Key Only Controlled Patents (Class 70/369)
  • Patent number: 12131373
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a system and method for randomly generating unlock codes and identifiers for locks, and creating unlock code and identifier pairs. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is integrated with, or part of, a distributed management system that controls access to various locations, such as, for example, self-storage units, hotel rooms, apartment buildings, storage containers, short-term housing rentals, lockers, equipment rooms, vaults, hospitals, airports, government facilities, nuclear power facilities, water treatment facilities, weapon storage facilities, aircraft cockpits, and any other setting that requires restricted, selective, or monitored access that can be remotely controlled, whereby users can request an unlock code via text messaging using a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: DaVinci Lock LLC
    Inventors: Bradford Minsley, Clifton Minsley
  • Patent number: 12014294
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a system and method for randomly generating unlock codes and identifiers for locks, and creating unlock code and identifier pairs. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is integrated with, or part of, a distributed management system that controls access to various locations, such as, for example, self-storage units, hotel rooms, apartment buildings, storage containers, short-term housing rentals, lockers, equipment rooms, vaults, hospitals, airports, government facilities, nuclear power facilities, water treatment facilities, weapon storage facilities, aircraft cockpits, and any other setting that requires restricted, selective, or monitored access that can be remotely, controlled, whereby users can receive unlock codes electronically on their mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Davinci Lock LLC
    Inventors: Bradford Minsley, Clifton Minsley
  • Patent number: 11913254
    Abstract: An interchangeable electro-mechanical lock core for use with a lock device having a locked state and an unlocked state is disclosed. The interchangeable electro-mechanical lock core may include a moveable plug having a first position relative to a lock core body which corresponds to the lock device being in the locked state and a second position relative to a lock core body which corresponds to the lock device being in the unlocked state. The interchangeable electro-mechanical lock core may include a core keeper moveably coupled to a lock core body. The core keeper may be positionable in a retain position wherein the core keeper extends beyond an envelope of lock core body to hold the lock core body in an opening of the lock device and a remove position wherein the core keeper is retracted relative to the envelope of the lock core body to permit removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: dormakaba USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendon Allen, Street Anthony Barnett, III, Michael Hans Viklund, John Andrew Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 11777885
    Abstract: Among other things, we describe techniques for encoding data that is included in electronic communications. In one aspect, a first electronic communication system sends, to an entity, a first email message that includes a Message-ID field including data that identifies an action to be carried out by a second electronic communication system. The first electronic communication system receives, from the entity, a second email message that includes an In-Reply-To field containing the data that identifies the action to be carried out by the second electronic communication system. The first electronic communication extracts the data from the In-Reply-To field in a message header of the first electronic communication. The second electronic communication system may be the same as the first electronic communication system, or may be an electronic communication system other than the first electronic communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Mimecast Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Paul Tyler, Jackie Anne Maylor
  • Patent number: 11761235
    Abstract: A locking device having a guard lock for safety doors includes a mechanical actuator which can be fastened on a movable door part and a housing which interacts with the actuator and can be fastened to a door counterpart. The housing includes a receptor to which the actuator can be inserted, and the housing comprises a locking element which is displaceable between an unlocked position, in which the actuator can be released, and a locked position, in which the actuator can be fixed relative to the receptor. The actuator comprises an engagement tongue having an engagement recess for mechanical operative engagement with a head end of a locking element in form of an engagement plunger, the engagement plunger being guided in the housing so as to be longitudinally displaceable in a spring-biased manner in the in a plunger longitudinal direction relative to an inner fixed bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: K.A. Schmersal Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Uhlenbrock, Thomas Buchwald, Yasar Cevic, Tobias Gerbracht
  • Patent number: 11702862
