forcing keyboard evident, coercive junction box, remote enabling / disabling box, and verification trace indicator, which are described in various parts in this specification with reference to Figures 6 and 11. Second security feature of reclosure (described with push-pull plate). The illustrated embodiment is provided with an integrated re-closing feature that ensures that the screw can not be removed after certain types of physical attack. Referring to Figure 9, the motor 902 is fixed in the motor fastener 906. The reclosing wire 950 is spring biased, so that, under normal operation, the reclosing wire is compressed against a lower portion 906L of the metal motor fastener 906. During normal operation, the motor fastener is held in place through spikes 920A, 920B extending from the part 920. The spikes 920A, 920B are made of a material that is substantially more weaker than the metal motor fastener 906. Normally, the dowels hold the fastener in place, so that the metal reclosing cable 950 remains in its rest position, where the screw 904 is not locked (see Figure 1B). The effectiveness of this puncture resistant system is improved by providing a hard plate 907 that will not start to form wafers or chips during a drilling operation at a force lower than that which will activate the re-closure configuration. When an external force is applied against the rear of the case, or when a drill bit penetrates the case and applies a force against the hardened plate 907, then the motor 902 and the motor holder 906 are forced from the rear of the case. box . In this case, the force applied to the metal fastener 906 was broken by the soft plastic pins 920A, 920B which retained it, allowing the fastener 906 to be unimpeded from the rear of the case 800. As the motor fastener moves from the rear of the case, the fastener no longer retains the spring-loaded reclosing wire 950. Under the force of the spring portion 954, the reclosing wire 950 moves from its resting position near side 952A of the box. The loop 958 near the outer end of the re-closing wire moves from the side of the box to a vault 958C, where the re-closing wire locks the screw 904 from being removed. When moving to the vault 958C, loop 958 of the reclosing blocks screw surface 982. This position of the re-closing wire performs a dead bolt function: the screw can not be removed, even if a combination is introduced correct As an additional latch for re-closing when the force is applied against the motor, the spring portion 954 discharges the outer end 960 of the resting supposition reset wire in the slot 960A in the box. As the bushing 958 moves into the vault 958C to lock the screw 904, the end 960 is moved to a position that abuts a rim 960B (Figure 10B) in the box. This movement of the end 960 is ensured by the twisting in the loop 958 which deflects the end 960 to rotate counterclockwise (as seen in Figure 10B). When end 960 abuts flange 960B, no force is applied against the wire. of re-closing in a direction away from the screw (towards the side of the box, from the right to the left in Figure 10B) can move the re-closing wire out of its screw locking position (dead screw). The flange blocks the movement of the re-closing wire in any attempt to move the wire back towards the side of the box to its original position 960A. With this configuration, an unauthorized individual can not manipulate the re-close wire out of its screw locking position merely by attempting to force the re-close wire away from the screw. The flange 960B provides a dead-closing feature for the wire that by itself provides a dead-closing feature to the screw, effectively providing a second protective layer. In addition, the cover 801 of the sheet has a thin section 801 A (FIG. 8) that constitutes a line of rupture in the cover. If the sheet motor is forced from the sheet, the cover 801 will break. A portion of the cover will remain on the screw and the wire re-closure, protecting them from further manipulation by individuals attempting to destroy the re-closure system. Auxiliary characteristics (systems). Various characteristics of the sheet metal system of the invention will now be described, with particular reference to Figures 1 1 A and 1 1 B (which may collectively be referred to as Figure 11). It should be understood that the system shown in Figs. 1 1 a and 1 1 B, very similar to Figs. 6 and 7, can employ either the dead screw plate of Figs. 1 -5C, or the push plate- FIG. 8-10. A metal sheet 1, which may be of the types described elsewhere in this specification, is shown together with a keyboard unit 2. The metal sheet 1 and the keyboard unit 2 are connected to each other. through a cable that, in a preferred embodiment, has four conductors: 1. A signal line 10 is a bidirectional analog signal path extending from the keyboard unit and a microprocessor in the sheet 1. 2. A feedback line 1 1 is an analog signal path that leads from the microprocessor of the sheet to the keyboard and to an external data processing unit 3 such as a personal computer. 3. Energy, provided by a battery or a battery arrangement in the keypad unit, carried on line 12. 4. To ground, shared among the various units carried on line 13. Along the cable, one or more modular boxes they can be inserted. According to the invention, these boxes include a disable signal insertion box 4 and a duress detection box 7. The boxes 4, 7 are modular, and thus can be included in or excluded from any particular system, although, to complete this description both boxes are included in the illustrated modality. Also, the invention provides that the coents of the boxes 4 and 7 can be combined to share a single box 47. To support the modularity, the boxes are provided with respective input connectors 4A, 7A that allow connection to the upstream cable, and respective output connectors 4B, 7B that allow connection to the downstream cable. If a given box is omitted from the sheet metal system, the upstream wire is merely fixed to a successive downstream connector instead of the box connector that is omitted. Said connectors are omitted from Figure 11B for clarity. The choice or particular design of the connector easily lies within the skill of those skilled in the art, and consequently its detailed description is omitted. The duress detection box 7 is shown connected through a communication line to a suitable interface 8 to one or more duress response units 8A, 8B, 8C, etc. The duress response units may include, for example, one or more of an alarm 8A, a fixed or video camera 8B, a telephone connection 8C and the like. The disable signal insertion box 4 is shown schematically connected through a connection line to a remote enable / disable unit (RED) 5. The operation of the remote enable / disable unit 5 can be governed by a source of decision 6 which may be one or more of an alarm button, key switch, a modem that receives remote electronic commands and the like. In summary, the remote enable / disable unit 5 allows the disable signal insertion box 4 to inject a "disabling signal" into the signal line 10 leading to the plate 1. In a particular preferred embodiment (see Figure 11B), the "disabling signal" can actually be the "opening" (of connection or opening circuit) of the signal line 10 by a relay.; the plate recognizes the open signal line as a disabling signal. In a preferred, simplified embodiment, the functions of elements 4 and 5 are combined in a single box. In that embodiment, when a B-blocking signal is received, the mixed box with the combined functions of the boxes 4 and 5 illustrated, the signal line 10 is opened with a suitable closing relay.

