Abstract: A tamper-resistant lock assembly comprising a plate having a slot for receiving a key, the slot extending through the plate from an opening in a front face thereof to an exit in an opposing rear face thereof, the opening having a first profile and the exit having a second, different profile, the key comprising a shaft having a bit extending therefrom, the bit being formed of a shape memory material and being pre-configured such that its cross-sectional shape in its temporary form matches the first profile and the bit can be inserted through the slot via the opening and, upon application of a predetermined external stimulus, returns to a permanent form in which its cross-sectional shape matches the second profile and the bit can be retracted from the slot via the exit.

Abstract: A key whose blade includes axially a window forming an opening throughout the thickness of the blade between two opposite faces thereof, and a set of rollers mounted in series along the windows with each roller being mounted freely rotating around a spindle fixed transversal to the window. The key could concern security keys designed to cooperate with a pin tumbler cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device of a motor vehicle, having a key (10) and a lock cylinder, wherein the lock cylinder comprises a cylinder core rotatably supported in a cylinder housing of the lock cylinder, a channel comprising the cylinder core and into which the key (10) can be inserted, spring-loaded tumbler elements displaceably supported radial to the cylinder axis of the lock cylinder when inserting the key (10) into the channel radial to the cylinder axis of the lock cylinder, the plurality of outer surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) on the key (10) comprising at least two encoding strips (51a, 51b) acting on the tumbler elements when the key (10) is inserted.

Abstract: A cylinder lock assembly including a plug rotatable in a cylinder lock body and including a plurality of chambers, each of the chambers having a chamber depth axis, and a plurality of plug locking elements received in the chambers, each of the plug locking elements including a key cut interface probe for interfacing with a key cut formed on a key, and wherein each of the plug locking elements is arranged to move along the chamber depth axis and not rotate about the chamber depth axis, and each of the key cut interface probes has a predetermined orientation with respect to the chamber depth axis.

Abstract: A method for profiling the broad sides of a flat key, a key blank being clamped in a clamping device so that the broad side of the key blank is exposed. Guide grooves and variation grooves which are complementary to the longitudinal sectional profile of the cutter teeth are milled into the broad side by advance in the longitudinal direction of the key, in one work operation, using a milling cutter that has cutter teeth on its peripheral surface and rotates about a cutter shaft. To produce undercut grooves, the axis of the cutter shaft is inclined at an angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal center plane of the key, ribs of the cutter teeth producing an undercut guide wall using at least one rib.

Abstract: A method for profiling broad sides of a flat reversible key. A key blank is clamped to expose the first broad side of the key blank and complementary grooves and ribs are milled using a milling cutter with cutter teeth by advance in the longitudinal direction of the key relative to the longitudinal section profile of the cutter teeth. The key blank is then clamped in a position turned by 180° about the longitudinal center axis of the key so that the second broad side of the blank is exposed, and complementary grooves and ribs are milled into the broad side with milling cutter, by advance in the longitudinal direction of the key. The cutter shaft axes is inclined at an angle of inclination (?) relative to the longitudinal center plane of the key, at least one cutter tooth rib of the cutter teeth producing an undercut guide wall.

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 locking device comprises a key (10) and a locking cylinder (30). The locking cylinder (30) in turn is composed of a stationary cylinder housing (31) and a cylinder core (32) rotatably supported therein. In order to increase the break-in safety, it is proposed to use two types of plate closures (40, 50) in the cylinder core (32), the displacement of that closure pointing into two radial directions (41, 51) that differ from each other. The key (10) comprises planar outer surfaces (12, 13) disposed at an angle to each other, the two types of plate closures (40, 50) being parallel displaceable to said surfaces. Each of the two adjoining outer surfaces (12, 13) has a dedicated linear control path (21, 22), which varies in adjoining key sections transversely to the key longitudinal direction (29) for coding the key (10).

Abstract: A pin-tumbler locking mechanism comprising a lock-core with an elongated key slot and a series of bores arranged in a plane of the key slot for a corresponding series of driver pins of various lengths slidably received in the bores. The lock-core is normally supported in lock casing. A corresponding series of spring-supported key pins is seated in a series of bores coaxially with the driver pins so that normally at least some of the key pins are adapted to push respective driver pins to project into the key slot each by a different extent according to the respective lengths thereof; a key comprising alternately teeth and notches so that when inserted into the key slot, the driver pin ends contacting the key pins become flushed with planar surface to allow a sliding movement of the lock-core within the lock casing.