    Abstract: A plug assembly including a plug, a sidebar movably mounted on the plug, and a plurality of rack pins seated in the plug. The sidebar is biased to an outer position in which the sidebar extends beyond an outer surface of the plug. Each rack pin includes a key-following leg and a sidebar-engaging leg. The sidebar-engaging leg includes at least one true gate. When a true gate of each rack pin is aligned with the sidebar, the sidebar is free to move radially inward to an inner position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Walls, Jason C. Clifford, Scott D. Welsby
  • Patent number: 11663650
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a system and method for randomly generating unlock codes and identifiers for locks, and creating unlock code and identifier pairs. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is integrated with, or part of, a distributed management system that controls access to various locations, such as, for example, self-storage units, hotel rooms, apartment buildings, storage containers, short-term housing rentals, lockers, equipment rooms, vaults, hospitals, airports, government facilities, nuclear power facilities, water treatment facilities, weapon storage facilities, aircraft cockpits, and any other setting that requires restricted, selective, or monitored access that can be remotely controlled, whereby users can receive unlock codes electronically on their mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DAVINCI LOCK LLC
    Inventors: Bradford Minsley, Clifton Minsley
  • Patent number: 11613910
    Abstract: A system including a lock class having a plurality of lock families, with each lock family including a plurality of lock cylinders. Each of the lock families has a control pin location which is different from the control pin location of another of the lock families within the lock class. Each of the lock cylinders generally includes a shell, a plug rotatably mounted in the shell, and a control ring rotatably mounted on the plug at the control pin location of the lock family of which the lock cylinder is a member, and a control pin operable to selectively couple the plug with the control ring. Each lock family may be associated with a control key family. Each control key family may include a plurality of control keys, each of which may have a control bitting configured to urge control pins of the associated lock family to a coupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Jason C. Clifford
  • Patent number: 11538098
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a system and method for randomly generating unlock codes and identifiers for locks, and creating unlock code and identifier pairs. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is integrated with, or part of, a distributed management system that controls access to various locations, such as, for example, self-storage units, hotel rooms, apartment buildings, storage containers, short-term housing rentals, lockers, equipment rooms, vaults, hospitals, airports, government facilities, nuclear power facilities, water treatment facilities, weapon storage facilities, aircraft cockpits, and any other setting that requires restricted, selective, or monitored access that can be remotely controlled, whereby users can request an unlock code via text messaging using a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventors: Bradford Minsley, Clifton Minsley
  • Patent number: 11466475
    Abstract: A lock module comprises a cylinder including a control latch configured to mechanically rotate between an extended position to prevent removal of the cylinder from a lock assembly, and a retracted position to allow removal of the cylinder from the lock assembly. A rotator is configured to enable the control latch to rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position. An actuation rod is configured to travel between a tab-blocking position maintaining the control latch in the extended position, and a retracted position allowing the control latch to retract into a retracted position. A control pin is configured to restrict the travel of the actuation rod in a control pin-blocking position in response to the rotator being rotated to a locked position and to retract from blocking the travel of the actuation rod to the control pin-unblocking position in response to the rotator being rotated to an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventors: Chi (Ricky) Lee, William J. Rehlich, Eric Trabold
  • Patent number: 11306505
    Abstract: A lock is provided, including a sleeve member, a main body and an engaging member. The main body is rotatably disposed in the sleeve member and has a first connecting portion, one of the main body and the sleeve member has a slide slot which extends along an axial direction and the other has a protrusive block, when the protrusive block corresponds to the slide slot in the axial direction, the main body is movable relative to detachable from the sleeve member. The engaging member is rotatably disposed in the sleeve member and has a second connecting portion, one of the engaging member and the main body has a hook and the other has a slot, when the first and second connecting portions are assembled to each other, the engaging member and the main body are co-rotatable, and the hook is engaged with the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: LINTEX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chia-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 11274468
