Abstract: A key retaining device for capturing and selectively locking therein a portion of the working section of a key. When the key is locked in the device, its handle section is visible so that the presence of the key can be instantly determined without the unlocking of the apparatus, yet the key cannot be removed from the device until unlocked with a master key. Retention of the key within the housing is accomplished by a clamping mechanism employing a longitudinally sliding member having a wedge-like member which is urged toward the working section of the key upon the sliding member moving in a first longitudinal direction. The sliding member is moved by a bolt coupled to a lock which is rotated by a master key, and a nut which is held in a transverse slot of the slideable member. The master key when rotated in a second direction unthreads the bolt from the nut, moving the sliding member in the opposite longitudinal direction to release the wedge-like member which holds the key.

Abstract: A primary key is retained in a public location until released by one factor, such as operation of a secondary key, and by a concurrent other factor, such as an electrical signal.

Abstract: A key retaining multiple lock mechanism, suitable for parcel lockers and other structures and capable of being mounted on doors for such structures, has a first lock with a first key trapping tumbler mechanism. The first lock has a strike-engaging tongue and a spring loaded bolt cooperating with a second lock dead bolt structure. The dead bolt is operated by a second key to extend and retract the dead bolt. When extended, the dead bolt compresses the spring-loaded bolt when the mechanism is in a locked condition and acts as a stop when the mechanism is in the unlocked condition, preventing relocking of the structure without first retracting the dead bolt with the second key.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that inherently manages the issuance and return of selected articles such as keys, tools, and the like to a retaining or central station. Of prime importance with respect to the present invention is the fact that the system encourages the return of the removed article. More particularly, the system comprises a retaining station where the selected articles are normally maintained in a locked state. An unlocking key is provided for unlocking selected articles in order that the articles may be removed from the retaining station. To encourage the return of removed articles, the retaining station is provided with a key holding and locking assembly for retaining the unlocking key until the removed article has been returned back to the retaining station and placed in the locked mode.

Abstract: A trunk lock including a latching plate for attachment to the upper section of a trunk, a hasp member hinged to an attachment plate to be affixed to the lower trunk section having a free end portion to overlie a keeper opening in the latching plate, a hollow cylindrical bolt housing projecting rearwardly of the hasp to nest in the keeper opening and having a pair of spring biased latching bolts to interlock behind the bounding edge of the keeper opening, a bolt actuator disk and key barrel member in the housing, and a throw away key captured in assembled relation with the bolt housing having a blade including a major leg extending substantially along the center axis of said key barrel and having a bendable end tab protruding rearwardly of the housing and bent behind the rear of the housing to retain the key therein.

Abstract: A key retaining device for capturing and selectively locking therein a portion of the working section of a key. When the key is locked in the device, its handle section is visible so that the presence of the key can be instantly determined without unlocking of the apparatus, yet the key cannot be removed from the device until unlocked with a master key. Retention of the key within the housing is accomplished by a resilient clamping mechanism employing a set of wedges which are resiliently urged toward the working section of the key and held there by a rachet spring. Insertion of a master key releases the ratchet spring allowing the wedges to release the key.

Abstract: A key retaining device for capturing and selectively locking therein a portion of the working section of a key. When the key is locked in the device, its handle section is visible so that the presence of the key can be instantly determined without unlocking of the apparatus, yet the key cannot be removed from the device until unlocked with a master key. Retention of the key within the housing is accomplished by a clamping mechanism employing a pair of blades which reciprocate toward each other to clamp the working section of the key therebetween and reciprocate away from each other to permit free removal of the key, the reciprocation resulting from manipulation of the master key in a lock assembly.

Abstract: A locking bicycle rack comprises a plurality of individual bicycle stalls each including a bifurcated swing arm which is pivotally mounted to traverse the stall and engage both wheels and the frame of a bicycle positioned within the stall. The swing arms engage a locking mechanism which includes a latch to maintain the swing arms across the stalls while the stalls are unoccupied. Upon receipt of a predetermined number of coins, a centrally located stall selection mechanism allows selection of an unoccupied stall and operation of the associated latch to release the selected stall. Each locking mechanism includes a guard cap which surrounds, protects and operates an associated lock. Operation of the locks as well as lock securing pins is via cam surfaces within the guard caps. Each lock is operated by a key which is captured within the guard cap while a stall is unoccupied.

Abstract: A post office locker for use in the delivery of both letters and packages to tenants of a multiple tenant building or the like, wherein packages are stored in appropriately sized storage cabinets to which access may be gained by intended recipients by use of access keys placed by a mailman in the letter boxes of such recipients. Each cabinet is fitted with a latch mechanism permitting recipients to return doors of cabinets from which packages have been removed to locked condition in a manner providing for the "capture" of the access keys until removed by a mailman for subsequent use. Preferably, the doors are fitted with return mechanisms providing for locking of such doors automatically upon return thereof into closed condition.

