Patent Publication Number: US-2021180360-A1

Title: Quick install method and apparatus for door locks

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a lock apparatus and more particularly, but not exclusively to a method for assembling a lock apparatus to a door or the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Lock mechanisms with lever actuators are connected to movable structures such as doors or windows and the like to prevent unauthorized opening of the structure. Typically, lock mechanisms require fasteners to install portions thereof to either side of the movable structure. Some prior art lock mechanisms can be difficult and/or time consuming to install. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lock apparatus with a device to secure a fastener to a housing. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for releasably holding a fastener to a housing during assembly with an opposing housing on an opposite side of a door. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the lock assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a pivot clamp device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a portion of the pivot clamp device assembled with an inner housing; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the inner housing of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the inner housing of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the inner housing with pivot clamp devices in an open position; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the inner housing with pivot clamp devices in a closed position; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of an inner housing for the lock assembly of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the inner housing of  FIG. 10  with fasteners and retaining clips assembled therewith; 
         FIG. 12A  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12B  is a perspective view of a slide clamp for the lock assembly of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12C  is a side view of a portion of the slide clamp connected to an inner housing for the lock assembly of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12D  is a top plan view of an inner housing with slide clamps in an open position; 
         FIG. 12E  is a top plan view of the inner housing with slide clamps in a closed position; 
         FIG. 13A  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of a pivot plate for the lock assembly of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 13C  is a perspective view of an inner housing for the lock assembly of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 13D  is a top plan view of the inner housing with pivot plates in an open position; 
         FIG. 13E  is a top plan view of the inner housing with pivot plates in a closed position; 
         FIG. 14A  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of a slide plate for the lock assembly of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 14C  is a perspective view of an inner housing for the lock assembly of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 14D  is a top plan view of the inner housing with slide plates in an open position; 
         FIG. 14E  is a top plan view of an inner housing with slide plates in a closed position; 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15B  is a perspective view of a turn plate for the lock assembly of  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 15C  is a perspective view of a fastener with the turn plate of  FIG. 15B  assembled therewith; 
         FIG. 15D  is a perspective view of an inner housing for the lock assembly of  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 15E  is a top plan view of an inner housing with fasteners in an open position; and 
         FIG. 15F  is a top plan view of an inner housing with fasteners in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a lock assembly  10  according to the present disclosure is illustrated therein. The lock assembly  10  can be configured for a door  20  or similar moveable structures that are selectively locked to fixed structures. The lock assembly  10  can include an inner trim assembly  30 , a latch assembly  40 , and an outer trim assembly  50 . The inner trim assembly  30  can include an inner plate  60  operably connected between the door  20  and an inner housing  62 . In some forms, the inner housing  62  can be a spring cage housing, however, the inner housing  62  in this embodiment as well as other disclosed embodiments are not limited as such. An inner lever or handle  68  can be connected to the inner housing  62  after the inner and outer housing  62 ,  100  are connected to the door  20 . An escutcheon rose  64  may be positioned around the inner housing  62 . The latch assembly  40  can include one or more latches  80  and a latch plate  82  connected to fixed structure (not shown) as is commonly known to those skilled in the art. 