    Abstract: An exemplary lock apparatus includes a housing and a plug assembly rotatably mounted in the housing. The plug assembly includes a tumbler assembly operable to selectively prevent rotation of the plug assembly relative to the housing and a retention mechanism operable to selectively prevent removal of the plug assembly from the housing. A system including the lock apparatus may include a change key configured to actuate the tumbler assembly without actuating the retention mechanism and/or a control key configured to actuate both the tumbler assembly and the retention mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: James Nye, Brian E. Walls
  • Patent number: 10844631
    Abstract: A pin tumbler cylinder lock that is virtually pick proof comprises a cylinder housing having a single bore and a cylinder key plug arranged in the single bore. The pin tumbler cylinder lock also comprises a cavity having a predetermined shape in a predetermined portion of the housing. The pin tumbler cylinder lock also includes a lockout sleeve arranged over the cylinder key plug wherein the lockout sleeve may rotate within the cavity to create a lockout mode for the pin tumbler cylinder lock when a lock picking attempt is occurring thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Matthew Trupiano
  • Patent number: 10273717
    Abstract: A system including a lock class having a plurality of lock families, with each lock family including a plurality of lock cylinders. Each of the lock families has a control pin location which is different from the control pin location of another of the lock families within the lock class. Each of the lock cylinders generally includes a shell, a plug rotatably mounted in the shell, and a control ring rotatably mounted on the plug at the control pin location of the lock family of which the lock cylinder is a member, and a control pin operable to selectively couple the plug with the control ring. Each lock family may be associated with a control key family. Each control key family may include a plurality of control keys, each of which may have a control bitting configured to urge control pins of the associated lock family to a coupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Jason C. Clifford
  • Patent number: 9689218
    Abstract: A drill cuttings diverter system for distributing downhole drill cuttings inside a cuttings box, where the drill cuttings diverter system is equipped with a diverter conduit having a bottom that is concaved toward a side opening. The diverter conduit is rotatably inserted through an opening in the cuttings box so that the operator can rotate the side opening at the bottom of the diverter conduit to change the direction of the drill cuttings being fed into the cuttings box, and thereby prevent the drill cuttings from accumulating in a single pile inside the cuttings box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas McDaniel
  • Patent number: 9540848
    Abstract: A door lock (10) includes a driving device (30) having an outer spindle (36) and an outer handle (38) mounted to the outer spindle (36). A mounting member (56) is rotatably mounted in a compartment (46) of the outer handle (38). A positioning member (72) is movably received in a groove (54) of the outer handle (38). When a lock core (74) disengages from the mounting member (56), the mounting member (56) cannot move along a longitudinal axis but can pivot about a pivotal axis relative to the outer handle (38) to change a positional relationship between first and second holes (64, 66) of the mounting member (56). After the lock core (74) engages with the mounting member (56), the mounting member (56) cannot pivot about the pivotal axis relative to the outer handle (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: I-Tek Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-Ren Wu
  • Patent number: 9428936
    Abstract: A lock that is inserted and fixed in a receiving body of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The lock includes a stator inside which a rotor rotatably moves. The stator is fixed to the receiving body and includes a cover plate of the rotor fixed to the front face of the stator, where the cover plate has an opening for a key. There is also an anti-pull-out mechanism borne by said cover plate and the stator to fix the cover plate to the stator and to retain the rotor axially in the stator. The anti-pull-out mechanism blocks the cover plate axially on the stator by the positioning of the cover plate and its subsequent pivoting on the stator into an assembled position. The anti-pull-out mechanism includes an element for blocking in rotation the cover plate on the stator interposed between the cover plate and the front face of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventor: Ludovic Fenayon
  • Patent number: 9222283
    Abstract: A combination lock, such as a dial combination cam lock, has a mechanical key override, the mechanical key extending through the manual knob of the cam lock. For a lost mechanical key situation, or to change the mechanical key, a special key or device can be inserted to enable the knob and key core or plug to be rotated to a further position not normally available. In this position the key, knob and core can be removed, then replaced with a different key and core, preferably using the same knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Digilock Asia Ltd.
