Abstract: A probe for manually decoding a lock of the wafer combination type having an elongate body to slideably engage the keyway, the body comprising at least two hollow tubular members. Within the hollow members are rotatably disposed detecting members which detect, by means of physical contact, certain identifying portions of wafers therein which form the combination of the lock. An indicator on the outside of the probe, responsive to the detecting members, indicates the presence, type, and orientation of the wafers. The same method may be practiced without the use of the probe by viewing the interior of the lock slightly off center with a pencil beam of light to determine the same characteristic wafer portions.

Abstract: A key kit for opening tumbler locks has a key member with a shaft insertable into a tumbler lock, the shaft having a series of longitudinally-spaced recesses into which the tumblers in the lock can respectively enter. A foil of impressionable material is removably positionable on the shaft over the recesses, and a tumbler displacing member is insertable into the lock with the shaft and foil to displace the tumblers without the tumblers engaging the foil. The tumbler displacing member being removable from the lock after the shaft and foil have been inserted therein to enable the key member to be manipulated to cause the tumblers to make impressions in the foil corresponding to the key shape required to open the lock.

Abstract: A key blank impressioning tool has a pair of pivotally, interconnected parts for manipulation by the hands of the user. As one of the parts is grasped by one hand to apply torque to the key blank in the keyway of the lock to in turn tend to turn the plug of the lock, the second part of the tool is used by the other hand of the operator for the purpose of reciprocating a block so as to strike light blows of such nature as to create indentations in one edge of the blank to thereby identify the location and depth of the tumbler cuts to be made in the key blank.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for opening a magnetic cylinder lock of the type having an outer cylinder, a rotatable inner cylinder disposed within the outer cylinder, one or more magnetic pins disposed within chambers of one of the cylinders for engaging the other cylinder to prevent the inner cylinder from rotating, and a keyway within the inner cylinder for insertion of a magnetic key to displace each pin and release the inner cylinder, thereby opening the lock. A probe is provided for insertion within the keyway to determine the presence and polarity orientation of each magnetic pin by detecting its magnetic field. An indexing arm within the probe abuts the lock and provides a signal representative of the position of each pin chamber. Sensor circuitry correlates a signal from the probe representative of the presence and polarity orientation of each pin with a signal from the indexing arm representative of the position of each pin chamber and displays the "combination" of the lock.

Abstract: A device for opening a lock without the use of a key cut to the specific tumbler configuration of the lock, said device comprising a holder having a key blank corresponding to the key slot formed in the lock core mounted at one end thereof. A resilient member is secured to the key blank in such a position that it will engage the tumblers of the lock when the key blank is inserted into the key slot. In addition, a means is secured to the holder for engaging the lock housing in which said core rotates on the side thereof opposite the location of the tumblers and for urging the key blank and core against said engaged side in a manner such that the width of the shear line between the core and lock housing will be increased at the location of the tumblers.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and/or decoding the biddings of a key for opening a cylinder lock. The mechanism comprises a housing having a forward projection shaped in the form of a key body and an abutment surface spaced from the forward projection disposed to abut the cylindrical plug of the lock when the forward projection of the housing is inserted in the keyway of the lock. A plurality of shims, including at least one shim associated with each lock tumbler, are supported in the housing, for longitudinal movement within the housing. Each of the shims have an elongated portion directed toward and supported in the forward projection of the housing and a tumbler actuating cam extending from the elongated portion. A plurality of actuators are associated with the plurality of shims respectively. Each actuator is selectively shiftable for moving its respective shim with respect to the associated tumbler to position the tumbler for opening the lock.

Abstract: A pick for tubular cylindrical locks which includes a central substantially cylindrical member which has a plurality of grooves thereon, each groove to accommodate an elongated pin. The pins are capable of axial movement with respect to the cylindrical member against the action of a frictional brake in the form of rubber O-ring assembly. The very tip of the pins connect with a head which is adapted to be placed about the rotatable cylinder portion of a tubular lock. The head includes a series of axial slots and upon being moved axially into the cylindrical member, the head slightly deflects and frictionally secures to the cylinder portion of the lock. The head is moved axially by a fastener which connects between the rearwardmost end of the first member and the head.

Abstract: A device for opening locks with magnetically actuated tumblers or pins is provided with a housing of non-magnetizable composition and a plurality of interlocking gear wheels, pivotably retained in the housing, and also constructed from materials not susceptible to permanent magnetization. The gear wheels are pierced by a plurality of orifices across their thickness and cylindrical permanent magnets are inset into each orifice with a substantially random distribution of their North and South poles with respect to the faces of the wheels. Means are provided to rotate the wheels simultaneously around their pivot axes, thereby generating a changing, random distribution of magnetic fields arising from the interaction of the inset permanent magnets.

Abstract: A lock pick mechanism having a plurality of lock picks, a frame and housing members is disclosed. The lock picks, frame and housing members are connected together such that the lock picks may be contained within the frame and enclosed by the housing members when the lock picks are in their storage positions and such that an individual lock pick may be selected and pivotally moved from its storage to its operative position when the housing members are opened. After the selected lock pick has been moved to its operative position, the housing members may be closed to maintain the lock pick in its operative position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding twisting tumbler locks and improvements in such locks to resist such methods and apparatus. To determine depth of cut of bit for a given tumbler, a blade is inserted into key way to position a wirelike probe at tumbler to be decoded. Wirelike probe is advanced upwardly until it engages tit at top of tumbler. Depth of cut of key bit is function of length of tumbler and device can be calibrated to give direct readout of depth of bit cut. Angle of key bit can be measured by hooking a wirelike probe in side gate groove in tumbler and then twisting tumbler until tit engages key plug or shell. Amount of twist permitted is function of angular position required to register tumbler groove with side gate and device can be calibrated to give direct reading of such angle. To defeat depth of cut decoder, twisting tumbler lock wherein tits on tumblers are located at different distances from tops of tumblers is disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for decoding twisting tumbler lock of the type wherein side bar is sole locking element and normally bridges shear plane unless radial apertures in twisting tumblers are all in vertical and horizontal register with complementary side bar protrusions. Decoding apparatus comprises three devices each with a blade insertable in keyway and having upwardly and rearwardly sloping front surface angulated at one of three angles to which tumblers must be twisted for horizontal registration of apertures. Each blade has indicia for indicating that front surface is at particular tumbler and further has indicia for determining amount of elevation of tumbler resulting from camming action between chisel shaped tumbler bottom and blade front surface when blade is advanced from initial engagement with tumbler to elevate tumbler.