CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/560,809 filed on behalf of Josh Pierson and Gilbert Lombardo, entitled “Self-Adjusting Cam Assembly,” filed on Apr. 8, 2004, and which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.  
       CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0002]     This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Retaining Mechanism for Mortise Cylinders,” filed concurrently herewith, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/560,651, filed on Apr. 8, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to lock assemblies and alarm mechanisms in which a keyed or mortise cylinder is employed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel assembly for securing a mortise cylinder in an alarm housing.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Commonly, door locks, exit alarms, panic devices, and other locking systems employ mortise cylinders that typically are operated with a key placed in a rotatable key cylinder portion of the mortise cylinder. Such assemblies often are installed on a wall or a door. To minimize the size, lock and alarm assemblies must be compact. This introduces a number of difficulties in the design and assembly of such devices.  
         [0005]     Typically, an alarm or lock assembly comprises a plate (or cover) that covers the alarm or lock and the mortise cylinder disposed therein. A bracket is secured to the interior of the plate. The bracket and plate cooperate to form a housing for the mortise cylinder and alarm. Typical mounting of the housing is achieved with mounting screws. The mortise cylinder is commonly secured to the bracket by a hexagonal nut engaging threads formed on the exterior of the mortise cylinder. Keys and corresponding key ways, as well as set screws, are methods of securing the mortise cylinder to the housing to prevent rotation of the mortise cylinder.  
         [0006]     During assembly of the alarm, the mortise cylinder and associated cam must be carefully positioned relative to one another in the housing to insure proper engagement between the mortise cylinder and cam. Therefore, reliable operation can be difficult to achieve with the alarm assemblies due to the complex installation configuration.  
         [0007]     Additionally, there are varieties of mortise cylinder lengths that are in common use. Specifically, there are 5, 6, and 7 pin mortise cylinders that have different lengths. Therefore, depending on the length of the cylinder, adjustments are made during assembly. These adjustments may require a substantial amount of labor and expertise.  
         [0008]     To avoid some of these problems, numerous attempts have been made to address the shortcomings of conventional locks and alarms. Some examples of these attempts are listed and discussed below.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,520 issued to Lee (“Lee”), discloses a flat lock system that will not be easily picked, in particular where the tumbler is not permitted to pivot with respect to the cylinder. It consists of a cylinder, a tumbler, and several rings and springs. The cylinder has an inner surface formed with a number of separate ribs defining passages that extend perpendicular to the length of the cylinder. The tumbler consists of a disk defining a keyhole, and it is integrated with a key receiver and a latch carrier. The rings and springs are alternatively mounted on the key receiver. Each ring has an outer rim with a number of ears and an inner rim with a number of arms. The purpose of the springs is to bias the rings towards the disk such that the ears protruding from the rings are trapped in the passages between the ribs. When a key is inserted in the key receiver, shoulders formed on the key push the arms on the rings such that the ears protruding from the rings align with the passages formed between the ribs to make the tumbler and latch pivotable.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,453 issued to Konii et al. (“Konii”), discloses a tamper and damage resistant cylinder lock. The lock comprising an axial cam provided on a key cylinder, a rotator for engagement with a sleeve and in contact with the axial cam, a stopper positioned adjacent to the rotator having a pair of lugs engageable with a recess of the casing, and an axial spring positioned between the stopper and a connector for resiliently urging the stopper toward the rotator. The rotator and stopper are axially moved by the axial cam to disengage the rotator from the sleeve and the stopper from the casing upon independent rotation of the sleeve on insertion of the correct key. The key cylinder, the rotator, the stopper and connector are rotated as a unit to a locked or unlocked position.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,204 issued to Neyret (“Neyret”), discloses a lock mechanism designed to improve security, especially against forceful rotation. It consists of a housing with a bore, a sleeve within the bore, and a rotor which is rotatably mounted and axially slidable within the sleeve. The rotor has a longitudinally extending key slot. A piston slides axially within the bore in the sleeve and rotor between a first rest position where the sleeve and rotor are coupled together for simultaneous rotation, and a second disengagement position resulting on insertion of appropriate key where said sleeve and rotor are uncoupled. Upon removal of the key, a spring pushes back the piston and the rotor towards the rest position.