Abstract: The rotary locking cylinder comprises a housing (5) and at least one rotor (8) provided with a key channel (27). Tumblers are provided to rotationally release the armature (8) with a key (17) associated therewith. A driver (6) is provided with at least one extension element (3) on the active part (2) of the rotary cylinder. Said extension element comprises a housing (24) and a rotatable insert (9). At least one extension element (3) is arranged on an outer side on the active part (2) at a distance from the driver (6). The key shank is extended in a manner which corresponds substantially to the length (A) of the extension element (3). Preferably, the rotatable insert (9) of the extension element (3) is profiled.

Abstract: A lid device of a double-sided auxiliary lock comprises an inner annular wall, an outer annular wall and a plurality of engaging portions. The engaging portions are equi-spaced on the outer annular wall. A double-sided auxiliary lock has an interior auxiliary lock assembly and a plurality of positioning elements. The interior auxiliary lock assembly has a locking core provided with an outer annular recess, a plurality of via holes, an inner annular groove, and a keyway. The inner annular groove is communicated to the keyway. The inner annular wall is corresponding to the inner annular groove of the locking core. The engaging portions are engaged to the outer annular recess of the locking core. Thereby, the lid can cover the positioning elements. In assembly, the lid has at least one engaging portion to be positioned correspondingly to the keyway. Thereby, detaching the cover, the disengagement of the engaging portions from the outer annular recess can be operated through the keyway.

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: The present application advantageously provides at least one keyway in a lock core that poses tremendous difficulty for a lock breaker by not allowing the lock breaker to see all of the pin tumblers in the keyway. The keyway according to a preferred embodiment of the present application comprises two helical keyways oppositely extending along a longitudinal axis of the lock core and formed of rectangular cross section. The present application further comprises an accompanying helical key having at least one helical key blade for fitting into the keyway having a corresponding helical shape to turn the core and open the lock.

Abstract: A removable thumbturn core assembly which replaces a key core assembly after removing a key cylinder with a control key. The control key feature is preserved for removing the key cylinder.

Abstract: A lid device of a double-sided auxiliary lock, the lid device includes an inner annular wall, an outer annular wall and engaging portions. The engaging portions are equi-spaced on the outer annular wall. A double-sided auxiliary lock has an interior auxiliary lock assembly and positioning elements. The interior auxiliary lock assembly has a locking core provided with an outer annular recess, holes, an inner annular groove and a keyway. The inner annular groove is communicated to the keyway. The inner annular wall is corresponding to the inner annular groove of the locking core. The engaging portions are engaged to the outer annular recess of the locking core. The lid can cover the positioning elements. The lid has at least one engaging portion to be positioned correspondingly to the keyway. By detaching the cover, the disengagement of the engaging portions from the outer annular recess can be operated through the keyway.

Abstract: A lid device of a double-sided auxiliary lock. the lid device includes an inner annular wall, an outer annular wall and engaging portions. The engaging portions are equi-spaced on the outer annular wall. A double-sided auxiliary lock has an interior auxiliary lock assembly and positioning elements. The interior auxiliary lock assembly has a locking core provided with an outer annular recess, holes, an inner annular groove and a keyway. the inner annular groove is communicated to the keyway. The inner annular wall is corresponding to the inner annular groove of the locking core. The engaging portions are engaged to the outer annular recess of the locking core. The lid can cover the positioning elements. The lid has at least one engaging portion to be positioned correspondingly to the keyway. By detaching the cover, the disengagement of the engaging portions from the outer annular recess can be operated through the keyway.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides at least one keyway in a lock core that poses tremendous difficulty for a lock breaker by not allowing the lock breaker to see all of the pin tumblers in the keyway. The keyway according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two helical keyways oppositely extending along a longitudinal axis of the lock core and formed of rectangular cross section. The present invention further comprises an accompanying helical key having at least one helical key blade for fitting into the keyway having a corresponding helical shape to turn the core and open the lock.

