TECHNICAL FIELD
The present application relates to cylindrical locksets and more particularly, but not exclusively, to the installation of such locksets in doors of varying thickness.
BACKGROUND
Cylindrical locksets typically include a cylindrical lock chassis having a transverse centerline. During installation, regardless of the thickness of the door in which the lockset is being installed, the transverse centerline of the lock chassis should usually coincide with the centerline of the door thickness. If this installation criterion is not met, the lockset may fail to function properly. Therefore, a lock chassis may have an adjustable configuration that allows the lock chassis to be appropriately aligned with a variety of door thicknesses. For example, the position of the lock body relative to an associated mounting plate or mounting flange may be adjustable. Yet, difficulties in making accurate assessments of the current door thickness setting, or of distinguishing between alternative settings, can lead to use of incorrect settings and wasted effort. Likewise, the occurrence of inadvertent changes from factory preset conditions during shipping or handling can lead to errors or necessitate additional steps of validation and correction.
Cylindrical locksets may also have an installation step in which an anti-rotation plate or other securing member is placed over the lock chassis, held into place by the installer's hand, and then secured to the door by suitable screws or bolts. If the anti-rotation member or securing member is not held in place by the installer's hand, the anti-rotation member may slide off from the lock chassis, causing delay and wasted effort. Conversely, if the installer holds the securing member in place, then one or both of the installer's hands are occupied and thus the installer is less free to install remaining components of the lockset.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Embodiments of the present invention provide a door lock chassis having a gauge insert that defines different dimensions corresponding to different door thicknesses such that, when the gauge insert is inserted into the door lock chassis at a particular orientation, a dimension of the gauge insert corresponding to that orientation aids in adjusting the lock chassis for an associated door thickness. Moreover, according to certain embodiments, the gauge insert has multiple dimensions where each dimension corresponds to a different door thickness and, when properly oriented, can correctly align the lock chassis for that particular door thickness. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the lock chassis has a retention mechanism that retains an anti-rotation member on the lock chassis so that an installer is free from having to hold the anti-rotation member or plate on the lock chassis in subsequent assembly procedures. The retention mechanism is received into a lock chassis housing and does not require screws, bolts, or the like to retain the anti-rotation member to a lock chassis during assembly of the lock mechanism.
Additionally, an aspect of the present invention is a door lock chassis that is adapted to be mounted within doors having different thicknesses. The door lock chassis includes a lock body and an adjustment plate that is adapted to be adjustably mounted to the lock body. The door lock chassis also includes a removable gauge insert that is adapted to frictionally engage the adjustment plate and to be received in the slot at one of a plurality of positive stop arrangements. Further, each of the plurality of positive stop arrangements are configured to, when the adjustment plate is operably mounted to the lock body, separate the adjustment plate from a portion of the lock body by an axial distance. Additionally, the axial distance is different for each of the plurality of positive stop arrangements.
Another aspect of the present invention is a door lock chassis that is adapted to be mounted within doors having different door thicknesses. The door lock chassis includes a body portion having at least one slot and an adjustment plate that is adapted to be adjustably mounted to the lock body. Further, the at least one gauge insert is adapted to be removably received in the at least one slot and a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is adapted to provide an axial position for the adjustment plate relative to at least the body portion. The second portion is adapted to frictionally engage the adjustment plate so as to resist movement of the adjustment plate away from the axial position.
Another aspect of the present invention is an anti-rotational assembly for a door lock having a lock chassis. The anti-rotational assembly includes an inside hub of the lock chassis that has a receptacle that includes a cavity and a pair of channels. The pair of channels are configured to longitudinally extend along opposing sides of the cavity. The anti-rotational assembly also includes a retention member that has a base and one or more resilient members. The base has a pair of lips that are adapted to be slidingly received in the pair of channels. Additionally, the anti-rotational assembly includes an anti-rotation member that is configured for a sliding engagement with the one or more resilient members in a first axial direction as the anti-rotation member is displaced to an mount position relative to the inside hub. The anti-rotation member is also configured for a frictional engagement with the one or more resilient members to retain the anti-rotation member in the mount position.
