Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
[001] SELF-ADJUSTING CAM ASSEMBLY
Field of the Invention
[004] The present invention relates generally to lock assemblies and alarm
mechanisms in which a keyed or mortise cylinder is employed. More
particularly, the
present invention relates to a novel assembly for securing a mortise cylinder
in an alarm
housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[005] Commonly, door locks, exit alarms, panic devices, and other locking
systems
employ mortise cylinders that typically are operated with a key placed in a
rotatable key
cylinder portion of the mortise cylinder. Such assemblies often are installed
on a wall or
a door. To minimize the size, lock and alarm assemblies must be compact. This
introduces a number of difficulties in the design and assembly of such
devices.
[006] Typically, an alarm or lock assembly comprises a plate (or cover) that
covers the
alarm or lock and the mortise cylinder disposed therein. A bracket is secured
to the
interior of the plate. The bracket and plate cooperate to form a housing for
the mortise
cylinder and alarm. Typical mounting of the housing is achieved with mounting
screws.
1
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
The mortise cylinder is commonly secured to the bracket by a hexagonal nut
engaging
threads formed on the exterior of the mortise cylinder. Keys and corresponding
key
ways, as well as set screws, are methods of securing the mortise cylinder to
the housing
to prevent rotation of the mortise cylinder.
[007] During assembly of the alarm, the mortise cylinder and associated cam
must be
carefully positioned relative to one another in the housing to insure proper
engagement
between the mortise cylinder and cam. Therefore, reliable operation can be
difficult to
achieve with the alarm assemblies due to the complex installation
configuration.
[008] Additionally, there are varieties of mortise cylinder lengths that are
in common
use. Specifically, there are 5, 6, and 7 pin mortise cylinders that have
different lengths.
Therefore, depending on the length of the cylinder, adjustments are made
during
assembly. These adjustments may require a substantial amount of labor and
expertise.
[009] To avoid some of these problems, numerous attempts have been made to
address the shortcomings of conventional locks and alarms. Some examples of
these
attempts are listed and discussed below.
[010] U.S. Patent 5,335,520 issued to Lee ("Lee"), discloses a flat lock
system that will
not be easily picked, in particular where the tumbler is not permitted to
pivot with respect
to the cylinder. It consists of a cylinder, a tumbler, and several rings and
springs. The
cylinder has an inner surface formed with a number of separate ribs defining
passages
that extend perpendicular to the length of the cylinder. The tumbler consists
of a disk
defining a keyhole, and it is integrated with a key receiver and a latch
carrier. The rings
and springs are alternatively mounted on the key receiver. Each ring has an
outer rim
with a number of ears and an inner rim with a number of arms. The purpose of
the
springs is to bias the rings towards the disk such that the ears protruding
from the rings
are trapped in the passages between the ribs. When a key is inserted in the
key
receiver, shoulders formed on the key push the arms on the rings such that the
ears
protruding from the rings align with the passages formed between the ribs to
make the
tumbler and latch pivotable.
[011] U.S. Patent 5,265,453 issued to Konii et al. ("Konii"), discloses a
tamper and
damage resistant cylinder lock. The lock comprising an axial cam provided on a
key
2
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
. ,
cylinder, a rotator for engagement with a sleeve and in contact with the axial
cam, a
stopper positioned adjacent to the rotator having a pair of lugs engageable
with a recess
of the casing, and an axial spring positioned between the stopper and a
connector for
resiliently urging the stopper toward the rotator. The rotator and stopper are
axially
moved by the axial cam to disengage the rotator from the sleeve and the
stopper from
the casing upon independent rotation of the sleeve on insertion of the correct
key. The
key cylinder, the rotator, the stopper and connector are rotated as a unit to
a locked or
unlocked position.
[012] U.S. Patent 4,759,204 issued to Neyret ("Neyret"), discloses a lock
mechanism
designed to improve security, especially against forceful rotation. It
consists of a housing
with a bore, a sleeve within the bore, and a rotor which is rotatably mounted
and axially
slidable within the sleeve. The rotor has a longitudinally extending key slot.
A piston
slides axially within the bore in the sleeve and rotor between a first rest
position where
the sleeve and rotor are coupled together for simultaneous rotation, and a
second
disengagement position resulting on insertion of appropriate key where said
sleeve and
rotor are uncoupled. Upon removal of the key, a spring pushes back the piston
and the
rotor towards the rest position.