Abstract: A core assembly for a lock includes a core, a sleeve, and a housing. The core has a keyhole longitudinally defined therein. An elongated slot is defined beside and communicated with the keyhole. Multiple lower lock balls are received in the core and not aligned with the elongated slot. The sleeve is securely provided outside the core. The housing is provided outside the sleeve, and has multiple upper lock balls corresponding to the lower lock balls. The lower lock balls are not accessible directly through the keyhole and the elongated slot, so that it is impossible to unlock the lock by a tool without a correct key, and the lock has a high security.

Abstract: The safety key has a shank (6) which is provided with a plurality of control surfaces (7) for properly positioning tumblers and has a front end and a rear end (6a, 6b). At a front end (4a), the rotor (4) of the associated locking cylinder (2) has at least one further control surface (8), which interacts with a further control surface (9) arranged at the rear end (6b) of the shank (5). The safety key is backward compatible and is relatively difficult to copy.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved rotatable cylinder lock having a removable lock core. The lock core is removable from the lock housing for locking applications that require the lock to have up to 180° of lock core rotation. The invention is accomplished through the use of a specially designed lock housing, lock core, adapter, and shifter. The lock housing has a cylindrical opening defining a groove and rotational slot. Inserted within the cylindrical opening in the lock housing is an adapter having a stop lug and tumbler block, a shifter having a drive slot, and a lock core having a block restrictor relief. In use, the stop lug on the cylindrical adapter rotatably engages with the rotational slot in the housing while the tumbler block on the adapter rotatably engages with the block restrictor relief on the lock core. The assembly of the present invention thereby permits the lock core to be rotated 180° within the lock housing while also permitting the removal of the lock core.

Abstract: A lock core includes a lower and an upper lock cover and a lock plate. The upper lock cover has the recessed hollow provided with a plurality of recessed holes respectively fitted therein with at least one steel ball. Thus, when a burglar employs an electric drill to break and unlock a lock by drilling through the keyhole of the lock, the steel balls in the recessed holes can stop the electric drill from drilling forward, having excellent effect of anti-theft.

Abstract: A lock with a fixable key includes a shell, an upper half core, a lower half core, an elastic member and a fixable key. The upper and the lower half core contained in the shell respectively have a lengthwise passageway for a flexible moving member of the key to extend in to unlock the lock. The lower half core has a key hole in a rear end, and a groove for containing the elastic member having an upper end to fit in a notch formed in the groove. The key has the moving member, a push block and a housing having a position recess to engage the upper end of the elastic member so as to position the key in unlocking and make the moving member smoothly slide in the passageway of the lock to prevent the key from deadlocked or breaking in handling in unlocking or locking.

Abstract: A lock furnished with a replaceable lock core, in which the inner lock assembly includes a lock core, a sleeve, and a control ring; the inner lock assembly is mounted in a fixed lock casing; the inner lock assembly and the lock casing are assembled together by means of a catch pin; the key normally used for unlocking the lock can only be turned clockwise without hindering the catching function between he inner lock assembly and the lock casing; when an inner lock assembly is replaced, the key should be inserted for unlocking, and then turned counter-clockwise so as to release the catching function between the lock casing and the inner lock assembly; then, pull the key outwards so as to pull out the inner lock assembly simultaneously, and the replacement of a new lock core for the lock casing is done simply.

Abstract: A lock with two layers of lock mechanism, which comprises a body casing, an upper lock body, a lower lock body, a connection plate and a key; the chamber of the body casing is used for mounting the two lock bodies; the two lock bodies are connected together with the connection plate; the center of the upper lock body has a key hole for receiving a flat key to plug into a key hole of the lower lock body; the other end of the key has a cylindrical key, which is to be plugged into a ring-shaped key groove; when the key is pushed and turned, both the upper and lower lock bodies will be unlock simultaneously.

Abstract: A cylinder lock has a first tumbler, a second tumbler and a third tumbler all received in a hollow cylindrical housing. The first tumbler is selectively rotatable relative to the second tumbler and the second tumbler together with the first tumbler is selectively rotatable to the third tumbler. By pressing downward the actuating pin, a rearrangement between first tumbler pins and second tumbler pins by relative rotation of the first tumbler to the second tumbler adapts to a different key.

