Abstract: A tumbler pin lock includes an auxiliary locking mechanism including an auxiliary locking pin to provide enhance locking in addition to the locking provided by the tumbler pins so that the lock remains locked even if the tumblers are picked or bumped into their unlocked positions.

Abstract: The present application relates to lock assemblies that provide a secondary coupling point, utilizing an anti-rotation pin or extended tailpiece leg or other method, which rotationally couples the tailpiece to the cylinder plug, thereby preventing rotation of the tailpiece independently of the cylinder plug. Therefore, a tailpiece within a bolt cam or other actuator used to withdraw a bolt or unlock a lockset cannot be rotated after the tailpiece connector connecting the tailpiece to the cylinder plug has been forcibly removed, severed, or destroyed.

Abstract: A hierarchical lock system includes a first cylinder lock having a cylindrical plug, rotatable, reciprocating tumbler pins, a slider disposed within the plug and a side bar that cooperates with the cylinder plug, the slider, and the tumbler pins to control rotation of the lock. A second cylindrical lock includes a cylindrical plug, reciprocating tumbler pins, a slider, and a side bar that cooperates with the cylindrical plug and the slider. A first key is configured to open both the first and second locks by elevating and rotating the tumbler pins, and moving the slider to an unlocked position with respect to the side bar. A second key is able to open only the second cylindrical locks by elevating but not rotating the tumbler pins and by moving the slider to an unlocked position with respect to the side bar.

Abstract: A lock system includes keys, key blanks, keyways, and lock cylinders, and the keys or key blanks have opposite sides formed with grooves for cooperating with a conforming keyway. More particularly, the sides of the key or key blank have a portion grooved for registration, another portion grooved for top-level hierarchical master keying, and two other portions, one on each side of the blade, for further master key variations and different combinations. One of the two further sections being curvilinear and the other rectangular or angular cuts. The conforming keyway of the lock includes ridges and grooves corresponding to the grooves and ridges, respectively, of the key or key blank. Instruments other than keys or key blanks may be used to enter the grooves and ridges of the keyway to operate the lock without the use of a precisely configured key.

Abstract: A lock system includes keys, key blanks, keyways, and lock cylinders, and the keys or key blanks have opposite sides formed with grooves for cooperating with a conforming keyway. More particularly, the sides of the key or key blank have a portion grooved for registration, another portion grooved for top-level hierarchical master keying, and two other portions, one on each side of the blade, for further master key variations and different combinations. One of the two further sections being curvilinear and the other rectangular or angular cuts. The conforming keyway of the lock includes ridges and grooves corresponding to the grooves and ridges, respectively, of the key or key blank. Instruments other than keys or key blanks may be used to enter the grooves and ridges of the keyway to operate the lock without the use of a precisely configured key.

Abstract: A tumbler pin lock includes an auxiliary locking mechanism including an auxiliary locking pin to provide enhance locking in addition to the locking provided by the tumbler pins so that the lock remains locked even if the tumblers are picked or bumped into their unlocked positions.

Abstract: A lock system includes keys, key blanks, keyways, and lock cylinders, and the keys or key blanks have opposite sides formed with grooves for cooperating with a conforming keyway. More particularly, the sides of the key or key blank have a portion grooved for registration, another portion grooved for top-level hierarchical master keying, and two other portions, one on each side of the blade, for further master key variations and different combinations. One of the two further sections being curvilinear and the other rectangular or angular cuts. The conforming keyway of the lock includes ridges and grooves corresponding to the grooves and ridges, respectively, of the key or key blank. Instruments other than keys or key blanks may be used to enter the grooves and ridges of the keyway to operate the lock without the use of a precisely configured key.

Abstract: The present application relates to lock assemblies that provide a secondary coupling point, utilizing an anti-rotation pin or extended tailpiece leg or other method, which rotationally couples the tailpiece to the cylinder plug, thereby preventing rotation of the tailpiece independently of the cylinder plug. Therefore, a tailpiece within a bolt cam or other actuator used to withdraw a bolt or unlock a lockset cannot be rotated after the primary means for connecting the tail piece to the cylinder plug has been forcibly removed, severed, or destroyed.

Abstract: A lock system includes keys, key blanks, keyways, and lock cylinders, and the keys or key blanks have opposite sides formed with grooves for cooperating with a conforming keyway. More particularly, the sides of the key or key blank have a portion grooved for registration, another portion grooved for top-level hierarchical master keying, and two other portions, one on each side of the blade, for further master key variations and different combinations. One of the two further sections being curvilinear and the other rectangular or angular cuts. The conforming keyway of the lock includes ridges and grooves corresponding to the grooves and ridges, respectively, of the key or key blank. Instruments other than keys or key blanks may be used to enter the grooves and ridges of the keyway to operate the lock without the use of a precisely configured key.

