Abstract: A safety lock and key includes a cylindrical stator and rotor having conventional spring-loaded moving rotor pins and moving stator pins. A first rotor pin/stator pin combination is at substantially 45 degrees to a first face of the key while a second rotor pin/stator pin combination is substantially perpendicular to a second face of the key on the opposite side. The centerlines of the rotor pin/stator pin combinations pass through the center of rotation of the rotor. A housing in the key contains a moving element and emerges from the first face of the key inclined at the same angle as the first rotor pin/stator pin combination. The housing also emerges from the second face of the key through a tapered bore that receives the second rotor pin/stator pin combination. A tapered head of the second rotor pin engages a rear portion of the moving element in the housing, thus engaging the moving element with the first rotor pin/stator pin combination.

Abstract: A difficult-to-duplicate key for operating a rotatable plug and cylinder lock has an imaginary center axis that extends along the length of the key at a location situated between opposed, relatively narrow edge surfaces, and centered between opposed, relatively wide side surfaces. The edge and side surfaces cooperate to define a key of generally rectangular cross section. First, second and third rows of concave recesses are formed in and extend lengthwise along the side and edge surfaces of the key for receiving rounded inner end regions of pin tumblers of the plug and cylinder lock when the key is inserted to an operating position in a keyway of the lock for positioning the tumblers to permit the plug to be rotated relative to the cylinder. The recesses of the first, second and third rows extend along first, second and third sets of recess axes that extend in first, second and third planes, respectively, that radiate from the imaginary center axis.

Abstract: A combination key-like device and electrical receptacle for the key-like device wherein the receptacle defines electrical contact surface areas for mating with corresponding contact surface areas defined by the key-like device. At least one clip defines the electrical contact surface areas for the said receptacle and the clip is supported on the receptacle body. A keyway opening is defined by the body and the clip comprises a transverse portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the transverse portion with contact elements defined by each of the legs extending inwardly toward the keyway opening and with openings defined by the body communicating with said keyway opening for receiving the contact elements. A contact band is carried by the key-like device whereby insertion of the key-like device into the keyway opening brings the contact band into electrical contact with at least one of the contact elements.

Abstract: The assembly is used in leftward- and rightward-retractable door units, and provides wide variations of key to prevent the assembly from being illegally unlocked. In the assembly: a left 25 and a right 28 latch plate are supported on pivots 22 and 54, respectively; a lock casing 17 connected with a thumb turn 15 has locking blades 18, 48; locking projections 30 and 31 abutting against the blade 18 are in the plates 25 and 28, respectively; an interlocking shaft 35 receiving torque transmitted from a front 6 and a rear 9 handle has a driving plate 40; a driving projection 39 abutting against the arms 37, 38 is in the plate 40; a locking hole 50 of a core 20 received in a lock casing 17 assumes a regular hexagonal shape in cross-section, provided that one of its six corners forms a curved surface 50a; a locking pin 51 extends from an inner surface of the hole 50; and, a locking projection 53 is in a center of the bottom of the core 20.

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 20 is formed with a blade 22 having six bits 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 formed along one edge of the blade. A shoulder 42 is formed on a trailing end 28 of blade 22 and is positioned to cooperate with a front face 82 of a plug 50 of a five-pin cylinder lock 46 to locate bits 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 adjacent five respective sets of tumbler pins in the operation of the lock. Key 20 can also be used with a six-pin cylinder lock 110. Shoulder 42 is moved through a slot 130 in a front face 134 of a plug 114 of lock 110 and engages a stop surface 132 whereby bits 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 are properly positioned adjacent six respective sets of tumbler pins in the operation of the lock.

Abstract: A key for a rotationally adjustable cylinder core (4) with a lock cylinder (3) containing a cryptochannel (11) freely leading into the peripheral area of the cylinder core (4) and, more particularly, to a key for a cylinder core of locking systems, which is provided with a profiled region (15), which is provided with lateral recesses (such as 17, 18), facing the back of the key that is flush with the peripheral area of the cylinder core when the key is inserted, and with a notched region (13), which faces the opposite key breast, can be inserted into the central cylinder core region of the cryptochannel (11), has a round, cylindrical and, particularly, a circular, cylindrical shape, as well as milled slots, depressions or similar notches (16) disposed peripherally and axially offset in the key for arranging tumbler elements (8), which are mounted in the lock cylinder (3) and can be adjusted radially to the core center of the lock cylinder (3).

