Lock apparatus

A lock and method of use for securing and un-securing first and second articles, the lock comprises a first element rotationally engaged about a longitudinal axis to the first article, an extension beam rotationally engaged about a lengthwise axis to the first article, the lengthwise and longitudinal axes are coincident, the beam has structure to rotationally engage and disengage the first element. Also included is structure to engage and disengage the second article that is driven from the beam, wherein operationally the beam rotationally engages the first element and the extension beam engages and disengages the first and second articles, resulting in the beam always being able to engage and disengage the first and second articles and the first element only having an ability to engage and disengage the first and second articles when the first element and the beam are rotationally engaged to one another.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to locks that interface between a first article and a second article. More particularly, the present invention discloses a deadbolt type lock that interfaces between a door and a door frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Prior art typical deadbolt locks are typically constructed of an exterior key lock cylinder that is rotationally coupled to the bolt assembly that has a mechanism to convert the rotational movement from the lock cylinder into reciprocating movement in the bolt assembly that moves into and out of the door frame, wherein the lock cylinder is rotationally engaged to the door, thus with the bolt extension assembly extended into the door frame this results in the door being locked to the door frame. Further included in the typical deadbolt lock is an interior thumb turn handle that is also rotationally engaged to the door and the bolt extension assembly like the key lock cylinder except that the thumb turn handle can manually place the bolt assembly extended into or retracted out of the door frame.

One of the security concerns with the deadbolt lock is on the key lock cylinder that is on the external side of the door, wherein a person with evil intent would try to breach the lock cylinder with a master key or even a locksmiths key picking ratchet to have the key lock cylinder rotate as though the evil intent person had the correct key to turn the lock cylinder, thus being able to rotate the key lock cylinder and resulting in the bolt extension assembly withdrawing from the door frame and effectively unlocking the door without using the correct key, thus emphasizing that the unique configuration of the key is not much of a barrier for a motivated and resourceful criminal to overcome the typical prior art dead bolt lock. One possible solution to removing the weak deterrent effect of requiring a unique key to rotate the key lock cylinder is to be able to selectively rotationally disconnect the rotational engagement of the key lock cylinder from the bolt extension assembly all from the inside portion of the door via the thumb turn handle, thus resulting that if the key lock cylinder is overcome with a bogus key or even in the case of the criminal having the correct key, being irrelevant toward overcoming dead bolt in retracting the bolt extension assembly from the door frame and being able to open the door.

Further, even if a criminal were to use the incorrect key in the key lock cylinder and impart excessive rotational force, bump, or even drill out the key lock cylinder to overcome the key lock cylinder not rotating from the wrong key being in it would also be irrelevant as the key lock cylinder is rotationally disengaged from the bolt assembly thus resulting in the dead bolt remaining locked no matter what happens to the key lock cylinder. Even with an electronic key, there could be an instance of it being hacked and being overcome as if the criminal had the correct key code would still not allow the dead bolt to become un-locked-truly making the lock apparatus a “dead” bolt, wherein the bolt cannot be changed from its locked positional state via the exterior key lock cylinder.

In looking at the prior art in this area, starting with U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,199 to Smith, et al., disclosed is a deadbolt mechanism including a lock out mechanism that functions to disable the operation of the deadbolt from at least one side of the deadbolt mechanism. In Smith '199 the deadbolt mechanism includes a deadbolt, key cylinder, housing, turn knob and a shaft that connects the key cylinder and turn knob. To place the deadbolt mechanism in Smith '199 into lock out mode, the turn knob is moved to the locked positioned and then pulled outward away from the door. By pulling the knob outward, the shaft engages a portion of the housing which prevents rotation of the shaft and thereby prevents movement of the deadbolt from the locked position. A problem with Smith '199 is that a mechanical rotational lockout effectuates the rotational lock-up of the shaft between the thumb turn handle and the key lock cylinder with the bolt assembly rotationally disposed therebetween, wherein if excessive rotational force is applied externally to the key lock, it could overcome the rotational lock which would breach the entire deadbolt lock, thus a better design would have the rotational dis-engagement of the key lock assembly thus allowing the key lock assembly to rotationally “free wheel” in relation to the bolt assembly and the thumb turn handle such that if excessive rotational force is applied to the key lock assembly to breach the dead bolt lock it would not matter.

