US 4,552,001 AGranted

High security T-handle assembly

AssigneeMedeco Security Locks, Inc.

InventorStevie C. Roop

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Abstract

A pop-out T-handle assembly of the type containing a lock cylinder having high security features which defy forced entry is disclosed. A cylinder front handle and cylinder/extension housing are assembled around the cylinder lock and rigidly secured for protection against pulling the lock. The face of the cylinder lock is preferably protected by a freely rotating cylinder protector plate to protect against drilling into the cylinder lock. A locator tab and slot arrangement assures alignment of the cylinder lock bolt and a corresponding opening in the T-handle housing, as well as restricts lateral movement of the cylinder front handle within the T-handle housing to protect against prying. A T-handle clutch arrangement of a generally square configuration provides extensive bearing surface to absorb torque and prevent wear. An auxiliary locking mechanism for added protection against pulling the inner cylinder of the lock in the event that the cylinder protector plate is defeated or a method is devised to either pull or pry the cylinder front handle.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A high security pop-out T-handle assembly of the type containing a lock cylinder, the assembly comprising:

(a) a cylinder front handle containing a passage therethrough for key access to the lock cylinder, the handle having an inwardly facing flange at the outer face of the passage,
(b) a separate cylinder/extension housing of elongated hollow shape having connection means on one end of the housing to mate with connection means on the cylinder front handle, the housing including a passageway through its wall for passage of a lock cylinder bolt from the lock cylinder accommodated in the housing,
(c) removable mechanical connection means for securely and rigidly connecting the cylinder front handle and cylinder/extension housing in their assembled position, and to allow disassembly thereof, the assembled position of the cylinder front handle and cylinder/extension housing leaving an annular interstice behind the flange of the cylinder front handle,
(d) a cylinder protector plate positioned and freely rotatably in the interstice to resist drilling and pulling of the lock cylinder,
(e) an extension rod having a head within and a body extending linearly outwardly of an end of the cylinder/extension housing which is opposite the cylinder front handle,
(f) mechanical positively-engaging clutch means connecting the housing and the extension rod to allow the extension rod to be rotated when the lock cylinder is unlocked and the cylinder front handle pops out,
(g) a T-handle housing having a generally cup-shaped head configured to closely accommodate the cylinder front handle, and to cover the mechanical connection means when the cylinder front handle is positioned therein, the T-handle housing further having a hollow shank to accommodate the cylinder/extension housing, the shank having a wall configuration to receive a lock cylinder bolt extendable from a lock cylinder to lock the T-handle assembly, and
(h) a compression spring positioned between the end of the shank of the T-handle housing and the end of the cylinder/extension housing, the spring being normally compressed to force the cylinder front handle outwardly when the lock cylinder is unlocked.

5 more elements

A high security pop-out T-handle assembly of the type containing a lock cylinder, the assembly comprising:

(a) a cylinder front handle contining a passage therethrough for key access to the lock cylinder,
(b) a cylinder/extension housing of elongated hollow shape having connection means on one end of the housing to mate with connection means on the cylinder front handle, the housing including a passageway through its wall for passage of a lock cylinder bolt from the lock cylinder accommodated in the housing,
(c) removable mechanical connection means for securely and rigidly connecting the cylinder front handle and cylinder/extension housing in their assembled position, including means for securely connecting the cylinder front handle and the cylinder/extension housing comprising a bayonet connection means on both the cylinder front handle and cylinder/extension housing of complementary nature to allow assembly and further comprises at least one drivable pin extending through the cylinder front handle to prevent the bayonet connection means from being uncoupled,
(d) an etension rod having a head within and a body extending linearly outwardly of an end of the cylinder/extension housing which is opposite the cylinder front handle,
(e) mechanical positively-engaging clutch means connecting the housing and the extension rod to allow the extension rod to be rotated when the lock cylinder is unlocked and the cylinder front handle pops out,
(f) a T-handle housing having a generally cup-shaped head configured to closely accommodate the cylinder front handle, and further having a hollow shank to accommodate the cylinder/extension housing, the shank having a wall configuration to receive a lock cylinder bolt extendable from a lock cylinder to lock the T-handle assembly, and
(g) a compression spring positioned between the end of the shank of the T-handle housing and the end of the cylinder/extension housing, the spring being normally compressed to force the cylinder front handle outwardly when the lock cylinder is unlocked.