     The outer trim assembly  50  can include a lock mechanism  90  that is operable to lock and unlock the door  20 . An outer lever  92  can be connected through an outer housing  100  and the lock mechanism  90  to the inner handle  68 . The lock mechanism  90  can include mechanical locking mechanisms as well as electronic mechanisms including electronic controllers, sensors and motors as is known to those skilled in the art. A key  94  can be used to unlock the lock mechanism  10  as is conventional. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the inner plate  60  can be fastened to the inner housing  62  via first and second plate screws  202  prior to assembly to the door  20 . First and second plate screws  202  can extend through apertures  113  of the inner plate  60  and into receiving bores (not shown) within the inner housing  62 . The inner plate  60  can be attached to the inner housing  62  using other methods such as, without limitation, retaining rings, pins, riveting, staking, crimping, gluing, brazing, press-fitting or welding. The outer housing  100  can include one or more bosses  110  configured to threadingly receive a fastener  70  therein before assembly to the door  20 . Each fastener  70  can include a threaded shank  71  with a head  73  formed at one end thereof. Each fastener  70  can be pre-threaded into the boss  110  a desired amount and then positioned through the door  20  ( FIG. 1 ) such that the head  73  extends through an aperture  112  in the inner plate  60  and an aperture  114  in the inner housing  62 . The fasteners  70  can be fixed to the inner housing  62  with a pivot clamp  72 . The pivot clamp  72  permits the inner and outer housings  62 ,  100  to be quickly fastened to the door without positioning a fastener  70  through the inner housing  62  and then threading the fastener  70  into the outer housing  100 . After closing the pivot clamp  72  about the head  73  of the fastener  70 , the fastener  70  will be trapped and prevented from being removed from the inner housing  62 . The screws  70  are then tightened to clamp the lock assembly  10  to the door  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an enlarged perspective view of the pivot clamp device  72  is illustrated therein. The pivot clamp device  72  can include a top wall  120  extending between a first side  122  and a second side  124 . A first side wall  126  extends from the first side  122  of the top wall  120  and a second side wall  128  extends from the second side  124  of the top wall  120 . The second side wall  128  can include a leg extension  130  that includes a pivot hinge aperture  132  formed therethrough. The pivot hinge aperture  132  is pivotably connectable to the inner housing  62  (see  FIG. 2 ) so as to lockingly engage with a fastener  70  (see  FIG. 2 ) when pivoted to a closed position. 
     The first side wall  126  includes an inner surface  140  and an outer surface  142 . The second side wall  128  includes an inner surface  144  and an outer surface  146 . A first slot  150  can be formed within the first side wall  126 . The first slot  150  can include a counterbore feature  158  formed in the outer surface  142  thereof to accommodate a portion of a head  73  of a fastener  70 . The slot  150  can include first and second legs  153 , 155  spaced apart so as to receive a portion of a fastener  70  therethrough. The legs  153 , 155  can extend to an arcuate portion  152  positioned therebetween that defines a shape suitable to receive a portion of the shank  71  of fastener  70 . 
     The second side wall  128  can include a slot  154  having a first leg  157  spaced apart from a second leg  159  to provide a space for a portion of the shank  71  of a fastener  70  to slidingly engage therethrough. An arcuate portion  156  can extend between the first and second leg  157 ,  159  to define a shape suitable for receiving a portion of the fastener  70  therethrough. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a partial cross-sectional view of the inner housing  62  is shown with a fastener  70  assembled with and the pivot clamp device  72  connecting to the fastener  70 . A portion of the pivot clamp device  72  is removed in this cross-sectional view to show the first side wall  126  and the second side wall  128  clamped about portions of the shank  71  of the fastener  70 . The counterbore  158  of the pivot clamp device  72  can receive a portion of the head  73  of the fastener  70  to prevent rotation of the pivot clamp device  72  once the screw  70  is tightened to clamp the lock assembly  10  to the door  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a top perspective view of the inner housing  62  having a pocket connection region  170  is illustrated. The pocket connection region  170  can include a rib  172  that extends across a portion thereof. The rib  172  having opposing sides  173 ,  175  can be positioned such that the first side wall  126  and the second side wall  128  of the pivot clamp device  72  will engage about either of the opposing sides  173 ,  175  when the pivot clamp device  72  is closed. An aperture  174  is formed through the pocket connection region  170  and is configured to receive a portion of the fastener  70  therethrough during assembly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a bottom perspective view of the inner housing  62  is illustrated. The pocket connection region  170  includes a pivot pin  176  extending therefrom so as to form a pivot connection for the pivot hinge aperture  132  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the pivot clamp device  72 . The pivot clamp device  72  pivots about the pivot pin  176  between open and closed positions. The pivot clamp device  72  is held in position on the pivot pin  176  by the plate  60  which is fastened