Further in the dead bolt lock prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 7,712,343 to Smith, et al., disclosed is a deadbolt mechanism including a lock out mechanism (100) that functions to disable the operation of the deadbolt from at least one side of the deadbolt mechanism. The deadbolt mechanism in Smith '343 includes a deadbolt, key cylinder, housing, turn knob and a shaft that connects the key cylinder and turn knob. In Smith '343 to place the deadbolt mechanism in lock out mode, a release mechanism is actuated and the turn knob is pulled outward away from the door.

Further in Smith '343, by pulling the knob outward, the shaft engages a portion of the housing which prevents rotation of the shaft and thereby prevents movement of the deadbolt from the lock-out position. Again as in Smith '199, Smith '343 has the problem in that a mechanical rotational lockout effectuates the rotational lock-up of the shaft between the thumb turn handle and the key lock cylinder with the bolt assembly rotationally disposed therebetween, wherein if excessive rotational force is applied externally to the key lock, it could overcome the rotational lock which would breach the entire deadbolt lock, thus a better design would have the rotational dis-engagement of the key lock assembly thus allowing the key lock assembly to rotationally “free wheel” in relation to the bolt extension assembly and the thumb turn handle such that if excessive rotational force is applied to the key lock assembly to breach the dead bolt lock it would not matter.

Continuing in the deadbolt lock prior art, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,169 to Moore disclosed is a deadbolt manipulation adjunct and method that provides user selection between dual cylinder, single cylinder, and disabled modes, is capable of retrofitting on existing deadbolt structures, which maintains full deadbolt security while providing authorized user deadbolt operation between locked and unlocked positions via a thumb turn actuator to release the deadbolt in the case of an emergency. Moore '169 provides especially the emergency opening release of the key locked interior deadbolt type lock, wherein the dead bolt lock can be selectively set to function as a conventional non-key required interior thumb type turn handle to facilitate emergency exit situations wherein a key would not be easily available to open the dead bolt lock from inside the building structure.

Next in the dead bolt lock prior art area in U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,244 to Garza, et al., disclosed a lock assembly for use with a bolt movable from a retracted position to an extended position from outside the house. The lock assembly in Garza includes an exterior assembly and an interior assembly having an interior actuator manually operable to move the bolt extension between the retracted position and the extended position. The exterior assembly in Garza includes an exterior actuator manually operable to cause the bolt extension to move from the retracted position to the extended position and inoperable to move the bolt extension from the extended position to the retracted position. Thus the result in Garza is that the exterior portion of the dead bolt has an added actuator that functions to only lock the dead bolt without the need for a key.

Further in the dead bolt lock prior art area in U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,074 to Moore, disclosed is a conversion kit allows a user to convert a deadbolt lock mechanism into a pick proof deadbolt lock mechanism by providing all the necessary parts allowing a user to easily and effectively prevent the turn piece latch of the deadbolt lock mechanism from rotating. Once installed in Moore '074, a locking shaft pin of the kit can be placed into a first orifice drilled through the turn piece latch and a second orifice, coaxially aligned with the first orifice, drilled through the back plate to immobilize the turn piece latch in its locked position from the interior side of the dead bolt lock, further it would also allow a deadbolt manufacturer to use the same, in which case collars could be an O-ring style.

