Abstract: A lockset including a chassis having a locked state and an unlocked state, a latchbolt connected with the chassis, a handle mounted to the chassis, and a lock cylinder connected with the chassis. The handle is operable to retract the latchbolt when the chassis is unlocked, and is inoperable to retract the latchbolt when the chassis is locked. The lock cylinder includes a shell and a plug selectively rotatable relative to the shell. The chassis is configured to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to rotation of the plug in a first rotational direction from a home position to a first rotated position. The chassis is configured to return from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to rotation of the plug in a second rotational direction from the first rotated position to the home position.

Abstract: A lock system and method for alerting a user or other entity that a lock has been or is being tampered with is disclosed. The lock includes at least one enhanced security pin that is electrically isolated from the rest of the lock. When the lock picker attempts to pick the lock a portion of the enhanced security pin contacts either the plug or the outer casing of the lock to complete a circuit with an alert component. The completion of the circuit causes the alert component to generate an alert signal that can be observed by the user or other entity.

Abstract: The locking cylinder has a stator and a rotor, which can rotate in the stator and has a key opening into which a key can be inserted. The locking cylinder has a multiplicity of tumbler-mating-tumbler pairs, wherein each of the tumblers has a first part and a second part that are connected to one another, for example, with a press fit. In the method for programming a locking cylinder, the locking cylinder has at least one two-part tumbler, having parts that are connected to one another with a press fit. In the method, when a key is introduced into the key opening a length, effective in terms of locking, of the tumbler is changed by the first part and the second part sliding one into the other or moving apart from one another, in particular is reduced by them sliding one into the other.

Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a plug body with a keyway opening along a longitudinal axis and a multiple of channels transverse to the axis. A rekeying feature located adjacent to the keyway opening.

Abstract: A tumbler for positioning in a bore perpendicular to a keyway in a lock for selectively engaging a feature of a key within the keyway, wherein the tumbler comprises a male part that interlocks with a female part about a compressed spring; the male part having retaining teeth for selectively engaging an inner notch or an outer notch of the female part, such that when the retaining teeth engage the outer notch, the tumbler has a first configuration with an uncompressed overall length and on compression assumes a second configuration wherein the teeth of the male part engage the inner notch in the female section so that the overall length of the lock component is reduced, the change being irreversible.

Abstract: A key cylinder device includes a cylindrical rotor case, a rotor rotatably enclosed in the rotor case, a sleeve fixedly disposed between the rotor and the rotor case, and a tumbler moving in a radial direction inside the rotor by insertion and extraction of a mechanical key into and from the rotor. The sleeve includes a hole not engaged with the tumbler by the insertion of the mechanical key and engaged by the extraction of the mechanical key, and a dividing wall formed at a middle of the hole, the dividing wall receiving the tumbler. A part of the dividing wall is engaged with a recessed groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of the rotor case.

Abstract: A progressive key notching system that includes a plurality of key notches positioned along at least one surface, such as, for example, a top surface, of a key blade. Each of the plurality of key notches includes a central axis. The central axes of at least one pair of adjacent key notches are separated by a distance that is different than a distance separating another, adjacent pair of key notches. Further, when the key blade is operably positioned within a key slot, at least one of the central axes may be offset from a chamber central axis of an adjacent retention pin chamber. Moreover, one or more of the chamber central axes may be aligned with a portion of a trailing surface and/or leading surface of an adjacent key notch.

Abstract: A cylinder lock with a rotating tumbler pin, a sidebar, and a slider has a keyway with a ward projection into the center of the bitting area of a key blade received by the keyway. The tip of each rotating tumbler pin seats on the bitting surfaces remaining to the sides of this center ward of the key, and the tumbler pins that are engaged by the bitting on the side of the key blade do not seat on more than half of the width of the blade. Half the pin width is removed from each tumbler pin near the tip thereof. The key has a bitted section at which one or more bittings are formed and a non-bitted section bitting that is devoid of bitting. The bittings extend at a constant depth to an edge of the key blade.

Abstract: A lock assembly is provided that includes: a lock cylinder having a bore disposed therein and at least one pocket located adjacent the periphery of the bore; a plug including a cassette slot; a plunger that fits in the plug; a locking tab having a slot disposed therein; the slot of the locking tab receives a portion of the plunger; a cassette having a key slot configured to receive a key; the cassette includes a tool slot configured to receive a tool to selectively engage the plunger to selectively move at least a portion of the locking tab into and out of the pocket; when a portion of the locking tab is located in the pocket the locking tab does not block the cassette from being removed from the plug.

