Lock cylinder cover with key engagement release of hold-open detent

摘要

A lock cylinder cover includes an escutcheon having a lock cylinder opening and a pivotal cover biased to cover the lock cylinder. A spring detent secured to the underside of the escutcheon has a stop surface which bears on the underside of the cover until opening movement permits the detent to spring out and engage a shoulder of the cover to hold the cover open. A blocking lever pivotally mounted on the underside of the escutcheon is spring biased to engage the detent. The detent has a cam surface poised in the path of unlocking rotation of the key so that the key cams the detent inwardly to release the stop surface from the cover so that the cover is spring biased to engage the key and then key removal permits the cover to close. The inward movement of the detent permits the lever to pivot into blocking engagement with the detent to retain the axially inward position in which the stop surface is withdrawn from engaging the cover. As the cover rotates closed, an operating abutment carried by the cover rotates the lever out of blocking engagement with the detent so that the detent is freed for subsequent outward movement upon subsequent opening of the cover.