In Moore '074 there is the same issue as with Smith '199 and Smith '343 in that the problem is with the mechanical fixed rotational lockout via rod6, that effectuates the rotational lock-up of the shaft between the thumb turn handle and the key lock cylinder with the bolt assembly rotationally disposed and bolt extension assembly locked therebetween, wherein if excessive rotational force is applied externally to the key lock, it could overcome via rotationally overloading the rotational lock which would breach the entire deadbolt lock, thus again a better design would have the rotational dis-engagement of the key lock assembly thus allowing the key lock assembly to rotationally “free wheel” rotationally in relation to the bolt extension assembly and the thumb turn handle such that if excessive rotational force is applied to the key lock assembly to breach the dead bolt lock it would not matter toward breaching the dead bolt lock.

What is needed is a lock out mechanism that safely selectively dis-engages the key lock assembly from the bolt extension assembly from the interior side of the door such that the application of significant rotational force against the exterior key lock assembly with or without the correct key by a criminal does not have the opportunity to cause damage to the dead bolt lock as the rotationally disengaged key lock assembly is simply rotationally “freewheeling” via not offering any rotational resistance for the criminal to apply a force toward, that can potentially cause an element to fail within the dead bolt lock assembly. In summarizing the above mentioned prior art in the current state of the art in deadbolt locks that have various disengagement mechanisms, starting with Smith '199 whose patentability is in an inside pullout for the deadbolt extension lock, in Smith '343 whose patentability lays in a lockout mechanism (100) as an example to prevent accidental key disabling lockout, in Moore '169 whose patentability lays in having different locking options with a double ended key lock deadbolt lock assembly, in Garza whose patentability lays in the ability to activate (irreversibly) the key deactivation from the outside, and in Moore '074 whose patentability is in retrofitting existing installed dead bolt locks. So there are a number of differing approaches to adding dead bolt lock security with various advantages and disadvantages disclosed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention is a lock apparatus for selectively securing and un-securing a first article to a second article, the lock apparatus comprises a first element including a primary end portion and an opposing secondary end portion with a longitudinal axis spanning therebetween, the first element having a first element rotational engagement about the longitudinal axis to the first article. Further included in the lock apparatus is an extension beam including a first end portion and an opposing second end portion with a lengthwise axis spanning therebetween, the extension beam having an extension beam rotational engagement about the lengthwise axis to the first article, wherein the lengthwise axis and the longitudinal axis are coincident to one another, wherein the extension beam second end portion has a structure to selectively rotationally engage and disengage the first element secondary end portion.

Also included in the lock apparatus is a means to selectively engage and disengage the second article that is driven from the extension beam, wherein operationally the extension beam selectively rotationally engages the first element and the extension beam selectively engages and disengages the first article to the second article, thus resulting in the extension beam always being able to selectively engage and disengage the first article to the second article and the first element only having an ability to selectively engage and disengage the first article to the second article when the first element and the extension beam are selectively rotationally engaged to one another.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which;