    Inventors: An Zhang, Asil T. Gokcebay
  • Patent number: 8746023
    Abstract: A locking device comprises a key that comprises a key power coil and a key data coil and an electronically-actuatable lock comprising a lock power coil and a lock data coil. The key power coil and the lock power coil are coaxial and at least partially overlapping one another when the key engages the lock. The key data coil lies in a first plane and the lock data coil lies in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The Knox Company
    Inventors: Dohn J. Trempala, Keith Wolski
  • Patent number: 8650919
    Abstract: An anti-break lock includes a body and two rods respectively extend from two ends of the body. Two rings extend radially from the body. The body has a passage which communicates with one of the rings and the ring is engaged with an engaging block. The engaging block has a recess in which a pad is received. The passage has a resilient member and a stop pin received therein and the stop pin has a first shoulder and a second shoulder formed in two ends thereof. A contact portion extends from the second shoulder. The body has a room which communicates with the passage. A resilient piece and an engaging member are received in the room. When the lock is damaged, the contact portion is inserted into the recess and stopped by the engaging member so that it cannot move back to its initial position. The lock cannot be unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Tien-Kao Liu
  • Patent number: 8621901
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Bauer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Bacon
  • Patent number: 8584495
    Abstract: An exchangeable cylinder lock includes a plug shell connected to a pin chest. A locking pin is disposed in a radial pin hole in the pin chest and is biased to protrude from an aperture in a cover plate and to engage a lock housing. The locking pin is depressable to retract for disengaging from the lock housing. A locking ring is disposed around the plug proximate to the locking pin, and has at least one indentation. When the plug is rotated using a right key, the locking ring can be rotated to align the indentation with the locking pin so as to permit depression of the locking pin, or to move the indentation away from the locking pin so as to prevent depression of the locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Shyang Chiou, Kuang-I Liao
  • Patent number: 8438886
    Abstract: The invention provides a showcase having at least two glass doors, a first door being fastened to a front ferrule and a second door being fastened to a rear ferrule, each of the ferrules moving along a respective rail, said locking device comprising a lock for locking the two doors together, wherein the showcase includes a locking device comprising a slider mounted to move in said front ferrule transversely relative thereto, and having a rotor of the lock installed thereon, wherein said rear ferrule includes an opening that comes into line with said rotor in a position for locking the two doors together, and that is suitable for receiving a bolt mounted at the end of said rotor, and wherein said slider includes a relatively flat face plate coming substantially flush with said ferrule in the locked position of said doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Adler S.A.S.
    Inventors: Eric Bourgain, Jean-Jacques Masson, Christophe Martin
  • Patent number: 8347674
    Abstract: A locking device comprises a key that comprises a key power coil and a key data coil and an electronically-actuatable lock comprising a lock power coil and a lock data coil. The key power coil and the lock power coil are coaxial and at least partially overlapping one another when the key engages the lock. The key data coil lies in a first plane and the lock data coil lies in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Knox Associates
    Inventors: Dohn J. Trempala, Keith Wolski
  • Patent number: 8336349
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lock assembly for enabling use of a key-in-knob lock cylinder assembly in different types of lock assemblies. The method includes providing a key-in-knob lock assembly having a key-in-knob housing and a plug rotatably engaged within the key-in-knob housing, providing an interchangeable core lock assembly having an interchangeable core housing, and inserting the key-in-knob housing into the interchangeable core housing such that the key-in-knob housing is universally exchangeable between the key-in-knob lock assembly and the interchangeable core lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventors: Lohithaswa Thimmappa, Evan E. Evans, Vinod Kumar Rajan, Aravinda Mahabaleshwara, Ravindra K. Pandey, Roger Kanaan
  • Publication number: 20120266638
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed include keys, lock cylinders, and key and lock cylinder combinations. The keys include a bow and a blade extending from the bow, where the blade includes at least one undercut groove in a lateral side thereof that receives at least one projection defining a keyway passage of a lock cylinder in which the key is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Ajeya S. Rao, Frederich M. Hensley
  • Patent number: 8276415