Abstract: A disc cylinder lock mechanism comprises a cylinder housing, an inner cylinder turnable inside the cylinder housing, and a stack of discs inside the inner cylinder. The discs define respective key openings which form a key channel for receiving a key. The stack of discs includes several locking discs, and the lock mechanism is in a releasing condition when each locking disc is in a predetermined releasing angular position. Each locking disc has a protrusion that extends toward the central part of the key opening and has first and second adjacent and substantially perpendicular edges. A guiding element extends longitudinally over the stack of discs in the key channel. The key has a combination surface for each locking disc and is formed to engage the guiding element when the key is inserted in the key channel for turning the guiding element continuously with the key when the key is turned in the lock.

Abstract: A key operated rotatable plug and cylinder define pin-receiving holes arranged in first, second and third rows that extend in first, second and third planes, respectively that radiate from a common center axis that extends substantially centrally through a plug-defined keyway. A key of generally rectangular cross-section is insertable into the keyway to bring recesses that are formed in its two relatively flat side surfaces and in one of its narrow edge surfaces into alignment with the pin-receiving holes so that inner ends of tumbler pins that are carried within the holes are received in the key-defined recesses to position the tumbler pins to permit plug rotation relative to the cylinder. The first plane extends from the center axis through the holes of the first row, and parallels the opposed, relatively flat side surfaces of a keyway-inserted key.

Abstract: A key and rotary cylinder for a safety lock are disclosed. The key has in its shank a continuous bore hole in which two opposite control elements are supported. These control elements are movable inwardly against the restoring force of a pressure spring arranged in the bore hole. An additional tumbler is lifted by a control element when the key is inserted into a key slot of the rotary locking cylinder. This additional tumbler engages in a recess of the stator. When using a key without a control element, the rotor is blocked by means of the tumbler. When using a key according to the invention, the rotor can be turned and the tumbler is lifted out of the recess and the control element is moved inward radially. After turning by 90.degree., for example, a counterpin of the stator is brought into line by the tumbler. In the absence of a control element, the rotor is blocked by the counterpin in this case as well.

Abstract: A lock cylinder with key, in which the cylinder has a rotor and a stator with radial tumbler pins and the key has depressions corresponding to the tumbler pins. At least one tumbler pin functions as a control pin (K), in that a zone produced by an offset provides a side coding (F) in addition to the depth coding (T) with a diameter corresponding to an additional coding (B) and the associated key has a depression with sides (8), whose spacing between the sides corresponds to the coded diameter (B) of the control pin offset and whose tumbler pin cooperates on the one hand with the milled coding in the key and on the other hand with control faces formed in the key blank. The aim is to create a copying or forging obstacle by means of a technical measure in the cylinder and on the blank.

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

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

Abstract: The invention relates a lock-cylinder key (S) having bit steps (6) protruding on the wide sides (4) of its key shank (1) for the positioning of the lock-cylinder tumblers (19). In order to obtain a particularly simple but very dependable solution from a locking standpoint, the bit steps (6) represent the extensions of the edges (10) of a wide-side opening (11).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding pin tumbler locks, and more specifically, a mechanical key card lock. To determine the length and weight of a given pin tumbler, a probe is inserted within the lock, comprised of one or a matrix of many force sensing resistors. The probe will respond to variations in pressure and tension of each pin tumbler, and will thus provide a range of output resistances, directly related to the pressure exerted upon the sensor by a particular pin tumbler. The outputs of the sensors are then electronically sensed and recorded so that a duplicate key can be produced.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided which is characterized by one or more blocking elements each consisting of two complementary semi-cylindrical parts (2),(3) snugly located in a correspondingly shaped aperture (4) defined between two relatively movable parts (5),(6) to be locked together, one of the semi-cylindrical parts (2),(3) being adapted to be operatively coupled to a key (8) to permit rotation of the two complementary semi-cylindrical parts (2),(3), whereby the two semi-cylindrical parts (2),(3) can be rotated between a position in which they prevent movement of the two lock parts (5),(6) and a position in which the two lock parts (5),(6) are relatively movable.

Abstract: A lock system has lock cylinders (5) in which the rotor (9) is lodged as usual in the cylinder housing, (11) as well as lock cylinders (6) in which the rotor (10) is rotated through 180.degree. about its longitudinal axis relative to the other rotors (9). The security keys for the lock system are flat keys and not turning keys and, in the event that these are priority keys, have two completely independent key codes. The invention also provides a further possibility for increasing the number of variations of the lock and thus for increasing its security.

Abstract: A security lock for doors of dwellings, gates and the like comprises a pump-type locking mechanism for operating a bolt, and a double-bit locking mechanism for locking the pump mechanism in its locking condition. The lock preferably has both a key which can operate only the pump mechanism and a key which can operate both mechanisms. A cover made of plastics material is associated with the key and can be fitted onto the operative portion of the key in order to protect its teeth against dirt and against the risk of breakage as a result of the key being dropped.

