Free-wheeling door lock mechanism

摘要

A free-wheeling lock mechanism for a cylindrical door lock includes inner and outer spindles directly and non-rotatably connected to corresponding inner and outer lever handles. A latch retractor is located between the spindles and a cylindrical outer cam is located within the outer spindle. The outer cam can slide axially in the outer spindle and includes an approximately T-shaped cam slot having longitudinal and circumferential portions forming the T-shape. A cam scoop is located on the perimeter of the outer cam which extends into the latch retractor and operates the latch retractor to open the door when the outer cam is rotated. The outer spindle has an inwardly projecting finger that cooperates with the cam slot to unlock and lock the mechanism as the outer cam slides axially to align the finger with the longitudinal or circumferential portions of the cam slot. In the unlocked position the finger projects into the longitudinal portion of the cam slot so that rotation of the lever handle turns the outer cam and opens the door. In the locked position the finger projects into the circumferential portion of the cam slot so that the finger does not engage the outer cam and rotation of the lever handle does not open the door.