Including Sidebar Patents (Class 70/495)
  • Patent number: 11572708
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder with a cylinder body and a plug assembly. The lock cylinder includes a plurality of key followers and a corresponding plurality of racks disposed in the plug assembly. Disengaging the racks from the key followers allows rekeying of the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Hanna Farag
  • Patent number: 11499340
    Abstract: A key system of a lock having a high peaking difficulty when picking is tried by a picking tool, includes three or more rectangular holes formed between pin holes of an inner case to insert rectangular pins, where each of the rectangular pin includes a side bar insertion groove and a fake groove formed to be spaced apart from the side bar insertion groove at an interval to raise the degree of picking difficulty. A quadrangular pin is inserted into the rectangular hole located in the middle among the rectangular holes formed in the inner case to be inserted into the hole formed in an outer case. The side on which the quadrangular pin is located has an escape groove to accommodate the quadrangular pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Jung Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 11187011
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lever-type door lock driving assembly which can be installed inside a mounting hole to enable miniaturization of the device, ensure general versatility, and prevent a fragile area from being generated inside the door. The present invention relates to a driving assembly for a lever-type door lock arranged in an installation hole to drive a latch operating body, wherein the mounting assembly comprise a mounting module having a truncated disc shape and having at least one driving plate therein; and a motor unit mounted on the truncated area of the mounting module and having a disk shape in a state of being coupled to the mounting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY KOREA
    Inventor: Tae Hoon Kwon
  • Patent number: 10745937
    Abstract: A plug assembly including a plug, a sidebar movably mounted on the plug, and a plurality of rack pins seated in the plug. The sidebar is biased to an outer position in which the sidebar extends beyond an outer surface of the plug. Each rack pin includes a key-following leg and a sidebar-engaging leg. The sidebar-engaging leg includes at least one true gate. When a true gate of each rack pin is aligned with the sidebar, the sidebar is free to move radially inward to an inner position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Walls, Jason C. Clifford, Scott D. Welsby
  • Patent number: 9598880
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a plug assembly includes a plug body, a sidebar, a cover plate, and a plurality of rack pins positioned in the plug assembly. A first portion of the sidebar is positioned in the plug and a second portion protrudes beyond the outer surface of the plug body. The rack pins are configured to selectably resist and permit radially inward motion of the sidebar. The cover plate is operable to selectably retain the rack pins within the plug body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian Edward Walls, Jason Curtis Clifford, Scott Douglas Welsby
  • Patent number: 9074390
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lock assembly which includes a lock body. The lock body is adapted to receive a lock barrel. The lock barrel has a plurality of passages. Each of the passages is in communication at one end with the lock body and open at the other end. The lock assembly also includes at least one wafer and a lower pin part. The wafer is received in one of the passages. The lower pin part is received in at least one of the remainder of the passages. The wafer has a column. One end of the column is adapted to include a key engaging surface while the other end is adapted to rest on a wall of the lock body. The lock barrel has a key slot which is in communication with the passages. The key slot is adapted to receive a key with a low cut adapted to correspond to the key engaging surface. The column is so configured as to provide a gap between the key engaging surface and the low cut when the key is a bump key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: TNBT Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Simon James Butt, Marc Cohen
  • Patent number: 9045916
    Abstract: A lock apparatus including a plurality of locking discs rotatable about a rotational axis between locked and unlocked states and each having a locking engagement surface, at least one driver disc rotatable about the rotational axis and having a driving engagement surface, a movable catch having a catch surface that abuts the locking engagement surface of the locking discs when the movable catch is in a locked position such that rotation of the locking discs is inhibited. The catch surface does not abut the locking engagement surface of the locking discs when the movable catch is in an unlocked position such that rotation of the locking discs is enabled. The driving engagement surface of the driver disc engages a portion of the movable catch upon rotation of the driver disc to thereby displace the movable catch from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert David Zuraski, Mary Teresa Sarich, Daniel Hugh Kindstrand, David Bruce Miller