Abstract: A detachable lock core has a housing. The housing has an opening, a ridge longitudinally formed thereon a plurality of first apertures defined through the ridge, a plurality of upper pins and resilient members respectively received in the first apertures, and at least one channel longitudinal defined in an inner wall thereof. The body is received in the housing. When a correct key is inserted in the key hole in the body to turn the body, the protrusion is received in the channel to enable the body to be detached from the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a built-in safety device comprising a housing (3) and a rotor (4) mounted therein. Tumblers (8) are mounted in the housing (3) and in the rotor (4). The maximal length (A) of the built-in safety device (1) is approximately 40 mm, and the effective part (2c) of the key (2) is essentially as long as the rotor (4). In addition, the rotor (4) is constructed as one piece and can be operated from both sides thereof. The inventive built in safety device can be installed in a mortise lock more easily than a cross-key bit safety device and permits the production of a locking system.

Abstract: A lock actuation assembly for use in a lock chassis. The lock actuation assembly comprises a core and a driver. The core includes a tubular portion positionable in the lock chassis and including a passage therethrough. A flange extends through the tubular portion and is biasable to a position in which a driver engaging portion is within the passage and a projection engaging portion is within the tubular portion's extent. The driver includes a shaft configured to be received within the passage to operably engage the lock chassis' drive system and to engage the flange driver engaging portion such that the projection engaging portion is forced into engagement with a projection extending into the lock chassis core-receiving chamber.

Abstract: A lock has a flat key having a flat blade extending along a key axis and having an axially extending edge formed to each side of a central axially extending key plane with a pair of axially extending inner edge surfaces flanking the key plane and each formed with a plurality of bits offset transversely at different spacings from the key axis. The bits on one side of the key plane are offset axially to the bits on the other side of the key plane as described above. A barrel having an inner surface centered on a lock axis holds a plug rotatable about the lock axis in the barrel, bisected by a plug plane including the lock axis, and formed with an axially extending and open key hole adapted to receive the key with the axes coaxial and the planes coplanar. A respective set of axially spaced tumblers is dis-placeable in the plug to each side of the plug plane parallel to the plug plane. The tumblers of one of the sets engage the key in the hole at locations offset axially from the tumblers of the other set.

Abstract: A locking device with a key-operated lock is disclosed which includes a cylindrical member having a front open end and a rear end, locking means rotatably supported on the rear end of the cylindrical member, the locking means having a locking bar and an engagement member connected with respect to the locking bar, the engagement member being rotatable to turn the locking bar into locking or unlocking position, a key-operated disk tumbler lock, and a cap cylinder casing the disk tumbler lock therein, the cap cylinder with the disk tumbler lock being detachably accommodated in the cylindrical member through the front open end, wherein the cylindrical member has an engagement recess on its inner surface, the cap cylinder has a peripheral surface, and the disk tumbler lock has a lock pin capable of protruding through the peripheral surface and fitting in the engagement recess when the disk tumbler lock is set.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tubular keyed cam lock with increased resistance to tampering. The cam lock has a rear screw which attaches the cam to the rotatable cam of the lock, thereby increasing the strength of the lock by preventing the lock from being pried off. The lock includes a plug body with a key entering end and a cam actuating end, a plurality of spring biased pin tumblers engaging the key when the key is inserted into the plug body and a lock housing within which the plug body is rotatably positioned. The lock housing has at least one limit stop disposed thereon. As discussed above, the cam-actuating end of the plug body is connected with a screw to a metal stop plate.