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS

50Lock Apparatus55Dead bolt lock apparatus60First article65Door70Second article75Door frame80First element85Lock cylinder90Primary end portion of the first element8095Secondary end portion of the first element80100Longitudinal axis of the first element80105Rotational engagement about the longitudinal axis100of the first element80to the first article60110Primary end portion of the lock cylinder85115Secondary end portion of the lock cylinder85120Longitudinal axis of the lock cylinder85125Rotational engagement about the longitudinal axis120of the lock cylinder85to the door65130Extension beam135First end portion of the extension beam130145Second end portion of the extension beam130150Lengthwise axis of the extension beam130155Rotational engagement about the lengthwise axis150of the extension beam130to the first article60or door65160Co-incident position of the lengthwise axis150to the longitudinal axis100165Structure to selectively rotationally engage and disengage the first element80secondary end portion95or lock cylinder85secondary end portion115170Means to selectively engage and disengage the second article70that is driven from the extension beam130175Bolt extension assembly to selectively engage and disengage the door frame75that is driven from the extension beam130180Male portion of the structure165, shown as a “D” shaped profile wherein any other rotational drive profile would be acceptable185Female portion of the structure165, shown as a “D” shaped profile wherein any other rotational drive profile would be acceptable190Rotational engagement state of the male180and female185portion of the structure165facilitating rotational movement as between the extension beam130second end portion145to the first element80secondary end portion95195Rotational engagement state of the male180and female185portion of the structure165facilitating rotational movement as between the extension beam130second end portion145to the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115200Means for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another to disengage the rotational engagement state190as between the male180and female185portions into the rotationally disengaged state of the extension beam130second end portion145to the first element80secondary end portion95205Means for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another to disengage the rotational engagement state195as between the male180and female185portions into the rotationally disengaged state of the extension beam130second end portion145to the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115210Default bias toward the extension beam130second end portion145and the first element80secondary end portion95not being rotationally engaged in a rotationally disengaged state from the means200for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another215Default bias toward the extension beam130second end portion145and the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115not being rotationally engaged in a rotationally disengaged state from the means205for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another220Spring for the means200/205for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another225Twist lock assembly230Rotational engagement of the twist lock assembly225to the first article60235Rotational engagement of the twist lock assembly225to the door65240Rotational engagement of the twist lock assembly225to the extension beam130first end portion135245Rotational movement of the twist lock assembly225about the lengthwise axis150250First axial position of the twist lock assembly225255Free movement axial state of the twist lock assembly225260Means to removably lock the first axial position250265Fixed amount of rotation about the lengthwise axis150to unlock the twist lock assembly225from the first axial position250to the free movement axial state255270First extension element275Second extension element280Parallel position of the first270and second275extension elements to the lengthwise axis150285Retainer290Rotational engagement of the retainer285to the first270and second275extension elements295Affixed position of the retainer285to the first article60300Affixed position of the retainer285to the door65305Interlock axially of the first extension element270and the retainer285forming the first axial position250310Axially affixed position of the first270and second275extension elements to one another along the lengthwise axis150via an axial interface315Independent rotational movement about the lengthwise axis150as between the first270and second275extension elements320Rotational engagement of the second extension element275to the extension beam130first end portion135325Inner sleeve that can be partial sleeve and partial solid330Outer sleeve335Circular clip to axially connect the inner325and outer330sleeve to one another340Independent rotational movement as between the inner325and outer330sleeves345Thumbscrew type manual grasping point of the outer sleeve330350Lever type manual grasping point for the inner sleeve325355Turning the lever350manually about the lengthwise axis150that turns the extension beam130that subsequently causes the bolt extension assembly175to engage the door frame75thus operationally securing the door65to the door frame75360Turning the thumbscrew345manually about the lengthwise axis150to change from the first axial position lock250to the free movement axial state255, thus operationally disengaging the extension beam130from the lock cylinder85thus disabling the lock cylinder85from being able to disengage the bolt assembly175from the door frame75365Pushing manually the thumb screw345along the lengthwise axis150toward the lock cylinder85to engage the male180and female185portions thus taking the outer sleeve330from the free movement axial state255to the first axial position lock250with an additional manual turn of the lever350thus rotationally having the lock cylinder85engaged to the extension beam130that is engaged to the bolt extension assembly175

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference toFIG. 1shown is the exploded perspective view of the lock apparatus50minus the extension beam130for pictorial clarity to easily show the lock cylinder85with the primary90and secondary95end portions of the lock cylinder85, plus the longitudinal axis120of the lock cylinder85, also the bolt extension assembly175and the twist lock assembly225with a lever350are shown.

Continuing,FIG. 2shows an exploded perspective view of the lock apparatus50that includes the extension beam130with a lengthwise axis150of the extension beam130, the lock cylinder85with the primary90and secondary95end portions of the lock cylinder85, plus the longitudinal axis120of the lock cylinder85, also the bolt extension assembly175and the twist lock assembly225with a lever350are shown.

