Abstract: A key is an assembly of a thermoplastic handle and a blade, which are formed separately from each other. The blade is substantially flat, and includes on each of its opposite sides a plurality of parallel longitudinal lands having forwardly-facing bittings thereon, and a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves which alternate with the lands and space them apart. The bittings serve to engage transverse rows of axially reciprocatable tumblers in a cylinder lock, and the grooves receive lock wards therein, while the distal end of the blade engages the lock to determine the depth of insertion of the key blade. The blade also is provided with a capture pin opening, and with a proximal end structure which cooperates with the handle in assembling the key. The blade is made from a length of bar stock which is rolled in order to form lands and grooves on the sides of a flat strip.

Abstract: A machine for cutting flat keys having extending tumbler-receiving recesses includes a mount for a key blade blank, a mount for a cutter, mechanism mounting the blank mount and the cutter mount for movement relative to each other for cutting a longitudinal tumbler-receiving recess in a blade blank mounted on the blank mount with a cutter mounted on the cutter mount, and mechanism mounting the blank mount and the cutter mount for adjustment of their relative positions to adjust the position of the cutter transversely with respect to the blade blank, whereby a plurality of tumbler-receiving recesses may be cut in the blank thereacross. A holder for the blade blank is pivotally mounted on the blank mount for 180-degree rotation about the longitudinal axis of the blank, whereby the recesses may be cut in opposite sides of the blank.

Abstract: A picking tool adapted to open a cylinder lock of the axial pin tumbler type having its tumblers arranged in a coplanar configuration, includes a planar torquing core insertable into the lock keyway in a longitudinal direction, a plurality of longitudinal guideway channels formed on opposing faces of the core, and respective tumbler probes longitudinally reciprocable in the channels. A holder, which acts as a handle for manipulating the picking tool, also serves as a housing surrounding the core and the probes. The holder is formed with a pair of radial openings in opposite sides thereof which receive respective brake segments for exerting a frictional drag on the probes. An adjustable hoop clamp surrounds the brake segments for manually adjusting the frictional drag, so that the proper tumbler displacement action can be achieved. Setscrews are threaded into the body of the holder for clamping the probes in their final tumbler-displacing positions.

Abstract: A cylinder lock mechanism includes a tubular barrel, a lock cylinder rotatable in the barrel, tumblers longitudinally and reciprocally movable within the cylinder, a cap on a front end of the barrel and having a key opening therethrough, a facing member interposed between the cap and the cylinder and having an opening registering with the cap opening, a spacer interposed between the facing member and the cylinder and having an opening registering with the cap opening, such openings when in registry receiving a key for insertion thereof into engagement with the tumblers, an engagement member extending transversely of the cylinder for engagement with the tumblers and laterally movable to and from the tumblers, a locking member extending longitudinally of the cylinder for engagement with the engagement member and laterally movable to and from the tumblers, structure on the cylinder and the barrel respectively for engaging the locking member therealong for locking purposes, structure on the tumblers for engaging

Abstract: An improvement in a plate tumbler-type cylinder lock mechanism including an elongate barrel having a longitudinal bore therein, and a key plug having a body portion and a shaft portion extending therefrom, such plug being received rotatably in the bore with the body portion extending between opposite ends of the barrel and the shaft portion extending outwardly from one end of the barrel, the bore having a draft-induced longitudinal taper widening in the direction of the said one end of the barrel, such improvement including journal means on the body portion and projecting laterally therefrom for journalling the plug in the barrel adjacent to the said one end thereof, thereby to minimize lateral play between the plug and the barrel thereat. Preferred structure for limiting the rotation of the plug embodies stop means for interengaging the journal means and the barrel.

Abstract: A plate tumbler for a cylinder lock mechanism, such mechanism including a tubular barrel provided with an internal longitudinal groove, and a key plug assembly rotatable in the barrel, such assembly including a key plug, a plurality of plate tumblers transversely reciprocally movable in slots in the plug and each having an end received in the barrel groove in a locking disposition of the mechanism, and spring means biasing such tumbler ends into the groove, such tumbler being relieved along the side edges of a body portion thereof, as compared to conventional tumblers, at diagonally opposite corners of the body portion, to provide a trailing edge having an arcuate end portion received in the barrel groove in the locking disposition of the mechanism and an adjacent oblique portion at one of the corners, and a leading edge having an oblique end portion at the diagonally opposite corner, whereby the arcuate end portion of the trailing edge hooks over the key plug while the oblique end portion of the leading edge

Abstract: A single key-operated keeper lock for a zipper-type slide fastener includes a barrel assembly of a tubular barrel and an anvil fixed to and projecting radially from the barrel, a plug assembly of a lock cylinder rotatably received in the barrel and a keeper arm fixed to and projecting radially from the cylinder adjacent to a proximal end thereof, the plug assembly being rotatable relative to the barrel assembly between alternate positions for alternately securing a fastener element between the keeper arm and the anvil, and releasing the element, tumblers carried by the cylinder, movable into engagement with the barrel to prevent the relative rotation, and movable out of such engagement by insertion of a key in the cylinder in the direction of the axis of rotation, a locking bar reciprocally movable in the barrel rectilinearly along such axis between a base portion of the barrel and a distal end portion of the cylinder, the base portion defining a recess receiving the locking bar in each of the several positio

Abstract: An axial split-pin tumbler-type lock mechanism having a barrel assembly of a rotatable operating part and a stationary part housed in a lock cylinder, a plurality of tumblers each having a driver element carried by the operating part and a follower element carried by the stationary part, and spring means urging the tumblers into locking positions, includes means providing a plurality of longitudinal grooves in the outer surfaces of the operating and stationary parts, the driver and follower elements being carried in such grooves, and means adjacent to one end of the barrel assembly for seating the spring means.

Abstract: An axial split-pin tumbler-type lock mechanism having improved pick-resistance is provided with tumblers having substantially the same overall length, at least two of the tumblers having driver elements differing in length, and with spring means in at least two different spring rates respectively to act upon the tumblers having elements differing in length, one of the spring means which has a relatively high spring rate acting upon a tumbler having a relatively short driver element, and another of the spring means which has a relatively low spring rate acting upon a tumbler having a relatively long driver element.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a combination of an axial split-pin tumbler-type lock mechanism and a key therefor, wherein the mechanism includes a lock cylinder and an operating part rotatable therein, the operating part including a cylindrical head and a key guide post having a reduced diameter with respect to the head, the head having tumbler bores extending therethrough and disposed radially outwardly of the post, and wherein the key includes a shank having a socket adapted for receiving the post therein, and bittings on the outer periphery of the shank adapted for endwise engagement with tumblers carried by the bores to free the operating part for rotation, such improvement including means providing a longitudinal blind drive groove in the post and facing one of the tumbler bores substantially in a longitudinal plane therewith, and a drive lug on the shank extending radially inwardly from the wall of the socket and substantially in a longitudinal plane with one of the bittings and adjacent thereto, the lu

Abstract: A sleeve and terminal holder assembly for an axial split-pin tumbler-type switch lock mechanism, such mechanism including a lock cylinder, and an operating part disposed forwardly within the cylinder and rotatable therein, the operating part including a cylindrical head and a shaft having a reduced diameter extending rearwardly therefrom, the head having longitudinal tumbler bores extending therethrough and disposed radially outwardly of the shaft, the assembly comprising a sleeve adapted to be disposed within the cylinder adjacent to the operating part head and with the shaft extending therethrough, the sleeve having longitudinal tumbler bores therein adapted for alignment with the head bores for receiving split-pin tumblers in aligned bores, a holder for electrical terminals spaced rearwardly from the sleeve, and means joining the sleeve to the holder in an assembly adapted for insertion in the cylinder as a unit.

Abstract: A protective cover is provided for a handle lock. The handle lock includes a handle housing, a closure handle, and a lock mechanism. The housing includes a tubular receptacle extending into a door or other closure, and a lateral flange on the receptacle supporting the housing on the outer surface of the closure. The closure handle has a stem received in the receptacle and a grip on the outer end of the stem, the handle being movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to the housing between an inner locked position wherein the grip is adjacent to the flange, and an outer operating position. The lock mechanism is carried by the handle and is cooperative in the locked position with structure on the housing, for locking the handle to the housing. The protective cover includes a mounting plate having an opening receiving the receptacle therethrough, while the flange secures the plate to the closure, and a casing mounted on the plate and continuously surrounding the flange and the grip in the locked position.

Abstract: An axial split-pin tumbler-type lock mechanism includes a rotatable operating part and a stationary part, which adjoin at an interfacial plane. Tumblers each including a driver element and a follower element are mounted in bores in the parts, which bores meet in alignment at the interfacial plane, and the tumblers are movable back and forth in the bores. When the joints between the tumbler elements coincide with the interfacial plane upon insertion of a key, the operating part may be rotated by means of the key, to accomplish a desired function.

Abstract: An axial split-pin tumbler-type lock mechanism includes a rotatable operating part and a stationary part, which adjoin at an interfacial plane. Tumblers each including a driver element and a follower element are mounted in bores in the parts. The bores meet in alignment at the interfacial plane, and the tumblers are movable back and forth in the aligned bores. When the joints between the tumbler elements coincide with the interfacial plane upon insertion of a key, the operating part may be rotated by means of the key, to accomplish a desired function.

Abstract: An axial split-pin tumbler-type lock mechanism for a handle lock and of the type including a lock cylinder, a forwardly disposed operating part rotatable in the cylinder, a rearwardly disposed stationary sleeve in the cylinder and adjoining the operating part at a transverse interfacial plane, the operating part including a shaft extending axially through the sleeve, the key-operated spring-pressed axially movable split-pin tumblers carried in bores in the operating part and the sleeve and movable into positions alternately serving to secure the operating part and the sleeve against relative rotation and to free the operating part for rotation to operate the lock mechanism, includes a bolt holder integral with the sleeve part and disposed rearwardly thereof, the holder having a bolt race extending transversely therein, and a lock bolt mounted in the race for transverse sliding movement therein between unlocking and locking positions, the bolt having means cooperating with coupling means on the distal end of t

Abstract: Alarm switch mechanism for an axial split-pin tumbler-type lock includes an electrical contact member disposed in the lock cylinder in the movement paths of lock tumbler elements and adapted for making an electrical contact with an element of any of the tumblers which is moved rearwardly or inwardly a predetermined distance, beyond the distance required for lock-opening purposes, means electrically insulating the contact member from the lock mechanism when no tumbler is in the latter position, and means adapted for making electrical connections to the tumbler elements and the contact member, respectively, whereby they may be connected in an alarm signal circuit closed by making said contact.

Abstract: A plate tumbler-type cylinder lock mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinal internal splines therearound adapted for receiving tumbler ends, means providing at least three internal circumferentially extending tumbler movement paths on the barrel and extending between one spline and another spline which is different for each path, a key plug assembly rotatable in the barrel and including a key plug and a plurality of spring-pressed plate tumblers mounted in the plug, the tumblers being mounted for reciprocal transverse movement upon insertion and withdrawal of a bitted key with opposite tumbler ends projecting alternately from opposite sides of the plug, certain tumblers being adapted to be projected outwardly with their ends in respective registering movement paths when a key is inserted, whereby such ends may travel in the movement paths when the plug is rotated, and means adjacent to at least one end of each movement path adapted for engagement with the tumbler end traveling in the path to prevent tra

Abstract: A lock and key combination includes an axial split-pin tumbler-type lock having a lock cylinder and a barrel assembly secured within the cylinder. The barrel assembly includes a forwardly disposed rotatable operating part and a rearwardly disposed stationary part, which carry in longitudinal bores thereof spring-pressed tumblers having separate driver and follower elements, the driver elements of which extend forwardly out of the bores for engagement with the key. The operating part has a planar front face surrounding a forwardly extending key guide post adapted to resist application of lock-picking torque. The key has a shank provided with a socket adapted for receiving the guide post therein.

Abstract: A key ejector lock adapted for use in the door of a cabinet or other enclosure and which will eject the lock key in any rotational position thereof.