Guard Tumbler Patents (Class 70/421)
  • Patent number: 11761233
    Abstract: A lock can include attack-resistant and/or weather-resistant features. Attack-resistant features can include a sacrificial link between a locking mechanism and an external keyway covering an exterior face of the locking mechanism. The sacrificial link can break during a torque attack on the lock such that the full force of the torque attack is not applied to the locking mechanism. Weather-resistant features can include drain openings in one or more housing components external to the locking mechanism to facilitate drainage of liquid matter from the lock before the liquid matter reaches the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: William Albert Tartal, Donald Eugene Irwin
  • Patent number: 11420259
    Abstract: A method of forming a mated component pair includes forming a first geometry on a first mating surface of a first component and a complementary second geometry on a second mating surface of a second component. The first geometry and the second geometry can be determined from a geometric key associated with a component identifier, e.g., by inputting the geometric key into a mathematical algorithm or random number generator. When a replacement for the second component is needed, the component identifier may be obtained from the first component, the component identifier may be used to obtain the geometric key, and the geometric key may then be used to determine the second geometry. The second geometry may then be formed on the second component such the second component may properly mate with the mated first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Endecott Osgood, Daniel Peter Kiefer
  • Patent number: 10612271
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder with a cylinder body and a plug assembly. The lock cylinder includes a plurality of key followers and a corresponding plurality of racks disposed in the plug assembly. The lock cylinder includes, for example, a locking bar for blocking rotation of the plug assembly with respect to the cylinder body to prevent unlocking of the rekeyable lock cylinder with an unauthorized object. In some embodiments, the locking bar is configured such that torqueing the plug assembly with an unauthorized object applies force to the locking bar without translating such force to the plurality of racks. This type of arrangement enhances torque resistance of the lock cylinder against attempted forced entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanna Farag, Jack Zhang, Mark S. Bloom, James Lin
  • Patent number: 10087655
    Abstract: A cylinder lock comprises a cylinder housing (11) and a cylinder core (13) which is rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing. A plurality of plate tumblers (21) are provided in the cylinder core, wherein each of the plurality of plate tumblers is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. At least one of the plurality of plate tumblers has a bolt-receiving depression (47). The cylinder lock further comprises at least one bolt element (27) which has a bolt tip (35), wherein the bolt element is movable between a blocking position and a release position. In the release position, the bolt tip engages in the bolt-receiving depression of the plate tumbler. The plate tumbler has, adjacent to the bolt-receiving depression, at least one bolt latch-in depression (45) in which the bolt tip of the bolt element engages in a latching manner when the at least one plate tumbler is moved out of the unlocking position, wherein the bolt latch-in depression is less deep than the bolt-receiving depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Söhne KG
    Inventors: Ernst Pankratius, Gerhard Meckbach
  • Patent number: 9359791
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a plug body with a keyway opening along a longitudinal axis and a multiple of channels transverse to the axis. A rekeying feature located adjacent to the keyway opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Kwikset Corporation
    Inventor: Jack Zhang
  • Patent number: 8875552
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Söhne KG
    Inventor: Wai Kuen Fan
  • Patent number: 8695390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder lock of the type of a disk tumbler cylinder having a cylinder housing and a cylinder core rotatable therein, with a plurality of blockable disk tumblers being provided in the cylinder core which have at least one respective engagement section. The disk tumblers are movable between an unlatched position and a latched position and are biased along a respective direction of bias into the latched position. In the latched position, the respective engagement section engages into an associated cut-out in the cylinder housing to block the cylinder core against a rotary movement relative to the cylinder housing. The cylinder core is rotatable in a rotary opening direction relative to the cylinder housing when the disk tumblers are in the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
    Inventors: Thomas Becker, Wai Leung Ng
  • Patent number: 8677791
    Abstract: A locking arrangement with a lock cylinder and matching key. The key has a flat key bit with a narrow spine, two broad sides, and coding notches at coding positions on the key bit. The cylinder has a housing, core, tumblers, and a sensing member located in a supplementary core hole. Spacing from the spine of the sensing point is greater than spacing from the spine of the apex of the notch is cut the deepest. The sensing point is near a peripheral edge of a notch cut less such that deepening the notch to a depth of the notch cut the deepest leads to disappearance of the sensing point. For protection against unlocking, the supplementary core hole is located between adjacent core holes and the sensing member has a tip which the sensing point on a broad side of the key situated between adjacent coding positions is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: C. Ed. Schulte Gesellschaft Mit Beschraenkter Haftung Zylinderschlossfabrik