Further,FIG. 3shows an exploded perspective view of the lock apparatus50that includes the extension beam130with the lengthwise axis150of the extension beam130, the lock cylinder85with the primary90and secondary95end portions of the lock cylinder85. AlsoFIG. 3shows the longitudinal axis120of the lock cylinder85, also the bolt extension assembly175and the twist lock assembly225with the lever350are shown, wherein further included are the door65and door65with the lock cylinder85and the twist lock assembly225both rotationally engaged125,235to the door65plus the bolt extension assembly175that selectively355engages and disengages the door frame75.

Next,FIG. 4shows a side elevation view of extension beam130with the lengthwise axis150with a second end portion145male180structure165, plus the second end portion145female portion185of the structure165.FIG. 4also shows the structure165to rotationally engage and disengage the first element80secondary end portion95, further a means200,205for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another to disengage the rotational engagement state155,190,195as the not being rotationally engaged state210,215is shown.

Moving onward,FIG. 5shows a side elevation view of extension beam130with the lengthwise axis150with the second end portion145male180structure165, plus the second end portion145female portion185of the structure165. In addition,FIG. 5shows also with the structure165to rotationally engage and disengage the first element80secondary end portion95, further the means200,205for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another to disengage the rotational engagement state155,190,195as the being rotationally engaged state is shown190,195.

Continuing,FIG. 6shows an exploded perspective view of the extension beam130with the lengthwise axis150with the second end portion145male structure180, plus the second end portion145female portion185of the structure165.FIG. 6further shows the structure165to rotationally engage and disengage the first element80secondary end portion95shown as a “D” shaped profile for the male180and female185portions-however any other shape would be acceptable, further the means200,205for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another to disengage the rotational engagement state155,190,195as the not being rotationally engaged state is shown210,215.

Next,FIG. 7shows an exploded perspective view that is reversed fromFIG. 6, whereinFIG. 7shows the extension beam130with the lengthwise axis150with the second end portion145male structure180, plus the second end portion145female portion185of the structure165. In additionFIG. 7, also shows the structure165to rotationally engage and disengage the first element80secondary end portion95shown as the “D” shaped profile for the male180and female185portions-however any other shape would be acceptable, further the means200,205for urging the male180and female185portion apart from one another to disengage the rotational engagement state155,190,195as the not being rotationally engaged state is shown210,215.

Further,FIG. 8shows a side elevation view of the twist lock assembly225that includes the lengthwise axis150, the lever350, a thumbscrew345, a retainer285, a first extension element270outer sleeve330, a second extension element275inner partial sleeve325, and a means260to removably lock the first axial position250. In addition,FIG. 8shows a first axial position state250being shown, also shown is the axially affixed position state310of the first270and second275extension elements to one another along the lengthwise axis150via an axial interface305that is preferably a circular clip335, noting that the first270and second275extension elements have free rotation movement315to one another about the lengthwise axis150.

Continuing,FIG. 9shows an end elevation view of the twist lock assembly225that includes the lengthwise axis150, the retainer285, the first extension element270outer sleeve330, the second extension element275inner partial sleeve325, and the means260to removably lock the first axial position250.FIG. 9also shows the first axial position state250being shown, also the axially affixed position state310of the first270and second275extension elements to one another along the lengthwise axis150via the axial interface305that is preferably the circular clip335, noting that the first270and second275extension elements have free rotation movement315to one another about the lengthwise axis150.

Moving onward,FIG. 10shows a side elevation view of the twist lock assembly225that includes the lengthwise axis150, the lever350, the thumbscrew345, the retainer285, the first extension element270outer sleeve330, the second extension element275inner partial sleeve325, the means260to removably lock the first axial position250. FurtherFIG. 10also shown is the free movement axial position state255of the first270and second275extension elements to the retainer285, further shown is the axially affixed position state310of the first270and second275extension elements to one another along the lengthwise axis150via the axial interface305that is preferably the circular clip335, noting that the first270and second275extension elements have free rotation movement315to one another about the lengthwise axis150.

