Bitting Patents (Class 70/409)
  • Patent number: 7698921
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mul-T-Lock Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi Almagor, Dani Markbreit
  • Patent number: 7694542
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for locking and unlocking a component, where the system comprises a lock adapted to lock a component, the lock capable of being opened by manipulation of a combination mechanism, the lock having a communication apparatus for communicating information related to the opening of the lock with a tool. The system further comprises a tool matable with the lock and adapted to open the lock by manipulation of the combination mechanism, the tool adapted to receive the communicated information related to the opening of the lock from the communication apparatus. Also disclosed are locks and tools suitable for use in such a system, and methods of opening at least one combination lock with a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Stanton Concepts Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Loughlin, John Loughlin, Arthur L. Arledge
  • Patent number: 7690232
    Abstract: A locking device having a locking cylinder and a key. The locking cylinder includes a cylinder core with tumblers in a cylinder core, which is rotatably mounted in a cylinder housing. Standard coding for the key is produced by a step with longitudinal profiling on at least one flat side of the edge profile of the key, said step being associated with a counter step on the tumbler. In addition to the standard coding produced by step and counter step, the key has at least one set of beveled edge coding in a corner section of the edge profile. The beveled edged coding consists of recesses in the form of beveled cuts in the corresponding corner sections of the edge profile, relative to which are provided counter touching points in the corresponding tumbler. In a section of the key shaft, either the standard coding or beveled edge coding can optionally be used, thereby considerably increasing the diversity of the locking device while retaining the space-saving design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Klein, Matthias Habecke, Dirk Jacob
  • Patent number: 7681425
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Stanley Security Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Diana Teixeira
  • Patent number: 7665336
    Abstract: A lock and key system with a very large number of code combinations. The lock (200) includes side locking tumblers (206) having pivoting fingers (208) with asymmetric key contacting portions (220r), which engage with a wave-like code pattern (105) formed at the side of the key (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 7665337
    Abstract: A key for use in a cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug having a profiled keyway including a longitudinal profile rib at a side wall of the keyway. The key has an elongated, substantially flat 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 and the inside of which comprises a side wall portion (126; 126?) being inclined and facing the bottom wall (124; 124?) of the groove. The undercut portion (129; 129?) of the groove is expanded, at its innermost part adjacent to the inclined side wall portion (126; 126?), into a longitudinally extending pocket (135; 135?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widen
  • Patent number: 7647798
    Abstract: A lock includes a core rotatably disposed within a barrel. A plurality of tumbler pins are disposed in shafts in the core and communicate with a keyway. A side-pin shaft intersects each tumbler pin shaft at a selected angle. Each tumbler pin includes a side hole at a position along its length that aligns with the side-pin shaft when a proper key is inserted. An independent side pin is disposed in each side-pin shaft. One end of each side pin rests against its associated tumbler pin and the other end of each side pin is tapered and extends into a channel in the barrel. The side pins are biased outwardly by a spring towards the channel. The angle at which each side-pin shaft intersects each tumbler shaft may be different. The spacing between tumbler pin shafts may be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: VSR Lock, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark David Jones, Drannon Owen Tidwell
  • Patent number: 7647799
    Abstract: A key blank including a generally elongate shaft portion defining first and second generally flat oppositely directed side surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second side surfaces cuttable to form key cuts that define a key combination surface, and at least one key combination element movably disposed in the elongate shaft portion and adapted for touching a lock combination element disposed in a cylinder lock plug, wherein the at least one key combination element has inherent energy for applying an urging force against the lock combination element. A key formed from the key blank and lock therefore are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Mul-T-Lock Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Dani Markbreit, Effi Ben-Aharon
  • Publication number: 20090301149
    Abstract: A key with a very large number of code combinations. The key includes a longitudinally extending by blade with a wave-like side code pattern forming a wave-like surface including a range 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Bo WIDEN
  • Patent number: 7621163
    Abstract: A high security key blade and key for use with a lock having a cylindrical shell, a key plug which is rotatably mounted in the shell, a longitudinal key slope in the key plug, and at least one locking tumbler assembly cooperating with a key being inserted into the lock. The locking tumbler assembly includes a pair of independently movable tumbler segments which are positionable in different elevational positions in a common cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widen
  • Patent number: 7571629
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Dorma Door Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Lloyd Seliber
  • Patent number: 7552608
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Medeco Security Locks, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Field, Steve Poff
  • Patent number: 7487653
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 7484392
