Tumblers Patents (Class 70/392)
  • Patent number: 8904838
    Abstract: A lock device having a lock cylinder and a flat key having a control gate. The lock cylinder has a cylinder housing and a cylinder core rotationally supported in the cylinder housing and a plurality of plate-shaped tumblers that are supported in the cylinder core so as to be radially slidable with respect to the rotational axis of the cylinder core and which each have a key opening and are at least partially pushed by the spring load into a locking channel of the cylinder housing in order to lock the lock cylinder when the flat key is removed and which are slid into an unlocking position by the control cam guided in the control gate when the key is inserted. At least one stop is associated with each of the tumblers in order to limit the sliding path to conceal the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Joerg Havemann, Helge Winkler
  • Patent number: 8763435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking device and to an actuating device for activating said locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Camlock Systems Limited
    Inventors: Martin McCaffrey, Pao-hsing Tseng
  • Patent number: 8739588
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Gary Burmesch, Jesse Marcelle, Glenn Meekma
  • Patent number: 8438889
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pin and tumbler cylinder lock and a retrofitted cylinder lock which minimizes unauthorized openings of the lock by bumping. The cylinder lock utilizes specially designed driver pins which are correlated in size to the largest possible stack height of the tumbler pins with a bump key inserted in the plug portion of the lock and the shear line height of the lock. All the driver pins are about the same height and preferably symmetrical with a lip on each end. The invention also provides a method for retrofitting existing locks by removing at least one of the driver pins and replacing the removed driver pin or pins with the driver pins of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sargent Maufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C Eller, Ryan Piantek, Evaldas Malinauskas, James Galarneau, David Steele, Christopher Hill
  • Patent number: 8347680
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 8166783
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Gary Burmesch, Jesse Marcelle, Glenn Meekma
  • Patent number: 8156777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock and key combination including a cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug having a key slot for receiving a flat key blade (100) on a key, and at least two side locking tumblers (201a, 201b; 301, 302; 401, 402) which are guided in associated chambers in the key plug and have transverse fingers (211a, 211b: 311, 312; 411, 412a, 412b) projecting into the key slot. There is a code pattern (110) in a side recess (115, 118) of the key blade comprising at least two separate code surfaces formed on at least one side surface (101) of the key, including a primary code surface (131-135; 141?; 151) located in an external portion of the side recess and adjoining said one side surface (101), and a secondary code surface (141-145; 142?152) being defined in a groove forming a deeper portion of the side recess. The primary and secondary code surfaces engage with first and second fingers (211b, 311, 411 and 211a, 312, 412a) on associated side locking tumblers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widen
  • Patent number: 7958760
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 7956741
    Abstract: A tumbler-type lock apparatus for use with a tumbler-type card key having a code pattern region including an array of holes and non-hole portions that expresses a key code of the tumbler-type card key. The tumbler-type lock apparatus includes a slider case and a slider movable relative to the slider case when the tumbler-type card key is inserted into the tumbler-type lock apparatus. Tumblers extending in the slider case and slider each correspond to one of the holes or non-hole portions. Springs bias the tumblers towards the slider. The tumbler-type lock apparatus verifies the tumbler-type card key when the tumblers are engaged with the slider case and slider during insertion of the tumbler-type card key. The slider includes accommodation portions. A distal end of the tumbler that has passed through the corresponding hole of the tumbler-type card key is accommodated in the corresponding accommodation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takumi Tamezane, Toshiharu Katagiri
  • Patent number: 7895868
    Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a sleeve having a plurality of locking holes, 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, and a plurality of key matching members movably supported to the key plug, arranged to be insertable and removable in the plurality of locking holes respectively, and withdrawn from the plurality of locking holes respectively by an insertion of the matching key into the key plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Jun Yamaguchi, Toshiharu Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20100319422
    Abstract: The invention is concered with a locking cylinder (1) and a matching key (2), wherein the locking cylinder comprises tumbler pins (6) with a head (7) and a tip. (8). The tip (8) engages in a coding recess (10) of the key (2) and, by withdrawing the key from the locking cylinder, slides along two sliding flanks (2), which follow on one another. The dimensions of the conical surface (9) following on from the rounding of the tip (8) and the sliding flank (12) are made to match one another in such a way that the transitional region (13) between the two sliding flanks is covered by the conical surface in the abutting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: C. Ed. Schulte Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung Zylinderschlossfabrik
    Inventors: Jürgen Lienau, Thomas Wallberg
  • Patent number: 7614268
    Abstract: A cylinder lock is provided. The lock includes a rotor assembly (17) having a combination post (12) as a core. The combination post (12) has combination holes arranged thereon which define the combination of the lock. The rotor assembly (17) includes locking bars having pins (15) directed radially towards the combination post (12). The locking bars are displaceable in an axial position by an appropriately coded key until each pin (15) is directed towards a respective combination hole. Turning the key causes the rotor assembly (17) to rotate. At various rotational positions, the locking bars are displaced radially causing the pins (15) to engage their respective combination holes. The combination post (12) can be provided with parallel combination holes. Furthermore, the combination post (12) can be removable in order to replace the combination post (12) with another post having different combination values, thereby changing the combination of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Camware Holdings Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Preddey
