Patent Publication Number: US-7900489-B2

Title: Lock assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a lock cylinder. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lock cylinder that is mounted in a door and that includes a housing, a plug, a spin ring, and a cross bore adapter. 
     Generally, lock cylinders are attached to doors and other structures where security is desired. Most conventional lock cylinders operate or interact with a latch bolt assembly that is positioned in an opening or edge bore of the structure. The lock cylinder is positioned in another opening of the door that is generally perpendicular to and in communication with the edge bore. 
     Typically, these lock cylinders include a housing and a plug assembly that is rotatable relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position. Existing lock cylinders also include a spin ring that receives the housing, a spin ring cover that attaches to the spin ring, an adapter, and a shield. In these lock cylinders, the adapter generally rests against an end of the spin ring, and is not directly attached to the housing, the spin ring, or the shield. The adapter and the shield are separate pieces, and the shield extends into the door to protect the latch bolt assembly. Generally, the spin ring, the adapter, and the shield are loosely and indirectly held together in the door by a fastener that extends through the latch bolt assembly and that attaches the latch bolt assembly to the housing. The spin ring, the adapter, and the shield are trapped between the housing and the latch bolt assembly. In some lock cylinders, an end piece is positioned on a side of the latch bolt assembly that is opposite the side of the shield and the adapter to hold the lock cylinder together after the lock cylinder is coupled to the door. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some existing lock cylinders are susceptible to attack or tampering using a pry bar, a pipe wrench, or other devices. The susceptibility of existing lock cylinders to tampering is enhanced by the indirect connection of the spin ring, the adapter, and the shield in the lock cylinder, which creates joints between these separate pieces. 
     Typically, lock cylinders are provided to an installer from a manufacturer or distributor as separate pieces that are assembled by the installer. The separate pieces of existing lock cylinders make installation of these lock cylinders in the door difficult and time consuming because each component must be held in place until the fastener is passed through the latch bolt assembly and attached to the housing. In some instances, one or more components may fall out of the opening in the door, which adds to the time necessary for installation time of the lock cylinder. Often, one hand of the installer is used to hold components of the lock cylinder, while the other hand of the installer inserts the fastener through the latch bolt assembly and attaches the latch bolt assembly to the lock cylinder. 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides a lock cylinder for a door that includes an opening. The lock cylinder is operable to interact with a latch bolt assembly, and includes a housing that has a cavity, and a plug assembly that has a casing and a plug housed in the casing. The plug is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and is operable to interact with the latch bolt assembly. The casing is disposed within the cavity of the housing. The lock cylinder also includes a spin ring member that at least partially encloses the housing, and an adapter that is configured to be installed in the opening of the door. The adapter includes a spin ring interface that is engaged with the spin ring member, and a shield portion that is extendable into the opening of the door. The spin ring interface and the shield portion are formed as a single piece. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a lock cylinder for a door that includes an opening. The lock cylinder is operable to interact with a latch bolt assembly, and includes a housing that has a cavity, and a plug assembly that has a casing and a plug housed in the casing. The plug is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and is operable to interact with the latch bolt assembly. The casing is disposed within the cavity of the housing. The lock cylinder also includes a spin ring member that at least partially encloses the housing, and an adapter that is configured to be installed in the opening of the door, and that is directly attached to the housing. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of assembling a lock cylinder for a door that includes a wall defining an opening. The lock cylinder is operable to interact with a latch bolt assembly. The method includes providing a housing that includes a cavity, providing a rotatable plug assembly that is insertable into the cavity and that is configured to be operably coupled to the latch bolt assembly, providing a spin ring member that includes a hollow portion, and providing an adapter that is configured to be inserted into the opening in the door. The method also includes inserting the plug assembly into the cavity of the housing, inserting the housing into the hollow portion of the spin ring member, engaging the spin ring member with the adapter, and attaching the adapter to the housing prior to attachment of the latch bolt assembly to the housing and to the plug, and prior to insertion of the adapter into the opening in the door. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a lock cylinder for a door that includes an opening. The lock cylinder is operable to interact with a latch bolt assembly, and includes a housing that has a cavity, and a plug assembly that has a casing and a plug housed in the casing. The plug is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and is operable to interact with the latch bolt assembly. The casing is disposed within the cavity of the housing. The lock cylinder also includes a spin ring member that at least partially encloses the housing, and an adapter that is configured to be installed in the opening of the door, and that is directly attached to the spin ring member. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a lock cylinder for a door that includes a wall defining an opening. The lock cylinder is operable to interact with a latch bolt assembly, and includes a housing that has a cavity, and a plug assembly that has a casing and a plug housed in the casing. The plug is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and is operable to interact with the latch bolt assembly. The casing is disposed within the cavity of the housing. The lock cylinder also includes a spin ring member that at least partially encloses the housing, and an adapter that is coupled to the spin ring member and that includes a wall portion. The lock cylinder also includes at least one movable member that extends outward from the wall portion and that is configured to engage the wall of the door to couple the adapter to the door. The movable member is movable inward toward the wall portion against a force that biases the member outward. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of assembling a lock cylinder for a door that includes a wall defining an opening. The lock cylinder is operable to interact with a latch bolt assembly. The method includes providing a housing that includes a cavity, and that is configured to interact with the latch bolt assembly, providing a rotatable plug assembly that is insertable into the cavity and that is configured to be operably coupled to the latch bolt assembly, providing a spin ring member that includes a hollow portion, and providing an adapter that includes an aperture defining an axis. The adapter is configured to be inserted into the opening in the door. The method also includes inserting the plug assembly into the cavity of the housing, inserting the housing into the hollow portion of the spin ring member, and attaching the adapter to the spin ring member prior to attachment of the latch bolt assembly to the housing and to the plug, and prior to insertion of the adapter into the opening in the door. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of installing a lock cylinder into a door. The lock cylinder is operable to interact with a latch bolt assembly. The method includes providing a housing including a cavity, providing a rotatable plug assembly that is insertable into the cavity and that is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The plug is operable to interact with the latch bolt assembly. The method also includes providing a spin ring member that includes a hollow portion, and providing an adapter that is configured to be inserted into the opening in the door. The adapter includes a wall portion and at least one movable member that extends outward from the wall portion. The movable member is movable inward toward the wall portion against a force that biases the movable member outward. The method further includes inserting the plug assembly into the cavity of the housing, inserting the housing into the spin ring member, attaching the adapter to the spin ring member, and inserting the adapter into the opening in the door so that the movable member engages the wall of the door and at least temporarily holds the adapter in the opening of the door. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lock cylinder and a latch bolt assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the lock cylinder of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the lock cylinder and the latch bolt assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is another exploded perspective view of the lock cylinder and the latch bolt assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an adapter of the lock cylinder of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the adapter of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the adapter of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a section view of the adapter of  FIG. 7  taken along line  8 - 8 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another lock cylinder. 
         FIG. 10  is another perspective view of the lock cylinder of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the lock cylinder of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is another exploded perspective view of the lock cylinder of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an adapter of the lock cylinder of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the adapter of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the adapter of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a spacer of the lock cylinder of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 17  is another perspective view of the spacer of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of the spacer of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a rear view of the spacer of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 20  is a section view of the spacer of  FIG. 19  taken along line  20 - 20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a lock cylinder  10  for use in commercial or residential applications with structures (e.g., door, access panel, portable locks, etc.) that may be locked and unlocked. Hereinafter, the term “door” shall be used to represent all such lockable structures and shall not be construed to limit the invention&#39;s application solely to doors. The lock cylinder  10  is operable to interact with a latch bolt assembly  12  that is disposed in an edge bore (not shown) of the door, and that includes a latch  13  extendable from the latch bolt assembly, and holes  14  disposed through an end of the latch bolt assembly  12  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
       FIGS. 1-4  show that the lock cylinder  10  includes a housing  15  and a plug assembly  20  disposed in the housing  15 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  show that the housing  15  includes a wall  25  that has a cavity  30 , and a face plate  35  that has an aperture  40  in communication with the cavity  30 . The housing  15  also includes a first hole  45 , a second hole  50 , a third hole  55 , and a fourth hole  60 . In some constructions, the housing  15  may include additional holes. 
     The plug assembly  20  includes a casing  65 , a driver bar  70 , and a plug  75  that is configured to be selectively rotatable within the casing  65  using a key  80  that has pin engaging portions  85 . The plug assembly  20  is disposed in the cavity  30  of the housing  15 , and is attached to the housing  15  using a fastener  90  that is engaged with the third hole  55  of the housing  15 , as discussed in detail below. The fastener  90  threadably attaches to the housing  15  within the third hole  55  so that the plug assembly  20  is retained or secured within the cavity  30  by the fastener  90 . The illustrated fastener  90  is a bolt or a screw. However, other fasteners may be employed to attach the plug assembly  20  to the housing  15 , and should not be limited. 
     The casing  65  includes a wall  95  and a pin portion  100 . The wall  95  is substantially cylindrical and defines a hollow portion that is configured to receive the plug  75 . The casing  65  is typically fixed relative to the housing  15  within the cavity  30 , and the plug assembly  20  is movable or rotatable relative to the housing  15  between a locked position and an unlocked position. The plug  75  has a key slot  105  that is configured to receive the key  80 . The plug  75  is coupled to the driver bar  70  to interact with the latch bolt assembly  12  and to move the latch  13  relative to the door to lock or unlock the door. Such arrangements are well known in the art. 
       FIGS. 1-4  show that the lock cylinder  10  also includes a spin ring cover  110 , a spin ring  115 , and an adapter  120 . The spin ring cover  110  includes a wall  125  that defines a hollow portion  130  and that includes a first recessed portion  135 . The illustrated embodiment shows that the wall  125  includes a substantially frustoconical shape. In some constructions, the wall  125  can be substantially cylindrical. In other constructions, the wall  125  can have other shapes. 
