Abstract: Locking systems allow for the unlocking and locking of, e.g., doors, containers, and enclosures. Lock cylinders are coded to specific keys, and often there is a desire to have a key be able to access a subset of lock cylinders. Keys are coded using bitting to gain access to specific lock cylinders. It is with respect to these and other general considerations that embodiments have been described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for decoding an angle-cut key are provided. A probe is positioned at a first position relative to the angle-cut key. A first depth reading is performed on the angle-cut key. The probe is displaced to a plurality of subsequent positions and performing a plurality of subsequent depth readings on the angle-cut key. A key map of the angle-cut key is generated based on comparisons performed on a set of depth readings, the set of depth readings comprising the first depth reading and the plurality of subsequent depth readings. A signal indicative of the key map is output.

Abstract: Locking systems allow for the unlocking and locking of, e.g., doors, containers, and enclosures. Lock cylinders are coded to specific keys, and often there is a desire to have a key be able to access a subset of lock cylinders. Keys are coded using bitting to gain access to specific lock cylinders. It is with respect to these and other general considerations that embodiments have been described.

Abstract: A key blank loading cartridge includes a sleeve defining a cavity for holding a stack of key blades within a box of key blanks. The key blanks are releasably retained in the cartridge cavity by their blade portions leaving the head portions of the blanks exposed. After having been removed from the box, the so retained stack of key blanks is ready to be loaded as a single unit in a corresponding key blank magazine. Once the head portions of the key blanks have been engaged in the magazine, the sleeve can be pulled off the blanks and returned to the key blank manufacturer and reused in another key blank shipping package.

Abstract: A universal clamping assembly for a key duplicating machine is described. The clamping assembly comprises a housing having a pair of opposed flat guide rail support surfaces and a sliding tip clamp is guidingly displaceable along each of the guide rail support surfaces and are urged against the tip of the key and key blank blades which are positioned on the guide rails. A pivoting clamp is displaceably engageable on a forward top edge of the respective key blades to apply a downward force on the key blades to ensure that the lower edge of the key blades is firmly resting against the guide rail support surfaces. A pair of cam operated side clamps is actuable to further clamp the blade on their sides at two distinct areas. The universal clamping assembly is capable of accommodating different key and key blank lengths, widths and thicknesses. The method of clamping the key and key blank is also described.

Abstract: There is described a self-powered lock system for a movable member coupled to a lock mechanism having a first state in which the movable member is locked and a second state in which the movable member is unlocked. The system comprises an electrical energy storage device having an electrical charge stored therein, a control unit for controlling the lock mechanism, a trigger unit for triggering an unlocking of the lock mechanism, and a passive detection unit for detecting an activation of the trigger unit. Upon detection of the activation, a conductive path is provided between the control unit and the storage device for powering the control unit with the charge stored in the storage device. The lock mechanism is in turn unlocked by the control unit. A generator coupled to the storage device may then generate electrical energy and store the generated energy in the storage device for future use.

Abstract: A universal clamping assembly for a key duplicating machine is described. The clamping assembly comprises a housing having a pair of opposed flat guide rail support surfaces and a sliding tip clamp is guidingly displaceable along each of the guide rail support surfaces and are urged against the tip of the key and key blank blades which are positioned on the guide rails. A pivoting clamp is displaceably engageable on a forward top edge of the respective key blades to apply a downward force on the key blades to ensure that the lower edge of the key blades is firmly resting against the guide rail support surfaces. A pair of cam operated side clamps is actuable to further clamp the blade on their sides at two distinct areas. The universal clamping assembly is capable of accommodating different key and key blank lengths, widths and thicknesses. The method of clamping the key and key blank is also described.

Abstract: A key assembly for housing a transponder within a transponder holder wherein the key assembly has a key blade with connecting shoulders attached to the key blade, a key head having lock tabs that removably attach the connecting shoulders to the key head, and a transponder adapter for retaining at least one transponder. The transponder adapter is removably fitted within the key head and the transponder adapter facilitates the insertion and removal of at least one transponder within the key assembly.

Abstract: A locating system and method for accurately positioning key blanks with respect to a key cutter where the key head is clamped between opposing jaws with the key blade working edges projecting therefrom, the key head is provided with shaped recesses having at least a partially specifically shaped edge wall and wherein at least one jaw member is provided with a projection having a correspondingly shaped sidewall, the pin being positioned with respect to the clamp such that when the key blank head is abutted against the pin with the key blank edge configuration mating to the pin sidewall configuration, the key blade will project from the jaw in a proper position for engagement by either the bitting follower or bitting cutter respectively.

Abstract: An access control device (10) has an electronic/electric control unit (19) fed with electrical current via an electrically conductive fastener (28), such as the ones that also function to clamp the outdoor and indoor housings (15, 17) of the device (10) together against the opposed sides of a door (12) or the like.

Abstract: A key blank for a cylinder lock comprising a bow 308, a blade longitudinally extending from the bow to a tip, and having a longitudinally extending upper edge 306 to be cut with coded bitting for mating with a tumbler stack of a cylinder lock. A projection 148 extends outwardly on the upper edge adjacent the bow, rising from longitudinally extending surfaces 318 at elevation e0 below the elevation e1 of the upper edge, and having a length parallel to the upper edge that is greater than a width transverse to the edge. The projection is interposed between a front edge portion 306 to be cut with the coded bitting and a back edge portion 310 extending to the bow at elevation e4 above elevation e1. The projection has cam surfaces converging longitudinally and transversely toward a nose 180 at elevation e3 above elevation e1.

Abstract: A transponder key assembly is provided with a key blade and head assembly, with the head formed with a transponder holder opening therein from a face of the head and a separable transponder carrier matingly configured to the opening and adapted to be received into and be removable from the opening so as to prevent separation of the transponder from the key blade and head assembly to preserve the transponder for use in a subsequent key blade and head assembly.

Abstract: A key blank and key for mating with a core having a plurality of cutouts penetrating from the core surface to the keyway, and a plurality of activator inserts and filler inserts, such that the installer can locate one or more activator inserts in any of the cutouts, and one or more filler inserts in any of the remaining cutouts, to thereby match the code to be provided in the respective flank or flanks of an authorized key. At least three and preferably at least five slotted cutouts are provided. The inserts are preferably in the form of generally semi-circular plates on at least one side of the core. The inventive key for insertion into a cylinder lock keyway has a blade with top and bottom edges spaced apart along a blade height direction and left and right flanks spaced apart along a blade width direction. A longitudinal channel is formed in at least one flank, having a width extending in the blade height direction and a depth extending in the blade width direction.

Abstract: In a pin tumbler-type cylinder lock having an auxiliary tumbler stack, the bottom pin of the auxiliary tumbler stack has a recessed underside for receiving a projection on the key to form a detent. The invention provides an additional functionality that has not previously been associated with the auxiliary tumbler stack. When the projection on the key as seated, it prevents the key from being withdrawn from the keyway while the plug is in any rotational position in which the drive and bottom pins are not substantially aligned. Thus, the key is retained whenever the plug has been rotated.

Abstract: A core having a plurality of cutouts penetrating from the core surface to the keyway, and a plurality of activator inserts and filler inserts, such that the installer can locate one or more activator inserts in any of the cutouts, and one or more filler inserts in any of the remaining cutouts, to thereby define a program or code to be provided in the respective flank or flanks of an authorized key. At least three and preferably at least five slotted cutouts are provided. The inserts are preferably in the form of generally semi-circular plates on at least one side of the core. In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a programmable cylinder lock system, a programmable core for a cylinder lock, a core kit by which the installer can program the core in the field, and a novel key adapted to be used with the programmable core.