Patents by Inventor Gerald B. Chong
Gerald B. Chong has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8881567Abstract: A reset fixture for a rekeyable lock cylinder includes a housing with a central recess for receiving a cylinder body. A first opening communicating with the central recess is defined in the housing for receiving a reset tool. A second opening communicating with the central recess is defined in the housing for receiving a bracing bar.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Kwikset CorporationInventors: Gerald B. Chong, Steven Armstrong
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Patent number: 8656747Abstract: A kit for a master keying system includes a plurality of replacement master racks. A rack removal key is provided for insertion into a keyway. The rack removal key has a first cut defining a first lift amount. A rack removal tool is provided for insertion into the keyway. The rack removal tool has a second cut defining a second lift amount, wherein the second lift amount is greater than the first lift amount.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Kwikset CorporationInventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 8347678Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder assembly includes at least one lock cylinder and a mortise lock adapter. Each lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A locking bar is disposed in the cylinder body for movement transverse to, and rotationally about, the longitudinal axis. A plug assembly having a tool receiving aperture is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A plurality of pins and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. A first member is moveable in response to application of a force by a tool received through the aperture to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of pins. The mortise lock adapter includes a housing configured for receiving the cylinder body of the lock cylinder. A mortise lock actuator is coupled to the plug assembly of the lock cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Newfrey, LLCInventor: Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 8033150Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A plug assembly is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotatable between a first position and a second position, the plug assembly having a lock face with a tool receiving aperture. A plurality of key followers and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. The plurality of racks is selectively engageable with the plurality of key followers. A first member is coupled to the plurality of racks. The first member is moveable in response to application of a force against the first member by a tool received through the tool receiving aperture. The first member is configured to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of key followers in response to the movement of the first member.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Newfrey, LLCInventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 7900491Abstract: A lock cylinder has a reset condition wherein the lock cylinder can be put into a “learn” mode. In the “learn” mode, the original key can be removed and replaced by replacement key and, when the replacement key is removed, the lock cylinder 10 is rekeyed to the new key. The original key no longer operates the rekeyed lock cylinder 10.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventor: Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 7878036Abstract: A lock cylinder having a keyway includes a first plurality of guide channels. A plurality of cup-shaped pins is movably disposed within the first plurality of guide channels. Each cup-shaped pin of the plurality of cup-shaped pins extends across the keyway. Each cup-shaped pin of the plurality of cup-shaped pins has an engagement protrusion. The first plurality of guide channels conform to the shape of the plurality of cup-shaped pins to allow movement of the plurality of cup-shaped pins in a first direction while restraining movement transverse to the first direction. A plurality of biasing springs is positioned to bias the plurality of cup-shaped pins in a direction toward the keyway. A plurality of racks is movably disposed in a second plurality of guide channels. Each rack of the plurality of racks has at least one engagement groove to selectively receive the engagement protrusion of a respective cup-shaped pin.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Newfrey, LLCInventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Publication number: 20100236307Abstract: A lock cylinder having a keyway includes a first plurality of guide channels. A plurality of cup-shaped pins is movably disposed within the first plurality of guide channels. Each cup-shaped pin of the plurality of cup-shaped pins extends across the keyway. Each cup-shaped pin of the plurality of cup-shaped pins has an engagement protrusion. The first plurality of guide channels conform to the shape of the plurality of cup-shaped pins to allow movement of the plurality of cup-shaped pins in a first direction while restraining movement transverse to the first direction. A plurality of biasing springs is positioned to bias the plurality of cup-shaped pins in a direction toward the keyway. A plurality of racks is movably disposed in a second plurality of guide channels. Each rack of the plurality of racks has at least one engagement groove to selectively receive the engagement protrusion of a respective cup-shaped pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Publication number: 20100037666Abstract: A lock cylinder has a reset condition wherein the lock cylinder can be put into a “learn” mode. In the “learn” mode, the original key can be removed and replaced by replacement key and, when the replacement key is removed, the lock cylinder 10 is rekeyed to the new key. The original key no longer operates the rekeyed lock cylinder 10.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2006Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventor: Gerald B. Chong
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Publication number: 20090031774Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A plug assembly is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotateable between a first position and a second position, the plug assembly having a lock face with a tool receiving aperture. A plurality of key followers and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. The plurality of racks is selectively engageable with the plurality of key followers. A first member is coupled to the plurality of racks. The first member is moveable in response to application of a force against the first member by a tool received through the tool receiving aperture. The first member is configured to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of key followers in response to the movement of the first member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Publication number: 20080271505Abstract: A kit for a master keying system includes a plurality of replacement master racks. A rack removal key is provided for insertion into a keyway. The rack removal key has a first cut defining a first lift amount. A rack removal tool is provided for insertion into the keyway. The rack removal tool has a second cut defining a second lift amount, wherein the second lift amount is greater than the first lift amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 7434431Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A locking bar is disposed in the cylinder body for movement transverse to, and rotationally about, the longitudinal axis. A plug assembly is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotateable between a first position and a second position. The plug assembly has a lock face with a tool receiving aperture. A plurality of pins and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. The plurality of racks is selectively engageable with the plurality of pins. A first member coupled to the plurality of racks is moveable in response to application of a force against the first member by a tool received through the tool receiving aperture. The first member is configured to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of pins in response to the movement of the first member.