    Inventors: Theo Piotrowski, Michael Reine
  • Patent number: 8650919
    Abstract: An anti-break lock includes a body and two rods respectively extend from two ends of the body. Two rings extend radially from the body. The body has a passage which communicates with one of the rings and the ring is engaged with an engaging block. The engaging block has a recess in which a pad is received. The passage has a resilient member and a stop pin received therein and the stop pin has a first shoulder and a second shoulder formed in two ends thereof. A contact portion extends from the second shoulder. The body has a room which communicates with the passage. A resilient piece and an engaging member are received in the room. When the lock is damaged, the contact portion is inserted into the recess and stopped by the engaging member so that it cannot move back to its initial position. The lock cannot be unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Tien-Kao Liu
  • Patent number: 8621901
    Abstract: A lock system is provided having a lock housing and a lock barrel, a keeper shoulder, at least one full positioner shoulder, and a positioner shoulder having a U-shaped channel. A lock plug having a keyway and tumblers is received in the barrel for rotation between locked and unlocked positions. The tumblers include a key tumbler, a positioner tumbler and a keeper tumbler. The lock plug is rotatable between a first rotary position and a second rotary position. A control key is received into the keyway to retract the lock tumbler and partially retract the keeper tumbler. Removal of the lock plug from the lock barrel requires rotation of the lock plug from the first rotary position to the second rotary position and the presence of the control key within the lock plug when in the second rotary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Bauer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Bacon
  • Patent number: 8584495
    Abstract: An exchangeable cylinder lock includes a plug shell connected to a pin chest. A locking pin is disposed in a radial pin hole in the pin chest and is biased to protrude from an aperture in a cover plate and to engage a lock housing. The locking pin is depressable to retract for disengaging from the lock housing. A locking ring is disposed around the plug proximate to the locking pin, and has at least one indentation. When the plug is rotated using a right key, the locking ring can be rotated to align the indentation with the locking pin so as to permit depression of the locking pin, or to move the indentation away from the locking pin so as to prevent depression of the locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Shyang Chiou, Kuang-I Liao
  • Patent number: 8479545
    Abstract: A key body and an associated lock core are disclosed. The disclosed lock core includes a core body, a core sleeve, a core plug, and a side pin assembly including a side pin, a region pin, and a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Security Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Diana Teixeira
  • Patent number: 8438889
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pin and tumbler cylinder lock and a retrofitted cylinder lock which minimizes unauthorized openings of the lock by bumping. The cylinder lock utilizes specially designed driver pins which are correlated in size to the largest possible stack height of the tumbler pins with a bump key inserted in the plug portion of the lock and the shear line height of the lock. All the driver pins are about the same height and preferably symmetrical with a lip on each end. The invention also provides a method for retrofitting existing locks by removing at least one of the driver pins and replacing the removed driver pin or pins with the driver pins of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sargent Maufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C Eller, Ryan Piantek, Evaldas Malinauskas, James Galarneau, David Steele, Christopher Hill
  • Patent number: 8276416
    Abstract: A master key lock includes a lock cylinder having a keyway for receiving a key, a sleeve about the cylinder, a plurality of wafer tumblers, a master key and a spring operable to axially move the sleeve relative to the cylinder when the master key is inserted into the keyway. A system that uses the master key lock includes a lock case wherein the sleeve is disposed between the cylinder and the lock case, the sleeve being axially movable within the case. The sleeve comprises a plurality of transversely disposed slots for engaging the plurality of wafer tumblers such that the lock is unlocked by insertion of a key or a master key. A method of using the master key lock is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: VSI, LLC
    Inventors: Lucas Boesel, Joshua J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8261587
    Abstract: A substantially burglary-proof lock, comprises a housing formed with a cylindrical bore defining an inner cylindrical surface, and a cylinder within said bore carrying locking elements movable to locking and unlocking positions with respect to said housing, said cylinder having an outer diameter equal to the diameter of said bore so as to be rotatable when the locking elements are in unlocking position with respect to said housing, said cylinder being formed with a keyway for receiving a proper key in order to move said locking elements to their locking and unlocking positions with respect to said housing, characterized in that said cylinder carries at least one insert of a hard material configured, dimensioned and located such as to prevent pull-out of the cylinder from the housing by a pull-out force applied to the cylinder, and/or by drilling through the locking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Asher Haviv, Eric Torgeman