  • Patent number: 9027373
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a lock cylinder having a rotatable spindle with at least one disc and at least one wafer housing rotatingly engaged therewith. A slidable wafer is carried on the wafer housing. A locking bar is operable to prevent rotation of the lock cylinder in a locked position and permit rotation of the lock cylinder in an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Zuraski, Mary Teresa Carter, Daniel Hugh Kindstrand, David Bruce Miller
  • Patent number: 9021843
    Abstract: An exemplary lock assembly includes a plurality of discs, one or more wafer housings housing one or more wafers, a spindle, a locking bar, and a lock assembly housing. Each wafer housing is provided with one or more wafers that are spring biased in a first direction. The discs, wafer housing, and wafers may include recesses. When no key is inserted, the lock assembly is locked by both the wafers and the locking bar. When a proper key is utilized, the locking bar is free to move into the recesses to release the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Zuraski, Mary Teresa Carter, Daniel Hugh Kindstrand, David Bruce Miller
  • Patent number: 9003845
    Abstract: Lock assembly and method of coding and recoding locks. Some embodiments of a lock include a housing, a lock cylinder, a plurality of tumblers, a plurality of codebars, and a sidebar. Some embodiments of a lock include a housing, a lock cylinder, a plurality of tumblers, a plurality of code blocks, a sidebar, and a codebar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Lucas J. Boesel, Larry R. Grimmer
  • Patent number: 8978428
    Abstract: An electromechanical lock includes a spring-biased cylinder plug return mechanism for automatically rotating the rotatable plug to a home position after the plug has been rotated from the home position and thereafter released. In one embodiment, the cylinder plug return mechanism comprises a torsional spring coupled to the plug, In a second embodiment, the cylinder plug return mechanism comprises a slider that is coupled to the plug so that rotation of the plug moves the slider, thereby increasing the potential energy in a return spring, and when the plug is released, the increase potential energy is released by moving the slider, and the coupling between the slider and the plug causes the plug to rotate back to a home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Medeco Security Locks, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Trent, Glenn Hartman
  • Patent number: 8899082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closing device which comprises a stationary part (2) and a pant (3) which is displacably mounted thereon. Tumblers (Z1-Z5) are arranged by means of a key (19) in order to release the displaceable part (3). Said tumblers (Z1-Z5) are maintained in a locking position by means of the locking element (14, 27, 33). The locking element (14, 27, 33) can be adjusted by means of a drive (13, 23, 30) in order to release the tumblers (Z1-Z5), which can be controlled via an electronic control device (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Assa Abloy (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Patent number: 8800333
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed include keys, lock cylinders, and key and lock cylinder combinations. The keys include a bow and a blade extending from the bow, where the blade includes at least one undercut groove in a lateral side thereof that receives at least one projection defining a keyway passage of a lock cylinder in which the key is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Ajeya S. Rao, Frederick M. Hensley
  • Patent number: 8770000
    Abstract: A lock with a programming device, includes a stator, a rotor rotatably inserted therein, a keyhole, a longitudinal groove, a set of key followers and a set of locking pins which, under control of a change bar, can be mutually engaged for normal operation and disengaged in a change condition, and can be moved or blocked under control of a stop bar provided with springs which stress the stop bar outwards. The change bar is arranged to keep or assume, even in the change condition, a position in which it retains the engagement among at least some of the key followers and locking pins. A change element displaces the change bar to the position in which it disengages all the key followers from the locking pins, when the user intends to proceed with the change of the key. A device for preventing a faulty programming is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rielda Serrature s.r.l.
