Abstract: A keying system includes a cylinder body. A plug assembly disposed in the cylinder body includes a plug body and a carrier sub-assembly disposed adjacent the plug body. The carrier sub-assembly is moveable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder body between a first position and a second position. The plug assembly includes a plurality of pins and a plurality of racks for selectively engaging the plurality of pins. Each rack of the plurality of racks has a first locking bar-receiving groove along a neutral axis and at least a second locking bar-receiving groove spaced from the neutral axis, wherein a spacing of the second locking bar-receiving groove from the neutral axis of a first rack of the plurality of racks is different from a spacing of the second locking bar-receiving groove from the neutral axis of at least one other of the plurality of racks.

Abstract: Master-keyed pin tumbler lock and relative master-key, where each pin has an inner window with an outer protuberance, which a spring acts upon and an inner projection, which the key acts upon, giving rise to the movement of the pin. The inner projections are at different heights and the pins are placed so that some move in one direction and others in the opposite direction, each pin having, in its inner window, a step placed on the opposite side to that of the inner projection. On one of the sides of the key there is a notch whose minimum width is the distance between the maximum level reached by the projections of the pins that move in one direction and the maximum level reached by those of the pins that move in the opposite direction; on the opposite side they have a double serration combined with the steps of the inner windows of the pins.

Abstract: A keying system, method and kit, wherein a plurality of replacement master racks are installed in a movable carrier assembly of a cylinder lock with the aid of a rack removal key and a rack removal tool configured for insertion into a keyway. The rack removal key has a first cut defining a first lift amount, and the rack removal tool has a second cut defining a second lift amount, the second lift amount being greater than the first lift amount.

Abstract: A lock system is provided for vehicles and the like of the type having at least one closure. A lock housing is mounted adjacent the closure, and includes a lock barrel with an axial tumbler groove, a positioner shoulder adjacent an outer portion of the barrel and a keeper shoulder adjacent an inner portion of the barrel. A lock plug is closely received in the barrel for rotation between locked and unlocked positions, and includes a keyway and outwardly biased, radially shifting tumblers. A control key is inserted into the keyway to retract all of the tumblers except a positioner tumbler that engages the positioner shoulder to locate the lock plug in a first axial position in the barrel. When the control key is removed, an outer keeper tumbler is biased outwardly for abutting contact with the keeper shoulder. A dealer key is inserted into the keyway to retract all of the tumblers except the positioner and outer keeper tumblers to permit rotation of the plug between the locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A key operated, lock actuating system having a housing and a lock cylinder that is pivotable relative to the housing around a first axis. An actuator assembly is pivotable around the first axis between a fully locked position and an unlocked position. The lock actuating system includes a first key having a first configuration and a second key having a second configuration. The first key can be used to change the actuator assembly between the locked and unlocked positions. The second key, which cannot be fully inserted to be operable with the actuator assembly in the locked position, can be used to change the actuator assembly between the unlocked position and an intermediate locked position.

Abstract: Pop-Up Indicator, Replacement Lock-Cylinder with distinctive keys for owner, employee (or acquaintance), and some third party whose right to enter is legitimate only upon notice or in an emergency. The pop-up indicators are brightly and differently colored. The lock cannot be circumvented by pressing a pop-up in and endeavoring to turn the key, because the pop-up's barrel blocks rotation of the lock's core unless the pop-up is fully extended. Once triggered, the pop-up remains visible and in locked position until the lock owner resets it. A tactile indicator of sought entry is transmitted to the owner upon key insertion and rotation, as well. Meanwhile, the employee and/or third party enjoys unimpeded access. The owner will thus know whether the employee has been over—to inspect for termites, walk the dog, etc.—and the third party cannot allege lockout lease breaking. The lock operates quite normally with either or both pop-ups triggered.

Abstract: A method of assigning change keys and master keys in a master key system using a 6 pin cylinder with 5 bittings based on an 8×8 checkerboard and pieces ¼, 1, 4, 16 squares in size representing 16, 64, 256 and 1024 change keys with a master key bitting combination available for each piece which would operate all the change keys assigned to that piece. A first alternate embodiment uses an array of (b−1)(p−3) elements (b being the number of bittings and p being the number pins used for master keying), each array element representing (b−1)3 change keys. The array being repeatedly divided into subarrays of (b−1)(p−x) elements, where x=4, 5, 6, . . . , p−1. Instead of assigning the change keys to a checkerboard piece, the change keys are assigned to a subarray representing at least the number of change keys.