Abstract: A multi-layer type lock core structure of a cylindrical lock, having multi-layer and multi-pin design which provides numerous possibility of change and enhances the safety of the lock. There are twelve sets of upper pins and ten sets of lower pins. The upper pins and the lower pins are designed with different levels, wherein the upper pins are designed with different lengths and pushed by the springs and the lower pins so that the upper pins always protrude beyond the surface of the pin ring. Multiple layers of upper pins and pin rings can be disposed, whereby when changing the number of the cylindrical lock, there are over twelve sets of possibility of change so that in case the key misses or is duplicated, the safety of the lock can be still ensured. Therefore, the lock can be more widely applied to various fields. In addition, the fixing spile of the lock is free from any locating hole so that an alien tool has no force application point to pry and damage the lock.

Abstract: A removable thumbturn core assembly which replaces a key core assembly after removing a key cylinder with a control key. The control key feature is preserved for removing the key cylinder.

Abstract: A lock and a method for manufacturing the lock. The lock comprises a shell having an interior cavity, a plug received in the interior cavity rotatably and axially slidably therein and defining a keyway configured to receive a preselected key, and a tumbler insertable in the plug. The tumbler has a plug portion disposed at a first axial location within the plug and resiliently biased outwardly toward a locked radial position and associated with the keyway such that the preselected key inserted in the keyway locates the tumbler in an unlock position and a shell portion disposed at a second axial location in the shell wherein the second axial location is axially spaced from the first axial location. The shell, the plug and the tumblers are configured such that the tumblers are sheared between the plug and the shell when the plug and the shell are forced axially toward each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a key actuated cam lock. The cam lock has a corrosion resistant metal cap. A weather resistant plug cap is rotatably mounted in the corrosion resistant metal cap. The weather resistant plug cap has an opening permitting the entry of the key. A plug body is located adjacent to the plug cap. The plug body has a key entering end and a cam actuating end, and a plurality of spring biased disc tumblers engaging the key when the key is inserted into the plug body. The cam lock also has a lock housing so that the plug body is rotatably positioned within the lock housing. The lock housing has at least one limit stop disposed thereon. The plug body has an internal O-ring providing a weather resistant seal located near the cam actuating end of the plug housing. The O-ring is disposed between the cam actuating end of the plug body and the lock housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved cylinder construction for use with a lock system. The cylinder services to frustrate the use of lock picking tools, such as a tensioning device. Specifically, a pair of opposing flat regions are formed at the lower end of the cylinder. Furthermore, the key way formed within the cylinder has an opened lower end. These features make a system which is completely resistant to picking by way of traditional pick tools. Furthermore, the cylinder cannot be broken by way of a screwdriver or drill.

Abstract: The front end (7b) of the plug (7) of a cylinder lock is covered by a profiled element (5) which includes a key hole (6) whose profiled shape will only permit certain individual keys of a family of keys that can be inserted into the plug also to fit the profiled element. The profiled element includes attachment elements (5b) that have U-shaped engagement surfaces (7b') which co-act with corresponding engagement surfaces (7c) on a front part (7b) of the plug. The profiled element can be fitted to the lock in place, by turning the profiled element perpendicular to the plug axis. The profiled-element attachment elements (5b, 5b'; 7c, 7c') are inaccessible from outside the lock when the cylinder lock is fitted in place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detachable cylinder lock, which includes a case shell having an axial row of conic pin-holes for avoiding the pins falling out; a cylinder having a row of pinholes, in which a lower pin is located, corresponding to the pinholes of the case shell; the cylinder has an axial keyhole for a key inserting in, and a slant face (or a conic face) for the convenience of the cylinder inserting into the cylinder hole of the case shell; a follow block has a hole for the rear lug of the cylinder inserting in, and a cross hole penetrating through them for a fastening component screwing in or out.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved structure for a mortise lock comprising a lock body, a lock core, a plurality of spring washers, a plurality of straps and a latch in the lock body. Each spring washer has a curved portion to hook onto the washer holding slot, a claw to hook onto the strap tenon or the washer holding slot and a rim slot to forcibly contact the positioning pin and indirectly hold the strap tenon. With such mechanism a resilient force may be produced to prevent the straps from being shifted out of their positions due to vibration even after the lock is opened. This improved structure makes the mortise lock of the present invention can not only be used on static objects such as telephone sets or mail boxes, but also effectively applicable to any moving object.

