QUICK INSTALL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DOOR LOCKS

• US 20190323262A1
• Filed: 04/20/2018
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Inventors: Roup, Austin M., Barker, Kenton H.
• Granted Patent: US 10,920,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0012 for lock parts held in place before or during mounting on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 3/065 with spring biasing means for moving the handle over a substantial distance, e.g. to its horizontal position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 9/02 Casings of latch-bolt or deadbolt locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 9/082 with concealed screws
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 9/1833 performing sliding movements

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a lock assembly comprising an inner housing positionable on one side of a movable structure such as a door and an outer housing positionable on an opposing side of the structure. A pocket connection region having an aperture formed through a wall of the inner housing is configured to receive a head of a fastener therethrough. After the fastener extends through the aperture, a clamp device may be moved from an open position to a closed position so as to releasably lock the fastener to the pocket connection region of the inner housing. In another form, a retainer is configured to hold the fastener with respect to the inner housing during installation of the lock assembly. In this manner an inner housing may be quickly connected to an outer housing when installing a lock assembly to the structure.

Claims

1. A lock assembly comprising:

an inner housing positionable on one side of a structure;

an outer housing positionable on an opposing side of the structure;

a pocket connection region having an aperture formed through a wall of the inner housing;

a fastener extendable through the aperture;

a clamp device connected to the pocket connection region of the inner housing;

wherein the clamp device pivots or slides between first and second positions; and

wherein a head of a fastener freely passes through the aperture when the clamp device is in the first position and the head of the fastener is prevented from passing through the aperture when the clamp device is in the second position.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the clamp device includes a top wall extending between first and second sidewalls.

3. The lock assembly of claim 2 further comprising a hinge aperture formed in one of the first and second sidewalls of the clamp device.

4. The lock assembly of claim 3 further comprising a pivot pin extending from a wall of the inner housing proximate the pocket connection region configured to connect with the hinge aperture of the clamp device.

5. The lock assembly of claim 2 further comprising a rib extending through the pocket connection region of the inner housing.

6. The lock assembly of claim 5 wherein the rib includes first and second opposing side walls to form a portion of the pocket connection region.

7. The lock assembly of claim 6, wherein a width of the top wall of the clamp device is sized to provide a press fit between the side walls of the clamp device and the opposing sidewalls of the rib.

8. The lock assembly of claim 7, wherein the press fit provides a resistance to unintentional pivoting of the clamp device from the second position to the first position.

9. The lock assembly of claim 2, wherein the clamp device includes a first slot in the first side wall and a second slot in the second side wall.

10. The lock assembly of claim 9 further comprising a counterbore formed with one of the first and second slots.

11. The lock assembly of claim 10, wherein the counterbore is sized to receive a head of the fastener and prevent rotation of the clamp device after the fastener has been tightened into the counterbore.

12. The lock assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second slots include an arcuate end portion.

13. The lock assembly of claim 12, wherein the arcuate end portion is sized to fit around a shank portion of the fastener.

14. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener is threaded into the outer housing prior to sliding the fastener through the structure and the aperture of the inner housing during assembly.

15. The lock assembly of claim 1 further comprising an escutcheon rose configured to engage over an outer perimeter wall of the inner housing when the clamp device is in the second position.

16. A lock assembly comprising:

an inner housing positionable on one side of a structure;

a pocket connection region having an aperture formed through a wall of the inner housing,

an inner plate having a through aperture aligned with the aperture of the pocket connection region;

a retainer positioned between the inner plate and the inner housing;

a mounting fastener configured to slide through the aperture in the pocket connection region of the inner housing and through the retainer; and

wherein the retainer holds the mounting screw in a fixed position with respect to the inner housing.

17. The lock assembly of claim 16, wherein the retainer includes a plurality of tabs extending radially inward from an outer perimeter.

18. The lock assembly of claim 17, wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to engage with a threaded shank of the mounting fastener.

19. The lock assembly of claim 16, wherein the mounting fastener extends from the inner housing in the fixed position during assembly with an outer housing positioned on an opposing side the structure.

20. A method comprising:

coupling a threaded fastener to an inner housing of a lock assembly for a door;

wherein the coupling includes positioning the threaded fastener in a fixed location with respect to the inner housing; and

sliding the threaded fastener through an aperture in a door and threadingly engaging into an outer housing positioned on an opposing side of the door.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the coupling includes retaining the threaded fastener in a desired position with respect to the inner housing during installation of the lock assembly.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the sliding and threading occurs after the coupling of the fastener with a retainer and the inner housing.

23. A method comprising:

threading a fastener to an outer housing of a lock assembly for a door;

sliding the threaded fastener through an aperture in a door and engaging into an inner housing positioned on an opposing side of the door; and

coupling the threaded fastener to the inner housing with a clamp device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the coupling includes moving a clamp device from an open position to a closed position about the threaded fastener.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising tightening the threaded fastener into the outer housing after the clamp device has been moved to the closed position.