Additionally, a further aspect of the present invention is an anti-rotational assembly for a door lock having a lock body. The anti-rotational assembly includes an inside hub of the lock body that has an outer section. The anti-rotational assembly also includes a retention mechanism that is secured to the inside hub and which has one or more resilient members. The anti-rotation member is configured to deflect the one or more resilient members as the anti-rotation member is displaced in a first axial direction, and to be retained in a mount position on the inside hub by a frictional engagement with the one or more resilient members.
Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a cylindrical type lock assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention that is installed in a door.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a lock chassis for a lock assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the lock chassis shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 illustrates an end elevational view of the lock chassis shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a lock chassis 2 as taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 illustrates an end elevational view of the lock chassis shown in FIG. 4 and includes an anti-rotation plate that is positioned on the lock chassis.
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of a lock chassis and an anti-rotation plate as taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a retention member and an inside hub of the lock chassis shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a gauge insert of the lock chassis shown in FIG. 2.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS
While the present invention can take many different forms, for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Turning to the figures, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an adjustable lock chassis 10 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the installation of a lock assembly 15, which includes the lock chassis 10, in a door 100. The door 100 has a cylindrical hole 104 and two smaller mounting holes 106 that extend through the thickness of the door from the inside face 101 to the outside face 102. The door 100 also has a latch hole 108 that extends from the side edge of the door 100 to the cylindrical hole 104.
The lock chassis 10 includes a body portion 17 comprising an outside housing 38 and an inside hub 48, and a slide assembly 43 including a slide 44 and a slide clip 45. The slide assembly 43 is located in a slot 41 of the outside housing 38. An outside spindle 40 and key cam assembly 42 are rotably captured in the outside housing 38 so as to be in operable engagement with an outside portion of the slide assembly 43. An inside spindle 46 is rotably captured in the inside hub 48 so as to be in operable engagement with the inside of the slide assembly 43. The inside hub 48 is secured to the outside housing 38 via mounting screws 49.
In the illustrated embodiment, the lock chassis 10 includes an adjustment plate 36, which includes an annular portion 36a and a flange 36b. The annular portion 36a has interior threads and is threaded on the outside portion 39 of outside housing 38 which is provided with exterior threads. A gauge insert 60 to be described in greater detail below is positioned within a slot 62 of the outside housing 38. As shown in FIG. 3, a positive stop 65a of the gauge insert 60 contacts an inside edge 36c of the annular portion 36a of the adjustment plate 36 in a positive stop arrangement indicative of a proper axial position of the adjustment plate 36 for a corresponding door thickness.
As shown in the FIG. 5 embodiment, a leg 63 of the gauge insert 60 frictionally engages the interior threads of the annular portion 36a of the adjustment plate 36. This frictional engagement provides resistance against rotation of the adjustment plate 36, which reduces the chance that the position of the adjustment plate 36 is inadvertently changed.
Referencing FIGS. 1 and 2, during assembly of the lock assembly 15, the latch 34 is first positioned in the latch hole 108 so as to have the tail piece 34a extending into the cylindrical hole 104. Then, the lock chassis 10 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 104 such that the tail piece 34a of the latch 34 engages the engagement part 44a of the slide assembly 43 of the lock chassis 10. Flange 36b rests against the outside face 102 of the door 100 and has slots 37 aligned with the mounting holes 106 in the door 100. An anti-rotation plate 22, which has an interior opening 20 shaped to correspond to the shape of an outside section 30 of the inside hub 48, is placed over the outside section 30. Flange 22b of the anti-rotation plate 22 rests against the inside face 101 of the door 100 and has slots 21 aligned with the mounting holes 106 of the door 100.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a retention member 50, which will be described in greater detail below. The retention member 50 is provided between the outside section 30 of the inside hub 48 of the lock chassis 10 and a surface of the anti-rotation plate 22 so as to capture the anti-rotation plate 22 to the lock chassis 10. This frees an installer's hands to install the remaining portions of the assembly.
Referencing FIG. 1, an outside spring cage assembly 12 has an integrated spindle 13 that fits over the outside spindle 40 of the lock chassis 10. Internal slots of the integrated spindle 13 engage corresponding projections in the outside spindle 40 such that the integrated spindle 13 and outside spindle 40 are rotationally coupled. An outside handle 18 mounts to the end of the integrated spindle 13. A key cylinder 16 extends through the integrated spindle 13 to operate the key cam assembly 42. An outside rose 14 is attached to the outside spring cage assembly 12.
