Abstract: A picklock-proof key slot for a lock device and a key thereof, which comprises a rotary cylinder and a lock casing, between which plural upper tumblers and lower tumblers are furnished; the center of the rotary cylinder is provided with a key slot; under lock up condition, the lower tumblers are pushed into the key slot; the center of the tumbler groove is furnished with a salient plate, of which both sides are furnished with symmetrical guide slots; a guide slot is furnished between the two symmetrical guide plates on the key plate; a plurality of unlock-tumbler holes is furnished on the guide slot between the two guide plates; the hole has a curved surface to fit with the curve surfaces on both sides of the lower tumbler so as to reduce the pushing-up space of the lower tumbler, and also to reduce the possibility of unlocking the lock device with a master key to push the lower tumbler.

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.

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

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A lock cylinder with a cylinder core rotably mounted in a housing and normally locked against rotation by means of pin tumblers comprising core and housing pins mounted in core and housing orifices, spring-loaded against the housing and displaceable into a release position by insertion of a key (2) into a lock channel, wherein the cylidner core has at least one support pin inserted in a radial orifice of the cylinder core and spatially associated with a pin tumbler in such a way that the pin tumbler can be located between the support pin and core pin by interposition of a spacer (9) movably associated with the key (2), wherein the radial bore bearing the support pin extends obliquely to the orifice bearing the core pin, and the direction of movement of the spacer (9) extends obliquely to the broadside face of the key (2).

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

Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a shell and a plug inside the shell. A locking pin, a sensor pin and a flexible coupling are mounted within the plug. The sensor pin moves the flexible coupling and the coupling moves the locking pin to an unlocked position when the correct key is inserted into a key slot in the plug. The key includes a locking pin receiving notch, to allow the locking pin to move to the unlocked position. The key also includes a contact surface that moves the sensor pin and thereby moves the locking pin to the unlocked position through the flexible coupling. When an incorrect key, without the locking pin receiving notch, is inserted, the flexibility of the flexible coupling allows the sensor pin to move without moving the locking pin. The cylinder lock may also include conventional pin tumblers.

Abstract: A lever lock unit includes a housing, a dogging element adapted to actuate a lock bolt, a plurality of lever tumblers that are actuable via the dogging element and movable relative thereto, and a blocking element for blocking movement of the dogging element in the absence of a key or when the wrong key is inserted in the unit. The unit is characterized by a cradle accommodated in the dogging element and adapted to receive the lever tumblers. The dogging element is rotatable and is adapted so that when rotated, the cradle accommodated in the dogging element, and there with also the lever tumblers accomodated in the cradle, will be caused to move linearly in relation to the dogging element and in relation to a key inserted into the unit, for movement of the lever tumblers to a blocking element release position when the correct key is inserted.

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.

Abstract: A picklock-proof key slot for a lock device and a key thereof, which comprises a rotary cylinder and a lock casing, between which plural upper tumblers and lower tumblers are furnished; the center of the rotary cylinder is provided with a key slot; under lock up condition, the lower tumblers are pushed into the key slot; the center of the tumbler groove is furnished with a salient plate, of which both sides are furnished with symmetrical guide slots; a guide slot is furnished between the two symmetrical guide plates on the key plate; a plurality of unlock-tumbler holes is furnished on the guide slot between the two guide plates; the hole has a curved surface to fit with the curve surfaces on both sides of the lower tumbler so as to reduce the pushing-up space of the lower tumbler, and also to reduce the possibility of unlocking the lock device with a master key to push the lower tumbler.

Abstract: A lock core assembly. The assembly includes an external cylinder, an inner cylinder rotatably fitted in the external cylinder, alignment elements provided in the inner cylinder, at least a limiting element provided in the external cylinder able to engage with the alignment elements, and a key to be inserted into the inner cylinder to move the alignment elements to an unlocking state with the limiting element. When the engaging member is detached, the limiting element is separated from the external cylinder, and then the original coupling of the key and the limiting element are substituted by another coupling of a key and a limiting element, such that, when a user loses his key, he can have the lock core assembly repaired without changing the entire lock set.

Abstract: A cylinder lock comprises a cylinder (10) having a series of locking tumblers (16) which are rotatably mounted around respective axes. The introduction of the key causes rotation of each locking tumbler (16) to an operative position in which the tumblers enable the disengagement of a locking member (17) carried by the cylinder (10) from a seat formed in the stator (8) of the lock.

