Abstract: A plug assembly for use in a key-operated lock, having a cylindrical key plug that can rotatable between a key insertion position and a control position, the key plug having a keyway and tumbler bores, an axial groove into the periphery displaced tangentially from the tumbler bores, a curved trough extending radially inwardly from the carriage groove, a control tooling slot formed radially inwardly from the curved trough. A carriage is moveable axially within the carriage groove, and has an outer surface proximate with the cylindrical periphery of the key plug. The carriage has radially-formed retainer bores that align tangentially with the tumbler bores when the carriage is in a position to accept lock configuration change balls. A separate change tooling blade can be inserted into the control tooling slot to raise any change balls within the retainer bores out through an outer opening the retainer bore.

Abstract: A plug assembly for use in a key-operated lock, having a cylindrical key plug that can rotatable between a key insertion position and a control position, the key plug having a keyway and tumbler bores, an axial groove into the periphery displaced tangentially from the tumbler bores, a curved trough extending radially inwardly from the carriage groove, a control tooling slot formed radially inwardly from the curved trough. A carriage is moveable axially within the carriage groove, and has an outer surface proximate with the cylindrical periphery of the key plug. The carriage has radially-formed retainer bores that align tangentially with the tumbler bores when the carriage is in a position to accept lock configuration change balls. A separate change tooling blade can be inserted into the control tooling slot to raise any change balls within the retainer bores out through an outer opening the retainer bore.

Abstract: A kit for a master keying system includes a plurality of replacement master racks. A rack removal key is provided for insertion into a keyway. The rack removal key has a first cut defining a first lift amount. A rack removal tool is provided for insertion into the keyway. The rack removal tool has a second cut defining a second lift amount, wherein the second lift amount is greater than the first lift amount.

Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder assembly includes at least one lock cylinder and a mortise lock adapter. Each lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A locking bar is disposed in the cylinder body for movement transverse to, and rotationally about, the longitudinal axis. A plug assembly having a tool receiving aperture is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A plurality of pins and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. A first member is moveable in response to application of a force by a tool received through the aperture to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of pins. The mortise lock adapter includes a housing configured for receiving the cylinder body of the lock cylinder. A mortise lock actuator is coupled to the plug assembly of the lock cylinder.

Abstract: A quickly rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a cylinder body and a plug assembly disposed within the cylinder body. The plug assembly comprises a plug body, a position block disposed at the plug body, a first rack group and a second rack group. The plug body has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis vertical to the longitudinal axis and a rekeying tool opening. The first rack group has a plurality of first rack components. The second rack group may push the position block to move and has a plurality of second rack components in engagement with the first rack components and at least one tool-receiving portion pushed by the rekeying tool. The second rack components can move along transverse axis of the plug body to release engagement with the first rack components.

Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a plug assembly and a lock cylinder. The plug assembly includes a plug body, a plurality of key followers, a plurality of racks, and a rack carrier that carriers the plurality of racks. The rack carrier is moveable relative to the plug body between a proximal end and a distal end. A cam follower extends outwardly from the rack carrier. The lock cylinder body includes a cylinder wall with the plug assembly rotatably disposed therein, and has a cam track configured on the cylinder wall at an interior surface to guide the cam follower of the plug assembly. The cam track has a ramp portion configured to longitudinally displace the cam follower and the rack carrier as the plug assembly is rotated relative to the lock cylinder body to facilitate selective disengagement of the plurality of racks from the plurality of key followers.

Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A plug assembly is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotatable between a first position and a second position, the plug assembly having a lock face with a tool receiving aperture. A plurality of key followers and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. The plurality of racks is selectively engageable with the plurality of key followers. A first member is coupled to the plurality of racks. The first member is moveable in response to application of a force against the first member by a tool received through the tool receiving aperture. The first member is configured to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of key followers in response to the movement of the first member.

