EP0489696A1

EP0489696A1 - Cylinder and barrel lock for office writing desk and file cabinet drawer assemblies

Info

Publication number: EP0489696A1
Application number: EP91830482A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ivo Finardi
Original assignee: PREFER COMMERCIALE Srl
Current assignee: PREFER COMMERCIALE Srl
Priority date: 1990-11-08
Filing date: 1991-11-07
Publication date: 1992-06-10
Also published as: IT9021993A0; IT1245491B; IT9021993A1

Abstract

There is disclosed a cylinder and barrel lock for office writing desk and file cabinet drawer assemblies, in which the lock cylinder 1, provided for turning in the lock barrel 2, can be easily replaced by a suitable key tool.

The lock is characterized in that the lock cylinder 1 is removably restrained in its barrel 2 or drum by means of a resilient restraining element 6 engaging with the barrel 1.

The lock cylinder, in addition, can be disengaged from the lock barrel 2 by engaging in the keyhole a further key tool 9 having a set length.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cylinder and barrel lock for office writing desk and file cabinet drawer assemblies, which is so designed that the lock cylinder turning in the lock barrel can be easily replaced.
As is known, the closure of a drawer assembly of that type which is conventionally used in offices and included in file cabinets or writing desks is usually performed by using a single cylinder lock which can operate drawer locking means.
Also known is the fact that sometimes an user must have the need of changing a writing desk drawer assembly lock for a lot of reasons, such as, for example, a loss of the lock key.
The replacement of prior locks for the above mentioned applications, however, is rather difficult since it involves a lot of operations which can be performed exclusively by skilled personnel.
Moreover, the replacement of prior locks of the above mentioned type frequently requires a lot of dead time depending on the availability of the skilled personnel, with a consequent impossibility of assuring a proper secrecy of the filed documents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a lock for office writing desk and file cabinet drawer assemblies which can be replaced in a very quick and simple way.
Within the scope of the mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a lock which can be replaced directly by the user.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a lock which, in addition to being easily replaceable, can also be fitted to new drawer assemblies.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a cylinder and barrel lock for office writing desk and file cabinet drawer assemblies, comprising a lock cylinder which can turn inside a lock barrel as driven by a turning key tool, characterized in that said cylinder is removably restrained in said barrel by means of a restraining resilient element engaging said barrel and disengageable from the latter by engaging in the lock keyhole a further key tool having a set length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the cylinder and barrel lock for office writing desk and file cabinet drawer assemblies according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a rear view of the cylinder lock according to the present invention;
Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a longitudinal cross-sectional view and a front view of the lock according to the present invention;
Figures 4 and 5 show respectively two cross-sectional views, taken along the section line B-B, of the lock according to the invention and respectively related to the disengaging and engaging positions of the above mentioned resilient restraining element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings, the cylinder and barrel lock for office writing desk and file cabinet drawer assemblies according to the present invention comprises, likewise to a conventional type of cylinder lock, a lock cylinder 1 and a lock barrel 2, bearing a number of blade elements 3, which are biassed by respective springs.
The lock cylinder arranged in the lock barrel, at the end of which there is provided a suitable mechanical member for locking all of the drawers of a drawer assembly, can be turned by engaging in the lock keyhole 4 a specifically designed key.
According to the invention, the lock barrel is provided, at the rear end portion thereof, with an inner circumferential ridge 5 thereon can rotatably engage a resilient shaped element 6.
More specifically, this resilient element, is provided with a reversed-U central portion, from the bottom of which extend two symmetrical upwardly bent portions 6′.
The lock cylinder 1, in turn, is provided with a corresponding slot which can slidably receive the above mentioned resilient element, side ridges 8 being moreover provided for restraining said resilient element by engaging the inwardly bent end portions thereof.
The resilient element, in operation, will normally caused to be downwardly displaced by the urging action provided by the above mentioned side ridges 8 so as to allow the lock to be conventionally actuated by means if a suitably contoured lock key.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the subject lock also provides for the use of a further lock key 9, having any suitable contour which, as engaged in the keyhole 4 will engage, with one end 10 thereof, an intermediate portion of the resilient element 6 so as to push the latter upwardly.
Thus, owing to the disclosed arrangement, the cylinder 1 can be quickly and easily disengaged from the barrel 2, thereby said cylinder can be immediately replaced.
In this connection it should be pointed out that the disengaging of the above mentioned key will cause the resilient element to be automatically downwardly released, so as to bring it again to its cylinder restraining position.
More specifically, the downwardly displacement of said resilient element will be assured by the biassing of the ridges 5 on the outer arms 6 of said resilient element.
The withdrawing and replacement of the lock cylinder, as it should be apparent, will be performed with the lock in its drawer releasing position.
From the above disclosure and the observation of the Figures of the accompanying drawings, the great functionality and facility of use characterizing the cylinder and barrel lock for office writing desk and file cabinet drawer assemblies according to the invention will be self evident.
While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A cylinder and barrel lock for office writing desk and file cabinet drawer assemblies, comprising a lock cylinder which can turn inside a lock barrel as driven by a turning key tool, characterized in that said cylinder is removably restrained in said barrel by means of a restraining resilient element engaging said barrel and disengageable from the latter by engaging in the lock keyhole a further key tool having a set length.
A lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that said lock barrel is provided, at a rear end portion thereof, with an inner circumferential ridge thereon can be rotatably engaged said resilient element, said resilient element including a reversed -U central portion from the bottom of which there extend two upwardly bent symmetrial portions.
A lock according to the preceding Claims, characterized in that said lock cylinder is provided with a radially extending slot in which said resilient element is slidably restrained, said resilient element being restrained by side ridges engaging corresponding inwardly bent end portions of said resilient element.
A lock according to the preceding Claims, characterized in that a further lock key is provided for operating said lock, said key being arranged to engage, by an end portion thereof, an intermediate portion of said resilient element so as to upwardly push said resilient element.