Abstract: Anti-theft device for nuts/screws of automobile wheels, comprising a barrel (10) rotatably subassembled with a lock cylinder plug (18) the tumblers (24) of which are placed in position by simple insertion of the key (23), which key, however, once inserted and turned, cannot be withdrawn inasmuch as a projection (28) on the key (23) then lies behind a shoulder (20) on the barrel. This subassembly may be rotatably locked upon the fastener element or removed therefrom using but one hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pin tumbler cylinder lock comprising an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder rotatably arranged in a cylindrical opening in the outer cylinder, a key-way intended for a key and at least two rows of parallel bores arranged in the outer cylinder, in which bores spring loaded tumbler pins are slidably arranged. The at least two rows of bores have different number of bores, whereby the key will be prevented from retraction in one or more angular position of the inner cylinder. The present invention relates further to a key for such type of locks, the key having notches along its edge, the depth of which being interrelated with the length of the bottom tumbler pins. At least the notch at the extreme end of the key is removed, whereby the key may be retracted in both positions.

Abstract: A deadlock of the customary type for locking and unlocking a dead bolt is equipped with a conventional cylinder having a cylinder plug rotating within it, the cylinder plug carrying pin chambers aligned with pin chambers in the cylinder for reception of pin tumblers when shifted in position by cut irregularities on the edge of the key. With chambers in alignment an appropriate key inserted in the keyway shifts the pin tumblers to positions coincident with a shear line to permit rotation of the plug to either locked or unlocked position. Unless the chambers are in alignment, the tumblers cannot shift and the key can be neither inserted nor withdrawn. For preventing withdrawal of the key on, for example, the inside of the door, when the dead bolt is locked, there is a detained key mechanism.

Abstract: An improved self-service gasoline pump is designed to insure payment for the fuel which has been delivered by the pump. The pump includes a switch mechanism which must be operated by the ignition key of an automobile prior to operation of the pump. Upon insertion of the ignition key into the switch mechanism, the mechanism automatically clamps and retains the key until the key is released by operation of a remote switch at the cash collection station. The switch mechanism includes a key actuated switch in the key slot. Upon actuation of the switch, a fuel pump circuit is closed and a solenoid locking circuit is also closed which causes the key to be clamped. A remote unlocking switch may be operated to release the solenoid locking circuit.

Abstract: A cabinet includes a locking mechanism which prevents removal of a key unless the cabinet door is properly closed and a prescribed item is properly positioned and stored within the cabinet. In a preferred embodiment, the cabinet door assembly includes a hinge which is slotted so as to accept a rotatable cam of the locking mechanism to prevent hinge movement in the locked position. The stored item has a magnet secured thereto which, when properly positioned in the cabinet, pulls a spring biased magnetized bar into a position wherein a slotted extension of the bar permits the cam to pass into the hinge slot. With the item improperly positioned or removed, the slotted bar extension prevents rotation of the lock by blocking passage of the cam into the hinge slot. The key and lock combination are standard items of the type which prevent key removal from the lock unless the lock is turned to the locked position.

Abstract: A double cylinder lock bolt has a key for the inside lock cylinder which is retained by a latch operable from the outside locking cylinder. Three alternative means for preventing operation of the inside cylinder by the outside key are disclosed. The arrangement makes a double cylinder deadbolt more suitable for use in fire or panic situation without sacrificing security.

Abstract: A key retaining cylinder for a lock operative on standard keys is disclosed. The cylinder of the lock includes an idler ring driven in rotation, with lost motion, by the lock plug. The idler ring is cooperatively disposed with respect to one of the pins so as to restrict the motion thereof when that lock has been used to lock the lock set and to not restrict the movement thereof when that lock has been used to unlock the lock set. Restricted movement of the pin together with the contrapment of the pin within the combinational notch of the key prevents removal of the key. Further features and embodiments are disclosed including provisions for symmetrical operation thereof for left-handed and right-handed doors.

Abstract: A dead bolt lock set is designed to be key actuated on the inside as well as on the outside of the door. For the inside there is an inside tailpiece in engagement with a drive slot in the dead bolt hub. A lost motion circumferential recess on the inside tailpiece provides stops at positions such that when the key is inserted on the inside and turned to lock the dead bolt by action of a micro drive pin, the key cannot be returned in reverse direction to key release position without unlocking the dead bolt. Consequently, the key must remain captive in the inside keyway to keep the dead bolt locked because of being held in the cylinder by the pin tumblers.When the lock has been locked from the outside, the drive slot in the head of the tailpiece is rotated out of line with the inside key slot. Under this condition when unlocking from the inner trim, the tailpiece and washer are forced inward by the key tip compressing the conical spring and allowing full key insertion.