    Abstract: A cylinder lock provided with a thick key including an elongated base having two surfaces. A serrated wall extends from one surface of the base. A key groove is formed by the serrated wall. A rib is formed on the other surface of the base. The cylinder lock is further provided with a rotatable rotor including a keyway into which the thick key is inserted. A first cavity is formed in the keyway and shaped to enable insertion of the base of the thick key. A second cavity is formed in the keyway and shaped to enable insertion of the serrated wall of the thick key. A third cavity is formed in the keyway and shaped to enable insertion of the rib of the thick key. The keyway enables insertion of a thin key in lieu of the thick key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Toshiharu Katagiri
  • Patent number: 7421869
    Abstract: Tumbler pins 2 are movably housed in a plug 1. A locked/unlocked state is determined by the turning position on the moving direction center axes of the tumbler pins 2. An unlocking key 4 to be inserted into the plug 1 is provided with unlocking code forming recesses 3 for determining the turning positions of the tumbler pins at code decision positions. The tumbler pins 2 are provided at their leading end portions with drive portions 5, which have slope sides of conical faces gradually reduced in diameter toward the leading ends and having rotational centers offset from the moving direction center axes. The side wall faces of the unlocking code forming recesses 3 are formed of conical faces having rotational centers substantially aligned with those of the conical faces forming the slope sides of the drive portions 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventor: Shunichi Osada
  • Publication number: 20080196461
    Abstract: A high security key blade and key for use with a lock having a cylindrical shell, a key plug which is rotatably mounted in the shell, a longitudinal key slop in the key plug, and at least one locking tumbler assembly cooperating with the key being inserted into the lock. The locking tumbler assembly includes a pair of independently movable tumbler segments which are positionable in different elevational positions in a common cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Bo WIDEN
  • Patent number: 7412860
    Abstract: A key blank or key has a rectangular parallel metal shaped blade which has side edges formed with grooves for cooperating with a complementary shaped keyway; the sides of the blank having 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Medeco Security Locks, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Field, Steve Poff
  • Patent number: 7392676
    Abstract: A key blank for a cylinder lock comprising a bow 308, a blade longitudinally extending from the bow to a tip, and having a longitudinally extending upper edge 306 to be cut with coded bitting for mating with a tumbler stack of a cylinder lock. A projection 148 extends outwardly on the upper edge adjacent the bow, rising from longitudinally extending surfaces 318 at elevation e0 below the elevation e1 of the upper edge, and having a length parallel to the upper edge that is greater than a width transverse to the edge. The projection is interposed between a front edge portion 306 to be cut with the coded bitting and a back edge portion 310 extending to the bow at elevation e4 above elevation e1. The projection has cam surfaces converging longitudinally and transversely toward a nose 180 at elevation e3 above elevation e1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kaba Ilco Corp.
    Inventor: Charles W. Eden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7377146
    Abstract: A cylinder lock plug that utilizes an axially moving sidebar. The sidebar is displaced axially by a key positioning mechanism on the blade of a uniquely configured key. Also on the key are unique short grooves on the lateral sides of the key blade running substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the key blade. The short grooves are configured complementary to an inner surface of the axially moving sidebar. Only the properly configured key can receive the sidebar as the key is turned to rotate the cylinder lock plug and the short grooves receive the inner surface. The invention is meant to be used with additional locking mechanisms, such as, for example, tumblers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventors: Brandon S. Field, Tyler H. Field
  • Patent number: 7370502
    Abstract: A high security cylinder lock (1) and key (2) combination comprising a cylindrical shell (140), a key plug (130) which is rotatably mounted in the shell (140), a longitudinal key slot (100) in the key plug, and at least one locking tumbler assembly cooperating with a key being inserted into the lock. The locking tumbler assembly comprises a pair of independently movable tumbler segments (113, 114) which are positionable in different elevational positions in a common cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widen
  • Patent number: 7337639
    Abstract: An exemplary method of making a key is provided. A bitted surface is formed in a key blade of a key blank. A groove is formed in a first side of the key blade. At least one receptacle is formed in the groove. A notch is formed in the groove adjacent to the at least one receptacle for mating with a rib in a lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Billy B. Edwards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7240525
    Abstract: Master-keyed pin tumbler lock and relative master-key, where each pin has an inner window with an outer protuberance, which a spring acts upon and an inner projection, which the key acts upon, giving rise to the movement of the pin. The inner projections are at different heights and the pins are placed so that some move in one direction and others in the opposite direction, each pin having, in its inner window, a step placed on the opposite side to that of the inner projection. On one of the sides of the key there is a notch whose minimum width is the distance between the maximum level reached by the projections of the pins that move in one direction and the maximum level reached by those of the pins that move in the opposite direction; on the opposite side they have a double serration combined with the steps of the inner windows of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ojmar, S.A.
