US3869901A

US3869901A - Lock indicator shield

Info

Publication number: US3869901A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph E Neary
Original assignee: Schlage Lock Co LLC
Current assignee: Schlage Lock Co LLC
Priority date: 1973-04-16
Filing date: 1974-03-22
Publication date: 1975-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-11

Abstract

A lock indicator has a lock body with a lock plug rotatable in the body about an axis. The lock plug has an inner end face and an outer end face as well as a bore extending through the plug between the end faces. A rod is slidable in the bore and has a follower end in abutment with a cam on the end of a driver bar rotatable about the axis and adapted to slide the rod against spring pressure to project the rod from the outer face of the body when the driver bar is rotated relative to the plug. The driver bar is usually rotated by a hand control on the interior side of the lock.

Description

Q United States Patent 1191 1111 3,869,901 Neary Mar. 11, 1975 LOCK INDICATOR SHIELD 3,600,916 8/1971 Ruppertm. 70/432 [75] Inventor: Ralph E. Neary, San Francisco,

Calif. Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe [73] Assignee: Schlage Lock Company, San Attorney Agent or Flrm Lothrop & west Francisco, Calif.

[22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1974 57 ABSTRACT [211 App! 453994 A lock indicator has a lock body with a lock plug ro- Related U.S. Application Data tatable in the body about an axis. The lock plug has an 62 Division f Set. NO. 351,512. April 11 1973 PM inner end face and an outer end face as well as a bore No. 3,224,319. extending through the plug between the end faces. A-

rod is slidable in the bore and has a follower end in {52] U.S. Cl 70/432, 70/424, 70/DIG. 59 abutment i h a m n th nd of a driver bar rotat- [51] Int. Cl E05b 41/00 able about h s and adapted to slide the rod [58] Field of Search 70/432, 438, 423, 424, g n p ng pr sur o project the rod from the 7()/426 428 D10 59 outer face of the body when the driver bar is rotated relative to the plug. The driver bar is usually rotated [56] Refere Cit d by a hand control on the interior side of the lock.

TED AT T UNI ST ES PA ENTS 9 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures 3,210,975 10/1965 Best 70/432 PATENIEUHARI 1 1975 '1. 869 901 SHKETZOFIS FIG- PATENTED MRI 1 I975 /3 m mmm LOCK INDICATOR SHIELD This application is a division of application Ser. No. 351,512 filed Apr. 11, 1973 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,224,319 issued July 23, 1974 in the name of Ralph E. Neary and entitled Lock Indicator.

In the usual installation of a lock on a door, it is customary to provide both an interior knob with turn button and an exterior knob with key for controlling the dead bolt or latch bolt or both. In some installations, particularly in hotels and the like, it is of interest to have an indication on the exterior of the lock whether the lock is locked or unlocked from the interior. This is often accomplished by means of a pin responsive to interior actuation and projecting from or remaining within the exterior lock plug, depending upon whether thelock is interiorly locked or unlocked. Examples of mechanisms of this sort are set forth in Tornoe U.S. Pat. No. 2,738,666, Tornoe U.S. Pat. No. 2,793,522 and De Vines U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,618.

In the present instance it is desired to have an indicator pin translate between two positions with respect to the exterior of a lock plug upon rotation of a control ling device on the interior of the lock.

In addition, in certain relatively elaborate locks such as shown in the copending application of Ralph E. Neary filed June 8, 1973 with Ser. No. 368,070 and entitled Lock,it is sometimes desired to prevent ready access to a key actuated plug, usually on the exterior of the lock, while retaining the indicating factor the lock may have at the key plug. For example, in some hotel installations there may be provided two key receiving plugs, only one of which is utilized by the guest but the other of which incorporates the indicator de vice.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a lock indicator which can be applied to or removed from a locking portion of a lock in order to preclude ready key access thereto but which will nevertheless afford an indication of the condition of the lock as controlled from the interior.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock indicator which affords a very simple conversion of rotary motion of the control on the inside to a rectilinear motion of the indicator on the exterior.

Another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary lock indicator which can easily be applied to a standard lock mechanism but requires a special technique to be removed from the lock mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide various forms of indication, both visual and tactile, for a lock.

Another object of the invention is in general to improve a lock indicator.