Further,FIG. 11shows an end elevation view of the twist lock assembly225that includes the lengthwise axis150, the retainer285, the first extension element270outer sleeve330, the second extension element275inner partial sleeve325, the means260to removably lock the first axial position250. WhereinFIG. 11also shows the free movement axial position state255is shown, also shown is the axially affixed position state310of the first270and second275extension elements to one another along the lengthwise axis150via the axial interface305that is preferably the circular clip335, noting that the first270and second275extension elements have free rotation movement315to one another about the lengthwise axis150.

Broadly, in referring toFIGS. 1 to 11, the present invention is of the lock apparatus50selectively securing and un-securing the first article60to the second article70, the lock apparatus50comprises the first element80including the primary end portion90and the opposing secondary end portion95with the longitudinal axis100spanning therebetween, the first element80having a first element80rotational engagement105about the longitudinal axis100to the first article60, seeFIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Further included in the lock apparatus50is the extension beam130including the first end portion135and the opposing second end portion145with the lengthwise axis150spanning therebetween, the extension beam130having the extension beam130rotational engagement155about the lengthwise axis150to the first article60, wherein the lengthwise axis150and the longitudinal axis100are coincident160to one another, seeFIG. 3in particular and alsoFIG. 2. Wherein the extension beam130second end portion145has structure165to selectively rotationally engage and disengage the first element80secondary end portion95, seeFIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Also included in the lock apparatus50is the means170to selectively engage and disengage the second article70that is driven from the extension beam130, wherein operationally the extension beam130selectively rotationally engages the first element80and the extension beam130selectively engages and disengages the first article60to the second article70, thus resulting in the extension beam130always being able to selectively engage and disengage the first article60to the second article70and the first element80only having an ability to selectively engage and disengage the first article60to the second article70when the first element80and the extension beam130are selectively rotationally engaged190to one another, see in particularFIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7in particular, plusFIGS. 2 and 3.

An option for the lock apparatus50, wherein the structure165is preferably constructed of the male portion180that is received in the female portion185that includes the means200for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another to operationally cause the default bias210toward the extension beam130second end portion145and the first element80secondary end portion95not being rotationally engaged, see in particularFIGS. 4, 6, and 7, wherein manual effort365is required to overcome the default bias210to rotationally engage190the extension beam130second end portion145and the first element80secondary end portion95, seeFIG. 5in particular and alsoFIGS. 8 and 10.

Alternatively, for the lock apparatus50, the male portion180is preferably disposed on the extension beam130second end portion145and the female portion185is preferably disposed on the first element80secondary end portion95, as best shown inFIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Further, optionally for the lock apparatus50, the means for urging200is preferably constructed of a spring220that is disposed within the female portion185to operationally have the urging movement210along the longitudinal axis120, see in particularFIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Another alternative for the lock apparatus50, can further comprise a twist lock assembly225that is rotationally engaged230to the first article60, the twist lock assembly225is rotationally engaged240to the extension beam130first end portion135, the twist lock assembly225having rotational movement245about the lengthwise axis150, the twist lock assembly225also having a means260to removably lock the first axial position250along the lengthwise axis150and use a fixed amount of rotation265about the lengthwise axis150to unlock the first axial position250to the free movement axial state255along the lengthwise axis150, seeFIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11. Wherein operationally the twist lock assembly225facilitates the structure165to rotationally engage the first element80secondary end portion95and the extension beam130second end portion145to one another in the first axial position250and to disengage the rotational engagement190at the first element80secondary end portion95and the extension beam130second end portion145when in the free movement axial state255, seeFIGS. 8 and 10in particular.

