| 摘要 |
<p>An over-centered lock arrangement is provided for office furniture units, such as desks, credenzas and the like, that include one or more pedestals, having at least one closable compartment, in the nature of a drawer, a cabinet, et cetera, with a mechanism to lock the compartment closed, and a top extending the length of the unit. A primary lock is mounted in the unit, and includes lock tumblers mounted in a plug or cylinder, which is rotatable between the locked and unlocked positions. At least one lock slide is slidably mounted in the unit, and reciprocates to shift the compartment lock between locked and unlocked positions. The cam lock assembly includes a crank arm connected with the tumbler cylinder, and an actuator arm having opposite ends pivotally connected with the crank arm and the lock slide at first and second pivot points, whereby rotation of the tumbler cylinder reciprocates the lock slide. In the locked position, the first and second pivot points assume an over-centered relationship with respect to the axis of rotation of the tumbler cylinder, whereby external forces applied to the lock slide in a direction to force the lock open, urge the tumbler cylinder further toward the locked position for improved security, and to prevent damage to the lock tumblers.</p> |