Abstract: A side bar type cylinder lock includes a locking segment which is movable relative to the side bar and lock shell only in response to insertion of a key blade having a uniquely configured and located camming projection into the keyway. The locking segment movement is independent of lock tumbler movement and is required to permit side bar disengagement from the lock shell.

Abstract: A lock construction that minimizes the friction coefficient between the slide pin and the slide pin hole through the design of an arc-shaped indentation formed on each interior wall of the slide pin holes, which receives the rectangular slide pin. The lock construction includes an outer fixed body and an inner rolling body, a hooking recess formed in an inner peripheral surface portion, a receiving recess formed in an outer peripheral surface portion of the inner rolling body, wherein a slide bar having a linearly formed inner side is elastically provided in the locking construction, wherein about five slide pin holes of rectangular shape are formed perpendicular to the receiving recess, wherein an arc-shaped indentation is formed on each interior wall of the slide pin holes.

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

Abstract: A keyhole barrier system for use with tumbler locks containing a keyway and a plurality of tumblers. The system contains a keyhole block having both retention and signaling portions. The retention portion prevents removal of the keyhole block from the lock by providing a locking surface for the lock tumblers. The signaling portion extends outwardly from the keyway preferably substantially parallel to the retention portion. The system can further include an extractor having both insertion and handle portions. The extractor facilitates removal of the installed keyhole block by raising the tumblers locked against the keyhole block. Further, the handle portion and the signaling portion can form a retraction aid to facilitate removal of the system from a keyway.

Abstract: A soft key includes a main body, a shank casing, and a shank. The main body includes a compartment defined by a pair of wall tracks. The shank casing is mounted in the main body and movable along the wall tracks between a first position in the main body and a second position out of the main body. The shank is extended through a longitudinal hole of the shank casing and the compartment of the main body. The shank includes a first end positioned in the main body and a second end, a plurality of key sections being attached to the second end of the shank in series. Each two adjacent key sections are connected by a pin, thereby allowing relative pivotal movement therebetween. Each key section includes a depression in a side thereof. An outermost key section that is most distal to the shank includes at least one slanted face.

Abstract: Locking arrangement having a lock cylinder with an associated key (1), in particular a flat turning key, wherein a core (2) of the lock cylinder has a keyway (3) which is open in the direction of an end side of the cylinder, is provided with profile ribs/grooves and in the center thereof the vertex of a conical opening (4), which opens in the direction of the end side of the cylinder, is located. At an insertion end, the key (1) forms a tip (5) with flanks (6) in the form of arcuate lines. The tip (5) is formed by two arcuate lines (6), of which a point of intersection is located in a broad-side center (7) of the key, and a tangent angle (delta) at the point of intersection (5) is greater than the vertex angle (&mgr;) of the cone opening (4), wherein the arcuate lines (6) have bevels (9), in the direction of the mutually opposite broad sides (8), having a bevel angle (omega) which is smaller than the vertex angle (&mgr;) of the cone opening (4).

Abstract: A key plate includes a key plate body that extends longitudinally and has a grip portion and a keyhole insertion portion connected to the grip portion. The keyhole insertion portion includes a flat surface with a generally U-shaped groove formed into the flat surface. The generally U-shaped groove has a longitudinally-extending first cord groove, a longitudinally-extending second cord groove and a transversely-extending connecting groove that is disposed adjacent the grip portion and interconnects the first cord groove and the second cord groove. A method for manufacturing the key plate is also described.

Abstract: A removable core cylinder assembly utilizes a plurality of modular parts to create a key-removable interchangeable core which will fit all existing interchangeable core locks of this kind. The removable core cylinder assembly includes accessories of a removable face plate which covers an axial recess in the cylinder shell for the locking tab and provides shelter to the head of the cylinder plug, and which is protected from removal from the cylinder shell by two stepped portions of the cylinder plug; and a key which includes a stop at the end of the tip of the key blade.

