Patent US6151934A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6151934A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lock assembly with over-torque defense system
Assignee: Newfrey LLC
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Filing: 1999-10-21
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Granted: 2000-11-28
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Expires: 2019-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A lockset mechanism (20, 120) is provided with a spindle subassembly (24, 124) having a spindle component (44, 128) particularly configured to fracture when an over-torque is applied thereto for uncoupling the handle subassembly (22, 122) from the latch bolt subassembly (26). A spring mechanism (64, 130) is operably disposed between the lockset housing (32, 164) and the spindle subassembly (24, 124) for urging the spindle subassembly (24, 124) including the fractured spindle component (44, 128) away from the handle subassembly (22, 122) to render the lockset mechanism (20, 120) inoperable thereby.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald B. Chong
- 👤 Christopher L. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:22
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B17/00; E05B17/0054; E05B17/0062; E05B13/00; E05B13/10; E05B13/106; E05B13/108; E05B17/20; E05B17/2084; E05B63/00; E05B63/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5093; Y10T70/5155; Y10T70/5199; Y10T70/5372; Y10T70/5385; Y10T70/5389; Y10T70/5394; Y10T70/5416; Y10T70/5611; Y10T70/5757; Y10T70/5765; Y10T70/5805; Y10T70/5819; Y10T70/5832; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7915; Y10T70/7949
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A lockset mechanism comprising: a handle subassembly including a rose member having an aperture formed therein, a sleeve received in said aperture and rotatably supported by said rose member, a handle secured to a first end of said sleeve, and a lock cylinder received in said handle; a latch bolt subassembly having a latch bolt positionable between an extended position and a retracted position; a spindle subassembly including a first spindle having a first end secured to said sleeve and a second end in driving engagement with said latch bolt for operably coupling said handle subassembly to said latch bolt subassembly, a lock mechanism secured to said first spindle between said sleeve and said latch bolt and having a locking slide positionable between a locked condition to engage said rose member for preventing rotation of said first spindle and an unlocked condition to disengage said rose member for permitting rotation of said first spindle, a second spindle having a first end in driving engagement with said lock cylinder and operably coupling said lock cylinder to said lock mechanism for manipulating said locking slide between said locked condition and said unlocked condition, and a spring operably disposed between said rose member and said lock mechanism for axially biasing said spindle subassembly away from said rose member; and said first spindle having a fracture mechanism for severing said first spindle between said first end and said second end when a predetermined torque level is applied thereto; wherein said first spindle fractures at said fracture mechanism when a torque in said first spindle is equal to or greater than said predetermined torque level causing said spring to axially move said spindle subassembly away from said handle subassembly such that said second end of said first spindle is uncoupled from said handle subassembly and said second spindle is out of driving engagement with said lock cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
A lockset mechanism comprising: a handle subassembly including a rose member having an aperture formed therein, a sleeve received in said aperture and rotatably supported by said rose member, a handle secured to a first end of said sleeve, and a lock cylinder received in said handle; a latch bolt subassembly having a latch bolt positionable between an extended position and a retracted position; a spindle subassembly including a first spindle having a first end secured to said sleeve and a second end in driving engagement with said latch bolt for operably coupling said handle subassembly to said latch bolt subassembly, a lock mechanism secured to said first spindle between said sleeve and said latch bolt and having a locking slide positionable between a locked condition to engage said rose member for preventing rotation of said first spindle and an unlocked condition to disengage said rose member for permitting rotation of said first spindle, a second spindle having a first end in driving engagement with said lock cylinder and operably coupling said lock cylinder to said lock mechanism for manipulating said locking slide between said locked condition and said unlocked condition, and a spring operably disposed between said rose member and said lock mechanism for axially biasing said spindle subassembly away from said rose member; and said first spindle having a fracture mechanism for severing said first spindle between said first end and said second end when a predetermined torque level is applied thereto; wherein said first spindle fractures at said fracture mechanism when a torque in said first spindle is equal to or greater than said predetermined torque level causing said spring to axially move said spindle subassembly away from said handle subassembly such that said second end of said first spindle is uncoupled from said handle subassembly and said second spindle is out of driving engagement with said lock cylinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lockset mechanism of claim 1 wherein said fracture mechanism comprises a stress riser formed in the first spindle adjacent said lock mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lockset mechanism of claim 1 wherein said fracture mechanism comprises at least a portion of the first spindle being hardened to a predetermined hardness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lockset mechanism of claim 3 wherein said fracture mechanism further comprises a stress riser formed in the hardened portion of the first spindle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
285 words
A lockset mechanism comprising: a housing having an aperture formed therein; a sleeve received in said aperture and rotatably supported by said housing; a lock cylinder supported in said sleeve; a latch bolt positionable between an extended position and a retracted position; a first spindle having a first end secured to said sleeve, a second end extending through an aperture formed in said latch bolt for operably coupling said sleeve to said latch bolt, and a fracture mechanism for severing said first spindle between said first end and said second end when a predetermined torque level is applied to said first spindle; a lock mechanism secured to said first spindle between said sleeve and said latch bolt and having a locking slide moveable between a unlocked position to permit rotation of said first spindle and a locked position to prevent rotation of said first spindle; a second spindle having a first end in driving engagement with said lock cylinder and extending through said lock mechanism and said latch bolt, said second spindle being rotatably supported by said lock mechanism such that rotation of said second spindle moves said locking slide between said unlocked position and said locked position; and a spring interdisposed between said housing and said lock mechanism to axially bias said second spindle away from said housing; wherein said first spindle fractures at said fracture mechanism when a torque in said first spindle is equal to or greater than said predetermined torque level causing said spring to axially move said second spindle away from said housing such that said second end of said first spindle is uncoupled from said housing and said second spindle is out of driving engagement with said lock cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
285 words
A lockset mechanism comprising: a housing having an aperture formed therein; a sleeve received in said aperture and rotatably supported by said housing; a lock cylinder supported in said sleeve; a latch bolt positionable between an extended position and a retracted position; a first spindle having a first end secured to said sleeve, a second end extending through an aperture formed in said latch bolt for operably coupling said sleeve to said latch bolt, and a fracture mechanism for severing said first spindle between said first end and said second end when a predetermined torque level is applied to said first spindle; a lock mechanism secured to said first spindle between said sleeve and said latch bolt and having a locking slide moveable between a unlocked position to permit rotation of said first spindle and a locked position to prevent rotation of said first spindle; a second spindle having a first end in driving engagement with said lock cylinder and extending through said lock mechanism and said latch bolt, said second spindle being rotatably supported by said lock mechanism such that rotation of said second spindle moves said locking slide between said unlocked position and said locked position; and a spring interdisposed between said housing and said lock mechanism to axially bias said second spindle away from said housing; wherein said first spindle fractures at said fracture mechanism when a torque in said first spindle is equal to or greater than said predetermined torque level causing said spring to axially move said second spindle away from said housing such that said second end of said first spindle is uncoupled from said housing and said second spindle is out of driving engagement with said lock cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lockset mechanism of claim 5 wherein said fracture mechanism comprises a stress riser formed in said first spindle adjacent said lock mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lockset mechanism of claim 5 wherein said fracture mechanism comprises at least a portion of said first spindle being hardened to a predetermined hardness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lockset mechanism of claim 7 wherein said fracture mechanism further comprises a stress riser formed in said hardened portion of said first spindle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lockset mechanism of claim 5 further comprising a spring seat interdisposed between said housing and said spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The lockset mechanism of claim 5 wherein said first end of said first spindle has a slot formed therein and is received in said sleeve, said sleeve having a tab extending into said slot for securing said first spindle to said sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lockset mechanism of claim 10 further comprising an insert secured in said sleeve such that said first spindle is disposed within said sleeve and said insert.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-28 | 2004-05-29 | 2004-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-28 | 2008-05-29 | 2008-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-28 | 2012-05-29 | 2012-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |