CA1264343A - Knob assembly for doorlatches including free knob rotation and front end loading - Google Patents

Abstract

KNOB ASSEMBLY FOR DOORLATCHES INCLUDING FREE
KNOB ROTATION AND FRONT END LOADING

Abstract of the Disclosure:
The doorlatch may have an exterior free knob rotation which is in the knob collar and is tied through cam means for non-engagement or engagement to drive the latch bolt. If the doorlatch has an exterior key operated lock, the cam means may be shifted by that lock for driving the latch. The cam means may also be shifted by an interior control, such as a turn button of an interior knob. Various combinations of exterior knobs with or without key locks and interior knobs may be provided, including the freely rotatable mechanism as desired. The front end loading may include a cylinder with plug assembly for the doorlatch which may have the plug rotated 180 degrees out of phase with the cylinder, the assembly then inserted and the plug rotated back to normal. A flange is provided beyond the lock cylinder on the plug which engages behind an inward depression for controlling the proper rotation during and after assembly. During assembly and removal of the lock cylinder and plug, a torque blade tying the lock with the remainder of the doorlatch must be temporarily axially disengaged either by a long cylinder removal key inserted during assembly or an operable connection to the interior thumb bar.

Description

Background of the Invention:
This invention relates to a knob assembly for doorlatches and, more particularly, to such an assembly having an improved free knob rotation which freely 5. rotates when locked, or an improved front end loading which permits simple lock changing, or both. In the improved free knob rotation, the knob will rotate freely when locked and will become engaged in the normal manner when positioned for operation. Furthermore, the change 10. between the lock and operating modes can be from an exterior lock, if provided, or an interior operator of one type or another, with or without an exterior lock.
Still in addition, both the improved free knob rotation and the improved front end loading are of simplified 15. forms over those previously provided and are constructed properly operable over a long period of useful life.
Various types of free knob rotations have heretofore been provided incorporated in various of the prior doorlatches. Basically, all of the free knob 20. rotations have been similarly operable. In the locked position, the mechanism for the free knob rotation is set to permit the knob to rotate freely so that it does not actuate the particular latch construction, thereby providing increased safety. When, however, the free 25. knob rotation is set to an operable position, motion is ~264343 transmitted through the knob into the latch constr~ction for operating the same in the usual manner. Such free knob rotation mechanisms may operate totally alone without a lock being involved or may operate in 5. conjunction with a lock so as to provide a second locking means in addition to the lock.
As far as the various constructions of free knob rotations are concerned, all o the prior constructions have been quite complicated, both to 10. fabricate and assemble, yet they still are not totally positive of operation as far as many are concerned and, particularly, over a long period of life. One basic difficulty is that the entire structure must be of relatively small size in order to fit the size 15. limitations of the latch constructions in doors. The more sophisticated the construction of free knob rotation is concerned, the small size requires increased precision of workmanship resulting in a relatively complex and expensive construction as far as the prior 20. constructions are concerned.
In addition, the provision of the front end loading lock mechanisms have suffered from the same disabilities. In this case, the operator mounting the lock, such as a knob, is constructed so that the lock 25. may be removed and replaced directly from the knob ~'~64343 without disassembly of other parts o~ the doorlatch. The lock is formed as a cylinder and plug assembly so that the unitary lock is inserted and engaged or disengaged and removed relatively expeditiously.
The major difficulty with the prior constructions has, again, been involved with a relatively small size, yet of sufficient strength to suit the particular purpose involved with doorlatch constructions. The engagement means between the lock unit and knob or other type of operator have resulted in relatively complex constructions, all between the lock unit and knob. The result is that the overall constructions have been quite complicated in assembly and expensive to produce.

