BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art double-cylinder deadbolt lock assembly.
FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the escutcheon assembly including decorative face plate 20 and tapered collar 30 according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-section of the assembled escutcheon assembly of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled escutcheon assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is an escutcheon assembly that allows virtually any shape of escutcheon (face plate) to be secured to the cylinder of a deadbolt lock, and particularly to the inside cylinder of a double-cylinder deadbolt lock to provide flexibility in matching inside and outside decorative face plates.
FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the escutcheon assembly according to the present invention. As in conventional double-cylinder deadbolt locks, the present assembly builds upon a standard keyed cylinder such as interior cylinder 7 as in FIG. 1, and face plate 9. The escutcheon assembly generally comprises a tapered collar 30 and decorative face plate 20 secured to the tapered collar 30 in a novel non-threaded manner. More specifically, the interior cylinder 7 is formed with an annular flange 17 and the tapered collar 30 is dimensioned for insertion onto the interior cylinder 7 behind the flange 17, thereby being sandwiched against the door (not shown). The standard face plate 9 is inserted onto the cylinder 7, and the decorative face plate 20 is positioned against the door to cover and enclose all of the foregoing components. The decorative face plate 20 attaches to the tapered collar 30 without threads by an overhead clip 22 and opposing set screw 26. The tapered collar 30 is formed with an annular lip 32 adjacent a groove 33. Thus, to assemble, the decorative face plate 20 is positioned against the door so as to cover and enclose the cylinder 7 and face plate 9 with overhead clip 22 seated overtop the lip 32 of tapered collar 30. The clip 22 supports the decorative face plate 20 against the door and brings the set screw 26 into alignment with the groove 33 of tapered collar 30. The set screw 26 is then tightened and the contour of groove 33 forces the decorative face plate 20 against the door to ensure a secure mount. The combined set screw 26 and clip 22 provide a leveraged and steadfast attachment of the decorative face plate 20. Moreover, since the clip 22 and set screw 26 can be mounted virtually anywhere within the confines of the decorative face plate 20 the face plate 20 can assume virtually any shape as a matter of design choice.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-section of the assembled escutcheon assembly of FIG. 2. The tapered collar 30 is an annular member formed with a particular cross-sectional profile including a central aperture dimensioned to conform to the body of the cylinder 7 (allowing insertion thereover). Preferably, the one end of the central aperture is bounded by a flange 36 for overlying and capturing the cylinder 7 there behind, and the illustrated embodiment further includes a circular recess 35 surrounding the flange 36 for seating the lip of the cylinder face plate 9. The periphery of the tapered collar 30 is formed with the annular flange 32 adjacent groove 33. In the illustrated embodiment the groove 33 sits immediately in advance of flange 32, though this order may be reversed. The groove is preferably approximately 2-5 mm in depth, and the side abutting flange 32 is vertical while the side opposing flange 32 is tapered inward. The taper 34 comprises an approximate 45 degree angled surface sloping down and into the trough of groove 33. This tapered surface 34 serves the purpose of self-entering the clip 22, and as well gradually centering the set screw 26 as it is tightened. When fully tightened, the taper 34 of groove 33 biases the decorative face plate 20 backward against the door. The clip 22 is formed to protrude downwardly into the groove 33 and while other shapes may be suitable the illustrated clip 22 is formed with a bent prong abutting the angled surface 34. This provides a small degree of resiliency. The clip 22 may be entirely formed of stamped metal and is screwed into a threaded hub 25 formed along the inside lower edge of decorative housing 20. The set screw 26 is preferably diametrically opposite the clip 22 and likewise screws into a threaded hub 25 formed along the inside bottom edge of decorative housing 20. The set screw 26 is preferably keyed with a hex key or other tamper-proof key, and has a beveled tip conforming to the 45 degree angle of the groove 33 so as to cooperate and seat itself against the angled surface 34. As with the clip 22, the tapered surface 34 serves the purpose of self-centering the set screw 26. Note that the upper hub 24 comprises an integrally-formed hub with horizontal-entry threaded bore for screw 23, while the lower hub 25 comprises an integrally-formed hub with vertical-entry threaded bore for set screw 26. Typically, clip 22 and screw 23 will be permanently attached in the upper hub 24 and the set screw 26 will be partially inserted into the lower hub 25 pending tightening to secure the decorative housing 20 over the cylinder 7. This way, the decorative face plate 20 may be temporarily positioned against the door with overhead clip 22 seated overtop the lip 32 of tapered collar 30, and then the set screw 26 is tightened into alignment with the groove 33 of tapered collar 30. The set screw 26 enters the groove 23 and the contour of groove 33 forces the decorative face plate 20 rearwardly against the door to ensure a secure flush mount.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled escutcheon assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the decorative face plate 20 securely attached flush against the door.
The above-described escutcheon assembly inclusive of tapered collar 30 and decorative face plate 20 (with combined set screw 26 and clip 22) allows the outward appearance of the decorative face plate 20 to assume virtually any shape including square or rectangular, thereby increasing in choosing and then matching inside and outside decorative face plates. The combined set screw 26 and clip 22 provide a leveraged and steadfast attachment of the decorative face plate 20 flush against the door. Moreover, the only outwardly exposed fastener is the hex-keyed set screw 26 which greatly deters tampering.
Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080028809