    Inventor: Alberto Loreti
  • Patent number: 8739587
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a plug body with a keyway opening along a longitudinal axis and a multiple of channels transverse to the axis. A locking bar generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the locking bar having an extension. A slide movably mounted to an end section of the plug body, the slide having a slot which selectively permits passage of the extension during a rekeying procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Kwikset Corporation
    Inventor: Henry Chen
  • Patent number: 8720241
    Abstract: A cylinder lock and key combination includes a cylinder lock with a housing accommodating a rotatable key plug having a keyway. A row of tumbler pins are arranged in corresponding cylindrical chambers for engagement with coded V-cut bittings of an associated key. A longitudinal side bar with a row of inner projecting lugs each selectively registering with one or more recesses in the tumbler pins is slidingly journalled for transversal movement in the key plug. The coded V-cut bittings are at a respective angle and are located at a respective vertical level. The row of inner projecting lugs of the side bar is located above the top bitting level of the key blade. The tumbler pins are positioned in pin recesses located in a cylindrical outer surface and covered by a cylindrical wall part of an associated one of said cylindrical chambers, without communicating downwardly with the keyway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 8695387
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closing device which includes a stationary part and a part which is displaceably mounted thereon. Tumblers are arranged by means of a key in order to release the displaceable part. These tumblers are maintained in a locking position by means of the locking element. The locking element can be adjusted by means of a drive in order to release the tumblers, which can be controlled via an electronic control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Assa Abloy (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Patent number: 8695390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder lock of the type of a disk tumbler cylinder having a cylinder housing and a cylinder core rotatable therein, with a plurality of blockable disk tumblers being provided in the cylinder core which have at least one respective engagement section. The disk tumblers are movable between an unlatched position and a latched position and are biased along a respective direction of bias into the latched position. In the latched position, the respective engagement section engages into an associated cut-out in the cylinder housing to block the cylinder core against a rotary movement relative to the cylinder housing. The cylinder core is rotatable in a rotary opening direction relative to the cylinder housing when the disk tumblers are in the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
    Inventors: Thomas Becker, Wai Leung Ng
  • Patent number: 8661863
    Abstract: A programmable cylinder lock includes a stator and a cylindrical rotor, mounted therein for rotation around its own axis, has a keyhole, and comprising inside the rotor key followers movable along the longitudinal and transversal directions, and locking pins movable along the longitudinal direction, the followers and locking pins forming together a number of pairs and having toothings for mutually cooperating to define the lock codification, the rotor including a stop bar cooperating with a longitudinal groove of the stator and cooperating with the pins to immobilize them, and a change bar slidingly coupled with the followers to keep them engaged with the pins and to disengage them therefrom when the bar provides a lock programming position. The followers have a projection which engages a side surface of the key and, at the contact of a normal use key, prevents the transversal displacement of the key and the change bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rielda Serrature S.r.l.
    Inventor: Alberto Loreti
  • Patent number: 8661865
    Abstract: A programmable cylinder lock includes a stator and a cylindrical rotor mounted therein, having a keyhole and including inside the rotor key followers movable along the longitudinal and transversal directions, and locking pins movable along the longitudinal direction, the followers and locking pins forming together a number of pairs and having toothings for mutually cooperating to define the lock codification, the rotor including a stop bar cooperating with a longitudinal groove of the stator and cooperating with the locking pins, and a change bar slidingly coupled with the followers to keep them engaged with the pins and disengage them therefrom when the bar provides a lock programming position. The bar has projections facing the keyhole, and the use key has corresponding recesses to face the projections when correctly inserted in the lock, whereas the change key has a longitudinal groove extending in a position corresponding to the use key recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rielda Serrature s.r.l.
    Inventor: Alberto Loreti
  • Patent number: 8656747
    Abstract: A kit for a master keying system includes a plurality of replacement master racks. A rack removal key is provided for insertion into a keyway. The rack removal key has a first cut defining a first lift amount. A rack removal tool is provided for insertion into the keyway. The rack removal tool has a second cut defining a second lift amount, wherein the second lift amount is greater than the first lift amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kwikset Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
  • Patent number: 8635022
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for a lock body and a rotatable key plug. The locking mechanism comprises pins having recesses, each of the pins adapted to be disposed in pin bores in the key plug for reciprocal and rotational movement. An elongated spring member simultaneously engages and biases the pins toward a keyway in the key plug. A locking bar moves between a first position and a second position where at least a portion of the locking bar is received in the recesses in the pins. The locking bar is prevented from moving to the second position unless the pins are in a position where the recesses are aligned with the locking bar. Upon insertion of a key in the keyway the pins are moved axially or rotated for aligning the recesses in the pins with the locking bar so the key can rotate the key plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Corbin Russwin, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Nguyen, Damon J. Lenk
  • Patent number: 8621902
    Abstract: A master key system and method for a reprogrammable lock cylinder with at least one first master pin and one second master pin. The first and second master pins have different bitting configurations. The master key system includes at least a first array of change key cuts corresponding to an input key bitting array and sequence of progression and at least two master key cuts corresponding to the input key bitting array and sequence of progression and each of the change key cuts. The system further comprises at least one master pin matrix including a master pin sequence for each change key cut and at least one rekey matrix including a rekey cut for each change key. Each master pin sequence represents a sequence of master pins configured to achieve the respective change key cut and the at least two master key cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Sajil John Mathachan
  • Patent number: 8561444
    Abstract: A programmable cylinder lock includes a stator and a cylindrical rotor, mounted therein for rotation around its own axis and having a keyhole, a number of key followers movable along their own longitudinal and transversal directions, intended to cooperate with a key inserted into the keyhole, a number of locking pins movable along their own longitudinal direction, the key followers and locking pins forming together a number of pairs and having toothings cooperating to define the lock codification, the rotor including a stop bar cooperating with a longitudinal groove of the stator and having projections cooperating with notches of the locking pins to immobilize them when the stop bar engages them, and a change bar slidingly coupled with the key followers to normally keep them engaged with the locking pins and to disengage them therefrom when the change bar provides a lock programming position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Rielda Serrature s.r.l.