  • Patent number: 8210010
    Abstract: A key includes a body that is plate-shaped to be inserted into a locking device, and a groove that is formed in the body and engages with a plurality of tumblers of the locking device to allow locking and unlocking operations. The groove includes, at a location corresponding to one tumbler of the locking device, a non-engagement part that does not engage with the one tumbler. The groove may include an inside groove, and the non-engagement part may include a notch portion that the inside groove is cut to reach an edge portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Reiji Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8186194
    Abstract: A tumbler pin lock includes an auxiliary locking mechanism including an auxiliary locking pin to provide enhance locking in addition to the locking provided by the tumbler pins so that the lock remains locked even if the tumblers are picked or bumped into their unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Medeco Security Locks, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Field, David P. Sutherland, Glenn Hartman, Mark Benzie, Walt Dannhardt, Kevin Galliher, Dan Boadwine, Clyde T. Roberson
  • Patent number: 8186193
    Abstract: A lock cylinder structure comprises a cylinder body, a plug disposed within the cylinder body, a pin assembly and a key positioning assembly. The cylinder body has a plurality of upper pin holes and an accommodating hole. The plug has an outside wall, a keyhole, a plurality of lower pin holes and a through hole in communication with the outside wall and the keyhole. The pin assembly comprises a plurality of upper pins disposed within the upper pin holes and a plurality of lower pins disposed within the lower pin holes. The key positioning assembly comprises a first movable member disposed at the accommodating hole of the cylinder body and a second movable member disposed at the through hole of the plug. The second movable member contacts against the first movable member and has a push-receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Huang, Chi-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8065897
    Abstract: A lock core and key blank are disclosed. The disclosed lock core includes a core body, a core sleeve, a core plug, and a side pin assembly including a side pin, a region pin, and a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Security Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Diana Teixeira
  • Patent number: 8056379
    Abstract: A lock cylinder that includes a housing and a plug. The housing includes a wall that defines a hollow portion and a pin portion that defines a first pin chamber that is configured to receive a first pin. The plug includes a body rotatably housed within the hollow portion of the housing. A key slot is defined in the body in part by a pin resting surface 90, and a second pin chamber is disposed in communication with the key slot. A second pin is disposed within the second pin chamber and is configured to engage the pin resting surface 90. An engagement member is disposed within the body as a separate piece, and engaged with the second pin to space the second pin a distance from the pin resting surface 90 in the absence of a key in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventors: William J. Dickhans, Paul O. Gardner, Misty G. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7963133
    Abstract: A cylinder lock, includes a sleeve, a key plug arranged in the sleeve and having a key insert hole opening on an edge face of a key insert side, a key matching member movably supported on the key plug, detachably arranged in the sleeve and withdrawn from the sleeve by an insertion of a matching key into the key insert hole, and a clutch arranged on an opposite side of the key insert side of the sleeve for transmitting an unlocking movement of an operating handle to a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Takumi Tamezane
  • Patent number: 7730751
    Abstract: A lock device for use with a key is disclosed. The lock device includes a locking spindle including a plurality of locking spindle bores and a passage extending axially along an axial length of the locking spindle, and a driver structure including a plurality of driver structure bores. An interface between the driver structure and the locking spindle forms a shear line. The lock device also includes a plurality of combination pins in the plurality of locking spindle bores, and a plurality of driver pins in the driver structure bores in the driver structure, the plurality of driver pins being respectively associated with the plurality of combination pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: ACCO Brands USA LLC
    Inventors: Guillermo Andres, Lambert Kuo
  • Patent number: 7681425
    Abstract: A lock core and key blank are disclosed. The disclosed lock core includes a core body, a core sleeve, a core plug, and a side pin assembly including a side pin, a region pin, and a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Stanley Security Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Diana Teixeira
  • Patent number: 7500371
