Locks – Special application – For control and machine elements
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-14
2003-03-18
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3676)
Locks
Special application
For control and machine elements
C070S221000, C070S222000, C070S223000, C070S367000, C070S370000, C070S371000, C070S451000, C292S336300, C292S347000, C292SDIG006
Reexamination Certificate
active
06532779
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lockset assembly that allows interchange between an interchangeable core type handle and a cylinder type handle without replacing the whole lockset.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1
of the drawings illustrates a conventional cylinder type lockset comprising an inner handle assembly
7
, a chassis
8
, a latch assembly
80
, an outer spindle
1
, and an outer handle assembly. The outer spindle
1
includes a first slot
3
for engaging with an engaging rib
4
in a lever shank (not labeled) of an outer handle
2
of the outer handle assembly. A cylinder
62
is fitted in the outer handle
2
. The cylinder
62
includes a wing
64
that extends beyond the outer spindle
1
via a second slot
6
in the outer spindle
1
. The lever shank of the outer handle
2
is securely attached to the outer spindle to rotate therewith and includes a compartment defined by a wall means
72
for receiving the cylinder
62
and its wing
64
. The compartment comprises a cylindrical portion
70
and a room
74
for receiving the wing
64
. A fork-like insert
66
is inserted into the room
74
and includes a space
68
for securely holding the wing
64
.
FIG. 2
of the drawings illustrates a conventional interchangeable core type lockset comprising an inner handle assembly
7
, a chassis
8
, a latch assembly
80
, an outer spindle
10
. and an outer handle assembly including an outer handle
9
with a lever shank
14
. The outer spindle
10
includes a first slot
11
for engaging with an engaging rib
17
in the lever shank
14
of the outer handle assembly. A C-shape retainer ring
12
is attached to an outer end of the outer spindle
10
. An interchangeable core
20
is removably mounted in a
FIG. 8
hole
22
in the outer handle
9
and includes a lug
18
that bears against a stop
13
on the retainer ring
12
, thereby preventing disengagement of the interchangeable core
20
. A portion
16
of the interchangeable core
20
extends beyond the outer spindle
10
via a second slot
15
of the outer spindle
10
. When replacement of the interchangeable core
20
is required, a proper key is inserted into the keyway
24
of the interchangeable core
20
and turned through a pre-determined angle to retract the lug
18
, thereby allowing removal of the interchangeable core
20
for replacement.
When a user intends to change the cylinder
62
to the interchangeable core
20
or vice versa, the whole lockset must be replaced, as the outer spindle
1
for the cylinder
62
is not suitable for the interchangeable core
20
due to the fact that the slot
6
of the outer spindle
1
is too small for the portion
16
of the interchangeable core
20
.
The present invention is intended to provide an improved lockset assembly that mitigates and/or obviates the above problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved lockset assembly that allows interchange between an interchangeable core type handle and a cylinder type handle without replacing the whole lockset.
A lockset assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises an inner handle assembly, a chassis, a latch assembly, an outer spindle, an outer handle assembly of cylinder type, and an outer handle assembly of interchangeable core type. The outer handle assembly of cylinder type comprises a first handle and a cylinder mounted in the first handle. The outer handle assembly of interchangeable core type comprises a second handle and an interchangeable core mounted in the second handle.
One of the outer handle assembly of cylinder type and the outer handle assembly of interchangeable core type is releasably engaged with the outer spindle to allow an interchange between the cylinder and the interchangeable core via an interchange between the outer handle assembly of cylinder type and the outer handle assembly of interchangeable core type without the need of replacement of a whole lockset.
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: 5233851 (1993-08-01), Florian
patent: 5398531 (1995-03-01), Shen
patent: 5564296 (1996-10-01), Theriault et al.
patent: 5605064 (1997-02-01), Katayama et al.
patent: 5752399 (1998-05-01), Shen
patent: 6109080 (2000-08-01), Chen et al.
Boswell Christopher
Kamrath Alan
Knight Anthony
Rider Bennett Egan & Arundel LLP
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