Abstract: A key device including a shaft including a key-cut surface for forming inward key cuts thereon, a key head mounted on the shaft; and a fixed key pin protruding outwards from the key-cut surface.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed include keys, lock cylinders, and key and lock cylinder combinations. The keys include a bow and a blade extending from the bow, where the blade includes at least one undercut groove in a lateral side thereof that receives at least one projection defining a keyway passage of a lock cylinder in which the key is positioned.

Abstract: A key blank comprises a shaft and a head connected to the shaft, the shaft including first and second surface that are oppositely facing, wherein the surfaces are configured to include combination elements to operate a lock and a pair of coaxial operating elements, wherein one element of the pair is operative from the first surface of the shaft and the other element of the pair is operative from the second surface of the shaft, and wherein at least one of the operative elements is a resilient element mounted inside a bore provided in the shaft, wherein the resilient element is operative to exert a compressive force on a pin mechanism of the lock in response to the operative engagement and thereby release the pin mechanism from a lock position, without requiring any pressure on the coaxial element on the other side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device, in particular for a motor vehicle, having a key (10) and a lock cylinder (30), having a cylinder core (32), which is mounted in a rotatable manner in a cylinder housing (31) and has a key channel (33) into which the key (10) can be introduced, having spring-loaded tumbler elements (41, 42), which are mounted such that, when the key (10) is inserted into the key channel (33), they can be displaced radially in relation to the axis (34) of the lock cylinder (30), and having a plurality of outer surfaces (13, 14, 15), which are provided on the key (10), have control tracks (11, 12) and act on the tumbler elements (41, 42) when the key (10) is introduced.

Abstract: A cylinder lock and key combination includes a cylinder lock with a housing accommodating a rotatable key plug having a keyway. A row of tumbler pins are arranged in corresponding cylindrical chambers for engagement with coded V-cut bittings of an associated key. A longitudinal side bar with a row of inner projecting lugs each selectively registering with one or more recesses in the tumbler pins is slidingly journalled for transversal movement in the key plug. The coded V-cut bittings are at a respective angle and are located at a respective vertical level. The row of inner projecting lugs of the side bar is located above the top bitting level of the key blade. The tumbler pins are positioned in pin recesses located in a cylindrical outer surface and covered by a cylindrical wall part of an associated one of said cylindrical chambers, without communicating downwardly with the keyway.

Abstract: A thin key that is thin but includes serrations on each of two opposite sides of a blade (42, 72). The key is associated with a cylinder lock including a rotor (13) with tumblers (21-28) retained in the rotor. The blade, which is for insertion into the rotor of the cylinder lock, includes opposite first and second wide sides (F1, F3; F2, F4) and opposite first and second narrow sides (51, 74; 52, 75). A first notch (54, 76) is formed in the first wide side and a second notch (64, 86) is formed in the second wide side. The first and second notches each have a serrated wall (54a, 76a; 64a, 86a) engageable with the tumblers. The first notch and the second notch are spaced apart so that they do not overlap each other. The sum of the depths of the first and second notches (L1, D1; L2, D2) is greater than or equal to the thickness of the blade (L3, D3).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to key assemblies and their mating locks, and more particularly, to keys with mutually compressible, actuating elements capable of being continuously positioned axially within apertures in a key blade.

Abstract: A lock cylinder including a cylinder core rotatably supported about a cylinder axis in a cylinder housing; locking pin which blocks the cylinder core against a rotational movement in a radially outer blocking position and which releases the cylinder core for a rotational movement in a radially inner release position; tumbler disks rotatably supported between a latch position and an unlatch position, wherein each tumbler disk has a central reception opening for receiving a key and at least one peripheral cut-out for receiving the locking pin in the release position, wherein the locking pin can only be displaced into the release position when all the tumbler disks are in their unlatch position; and intermediate disks arranged along a cylinder axis in the cylinder core. A respective intermediate disk is arranged between two mutually adjacent tumbler disks, the intermediate disks having a predefined rotational play relative to the cylinder core.

Abstract: A key for opening multiple axial pin locks has a base member with an indexing element and a number of lock pins, configured to match the keyways of the locks. The key has a microprocessor with access to information on the pin configuration for each lock to be opened, and the lock pins are selectively positioned along the base member to match the configuration of a key for a particular lock in response to the user entering an identification code for that lock. The lock pins can slidably engage recessed tracks in the base member, which serve to direct the lock pins parallel to an axis of the base member. A pin latching mechanism can be provided to secure the lock pins in the desired position.

