In a locking arrangement including a lock mechanism and a slidable non-rotating perforated key plate for operating the lock mechanism, said locking mechanism comprising:
- a slidable lock bolt having a first groove therein adapted to receive a part of a swingable handle for controlling slidable displacement of the lock bolt along a first direction from a latching position into an unlatched position, said latch bolt also having a second groove formed therein and extending along a second direction which is transverse with respect to said first direction;
- a support member slidably supported within said second groove adjacent one side edge thereof and being slidably displaceable longitudinally therealong, and a spring coacting between the lock bolt and said support member for urging the latter into a position adjacent one end of said second groove;
- an elongated control rod slidably supported for movement along said second direction between a first position wherein one end of the control rod is engaged within the second groove and a second position wherein the one end of the control rod is withdrawn from the second groove and is thus disengaged from the lock bolt, said control rod having a projecting cam portion associated therewith;
- said lock bolt having an L-shaped cam portion projecting sidewardly therefrom and being engageable with the projecting cam portion associated with the control rod when the lock bolt is moved toward its unlatched position for movably displacing the control rod away from said second position so that the end of the control rod is moved into said second groove, the end of said control rod engaging and causing displacement of said support member against the urging of its spring when the control rod moves into the second groove and the lock bolt is displaced away from its latching position, said lock bolt when returned to its latched position causing said end of said control rod to be positioned adjacent the other side edge of said second groove so that the spring urges the support member into a position wherein it is sidewardly disposed between the control rod and said one side edge of the second groove for locking the lock bolt in its latching position;
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- an operating rod having an opening therein for slidably receiving the other end of said control rod for controlling the movement of the control rod from its first position toward its second position, said operating rod being slidably displaceable along a third direction which extends transversely relative to said first direction, said operating rod being normally urged into a holding position wherein the operating rod engages the control rod and maintains it in said first position, said operating rod having a protrusion on one end thereof which, when engaged with an appropriate recess formed on the key plate, permits the operating rod to be moved into a release position wherein it disengages the control rod so that the latter is automatically moved into said second position so as to unlock the lock bolt.