Plural Tumbler Sets Patents (Class 70/358)
  • Publication number: 20100116007
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lock assembly for enabling use of a key-in-knob lock cylinder assembly in different types of lock assemblies. The method includes providing a key-in-knob lock assembly having a key-in-knob housing and a plug rotatably engaged within the key-in-knob housing, providing an interchangeable core lock assembly having an interchangeable core housing, and inserting the key-in-knob housing into the interchangeable core housing such that the key-in-knob housing is universally exchangeable between the key-in-knob lock assembly and the interchangeable core lock assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLAGE LOCK COMPANY
    Inventors: Lohithaswa Thimmappa, Evan E. Evans, Vinod Kumar Rajan, Aravinda Mahabaleshwara, Ravindra K. Pandey, Roger Kanaan
  • Patent number: 7707864
    Abstract: A lock includes a housing with a plug located in the housing. The plug is adapted to rotate in the housing about an axis. The lock also includes a moveable element comprising a first region with a first diameter, a second region with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and a third region with a third diameter that is less than the second diameter. The moveable element is located at least partly in the housing. The moveable element is adapted to move in an axis of motion substantially radial relative to the axis of the plug and to prevent rotation of the plug when the moveable element is in a first position along the axis of motion and to allow rotation of the plug when the moveable element is in a second position along the axis of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventors: Justin Melendez, Mitchell Shuster
  • Publication number: 20100083718
    Abstract: A cylinder lock is provided that key-change is possible without taking out auxiliary tumblers to the outside, the number of keys subjected to the key-change can be increased correspondingly to the number of auxiliary tumblers, and also, each key can be set, limitlessly in the number of times, as not-usable/usable so that even after use of a master key, other adaptable keys are usable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Mitsunori Miyake
  • Patent number: 7673484
    Abstract: A key lock assembly includes a core, formed with a keyway to accept a key, mounted to a fixture for rotation along a break point formed between the core and the fixture. A block assembly and rows of pin assemblies are mounted to the fixture and the core and are each formed with a break point. In a locked position of the key lock assembly the block assembly and the pin assemblies interact between the core and the fixture preventing the core from rotating relative to the fixture. In an unlocked position of the key lock assembly the key is inserted into the keyway interacting with the block assembly and the pin assemblies registering the break points of the block and pin assemblies with the break point formed between the core and the fixture allowing the core to rotate relative to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Alois Crepinsek
  • Publication number: 20100050716
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock cylinder for a baggage lock having a cylinder housing, furthermore having a cylinder core which is rotatable in the cylinder housing and which has a keyway with a key introduction opening and having a plurality of tumblers which are arranged in two rows which are oppositely disposed along the key channel, with the lock cylinder being able to be actuated by means of an associated dimpled key which comprises, on two mutually oppositely disposed flat sides, a respective coding section provided with dimples and a respective end section adjoining said coding section and extending up to the tip of the key, with the associated key in particular being of the type TSA006 and with the tumbler of at least one of the rows furthest from the key introduction opening being arranged in a section of the key channel which receives the dimple-free end section of the associated key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
    Inventor: Wai Kuen Fan
  • Patent number: 7647798
    Abstract: A lock includes a core rotatably disposed within a barrel. A plurality of tumbler pins are disposed in shafts in the core and communicate with a keyway. A side-pin shaft intersects each tumbler pin shaft at a selected angle. Each tumbler pin includes a side hole at a position along its length that aligns with the side-pin shaft when a proper key is inserted. An independent side pin is disposed in each side-pin shaft. One end of each side pin rests against its associated tumbler pin and the other end of each side pin is tapered and extends into a channel in the barrel. The side pins are biased outwardly by a spring towards the channel. The angle at which each side-pin shaft intersects each tumbler shaft may be different. The spacing between tumbler pin shafts may be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: VSR Lock, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark David Jones, Drannon Owen Tidwell
  • Publication number: 20090301149
    Abstract: A key with a very large number of code combinations. The key includes a longitudinally extending by blade with a wave-like side code pattern forming a wave-like surface including a range portion at a free end portion of the key blade with the wave-like guide being formed on the key blade at a side surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Bo WIDEN
  • Publication number: 20090301148
