BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinally oriented cross-sectional view of a present exemplary pin tumbler lock core assembly, illustrating a so-called pass key inserted therein, which core assembly may be removable in accordance with the present subject matter;
FIG. 2A is a further cross-sectioned view, taken along the section line Fig.2-Fig.2 as illustrated in FIG. 1, of the exemplary core assembly of present FIG. 1, in a locked or non-removable position thereof;
FIG. 2B is a back end view of the exemplary core assembly of present FIGS. 1 and 2A, also illustrated as in a locked or non-removable position thereof;
FIG. 3A is a further cross-sectioned view, taken along the section line FIG. 2-FIG. 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1, of the exemplary core assembly of present FIG. 1, in an unlocked or removable position thereof;
FIG. 3B is a back end view, similar to that of FIG. 2B, of the exemplary core assembly of present FIGS. 1 through 3A, and also illustrated as in an unlocked or removable position thereof;
FIG. 4A illustrates a generally front and side perspective or isometric view of a present exemplary core assembly in isolation and in an assembled condition thereof;
FIG. 4B illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary core assembly of present FIG. 4A;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are respective front and back (and generally side) perspective views of an exemplary outer cylinder into which a present exemplary core assembly may be installed in accordance with the present subject matter; and
FIG. 6 illustrates methodology for insertion of a present exemplary inner cylinder and core assembly into an exemplary outer cylinder, in a present removable core assembly embodiment, to effect re-keying of a lock.
Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features, elements, or steps of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As discussed in the Summary of the Invention section, the present subject matter is particularly concerned with pin tumbler locks which are key operated, and which in some present embodiments are configured for having a removable core assembly that allows changing of an associated key without having to remove or uninstall a mounted lock.
Selected combinations of aspects of the disclosed technology correspond to a plurality of different embodiments of the present subject matter. It should be noted that each of the exemplary embodiments presented and discussed herein should not insinuate limitations of the present subject matter. Features or steps illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in combination with aspects of another embodiment to yield yet further embodiments. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not expressly mentioned but which perform the same or similar function.
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the subject key operated pin tumbler lock and associated methodology.
With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a longitudinally oriented cross-sectional view of selected portions of a present exemplary pin tumbler lock core assembly 100 constructed in accordance with the present technology, which core assembly in some embodiments may be removable in accordance with the present subject matter. It should be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that for various present embodiments, FIG. 1 is also representative of a present exemplary pin tumbler lock core assembly 100 constructed in accordance with the present technology, but which core assembly in accordance with the present subject matter is not necessarily of a readily removable nature.
FIG. 1 also representatively illustrates a so-called pass key, such as pass key 8, illustrated as inserted into the core assembly 100. Core assembly 100 may preferably comprise an inner cylinder 1 and a core 2, together with additional components as will be described more fully below with reference FIG. 4B.
With further reference to FIG. 1, when a present pin tumbler lock constructed in accordance with the present technology is provided with a removable core, an element such as exemplary locking tab 3 may be utilized as an extension of a supporting cylindrical retainer 33 of the core 2. Such locking tab 3 may be normally held in place such as by a driver pin 5. When such occurs, locking tab 3 and retainer 33 are prevented from rotating, which correspondingly prevents core assembly 100 from being removed from an outer cylinder 500 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). FIGS. 5A and 5B are respective front and back (and generally side) perspective views of such exemplary outer cylinder 500 into which a present exemplary core assembly generally 100 may be installed in accordance with the present subject matter. Such exemplary core assembly 100 is removed from outer cylinder 500 as it is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, while FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary insertion of an exemplary core assembly 100 into present outer cylinder 500, to effect lock re-keying.
In accordance with one aspect of the current technology, tumbler 4 is normally held in a position determined by the depth of a hole 44 drilled in core or plug 2 and is forced down into such hole 44 by spring 66 positioned above driver pin 5. The force provided by spring 66 on driver pin 5 correspondingly forces tumbler 4 down against the bottom of the hole 44. The pass key 8, by way of its being bitted 6 so as not to touch tumbler 4, cannot accidentally dislodge tumbler 4 and driver pin 5, thereby inadvertently permitting the core assembly to be removed.