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,909 issued to Weber (“Weber”), discloses a cylinder lock, particularly a steering-wheel lock for a motor vehicle. It comprises a locking disk that is displaceable parallel to itself, axially movable on a projection of a cylinder core, and which is at right angles to the axis of the lock. The locking disk can be mounted very securely as it needs only make a sliding movement in relation to the cylinder core, and does not need to turn relative to the cylinder core. Thus, the ‘ready-to-lock-position’ of a locking or transmission member is not cancelled by a tilting or turning of the locking disk, but solely by movement in the axial direction. Moreover, the cylinder lock is connected to a cam that forms a bearing surface for the locking disk. A conical coil compression spring disposed upon an axial extension of the cylinder core urges the locking disk in the direction of the cam upon insertion of appropriate key.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,334 issued to Crepinsek (“Crepinsek”), discloses a deadbolt lock adjustable for mounting in doors of various thicknesses. It is an improvement of the deadlock of the type which is mounted in a door and has a lock body with a bore that provides secure access to the dead-bolt throw or retract mechanism. The improvement comprises coupling means non-adjustably and non-rotatingly mounted within the bore of the lock body and extending a preselected distance beyond the outer boundary of the bore, just sufficient to accommodate the thickness of a particular door. One disadvantage of Crepinsek, however, is that there is no system that self-adjusts to a range of depths, depending on the thickness of the door. Hence, Crepinsek requires preselection of a distance prior to installation.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,886 issued to Evans et al. (“Evans”), relates to cylinder type key locks and locking devices that are environmentally exposed. It discloses a key mortise cylinder for possibly contaminated environments. The mortise cylinder is a key operated rotary core cylinder lock having rotary disc tumblers arranged in a pack with intervening spacers inside of a rotary core sleeve which is held against rotation within the lock casing by a locking bar.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,605 issued to Garza (“Garza”), relates to improvements in tumbler pin-type cylinder locks provided with safety means to reduce the chances that the lock can be picked or rendered ineffective. It discloses a tumbler pin-type cylinder lock with axial or axial and radial cylinder movement. The cylinder moves axially or axially and radially with respect to the lock housing. Movement of the mortise cylinder in the axial direction is brought about by spring means—a helical compression spring constantly urges the cylinder towards the front end of the lock housing, and upon insertion the appropriate key moves the cylinder against the urging of the spring.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,240 issued to Crasnianski (“Crasnianski”), discloses a cylinder lock of the type having a stator with a rotor and lamellae actuated by a flat key. The rotor comprises floating lamellae capable of moving radially and angularly, and means for guiding the flat key over its entire introduction path into the rotor without any possibility of lateral or radial displacement. The lamellae are released as a result of the axial pressure applied to the rotor by the key against the action of a spring.  
         [0017]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,244 issued to Schaumburg (“Schaumburg”), discloses a lock actuated anti-theft device mainly for automobiles. A system of rollers is provided in the direct vicinity of the key hole portion of the lock. Operation of the key causes internal shifting of the rollers causing other lock portions to go into locking position, where the locking position is fully established upon total removal of the key from the lock.  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,688 issued to Wellekens (“Wellekens”), discloses a lock for vending machines or the like. The lock consists of a plurality of concentric sleeves in nested relationship, where the outermost sleeve constitutes a lock casing, the innermost sleeve carries a locking mechanism that controls a latch, the intermediate sleeve is coupled to the inner sleeve by a rotatable cup having a shoulder under which the latch is advanced for the sleeves to be completed nested. A spring advances the joined inner and intermediate sleeves partly out of the outermost sleeve when the latch is disengaged.  
         [0019]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,089,329 issued to Kerr (“Kerr”), discloses an alarm assembly for a refrigerated cabinet or the like. It consists of a draw alarm assembly having a nestled handle and a connecting cam between the handle and a draw shaft. This connection allows for a positive drive between the handle and draw shaft during door tightening operations, but permits for a limited degree of reverse movement of the handle after the tightening operation has been completed.  
         [0020]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,026,385 issued to Davis, et al. (“Davis”), relates to an improved push-button operator with locking means. It discloses a push-button operating mechanism comprising a tubular casing, a push-button mounted in the casing for reciprocal movement, a lock barrel mounted in the outer end of the push-button and rotatable upon insertion of appropriate key. The lock barrel is rotatable to one position when the push-button is in its outwardly extended position, and it is rotatable to another position when the push-button is depressed inwardly. A torsion spring urges the lock barrel to rotate upon insertion of the key in and and causes the change from a depressed to an extended position of the push-button.  