    Inventor: Alberto Loreti
  • Patent number: 8539803
    Abstract: A cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug (112) having a profiled keyway (113,116), the keyway being configured to accommodate an elongated, substantially flat key blade (120) with a longitudinal groove (122). The keyway in the key plug has two opposite lateral sides and a profile rib (150) located at a substantially flat lateral side. The profile rib has a downwardly projecting tongue portion (161) configured to extend inside the profile groove (122) upon inserting the key (120) into the key plug (112) of the lock, and the tongue portion of the profile rib is extended downwardly into a lowermost, massive end portion (162) which has two opposite side surfaces (163,164) and a lowermost transverse end surface (165) which is substantially flat or slightly curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 8505347
    Abstract: A locking device which has a lock cylinder and a matching key. The key has a key bit with at least one coding notch and a blocking rib with at least one indentation. The lock cylinder has a housing with a bearing bore and a cylinder core that is mounted in the bearing bore and a blocking member. The blocking member is engagable in a blocking recess of the bearing bore and prevents rotation of the cylinder core. A pivot lever is mounted in the cylinder core and has a bearing end about which the pivot lever pivots, and a sensing end which senses the blocking rib The pivot lever closes off a capturing opening for the housing pin when the blocking rib is the proper height and opens the capturing opening after a partial rotation of the cylinder core when the blocking rib is missing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: C. Ed. Schulte Gesellschaft Mit Beschraenkter Haftung Zylinderschlossfabrik
    Inventors: Theo Piotrowski, Michael Reine
  • Patent number: 8490446
    Abstract: A programmable lock cylinder assembly including a lock housing and a cylinder plug including a keyway extending therein. At least one locking member is moveable in the cylinder plug between a locked position wherein the cylinder plug is rotationally locked relative to the housing and an unlocked position wherein the cylinder plug is rotational relative to the housing. A plurality of pin sets are positioned in the cylinder plug. Each pin set includes a keyway pin component and a locking pin component and is positioned such that a portion of each keyway pin component extends across the keyway. The pin components are selectively engagable. A re-combinating member is engaged with one of the components of each pin set and is moveable between a first position wherein the keyway pin components are engaged with the locking pin components and a second position wherein the keyway pin components are disengaged from the locking pin components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventors: Ajeya S. Rao, Mahesh Vithalrao Grampurohit
  • Patent number: 8448484
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a plurality of first rack components, a plurality of second rack components and a guide bar having a first surface engaged with the first rack components. The second rack components are movable via contacting against a first matched key which is inserted in a first direction. The guide bar has a second surface, a first side, a second side, and a tool-receiving portion recessed into the first side. The tool-receiving portion is parallel to the first direction, and the first rack components are actuated by the guide bar via acting force applied by the rekeying tool accommodated in the tool-receiving portion therefore enabling the first rack components to move in a transverse direction relative to the first direction and disengaging the first rack components from the second rack components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Huang, Chi-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20130086958
    Abstract: A rekeyable master lock includes a plurality of pin gears, with each pin gear engaged with a corresponding key follower. As each key follower rides up and down on the key biting, it causes a corresponding pin gear to rotate. Each pin gear engages a user gear and a master gear so that, as the pin gear rotates, the user and master gears rotate. Each user and master gear, in turn, drives a corresponding user rack and a master rack. When a valid user key is inserted and rotated, the user racks or master racks are aligned along a common axis and held in alignment by a locking bar. Longitudinal movement of the user gear or master gear allows the rekeying function by decoupling and recoupling the user gear or master gear with the user racks or master racks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: MARK W. EMORY
  • Patent number: 8347678
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder assembly includes at least one lock cylinder and a mortise lock adapter. Each lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A locking bar is disposed in the cylinder body for movement transverse to, and rotationally about, the longitudinal axis. A plug assembly having a tool receiving aperture is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A plurality of pins and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. A first member is moveable in response to application of a force by a tool received through the aperture to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of pins. The mortise lock adapter includes a housing configured for receiving the cylinder body of the lock cylinder. A mortise lock actuator is coupled to the plug assembly of the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald B. Chong