[013] U.S. Patent 4,581,909 issued to Weber ("Weber"), discloses a cylinder
lock,
particularly a steering-wheel lock for a motor vehicle. It comprises a locking
disk that is
displaceable parallel to itself, axially movable on a projection of a cylinder
core, and
which is at right angles to the axis of the lock. The locking disk can be
mounted very
securely as it needs only make a sliding movement in relation to the cylinder
core, and
does not need to turn relative to the cylinder core. Thus, the 'ready-to-lock-
position' of a
locking or transmission member is not cancelled by a tilting or turning of the
locking disk,
but solely by movement in the axial direction. Moreover, the cylinder lock is
connected
to a cam that forms a bearing surface for the locking disk. A conical coil
compression
spring disposed upon an axial extension of the cylinder core urges the locking
disk in the
direction of the cam upon insertion of appropriate key.
[014] U.S. Patent 4,573,334 issued to Crepinsek ("Crepinsek"), discloses a
deadbolt
lock adjustable for mounting in doors of various thicknesses. It is an
improvement of the
deadlock of the type which is mounted in a door and has a lock body with a
bore that
3
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
. .
provides secure access to the dead-bolt throw or retract mechanism. The
improvement
comprises coupling means non-adjustably and non-rotatingly mounted within the
bore of
the lock body and extending a preselected distance beyond the outer boundary
of the
bore, just sufficient to accommodate the thickness of a particular door.
One
disadvantage of Crepinsek, however, is that there is no system that self-
adjusts to a
range of depths, depending on the thickness of the door. Hence, Crepinsek
requires
preselection of a distance prior to installation.
[015] U.S. Patent 4,359,886 issued to Evans et al. ("Evans"), relates to
cylinder type
key locks and locking devices that are environmentally exposed. It discloses a
key
mortise cylinder for possibly contaminated environments. The mortise cylinder
is a key
operated rotary core cylinder lock having rotary disc tumblers arranged in a
pack with
intervening spacers inside of a rotary core sleeve which is held against
rotation within
the lock casing by a locking bar.
[016] U.S. Patent 4,196,605 issued to Garza ("Garza"), relates to improvements
in
tumbler pin-type cylinder locks provided with safety means to reduce the
chances that
the lock can be picked or rendered ineffective. It discloses a tumbler pin-
type cylinder
lock with axial or axial and radial cylinder movement. The cylinder moves
axially or
axially and radially with respect to the lock housing. Movement of the mortise
cylinder in
the axial direction is brought about by spring means ¨ a helical compression
spring
constantly urges the cylinder towards the front end of the lock housing, and
upon
insertion the appropriate key moves the cylinder against the urging of the
spring.
[017] U.S. Patent 4,077,240 issued to Crasnianski ("Crasnianski"), discloses a
cylinder
lock of the type having a stator with a rotor and lamellae actuated by a flat
key. The
rotor comprises floating lamellae capable of moving radially and angularly,
and means
for guiding the flat key over its entire introduction path into the rotor
without any
possibility of lateral or radial displacement. The lamellae are released as a
result of the
axial pressure applied to the rotor by the key against the action of a spring.
[018] U.S. Patent 3,724,244 issued to Schaumburg ("Schaumburg"), discloses a
lock
actuated anti-theft device mainly for automobiles. A system of rollers is
provided in the
direct vicinity of the key hole portion of the lock. Operation of the key
causes internal
shifting of the rollers causing other lock portions to go into locking
position, where the
4
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
locking position is fully established upon total removal of the key from the
lock.
[019] U.S. Patent 3,382,688 issued to Wellekens ("Wellekens"), discloses a
lock for
vending machines or the like. The lock consists of a plurality of concentric
sleeves in
nested relationship, where the outermost sleeve constitutes a lock casing, the
innermost
sleeve carries a locking mechanism that controls a latch, the intermediate
sleeve is
coupled to the inner sleeve by a rotatable cup having a shoulder under which
the latch is
advanced for the sleeves to be completed nested. A spring advances the joined
inner
and intermediate sleeves partly out of the outermost sleeve when the latch is
disengaged.
[020] U.S. Patent 3,089,329 issued to Kerr ("Kerr"), discloses an alarm
assembly for a
refrigerated cabinet or the like. It consists of a draw alarm assembly having
a nestled
handle and a connecting cam between the handle and a draw shaft. This
connection
allows for a positive drive between the handle and draw shaft during door
tightening
operations, but permits for a limited degree of reverse movement of the handle
after the
tightening operation has been completed.
