Abstract: A magnetic lock is provided which has a housing carrying a rotatable core with magnetic rotors and an axially displaceable lock bar which is rotationally connected to the core. A catch ring is provided with means engagable with the lock bar to drive the lock bar axially away from an initial position upon rotation of the core, and a return ring is provided with means engagable with the lock bar to drive the lock bar axially toward the initial position upon a further rotation of the core.

Abstract: A key for a lock-key system, particularly for a hierarchal lock system, is provided which has an invariable basic profile and a variation or system profile in which the invariable basic profile is allocated to the region of the key facing carrying the classification notches and has at least two profiled formations which cross the centerline of the key. The variation or system profile is allocated to the key region adjacent to the key spine. Variations are provided in the system profile by longitudinal incisions having a rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: A lock and key system is provided wherein the flat sides of the keys are equipped with locking ribs projecting beyond the normal profile and provided with indentations (depressions) over their course, i.e., are equipped with height-modulated locking ribs. In order to achieve an additional scope of variation which adds to the variations presently available in locked key systems, based on locks having identical bore patterns, the auxiliary locking ribs of the keys of the individual locks are provided with a differing distribution of elevations and depressions and, interacting with these locking rib designs are a number of species of sensing pins. A first species of pins serve to sense elevations, a second species of pins serve to sense depressions and a third species of pins is provided at those locations of the locks at which the individual key comprises an elevation, but the superordinated or master key for the actuation of locks combined into a system comprises a rib depression at the same location.

Abstract: A key for use in a hierarchal lock system with an elongated body and selectively spaced notches cut on an elongated edge of the body. Two rows of discontinuous rib members are attached to each side of the elongated body of the key.

Abstract: An improved cylinder lock which is very difficult to pick has at least one cylinder pin into which a set of shallow grooves has been cut as well as a deeper notch at one end of the pin. A boring is made in the cylinder at an angle to the boring of the cylinder pin and into which is placed an appropriately sized obstructing pin. The obstructing pin is free to drop into a recess made in the lock housing when the cylinder is locked. The process of attempting to pick the lock by rotating the cylinder slightly results in the obstructing pin sliding along the side of the V-shaped recess in the housing and thereby moving toward and engaging the notches in the body of the cylinder pin preventing unauthorized movement of the cylinder pin which would render the associated locking pin inoperative. When a legitimate key has been inserted into the cylinder, the cylinder pin moves to its fully unlocked position before the cylinder rotation is initiated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a secure multi-level key system. A multi-level key system utilizes ribs of known width upon the higher level keys to properly displace obstruction pins corresponding to selected locking pins of the lock housing. A two-part cylinder pin is utilized in order that a higher level key may equalize the spring-biased locking pin with a shallower groove than is necessary for a subordinate key to equalize the same locking pin. The obstruction pins sense the presence or absence of the ribs associated with the high order keys. Subordinate keys, lacking ribs, depend on the additional displacement of the cylinder pin to properly position the obstruction pins to unlock the lock. Creation of a higher order key requires a two-step process of reducing the depth of the groove corresponding to a given cylinder pin of the lock as well as building up the ribs required to offset the obstruction pins associated with the same cylinder pin of the lock.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a cylinder lock and associated flat-key configuration, the lock being virtually pick-proof and the key being virtually imitation-proof. These features arise from a particular employment of supplementary lateral ribs or cams on the key, of predetermined height and longitudinal location, coacting with a system of supplementary pins guided by transverse bores in the cylinder core, and one or more case pins of the conventional pin-tumbler components of the lock will dog the cylinder against key-operation beyond a limiting angle, should the supplementary rib or cam profile of the inserted key be incorrect.