Patent ID: 6978645
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A locking mechanism that affords actuation of a device only in response to the use of an appropriate key, the locking mechanism comprising: a housing defining a cavity and having a central axis, the housing including a first end, a second end, and a first cam surface; a sleeve received at least partially within the cavity, the sleeve including a second cam surface engageable with the first cam surface; a lock cylinder received at least partially within the sleeve and having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the locked configuration corresponding to the presence of the appropriate key in the lock cylinder; a guide positioned substantially within the sleeve, the lock cylinder coupled for rotation with the guide when the lock cylinder is in the locked configuration and rotatable with respect to the guide when the lock cylinder is in the unlocked configuration; and an actuator releasably engagable with the lock cylinder, movable with respect to the housing, and adapted for driving connection with the device in the locked and unlocked states of the lock cylinder, the actuator engaged with the lock cylinder for rotation therewith when the lock cylinder is rotated in the unlocked configuration, and moved by the sleeve to a position disengaged from the lock cylinder when the lock cylinder is rotated in the locked configuration.