    Inventor: Benito Sevillano Gil
  • Patent number: 7207200
    Abstract: A key blank and key for mating with a core having a plurality of cutouts penetrating from the core surface to the keyway, and a plurality of activator inserts and filler inserts, such that the installer can locate one or more activator inserts in any of the cutouts, and one or more filler inserts in any of the remaining cutouts, to thereby match the code to be provided in the respective flank or flanks of an authorized key. At least three and preferably at least five slotted cutouts are provided. The inserts are preferably in the form of generally semi-circular plates on at least one side of the core. The inventive key for insertion into a cylinder lock keyway has a blade with top and bottom edges spaced apart along a blade height direction and left and right flanks spaced apart along a blade width direction. A longitudinal channel is formed in at least one flank, having a width extending in the blade height direction and a depth extending in the blade width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kaba Ilco Corp.
    Inventors: Charles W. Eden, Jr., Edward F. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 7181941
    Abstract: In a pin tumbler-type cylinder lock having an auxiliary tumbler stack, the bottom pin of the auxiliary tumbler stack has a recessed underside for receiving a projection on the key to form a detent. The invention provides an additional functionality that has not previously been associated with the auxiliary tumbler stack. When the projection on the key as seated, it prevents the key from being withdrawn from the keyway while the plug is in any rotational position in which the drive and bottom pins are not substantially aligned. Thus, the key is retained whenever the plug has been rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kaba Ilco Corp.
    Inventor: Charles W. Eden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7174757
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lock cylinder and key set, which includes a lock cylinder, which has a keyway with two keyholes separated by a partition, and a key, which has two blades insertable into the two keyholes of the keyway for acting against respective pins in the lock cylinder to unlock the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Yuan-Cheng Tseng
  • Patent number: 7159424
    Abstract: A high security lock and key system with an increased number of code combinations is disclosed. The system is of the kind where the blade of the key has a wave-like guiding surface (104) 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 (206) 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, the present invention provides for an extra code level (121) 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 (100) and a key blade as such, and to a lock (200) as such, for use in such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 7100409
    Abstract: The present invention provides a burglarproof lock core structure which forms a curved passage between a key slot of a plug and a lower pin chamber, such that at least a bending concave surface offsetting the center of the key slot is formed at one side, and cone apexes of a plurality of lower pins are extended out of the lower pin chamber and aligned in the wall edge of the key slot. Moreover, a control valve with a cone apex is located at the other end corresponding to the bending surface inside the key slot, such that a key with curvature corresponding to the passage and notches corresponding to the cone apexes is required to open the lock, thereby having the effect of high security of burglarproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Tsao-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 7040126
    Abstract: A pin tumbler lock is provided with one or more additional chambers for housing a secondary locking member for engagement with a portion of a key. The invention also provides a lock system comprising a plurality of locks, each lock including two chambers. The lock system has a potential of N chamber positions to provide a substantial increase in the number of effective unique pin tumbler combinations that can be produced on the same key section or profile by allowing the same pin tumbler combination to be repeated with different locations of these additional chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Master Lock Company
    Inventor: Billy B. Edwards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6986272
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ignition lock (1), in particular for a driving authorization system in a motor vehicle that interacts for authentication purposes with an electronic key or the like via an encoded operating signal. The ignition lock (1) contains a moving element (2) that can move from a starting position into at least one actuating position and a switching element (3), wherein the moving element (2) has a switching effect onto the switching element (3) in the actuating position. The ignition lock (1) furthermore includes a lever (4) that can be inserted into the moving element (2) for manually moving the moving element (2), wherein a locking feature (5) interacts with the lever (4) in the inserted state so that the removal of the lever (4) from the moving element (2) is blocked. The lever (4) contains an actuating element for the release of the locking feature (5) so that upon actuation of the actuating element the lever (4) can be removed from the moving element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Sandvoss, Reinhart Neumann, Thomas Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6957556
