Locks – Special application – For closures
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-03
2001-03-06
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For closures
C070S352000, C070S486000, C292S333000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196035
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a door lock assembly, more particularly to a door lock assembly having an automatically actuated latch mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that a conventional door lock assembly has a casing that is provided typically with a spring-biased latch bolt and a dead bolt. The latch bolt is retractable into the casing against a spring force when a compression force is exerted on the latched bolt, and can extend out from the casing when the compression force is released. The dead bolt is operable to extend from or retract into the casing by means of a key. In use, the latch bolt extends into a first corresponding socket formed in a doorframe when a door is closed. However, unless the user actuates the dead bolt by using the key, the dead bolt will not extend into a second corresponding socket formed in the doorframe to lock the door to the doorframe when the door is closed. This inconveniences the user, especially when the user does not have a free hand to manipulate the key.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a door lock assembly having a latch that can be actuated to lock a door to a doorframe when the door is closed.
According to the present invention, the door lock assembly comprises a hollow casing, a latch, an actuator rod, and a drive mechanism. The casing has left and right side walls that are opposite to one another, and a rear wall interconnecting the left and right side walls. The left side wall has upper and lower openings formed therein. The latch is mounted movably in the casing in a latching direction between a latched position for allowing extension of the latch out of the casing via the upper opening and an unlatched position for allowing retraction of the latch into the casing. The actuator rod is disposed below the latch and is movable in the casing along a direction parallel to the latching direction between an extended position outwardly of the casing via the lower opening and a retracted position. The actuator rod has an actuating element formed thereon, and a coiled spring for urging the actuator rod to the extended position. The drive mechanism is actuated by the actuating element when the actuator rod is moved to the retracted position against a spring force of the coiled spring for driving the latch to the latched position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 361247 (1887-04-01), Winchester
patent: 1816134 (1931-07-01), Wood
patent: 3266276 (1966-08-01), Yulkowski
patent: 4262504 (1981-04-01), Inoue
patent: 4561684 (1985-12-01), Marotto
patent: 4890870 (1990-01-01), Miron
patent: 4950005 (1990-08-01), Cudd
patent: 629235 (1936-04-01), None
patent: 171210 (1951-10-01), None
patent: 2912881 (1980-10-01), None
patent: 376968 (1932-07-01), None
patent: 2039983 (1980-08-01), None
patent: 43998 (1938-08-01), None
Gall Lloyd A.
Lackenbach Siegel Marzullo Aronson & Greenspan
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