  • Patent number: 8327675
    Abstract: A lock cylinder having: a cylinder core having a key channel for inserting a key which is provided with profiling; at least one feeler element which is disposed in the cylinder core, is acted on by a spring and is held in a blocking position by the spring when the key is not inserted in the key channel; and a blocking element which, when the feeler element is in the blocking position, is held in a blocking position which blocks rotation of the cylinder core. The feeler element can be shifted against the return force of the spring into a release position by the profiling on the matching key inserted into the key channel, in which position the locking element can be deflected into a position releasing the cylinder core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: C. Ed. Schulte Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung Zylinderschlossfabrik
    Inventor: Andreas Baumann
  • Patent number: 8316676
    Abstract: A re-keyable cylinder lock has a control member to permit or restrict transverse movement of a re-keying unit. The control member is movable axially between first and second positions and transversely to a third position from the second position. In the third position, the re-keying unit moves transversely and disengages from first tumbler pieces. A limit member is provided to prevent the control member from moving axially when no right key is inserted into a plug. A security arm is connected to the control member and is breakable so that destructive forces cannot reach the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Liang Chiang, Ju-Lin Yang, Cheng-Chung Liu, Kun-Chen Lee, Song-Gen Shyu, Ching-Chuan Kuo
  • Patent number: 8302439
    Abstract: A pin setting key for setting rotational orientations of pins of a lock. The key includes a bow portion and a blade portion for inserting into a keyway. The blade portion has a longitudinal axis and a bow end and a tip end, with a plurality of bitting positions located between the bow and tip ends. Each of the bitting positions corresponds to one of the pins of the plug such that insertion of the blade portion into the keyway aligns the bitting position with one of the pins. Each bitting position includes at least one bitting surface configured to rotate a pin when the contact surface of the pin contacts the bitting surface. Each bitting surface is offset from a central location of the respective bitting position. Each bitting surface has an axis extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Marc W. Tobias, Tobias Bluzmanis
  • Patent number: 8291735
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a lock cylinder body having an interior void and a plug assembly rotatably disposed in the lock cylinder body. The plug assembly includes a plug body having a keyway. A plurality of racks is movably disposed relative to the plug body. A plurality of key followers is positioned across the keyway and is moveably disposed relative to the plug body. Each key follower is configured to engage a respective rack of the plurality of racks. A key follower rotation member is drivably engaged with each key follower of the plurality of key followers. The key follower rotation member is selectively movable to rotate each key follower of the plurality of key followers to thereby disengage each key follower of the plurality of key followers from the respective rack of the plurality of racks to facilitate a keying of the rekeyable lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventor: Gerry Damikolas
  • Patent number: 8281628
    Abstract: A profiled key for use in an associated cylinder lock provided with a rotatable key plug having a longitudinal keyway. The key has a substantially flat key blade with a longitudinally extending profile groove at a side surface thereof and at least one local recess adjacent to the profile groove. The local recess constitutes a locally expanded portion of the profile groove, and the locally expanded portion of the profile groove has a cross-section with two opposite, non-symmetrical side walls. The local recess will accommodate a blocking element in the lock, and permit full insertion of the key blade into the keyway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 8261587
    Abstract: A substantially burglary-proof lock, comprises a housing formed with a cylindrical bore defining an inner cylindrical surface, and a cylinder within said bore carrying locking elements movable to locking and unlocking positions with respect to said housing, said cylinder having an outer diameter equal to the diameter of said bore so as to be rotatable when the locking elements are in unlocking position with respect to said housing, said cylinder being formed with a keyway for receiving a proper key in order to move said locking elements to their locking and unlocking positions with respect to said housing, characterized in that said cylinder carries at least one insert of a hard material configured, dimensioned and located such as to prevent pull-out of the cylinder from the housing by a pull-out force applied to the cylinder, and/or by drilling through the locking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Asher Haviv, Eric Torgeman
  • Patent number: 8230708