Abstract: A previously used lock assembly constructed for operation using a given key may be operated by a different key after rebroaching. Instead of requiring an expensive, complete replacement of a lock assembly and its operable keys, the present invention allows a lock assembly to be refitted for a different key by a relatively inexpensive replacement of its plug and at least one of the tumbler components, preferably the bottom pin only, of one or more preexisting sets of tumbler components, as needed to modify the lock to receive the different key.

Abstract: An airbag deactivation system for the airbags mounted in a motor vehicle. The system provides a switch and circuitry to allow for selective deactivation of driver and/or passenger airbags in a motor vehicle via a conventional ignition key inserted into a key cylinder. The switch includes interchangeable key cylinders to allow for limited selective deactivation and a key stop to limit the amount of insertion of the ignition key into the key cylinder. LED's emit light from the deactivation module when indicating a deactivation condition, which is viewable by both a driver and a front seat passenger.

Abstract: A lock insert with at least one revolving operating projection (1) for the lock pawl includes a first locking system (2) for axial contact with the frontal end (3) of the key (4) and a second locking system (10) for radial contact with the key (4). The first locking system (2) is formed by a blocking liner (7) with a bottom (5) with an axial carrier cavity (6) for the frontal end (3) of the key (4), and is provided on the outside with at least one operating projection (1) and in its housing with at least one radial opening (8) with a distance element (9) placed therein. The second locking system (10) is formed by a hollow unrevolving liner (11) coaxially enclosing on the outside and on the inside the blocking liner (7) and is provided with radially slidable elevation structures (12) for each distance element (9).

Abstract: An electrically operable cylinder lock device includes a body with a bore housing a rotatable barrel, having a key slot. The barrel is locked in position normally by a spring-loaded bar which extends axially of the barrel and is movable radially thereof. A slot in the barrel receives the bar and cam formations in the slot act to lift the bar to a withdrawn position in which it can be held by an electromagnet. A plunger in the bore has a slotted end to receive the tip of the key and provides a driving connection between the key and an output cam.

Abstract: A holding device for padlocks having lock housings of different sizes. The holding device includes guides for positioning the padlocks so that a shell-plug assembly disposed within the lock housing is maintained at a prescribed location. The holding device is attached to a shearing apparatus for shearing assembly pins in the shell-plug assembly.

Abstract: A lock has a rotatable member (24), a latch member (22) operatively connected to the rotatable member for movement between locked and unlocked positions when the rotatable member is turned, a key stop (38) having an end facing toward an exposed end of a casing (10) that defines, together with the end of the rotatable member facing toward the exposed end of the casing a dead-end wall. Key stop (38)is mounted for axial reciprocation in, and for combined rotation with rotatable member (24) and has in the end facing toward the exposed end at least one code socket (46, 48) offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member. The lock also has a rotatable spring-loaded block (54) mounted between the exposed end of the casing and the end of the key stop. The block is held in the casing against axial movement and has a substantially diametrical key slot (72) angularly offset with respect to the code socket. The key stop is axially pressed against the rotatable block by a spring (42).

Abstract: A turnable lock operable with driver and tumbler pins when positioned by a key at a shear line in which shearable assembly pins are assembled in the lock and thereafter sheared to form such driver and tumbler pins for operation thereon. Each assembly pin is selectively weakened at a plurality of locations which correspond with notched depth heights of the family of keys capable of insertion in the keyhole. Such weakening is controlled so that pin shearing can be accomplished by application of rotational or linear forces applied to any part of the lock except the key. When linear forces are used the tumbler or plug may be indexed to employ a driver pin as a plug lock.

