Patent Abstract:
A hook latch for fastening and unfastening a closure member to a keeper in a latched position. The hook latch is moveable between the latched position and an open position. The hook latch comprises a rotation means which preferably comprises a knob connected to a cam shaped protuberance which acts upon an actuator plate and a locking plate. Upon rotation of either the knob or the key which is inserted in a lock cylinder which has a locking ring having a cam-shaped protuberance, the cam-shaped protuberances displace both the actuator plate and the locking plate.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to latches.  
         [0002]     Latches are known in the art and are provided for the latching and the opening of a member such as a door or panel.  
         [0003]     In addition, it is oftentimes desired that the lock cylinder of latches generally have the capability of being opened with a master key in addition to a lower level security key. This is particularly true in the case of marine applications where the individual members of a crew need access to individualized areas which the captain of the vessel also needs access to. However, there may be locked areas which are only to be accessible by the captain of the ship. In such cases, the captain would need a high level security key or master key to access his areas and also the crews areas.  
         [0004]     In many prior art lock cylinders, the door or panel in which the lock cylinder was installed needed to be as thick as a significant portion of the length of the key which is inserted into the lock cylinder. This resulted in very long lock cylinders which oftentimes would protrude from the back side of the door or panel due to the length of the lock cylinders. Accordingly, due to space limitations it is desired to have a door or closure member which can accommodate a lock cylinder which is thin or in other words where the length of the axis of the lock cylinder is as short as possible so that the lock cylinder when installed in the door does not protrude from the front or back of the door.  
         [0005]     A need therefore exists for a lock cylinder for a latch having a master key capability which can be accommodated in doors of a thickness which prior art lock cylinders could not be accommodated in.  
         [0006]     Previously, in order to secure a door or panel with a high degree of security, users were required to operate deadbolt locks which consume valuable space around a door and frame.  
         [0007]     A need exists for a low profile, high security, ergonometric latch assembly which can be opened by rotation of a knob on one side of the latch assembly or a lock which is accessible by key turned by a user on the other side of the latch.  
         [0008]     The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoing and to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     In accordance with the present invention, it is an object of the invention to provide an ergonometric hook latch which has an easy to use manual lock on one side of the hook latch when the latch is installed either directly in a door or panel, and a second lock on the other side of the hook latch which uses a key. The latch can be actuated by rotation of a knob of the latch or by unlocking of the hook latch through the use of a key.  
         [0010]     It is an object to provide an improved lock cylinder having master key capability which is readily adaptable to different thicknesses of doors or closure members.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a door lock that is easy to operate.  
         [0012]     A further object of the invention is to provide a lock cylinder which has a very low profile or thickness and which can be used in applications where space and thickness is a limiting factor.  
         [0013]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a lock cylinder which can be fitted with two different annular rings, one of which is designed to operate the lock cylinder with only a master key and another which is to operate the lock cylinder with either a master key or a low level security key.  
         [0014]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a hook latch for fastening to a keeper which is able to be mounted in any of the following configurations: clamshell, flush-mounted, mortise mounted, and surface mounted.  
         [0015]     A further object of this invention is to provide such a lock cylinder with structural components which offers ease of assembly, and reliable operations.  
         [0016]     The objects of the present are realized in a hook latch for fastening and unfastening a closure member to a keeper in a latched position. The hook latch is moveable between the latched position and an open position. The hook latch comprises a rotation means which preferably comprises a knob connected to a cam shaped protuberance which acts upon an actuator plate and a locking plate. Upon rotation of either the knob or the key which is inserted in a lock cylinder which has a locking ring having a cam-shaped protuberance, the cam-shaped protuberances displace both the actuator plate and the locking plate. When the locking plate is displaced from the open position, first and second pawls which are each fixed at a rotation point at one end of each of the first pawl and second pawl are also rotatable about the rotation point. Due to the presence of a pawl pin in each of the first pawl and second pawl, the displacing motion of the actuating plate casues a rotation of each of the pawls into the latched position such that the first and second pawl can engage a keeper.  
