Abstract: An exemplary lock apparatus includes a housing and a plug assembly rotatably mounted in the housing. The plug assembly includes a tumbler assembly operable to selectively prevent rotation of the plug assembly relative to the housing and a retention mechanism operable to selectively prevent removal of the plug assembly from the housing. A system including the lock apparatus may include a change key configured to actuate the tumbler assembly without actuating the retention mechanism and/or a control key configured to actuate both the tumbler assembly and the retention mechanism.

Abstract: A reprogrammable cylinder lock provides a lock system that allows a set of multiple keys with various lengths and cuts to work with a single cylinder lock to create multiple lock combinations. The reprogrammable lock comprises a cylinder core, a plurality of pin locks and a cylinder ring placed over the cylinder core in a first set position within a cylinder housing. The plurality of pin locks is configured such that it is initially nonrotatable. At least two different keys are provided. Upon inserting and rotating a first key into the cylinder core, the first key engages with a first lock combination so that the cylinder core is rotatable within the cylinder housing. Upon inserting and rotating subsequent keys into the cylinder core, the subsequent keys push the cylinder ring to subsequent set positions, create new lock combinations, and rotate the cylinder core within the cylinder housing.

Abstract: A lock device having a lock cylinder and a flat key having a control gate. The lock cylinder has a cylinder housing and a cylinder core rotationally supported in the cylinder housing and a plurality of plate-shaped tumblers that are supported in the cylinder core so as to be radially slidable with respect to the rotational axis of the cylinder core and which each have a key opening and are at least partially pushed by the spring load into a locking channel of the cylinder housing in order to lock the lock cylinder when the flat key is removed and which are slid into an unlocking position by the control cam guided in the control gate when the key is inserted. At least one stop is associated with each of the tumblers in order to limit the sliding path to conceal the unlocking position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disc tumbler cylinder lock and a key for it. The key according to the invention comprises a groove that is transverse to the key shank. The groove comprises a bottom section and side sections that are transverse to the bottom section between the bottom section and the outer surface of the key shank. The bottom section of the groove is the key's main driving surface used to transfer turning force to the disc tumbler cylinder lock. This reduces wear on the O-surfaces of the key because the O-surfaces do not transfer the majority or any of the key turning force to the disc tumbler cylinder lock.

Abstract: A lock cylinder including a cylinder core rotatably supported about a cylinder axis in a cylinder housing; locking pin which blocks the cylinder core against a rotational movement in a radially outer blocking position and which releases the cylinder core for a rotational movement in a radially inner release position; tumbler disks rotatably supported between a latch position and an unlatch position, wherein each tumbler disk has a central reception opening for receiving a key and at least one peripheral cut-out for receiving the locking pin in the release position, wherein the locking pin can only be displaced into the release position when all the tumbler disks are in their unlatch position; and intermediate disks arranged along a cylinder axis in the cylinder core. A respective intermediate disk is arranged between two mutually adjacent tumbler disks, the intermediate disks having a predefined rotational play relative to the cylinder core.

Abstract: A locking device which has a lock cylinder and a matching key. The key has a key bit with at least one coding notch and a blocking rib with at least one indentation. The lock cylinder has a housing with a bearing bore and a cylinder core that is mounted in the bearing bore and a blocking member. The blocking member is engagable in a blocking recess of the bearing bore and prevents rotation of the cylinder core. A pivot lever is mounted in the cylinder core and has a bearing end about which the pivot lever pivots, and a sensing end which senses the blocking rib The pivot lever closes off a capturing opening for the housing pin when the blocking rib is the proper height and opens the capturing opening after a partial rotation of the cylinder core when the blocking rib is missing.

Abstract: A recodeable lock includes a housing, a cylinder plug, a plurality of wafer tumblers, and a sidebar coupled with the cylinder plug. The sidebar is assembled with a plurality of code blocks and a codebar releasably securing the code blocks to the sidebar. A liftbar is disposed in the housing radially outward of the cylinder plug and is configured to selectively engage a radially outward extending appendage of the codebar when the cylinder plug and sidebar are rotated to a recoding orientation, to release the code blocks from the sidebar. The housing includes a circumferential track axially positioned to receive the appendage of the codebar to permit greater than 180 degree rotation of the cylinder plug and sidebar with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A cylinder lock is disclosed. The cylinder lock can be used on a motor vehicle door lock. The disclosed cylinder lock has plate tumblers and also a key for the cylinder lock. The key for the cylinder lock could be a reversible key.