Abstract: A turnable lock operable with driver and tumbler pins when positioned by a key at a shear line in which shearable assembly pins are assembled in the lock and thereafter sheared to form such driver and tumbler pins for operation thereon. Each assembly pin is selectively weakened at a plurality of locations which correspond with notched depth heights of the family of keys capable of insertion in the keyhole. Such weakening is controlled so that pin shearing can be accomplished by application of rotational or linear forces applied to any part of the lock except the key. When linear forces are used the tumbler or plug may be indexed to employ a driver pin as a plug lock.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a lock and a flexible key. The lock includes a lock and an elongated plug unit having a longitudinal curved keyway that is accessible by the key. The keyway has several turns and several branch slots, each of which extends from one of the turns of the curved keyway in a direction different from that of a portion of the curved keyway succeeding the turn so as to mislead an undesirable flexible stick into the slot.

Abstract: A lock cylinder replacement device for replacing locks is inserted into a lock cylinder hole or sleeve after a lock cylinder is removed from the lock cylinder hole or sleeve. The lock cylinder replacement device includes a threaded bolt and a pan head portion. The lock cylinder replacement device may also include a rear fastening plate and a mounting nut for mating with the threaded bolt to secure the lock cylinder replacement device in the lock cylinder hole or sleeve.

Abstract: A directional control and time delay interlock for making a key operable rotatable tumbler lock substantially pick-proof. When the proper key is inserted the core of the lock is rotatable in a first direction for elevating a biased pawl from locking engagement with a cam surface carried by the rotatable portion of the lock. The distal end of a pawl engaging an indentation in the rotatable portion of the lock prevents initial rotation of the rotatable portion of the lock in a second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation. After rotation in the first direction of rotation, the distal end of the pawl is elevated away from the rotational portion of the lock freeing its engagement with the rotatable portion of the lock. With the pawl elevated, the rotational portion of the lock can be quickly rotated in the second direction past the pawl before the distal end of the pawl returns under a slight bias to the surface of the rotatable portion of the lock.

Abstract: A safety, insurance and alarm mechanical lock contains an external lock portion, a multicylinder type lock cylinder portion, and a lock body portion engaging with the lock cylinder portion. The lock cylinder portion comprises a front part including an external cylinder, a middle cylinder and an internal cylinder and a back part including a back external cylinder and a back internal cylinder. A self-locking control mechanism is provided between the front and back lock cylinders which can automatically perform self-locking and alarming when destroying act applied to the lock cylinder from outside takes place. The lock body portion is provided with an internal lock mechanism. Furthermore, in accordance with the various requirement, it can also be provided with an anti-invading mechanism, an alarm mechanism sensing the deformation of the door. The lock of the present invention has overcome many disadvantages of the prior lock and give a great deal of safety to users.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a lock shell, at least first and second key plugs, at least first and second tumbler means, and a key for operating the first and second tumbler means. The lock shell has a front end, a rear end, and an accommodation hole extending from the front end to the rear end. The first and second key plugs are aligned axially and are mounted rotatably within the accommodation hole of the lock shell. The first and second key plugs respectively have first and second key ways. The first and second tumbler means are used for positioning respectively the first and second key plugs against the lock shell when the lock assembly is in a locked position. The key can operate the first and second tumbler means so as to rotate the first and second key plugs simultaneously.

Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a lock shell which confines a cylindrical hole and a rotatable cylindrical key plug provided within the hole of the lock shell and formed with a longitudinally extending keyway. The key plug is further formed with a plurality of first bores which receive a lower tumbler pin of a respective first tumbler set, while the lock shell is further formed with a plurality of second bores which receive an upper tumbler pin of a respective first tumbler set. A plug retaining sleeve has a front portion which extends into the hole of the lock shell and which confines a hollow space for receiving a rear portion of the key plug. The rear portion of the key plug and the front portion of the plug retaining sleeve are respectively formed with third and fourth radially aligned bores which receive a lower tumbler pin of a second tumbler set.

Abstract: An axial pin tumbler lock for housing in an outer shell. The lock includes a shell and a rotatable driver sleeve telescoped into the shell. The driver sleeve has a bird-cage design including a front large inner diameter portion and a rear small-diameter inner portion and circumferentially arranged throughbores in communication with the inner diameters. A stationary tumbler sleeve is also telescoped in the shell, and in a facing relationship with the driver sleeve. The tumbler sleeve slot includes throughbores in communication with an inner diameter. A spindle extends through the sleeves and is rotatably mounted in the driver sleeve. The spindle includes a body portion and a neck portion with a curved transition zone between the two. Driver and tumbler pins mounted in the throughbores normally prevent rotation of the spindle and driver sleeve with respect to the tumbler sleeve.