Abstract: A cylinder lock has a plug deployed within a bore in a cylinder housing. The plug defines a keyway which communicates with a number of pin channels. Disposed within the channels are a number of pins which are displaceable along, and rotatable about, their axis. Each pin has an engagement end, proximal to the keyway, formed with at least two engagement features projecting parallel to, but displaced from, the pin's axis, and separated by at least one depression. Each pin is free to rotate through 360° about it axis. The cylinder lock preferably also includes a key for insertion into the keyway. The key has a seat located to come into alignment with a pin, the seat being formed with at least two depressions separated by an intermediate ridge. The configuration of the seat is such that the pin is rotated by contact with the seat to an angularly aligned position in which its engagement features are aligned with the depressions of the seat.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for picking a lock which utilizes a single blade or pair of elongated thin, rigid, interchangeable blades which are to be inserted within the keyway of the lock. Each of the blades have an upper hiatused surface and can have an off-center sharpened edge so that the sharpened edge will contact the cylindrical lock pins of the lock spaced from the center of each of the lock pins. The off-center sharpened edge could be formed by beveling the side of the blade or by making a cut-out in the blade. The hiatused surface of the blades cause the “V” shaped tips of the cylindrical lock pins of the lock to move lineally with the sharpened edge causing the lock pins to pivot. Instead of a hiatused surface, there could be used one or more deflectable members, tufts of bristles or a brush. The blades are to be driven in a reciprocal manner with one blade moving in and the opposite blade moving out.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for picking a lock which utilizes a single blade or pair of elongated thin, rigid, interchangeable blades which are to be inserted within the keyway of the lock. Each of the blades have an upper hiatused surface and can have an off-center sharpened edge so that the sharpened edge will contact the cylindrical lock pins of the lock spaced from the center of each of the lock pins. The off-center sharpened edge could be formed by beveling the side of the blade or by making a cut-out in the blade. The hiatused surface of the blades cause the lock pins of the lock to move lineally with the sharpened edge causing the lock pins to pivot. Instead of a hiatused surface, there could be used one or more deflectable members, tufts of bristles or a brush. The blades are to be driven in a reciprocal manner with one blade moving in and the opposite blade moving out.

Abstract: A cylinder lock and key combination, wherein the lock comprises a side profile ridge (60) disposed in the key slot (53) and having a relatively shallow recess (61), in which a projection (55) on a side tumbler (54) is vertically movable, and a continuously extending edge portion (62). The key has a relatively shallow coded groove (17), which cooperates with the side tumbler projections (55) of the lock, and a rectilinear, deeper profile groove (16), into which the edge portion (62) of the side profile ridge fits. This unitary edge portion secures a good guidance of the key when the latter is inserted into the lock.

Abstract: A dual cam, reversible key includes first and second patterns of notches in first and second edges of the shank of the key on a common side of the key shank of the key, providing a dual cam key. The patterns of notches are formed to have complementary symmetry and to make the width of the shank constant along at least the portion of the shank that includes the notches. The first pattern of notches is identical with the second pattern of notches insomuch as they are "parallels" to each other. The key operates tumblers each of which has an opening defining a pair of staggered generally rectangular windows, each of the windows defining cam surfaces for accommodating the dual cam, reversible key. Also disclosed is a method for making the dual cam, reversible key.

Abstract: Improved squiggle keys and cylinder locks include a squiggle key groove formed along a first broad surface of the squiggle key and a plurality of bittings formed along a second opposite broad surface of the squiggle key. The cylinder lock includes a plurality of rotatable discs that have groove-following elements that are rotated via the groove on the key. The rotatable discs operate to prevent a plug of the cylinder lock from rotating unless a correct squiggle key is inserted into a keyway in the plug. The bittings formed along the second opposite broad surface of the squiggle key are generally circular and have inner regions with a different depth than outer regions of the bittings. As a result, tumbler pins can be located along the inner and/or outer regions of the bittings which enables increased keying capabilities and variations and which enables a common lock to be operated by keys for different cylinder locks.

Abstract: A dual cam, reversible key includes first and second patterns of notches in first and second edges of the shank of the key on a common side of the key shank of the key, providing a dual cam key. The patterns of notches are formed to have complementary symmetry and to make the width of the shank constant along at least the portion of the shank that includes the notches. The first pattern of notches is identical with the second pattern of notches insomuch as they are "parallel" to each other. The key operates tumblers each of which has an opening defining a pair of staggered generally rectangular windows, each of the windows defining cam surfaces for accommodating the dual cam, reversible key. Also disclosed is a method for making the dual cam, reversible key.

