Abstract: A lock assembly includes a plug with a keyway, primary pins aligned with the keyway for controlling rotation of the plug, a sidebar for controlling rotation of the plug, secondary pins adjacent the keyway for controlling movement of the sidebar, and at least one supplemental sidebar control element for controlling movement of the sidebar. The lock assembly is operated by simultaneously manipulating the primary pins, the secondary pins, and the supplemental sidebar control element to place each in a respective position and/or orientation to permit rotation of the plug and to permit sufficient movement of the sidebar to permit rotation of the plug and then applying torque to the plug.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a plug with a keyway, primary pins aligned with the keyway, a sidebar, secondary pins adjacent the keyway, and at least one supplemental sidebar control element for controlling movement of the sidebar. A key blank has a key blade with a primary top edge to receive primary bittings for controlling the primary pins, a rib to receive secondary bittings for controlling the secondary pins, and at least one shuttle pin. The shuttle pin engages a multi-level ridge within the keyway to move the shuttle pin from a retracted position to an extended position in which an end of the shuttle pin actuates the supplemental sidebar control element.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a plug with a keyway, primary pins aligned with the keyway for controlling rotation of the plug, a sidebar for controlling rotation of the plug, secondary pins adjacent the keyway for controlling movement of the sidebar, and at least one supplemental sidebar control element for controlling movement of the sidebar. The lock assembly is operated by simultaneously manipulating the primary pins, the secondary pins, and the supplemental sidebar control element to place each in a respective position and/or orientation to permit rotation of the plug and to permit sufficient movement of the sidebar to permit rotation of the plug and then applying torque to the plug.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a plug with a keyway, primary pins aligned with the keyway for controlling rotation of the plug, a sidebar for controlling rotation of the plug, secondary pins adjacent the keyway for controlling movement of the sidebar, and at least one supplemental sidebar control element for controlling movement of the sidebar. The lock assembly is operated by simultaneously manipulating the primary pins, the secondary pins, and the supplemental sidebar control element to place each in a respective position and/or orientation to permit rotation of the plug and to permit sufficient movement of the sidebar to permit rotation of the plug and then applying torque to the plug.

Abstract: A key or key blank includes a key blade having a first edge, a second edge, and first and second opposed sides. The first edge has one or more edge bittings to elevate and/or rotate one or more tumbler pins of a lock with a vertically-oriented keyway, and one of the opposed sides has one or more side bittings to elevate and/or rotate one or more tumbler pins of a lock with a horizontally-oriented keyway. Side warding surfaces on the key blank are shaped and positioned to minimize the interference of peaks between the skewed bitting cuts on the key. A lock has a keyway configured for the key having edge bittings to elevate and/or rotate one or more tumbler pins of a vertical lock and side bittings to elevate and/or rotate one or more tumbler pins of a horizontal lock.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a plug with a keyway, primary pins aligned with the keyway, a sidebar, secondary pins adjacent the keyway, and at least one supplemental sidebar control element for controlling movement of the sidebar. A key blank has a key blade with a primary top edge to receive primary bittings for controlling the primary pins, a rib to receive secondary bittings for controlling the secondary pins, and at least one shuttle pin. The shuttle pin engages a multi-level ridge within the keyway to move the shuttle pin from a retracted position to an extended position in which an end of the shuttle pin actuates the supplemental sidebar control element.

Abstract: A lock cylinder assembly includes a housing, a first cylinder disposed within a first bore formed in the housing, and a second cylinder disposed within a second bore formed in the housing, in which at least one of the first and second cylinders is an electronic cylinder. The lock cylinder assembly further includes first and second cams, in which each of the first and second cams are configured to actuate a door lock mechanism. The first cam is directly connected to the second cylinder so as to be rotatable with the second cylinder. The second cylinder and the second cam are rotatable with respect to each other so that the second cam does not rotate with the second cylinder. The second cam is rotatably coupled to the first cylinder so that the second cam rotates when the first cylinder is rotated.

Abstract: A lock cylinder assembly includes a housing, a first cylinder disposed within a first bore formed in the housing, and a second cylinder disposed within a second bore formed in the housing, in which at least one of the first and second cylinders is an electronic cylinder. The lock cylinder assembly further includes first and second cams, in which each of the first and second cams are configured to actuate a door lock mechanism. The first cam is directly connected to the second cylinder so as to be rotatable with the second cylinder. The second cylinder and the second cam are rotatable with respect to each other so that the second cam does not rotate with the second cylinder. The second cam is rotatably coupled to the first cylinder so that the second cam rotates when the first cylinder is rotated.