The keypad unit 2 includes a key arrangement 1 1 06 and an encoder 1 108 which interprets the closing of the keys in the key arrangement. As illustrated schematically in Figure 1 1 A, the encoder controls all the resistance of a resistor ladder 1 1 10 having a series of resistors whose resistance values can be related to each other; for example, energies progressively greater than 2. The resistor ladder 1 1 10 is connected to one end to ground 13 and at the other end to the DC power (+ V) through a tensile resistor (preferably a 20KQ resistor). 101 located on the plate). In this way, the key arrangement 1 106, encoder 1 108, and resistor ladder 1 1 10 function together as a programmable voltage divider. The selective reduction of a given combination of resistors in the ladder, then the encoder causes the resistor ladder to present a voltage in the analog output line 10 which is a unique encoded representation of the key that has just been compressed. In the alternative embodiment of Figure 1 1 B, an arrangement of resistors 1 1 10 'is provided. Each key on the keyboard 1 106 is connected to a switch (schematically illustrated as the element 1 108 ') which inserts a different diagonal resistance to the signal line 10 (data). The keypad unit 2 is also adapted to receive signals in the analogous trajectory FDBK (feedback) 1 1. In the embodiment of Figure 1 1 A, the keyboard unit passes the signals to an external unit 3, such as a conventional personal computer (PC). In the mode of Figure 1 1 B the signal and feedback paths are connected to a 3 'verification tracking interface which includes a Dallas Semiconductor ™ "Touch Memory" and an electrical circuit to properly translate the data from the sheet . Also sensitive to the feedback path signal 1 1 are an audible indicator (buzzer) 1 102 and a visual indicator (light emitting diode, LED) 1 104. The energy is provided to the various units illustrated through a DC power source, and schematically indicated as element 1 100, which can constitute one or more conventional nine-volt alkaline batteries connected in parallel. Response feature of keyboard forcibly. Referring now to Figures 12A-1 2F, Figure 12A is an exploded perspective view of a key cover 642 and a base 644, with a piece of metal 646 used in a keypad response system in accordance with FIG. with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 2B is an inside plan view of the roof 642, and Figure 12C is a plan view of the interior of the base 644. Figure 12D illustrates the base goal piece 646 juxtaposed with the Reed switch 648 of FIG. the cover and the magnet 650. Fig. 12E shows the base and the cube balanced for installation, and Fig. 12F shows how when the cover is installed on the base, the metal part 64 is located between the magnet 650 and the Reed switch 648. Cover 642 has a key arrangement 1 106. Base 644 is adapted to be fixed to a door or wall through bolts, screws or other means. The cover is firmly fixed to the base through suitable means, such as a hook 1202 and spring fasteners in protrusions 1204, 1206 (Fig. 12B) which are fixed in the respective slots 1205, 1207 (Fig. 12A) in the base . The cover 642 has a first electrical connector 1260 for receiving a cable leading between the keyboard unit and an external data processing unit 6 such as a microprocessor (see Figure 1 1), and a second connector 1262 for receiving a cable that leads between the keyboard unit 2 and the sheet 1. A bank of battery terminals 1270 is also illustrated, and receives, for example, two standard nine volt alkaline batteries arranged in parallel in a manner known to those skilled in the art. One or more circuit boards containing a keyboard encoder and another auxiliary circuit system may be arranged behind the batteries and connectors. It is recognized that unauthorized individuals may attempt to enter the protected area, vandalize the sheet, or simply obtain information regarding the construction of the sheet, removing the cover from the base. A preferred embodiment of the closure system detects when the cover has been removed from its back, and responds in a variety of ways. The cover has a permanent magnet 650 (also seen in Fig. 6) placed near a Reed switch 648 (also seen in Figure 6). The base has a piece of metal 646 fixed in a slot 1209 (Figure 12A). When the cover is installed on the base, the metal part 646 of the base (Figure 12A) is located directly between the magnet 650 of the cover and the Reed switch 648 (Figure 12B). When the cover is thus installed on the base, the metal part attracts the flow lines that could otherwise reach the Reed switch. In this situation, the Reed switch is in a first state. Conversely, when the cover 642 is removed from the base 644, the metal part 646 is removed from between the magnet and the Reed switch. In this situation, the flow lines from the magnet that were previously inverted by the metal part can reach the Reed switch, causing the switch to change from its first state to a second opposite state. The Reed switch is connected through the signal line that leads from the keyboard unit to a microprocessor or microcontroller (μC) (see Figure 6). In a preferred embodiment, the microcontroller is located on a printed circuit board which is securely located in the box of the sheet metal, away from the keyboard unit. The status of the Reed switch is read by the microprocessor, either substantially continuously, or through an appropriate interruption scheme. When the software in the microprocessor detects that the cover in this way has been opened, it can initiate any variety of functions in response to the removal of the keyboard cover, as follows. First, the microprocessor may merely record the occurrence in its occurrence record in an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), which may be an integrated circuit memory that is part of the μC or a separate memory integrated circuit. The occurrence becomes part of a verification trace that is discussed in any part of this specification. The verification trace can be uploaded to a personal computer or other device, through the input socket of a predetermined "load" key sequence. Alternatively, removal of the metal part 646 from between the magnet 650 and the Reed switch 648 can cause the Reed switch to ground itself to the signal line leading from the keyboard unit to the plate. (Alternatively, it is contemplated that the signal line may be set at a predetermined "forcing alarm" voltage level, instead of ground and single voltages that are generated by pressing keys on the keyboard). The chip microprocessor software interprets a ground signal line or other "forcing force" voltage as a disabling signal, and rejects to remove the sheet metal screw. Whenever the "forcing alarm" signal is determined, even a correct combination entry does not reach the plate. If the cover is replaced in the base, the Reed switch returns it to its first state, and the "forcing alarm" voltage is removed from the signal line leading to the plate. The sheet can respond in several ways. For example, the sheet can merely return to normal operation, on the theory that the cover has been removed for legitimate reasons (such as replacing the batteries in the keyboard housing). Alternatively, the sheet may continue to refuse to open the screw, even in response to a correct combination entry, in the belief that the person removing the cover is not authorized. In this alternative