In accordance with the present technology, the designated top of tumbler 4 is held at shear line 55 by the depth of hole 44, thus allowing the core 2 to be rotated when a proper pass or access key 8 is inserted. As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, insertion of a pass or access key would align to the shear line 55 all of the tumblers in the lock (none of which other than tumble 4 are presently illustrated) so that the lock may be opened. One aspect of the present subject matter can be seen in the fact that tumbler 4, in this exemplary embodiment controlling movement of tab 3, is normally held at shear line 55 due to the depth of hole 44 and downward pressure of spring 66 on driver pin 5, even if no key is inserted into the lock.
Tumbler 4 and driver pin 5 are standard components that have been used in lock making for years. The present technology allows the use of such readily available components in a way that has not been previously employed to thereby avoid the use of special components, such as so-called master wafers and/or other mechanically contrived mechanisms previously employed that, due to their complex nature, might fail. The present technology, therefore, is able to provide a simple, cost effective and reliable removable core pin tumbler lock not previously available.
With reference now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B there are illustrated, respectively, an internal cross-section (FIG. 2A) and a rear view (FIG. 2B) of the core assembly 100 in a locked (i.e. core non-removable) position and an internal cross-section (FIG. 3A) and a rear view (FIG. 3B) of the core assembly 100 in an un-locked (i.e., core removable) position. As previously mentioned, in normal operation, spring 66 pushes driver pin 5 down against tumbler 4 and seats tumbler 4 against the bottom of hole 44 in core 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, locking tab 3, when held in the position shown, prohibits the core assembly 100 from being removed from the outer cylinder due to the locking tab 3's rotated position relative to inner and outer cylinders.
Other embodiments of the present subject matter may be practiced. For example, the subject matter of present FIG. 1, as illustrated, generally tends to address the susceptibility of pin tumbler lock arrangements to unintentional activation of the tumbler by a key used by unauthorized persons, whether a removable core is involved or not. Also, variations may be practiced even among the components illustrated. For example, while the hole/tumbler/drive pin/spring arrangement as discussed above is illustrated in conjunction with a position E formed relative to an inner cylinder 1 and a core 2, such component arrangements may be practiced at other positions A, B, C, and/or D relative to an inner cylinder 1 and a core 2, as illustrated. It is also to be understood that any one or more of positions A through E, inclusive, may be provided with a hole (such as or similar to hole 44), or provided with a hole which although similar in some respects, is otherwise formed (i.e., drilled) to its own particular depth or level, for purposes of particular embodiments. In various embodiments, some not necessarily involving a removable core cylinder, the tumbler hole may be formed/drilled to a relatively shallow depth, in any one or more of the illustrated positions A through E, to stop a particular key from functioning with the associated tumbler of such tumbler hole.
Stated another way, the present subject matter includes and encompasses the methodology (and corresponding resulting structure) or selecting one or more tumbler positions for forming/drilling a tumbler hole associated respectively therewith, so as to situated in a relatively shallow position within core or plug 2. Such configurations correspondingly place the involved tumbler or tumblers in relatively elevated positions in relation to a particular key, which particular key or keys can not even touch the associated tumbler. However, in accordance with present subject matter, a properly bitted key (i.e., one with an adequately shallow bite), could touch the tumbler or tumblers, and therefore actuate the associated lock or otherwise cause it to function. As noted above, such arrangements can provide advantages regardless of whether used in a key operated pin tumbler embodiment with a removable core or not. Stated yet another way, the concept disclosed herein could also be used in any tumbler position to thwart the use of picking tools by varying the resting position of tumblers.