  • Publication number: 20090095038
    Abstract: A tumbler-type key for use with a tumbler-type lock apparatus, which includes a support member, a movable member movable relative to the support member, and pin tumblers. The tumbler-type key includes a pattern of recessed portions and non-recessed portions arranged in a code pattern region of the tumbler-type key. When the tumbler-type key is inserted into or removed from the tumbler-type lock apparatus, the recessed portions and the non-recessed portions shift each of the pin tumblers between a locking state and an unlocking state so that movement of the movable member is prohibited or permitted depending on pin tumbler positions. The ratio of the quantity of the recessed portions or non-recessed portions relative to the total quantity of the recessed and non-recessed portions is set to fifty percent or greater to sixty percent or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Toshiharu Katagiri
  • Patent number: 7218202
    Abstract: A biometric key having a key body incorporating a biometric sensor. There is also provided a receptor body for engagement with the biometric key, wherein the reader has a slot for retention of the key. When the key engages with the receptor body, a signal representing a biocode of data generated by the biometric sensor is forwarded to processing means for granting access to an authorised user to a facility accessible by the biometric key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Mu Hua Investment Limited
    Inventors: John D. Bacchiaz, Robert Christensen
  • Patent number: 7028517
    Abstract: A core having a plurality of pin bores penetrating from the core surface to the keyway, and a plurality of activator pins and filler pins, such that the installer can locate one or more activator pins in any of the pin bores, and one or more filler pins in any of the remaining bores, to thereby define a code to be provided in the respective flank or flanks of an authorized key. Preferably at least three bores are provided on at least one side of the core; especially preferred are five pin bores on either side of the core fitted with a pattern of activator pins and filler pins, whereas a sixth pin bore on each side, closest to the back end of the core, is fitted with a blocking pin. In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a programmable cylinder lock system, a programmable core for a cylinder lock, a core kit by which the installer can program the core in the field, and a novel key adapted to be used with the programmable core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Kaba High Security Locks Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Divito
  • Patent number: 6868706
    Abstract: A three-action lock barrel having collective locking pins and two-way locking up mechanism is comprised of a case, a limiter, multiple locking plates and a rotor; the case being related to a hollow cylinder; a trough axially extending each from the inner wall of the case; the limiter being provided to limit the longitudinal sliding movement of those multiple locking plates arranged in flush and abutted to one another and accommodated inside the limiter; each locking plate being provided with an upper or a lower locking pin selected at random; the rotor receiving insertion of a key; the key turns around to push those locking pins to clear away or insert into a groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Bor-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 5934124
    Abstract: A lock piece is provided in the inner part of a tumbler. Size of a clearance formed between the side of a lock groove engaging portion of the lock piece and the side of a lock groove is determined to be smaller than size of a clearance formed between the side of a lock condition holding portion of the tumbler and the side of a lock groove. When the key is inserted being given a torque in the rotating direction, the lock groove engaging portion is engaged with the side of the lock groove, and the lock condition holding portion of the tumbler is maintained to be separate from the side of the lock groove. Due to the foregoing, the lock condition holding portion is prevented from being caught on the side of the lock groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Yasuhara
  • Patent number: 5582050
    Abstract: A cylinder lock-key-combination includes a lock cylinder, a cylinder housing (2) and a cylinder plug (3) provided with a key slot (3a) and a row of tumblers (5). The tumblers (5) and associated key (4) present mutually adapted engaging and receiving members which function to forcibly guide movement of the tumblers in two opposite axial directions as the key is inserted into the lock. For instance, the pin tumblers (5) include a circular flange (5a) and a side surface of the key (4) includes a groove (4b) which extends along the length of the key and whose width varies so as to accommodate the flanges of the rotatable or twistable tumblers. Alternatively, the tumblers are provided with a groove or a waisted portion and the key is provided on a side surface thereof with a rail which engages in the groove or waisted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: ASSA AB
    Inventor: .ANG.ke Haggstrom
  • Patent number: 5490405
    Abstract: A disc cylinder lock mechanism comprises a cylinder housing, an inner cylinder turnable inside the cylinder housing, and a stack of discs inside the inner cylinder. The discs define respective key openings which form a key channel for receiving a key. The stack of discs includes several locking discs, and the lock mechanism is in a releasing condition when each locking disc is in a predetermined releasing angular position. Each locking disc has a protrusion that extends toward the central part of the key opening and has first and second adjacent and substantially perpendicular edges. A guiding element extends longitudinally over the stack of discs in the key channel. The key has a combination surface for each locking disc and is formed to engage the guiding element when the key is inserted in the key channel for turning the guiding element continuously with the key when the key is turned in the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Abloy Security Ltd Oy