The outside spring cage assembly 12 includes threaded bosses 11 which extend through the slots 37 of the flange 36b and into the mounting holes 106 of the door 100. Mounting screws 32 extend through the mounting holes of the inside spring cage assembly 24, the slots 21 of the anti-rotation plate 22, and the mounting holes 106 of the door 100, where the mounting screws 32 are threaded into the threaded bosses 11 of the outside spring cage assembly 12. An inside handle 28 is attached to the end of a spindle 25 of the inside spring cage assembly 24. A rose 26 is attached to the inside spring cage assembly 24. A suitable plunger assembly (not shown) may be provided to couple the thumb turn button of the inside handle 28 to the key cam assembly 42 of the lock chassis 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 and 9, according to certain embodiments, the gauge insert 60 is generally rectangular shape and has a longitudinal axis L that is parallel to the axis of rotation R of the door handle 18. However, the gauge insert 60 may have a variety of different shapes and sizes, such as, for example, being triangular or hexagonal, among other shapes. Additionally, the gauge insert 60 may be constructed from a variety of different materials, including, for example, plastic and rubber, among other materials.
The illustrated gauge insert 60 has four different longitudinal dimensions D1, D2, D3, D4 that are configured to accommodate doors 100 of different thicknesses. Moreover, the gauge insert 60 is removably positionable in the slot 62 of the lock chassis 10 in different orientations. The different orientations serve to align the lock chassis 10 at the correct position within the door 100. The correct position of the lock chassis 10 within the door 100 may be determined, for example, in the illustrated embodiment by the relative position of the adjustment plate 36 on the body portion 17 of the lock chassis 10. Such alignment is accomplished by providing a positive indicia or positive stop for the adjustment plate 36. The illustrated gauge insert 60 has four such positive stops 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d, with each positive stop 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d, respectively, corresponding an associated longitudinal dimension D1, D2, D3, D4.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the longitudinal dimensions D1, D2, D3, D4 are determined based on the distance of the associated positive stop 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d from an end 69a, 69b of a remote, non-adjacent leg 61, 63 of the gauge insert 60. Thus, for example, the first longitudinal dimension D1 extends from the end 69a of the first leg 61 to the first positive stop 65a, while the second longitudinal dimension D2 extends from the end 69b of the second leg 63 to the second positive stop 65b.
Referencing FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, according to the illustrated embodiment, the slot 62 of the lock chassis 10 is positioned in the periphery of the outer portion 39 of the outside housing 38 of the lock chassis 10. Further, according to certain embodiments, the length of the slot 62 is longer than the length of the gauge insert 60. The slot 62 defines two upper receiving portions 62a and 62c, and a lower receiving portion 62b disposed longitudinally between the two upper receiving portions 62a, 62c. The depth of the slot 62 at the lower receiving portion 62b, as viewed in FIG. 5, is equal to or slightly greater than the height of the positive stops 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d. The axial length of the slot 62 at the lower receiving portion 62b is sized to receive the longitudinal portion 68a of the gauge insert 60 defined between the positive stop 65a and the positive stop 65b, and to receive the longitudinal portion 68b of the gauge insert 60 defined between the positive stop 65c and the positive stop 65d. When the gauge insert 60 is inserted in the slot 62 with the positive stops 65c and 65d facing downward into the slot 62 and the positive stop 65a facing the outside (to the left in FIG. 5) and the positive stop 65b facing the inside (to the right in FIG. 5), the leg 61 of the gauge insert 60 rests on the first upper receiving portion 62a of the slot 62, and the leg 63 of the gauge insert 60 rests on the second upper receiving portion 62c of the slot 62. Similarly, when the gauge insert 60 is inserted in the slot 62 with the positive stops 65a and 65b facing downward into the slot 62 and the positive stop 65c facing the outside (to the left in FIG. 5) and the positive stop 65d facing the inside (to the right in FIG. 5), the leg 63 of the gauge insert 60 rests on the first upper receiving portion 62a of the slot 62, and the leg 61 of the gauge insert 60 rests on the second upper receiving portion 62c of the slot 62.
