Weather-resistant lock

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12084887-B2
Application number	US-202318366557-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 7, 2023
Priority date	Mar 20, 2019
Publication date	Sep 10, 2024
Grant date	Sep 10, 2024

Abstract

A lock can include attack-resistant and/or weather-resistant features. Attack-resistant features can include a sacrificial link between a locking mechanism and an external keyway covering an exterior face of the locking mechanism. The sacrificial link can break during a torque attack on the lock such that the full force of the torque attack is not applied to the locking mechanism. Weather-resistant features can include drain openings in one or more housing components external to the locking mechanism to facilitate drainage of liquid matter from the lock before the liquid matter reaches the locking mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lock comprising:
a locking mechanism comprising a keyway and one or more tab openings, the locking mechanism configured to receive a key blade for actuating the locking mechanism; and
an external structure comprising:
a housing at least partially surrounding the locking mechanism, the housing comprising an internal section disposed about the locking mechanism and an external section aligned with the keyway, the external section comprising a first drain opening and a well aligned with the keyway of the locking mechanism;
an external keyway structure retained within the well and comprising one or more tabs configured to interlock with the one or more tab openings to rotationally couple the external keyway structure to the locking mechanism;
a scalp at least partially covering the external section and comprising a second drain opening aligned with the first drain opening; and
a cylinder seal disposed at least partially between the scalp and the locking mechanism, the cylinder seal comprising a third drain opening aligned with the first and second drain openings.

2. The lock of claim 1 , wherein the external section of the housing is integrally formed with the internal section.

3. The lock of claim 1 , wherein the cylinder seal is at least partially disposed within the well.

4. The lock of claim 1 , wherein the external keyway structure comprises an external keyway drain opening aligned with the first drain opening.

5. The lock of claim 1 , wherein the one or more tabs comprise a sacrificial link configured to break when a torque is applied to the external keyway structure.

6. The lock of claim 5 , wherein breaking the sacrificial link allows the external keyway structure to rotate within the well.

7. The lock of claim 1 , wherein the first drain opening comprises a slot extending through a sidewall of the well.

8. The lock of claim 1 , further comprising a keyway flap pivotable between an open position and a closed position blocking ingress of foreign matter into the keyway, wherein the keyway flap is biased in the closed position.

9. The lock of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pin tumbler lock.

10. A method of manufacturing a lock, the method comprising:
providing a locking mechanism comprising a keyway and one or more tab openings, the locking mechanism configured to receive a key blade for actuating the locking mechanism;
inserting the locking mechanism at least partially into an internal section of a housing, the housing further comprising an external section aligned with the keyway and having a first drain opening therein, the external section comprising a well aligned with the keyway of the locking mechanism;
inserting, into the well, an external keyway structure comprising one or more tabs configured to interlock with the one or more tab openings to rotationally couple the external keyway structure to the locking mechanism;
coupling a cylinder seal to the external section of the housing such that a second drain opening in the cylinder seal is aligned with the first drain opening; and
at least partially covering the external section of the housing with a scalp comprising a third drain opening such that the cylinder seal is disposed at least partially between the scalp and the locking mechanism, and such that the third drain opening is aligned with the first and second drain openings.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein coupling the cylinder seal to the external section of the housing comprises at least partially inserting the cylinder seal into the well.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cylinder seal is coupled to the external section of the housing after the external keyway structure is inserted such that the cylinder seal retains the external keyway structure within the well.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein inserting the external key structure into the well comprises aligning the external keyway structure such that the one or more tabs fit within the corresponding tab openings.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the external keyway structure comprises an external keyway drain opening, and wherein the external keyway drain opening is aligned with the first drain opening.

15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising securing the scalp to the external section of the housing with an adhesive or by welding.

16. The method of claim 10 , further comprising installing the lock within a wall or a door of a receptacle such that the internal section of the housing is disposed within an inner volume of the receptacle and the external section of the housing is disposed outside the inner volume of the receptacle.

Assignees

• United States Postal Service

Inventors

• Tartal William Albert
• Irwin Donald Eugene

Classifications

• E05Y2999/00

  Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass · CPC title

• E05B65/52

  Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like · CPC title

• E05B17/2084

  Means to prevent forced opening by attack, tampering or jimmying (E05B15/1614 takes precedence; for ignition or steering locks B60R25/023) · CPC title

• E05B17/2003

  Preventing opening by insertion of a tool, e.g. flexible, between door and jamb to withdraw the bolt · CPC title

• E05B17/142

  with key-operated locks, e.g. padlocks · CPC title