Spring retainer for lock mechanism

• US 5,820,178 A
• Filed: 08/29/1997
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Newfrey Llc (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Baldwin Hardware Corporation (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Philip C., Meck, Leslie A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US08/921,108
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 292/336.3, 292/358, 292/347, 292/DIG. 61, 292/356, 292/138, 292/164
• US Class Current: 292/336.3
• 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: Y10S 292/61 Spring devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/82 Knobs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/88 Knob bearings

Abstract

A retainer for preventing abrasion of a lock spindle of a lock mechanism by a torsion spring used to return the lock assembly the center position. The lock mechanism includes an axial spindle operably connected to the knob and the lock bolt for selective operation. The torsion spring which returns the lock assembly to the center or at-rest position is coaxially mounted about the spindle. The retainer includes tabs disposed between the spring and the spindle to prevent contact therebetween and thereby eliminate abrasion of the spindle by the spring which can result in premature failure of the lock mechanism.

Claims

1. A lock mechanism comprising:

an axial lock spindle having lugs extending longitudinally therefrom and a torsion spring mounted thereto for biasing said lock spindle towards a first position; and

a spring retainer connected to said lock spindle and said torsion spring, said spring retainer including;

a substantially planar retainer body having arcuate slots for connecting slots for connecting said retainer to the lock spindle for rotation therewith;

a pair of outer tabs circumferentially spaced along a peripheral edge and extending from said planar retainer body to engage the torsion spring whereby rotation of the spindle applies biasing tension to the torsion spring; and

a pair of radially inner tabs extending from and spaced around said retainer body at right angles to said outer tabs, said inner tabs disposed between the torsion spring and the lock spindle upon connecting said retainer to the lock spindle to maintain separation between the torsion spring and lock spindle thereby shielding the lock spindle from engagement by said torsion spring.

2. In a lock mechanism mounted within a door for controlling passage through the door, the lock mechanism including an axial spindle operably connected to a knob assembly and having a torsion spring mounted to the spindle for biasing the spindle to a neutral position, the improvement comprising:

a retainer mounted to the lock spindle for rotation therewith, said retainer including a planar retainer body with arcuate openings to receive the lock spindle, a pair of outer tabs spaced along an outer periphery of said retainer body and extending substantially perpendicular to said retainer body engaging the torsion spring for applying biasing tension to the torsion spring upon rotation of the lock spindle and said retainer, and a pair of radially spaced inner tabs disposed radially inwardly of said outer tabs extending substantially perpendicular to said retainer body parallel with said outer tabs, said inner tabs disposed at right angles to said outer tabs between the torsion spring and lock spindle to maintain separation therebetween thereby preventing abrasion of the lock spindle by the torsion spring.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said retainer body includes a central aperture receiving a drive tube of the lock mechanism.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said outer tabs are offset from said inner tabs.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein said outer tabs are disposed substantially perpendicular to said inner tabs.

6. A lock mechanism mounted within a door for controlling passage through the door, said lock mechanism comprising:

an axial lock spindle having arcuate end tabs;

a spring retainer having arcuate openings for receiving said arcuate end tabs for mounting said retainer to said lock spindle; and

a torsion spring disposed within said spring retainer for biasing said spring retainer and lock spindle towards a first position;

said spring retainer including a planar retainer body having said arcuate openings for mounting to said lock spindle for rotation therewith, a pair of outer tabs circumferentially spaced extending perpendicular to said planar retainer body and engaging said torsion spring for applying biasing tension to said torsion spring upon rotation of said lock spindle and said retainer, and a pair of spaced apart inner tabs extending perpendicular to said planar retainer body substantially parallel to said outer tabs, said inner tabs disposed radially inwardly of and at right angles to said outer tabs and extending between the torsion spring and lock spindle to maintain separation between the torsion spring and lock spindle thereby shielding the lock spindle from engagement by said torsion spring.

7. The lock mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said inner and outer tabs are integrally formed with said planar body bent perpendicular to said body.