         [0021]     Even with the numerous attempts to improve locks, there remains a number of shortcomings. Accordingly, a need exists for alarm and lock assemblies using a conventional mortise cylinder with a tailpiece on its distal end that minimizes the number of parts in the assembly and simplifies installation on a door or wall.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     It is a general object of the present invention to provide an alarm or lock assembly that is adapted for easy assembly and reliable performance. This and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a mortise cylinder having a rotatable center. The rotatable center has an exterior end and an interior end. The exterior end receives a key for operations or may have a knob. The interior end has a tailpiece and is rotatable coincident with rotation of the key or knob on the exterior end. A cam engages the tailpiece on the mortise cylinder to provide selective movement of the cam responsive to rotation of the key cylinder in the mortise cylinder.  
         [0023]     A housing secures the mortise cylinder and cam relative to one another and to a door or wall. A biasing member is disposed between the housing and cam for urging the cam into secure engagement with the tailpiece of the mortise cylinder, wherein variation in the distance between the cam and the tailpiece on the interior end of the mortise cylinder can be accommodated.  
         [0024]     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing further comprises a plate that is securable to a wall or door and has the mortise cylinder extending therethrough, and a bracket secured to the plate and carrying the cam for rotation.  
         [0025]     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the biasing member is a coil spring disposed between a portion of the bracket and the cam.  
         [0026]     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bracket comprises a pair of opposed, generally parallel surfaces, one of which has an aperture to receive a portion of the mortise cylinder. The cam is disposed between the surfaces. The coil spring is disposed between the cam and the surface opposite the surface having an aperture.  
         [0027]     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a door incorporating an alarm assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view, partially in section, of the alarm assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view, partially in section, of the alarm assembly of  FIG. 1 , shown in reverse.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the alarm assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of another portion of the alarm assembly of  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of another portion of the alarm assembly of  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is an assembled view of the portion of the alarm assembly of  FIGS. 2 through 6 .  
         [0035]      FIGS. 8A, 8B  and  8 C are elevation views, partially in section, illustrating the operation of the alarm assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]     In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known elements have been illustrated in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail.  
         [0037]     The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.  
         [0038]      FIG. 1  of the drawings is an elevation view of a door incorporating an alarm assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  1  designates a door. Door  1  is hinge attached to wall  2 . Alarm assembly  111  is secured to wall  2 , allowing door  1  to be alarmed by inserting and rotating the proper key in key cylinder  113 A of mortise cylinder  113 .  
         [0039]     As can be seen in the exploded views of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , alarm assembly  111  comprises, in part, a mortise cylinder  113 , a cover or plate  115 , an alarm siren  119 , a bracket  117 , a cam  131 , and a coil spring  141 . Cover  115  is equipped to couple to wall  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and is equipped to retain the alarm siren  119 , and mortise cylinder  113 . Alarm siren  119  may comprise an audible alarm, a silent alarm, lighting, video activation, or other electronic activated emergency function or a combination of thereof. Bracket  117  is secured against mortise cylinder  113  by screws  124 .  
         [0040]     As can also be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , mortise cylinder  113  is a generally conventional lock cylinder, further comprising a key cylinder  113 A operably rotatable when the correct key is installed. Key cylinder  113 A extends through the length of mortise cylinder  113 , exiting the internal end in the form of a tailpiece  113 B. Oftentimes, tailpiece  113 B is referred to as a “bowling pin” because of its shape. Functionally, tailpiece  113 B is a cam surface which rotates in common with rotation of the key or knob which rotates key cylinder  113 A of mortise cylinder  113 . When fully assembled, tailpiece  113 B is operatively located in bracket  117 .  