Abstract: A hierarchical lock system includes a first cylinder lock having a cylindrical plug, rotatable, reciprocating tumbler pins, a slider disposed within the plug and a side bar that cooperates with the cylinder plug, the slider, and the tumbler pins to control rotation of the lock. A second cylindrical lock includes a cylindrical plug, reciprocating tumbler pins, a slider, and a side bar that cooperates with the cylindrical plug and the slider. A first key is configured to open both the first and second locks by elevating and rotating the tumbler pins, and moving the slider to an unlocked position with respect to the side bar. A second key is able to open only the second cylindrical locks by elevating but not rotating the tumbler pins and by moving the slider to an unlocked position with respect to the side bar.

Abstract: A key blank or key has a rectangular parallel metal shaped blade which has side edges formed with grooves for cooperating with a complementary shaped keyway; the sides of the blank having a portion grooved for registration, another portion grooved for top-level hierarchical master keying, and two other portions, one on each side of the blade, for further master key variations and different combinations. One of the two further sections being curvilinear and the other rectangular or angular cuts.

Abstract: A key blank, key and master keying system for a twisting tumbler sidebar lock of the type where the sidebar is blocked or unblocked by a selectively positioned longitudinally extending slider, has a key blank with a slider contacting surface on a rib on the blank below the bitting area at one of a plurality of selected predetermined locations. A key with skew cut bittings can be cut on the blank and the blank can be configured with the slider contacting surface at different predetermined locations. The slider contact area on the rib of the key blank can be divided into two horizontal portions at different predetermined locations and the slider itself can have contact surfaces also positioned at different predetermined locations so that a number of different master keying variations are possible.

Abstract: A shell and core interchangeable lock assembly for use in a shell housing. The core includes a rotatable pin plug and the shell includes a substantially cylindrical body with a pin chest therein. A mechanism which captures the shell and core within the shell housing includes an integral retainer ring and lug which is attached to the core. The mechanism allows rapid insertion and removal of the shell and core by the use of a correctly bitted control key. The mechanism additionally has a sub-mechanism for preventing its operation by accident or by tampering without the appropriate control key.

Abstract: A key blank, key and master keying system for a twisting tumbler sidebar lock of the type where the sidebar is blocked or unblocked by a selectively positioned longitudinally extending slider, has a key blank with a slider contacting surface on a rib on the blank below the bitting area at one of a plurality of selected predetermined locations. A key with skew cut bittings can be cut on the blank and the blank can be configured with the slider contacting surface at different predetermined locations. The slider contact area on the rib of the key blank can be divided into two horizontal portions at different predetermined locations and the slider itself can have contact surfaces also positioned at different predetermined locations so that a number of different master keying variations are possible.

Abstract: A shell and core interchangeable lock assembly for use in a shell housing. The core includes a rotatable pin plug and the shell includes a substantially cylindrical body with a pin chest therein. A mechanism which captures the shell and core within the shell housing includes an integral retainer ring and lug which is attached to the core. The mechanism allows rapid insertion and removal of the shell and core by the use of a correctly bitted control key. The mechanism additionally has a sub-mechanism for preventing its operation by accident or by tampering without the appropriate control key.

Abstract: A twisting tumbler lock with a side bar is provided with additional levels of security by a axially reciprocable slider which is normally positioned to block operation of the side bar but is moved by a specially configured key to free operation of the side bar. This provides a third level of locking security, it also allows master keying. The unique key has a portion of a rib formed to cooperate with the slider to further allow key control.

Abstract: A twisting tumbler lock with a side bar is provided with additional levels of security by a axially reciprocable slider which is normally positioned to block operation of the side bar but is moved by a specially configured key to free operation of the side bar. This provides a third level of locking security, it also allows master keying. The unique key has a portion of a rib formed to cooperate with the slider to further allow key control.

Abstract: A shell and core interchangeable lock assembly for use in a shell housing. The core includes a rotatable pin plug and the shell includes a substantially cylindrical body with a pin chest therein. A mechanism which captures the shell and core within the shell housing includes an integral retainer ring and lug which is attached to the core. The mechanism allows rapid insertion and removal of the shell and core by the use of a correctly bitted control key. The mechanism additionally has a sub-mechanism for preventing its operation by accident or by tampering without the appropriate control key.

Abstract: A padlock includes a standard pop-out lock cylinder having a retractable bolt. The bolt is insertable into a channel in the padlock housing body containing ball bearings that fit against notches in a shackle of the padlock. The bolt provides a detent against which the ball bearings are forced against the notches of the shackle, locking it into a closed position. Upon rotation of the lock cylinder, the bolt is retracted, allowing the ball bearings to cam inward, thereby allowing the shackle to be released from the padlock housing body.

Abstract: A Key with a blade portion which is bitted for actuating the tumbler pins of a cylinder lock has improved cross-sectional strength despite deep cut bittings which extend well into the thickness of the blade. The key is generally flat with upper and lower surfaces and opposite short side edges. The bittings are cut across at least one of the surfaces so as to extend arcuately through the thickness of the blade and one of the side edges. The volume of key blank material which is adjacent the deep cut bittings after the key is cut is substantially more than conventional keys and provides the key blade with increased strength to prevent breakage. The bittings are cut into the key blade by a rotary cutter wheel which is dimensioned to form an arcuate bitting surface rather than a flat surface.