to the housing  62  by the plate screws  202 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the inner housing  62  includes an outer perimeter wall  178  extending thereabout. When the pivot clamp device  72  is in an open position, the fastener  70  can slidingly engage through the aperture  174  of the inner housing  62 . After the fastener  70  is positioned through the aperture  174 , the pivot clamp device  72  can be pivoted to a closed position under the head  73  of the fastener  70  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The fastener  70  is then tightened into the counterbore  158  of the pivot clamp device  72  to prevent rotation of the pivot clamp device  72  and to clamp the lock assembly  10  to the door  20 . In the open position, the pivot clamp device  72  extends outward of the outer perimeter wall  178 . This feature provides a fail-safe assembly method because the escutcheon rose  64  (see  FIG. 1 ) is prevented from being positioned over the inner housing  62  when the pivot clamp device  72  is open. In a closed position, the top wall  120  of the pivot clamp device  72  is positioned within the footprint of the outer perimeter wall  178 , and thus will permit the escutcheon rose  64  to be assembled with the inner housing  62 . The pivot clamp device  72  may form a press fit between the first and second side walls  126 ,  128  (see  FIG. 3 ) and the opposing sides  173 ,  175  of the rib  172  of the pocket connection region  170  to hold the pivot clamp device  72  in the closed position until the head  73  of the fastener  70  is tightened into the counterbore  158  of the pivot clamp device  72  to prevent rotation of the pivot clamp device  72  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly  200  according to another embodiment is illustrated therein. The lock assembly  200  includes many of the same features of the lock assembly  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), and certain of those features will not be further discussed in this embodiment or other embodiments disclosed herein. The lock assembly  200  includes an inner housing  62   a  and an inner plate  60  similar to that illustrated in the previous embodiment. One or more fasteners  70  can extend through an aperture  230  formed through the inner housing  62   a  and can be held in place with a retainer ring  210  while assembling the inner housing  62   a  to an outer housing  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) on opposing side of a door  20 . The retainer ring  210  can include an outer rim  212  and an intermittent inner rim  214  radially inward of the outer rim  212 . The inner rim  214  is formed with a plurality of tabs  218  that define a through aperture  216  therewith. The tabs  218  project radially inward from the outer rim  212  and may include a slot  220  formed between each adjacent pair of tabs  218  to permit flexibility and tolerance capability when assembling a fastener  70  through the inner rim  214 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a bottom perspective view of the inner housing  62   a  that is configured for use with the lock assembly  200  is illustrated therein. The inner housing  62   a  can include a retainer pocket  240  formed about the apertures  230  and is configured to hold a retainer ring  210  (not shown) therein. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the inner housing  62   a  with the inner plate  60  assembled thereto. A fastener  70  is positioned through each of the apertures  230  and a corresponding retainer ring  210  configured to hold the fastener  70  during assembly of the lock assembly  200  with a door  20 . The retainer rings  210  are operable for holding the fasteners  70  in a desired location relative to the inner housing  62   a  prior to assembly with the outer housing  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). The fasteners  70  extend from the inner housing  62   a  such that they can then be inserted through a door  20  and into an outer housing  100  when the inner housing  62   a  is installed with the door  20 . Because the fasteners  70  are set in a pre-assembly position with respect to the inner housing  62   a , they can be readily inserted into a threaded boss receiver  110  in the outer housing  100 . In this manner, a simplified method is provided for installing the lock assembly  200  to the door  20 . 
     Referring now generally to  FIGS. 12A-12E , an exploded perspective view of a portion of another lock assembly  300  is illustrated. The lock assembly  300  can include a slide clamp  310  operable to releasably hold a fastener  70  in position with respect to an inner housing  62   b . The slide clamp  310  (best seen in  FIG. 12B ) can include a top wall  320  extending laterally from a first side  322  to a second side  324 . A first side wall  326  can extend from the first side  322  of the top wall  320  and a second side wall  328  can extend from the second side  324  of the top wall  320 . In one form, the first and second side walls  326 ,  328  can be substantially parallel to one another, however, in other forms the two side walls  326 ,  328  may be formed with an angle sufficient to provide for a press fit connection between the slide clamp  310  and a rib  372  (see  FIG. 12A ) of the inner housing  62   b  when the slide clamp  310  is in a closed position. The second side wall  328  can include a first leg  330   a  and a second leg  330   b  spaced apart from one another along a length of the top wall  320 . A first guide slot  332   a  can be formed through a portion of the first leg  330   a  and a second guide slot  332   b  can be formed through a portion of the second leg  330   b . The first and second guide slots  332   a ,  332   b  extend between first and second ends  382  and  384 , respectively. 
