Lock assembly with a key-activated removable core structure

摘要

A lock assembly is provided with a key-activated removable core structure. The lock assembly includes a housing having a first internal compartment disposed at a front end thereof, a second internal compartment disposed at a rear end thereof, and a partition with an aperture and a radial slot therethrough for segregating the first and second internal compartments. The removable core structure is selectively removably disposed within the first internal compartment of the housing and a cam actuation assembly is captively rotatably disposed within the second internal compartment of the housing. The removable core structure includes an exterior shell portion and a key-activated lock plug assembly with a distal driver portion rotatably disposed within the shell portion for rotation between distinct operating positions. The cam actuation assembly selectively removably receives the driver portion of the lock plug assembly and is provided with a biasing element which urges the core structure into a first axial position with respect to the front end of the housing. In use, the cam actuation assembly interacts with the driver portion of the lock plug assembly to permit selective removal of the core structure from the first internal compartment of the housing depending upon the axial position of the core structure and the operating position of the lock plug assembly.