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: 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 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 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.

Abstract: A side bar type cylinder lock includes a locking segment which is movable relative to the side bar and lock shell only in response to insertion of a key blade having a uniquely configured and located camming projection into the keyway. The locking segment movement is independent of lock tumbler movement and is required to permit side bar disengagement from the lock shell.

Abstract: A side bar type cylinder lock includes a locking segment which is movable relative to the side bar and lock shell only in response to insertion of a key blade having a uniquely configured and located camming projection into the keyway. The locking segment movement is independent of lock tumbler movement and is required to permit side bar disengagement from the lock shell.

Abstract: A novel lock system utilizes a cylinder lock and a companion key with a projection extending from one side thereof to improve security. The cylinder lock comprises a shell, a core which is rotatably mounted within the shell and a plurality of pin tumbler stacks normally prevent movement between the shell member and the core. Shear lines are defined between the shell and the core, and also within each tumbler stack. The core also includes an outer surface, a longitudinal keyway and a cut-out which is normally offset from, but alignable with, at least one of the tumbler stacks. A plate member is disposed within the cut-out for movement between a first position, wherein the plate member acts as an extension of the core surface to prevent a tumbler stack from entering the cut-out and a second position, wherein the plate member does not prevent a tumbler stack from entering the cut-out.

Abstract: A key having profile features which include a shaped indentation on a first side of the blade and an aligned projection on the opposite side of the blade cooperates with a cylinder lock with unauthorized key trapping capability. The lock has an auxiliary locking pin which cooperates with the key indentation and a movable plate member which cooperates with the key projection. Both the indentation and projection must be present and properly sized and shaped for a properly bitted key to operate the lock.

Abstract: A cylinder lock with a resiliently biased auxiliary locking pin, the auxiliary locking pin having a first end which functions as a tenon and a second end which defines a cam follower. The first end of the auxiliary locking pin extends into the keyway and is engaged by a cooperating key blade having a longitudinal slot which defines a mortise. The second end of the auxiliary locking pin normally engages a recess in the inner diameter of the lock shell, a camming surface being provided at one side of the recess. The depth profile of the mortise increases from an initial tenon receiving depth, at the blade tip, to a functional depth, at a point displaced from the blade tip, where the locking pin is partially withdrawn from the shell recess to enable rotation of the lock core relative to the shell.

Abstract: A novel lock system utilizes a cylinder lock and a companion key with a projection extending from one side thereof to improve security. The cylinder lock comprises a shell, a core which is rotatably mounted within the shell and a plurality of pin tumbler stacks normally prevent movement between the shell member and the core. Shear lines are defined between the shell and the core, and also within each tumbler stack. The core also includes an outer surface, a longitudinal keyway and a cut-out which is normally offset from, but alignable with, at least one of the tumbler stacks. A plate member is disposed within the cut-out for movement between a first position, wherein the plate member acts as an extension of the core surface to prevent a tumbler stack from entering the cut-out and a second position, wherein the plate member does not prevent a tumbler stack from entering the cut-out.

Abstract: A cylinder lock is provided with a resiliently biased auxiliary locking pin which projects into the keyway, the auxiliary locking pin having a first end which is shaped to in part define a flaring tenon and a second end which engages a locking recess in the lock shell. The cooperating key has a blade with a longitudinal slot shaped, in the manner of a mortise, to engage the first end of the auxiliary locking pin, the depth profile of the mortise increasing from an initial engagement depth to a functional depth. Key insertion causes generation of an axial force which is applied to the head of the auxiliary locking pin to retract the pin second end from the shell locking recess.