    Abstract: A lock system includes keys, key blanks, keyways, and lock cylinders, and the keys or key blanks have opposite sides formed with grooves for cooperating with a conforming keyway. More particularly, the sides of the key or key blank have a portion grooved for registration, another portion grooved for top-level hierarchical master keying, and two other portions, one on each side of the blade, for further master key variations and different combinations. One of the two further sections being curvilinear and the other rectangular or angular cuts. The conforming keyway of the lock includes ridges and grooves corresponding to the grooves and ridges, respectively, of the key or key blank. Instruments other than keys or key blanks may be used to enter the grooves and ridges of the keyway to operate the lock without the use of a precisely configured key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: MEDECO SECURITY LOCKS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter H. Field, Steve Poff
  • Publication number: 20090266123
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock device comprising a key and a lock cylinder, said lock cylinder comprising a fixed cylinder housing and a cylinder core mounted to rotate therein. The key shaft (10.3) has an edge profile and may be inserted in a key way of the cylinder core in which displaceable tumblers (41, 42) are located transverse to the above. The key shaft (10.3) has profiled recesses running in the longitudinal direction, comprising a pair of follow points for each tumbler (41, 42) for coding the key, whilst the tumbler (41, 42) has a pair of counter follow points which are the basis of the corresponding counter coding. According to this invention, a space-saving design of the lock device may be achieved with a large range of variation for the coding wherein both follow points are on the key shaft (10.3) in the form of recesses, arranged on opposing lateral surfaces to an edge (57.2; 57.3) of the edge profile of the key shaft (10.3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Matthias Habecke, Dirk Jacob
  • Publication number: 20090205385
    Abstract: A cylinder lock designed to prevent unauthorized manipulation of the lock using impact-driven methods such as a bump key. The cylinder lock has a plurality of first pin assemblies and at least one second pin assembly, containing a key pin, driver pin, and an elastomer plug, that is adapted so as to alter the linear displacement thereof through the use of the elastomer plug. When an impact-driven blow of a given intensity is applied so as to linearly displace the key and driver pins, the elastomer plug effectively absorbs the energy of the impact and fails to compress sufficiently to allow the key pin to clear the shear line, thus preventing the unauthorized manipulation of the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: John P. Cozzolino
  • Publication number: 20090188287
    Abstract: An axial pin tumbler lock including a shell comprising a plurality of chambers formed in a radial pattern around a circle; a rotatable plug containing a through hole for mounting a center post, a main bore for receiving a tubular key, a first plurality of chambers formed in a radial pattern around a circle on its front end and arranged in such a way that each one of the first chambers in the plug extends coaxially with a corresponding chamber on said shell, and a second plurality of chambers formed in a radial pattern around a relatively smaller circle on its rear end, disposed in the shell; a plurality of spring-loaded driver pins disposed in the chambers on said shell; a plurality of spring loaded balance pins disposed in the second chambers and a plurality of combination pins disposed in the first chambers of said plug and initially extended into the chambers on said shell under compound extension force of the balance springs and the driver springs when the plug is at its locking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Forrest Xu, Daniel Xu
  • Publication number: 20080271506
    Abstract: A lock cylinder that includes a housing defining a cylindrical cavity, and a plug disposed in the cylindrical cavity and rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The plug includes a key slot and an inner pin chamber aligned with an outer pin chamber of the housing when the plug is in the locked position. An inner pin is disposed in the inner pin chamber for movement along an axis, and is engageable with the outer pin when the plug is in the locked position. The inner pin is engageable by a key inserted into the key slot, and includes an outer surface that defines a non-axial groove. An engagement member is supported by the plug and extends into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLAGE LOCK COMPANY
    Inventor: Mahesh V. Grampurohit
  • Publication number: 20080250830
    Abstract: A lock system includes keys, key blanks, keyways, and lock cylinders, and the keys or key blanks have opposite sides formed with grooves for cooperating with a conforming keyway. More particularly, the sides of the key or key blank have a portion grooved for registration, another portion grooved for top-level hierarchical master keying, and two other portions, one on each side of the blade, for further master key variations and different combinations. One of the two further sections being curvilinear and the other rectangular or angular cuts. The conforming keyway of the lock includes ridges and grooves corresponding to the grooves and ridges, respectively, of the key or key blank. Instruments other than keys or key blanks may be used to enter the grooves and ridges of the keyway to operate the lock without the use of a precisely configured key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: MEDECO SECURITY LOCKS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter H. FIELD, Steve POFF
  • Publication number: 20080236223
