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US4220024A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Lock mechanism

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-12-06
•
Granted: 1980-09-02
•
Expires: 1998-12-06
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Abstract

Abstract A lock mechanism that is particularly adapted for use on automobile trunks which comprises a lock cylinder, an actuating member, a latch assembly, and a spring type tension member. When substantial force is applied to the face of the lock cylinder the lock cylinder and actuating member swing away from the force and render the lock mechanism inoperative. Upon withdrawal of the force the lock cylinder and actuating member return to their original position to allow the lock mechanism to function normally. To prevent the lock cylinder from being pulled out the cylinder face is recessed within the wall of the trunk. An alternative embodiment provides for the entire lock mechanism to pivot away when a force is applied.

Inventors

  • 👤 John J. Berich

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 17:18
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B83/00; E05B83/16; E05B17/00; E05B17/20; E05B17/2084; E05B17/2092; E05B77/00; E05B77/44; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/20; Y10T70/25; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7915; Y10T70/7949

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim 74 words
A lock mechanism comprising a lock cylinder means, a latch assembly means and a means for actuating said latch assembly upon communication by said lock cylinder means, wherein said lock mechanism contains a tension means for maintaining the position of said lock cylinder means and actuating means and which renders the lock mechanism inoperative by moving the actuating means away from the latch assembly during the application of unauthorized force to the lock cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 74 words
A lock mechanism comprising a lock cylinder means, a latch assembly means and a means for actuating said latch assembly upon communication by said lock cylinder means, wherein said lock mechanism contains a tension means for maintaining the position of said lock cylinder means and actuating means and which renders the lock mechanism inoperative by moving the actuating means away from the latch assembly during the application of unauthorized force to the lock cylinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
The lock mechanism of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The lock mechanism of claim 1 wherein said lock cylinder means comprises a key tumbler lock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
The lock mechanism of claim 1 wherein said tension means comprises a spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
The lock mechanism of claim 4 wherein said spring is selected from the group consisting of torsion, extension, or compression springs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The lock mechanism of claim 1 wherein said mechanism is utilized as an automobile trunk lock.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
The lock mechanism of claim 6 wherein the face of the lock cylinder means is smaller than the key aperature of the trunk.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
The lock mechanism of claim 1 wherein said mechanism is utilized as a vending machine lock.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 36 words
The lock mechanism of claim 3 wherein the tension means renders the mechanism inoperative when the force applied to the lock cylinder means is at least greater than the force applied during an authorized key insertion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 29 words
The lock mechanism of claim 1 wherein the tension means renders the lock mechanism inoperative when the force applied to the lock cylinder means is at least one pound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 21 words
The lock mechanism of claim 1 wherein said tension means is attached to or forms a part of said latch assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 76 words
A lock mechanism comprising a lock cylinder means, a latch assembly means and a means for actuating said latch assembly upon communication by said lock cylinder means, wherein said lock mechanism contains a tension means for maintaining the position of said lock mechanism and when an unauthorized force is applied to the lock cylinder the tension means renders the lock mechanism inoperative by pivoting the mechanism away from the point of impact of the unauthorized force.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 76 words
A lock mechanism comprising a lock cylinder means, a latch assembly means and a means for actuating said latch assembly upon communication by said lock cylinder means, wherein said lock mechanism contains a tension means for maintaining the position of said lock mechanism and when an unauthorized force is applied to the lock cylinder the tension means renders the lock mechanism inoperative by pivoting the mechanism away from the point of impact of the unauthorized force.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 13 words
The lock mechanism of claim 12 wherein said tension means comprises a spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 21 words
The lock mechanism of claim 13 wherein said spring is selected from the group consisting of torsion, extension, or compression springs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 16 words
The lock mechanism of claim 12 wherein said mechanism is utilized as an automobile trunk lock.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 23 words
The lock mechanism of claim 15 wherein the face of the lock cylinder means is smaller than the key aperature of the trunk.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 36 words
The lock mechanism of claim 15 wherein the tension means renders the mechanism inoperative when the force applied to the lock cylinder means is at least greater than the force applied during an authorized key insertion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 27 words
The lock mechanism of claim 12 wherein the tension means renders the mechanism when the force applied to the lock cylinder means is at least one pound.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 16 words
The lock mechanism of claim 11 wherein said mechanism is utilized as a vending machine lock.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3783655A Cited
US3881330A Cited
US3961504A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-09-02 1984-03-03 1984-09-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-09-02 1988-03-03 1988-09-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-09-02 1992-03-03 1992-09-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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