Abstract: A master/valet lock and keyset provides a means of permitting limited one-time entry after locking a door to individuals possessing a valet key. In an embodiment, the mechanism relies on the use of a special master key to access a secondary lock cylinder, by means of which the full range of lock positions is allowed. Using the valet key, only the primary lock cylinder is accessed, restricting the range of positions to allow the user to unlock and relock the lock just once. This system may provide a means to allow occasional entry without granting unlimited access to the premises. For example, maintenance personnel could be given a valet key with which they could visit a home to perform repairs. The homeowner would be secure in the knowledge that the key could not be used to enter the home a second time.

Abstract: A programmable cylinder lock that is operable with a first key and a first master key having a different shape than the first key, and that is programmable so that the lock is no longer operable with the first key or the first master key. The reprogrammed lock is operable with a second key having a shape different from the first key and with a second master key having a shape different from the first master key.

Abstract: A door lock particularly suited for an apartment or condominium where the resident has an entry key and management personnel also have a key that will allow access to the apartment, the door lock having a spring loaded axial pin which is retained in an externally visible position when the lock is actuated by the resident's key and which is released to an externally non-visible position when the lock is actuated by the management key.

Abstract: A high security lock includes a housing defining an interior chamber having a longitudinal chamber axis and a keyway axially through the housing into the chamber. A cam arrangement within the chamber defines an access in axial alignment with the keyway. The cam arrangement includes a plurality of stationary raceway cams arranged in parallel planes and concentric to the chamber axis. Each raceway cam has a radially-inward surface forming a bearing raceway. The cam arrangement further includes at least one stationary locking cam arranged in a plane parallel to the raceway cams and concentric to the chamber axis. The locking cam has no such bearing raceway. A tumbler assembly is disposed within the chamber and cooperates with the cam arrangement for selective rotational movement within the access about the chamber axis. The tumbler assembly includes a plurality of bearing elements supported for axial movement relative to the cam arrangement.

Abstract: A rekeyable look includes at least one chamber housing a tumbler pin stack having a master pin disposed between the driver pin and the bottom pin. The bitting of a change code key inserted in the keyway displaces the tumbler pin stack containing the master pin such that the interface between the master pin and the bottom pin is placed on the shear line defined by the cylinder shell and plug. Rotation of the change code key aligns a first slot on the change code key with the master pin wherein the master pin is received by the first slot. The master pin is carried with the change code key on removal of the key from the keyway. A replacement master pin disposed in the first slot is inserted into the keyway with the change code key. Rotation of the change code key aligns the replacement master pin with the drive pin.

Abstract: An essentially pickproof padlock has a housing defining an interior chamber and a keyway with a stacked parallel arrangement of multiple annular cam rings fixed concentrically within the housing. The radially inward annular surface of each cam ring is formed with a respective raceway of a predetermined annular extent and disposition relative to the chamber. A tumbler assembly is disposed within the cam arrangement for selective relative rotational movement. The tumbler assembly has a plurality of slidable pins each with a head portion forming a bearing element. An associated key is formed with a plurality of parallel axial recesses for receiving the pins of the tumbler assembly, each recess being of a selected respective length terminating at a shoulder to collectively engage and move the head portions of the pins into respective operative dispositions within corresponding ones of the raceways wherein the tumbler assembly may be rotated by the key between locked and unlocked dispositions.

Abstract: In a locking apparatus that utilizes bores and blocking pins along with key cards and code cards to unlock the lock, a master card key is employed with holes in all of the master card bores and balls are used instead of blocking pins.

Abstract: A flat lock set has a flat lock having a cylinder, a tumbler, several rings and springs and a key having several stepped blades each having several shoulders. The cylinder is mounted in a door and has four groups of ribs formed therein. Each group includes several separate ribs defining several passages extending perpendicular to a length of the cylinder. The cylinder has a first end defining a first opening and a second end integrating with a ring defining a second opening. The tumbler has a disk integrating with a key receiver integrating with a latch carrier. The key carrier is separated into several prongs. The rings each have two ears formed along an outer rim thereof and several arms formed along an inner rim thereof. When the rings and springs are alternatively mounted on the first sections of the prongs, the arms formed on the rings are sited between the prongs.

Abstract: A method and replacement plug for cylinder locks converts locks having special keyways requiring correspondingly warded key blanks into a universal keyway lock that can be properly operated by a multiplicity of differently warded keys.

Abstract: A restricted key system providing keys/key slots with an angled or chevron shaped cross sectional profile. Each key blade of the restricted key system includes an upper planar portion which is bitted or cut to position the standard pin tumblers, an intermediate portion which forms a horizontal ledge, and a lower planar portion which extends from the intermediate portion at an angle in the range of 5.degree.-85.degree. relative to the upper planar portion. The horizontal ledge of the key blade may be provided with at least two additional bitting surfaces for wards, tumblers and/or other key differing elements.