    Abstract: A key blank including a generally elongate shaft portion defining first and second generally flat oppositely directed side surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second side surfaces cuttable to form key cuts that define a key combination surface, and at least one key combination element movably disposed in the elongate shaft portion and adapted for touching a lock combination element disposed in a cylinder lock plug, wherein the at least one key combination element has inherent energy for applying an urging force against the lock combination element. A key formed from the key blank and lock therefore are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: MUL-T-LOCK TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Dani Markbreit, Effi Ben-Aharon
  • Publication number: 20080236224
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Gerald B. Chong
  • Patent number: 7428835
    Abstract: A computer enclosure with a locking apparatus includes a front panel (10), a side panel (30), a driving member (52), and a sliding member (55). The side panel has an engaging portion (351). The driving member is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the front panel, and defines an arcuate portion (531). The sliding member is slidably attached to the front panel. The sliding portion has a stop portion (557) and a driving pin (571). When the driving member is rotated, the arcuate urges the driving pin of the sliding member for driving the sliding member to move, thereby the stop portion engaging with the engaging portion of the side panel and preventing the engaging portion from moving away from the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Lu Fan, Chieh Yang, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7426842
    Abstract: A cylinder lock assembly has an exterior housing, a core casing set and a core. The exterior housing has a through hole defined longitudinally through the exterior housing and a mounting hole defined in the exterior housing and communicating with the through hole. The core casing set is mounted slidably in the exterior housing and has a core casing and a retaining pin. The core casing has a central hole and a mounting aperture. The retaining pin is mounted slidably through the mounting aperture and has an inside end. The core is mounted in the central hole in the core casing and has keyhole having a stepped recess selectively engaging with the inside end of the retaining pin. A crash of the retaining pin and the stepped recess during the engagement notifies a user that the core and the core casing are released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan F Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Hung Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7421870
    Abstract: A lock core assembly has a lock shell, a lock core and a pin segment. The lock shell has a core mount, multiple upper pin chambers and a lid. The lock core is mounted rotatably in the core mount and has a keyhole and multiple lower pin chambers. The lower pin chambers are formed radially through an outer surface of the lock core, communicate with the keyhole, align longitudinally, correspond to and communicate with the upper pin chambers. The pin segment is mounted between the lock shell and the lock core and has multiple pin assemblies and at least one suspended pin assembly. When knocked, a suspended upper pin of the at least one suspended pin assembly oscillates to prevent the pin aligning and the lock core from rotating, the lock core assembly provides a preferred burglarproofing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventors: Hsiu-Chuan Wu, I-Chien Hsin
  • Patent number: 7421869
    Abstract: Tumbler pins 2 are movably housed in a plug 1. A locked/unlocked state is determined by the turning position on the moving direction center axes of the tumbler pins 2. An unlocking key 4 to be inserted into the plug 1 is provided with unlocking code forming recesses 3 for determining the turning positions of the tumbler pins at code decision positions. The tumbler pins 2 are provided at their leading end portions with drive portions 5, which have slope sides of conical faces gradually reduced in diameter toward the leading ends and having rotational centers offset from the moving direction center axes. The side wall faces of the unlocking code forming recesses 3 are formed of conical faces having rotational centers substantially aligned with those of the conical faces forming the slope sides of the drive portions 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventor: Shunichi Osada
  • Publication number: 20080168812
    Abstract: A cylinder lock assembly has an exterior housing, a core casing set and a core. The exterior housing has a through hole defined longitudinally through the exterior housing and a mounting hole defined in the exterior housing and communicating with the through hole. The core casing set is mounted slidably in the exterior housing and has a core casing and a retaining pin. The core casing has a central hole and a mounting aperture. The retaining pin is mounted slidably through the mounting aperture and has an inside end. The core is mounted in the central hole in the core casing and has keyhole having a stepped recess selectively engaging with the inside end of the retaining pin. A crash of the retaining pin and the stepped recess during the engagement notifies a user that the core and the core casing are released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: TAIWAN FU HSING INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ping-Hung Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7353675
    Abstract: A lock barrel and a driving part for the same comprises a plurality of key channels for the insertion o the driving part (key) and a plurality of transverse gateways for housing movable parts, which will bulge into the key channels for making the channels effectively small and therefore shielding them from illegally intruded tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventors: Sheng-Ho Chao, Chang-Tung Huang
  • Publication number: 20080066508