    Abstract: An electronic lock may include a locking mechanism and a cartridge having a body portion and one or more extension receiving portions that may receive the locking mechanism. The lock may also include a first coil positioned around the cartridge, a core disposed within the cartridge and substantially within the first coil, and a second coil positioned around the cartridge. The second coil may be spaced from the first coil. In addition, a first sliding barrier may be disposed within the cartridge, which barrier may be selectively in communication with the locking mechanism. A control circuit may be included in the lock, which may energize the first and second coils to cause the first sliding barrier to move from a first position magnetically attracted to the core to a second position magnetically attracted to the second coil and thereby allow actuation of the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Knox Associates
    Inventors: Dohn J. Trempala, Keith Wolski
  • Publication number: 20120240644
    Abstract: A key body and an associated lock core are disclosed. The disclosed lock core includes a core body, a core sleeve, a core plug, and a side pin assembly including a side pin, a region pin, and a spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Diana Teixeira
  • Patent number: 8245547
    Abstract: A padlock includes a lock housing, a U-shaped lock hoop and a lock cylinder in order selectively to lock the lock hoop to the lock housing, wherein the lock cylinder has a cylinder axis and is secured to the lock housing by means of a securing element. The securing element is displaceably supported at the lock cylinder and is resiliently supported transversely to the cylinder axis, wherein the securing element engages into a securing opening at an inner side of the lock housing to secure the lock cylinder to the lock housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Söhne KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Garthe
  • Publication number: 20120204611
    Abstract: An exchangeable cylinder lock includes a plug shell connected to a pin chest. A locking pin is disposed in a radial pin hole in the pin chest and is biased to protrude from an aperture in a cover plate and to engage a lock housing. The locking pin is depressable to retract for disengaging from the lock housing. A locking ring is disposed around the plug proximate to the locking pin, and has at least one indentation. When the plug is rotated using a right key, the locking ring can be rotated to align the indentation with the locking pin so as to permit depression of the locking pin, or to move the indentation away from the locking pin so as to prevent depression of the locking pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: TONG LUNG METAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Shyang CHIOU, Kuang-I LIAO
  • Publication number: 20120186310
    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. A lock plug is received in the barrel for rotation between locked and unlocked positions, a keyway and tumblers. The tumblers may 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 the keeper tumbler. Included is a partial positioner shoulder, and includes a cutout portion. Removal of the lock plug from the lock barrel requires insertion of the control key in the keyway in the first rotary position and rotation of the control key and the lock plug to the second rotary position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce Bacon
  • Patent number: 8210010
    Abstract: A key includes a body that is plate-shaped to be inserted into a locking device, and a groove that is formed in the body and engages with a plurality of tumblers of the locking device to allow locking and unlocking operations. The groove includes, at a location corresponding to one tumbler of the locking device, a non-engagement part that does not engage with the one tumbler. The groove may include an inside groove, and the non-engagement part may include a notch portion that the inside groove is cut to reach an edge portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Reiji Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8156775
    Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a sleeve, and a key plug housed in the sleeve and having an output portion to output an interrupted motion of a clutch device by moving in an insertion and extraction direction by an insertion and extraction of a matching key. The key plug is formed by a pivoting spindle in which the output portion pivotally supports an input clutch element and an output clutch element of the clutch device in the output state by an insertion of the matching key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Jun Yamaguchi, Takumi Tamezane
  • Patent number: 8141399
    Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Richard G. Hyatt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8122746
    Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Richard G. Hyatt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8056380
    Abstract: A cylinder lock unit is disclosed, with an elongate housing portion (2?) extending outside and along a cylindrical bore, and the elongate housing being dimensioned for being accommodated in a structural part (S) to form a lock device, with a fixed external longitudinal configuration (L) fitting into the structural part. The elongate housing portion has a linear row of cylindrical holes (22?), registering with cylindrical chambers in a key plug having a key slot. The cylindrical holes are closely packed with mutual distances dimensioned in accordance with prescribed minimum standards, and at least one of the cylindrical holes (22?), located adjacent to one longitudinal end of the elongate housing portion (2?), has an inclined cylinder axis, so that, as compared to a lock unit with only mutually parallel cylinder hole axes in the linear row in the elongate housing portion, an extra cylindrical hole is accommodated in the linear row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widen
  • Publication number: 20110232341