     The spin ring  115  includes a wall  140  that has a hollow portion  145 , and a second recessed portion  150  that is engageable with the first recessed portion  135  of the spin ring cover  110 . When the spin ring  115  is disposed in the hollow portion  130  of the spin ring cover  110 , an outer surface of the wall  140  of the spin ring  115  is engaged with an inner surface of the wall  125  of the spin ring cover  110 . Generally, the shape of the wall  140  substantially corresponds to the shape of the wall  125  of the spin ring cover  110 , and the shape of the second recessed portion  150  substantially corresponds to the shape of the first recessed portion  135 . 
       FIG. 4  shows that the spin ring  115  also includes a first annular surface  155  and a protrusion  160 . The first annular surface  155  is disposed on an end of the wall  140  that is opposite the second recessed portion  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first annular surface  155  is substantially planar. In other constructions, the first annular surface  155  may be curved inward or outward from the end of the spin ring  115 . 
     The protrusion  160  extends outward from the first annular surface  155 . The illustrated protrusion  160  is defined by an annular ring that extends from the wall  140 . In other constructions, the protrusion  160  may have other shapes. 
       FIGS. 3-8  show the adapter  120  that is coupled to the spin ring  115  and the latch bolt assembly  12 , and that is further directly attached to the housing  15 . The adapter  120  is configured to be installed in the door, and includes a shield portion  165 , an adapter portion or spin ring interface  170 , and an attachment member or tab  175 . The shield portion  165 , the spin ring interface  170 , and the attachment member  175  are formed as a single piece from any suitable material (e.g., steel, aluminum, plastic, composite, etc.). In some constructions, the shield portion  165  and the spin ring interface  170  can be formed as a single piece, and the attachment member  175  can be a formed as a separate piece integrated with the shield portion  165  and the spin ring interface  170 . 
     The unitary adapter  120  can be formed using various forming processes. For example, the unitary adapter  120  can be formed by a deep drawing process. In other constructions, the adapter  120  may be formed by using one of many die processes (e.g., transfer die, progressive die, etc.). In still other constructions, the adapter  120  may be formed by other processes (e.g., metal injection molding, machining, die cast, plastic injection molding, rolling, etc.). 
       FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6 , and  8  show that the shield portion  165  extends from the spin ring interface  170  such that the shield portion  165  is extendable into the opening of the door, and includes a wall portion  180  and a pair of cutouts  185  disposed in the wall portion  180 . The cutouts  185  are generally separated from each other by approximately 180 degrees.  FIG. 1  shows that the latch bolt assembly  12  extends through the cutouts  185 . The illustrated wall portion  180  is substantially cylindrical, although other shapes of the wall portion  180  are possible (e.g., rectangular, etc.). 
       FIGS. 5-8  show that the spin ring interface  170  includes a door engagement portion  190  and a stepped portion  195  that extends inward from the door engagement portion  190  of the spin ring interface  170 . The door engagement portion  190  includes a surface  200  that is engaged with a surface of the door when the adapter  120  is inserted into the door. 
     The stepped portion  195  includes a second annular surface  205  and a recessed wall  210  that defines an aperture  215 . The second annular surface  205  is recessed inward from an end of the spin ring interface  170  that includes the door engagement portion  190 , and is engaged with the first annular surface  155  of the spin ring  115  when the spin ring  115  and the adapter  120  are coupled together. The illustrated second annular surface  205  is a substantially planar surface that conforms to the first annular surface  155 . In other constructions, the second annular surface  205  may have other surfaces. 
     The attachment member  175  extends inward from the recessed wall  210  into the aperture  215  to directly attach the adapter  120  to the housing  15  using a fastener  220  that is attached to the housing  15  within the fourth hole  60  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The attachment member  175  is partially disposed in the aperture  215  and includes a hole  225  that receives the fastener  220 . The illustrated fastener  220  is a bolt or a screw. However, other fasteners may be employed to directly attach the adapter  120  to the housing  15 , and should not be limited. The illustrated attachment member  175  has a substantially triangular profile, although other attachment member profiles are possible and considered herein. 
       FIGS. 1-4  show the assembly of the lock cylinder  10 . The plug assembly  20  is inserted into the housing  15  within the cavity  30 , and is retained within the cavity  30  using the fastener  90  that engages an end of the plug assembly  20  and that is threadably attached to the housing  15  within the third hole  55 . The fastener  90  traps the pin portion  100  of the plug assembly  20  against the wall  25  of the housing  15 . 
     The spin ring  115  is inserted into the hollow portion  130  of the spin ring cover  110  such that the second recessed portion  150  of the spin ring  115  is engaged with the first recessed portion  135  of the spin ring cover  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115  are loosely coupled to each other. In other constructions, the spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115  can be securely fastened to each other by crimping the spin ring  115  to the spin ring cover  110 , or by other methods (e.g., a fastener that attaches the spin ring  115  to the spin ring cover  110 , etc.). 
