Lock assembly having secure engagement plate

An enclosure door for use to secure an enclosed space, the enclosure door comprising:

• a lock assembly receiving opening, the enclosure door having a plurality of lock assembly receiving opening edges that interconnect with each other to fully surround the lock assembly receiving opening;
• a preassembled lock assembly including a lock case assembly including a bolt having at least first and second positions;
• a lock actuating assembly interconnected with the lock case assembly such that the lock actuating assembly can actuate a change in the position of the bolt from the first position to the second position;
• and a mounting plate having an interior side and an exterior side;
• the lock actuating assembly being secured to the exterior side and the lock case assembly being secured to the interior side such that the lock assembly is a preassembled independent unit that can be separated from the enclosure door without being disassembled;
• wherein the preassembled lock assembly is secured within the lock assembly receiving opening by at least one interior mounting plate securing bracket secured to the interior side of the mounting plate when the preassembled lock assembly is inserted into the lock assembly receiving opening to effectively grip at least one of the plurality of lock assembly receiving opening edges proximate the lock receiving opening, so that the preassembled lock assembly is effectively secured to the enclosure door.

A mounting plate for securing a lock case assembly and a lock actuating assembly to an enclosure door;

• the enclosure door having a lock assembly receiving opening;
• the enclosure door having a plurality of lock assembly receiving opening edges proximate the lock assembly receiving opening;
• the mounting plate comprising an interior side and an exterior side, a plurality of threaded studs and a plurality of standoffs on the interior side;
• wherein the lock case assembly can be secured to the interior side of the mounting plate by securing a plurality of screws in the respective plurality of standoffs and the mounting plate can be secured to the enclosure door by slipping the mounting plate into and through the lock assembly receiving opening when the lock case assembly is secured to the mounting plate;
• and wherein the mounting plate can be secured to the enclosure door when the lock case assembly is secured to the mounting plate by securing at least one interior mounting plate securing bracket to the interior side of the mounting plate and effectively gripping at least one of the plurality of lock assembly receiving opening edges proximate the lock assembly receiving opening so that the lock assembly is effectively secured to the enclosure door;
• wherein the mounting plate includes an assembly opening through which a spindle, interconnecting the lock case assembly with the lock actuating assembly, may pass.

A kit for securing a lock to an enclosure door, the enclosure door having a lock assembly receiving opening capable of receiving a lock assembly, the lock assembly including a lock actuating assembly and a lock case assembly, the enclosure door further including a plurality of lock assembly receiving opening edges proximate the lock assembly receiving opening:

• the kit, comprising:
• an interior mounting plate securing bracket and a mounting plate having an interior side and an exterior side;
• wherein the lock case assembly can be secured to the interior side of the mounting plate by securing a plurality of screws in the respective plurality of standoffs and the mounting plate can be secured to the enclosure door by slipping the lock case assembly into and through the lock assembly receiving opening when the lock case assembly is secured to the mounting plate;
• and wherein the mounting plate can be secured to the enclosure door when the lock case assembly is secured to the mounting plate by securing at least one interior mounting plate securing bracket to the interior side of the mounting plate and effectively gripping at least one of the plurality of lock assembly receiving opening edges proximate the lock assembly receiving opening so that the lock assembly is effectively secured to the enclosure door.

A method of securing a preassembled electronic lock assembly to an enclosure door, the method comprising:

• creating a lock assembly receiving opening in the enclosure door, the enclosure door having a plurality of lock assembly receiving opening edges that interconnect with each other to fully surround the lock assembly receiving opening;
• inserting a preassembled electronic lock assembly into and at least partially through the lock assembly receiving opening;
• the preassembled electronic lack assembly including a lock case assembly including a bolt having at least first and second positions;
• a lock actuating assembly interconnected with the lock case assembly such that the lock actuating assembly can actuate a change in the position of the bolt from the first position to the second position;
• and a mounting plate having an interior side and an exterior side;
• the lock actuating assembly being secured to the exterior side and the lock case assembly being secured to the interior side;
• wherein the lock assembly can be secured within the lock assembly receiving opening by at least one interior mounting plate securing bracket secured to the interior side of the mounting plate when the preassembled electronic lock assembly is so inserted, to effectively grip at least one of the plurality of lock assembly receiving opening edges proximate the lock receiving opening, so that the lock assembly is effectively secured to the enclosure door;
• and wherein the lock case assembly is secured to the interior side of the mounting plate;
• securing the preassembled electronic lock assembly to the enclosure door by securing at least one interior mounting plate securing bracket to the interior side of the mounting plate and effectively gripping at least one of the plurality of lock assembly receiving opening edges proximate the lock assembly receiving opening so that the lock assembly is effectively secured to the enclosure door.