[021] U.S. Patent 3,026,385 issued to Davis, et al. ("Davis"), relates to an
improved
push-button operator with locking means. It discloses a push-button operating
mechanism comprising a tubular casing, a push-button mounted in the casing for
reciprocal movement, a lock barrel mounted in the outer end of the push-button
and
rotatable upon insertion of appropriate key. The lock barrel is rotatable to
one position
when the push-button is in its outwardly extended position, and it is
rotatable to another
position when the push-button is depressed inwardly. A torsion spring urges
the lock
barrel to rotate upon insertion of the key in and and causes the change from a
depressed to an extended position of the push-button.
[022] Even with the numerous attempts to improve locks, there remains a number
of
shortcomings. Accordingly, a need exists for alarm and lock assemblies using a
conventional mortise cylinder with a tailpiece on its distal end that
minimizes the number
of parts in the assembly and simplifies installation on a door or wall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
5
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
[023] It is a general object of the present invention to provide an alarm or
lock
assembly that is adapted for easy assembly and reliable performance. This and
other
objects of the invention are achieved by providing a mortise cylinder having a
rotatable
center. The rotatable center has an exterior end and an interior end. The
exterior end
receives a key for operations or may have a knob. The interior end has a
tailpiece and
is rotatable coincident with rotation of the key or knob on the exterior end.
A cam
engages the tailpiece on the mortise cylinder to provide selective movement of
the cam
responsive to rotation of the key cylinder in the mortise cylinder.
[024] A housing secures the mortise cylinder and cam relative to one another
and to a
door or wall. A biasing member is disposed between the housing and cam for
urging the
cam into secure engagement with the tailpiece of the mortise cylinder, wherein
variation
in the distance between the cam and the tailpiece on the interior end of the
mortise
cylinder can be accommodated.
[025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
housing
further comprises a plate that is securable to a wall or door and has the
mortise cylinder
extending therethrough, and a bracket secured to the plate and carrying the
cam for
rotation.
[026] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
biasing
member is a coil spring disposed between a portion of the bracket and the cam.
[027] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
bracket
comprises a pair of opposed, generally parallel surfaces, one of which has an
aperture
to receive a portion of the mortise cylinder. The cam is disposed between the
surfaces.
The coil spring is disposed between the cam and the surface opposite the
surface
having an aperture.
[028] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical
advantages
of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the
invention that follows
may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be
described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.
6
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[029] FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of a door incorporating an alarm assembly
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[030] FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view, partially in section, of the
alarm
assembly of FIGURE 1.
[031] FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view, partially in section, of the
alarm
assembly of FIGURE 1, shown in reverse.
[032] FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the alarm
assembly
illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.
[033] FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of another portion of the alarm assembly of
FIGURES 2 and 3.
[034] FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of another portion of the alarm assembly of
FIGURES 2 and 3.
[035] FIGURE 7 is an assembled view of the portion of the alarm assembly of
FIGURES 2 through 6.
[036] FIGURES 8A, 8B and 8C are elevation views, partially in section,
illustrating the
operation of the alarm assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the
present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[037] In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to
provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious
to those
skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such
specific details.
In other instances, well-known elements have been illustrated in block diagram
form in
order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail.
[038] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in
the art to
make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular
application and
its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be
readily
7
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
'
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined
herein may be
applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the
spirit and
scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to
be limited
to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent
with the
principles and features disclosed herein.
[039] FIG. 1 of the drawings is an elevation view of a door incorporating an
alarm
assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen
in FIG
1, reference numeral 1 designates a door. Door 1 is hinge attached to wall 2.
Alarm
assembly 111 is secured to wall 2, allowing door 1 to be alarmed by inserting
and
rotating the proper key in key cylinder 113A of mortise cylinder 113.
[040] As can be seen in the exploded views of FIGS. 2 and 3, alarm assembly
111
comprises, in part, a mortise cylinder 113, a cover or plate 115, an alarm
siren 119, a
bracket 117, a cam 131, and a coil spring 141. Cover 115 is equipped to couple
to wall
2, as shown in FIG. 1, and is equipped to retain the alarm siren 119, and
mortise
cylinder 113. Alarm siren 119 may comprise an audible alarm, a silent alarm,
lighting,
video activation, or other electronic activated emergency function or a
combination of
thereof. Bracket 117 is secured against mortise cylinder 113 by screws 124.
[041] As can also be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, mortise cylinder 113 is a
generally
conventional lock cylinder, further comprising a key cylinder 113A operably
rotatable
when the correct key is installed. Key cylinder 113A extends through the
length of
mortise cylinder 113, exiting the internal end in the form of a tailpiece
113B. Oftentimes,
tailpiece 113B is referred to as a "bowling pin" because of its shape.