     The assembled housing  15  and plug assembly  20  are inserted into the assembled spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115 , and are at least partially enclosed by the spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115  within the hollow portion  145  of the spin ring  115 . The face plate  35  is engaged with the first recessed portion  135  so that the end of the housing  15  is substantially co-planar with an end of the spin ring cover  110 , and so that the face plate  35  is substantially co-planar with an end of the spin ring cover  110 . Engagement of the housing  15  with the first recessed portion  135  substantially centers the housing  15  within the spin ring cover  110 . The plug  75  extends through the aperture  40  and is accessible from adjacent the face plate  35 . 
     In some constructions, the lock cylinder  10  may not include the spin ring cover  110 . In these constructions, the housing  15  can be directly engaged with the second recessed portion  150  of the spin ring  115  and at least partially enclosed by the wall  140 . The spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115  support and protect the housing  15  and the plug assembly  20  so that damage to the housing  15  and/or the plug assembly  20  is resisted. 
     In some constructions, the spin ring  115  can be attached to the spin ring cover  110  after the housing  15  and the plug assembly  20  have been inserted into the spin ring cover  110 . Similarly, in some constructions, the plug assembly  20  can be inserted into the housing  15  after the spin ring  115  is attached to the spin ring cover  110 , and prior to engagement of the adapter  120  with the spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115 . 
     The spin ring  115  is engaged with the spin ring cover  110  such that a portion of the spin ring cover  110  is recessed within the spin ring interface  170 . The spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115  are further engaged with the adapter  120  after the housing  15  and the plug assembly  20  have been inserted into cavity of the spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115 . The first annular surface  155  is engaged with the second annular surface  205  to recess the ends of the spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115  within the spin ring interface  170 . The protrusion  160  protrudes into the aperture  215  and engages the recessed wall  210  such that the spin ring  115  is substantially centered within the adapter  120 . In some constructions, the protrusion  160  may abut the attachment member  175 . 
     The spin ring cover  110  and the spin ring  115  are engaged with the adapter  120  prior to attachment of the adapter  120  to the housing  15 , and are retained between the housing  15  and the adapter  120  when the fastener  220  is inserted through the hole  225  in the attachment member  175  and attached to the housing  15 . The adapter  120  is directly attached to the housing  15  prior to attachment of the latch bolt assembly  12  to the housing  15  and to the plug assembly  20 , and prior to insertion of the adapter  120  into the opening in the door. The fastener is inserted into the hole  225  of the attachment member  175  and is attached to the fourth hole  60 . The latch bolt assembly  12  is attached to the housing  15  after the lock cylinder  10  is assembled and attached to the door. Fasteners (not shown) extend through the holes  14  in the latch bolt assembly  12  and are retained in the first and second holes  45 ,  50  to attach the latch bolt assembly  12  to the housing  15 . These fasteners fix the latch bolt assembly  12  relative to the shield portion  165 . 
     The adapter  120  also supports the housing  15 , the plug assembly  20 , the spin ring cover  110 , and the spin ring  115 , and shields the latch bolt assembly  12  from tampering. The adapter  120  is rigidly attached to the housing  15  using the fastener  220 , which resists one or more of the components of the lock cylinder  10  from separating from the remaining components prior to insertion of the lock cylinder  10  into the door and prior to engagement of the lock cylinder  10  with the latch bolt assembly  12 . When the lock cylinder  10  is assembled and attached to the door, the unitary adapter  120  extends to the opening of the door and resists access to the latch bolt assembly  12 . 
     The assembled lock cylinder  10  including the housing  15 , the plug assembly  20 , the spin ring cover  110 , the spin ring  115 , and the adapter  120  define a modular assembly that provides easier installation of the lock cylinder  10  into the opening of the door, and that provides a relatively strong lock cylinder  10  that is resistant to tampering, including direct vertical blows to the spin ring cover  110  and/or the adapter  120 . In addition, the modular assembly has a relatively low cost due in part to the unitary adapter  120 . An installer or user can insert the modular assembly into the opening of the door, and then attach the latch bolt assembly  12  to the housing  15  by inserting the fasteners through the latch bolt assembly  12  without concern for separation of the components of the modular assembly during installation. After the latch bolt assembly  12  is attached to the housing  15 , the key  80  can be used to rotate the plug  75  to lock and unlock the door. 
       FIGS. 9-20  show another embodiment of the invention that includes a lock cylinder  300  for use with the door in commercial or residential applications. The lock cylinder  300  is operable to interact with the latch bolt assembly  12  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 ). The lock cylinder  300  includes a housing  305  and a plug assembly  310 . Except as described below, the housing  305  and the plug assembly  310  are similar to the housing  15  and the plug assembly  20  described above with regard to  FIGS. 1-8 , and common elements are given the same reference numerals. 