     The first side wall  326  can include an inner surface  340  and an opposing outer surface  342  formed on either side thereof. The second side wall  328  can include an inner surface  344  and an outer surface  346  formed on opposing sides thereof. A first fastener slot  352  can be formed in the first side wall  326  to permit a shank  71  of a fastener  70  to slidingly engage therewith during installation. The first fastener slot  352  can include a first leg  353  spaced apart from a second leg  355  on either side thereof. An arcuate portion  357  extends between the first and second legs  353 ,  355  to form a shape suitable for receiving a shank  71  of the fastener  70 . A counterbore feature  358  can be formed in the outer surface  342  thereof to accommodate a portion of a head  73  of a fastener  70 . A second fastener slot  354  can be formed in the second side wall  328  to provide a region for the fastener  70  to slidingly engage therewith during installation. The second fastener slot  354  can include a first leg portion  360  spaced apart from a second leg portion  362  with an arcuate portion  364  extending therebetween to form a shape suitable for receiving a shank  71  of the fastener  70 . 
     A pair of protrusions  370  can extend from a pocket connection region  380  of the inner housing  62   b . The protrusions  370  are configured to engage within the guide slots  332   a ,  332   b  of the slide clamp  310  and operate to provide a guide and an end of travel abutment when either end  382 ,  384  of the guide slots  332   a ,  332   b  engages with the protrusions  370 . The protrusions  370  can be created by pressing spring pins into holes in the inner housing  62   b  after assembly of the slide clamp  310  to the inner housing  62   b . The slide clamp  310  is shown in an open position in  FIG. 12D . In the open position, a head  73  of the fastener  70  can be positioned through the aperture  340  (see  FIG. 12C ) of the inner housing  62   b . The slide clamp  310  can be moved radially inward to releasably lock the fastener  70  with respect to the inner housing  62   b  as shown in  FIG. 12E . When the slide clamp  310  is open, the top wall  320  extends radially outward from an outer perimeter  378  of the inner housing  62   b  so as to prevent the escutcheon rose  64  from being installed therewith in similar fashion to other disclosed embodiments. In this manner, the slide clamp  310  provides a safety feature to prevent the lock assembly  300  from being assembled improperly. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13A-13E , an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly  400  according to another embodiment is illustrated therein. The lock assembly  400  includes one or more pivot plates  410  operable to releasably connect one or more fasteners  70  to an inner housing  62   c  after passing through an inner plate  60 . The one or more fasteners  70  can be threaded into the outer housing  100  (see  FIG. 2 ) prior to insertion through the door  20  and the inner housing  62   c.    
     The pivot plate  410  includes a first detent hole  420   a  spaced apart from a second detent hole  420   b  so as to provide semi-fixed positions of the pivot plate  410  in one of an open position and a closed position with respect to the inner housing  62   c . The pivot plate  410  can include a slot  430  positioned proximate one end of the pivot plate  410  and a pivot aperture  432  formed at an opposing end thereof. The slot  430  can be defined by first and second opposing legs  433 ,  434  with an arcuate wall  436  extending between the legs  433 ,  434  to provide space for a fastener  70  to engage herein. A counterbore  438  can be formed on one side of the pivot plate  410  about the slot  430  so as to provide a space for the head of the fastener  70  to engage therein. The counterbore  438  can be shaped to prevent rotation of the pivot plate  410  once the fastener  70  is tightened into the counterbore  438  to clamp the lock assembly  400  to the door  20 . 
     The inner housing  62   c  includes a pocket connection region  470  for the pivot plate  410  to pivotably engage therewith. A pivot pin  471  extends from the pocket connection region  470  and into the pivot aperture  432  of the pivot plate  410 . The end of the pivot pin  471  can be deformed after assembly of the pivot plate  470  in order to attach the pivot plate  470  to the inner housing  62   c . A detent bump or protrusion  472  extends from the pocket connection region  470  so as to engage with one of the detent holes  420   a  or  420   b  when the pivot plate  410  is in an open or closed position. When the detent bump  472  is positioned in detent hole  420   a , the pivot plate  410  is held in an open position and when the detent bump  472  is engaged with the detent hole  420   b , the pivot plate  410  is held in a closed position. The detent bump  472  provides enough resistance to hold the pivot plate  410  in a fixed position until the pivot plate  410  is intentionally moved from one of the open or closed positions. Similar to other embodiments, the pivot plate  410  extends outside of an outer perimeter wall  478  of the inner housing  62   c  in the open position which is effective to prevent complete assembly of the lock apparatus  400  prior to closing the pivot plates  410 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14A-14E , an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly  500  according to another embodiment, is illustrated therein. The lock assembly  500  includes at least one slide plate  510  operable for holding a fastener  70  with respect to an inner housing  62   d . Each fastener  70  can be threadingly engaged with the outer housing  100  and then extend through the aperture  112  in inner plate  60  and through an aperture  574  formed in the inner housing  62   d , when the slide plate  510  is in an open position. The slide plate  510  includes a first elongate groove  532   a  and a second elongate groove  532   b  formed on either side thereof. Each of the elongate grooves  532   a ,  532   b  include first and second ends  534 ,  536  that operate as abutments or end stops to limit travel of the slide plate  510 . The slide plate  510  further includes first and second detent holes  520   a  and  520   b  formed between the elongate grooves  532   a ,  532   b . A slot  550  is configured to receive a portion of a fastener  70  that has passed through the aperture  574  of the inner housing  62   d . The slot  550  is defined by first and second spaced apart legs  552 ,  554  with an arcuate portion  556  extending therebetween. A counterbore  558  configured to receive a portion of a head  73  of the fastener  70  can be formed about the slot  550 . The counterbore  558  can be configured to prevent the slide plate  510  from sliding once the fastener  70  is tightened into the counterbore  558  to clamp the lock assembly  500  to the door  20 . 