    Abstract: An improved disk-tumbler lock and key for use with a gun-lock device includes a key specifically adapted to be ring-mounted so that it may be worn by and is thus available for the user at all times. The particular shape of the key includes those characteristics which would be desirable for such a key which will function as a ring for the most part, including a sufficient strength to endure physical abuse resulting from common use as a ring, attractive appearance so that the user would be willing to wear it for extended periods, and an inconspicuous jewelry-like appearance to avoid unwarranted attention. In addition, the particular shape of the key and the mating keyway in the lock assembly are aimed at further improving the speed and reliability at which the key may be inserted into the lock assembly aided only by the user's tactile senses. The physical shape also lends itself to be easily and inexpensively manufactured using various fabrication processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Don Dongcho Ha
  • Patent number: 6945082
    Abstract: A key blank, key and master keying system for a twisting tumbler sidebar lock of the type where the sidebar is blocked or unblocked by a selectively positioned longitudinally extending slider, has a key blank with a slider contacting surface on a rib on the blank below the bitting area at one of a plurality of selected predetermined locations. A key with skew cut bittings can be cut on the blank and the blank can be configured with the slider contacting surface at different predetermined locations. The slider contact area on the rib of the key blank can be divided into two horizontal portions at different predetermined locations and the slider itself can have contact surfaces also positioned at different predetermined locations so that a number of different master keying variations are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Medeco Security Locks, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Field, Andy E. Perkins, Anthony Hicks, Mark Benzie, Glenn Hartman, Clyde Roberson, Thomas Duckwall, Kevin Lee, W. Daniel Boadwine
  • Patent number: 6925844
    Abstract: The present application advantageously provides at least one keyway in a lock core that poses tremendous difficulty for a lock breaker by not allowing the lock breaker to see all of the pin tumblers in the keyway. The keyway according to a preferred embodiment of the present application comprises two helical keyways oppositely extending along a longitudinal axis of the lock core and formed of rectangular cross section. The present application further comprises an accompanying helical key having at least one helical key blade for fitting into the keyway having a corresponding helical shape to turn the core and open the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Chien-Kuo Liu
  • Patent number: 6912881
    Abstract: The security reversible key with an assigned cylinder (Z) has a blocking groove (BN) with a coded blocking depth (B1, B2, B3), which runs parallel to the axis of the key (x) from the tip of the key to at least the first position (P1) of a row of tumbler pins (A2) on the key. In the assigned cylinder, at least at the rearmost coding position (P1), a pair of tumbler pins corresponding to the blocking groove (BN) with a blocking tumbler pin (BZ) and an extended blocking counter pin (BG) are foreseen, whereby the blocking counter pin (BG) impinges on the cylinder housing (10), if the blocking groove is insufficiently deep and, with this, the complete insertion of a key with an insufficiently deep blocking groove is blocked by the pair of blocking tumbler pins. Simultaneously, the blocking tumbler pin (BZ) with the counter pin (BG) at the position (P1) also serves as coding tumbler pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kaba Schliesssysteme AG
    Inventor: Arno Kleinhaeni
  • Patent number: 6851292
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock-key system comprising a flat key (1), which is insertable into the keyway of a cylinder core (3), wherein grooves (4) and ribs (5) inside the keyway are assigned to corresponding ribs (5a) and grooves (4a) located on both flat sides of the key (1), wherein the key is subdivided from the key spine (6) to the key facing into different profile sections. The middle profile section is assigned to at least one groove (4) on one outer surface of the keyway (2) and to a rib (5) on the opposite outer surface of the keyway. Both the groove (4) as well as the rib (5) comprise a flank (4?, 5?), which extends perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the center plane of the key or of the keyway, and comprise a flank (4?, 5?), which extends slantingly to this center plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ikon Aktiengesellschaft Präzisionstechnik
    Inventor: Jürgen Krühn
  • Patent number: 6842742
    Abstract: An improved system for providing early warning preemptive postal equipment replacement. Selected performance parameters the postal equipment are monitored and compared against predetermined operational boundaries. The system is capable of providing for variability in the performance parameters, wherein these parameters may be permitted to vary over time and usage of the equipment. The monitoring gives an indication of the overall system performance. If the system performance goes outside of operational boundaries, or changes significantly over time, replacement of the equipment can then be scheduled with minimal inconvenience to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: George Brookner
  • Publication number: 20040237614
