Combination slam latch and cam lock adapter
AssigneeCompX International Inc.
InventorsJohn Y. Kamin, Robert E. Dalton, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-contained combination latch and cam lock adapter module affixes to the rear of any lock (keyed or non-keyed) that has a requisite mating feature. The module is alignable in any of four positions (up, down, left, and right) on the back of the lock for latching in any installed position. The module allows a user to slam closed an associated door or drawer without having to rotate the lock into a locked position. The module retrofits in the field by removing and replacing an existing fixed cam. In one embodiment, a mating part is rotationally spring-loaded so that when the key or knob is turned and then released, the module automatically returns to its locked position, ready to be shut.
Claims26
An adapter module, for use with a lock having a matable driving element for use with an associated enclosure to be secured with such lock, comprising:
- an adapter housing having a mating end for matably interfacing with an associated lock comprising a lock body cylinder rotably supporting a driving element;
- an attachment element for selectively interchangeably attaching said adapter housing or a cam to the associated lock;
- and
- a slam latch element retractably supported by said adapter housing, wherein rotational operation of said lock engages said slam latch element to be alternately moved linearly between latched and unlatched positions relative to an associated enclosure.
A combination slam latch and cam lock adapter module, for use with a cam lock having a matable driving element and removable cam for use with an associated enclosure to be secured with such associated lock, comprising:
- an adapter housing having a mating end for matably interfacing with an associated lock comprising a lock body cylinder rotably supporting a driving element in place of a removable cam removed therefrom;
- an attachment screw for selectively interchangeably attaching said adapter housing or a cam to an associated lock driving element for operatively associating said module therewith;
- and
- a slam bolt retractably supported by said adapter housing and having an inclined surface for engagement with an associated enclosure for slam closure thereof, wherein operation of such associated lock permits said adapter module to be alternately moved linearly between an unlatched position relative to an associated enclosure and a slam closed position relative to such associated enclosure.
Methodology for converting into a slam lock a cam lock of the type having a matable driving element and removable cam attached thereto for use with an associated enclosure to be secured with an associated lock having a lock body cylinder rotably supporting a driving element, comprising:
- removing the removable cam from the cam lock driving element;
- and securing to such cam lock driving element a slam latch adapter module comprising:
- an adapter housing having a mating end thereof for matably interfacing with said associated lock;
- and a slam bolt retractably supported by said adapter housing and having an inclined surface for engagement relative to an associated enclosure for slam closure thereof, wherein operation of such associated lock permits such adapter module to be alternately moved linearly between an unlatched position relative to the associated enclosure and a slam closed position relative to such associated enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.