Abstract: A tumbler-type lock apparatus for use with a tumbler-type card key having a code pattern region including an array of holes and non-hole portions that expresses a key code of the tumbler-type card key. The tumbler-type lock apparatus includes a slider case and a slider movable relative to the slider case when the tumbler-type card key is inserted into the tumbler-type lock apparatus. Tumblers extending in the slider case and slider each correspond to one of the holes or non-hole portions. Springs bias the tumblers towards the slider. The tumbler-type lock apparatus verifies the tumbler-type card key when the tumblers are engaged with the slider case and slider during insertion of the tumbler-type card key. The slider includes accommodation portions. A distal end of the tumbler that has passed through the corresponding hole of the tumbler-type card key is accommodated in the corresponding accommodation portion.

Abstract: A wafer-type tumbler cylinder comprises a sleeve, a cylinder, some wafers, some springs, some riveting plates and some U-shaped fixtures. The wafer-type tumbler cylinder is an integral cylindrical shaft having U-shaped indentations and riveting plates made in a consistent operation. After the placement of every two wafers and one shared spring into the cylindrical shaft, the riveting plates are pressed into a horizontal position to secure the wafers spring; furthermore, all the riveting plates are installed on the left or right side, or on both sides. The improved structure of riveting plates and shared spring for every two wafers enables the key to move forward and backward smoothly, and also enables the users to lock and unlock easily and successfully.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disc tumbler cylinder lock and a key for it. The key according to the invention comprises a groove that is transverse to the key shank. The groove comprises a bottom section and side sections that are transverse to the bottom section between the bottom section and the outer surface of the key shank. The bottom section of the groove is the key's main driving surface used to transfer turning force to the disc tumbler cylinder lock. This reduces wear on the O-surfaces of the key because the O-surfaces do not transfer the majority or any of the key turning force to the disc tumbler cylinder lock.

Abstract: A cylinder lock device includes a rotor case in a cylindrical shape, a rotor arranged to be rotatable inside the rotor case including a key insert hole being formed to extend in an axial direction, a sleeve arranged to be rotatable between the rotor case and the rotor and having an engaging groove, and a plurality of tumblers provided in the rotor to be movable in a radial direction to engage with the engaging groove of the sleeve when biased to an outer radial direction and to release the engagement with the sleeve by disengaging with the engaging groove when a regular key is inserted into the key insert hole. A position in a circumferential direction and a size of the engaging groove of the sleeve is configured to contact with an inner surface of the engaging groove at a different position in a circumferential direction with respect to at least two tumblers among the plurality of tumblers.

Abstract: This invention has the following structures and features: unlocks only when pressing inner keys that correspond to the upper section or inclines of the key; deadlock structure which acts as a non-powered prevention method of coercive rotations; reducing the probability of equal key presence without altering the key size by inserting two or more inner keys for simultaneous pressurization and alignment. Due to the fact that digital door locks are prone to static electricity, high voltage, magnetic fields and surges, this invention can be utilized as a safe means of analog keys; in case of car door locks, this invention can be utilized as emergency keys. In addition, coercive rotation preventing features such as gears, twists and torque shares will prove to be very useful for all type of door locks such as deadlocks, cylinder or lever-type knobs as they provide three to fivefold stronger safety.

Abstract: A re-keyable cylinder lock has a control member to permit or restrict transverse movement of a re-keying unit. The control member is movable axially between first and second positions and transversely to a third position from the second position. In the third position, the re-keying unit moves transversely and disengages from first tumbler pieces. A limit member is provided to prevent the control member from moving axially when no right key is inserted into a plug. A security arm is connected to the control member and is breakable so that destructive forces cannot reach the control member.