Abstract: A key-operated, combination changing, lock comprising a lock box, a slidable bolt and at least one bolt-retaining slider movable transversally across the bolt to retain the bolt in a resting and locking position, a bolt-locking arrangement being provided to hold the bolt once in the locking position. The bolt-locking arrangement comprising more than one locking plates capable of being actuated by at least one step of the key and being also capable of changing the combination of the lock when closed by a key different to the one used to lately open the lock. A key is also provided to operate the combination changing lock, having at least one bit step to actuate over the bolt-locking arrangement of the lock.

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

Abstract: The locking arrangement consists of key a and lock cylinder with a guide cross section provided on the rear of the key shank and with profiled longitudinal ribs arranged on the broad face for entry into associated grooves of the lock cylinder key channel. Transversely to the profiled longitudinal ribs, there are provided wards which issue from one narrow edge of the key shank and, in their depth, follow the unit or multiple of the step jump (x) of the lock cylinder core pins. At least the lower rib flank facing the narrow edge of the key shank is perpendicular to the longitudinal center plane of the key shank and the distance of the lower rib flanks from one another is equal.

Abstract: A reversible double-bitted key is reconfigured to permit a cylinder lock and key set to fit in the standard architecture of certain American automobiles. Preferably, the maximum required diameter of the cylinder is maintained under 13 millimeters, permitting the cylinder to be placed in standard instrument panel architecture for many American made vehicles. The minimum width of the key is maintained at approximately 4 millimeters, assuring that the key can withstand the torque requirements of the lock systems. This permits a single key to be used in both the primary and secondary locks. The tumbler is configured such that the minimum distance between the outer edge of the key window in the tumbler and the outer perimeter of the tumbler is greater than the thickness of the tumbler, further assuring that the lock can withstand repeated use without fatigue failure.

Abstract: A device for opening security packages used to protect audio-visual media from being stolen is disclosed. The security package opening device includes a base which assists with proper positioning of the security package to be opened. It also includes a slidable opening mechanism which, when slid forward, automatically causes key elements to enter the locking means of the security package. The opening mechanism then opens the security package permitting the contents of the security package to be removed.

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

Abstract: An access control system combines card type keys or mechanical keys and lock cylinders with keyholder authentication, so that only the authorized keyholder or keyholders can use a key at an access control point. The access control point can be a door, gate, drawer, safe, safety deposit box, computer terminal or other situation wherein high security is desirable. In a preferred embodiment, the access control system includes a series of mechanical keys (or card type keys) having encoded data stored on the bottom edges of the keys. The encoded data may be in the form of a bar code or optical data storage, either directly formed onto the key or on a strip of plastic or other material bearing the encoded data, secured to the key. In one form of the invention, user authentication involves a biometric feature such as a fingerprint of the intended keyholder.

Abstract: A cylinder lock has a cylindrical plug which is formed with a longitudinally extending keyway and which has a plurality of pin tumblers extending into the keyway. Each of the pin tumblers has a cylindrical outer part and a concentric inner part telescopically slidable within the outer part. A key is inserted into the keyway and has a tumbler activating side which is formed with a longitudinally extending groove, a groove base having projections and/or recesses formed therein and a pair of upwardly extending key blades joined by the groove base. The inner part of each of the pin tumblers has a distal end which extends into the groove and which engages a corresponding one of the projections and/or recesses. The key blades are formed with matching key bit grooves which engage the outer parts of the pin tumblers.

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

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A card-operated lock using a card with embossed letters matching with corresponding letters on letter profiles in the lock for lowering of side levers on the letter profiles and consequently disengaging the letter profiles from their retaining plates to open the lock. The lock is designed to prevent opening thereof without the designated card.

Abstract: A lock including a sleeve fixed in the body and having a number of orifices, a stud and a spring received in each of the orifices, a barrel received in the sleeve and including a number of apertures and a bore for rotatably receiving a core which includes a notch, and a key engageable with the notch of the core and including a number of depressions, the barrel can not be rotated when the studs are engaged between the sleeve and the barrel, and the barrel can be rotated when the studs are biased to engage within the apertures of the barrel.

