Patent ID: 7823935
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A lock assembly for securing a pivoting closure panel and a stationary frame together, the lock assembly comprising: a tie bar coupled to a lock handle, the tie bar comprising a bent section disposed between linearly aligned and coplanar straight sections, the straight sections being slidably mounted to one of the panel or frame, the bent section comprises two opposing end walls connected to and extending obtusely from the straight sections disposed on either side of the bent section, the opposing end walls extending toward each other and toward a flat middle section that connects the end walls and the flat middle section being disposed parallel to the straight sections, the flat middle section includes outwardly extending edges that create a width that is greater than the width of the straight sections of the tie bar such that the edges will keep the tie bar engaged with a striker when external loading causes a twisting of the closure panel, and the striker being mounted to the other of the panel or frame, the striker comprising a ramp that receives the bent section and when the tie bar is slidably moved towards the striker as the tie bar is moved from an unlocked position to a locked position, the movement of the bent section along the ramp as the tie bar moves towards the locked position results in the panel and frame being pulled together.