Abstract: A locking system is set forth having a key and a lock cylinder. The lock cylinder has a cylinder core journalled in a housing and having a keyway for inserting the key. A plurality of tumblers actuable by the key and an additional blocking element movably arranged in a guide passage of the cylinder core project into the keyway, said additional blocking element being displaceable obliquely or transversely to the direction of insertion of the key. The additional blocking element is made for cooperation with a counter-element arranged at the key blade with a key introduced up to the maximum insertion depth. The counter-element is in this respect arranged in a groove or recess starting from the key tip and extending in the longitudinal direction of the key blade.

Abstract: A pin tumbler cylinder lock includes a shell, a plug, and at least first and second tumbler pins and first and second driver pins. At least the first driver pin extends into a corresponding plug channel when the plug is in a locked condition, such that rotation of the plug with respect to the shell is blocked. The lock is configured such that at least the first driver pin is separated from the first tumbler pin by a gap when the plug is in the locked condition. When the first and second tumbler pins are raised without the proper key and the gap between the first tumbler pin and the first driver pin is eliminated, the second tumbler pin extends across the shear line and into the corresponding shell channel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pin tumbler lock system having a housing, a plug, and easy accessible driver pins, key pins and springs. The system is configured so that the lengths of the key pins are adjustable from the outside without taking the lock apart.

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.

Abstract: A lock and key combination wherein at least one locking tumbler includes a key sensing portion, a body portion and a locking portion. A cavity, accommodating an associated locking tumbler, is larger than the contour of the body portion so as to permit a translatory as well as a rotary movement of the locking tumbler in a movement plane within the cavity. A code pattern on the key blade includes at least one wave-like guiding surface. When the key blade is inserted into the key slot, the locking tumbler is controlled by two mutually spaced formations, which engage with the wave-like guiding surface of the key blade, and is guided at opposite side surfaces by two associates walls of the cavity, to be retained precisely in the movement plane. The locking portion of the locking tumbler is movable to enable the locking mechanism to be released.

Abstract: A lock and key combination is disclosed, offering a large number of codes. The combination includes a lock (200) of the kind comprising a housing having a cylindrical bore, a cylindrical key plug (202) and a number of locking pins (205a-205g) in a row along a key plug axis for locking the key plug against rotation in the cylindrical bore, and a key (100) of the kind comprising a longitudinally extending, substantially flat key blade (102), with at least two longitudinally extending formations. The key blade comprises an upper edge portion having a first code pattern (103) and a lower, massive portion having a second code pattern (104).

Abstract: A lock and key system is disclosed including locks of the kind comprising a cylindrical key plug (203) with locking tumblers (205) having a body part (206a) and an integral key sensing part (206b) for engagement with an associated key (100). The key sensing part (206b) of each locking tumbler comprises at least two neighbouring key contacting portions (210a, 211a), confined within a limited region, for possible sliding engagement with a longitudinal code pattern of the associated key, at least one but not necessarily all of these key contacting portions of each locking tumbler actually engaging with a corresponding code portion of the associated key upon fully inserting the latter into the key slot of the lock.

Abstract: A locking device which has a lock cylinder and a matching key. The key has a key bit with at least one coding notch and a blocking rib with at least one indentation. The lock cylinder has a housing with a bearing bore and a cylinder core that is mounted in the bearing bore and a blocking member. The blocking member is engagable in a blocking recess of the bearing bore and prevents rotation of the cylinder core. A pivot lever is mounted in the cylinder core and has a bearing end about which the pivot lever pivots, and a sensing end which senses the blocking rib The pivot lever closes off a capturing opening for the housing pin when the blocking rib is the proper height and opens the capturing opening after a partial rotation of the cylinder core when the blocking rib is missing.

Abstract: A locking arrangement with a lock cylinder and matching key. The key has a flat key bit with a narrow spine, two broad sides, and coding notches at coding positions on the key bit. The cylinder has a housing, core, tumblers, and a sensing member located in a supplementary core hole. Spacing from the spine of the sensing point is greater than spacing from the spine of the apex of the notch is cut the deepest. The sensing point is near a peripheral edge of a notch cut less such that deepening the notch to a depth of the notch cut the deepest leads to disappearance of the sensing point. For protection against unlocking, the supplementary core hole is located between adjacent core holes and the sensing member has a tip which the sensing point on a broad side of the key situated between adjacent coding positions is sensed.