Abstract: A lock cylinder having a keyway includes a first plurality of guide channels. A plurality of cup-shaped pins is movably disposed within the first plurality of guide channels. Each cup-shaped pin of the plurality of cup-shaped pins extends across the keyway. Each cup-shaped pin of the plurality of cup-shaped pins has an engagement protrusion. The first plurality of guide channels conform to the shape of the plurality of cup-shaped pins to allow movement of the plurality of cup-shaped pins in a first direction while restraining movement transverse to the first direction. A plurality of biasing springs is positioned to bias the plurality of cup-shaped pins in a direction toward the keyway. A plurality of racks is movably disposed in a second plurality of guide channels. Each rack of the plurality of racks has at least one engagement groove to selectively receive the engagement protrusion of a respective cup-shaped pin.

Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder structure comprises a shell, a plug assembly and a plurality of pin groups. The shell has a hollow cylindrical portion and defines a central axis. The plug assembly is disposed within the hollow cylindrical portion of the shell and comprises a plug body and a sliding block. The plug body has a front section, a driving portion, a middle section connecting the front section and the driving portion, a coupling cavity recessed from the front section and the middle section and a plurality of lower pin holes formed in the middle section and communicating with the coupling cavity. The sliding block, which is disposed at the coupling cavity of the plug body and able to move parallel to the central axis of the shell, has a plurality of pin-sliding grooves and a keyhole communicating with the pin-sliding grooves.

Abstract: A changeable lock assembly suitable for re-keying a lock without disassembly of the lock. The assembly includes a housing having a bore therein, and a plug rotatably mounted in the bore. The plug includes a longitudinal axis and a keyway. The keyway is adapted to receive at least a first user key and a second user key. The lock further includes a change member movable within the lock between a first position to a second position. The change member can move solely in response to operation of the second key. Thus, when the change member is in the first position, the first key operates the lock, and when the change member is in the second position, the first key does not operate the lock. The lock assembly can also employ a change tool that, when inserted into a change slot, can move a change ball from the second position back to the first position.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a method for rekeying a rekeyable lock cylinder. The first step of entire rekeying process is to insert a first user key into a keyhole of a sliding block of a plug assembly and turn the first user key to rotate the plug assembly, then a thrust is added to the first user key to move the sliding block of the plug assembly, thereby disengaging a plurality of upper locking pieces and a plurality of lower locking pieces within a plurality of lower pin sets. Next, after pulling out the first user key from the keyhole, a second user key is inserted into the keyhole of the sliding block and turned to restore the sliding block as to reengage the upper locking pieces and the lower locking pieces. Finally, the second user key is pulled out to complete the entire rekeying process.

Abstract: A lock assembly has a housing, a lock cylinder, an adjusting block and multiple rack assemblies. The adjusting block is slidably received in the lock cylinder and has a wedge side facing the lock cylinder and a plurality of first wedge elements formed on the wedge side. The rack assemblies are slidably received respectively in the lock cylinder. Each rack assembly has a rack element, an adjusting base and a resilient member arranged between the rack element and the adjusting base. Each rack element and each adjusting base have a plurality teeth formed thereon and detachably engaged each other respectively. Each rack element has a second wedge element that is selectively engaged or disengaged from one of the first wedge elements on the adjusting block.

Abstract: A lock assembly has a housing, a lock cylinder, an adjusting block and an adjusting assembly. The adjusting block is slidably on the lock cylinder and has a wedge side facing the lock cylinder and a plurality of first wedge elements formed on the wedge side. The adjusting assembly is mounted in the lock cylinder and has multiple adjustable rack assemblies mounted in the lock cylinder. Each rack assembly has a rack element and an adjusting base. The rack element selectively abuts with a corresponding one of the lock pins and has a second wedge element selectively engaging one of the first wedge elements on the adjusting block. The adjusting base selectively engages the rack element.

Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A locking bar is disposed in the cylinder body for movement transverse to, and rotationally about, the longitudinal axis. A plug assembly is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotateable between a first position and a second position. The plug assembly has a lock face with a tool receiving aperture. A plurality of pins and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. The plurality of racks is selectively engageable with the plurality of pins. A first member coupled to the plurality of racks is moveable in response to application of a force against the first member by a tool received through the tool receiving aperture. The first member is configured to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of pins in response to the movement of the first member.