The body portion 17 of the lock chassis 10 provides an inside end wall 64 at an end of the slot 62 (upper right of FIG. 5) against which a leg 61, 63 of the gauge insert 60 abuts to stop axial movement of the gauge insert 60. In the FIG. 5 embodiment, for example, with the gauge insert 60 inserted in the slot 62, as the adjustment plate 36 is threaded on the outside housing 38 the inside edge 36c of the annular portion 36a of the adjustment plate 36 contacts the positive stop 65a and urges the gauge insert 60 axially toward the inside end wall 64 until the leg 61 of the gauge insert 60 abuts the inside end wall 64. The gauge insert 60 is thus sandwiched between the annular portion 36a of the adjustment plate 36 and the inside end wall 64 of the body portion 17 of the lock chassis 10. The positive stop 65a of the gauge insert 60 functions to stop further axial movement of the adjustment plate 36 and indicates to the installer that the adjustment plate 36 is in the proper axial position relative to the body portion 17 of the lock chassis 10 for a corresponding door thickness.
The depth of the slot 62 at the first upper receiving portion 62a is equal to or slightly greater than the height of the legs 61, 63 of the gauge insert 60. The depth of the slot 62 at the second upper receiving portion 62c is sized so that when the gauge insert 60 is inserted in the slot 62 and the annular portion 36a of the adjustment plate 36 is threaded on the outside portion 39 of the outside housing 38, at least a portion of the adjustment plate 36, such as the interior threads of the annular portion 36a thereof, engages the leg 61, 63 of the gauge insert 60 (leg 63 in the as shown embodiment of FIG. 5) resting on the upper receiving portion 62c. This engagement, which according to the illustrated embodiment is a frictional engagement, provides resistance against rotation of the adjustment plate 36, and reduces the chance that the position of the adjustment plate 36 is inadvertently changed. As shown in FIG. 9, lead-in chamfers 71, 73 can be provided at the distal ends of the legs 61, 63 to facilitate easier and more gradual threading engagement of the legs 61, 63 by the annular portion 36a of the adjustment plate 36. As such, the torque required to thread the adjustment plate 36 onto the outside portion 39 of the outside housing 38 increases only gradually, so that, for example, the installer can recognize that the adjustment plate 36 has not reached a stop. When the annular portion 36a of the adjustment plate 36 encounters a stop, for example the first positive stop 65a in FIG. 5, the positive stop 65a can serve as an indication that the correct door thickness setting has been reached.
As shown in FIG. 9, the positive stops 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d, of the illustrated gauge insert 60 are each different from the other. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, when the gauge insert 60 is inserted in the slot 62 of the lock chassis 10 in a first orientation corresponding to the dimension D1, the first positive stop 65a corresponding to a first door thickness acts as an indicator. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first positive stop 65a serves as an indicator as to where threading of the annular portion 36a of the adjustment plate 36 onto the body portion 17 of the lock chassis 10 is to be stopped to obtain an axial position of the adjustment plate 36 relative to the body portion 17 that corresponds to the first door thickness. When the gauge insert 60 is inserted in a second orientation corresponding to the dimension D2, the second positive stop 65b corresponding to a second door thickness acts as an indicator. When the gauge insert 60 is inserted in a third orientation corresponding to the dimension D3, the third positive stop 65c corresponding to a third door thickness acts as an indicator. When the gauge insert 60 is inserted in a fourth orientation corresponding to the dimension D4, the fourth positive stop 65d corresponding to a fourth door thickness acts as an indicator.
The positive stops 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d, may be provided with suitable indicia to indicate correspondence to for example a default door thickness, a minimum door thickness, or a maximum door thickness. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the positive stop 65a has a shape 75, namely a somewhat arrow shape 75, that is different from the shape, namely a somewhat rectangular shape, of the other positive stops 65b, 65c, 65d. The arrow shape 75 can provide a visual indication that, for example, the positive stop 65a is a default orientation for manufacturing assembly, and/or that the gauge insert 60 has been correctly oriented during the assembly process. Alternatively, the indicia for the positive stops 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d may list actual door thicknesses for each of the stops 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d, such as, for example, indicia visually indicating or representing 1¾ inches, 1⅝ inches, 2 inches, and 2⅛ inches.