Abstract: A lock cylinder including a housing defining a cylindrical cavity, and a plug disposed in the cylindrical cavity and rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The plug includes an inner pin chamber aligned with an outer pin chamber of the housing when the plug is in the locked position. An inner pin is housed in the inner pin chamber and is engageable with the outer pin when the plug is in the locked position, and includes an outer surface having a non-axial groove. The non-axial groove has a curved surface that defines a substantially semi-circular cross-section. An engagement member is supported by the plug and has a substantially semispherical end portion extending into the non-axial groove such that the semispherical end portion is substantially engaged with the curved surface.

Abstract: A cylinder and key combination including a pin operated cylinder including a cylinder body, a plug rotatable within the cylinder body and defining a keyway and first pin assemblies and at least one second pin assembly communicating with the keyway and being selectably positionable by key cuts on a key inserted into the keyway for positioning the pin assemblies with respect to a shear line between the cylinder body and the plug to permit rotation of the plug with respect to the cylinder body and a key, including a shank defining at least one planar surface configured to define a longitudinally extending key-cut region thereon, the longitudinally extending region having formed thereon a plurality of first key cuts configured to position a plurality of first pins at a desired shear line position and having pre-formed thereon at least one second key cut configured to position a corresponding at least one second pin assembly at a desired shear line position.

Abstract: A device for re-keying a lock that frees the locksmith from having to handle individual tumblers. A magazine is provided for each tumbler in the lock. Each magazine is numbered or coded to indicate the size of the tumblers within. The magazines fit into the top of a housing that temporarily holds the plug portion of the lock to be re-keyed. Upon alignment of the magazines with their corresponding holes in the plug, the tumblers fall into place and the lock has effectively been re-keyed. The plug is then removed from the housing and ready to be placed back in its original lock assembly.

Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a plug body and a backing rack that cooperate to define a plurality of pin chambers within the lock cylinder, with each of the pin chambers housing a corresponding pin. Movement of the backing rack changes the configuration of the pin chambers, thereby allowing the corresponding pins to change configuration to match the bitting on a valid key.

Abstract: A lock cylinder that includes a housing defining a cylindrical cavity, and a plug disposed in the cylindrical cavity and rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The plug includes a key slot and an inner pin chamber aligned with an outer pin chamber of the housing when the plug is in the locked position. An inner pin is disposed in the inner pin chamber for movement along an axis, and is engageable with the outer pin when the plug is in the locked position. The inner pin is engageable by a key inserted into the key slot, and includes an outer surface that defines a non-axial groove. An engagement member is supported by the plug and extends into the groove.

Abstract: The invention is a device for opening a pin tumbler type of lock, wherein the pin tumbler type of lock has a number of driver pins and a number of key pins, each of the key pins aligned with one of the driver pins. The device has a housing with a key end and a spring end. A spring inside the housing is located at the spring end of the housing. A slide has a first end fitting inside the housing and abutting an end of the spring. A trigger mechanism is attached to the housing and engages the slide. A key holder is attached to a second end of the slide. A bottom cut key is inserted into the key holder.

Abstract: The invention provides a pin assembly (10) useful for situations of high vibration, such as hatches or lockers on aircraft. Pin assembly (10) has a locking pin (12) adapted for insertion in a latching mechanism. Locking pin (12) has a maximum cross-section. Assembly (10) also includes a base (32) for locking pin (12) and at least one slip plate (20) which has an aperture (21) which is larger than the maximum cross-section of the locking pin (12).

Abstract: A resettable tumbler lock includes: a lock housing; a sleeve mounted rotatably in the lock housing and formed with a plurality of tumbler bores; a cylindrical latch-connecting part mounted rotatably in the lock housing and formed with a plurality of tumbler holes and a plurality of blind holes; and a plurality of spring-biased tumbler units. The sleeve is rotatable relative to the latch-connecting part between first and second angular positions. At least one of the tumbler bores in the sleeve has an axial projection that does not coincide with that of an aligned one of the tumbler holes in the latch-connecting part when the sleeve is disposed at a predetermined position between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: A lock core assembly has a lock shell, a lock core and a pin segment. The lock shell has a core mount, multiple upper pin chambers and a lid. The lock core is mounted rotatably in the core mount and has a keyhole and multiple lower pin chambers. The lower pin chambers are formed radially through an outer surface of the lock core, communicate with the keyhole, align longitudinally, correspond to and communicate with the upper pin chambers. The pin segment is mounted between the lock shell and the lock core and has multiple pin assemblies and at least one suspended pin assembly. When knocked, a suspended upper pin of the at least one suspended pin assembly oscillates to prevent the pin aligning and the lock core from rotating, the lock core assembly provides a preferred burglarproofing effect.

