Combination latch & dead bolt lock assembly

Claim 1

A combination latch and dead bolt lock assembly, comprising: a lock unit for attachment to one portion of a structure and a striker for attachment to another portion of a structure to be locked in the first portion; said lock having a frame; a disc latch element mounted in said frame for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the striker relative to the adjacent lock unit; an edge portion of said latch element having a locking notch therein and another edge portion having latching notch therein to receive and retain a portion of said striker, said latching notch being disposed at an angle to the corresponding radious of the disc latch element and defining a tongue portion with the adjacent edge portion of the latching element to engage said striker in the locked position; a locking element rotatably mounted in said frame on an axis substantially perpendicular to said latch element axis and having a portion engageable in said locking notch to lock the latter against rotation; a spring means capable of biasing said locking element against said disc latch element whereby upon rotation of said disc latch element into locked position, said locking element engages said locking notch; a means of disengaging said locking element from said disc latching element; and retaining means for maintaining said locking element clear of said latching element; means for disengaging said retaining means to render same ineffective, whereby said lock assembly can be rendered inoperable to permit free movement of said one portion relative to said other portion of said structure; and said locking element being mounted on a shaft journalled in said frame and said shaft has a radially projecting bearing element, and said means of disengaging said locking element includes an externally projecting panic bolt manually operable from outside said lock unit comprising a rod axially slidably mounted on said frame and having an angled arm mounted thereto and extending therefrom into proximity with said bearing element such that axial movement of said rod cause said arm to angularly displace said bearing element to rotate said locking element on said shaft clear of said locking notch.