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained in the embodiment of the invention described in the accompanying description and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical plan of a lock indicator constructed pursuant to the invention, much of the mechanism being shown in cross-section on a horizontal, transverse plane with some of the associated lock being illustrated in broken lines;

' FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the structure of FIG. 1, the view being taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and being to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a view comparable to FIG. 1 but shows the lock indicator mechanism in a different position of indication;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, the plane of which is indicated by the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and with some portions in elevation;

FIG. 5 is a view comparable to FIG. 1 but showing a modified form of indicator;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 5, portions being broken away;

FIG. 7 is a view comparable to FIG. 5 but showing the indicator in a different position;

FIG. 8 is a view comparable to FIG. 1 but to an enlarged scale and showing a removable form of indicator;

FIG. 9 is a view comparable to FIG. 8 but showing an indicator in a different position;

FIG. 10 is a view in cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an end view ofthe structure shown in FIG. 10, portions being broken away;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 1212 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section comparable to FIG. 8 but showing a modified form of construction;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the construction shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a view in cross-section on a plane comparable to that of FIG. 15 but showing a different arrangement of a button and spring;

FIG. 17 is a view comparable to FIG. 15 but showing a different form of mechanism; and

FIG. 18 is a front elevation of the structure of FIG. 17.

In one typical environment the lock indicator is utilized in connection with a lock 6 installed in a door panel 7 for the control of a latch bolt 8, in this instance augmented by a dead latching plunger 9. On the exterior the lock includes the customary escutcheon or rose 11 and a knob 12 rotatable with respect to the rose about a horizontal, through axis 13. Installed within the exterior knob 12 is a lock body 14 containing a plug 16 and provided with pin tumbler mechanism 17. The body has a keyway 18 for the reception ofa key 19 to actuate the pin tumbler mechanism and to rotate the lock plug about the axis 13.

On the interior of the panel 7 the lock includes an interior escutcheon 21 carrying a thumb turn device 22, broken away, with which is associated a rotary thumb turn bar 23 connected, as diagrammatically illustrated, with a driver bar 24 mounted in the lock plug 16 and supported therein by a conventional, pinned closure 26. Upon rotation of the thumb turn 23 the driver bar 24 is comparably rotated. The connection and securing closure 26 is ofa conventional kind, as shown in Walter R. Schlage U.S, Pat. No. 2,293,856.

The lock body 14 is customarily mounted in a spindle 27 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The lock body includes a flag or wing 28 fitted into a slot 29 in the spindle so that the lock body and the spindle are not relatively rotatable. The plug 16 fits a bore 31 in the lock body so as to be freely rotatable relative thereto about the axis 13. The plug 16 carries a flange 32 defining an exterior end face 33 whereas the other end of the plug terminates in an end face 34 adjacent threads 36 engaged by a cap 37 positioned on the plug so as to confine the plug axially but with sufficient clearance for ready rotation.

The plug is formed with a longitudinally extending keyway 18 to receive the key 19. The keyway is intersected by a plurality of pin bores 39 in the plug and in the body wing 28 for the reception of tumbler pins 41 and customary springs 42 (FIG.

Pursuant to the invention, the plug 16 is particularly provided with an indicator bore 43 extending entirely therethrough parallel to the axis 13. The bore has a portion 44 of relatively small diameter opening through the face 33 and has another portion 45 of relatively large diameter opening through the end face 34. At the junction of the bore portions there is afforded a shoulder 46.

Designed to fit into the bore is a pin 47 likewise of two diameters to afford a shoulder 48. Extending between and bearing against the two

shoulders

46 and 48 is an expansion spring 49. This tends to keep the pin urged toward the interior of the plug so that the exterior end 51 of the pin is approximately flush with the plug end face 33, as shown in FIG. 1.

The pin 47 at the other end has a follower portion 52 or end urged by the spring against a cam 53 formed at the end of the driver bar 24. The cam is conveniently inclusive of a surface 54 which is undulatory when considered in an axial direction near the periphery of the cam. The cam is easily fabricated simply by providing a peaked, diametrical ridge across the cam. The cam fits within a counter bore 57 in one end of the plug 16 so that the cam has effective rotary support in the plug. In addition, the cam is adjacent to a partial flange 58 rotatably confined between the end of the plug and the interior of the cap 37. The flange 58, as especially shown in FIG. 4, has a cutaway portion 59 to interengage with an axial pin 61 projecting from the body and engaging scallops 62 in the cap flange, as shown in the above-mentioned US. Pat. No. 2,293,856.

The cam and the driver bar 24 are confined to limited lost motion rotation relative to the lock plug. The radial extent of the cam 53 is sufficient so that at least some of the undulatory portion engages with the follower end 52 of the pin 47. When the driver bar is in one position, as shown in FIG. 1, the spring 49 is effective to urge the pin so that the outer face 51 at the pin end is flush with the end face 33 of the plug, but when the driver bar 24 is rotated for approximately a quarter turn, the undulatory peripheral portion of the ridge cam 53 bears against the follower surface 52 and urges the pin 47 against the spring to compress the spring and project the pin end 51 away from the datum face 33.

With this arrangement whenever the driver bar 24 is rotated from the interior by means of the thumb turn 23 to a door locked position, the pin 47 is projected so that anyone on the outside of the installation can visually observe that the pin is projected. Also, by feeling that the end 51 of the pin is spaced from the plane 33 he can detect that the lock is in locked condition as set by the interior thumb turn 23.