       FIGS. 9-12  show that the lock cylinder  300  also includes a spin ring  315 , a spin ring cover  320 , and an adapter  325 . The spin ring  315  is attached to the spin ring cover  320 , and includes a wall  330  that defines a hollow portion  335  and that includes a recessed portion  340 . The housing  305  is disposed in the hollow portion  335  such that the housing  305  is at least partially enclosed by the spin ring  315 . The face plate  35  engages the recessed portion  340  so that the housing  305  is substantially centered within the spin ring  315 . The illustrated construction shows that the spin ring  315  includes a cup or bowl-like shape. In other constructions, the wall  330  can be substantially cylindrical. In still other constructions, the wall  330  can have other shapes. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the spin ring  315  also includes a first tab  345  and a second tab  350  disposed along an inner portion of the wall  330  adjacent an end of the spin ring  315  that is opposite the recessed portion  340 . The first and second tabs  345 ,  350  further extend inward from the wall  330 . In some constructions, the second tab  350  can be larger than the first tab  345 . In other constructions, the size of the second tab  350  can be substantially equal to the size of the first tab  345 . In still other constructions, the second tab  350  can be smaller than the first tab  345 . The first and second tabs  345 ,  350  are substantially rectangular, although other-shaped tabs may also be used. While the illustrated spin ring  315  includes first and second tabs  345 ,  350 , fewer or more than two tabs are considered. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the first and second tabs  345 ,  350  are separated from each other along the inner portion of the wall  330  by about 180 degrees. In other constructions, the first and second tabs  345 ,  350  can be separated by less than 180 degrees. In the illustrated construction, the first tab  345  and the second tab  350  are formed using a die tool that extends through the wall  330 . However, other manufacturing processes for forming the first and second tabs  345 ,  350  are considered, and should not be limited to a tool and die process. 
     The spin ring cover  320  includes a wall  355  that has a hollow portion  360 , and a front wall  365  that has therein an aperture  367  in communication with the hollow portion  360 . The spin ring  315  is disposed in the hollow portion  360  of the spin ring cover  320  such that an outer surface of the wall  355  of the spin ring  315  is substantially engaged with an inner surface of the wall  355  of the spin ring cover  320 . Generally, the shape of the wall  355  of the spin ring cover  320  substantially corresponds to the shape of the wall  330  of the spin ring  315 . The face plate  35  is engaged with an inner surface of the front wall  365  when the housing  305  and the spin ring  315  are attached to the spin ring cover  320 . 
     The spin ring cover  320  also includes a crimp portion  370  that is disposed adjacent an end of the wall  355 , and that is configured to be crimped around an end of the spin ring  315  to hold the spin ring  315  partially recessed within the hollow portion  360  of the spin ring cover  320 . The spin ring  315  may also be coupled to the spin ring cover  320  using other attachment methods. 
       FIGS. 11-15  show the adapter  325  that is directly attached to the spin ring  315 , and further directly attached to the housing  305 . The adapter  325  is configured to be installed in the door, and includes a shield portion or adapter wall  375  and an annular flange  380 . The illustrated adapter wall  375  is substantially cylindrical, and defines a first axis  385  that extends longitudinally through the adapter  325 . The adapter  325  also includes a second axis  390  that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis  385 . 
     The adapter wall  375  and the annular flange  380  are formed as a single piece from any suitable material (e.g., steel, aluminum, plastic, composite, etc.) using one of many manufacturing processes (e.g., deep drawing, transfer die, progressive die, metal injection molding, machining, die cast, plastic injection molding, rolling, etc.). 
     The adapter wall  375  is extendable into the opening of the door, and defines a hollow portion  395 , and a pair of cutouts  400  disposed through the adapter wall  375  and in communication with the hollow portion  395 . The cutouts  400  are generally separated from each other by approximately 180 degrees, and are adapted to receive the latch bolt assembly  12 . The illustrated adapter wall  375  is substantially cylindrical. However, the adapter wall  375  may include other shapes (e.g., substantially rectangular, etc.). 
     The adapter wall  375  also includes four openings  405  spaced apart from each other along a circumference of the adapter wall  375  and disposed through the adapter wall  375  adjacent the annular flange  380 . In the illustrated construction, the openings  405  are substantially rectangular. Other shapes of the openings  405  are also possible. Generally, the openings  405  are located on the adapter wall  375  between the cutouts  400 . In the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , two of the openings  405  are located in the adapter wall  375  on an upper side of the adapter  325 , and two of the openings  405  are located in the adapter wall  375  on a lower side of the adapter  325 . The two openings  405  that are located on the upper side of the adapter  325  are angularly spaced apart by an angle  407 . Similarly, the two openings  405  that are located on the lower side of the adapter  325  are angularly spaced apart by the angle  407 . In the illustrated construction, the angle  407  is about sixty degrees. In other constructions, the openings  405  may be equally spaced about the adapter wall  375 . In still other constructions, the openings  405  may be spaced along the circumference of the adapter wall  375  at any angular distance. While four openings  405  are shown in the illustrated embodiment, the adapter wall  375  may include fewer or more than four openings  405 . 