    Abstract: A lock barrel and a driving part for the same comprises a plurality of key channels for the insertion o the driving part (key) and a plurality of transverse gateways for housing movable parts, which will bulge into the key channels for making the channels effectively small and therefore shielding them from illegally intruded tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Sheng-Ho Chao, Chang-Tung Huang
  • Patent number: 7340929
    Abstract: A lock apparatus able to be installed in a structure comprising an outer sleeve having a plurality of outer rows extending transversely therethrough and radially therearound and a first bore extending though substantially a center thereof. An inner sleeve having a second bore extending through substantially a center thereof and is releasably connected within the first bore. The inner sleeve includes a plurality of inner rows extending therethrough wherein each respective inner row is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of outer rows. A plurality of user selectable pin sets is positioned within the plurality of outer and inner rows. A lock core for receiving a key therein is releasably connected within the second bore and includes a core pin set wherein a respective one of the plurality of user selectable pin sets is aligned with the core pin set creating an active pin formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Efthemois Christopoulos
  • Patent number: 7337639
    Abstract: An exemplary method of making a key is provided. A bitted surface is formed in a key blade of a key blank. A groove is formed in a first side of the key blade. At least one receptacle is formed in the groove. A notch is formed in the groove adjacent to the at least one receptacle for mating with a rib in a lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Billy B. Edwards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7318332
    Abstract: A lock has a shell, an internal sleeve and a locking rod assembly. The shell has multiple protrusions formed inside the shell. The internal sleeve is mounted rotatably in the shell. The locking rod assembly is mounted in the internal sleeve and has multiple locking rods. Each locking rod has a cut selectively aligning with the protrusions in the shell. When the cuts of the locking rods align with the protrusions in the shell, the internal sleeve can be rotated relative to the shell to change the lock or unlock status of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Jin Tay Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Miao
  • Patent number: 7272965
    Abstract: A method and assembly for preventing unauthorized manipulation of common cylinder locks, as executed by use of the principles of the Bumpkey or Blowgun methods. The pin assembly, containing a tumbler pin and a driver pin, is adapted so as to alter linear displacement thereof, by forming a recession in one of the pins contained in the pin assembly, and an engagement element, in the other of the pins, for engaging the recession, such that when an impact-driven blow of a given intensity is applied so as to linearly displace the tumbler and driver pins, the pin engagement element engages the pin recession, strongly binding the tumbler and driver pins together, thereby, blocking the shear line and, consequently, preventing unauthorized manipulation of the common cylinder lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Moshe Dolev
  • Patent number: 7260965
    Abstract: A locking device, which mounts a user key (the first key) and a manager key (the second key) separatedly, places a first lock and a second lock unitedly in an outer cylinder. The first lock is opened or rotated by the first key. After the first lock is open, the first key cannot be pulled out of the locking device. If the second lock is open by the second key, the first key can be pulled out together with the second key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Andamiro Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun I. Hung
  • Patent number: 7240526
    Abstract: A lock includes a cylinder, a cylinder plug and a locking pin assembly. The cylinder plug is rotatably mounted in the cylinder and has a dummy keyhole and a cylinder plug keyhole defined completely through the cylinder plug. The locking pin assembly has multiple locking pins that are slidably partially held in the cylinder plug keyhole. A two step method to open the lock with a key with serrations initially inserts the key serrations into and presses the key serrations completely through the dummy keyhole. Then the serrations are rotated, aligned with and pulled back into the cylinder plug keyhole. Conventional displacement of the locking pins allows the cylinder plug to be rotated, which opens the lock. Pressing the key completely through the lock removes any foreign objects such as toothpicks, chewing gun or pieces of paper and allows the lock to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: Miko Lee
  • Patent number: 7207200
    Abstract: A key blank and key for mating with a core having a plurality of cutouts penetrating from the core surface to the keyway, and a plurality of activator inserts and filler inserts, such that the installer can locate one or more activator inserts in any of the cutouts, and one or more filler inserts in any of the remaining cutouts, to thereby match the code to be provided in the respective flank or flanks of an authorized key. At least three and preferably at least five slotted cutouts are provided. The inserts are preferably in the form of generally semi-circular plates on at least one side of the core. The inventive key for insertion into a cylinder lock keyway has a blade with top and bottom edges spaced apart along a blade height direction and left and right flanks spaced apart along a blade width direction. A longitudinal channel is formed in at least one flank, having a width extending in the blade height direction and a depth extending in the blade width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kaba Ilco Corp.