    Abstract: A lock device for use with a key is disclosed. The lock device includes a locking spindle including a plurality of locking spindle bores and a passage extending axially along an axial length of the locking spindle, and a driver structure including a plurality of driver structure bores. An interface between the driver structure and the locking spindle forms a shear line. The lock device also includes a plurality of combination pins in the plurality of locking spindle bores, and a plurality of driver pins in the driver structure bores in the driver structure, the plurality of driver pins being respectively associated with the plurality of combination pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Acco Brands USA LLC
    Inventors: Guillermo Andres, Lambert Kuo
  • Patent number: 7424815
    Abstract: A reprogrammable lock comprises a rotor (2) mounted rotatably inside a stator (1). In the rotor (2) are mounted key reading plates (3) to read the coding profile (8b, 9b) of a user/programming key (8, 9), locking plates (4) that can couple with the key reading plates (3) and are adapted to block rotation of the rotor (2) with respect to the stator (1), two lateral inserts (6) integral with the locking plates (4) and provided with an arched surface (6b) adapted to slide on the inner surface of the stator (1), and a rotation stopping plate (10) free from the locking plates (4) to block rotation of the rotor (2) with respect to the stator (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Giussani Techniques S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Pagnoncelli
  • Patent number: 6912881
    Abstract: The security reversible key with an assigned cylinder (Z) has a blocking groove (BN) with a coded blocking depth (B1, B2, B3), which runs parallel to the axis of the key (x) from the tip of the key to at least the first position (P1) of a row of tumbler pins (A2) on the key. In the assigned cylinder, at least at the rearmost coding position (P1), a pair of tumbler pins corresponding to the blocking groove (BN) with a blocking tumbler pin (BZ) and an extended blocking counter pin (BG) are foreseen, whereby the blocking counter pin (BG) impinges on the cylinder housing (10), if the blocking groove is insufficiently deep and, with this, the complete insertion of a key with an insufficiently deep blocking groove is blocked by the pair of blocking tumbler pins. Simultaneously, the blocking tumbler pin (BZ) with the counter pin (BG) at the position (P1) also serves as coding tumbler pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kaba Schliesssysteme AG
    Inventor: Arno Kleinhaeni
  • Patent number: 6701761
    Abstract: A lock system is provided for vehicles and the like of the type having at least one closure. A lock housing is mounted adjacent the closure, and includes a lock barrel with an axial tumbler groove, a positioner shoulder adjacent an outer portion of the barrel and a keeper shoulder adjacent an inner portion of the barrel. A lock plug is closely received in the barrel for rotation between locked and unlocked positions, and includes a keyway and outwardly biased, radially shifting tumblers. A control key is inserted into the keyway to retract all of the tumblers except a positioner tumbler that engages the positioner shoulder to locate the lock plug in a first axial position in the barrel. When the control key is removed, an outer keeper tumbler is biased outwardly for abutting contact with the keeper shoulder. A dealer key is inserted into the keyway to retract all of the tumblers except the positioner and outer keeper tumblers to permit rotation of the plug between the locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Bauer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger N. H. Chang, Edward J. Cheng
  • Patent number: 6679090
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved rotatable cylinder lock having a removable lock core. The lock core is removable from the lock housing for locking applications that require the lock to have up to 180° of lock core rotation. The invention is accomplished through the use of a specially designed lock housing, lock core, adapter, and shifter. The lock housing has a cylindrical opening defining a groove and rotational slot. Inserted within the cylindrical opening in the lock housing is an adapter having a stop lug and tumbler block, a shifter having a drive slot, and a lock core having a block restrictor relief. In use, the stop lug on the cylindrical adapter rotatably engages with the rotational slot in the housing while the tumbler block on the adapter rotatably engages with the block restrictor relief on the lock core. The assembly of the present invention thereby permits the lock core to be rotated 180° within the lock housing while also permitting the removal of the lock core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: CompX International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glyn A. Finch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6526791
    Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a shell and a plug inside the shell. A locking pin, a sensor pin and a flexible coupling are mounted within the plug. The sensor pin moves the flexible coupling and the coupling moves the locking pin to an unlocked position when the correct key is inserted into a key slot in the plug. The key includes a locking pin receiving notch, to allow the locking pin to move to the unlocked position. The key also includes a contact surface that moves the sensor pin and thereby moves the locking pin to the unlocked position through the flexible coupling. When an incorrect key, without the locking pin receiving notch, is inserted, the flexibility of the flexible coupling allows the sensor pin to move without moving the locking pin. The cylinder lock may also include conventional pin tumblers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Arrow Lock Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Vladimir Shvarts
  • Patent number: 6427506
