Abstract: A lever assembly for a door lock comprising a lock cylinder and a pair of housings, each of which being mounted to a respective shank portion of the lock cylinder. Each housing has a circular channel formed in one side thereof. Each housing defines a lip that has a substantially planar perimetrical edge and includes a pair of travel stop tabs and a pair of spring holder tabs extending from the channel wall. In a preferred embodiment, the travel stop tabs of each housing member are less than 180.degree. apart, and the spring holder tabs are diametrically positioned with respect to one another.

Abstract: A lock assembly comprising a casing, a lever rotatably attached to the casing, the lever having a spindle attached thereto, a motor secured to the casing, the motor having a shaft, a substantially cylindrical member attached to the motor shaft and having a helically extending groove, and an interfering member threadedly and non-rotatably engaged with the helically extending groove of the cylindrical member. The interfering member moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. The interfering member moves into the locked position to prevent rotation of the lever when the motor shaft rotates in one direction. The interfering member moves into the unlocked position to allow rotation of the lever when the motor shaft rotates in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A motorized lock actuator adapted to replace a mechanical lock actuator in preexisting and installed lock assemblies to convert them to electronic operation includes an electrically insulated motor housing and at least one electrically insulated bushing on the motor shaft to prevent electrostatic discharge and EMI/RFI interference from damaging the electronic lock controller. An alignment spring is used to improve operation in misaligned lock assemblies, and a key cam of self lubricating and electrically insulating plastic provides reliable low friction operation for a sliding locking slide assembly.

Abstract: A reversible mortise lock comprising a casing, a latch bolt and a pair of spindle hubs disposed within the casing. Each spindle hub is independently pivotable about a fixed axis and has a slot. The latch bolt moves from an extended position to a retracted position in response to pivotal movement of either spindle hub. The latch bolt is rotable to a first orientation and to a second orientation. The reversible mortise lock further comprises an interfering member disposed within and accessible from outside the casing. The interfering member has a portion thereof sized for insertion into the spindle hub slots. The interfering member is pivotable to a first position corresponding to the first orientation of the latch bolt that allows only one of the hubs to pivot and to a second position corresponding to the second orientation of the latch bolt that allows only the other hub to pivot. The interfering member is pivotable from outside the casing without disassembling the reversible mortise lock.

Abstract: A finishing process for a base metal substrate comprising the steps of polishing the surface of the base metal substrate, electroplating the metal substrate with copper, electroplating a layer of metal over the copper plate, and depositing a substantially moisture impervious coating on the metal layer.

Abstract: A ratcheting latch mechanism for holding the vertical rods of a door exit device in the retracted position includes a chassis and a latch rod, with a plurality of ratchet notches formed therein, slidingly held by the chassis for motion between an extended and a retracted position. One end of the latch rod engages a socket in the door frame, the other is connected to a vertical rod extending from the exit device. A pawl is mounted on a release mechanism and engages the ratchet notches whenever the door is open to prevent the latch rod from moving back towards the extended position and damaging flooring or ceiling material.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a cylindrical key plug with a key slot and a shell surrounding the plug. A first locking mechanism is provided by split top pins projecting across the shear surface interface between the plug and the shell and are positioned to align the split with the shear surface by notches of varying height located along the top of a key. Second and preferably third locking mechanisms are also located in the plug and include a locking bar that projects into a locking groove in the shell when in the locked position. The locking bar has an offset ridge along an upper edge that prevents the locking bar from moving to an unlocked position unless side pins having recesses adapted to receive the ridge are properly positioned by depressions of the correct depth along the side of the key to align the recesses with the ridge. The lock can be easily rekeyed by simply reversing the locking bar.