This method shows how to disable pattern lock on a rooted Android device via ADB. It involves modifying the system settings database and deleting the file that stores the default.
adb shell
cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
sqlite3 settings.db
update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';
.quit
rm /data/system/gesture.key