         [0017]     When the rotation of the knob about a first axis or key about a second axis causes the shaped protuberances on the locking ring and the rotation means to extend closest to the opposing axis, the engagement of the protuberances on the locking plate extend the locking plate into an extended position against the urging of a biasing means or coil spring mounted on a biasing means support on the locking plate. As the rotation means is rotated a prong on the actuator plate rides over a detent on the locking plate to a position where the locking plate and actuator plate are in the latched position wherein the locking plate detent prevents motion of the actuator plate back to the open position. The actuator plate is prevented from moving to the open position by interference of the actuator plate prong with the detent on the locking plate until the detent is withdrawn by the withdrawal of the locking plate detent upon rotation of the rotation means or key by a user. Accordingly, accidental motion of the first pawl or second pawl in the latched position or unauthorized tampering with the first or second pawl would not result in the hook latch being opened due to the interference of the actuator plate prong with the detent of the locking plate.  
         [0018]     The objects of the present invention are also realized in a lock cylinder configured for a key. Master key functionality is attained by adding an annular ring to the basic lock cylinder structure and modifying the profile of the low level security key. A separate key profile for each key is provided to provide the master key capability. A portion of one of the bits of the master key is machined deeper than the low level security key and has a key stop where the bit abuts the stem. When the lock cylinder is provided with a master annular ring, the lock cylinder can only be operated by the master key and not the limited access low level security key due to the presence of a tab on the master annular ring provided on the front of the lock cylinder which prevents entry of the limited access or low level security key into the lock cylinder. The master key can also operate the lock cylinder when the lock cylinder is fitted with a low level security annular ring which does not have the tab which is present on the master annular ring. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     The features, advantages and operation of the present invention will become readily apparent and further understood from a reading of the following detailed description of the invention with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, in which:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the low level security key for use with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the lock cylinder for use with one embodiment of the present invention having a low level security annular ring;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the master key for use with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the lock cylinder for use with one embodiment of the present invention having a master annular ring;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lock cylinder and low level security key for use with one embodiment of the present invention in a locked state shown with a low level security annular ring;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the lock cylinder and low level security key for use with one embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked state shown with a low level security annular ring;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view of the lock cylinder and low level security key for use with one embodiment of the present invention in a locked state shown with a low level security annular ring;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the lock cylinder and low level security key for use with one embodiment of the present invention in a locked state shown with a low level security annular ring;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the lock cylinder and low level security key for use with one embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked state shown with a low level security annular ring;  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the lock cylinder for use with one embodiment of the present invention without either a master annular ring or a low level security annular ring;  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the lock cylinder and low level security key for use with one embodiment of the present invention in a locked state shown with a low level security annular ring;  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the low level security annular ring for use with one embodiment of the lock cylinder of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the low level security annular ring for use with one embodiment of the lock cylinder of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the lock cylinder for use with one embodiment of the present invention shown without a low level security annular ring or a master annular ring;  
         [0034]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the lock cylinder for use with one embodiment of the present invention shown without a low level security annular ring or a master annular ring;  
         [0035]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of hook latch of the present invention in the latched position installed in a door in a clamshell configuration, the hook latch having a knob a key inserted;  
         [0036]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the hook latch of  FIG. 17  in the latched position;  
