Lock cylinder replacement device and method of replacing lock cylinder with lock cylinder replacement device

#A. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a lock cylinder replacement device and a method of replacing a lock cylinder with the lock cylinder replacement device and more specifically, to a lock cylinder replacement device for installation in a hole or sleeve, which originally contained a lock cylinder, after the lock cylinder has been removed from the hole or sleeve.

#B. Description of the Prior Art

#For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

#FIG. 1 is a side view of a lock cylinder replacement device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a front view of the lock cylinder replacement device shown in FIG. 1;

#Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of a lock cylinder replacement device 10 according to the present invention. The lock cylinder replacement device 10 is installed in a lock cylinder hole or sleeve 50 after a lock cylinder has been removed from the lock cylinder hole or sleeve 50. The lock cylinder hole or sleeve 50 is typically formed in a wall 52, such as a vehicle door skin or building door skin. The wall 52 includes an interior surface 54 and an exterior surface 56.

#The lock cylinder replacement device 10 includes a lag or bumper bolt 12 which has a shallow pan head 14 and a flange 16. The shallow pan head 14 is preferably formed to have a diameter that is equal to or slightly larger than a diameter of the hole 50. The flange 16 is formed to have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the hole to prevent the lock cylinder replacement device 10 from being pulled through the hole 50. That is, the flange 16 ensures that the lock cylinder replacement device 10 is properly positioned on the exterior surface 56 of the wall.

#The configuration of the pan head 14 prevents the lock cylinder replacement device 10 from protruding excessively from the exterior surface 56 of the wall 52. The flange 16 preferably has a sloped peripheral portion 16a to prevent a tool, such as a screwdriver, from being inserted between the flange 16 and the exterior surface 56 of the wall 52. Because of the flange 16, the lock cylinder replacement device 10 cannot be forcibly removed from the wall 52.