scenario, the sheet metal software has set a "keyboard forcing" flag, preferably in the EEPROM, in response to the original removal of the keyboard cover. After the cover is replaced and additional combination entries are made, the software issues an audible and / or visual alarm to indicate to the current individual that a forcing has occurred. After said individual alarm or (alternatively) after the user has entered a special code sequence to recognize and remove the "forcing alarm" condition, the sheet microprocessor resets the "keypad forcing" flag and returns to normal operation. In the above form, the sheet of the invention modalizes a variety of responses to the detected forcing. The answers vary in their level of severity, as described below. Coercion response characteristic. The sheet metal system can use a system that allows a user to secretly signal that he is under duress. For example, when an employee of a business is kept at a point with the gun and ordered to open the plate, it is considered to be under "duress" as understood in this specification. In this scenario, the employee can enter a special combination, called a combination of coercion, instead of an ordinary combination. The coercion combination may be, for example, a one-digit variation of a combination that is ordinarily used to open the sheet when the employee is not under duress. In addition, the ability of the sheet to send duress signals is turned on and off through a predetermined keyboard sequence. The combination that is a combination of coercion is recognized as a coercion signal only when the characteristic is turned on. When a combination of coercion is introduced, the same plate can respond normally, as if a correct combination had been entered, and no special feedback is provided on the analog power line. This ensures that the man with the gun is not warned of the introduction of the coercion combination. However, the sheet detects the input of the duress combination, and signals the coercive response unit. The employee in this way can agree with the man's demand with the gun to open the plate without alerting the man of the gun that by doing this, an alarm is sounding, activating a camera, requesting the help of the police , and similar. To achieve this function, a duress detection box 7 is inserted in line between the keyboard unit 2 and the sheet 1. Essentially, the plate checks the analog signal line 10 and compares a sequence of levels of analog voltages which are coded representations of the sequence of keys the user has pressed. When the sheet detects the input of a duress code, the sheet metal tracks a single series of voltage pulses to the bidirectional signal line. The duress detection box interprets the analog pulse sequence of the plate, and in response, closes an output relay that signals an alarm condition. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the relay changes the state of one second after the duress code is entered, and remains in that changed state for two sec. This verification configuration is schematically indicated by a shift-comparator register 1 120 which receives the voltage pulse sequence and compares them with a known pulse sequence 1 1 22. When a complete match is detected, the shift-comparator register d signal to a pulse generator 1124 (more simply modalized by the aforementioned relay) which in response gives signal to the interface 8 to the coercion response unit (s). When the interface 8 receives the signal, it causes one or more duress responses to respond appropriately, such as issuing an alarm (usually remote), activating a video or a fixed camera to gather the evidence of the robbery and the thief and / or phoning automatically to the police to prevent them from theft in progress. In this way, the sheet metal system of the invention allows the business owner to take appropriate action (s) against the thief without alerting the thief that he is doing so. The particular choice or design of the interface varies according to the particular response units that are chosen. Since the particular choice of such units and the particular choice or design of the interface is not essential to the invention, and since such selection or design lies within the skill of those skilled in the art, a detailed discussion of the construction of the interface. Enabling / disabling remotely. The disable signal insertion box 4 and the remote enable / disable ("RED") unit 5 allows a business owner to remotely disable the plate to be opened, even when a correct combination is entered into the keyboard unit 2. Illustrative embodiments of this box and unit are illustrated schematically in Figure 11A. However, in a particular particular embodiment, a box which is a combination of the box 4 and the signal unit 5 receives an external voltage signal Vbio which determines whether the sheet is to be able to be operated or not. An optical coupler receives Vb? 0 which, and depending on the fixing of the splices that essentially determine a polarity convention, a closing relay both closes and opens the signal line 10 between the sheet 1 and the keyboard unit 2. The line of energy + V 12 is not interrupted, so that the sheet can automatically continue to re-close, without considering the state of Vb? 0 that- Referring again to the more generalized schematic illustration of Figure 11A, the box of insertion of disable signal 4, under the control of the remote enable / disable unit (RED) 5, interrupts the analog signal line 10, so that signals from the keyboard unit 2 are prevented from reaching the plate. When the disable feature is active, instead of the analog signal from the keypad, a "disable" signal (an analog signal in the preferred mode) is sent to the sheet. A binary (yes / no) decision is made, indicated schematically by a binary "block" bit signal 1140. A "block" signal, schematically shown as a binary voltage Vb? 0 that emitted by a decision source 6, is introduced into both the disable signal insertion box 4 and the RED 5 unit. In the disable signal insertion box, the "block" bit 1140 controls the selection control input to a multiplexer, schematically illustrated as element 1144. When activated, the "block" bit causes the "disable" signal 1142 of the RED 5 unit to pass to the plate 1. When the "block" bit 1140 is not active, the selector 1144 merely passes the analog signal from keyboard unit 2 to plate 1 to perform normal operation. The selector 1140 is shown schematically, and it is understood that it has an output with a high impedance state. When in the high impedance state, the selector does not interfere with signals passing from the sheet back to the keyboard. For the passage of the signals in this reverse direction, a damper with a high impedance output and a control input is also illustrated schematically as the element 1146. In the alternative embodiment of Figure 11B, the interruption of the signal line is achieved by opening a relay on the signal line instead of selecting a voltage that can not be interrupted to be placed on the signal line. Referring again to Figure 11A, in the RED 5 unit, the block signal controls a switch that is schematically indicated as the element 1150. When activated, the switch 1150 selectively connects a Volunic voltage to the first input of a selector 1152. When VÚ? ÍCO is a digital signal, an inverter 1154 is provided to receive the output of the switch 1150, and to drive the second output of the selector.