    Inventors: Seija Ramo, Kyosti Nevalainen, Pekka Vehvilainen
  • Patent number: 5375443
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Tamura Plastic Mfg Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 5212974
    Abstract: A card type locking apparatus having a chamber enclosed by an upper half and a lower half and having a slidable element, a spring, and four spring plungers in the chamber. When a card plate with raised blocks acting as security codes thereon is inserted into a preset opening provided on the locking apparatus, the raised blocks lift the spring plungers and urge the pin rods mounted on the spring plungers to align horizontally. When the card plate is pressed further the four pin rods enter a window formed on the upper half, which results in the backward movement of the slidable element and the release of the hook, producing the unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Inventor: Kou-Chi Shen
  • Patent number: 5086631
    Abstract: The lifting and rotating zeroes and the combination discs of a disc cylinder lock are provided with curved internal camming surfaces designed to mate with external curved camming surfaces on the key shank. The curved camming surfaces consist of segments of mathematically defined spirals, with non-uniform radii as measured from the lock axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Olson Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Agbay
  • Patent number: 4860562
    Abstract: An actuating device has a cartridge within a fixed casing. A card-like key has a key formation which, during insertion of the key into the cartridge, displaces a finger formation connected to an interference formation, which is then aligned with a gate of a gate member fixed to the casing. The gate allows passage to the interference formation allowing the cartridge to be displaced in unison with the key. An actuating formation on the cartridge is provided to actuate a lock or similar device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventors: Izchak Koren, Robert J. Gates, Craig J. Smith
  • Patent number: 4815307
    Abstract: A key blade having a longitudinal axis (A) of insertion and comprising an elongated, wave-like generally longitudinally extending code pattern (38) for cooperation with a row (23) of elevationally and rotationally movable locking tumblers (23a-23e) of a rotary cylinder type lock (18). Each of the locking tumblers is provided with a transversely projecting finger which engages with the code pattern (38) when the key blade is inserted into the lock. The code pattern (38) includes a number of concavity locations (40-44) which are displaced longitudinally and transversely so as to correspond to specific rotational and elevational positions of the locking tumblers which will permit releasing of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Widen Innovation AB
    Inventor: Bo Widen
  • Patent number: 4723427
    Abstract: A cylinder lock of the type having twisting tumblers operated by a bitted key having at least one skew-cut bit provided with a side bar which is symmetrical with regard to a radius through a center of the key plug perpendicular to the plane of the key so that the side bar intersects not only slots in the twisting tumblers, but the profile of the key. The key has slots in its side face which extend perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Medeco Security Locks Inc.
    Inventor: Roy N. Oliver
  • Patent number: 4587815
    Abstract: A lock for use with a nonrotating, flexible sheet key having holes positioned according to a pattern. The lock has a plurality of plates independently slidable for movement along a path generally transverse to the key. Each plate has a pin at a selected location along an edge toward the key for engagement therewith. The pins are aligned according to the key hole pattern to have some of the pins enter into the holes and others contact the body upon movement of the plates toward the key for placing each plate in a consent position. Each plate has an aperture for coincidence with the apertures of the other plates when moved into their respective consent positions for forming a lateral opening. An arm extends through the apertures and is laterally movable within the lateral opening to indicate an unlocked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Eugenio S. Gil
  • Patent number: 4375159
    Abstract: A tubular wheel type key lock operable by a key, comprising a lock case, a plurality of peripherally gated tumbler wheels supported for rotation about a common axis. Each tumbler wheel include center hub portions and rim portions encircling the hub portions. Supporting formations are interposed between successive adjacent pairs of tumbler wheels defining spacers to rotatably support the tumbler wheels about a common center axis. A control cam mechanism is rotatable by a key and has means to link with a fence lever for retracting a bolt at a predetermined position of the tumbler wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1983
    Assignee: Sargent & Greenleaf, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Bechtiger, Jacques Peyronnet
  • Patent number: 4271597
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a plurality of different keys, each constructed to open each rotary cylinder lock in the same series, or sub-series, called "masterkeying". The disclosed masterkeying tool comprises a calibrated plate, having one or more pin grooves, and a key-supporting platform which moves transversely to permit a selected bitting of a test key to register with a selected pin groove on the calibrated plate. Tumbler pins interposed in the pin groove are seated in a selected bitting of the test key and are aligned in the groove to reach the indicated shear line.The process is repeated for corresponding bittings in each of a series of keys, beginning with the key having the highest bitting and ending with the key having the lowest bitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventor: Louis F. Fortunato
  • Patent number: 4096716
    Abstract: A rotatable latch member having stop means thereon, a plurality of locking trains of different lengths mounted to engage and disengage the stop means to lock and unlock the latch member, and a shaft assembly selectively operable by a knob or a key having a number of teeth of predetermined length, there being a key tooth for each train, the length of that tooth depending upon the length of its train. Said knob and said key being independently operable to cause all of the locking trains to disengage the stop means to unlock the latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Inventor: Paul S. Cormier