Multiple access door lock mechanism with reversible cam actuation

A lock mechanism for being disposed in a lock frame of a door hingedly mounted to a door frame, the lock mechanism being configured for selectively allowing the door to be moved in a door opening direction from a closed position within the door frame, the lock mechanism comprising:

• a latch bolt having an opening defined therein, wherein the latch bolt is configured for moving between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the latch bolt is in the extended position to prevent movement of the door in the door opening direction, and wherein the latch bolt is in the retracted position to allow the door to be moved in the door opening direction;
• a first biasing mechanism configured for biasing the latch bolt toward the extended position;
• a slider configured for being moveably positioned between a blocking position and a release position, wherein the slider prevents movement of the latch bolt from the extended position when in the blocking position, wherein the slider allows the latch bolt to move to the retracted position when in the release position, wherein the slider includes an elongated shaft and a head, wherein the elongated shaft extends within the opening defined in the latch bolt, and wherein the head is configured for engaging a pocket associated with the lock frame when the slider is in the blocking position;
• a second biasing mechanism configured for biasing the slider toward the blocking position;
• a cam having a first slot and a second slot defined therein, the second slot being defined in a circumferential edge of the cam;
• a cam driver rotatably associated with the lock frame about a first pivot axis, wherein the cam is configured to rove the slider to the release position and configured for being selectively connected to the cam driver about a second pivot axis in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the cam driver includes a cam actuating pin extending in a direction that is perpendicular to a plane formed by the cam, parallel with the second pivot axis, and offset from the second pivot axis, wherein the first slot defined in the cam is configured for receiving the cam actuating pin and rotating the cam about the second pivot axis when the cam driver is rotated about the first pivot axis, and wherein the cam driver has an opening defined therein;
• a handle fixedly coupled with the cam driver;
• an angled dog pivotally associated with the lock frame, the angled dog configured for transferring the rotational movement of the cam about the second pivot axis to the slider to move the slider to the release position;
• a second pin configured for being moveably disposed in the second slot and the opening defined in the cam driver along the second pivot axis between a cam engaging position and a cam releasing position, wherein the second pin pivotally couples the cam to the ca driver n the cam engaging position, and wherein the second pin is configured for allowing the cam to be released from the cam driver in the cam releasing position;
• a retaining member coupled with the second pin;
• a third biasing mechanism disposed between the cam driver and the retain member for biasing the second pin toward the cam engaging position,
• wherein the cam is reversible so that when the cam is connected to the cam driver in the first position the connection allows for the cam to move the slider to the release position when the handle is rotated in a first rotational direction, and so that when the cam is connected to the cam driver in the second position the connection allows for the cam to move the slider to the release position when the handle is rotated in a second rotational direction, wherein the first rotational direction is opposite to the second rotational direction.

A method of installing a lock mechanism in a lock frame of a door that is hingedly mounted to a door frame, the lock mechanism being configured for selectively allowing the door to be moved in a door opening direction from a closed position within the door frame, the method comprising:

• providing a latch bolt moveably positioned within the door between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the latch bolt is in the extended position to prevent movement of the door in the door opening direction, wherein the latch bolt is in the retracted position to allow the door to be moved in the door opening direction, and wherein the latch bolt has an opening defined therein;
• providing a slider moveably positioned within the latch bolt opening between a blocking position and a release position, wherein the slider prevents movement of the latch bolt from the extended position when in the blocking position, and wherein the slider allows the latch bolt to move to the retracted position when in the release position;
• providing a cam driver rotatably associated with the lock frame about a first pivot axis;
• providing a handle connected to the cam driver;
• and
• pivotally connecting a reversible cam to the cam driver about a second pivot axis,
• wherein he reversible cam is configured to move the slider to the release position and configured for being selectively connected to the cam driver in one of a first position and a second position,
• wherein the reversible cam is pivotally connected to the cam driver in the first position so that the cam moves the slider to the release position when the handle is rotated in a first rotational direction, and
• wherein the reversible cam is pivotally connected to the cam driver in the second position so that the cam moves the slider to the release position when the handle is rotated in a second rotational direction, wherein the first rotational direction is opposite to the second rotational direction.