Abstract: A decoder is provided for disk tumble locks which is electrically rather than mechanically operated. A plurality of separate keys each has a blade sufficiently long to extend through all of the disks in the lock. At least one cut is provided in the blade of each key. The depth of the cut in each key is different, the cut of each key being coordinated to a different depth of disk from among the known alternative disk depths for the given tuumbler lock to be decoded. The base surface of each cut contains discrete electrical contact connected by a discrete conductor to a point on the key which is externally accessible when the key is fully inserted into the lock. Each contact is positioned on its key so that, when the key is inserted into the lock keyway, an electrically conductive circuit is completed by the disk if the depth of the disk corresponds to or exceeds the depth of the cut.

Abstract: A new structure of key and lock barrel for lock set, comprising holder, nut, rotating body, braking bar, washers, barrel plates, covering plate and key; by inserting the key into the rectangular space of all barrel plates and by turning to let its slant faces of different depth push all barrel plates one after another to rotate and turn the notch of all barrel plates to one radial location, the braking bar falls into rotating body to let it rotate within the holder so as to drive corresponding lock plug making the lock open.

Abstract: A lock assembly has a lock body and a flexible key. The lock body includes at least two plug pieces having confronting faces with longitudinal curved grooves. The plug pieces cooperatively form a cylindrical plug. The curved grooves are complementary so as to form a longitudinal curved keyway with a cross-section that is shaped to have an upright first portion and a cross-wise second portion. A first set of tumbler members is provided on the cylindrical plug and extends in the direction of the upright first portion. A second set of tumbler members is provided on the cylindrical plug and extends in the direction of the cross-wise second portion. The flexible key is adapted to be received in the curved keyway and is useful for actuating the tumbler members. The flexible key includes a chain of successively hinged knuckles.

Abstract: A key for a cylinder lock has a relatively slender profile region and a bitting region of greater thickness and a generally cylindrical configuration with or without longitudinally-extending flats. The bitting recesses can be provided round this bitting region and axially therealong and the profile region can be formed with grooves milled in its parallel flanks to increase key variability.

Abstract: A code lock includes an intermediate bead seat, upper and lower bead seats, all of which are provided with tumbler bead holes receiving tumbler beads. The upper and lower bead seats are slidable relative to the intermediate bead seat between a normal position in which the bead holes of the upper and lower bead seats are aligned with first bead holes of the intermediate bead seat and a resetting position in which the bead holes thereof are aligned with second bead holes of the intermediate bead seat. The combination of the tumbler beads can be changed by using a code key which selectively transfers some tumbler beads from the first to the second bead holes.

Abstract: A lock cylinder with key, in which the cylinder has a rotor and a stator with radial tumbler pins and the key has depressions corresponding to the tumbler pins, has at least one tumbler pin exercising the function of a control pin (K), in that a zone formed by an offset is used for a flank code (f), provided in addition to the depth code (T) and having a diameter (B) corresponding to an additional code and the associated key has a depression with side flangs (8), whose spacing corresponds to the coded diameter (B) of the offset of the control pin.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a lock body having tumbler members and a curved keyway, and a flexible key to be received in the curved keyway and having key bit projections for actuating the tumbler members. The flexible key has a degree of stiffness sufficient enough to allow said key to be inserted into said curved keyway.

Abstract: A cylinder lock is provided which comprises a cylindrical housing; a core which is rotatably mounted in the housing, thereby defining a shear line; a first tumbler slidably disposed in a first aperture; means for moving the first tumbler between a locked and an unlocked position; a second tumbler slidably disposed in a second aperture; and means for moving the second tumbler between a locked and an unlocked position. When the lock is in the locked position, the first tumbler extends across the shear line into the first aperture of the core. When a correct key is inserted into the keyway, the first tumbler is urged completely into the core below the shear line. The second tumbler is arranged such that when the lock is in the locked position, the second tumbler extends across the shear line and such that when the correct key is inserted, the second tumbler is urged completely into the housing above the shear line.

Abstract: A rekeyable lock includes a false bible which houses a retainer pin, the retainer pin engaging the lock core. The lock core has a pin tumbler located to selectively engage the retainer pin so as to cause disengagement thereof from the core. The false bible is not physically attached to the core and is configured to match the operating environment.

Abstract: The coding assembly comprises a body, a removable cross bar and a key having coding pins. According to the invention, the side surface of the homing head is provided with at least one longitudinal rib. The cross-sectional profile of the longitudinal rib corresponds to the cross-sectional profile of the coding recesses, the depth of which corresponds to the height of the longitudinal rib. Moreover, each securing pin has at least one additional recess, the cross-sectional profile of which corresponds to the cross-sectional profile of the longitudinal rib, and the depth is smaller than the height of the longitudinal rib.