    Abstract: A lock cylinder (1) with a suitable key (2) is described, the lock cylinder (1) comprising a cylinder core (13) rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing (1′) and having a key channel (12) for entry of the key (2), which key (2) has a height-profiled rib (15) topping its broad side, of which the tumbler wards (29) cooperate with the tips of tumbler pins (18a) arranged in a row and consisting of non-rotatable core pins and housing pins in such a way that the tumbler pins (18a) guided in the core/housing apertures crossing the rotary joint (F) between cylinder core (13) and cylinder housing (1′) are aligned in terms of height such that the parting line (T) between core and housing pins (19, 20) aligns with the rotary joint (F). The rib (15) comprises a plurality of control tracks extending side by side in the key insertion direction, which as a consequence of an adapted tumbler pin tip configuration are selectively scanned by individual tumbler pins (18a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Norman Ketzler, Peter Braun, Peter Wollweber
  • Patent number: 6823702
    Abstract: A cylinder lock-key combination including a cylinder housing, a key and a plug which has a circular-cylindrical barrel surface and which is rotatable in an opening in the housing. The barrel surface of the housing includes a key recess whose width exceeds its depth, and a plurality of code pin channels are preferably disposed in several rows. Code pin tumblers present in the code pin channels co-act with one or more blocking elements, such as pins or side bars, disposed in channels intended to this end. The blocking elements block rotation of the plug when one side surface of an inserted key presents wrong code surfaces. There is provided in this way a compact lock construction, which also enables the use of many code pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Assa AB
    Inventor: Ake Häggstrom
  • Patent number: 6799447
    Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a turnable lock cylinder located inside a lock body and a set of code locking discs located inside the lock cylinder. Each locking disc has a key opening and is turnable in the lock body in a first turning direction from an initial position to an opening position by application of turning force to a counter surface bounding the key opening. The key opening of at least a first code locking disc is bounded by at least two discrete counter surfaces. A key is insertable in the lock when the locking discs are all at the initial position. The key has a set of combination surfaces corresponding respectively to the locking discs, for engaging a counter surface of each locking disc and applying turning force thereto when the key is inserted in the lock and is turned in the first turning direction, so that the locking discs are turned in the first turning direction to their respective opening positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Abloy Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Mielonen, Seppo Kiiski
  • Publication number: 20040172992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a screw lock, wherein a core is provided in the interior of the body, a key hole formed to be a fork shape is provided in the center of the core in axle direction, and the screw holes have some pins respectively; a front end of the key corresponding to the key hole and the pins is designed to be a fork-like screw shank with many teeth. When the key is screwed into the key hole of the core, each of the teeth may raise a pin to the unlock position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Yung-Chen Huang
  • Publication number: 20040148989
    Abstract: A key for locks in the invention mainly has a key body provided with at least two pivot lugs disposed at one end thereof. Each of the pivot lugs has a through hole and can be pivoted with an insert member by a pivot member. Each of the insert members has an opening slot disposed at one end thereof, a through hole penetrating through the opening slot and at least one engagement hole disposed therein. Every two of the insert members can be engaged by an elastic member. When the key is inserted into a keyhole of a lock core of a lock, the insert members of the key body will be extended into the keyhole of the lock core to rotate the lock core to open the lock, thus achieving an effect of actually preventing the lock from being unlocked illegally by a general key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Hui-Hua Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20040148987
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides at least one keyway in a lock core that poses tremendous difficulty for a lock breaker by not allowing the lock breaker to see all of the pin tumblers in the keyway. The keyway according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two helical keyways oppositely extending along a longitudinal axis of the lock core and formed of rectangular cross section. The present invention further comprises an accompanying helical key having at least one helical key blade for fitting into the keyway having a corresponding helical shape to turn the core and open the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Chien-Kuo Liu
  • Patent number: 6758074
    Abstract: A key has a blade formed with a part-cylindrical face and with a pair of relatively shallow, outwardly open, and generally parallel but spaced grooves formed in the face extending generally longitudinally in a nonstraight path and a relatively deep and outwardly open groove formed in the face and extending generally longitudinally in a nonstraight path generally nonparallel to the shallow grooves. The grooves each have a plurality of control positions at which they extend substantially parallel to the blade and are inclined to the blade between the respective control positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Evva-Werk Spezialerzeugung Von Zylinder-und Sicherheitsschlossern Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kurt Prunbauer
  • Publication number: 20040060332
