Background of the Invention In the case of some exterior door knob constructions, the lock cylinder does not exactly mate with the exterior knob due to slight variations in manufacturing tolerances. As a result, there is a small amount of movement between the lock cylinder and the knob that is undesirable. A lock cylinder retainer that eliminates the undesirable movement would be welcome by manufactures and consumers.

Summary of the Invention A lock cylinder retainer comprises an annular portion and a rectangular portion extending from the annular portion. The annular portion is configured to engage a lock cylinder core and the rectangular portion is configured to engage a pin housing associated with the cylinder core. The annular portion includes a front edge and a flange extending radially inwardly from the front edge and the rectangular portion includes a front surface, a pair of parallel side surfaces and a top surface. The front, top and side surfaces cooperate to partially enclose the pin housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an exploded view of a door knob assembly incorporating a lock cylinder retainer according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of a lock cylinder retainer installed on a lock cylinder, with the door knob shown in section.

Figures 3-7 illustrate various views of a lock cylinder retainer.

Detailed Description of the Drawings A lock cylinder retainer 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1 in position relative to an otherwise conventional knob assembly 12.

The knob assembly 12 includes a sleeve subassembly 14 having a sleeve 16 extending from a shield 18. A rose cover 22 lies over the shield 18 to provide a more pleasing appearance. A conventional lock cylinder 20 is disposed in the sleeve 16. The lock cylinder 20 includes a cylinder core 24 and a pin housing 26, with the pin housing 26 cooperating with the core 24 to house a plurality of locking pins (not shown). The core 24 extends axially beyond the pin housing 26.

A knob 28 includes a sleeve 32 that slides over the sleeve 16 to engage the sleeve subassembly 14.

The lock cylinder retainer 10 includes an annular portion 34 and a rectangular portion 36 extending radially from the annular portion 34. The annular portion 34, which is sized and configured to align with, and fit over, the cylinder core 24, includes a front edge 38 and a flange 42 extending inwardly from the front edge 44. The rectangular portion 36 is sized and configured to align with, and fit over a portion of, the pin housing 26. The rectangular portion 36 includes a front wall 44, a pair of parallel sidewalls 46 and a top wall 48, all of which cooperate to enclose the front portion of the pin housing 26 and prevent the retainer 10 from rotating about the cylinder core 24.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the retainer 10 is disposed between the lock cylinder 20 and the knob 28 and fills any gap between the pin housing 26 and the inside surface of the knob 28. Preferably, the retainer 10 is made from a plastic material that will deform as necessary to provide a snug fit.

While the present invention has been described with particular reference to a preferred embodiment of a lockset mechanism, one skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be readily adapted to embodiments other than those described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the foregoing discussion and accompanying drawings and claims, that changes, modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the following claims.