    Abstract: A cylinder lock and key combination is disclosed. The lock comprises a housing (30) having a cylindrical bore and a cylindrical key plug (33) being rotatably journalled in said cylindrical bore. The key plug has a longitudinal, profiled keyway (34) and means (1, 2) for locking the key plug against rotation in the cylindrical bore unless a correctly cut key is fully inserted into the keyway. The key blade (60) has a cross-sectional profile fitting into said keyway, and a profile groove (61) extending longitudinally along the key blade. The lock comprises a blocking mechanism with at least one blocking element (20), which is movable from a first blocking position, in which first projecting portion (21) of the cross-sectional profile of the blocking element extends outside the cross-sectional contour of said profile rib, into a second blocking position, in which a second projecting portion (22) extends outside the contour of the rib and is accommodated in a recess (70) in the key blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 8186194
    Abstract: A tumbler pin lock includes an auxiliary locking mechanism including an auxiliary locking pin to provide enhance locking in addition to the locking provided by the tumbler pins so that the lock remains locked even if the tumblers are picked or bumped into their unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Medeco Security Locks, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Field, David P. Sutherland, Glenn Hartman, Mark Benzie, Walt Dannhardt, Kevin Galliher, Dan Boadwine, Clyde T. Roberson
  • Publication number: 20120073340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock and key combination including a cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug having a key slot for receiving a flat key blade (100) on a key, and at least two side locking tumblers (201a,201b;301,302;401,402) which are guided in associated chambers in the key plug and have transverse fingers (211a,211b:311,312;411,412a,412b) projecting into the key slot. There is a code pattern (110) in a side recess (115,118) of the key blade comprising at least two separate code surfaces formed on at least one side surface (101) of the key, including a primary code surface (131-135;141?;151) located in an external portion of the side recess and adjoining said one side surface (101), and a secondary code surface (141-145;142?152) being defined in a groove forming a deeper portion of the side recess. The primary and secondary code surfaces engage with first and second fingers (211b,311,411 and 211a,312,412a) on associated side locking tumblers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Bo WIDEN
  • Patent number: 8141399
    Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Richard G. Hyatt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8122746
    Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Richard G. Hyatt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8117876
    Abstract: A programmable lock cylinder assembly comprising a lock housing and a cylinder plug mounted for rotation within the housing. A set of rack pins are positioned in the cylinder plug and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A set of tongue pins are positioned in the cylinder plug and extend across the keyway. Each tongue pin is selectively engagable with a respective rack pin. A re-combinating member is engaged with the tongue pins and moveable between a first position wherein the tongue pins are engaged with the rack pins and a second position wherein the tongue pins are disengaged from the rack pins. A reset actuator is positioned within the cylinder plug and moveable between an engaged position wherein the re-combinating member position is locked relative to the cylinder plug and a non-engaged position wherein the re-combinating member position is moveable relative to the cylinder plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Sajil John Mathachan
  • Patent number: 8099988
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a plug assembly and a lock cylinder. The plug assembly includes a plug body, a plurality of key followers, a plurality of racks, and a rack carrier that carriers the plurality of racks. The rack carrier is moveable relative to the plug body between a proximal end and a distal end. A cam follower extends outwardly from the rack carrier. The lock cylinder body includes a cylinder wall with the plug assembly rotatably disposed therein, and has a cam track configured on the cylinder wall at an interior surface to guide the cam follower of the plug assembly. The cam track has a ramp portion configured to longitudinally displace the cam follower and the rack carrier as the plug assembly is rotated relative to the lock cylinder body to facilitate selective disengagement of the plurality of racks from the plurality of key followers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventor: Graham J. Wheatland
  • Patent number: 8061168
    Abstract: A key with a very large number of code combinations. The key includes a longitudinally extending key blade with a wave-like side code pattern forming a wave-like surface including a ramp portion at a free end portion of the key blade with the wave-like guide being formed on the key blade at a side surface. A key contacting portion engages the wave-like side code pattern and is positioned by way of a specific pivotal position of the finger. A specific asymmetric displacement of the key contacting portion is formed in an asymmetric free end of the finger so that the specific pivotal displacement of the key contacting portion is available relative to the specific pivotal displacement relative to the wave-like side code pattern. The number of possible code combinations is consequently further increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 8056378