     The pocket connection region  570  is formed with the inner housing  62   d . The pocket connection region  570  can include a detent protrusion  572  extending therefrom. The detent protrusion  572  is configured to engage with the detent holes  520   a  and  520   b  so that the slide plate  510  will remain in either an open position or closed position, respectively, without intentional movement of the slide plate  510 . 
     First and second slide pins  576   a  and  576   b  extend from the pocket connection region  570  on either side of the detent bump  572 . The slide pins  576   a  and  576   b  are configured to engage through a portion of each of the first and second grooves  532   a ,  532   b  to provide a guide for the slide plate  510 . The ends of the slide pins  576   a  and  576   b  can be deformed after assembly of the slide plate  510  to attach the slide plate  510  to the inner housing  62 . In the open position, a top portion  512  of the slide plate  510  is positioned outside of the outer perimeter  578  of the inner housing  62   d  so that the fasteners  70  can be passed through the apertures of the inner housing  62   d  as shown in  FIG. 14D . When the slide plate  510  is open, the escutcheon rose  64  cannot be assembled with the inner housing  62   d  as shown in  FIG. 14D . The slide plate  510  can then be moved to the closed position which will releasably lock the fastener  70  with respect to the housing  62   d . When the slide plate  510  is in a closed position, the top portion  512  of the slide plate  510  is positioned within the outer perimeter  578  of the inner housing  62   d  so that the escutcheon rose  64  can be positioned over the inner housing  62   d.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15A-15F , an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lock assembly  600  according to another embodiment is illustrated therein. The lock assembly  600  includes a turn plate  610  that is positioned on a threaded fastener  70  adjacent a head  73  thereof. The turn plate  610  may be attached to the fastener  70  via mechanical connection such as, without limitation, staking or deformation of the shank of the fastener  610  to retain the turn plate  610  axially, but still allow the turn plate  610  to rotate relative to the fastener  70 . The turn plate  610  is configured to slide through an elongate aperture  620  formed in an inner plate  60   b  and through a turn aperture  650  formed in an inner housing  62   e . When the turn plate  610  is in open position the shape of the slots  620 ,  650  permit the turn plate  610  to slide through the inner plate  60   b  and the inner housing  62   e . After passing through the slots  620 ,  650 , the turn plate  610  can be rotated 90 degrees to lock the turn plate  610  with respect to the inner housing  62   e . In operation, the fasteners  70  are threadingly engaged to the outer housing  100  on an opposing side of a door  20  prior to sliding the head  73  and the turn plate  610  through the slots  620 ,  650  of the inner plate  60   b  and the inner housing  62   e , respectively. 