    Abstract: A key-removable lock core that is retained in a core receptacle by a retaining lug, and which can operated by an operating key to align the pins of the pin chambers for shear at the operating shear line, and to allow the key plug to be rotated, and which employs a control tool with the operating key for manipulating the pins into alignment for shear at the control shear line, to allow the sleeve and the key plug together to be rotated, to move the retaining lug on the sleeve between a projected position in which the lug is engaged behind a rearward-facing shoulder in the core receptacle to retain the core in the receptacle, and a retracted position within the profile of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Rodrick A. HERDMAN
  • Patent number: 7966852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-stage lock cylinder structure, which includes a lock casing, a lock barrel and an actuating unit, wherein a first joining member is located at one end of the lock barrel, and the actuating unit is fitted with a corresponding second joining member. Moreover, a flexible member is located between the lock barrel and the actuating unit, and the displacement distance of the first joining member towards the second joining member is smaller than the center distance of any of two through holes of the lock casing. Accordingly, the flexible member and the actuating unit are used to enable achieving two-stage actuation as an unlocking operation for a locking device, thereby providing the present invention with burglar-proof effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Ya-Fei Huang
  • Patent number: 7958758
    Abstract: A locking device comprises a key that comprises a key power coil and a key data coil and an electronically-actuatable lock comprising a lock power coil and a lock data coil. The key power coil and the lock power coil are coaxial and at least partially overlapping one another when the key engages the lock. The key data coil lies in a first plane and the lock data coil lies in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Knox Company
    Inventors: Dohn J. Trempala, Keith Wolski
  • Patent number: 7918115
    Abstract: A removable core lock and key device comprises a cylinder housing (10) and a cylinder core (20), which is accommodated in a circular opening in the cylinder housing. A plurality of pin tumblers (22) are movable under influence from code surfaces of a key, wherein at least part of the pin tumblers are provided in a recess (20b) in the mantle surface of the cylinder core. A cam adapter (40) is rotatably provided in the opening in the cylinder housing. The cam adapter comprises an engagement portion (40c) which engages the recess (20b) in the mantle surface of the cylinder core when the cylinder core is in an operative position, wherein at least one of the pin tumblers is movable between a blocking position, in which the engagement portion of the cam adapter cooperates with the at least one pin tumbler to prevent mutual axial movement of the cam adapter and the cylinder core, and a release position, in which mutual axial movement between the cam adapter and the cylinder core is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: ASSA AB
    Inventors: Robert Fredriksson, Johan Widen
  • Patent number: 7918111
    Abstract: A lock device includes a universal spacer, for receiving a lock cylinder, and a plurality of spacer holes where one of the holes is positioned to receive a lock bolt of the lock cylinder. A padlock body houses the universal spacer. A plurality of padlock body holes extends from an interior of a universal spacer hole into the padlock body. The padlock body holes are positioned to match the spacer holes and one of the padlock body holes receives the lock bolt when the lock cylinder is in a locked position. A padlock bolt secures the universal spacer, lock cylinder and padlock body in place when the lock cylinder is in the locked position. When the lock cylinder is in the unlocked position, the universal spacer with the lock cylinder can be removed from the universal spacer hole and the lock cylinder can be replaced with another lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: George Uliano
  • Patent number: 7752874
    Abstract: A lock is provided with an electronics module (30) by forming the lock with a body (10) and a separate unit (18). The unit (18) includes a locking mechanism (23) and is inserted and removed from the lock body (10), removal allowing easy access to the electronics module (30) without requiring a separate access. This gives increased security. The locking mechanism (23), electronics module (30) and body (10) can be replaced with compatible components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Ivan Foti
  • Publication number: 20100116007
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lock assembly for enabling use of a key-in-knob lock cylinder assembly in different types of lock assemblies. The method includes providing a key-in-knob lock assembly having a key-in-knob housing and a plug rotatably engaged within the key-in-knob housing, providing an interchangeable core lock assembly having an interchangeable core housing, and inserting the key-in-knob housing into the interchangeable core housing such that the key-in-knob housing is universally exchangeable between the key-in-knob lock assembly and the interchangeable core lock assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLAGE LOCK COMPANY
    Inventors: Lohithaswa Thimmappa, Evan E. Evans, Vinod Kumar Rajan, Aravinda Mahabaleshwara, Ravindra K. Pandey, Roger Kanaan
  • Publication number: 20090241620