SummarY of the Invention:
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided, in a latch construction of the type for mounting in doors and the like and having a latch driving mechanism mounted within the door operably connected to exterior and interior operators for driving a latch bolt between extended and retracted positions projecting from a door edge the improvements including: said exterior operator having an outer shell thereof mounted freely rotatable, a part of said exterior operator radially inwardly of said outer shell being directly rotationally disconnected from said outer shell, said outer shell terminating axially inwardly in a mounting collar; cam means adjacent said exterior operator mounting collar movable between engaged and disengaged positions, said cam means in engaged position 1~64~43 interrupting said free rotation and transmitting movement from said exterior operator outer shell to said latch driving mechanism for driving said latch bolt, said cam means in disengaged position freeing said exterior operator outer shell for said free rotation; positioning means operably connected to said cam means for selectively shifting said cam means between said engaged and disengaged positions.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided, in a latch construction of the type for mounting in doors and the like and having a latch driving mechanism mounted within the door operably connected to exterior and interior operators for driving a latch bolt between extended and retracted positions pro~ecting from a door edge; the improvements including: said exterior operator having at least an outer shell thereof mounted freely rotatable, said outer shell terminating axially inwardly in a mounting collar; cam means adjacent said exterior operator mounting collar movable between engaged and disengaged positions, said cam means in engaged position interrupting said free rotation and transmitting movement from said exterior operator outer shell to said latch driving mechanism for driving said latch bolt, said cam means in disengaged position freeing said exterior operator outer shell for said free rotation; positioning means operably connected to said cam means for selectively shifting said cam means between said engaged and disengaged positions; said exterior operator mounting collar having at least one engagement notch formed ~264343 therein positioned engageable and disengageable by said cam means.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided in a latch constr~ction of the type for mounting in doors and the like and having a latch driving mechanism mounted within the door operably connected to exterior and interior operators for driving a latch bolt between extended and retracted positions projecting from a door edge; the improvements including: said exterior operator having at least an outer shell thereof mounted freely rotatable, said outer shell terminating axially inwardly in a mounting collar; cam means adjacent said exterior operator mounting collar movable between engaged and disengaged positions, said cam means in engaged position interrupting said free rotation and transmitting movement from said exterior operator outer shell to said latch driving mechanism for driving said latch bolt, said cam means in disengage~ position freeing said exterior operator outer shell for said free rotation; positioning means operably connected to sa$d cam means for selectively shifting said cam means between said engaged and disengaged positions; said cam means comprising a cam adjacent said exterior operator mounting collar and a locking slide movable relative thereto, said locking slide engaging and disengaging said exterior operator mounting collar.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there ~s provided in a latch construction of the type for mounting in doors and the like having a latch mechanism mounted within the door operably connected to at least an lZ6A343 exterior operator retracted positlons pro~ecting from a door edge; the improvements including: said lock being of the type unitarily insertable for use axlally into and removable for replacement from said exterior operator; said lock having a cylinder rotatably mounting a plug; securement means on said lock axially inward of said cylinder axially abutting said cylinder and rotatable exactly with said plug, said securement means preventing outward axial movement of said plug relative to said cylinder, said plug and securement means being rotatable between a lock non-secured position and a lock secured position;
engagement means on said exterior operator disengaged from said securement means when said securement means is in said non-secured position and outwardly axially engaged with said securement means holding said lock in operable position when said securement means is engaged with said engagement means and moved to said lock secured position a key in said lock plug turnable to certain posltions for rotating said plug to rotate said securement means said securement means comprising a C-shaped retaining collar with an opening therein secured on said lock plug at an inner end of said cylinder rotatable with said lock plug for movement between said lock non-secured and lock secured position; and in which said lock cylinder has a recess formed therein opening outwardly at said lock cylinder inner end, said C-shaped retaining collar having said opening movable with said lock plug to said recess in said lock non-secured position and away from said recess to said lock secured position.

Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs:
FIG. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of an embodiment of knob assembly for doorlatches including free knob rotation and front end loading according to the principles of the present invention, the construction being mounted in a door and in the unlocked position;

~ IG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the knob assembly of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows 2-2 in FIG. l;
FIG~ 3 is a vertical sectional view looking in 5. the direction of the arrows 3-3 ~n FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 4-~ in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5is a vertical sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 5-S in FIG.l;
10. FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with a cylinder removal key in place and the lock plug rotated 180 degrees in the lock cylinder and ready for removal or just after insertion of a unitary lock cylinder and plug, a unitary lock cylinder and plug also being shown 15. in phantom lines to the right of the knob assembly;
FIG. 7 is a disasse~.bled perspective view of all of the right-hand side or exterior parts of the exterior knob assembly shown disassembled and in exploded view, the left-hand side or interior side and 20. the latch driving mechanism and bolt being removed;
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but only the showing of the right-hand or exterior knob of the assembly unlocked and enlarged for illustrating primarily the free knob rotation construction;

~Z~i4343 FIG. 9 is a ~ectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 9-9 in FIG. 8, the knob assembly still unlocked;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view looking in the S. direction of the arrows 10-10 $n FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view iooking in the direction of the arrows 11-11 in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 12-12 in FIG. 9;
10. FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but with the lock plug turned 90 degrees in the lock cylinder placing the free knob rotation in the locked position with the knob free to rotate;
~IG. 14 is a sectional view looking in the 15. direction of the arrows 14-14 in FIG. 13; .
FIG. 15 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 15-15 in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 16-16 in FIG. 14;
20. FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing only the right-hand or exterior knob with the lock plug rotated 180 degrees in the lock cylinder and the lock cylinder and plug entering using the special cylinder removal key;

~Z64343 FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17, but with the lock cylinder and plug fully entered and the special cylinder removal key acting on the torque blade;
FIG. l9 is a view similar to FIG. 18, but with 5. the special enlarged cylinder removal key turned 90 degrees from FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 20-20 in FIG. 18;
FIG. 21 is a sectional view looking in the 10. direction of the arrows 21-21 in FIG. l9;
FIG. 22 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 22-22 in FIG. 19; and FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 21, but with the lock plug rotated 180 degrees to place the front end 15. loading lock construction in fully operable position.

Description of the Best Embodiment Contemplated:
Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodi-ment of the knob assembly for doorlatches is illustrated therein and will hereinafter be explained in detail. It 20. is pointed out, however, that the present embodiment of knob assembly incorporating the inventions of the present application is merely one form thereof and that various portions or all of the inventive concepts may be incorporated in different forms of knob assembly, the 25. same to be explained further later and to be included in i26~343 the principles of the present invention. Furthermore, except as pointed out in detail later, all of the ele-ments and parts may be formed using standard materials and manufacturing procedures, and using standard skills 5. of workmanship.