Abstract: A lock which is rekeyable or programmable to operate with a different key from the exterior thereof without disassembling it or removing it from a lock assembly in which it is assembled is disclosed. The lock may be rekeyed through the keyway so that the lock appears from the exterior thereof to be a conventional lock, or from the end opposite the keyway from the interior of a door, or from a side of the lock which requires disassembly of the lock from its lock assembly. The lock includes structure defining a movable shear line that can be adjusted from the exterior of the lock without disassembling the lock itself. Such structure may comprise a rotatable cam and a pin tumbler and an axially adjustable set screw. Security of the lock is improved by selectively restricting or blocking access to the rekeying of the lock in the interior thereof with a gate or shutter, or various combinations of gates or shutters.

Abstract: A combinating tumbler lock featuring zero clearance between the lock plug and mounting shell including: a mounting shell having a central throughbore with a front section having a first, greater diameter and including longitudinal locking grooves, a rear section having a second smaller diameter and including longitudinal stopping grooves, and a tapered transition section between the front and rear sections; a lock plug for selective rotation within the mounting shell and having three sections corresponding in diameter to the sections in the mounting shell, the lock plug front section including a tumbler receiving opening, the lock plug rear section including a cam-receiving structure and a first radial throughbore, the lock plug also including a second radial throughbore between the front section and the tapered section; a tumbler disposed in the lock plug for selective engagement with the longitudinal locking grooves of the shell; a spring loaded stop comprising two spherical balls actuated by a compression

Abstract: A cylinder lock assembly includes a core, a key plug mounted for rotation in the core, and a key. The key plug is formed to include a keyway and a plurality of tumbler pin bores opening into the keyway. The key has a bow and a blade appended to the bow. The blade includes a bitted portion and includes a stop shoulder at the tip of the blade for positioning the bitted portion in alignment with the tumbler pin bores. A separate drive member is provided on the key for rotating the key plug relative to the core to actuate the cylinder lock assembly. The drive member is located between the bitted portion and the bow and is configured to cooperate with a bottom portion of the key blade to provide the primary torque or force for rotating the key plug in response to turning of the key in the cylinder lock assembly so that the bitted portion and an offset portion of the blade not carry substantial torque transmission load between the key and the key plug to rotate the key plug in the core.

Abstract: A reversible double-bitted key is reconfigured to permit a cylinder lock and key set to fit in the standard architecture of certain American automobiles. Preferably, the maximum required diameter of the cylinder is maintained under 13 millimeters, permitting the cylinder to be placed in standard instrument panel architecture for many American made vehicles. The minimum width of the key is maintained at approximately 4 millimeters, assuring that the key can withstand the torque requirements of the lock systems. This permits a single key to be used in both the primary and secondary locks. The tumbler is configured such that the minimum distance between the outer edge of the key window in the tumbler and the outer perimeter of the tumbler is greater than the thickness of the tumbler, further assuring that the lock can withstand repeated use without fatigue failure.

Abstract: Substitutable plug assemblies are removably retained at an operating position within a forwardly opening chamber of the barrel of a lock assembly. A plug assembly that has been inserted to the operating position is releasably retained within the enshrouding barrel by a retainer that is moved by spring bias to a plug-retaining position wherein the retainer bridges complementary formations that are defined by the barrel and by the inserted plug assembly. A retained plug assembly that has been inserted to the operating position can be rotated about the central axis relative to the barrel between at least a pair of angularly spaced positions. One of the plug assemblies carries tumblers that are engageable with interior portions of the barrel for locking the one plug assembly in at least one of the angularly spaced positions unless the one plug assembly is unlocked by a suitably configured key. The other of the substitutable plug assemblies preferably includes a manually operable formation such as a knob.