     The turn plate  610  (best seen in  FIG. 15B ) is defined by a ring  612  that is shaped to receive a shank  71  of the fastener  70  therethrough. A first ear  614  and a second ear  616  extend outwardly from the ring  612 . The inner housing  62   e  includes a pocket region  670  with the turn aperture  650  formed therethrough. The turn aperture  650  includes an aperture width  652  and an aperture height  654 . The aperture width  652  is larger than the aperture height  654  thereby permitting the ears  614 ,  616  of the turn plate  610  to extend therethrough when aligned with the width  652 . When the ears  614 ,  616  are rotated 90 degrees the turn plate  610  cannot slide back through the turn aperture  650  and thus lock the fasteners  70  to the inner housing  62   e . A first stop pin  676   a  and a second stop pin  676   b  project outward from the pocket connection region  670  on opposing sides of the turn aperture  650 . The stop pins  676   a ,  676   b  help align the turn plate  610  with the aperture height  654  while the fastener  70  is tightened to clamp the lock assembly  600  to the door  20 .  FIG. 15E  shows the turn plate  610  in an open position such that the fastener  70  can be passed through the aperture  650  in the inner housing  62   e .  FIG. 15F  shows the turn plate  610  in a closed position after rotating 90 degrees such that the ears  614 ,  616  interfere with the aperture height  654  (see  FIG. 15D ) of the turn aperture  650  to prevent unintended removal of the fastener  70  from the inner housing  62   e.    
     One aspect of the present disclosure includes a lock assembly comprising: an inner housing positionable on one side of a structure; an outer housing positionable on an opposing side of the structure; a pocket connection region having an aperture formed through a wall of the inner housing; a fastener extendable through the aperture; a clamp device connected to the pocket connection region of the inner housing; wherein the clamp device pivots or slides between first and second positions; and wherein a head of a fastener freely passes through the aperture when the clamp device is in the first position and the head of the fastener is prevented from passing through the aperture when the clamp device is in the second position. 
     In refining aspects, the lock assembly includes a clamp device wherein the clamp device includes a top wall extending between first and second sidewalls; the clamp device comprising a hinge aperture formed in one of the first and second sidewalls of the clamp device; a pivot pin extending from a wall of the inner housing proximate the pocket connection region configured to connect with the hinge aperture of the clamp device; a rib extending through the pocket connection region of the inner housing; wherein the rib includes first and second opposing side walls to form a portion of the pocket connection region; wherein a width of the top wall of the clamp device is sized to provide a press fit between the side walls of the clamp device and the opposing sidewalls of the rib; wherein the press fit provides a resistance to unintentional pivoting of the clamp device from the second position to the first position; wherein the clamp device includes a first slot in the first side wall and a second slot in the second side wall; further comprising a counterbore formed with one of the first and second slots; wherein the counterbore is sized to receive a head of the fastener and prevent rotation of the clamp device after the fastener has been tightened into the counterbore; wherein each of the first and second slots include an arcuate end portion; wherein the arcuate end portion is sized to fit around a shank portion of the fastener; wherein the fastener is threaded into the outer housing prior to sliding the fastener through the structure and the aperture of the inner housing during assembly; and further comprising an escutcheon rose configured to engage over an outer perimeter wall of the inner housing when the clamp device is in the second position. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a lock assembly comprising: an inner housing positionable on one side of a structure; a pocket connection region having an aperture formed through a wall of the inner housing; an inner plate having a through aperture aligned with the aperture of the pocket connection region; a retainer positioned between the inner plate and the inner housing; a mounting fastener configured to slide through the aperture in the pocket connection region of the inner housing and through the retainer; and wherein the retainer holds the mounting screw in a fixed position with respect to the inner housing. 
     In refining aspects, the lock assembly includes a clamp device wherein the retainer includes a plurality of tabs extending radially inward from an outer perimeter; wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to engage with a threaded shank of the mounting fastener; and wherein the mounting fastener extends from the inner housing in the fixed position during assembly with an outer housing positioned on an opposing side of the structure. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method comprising: coupling a threaded fastener to an inner housing of a lock assembly for a door; wherein the coupling includes positioning the threaded fastener in a fixed location with respect to the inner housing; and sliding the threaded fastener through an aperture in a door and threadingly engaging into an outer housing positioned on an opposing side of the door. 
     In refining aspects, the coupling includes retaining the threaded fastener in a desired position with respect to the inner housing during installation of the lock assembly; and wherein the sliding and threading occurs after the coupling of the fastener with a retainer and the inner housing. 
     It should be understood that the component and assembly configurations of the present disclosure can be varied according to specific design requirements and need not conform to the general shape, size, connecting means or general configuration shown in the illustrative drawings to fall within the scope and teachings of this patent application. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as permitted under the law. Furthermore, it should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably, or preferred in the description above indicates that feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and any embodiment lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one” and “at least a portion” are used, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item may include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.