Locks – Special application – For closures
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-09
2001-09-11
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For closures
C070S149000, C070S189000, C070S218000, C070S277000, C192S071000, C192S084800, C292SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286347
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to security systems which are mounted to a door to provide a latching and locking function. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to lock devices which may be employed with entry control devices to control access through a door.
Locksets which incorporate a lockable latch and/or a dead bolt have long been incorporated into doors. A number of door mounted security systems which employ electronic input such as key pads, contact activatable chips, card readers and other electronic means have also been employed for use in conjunction with the mechanical latching and locking mechanisms.
The recent hardware trends and the Americans with Disabilities Act regulatory requirements for lever handles at both the exterior and interior sides of the door have made some conventional latch/lock set mechanisms vulnerable to mechanical failure. Application of an opening force to lever handles may result in significant larger moments being transferred to the internal mechanical components of the lock set than occur with conventional door knobs. Consequently, the requirement that the lock system mechanical components be able to maintain their functional and structural integrity may be more difficult to achieve under the increased load conditions presented by lever handles. With the advent of the electronic access employed in conjunction with the conventional mechanical-type lockset, the susceptibility to mechanical breakdown and vulnerability to techniques for defeating locking/unlocking operation may also be increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a clutch mechanism for a door lock of a type having a lockset with a projectable and retractable lockable latch. The lockset has an actuator for operating the latch. A first coupling assembly operatively connects with the actuator. A second coupling assembly is responsive to rotatable motion applied to a lever handle or other hardware at the exterior side of the door. The clutch mechanism selectively engages the first and second coupling assemblies. The clutch mechanism preferably includes a pin carried by the first coupling assembly in fixed rotatable relationship therewith. The pin selectively engages the second coupling assembly.
An injector disposed in generally fixed rotatable relationship with the lockset forces the pin into engagement with the second coupling assembly. The injector has an arcuate shoulder and is spring biased to both inject the pin and to function as a movable retainer wall to retain the pin in engagement with the second coupling assembly and thereby diminish the vulnerability to improperly returning to the locked condition. The biased relationship also effectively accommodates manufacturing and/or operating inaccuracy in the arcuate path of the coupling pin. A drive assembly for driving the injector between first and second axial positions provides for selectively rotatably engaging the first and second coupling assemblies to selectively lock and unlock the latch from the exterior side.
The second coupling assembly preferably includes a slot which receives the coupling pin. The coupling assemblies are rotatable about a first axis. The coupling pin is slidably displaceable between an engaged and a non-engaged position along a second axis which is generally orthogonal to the first axis. A spring biases the coupling pin to the non-engaged position. The injector shoulder and its biased relationship acts to retain the coupling pin in the engaged position with one end of the pin engaging the arcuate shoulder which functions as a movable self-adjustable retainer wall upon rotating the second coupling assembly. The injector arcuate shoulder thus functions to prevent a loading applied to the inside lever handle from returning the clutch assembly to the locked condition.
An object of the invention is provide a new and improved clutch mechanism for a door lock system.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved clutch mechanism which is capable of efficient and reliable operation under the increased torque demands and various conditions that may be applied to lever handle type actuators.
A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved clutch mechanism which has less vulnerability to be defeated.
A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved clutch mechanism which may be efficiently and effectively employed in conjunction with an electronic entry device.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and the specification.
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Alix Yale & Ristas, LLP
Gall Lloyd A.
Harrow Products Inc.
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