Rekeyable lock cylinder

A rekeyable lock cylinder assembly comprising:

• a key having blade with a first key cut and a second key cut, the first key cut independent and at a different position on the blade than the second key cut;
• a cylinder body defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the cylinder body defines a first locking bar engaging slot and a second locking bar engaging slot;
• and
• a plug assembly disposed at least partially within the cylinder body and being selectively rotatable around the longitudinal axis, the plug assembly including:
• a plug body defining a keyway opening for receiving the key;
• at least one key follower slidably mounted on the plug body and configured to interact with the first key cut when the key is received within the keyway opening;
• a carrier subassembly slidably mounted on the plug body, the carrier subassembly including:
• a carrier selectively slidable along the longitudinal axis for rekeying between different keys;
• a first locking bar slidably mounted on the carrier and selectively engageable with the first locking bar engaging slot to block rotation of the plug assembly relative to the cylinder body;
• and
• at least one rack coupled between the at least one key follower and the first locking bar to control movement of the first locking bar;
• a second locking bar slidably mounted on the plug body and selectively engageable with the second locking bar engaging slot to block rotation of the plug assembly relative to the cylinder body;
• and
• at least one slider coupled to the second locking bar to control movement of the second locking bar, wherein the at least one slider is configured to interact with the second key cut when the key is received within the keyway opening.

A method of rekeying a rekeyable lock cylinder comprising:

• inserting a first key into a keyway opening of a plug body of a plug assembly of the rekeyable lock cylinder, the first key having a first key cut and a second key cut, the plug assembly including at least one key follower, a carrier subassembly with a carrier, a first locking bar, and at least one rack coupled between the at least one key follower and the first locking bar, a second locking bar, and at least one slider coupled to the second locking bar, wherein the first key cut positions the first locking bar in an unlocked position and the second key cut positions the second locking bar in an unlocked position;
• rotating the plug assembly within a cylinder body;
• inserting a rekeying tool to longitudinally push the carrier with the at least one rack such that the at least one rack is disengaged with the at least one key follower;
• removing the first key;
• inserting a second key having a third key cut and a fourth key cut;
• and
• rotating the plug assembly so as to reengage the at least one rack with the at least one key follower and the first locking bar is rekeyed to the third key cut that is different than the first key cut, the fourth key cut being the same as the second key cut.