When the thumb turn is rotated back to its initial position and the driver bar 24 is rotated oppositely, the ridge at the cam periphery rides out from under the follower end 52 of the pin. The spring 49 then restores the rod to a position in which the end face 51 is substantially flush with the end face 33. By visual inspection or by tactile investigation it can be determined that the interior control for the lock has positioned the lock in unlocked condition. This indication is customarily utilized as a token of occupancy of the room behind the panel 7.

In some instances a tactile indication is not necessary. In such cases there is provided an arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, in which the construction is about the same as before. Within the outer end of the bore 43 in the plug 16 there is permanently installed a light gathering lens 66, preferably having a color contrasting to that of the flange 32 of the lock plug. Also, the rod 67 operating in the bore 43 is the same as previously described except that it is shorter and carries a reflector 68 mounted across the end thereof.

The dimensions are such that when the lock is in unlocked condition the rod 67 is retracted a substantial distance from the lens 66 or window. Incident light falling upon the lens is generally lost within the dark interior of the bore 43. On the contrary, when the lock is locked, as shown in FIG. 7, the rod 67 is moved toward the exterior so that the reflector 68 or mirror is brought into very close juxtaposition or even into abutment with the lens 66. Incident light entering the lens is immediately reflected by the mirror surface 68 and externally affords a readily discernible, visual glow. Thus, while there is no tactile indication since the lens 66 always .stays in axial position, nevertheless there is a readily observable visual indication to show whether or not the lock is in locked or unlocked condition and by implication that the associated room is occupied or unoccupied. I

In some cases it is desired to guard the keyway 18 against the ready introduction of a key, yet to preserve the indicator function of the lock. In that instance an arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, inclusive, can be utilized. Most of the parts are as previously described.

' Designed to fit over a conical depression 71 in the knob 12 is a shield 72 conveniently of plastic material having an integral collar 73 adhesively secured to a flange 74 on a base plate 76. The base plate is designed to fit snugly against the end face 33 of the flange 32. There is a hook extension 77 on the base plate having an irregular cross-sectional configuration correspond ing to the irregular cross-sectional configuration of the keyway, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, for example. The hook 77 runs along the bottom of the keyway and has an upstanding projection 78 having a radial face designed to lie behind and engage with a usual tumbler pin 41 extending into the keyway 18.

The shield is mounted merely by pressing the hook member 77 into the keyway. The pin tumbler 41 is cammed up on an inclined surface ,79 of the hook and then is forced downwardly ahead of the hook and is retained by the spring pressure on the pin 41. This insert then precludes the use of a key in this portion of the lock.

The shield or protector for the keyway is effective to perform an indicating function. To that end, inside the drum 73 there is provided a reciprocable piston 81 having a relatively large inner portion slidably mounted within the drum 73 and having a reduced central button 82 integral with the remainder of the piston 81 and lying in an aperture 83 in the shield. A spring 84 is interposed between the piston and the shield 72 and urges the button 82 into a position substantially flush with the outer face of the shield 72.

The piston overlies the end of the pin 47. When the pin is projected the button 82 is similarly projected and .so affords a visual and tactile indication of the condition of the lock even though the pin 47 itself is inaccessible and out of sight. When the pin 47 is retracted upon unlocking of the lock, the spring 84 moves the piston 81 into its retracted position, thus withdrawing the button 82 and so affording the opposite indication.

Since it is sometimes desired to remove the lock guard, the button 82 is provided with a plurality, such as four, of peripheral, axially extending grooves 86, at least one and preferably two of which open into a cross channel 87 affording one or more straight paths from the outside to the inside of the keyway but at an angle, as shown in FIG. 10. A rod 88 or stiff wire or the like can be introduced through an open groove 86 to extend through the cross channel 87 and engage under one end of the tumbler pin 41. By rocking the rod 88 the user can lift the pin 41 against the urgency of its spring sufficiently to clear the end of the hook 78. The guard can then be removed by withdrawal of the hook member 77 from the keyway, which is then accessible to a proper key in the regular way. The ordinary indicating pin 47 is thus exposed to perform its direct indicating function.

A somewhat similar arrangement is shown in FIGS. l3, l4 and 15, inclusive, except that the indicator body 91 has a relatively deep recess 92 to receive one end of a spring 93, the other end of which is in abutment with the cup 94 corresponding generally with the drum 73. The construction is generally similar to that previously described except that the spring keeps the body 91 projected despite the position of the pin 47. There is consequently no visual indication ofthe lock condition, but an observer by pressing upon the body 91 can depress it if the lock is unlocked but cannot do so if the lock is locked, for the projected pin 47 then blocks the body in projected position.