     The annular flange  380  is disposed about a circumference of the adapter wall  375  adjacent an end of the adapter  325 . In some constructions, the annular flange  380  is disposed about a portion of the circumference of the adapter wall  375 . The annular flange  380  substantially corresponds to a circumference of the inner portion of the wall  330  of the spin ring  315  to provide a relatively tight attachment of the adapter  325  to the spin ring  315 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the annular flange  380  includes a first surface  410  adjacent the end of the adapter  325  and substantially parallel to the second axis  390 , and a second surface  415  that is opposite the first surface  410 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the second axis  390  is substantially vertical. However, the second axis  390  may be disposed at any angle that is perpendicular to the first axis  385  and that is parallel to the first surface  410 . The orientation of the second axis  390  depends in part on the orientation of the first and second tabs  345 ,  350 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show that the annular flange  380  also includes a recess or notch  420  that extends through the annular flange  380 . The notch  420  is sized to receive at least one of the first and second tabs  345 ,  350  to attach the adapter  325  to the spin ring  315 . In some constructions, the annular flange  380  may include more than one notch  420 . 
     In some constructions, the annular flange  380  may include the first and second tabs  345 ,  350 . In these constructions, the spin ring  315  includes the notch  420 . In other constructions, the annular flange  380  may include one of the first and second tabs  345 ,  350 , and the spin ring  315  may include the other of the first and second tabs  345 ,  350 . In these constructions, a notch  420  can be located in one or both of the spin ring  315  and the annular flange  380 . Similarly, in constructions that attach the adapter  325  directly to the spin ring cover  320 , the spin ring cover  320  can include the first and second tabs  345 ,  350 , the notch  420 , or any other suitable combination. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show that the lock cylinder  300  also includes a spacer  425  that is coupled to the adapter  325 , and that is directly attached to the housing  305 . As shown in  FIGS. 16-20 , the spacer  425  includes a hollow body  430 , four movable members  435  that extend radially outward from the body  430 , and an attachment member  440 . The illustrated body  430  is substantially cylindrical, but can have other shapes (e.g., rectangular, triangular, etc.). The body  430  can be formed as a single piece or multiple pieces from any suitable material, including metal, plastic, composites, and the like, using one of many manufacturing processes (e.g., deep drawing, transfer die, progressive die, metal injection molding, machining, die cast, plastic injection molding, rolling, etc.). 
     The movable members  435  are disposed about the body  430  and are engageable with the adapter  325  within the openings  405 , as explained in detail below. In the illustrated construction, the movable members  435  and the body  430  are formed as a single piece. Two movable members  435  disposed on one side of the spacer  425  are angularly spaced from each other on the circumference of the body  430  at an angle  437 . Similarly, the remaining two movable members  435  disposed on the other side of the spacer  425  are angularly spaced from each other on the circumference of the body  430  at the angle  437 . In the illustrated construction, the angle  407  is about 60 degrees, and the angular spacing between the pairs of movable members is about 120 degrees. In other constructions, the movable members  435  can be angularly spaced about the circumference of the spacer  425  at any angle. The angle  437  and the angle  407  are dependent on each other so that the movable members  435  substantially align with the openings  405 . Generally, the quantity of movable members  435  is equal to the quantity of openings  405 . 
     Each of the movable members  435  includes a resilient element  445  and a protrusion  450  that extends from the resilient element  445 . The resilient element  445  is formed from a flexible or spring-type material. Generally, the resilient elements  445  are flexible or adjustable to allow inward movement of the protrusions  450  against a spring force defined by the resilient element  445  that biases each of the movable members  435  outward. The resilient elements  445  can be formed from any suitable material that has spring-like or extension-compression properties, such as plastic, metal, composites and the like. The material used for the resilient elements  445  can be the same as or different from the material used to form the body  430 . In some constructions, the resilient elements  445  may include springs or other flexible components. 
       FIG. 18  shows that each protrusion  450  includes a lower portion that has a surface  455  with a curvature that substantially corresponds to a curvature of an inner surface of the adapter wall  375 .  FIGS. 16 and 17  show that the protrusions  450  also include first ends  460  that are coupled to the resilient elements  445 , and second or free ends  465  that are opposite the first end such that the second ends  465  are movable inward and outward. In the illustrated construction, the protrusions  450  include a substantially pyramidal shape. In other constructions, the protrusions  450  may include a substantially spherical shape. In still other constructions, the protrusions  450  may include other shapes (e.g., rectangular, etc.). 
     In some constructions, the lock cylinder  300  may be without the spacer  425  such that the movable members  435  are directly attached to and radially extend outward from the adapter wall  375 . In these constructions, the movable members  435  are disposed within the openings  405  so that the movable members  435  can move inward and outward. First ends of the resilient elements  445  can be directly coupled to the adapter wall  375 , and the second ends of the resilient elements  445  would be free ends of the movable members  435  that are allowed to move inward and outward. In other words, the movable members  435  are attached to the adapter wall  375  adjacent one side of the movable members  435  (i.e., the side adjacent the first ends) such that the three remaining sides of the movable members  435  are free from direct attachment to the adapter wall  375 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 16-20 , the attachment member  440  is similar to the attachment member  175  described above with regard to  FIGS. 1-8 . The attachment member  440  is coupled to and extends inward from the body  430  of the spacer  425  into the space defined by the body  430  to directly attach the adapter  325  to the housing  305  using a fastener  467  ( FIGS. 9-12 ) that is similar to the fastener  220 . The attachment member  440  extends inward from the body  430  and includes a hole  470  to receive the fastener  467 . In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member  440  and the body  430  are formed as a single piece. While the illustrated attachment member  440  has a substantially triangular shape, other shapes are possible and considered herein. 