4 more elements

A high security pop-out T-handle assembly of the type containing a lock cylinder, the assembly comprising:

(a) a cylinder front handle containing a passage therethrough for key access to the lock cylinder,
(b) a cylinder/extension housing of elongated hollow shape having connection means on one end of the housing to mate with connection means on the cylinder front handle, the housing including a passageway through its wall for passage of a lock cylinder bolt from the lock cylinder accommodated in the housing,
(c) means for securely and rigidly connecting the cylinder front handle and cylinder/extension housing in their assembled position,
(d) an extension rod having a head within and a body extending linearly outwardly of an end of the cylinder/extension housing which is opposite the cylinder front handle,
(e) mechanical positively-engaging clutch means connecting the housing and the extension rod to allow the extension rod to be rotated when the lock cylinder is unlocked and the cylinder front handle pops out,
(f) a T-handle housing having a generally cup-shaped head configured to closely accommodate the cylinder front handle, and further having a hollow shank to accommodate the cylinder/extension housing, the shank having a wall configuration to receive a lock cylinder bolt extendable from a lock cylinder to lock the T-handle assembly, and
(g) a compression spring positioned between the end of the shank of the T-handle housing and the end of the cylinder/extension housing, the spring being normally compressed to force the cylinder front handle outwardly when the lock cylinder is unlocked, and
(h) an auxiliary locking means providing added protection against pulling the bolt, the auxiliary locking means comprising a spring member having one end attached to the shank housing and another biasing a locking pin toward the center of the lock cylinder, the locking pin extending through a passageway in the T-handle shank and cylinder/extension housing into the lock cylinder so that the end of the pin contacts a plug of the lock cylinder and may be rotated thereby to selectively release or hold the lock cylinder to the T-handle shank.

5 more elements

A high security pop-out T-handle assembly of the type containing a lock cylinder, the assembly comprising:

(a) a cylinder front handle containing a passage therethrough for key access to the lock cylinder,
(b) a cylinder/extension housing of elongated hollow shape having connection means on one end of the housing to mate with connection means on the cylinder front handle, the housing including a passageway through its wall for passage of a lock cylinder bolt from the lock cylinder accommodated in the housing,
(c) means for securely and rigidly connecting the cylinder front handle and cylinder/extension housing in their assembled position,
(d) an extension rod having a head within and a body extending linearly outwardly of an end of the cylinder/extension housing which is opposite the cylinder front handle,
(e) mechanical positively-engaging clutch means connecting the housing and the extension rod to allow the extension rod to be rotated when the lock cylinder is unlocked and the cylinder front handle pops-out,
(f) a T-handle housing having a generally cup-shaped head configured to closely accommodate the cylinder front handle, and further having a hollow shank to accommodate the cylinder/extension housing, the shank having a wall configuration to receive a lock cylinder bolt extendable from a lock cylinder to lock the T-handle assembly, and
(g) a compression spring positioned between the end of the shank of the T-handle housing and the end of the cylinder/extension housing, the spring being normally compressed to force the cylinder front handle outwardly when the lock cylinder is unlocked,
(h) a hardened protector plate positioned to be freely rotatable between a back side of the cylinder front handle and a front face of the cylinder plug, the protector plate having a passage therethrough to accommodate a lock cylinder,
(i) a spacing washer positioned behind the hardened protector plate so as to accommodate different size lock cylinders,
(j) an auxiliary locking means providing added protection against pulling the bolt, the auxiliary locking means comprising a spring member having one end attached to the shank housing and another biasing a locking pin toward the center of the lock cylinder, the locking pin extending through a passageway in the T-handle shank and cylinder/extension housing into the lock cylinder so that the end of the pin contacts a plug of the lock cylinder and may be rotated thereby to selectively release or hold the lock cylinder to the T-handle shank.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.