The illustrated embodiment shows a single slot 62 provided in the outside housing 38 and a gauge insert 60 that can be inserted in the slot 62 in four different orientations corresponding to four different door thicknesses. However, according to certain embodiments, multiple slots 62 may be provided in the outside housing 38, for example in a circumferentially spaced manner, and each slot 62 can have a different axial length that corresponds to a respective door thickness. Further, according to certain embodiments, a gauge insert 60 may have a single longitudinal dimension. In an embodiment, a single slot 62 may be provided in the outside housing 38, and multiple gauge inserts 60 may be provided, and each gauge insert 60 may have a different axial length that corresponds to a respective door thickness.
Referring to FIG. 9, in an embodiment, the gauge insert 60 may include projections 67 that project from the sides of the gauge insert 60. The projections 67 make it easier for the installer to manipulate the gauge insert 60 to a desired orientation. Further, when the gauge insert 60 is inserted in the slot 62 of the lock chassis 10 the projections 67 function to frictionally engage the side walls of the slot 62 and resist the gauge insert 60 from being inadvertently dislodged or falling out from the slot 62. In an embodiment, the width of the slot 62 may be slightly larger than the width of the gauge insert 60 at the non-projection portions, and slightly smaller than the width of the gauge insert 60 at the projections 67 so as to facilitate an interference fit between the gauge insert 60 and the side walls of the slot 62. The projections 67 may be made of a different material than the other portions of the gauge insert 60.
The gauge insert 60 may also have a recess or hole 66 suitably sized to receive the tip of an implement such as a flat head screwdriver or the like after the gauge insert 60 has been inserted in the slot 62. The recess or hole 66 may be positioned, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 to permit access from above the slot 62. This allows the installer to easily insert the tip of the implement into the recess or hole 66 and lift the gauge insert 60 out of the slot 62. The gauge insert 60, or another gauge insert 60, may subsequently be inserted into the slot 62 in the same or a different orientation such that the gauge insert 60 is oriented for the use of the appropriate longitudinal dimension D1, D2, D3, D4 for the thickness of the associated door 100.
Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6-8, details of the illustrated retention member 50 and its cooperative anti-rotational relationship with the lock chassis 10 and the anti-rotation plate 22 will now be described. The retention member 50 may comprise a resilient material such as, for example, a plastic or rubber. The retention member 50 slides into a receptacle 47 of the inside hub 48 of the lock chassis 10 along a longitudinal axis L (FIG. 8) that is parallel to the axis of rotation R of the door handle 18. The anti-rotation plate 22 in turn slides over the inside hub 48 and the retention member 50 so that the retention member 50 frictionally engages and/or resists axial movement of the anti-rotation plate 22 relative to the inside hub 48. As such, the retention member 50 retains the anti-rotation plate 22 on the lock chassis 10 at a mount position.
Turning to FIG. 8, the receptacle 47 of the inside hub 48 defines a pair of opposite facing longitudinally extending channels 47a and a cavity 47b between and radially inwardly of the channels 47a. The receptacle 47 includes a ramp portion 47c axially adjacent to the cavity 47b. The ramp portion 47c has an inclined surface in the longitudinal direction from the inside to the outside or right to left in FIG. 7. The retention member 50 includes a base 53 which has opposite lip portions 53a that are slideable within the channels 47a of the receptacle 47. The retention member 50 includes a retention nodule 52 (shown in FIG. 7) that projects downward from the base 53 and is sized to fit in the cavity 47b of the receptacle 47.