    Inventors: Charles W. Eden, Jr., Edward F. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 7181938
    Abstract: The lock cylinder assembly of the present invention incorporates a number of features designed to defeat attempts to pick or destroy the lock. The lock cylinder assembly employs multiple arrays of pass key pins, making picking of the lock much more difficult. Second, the arrangement of the pass key pins in separate arrays requires that multiple cuts would have to be made into the lock housing mogul or cylinder blank in order to defeat the lock cylinder assembly. Third, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate multiple sets of hardened dowel pins to prevent drilling through the lock housing mogul in the area of the driver pins. Fourth, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate a hardened cylinder shield behind the front face of the cylinder blank to prevent drilling through the cylinder blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: New Security Lock Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis C. Price
  • Patent number: 7181937
    Abstract: The locking cylinder has a basic code which can be changed using at least one change key (17, 17?). A rotor (3) is mounted in a cylinder housing (2a, 2b) and has a keyway (4) into which a shank of a standard key which is provided with control surfaces 18 can be pushed in order to position the tumblers which are arranged in three first rows (A, B, C). Further tumblers have coding elements (13) which are arranged in further bores in the cylinder housing (2a, 2b) in a programming position of the rotor (3). The change key (17, 17?) interacts with three further rows (D, E, F) of tumblers in the programming position, these tumblers being arranged in slides. These further rows (D, E, F) each contain tumblers having coding elements (C). The locking cylinder can be produced with a smaller outside diameter and be installed in a particularly cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Keso AG
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Patent number: 7174757
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lock cylinder and key set, which includes a lock cylinder, which has a keyway with two keyholes separated by a partition, and a key, which has two blades insertable into the two keyholes of the keyway for acting against respective pins in the lock cylinder to unlock the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Yuan-Cheng Tseng
  • Patent number: 7162901
    Abstract: A lock cylinder is provided and includes an outer cylinder having a bore, an inner cylinder rotatably disposed within the bore, and a pin assembly disposed within the inner and outer cylinders. The pin assembly is operable to selectively lock the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder. The pin assembly includes an upper shear cylinder positionable relative to the outer cylinder and a lower shear cylinder positionable relative to the inner cylinder. The upper and lower shear cylinders are movable to define a first shear line therebetween. In addition, the pin assembly includes an upper pin slidable within the upper shear cylinder and a lower pin slidable within the lower shear cylinder, whereby the upper and lower pins define a second shear line therebetween. The lock cylinder is positionable from a locked position to an unlocked position when the first shear line is aligned with the second shear line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Alston E. Williams
  • Patent number: 7108182
    Abstract: An optical security system having a key, an optic lock, and a processing system. The lock generally has a plurality of optic reflective sensors, a plurality of readable discs, and a controller for processing information to and from the plurality of sensors. The optic security lock senses the surface changes of state during the rotation of the plurality of discs caused by the turning of the fully-engaged key. The data from the sensors is communicated to the controller, with the controller having a processor capable of processing data from the sensors. The processing system analyzes the data from the controller and compares the data to known information in a database for generating a lock command signal. The optic lock can further include input device for inputting transaction data to facilitate consumer purchasing transactions, security transactions, verification transaction, credit card transactions, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventors: John H. Moorhouse, Michael A. Bodin, Kurt Larsen
  • Patent number: 7100409
    Abstract: The present invention provides a burglarproof lock core structure which forms a curved passage between a key slot of a plug and a lower pin chamber, such that at least a bending concave surface offsetting the center of the key slot is formed at one side, and cone apexes of a plurality of lower pins are extended out of the lower pin chamber and aligned in the wall edge of the key slot. Moreover, a control valve with a cone apex is located at the other end corresponding to the bending surface inside the key slot, such that a key with curvature corresponding to the passage and notches corresponding to the cone apexes is required to open the lock, thereby having the effect of high security of burglarproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Tsao-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 7040126
    Abstract: A pin tumbler lock is provided with one or more additional chambers for housing a secondary locking member for engagement with a portion of a key. The invention also provides a lock system comprising a plurality of locks, each lock including two chambers. The lock system has a potential of N chamber positions to provide a substantial increase in the number of effective unique pin tumbler combinations that can be produced on the same key section or profile by allowing the same pin tumbler combination to be repeated with different locations of these additional chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Master Lock Company
    Inventor: Billy B. Edwards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6983630
    Abstract: A core having a plurality of cutouts penetrating from the core surface to the keyway, and a plurality of activator inserts and filler inserts, such that the installer can locate one or more activator inserts in any of the cutouts, and one or more filler inserts in any of the remaining cutouts, to thereby define a program or code to be provided in the respective flank or flanks of an authorized key. At least three and preferably at least five slotted cutouts are provided. The inserts are preferably in the form of generally semi-circular plates on at least one side of the core. In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a programmable cylinder lock system, a programmable core for a cylinder lock, a core kit by which the installer can program the core in the field, and a novel key adapted to be used with the programmable core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kaba Ilco Corp.