         [0041]     Now referring to  FIGS. 4, 5 ,  6 , and  7 , perspective views of a portion of alarm assembly  111  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  can be seen in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Bracket  117  retains cam  131 , coil spring  141 , and sensor trigger  171 . Optionally, a second cam  161  is attachable to the backside of bracket  117 . Specifically, cam  131  is rotationally disposed within bracket  117  and is biased against coil spring  141 . The combination of cam  131  and coil spring  141  are secured by pins  151  that couple to bracket  117 . Second cam  161  is also secured to cam  131  for common rotation. Additionally, sensor trigger  171  is located on the upper surface of bracket  117 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 8A, 8B ,  8 C and  8 D, elevation views, partially in section, illustrate the operation of alarm assembly  111  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Rotating key cylinder  113 A of mortise cylinder  113  rotates tailpiece  113 B. Tailpiece  113 B engages cam  131 , which rotates about pins  151 . The periphery of cam  131  selectively engages sensor trigger  171 , thereby arming, or disarming alarm siren  119 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 8A  shows alarm assembly  111  in a disengaged position.  FIG. 8B  shows alarm assembly  111 , in an intermediate position, still unarmed, in which sensor trigger  171  is initially contacted by cam  131 .  FIG. 8C  shows alarm assembly  111  in an armed position, in which cam  131  has fully engaged sensor trigger  171 , which has in turned armed alarm siren  119 . As shown, detents are formed in the ends of the slots through which pins  151  extend to provide positive indication of the position of tailpiece  113 B.  
       OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0044]     Referring now to the Figures, in particularly to  FIG. 1 , an elevation view of a door  1  incorporating an alarm assembly  111  mounted to a wall  2  according to the present invention is illustrated. The only portions of alarm assembly  111  visible in  FIG. 1  are the proximal or exterior end of key cylinder  113 A of mortise cylinder  113  and cover or plate  115 .  
         [0045]     Plate  115  is both part of the structure of alarm assembly  111  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and also serves a “cosmetic” purpose in that it covers door  1  or wall  2  to which alarm assembly  111  is installed. Alarm assembly  111  according to the present invention has utility in connection with conventional door locks, exit control locks, exit alarms, panic devices, and the like where conventional mortise cylinders (keyed or otherwise) are used.  
         [0046]     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , exploded front and rear perspective views, partially in section, of alarm assembly  111 , without wall  2 , are illustrated. As previously mentioned, alarm assembly  111  comprises a conventional mortise cylinder  113 , which is secured in an aperture in a cover or plate  115 . In the embodiment illustrated, by way of example only, alarm assembly  111  is used in connection with an alarm in which keyed cylinder  113  is used to activate an alarm sensor. Although the term “cylinder” is used, and the majority of mortise cylinders are cylindrical, the cylinder according to the present invention need not be cylindrical in configuration. Similarly, while a keyed mortise cylinder (operated with a key) is illustrated, the present invention has utility with deadbolts and non-keyed lock assemblies.  
         [0047]     A bracket  117  is secured to the reverse side of cover plate  115  and also to mortise cylinder  113 . According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, mortise cylinder  113  is secured to plate  115  in accordance with commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Retaining Mechanism for Mortise Cylinders,” filed concurrently herewith, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/560,651, filed on Apr. 8, 2004. Alternatively, mortise cylinder  113  may be secured to plate  115  by use of a conventional hexagonal nut (not shown).  
         [0048]     Mortise cylinder  113  has a proximal or exterior end, which protrudes from plate  115  and is the end through which a key is inserted into key cylinder  113 A. Mortise cylinder  113  has a tailpiece  113 B, formed on the distal or interior end. Tailpiece  113 B engages a complementary surface on a cam  131 , which is held in place relative to mortise cylinder  113  by a bracket  117  and a coil spring  141 . Bracket  117  and plate  115  cooperate to define a housing for alarm assembly  111  according to the present invention.  
         [0049]     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bracket  117  is in an inverted U-shape with two parallel, generally opposed plates or surfaces, one of which has an aperture dimensioned to receive the end of mortise cylinder  113 . Bracket  117  is secured to plate  115  by a pair of screws  124  and secures cam  131  for rotation with key cylinder  113 A of mortise cylinder  113 . As shown in  FIGS. 8A through 8C , Cam  131  receivably engages tailpiece  113 B.  