         [0037]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of hook latch of the present invention in the open position installed in a door in a clamshell configuration, the hook latch having a knob a key inserted;  
         [0038]      FIG. 19  is a side view of the hook latch of  FIG. 18  in the open position;  
         [0039]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the hook latch of the present invention in a clamshell configuration;  
         [0040]      FIG. 21  is a top plan view partially cut away of the hook latch of the present invention latched to a keeper  35 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 22  is a bottom plan view partially cutaway of the hook latch of the present invention latched to a keeper;  
         [0042]      FIG. 23  is an exploded view of the hook latch of the present invention in the latched position;  
         [0043]      FIG. 24  is an exploded view of the hook latch of the present invention in the open position with the hook latch cover plate and hook latch frame removed;  
         [0044]      FIG. 25  is a bottom plan view of the hook latch of the present invention in the latched position with the hook latch cover plate and hook latch frame removed;  
         [0045]      FIG. 26  is a side view of the hook latch of the present invention in the latched position with the hook latch cover plate and hook latch frame removed;  
         [0046]      FIG. 27  is a top plan view of the hook latch of the present invention in the latched position with the hook latch cover plate and hook latch frame removed;  
         [0047]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the hook latch of the present invention in the latched position with the hook latch cover plate and hook latch frame removed;  
         [0048]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the hook latch of the present invention in the open position with the hook latch cover plate and hook latch frame removed;  
         [0049]      FIG. 30  is a bottom plan view of the hook latch of the present invention in the open position with the hook latch cover plate and hook latch frame removed;  
         [0050]      FIG. 31  is a side view of the hook latch of the present invention in the open position with the hook latch cover plate and hook latch frame removed;  
         [0051]      FIG. 32  is a top plan view of the hook latch of the present invention in the open position with the hook latch cover plate and hook latch frame removed;  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0052]      FIGS. 16-19  show the hook latch of the present invention in a clamshell configuration in a door  29 . Rotation of the key  1  or knob  41  actuates the latch and first and second pawl move from the latched and unlatched position.  FIG. 20  shows the knob stem  48  which actuates rotation means  33  which in turn actuates rotation means protuberance  34  seen in  FIG. 22  where the hook latch latches door  29  to frame  30 .  
         [0053]     In  FIG. 22 , rotation of the low level security annular ring  7  by a key (not shown) rotates actuator  28  such that locking ring protuberance  34  of locking ring  32  has displaced actuator plate  37  into the extended position in which first pawl  38  and second pawl  39  are latched.  
         [0054]     In the exploded views of  FIGS. 23 and 24  of the hook latch, it can be seen that the rotation of a knob which in turn rotates rotator  49  in yoke  55  causes rotation means protuberance  34  in first actuator plate aperture  50  to displace actuator plate  37  such that the first pawl  38  and second pawl  39  rotate to the latched position. This is achieved by the rotation of first pawl  38  about first pawl rotation pin  56  which causes first pawl actuation pin  57  which is connected to first pawl  38  at first pawl actuator pin aperture  64  to move in actuator plate slot  63 . First pawl  38  rotates about first pawl rotation pin aperture  58  in cover plate  46  and first pawl aperture  65 .  
         [0055]     The second pawl  39  rotates in a similar way as first pawl  38 . Rotation of second pawl  39  about second pawl rotation pin  61  causes second pawl actuation pin  60  which is connected to second pawl  39  at second pawl actuator pin aperture  66  to move in actuator plate slot  63 . Second pawl  39  rotates about second pawl rotation pin aperture  59  in cover plate  46  and second pawl aperture  67 .  
         [0056]     As the rotation means  33  is rotated actuator plate prong  68  on the actuator plate  37  rides over a locking plate detent  69  on the locking plate  36  to a position where the locking plate  36  and actuator plate  37  are in the latched position wherein the locking plate detent  69  prevents motion of the actuator plate  37  back to the open position as seen. The actuator plate  37  is prevented from moving to the open position by interference of the actuator plate prong  68  with the locking plate detent  69  on the locking plate  39  until the locking plate detent  69  is withdrawn by the withdrawal of the locking plate detent  69  upon of the key or knob by a user to move the latch to the open position. Accordingly, accidental motion of the first pawl  38  or second pawl  39  in the latched position or unauthorized tampering with the first pawl  38  or second pawl  39  would not result in the hook latch being opened due to the interference of the actuator plate prong  68  with the locking plate detent.  
         [0057]     The latching means also comprises a biasing means  70  here a coil spring which biases the latch to the open or latched position.  