FIG. 3B illustrates locking tab 3 rotated to a removal or un-locked position of a removable core. Locking tab 3 in the illustration of FIG. 3B (as contrasted with that of FIG. 3A) has been aligned with the tumbler block of the inner cylinder 1, thus in such particular embodiment, enabling removal of the core assembly 100. FIG. 2A shows the driver pin 5 preventing rotation of the retainer 33 and locking tab 3. FIG. 3A illustrates the position of tumbler 4 moved to shear line 55′ when a removal or control key 8 is inserted in the lock. The key biting (i.e., profile) literally moves, or raises, tumbler 4 and driver pin 5 so that driver pin 5 engages retainer 33, and the driver pin 5 bottom is then at the retainer shear line 55′. The removal or control key 8 can then be used to rotate the core assembly to the removal position to allow removal of the core assembly 100, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the present figures and disclosure materials.
As further illustrated by FIGS. 4A and 4B, the position of retainer 33 is restrained by stop 20 on inner cylinder 1 and on the retainer 33 at features 21 and 21′. Such stops ensure that retainer 33 is positioned correctly for either of removal or installation, wherefore such stops are an integral part in the illustrated structures of the arrangement of exemplary pin tumbler lock constructions in accordance with the present technology, to the extent that such relate to removable core present embodiments. As should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the present technology provides a structure that reflects a significantly more simple design mechanically relative to previous designs that incorporated multiple driving rods or pins and levers to drive cross bolts and other elements to provide a removable core structure.
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the components of the core assembly 100. The components are illustrated assembled in FIG. 4A while shown in an exploded view in FIG. 4B. As may be seen more clearly in FIG. 4B, a removable core pin tumbler lock constructed in accordance with the present technology may correspond to an inner cylinder 1 into which may be inserted a core (or plug) 2. Following insertion of core 2, a plurality of tumblers 4, driver pins 5 and springs 66 may be inserted into an appropriately provided hole or holes (such as hole 44) and secured by plate 12 in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
In accordance with the present technology, retainer 33 with its extension locking tab 3 may be secured to the rear portion of inner cylinder 1 and, at the same time, core 2 may be held in place within inner cylinder 1 by placement of snap ring 9 into groove 19 provided on the rear portion of core 2.
It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that these assemblies can easily be bitted in many different codes and, likewise, can be easily re-keyed due to the provision of the above described features. It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the presently described technology that various additional configurations of the removable core pin tumbler lock, and of non-removable present embodiments, may be constructed in accordance with the present technology. For example, a more secure core removal aspect (in the instance of a removable core arrangement) may include the use of two tumblers to lock the locking tab 3 in place as opposed to the single tumbler configuration herein illustrated.
With reference now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, there are illustrated respective front and back (and generally side) perspective views of an exemplary outer cylinder 500 into which a present exemplary core assembly may be installed in accordance with the present subject matter. Such exemplary outer cylinder 500 may in turn be mounted in a useful position, such as in a drawer or door to be secured.
As further represented by present FIG. 6, core assembly 100 may slide into the front of outer cylinder 500 when a removal or control key 8 (see FIG. 1) is inserted and used to turn the locking tab 3 on retainer 33 to line up with the tumbler block 110 of the inner cylinder 1. It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that, as illustrated in such FIG. 6, core assembly 100 could not be inserted into outer cylinder 500 in such configuration since locking tab 3 has not yet been rotated to a position in line with tumbler block 110. Once a control key is inserted into core assembly 100 and the core retainer 33 and locking tab 3 are rotated (such as counter-clockwise from the position illustrated in FIG. 6), core assembly 100 may be seated in the outer cylinder 500. The control key may then be rotated clockwise to position locking tab 3 in the position illustrated in FIG. 6 to securely lock the core assembly 100 in the outer cylinder 500, after which the control key may be removed from the lock. A pass key 8 keyed to a newly inserted or replaced core assembly may then be used to gain access to the secured subject drawer or door (not illustrated) into which the lock assembly has been mounted. It is also to be recognized that presently disclosed structures and associated methodology help to reduce any susceptibility to unauthorized techniques practiced against the lock, such as involving unintentional activation of the tumbler using a key.
While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily produce and/or practice alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Patent Application
20070271976