     In constructions of the lock cylinder  300  that include the movable members  435  located directly on the adapter  325 , and that do not include the spacer  425 , the adapter  325  can also include the attachment member  440  to facilitate direct attachment of the adapter  325  to the housing  305 . In these constructions, the adapter wall  375 , the annular flange  380 , and the attachment member  440  can be formed as a single piece from any suitable material. 
       FIGS. 9-12  show the assembly of the lock cylinder  300 . The plug assembly  310  is inserted into the housing  305  within the cavity  30 , and is retained within the cavity  30  using the fastener  90  that engages an end of the plug assembly  310  and that is threadably attached to the housing  305  within the third hole  55 . The fastener  90  traps the pin portion  100  of the plug assembly  20  against the wall  25  of the housing  305 . The assembled housing  305  and plug assembly  310  are inserted into the spin ring  315 , and are at least partially enclosed by the spin ring  315 . The face plate  35  is engaged with the recessed portion  340  to hold the housing  305  in the spin ring  315 . 
     After the housing  305  and the plug assembly  310  are inserted into the spin ring  315 , the spin ring  315  is attached (e.g., crimped) to the spin ring cover  320 . The spin ring cover  320  and the spin ring  315  support and protect the housing  305  and the plug assembly  310  so that damage to the housing  305  and/or the plug assembly  310  is resisted. The face plate  35  is engaged with the front wall  365  of the spin ring cover  320  after the spin ring  315  is attached to the spin ring cover  320  such that the plug  75  extends through the face plate  35  and is accessible from adjacent the outside the spin ring cover  320 . 
     In some constructions, the lock cylinder  300  may not include the spin ring cover  320 . In these constructions, the spin ring  315  functions as the spin ring  315  and the spin ring cover  320 , and the housing  305  can be directly engaged with the recessed portion  340  of the spin ring  315  and at least partially enclosed by the wall  330 . In other constructions, the spin ring  315  may be loosely coupled to the spin ring cover  320 . 
     The adapter  325  is attached to the spin ring  315  prior to attachment of the latch bolt assembly  12  to the housing  305  and to the plug, and prior to insertion of the adapter  325  into the opening of the door. The adapter  325  is attached to the spin ring  315  by rotating either the adapter  325  or the spin ring  315 , or both, about the first axis  385  to align the notch  420  with the first tab  345  (e.g., the smaller tab), which provides alignment of the adapter  325  with the spin ring  315  prior to attachment of these components. Next, one or both of the spin ring  315  and the adapter  325  are tilted about the second axis  390  such that the annular flange  380  is positioned behind the second tab  350 , and such that the first tab  345  is inserted through the notch  420 . In some constructions, the spin ring  315  or the adapter  325 , or both, can be tilted about the second axis  390  prior to rotating the spin ring  315  and/or the adapter  325  to align the notch  420  with the first tab  345 . 
     After the first tab  345  is inserted through the notch  420 , either or both of the spin ring  315  and the adapter  325  are further rotated about the first axis  385  to retain the adapter  325  partially inside the spin ring  315 . The first and second tabs  345 ,  350  are engaged with the second surface  415  of the flange  380  when the spin ring  315  and/or the adapter  325  are rotated, securing the flange  380  to the spin ring  315 . The first and second tabs  345 ,  350  retain the adapter  325  partially within the spin ring  315  so that the adapter  325  is substantially inseparable from the spin ring  315 . The use of the first and second tabs  345 ,  350  on the spin ring  315  and the notched annular flange  380  rigidly attach the adapter  325  to the spin ring  315 , which resists access to the joint between the spin ring  315  and the adapter  325 . 
     In the illustrated construction, the adapter  325  is rotated ninety degrees about the first axis  385  so that the notch  420  (positioned at the top of the adapter  325  in  FIGS. 11-13 ) is aligned with the first tab  345 . The adapter  325  is then tilted about the second axis  390  so that the portion of the annular flange  380  that is opposite the notch  420  is positioned behind the second tab  350 , engaging the second surface  415  with the second tab  350 , and so that the first tab  345  passes through the notch  420 . The adapter  325  is then further rotated until the notch  420  is no longer aligned with the first tab  345  to directly attach the adapter  325  to the spin ring  315 . Generally, the adapter  325  is rotated so that the cutouts  400  can be positioned substantially horizontal within the door. 
     The notch  420  is located in the annular flange  380  such that when the lock cylinder  300  is assembled, the first tab  345  or the second tab  350  that is received by the notch  420  may not be aligned with the notch  420 . In constructions that include one of the first and second tabs  345 ,  350  that are larger than the other of the first and second tabs  345 ,  350 , the smaller of first and second tabs  345 ,  350  is operable to align the adapter  325  with the spin ring  315 , and the larger of the first and second tabs  345 ,  350  is operable to retain the annular flange  380 , even if the notch  420  is substantially aligned with the larger of the two tabs  345 ,  350 . 