Abstract: A lock apparatus includes a lock provided with a cylindrical plug having a set of blind holes angularly spaced from the set of pinways in the plug. A longitudinal slot through the center of the blind holes accepts a programming member that lifts one or more master pins out of the blind holes and into housing pinways when the lock is unlocked with a master key and the plug is rotated into a rekeying position to align the blind holes with the housing pinways. The programming member has a hole or notch near its front end to facilitate removal when the lock is unlocked and the plug is in the rekeying position. The programming member may be in the form of a set blade or a set rod, and may be reversible end-to-end to provide additional rekeying combinations.

Abstract: A rekeyable cylinder lock includes removeable spacers between top and bottom tumbler pins, and a key bit device for removing a spacer from the pin chamber through the key way. The key bit device includes bitting thereon to position the spacer in the top pin chamber and a cut in the opposite side thereof adapted to capture the spacer from the top pin chamber and remove it from the lock. In another embodiment of the invention, a key bit device is provided for placing a spacer into a pin chamber of the lock to rekey the lock. It includes a mechanism, such as a spring, in a cut on the back side of the key bit that is adapted to force a spacer out of the cut and into the pin chamber in the lock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a master-key piston lock comprising a cylindrical rotor pivoting in a bore of a stator, the said stator comprising radial holes opening into the said bore and in each of which there slides a stator piston spring-loaded towards the said bore, the said rotor comprising an axial key passage into which there open radial holes open at their other extremities at the peripheral surface of the rotor, a right circular-cylindrical rotor piston sliding in each of the said radial holes of the rotor and a key equipped with coded notches co-operating each with the inner extremity of one of the said stator pistons in such manner that the outer extremity of each of the rotor pistons is flush with the peripheral surface of the rotor.The rotor pistons comprise a shoulder with which there can co-operate the notches of a master key.

Abstract: A resettable single-barrel single-plug cylindrical two section lock assembly is provided wherever master keying is required. The lock of the invention is intended to be operated and reset by three different keys. One key (#1 key) is used to turn the lock to a position in which it may be reset by either of the other two keys. One of the other two keys (#2 key) operates a first section of the dual lock; and the other of the other of the two keys (#3 key) operates a second section of the lock which is independent of the first section. Either section may be reset by inserting the existing #2 or #3 key into the lock once the lock has been turned by the (#1) key to a predetermined position, and then turning the lock to the reset position, and after the existing key has been withdrawn, turning the lock back to its normal operating position by the new key, either the #2 or #3 keys, depending upon which section of the lock is being re-keyed.

Abstract: A security apparatus including a cylinder lock with an actuator plug rotatably mounted within a hollow cylindrical housing. Retained by the actuator plug are a plurality of locking wafers that are spring biased into a locking spline formed in the inner surface of the housing so as to retain the plug in a locked station. Also retained by the plug is a first directional wafer, spring biased into a quiescent position wherein it allows counterclockwise rotation of the plug from a locked station but prevents clockwise rotation thereof and movable into an active position wherein it allows either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the plug. A second directional wafer is spring biased in a primary position wherein it permits both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the plug from the locked station and movable into an intermediate position wherein it allows clockwise rotation but prevents counterclockwise rotation of the plug.

Abstract: A security apparatus including a cylinder lock with an actuator plug rotatably mounted within a hollow cylindrical housing. Retained by the actuator plug are a plurality of locking wafers that are spring biased into a locking spline formed in the inner surface of the housing so as to retain the plug in a locked station. Also retained by the plug is a first directional wafer, spring biased into a quiescent position wherein it allows counterclockwise rotation of the plug from a locked station but prevents clockwise rotation thereof and movable into an active position wherein it allows either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the plug. A second directional wafer is spring biased in a primary position wherein it permits both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the plug from the locked station and movable into an intermediate position wherein it allows clockwise rotation but prevents counterclockwise rotation of the plug.

Abstract: A restricted key system providing keys/key slots with an angled or chevron shaped cross sectional profile. Each key blade of the restricted key system includes an upper planar portion which is bitted or cut to position the standard pin tumblers, an intermediate portion which forms a horizontal ledge, and a lower planar portion which extends from the intermediate portion at an angle in the range of 5.degree.-85.degree. relative to the upper planar portion. The horizontal ledge of the key blade may be provided with at least two additional bitting surfaces for wards, tumblers and/or other key differing elements.