As a continuing alternative for the lock apparatus50, wherein the twist lock assembly225further comprises the first extension element270and the second extension element275that are both parallel280to the lengthwise axis150and the retainer285that is rotationally engaged290to the first270and second275extension elements and affixed295to the first article60, wherein the first extension element270selectively axially interlocks305with the retainer285to form the first axial position250, seeFIGS. 8 and 9, and the first extension element270selectively unlocks with the retainer285to form the free movement axial state255, seeFIGS. 10 and 11. Wherein the first270and second275extension elements are axially affixed310to one another along the lengthwise axis150via an axial interface that allows independent rotational movement315about the lengthwise axis150as between the first270and second275extension elements, wherein the second extension element275is rotationally engaged to the extension beam130first end portion135, seeFIGS. 8 and 10. This is to operationally allow selective rotational engagement190and disengagement200,210as between the second extension element275and said first element80secondary end portion95allowing independent engagement190of the means170to selectively engage and disengage the second article70via the second extension element275, seeFIGS. 8 to 11,FIGS. 4 to 7, andFIGS. 2 and 3.

As a further alternative for the lock apparatus50, wherein the first270and second275extension elements are preferably constructed of an inner325and an outer330sleeve, wherein the first extension element270is the outer sleeve330and the second extension element275is the inner sleeve325, the inner325and outer330sleeves are axially connected310through the circular clip335that affixes the inner325and outer330sleeves axially while allowing independent rotational movement340as between the inner325and outer330sleeves about the lengthwise axis150, seeFIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11.

A continuing alternative for the lock apparatus50, wherein the outer sleeve330further comprises a thumbscrew345type manual grabbing point and the inner sleeve325further comprises a lever350type manual grasping point to manually effectuate rotational motion355about the lengthwise axis150of the inner325and outer330sleeves, again seeFIGS. 8, 9, 10, and11.

Again broadly looking atFIGS. 1 to 11for the dead bolt lock apparatus55for selectively securing and un-securing the door65to the door frame75, the lock apparatus55comprises the lock cylinder85including the primary end portion110and the opposing secondary end portion115with the longitudinal axis120spanning therebetween, the lock cylinder85having a rotational engagement125about the longitudinal axis120to the door65, as best shown inFIGS. 1 to 3.

Further included in the dead bolt apparatus55is the extension beam130including the first end portion135and the opposing second end portion145with the lengthwise axis150spanning therebetween, the extension beam130having the extension beam130rotational engagement about the lengthwise axis150to the lock cylinder85, wherein the lengthwise axis150and the longitudinal axis100are coincident160to one another, wherein the extension beam130second end portion145has structure165to selectively rotationally engage and disengage the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115, as best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, plusFIGS. 4 to 7.

Also included in the dead bolt apparatus55is the bolt extension assembly175to selectively engage and disengage the door frame75that is driven from the extension beam130, wherein operationally the extension beam130selectively rotationally engages165the lock cylinder85and the extension beam130selectively175engages and disengages the door65to the door frame75, thus resulting in the extension beam130always being able to selectively175engage and disengage the door65to the door frame75and the lock cylinder85only having an ability to selectively engage and disengage the door65to the door frame75when the lock cylinder85and the extension beam130are selectively rotationally engaged195to one another, as best shown inFIGS. 4 to 7, also seeFIGS. 2 and 3.

An option for the lock apparatus55, wherein the structure165is preferably constructed of the male portion180that is received in the female portion185that includes the means205for urging the male180and female185portions apart from one another to operationally cause the default bias215toward the extension beam130second end portion145and the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115not being rotationally engaged205, wherein manual effort365is required to overcome the default bias215to rotationally engage195the extension beam130second end portion145and the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115, all as best shown inFIGS. 4 to 7, plusFIGS. 8 and 10.

Another option for the lock apparatus55wherein the male portion180is preferably disposed on the extension beam130second end portion145and the female portion185is preferably disposed on the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115, as best shown inFIGS. 4 to 7.

A further option for the lock apparatus55wherein the means205for urging is preferably constructed of a spring220that is disposed within the female portion185to operationally have the urging movement215along the longitudinal axis120, again seeFIGS. 4 to 7.

Alternatively for the lock apparatus55can further comprise the twist lock assembly225that is rotationally engaged235to the door65, also the twist lock assembly225is rotationally engaged240to the extension beam130first end portion135, wherein the twist lock assembly225having rotational movement245about the lengthwise axis150, seeFIGS. 8 to 11. Also the twist lock assembly225having the means260to removably lock the first axial position250along the lengthwise axis150and use the fixed amount of rotation265about the lengthwise axis150to unlock the first axial position250to the free movement axial state255along the lengthwise axis150, see againFIGS. 8 to 11.

