Abstract: A combination ignition switch and steering lock assembly is provided for use in activating the electrical system of a motorcycle for immobilizing the front steering fork of the motorcycle. In particular, the combination ignition switch and steering lock assembly of the present invention broadly comprises: a housing; a handle assembly coupled to the housing; a key operated lock plug assembly disposed within the handle assembly; a plunger assembly with a dead bolt slidably disposed within the housing; a camming means disposed within the housing for actuating the plunger assembly; and a switch means disposed within the housing for selectively activating the electrical system.

Abstract: A handle lock for use on safe doors and the like is provided including a lock shell, a lock plug, a shaft and a handle. The lock shell is formed with a smooth cylindrical outer surface and a central throughbore adopted to receive the lock plug. To provide for selective rotation of the lock plug within the lock shell, the lock plug includes tumbler means which engage with longitudinal lock grooves formed in the lock shell. A shaft connects the lock plug to a crank which translates the rotary motion of the lock plug into the operation of the door latches. The handle is provided with a mounting throughbore formed with an internal annular ledge. The annular ledge has multiple connecting splines which interlock with complemental connecting splines on an annular flange on the lock plug when the lock plug is inserted into the mounting throughbore.

Abstract: An improved motorcycle steering lock assembly smoothly and reliably operates to immobilize the rotating shaft upon which the handle bars and front wheel forks are installed. The lock, mounted in front of the motorcycle seat and in close proximity to the handle bars and rotating shaft, selectively engages a receiving detent in the rotating shaft so as to prevent rotation of the steering assembly when the motorcycle is not in use.

Abstract: A switch lock having a reliable side-opening door and an improved rotatable handle is provided for use in motorcycle ignition systems. The side-opening door is rotatable between an open position wherein the lock plug assembly is exposed and a closed position wherein the lock plug assembly is covered. In the closed position, the side-opening door forms a part of the handle by fitting tightly against the side and top of the handle. The side-opening door also has a latch which receives and securely retains the side-opening door in the closed position. The handle is rotatable into a finite number of predetermined engagement orientations and is lockable at some or all of these orientations.

Abstract: A standard "diamond back" lock configuration, as used in drawer locks, includes a dead bolt with an angled slot. The angled slot provides an improved camming action which produces the same amount of linear dead bolt motion with 90.degree. of lock plug rotation as a conventional, non-angled slot with 180.degree. of rotation. In addition, since only 90.degree. of rotation is necessary to fully extend or retract the dead bolt, a user can ascertain whether the lock is engaged or not by the relative orientation of the keyway entry. Also, with 90.degree. of lock plug rotation, key retention at the unlocked position can be provided as an added feature of the lock.

Abstract: A lock shell comprising a tubular outer shell for receiving lock components, illustratively a spindle, the shell having an annular key way at the front face; the shell has an enlarged head portion at the front and a reduced diameter cylindrical portion extending from the head portion to the rear of the shell; at least one longitudinally extending lug member is disposed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion; the at least one lug starts at the enlarged head and extends rearwardly a minor portion of the length of the shell; the lug has portions successively from the enlarged head consisting of straight top and side walls, inwardly tapering top and side walls, and diminishingly angled walls.

Abstract: A key lock mechanism which can be made entirely of molded plastic parts having (1) a lock shell that can be snap fit in a mounting opening, wherein the shell is a predominantly cylindrical casing having a front end, a rear end, and an interior longitudinal channel; and (2) a lock plug, having a front end and a rear end, longitudinally housed within and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shell. The front end of the lock plug has a keyway allowing the insertion of a key to operate a double-acting, bar tumbler having a rocker body with a front peg and rear peg; an integral axle perpendicular to and connecting the center rocker body to a left and a right pivot pad upon which the bar tumbler pivots. The insertion of the key pivots the bar tumbler within the longitudinal shell channel and enables the key to turn the plug within the shell to operate the lock. The rear end of the plug receives a snap on actuation means such as a cam.

Abstract: An improved dust shutter assembly for locks includes a floating hinge point which decreases the amount of axial key force that is necessary to overcome the spring bias in the dust shutter mechanism. When engaged by a key, the spring retention pin (hinge point) of the dust shutter mechanism moves within the pin slots of the lock plug cavity until it bottoms out against the back of these slots. Pin translation is primarily axial, in the direction of key insertion, which partially unloads the spring and reduces the amount of key force that is required to open the shutter door. Since less key force is necessary, a narrower shutter door can be used. The chief advantage of a narrower shutter door includes a corresponding reduction in the size and length of the entire lock assembly.

Abstract: An axial pin tumbler lock for housing in an outer shell. The lock includes a shell and a rotatable driver sleeve telescoped into the shell. The driver sleeve has a bird-cage design including a front large inner diameter portion and a rear small-diameter inner portion and circumferentially arranged throughbores in communication with the inner diameters. A stationary tumbler sleeve is also telescoped in the shell, and in a facing relationship with the driver sleeve. The tumbler sleeve slot includes throughbores in communication with an inner diameter. A spindle extends through the sleeves and is rotatably mounted in the driver sleeve. The spindle includes a body portion and a neck portion with a curved transition zone between the two. Driver and tumbler pins mounted in the throughbores normally prevent rotation of the spindle and driver sleeve with respect to the tumbler sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus which inhibits the theft of equipment such as personal computers is disclosed. The equipment must have an external wall provided with a specially designed, approximately rectangular slot having preselected dimensions. An attachment mechanism includes a housing for a spindle having a first portion rotatable within the housing, a shaft extending outwardly from the housing, and a crossmember at the end of the shaft having peripheral dimensions closely conforming to the internal dimensions of the slot. An abutment mechanism also emanates from the housing, and is located on opposite sides of the shaft intermediate the housing and the crossmember. The peripheral cross-sectional dimensions of the abutment mechanism and the shaft in combination closely conform to the dimensions of the slot. The length of the shaft from the housing to the crossmember is approximately equal to the thickness of the external wall of equipment.

Abstract: A drawn container is disclosed having a substantially cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly from an integral base portion to form an open neck which is double seamed with a top end closure. The base portion has a downwardly extending, generally U-shaped, circumferential nose portion, the outside surface of which defines the plane of the base of the container on which the container normally sets. The nose portion is defined by a radius between a substantially vertical inner wall and an outside wall. The outside wall extends from a lower portion of the sidewall through a convex lower body radius to a concave profile radius disposed above the nose portion. A frustoconical portion is provided between the convex lower body radius and the concave profile radius. The frustoconical portion forms a lower body angle of at least 30.degree. with respect to the plane of the base of the container.