Abstract: A lock includes a body, a key-operated core in the body, two spring-biased plates slideable on a recessed portion of the body, and a locking crutch to be fastened to the body with the spring-biased plates. The body has crutch embedding holes on two sides of the core; the core has a plate part, and force is applied to the spring-biased plates through the plate part when the core is turned. The locking crutch has a groove on each of two ends to engage a corresponding said plate. The plates are biased to engage the locking crutch when the core is in the locking position; and, the plates are forced to disengage from the locking crutch by turning the lock core to the unlocking position. Saw-resistant pins are inserted in receiving holes formed on a periphery of the lock body to protect the lock against a saw.

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).

Abstract: A lock core structure including a housing, a lock core, at least two latch elements and plural lock piece sets. Each lock piece set includes a division plate and a first lock piece and the second lock piece are embedded in two sliding tracks on the division plate, and an elastic element is mounted between the first lock piece and the second lock piece for interlocking the first and the second lock pieces. Through the interlocked structure between the first lock piece and the second lock piece, it will be harder for the thief to break the lock core.

Abstract: The cylinder lock assembly includes a cylindrical lock housing having an inner core extending between first and second ends. The inner core defines a core axis extending through the first and second ends. A lock cylinder is received in the inner core for rotational and axial movement in the inner core. The lock cylinder includes an axially extending key slot for receiving a key therein and a radially extending slot extending through the lock cylinder and intersecting the key slot. A rotation plate assembly is received in the radially extending slot and blocks at least a portion of the key slot. The rotation plate includes first and second rotation plate members which are movable relative to each other. A first biasing member engaging the first and second rotation plate members urges the second rotation plate member radially away from the first rotation plate member.

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.

Abstract: A re-keyable lock and method. The lock has locked and unlocked positions and includes a housing and a cylinder rotatably supported in the housing. The lock includes a plurality of wafer tumblers resiliently supported in corresponding channels formed in the cylinder. Each wafer tumbler includes a rider element selectively engaged with a base element in first and second engagement positions, wherein the first engagement position corresponds to a first key and the second engagement position corresponds to a second key. The lock also includes a re-keying mechanism such as a re-keying tool which is inserted in a re-keying slot when the lock is in the unlocked position to disengage the rider element from the corresponding base element in the first engagement position and to re-engage the rider element to the base element in the second engagement position.

Abstract: A three-action lock barrel having collective locking pins and two-way locking up mechanism is comprised of a case, a limiter, multiple locking plates and a rotor; the case being related to a hollow cylinder; a trough axially extending each from the inner wall of the case; the limiter being provided to limit the longitudinal sliding movement of those multiple locking plates arranged in flush and abutted to one another and accommodated inside the limiter; each locking plate being provided with an upper or a lower locking pin selected at random; the rotor receiving insertion of a key; the key turns around to push those locking pins to clear away or insert into a groove.

Abstract: A lock core unit of a weather-resistant lock apparatus includes an inner shell received in and rotatable relative to a lock shell, a plurality of locking plates received in and rotatable relative to the inner shell and cooperating to form a keyhole of the lock core unit, a locking unit operably associated with the locking plates for locking the inner shell against rotation relative to the lock shell in a locking state of the locking plates, and for unlocking the inner shell for rotation relative to the lock shell in an unlocking state of the locking plates, a latch actuator coupled to the inner shell, and a plurality of spacer plates, each of which is disposed between an adjacent pair of the locking plates. The spacer plates are made of a material with a hardness less than that of the locking plates.

Abstract: A lock has an outer housing, which has an outer slot at an interior side. An inner housing is received in the outer housing for rotation and has an inner slot and a driving section. Three locking plates are received in the inner housing, each of which has and a recesses at a periphery thereof. A movable pin is moved to be received either in the inner and outer slots or in the inner slot and the recesses. A first tumbler pin is provided at the outer housing and has an end received either in the annular slot or in the position slot. The inner housing is reciprocated between a first position, in which the position pin is moved to a position slot to restrain the inner housing from rotation, and a second position, in which the position pin is moved to an annular slot to release the inner housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closing cylinder comprised of a cylinder core (10) which is rotationally accommodated in a cylinder housing (20), and which has a profiled axial boring (11). An axially parallel roll body (25) is arranged in said closing cylinder and is always guided with a partial cross-section (26) in a radial opening (14) of the cylinder core. According to whether an initial position of rotation or a key rotation exists, the blocking element (25) either runs into an inner groove (24) of the cylinder housing (20) or into a marginal recess (34) of a group of rotating discs (30) which are arranged in a profiled axial boring (11) of the cylinder core (10). In order to increase the useful life of the closing cylinder, the invention provides that a spring element (50; 28, 50′) is arranged at least between one of the rotating discs (30) and the cylinder core (10).