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a cylinder body, a plug, an adjusting block and a plurality of rack component assemblies. The plug disposed within the cylinder body has a trench and a plurality of rack component runners communicating with the trench. The adjusting block disposed at the trench has an arc sidewall, a plurality of leading slots corresponding to the rack component runners one by one and a position groove recessed from the arc sidewall. The position groove has a notch portion and a groove inner portion, wherein a depth of the groove inner portion is larger than a depth of the notch portion. Each of the rack component assemblies comprises a first rack component disposed at the rack component runner and a second rack component capable of engaging with the first rack component. Each of the first rack components has a rib portion located at the leading slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Huang, Chi-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8033150
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A plug assembly is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotatable between a first position and a second position, the plug assembly having a lock face with a tool receiving aperture. A plurality of key followers and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. The plurality of racks is selectively engageable with the plurality of key followers. A first member is coupled to the plurality of racks. The first member is moveable in response to application of a force against the first member by a tool received through the tool receiving aperture. The first member is configured to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of key followers in response to the movement of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
  • Patent number: 7980106
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a cylinder body and a plug assembly disposed within the cylinder body. The plug assembly comprises a plug body, a plurality of pin assemblies and a guide bar. The plug body has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a tool-receiving hole. Each of the pin assemblies is movably disposed in the plug body and comprises a first rack component and a second rack component selectively engaging with the first rack component. The guide bar is coupled to the plug body and has a plurality of pin runners for engaging with the first rack components and a tool-receiving portion exposed by the tool-receiving hole. The guide bar is capable of moving along transverse axis-direction of the plug body to disengage the first rack components from the second rack components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Huang, Chi-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 7980104
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a cylinder body, a plug assembly disposed within the cylinder body and at least one adjusting member. The cylinder body has an inside wall, the plug assembly comprises a plug body having a plurality of pin holes and an opening, a plurality of assembled pins disposed within the pin holes of the plug body and a position block disposed in the plug body. Each of the assembled pins comprises a first rack component having an aligning cavity and a second rack component engaged with the first rack component. The position block has a plurality of pin runners served for disposing the first rack components and a tool-receiving hole corresponding to the opening. The adjusting member is movably disposed within one of the pin holes of the plug body and contacts against at least one first rack component and the inside wall of the cylinder body thereby forming a position difference between the tool-receiving hole and the aligning cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 7963135
    Abstract: A system for obstructing movement of a pin in a pin tumbler lock is disclosed. The system includes a pin movable in a bore in a plug of a pin tumbler lock, and the pin has a channel formed thereon for receiving a portion of a sidebar of the lock. The system further includes a blocking member mounted on the pin and configured to obstruct movement of the portion of the sidebar along the channel of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Marc W. Tobias, Tobias Bluzmanis
  • Patent number: 7937976
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a cylinder body and a plug assembly disposed within the cylinder body. The plug assembly comprises a plug body, a plurality of assembled pins and a position block. The plug body has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis vertical to the longitudinal axis, a keyhole and a first through hole. Each of the assembled pins is movably disposed in the plug body and comprises a first rack component and a second rack component selectively engaging with the first rack component. The position block disposed at the plug body has a plurality of pin runners used for disposing the first rack components, a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole and a tool-contacting surface located within the second through hole. The position block can move along the transverse axis-direction of the plug body to make each of the first rack components reengage with each of the second rack components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Huang, Chi-Ming Chen