     In this manner, the second tab  350  can be employed to align the cutouts  400  when the lock cylinder is inserted into the door, in addition to retaining the adapter  325  in the spin ring  315 . For example, in constructions that include the notch  420  initially aligned with the first tab  345  and the cutouts  400  positioned in a substantially horizontal position relative to each other, the adapter  325  is rotated until the notch  420  is aligned with the second tab  350 . Since the second tab  350  is larger than the notch  420 , the adapter  325  is retained within the spin ring  315 . Alignment of the notch  420  with the second tab  350  signals an end to rotation of the adapter  325  and/or the spin ring  315 . 
     The spacer  425  can be attached to the adapter  325  before or after the adapter  325  is attached to the spin ring  315 . The movable members  435  are biased inward to insert the spacer  425  into the hollow portion  395  of the adapter  325 . The spacer  425  is inserted along the first axis  385  until the movable members  435  are aligned with the openings  405  in the adapter wall  375 . Upon alignment with the openings  405 , the movable members  435  protrude through the openings  405  and extend outward from the adapter wall  375 . 
     The attachment member  440  is directly attached to the housing  305  using the fastener  467  prior to attachment of the latch bolt assembly  12  to the housing  305  and to the plug assembly  310 , and prior to insertion of the adapter  325  into the opening in the door. The fastener  467  is inserted into the hole  470  of the attachment member  440  and is attached to the fourth hole  60  of the housing  305 , similar to the embodiment described with regard to  FIGS. 1-8 . 
     The latch bolt assembly  12  is attached to the housing  15  after the lock cylinder  10  is assembled and attached to the door. Fasteners (not shown) extend through the holes  14  in the latch bolt assembly  12  and are retained in the first and second holes  45 ,  50  to attach the latch bolt assembly  12  to the housing  305 . 
     In some constructions, the adapter  325  and the spacer  425  can be attached to the spin ring  315  after the housing  305  and the plug assembly  310  have been inserted into the spin ring cover  320 . Similarly, the plug assembly  310  can be inserted into the housing  305  after the spin ring  315  is attached to the spin ring cover  320 , and prior to engagement of the spacer  425  to the spin ring  315 . In other constructions, the adapter  325  can be attached to the spin ring  315 , and then the spacer  425  can be attached to the adapter  325 . Other combinations of assembly of the lock cylinder  300  are also possible and are considered herein. 
     The assembled lock cylinder  300  including the housing  305 , the plug assembly  310 , the spin ring cover  320 , the spin ring  315 , and the adapter  325  define a modular assembly that provides easier installation of the lock cylinder  300  into the opening of the door, and that provides a relatively strong lock cylinder  300  that is resistant to tampering, including direct vertical blows to the spin ring cover  320  and/or the adapter  325 . The movable members  435  protrude outward from the adapter wall  375  to engage the wall of the opening in the door to provide hands-free attachment of the modular assembly to the door. The wall of the door slightly compresses or moves the movable members  435  inward to rigidly couple the modular assembly to the wall. In this manner, the modular assembly can be positioned in the opening of the door and left in the opening without an installer having to hold the modular assembly while attaching the latch bolt assembly  12  to the housing  305 . The adapter  325  is partially recessed in the spin ring  315  to protect the latch bolt after the latch bolt assembly  12  is attached to the housing  305 . The adapter wall  375  resists access to and tampering of the latch bolt assembly  12 , and supports the housing  305 , the plug assembly  310 , the spin ring cover  320 , and the spin ring  315 . 
     Generally, the closer that the openings  405 , and therefore, the movable members  435 , are to a vertical location (e.g., close to the second axis  390  in  FIG. 14 ), the better the movable members  435  are able hold the adapter  325 , and therefore the modular assembly, to the wall defining the opening in the door. The vertically oriented movable members  435  avoid interference with the cutouts  400  so that the adapter  325  can be adequately fixed to the wall. However, the openings  405  and the movable members  435  can be located anywhere on the adapter wall  375  to fix the adapter  325  to the wall. The flexibility of the movable members  435  also allow the modular assembly to adapt to different-sized lock cylinder  300  openings in doors, providing a universal lock cylinder  300 . 
     In addition, the modular assembly has a relatively low cost and provides easy installation of the lock cylinder  300  and the latch bolt assembly  12  into the door. An installer or user can insert the modular assembly into the opening of the door, and then attach the latch bolt assembly  12  to the housing  305  using the latch bolt assembly  12  fasteners without concern for separation of the components of the modular assembly during installation, or that the modular assembly will fall out of the opening in the door. After the latch bolt assembly  12  is attached to the housing  305 , the key can be used to rotate the plug to lock and unlock the door. The adapter  325  is rigidly attached to the housing  305  using the fastener, which resists one or more of the components of the lock cylinder  300  from separating from the remaining components prior to insertion of the lock cylinder  300  into the door and prior to engagement of the lock cylinder  300  with the latch bolt assembly  12 . 
     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.