Abstract: An improved lock structure, and especially a lock structure in which a stepped shaped wall of the key hole in the lock core can be cooperated with a key to allow the key to be drawn out regardless of its angular position. The lock core can also be rotated from an unlocking position to a locking position without the key; convenience thus is increased. Besides, a plurality of pusher pins are allocated in multiple directions to increase the difficulty of unlocking by a thief, this can thereby increase theft-proof effect.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for picking a lock which utilizes a single blade or pair of elongated thin, rigid, interchangeable blades which are to be inserted within the keyway of the lock. Each of the blades have an upper hiatused surface and can have an off-center sharpened edge so that the sharpened edge will contact the cylindrical lock pins of the lock spaced from the center of each of the lock pins. The off-center sharpened edge could be formed by beveling the side of the blade or by making a cutout in the blade. The hiatused surface of the blades cause the lock pins of the lock to move lineally with the sharpened edge causing the lock pins to pivot. Instead of a hiatused surface, there could be used one or more deflectable members, tufts of bristles or a brush. The blades are to be driven in a reciprocal manner with one blade moving in and the opposite blade moving out.

Abstract: A Key with a blade portion which is bitted for actuating the tumbler pins of a cylinder lock has improved cross-sectional strength despite deep cut bittings which extend well into the thickness of the blade. The key is generally flat with upper and lower surfaces and opposite short side edges. The bittings are cut across at least one of the surfaces so as to extend arcuately through the thickness of the blade and one of the side edges. The volume of key blank material which is adjacent the deep cut bittings after the key is cut is substantially more than conventional keys and provides the key blade with increased strength to prevent breakage. The bittings are cut into the key blade by a rotary cutter wheel which is dimensioned to form an arcuate bitting surface rather than a flat surface.

Abstract: A digitally programmable protecting mechanism and a programmable key for a mechanical rotary lock for providing enhanced protection and enabling user to change mechanical and electronic security code configuration at any time without involving of special tools. The device includes a mechanical digitally configurable key where the protecting binary code configuration is formed by cylindrical binary coding members put on a central core of the key, and an electronic programmable digital module attached to a mechanical rotary lock for capturing the key code configuration, verifying, and releasing the lock if the verification proves that the key coding configuration and the electronic module coding are matched.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for picking a lock which utilizes a single blade or pair of elongated thin, rigid, interchangeable blades which are to be inserted within the keyway of the lock. Each of the blades have an upper hiatused surface and can have an off-center sharpened edge so that the sharpened edge will contact the cylindrical lock pins of the lock spaced from the center of each of the lock pins. The off-center sharpened edge could be formed by beveling the side of the blade or by making a cut-out in the blade. The hiatused surface of the blades cause the lock pins of the lock to move lineally with the sharpened edge causing the lock pins to pivot. Instead of a hiatused surface, there could be used one or more deflectable members, tufts of bristles or a brush. The blades are to be driven in a reciprocal manner with one blade moving in and the opposite blade moving out.

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

Abstract: A lock apparatus includes a lock device and a coded key. The lock device has a lock shell and a cylindrical lock core unit received in the lock shell. The lock core unit has an axial key hole and is provided with a latch actuator. The key is extendible into the key hole and is operable so as to permit rotation of the lock core unit relative to the lock shell for moving the latch actuator from a locking position to an unlocking position. The key has a head portion and a shank portion which has a cross-section in the form of a circular sector with first and second planar surfaces that extend along length of the shank portion, and a curved surface that interconnects the first and second planar surfaces and that has an arc length greater than 180.degree.. The shank portion is formed with a plurality of key bit projections and key bit grooves on one of the first and second planar surfaces.

Abstract: A cylinder lock and key combination, wherein the lock comprises a side profile ridge (60) disposed in the key slot (53) and having a relatively shallow recess (61), in which a projection (55) on a side tumbler (54) is vertically movable, and a continuously extending edge portion (62). The key has a relatively shallow coded groove (17), which cooperates with the side tumbler projections (55) of the lock, and a rectilinear, deeper profile groove (16), into which the edge portion (62) of the side profile ridge fits. This unitary edge portion secures a good guidance of the key when the latter is inserted into the lock.

Abstract: A key blank including a generally elongate shaft portion defining a key combination surface adapted to have formed thereon key cuts which define a key combination, the key blank including a movable pin element retained within the elongate shaft portion, the movable pin element being displaceable in a single direction, outwardly from the key combination surface.

Abstract: A cylinder lock with a resiliently biased auxiliary locking pin, the auxiliary locking pin having a first end which functions as a tenon and a second end which defines a cam follower. The first end of the auxiliary locking pin extends into the keyway and is engaged by a cooperating key blade having a longitudinal slot which defines a mortise. The second end of the auxiliary locking pin normally engages a recess in the inner diameter of the lock shell, a camming surface being provided at one side of the recess. The depth profile of the mortise increases from an initial tenon receiving depth, at the blade tip, to a functional depth, at a point displaced from the blade tip, where the locking pin is partially withdrawn from the shell recess to enable rotation of the lock core relative to the shell.