         [0058]     The latch can be maintained in the open position by action of the locking plate detent  69  upon the actuator plate prong  68  as seen in  FIG. 29 .  
         [0059]     As seen in  FIG. 25 , when the knob  41  is rotated actuator plate corner  71  and actuator plate guide  72  ensure that the locking ring protuberance moves in concert with rotation means protuberance  34 .  
         [0060]     As seen in  FIG. 23 , motion of the actuator plate  37  is stopped by engagement of actuator plate stop  53  with actuator plate frame stop  54 .  
         [0061]     The hook latch can be locked and unlocked in two different ways: by either the use of a key, most preferably by low level security key  1  or master key  12  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 .  
         [0062]     The lock plug  8  can be provided for access by the low level security key  1  or the master key  12  as described in detail below.  
         [0063]     The above described invention permits a user to rotate front handle  66  or rear handle  67  and actuate the actuator in the direction of the pawl actuator  31  and allows the user to latch a door or panel in which the latch assembly is installed to a keeper.  
         [0064]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hook latch is adapted for use with a low level security key and/or a master key.  
         [0065]     As seen in  FIG. 1 , low level security key  1  has grip portion  3  to be held by a user of the low level security key  1  and a stem  2  extending from the grip portion  3 . Individual bittings  4  are formed on at least one of the bits of the low level security key  1 . Stem  2  of the key  1  which is preferably cylindrical in cross section extends from the grip portion  3  to the bits of the low level security key  1 . As shown in this embodiment the low level security key  1 , one end of the low level security key  1  is in a star profile as seen in  FIG. 7  and has three bitted bits  5 . The fourth bit which forms part of the remaining portion of the star profile is the low level security key stop bit  15  which terminates in a low level security key stop  6 . Low level security key  1  is dimensioned and configured to be inserted into lock cylinder  13  which has low level security annular ring  7  as seen in  FIG. 5  until low level security key stop  6  contacts low level security annular ring  7  which thereby prevents further insertion of low level security key  1  into lock plug  8 .  
         [0066]     The low level security key stop  6  has a depth equal to the difference between the distance from the top of the low level security key stop bit  15  to the axis of low level security key  1  and the distance from the top of the low level security key stop  6  to the axis of the low level security key, wherein the depth of the low level security key stop  6  is less than the depth of the master key stop  16 .  
         [0067]     When the lower level security key  1  or master key  12  is inserted, one or more of the bitted bits  5  engage tumblers (not shown) in the lock plug  8  and lock shell  10  which in the locked state extend from lock plug apertures  24  in the lock plug  8  into corresponding lock shell apertures  24  in lock shell  10 . After insertion of the low level security key  1 , the bitted bits  5  push and align the tumblers which are preferably biased by a biasing means such as a coil spring into positions such that none of the tumblers contacts simultaneously both the lock plug  8  and the lock shell  10  thereby permitting rotation of the lock shell  10  relative to lock plug  8 . A user then turns grip portion  3  of the low level security key  1  in a clockwise direction as seen in  FIG. 6  to unlock the lock plug  8  from the lock shell  10 .  
         [0068]     Lock cylinder  13  of  FIG. 2  which is shown with low level security annular ring  7  also accommodates master key  12  of  FIG. 3  as the depth of master key stop  16  is sufficiently deep as measured from the top of the master key stop  16  to the top of the master key stop bit  25  to permit passage of the master key  12  into the lock plug  8  until master key stop  16  is prevented from being inserted further into the lock plug  8  by contact with ring stop  9  on low level annular ring  7 . The master key stop  16  has a depth equal to the difference between the distance from the top of the master key stop bit  25  to the axis of the master key  12  and the distance from the top of the master key stop  16  to the axis of the master key  12 . Therefore, lock cylinder  13  when provided with the low level annular ring  7  can be operated with either the master key  12  or low level security key  1 .  