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a key that poses tremendous difficulty for a lock breaker by not allowing the lock breaker to see all of the pin tumblers in the keyway. The keyway according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a curvature such that one cannot see the end of the keyway. The present invention further comprises a key having flexibility for fitting into the keyway having a curvature to turn the plug and open the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: GoldContinent Inventech International Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Kuo Liu
  • Patent number: 6698264
    Abstract: A core assembly for a lock includes a core, a sleeve, and a housing. The core has a keyhole longitudinally defined therein. An elongated slot is defined beside and communicated with the keyhole. Multiple lower lock balls are received in the core and not aligned with the elongated slot. The sleeve is securely provided outside the core. The housing is provided outside the sleeve, and has multiple upper lock balls corresponding to the lower lock balls. The lower lock balls are not accessible directly through the keyhole and the elongated slot, so that it is impossible to unlock the lock by a tool without a correct key, and the lock has a high security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Wan-Chien Liao
  • Publication number: 20040025549
    Abstract: An ignition lock is provided for a driving authorization system in a motor vehicle that interacts for authentication purposes with an electronic key or the like via an encoded operating signal. The ignition lock contains a moving element that can move from a starting position into at least one actuating position of a switching element. The moving element has a switching effect on the switching element in the actuating position. The ignition lock includes a lever that can be inserted into the moving element for manually moving the moving element. A locking feature interacts with the lever in the inserted state so that the removal of the lever from the moving element is blocked. The lever contains an actuating element for the release of the locking feature so that upon actuation of the actuating element the lever can be removed from the moving element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Ralf Sandvoss, Reinhart Neumann, Thomas Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20040016273
    Abstract: The safety key has a shank (6) which is provided with a plurality of control surfaces (7) for properly positioning tumblers and has a front end and a rear end (6a, 6b). At a front end (4a), the rotor (4) of the associated locking cylinder (2) has at least one further control surface (8), which interacts with a further control surface (9) arranged at the rear end (6b) of the shank (5). The safety key is backward compatible and is relatively difficult to copy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Patent number: 6681609
    Abstract: A key is provided with an actuator. The key also has operation structure and interaction structure. When the key is inserted into a lock, a force is applied to the operation structure and the position of the interaction structure is altered. The movement of the interaction structure is used in the locking and/or un-locking mechanism of the lock. A key handle and lock are also provided which incorporate such a mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Australian Lock Company Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Francis Preddey
  • Publication number: 20040003634
    Abstract: The rotary locking cylinder comprises a housing (5) and at least one rotor (8) provided with a key channel (27). Tumblers are provided to rotationally release the armature (8) with a key (17) associated therewith. A driver (6) is provided with at least one extension element (3) on the active part (2) of the rotary cylinder. Said extension element comprises a housing (24) and a rotatable insert (9). At least one extension element (3) is arranged on an outer side on the active part (2) at a distance from the driver (6). The key shank is extended in a manner which corresponds substantially to the length (A) of the extension element (3). Preferably, the rotatable insert (9) of the extension element (3) is profiled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Publication number: 20040000178
    Abstract: A structure of a key and locker is disclosed. The key structure has a key board including a first bead hole region on the dual recess regions of surface of the board or a second bead hole region on the lateral side of the key, characterized in that wider surface of the key is provided with external protruded stripes on the key board thereof, and the external protruded stripes are the third row bead region having provided with at least a bead hole, forming into a multiple codes with a plurality of axial beads on a single lateral side of the key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Hsieh Lung Tseng
  • Patent number: 6666057
    Abstract: A lock with a fixable key includes a shell, an upper half core, a lower half core, an elastic member and a fixable key. The upper and the lower half core contained in the shell respectively have a lengthwise passageway for a flexible moving member of the key to extend in to unlock the lock. The lower half core has a key hole in a rear end, and a groove for containing the elastic member having an upper end to fit in a notch formed in the groove. The key has the moving member, a push block and a housing having a position recess to engage the upper end of the elastic member so as to position the key in unlocking and make the moving member smoothly slide in the passageway of the lock to prevent the key from deadlocked or breaking in handling in unlocking or locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Chiu-Mei Huang