Abstract: Disclosed is a locking device including a slider arranged in a housing in such a fashion that it is slidable between a locking position thereof and a lock releasing position thereof, the slider having a bolt adapted to selectively lock an article to which the locking device is applied, a rotating member mounted in the housing in such a fashion that it is rotatable between a locking position thereof and a lock releasing position thereof while being always urged toward an initial position defined between the locking position thereof and the lock releasing position thereof, a cylinder mounted in the housing in such a fashion that it is rotatable between a locking position thereof and a lock releasing position thereof, the cylinder having an engagement rod adapted to selectively move the slider between the locking and lock releasing positions thereof, a plurality of key plates hingably mounted in the housing, the key plates respectively having guide channels which are misaligned from one another at an initial pos

Abstract: A dual cam, reversible key includes first and second patterns of notches in first and second edges of the shank of the key on a common side of the key shank of the key, providing a dual cam key. The patterns of notches are formed to have complementary symmetry and to make the width of the shank constant along at least the portion of the shank that includes the notches. The first pattern of notches is identical with the second pattern of notches insomuch as they are "parallels" to each other. The key operates tumblers each of which has an opening defining a pair of staggered generally rectangular windows, each of the windows defining cam surfaces for accommodating the dual cam, reversible key. Also disclosed is a method for making the dual cam, reversible key.

Abstract: A reciprocating combinating tumbler for a lock plug assembly which includes a flat body portion and a bent-over (or enlarged) end portion is provided for use with a lock plug barrel having a generally cylindrical outer periphery, a longitudinal axis, a keyway slot formed substantially along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of spaced-apart cavities formed substantially perpendicular to the keyway slot. In use, the tumbler reciprocates between an extended position wherein the bent-over end portion is spaced radially outwardly of the outer periphery of the lock plug barrel and protrudes into a longitudinal spline formed in the aperture of a housing, and a retracted position wherein the bent-over end portion is spaced radially inwardly of the outer periphery of the barrel and does not protrudes into the longitudinal spline.

Abstract: A lock apparatus includes a lock device and a coded key. The lock device has a lock shell and a cylindrical lock core unit received in the lock shell. The lock core unit has an axial key hole and is provided with a latch actuator. The key is extendible into the key hole and is operable so as to permit rotation of the lock core unit relative to the lock shell for moving the latch actuator from a locking position to an unlocking position. The key has a head portion and a shank portion which has a cross-section in the form of a circular sector with first and second planar surfaces that extend along length of the shank portion, and a curved surface that interconnects the first and second planar surfaces and that has an arc length greater than 180.degree.. The shank portion is formed with a plurality of key bit projections and key bit grooves on one of the first and second planar surfaces.

Abstract: A lock piece is provided in the inner part of a tumbler. Size of a clearance formed between the side of a lock groove engaging portion of the lock piece and the side of a lock groove is determined to be smaller than size of a clearance formed between the side of a lock condition holding portion of the tumbler and the side of a lock groove. When the key is inserted being given a torque in the rotating direction, the lock groove engaging portion is engaged with the side of the lock groove, and the lock condition holding portion of the tumbler is maintained to be separate from the side of the lock groove. Due to the foregoing, the lock condition holding portion is prevented from being caught on the side of the lock groove.

