US 4,429,556 AGranted

Lock mechanism

AssigneeBrink Locking Systems, Inc.

InventorRaymond V. Kambic

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Abstract

There is disclosed a knob control arrangement or system whereby the status of a knob associated with a lock mechanism can be controlled from exteriorly of the lock housing and can be selectively rendered active-operable or passive-inoperable. In this regard, when in the passive-inoperable condition, the knob will merely rotate relative to the housing without imparting force or stress to the lock components. This mode of operation is achieved by providing a knob hub rotatably mounted to the lock housing to which a knob member may be affixed. Interiorly of the housing, the knob hub will move relative to a main cam member used to effect operation of the lock mechanism. The knob control arrangement includes means for selectively interconnecting and disconnecting the knob hub and the main cam member, such that when connected, an active-operable condition is attained, and when disconnected, the passive-inoperable mode is achieved.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A knob control arrangement for a lock assembly of the type including a housing and a lock mechanism, associated with said housing and including latch means, a cam member, and link means interconnecting the cam member and the latch means, said knob control arrangement including:

a knob hub mounted with respect to the lock assembly housing for relative movement, and adapted to have a knob member operably engaged therewith, said knob hub being mounted juxtaposed said cam member interiorly of said housing, such that the knob hub can move relative to said cam member;
means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said knob hub with respect to said cam member, such that when connected said knob hub and said cam member will be joined for joint movement, and a knob member engaged with the knob hub and said knob hub will be in an active condition whereby said operation thereof will produce movement of said cam member and correspondingly, the operation of said lock mechanism;
however, when said knob hub and said cam member are not coupled for joint movement, a knob engaged with said knob hub and said knob hub will be in a passive condition, and can move relative to said cam member and said housing without producing operation of said locking mechanism.

In combination, a lock assembly of the type comprising, a housing, a lock mechanism associated with said housing and including a latch bolt, a cam member, and link means innerconnecting the cam member and said latch bolt such that movement of said cam member will effect operation of said latch bolt;

a knob control arrangement for selectively producing an active-operable condition for a knob member associated with said lock assembly, wherein rotative movement of said knob member will produce operation of said latch bolt and a passive-inoperable condition wherein an attempt to operate said knob member will merely cause said knob member to rotate relative to said lock assembly without producing operation of said latch bolt, or imparting stress to the components of said lock mechanism, said knob control arrangement including a knob hub rotatably mounted with respect to said housing and positioned juxtaposed to said cam member, said knob hub being adapted to have the knob member operably engaged therewith, and actuator means for selectively coupling and uncoupling said knob hub and said cam member, such that when said knob hub and said cam member are coupled for joint movement, said active-operable condition is attained and rotation of said knob hub will produce movement of said cam member and correspondingly operation of said latch bolt, and when uncoupled said passive-inoperable condition is attained and said knob and knob hub can rotate freely without producing operation of said latch bolt.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.