    Abstract: A lock has a flat key having a flat blade extending along a key axis and having an axially extending edge formed to each side of a central axially extending key plane with a pair of axially extending inner edge surfaces flanking the key plane and each formed with a plurality of bits offset transversely at different spacings from the key axis. The bits on one side of the key plane are offset axially to the bits on the other side of the key plane as described above. A barrel having an inner surface centered on a lock axis holds a plug rotatable about the lock axis in the barrel, bisected by a plug plane including the lock axis, and formed with an axially extending and open key hole adapted to receive the key with the axes coaxial and the planes coplanar. A respective set of axially spaced tumblers is dis-placeable in the plug to each side of the plug plane parallel to the plug plane. The tumblers of one of the sets engage the key in the hole at locations offset axially from the tumblers of the other set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: EVVA-Werk Spezialerzeugung von Zylinder- und Sicherheitsschlossern Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kurt Prunbauer
  • Patent number: 6178792
    Abstract: An apparatus having two barrel and tumbler locks which are longitudinally overlapped and conjoined to operate in combination with each other. When the first lock is moved to an open position it becomes frozen with the key snagged therein. The second lock is used to unfreeze and release the key from the first lock. Both locks are of the type having a barrel and tumbler. The first lock has a barrel having a ramped circumferential groove segment having a shallow end portion. A groove wafer extends from the tumbler into this groove. The second release lock has a circumferential groove segment in its barrel similarly having a groove wafer extending from the tumbler into this groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: James F. Glazier
  • Patent number: 5970762
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Fort Lock Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Stanislav Jezek
  • Patent number: 5964110
    Abstract: A lock with a keyed removable plug having a substantially cylindrical body, and a plurality of tumblers disposed within the body and movable between a first position retracted within the cylindrical body of the plug and a second position with one end extending from the body. A retaining tab extends radially from the plug body at an angle from the radial orientation of the tumblers. A shell has a substantially cylindrical opening therein for removably receiving the plug in a first shell end. The shell further includes an annular shoulder spaced from the first shell end and engageable by the plug retaining tab and a retaining one of the tumblers when in its second position. Tumbler grooves extend axially along the sides of the shell opening from the first shell end to a groove end short of the shoulder, and a release groove extends axially along the shell opening from the first shell end to the shoulder to define an opening in the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: John J. Crocco, John J. Velinski
  • Patent number: 5799520
    Abstract: A combined lock/actuator for providing linear actuation including a lock barrel having an opening extending along a longitudinal axis, a spline in the opening extending along the longitudinal axis, a plug mounted in the opening, and a key-retractable tumbler carried by the plug and extending into the spline. The plug is rotatable within the opening over a fixed annular displacement between an actuation position and a release position. Further, the plug is translatable within the opening over a fixed axial displacement along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. The tumbler extends into the spline when the plug is in the actuation position in the first position, when the plug is in the actuation position in the second position, and when the plug is in the actuation position in translating between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Laabs, Brian M. Ott, John J. Crocco
  • Patent number: 5704234
    Abstract: A cylinder lock is provided having a sleeve rotatably receivable within the inner core of a sleeve. A cylinder retainer is slidably mounted within a cylinder retainer slot in the cylinder for radial movement therein. The cylinder retainer is movable between a first cylinder retaining position wherein the outer end of the cylinder retainer projects from the cylinder, a second retracted position wherein the outer end of the cylinder retainer is retracted within the cylinder. A slam resistance pad is mounted within the cylinder lock between the cylinder retainer and a stop surface in the sleeve such that if a thief attempts to remove the cylinder from the sleeve, the slam resistance pad is compressed between the cylinder retainer and the stop surface in the sleeve and dissipates the impact force on the cylinder retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis E. Resch
  • Patent number: 5617750
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a key-actuated pin tumbler lock of the type having: a cylindrical core rotatable in a lock housing via a rotational path, a plurality of pin tumblers received in bores journalled in the core and lock housing, each bore containing a set of pin tumblers comprising one core pin and one housing pin, biassed towards the core, and having a pin junction therebetween, and a key slot in the core, whereby insertion in the key slot of a key having thereon suitable bits is adapted to align the pin junctions with the rotational path of the core in the lock housing, and to permit the core to rotate within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Master Locksmiths Assoc. of Australasia Limited
    Inventor: Brian Preddey
