Abstract: An improved cylinder lock in which at least one tumber assembly includes a pin tumbler supported for rotational movement about its axis within a tumblerway, a driver, and a coupling mechanism releaseably coupling the driver to the pin tumbler for rotational movement of the driver about its axis in response to said rotational movement of the pin tumbler. The coupling mechanism at least partially defines a split line along which the pin tumbler and the driver may separate when the one tumbler assembly is axially and rotationally positioned relative to a plug and a shell in a predetermined releasing position wherein the split line is aligned with a shear line between the plug and the cylinder, and the pin tumbler has means for positioning the one pin tumbler assembly in the releasing position in response to engagement with a proper key in a keyway through the plug.

Abstract: A cylinder lock in which at least one tumbler assembly includes a pin tumbler supported for rotational movement about its axis within a tumblerway, a driver, and a coupling mechanism releaseably coupling the driver to the pin tumbler for rotational movement of the driver about its axis in response to said rotational movement of the pin tumbler. The coupling mechanism at least partially defines a split line along which the pin tumbler and the driver may separate when the one tumbler assembly is axially and rotationally positioned relative to a plug and a shell in a predetermined releasing position wherein the split line is aligned with a shear line between the plug and the cylinder, and the pin tumbler has means for positioning the one pin tumbler assembly in the releasing position in response to engagement with a proper key in a keyway through the plug.

Abstract: A tumbler lock including a housing that defines a keyway and a plurality of tumblerways communicating therewith. Disposed for both reciprocating and rotational movement in each of the tumblerways is a pin tumbler movable from locked positions into at least one shear position comprising predetermined longitudinal and angular positions. Biasing each of said tumblers into other than the predetermined shear angular positions are spring members each extending between the housing and one of the tumblers. A release mechanism is movable from a closed position into an open position with all the tumblers in their shear positions and is restrained in its closed position with any of the tumblers in one of its locked positions. Cooperating with the lock is a key having a plurality of alignment portions, each one adapted to engage an alignment surface on one of the pins and to move the pin into its shear position.

Abstract: A tumbler lock including a housing that defines a keyway and a plurality of tumblerways communicating therewith. Disposed for both reciprocating and rotational movement in each of the tumblerways is a pin tumbler movable from locked positions into at least one shear position comprising predetermined longitudinal and angular positions. A release mechanism is movable from a closed position into an open position with all the tumblers in their shear positions and is restrained in its closed position with any of the tumblers in one of its locked positions. Cooperating with the lock is a key having a plurality of alignment ridges, each one adapted to enter an alignment groove on one of the pins and to move the pin into its shear position.

Abstract: A cylinder which does not have a plug but has selectors and cooperating pin tumblers controlled thereby under influence of a key which is thrust rectilinearly into the key way and which selectors are actuated by a bolt or the like.

Abstract: A pin tumbler cylinder lock having a plug eccentrically positioned within a cylindrical bore of a housing. Surrounding the plug are longitudinally aligned sleeve segments that together therewith form a composite plug unit that can be rotated in the housing bore by a proper key. Formed on the outer surface of each sleeve segment coincident with pinways therein are recesses that are spaced from the recesses in adjacent sleeve segments. Additional internal recesses are formed in the inner surface of at least one of the sleeve segments closely adjacent a pinway extending therethrough. The internal recesses receive the tumbler pin when it is forced upwardly simultaneously with the application of torque on the plug. In one embodiment, the internal recess is a single recess coincident with the pinway and extending circumferentially therefrom. In another embodiment, the internal recess comprises a pair of recesses located on opposite sides of the pinway and spaced circumferentially therefrom.

Abstract: A pin tumbler cylinder lock having a plug eccentrically positioned within a cylindrical bore of a housing. Surrounding the plug are longitudinally aligned sleeve segments that together therewith form a composite plug unit that can be rotated in the housing bore by a proper key. Formed on the outer surface of each sleeve segment coincident with pinways therein are recesses that are spaced from the recesses in adjacent sleeve segments. The bottoms of the recesses form false shear levels that hinder picking operations while the side walls thereof form pin obstructions that prevent forcible axial removal of the plug and sleeve unit from the cylindrical housing. Additional security is provided between the plug and at least one sleeve segment by a mechanical coupling that prevents relative axial motion therebetween. The coupling prevents axial removal of the plug.

Abstract: A cylinder lock comprising a plug, with an eccentric face, a cylinder and an eccentric sleeve between the plug and cylinder. When a proper key is inserted and raises the pins to operating shear level the plug and sleeve can be turned as a unit on an axis to unlock or lock, but in the event there is a single pin restraining the rotary motion of the sleeve, only a limited plug motion is permitted as it is now in an eccentric relation with respect to the cylinder. Picking of the lock is prevented by dividing the sleeve into segments rotatable with respect to each other and providing each with circumferentially extending recesses in which tumbler pins can become ledged.

Abstract: A pin tumbler lock comprising a plug with top and bottom pins operable by a key, said plug being surrounded by an enclosure which may be alternatively a rotary sleeve for grand mastering or the cylinder of a lock. The sleeve or cylinder as the case may be is provided with a longitudinal recess in which is mounted alternatively one or more rotationally movable baffle inserts or slide pieces for each tumbler. These inserts are apertured for receiving the pins. Where the sleeve is present there is a recess at the internal surface thereof receiving the inserts and there is also a similar recess in the cylinder receiving inserts on the interior surface of the cylinder. These inserts may be circumferentially slidable or rotational.