The drawings herein depict the overall knob assembly for doorlatches and inventive principles relating to both freely rotatable knob construction and front-end loading for lock cylinders and plugs. The 10. freeiy- rotatable knob construction is opera~le for providing, say, the exterior knob freely rotatable when the exterior knob is locked and fully actionable for operating the latch when the exterior knob is unlocked.
The front-end loading for the lock cylinder and plug, 15. the unitary lock, is provided to permit the unitary locks freely removable and replaceable from the front of the particular knob or the like, and even though once properly placed in a particular knob, they are extremely difficult to remove without proper keys and procedure.
20. First, as it primarily relates to the freely rotatable knob construction, and referring to FI(;S. 1 through 5 and 7 through 16, the preferred embodiment shown includes an exterior or outer operating device generally indicated at 30 and an interior or inner 25. operating device generally indicated at 32, both of ~Z64343 which are mounted in usual manner on a door generally indicated at 34. Either of the exterior or interior operating devices 30 or ~2 are mo~nted for driving a latch driving mechanism generally indicated at 3fi within 5.the door 34 to move a latch bolt generally indicated at 38 and an auxiliary deadbolt generally indicated at 40 from extended to retracted and from retracted to extended positions at a door edge generally indicated at 42, again, all in usual manner. As pointed o~t, the lO.principles of the present invention relate to the exterior and interior operating devices 30 and 32 so that the latch driving mechanism 36, and the latch bolt and auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40 may be of any usual constructions adaptable for satisfying the combinations.
15.The exterior or outer operating device 30 includes a reinforcing collar 44 which is received par-tially within a door opening 46, as well as extending outwardly along the door outside face 48. The reinforcing collar 44 is, in turn, telescoped outwardly 20.by the liner 50. Liner 50 has spaced locators 52 which have retaining rings 54 and extend through the latch driving mechanism 36, as well as screw stems 56 which engage with screws 58 extending from the interior operating device 32 a~d form the main mount for the two 2g.exterior and interior operating devices 30 and 32 within 12G~343 the door opening 46. As particularly seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, although partialiy shown in other views, a rosette 60 telescopes over the liner 50 and completes the outer portion of the exterior operating device 30 as 5. far as the door outside face 48 is concerned.
~ xtending centrally through the liner ~0 and the rosette 60 spaced inwardly therefrom, and extending both inwardly and outwardly thereof, is a cylinder retaining sleeve 62 which at its outer end portion 10. internally mounts a lock assembly generally indicated at 64 and discussed more completely below. Outwardly telescoping the outer end portion of the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 is an exterior or outer knob 66 which at its outer end telescopes with the lock 15. assembly 64, but is rotatable relative thereto. ~nob 66 has an outer shell 68 which terminates toward the door opening 46 in a knob collar 70 spaced inwardly a deter-mined distance beyond the rosette 60 and along the outer surface of the cylinder retaining sleeve 62. The knob 20. collar 70 has diametrically opposed engagement notches 72 which extend from just inwardly of the rosette 60 and opening inwardly at the inner end of these engagement notches. Thus, without engagement at one of the engagement notches 72, the exterior knob 66 25. is freely rotatable.