Abstract: A cam assembly may be constructed with lock cylinder perforated by a centrally positioned keyway, and having an exposed circumferential surface surrounding the keyway rotatably fitted within a centrally positioned keyhole of a housing, and rotated within the centrally positioned keyhole in response to rotational force applied by a key conformingly corresponding to the lock cylinder through an arc. An electronic circuit containing a memory and a microprocessor, is mounted upon and supported by the cam to rotate with the cam through the arc, operationally responds to digital data carried by the key that is in electronic conformance to data stored within the memory, by electrically energizing a release mechanism that is spaced-apart from the axis of rotation of the cylinder plug, to move from a deployed position preventing rotation of the cam relative to the housing.

Abstract: A process and security container that enable local protection and remote transportation of items found with the environment of a contemporary office, while generating a log of users who have gained access to the container. The container may be constructed with one or more sidewalls bearing a removable lid. The container may have a closed interior while the lid is in complete engagement with the sidewalls, and have an open interior able to removably receive items within the interior while the lid is dislodged from its complete engagement. A port is exposed through one of said sidewalls to receive data signals and a control stage with a non-volatile a memory, is mounted within the container and operationally coupled to a host computer to provide communication with the interior of the container via the port. A microprocessor based host computer sited externally to the container, has a keyboard initiating formation of the data signals and a monitor driven by the host computer to visually display video images.

Abstract: A lock may be constructed with a locking mechanism that uses either a cam assembly with a cylinder plug perforated by a centrally positioned keyway or a cylinder plug. The locking mechanism may be equipped with a dual armature solenoid. With the dual action solenoid constructed with a single wire coil, the distal ends of coaxially aligned armatures engage opposite axially aligned detents to maintain the lock in its locked state, while application of a potential difference across the coil draws both armatures away from their corresponding detents and toward the bore of the coil, thereby placing the lock into its unlocked state.

Abstract: A cam assembly may be constructed with cylinder plug perforated by a centrally positioned keyway, and having an exposed circumferential surface surrounding the keyway rotatably fitted within a centrally positioned keyhole of a housing, and rotated within the centrally positioned keyhole in response to rotational force applied by a key conformingly corresponding to the cylinder plug through an arc. A cam mounted either coaxially with the cylinder plug, or radially offset from the cylinder plug, is positioned within the housing to rotate with the cylinder plug as the key conformingly corresponding to the lock manually applies a rotational force to the cylinder plug rotates through the arc, while a member attached to the cam and eccentrically positioned relative to the keyway, drives the bolt between extended and retracted positions as the cylinder plug rotates through the arc.

Abstract: A cam assembly may be constructed with cylinder plug perforated by a centrally positioned keyway, and having an exposed circumferential surface surrounding the keyway rotatably fitted within a centrally positioned keyhole of a housing, and rotated within the centrally positioned keyhole in response to rotational force applied by a key conformingly corresponding to the cylinder plug through an arc. A cam mounted either coaxially with the cylinder plug, or radially offset from the cylinder plug, is positioned within the housing to rotate with the cylinder plug as the key conformingly corresponding to the lock manually applies a rotational force to the cylinder plug rotates through the arc, while a member attached to the cam and eccentrically positioned relative to the keyway, drives the bolt between extended and retracted positions as the cylinder plug rotates through the arc.

Abstract: A lock may be constructed with a locking mechanism that uses either a cam assembly with a cylinder plug perforated by a centrally positioned keyway or a cylinder plug. The locking mechanism may be equipped with a dual armature solenoid. With the dual action solenoid constructed with a single wire coil, the distal ends of coaxially aligned armatures engage opposite axially aligned detents to maintain the lock in its locked state, while application of a potential difference across the coil draws both armatures away from their corresponding detents and toward the bore of the coil, thereby placing the lock into its unlocked state.

Abstract: A cam assembly may be constructed with lock cylinder perforated by a centrally positioned keyway, and having an exposed circumferential surface surrounding the keyway rotatably fitted within a centrally positioned keyhole of a housing, and rotated within the centrally positioned keyhole in response to rotational force applied by a key conformingly corresponding to the lock cylinder through an arc. A cam is positioned within the housing to rotate with the lock cylinder as the key conformingly corresponding to the lock manually applies a rotational force to the lock cylinder rotates through the arc, while a member attached to the cam and eccentrically positioned relative to the keyway, drives the bolt between extended and retracted positions as the lock cylinder rotates through the arc. An electronic circuit containing a memory and a microprocessor, is mounted upon and supported by the cam to rotate with the cam through the arc.

Abstract: An electronic security system includes an electronic lock mechanism and an electronic key, each of which is provided with a microprocessor controller and a memory storing data including an ID code and encryption key codes. The lock microprocessor may either change ID codes stored in its memory or encrypt a seed number to be used for determining access to the lock. A novel combination dial electronic lock utilizes the electronic lock and key in association with a conventional combination lock dial to prevent rotation of the combination dial unless an authorized electronic key has been inserted into the electronic lock.