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Newfrey, LLCInventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Publication number: 20080236224Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder assembly includes at least one lock cylinder and a mortise lock adapter. Each lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A locking bar is disposed in the cylinder body for movement transverse to, and rotationally about, the longitudinal axis. A plug assembly having a tool receiving aperture is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A plurality of pins and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. A first member is moveable in response to application of a force by a tool received through the aperture to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of pins. The mortise lock adapter includes a housing configured for receiving the cylinder body of the lock cylinder. A mortise lock actuator is coupled to the plug assembly of the lock cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventor: Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 7322219Abstract: A keying system includes a cylinder body. A plug assembly disposed in the cylinder body includes a plug body and a carrier sub-assembly disposed adjacent the plug body. The carrier sub-assembly is moveable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder body between a first position and a second position. The plug assembly includes a plurality of pins and a plurality of racks for selectively engaging the plurality of pins. Each rack of the plurality of racks has a first locking bar-receiving groove along a neutral axis and at least a second locking bar-receiving groove spaced from the neutral axis, wherein a spacing of the second locking bar-receiving groove from the neutral axis of a first rack of the plurality of racks is different from a spacing of the second locking bar-receiving groove from the neutral axis of at least one other of the plurality of racks.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Newfrey, LLCInventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 7308811Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a lock keying system comprising: a lock cylinder comprising: a cylinder body; a plug assembly disposed in the cylinder body and comprising a plurality of pins and a one-to-one corresponding plurality of racks for relocating the plurality of pins; and a rack alignment tool receiving aperture defined by the lock cylinder; and a rack alignment tool comprising: a base plate; and a plurality of spaced elongated prongs, each prong from the plurality of prongs comprising a first longitudinal end adapted to engage a corresponding one of the plurality of racks, each prong from the plurality of prongs dimensioned lengthwise to relocate to a first predetermined position the corresponding one of the plurality of racks, the first predetermined position common to each of the plurality of racks, each prong from the plurality of prongs comprising a second longitudinal end connected to the base plate, wherein the rack alignment tool is adapted to restrain a carrieType: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Steve Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 7234331Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a plug body and carrier sub-assembly disposed therein. The plug body includes a plurality of spring-loaded pins and the carrier assembly includes a plurality of racks for engaging the pins to operate the lock cylinder. The racks and pins move in a transverse direction, in response to insertion of a first valid key into the lock cylinder, to unlock the lock cylinder. The carrier moves in a longitudinal direction, in response to insertion of a tool in a tool-receiving aperture, from an operating position to a rekeying position. In the rekeying position, the racks are disengaged from the pins and a second valid key can replace the first valid key. Rotation of the plug body from the rekeying position with the second valid key in the lock cylinder obsoletes the first valid key.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong, Richard J. Veltman
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Patent number: 7213429Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a plug body and carrier sub-assembly disposed therein. The plug body includes a plurality of spring-loaded pins and the carrier assembly includes a plurality of racks for engaging the pins to operate the lock cylinder. The racks and pins move in a transverse direction, in response to insertion of a first valid key into the lock cylinder, to unlock the lock cylinder. The carrier moves in a longitudinal direction, in response to insertion of a tool in a tool-receiving aperture, from an operating position to a rekeying position. In the rekeying position, the racks are disengaged from the pins and a second valid key can replace the first valid key. Rotation of the plug body from the rekeying position with the second valid key in the lock cylinder obsoletes the first valid key.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 7117701Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a lock keying system comprising: a lock cylinder comprising: a cylinder body; a plug assembly disposed in the cylinder body and comprising a plurality of pins and a one-to-one corresponding plurality of racks for relocating the plurality of pins; and a rack alignment tool receiving aperture defined by the lock cylinder; and a rack alignment tool comprising: a base plate; and a plurality of spaced elongated prongs, each prong from the plurality of prongs comprising a first longitudinal end adapted to engage a corresponding one of the plurality of racks, each prong from the plurality of prongs dimensioned lengthwise to relocate to a first predetermined position the corresponding one of the plurality of racks, the first predetermined position common to each of the plurality of racks, each prong from the plurality of prongs comprising a second longitudinal end connected to the base plate, wherein the rack alignment tool is adapted to restrain a carrieType: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Steve Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 7114357Abstract: A keying system, method and kit, wherein a plurality of replacement master racks are installed in a movable carrier assembly of a cylinder lock with the aid of a rack removal key and a rack removal tool configured for insertion into a keyway. The rack removal key has a first cut defining a first lift amount, and the rack removal tool has a second cut defining a second lift amount, the second lift amount being greater than the first lift amount.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Newfrey, LLCInventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 7104098Abstract: A lock assembly for a keyed knob includes an insert, a cylinder assembly and a retainer. The insert is inserted into the knob after the retainer is attached thereto. The insert is inserted from the rear of the knob and attached thereto. The cylinder assembly is then inserted into the front of the insert until the retainer engages the cylinder assembly to secure the cylinder assembly into the insert. The cylinder assembly is readily removed by pressing on a step portion of the retainer with a tool inserted through the rear of the knob.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Oscar Romero, Steve Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
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Patent number: 6959569Abstract: A re-keyable lock cylinder includes a plug body and a carrier sub-assembly disposed adjacent the plug body. The plug assembly includes a plurality of planar wafers and the carrier sub assembly includes a plurality of racks for engaging the wafers in a face-to-face teeth arrangement. The racks disengage from the wafers to separate the teeth in response to movement of the carrier such that the lock cylinder is in a re-keyable condition when the racks are disengaged from the wafers.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Walter Strader, Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong