The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 09, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 05, 2000
Tong-Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd., Chia-Yi, TW;
Abstract
A door lock includes an outside spindle tube, an insert tube which is disposed inside the outside spindle tube and which has a latch operating tab, and a clutch member disposed inside the insert tube and having first and second axial grooves. The clutch member is movable axially between a first position, in which the first axial groove engages a first engaging member projecting inwardly from the outside spindle tube, and a second position, in which the first axial groove disengages from the first engaging member. The insert tube does not engage the first engaging member of the outside spindle tube, but has a second engaging member in engagement with the second axial groove of the clutch member. When the door lock is placed in a locking position by pressing an inside press button of the door lock, the spindle shaft connected with the press button moves the clutch member to the second position, thereby permitting the outside spindle tube to turn independently of the insert tube. As such, possible damage due to the forced turning of the outside handle during the locking state of the door lock can be avoided.