Front loading lock assembly
View Patent ↗A lock assembly for a keyed knob includes an insert, a cylinder assembly and a retainer. The insert is inserted into the knob after the retainer is attached thereto. The insert is inserted from the rear of the knob and attached thereto. The cylinder assembly is then inserted into the front of the insert until the retainer engages the cylinder assembly to secure the cylinder assembly into the insert. The cylinder assembly is readily removed by pressing on a step portion of the retainer with a tool inserted through the rear of the knob.
1. A lock assembly comprising:
an insert which defines an axis, said insert comprises a first groove about a periphery of said insert, a second groove transverse said first groove and an opening through said second groove;
a cylinder assembly receivable within said insert along said axis; and
a retainer comprising a spring catch generally parallel to said axis, said retainer engageable with said insert such that said spring catch engages said cylinder assembly to retain said cylinder assembly within said insert, said spring catch comprises at least one tab generally parallel to said axis which extends at least partially through said opening to engage said cylinder assembly to secure said cylinder assembly within said insert.
2. The lock assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a flange which extends from said cylinder assembly, said flange at least partially received adjacent a frontal recessed face of a knob.
3. The lock assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein said second groove is generally parallel to said axis.
4. The lock assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein said spring catch is received at least partially within said second groove.
5. The lock assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein said at least one tab comprises a first tab and a second tab which extend perpendicularly from said spring catch.
6. The lock assembly as recited in claim 5 , wherein said first tab, said second tab and said spring catch form a generally U-shape.
7. The lock assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein said retainer comprising a first arcuate leg and a second arcuate leg which extend from said spring catch.
8. The lock assembly as recited in claim 7 , wherein said first arcuate leg and said second arcuate leg extend at least partially around said insert.
9. The lock assembly as recited in claim 7 , wherein said spring catch comprises a tab which extends perpendicularly from said spring catch opposite said first and second arcuate legs.
10. The lock assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein said spring catch comprises a step portion intermediate said tab and said first and second arcuate legs.
11. The lock assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein said step portion extends in a direction of said tab.
12. The lock assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein said at least one tab comprises a first tab and an opposed second tab, said first tab and said second tab each defined within a plane which are not intersected by said axis.
13. The lock assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein said at least one tab is defined within a plane which is not intersected by said axis.
14. The lock assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein said spring catch is defined within a first plane and at least one tab is defined within a second plane transverse to said first plane, neither said first plane nor said second plane intersected by said axis.
15. The lock assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein said cylinder assembly is received along said axis, such that said cylinder assembly contacts said at least one tab prior to contact wit a step portion formed in said spring catch.
16. The lock assembly as recited in claim 15 , wherein said cylinder assembly is receivable within said insert along said axis toward said step portion.
17. The lock assembly as recited in claim 15 , wherein said step portion extends toward said axis to define an engagement surface within a perimeter defined by said cylinder assembly relative said axis.
18. The lock assembly as recited in claim 17 , wherein said step portion is accessible from a direction opposite to a direction said cylinder assembly is receivable within said insert.
19. A front-loading lock assembly comprising:
a knob;
an insert which defines an axis receivable within said knob said insert comprises a first groove about a periphery of said insert, a second groove transverse said first groove and an opening through said second groove;
a cylinder assembly receivable within said insert along said axis; and
a retainer comprising a spring catch generally parallel to said axis, said spring catch comprises at least one tab generally parallel to said axis which extends at least partially through said opening to engage said cylinder assembly to secure said cylinder assembly within said insert.
20. The front-loading lock assembly as recited in claim 19 , wherein said insert is receivable within a bore in said knob through a rear face of said knob.
21. The front-loading lock assembly as recited in claim 20 , wherein said insert is staked into said knob.
22. The front-loading lock assembly as recited in claim 19 , wherein said cylinder assembly is receivable through a front face of said knob.
23. The front-loading lock assembly as recited in claim 19 , wherein said retainer comprising a first arcuate leg and a second arcuate leg which extend from said spring catch.
24. The front-loading lock assembly as recited in claim 23 , wherein said first arcuate leg and said second situate leg extend at least partially around said insert.
25. The front-loading lock assembly as recited in claim 23 , wherein said spring catch comprises a tab which extends perpendicularly from said spring catch opposite said first and second arcuate legs.
26. The front-loading lock assembly as recited in claim 25 , wherein said spring catch comprises a step portion intermediate said tab and said first and second arcuate legs.
27. The front-loading lock assembly as recited in claim 19 , wherein said insert is received within said knob from a first direction and said cylinder assembly is received within said insert from a second direction.