Abstract: Deadlocking mechanism of the kind including a deadbolt slidably located in a casing so as to be projected beyond an end of that casing in an operative position, and to be substantially contained within the casing in an inoperative position. An actuator such as a key operated pin tumbler lock is operable to cause movement of the deadbolt between its two positions. The invention comprises an improved drive connection between the actuator and deadbolt, which includes a toothed pinion rotatable with the actuator and a rack cooperatively engaged by the pinion and arranged for movement with the deadbolt. That drive connection also includes two gear segments which rotate with the pinion and actuator respectively, and have intermeshing engagement during part only of the pinion movement corresponding to movement of the deadbolt between its operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: A safety device for an electrode-type steam vaporizer having an electrode assembly enclosed in a protective housing allows access to the electrodes for cleaning or adjustment only when a key, preferably the electric plug for the vaporizer, is inserted through an opening in the protective housing to release an interlock mechanism normally precluding removal of the protective housing from the electrode assembly. When the protective housing is removed, the key is automatically locked in the opening in the protective housing by a spring-biased lock pin and cannot be removed until the electrode assembly is again repositioned in the housing with the electrode assembly and housing properly assembled relative to each other. The safety device can be used in other electrical appliances, such as a toaster, that have electrical elements enclosed in a protective housing.

Abstract: A double cylinder lock constructed with a single tailpiece driver and a clutch. The interior lock key can be extracted only when the lock bolt is retracted and not when the lock bolt is extended. The driver and clutch arrangement prevent either cylinder from becoming out of time, regardless of which cylinder is used to throw the bolt.

Abstract: A conventional keyed, pin-tumbler lock has an abutment portion formed on the key axially adjacent one of the key notches at the side thereof axially inward of the lock cylinder which normally axially obstructs that lock pin when the key is properly inserted in the lock cylinder key slot to prevent normal withdrawal of the key from the lock cylinder while still permitting free rotation of the lock cylinder by the key in its normal locking and unlocking movements. A key removal member is axially insertable into the key slot adjacent the key within a key axial recess and has a leading angled surface portion terminating axially in a raised surface portion which progressively move and ultimately retain that particular pin from its key pin notch and the key abutment portion obstruction, thereby permitting normal key removal from the lock cylinder.

Abstract: A security type dead bolt for a door is arranged so that a key must be used on the inside, as well as on the outside, to extend the dead bolt to locked position, in that way to prevent an unauthorized person opening the door from the inside after surreptitious entry. To make certain that when the occupant is at home and with the latch bolt extended by the inside key to locked position, there can be no lost key situation blocking exit by the occupant in case of an emergency such as a fire, the dead bolt mechanism is arranged to trap the key in the lock whenever the dead bolt is extended to locked position, but to release the key when withdrawn. A yieldable mechanism permits unlocking the latch bolt from the outside even when a key is left in the lock on the inside.

Abstract: A locking device comprised of a base plate secured about a keyhole and a cover plate pivotally disclosed thereon including locking means which can be disposed in aligned openings in the plates to selectively lock one to the other to either expose or cover the keyhole.

Abstract: A key retaining cylinder lock device has a cylinder body with a bore therein extending along an axis. A plug is rotatable in said bore about the axis and is confined against axial translation. The plug has an axially extending keyway therein open to said bore and adapted to receive a key having an edge notch partly defined by an inner wall extending at least partially transversely of said axis. The plug also has a circumferential groove open to the keyway and open to a chamber in part defined by a plug chordal surface lying on both sides of the keyway and substantially perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the keyway. In the groove and chamber is a partial ring having a central, inwardly directed lug adapted to contact the plug chordal surface with rotary lost motion therebetween.

Abstract: A door lock structure adapted to be actuated by a magnetic card key and to actuate a conventional cylindrical door lock with substantially no modification to such door lock. A housing containing the magnetically operated elements of the lock is mounted coaxially relative to the cylinder plug of the conventional lock. Insertion of a properly coded magnetic card releases a locking bar which normally holds the structure in locked position, and the entire assembly may be turned to retract the latch or dead bolt.

Abstract: A cylinder and plug type lock mechanism drivingly connects an authorized key to the actuator of a switch device and captivates the key when turning the switch on. A magnetic latch activated in the captive position of the key, prevents return of the key to its release position. A magnetic release element is positioned on the key against the lock mechanism to disengage the magnetic latch.