The disabling signal insertion 4 can be designated as a simple electrical relay that controllably ground the signal line 10, thereby simplifying the design and implementation of the sheet system in the implementation of the selector 1144 that is schematically illustrated. However, a scenario that makes use of an analogous disable signal more desirable than a binary disable signal is contemplated. In particular, in some embodiments, the keyboard unit 2 is provided with a particular forcing feature that grounds the analog signal line 10 in response to the detected keyboard forcing. In this scenario, if Vunic is binary, the sheet can receive a ground signal on the analog signal line 10, but can not distinguish between keyboard forcing (from the keyboard unit) and remote disabling (from the keyboard). RED unit). The use of an analogous Vúnico different to all the signals provided by the keyboard in the analog signal line 10, avoids this ambiguity. Verification tracking feature. According to one embodiment of the invention, the microprocessor of the sheet maintains a record of occurrences. Preferably, the record is maintained in a programmable, electrically erasable read only memory (EEPROM) provided on the same circuit board as, or as an integral part of, the microprocessor. To simplify the data structure and to maximize the use of the EEPROM memory capacity, the register is preferably maintained as a "rolled stack" of 2"entries (where n is an integer such as, for example, 6). Several occurrences are entered into the record Occurrences that are entered may include correct combination entries, incorrect combination entries, as well as more unusual events such as keyboard forcing alarms, duress combination entries, and ratings and disabling With each occurrence, a sequence of binary code that uniquely identifies the occurrence is pushed into the stack When the capacity of the EEP ROM is exceeded (which could otherwise correspond to a stack overflow in a conventional stack). ), the oldest occurrence is merely overwritten.This design in this way prevents the stack from overflowing, a characteristic It is useful when using small capacity EEPROM memories. When it is desired to read the register, a user enters a predetermined "loading" code sequence into the keyboard. The sheet microprocessor detects this load sequence, and takes control of the analog signal line 10 and the analog feedback line 1 1. The microprocessor places a synchronization clock signal in the feedback line 1 1, while placing data in the signal line 10 in synchrony with it. The data transmitted is merely the code sequences that are taken out of the stack. The clock and synchronous dots pass through 57 VU? ICO can be a analog signal or a digital signal, depending on the particular mode selected, as follows. If Vúnico is designated as the analog signal, the first input of the selector is always selected and Vún? Co through the disable insertion box 4 to reach the plate 1. In this case, VúniC0 works as a disable signal 1142 that instructs the sheet to ignore any attempted combination entry made on the keyboard. Vúnico must be unique with respect to the voltages that are generated by the voltage divider of the keyboard unit, so that the sheet can easily distinguish the signal of disabling of Vúníco analogo 1142 of the ordinary key closures in the signal path 10.