         [0069]     In  FIG. 4 , the same lock plug  8  and lock shell  10  as seen in  FIG. 2  is provided, however a master annular ring  17  is shown screwed to the front of the lock plug  8  by screws  19 . The master annular ring  17  is different from the low level annular ring  7  of  FIG. 2  in that the master annular ring  17  has a tab  18  which prevents insertion of low level security key  1  into lock plug  8 . The low level security key  1  is prevented from being inserted into the lock plug  8  by the contact of low level key stop  6  against tab  18 . On the other hand, master key  12  can be inserted into lock plug  8  in  FIG. 4  because of the greater depth of master key stop  16  which permits passage of the master key stop bit  25  below tab  18 . Accordingly, master key  12  can function as a master key which has the capability of opening both the lock cylinder  13  when it is provided with a low level security annular ring  7  and the lock cylinder  13  when it is provided with a master annular ring  17 .  
         [0070]     In the same way if a user were to try to insert the low level security key  1  in the lock cylinder  13  while the lock cylinder  13  is fitted with a master annular ring, the bit  15  would be blocked from entering the lock cylinder  13  by tab  18  on the master annular ring  17 .  
         [0071]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show an exploded view of the lock cylinder  13  of the present invention having shell  10  and lock plug  8 . In order to provide for mounting of the lock cylinder  13  in a latch, prongs  14  are provided mounted in an apertures  20  in the lock shell  10 . Also, the lock shell  10  is provided with grooves in which plates  21  are fitted to keep biasing means, i.e. coil springs, and tumblers in the lock shell  10  and lock plug  8 . Lock plug  8  is also fitted with ring support  22  which serves to maintain the relative position of either the master annular ring  17  or the low level security annular ring  7 . In a preferred embodiment, the lock shell  10  is fitted with a ball bearing aperture  23  in which ball bearing  27  is located together with a biasing means (not shown) such as a coil spring. The ball bearing  27  in the ball bearing aperture  23  is biased toward the lock plug  8  which has a detent (not shown) in which a portion of the ball bearing  27  will rest when the lock plug  8  is properly aligned with lock shell  10 .  
         [0072]     Preferably, the lock plug  8  is located concentric to and rotatable inside of and relative to said lock shell  10 , and said lock plug  8  is configured for insertion of said master key  12  or said low level security key  1 .  
         [0073]     Low level security annular ring  7  as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  has a ring stop  9  which contacts key stop  6  when the low level security key  1  is used and which contacts master key stop  16  when the master key  12  is used. The ring stop  9  can be of any shape which permits insertion of the master key  12  and the low level security key  1  into the lock plug  8  but acts as a stop against a portion of the master key stop  16  or low level security key stop  6  respectively. The tab  18  of the master annular ring  17  can be of any shape, thickness or configuration which permits insertion of the master key  12  up to the master key stop  16  but which does not permit insertion of the low level security key  1  due to contact of the low level security key stop bit  15  against the tab  18 .  
         [0074]     Tab  18  extends into an interior portion of the ring formed by the master annular ring  17  and the tab  18  permits insertion of the master key stop bit  25  into the lock plug  8  until the master key stop  16  contacts the tab  18  on the master annular ring  17 .  
         [0075]     Actuator  28  on master annular ring  17  or low level annular ring  7  which are both preferably in the form of a ring actuate the means by which the latch or lock in which the lock cylinder  13  is unlocked when a user unlocks the lock cylinder  13  and rotates either the master key  12  or low level security key  1 .  
         [0076]     As can be seen by a comparison of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , a master key and a low level security key can preferably be provided which can have identical bittings on the bits of the two keys. However, when the basic lock cylinder configuration of a lock plug and lock shell is provided with a master annular ring then only the master key can open the lock cylinder. However, the lock cylinder can be opened by a low level security key or master key when the lock cylinder is fitted with the low level security annular ring.  
         [0077]     Many changes can be made in the above-described invention without departing from the intent and scope thereof. It is therefore intended that the above description be read in the illustrative sense and not in the limiting sense. Substitutions and changes can be made without departing from the scope and intent of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4