Locks – Special application – For closures
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-01
2001-01-09
Boucher, Darnell (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For closures
C070S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170305
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interconnect mechanism for dual lock, and more particularly to an interconnect mechanism for dual lock with simultaneous retraction of a latch bolt and deadbolt by an inside lever handle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to provide door locks with a latch bolt lock, a deadbolt lock, and a mechanism interconnecting the latch bolt and the deadbolt so that in an emergency both bolts may be simultaneously retracted upon operation of a single actuating means provided on the inside of a door, thereby permitting rapid egress from a secured area. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,613 to Nolin issued on Oct. 7, 1975 discloses a panic proof lock set; U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,789 to Maurits et al. issued on Dec. 28, 1976 discloses a lock of the type enabling panic exit; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,019 to Urdal issued on Dec. 12, 1978 discloses a cartridge device for joining two independent lock devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,653 to Hensley et al. issued on Aug. 19, 1997 discloses a dual lock with simultaneous retraction of latch and deadbolt by an inside lever handle and uncoupler between the driving spindle and the lever handle to solve complex configurations in known mechanism for interconnecting the latch bolt to the deadbolt for simultaneous operation. It is, however, found that screws
178
might cause an obstacle to rotation of the upper cam
166
if the heads of screws
178
are not completely received in the countersunk holes
176
. Similarly, screws
184
might cause an obstacle to rotation of the lower cam
160
if the heads of screws
184
are not completely received in the countersunk holes
182
. In addition, the vertically extending ribs
175
on the trim plate
162
may have a difference in the heights thereof after manufacturing and thus cannot provide smooth sliding motion of the slide plate
164
. Furthermore, the ribs
175
cannot provide sufficient structural strength to keep planar surface of the trim plate
162
for supporting smooth sliding motion of the slide plate
164
. More specifically, the trim plate
162
might be bent during stacking and/or assembly. Further, two L-shaped brackets
172
are provided on each side of the trim plate
162
for guiding sliding motion of the slide plate
164
. Formation of the brackets
172
is costly and troublesome and requires precision to avoid too-tight or too-loose engagement with the slide plate
164
. Further, the interconnect mechanism
24
and the inside chassis assembly
18
are separate from each other before assembly such that, if the slide plate
164
has not yet engaged with the trim plate
162
, the brackets
172
may deform if they are pressed during transportation or package. As a result, sliding motion of the slide plate
164
is not allowed.
The present invention is intended to provide an improved interconnect mechanism for a dual lock that mitigates and/or obviates the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an interconnect mechanism that is simple to assembly and provides reliable sliding motion of a slide plate.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an interconnect mechanism, wherein the slide plate is in a reliable sliding relationship with a base plate. The base plate is reinforced in structure by means of forming an oval flange wall on an outer face thereof.
In accordance with the present invention, an interconnect mechanism is provided for a dual lock of the type having a deadbolt, a deadbolt driving mechanism, a latch bolt, a latch bolt driving mechanism with an inside handle. The interconnect mechanism includes a base plate adapted to be mounted to an inner side of a door. The base plate includes a flange wall on an outer face thereof which faces away from the door. The base plate further includes a wing on each of two lateral sides thereof, the flange wall including a top face, a lower portion, and an upper portion. A lower cam is rotatably mounted to the lower portion of the flange wall. The lower cam is operably connected to the inside handle to rotate therewith. The lower cam includes a lobe located above the top face of the flange wall. An upper cam is rotatably mounted to the upper portion of the flange wall. The upper cam is operably connected to the deadbolt driving mechanism. The upper cam includes a lob located above the top face of the flange wall. A slide plate includes a vertical slot in each of two lateral sides thereof Each vertical slot is extended through by an associated wing on the base plate, thereby allowing vertical sliding motion of the slide plate relative to the base plate. The slide plate includes an upper operative end operably connected to the lobe of the upper cam and a lower operative end operable connected to the lobe of the lower cam. Rotational movement of the inside handle causes rotation of the lower cam, vertical sliding movement of the slide plate, and rotation of the upper cam, thereby retracting the deadbolt and the latch bolt simultaneously.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3910613 (1975-10-01), Nolin
patent: 3999789 (1976-12-01), Maurits et al.
patent: 4129019 (1978-12-01), Urdal
patent: 4418552 (1983-12-01), Nolin
patent: 4838053 (1989-06-01), Shen
patent: 4979767 (1990-12-01), Lin
patent: 5657653 (1997-08-01), Hensley et al.
patent: 5881585 (1999-03-01), Kang
patent: 5881586 (1999-03-01), Shen
Boucher Darnell
Kamrath Alan
LandOfFree
Interconnect mechanism for dual lock does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Interconnect mechanism for dual lock, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Interconnect mechanism for dual lock will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2460413