Patent ID: 7380426
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A panel lock assembly for use with a locking bar of an associated selectively closable enclosure formed by sides and a front face opening for accessing such enclosure, said panel lock assembly comprising: an elongated housing portion, configured to be received in an enclosure front face opening; a slide element supported by said elongated housing portion, for user-actuated linear movement relative to said elongated housing portion, said slide element including at least one engagement tip for selectively engaging a locking bar of an associated enclosure, and said slide element defining an engageable key-hole shaped opening therethrough; and a rotatable plug assembly mounted in said elongated housing portion, said rotatable plug assembly including a key slot for receipt of a key to actuate rotation of said rotatable plug assembly, and including at least one protrusion extending therefrom and into said slide element engageable key-hole shaped opening, said at least one protrusion rotating in response to rotation of said rotatable plug assembly between a locking position and an unlocking position thereof; wherein said at least one protrusion engages said slide element engageable key-hole shaped opening to prevent linear movement of said slide element whenever said rotatable plug assembly is in said locking position thereof, and to permit linear movement thereof whenever said rotatable plug assembly is in said unlocking position thereof, whereby a simplified panel lock assembly is provided to selectively actuate and secure a locking bar of an associated selectively closable enclosure; said elongated housing portion is configured to include a pair of frictionally engaging retaining elements on opposite ends thereof, a window opening through said elongated housing portion for user-actuation of said slide element, and a surrounding lip portion arranged with the remainder of said elongated housing portion so as to facilitate “snap-in” mounting of said panel lock assembly into the front face opening of an associated enclosure; said slide element includes a recessed portion thereof which may be accessed via said window opening of said elongated housing portion to effect linear movement of said slide element; said panel lock assembly further includes a bottom housing portion beneath said elongated housing portion and cooperating therewith for retaining said slide element in linear movement relationship relative to said elongated housing portion; said slide element further includes a pair of safety side wing elements for shielding access into the interior of an associated enclosure; and said at least one protrusion of said rotatable plug assembly includes a pair of D-shaped protrusions, engageable in one orientation with said slide element engageable key-hole shaped opening so as to prevent linear movement of said slide element which consequently prevents engagement of said slide element at least one engagement tip engaging a locking bar of an associated enclosure, and engageable in another orientation with said slide element engageable key-hole shaped opening so as to permit linear movement of said slide element which consequently permits engagement of said slide element at least one engagement tip engaging a locking bar of an associated enclosure.