Importance

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Abstract

A bellcore-style latch with a safety lock feature, having a handle with a shank. The shank has an axial bore, with side apertures extending through the shank into the bore. A lock plug is positioned in the bore of the handle, and has a head and a shaft. The shaft has recessed portions and unrecessed portions, and the lock plug is rotatable to move the lock plug between a locked position, wherein the unrecessed portions are in alignment with the side apertures to cause the ball bearings located therein to protrude from the side apertures, and an unlocked position, wherein the unrecessed portions are in alignment with the side apertures permitting the ball bearings to retract into the side apertures. A spring is used to bias the lock plug to its locked position. An escutcheon with an aperture is provided for receiving the shank portion. The aperture has pockets for the ball bearings. When the handle is in a closed position and the lock plug is in the locked position, the unrecessed portions of the shaft are aligned with the side apertures and the pockets and the ball bearings are protruded into the pockets, thereby preventing turning of the handle. When the lock plug is turned by a lock key to the unlocked position, the recessed portions of the shaft are aligned with the side apertures and the ball bearings can retract from the pockets, thereby permitting the handle to be turned and opened.

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First Claim