12fi4343 Outwardly telescoped by the liner 50 and a portion thereof by the reinforcing collar 44 is a bearing sleeve 74 which partially outwardly surro~nds the screw stems 56. The bearing sleeve 74 surrounds a 5. portion of the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 and forms the bearing for such cyli'nder retai'ning sle'eve. A
torque housing 76 and a torque spring 78 are received over the inner end o'f the c'ylinder retaining sleeve 62, the inner end of the cylindër retaining sleeve 62 being 10. turned radially outw'ardly to complete the housing for the torque spring.
Inwardly of the cylinder retainins sleeve 62 over an inner portion thereof is a half-round spindle 80. The half-round spindle 80 is of a generally 15. usual type extendi,ng slightly over halfway into the door 34 for acting in th,e usual manner with the latch driving mechanism 36. Further, the half-round spindle 80 has a leg 82 bent outwardly into interference ~ith the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 and the cylinder 20. retaining sleeve has spaced impressions 84 to extend inwardly and grip the edges of the half-round spindle.
A stop spacer 86 serves to form the separate outer edges for the half-round spindle 80 and radially inwardly also forms the outer edges ror the cam 88 having the locking 25. slide 90 thereon.

lX~i434~
The cam 88 moves rotatably a given distance, while the locking slide 90 moves in and o~t on a set axial line, guided by a spring retainer 92 and a compression spring 94. As can be seen particularly well 5. in FIGS. 7 and 14, the cam has a cam surface 96 which provides the movement for the locking slide 90 inwardly and outwardly and movement of engagement arm 98 of the locking slide 90 inwardly and outwardly to disengage from or engage with one of the engagement notches 72 of 10. the knob collar 70. It will be noted that the engage-ment arm 98 of the locking slide 90 projects radialiy through the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 and into engagement or disengagement with the knob collar 70 of the exterior knob 66. It will also be noted that when 15. the locking slide 90 is withdrawn inwardly out of engagement, the engagement arm 98 tnereof is received in a pocket 100 formed in the bearing sleeve 74, the pocket being particularly seen in FIGS. 7 and 13.
Sufficient for the freely rotatable knob 20. construction of the present invention, the lock assembly 64 includes a lock cylinder 102 having a usual chimney 104 projecting upwardly through a slot 106 of the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 and telescoping a lock plug 108 which projects slightly inwardly of the lock 25. cylinder as is shown. The lock cylinder and plug 102 and 108 are held in position relative to each other and are secured within the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 by a retaining collar 110 which is retained against axial movement by engagement in a retaining slot 112 of the 5. lock plug 108 against the inner edge of the lock cylinder 102 and behind a depression 112 formed out-wardly within the cylinder retaining sleeve 62, also as seen. With a usual key and the lock assembly 64 being of the usual pin type, the lock plu~ 108 may be rotated 10. within the lock cylinder 102 in the usual manner.
The lock plug 108 opens inwardly with a torque slot 114 which receives the outer end of a torque blade 116, the inner end of which is received in an oyter opening 118 of a switching spindle 120. As is 15. clearly seen, for instance, in FIGS. 8, 10, 11 and 13, the torque blade 116 passes from the lock plug 108, through the stop spacer 86 and telescopically through the cam 88. Partially through the cam 88, the torque blade 116 is supported by a bearing ring 122 at a 20. reduced diameter so that the bearing ring within the cam 88 forms the forward limit for movement of the torque blade 116. The outer end of the switching spindle 120 has a notch 124, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, with this end portion of the switching spindle being 25. received in the cam 88 while in turn telescoping the end of the torque blade 116. The cam 88 is formed down-wardly over the switching spindle notch 124 to retain that assembly and a compression spring 12O is positioned within the outer opening 118 of the switching 5. spindle 120 bearing against the inner termination of the torque blade 116.
The interior or inner operating device 32, as specificaliy seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a reinforcing collar 128 partially received in the door 10. opening 46 and partially lying against a door inside face 130. A liner 132 telescopes over the reinforcing collar 128 and mounts the screws 58 which pass through the door 34 for engagement with the screw stems 56 as previoùsly alluded to. Finally, a rosette 134 15. telescopes over the liner 132 to cover against the door inside face 130 and complete the inside assembly except for the interior or inner knob 136 and its particular mounting.
The interior or inner knob 136 is, in this 20. embodiment, of usual form and is partially received inwardly through the rosette 134 and partially through the liner 132. It is mounted in a first bearing sleeve 138 telescoping a second bearing sleeve 140. The second bearing sleeve 140, in turn, mounts a washer 142 25. and a half-round spindle 144 which extends inwardly ~Z6~343 .
through the latch driving mechanism 36 directly inside the half-round spindle 80 of the exterior operating device 30. A torque housing 146 with a torque spring 148 telescopefi the half-round spindle 144 and 5. serve the usual function of urging the half-round spindle to neutral position.
A turn button 150 is rotatably mounted centrally of the interior knob 136 and has a stem 152 projecting inwardly. As shown, the stem 152 is 10. telescoped by the inner opening 154 of the switching spindle 120. Thus, the turn button 150 through the switching spindle 120 may have operable effect on the freely rotatable knob construction at the exterior knob 66 as will be hereinafter discussed more in detail.
15. In operation of the freely rotatable knob construction of the present invention, the knob assembly is shown in an unlocked state in FIGS. 1 through 5 and 8 through 12. A normal key 156 is shown in the lock assembly 64, but it is not needed at this time for 20. operating the latch driving mechanism 36 to operate the latch bolt and auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40. Thus, the lock assembly 64 need not be actuated and the latch bolt and auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40 may be withdrawn with the exterior knob 66 merely by turning the same.