Abstract: A cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug (112) having a profiled keyway (113,116), the keyway being configured to accommodate an elongated, substantially flat key blade (120) with a longitudinal groove (122). The keyway in the key plug has two opposite lateral sides and a profile rib (150) located at a substantially flat lateral side. The profile rib has a downwardly projecting tongue portion (161) configured to extend inside the profile groove (122) upon inserting the key (120) into the key plug (112) of the lock, and the tongue portion of the profile rib is extended downwardly into a lowermost, massive end portion (162) which has two opposite side surfaces (163,164) and a lowermost transverse end surface (165) which is substantially flat or slightly curved.

Abstract: A combination includes a disc tumbler cylinder lock and key. The disc tumbler cylinder lock of the combination comprises a rotation limiter of the key, and the key comprises guidance surfaces for the rotation limiter. The rotation limiter comprises a frame, which comprises a key profile opening, and a casing, which at least partially surrounds the frame. The frame comprises a limiting mechanism and a locking mechanism, which are disposed in a line such that the limiting mechanism is on the other side of the key profile opening and the locking mechanism is on the opposite side of the key profile opening.

Abstract: A key body and an associated lock core are disclosed. The disclosed lock core includes a core body, a core sleeve, a core plug, and a side pin assembly including a side pin, a region pin, and a spring.

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 key system including a mechanical key and a lock apparatus into which the mechanical key is insertable. The mechanical key includes a key code pattern having recessed portions and non-recessed portions. The mechanical key is operated in key manipulation directions. The lock apparatus includes tumblers, each of which is associated with one of the recessed and non-recessed portions. The lock apparatus mechanically verifies the key code pattern when the mechanical key is inserted therein based on whether the tumblers are aligned with the associated recessed and non-recessed portions. The recessed and non-recessed portions in the key code pattern are deviated from the key manipulation directions.

Abstract: A key device for use with more than one lock, the key device including a shaft portion, and at least one movable key combination element retained within the shaft portion and including first and second portions adjacent one another, the first portion of the at least one movable key combination element being located along on the shaft portion and the second portion of the at least one movable key combination element being located offset to the first portion.

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 method and apparatus for extending an existing simplex or multiplex lock-and-key system that includes a family of first keys each having a first profile and of a corresponding plurality of first locks each operable by a first key and each having a first keyway configured for accepting the first key profile. Second keys of a new family are defined with a core section corresponding to the first key profile and a narrowed projection extending from the bottom of the core section. Corresponding second locks have a second keyway profile defined as the compliment of the second key profile, thus including a complimentary core section and a foot recess extending from the bottom of the second keyway core section. The second locks accept a second key positioned at the second keyway baseline to normally lift the lock pin stacks and operate the second lock.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to key assemblies and their mating locks, and more particularly, to keys with mutually compressible, actuating elements capable of being continuously positioned axially within apertures in a key blade.

Abstract: A lock cylinder having: a cylinder core having a key channel for inserting a key which is provided with profiling; at least one feeler element which is disposed in the cylinder core, is acted on by a spring and is held in a blocking position by the spring when the key is not inserted in the key channel; and a blocking element which, when the feeler element is in the blocking position, is held in a blocking position which blocks rotation of the cylinder core. The feeler element can be shifted against the return force of the spring into a release position by the profiling on the matching key inserted into the key channel, in which position the locking element can be deflected into a position releasing the cylinder core.

Abstract: A pin setting key for setting rotational orientations of pins of a lock. The key includes a bow portion and a blade portion for inserting into a keyway. The blade portion has a longitudinal axis and a bow end and a tip end, with a plurality of bitting positions located between the bow and tip ends. Each of the bitting positions corresponds to one of the pins of the plug such that insertion of the blade portion into the keyway aligns the bitting position with one of the pins. Each bitting position includes at least one bitting surface configured to rotate a pin when the contact surface of the pin contacts the bitting surface. Each bitting surface is offset from a central location of the respective bitting position. Each bitting surface has an axis extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the blade.

Abstract: A profiled key for use in an associated cylinder lock provided with a rotatable key plug having a longitudinal keyway. The key has a substantially flat key blade with a longitudinally extending profile groove at a side surface thereof and at least one local recess adjacent to the profile groove. The local recess constitutes a locally expanded portion of the profile groove, and the locally expanded portion of the profile groove has a cross-section with two opposite, non-symmetrical side walls. The local recess will accommodate a blocking element in the lock, and permit full insertion of the key blade into the keyway.