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MEDECO SECURITY LOCKS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter H. FIELD, David P. SUTHERLAND, Glenn Hartman, Mark BENZIE, Walt DANNHARDT, Kevin GALLIHER, Dan BOADWINE, Clyde T. ROBERSON
  • Publication number: 20090031771
    Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a sleeve having a locking hole, a key plug housed in the sleeve and having an output portion to output an interrupted motion of a clutch device by moving in an insertion and extraction direction by an insertion and extraction of a matching key, a key matching member movably supported to the key plug, arranged to be insertable and removable in the locking hole and withdrawn from the locking hole by an insertion of the matching key into the key plug, and a key plug locking mechanism for locking the key plug into the sleeve in the state that the key matching member is inserted into the locking hole. The key matching member is arranged with gaps between an inner surface of the locking hole in a key insertion and extraction direction in the state that the key plug is locked into the sleeve by the key plug locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Jun YAMAGUCHI, Toshiharu KATAGIRI
  • Patent number: 7428836
    Abstract: A door lock includes a support seat having a recess for mounting a driven member, a control knob including a drive member rotatably mounted in the support seat to rotate the driven member and a rotation member to rotate the drive member and having an outer wall formed with an annular groove and a locking groove, and a locking pin mounted in the support seat and having a locking end selectively extended into the annular groove or the locking groove of the rotation member of the control knob. Thus, the door lock has a dead locking function to lock the door from inside to prevent the door from being unlocked from outside by a key or other tool so as to protect the user's safety inside of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventors: Zhen-Lin Yang, Sheng-Jan Yang, Mu-Gui Yang
  • Patent number: 7406847
    Abstract: A cylinder lock capable of normal unlocking operation by an authorized key to a locking mechanism which has been illegally operated by an unauthorized key or the like, the cylinder lock comprising an engaging portion that engages a rotor in the rotational direction only when the cylinder moves toward the unlocking member is disposed to a cylinder to engage the rotor and the cylinder thereby rotating the rotor upon subsequent insertion of an authorized key to connect the rotor and the connection member thereby enabling normal unlocking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Lock Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Yuhi, Takashi Ishitsuka
  • Patent number: 7340929
    Abstract: A lock apparatus able to be installed in a structure comprising an outer sleeve having a plurality of outer rows extending transversely therethrough and radially therearound and a first bore extending though substantially a center thereof. An inner sleeve having a second bore extending through substantially a center thereof and is releasably connected within the first bore. The inner sleeve includes a plurality of inner rows extending therethrough wherein each respective inner row is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of outer rows. A plurality of user selectable pin sets is positioned within the plurality of outer and inner rows. A lock core for receiving a key therein is releasably connected within the second bore and includes a core pin set wherein a respective one of the plurality of user selectable pin sets is aligned with the core pin set creating an active pin formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Efthemois Christopoulos
  • Patent number: 7225651
    Abstract: The invention provides a pick-resistant locking mechanism with wafer tumblers, sidebars and an interchangeable cylinder that allows re-keying of the lock. The sidebars have projections with beveled sides that engage with cavities in the lock shell when rotational torque is applied to the lock in the absence of the correct key. A sidebar of the lock contacts two, nonadjacent wafer tumblers. The wafer tumblers have indentations that engage cavities in the lock shell when rotational torque is applied during picking of the lock. Tolerance between sidebars and the lock shell is less than the tolerance between tumblers and the lock shell. The tumbler springs are not accessible from the keyway of the lock and are more powerful than the sidebar springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Billy B. Edwards, James L. Welch
  • Patent number: RE41188
    Abstract: A plunger lock assembly having a removable core is provided. The lock assembly includes a housing defining a first longitudinal bore and a barrel reciprocably mounted within the first longitudinal bore between an advanced position and a retracted position. The barrel defines a second longitudinal bore and is operably associated with a plunger. A core is removable mounted within the second longitudinal bore of the barrel and includes a key slot for receiving an operating key. A drive member is positioned within the second longitudinal bore and is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position by operation of the operating key. A retainer assembly is operably associated with the drive member to axially retain the drive member within the second longitudinal bore such that the core is removable from the second longitudinal bore independently of the drive member. A biasing member is provided for urging the barrel towards the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kenstan Lock Company
    Inventors: Alan E. Lurie, Joseph Thomas, William H. Bullwinkel