Abstract: A flat key has a blade formed with bitting along at least one of its edges, with a pair of relatively shallow, outwardly open, and generally parallel but spaced grooves formed in at least one of its faces extending generally longitudinally in a nonstraight path from the tip, and with a relatively deep and outwardly open groove formed in the one face and extending generally longitudinally in a nonstraight path from the tip generally nonparallel to the shallow grooves. This key is used with a lock that has a relatively stationary lock housing containing a rotatable lock cylinder formed with an axially outwardly open flat passage shaped to snugly receive the key blade, and independent first and second slides displaceable in the cylinder generally of the axis and parallel to the one face of a key in the passage and provided with respective long and short formations engageable generally radially of the axis with the deep and shallow grooves.

Abstract: A locking device comprises a lock cylinder and a reversible flat key having indentations located on opposite broad faces of the key for the arrangement of tumbler pins, and having a rib associated with each row of indentations, into the sectional area of which at least one of the pins extends and the crest of which rib projects beyond the broad face of the key. The deepest reached indentation lies nearest to the crest of the rib and several indentations of a row of indentations are integrated into a through groove of variable depth levels.

Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a cylindrical shell housing a core assembly which is locked against rotation relative to the shell by means of axial locking pieces and radial tumbler pins. The locking pieces move to their unlocking positions when the outer peripheral grooves thereof are aligned circumferentially with the outer peripheral grooves of the core assembly. The inner distal end of the locking pieces does not extend into an axial central bore of the core assembly, thereby minimizing the risk of the lock being picked by an intruder.

Abstract: A flat turning key (2) has a mechanically coded key bit (7) and an additional electronic information carrier (9), as well as a contact part (12) with contact points (8) located at the rear part of the key bit (7). In the cylinder lock (1) are arranged further electronic components (41) connected with a current source that cooperate with the information carrier (9) via the contact points (8) on the key (2). In the region of the contact part (12) of the cylinder lock (1) contact elements (55) arranged in a guiding element (50) establish an electric contact between the key (2) and the lock (1) when the key (2) is turned in the lock (1). The contact elements (55), the electronic components (41) and a microswitch (42) are connected with a common support or printed circuitboard (14) and detachably secured together with the guiding element (50) in the stator housing (3).

Abstract: An improved axial split pin tumbler type lock is provided. The improvement consists in providing a cylinder having a lock head formed with a square-shaped keyhole defining a front face on the lock head, and a three-part plug assembly inserted in the cylinder. One of the three-part plug assemblies consists of a cylinder head having a forward end provided with a square-shaped cut-out section formed therein, the square cut-out section radially traversing the tumbler bores formed therein. A tubular key is provided having an inner circular core, and an outer square-shaped face adapted to matingly engage within the square-shaped keyhole in the lock head and the square-shaped cut-out section in the cylindrical head portion. The square-shaped front face of the lock head includes a series of thickened face sections alternating with a series of thinner face sections.

Abstract: A tubular key and mating latch-actuator are provided in which the key has inner circumferential recesses and the latch-actuator has a stud having projections therefrom, the recesses and stud projections being arranged according to a binary-code so that each key of a series is unique.

Abstract: A cylinder lock and key includes one or more lateral ribs extending from a flat key and formed of a shape memory material. Auxiliary lock pins arranged in a cylinder core read the shape of the lateral ribs of the key and enable the lock to be opened only when the memory material of the ribs responds to the application of energy.

Abstract: A key for an electronic lock is provided with a relief coding for reading by a mechanically actuated reading device. The key has a blade along a narrow edge face of which there are formed grooves (or pairs of notches) extending either perpendicularly to the length of the blade or inclined to the perpendicular in one sense or the other.A lock is described in which the grooves or notches are read by two separate reading elements and an electronic circuit determines the key coding by detecting whether the reading elements detect the grooves or notches at the same time or in one order or the other.

Abstract: A lock with hidden pins which is characterized by an outer sleeve, a pivot in the inner sleeve, a short tube, and an outer covering for the outer sleeve. The keyhole is positioned in the pivot, and the short tube and the pivot can be aligned. The head and the stem of the key can be disassembled.

Abstract: A double bitted key is provided for locks of the type using flat tumblers. There is a double bit for each tumbler. Each double bit corrrectly sets its complementary tumbler. Each bit includes a flat surface extending along a surface of the key. The key has one or more peaks and valleys. When a valley is between two peaks it is a full valley and its flat surface is about three times as long as the thickness of a tumbler. When a valley is between a peak and another valley it is called a hybrid peak-valley and its flat surface has a length along the key which is approximately double the thickness of a tumbler. A peak has a flat surface extending along the key for a distance about equal to the thickness of a tumbler.