Functionally,
tailpiece 113B is a cam surface which rotates in common with rotation of the
key or knob
which rotates key cylinder 113A of mortise cylinder 113. When fully assembled,
tailpiece
1138 is operatively located in bracket 117.
[042] Now referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, perspective views of a portion of
alarm
assembly 111 of FIGS. 2 and 3 can be seen in accordance with a preferred
embodiment
of the present invention. Bracket 117 retains cam 131, coil spring 141, and
sensor
trigger 171. Optionally, a second cam 161 is attachable to the backside of
bracket 117.
Specifically, cam 131 is rotationally disposed within bracket 117 and is
biased against
coil spring 141. The combination of cam 131 and coil spring 141 are secured by
pins
8
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
. .
151 that couple to bracket 117. Second cam 161 is also secured to cam 131 for
common rotation. Additionally, sensor trigger 171 is located on the upper
surface of
bracket 117.
[043] Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, elevation views, partially in section,
illustrate
the operation of alarm assembly 111 according to a preferred embodiment of the
present
invention. Rotating key cylinder 113A of mortise cylinder 113 rotates
tailpiece 113B.
Tailpiece 113B engages cam 131, which rotates about pins 151. The periphery of
cam
131 selectively engages sensor trigger 171, thereby arming, or disarming alarm
siren
119.
[044] FIGURE 8A shows alarm assembly 111 in a disengaged position. FIGURE 8B
shows alarm assembly 111, in an intermediate position, still unarmed, in which
sensor
trigger 171 is initially contacted by cam 131. FIGURE 8C shows alarm assembly
111 in
an armed position, in which cam 131 has fully engaged sensor trigger 171,
which has in
turned armed alarm siren 119. As shown, detents are formed in the ends of the
slots
through which pins 151 extend to provide positive indication of the position
of tailpiece
113B.
OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[045] Referring now to the Figures, in particularly to FIGURE 1, an elevation
view of a
door 1 incorporating an alarm assembly 111 mounted to a wall 2 according to
the
present invention is illustrated. The only portions of alarm assembly 111
visible in
FIGURE 1 are the proximal or exterior end of key cylinder 113A of mortise
cylinder 113
and cover or plate 115.
[046] Plate 115 is both part of the structure of alarm assembly 111 according
to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention and also serves a "cosmetic"
purpose in
that it covers door 1 or wall 2 to which alarm assembly 111 is installed.
Alarm assembly
111 according to the present invention has utility in connection with
conventional door
locks, exit control locks, exit alarms, panic devices, and the like where
conventional
mortise cylinders (keyed or otherwise) are used.
[047] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, exploded front and rear perspective
views,
9
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
partially in section, of alarm assembly 111, without wall 2, are illustrated.
As previously
mentioned, alarm assembly 111 comprises a conventional mortise cylinder 113,
which is
secured in an aperture in a cover or plate 115. In the embodiment illustrated,
by way of
example only, alarm assembly 111 is used in connection with an alarm in which
keyed
cylinder 113 is used to activate an alarm sensor. Although the term "cylinder"
is used,
and the majority of mortise cylinders are cylindrical, the cylinder according
to the present
invention need not be cylindrical in configuration. Similarly, while a keyed
mortise
cylinder (operated with a key) is illustrated, the present invention has
utility with
deadbolts and non-keyed lock assemblies.
[048] A bracket 117 is secured to the reverse side of cover plate 115 and also
to
mortise cylinder 113. According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention,
mortise cylinder 113 is secured to plate 115 by a collar or bracket (as for
example in
accordance with commonly assigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005-0223764
entitled
"Retaining Mechanism for Mortise Cylinders"). Alternatively, mortise cylinder
113 may
be secured to plate 115 by use of a conventional hexagonal nut (not shown).
[049] Mortise cylinder 113 has a proximal or exterior end, which protrudes
from plate
115 and is the end through which a key is inserted into key cylinder 113A.
Mortise
cylinder 113 has a tailpiece 113B, formed on the distal or interior end.
Tailpiece 113B
engages a complementary surface on a cam 131, which is held in place relative
to
mortise cylinder 113 by a bracket 117 and a coil spring 141. Bracket 117 and
plate 115
cooperate to define a housing for alarm assembly 111 according to the present
invention.
[050] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bracket
117 is in
an inverted U-shape with two parallel, generally opposed plates or surfaces,
one of
which has an aperture dimensioned to receive the end of mortise cylinder 113.
