Locks – Operating mechanism – Key
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-27
2001-04-03
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Key
C070S37900R, C070S427000, C070S455000, C070S492000, C070SDIG004, C070SDIG006
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209369
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to locks; and, more particularly, it relates to key actuated cam locks. There has been a problem related to conventional locking systems in that outside use of these locking systems results in lock malfunction when the locking system is exposed to the elements and other harsh environmental conditions. A conventional key actuated cam lock designed for outside applications can pass less than 240 hours of salt spray testing prior to malfunctioning.
Exemplary conventional locks and keys are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,616 to Rubner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,770, U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,398 to Lipschutz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,201 to Craig, U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,285 to Lin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,455 to Grinuner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,993 to Anderson, and C.T. Johnson Enterprises sales literature. All of these devices have a number of drawbacks. It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems enumerated above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a key actuated cam lock. The cam lock has a corrosion resistant metal cap. A weather resistant plug cap is rotatably mounted in the corrosion resistant metal cap. The weather resistant plug cap has an opening permitting the entry of the key. A plug body is located adjacent to the plug cap. The plug body has a key entering end and a cam actuating end, and a plurality of spring biased disc tumblers engaging the key when the key is inserted into the plug body. The cam lock also has a lock housing so that the plug body is rotatably positioned within the lock housing. The lock housing has at least one limit stop disposed thereon.
The plug body has an internal O-ring providing a weather resistant seal located near the cam actuating end of the plug housing. The O-ring is disposed between the cam actuating end of the plug body and the lock housing. The cam actuating end of the plug body is connected to a corrosion resistant metal stop plate engaging the limit stop upon rotation of the plug body. A rotatable cam is connected to the cam actuating end.
It is an object of the present invention to greatly reduce the replacement cost associated with the use of key actuated cam locks in exterior applications and to increase operability of key actuated cam locks in corrosive or harsh environmental conditions.
The objects and features of the present invention, other than those specifically set forth above, will become apparent in the detailed description of the invention and drawings set forth below.
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Jan. 1, 1990 C.T. Johnson Enterprises Sales Literature.
Gall Lloyd A.
Michael Best & Friedrich
Royal Lock Corporation
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