As shown, particularly in FIGS. 8 through 12, a partial rotation of the exterior knob 66 transmits rotation into the engagement arm 98 of the locking slide 90 throagh engagement of the engagement arm 98 5. within one of the engagement notches 72 of the exterior knob 66. Movement of the locking slide 90 in turn, again, through the engagement arm 98 thereof transmits rotation into the half-round spindle 80. Movement of the half-round spindle 80 causes actuation of the latch lO. driving mechanism 36 to move the latch bolt and auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40 for withdrawing the same.
At the same time, if the latch bolt and auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40 are to be withdrawn from an interior side of the door 34, as viewed in FIGS. l 15. and 2, the interior knob 136 is rotated a partial turn.
~his transmits rotation from the interior knob 136 into the half-round spindle 144 and ultimately into the latch driving mechanism 36. The latch driving mechanism 36 then transmits the rotation to the latch bolt and 20. auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40 for withdrawing the same.
Now assume that it is desired to place the knob assembl~ in locked position, this can be done in two ways, by placing the lock assembly 64 in locked position or by placing the turn button 150 of the - 25. interior knob 136 in locked position. If it is done by the lock assembly 64 at the exterior knob 66, the key is inserted and the lock assembly 64 placed in locked posi-tion. If it is done with the turn button 150 at the interior knob 136, the turn button 150 is merely reposi-5. tioned in a locked position by partial rotation.
Specifically, as viewed in FIGS. 8 through 16and accomplishing the same by the lock assembly 6g, the normal key 156 is inserted and turned a partial rotation. This turns the lock plug 108 relative to the 10. lock cylinder 102 and causes the torque blade 116 to move the switching spindle 120. Rotation of the switching spindle 120 outwardly rotates the cam 88 which moves and repositions inwardly the locking slide 90 to withdraw any rotational connection between this locking 15. slide and the exterior knob 66. The exterior knob 66, therefore, rotates freely, as well as the lock assembly 64 being in locked position.
This same locking and placing the exterior knob 66 in freely rotational position may also be 20. accomplished from the turn button 150 on the interior knob 136. The turn button 150 may be turned from non-locking to locked position which transmits rotation through the switching spindle 120 to the cam 88 rotating this cam a partial turn to withdraw the locking 25. slide 90. This, again, withdraws the locking slide 90 ~2643~3 from its engagement with the exterior knob 66 so that the exterior knob is freely rotatable. ~ack to the unlocked position is accomplished merely by the opposite rotation of the turn button 150 at the interior 5. knob 136.
Thus, with the exterior knob 66 including the lock assembly 64 and the interior knob 136 including the turn button 150, with the latch bolt and auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40 in their locked positions, the 10. exterior lock assembly 64 and the position of the turn button 150 places these in locked position and the external knob 66 is freely rotatable. To place the elements in unlocked position, the lock assembly 64 in the exterior knob 66 may, with a key, be turned to 15. unlocked position which will turn the turn button 150 to unlocked position and enga~e the exterior knob 66 with the elements including the half-round spindle 80 to permit manipulation of the latch bolt and auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40 to open the door 34. At the same 20. time, from the interior, the movement from locked to unlocked position is merely turning the turn button 150, which thereby permits rotation of the interior knob 136 to rotate the half-round spindle 144 to withdraw the latch bolt and auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40.