    Inventors: Charles W. Eden, Jr., Edward F. Humphrey, Thomas J. Divito
  • Patent number: 6935146
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Vance Lock Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Vance Lin
  • Patent number: 6925844
    Abstract: The present application advantageously provides at least one keyway in a lock core that poses tremendous difficulty for a lock breaker by not allowing the lock breaker to see all of the pin tumblers in the keyway. The keyway according to a preferred embodiment of the present application comprises two helical keyways oppositely extending along a longitudinal axis of the lock core and formed of rectangular cross section. The present application further comprises an accompanying helical key having at least one helical key blade for fitting into the keyway having a corresponding helical shape to turn the core and open the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Chien-Kuo Liu
  • Patent number: 6910356
    Abstract: The lock cylinder assembly of the present invention incorporates a number of features designed to defeat attempts to pick or destroy the lock. The lock cylinder assembly employs multiple arrays of pass key pins, making picking of the lock much more difficult. Second, the arrangement of the pass key pins in separate arrays requires that multiple cuts would have to be made into the lock housing mogul or cylinder blank in order to defeat the lock cylinder assembly. Third, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate multiple sets of hardened dowel pins to prevent drilling through the lock housing mogul in the area of the driver pins. Fourth, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate a hardened cylinder shield behind the front face of the cylinder blank to prevent drilling through the cylinder blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: New Security Lock Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis C. Price
  • Patent number: 6823702
    Abstract: A cylinder lock-key combination including a cylinder housing, a key and a plug which has a circular-cylindrical barrel surface and which is rotatable in an opening in the housing. The barrel surface of the housing includes a key recess whose width exceeds its depth, and a plurality of code pin channels are preferably disposed in several rows. Code pin tumblers present in the code pin channels co-act with one or more blocking elements, such as pins or side bars, disposed in channels intended to this end. The blocking elements block rotation of the plug when one side surface of an inserted key presents wrong code surfaces. There is provided in this way a compact lock construction, which also enables the use of many code pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Assa AB
    Inventor: Ake Häggstrom
  • Publication number: 20040226327
    Abstract: A multi-stage burglar-proof lock core comprises a lock head, a multi-stage lock core installed in the lock head, and a plurality of elastomers inserted into the multi-stage lock core. Two parallel inserting holes are radially formed in the lock head with an angle of 45 degrees to the slots in the lock core. The lock core is formed with at least two core units. Each core unit has a through hole along the axial center of the lock hole. Each core unit has a penetrating hole aligned to a respective slot. Each penetrating hole is communicable to the through hole. The lower pin can enter into the penetrating hole of the lock core; while the elastomers are embedded into the slots and the inserting holes. When rotating a selected one of the core units through 45 degrees, the t through hough holes of all core units are aligned to be as a continuous keyhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Hsieh Che Chou
  • Publication number: 20040172992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a screw lock, wherein a core is provided in the interior of the body, a key hole formed to be a fork shape is provided in the center of the core in axle direction, and the screw holes have some pins respectively; a front end of the key corresponding to the key hole and the pins is designed to be a fork-like screw shank with many teeth. When the key is screwed into the key hole of the core, each of the teeth may raise a pin to the unlock position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Yung-Chen Huang
  • Patent number: 6758073
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes a lock cylinder, for actuating a latch assembly, including a lock sleeve, first and second lock rotors, having first and second keyways respectively, rototably fitted in the lock sleeve, and a plurality of tumblers for locking up the first and second lock rotors. A key includes a key head having predetermined locking serrations arranged in such a manner that when the key head is inserted into the first keyway, the locking serrations are adapted to unlock the first lock rotor and enable the first lock rotor freely rotating until the first keyway is aligned with the second keyway, simultaneously, the key head being adapted to insert into the second keyway such that the locking serrations are adapted to unlock the second lock rotor to enable the second lock rotor to freely rotate to control the locking and unlocking of the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Shih-Szu Yu
