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 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 keyed knob assembly (10) having a knob portion (12), a knob insert (14) partially received within a bore (18) formed in the knob portion (12) and a shank portion (16) partially covering the knob insert (14) is disclosed. A throughbore (48) formed in the knob insert (14) is provided which operably supports a locking cylinder assembly (42). An axial channel (50) formed in the shank portion (16) terminates at a radial slot (52) to provide a means for releasably coupling the knob,assembly (10) of the present invention to a catch (54) of a lever catch subassembly associate with the chassis of the lockset.

Abstract: The locking arrangement consists of key a and lock cylinder with a guide cross section provided on the rear of the key shank and with profiled longitudinal ribs arranged on the broad face for entry into associated grooves of the lock cylinder key channel. Transversely to the profiled longitudinal ribs, there are provided wards which issue from one narrow edge of the key shank and, in their depth, follow the unit or multiple of the step jump (x) of the lock cylinder core pins. At least the lower rib flank facing the narrow edge of the key shank is perpendicular to the longitudinal center plane of the key shank and the distance of the lower rib flanks from one another is equal.

Abstract: A multistation lock including: a housing; a plug rotatable in the housing between a lock position and first and second stations; a keyway in the plug; locking tumbler means for coupling the plug and housing and being biased into a locking position and being movable to a shear position by a proper key in the keyway; and a code track in the housing, the track having a different code segment for each station for engaging a code section of a key shoulder, including a first code segment for the first station for enabling a first key having a code section receivable by the first code segment to move between the lock position and the first station, and a second code segment for the second station for enabling a second key having a code section receivable by the second code segment to move between the lock position and the second station.

Abstract: A key operated lock having a handle member slidably and rotatably operating within a rose member secured in a door, the rose having a bore therethrough in which a lock cylinder is rotatably mounted but restrained against axial displacement and has an axially displaceable and rotatably mounted latch actuator operably engageable with the handle by a key insertable into the handle transversely to the rotational axis. The lock cylinder has fixed wards extending toward the handle and key member which in the proper position of the key are in alignment with holes in the key which permit interlocking of the handle via the key with the lock cylinder for simultaneous rotation.

Abstract: A plunger type lock construction in which the key receiving face thereof is spaced a critical distance from a portion of a reciprocable plunger which is within the lock body and which is engaged by the key to release locking members extending from the lock body. The lock body has shaped means at its key receiving face which prevents insertion of a key to the proper, lock operating depth in the lock if the end of the key which faces the key receiving face is not shaped so as to receive the shaped means on the lock body. Each lock may have a differently shaped means so that a key which will fit one lock will not fit another lock, but a master key may be provided which will fit all or only a plurality, of such locks.

Abstract: A key-operated device, for example for controlling access to switch gear or potentially dangerous machinery, has a rotary motion with an axially inserted key but departs from the usual barrel lock construction which is sensitive to foreign matter. Instead it has a faceplate in front of a stationary body with a cylindrical member rotatable in it and having a recess for the key and circumferentially spaced notches in a flange close behind the plate and prevented from direct access through the keyhole by a fixed axially extending wall on the back of the plate but accessible by appropriate lugs on the key when the latter is inserted. The rotatable member is connected through a spindle to a switch, valve or latch or other actuated device.

Abstract: An improved bolt mechanism for use in a rotary lock has a fixed transverse pin and a spring biased movable transverse pin. The movable pin may be retracted within the body of the bolt under the action of a key inserted into the lock. The protrusion mechanism comprises a shaft inside the bolt a portion of which is conical. A conical member is likewise attached to the spring biased transverse pin cooperating with the conical member of the shaft thereby allowing the external end of the transverse pin to be moved flush with the external surface of the bolt or to extend transversely therefrom. When the movable pin extends transversely from the bolt, the bolt is retained between key plates in the lock. When the movable pin is retracted, the bolt may be moved longitudinally along its axis through the key plates to unlock the lock.

Abstract: A plug for a key operated lock is provided with a plurality of bores transverse to the key slot formed through the plug. The bores accept studs which extend into the key slot to delimit the design of key blanks from which keys, fitting the lock, can be constructed. The selection of bores to contain studs permits rapid change of key blank designs for the lock.

Abstract: A key and a lock in a lock device having variable bit and ward patterns, respectively. The key has two pieces of bit members, one member of which is slidably fitted in a groove defined in the other member, while the other is stationary. The lock has ward members cooperative to those of the key, one of the ward members being movable, and the other being stationary. Thus, when the key is inserted into the lock and turned to its angularly displaceable end, and the position of the movable bit member of the key is varied, then the cooperative movable ward member in the lock may be moved thereby accordingly. The both movable members are then rigidly fixed in desired position. Thus, the lock can no longer be opened by a duplicate key or a master key. Alternatively, the two bit and ward members in a key and a lock may be so designed as to be movable, respectively.