  • Patent number: 5615566
    Abstract: An improved security cylinder lock and key for operating the cylinder lock are disclosed. The cylinder lock has conventional tumbler locking structure and a secondary locking bar that operates independently of the tumblers. The secondary locking bar prevents operation of the cylinder lock until a properly configured key is placed in the keyway of the cylinder lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Greg N. Brandt
  • Patent number: 5606882
    Abstract: A lock assembly having a key plug with an axis, a first housing defining a receptacle for the key plug and guiding movement of the key plug in the receptacle around the key plug axis, a latch assembly including a first movable latch element, structure cooperating between the first housing and the latch assembly for supporting the latch assembly in an operative position on the first housing wherein the first latch element is movable between first and second positions relative to the first housing, a retaining element, structure for mounting the retaining element to the key plug for movement relative to the key plug between first and second positions, with the key plug being movable into the key plug receptacle to an operative position and removable from the key plug receptacle with the retaining element in its first position, and structure cooperating between the retaining element and latch assembly for preventing withdrawal of the key plug from the first housing receptacle with the key plug in its operative p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Tri/Mark Corporation
    Inventors: Marvin L. Larsen, Kenneth L. McConnell
  • Patent number: 5561997
    Abstract: A cylindrical barrel type lock wherein rotation of the barrel is prevented by one or more armatures which are actuated by an electromagnet. Energization of the electromagnet causes the armatures to be withdrawn from engagement with the barrel, thereby permitting its rotation to open the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Marlok Company
    Inventor: Sheldon Milman
  • Patent number: 5553473
    Abstract: The rotary locking cylinder has a housing with a longitudinal bore hole in which a rotor is inserted. In the lower region of the bore hole, a groove-shaped recess is worked into the housing, a blocking insert being inserted into this recess. This blocking insert projects into the key groove and prevents the rotor from being turned by force so as to shear off the tumbler pins. When employing unauthorized opening methods, the blocking insert must be held against the repelling force of spring elements in an inactive position, which substantially impedes such unauthorized methods or even renders them impossible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Patent number: 5488843
    Abstract: A safety, insurance and alarm mechanical lock contains an external lock portion, a multicylinder type lock cylinder portion, and a lock body portion engaging with the lock cylinder portion. The lock cylinder portion comprises a front part including an external cylinder, a middle cylinder and an internal cylinder and a back part including a back external cylinder and a back internal cylinder. A self-locking control mechanism is provided between the front and back lock cylinders which can automatically perform self-locking and alarming when destroying act applied to the lock cylinder from outside takes place. The lock body portion is provided with an internal lock mechanism. Furthermore, in accordance with the various requirement, it can also be provided with an anti-invading mechanism, an alarm mechanism sensing the deformation of the door. The lock of the present invention has overcome many disadvantages of the prior lock and give a great deal of safety to users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Chunmin Shi
  • Patent number: 5457974
    Abstract: A key and rotary cylinder for a safety lock are disclosed. The key has in its shank a continuous bore hole in which two opposite control elements are supported. These control elements are movable inwardly against the restoring force of a pressure spring arranged in the bore hole. An additional tumbler is lifted by a control element when the key is inserted into a key slot of the rotary locking cylinder. This additional tumbler engages in a recess of the stator. When using a key without a control element, the rotor is blocked by means of the tumbler. When using a key according to the invention, the rotor can be turned and the tumbler is lifted out of the recess and the control element is moved inward radially. After turning by 90.degree., for example, a counterpin of the stator is brought into line by the tumbler. In the absence of a control element, the rotor is blocked by the counterpin in this case as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Patent number: 5438857
    Abstract: A lock cylinder with key, in which the cylinder has a rotor and a stator with radial tumbler pins and the key has depressions corresponding to the tumbler pins. At least one tumbler pin functions as a control pin (K), in that a zone produced by an offset provides a side coding (F) in addition to the depth coding (T) with a diameter corresponding to an additional coding (B) and the associated key has a depression with sides (8), whose spacing between the sides corresponds to the coded diameter (B) of the control pin offset and whose tumbler pin cooperates on the one hand with the milled coding in the key and on the other hand with control faces formed in the key blank. The aim is to create a copying or forging obstacle by means of a technical measure in the cylinder and on the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Bauer Kaba AG
    Inventor: Arno Kleinhaeny
  • Patent number: 5431034
    Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a lock shell which confines a cylindrical hole and a rotatable cylindrical key plug provided within the hole of the lock shell and formed with a longitudinally extending keyway. The key plug is further formed with a plurality of first bores which receive a lower tumbler pin of a respective first tumbler set, while the lock shell is further formed with a plurality of second bores which receive an upper tumbler pin of a respective first tumbler set. A plug retaining sleeve has a front portion which extends into the hole of the lock shell and which confines a hollow space for receiving a rear portion of the key plug. The rear portion of the key plug and the front portion of the plug retaining sleeve are respectively formed with third and fourth radially aligned bores which receive a lower tumbler pin of a second tumbler set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Tong-Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaw-Shin Fann, Ming-Shyng Chiou
  • Patent number: 5355703
    Abstract: A cylinder lock set includes a retaining tumbler which has a cammed outer tip adapted to be received in a receptive slot such that the cylinder may be rotated in the slot to engage the cammed outer tip of the retaining tumbler and cam down the tumbler into the cylinder to provide clearance between the slot and the cylinder for facilitating insertion of the cylinder into a receptive sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Elinski, William D. Boppre
  • Patent number: 5295376
    Abstract: A combinating tumbler lock featuring zero clearance between the lock plug and mounting shell including: a mounting shell having a central throughbore with a front section having a first, greater diameter and including longitudinal locking grooves, a rear section having a second smaller diameter and including longitudinal stopping grooves, and a tapered transition section between the front and rear sections; a lock plug for selective rotation within the mounting shell and having three sections corresponding in diameter to the sections in the mounting shell, the lock plug front section including a tumbler receiving opening, the lock plug rear section including a cam-receiving structure and a first radial throughbore, the lock plug also including a second radial throughbore between the front section and the tapered section; a tumbler disposed in the lock plug for selective engagement with the longitudinal locking grooves of the shell; a spring loaded stop comprising two spherical balls actuated by a compression
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Fort Lock Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Myers
  • Patent number: 5235832
    Abstract: Substitutable plug assemblies are removably retained at an operating position within a forwardly opening chamber of the barrel of a lock assembly. A plug assembly that has been inserted to the operating position is releasably retained within the enshrouding barrel by a retainer that is moved by spring bias to a plug-retaining position wherein the retainer bridges complementary formations that are defined by the barrel and by the inserted plug assembly. A retained plug assembly that has been inserted to the operating position can be rotated about the central axis relative to the barrel between at least a pair of angularly spaced positions. One of the plug assemblies carries tumblers that are engageable with interior portions of the barrel for locking the one plug assembly in at least one of the angularly spaced positions unless the one plug assembly is unlocked by a suitably configured key. The other of the substitutable plug assemblies preferably includes a manually operable formation such as a knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Lux, Timothy P. Laabs
  • Patent number: 5176015
    Abstract: A restricted key system providing keys/key slots with an angled or chevron shaped cross sectional profile. Each key blade of the restricted key system includes an upper planar portion which is bitted or cut to position the standard pin tumblers, an intermediate portion which forms a horizontal ledge, and a lower planar portion which extends from the intermediate portion at an angle in the range of 5.degree.-85.degree. relative to the upper planar portion. The horizontal ledge of the key blade may be provided with at least two additional bitting surfaces for wards, tumblers and/or other key differing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Inventor: Stan J. Sussina
  • Patent number: RE39364
    Abstract: An improved security cylinder lock and key for operating the cylinder lock are disclosed. The cylinder lock has conventional tumbler locking structure and a secondary locking bar that operates independently of the tumblers. The secondary locking bar prevents operation of the cylinder lock until a properly configured key is placed in the keyway of the cylinder lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Stanley Security Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg N. Brandt
  • Patent number: RE35518
    Abstract: A restricted key system providing keys/key slots with an angled or chevron shaped cross sectional profile. Each key blade of the restricted key system includes an upper planar portion which is bitted or cut to position the standard pin tumblers, an intermediate portion which forms a horizontal ledge, and a lower planar portion which extends from the intermediate portion at an angle in the range of 5.degree.-85.degree. relative to the upper planar portion. The horizontal ledge of the key blade may be provided with at least two additional bitting surfaces for wards, tumblers and/or other key differing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Medeco Security Locks, Inc.
    Inventor: Stan J. Sussina