Bracket
117 is secured to plate 115 by a pair of screws 124 and secures cam 131 for
rotation
with key cylinder 113A of mortise cylinder 113. As shown in FIGURES 8A through
8C,
Cam 131 receivably engages tailpiece 113B.
[051] As shown in the exploded view of FIGURE 4, coil spring 141 or other
biasing
member 141 is disposed within bracket 117 and in engagement with cam 131. By
acting
10
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
between the rearward portion (relative to plate 115) of bracket 117 and cam
131, cam
131 is urged forward (again relative to plate 115) and into engagement with
tailpiece
113B of mortise cylinder 113. Spring 141 or biasing member 141 thus "takes up"
any
tolerance or "slop" in the distance between tailpiece 113B and the
corresponding surface
of cam 131. This avoids the need for careful fitting, adjustment, and shimming
of alarm
assembly 111 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A
pair of
pins 151 secure cam 131 for rotation within bracket 117. In the preferred
embodiment,
spring 141 is also confined within a circular recess in cam 131 so that it is
captured
between cam 131 and the rearward portion of bracket 117 after assembly.
[052] FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate other components of bracket assembly 117 that
are
not intended to be considered part of the present invention, but merely
environment. An
optional second cam 161 may be secured to the rear plate of bracket and
partially
actuates a sensor trigger or cam assembly 171. Second cam 161 may be engaged
with
a secondary lock or latch mechanism for arming and disarming alarm 119 from
the other
side of door 1 and wall 2. Again, alarm assembly 111 according to the present
invention
has utility with both alarm systems (as shown) and conventional bolt locks;
alarm siren
119 is depicted for illustrative purposes of the preferred embodiment only.
[053] FIGURE 7 depicts bracket 117 fully assembled with cam 131 and spring 141
disposed therein and secured by pins 151. Spring 141 is obscured from view in
FIGURE
7. Second cam 161 and sensor trigger 171 are also illustrated assembled
together with
bracket 117.
[054] FIGURES 8A, 8B, and 8C depict alarm assembly 111 according to a
preferred
embodiment of the present invention in operation. Key cylinder 113A represents
the
internal locking mechanism of mortise cylinder 113. Key cylinder 113A is
rotated by
action of the proper key or by action of a knob, which rotates tailpiece 113B.
Coil spring
141 is compressively located between one side of bracket 117 and cam 131. Cam
131
is thus biased against the opposite side of bracket 117 in the direction of
plate 115. The
biasing of cam 131 locates cam 131 in desirable positional relationship with
tailpiece
113B of mortise cylinder 113.
[055] Tailpiece 113B engages one side or the other (only one side
corresponding to
clockwise rotation of the key or bolt is illustrated) of cam 131, which
rotates (with cylinder
11
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
=
113) about pins 151. The periphery of cam 131 selectively engages sensor
trigger 171
and moves it into and out of registry, or contact, with a switch portion of
alarm siren 119,
thereby arming, or disarming, alarm siren 119. FIGURE 8A shows alarm assembly
111
in a disengage position. FIGURE 8B shows alarm assembly 111 in an intermediate
position in which sensor trigger 171 is initially engaged by cam 131.
[056] FIGURE 8C shows alarm assembly 111 in a fully engaged position in which
cam
131 has fully engaged sensor trigger 171, which has armed (or disarmed) alarm
siren
119. As visible on FIG. 8C, small detents, or tabs, are formed in the ends of
the slots
through which pins 151 extend to provide positive indication of the keyed
position of
mortise cylinder 113, maintaining the armed status of alarm siren 119.
[057] Alarm assembly 111 according to the present invention has a principal
advantage over the prior art in that it is assembled with less adjustment and
greater
reliability than conventional alarm and lock assemblies. Incorporating
conventional and
readily available mortise cylinders 113 into alarm assemblies 111 requires
secure and
reliable engagement between tailpiece 113B and cam 131.
[058] Since tailpiece 113B does not extend outwardly substantially far from
traditional
mortise cylinders 113, providing secure and reliable engagement in compact
alarm
assemblies 111 typically requires delicate and experienced assembly and the
use of
spacing shims. The biasing action of spring 141 insures positive engagement
between
tailpiece 113B and cam 131, regardless of minor variations in the assembled
distance
between them.
[059] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments
thereof, it is thus not limited, but susceptible to variation and modification
without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
[060] Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of
its
preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are
illustrative rather
than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications,
changes, and
substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some
instances, some
features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use
of the
other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered
obvious and
12
CA 02808699 2013-02-22
=
desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing
description of
preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims
be
construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
13
