The present subject matter relates to locking devices and/or component fittings relative to an enclosure. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a locking bar or cam provided with varying thickness components to fine tune the fit and function of a cam lock used to secure an enclosure or similar.
Cam locks correspond to a relatively well known lock type that finds many uses in securing enclosures including for example, but not limited to, cabinets, drawers, and desks. Typically, in cam lock applications, the cam, upon rotation, contacts the inside of an associated enclosure frame or a strike fitted to such frame. Often, the physical dimensions of the enclosure frame and any associated strike will vary considerably between different applications and possibly even within identical applications as a result of manufacturing tolerances.
In order to provide structure and associated methodology for compensating for such manufacturing tolerances, as well as to provide a range of lock sizes to accommodate multiple uses for a single cam lock, many manufacturers provide cam lock kits with plural cams. In an exemplary configuration, both a straight cam and a double formed or offset cam may be provided with a single lock so that a preferable one of either of such cams may be selectively used in a single installation. The offset cam may be configured so that the direction of the offset may be reversed. Under such an arrangement, with both a single straight cam and an offset cam being provided, up to three separate configurations may be implemented.
Alternative configurations have been provided in the art for adjustment of the spacing of the cam from, for example, a front surface of a mounting location. U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,161 (Lee) illustrates one such configuration where a threaded cam bolt is provided to allow for cam adjustment. The disclosure of the foregoing patent is fully incorporated herein for all purposes.
While various implementations of cam locks have been developed, and while various formations of cams have been developed, no design has emerged that generally encompasses all of the desired characteristics as hereafter presented in accordance with the present subject matter.
In view of the recognized features encountered in the prior art and addressed by the present subject matter, improved apparatus and methodology have been provided for an adjustable cam for use with a cam lock and/or improved component fittings relative to an enclosure.
The benefit of the present subject matter over prior fixed cams is to allow fine tuning of the cam contact surface position relevant to the associated frame or strike, in order to improve the fit and function of the cam lock. By improving fit and function of the cam, movement of the associated enclosure door or similar relative to the associated frame is minimized. Such improvements provide several benefits including, but not limited to, improved security, reduced noise and rattle of the enclosure door, and a more professional aspect to the installation.
In an exemplary configuration, a double formed or offset cam is provided with features to adjust the effective position of a surface contacting portion of the cam.
In one of more simple alternative present forms, cam adjustment pads are provided in accordance with present subject matter in several selectable sizes, in order to provide fine tuning of the spacing from a cam contact surface.
Another positive aspect of the present subject matter is that adjustments to cam surface spacing may be readily made in the field without the use of tools.
In accordance with aspects of certain embodiments of the present subject matter, methodologies are provided which allow construction of a cam lock that may be adaptively incorporated (i.e., custom fitted) into a variety of associated enclosures despite manufacturing tolerances.
One present exemplary embodiment relates to a cam lock for locking an enclosure, comprising a cam lock assembly receivable in an enclosure to be locked thereby; a locking bar supported on such cam lock assembly and positioned so as to be actuated thereby relative to an associated enclosure to be locked; and a stop pad removably supported on such locking bar, for adjustment of such locking bar actuation relative to an associated enclosure, whereby the fit and function of such cam lock relative to an associated enclosure is adjustable.
In some variations of the foregoing, such locking bar may include a first portion for removable mounting thereof on such cam lock assembly, and a second portion thereof for receipt of such removable stop pad. Still further, optionally, such locking bar first portion may be offset from such second portion thereof; and such locking bar may be reversible such that the resulting position of such second portion is changeable relative to an associated enclosure, for further adjustment relative thereto.
In other variations of the foregoing, such cam lock may further include a plurality of such stop pads of varying thickness, for selective removable support thereof on such locking bar. Also optionally, such stop pad may include a post; and such locking bar second portion may define an opening for receipt of such stop pad post. In some instances, such stop pad post may be configured for an interference fit with such locking bar second portion opening. In others, such post and such locking bar second portion opening may be respectively threaded, for threaded receipt of such post with such locking bar second portion opening. Yet in others, such post and such locking bar second portion opening may be mated with one of a snap fit arrangement and adhesives.
Another present exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter may relate to an adjustable cam lock for locking an associated enclosure by contact of cam contact surfaces with a protective strike fitted to a frame of such an associated enclosure. Such an exemplary adjustable cam lock may preferably comprise a cam lock assembly receivable in an enclosure to be locked thereby; an offset cam bar removably supported on such cam lock assembly and positioned so as to be actuated thereby relative to an associated enclosure to be locked; and a set of variously sized adjustment pads. Such set of adjustment pads may preferably be individually secured at one end of such cam bar to form a cam contact surface, for adjustment of such cam contact surface of such cam bar relative to a protective strike of an associated enclosure. With such an arrangement, advantageously, the fit and function of such cam lock relative to an associated enclosure is adjustable.