In FIG. 16 is shown a variation in which a cup 96, similar to the cup 94 and having a hook 97, as previously described, receives a shield 98 comparable to those previously described. In this instance there is provided a button 99 projecting from a body 101 slidable with the shield 98 under the urgency of a spring 102. The movable members are conveniently metallic and have a light reflective coating 103 around the button or at least a contrasting color coated on the button or a contrasting colored button. The projection of the button stands out markedly from the background appearance of the shield itself.

As disclosed in FIGS. 17 and 18, there is shown a somewhat simplified version in which the parts are generally as previously indicated. In this instance the shield 106 is substantially as before and carries a button 107.

integral with a hook 108 which extends into the keyway. A spring 109 always urges the button 107 outwardly whether or not the indicator pin 47 is withdrawn and the lock is in interiorly unlocked condition. An investigator can press on the button 107. If he can depress the button, the indication is that the lock is unlocked from the interior. This momentary depression removes the hook momentarily from engagement with the tumbler pin 41, but as soon as thumb pressure is removed from the button 107 the hook 108 is restored to its retaining position against the pin 41. When the pin 47 is projected under locked conditions, then an attempted depression of the button 107 is ineffective but does afford an indication that the lock is locked from the interior.

A simplified removal arrangement is afforded. The button 107 is provided with a channel 111 through which a wire can be inserted to lift the pin 41 suffi ciently to disengage from the hook 108 and permit withdrawal of the guard.

What is claimed is:

1. A lock indicator comprising a lock body, a lock plug rotatable in said body about an axis and having an inner end face and an outer end face, means defining a bore in said plug extending between said end faces,

a rod slidable in said bore between a first position with.

the outer end of said rod close to said outer end face and a second position with said outer end of said rod projecting from said outer end face, means for moving said rod between said positions, an indicator button, means for supporting said indicator button adjacent to but independently of said outer end of said rod and for axial sliding movement on and relative to said supporting means, and means for resiliently urging said indicator button axially toward a predetermined position relative to said rod.

2. A device as in claim 1 in which said plug includes an interior keyway and said supporting means includes a member interengaging said keyway.

3. A device as in claim 1 in which said plug includes a keyway and a spring-pressed tumbler pin projecting into said keyway and said supporting means includes a hook adapted to slide in said keyway and engage said tumbler pin.

4. A lock indicator comprising a lock unit having a body with a datum face and with'a keyway opening through said face adapted to be locked and unlocked by a key in said keyway, a pin in said body movable be tween a first position substantially flush with said face and a second position projecting from said face, means responsive to said lock unit when locked for placing said pin in one of said positions and when unlocked for placing said pin in the other of said positions, means ongaging said keyway and overlying said datum face and said pin, and an indicator piston mounted on said en gaging means in a position overlying and obstructing said keyway and mounted to slide on said engaging means into and out of abutment with said pin.

5. A lock indicator as in claim 4 in which said engaging means is formed for hand attachment to and ready detachment from said lock unit.

6. A lock indicator as in claim 4 in which said indicator is a body aligned with said pin and having an opening through'said body to said keyway but smaller than said keyway.

7. A lock indicator as in claim 6 including a spring urging said piston to slide away from said pin.

8. A lock indicator as in claim 6 in which said spring urges said piston to slide toward said pin.

9. A lock indicator for use with a lock, unit having a datum face provided with a keyway and having a pin movable between a position substantially flush with said face and a position substantially spaced from said face, the indicator including a shield, means receivable in said keyway for securing said shield on said lock unit overlying and concealing said pin, and means on said shield and visible thereon in engagement with said pin for movement therewith relative to said shield.

Claims

1. A lock indicator comprising a lock body, a lock plug rotatable in said body about an axis and having an inner end face and an outer end face, means defining a bore in said plug extending between said end faces, a rod slidable in said bore between a first position with the outer end of said rod close to said outer end face and a second position with said outer end of said rod projecting from said outer end face, means for moving said rod between said positions, an indicator button, means for supporting said indicator button adjacent to but independently of said outer end of said rod and for axial sliding movement on and relative to said supporting means, and means for resiliently urging said indicator button axially toward a predetermined position relative to said rod.

4. A lock indicator comprising a lock unit having a body with a datum face and with a keyway opening through said face adapted to be locked and unlocked by a key in said keyway, a pin in said body movable between a first position substantially flush with said face and a second position projecting from said face, means responsive to said lock unit when locked for placing Said pin in one of said positions and when unlocked for placing said pin in the other of said positions, means engaging said keyway and overlying said datum face and said pin, and an indicator piston mounted on said engaging means in a position overlying and obstructing said keyway and mounted to slide on said engaging means into and out of abutment with said pin.

6. A lock indicator as in claim 4 in which said indicator is a body aligned with said pin and having an opening through said body to said keyway but smaller than said keyway.