If Vanico is a binary signal (such as to ground) the selector 1152 passes either Vunic (probably to ground) or its inverted binary signal (near + V) as the selected disable signal to the signal insertion box of disabling. For flexibility, a manually set 1156 splice connection determines whether Vun, co or its inversion is selected. The disabling signal 1142 (binary) instructs the sheet 1 to ignore the keyboard combination inputs in the same manner described above, in the paragraph committed to Vunic0 which is a similar signal. The use of V? P, digital co can be considered to be the simplest and the most reliable than the use of an analogous Vunic. Actually, if a binary disable signal is used, the box of the keyboard unit 2 to an external device 3, which can be a personal computer (PC) or a suitable interface that conditions the data for input to a PC . In this way, the most recent occurrences recorded by the sheet are synchronously transmitted to the tracking module microprocessor (Figure 11B), or the encoded sequence of occurrences in communication to an external computer 3 (Figure 11A) represent and be heard by individuals. The implementation of hardware and software of a winding stack, the generation of clock and data signals in synchronization with it, the relay of the information in the external computer and the presentation of the registration information, are easily selected or designated by those skilled in the art and do not need to be discussed further. Figure 11B illustrates an alternative embodiment that performs substantially the same functions that are performed by the embodiments of Figure 11A. Identical and similar reference numbers are provided to the identical and similar elements, with the understanding that the elements 11A and 11B can be exchanged with elements of the other Figures 11A and 11B ie the embodiments of Figures 11A and 11B they are not mutually exclusive. Referring to Figure 11B, a keyboard unit 2 'is shown connected to a sheet 1' through a serial enabled remote enable module 4 'and a duress module 7'. It is contemplated that the remote enabling module 4 'and a duress module 7' may be included in a single module 47 'to provide the same functionality. A verification tracking interface 3 'is located on a branch of the cable between the keyboard unit and the plate. Also in Figure 11B, an external alarm system 58 'is provided, which may be any of a variety of commercially available alarm systems. The external alarm system receives a duress input from the duress module 7 '. The external alarm system also provides a "enable" signal to the remote enable module 4 '. The external alarm system may be of the type that provides signals to a variety of alarm response units, such as an audible alarm 8A, a camera 8B, and the like. In the keyboard unit 2 'in Figure 11B, the energy is provided by a power source 1100 such as one or more 9 volt batteries. In a preferred embodiment, this element provides power to the remote enabling module 4 ', the duress module 7', the sheet 1 ', and the tracking interface 3', or to as many elements of this as are present in a given implementation. A buzzer 1102 and an LED1104 are connected to the feedback line (FDBK) 11 from the sheet 1 'in the same manner as in Figure 11A. The key closures on the keyboard unit 2 '(Figure 11B) are communicated in a slightly different way from that of the keyboard unit 2 (Figure 11A). In Figure 11B each of the twelve keys in keypad arrangement 1106 operates a respective key switch in a keypad switch arrangement, generally indicated as element 1108 '. When a key is depressed, the corresponding switch closes, connecting the signal line 10 to the ground 13 through a corresponding resistor in a resistor network 1110 '. Since each resistor has a single resistance value, the resistance introduced between the signal line 10 and the ground is unique for each key closure, allowing the microprocessor of the sheet to uniquely differentiate the key closures. The remote enabling module 4 'in Figure 11B essentially allows an external decision source, such as an external alarm system 58' to break the electrical connection along the signal path 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection The electrical state is selectively open and closed by the state of a latching relay 1147. The state of the relay 1147 is determined by the state of a binary "enable" signal that is provided in the path 1140 'of, for example, the external alarm. The "enable" input passes through an optocoupler 1149 and a resulting isolated "enable" signal is input to a microcontroller 1148. The microcontroller 1148 stores the state of the enabled signal in the same manner as a register or closure. For the added flexibility in the interconnection to levels of different commercial external alarm systems 58 ', a polarity input 1150 tells the microcontroller whether a high or low level of the isolated "enable" signal indicates a "enable" instruction. The polarity signal can be determined by a manual splice by selectively connecting the polarity signal line to either voltage or ground. The "enable" signal determines whether the signal line 10 must be open or closed. The microcontroller 1148 closes the closing relay 1147 when the "enable" signal is activated (for the normal operation of the lock), and opens the closing relay when the "enable" signal is not activated (to disconnect the keypad). The plate). The microcontroller 1148 may be implemented as, for example, a MICROCHIP ™ microcontroller PIC12C508, although alternative implementations lie within the scope of the invention. Referring now to the duress module 7 'in Figure 11B, a microcontroller 1173 controls the state of a duress relay 1172 in response to a series of duress pulses detected by a comparator 1171. As in the embodiment described above, when a employee is under duress this can a special coercion key sequence on the keyboard 1106. The duress key sequence is different from the normal combination key sequence. The plate recognizes this duress button sequence and sends a series of duress pulses back to the bidirectional signal line 10. The hardness pulses are of a frequency, shape and duration that are different from any key sequence that comes from the keyboard and different from any expected noise on the line. When the comparator 1171 compares the instantaneous voltage on the signal line 10 with a threshold voltage, signals below a certain magnitude are ignored. In this way, the comparator effectively filters signals and noise that might otherwise falsely resemble a coercive pulse sequence. The microcontroller 1173 recognizes any sequence that is passed by the comparator, and detects when pulses of a certain predetermined frequency and duration are present for a required number of cycles. When the microcontroller 1173 recognizes an input waveform as a coercion pulse sequence, it changes the state of the duress relay 1172. The state of the duress relay 1172, (which