Abstract: A drill resistant lock cylinder (100) is useful for resisting attempts to defeat the cylinder (100) using locks or picks. The cylinder (100) includes a cylinder housing (105) having a central axis. Two pinion cylinders (115, 125) are positioned inside the cylinder housing (105) along the central axis. A combination pin cylinder (120) is positioned along the central axis between the two pinion cylinders (115, 125), and the combination pin cylinder (120) and each pinion cylinder (115, 125) includes axial pinholes (220) there through. Pins (130) located inside the axial pinholes (220) in the combination pin cylinder (120) and the pinion cylinders (115, 125) establish two shear lines along axial ends of the pinion cylinders (115, 125).

Abstract: A method and assembly for preventing unauthorized manipulation of common cylinder locks, as executed by use of the principles of the Bumpkey or Blowgun methods. The pin assembly, containing a tumbler pin and a driver pin, is adapted so as to alter linear displacement thereof, by forming a recession in one of the pins contained in the pin assembly, and an engagement element, in the other of the pins, for engaging the recession, such that when an impact-driven blow of a given intensity is applied so as to linearly displace the tumbler and driver pins, the pin engagement element engages the pin recession, strongly binding the tumbler and driver pins together, thereby, blocking the shear line and, consequently, preventing unauthorized manipulation of the common cylinder lock.

Abstract: A lock with an improved configuration comprises a housing and a cylindrical member mounted in the housing. A lock core is mounted in the cylindrical member. The lock is characterized in that the cylindrical member comprises either nine or eleven pin recesses at the front end, a disc and an engaging post having a dodecagonal section are mounted at the front end of the lock core, and the disc comprises nine through passages and three openings of different depths. Based on the configuration of the lock, the key to be inserted into the lock must have a dodecagonal inner passage to match the dodecagonal section of the engaging post of the lock. Because of the three openings of different depths, a thief cannot use specialized tools to explore the lock and unlock the lock. The number of codes of the lock is increased to keep the lock from being easily unlocked. The owner's property and privacy of are thus protected.

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 cylinder lock with a key, the lock having a plug with at least one hole intersecting the keyway. The hole is provided with two shoulders, one whereof lies further outward, the other one lying further inward with respect to the surface of the plug. An auxiliary tumbler is accommodated in the hole and comprises an auxiliary pin, an auxiliary complementary pin and a spring acting by expansion between the auxiliary pin and complementary pin. The tumbler can assume an elongated configuration, wherein the pin and the complementary pin are mutually spaced and axially offset angularly with respect to each other, or a shortened configuration, wherein they are aligned in mutual abutment without axially offset. The key has an elastic element adapted to cooperate with the auxiliary tumbler to allow, with the key inserted, compression thereof to the shortened configuration and disengagement from the notch and rotation of the plug.

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: The lock bolt has a bolt tip (2) a bolt head (3) whose back wall (4) is intended to rest against a housing pin for sliding this pin into the rotary closure cylinder (24). The bolt tip (2) is supported on the bolt head (3) with a spring engaged between the bolt tip (2) and the bolt head (3) so that it can slide in a limited fashion between an inner and an outer position. The bolt head (3) has a longitudinal bore (5) in which the bolt tip (2) is supported so that it can slide. The lock bolt to a large extent prevents unlocking attempts in which vibrational movements are exerted on the tumblers.

Abstract: A lock mechanism has at least one tumbler pin having one or more slots in the tip surface of the pin and a key blade which is formed with a projection extending from the surface of the bitting area. The tumbler pin can be rotatable in such a manner that it will seek to accommodate the projection on the surface of the key and to match the surfaces of the key and tumbler pin tip, thus aligning the tumbler pin at a position predetermined by the key bitting. In this regard, the tumbler pin tip is preferably tapered and adapted to engage with a key having a complementarily shaped bitting surface, i.e., complementary to the tapered surface of the tumbler pin tip, such that the tumbler pin will seek to accommodate the tapered surface of the key bitting to align the tumbler pin at a proper position. Alternatively, the tumbler pin can include a projection or the like to inhibit rotation of the tumbler pin.