To install the retention member 50 in the lock chassis 10, an installer slides the base 53 of the retention member 50 into the channels 47a of the receptacle 47 until the retention nodule 52 contacts the ramp portion 47c. The installer then pushes the retention member 50 to urge the retention nodule 52 over the ramp portion 47c and into the cavity 47b of the receptacle 47. Due to the resilient characteristics of the retention member 50, as the retention nodule 52 is axially urged over the ramp portion 47c, the retention member 50 bends or flexes slightly radially outward. As the retention nodule 52 is urged beyond the ramp portion 47c, the retention member 50 flexes or snaps back radially inward to its original unflexed state so that the retention nodule 52 is then captured inside the cavity 47b. As shown in FIG. 8, the radially outer walls of the channels 47a resist radially outward movement of the base 53 from the receptacle 47, and the back side of the ramp portion 47c resists rearward longitudinal movement (to the right in FIG. 7) of the retention nodule 52 from the cavity 47b. As such, the receptacle 47 secures the retention nodule 52 in the lock chassis 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the retention member 50 includes a plurality of resilient members 54, which in the illustrated embodiment comprise longitudinally spaced wall members. The resilient members 54 project radially outward from the base portion 53 beyond the outside section 30 of the inside hub 48, as illustrated in the FIG. 4 embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the anti-rotation plate 22 includes a radially inner flange 22a, a radially outer flange 22b, and an annular portion 22c there between connecting the inner flange 22a and the outer flange 22b. The inner flange 22a has an interior opening 20 which in the illustrated embodiment is somewhat oblong octagon shaped. The interior opening 20 is shaped to correspond to the shape of the outside section 30 of the inside hub 48. The corresponding shaped interior opening 20 in the inner flange 22a and the outside section 30 of the inside hub 48 may have a function of ensuring that the anti-rotation plate 22 is installed on the lock chassis 10 in the proper angular orientation.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner flange 22a of the anti-rotation plate 22 at the location 25 corresponding to that of the resilient members 54 of the retention member 50 is radially inward relative to the distal ends of the resilient members 54. As such, during installation of the anti-rotation plate 22 on the inside hub 48 of the lock chassis 10, the inner flange 22a comes into contact with the resilient members 54. As the installer axially urges the anti-rotation plate 22 over the resilient members 54, the inner flange 22a bends or flexes the resilient members 54 radially inward of the inner flange 22a to come into frictional engagement with the resilient members 54. The resilient members 54, in turn, counteract the force exerted by the inner flange 22a, and exert a radially outward force against the inner flange 22a to come into frictional engagement with the inner flange 22a, and thus the anti-rotation plate 22. This frictional engagement retains the anti-rotation plate 22 on the inside hub 48 of the lock chassis 10. The installer is then free to install the remaining portions of the lock assembly 15 without concern for the lock chassis 10 disengaging from the door 100.
In the FIG. 7 embodiment, the anti-rotation plate 22 is in abutting relation with a backstop 55 of the inside hub 48. As the anti-rotation plate 22 is urged over the resilient members 54, the resilient members 54 that are axially behind the inner flange 22a flex or snap back radially outward to their original unflexed state. In an embodiment, these resilient members 54 resist rearward axial movement of the anti-rotation plate 22.
According to certain embodiments, the retention member 50 has no resilient members 54 near the backstop 55. Thus, there are no resilient members 54 that exert a radially outward force against the inner flange 22a of the anti-rotation plate 22 when the anti-rotation plate 22 is in abutting relation with the backstop 55, and instead the resilient members 54 that are axially behind the inner flange 22a and have flexed or snapped back radially outward to their original unflexed state, resist rearward axial movement of the anti-rotation plate 22.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8, the inner flange 22a of the anti-rotation plate 22 at the location 25 corresponding to that of the resilient members 54 of the retention member 50 is substantially aligned with the radially outer wall of the channels 47a. The inner flange 22a is not limited to the form illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7; other embodiments are also contemplated herein. For example, in an embodiment, the inner flange 22a is not substantially aligned with the radially outer wall of the channels 47a and/or has a nonlinear or curved configuration.
As described, the resilient members 54 exert a force against the inner flange 22a to come into frictional engagement with the inner flange 22a to retain the anti-rotation plate 22 on the inside hub 48 of the lock chassis 10. In an embodiment, the resilient members 54 exert a force against the inner flange 22a such that a location of the inner flange 22a other than the location 25, for example a location that is diametrically opposite the location 25, comes into frictional engagement with the inside hub 48 of the lock chassis 10. Thus, the retention member 50 frictionally engages the lock chassis 10 at one location, for example location 25, and also urges the anti-rotation plate 22 into frictional engagement with the lock chassis 10 at another location. These frictional engagements together retain the anti-rotation plate 22 on the inside hub 48 of the lock chassis 10.
Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to make the present invention in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the invention as defined herein of by any of the following claims are desired to be protected. It should also be understood that while the use of words such as “preferable”, “preferably”, “preferred” or “more preferred” utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow.
Patent Application
20240175297