126~43 As hereinbefore briefly alluded to, the preferred embodiment of knob assembly including the free knob rotation construction just described is only one of various constructions making use of these same inventive 5. principles. For instance, the exterior pin-type lock assembly 64 in the exterior knob 66 could be eliminated.
In that case, the entire locking and non-locking wo~ld be controlled by the turn button 150 or some other similar device on the interior knob 136. Turning in one 10. direction would place the exterior knob 66 in freely rotatable position so that the door 34 could not be opened from the exterior side, and movement of the turn button 150 to the opposite position would provide the exterior knob 66 fully engaged so the latch bolt and 15. auxiliary deadbolt 38 and 40 would be withdrawn to open the door 34.
The exterior ope.rating device 30 could have the same construction of exterior knob 66 capable of free rotation, the exterior knob including the pin-type 20. lock assembly 64, but the interior knob 136 having a pin-type lock assembly similar to the exterior knob 66.
ln this case, the freely rotatable or solidly engaged exterior knob 166 could only be obtained by manipulation of one of the pin-type locks, that is, the exterior or 25. interior. If the exterior lock assembly is eliminated and only the interior lock assembly is included, the manipulation of the exterior knob 66 to either freely rotatable or solidly engaged could only be accomplished at the interior knob having the pin-type lock. Thus, 5. there are a variety of constructions all broadly satisfying the freely rotatable knob construction principles of the present invention.
Referring now to the front-end loading concept of the present invention, the same is shown particularly 10. in FIGS. 6, 7 and 17 through 23. In the preferred embodiment, in most cases, the normal key 156 is removed and a special cylinder removal key 158 is inserted.
Thus, in this case, internal accer.s to the door 34 is not required and everything is accomplished from lS. outwardly or exterior of the door.
Referring to FIG. 17, the lock assembly 64 is a unitary lock assembly wherein the lock cylinder 102, the lock plug 108 and the retaininq collar 110 ~ay be removed and replaced as a unit. The lock cylinder 102 20. has the chimney 104 including the front flange 160. The lock plug 108 is received in the lock cylinder 102 rotatable therewith and extending from the inner extremities of the cylinder. The retaining collar 110 is received over the inner end of the lock plug 108 in a ~5. channel 162 thereof, thereby completing the unit.

12643~3 Prior to insertion, the normal key 156, if present, would be removed and the ~ylinder removal key 158 would be inserted. You will note that the cylinder removal key 158 extends slightly further 5, inwardly than the lock plug 108 as clearly shown. ~he lock plug 108 is rotated by the cylinder removal key 158 180 degrees fro~ normal and as you will clearly see, for instance, in FIG. 20, the retaining collar 110 is movable with the lock plug 108 due to interfitting 10. contours thereof.
The unitary lock assembly 64 is now fully inserted within the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 and fully with the front flange 16~ of the lock cylinder 102 tightly against the exterior knob 66, that is, fro~ the 15. position of FIG. 17 to the position of FIG. 18. You will note that the depression 112 extending inwardly from the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 is covered received in slot 106 so that the retaining collar 110 is just inwardly beyond the depression 112. As can be seen 20. in FIG. 20, the retaining collar 110 is C-shaped having a recess permitting the depression 112 of the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 to pass axially therethrough and assume the position within the slot 106 of the lock cylinder 102. Kee~ in mind that the lock plug 108 is 25. still rotated 180 degrees from normal and equaliy ~643~3 important, as the unitary iock assembly 64 is fully received in the cylinder retaining sleeve 62, the end of the cylinder removal key 158 engages the end of the torque blade 116 forcing it away from the lock plug 108, 5. along with its bearing ring 122.
The lock plug 108 by the cylinder removal key 158 is then rotated 180 degrees back to normal while the torque blade 116 is retained away from the lock plug 108 by the long cylinder removal key 158. FIGS. 19 10. and 22 show the lock plug 108 rotated a partial 90 degrees and, of course, the lock cylinder 102 remains stationary within the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 and its interfitting relationship therewith. More important, the retaining collar 110 relationship with 15. the depression 112 of the cylinder retaining sleeve 62 is shown from insertion to 180 degrees rotation in FIGS. 20, 21 and 23. In FIG. 20, the unitary lock assembly 64 has just been inserted with the lock plug 108 turned the 180 degrees. In FIG. 21, the lock 20. plug 108 has been turned by the cylinder removal key 158 a total of 90 degrees and it is seen that the retaining collar 110 has engaged behind the depression 112 of the cylinder retaining sleeve 62. Finally, FIG. 23 shows a rotation back the full 180 degrees ready for a proper 2g. key.