In some alternatives of the foregoing, such adjustment pads each may differ in thickness, and may be removably installable on such cam bar without the need of tools, to provide customized installation of such cam lock for reduced noise and improved security. In still further alternatives, each of such adjustment pads may respectively comprise a first pad portion having a predetermined thickness and a second pad portion comprising a post, configured to be removably fitted to one end of such offset cam bar.
In other present alternatives, each of such pad posts may be respectively configured for one of an interference fit, a threaded fit, and a snap fit with such offset cam bar.
In other exemplary variations of the foregoing, one end of such offset cam bar may define an opening therethrough; and such adjustable cam lock may further include a mechanism for removably securing such offset cam bar on such cam took assembly.
It is to be understood that the present subject matter equally relates to both apparatus and methodology. One present exemplary method relates to a method of custom fitting a first surface with an enclosure having a second surface, for selectively mating such respective surfaces Such exemplary method preferably comprises providing a component for fitted support relative to an enclosure; and removably supporting a stop pad on such component, such stop pad having a first surface selectively engaging a second surface of such enclosure for adjustment of such component relative to the associated enclosure. Advantageously, with such methodology, the fit of such component first surface relative to an associated enclosure second surface is adjustable.
In an exemplary variation of the foregoing methodology, such enclosure second surface may comprise a strike surface, and such component may include a cam lock. Preferably, in such exemplary variation, such method may further include providing a cam lock assembly receivable in such associated enclosure to be locked thereby; supporting a locking bar on such cam lock assembly and positioned so as to be actuated thereby relative to the associated enclosure to be locked; and removably supporting the stop pad on such locking bar, for adjustment of such locking bar actuation relative to the associated enclosure. In such exemplary variation, advantageously the fit and function of such cam lock relative to an associated enclosure strike surface is adjustable.
In other present variations of the foregoing, such method may further include providing a plurality of such stop pads of varying thickness; and selectively removably supporting one of such stop pads on such locking bar for a selected fit relative to such associated enclosure strike surface. In some further alternatives of the foregoing, such locking bar may be provided with a first portion for removable mounting thereof on such cam lock assembly, and a second portion thereof for receipt of such removable stop pad. Still further, such locking bar first portion may be offset from such second portion thereof, and the position of such locking bar is reversibly selected such that the resulting position of such second portion is changeable relative to the associated enclosure, for further adjustment relative thereto. In yet other present exemplary variations, such stop pad may include a post; and such locking bar second portion may define an opening for receipt of such stop pad post. Still further, such stop pad post and such locking bar second portion opening may be respectively configured for one of an interference fit, a threaded fit, or a snap fit. In other alternatives, such post and such locking bar second portion opening may be mated with adhesives.
Additional objects and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the detailed description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referred and discussed features, elements, and steps hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of the present subject matter without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter, Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like.
Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of the present subject matter may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, steps, or elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features, parts, or steps or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description of such figures). Additional embodiments of the present subject matter, not necessarily expressed in the summarized section, may include and incorporate various combinations of aspects of features, components, or steps referenced in the summarized objects above, and/or other features, components, or steps as otherwise discussed in this application. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features, elements, or steps of the present subject matter.
As discussed in the Summary of the Invention section, the present subject matter is particularly concerned with an adjustable cam for use with a cam lock.
Selected combinations of aspects of the disclosed subject matter correspond to a plurality of different embodiments of the present subject matter. It should be noted that each of the exemplary embodiments presented and discussed herein should not insinuate limitations of the present subject matter. Features or steps illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in combination with aspects of another embodiment to yield yet further embodiments. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not expressly mentioned which perform the same or similar function.
Reference will herein be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the subject adjustable cam for use with cam locks. Referring to the drawings,
A second portion of stop pad 20 per the present subject matter corresponds to a post 14, In an exemplary first configuration, post 14 (see
It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that each of the respective exemplary stop pads 20, 20′, and 20″ may be selectively affixed to the cam per the present subject matter using a variety of methods including, though not limited to, the previously mentioned screw fit or press fit into hole 16 provided in cam 10. Examples of such alternatives may include adhesive or snap fit approaches. Alternatively, per the present subject matter, the cam end may be encased by use of a sleeve or the like to secure an exemplary stop pad. Use of a method which requires no tools or machinery to install or remove a present stop pad is preferable as it allows for more simple field adjustment of the cam.
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While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. For example,
This application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “ADJUSTABLE CAM FOR CAM LOCK,” assigned U.S. Ser. No. 61/073,789, filed Jun. 19, 2008, and which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61073789 | Jun 2008 | US |