Abstract: A key lock tumbler cylinder is selectively removed with an extraction key that is longer than a normal operating key. The last tumbler plate in a tabular cylinder series along the cylinder key slot projects into an arcuate channel in the cylinder cavity wall of the lock body. This arcuate channel does not junction with the lock tumbler plate channel but does intersect with a second channel in the cavity wall that is angularly displaced about the cylinder axis from the tumbler plate channel. However, the second channel is more shallow than the arcuate channel to confine the tumbler cylinder within the body cavity when rotated by the operating key which does not engage the last tumbler plate key aperture. A second, tumbler cylinder extraction key that is longer than the operating key includes an edge bit at the end of the key for cooperating with the last tumbler plate key aperture.

Abstract: A lock and key combination including a lock cylinder made by connecting a plurality of locking pieces in a stack, each locking piece including a base, which has a top recess at the top side, a front recess, keyway in the middle of the front recess, and a plurality of receiving chambers disposed in the front recess at two opposite sides by the keyway, a plurality of retainer elements mounted in the receiving chambers and forced by a respective spring toward the keyway and having a respective lug at one side, an actuating plate mounted within the front recess of the base, having a projecting locating plate at the top inserted into the top recess of the base and forced upwards by a spring, and a plurality of T-shaped control slots which receive the lugs of the retainer elements, and a cover fastened to the base by hooks and cover over the actuating plate, wherein when the lugs of the retainer elements are moved to the unlocking position by the key, the projecting locating plate is forced into the top recess of t

Abstract: A locking device which includes a casing, a U-shackle, two locking plates mounted in the casing to lock the U-shackle in the casing, a lock cylinder driven by a card to release the locking plates from the U-shackle, wherein the lock cylinder includes a mounting shell mounted in the casing, a tumbler holder mounted within the mounting shell to hold a set of tumblers, a set of springs, and a set of steel balls, the steel balls being displaced to release the tumblers from the mounting shell for permitting the tumbler holder to be lifted to unlock the locking plates when the card is inserted through a card slot on the casing into a bottom slot on the mounting shell and a bottom slot on the tumbler holder.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly for a plate tumbler lock includes a plate tumbler which snap-fits into an assembled position by pushing the tumbler into its ward until a projecting detent flexes inwardly and passes by a retaining ledge in the side wall of the ward, and thereafter springs back outwardly so that the detent is retained by the ledge. A pair of notches, one located above and one below the tumbler detent, permit the tumbler to flex inwardly as the tumbler detent passes over the retaining ledge to eliminate any significant forces acting between the detent, the side wall of the tumbler ward and the retaining ledge, and thereby minimize the metal deformation of these components.

Abstract: A safe-deposit box uses a lock using a tongue, a first mechanical device, a second mechanical device, an electromagnetic valve, a control unit and a keypad. A renter's key drives the first mechanical device from a first position to a second position for actuating the control unit. The electromagnetic valve is in a first position for retaining the first mechanical device in the second position. A code is input through the keypad to the control unit for driving the electromagnetic valve from the first position to a second position for allowing movement of the mechanical device from the second position to a third position for retracting the tongue. A clerk's key can drive the second mechanical device from a first position to a second position for driving the electromagnetic valve from the first position to the second position and turning off the control unit.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly for a plate tumbler lock includes a removable, self-retained plate tumbler which snap-fits into an assembled position by pivoting the tumbler and pushing the tumbler into its ward until a projecting detent passes by a retaining ledge in the side wall of the ward. The force of the tumbler spring then pivots the tumbler into its assembled position where the detent is engaged with the retaining ledge. The pivoting of the tumbler is accomplished by locating the leg which forms the tumbler spring seat on the tumbler in a position where it does not interfere with the terminal edge which defines the open top of the ward during assembly.

Abstract: A disk detent cylinder lock comprising a stationary outer cylinder (1); an inner cylinder (2) which has been disposed within the outer cylinder; and a plurality of detent disks (3.sup.1, 3.sup.2, 3.sup.3, . . . ) which have been disposed to form a disk stack (4) within the inner cylinder to be turnable with the proper key of the lock from their locking positions into opening positions. The lock comprises locking members for preventing lock-picking in a lock-picking situation.

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 key-operated lock has a shell mounted securely in a closure, and a removable lock-actuator cartridge insertable into and withdrawal from the shell to facilitate changing the tumbler disk combination in the lock. The cartridge includes an annular hollow housing seatable in the shell, and a tumbler disk carrier telescopically insertable into the housing. The carrier and associated tumbler disks are rotatable within the housing to operate the lock. An anti-damage feature comprises the cartridge being insertable into the open front end of the shell. A thickened rear wall of the shell reinforces the cartridge against destructive attack by rod and hammer action exerted on the front face of the lock. Principal features are quick changing of the tumbler disk pattern, and a rigid damage-resistant lock structure.

Abstract: A reversible double-bitted key is reconfigured to permit a cylinder lock and key set to fit in the standard architecture of certain American automobiles. Preferably, the maximum required diameter of the cylinder is maintained under 13 millimeters, permitting the cylinder to be placed in standard instrument panel architecture for many American made vehicles. The minimum width of the key is maintained at approximately 4 millimeters, assuring that the key can withstand the torque requirements of the lock systems. This permits a single key to be used in both the primary and secondary locks. The tumbler is configured such that the minimum distance between the outer edge of the key window in the tumbler and the outer perimeter of the tumbler is greater than the thickness of the tumbler, further assuring that the lock can withstand repeated use without fatigue failure.

Abstract: A cylindrical key operated variable code lock provides a shell having a cylindrical inner surface and an orifice for accepting a key. The key may be generally cylindrical in shape carrying a number of lugs thereon that are rotationally variable. The drum is normally rotationally fixed relative to the shell by a plurality of locking elements. In response to the insertion of a key having a predetermined code each of the locking elements, conversely, allow the rotation of the drum relative to the shell. The locking elements may be reconfigured in response to a predetermined varying of the key code. The reconfiguration may particularly entail the turning of the unlocked drum to a predetermined position and removing the key while the locking elements are in a state allowing recoding.

Abstract: A cylinder lock comprising a lock body (1) and inside it a rotatable lock cylinder (2) enclosing a number of locking discs (4;6) turnable by the key (3) of the lock and provided with a peripheral notch (8) determining the combination of the lock, and a locking bar (7), which in the locking position prevents turning of the lock cylinder (2) with regard to the lock body (1). The locking discs (4) are also provided with a set of second peripheral notches (10) arranged in cooperation with an auxiliary bar (11) so as to prevent turning of the locking discs (4;6) relatively to each other at the end phase of the turning movement for opening the lock before the locking bar (7) moves into its position for releasing the lock. The second peripheral notches (10) are located outside of the cutting range for said combination peripheral notches (8) and are arranged side by side on the peripheral edge of each of the locking discs (4).

Abstract: In a cylinder lock, half tumblers are slidably arranged in pairs in the tumbler inserting holes formed in the key rotor in such a manner that, when the key is not inserted into the lock, the half tumblers are elastically urged in one direction to cause their engaging end portions to engage with the locking engagement grooves formed in the cylinder body to inhibit the rotation of the key rotor. When the key is inserted into the lock, the key engaging portions of the half tumblers engage the key crests to move the half tumblers to disengage their engaging end portions from the locking engagement grooves. When, instead of the key, a picking tool is used to disengage one of each pair of half tumblers from the locking engagement groove to thereby allow the key rotor to turn through a predetermined angle, the other half tumbler is engaged with the locking engagement groove deeper than usual, and the protruded portion of the key rotor covers the key engaging portion, thereby preventing the picking of the lock.

Abstract: A cylinder lock has a cylinder lock holder with a rotor rotatably disposed therein. The rotor has a plurality of grooves, with a plurality of tumblers slidably disposed in the grooves. Holder grooves are provided in the cylinder lock holder for receiving the tumblers projecting out of the grooves of the rotor. The rotor is able to be rotated in the cylinder lock holder in response to the insertion of a key into the rotor by causing the tumblers to be retracted from the holder grooves. Rotation is disabled when the key is removed, the tumblers projecting back into the holder grooves under the action of a spring biasing the tumblers. The key is inserted through a plurality of key insertion holes in the tumblers. Tooth portions are formed at respective contact portions between the tumblers and the inner surface of the cylinder lock holder, the respective tooth portions being engaged with each other when the key is removed from the lock.

