Flush-mountable lock with actuator disconnect feature

A flush-mountable door lock, comprising:

• (a) a body structure having side and back walls which cooperate to define a forwardly-facing recess, and having an opening formed through the back wall;
• (b) a bolt structure supported on the body structure at a location behind a portion of the back all, the bolt structure being movable between a latching and an unlatching position;
• (c) a push button actuator mounted on the body structutre and being movable along a linear path of travel extending through the back wall opening between normal and operating positions;
• (d) connecting means carried by the actuator for selectively drivingly connecting and disconnecting the actuator and bolt structures, the connecting means being movable between a connecting position wherein it is operable to provide a driving connection between the actuator and bolt structures such that, when the actuator structure is moved out of its normal position, the bolt structure is caused to move to its unlatching position, and a disconnecting position wherein no driving connection is provided between the actuator and bolt structures whereby, when the actuator structure is moved with respect to the body structure, no corresponding movement of the bolt structure is effected;
• (e) key control means carried by the actuator and being operable to move the connecting means between its connecting and disconnecting positions;
• (f) leaf spring means including an elongate leaf spring having a first portion secured to the body structure and having a second portion overlying the actuator for biasing the actuator toward its normal position, the body structure and the leaf spring having overlying portions defining a space therebetween;
• and,
• (g) the connecting means being configured to extend between the overlying portions of the body structure and the leaf spring when the connecting means is in its disconnecting position.