Abstract: A lock includes a casing, a cylindrical rod and a key, the casing having a longitudinal hole for the cylindrical rod received therein. The casing and the cylindrical rod have a main transverse hole device defined radially respectively therein and are in alignment with each other for receiving a main pin device therein, the cylindrical rod having a key hole defined longitudinally therein, at least one offset transverse hole device defined between the key hole and the main transverse hole device which is parallel to the offset transverse hole device so as to communicate with the main transverse hole device and the key hole, the offset transverse hole device having an offset pin device received therein, the offset pin device being lifted by a movement of the key inserted in the key hole to operate the main pin device to open the lock.

Abstract: A cylinder lock having a changeable key combination, the cylinder lock including a cylinder housing defining a bore, a plug arranged in the bore and defining a keyway and at least one plug pin disposed in the plug along at least one plug pin axis and communicating with the keyway, the at least one plug pin having a key engagement end face communicating with the keyway, the key engagement end face being configured such that rotation of the plug pin about the plug pin axis effects a change in the key combination of the cylinder lock and wherein the cylindrical housing defines at least one access opening which permits access to the at least one plug pin for selectable rotational positioning thereof for changing the key combination of the cylinder lock by means of rotation of the at least one plug pin about the at least one plug pin axis. Various keys suitable for use with the lock are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A cylinder lock and an associated key include a rotatable cylinder key plug having a key slot into which the key is insertable. The key has a lower solid base portion with coded side recesses for engagement with side tumblers of the lock. From the solid base portion, a lip projects upwardly at a transversal distance from the rest of the key blade, and the side recesses extend partially through the lip and partially through the solid base portion. The key slot has a corresponding cross-sectional profile with a downwardly projecting tongue.

Abstract: A loader 30 and method of loading lock pins 104 and 112 into the plug portion 100 of a cylindrical lock. The loader 30 includes a body 32 and cover 34. The body 32 has a plurality of pin dispensing barrels 36 which are loaded with a preestablished plurality of lock pins 104 and 112. The body 32 fits under the plug portion 100 so that the pin dispensing barrels 36 abut and coaxially align with a corresponding plurality of pin cavities 102 in the plug portion 100, The combined body 32 and plug portion 100 are then turned upside down (rotated approximately 180') and gravity causes the lock pins 104 and 112 to vacate the pin dispensing barrels 36 and enter the pin cavities 102 in the plug portion 100.

Abstract: An additional tumbler (10) is disposed in the rotary lock cylinder, which is aligned by means of a control element (19) disposed in the key (16). A blocking element (6) is provided in the stator (2) at a distance from this tumbler (10) which, in a set rotational position of the rotor (3), radially displaces the control element (19) with the core pin (13) of the additional tumbler (10) against a restoring force.

Abstract: A hierarchical lock and key system includes a plurality of locks and keys wherein each key is provided with at least one unique bitting surface that engages a complementarily shaped tumbler pin tip to cause the tumbler pin to rotate and be positioned at a predetermined location. In one system, one key is provided with bittings to rotate the tumbler pins in a lock that is able to determine the rotational position of the tumbler pins. The one key may also operate a lock which does not determine the rotational position of the tumbler pins by positioning a tumbler pin at its proper elevation in the cylinder. Another key which has at least one different bitting from the one key will operate the latter lock (in which the tumblers do not have to be rotated). However, the other key will not operate the former lock because the bitting does not, properly rotate the tumbler pin to its unlocking location.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved lock device in which a slider is movable in either a locking direction or a releasing direction only when the amounts of projections of plural tumblers mounted on the slider correspond to the dimensions of plural holes punched in a lock card. When the lock card is slidingly inserted into a card groove under the release condition, the lock card successively presses a stopper disposed on the insertion side and the plural tumblers into tumbler chambers in the slider and then hits against a stopper disposed on the exit side, which projects into an adjustment groove. Here tapered tips of the tumblers are fitted into and engaged with the corresponding holes formed in the lock card, and engagement projections on the tumblers are all located in a sliding groove. The slider is thus movable together with the lock card.