Wherein operationally the twist lock assembly225facilitates the structure165to rotationally engage the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115and the extension beam130second end portion145to one another in the first axial position250and to disengage the rotational engagement195at the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115and the extension beam130second end portion145when in the free movement axial state255, again seeFIGS. 4 to 7.

A further alternative for the lock apparatus55wherein the twist lock assembly225further comprises the first extension element270and the second extension element275that are both parallel280to the lengthwise axis150and the retainer285that is rotationally engaged290to the first270and second275extension elements and affixed295to the door65, wherein the first extension element270selectively axially interlocks305with the retainer285to form the first axial position250, seeFIGS. 8 and 9, and the first extension element270selectively unlocks with the retainer285to form the free movement axial state255, seeFIGS. 10 and 11.

Wherein the first270and second275extension elements are axially affixed310to one another along the lengthwise axis150via an axial interface that allows independent rotational movement315about the lengthwise axis150as between the first270and second275extension elements, wherein the second extension element275is rotationally engaged to the extension beam130first end portion135, seeFIGS. 8 and 10. This is to operationally allow selective rotational engagement195and disengagement205,210as between the second extension element275and the lock cylinder85secondary end portion115allowing independent engagement195of the bolt extension assembly175to selectively engage and disengage the door frame75via the second extension element275, seeFIGS. 8 to 11,FIGS. 4 to 7, andFIGS. 2 and 3.

Another alternative for the lock apparatus55, wherein the first270and second275extension elements are preferably constructed of the inner325and the outer sleeve330, wherein the first extension element270is the outer sleeve330and the second extension element275is the inner sleeve325, the inner325and outer330sleeves are axially connected310through the circular clip335that affixes the inner325and outer330sleeves axially while allowing independent rotational movement340as between the inner325and outer330sleeves that are co-axial to one another about the lengthwise axis150, seeFIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11.

A continuing alternative for the lock apparatus55, wherein the outer sleeve330further comprises the thumbscrew345type manual grabbing point and the inner sleeve325further comprises the lever350type manual grasping point to manually effectuate rotational motion355about the lengthwise axis150of the inner325and outer330sleeves, seeFIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11.

Method of Use

Looking atFIGS. 2 to 11, a method is disclosed for using the dead bolt lock apparatus55for selectively securing and un-securing the door65to a door frame75, comprising the steps of firstly providing the dead bolt lock apparatus55as previously described. Secondly, a step of turning355the lever350manually about the lengthwise axis150that turns the extension beam130that subsequently causes the bolt extension assembly175to engage into the door frame75thus operationally securing the door65to the door frame75, as best shown inFIGS. 2, 3, 8, and 10.

Thirdly a step of turning360the thumbscrew345manually about the lengthwise axis150to change from the first axial position lock250to the free movement axial state255, thus operationally disengaging the extension beam130from the lock cylinder85, thus disabling the lock cylinder85from being able to disengage the bolt extension assembly175from the door frame75, seeFIGS. 8 to 11, plusFIGS. 4 to 7, and furtherFIGS. 2 and 3.

Further as an option for the method for using the dead bolt lock apparatus55, wherein the turning360the thumb screw345third step is reversed to moving manually or preferably pushing manually365the thumb screw345along the lengthwise axis150toward the lock cylinder85to engage the male180and female185portions thus taking the outer sleeve330from the free movement axial state255to the first axial position lock250with an additional manual turn of the lever350thus rotationally having the lock cylinder85rotationally engaged to the extension beam130that is rotationally engaged to the bolt extension assembly175, seeFIGS. 8 to 11.

Conclusion

Accordingly, the present invention of a lock apparatus has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though; that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so modifications of the changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained therein.