Abstract: A locking device and system are disclosed. The locking device includes a barrel within which sets a plug. A plurality of pins sit in pin pathways that extend partially through the barrel and plug and the pins prevent rotation of the barrel within the plug when the ends of the pins are not aligned with a shear line. One of the pins has a recess formed therein within which a locking ball can sit. The engagement or otherwise of the locking ball in the recess is controlled by a linear actuator. When the linear actuator allows the locking ball to disengage the recess the pin with the recess in can engage the key and a line the end of the pin with the shear line.

Abstract: A locking device, particularly a pin tumbler lock, is disclosed. The lock has a barrel with pin pathways formed therein and a plug. The plug includes a cassette with further pin pathways and a body for receiving the cassette. Key pins, driving pins and springs are contained within the pin pathways. The device includes a fixing grub screw for selectively fixing the body to either said barrel or said cassette, thereby allowing easy re-pinning of the plug.

Abstract: A locking device and system are disclosed. The locking device includes a barrel within which sets a plug. A plurality of pins sit in pin pathways that extend partially through the barrel and plug and the pins prevent rotation of the barrel within the plug when the ends of the pins are not aligned with a shear line. One of the pins has a recess formed therein within which a locking ball can sit. The engagement or otherwise of the locking ball in the recess is controlled by a linear actuator. When the linear actuator allows the locking ball to disengage the recess the pin with the recess in can engage the key and a line the end of the pin with the shear line.

Abstract: Coin operated vending machines and vending methods for self service car washes that vend different commodities or services at a united price. The machines vend vacuum at different speeds, and spot remover or fragrance. Each machine has a computer-controlled, multi-segmented bar graph providing an analog indication of the amount of a vend that remains, and a dot matrix system for displaying text messages. The bar graph has multiple adjacent segments each having multiple cells that contain separate LEDS of different colors. The bar graph provides a relative, analog indication of the amount of a particular commodity remaining to be vended. When a vend starts, all of the bar graph segments are illuminated and as vending continues, bar graph segments and individually cells are sequentially decremented. Different products are associated with different colors. The customer may switch selections while a credit balance remains, and bar graph illumination is reset to 100%.

Abstract: A tri-core solenoid includes first, second and third core segments. The first and second core segments mate to form a low reluctance mating interconnect. The low reluctance mating interconnect includes, in one example, overlapping regions of the first and second core segments that form a joint surface area substantially in the same plane as the flow of flux through the first and second core segments. The third core segment, such as a plunger or armature, is slideably received in an aperture defined by the first and second core segments. The first core segment includes an end portion preferably having a first pole face that mates with a second pole face on the third core segment. The second core segment has a receiving region, such as a journal or bushing, that slideably receives the third core segment and forms a journal air gap therebetween.