Abstract: A tumbler pin tip and key surface are configured so that when engaged, the tumbler pin tip fully and precisely seats in the key bitting, and thus is rotationally positioned at a predetermined location. The contacting surfaces are generally sloped from one edge of the tumbler (and key surface) to the other in tapered form and the sloping surface may be flat, concave, convex or a combination as disclosed.

Abstract: A cylinder lock having a barrel and a cylinder and being actuable by a key having a round shaft. The round shaft has provided along its one longitudinally extending planar surface a plurality of substantially rectangular recesses which correspond with pin portions of lower tumblers normally extending into the keyhole of the cylinder and biased by springs and upper tumblers in the barrel, such that when the key is inserted into the keyhole and rotated to a predetermined position to allow the pin portions to be received in the corresponding recesses, the cylinder can be driven to rotate relative to the barrel by the turning force of the key transmitted to the pin portions through their contact with the side walls of the recesses if the key is further rotated, thereby locking or unlocking the cylinder lock.

Abstract: A pin tumbler locking mechanism comprises an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder which the inner cylinder fits and rotates in. The inner cylinder has a plurality of pin holes for pins to fit and move therein. Each of the pins have a male threaded portion to screw with a female threaded portion and passing through a central nonround hole in a gear to rotate together with the gear by a rack provided on a key. The key is adapted to rotate the gears and the pins together when the key is inserted in or pulled out of a key hole in the inner cylinder so that the pins are raised up or lowered down in the pin holes to have one of their ends protrude in pin holes in the outer cylinder or to hide within the pin holes in the inner cylinder to lock or unlock the mechanism.

Abstract: An improved cylinder lock in which at least one tumber assembly includes a pin tumbler supported for rotational movement about its axis within a tumblerway, a driver, and a coupling mechanism releaseably coupling the driver to the pin tumbler for rotational movement of the driver about its axis in response to said rotational movement of the pin tumbler. The coupling mechanism at least partially defines a split line along which the pin tumbler and the driver may separate when the one tumbler assembly is axially and rotationally positioned relative to a plug and a shell in a predetermined releasing position wherein the split line is aligned with a shear line between the plug and the cylinder, and the pin tumbler has means for positioning the one pin tumbler assembly in the releasing position in response to engagement with a proper key in a keyway through the plug.

Abstract: An axial split-pin tumbler lock having a rotatable operating element and a fixed element configured to define a shear plane therebetween, and wherein aligned bores extend in the two elements on opposite sides of the shear plane, with specially configured code pins and drive pins slidable in the bores in the elements across the shear plane, the specially configured code and drive pins being so constructed that they will bind or hang up in the respective bores in any number of axial positions during an attempt to pick the lock, thereby giving multiple and differing false readings of an unlocked condition of the lock and rendering it pick resistant.

Abstract: A cylinder lock in which at least one tumbler assembly includes a pin tumbler supported for rotational movement about its axis within a tumblerway, a driver, and a coupling mechanism releaseably coupling the driver to the pin tumbler for rotational movement of the driver about its axis in response to said rotational movement of the pin tumbler. The coupling mechanism at least partially defines a split line along which the pin tumbler and the driver may separate when the one tumbler assembly is axially and rotationally positioned relative to a plug and a shell in a predetermined releasing position wherein the split line is aligned with a shear line between the plug and the cylinder, and the pin tumbler has means for positioning the one pin tumbler assembly in the releasing position in response to engagement with a proper key in a keyway through the plug.

Abstract: The spring loaded tumbler is provided with a casing and a core. Latter has a limited travel towards the key passage, and is located in a stepped drilling in the cylindrical core. A sliding sleeve element is located on the core, which has a corresponding shape to that of the stepped drilling. The tumbler according to the present invention can be inserted in normal cylinder locks and effectively prevents unauthorized opening without the use of a key or damage to the lock.

Abstract: A pin tumbler lock comprises a cylindrical shell, a plug fitted within the shell, and rotatable by key means. The plug has first bores for receiving first pin tumblers. The first bores are substantially normal to the axis of the plug. The shell has second bores for receiving second pin tumblers therein. The second bores are aligned with first bore. First and second pin tumblers are located in bores. The second pin tumblers are forced by a spring into the aligned first bores to thereby prevent rotation of the plug. The first and second pin tumblers have substantially mating surfaces at respective ends providing contact along their entire length. The plug includes two grooves in a plane normal to the axis of the plug along its periphery, one groove on each side adjacent to first bores, thereby providing a non-linear shear line between the plug and the shell.