Patent ID: 6640592
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
A latch mechanism comprising:a housing having a first end and a second end, said second end of said housing having an opening; a lock plug supported by said housing, said lock plug being selectively rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position using a key; a cam having at least one cam slot, said cam being rotatably supported within said housing, said cam being coupled to said lock plug so as to rotate in response to rotation of said lock plug; a stationary sleeve positioned within said housing and supported such that there is essentially no relative movement between said stationary sleeve and said housing when the latch mechanism is fully assembled, said stationary sleeve having means defining an edge and means for retaining said lock plug in said latched position; and a shaft positioned at least in part within said housing, said shaft extending through said opening in said second end of said housing, said shaft having at least one projection which is engaged at least to said at least one cam slot, said at least one cam slot being configured such that said shaft moves substantially rotationally as said lock plug moves from said unlatched position toward said latched position until said projection abuts said edge, thereafter said shaft moving substantially axially as said lock plug rotationally moves to said latched position.