  • Publication number: 20040025552
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes a lock cylinder, for actuating a latch assembly, including a lock sleeve, first and second lock rotors, having first and second keyways respectively, rototably fitted in the lock sleeve, and a plurality of tumblers for locking up the first and second lock rotors. A key includes a key head having predetermined locking serrations arranged in such a manner that when the key head is inserted into the first keyway, the locking serrations are adapted to unlock the first lock rotor and enable the first lock rotor freely rotating until the first keyway is aligned with the second keyway, simultaneously, the key head being adapted to insert into the second keyway such that the locking serrations are adapted to unlock the second lock rotor to enable the second lock rotor to freely rotate to control the locking and unlocking of the latch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Shih-Szu Yu
  • Publication number: 20040000178
    Abstract: A structure of a key and locker is disclosed. The key structure has a key board including a first bead hole region on the dual recess regions of surface of the board or a second bead hole region on the lateral side of the key, characterized in that wider surface of the key is provided with external protruded stripes on the key board thereof, and the external protruded stripes are the third row bead region having provided with at least a bead hole, forming into a multiple codes with a plurality of axial beads on a single lateral side of the key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Hsieh Lung Tseng
  • Publication number: 20030217575
    Abstract: A lock assembly incorporating a number of features designed to defeat attempts to pick or destroy the lock. The lock cylinder assembly employs multiple arrays of pass key pins, making picking of the lock much more difficult. Second, the arrangement of the pass key pins in separate arrays requires that multiple cuts would have to be made into the lock housing mogul or cylinder blank in order to defeat the lock cylinder assembly. Third, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate multiple sets of hardened dowel pins to prevent drilling through the lock housing mogul in the area of the driver pins. Fourth, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate a hardened cylinder shield behind the front face of the cylinder blank to prevent drilling through the cylinder blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis C. Price
  • Publication number: 20030154752
    Abstract: The lock cylinder assembly of the present invention incorporates a number of features designed to defeat attempts to pick or destroy the lock. The lock cylinder assembly employs multiple arrays of pass key pins, making picking of the lock much more difficult. Second, the arrangement of the pass key pins in separate arrays requires that multiple cuts would have to be made into the lock housing mogul or cylinder blank in order to defeat the lock cylinder assembly. Third, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate multiple sets of hardened dowel pins to prevent drilling through the lock housing mogul in the area of the driver pins. Fourth, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate a hardened cylinder shield behind the front face of the cylinder blank to prevent drilling through the cylinder blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis C. Price
  • Patent number: 6601419
    Abstract: A lock core device of an anti-theft tumbler pin type includes a housing defining a lock core hole, a plurality of first tumbler pin holes, at least one side tumbler pin hole, and a transverse hole, a lock core rotatably mounted in the housing and defining a plurality of second tumbler pin holes which are moved by the lock core to align with the first tumbler pin holes and to align with the side tumbler pin hole, a plurality of tumbler pin sets each slidably mounted in the first tumbler pin hole and each including a top tumbler pin and a bottom tumbler pin movable in the second tumbler pin hole, at least one block pin slidably mounted in the side tumbler pin hole and rested on a peripheral wall of the lock core or inserted into the second tumbler pin hole, and a control tumbler pin set slidably mounted in the transverse hole and including a transverse tumbler pin rested on the block pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Kai-An Wu
    Inventors: Mao-Ming Huang, Kai-An Wu
  • Patent number: 6584819
    Abstract: A lock with two layers of lock mechanism, which comprises a body casing, an upper lock body, a lower lock body, a connection plate and a key; the chamber of the body casing is used for mounting the two lock bodies; the two lock bodies are connected together with the connection plate; the center of the upper lock body has a key hole for receiving a flat key to plug into a key hole of the lower lock body; the other end of the key has a cylindrical key, which is to be plugged into a ring-shaped key groove; when the key is pushed and turned, both the upper and lower lock bodies will be unlock simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Chung-I Hung