Abstract: A cylinder lock is provided with a resiliently biased auxiliary locking pin which projects into the keyway, the auxiliary locking pin having a first end which is shaped to in part define a flaring tenon and a second end which engages a locking recess in the lock shell. The cooperating key has a blade with a longitudinal slot shaped, in the manner of a mortise, to engage the first end of the auxiliary locking pin, the depth profile of the mortise increasing from an initial engagement depth to a functional depth. Key insertion causes generation of an axial force which is applied to the head of the auxiliary locking pin to retract the pin second end from the shell locking recess.

Abstract: A cylinder lock and key combination, where the key (20) has an undercut profile groove (24) at one side surface (22) thereof and, in the key slot (13), the lock key plug has a corresponding profile tongue (15) with a downwardly projecting end portion (15a), which fills up the undercut portion (29) of the key profile groove (24) upon insertion of the key into the lock.

Abstract: A key has a flat key body having a blade extending along a longitudinal insert axis and having a front edge formed with transversely directed bitting, an opposite longitudinally extending back edge, and a pair of oppositely directed faces. Each face is formed with at least two longitudinally extending front grooves extending adjacent the front edge a full length of the blade and having depths equal to more than half of a transverse thickness of the blade, a longitudinally extending back groove having a floor at a depth equal to less than half of the blade thickness, and an elongated angled groove extending at an acute angle to and across the respective back groove at an intersection and having a part-cylindrical floor aligned with and forming a smooth continuation of the floor of the respective back groove at the intersection.

Abstract: A key blank including a generally elongate shaft portion defining a key combination surface adapted to have formed thereon key cuts which define a key combination, the key blank including a movable pin element retained within the elongate shaft portion, the movable pin element being displaceable in a single direction, outwardly from the key combination surface.

Abstract: A key and cylinder lock unit, in which a key contains a shank provided with a pattern and with at least one movable member positioned at the front end thereof, the lock having a plug housed within a cylinder and provided with a plurality of substantially radial pins formed in two parts movable along corresponding radial channels provided partly in the plug and partly in the cylinder and, by way of springs, maintained with one end in the longitudinal seat provided in the plug for the insertion of the shank of the key. The plug contains along the seat a longitudinal groove closed at the key introduction end and housing the tapered end of all the pins, which completely traverse said seat.

Abstract: A cylinder lock and key combination, where the key (20) has an undercut profile groove (24) at one side surface (22) thereof and, in the key slot (13), the lock key plug has a corresponding profile tongue (15) with a downwardly projecting end portion (15a), which fills up the undercut portion (29) of the key profile groove (24) upon insertion of the key into the lock.

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

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

Abstract: A key with a blade portion which is bitted for actuating the tumbler pins of a cylinder lock has improved cross-sectional strength despite deep cut bittings which extend well into the thickness of the blade. The key is generally flat with upper and lower surfaces and opposite short side edges. The bittings are cut across at least one of the surfaces so as to extend arcuately through the thickness of the blade and one of the side edges. The volume of key blank material which is adjacent the deep cut bittings after the key is cut is substantially more than conventional keys and provides the key blade with increased strength to prevent breakage. The bittings are cut into the key blade by a rotary cutter wheel which is dimensioned to form an arcuate bitting surface rather than a flat surface.

Abstract: The locking device consists of a key (2) and a lock cylinder (1), with a cylinder core (5) which is rotatable in a casing (3) and has an axially extending channel (16) for insertion of a key (2) which passes through plate-shaped tumblers (7) arranged axially in succession so as to be displaceable in the cylinder core (5) and, with bit stages provided on the key shank (13), locates these tumblers (7) in a position releasing the rotation of the cylinder core (5). The locating displacement movement of the tumbler plates (7) is designed as a rotational movement around the axis of the key shank (13), and its range is preferably limited by stops (21, 22).

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.

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

Abstract: A restricted key system providing keys/key slots with an angled or chevron shaped cross sectional profile. Each key blade of the restricted key system includes an upper planar portion which is bitted or cut to position the standard pin tumblers, an intermediate portion which forms a horizontal ledge, and a lower planar portion which extends from the intermediate portion at an angle in the range of 5.degree.-85.degree. relative to the upper planar portion. The horizontal ledge of the key blade may be provided with at least two additional bitting surfaces for wards, tumblers and/or other key differing elements.