Abstract: A cylinder lock is disclosed. The cylinder lock can be used on a motor vehicle door lock. The disclosed cylinder lock has plate tumblers and also a key for the cylinder lock. The key for the cylinder lock could be a reversible key.

Abstract: The invention is concerned 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.

Abstract: Cylinder lock and key with a rotatable plug in a cylindrical housing has radial slots each with two tumblers spring biased in the same direction and provided with side extensions for engaging a supporting spring. The side extensions are oriented opposite each other, and in certain slots the tumblers are spring biased in one direction and in other slots the tumblers are spring biased in another direction. The tumblers have cord projections protruding into a key channel and engaging control paths. The tumblers in series in odd slots are spring biased in one direction and tumblers in even slots are spring biased in the opposite direction, whereby their cord projections protrude in a direction orthogonal to sliding motion of the tumblers so that the cord projections are in each slot, substantially against each other and their lateral control edges adjacent the side projections cooperate with the control paths formed on the adjacent side walls of the control grooves in the key.

Abstract: A cylinder lock and key combination is disclosed. The lock comprises a housing (30) having a cylindrical bore and a cylindrical key plug (33) being rotatably journalled in said cylindrical bore. The key plug has a longitudinal, profiled keyway (34) and means (1, 2) for locking the key plug against rotation in the cylindrical bore unless a correctly cut key is fully inserted into the keyway. The key blade (60) has a cross-sectional profile fitting into said keyway, and a profile groove (61) extending longitudinally along the key blade. The lock comprises a blocking mechanism with at least one blocking element (20), which is movable from a first blocking position, in which first projecting portion (21) of the cross-sectional profile of the blocking element extends outside the cross-sectional contour of said profile rib, into a second blocking position, in which a second projecting portion (22) extends outside the contour of the rib and is accommodated in a recess (70) in the key blade.

Abstract: A key includes a body that is plate-shaped to be inserted into a locking device, and a groove that is formed in the body and engages with a plurality of tumblers of the locking device to allow locking and unlocking operations. The groove includes, at a location corresponding to one tumbler of the locking device, a non-engagement part that does not engage with the one tumbler. The groove may include an inside groove, and the non-engagement part may include a notch portion that the inside groove is cut to reach an edge portion of the body.

Abstract: A key for use in a cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug having a profiled keyway. The key comprises an elongated, substantially flay key blade (120; 120?) having a longitudinal profile groove (122; 122?) extending along at least a portion of the length of the key blade. The groove has an undercut portion (129) adjacent to a ridge portion (128, 128?), the outside of which forms part of a side surface (123; 123?) of the key blade. The undercut portion (129; 129?) of the groove is expanded, at its innermost part adjacent to and inside said ridge portion, into a longitudinally extending pocket (135; 135?).

Abstract: A key for use in a cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug having an elongated key blade with a relatively wide lower portion and a relatively narrow upper portion. A step-like transition region between the wider lower portion and the narrow upper portion. The key blade includes a longitudinal profile groove located adjacent to the step-like transition region that extends along at least a portion of the length of the blade. An inner wall of groove is substantially parallel to a side surface of the lower portion of the key blade. The longitudinal profile groove includes an undercut portion adjacent to and inside a ridge portion of the key blade. The outside of ridge portion forms a part of the side surface of the blade in the relatively wide lower portion up to the step-like transition region and the inside of ridge portion facing inner wall of the groove.

Abstract: A tumbler pin lock includes an auxiliary locking mechanism including an auxiliary locking pin to provide enhance locking in addition to the locking provided by the tumbler pins so that the lock remains locked even if the tumblers are picked or bumped into their unlocked positions.

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.

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.

Abstract: A lock core and key blank are disclosed. The disclosed lock core includes a core body, a core sleeve, a core plug, and a side pin assembly including a side pin, a region pin, and a spring.

Abstract: A key with a very large number of code combinations. The key includes a longitudinally extending key blade with a wave-like side code pattern forming a wave-like surface including a ramp portion at a free end portion of the key blade with the wave-like guide being formed on the key blade at a side surface. A key contacting portion engages the wave-like side code pattern and is positioned by way of a specific pivotal position of the finger. A specific asymmetric displacement of the key contacting portion is formed in an asymmetric free end of the finger so that the specific pivotal displacement of the key contacting portion is available relative to the specific pivotal displacement relative to the wave-like side code pattern. The number of possible code combinations is consequently further increased.