         [0050]     As shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 4 , coil spring  141  or other biasing member  141  is disposed within bracket  117  and in engagement with cam  131 . By acting between the rearward portion (relative to plate  115 ) of bracket  117  and cam  131 , cam  131  is urged forward (again relative to plate  115 ) and into engagement with tailpiece  113 B of mortise cylinder  113 . Spring  141  or biasing member  141  thus “takes up” any tolerance or “slop” in the distance between tailpiece  113 B and the corresponding surface of cam  131 . This avoids the need for careful fitting, adjustment, and shimming of alarm assembly  111  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A pair of pins  151  secure cam  131  for rotation within bracket  117 . In the preferred embodiment, spring  141  is also confined within a circular recess in cam  131  so that it is captured between cam  131  and the rearward portion of bracket  117  after assembly.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate other components of bracket assembly  117  that are not intended to be considered part of the present invention, but merely environment. An optional second cam  161  may be secured to the rear plate of bracket and partially actuates a sensor trigger or cam assembly  171 . Second cam  161  may be engaged with a secondary lock or latch mechanism for arming and disarming alarm  119  from the other side of door  1  and wall  2 . Again, alarm assembly  111  according to the present invention has utility with both alarm systems (as shown) and conventional bolt locks; alarm siren  119  is depicted for illustrative purposes of the preferred embodiment only.  
         [0052]      FIG. 7  depicts bracket  117  fully assembled with cam  131  and spring  141  disposed therein and secured by pins  151 . Spring  141  is obscured from view in  FIG. 7 . Second cam  161  and sensor trigger  171  are also illustrated assembled together with bracket  117 .  
         [0053]      FIGS. 8A, 8B , and  8 C depict alarm assembly  111  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in operation. Key cylinder  113 A represents the internal locking mechanism of mortise cylinder  113 . Key cylinder  113 A is rotated by action of the proper key or by action of a knob, which rotates tailpiece  113 B. Coil spring  141  is compressively located between one side of bracket  117  and cam  131 . Cam  131  is thus biased against the opposite side of bracket  117  in the direction of plate  115 . The biasing of cam  131  locates cam  131  in desirable positional relationship with tailpiece  113 B of mortise cylinder  113 .  
         [0054]     Tailpiece  113 B engages one side or the other (only one side corresponding to clockwise rotation of the key or bolt is illustrated) of cam  131 , which rotates (with cylinder  113 ) about pins  151 . The periphery of cam  131  selectively engages sensor trigger  171  and moves it into and out of registry, or contact, with a switch portion of alarm siren  119 , thereby arming, or disarming, alarm siren  119 .  FIG. 8A  shows alarm assembly  111  in a disengage position.  FIG. 8B  shows alarm assembly  111  in an intermediate position in which sensor trigger  171  is initially engaged by cam  131 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 8C  shows alarm assembly  111  in a fully engaged position in which cam  131  has fully engaged sensor trigger  171 , which has armed (or disarmed) alarm siren  119 . As visible on  FIG. 8C , small detents, or tabs, are formed in the ends of the slots through which pins  151  extend to provide positive indication of the keyed position of mortise cylinder  113 , maintaining the armed status of alarm siren  119 .  
         [0056]     Alarm assembly  111  according to the present invention has a principal advantage over the prior art in that it is assembled with less adjustment and greater reliability than conventional alarm and lock assemblies. Incorporating conventional and readily available mortise cylinders  113  into alarm assemblies  111  requires secure and reliable engagement between tailpiece  113 B and cam  131 .  
         [0057]     Since tailpiece  113 B does not extend outwardly substantially far from traditional mortise cylinders  113 , providing secure and reliable engagement in compact alarm assemblies  111  typically requires delicate and experienced assembly and the use of spacing shims. The biasing action of spring  141  insures positive engagement between tailpiece  113 B and cam  131 , regardless of minor variations in the assembled distance between them.  
         [0058]     The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is thus not limited, but susceptible to variation and modification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0059]     Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
An alarm assembly is adapted for ease of assembly. A mortise cylinder has an exterior end and an interior end. The mortise cylinder has a tailpiece on the interior end and is rotatable about an axis. A cam engages the tailpiece on the mortise cylinder to provide selective movement of the cam responsive to rotation of the mortise cylinder. A housing secures the mortise cylinder and cam relative to one another and to a wall or door. A biasing member is disposed between the housing and cam for urging the cam into engagement with the tailpiece of the mortise cylinder, wherein variations in the length of the mortise cylinder can be accommodated.