can be connected to the voltage or ground, depending on the that if closed or open) communicates along the path 1174 to the external alarm system 58 '. The condition of coercion can be maintained for an appropriate time for the application involved. This takes into consideration the requirements of the external alarm system, the possibility of a manual cancellation of the coercion condition, and the like. Programming variations of such a function in the microcontroller lie within the skill of those skilled in the art. If the remote enablement module 4 'and the duress module 7 'are combined in a single combination module 47', a microcontroller 1148 and a microcontroller 1173 can be implemented using the same microcontroller, such as MICROCHIP ™ PIC2C508. Referring to the verification trace interface 3 'of Figure 11 B, a synchronization signal is input to the signal line 10 synchronously with the tracking data signal in the path 11. The verification tracking interface 3' it includes a microcontroller 1158 which may be of conventional design, such as the same model used in the sheet, an SGS Thompson ST62T60B. The synchronization signal and the verification data signal are provided by the sheet 1 ', normally in response to a predetermined sequence of key closures of the keyboard layout 1106. The microcontroller uses the synchronization input as a clock signal for timing data on the signal line 10 representing the verification trace information. When the verification data has been read by the microcontroller, the microcontroller outputs the data to a data storage device 1159, such as the commercially available DALLASSEMICONDUCTOR ™ "TouchMemory" device or other suitable memory. The information on the storage device 1159 can be moved from the verification trace interface to a device (such as a PC) that displays the information in a more human readable format for verification. As an alternative implementation, the microcontroller 1158 may send the verification date directly to the appropriate rendering device, deriving the step of storing it in an intermediate storage device 1159. Again it is emphasized that the embodiments of Figures 11A and 11B are not mutually Exclusive Rather, the characteristics of one of the modalities can be combined with the characteristics of the other modalities to obtain a wide variety of implementations. In this way, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the modalities and implementations that have been described above. Sheet metal with "screw mechanisms". The dead bolt plate mode and the push-pull modes are especially suitable for use as plates in a closure system shown in Figures 13A and 13B. In those Figures, a sheet 1 with a screw 1304 is shown together with screw mechanisms 1310 which are connected to the screw. In the illustrated closure system, the same screw 1304 does not block the door for it to be opened, but rather the screw indirectly causes the door to be blocked and can not be opened. In particular, the screw 1304 is connected through suitable means such as bolts, to a locking member 1312. The locking member can be of any variety of shapes and orientations. The illustrated locking member is a vertically oriented bar that is deflected downward by gravity • to a horizontally oriented slide bar 1320. If the slide bar 1320 is placed at or near its most right-hand end (as seen in Figure 13A), the bottom end of locking member 1 312 is captured in a notch 1322 in slide bar 1320. When it is captured, the blocking member 1312 prevents the slide bar 1 320 from moving horizontally. ^ v If the locking member is captured in the notch, the slide bar can be manually moved through a lever 1330. The lever 1330 is pivoted about a pivot point 1332. A pin 1 334 in the lever engages a vertical slot 1324 on the slide bar to translate the lever's rotation into the longitudinal horizontal movement of the slide bar away from the door post (see Figure 1 3B). The end of the slide bar closest to the door stud is integrally connected to a vertical bar 1340 having one or more depressions 1341, 1341, 1343 extending outwardly from the door to the upright. When the block member 1312 is captured in the notch 1322 (Figure 13A), the depressions 1341, 1 342, 1343 couple respective reinforcing grooves in the door stud, so that the bar 1320 slider can not be moved, and depressions block the door and can not be opened. When the locking member 1 312 is not captured in the notch 1 322, a user can rotate the lever 1330 to move the slide bar 1320, the vertical bar 1340 and the depressions away from the door stud to the door (Figure 13B ). The extreme degree of this horizontal movement removes the depressions completely towards the door, so that they can not block the door for it to open. In this way, whether the door is locked or not, it is determined by (1) the horizontal position of the slide bar 1320 (determined by the user's lever) and by (2) the vertical position of the screw 1304 and the locking member 1312 (as determined by sheet 1). In a first mode of operation, the sheet 1 responds to a correct combination entry by removing the screw 1 304 towards the box of the sheet during a given "short period of delay" (such as 15 seconds) thus causing the blocking member 1312 escapes from notch 1322 and allows the user to move the slide bar as in Figure 13B, and open the door. At the end of this period of delay, the plate automatically causes the screw to extend, thereby enabling the blocking member 1 31 to be captured by the notch 1322 if the notch is positioned behind it. If the notch is not positioned behind the locking member, it is recognized that the screw is locked and can not be extended. In this case, a spring member, such as a first coil spring 208 (FIG. 2) in the dead bolt plate according to the first embodiment, ensures that the blocking member is immediately compressed in the notch when the Notch and locking member are aligned in the future. This feature is more appropriately used when it is the push-pull plate than with the dead bolt plate, due to the physical capacity of the latter to move heavier objects than the same screw. If the push-pull plate of Figs. 8-10 were used in the system of Fig. 13, and the plate will attempt to extend the screw when the locking member and the notch are not aligned, the screw can not be extended; the engine immediately shuts down due to blockage. Accordingly, for use in a second mode of operation, a further feature of the sheet is a detection switch 1350 which detects whether the depressions are inserted into the door post or not. The detection switch 1 350 is illustrated as being placed on the door post, and is closed by contact with the vertical bar 1340 when the vertical bar is in its extreme extended position (Figure 13A). However, the invention provides the sensing switch which can also be located in the screw mechanisms, a place which ensures that the locking member 1 312 can move freely towards the notch 1322.