Abstract: A tumbler-type key verification system including a tumbler-type key and a lock apparatus. The lock apparatus includes a support member, a movable member movable relative to the support member, tumblers which are biased by tumbler springs and are arranged to engage with the support member and the movable member, and a lock mechanism that reinforces the locking strength of the tumblers. The lock mechanism having a two-piece structure including a first piece movably accommodated in the movable member and a second piece movably accommodated in the support member. The lock mechanism reinforces the locking strength of the tumblers by having the first piece or the second piece engage both the movable member and the support member before the tumbler-type key is inserted into the lock apparatus or when the tumbler-type key is being inserted into the lock apparatus.

Abstract: A lock device having a key and a lock cylinder. The lock cylinder includes a fixed cylinder housing and a cylinder core mounted to rotate therein. The key shaft (10.3) has an edge profile and may be inserted in a key way of the cylinder core in which displaceable tumblers (41, 42) are located transverse to the above. The key shaft (10.3) has profiled recesses running in the longitudinal direction. The recesses have a pair of follow points for each tumbler (41, 42) for coding the key, whilst the tumbler (41. 42) has a pair of counter follow points which are the basis of the corresponding counter coding. A space-saving design of the lock device is achieved with a large range of variation for the coding wherein both follow points are on the key shaft (10.3) in the form of recesses, arranged on opposing lateral surfaces to an edge (57.2; 57.3) of the edge profile of the key shaft (10.3). A web (22: 23) is thus generated in the corner region of the edge profile between both recesses.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein can include one or more labels, each label having an indicia receiving surface adapted to receive indicium or indicia. The indicia receiving surface can provide a permanent, durable writing surface. A key for operating a mechanical lock can include one or more labels. The key can include a key main body and at least one label coupled to the key main body. The key main body comprises a head and an elongate body coupled to the head. The elongate body is configured to physically engage and operate a lock, such as a mechanical lock. The label can define an indicia receiving surface adapted to receive indicium or indicia.

Abstract: A high security lock and key system with an increased number of code combinations wherein the blade of the key has a wave-like guiding surface at the side of the key blade which, upon insertion into an associated lock having a rotatable key plug, engages with one or more side locking tumblers in the lock cooperating with a side locking mechanism for locking the key plug against rotation. In order to provide an even higher number of possible code combinations, while preserving the overall dimensions of the locks and the keys of the system, an extra code level located at a longitudinally extending shelf surface, viz. at the upper boundary of the side material region where the wave-like guiding surface is cut at the side of the key blade. The invention also relates to a key and a key blade and to a lock for use in such a system.

Abstract: A lock system includes keys, key blanks, keyways, and lock cylinders, and the keys or key blanks have opposite sides formed with grooves for cooperating with a conforming keyway. More particularly, the sides of the key or key blank have a portion grooved for registration, another portion grooved for top-level hierarchical master keying, and two other portions, one on each side of the blade, for further master key variations and different combinations. One of the two further sections being curvilinear and the other rectangular or angular cuts. The conforming keyway of the lock includes ridges and grooves corresponding to the grooves and ridges, respectively, of the key or key blank. Instruments other than keys or key blanks may be used to enter the grooves and ridges of the keyway to operate the lock without the use of a precisely configured key.

Abstract: A lock 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 process for opening a combination lock having a known opening sequence with a tool having a driven portion operable only upon receipt of an authorization, the process including associating the tool's driven portion with the lock such that the driven portion automatically calibrates with the lock irrespective of the initial position of the lock and authorizing the driven portion to proceed through the known lock opening sequence of a predetermined series of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations to unlock the lock. A method of opening a combination lock with a tool, the combination lock having an opening sequence consisting of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of a non finger manipulable lock opening component, the method including mating the tool with the lock opening component and operating the tool to rotate the lock opening component through a series of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations corresponding to the opening sequence to unlock the lock.

Abstract: A key system including a key for use with a barrel lock having a rotating locking mechanism. The key includes a grip portion and a shank portion operatively attached to the grip portion. The shank portion includes at least one cam surface for rotatably engaging the rotating locking mechanism to permit rotation of the mechanism in one of a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, but not the other direction, to lock the barrel lock.