Weather resistant lock

A method of inhibiting water accumulation in a locking system for use in a storage structure, the storage structure defining a spade-shaped asymmetrical receptacle profile compatible for securing a top accessible tumbler lock shell within the storage structure wherein the top accessible tumbler lock shell comprises a capped plurality of overhead tumbler ports defined by an upwardly projecting hollow top rail and extending from an exterior access to the hollow top rail and projecting inwardly toward a center of the top accessible tumbler lock shell, the method comprising:

• selecting a first tumbler lock shell having a spade-shaped asymmetrical exterior profile across a longitudinal axis, the spade-shaped asymmetrical exterior profile being compatible to secure the first tumbler lock shell within the spade-shaped asymmetrical receptacle profile, the first tumbler lock shell comprising an upwardly projecting solid top rail centrally located on a solid waterproof circumferential outer wall extending around the longitudinal axis of the first tumbler lock shell, the first tumbler lock shell defining a downwardly and inwardly sloped interior drainage channel extending along a lower inner wall of the first tumbler lock shell and between a distal end of the first tumbler lock shell and a proximate end of the first tumbler lock shell to drain water from the interior of the first tumbler lock shell, the first tumbler lock shell being configured for housing a first rotatable core, the first rotatable core comprising a core head and defining a first exterior rotatable core profile;
• the first rotatable core extending along the longitudinal axis from the core head adjacent the proximate end to a core body extending from the core head to the distal end, the core head defining a cross sectional diameter greater than a cross sectional diameter defined by the core body;
• removing a capped top accessible tumbler lock shell from the spade-shaped asymmetrical receptacle profile, the top accessible tumbler lock shell comprising a capped plurality of overhead tumbler ports defined by an upwardly projecting hollow top rail and being configured for housing a second rotatable core defining a second exterior rotatable core profile different from the exterior profile of the first rotatable core, the second rotatable core being incompatible for operational use within the first tumbler lock shell;
• replacing the capped top accessible tumbler lock shell with the first tumbler lock shell, for aligning secure engagement of the first tumbler lock shell within the receptacle profile and for operative communication with the locking system;
• the core head defining an arcuate recess between an outer circumferential wall of the core head and an opposing interior wall of the first tumbler lock shell in water communication with a drainway outlet, wherein the arcuate recess is in a lower interior quadrant of the first rotatable core, the arcuate recess extending from a 3 o'clock position to a 6 o'clock position or from the 6 o'clock position to a 9 o'clock position when the first rotatable core is in a locked position;
• and
• providing a protective annular scalp over a proximate end of the first tumbler lock shell, a bottom edge of the protective annular scalp defining the drainway outlet in water communication with the drainage channel, and a water resistant seal comprising an O-ring positioned at the proximate end and providing a water barrier around the proximate end of the keyway and pressed between the protective annular scalp and the first tumbler lock shell to inhibit water ingress between the proximate end of the first rotatable locking core and the proximate end of the first tumbler lock shell.

A tumbler lock for installation in a spade-shaped asymmetrical receptacle in a storage structure, the tumbler lock comprising:

• a first shell defining an elongated body with a spade-shaped asymmetrical perimeter profile and extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximate end and a distal end for housing a first rotatable core, the first shell comprising a solid waterproof circumferential outer wall extending around the longitudinal axis, the circumferential outer wall comprising an upwardly projecting solid water impermeable top rail configured to be unsuitable for housing an internal array of tumblers projecting inwardly toward the first rotatable core,
• the first rotatable core defining a core head adjacent the proximate end, the first rotatable core defining a first array of tumblers for engaging an interior wall of a chamber in the first shell when the first rotatable core is in a locked position,
• the first rotatable core extending along the longitudinal axis from the core head adjacent the proximate end to a core body extending from the core head to the distal end, the core head defining a cross sectional diameter greater than a cross sectional diameter defined by the core body,
• an interior drainway extending downwardly and outwardly from within the tumbler lock, the drainway comprising a channel along the bottom interior of first the shell, and a dripway from the keyway in communication with the channel, the dripway extending along a proximate lower edge of the first shell, for water to flow outwardly via a drain opening,
• a rotatable arcuate recess within a lower quadrant of the tumbler lock, the recess extending from a 3 o'clock position to a 6 o'clock position or from the 6 o'clock position to a 9 o'clock position when the first rotatable core is in the locked position, the recess defined by an outer circumferential surface of the core head and an opposing interior surface of the shell, the arcuate recess extending between the outer circumferential surface of the core head and the opposing interior surface of the first shell, the arcuate recess being in water communication with the drain opening,
• the first shell being configured for interchangeable use in place of a second shell housing a second rotatable locking core defining a second array of tumblers for engaging the second shell when the second rotatable core is in a locked position, the second shell having a corresponding spade-shaped asymmetrical exterior perimeter profile comprising a perforated top rail housing a plurality of tumblers projecting inwardly for engagement with the second rotatable core, the plurality of tumblers being covered with a cap on the perforated top rail, the first array of tumblers in the first rotatable core being different from the second array of tumblers, and the first rotatable core is incompatible for operational use in the second shell.

A tumbler lock extending along a longitudinal axis from an outer face at a proximate end to a distal end, the tumbler lock being configured for insertion into a housing recess having a spade-shaped asymmetrical cross sectional perimeter profile in a storage structure, the tumbler lock comprising:

• a first shell with a corresponding spade-shaped asymmetrical cross sectional perimeter profile for housing a first rotatable core having a core head adjacent the proximate end, the first shell extending between the proximate end and the distal end, the corresponding spade-shaped asymmetrical cross sectional perimeter profile comprising a water impermeable solid top rail projecting from a water impermeable outer perimeter wall extending about the horizontal axis, the top rail configured to be unsuitable for housing an internal array of tumblers projecting inwardly toward the first rotatable core;
• the first rotatable core defining a first exterior rotatable core profile and a linear plurality of tumbler slots communicating with a keyway when an operating key is inserted into the keyway, a first set of tumblers in the linear plurality of tumbler slots in coplanar interfacial alignment along an exterior surface of the first rotatable core, when in an unlocked position, to permit rotation of the first rotatable core, about the axis, within the first shell, and the first set of tumblers being biased outwardly for engagement with an interior surface of the first shell when in a locked position,
• an interior drainway extending downwardly and outwardly from within the tumbler lock, to channel water outwardly via a drain opening, the interior drainway defining a drainage channel, the first set of tumblers comprising downwardly projecting tumblers in the first rotatable core engaging the drainage channel and upwardly projecting tumblers engaging an upper channel below the solid top rail when the first rotatable core is in the locked position,
• a drainage space adjacent the proximate end defined by a rotatable arcuate recess continuing from a 3 o'clock position to a 6 o'clock position or from the 6 o'clock position to a 9 o'clock position when the first rotatable core is in the locked position, the arcuate recess extending between an outer surface of the core head and an opposing interior surface of the first shell for fluid communication with the drainway, and
• the first shell being configured for interchangeable use in place of a second shell, the second shell having the corresponding spade-shaped asymmetrical cross sectional perimeter profile for housing a second rotatable core defining a second exterior rotatable core profile different from a first exterior rotatable core profile defined by the first rotatable core, the first rotatable core being incompatible for operational use within the second shell.