The invention contemplates the varied positioning of the detection switch, such as in the same door, as long as it determines the extended or withdrawn position of the slide bar, vertical bar and depressions. However, the placement of the sensing switch in the door stud ensures not only that the slide bar and depressions are extended, but extend toward the door stud. In the second mode of operation, the microprocessor 1 of the sheet responds to the input of a correct combination (or other authorization) in the same way as the first mode of operation: by removing the screw and thereby raising the locking member 1 31 2 so that the user can remove the slide bar 1320, the vertical bar 1340 and the depressions 1 341 -1 343. However, in the second mode of operation, the sheet 1 responds to the state of the detection switch 1 350, and attempts to extend the screw only when the switch verifies that the The sliding bar is fully extended and the depressions are inside the door stud. This second mode ensures that only the time in which the bolt is extended is when the door is actually closed and the depressions are actually blocking the door and it can not be opened. In contrast to the second mode of operation, the first mode of operation leaves the possibility for the user to open the door but extend the slide bar outwards, thus allowing the locking member to fall into the notch even though the door remains open. The metal screw plate of the first embodiment is especially suitable for use in the first mode of operation, and the push-pull plate of the second embodiment is especially suitable for use in the second mode of operation. Modifications and variations of the above described embodiments of the present invention are possible, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing teachings. In this way, the particular implementation of the mechanical, electrical, electronic, functional software and data structure characteristics of the invention can be varied according to the principles possessed by or readily available to those skilled in the art. For example, the invention provides the feedback of a suitable sheet metal operation to the user in any variety of ways, which are not limited to the visual and / or audible screw extension indication that is discussed in the above specification. Therefore, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

REVIVAL NAME IS 1 . A dead bolt plate, comprising: a) a sheet metal box; b) a screw that can be withdrawn towards and extends from the sheet metal box, the screw having a cavity and a first surface; c) a threaded groove, arranged for axial movement in the screw cavity, the groove having a subsequent extension therefrom; d) a bolt having a threaded portion for the rotary coupling with the threaded slot; e) a motor for rotating the bolt in a first direction in order to move the notch in an outward direction so that it pushes the bolt from the sheet metal box, and in a second direction in order to move the notch in a inward direction to be able to remove the screw to the sheet metal box; f) a spring-loaded latch; and g) an oscillator, adapted for the reciprocal movement between (A) a passing screw position and (B) a screw locking position wherein the oscillator is pushed by the spring loaded latch, the oscillator having: 1) a Subsequent guide for guiding the rear point during a first portion of the movement of the notch along the bolt where the bolt is not fully extended and where the rear part opposes the bolt-in spring-loaded bolt for the purpose to bring the oscillator to the screw pitch position; H ^^ 2) an area for receiving the back portion during a second portion of the movement of the notch along the pin, where the screw is fully extended or almost fully extended, and where the back is not opposite the thrusting of the spring-loaded bolt, so that the spring-loaded bolt pushes the oscillator into the bolt lock position; and 3) a blocking surface which, when the oscillator is in the screw locked position, is arranged with respect to the first surface of the screw in order to physically lock the bolt so that it can not be forced towards 15 the sheet. The sheet according to claim 1, further comprising: a motor fastener on which the motor is integrally mounted, the motor fastener having a 20 clamping extension which normally restricts the movement of the spring-loaded bolt but which, if displaced due to the movement of the motor body or the motor fastener, allows the spring-loaded bolt to move to a position where the latch blocks the oscillator so that it does not regress to its 25 screw step position. 3. A dead screw plate, comprising: a) a sheet metal box; b) a screw that can be withdrawn towards and extended from the box; c) means for removing and extending the screw; d) a movable member adapted for the reciprocal movement between (A) a screw pitch position where the screw can be withdrawn towards the box and (B) a screw locking position where the screw is locked and can not be withdrawn towards the box; and e) a biasing member that continuously pushes the movable member into the screw locking position so that, when the screw is extended from the plate, the movable member is urged toward the screw locking position. 4. A plate to perpetuate a condition of dead bolt in response to a physical attack on the plate, the plate comprising: a) a sheet metal box; b) a screw that can be withdrawn to and extended from the box; c) means for removing and extending the screw; d) a movable member adapted for reciprocating movement between: A) a screw passage position wherein the screw can be removed to the box; and B) a screw locking position wherein the screw is locked and can not be removed to the box; and e) means, responsive to an external invasive force that is forcefully applied against elements in the case, to block the moving member from coming out of the screw locking position. 5. A dead bolt plate with an integrated capacity to perpetuate a dead bolt condition in response to a physical attack on the plate, the plate comprising: a) a sheet metal box; b) a screw that can be withdrawn to and extended from the box; c) means for removing and extending the screw; d) a movable member adapted for reciprocating movement between: A) a screw passage position wherein the screw can be removed to the box; and B) a screw locking position wherein the screw is locked and can not be removed to the box; and e) a deflection member that continuously pushes the movable member into the screw locking position, "so that, when the screw is extended from the plate, the movable member is pushed towards the screw locking position, the deviation is also sensitive to an external invasive force that is forcefully applied against elements in the sheet, to block the moving member from coming out of the screw locking position 6. A sheet metal system to protect an enclosure by closing the door in the enclosure, the system comprises: a) a sheet with a cover and a screw that can be extended outside and that can be removed to the box, b) screw mechanisms that are integrally formed with or integrally connected to the screw; of door lock, whose position controls a user of the sheet metal system, for movement between: 1) a closed position wherein the door locking means are positioned for vitar that the door is open, wherein, when the door locking means are in the closed position, the screw mechanisms are in a position where the screw mechanisms can prevent the movement of the door locking means out of the locked position; and 2) an unlocked position wherein the door locking means is positioned so that the door can not be opened; d) a sensor that provides a signal indicating when the door locking means is in the closed position; e) control means, sensitive to the sensor signal, to automatically extend the screw and move the screw mechanisms to the position where the screw mechanisms prevent the movement of the door locking means out of the closed position, so that a single manipulation by the user of the door locking means causes both (1) the door locking means to move to the closed position and (2) the screw to be extended. The system according to claim 6, wherein: the door locking means includes a slide bar; and the system further comprises a handle that the user manipulates to cause the slide bar to move between its closed position and its non-closed position. The system according to claim 6, wherein: the sensor constitutes a mechanical switch that provides an electrical signal to the control means to indicate when the door control means is in the closed position and the door is closed. The system according to claim 6, wherein: the controller includes a microprocessor that is disposed within the box of the sheet and which controls the position of the screw. 