Importance

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Abstract

A locking mechanism for furniture unit is provided which utilizes a single component for translating rotary motion of a tumbler cylinder of a key lock into reciprocating, linear motion of a pair of opposing lock rods. The mechanism includes a base having a pair of linear guide channels which are defined by spaced sidewalls, a lock rod received in each of the linear guide channels, each of the lock rods having a radially extending projection engaging the sidewalls of one of the guide channels, a key lock, and an actuator which is attached to a drive shaft connected to the tumbler cylinder of the key lock. The actuator includes a pair of arcuate channels, each of which is at least partially defined by spaced camming surfaces which engage opposing sides of the projections on the lock rods, whereby rotation of the actuator in one direction retracts the rods to the unlocked position and rotation in the opposite direction extends the rods to the locked position. A lockable furniture unit employing a locking mechanism having a base, a pair of lock rods, a key lock, and an actuator which has arcuate camming surfaces which facilitate translation of rotary motion of the tumbler cylinder of the key lock into linear motion of the lock rods is also disclosed.

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First Claim