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: A key-operated lock that can be programmed for use with one of a plurality of user keys without disassembling the lock or replacing the tumblers. The lock operates with a user key so that the lock plug turns only in one direction to unlatch or unbolt, and can not operate or rotate in the opposite direction. The lock also cannot be programmed or reconfigured with an operable user key. The lock is typically manually latched or bolted into a locked configuration. The lock is configured to permit rotation in the opposite direction only when using a programming key, which can reconfigure or program the lock for use with another user key.

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 cylinder having a master key capability wherein the lock cylinder can be provided with either a master annular ring on the front of the lock plug which can only be opened by a master key or a low level security annular ring which permits the lock cylinder to be opened by either the master key or the low level security key.

Abstract: A lock assembly has a housing, a cylinder, a main adjusting pin assembly, a sub-adjusting pin assembly and multiple locking pin assemblies. The housing has multiple sets of pin holes, two main adjusting holes and two sub-adjusting holes. The three holes of the sets of pin holes are respectively referred to as a changing position, an open position and a lock position of the lock assembly. The cylinder is rotatably received in housing and has a main adjusting hole, a main adjusting cavity, a sub-adjusting hole, a sub-adjusting cavity and multiple pin holes. The adjusting pin assemblies are mounted respectively in the main adjusting holes and the sub-adjusting holes in the housing and the cylinder to selectively block the rotation interface of the lock assembly. The locking pin assemblies are mounted respectively in the pin holes. Accordingly, the lock assembly is changeable to fit with different keys.

Abstract: A locking device for controlled, reversible security using a control key to set the lock's accessibility to multiple individual keys, thus providing complete control of security. The control key has hierarchy over the individual key(s). Rotating the control key from the first to a second position prevents the core from being actuated by the individual key(s), thus activating a blocking function by which the lock can only be operated by the control key. Returning the control key from the second position back to the first position allows the control key to be removed ( the blocking function is still active). When the control key is rotated from the first to a third position, the core can be operated by the individual key(s), thus inactivating the blocking function. Returning the control key from the third position to the first position allows removal of the control key (blocking function remains inactive).

Abstract: A mechanical card lock is disclosed which allows for simple, reliable operation. User cards 221 are engaged by a set of plates 360, which upon operating the lock assume a configuration for mating with a previously inserted combination card 244. The lock can be rekeyed by replacing the combination card 244.

Abstract: The cylinder lock of the present disclosure includes a cylinder housing having either two or three rows of cylinder holes therein. The cylinder holes are in communication with an elongated cylindrical bore in which is inserted a cylindrical plug having a single row of plug holes. The plug can be rotated to each of the two or three rows of cylinder holes in order to permit the exchange of various pins within the cylinder holes and thereby permit the recording of the lock. One modification of the invention utilizes a notch adjacent one of the plug holes for permitting the key to rotate in one direction, but for preventing the key from rotating in another direction. A further modification utilizes an enlarged pin in one of the rows of cylinder holes so as to permit an access key to unlock the lock once, but preventing the access key from unlocking the lock a second time.

Abstract: A double-barrel double-plug cylindrical lock is provided for hotels, and the like, where changes of occupancy frequently occurs. The lock cylinder is constructed to be of approximately the same size and shape as the prior art lock cylinders, so that the lock of the invention may readily be mounted into existing mortise door hardware to replace existing cylindrical locks. One plug of the lock is intended to be operated by the guests' key; and the other plug is intended to be operated by the maid's key, by an emergency key and by a program key. The guest key may be used to turn the guest plug to a resettable position in which a new guest key may be inserted which sets the guest plug to accept the new key. However, the lock is constructed so that the guest plug cannot be turned to its resettable position unless the emergency key or program key is first inserted in the other plug to turn the other plug to a particular angular position in which the guest plug is able to be turned to its resettable position.