Patent attributes
A deadbolt lock has a housing and a deadbolt latch mounted to the housing. The deadbolt latch has a bolt that is moveable between an extended, locked position, and a retracted, unlocked position. An outside thumb-turn rotatably mounted to the housing. A motor-driven axial clutch is connected between the deadbolt latch and the outside thumb-turn. The bolt is movable by the thumb-turn only when the clutch is engaged. A microcomputer disposed within the housing. An electric motor is connected between the microcomputer and the clutch for engaging and disengaging the clutch. An electronic touch-key reader is disposed in the housing. The electronic touch-key reader is electronically connected to the microcomputer and is capable of reading a digital security code from an electronic touch-key applied thereto. The microprocessor actuates the electric motor to engage the clutch only when an authorized digital security code is read by the electronic touch-key reader.