10. The system according to claim 6, wherein: the control means control the position of the screw, both in the withdrawal and extension directions, moving the screw until the screw finds a blocking resistance, detecting a current rise resulting in an engine, and cutting off the power to the engine. 11. A sheet to protect an enclosure by closing a door in the enclosure, the sheet comprising: a) a sheet with a box and a screw that can be extended out of and removed in the box; and b) control means to control the position of the screw, both in the withdrawal and extension directions, by moving the screw until the screw encounters a blocking resistance, detecting a resultant current rise in a motor, and cutting off the power to the motor. motor. The sheet according to claim 11, further comprising: a) a motor controlled by the control means; b) a bolt that rotates in a first direction or in a second direction under the control of the engine; and c) a notch member that is threadedly engaged on the bolt and that is contained within a depression in the bolt, the notch member including: d) damping means for contacting surfaces of the depression when the bolt impacts a structure of blocking and to dampen a resulting impact before the engine cuts off the power to the engine. The sheet according to claim 12, wherein the damping means includes: two annular compressible members disposed symmetrically about the pin on the notch member. 14. A sheet with a reclosing arrangement to provide a dead bolt function in response to physical attack on the sheet, the sheet comprising: a) a motor; b) a screw that can assume a withdrawal position and an extended position; c) a motor fastener that moves integrally with the motor, the motor fastener having a normal fastener position when no physical attack has been experienced; and d) a reclosing member which is normally compressed against the motor fastener, but which moves from a normal position to a dead screw position when the motor fastener has been forced out of the normal fastener position, where the position of the dead screw of the reclosing member causes the reclosing member to lock the screw and not to move from the extended position to the withdrawn position. The sheet according to claim 14, wherein the reclosing member includes: a spring portion that pushes the reclosure member away from its normal position against the motor fastener; and a locking portion that does not lock the screw so that it is removed when the reclosure member is in its normal position, but moves through the spring portion toward the dead screw position to lock the screw to that this is not removed when the motor holder is moved out of the normal fastener position. 16. A sheet with an adjustable screw projection, the sheet comprising: a sheet metal housing; a screw that can be extended outside and removable in the housing; and locking means that are installed, that are removed, to physically prevent the screw from being removed in the sheet metal housing to a maximum degree when the locking means are installed; wherein the screw can be removed in the sheet metal housing to the maximum extent when the locking means are removed. The sheet according to claim 16, wherein the locking means include: a bolt that can be screwed into and out of the threaded opening in the sheet metal housing. 18. An arrangement for detecting a low battery condition in a battery operated plate, the plate having a screw retraction operation and a screw extension operation, the arrangement comprising: initiating a screw retraction operation; measuring the magnitude of the motor current at a predetermined time even after starting the screw retraction operation, to arrive at a measured current magnitude; compare the measured current magnitude with a threshold value; and preventing future screw retraction operations from being initiated if the measured current magnitude is less than the threshold value for a given number of consecutive operations of the measurement step in respective screw retraction operations. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: the given number of consecutive operations of the measurement step is greater than an operation. The method according to claim 18, wherein: the threshold value is based on an amount of energy needed for the screw extension operation that is performed after the screw retraction operation. 21. A duress detection system for use with a sheet metal system having (a) a sheet and (b) an authorization entry unit that provides the sheet with a sequence of authorization signs that may include, (1) a normal authorization sequence for opening the sheet and (2) a duress sequence indicating that a user of the sheet metal system is under duress, the duress detection system comprising: means for reading the sequence of authorization signals means for distinguishing if the read sequence of authorization signals constitutes a normal authorization sequence or a coercion sequence; and means for signaling a coercive response unit, when the sequence of read authorization signals is distinguished by constituting a coercion sequence that the user is under duress. 22. The coercion detection system according to claim 21, further comprising connection means for allowing a portion of the duress detection system to be inserted and removed from a signal path between the sheet and the input unit of authorization, as a modular box. 23. A remote enable / disable (RED) system for use with a sheet metal system that has (a) a sheet and (b) an authorization entry unit that normally provides the sheet with an authorization signal instructing the sheet to be opened, the RED system comprising: means for receiving a command enabling / disabling a decision source, the enable / disable command representing either an enable command or a disable command; and means for replacing the authorization signal, each time a disable command is received, with a disable signal that instructs the sheet not to open. The system according to claim 23, further comprising: connection means for allowing a portion of the RED system to be inserted into and removed from a signal path between the sheet and the authorization entry unit, such as a box modular. 25. A verification tracking system for use with a sheet metal system that has (a) a sheet and (b) an authorization entry unit that normally provides the sheet with a sequence of signals, the verification tracking system comprising: means for storing a sequence of the signals sent by the authorization entry unit; and means for loading the stored sequence of signals in response to a load signal received from the authorization load unit. 26. A sheet comprising: a sheet metal box; a screw that can extend from and that can be retracted from the sheet metal box; and means for detecting whether the screw is extended or not from the sheet metal box and for indicating whether or not the screw is extended from the sheet metal box. 27. The sheet according to claim 26, wherein the detection means include: a Reed switch and a magnet, one of which moves with the screw and the second of which remains fixed with respect to the closure box . 28. A clear tampering arrangement in a keyboard unit of a metal sheet, the arrangement comprising; a) a keyboard cover; b) a keyboard base; c) a magnet and a Reed switch arranged in a first keyboard cover and keyboard base; d) a piece of metal, attached to a second of the keyboard cover and keyboard base, so that: 1) when the keyboard cover and keyboard base are assembled together, the metal part absorbs magnetic flux lines of the magnet so that the Reed switch is in a first state; and 2) when the keyboard cover and keyboard base are not assembled together, the metal part does not absorb the magnetic flux lines of the magnet, so that the Reed switch is in a second state opposite the first state; and e) means, responsive to the status of the Reed switch to detect whether or not the keyboard cover has been removed from the keyboard base, and to indicate whether the keyboard cover has been removed from the keyboard base.