Abstract: The lifting and rotating zeroes and the combination discs of a disc cylinder lock are provided with curved internal camming surfaces designed to mate with external curved camming surfaces on the key shank. The curved camming surfaces consist of segments of mathematically defined spirals, with non-uniform radii as measured from the lock axis.

Abstract: A cylinder lock has an external cylinder member and an internal cylinder member inserted in the external member. Further it has an elevatable plate provided with its lower end protruding in a key slot axially formed in the internal cylinder member and a stopper placed on the top arc periphery of the elevatable plate. A key adapted to be used exclusively for exchanging or removing the internal cylinder member is used in a situation that the key is lost and another key having another key code is necessary to use in place of the old key. When the lock is to be opened, the key to be exclusively used to remove the internal cylinder member is inserted into the key slot and the elevatable plate is raised together with the stopper, so that the stopper is disengaged from the internal cylinder member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cylinder lock which is proof against lock pickers. The cylinder lock comprises a case having a cylindrical bore formed therein and an axially extending lock groove exposed to the cylindrical bore; a rotor rotatably disposed in the cylindrical bore; a plurality of tumblers slidably received in slits formed in the rotor, each tumbler having a head which is projectable into the lock groove when the rotor assumes a given angular position relative to the case; springs for biasing the tumblers radially outward from the slits of the rotor; and a structure for making the distances by which the heads of the tumblers are projected into the lock groove of the case different from one another.

Abstract: A low keylock unit includes an electrical switch unit. A pair of laterally spaced locking levers are pivotally mounted within a rotatable lock tube. The tube extends inwardly into a contact carrier rotatably mounted at the inner end of the switch housing for selective rotation thereof. A rotating switch is coupled to the carrier and selectively engages a fixed contact on a back plate closing the housing. Each lever includes a control leg between a key opening and the pivot and a lock leg between the pivot and the switch unit. A resilient element such as a coil spring compressed between the lock legs or an integral cross between the levers, bears the levers with the lock legs engaging locking grooves on the housing wall to prevent rotation of the tube and the switch unit. A flat key inserted into the lock deflects the legs and pivots the levers outwardly to release the lock legs. If the key is too wide, the control legs move outwardly into the grooves and maintain the locked state.

Abstract: This invention is directed at a lock actuated switch which has a housing and a lock cylinder. The housing includes a terminal housing portion and a support portion. The support portion has a wall that defines a longitudinal bore and that has an inner surface with V shaped notches formed therein. The V shaped notches may be formed by three triangular surfaces which meet at their apices. The longitudinal bore extends through the terminal housing portion and the wall has means of retaining a series of fixed contacts that have arced terminal ends. The lock cylinder includes a terminal end, a longitudinal second bore and a body portion. Tumbler slots are formed in the body portion in spaced relation to each other. One of the tumbler slots has a spring loaded detent tumbler mounted therein. As the lock cylinder is moved axially into the housing, the detent tumbler rides over one of the V shaped notches compressing the spring until the detent tumbler passes over the V shaped notch and comes to rest.

Abstract: An actuating device has a cartridge within a fixed casing. A card-like key has a key formation which, during insertion of the key into the cartridge, displaces a finger formation connected to an interference formation, which is then aligned with a gate of a gate member fixed to the casing. The gate allows passage to the interference formation allowing the cartridge to be displaced in unison with the key. An actuating formation on the cartridge is provided to actuate a lock or similar device.

Abstract: A double bitted key is provided for locks of the type using flat tumblers. There is a double bit for each tumbler. Each double bit corrrectly sets its complementary tumbler. Each bit includes a flat surface extending along a surface of the key. The key has one or more peaks and valleys. When a valley is between two peaks it is a full valley and its flat surface is about three times as long as the thickness of a tumbler. When a valley is between a peak and another valley it is called a hybrid peak-valley and its flat surface has a length along the key which is approximately double the thickness of a tumbler. A peak has a flat surface extending along the key for a distance about equal to the thickness of a tumbler.