Abstract: A plug assembly for use in a key-operated lock, having a cylindrical key plug that can rotatable between a key insertion position and a control position, the key plug having a keyway and tumbler bores, an axial groove into the periphery displaced tangentially from the tumbler bores, a curved trough extending radially inwardly from the carriage groove, a control tooling slot formed radially inwardly from the curved trough. A carriage is moveable axially within the carriage groove, and has an outer surface proximate with the cylindrical periphery of the key plug. The carriage has radially-formed retainer bores that align tangentially with the tumbler bores when the carriage is in a position to accept lock configuration change balls. A separate change tooling blade can be inserted into the control tooling slot to raise any change balls within the retainer bores out through an outer opening the retainer bore.

Abstract: A lock system is provided having a lock housing and a lock barrel, a keeper shoulder, at least one full positioner shoulder, and a positioner shoulder having a U-shaped channel. A lock plug having a keyway and tumblers is received in the barrel for rotation between locked and unlocked positions. The tumblers include a key tumbler, a positioner tumbler and a keeper tumbler. The lock plug is rotatable between a first rotary position and a second rotary position. A control key is received into the keyway to retract the lock tumbler and partially retract the keeper tumbler. Removal of the lock plug from the lock barrel requires rotation of the lock plug from the first rotary position to the second rotary position and the presence of the control key within the lock plug when in the second rotary position.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a vehicle apparatus for changing status for a key is provided. The vehicle apparatus comprises a controller. The controller is configured to receive a key identification signal from a first key and to transmit a key status signal indicative of whether the first key is one of a master key and a non-master key based on the key identification signal. The controller is further configured to receive a change request signal corresponding to a request to change status for an additional key from a primary key to a secondary key if the first key is master key.

Abstract: A key-operated lock that can be programmed for use with one of a plurality of user keys without disassembling the lock or replacing the tumblers. The lock operates with a user key so that the lock plug turns only in one direction to unlatch or unbolt, and can not operate or rotate in the opposite direction. The lock also cannot be programmed or reconfigured with an operable user key. The lock is typically manually latched or bolted into a locked configuration. The lock is configured to permit rotation in the opposite direction only when using a programming key, which can reconfigure or program the lock for use with another user key.

Abstract: A lock assembly has a housing, a cylinder, a main adjusting pin assembly, a sub-adjusting pin assembly and multiple locking pin assemblies. The housing has multiple sets of pin holes, two main adjusting holes and two sub-adjusting holes. The three holes of the sets of pin holes are respectively referred to as a changing position, an open position and a lock position of the lock assembly. The cylinder is rotatably received in housing and has a main adjusting hole, a main adjusting cavity, a sub-adjusting hole, a sub-adjusting cavity and multiple pin holes. The adjusting pin assemblies are mounted respectively in the main adjusting holes and the sub-adjusting holes in the housing and the cylinder to selectively block the rotation interface of the lock assembly. The locking pin assemblies are mounted respectively in the pin holes. Accordingly, the lock assembly is changeable to fit with different keys.

Abstract: A resettable single-barrel single-plug cylindrical two section lock assembly is provided wherever master keying is required. The lock of the invention is intended to be operated and reset by three different keys. One key (#1 key) is used to turn the lock to a position in which it may be reset by either of the other two keys. One of the other two keys (#2 key) operates a first section of the dual lock; and the other of the other of the two keys (#3 key) operates a second section of the lock which is independent of the first section. Either section may be reset by inserting the existing #2 or #3 key into the lock once the lock has been turned by the (#1) key to a predetermined position, and then turning the lock to the reset position, and after the existing key has been withdrawn, turning the lock back to its normal operating position by the new key, either the #2 or #3 keys, depending upon which section of the lock is being re-keyed.