1;~64343 The cylinder removal key 158 ls removed and if desirable, could be replaced by the norm~l key 156. In any event, when the cylinder removal key 158 is removed, the torque blade 116 is forced outward by the 5.compression spring 126 within the switching spindle 120.
Thus, the torque blade 116 reengages with the end of the lock plug 108 and is ready for operation. Furthermore, removal of the unitary lock assembly 64 is exactly opposite of the foregoing procedure.
10.In the event that a cylinder removal key 158 is not available and it is still desirable to insert or remove different locks of the unitary lock assembly 64, in the present embodiment shown, this can be done by using the switching spindle 120 at the interior 15.knob 136. The switching spindle 120 is grasped and pulled from the interior side after removal of the turn button 150 and its stem 152 which moves the switching spindle 120 and ultimately the torque blade 116 toward the interior knob 136 until the torque blade is removed 20. totally from the lock plug 108. Thereafter, the pro-cedure is identically the same, keeping in mind that the torque blade 116 must be retained throughout the pro-cedure of inserting or removing the particular unitary lock assembly 64. As far as other embodiments of the 25. present invention are concerned, it will depend on the i26~134~
particular embodiment as to which procedure would be used, a simple guideline, it depends on what element is accessible for removing and retaining the torque blade 116.
5. Although the principles of the present inven-tion, whethee the freely rotatable knob construction or the front end loading of the lock, have been herein illustrated in a particular embodiment of knob assembly for doorlatches, it is not intended to limit such . 10. principles to that construction alone, since the same principles are readily applicable to. various other forms of knob assembly for doorlatches. Thus, the principles of the present invention should be broadly construed and not limited beyond the specific limitations set forth in 15. the appended claims including the patent equivalents thereof.

Claims (6)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In a latch construction of the type for mounting in doors and the like having a latch mechanism mounted within the door operably connected to at least an exterior operator retracted positions projecting from a door edge; the improvements including:
said lock being of the type unitarily insertable for use axially into and removable for replacement from said exterior operator;
said lock having a cylinder rotatably mounting a plug; securement means on said lock axially inward of said cylinder axially abutting said cylinder and rotatable exactly with said plug, said securement means preventing outward axial movement of said plug relative to said cylinder, said plug and securement means being rotatable between a lock non-secured position and a lock secured position;
engagement means on said exterior operator disengaged from said securement means when said securement means is in said non-secured position and outwardly axially engaged with said securement means holding said lock in operable position when said securement means is engaged with said engagement means and moved to said lock secured position; a key in said lock plug turnable to certain positions for rotating said plug to rotate said securement means said securement means comprising a C-shaped retaining collar with an opening therein secured on said lock plug at an inner end of said cylinder rotatable with said lock plug for movement between said lock non-secured and lock secured position; and in which said lock cylinder has a recess formed therein opening outwardly at said lock cylinder inner end, said C-shaped retaining collar having said opening movable with said lock plug to said recess in said lock non-secured position and away from said recess to said lock secured position.

2. In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which spindle means is operable connected to said lock plug from axially inward of said lock plug when said securement means is in said lock secured position; and in which spindle disengagement means is operable to disengage said spindle means from said lock plug during movement of said securement means to and from said lock non-secured position.

3. In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said key is a special lock changing key of increased axial length insertable in said lock plug when said securement means is in said lock secured position and throughout said movement of said securement means to said lock non-secured position and back to said lock secured position and in which spindle means is normally engaged with said lock plug from axially inward of said lock plug when said securement means is in said lock secured position, said spindle means being engaged by said special lock changing key when said special lock changing key is inserted into said lock plug retaining said spindle means temporarily disengaged from said lock plug and during movement of said securement means to and from said lock non-secured position from said lock secured position.

4. In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said engagement means comprises a sleeve secured in said exterior operator normally telescoping said lock and being disengageable from said securement means when said securement means is in said non-secured position and secured with said securement means when said securement means is in said lock secured position.

5. In a latch construction as defined in claim 2 in which said engagement means comprises a sleeve secured in said exterior operator normally telescoping said lock and being disengageable from said securement means when said securement means is in said non-secured position and secured with said securement means when said securement means is in said locks secured position.

6. In a latch construction as defined in claim 3 in which said engagement means comprises a sleeve secured in said exterior operator normally telescoping said lock and being disengageable from said securement means when said securement means is in said non-secured position and secured with said securement means when said securement means is in said lock secured position.