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US 4,372,139 AGranted
Self-contained re-keyable lock
OwnerDennis L. Laakeinventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerDennis L. Laakeinventor
Estimating the term…
A lock in which a replaceable control shaft adjusts a moveable shaft in the main cylinder to different predetermined levels. By adjusting the moveable shaft a new shear line is created between the key pin housed in the shaft and the spring loaded pin tumbler housed in a separate moveable shaft embodied in the lock housing. When a new shear line has been created a new predetermined key will become operable while the prior key, unless it is a master key, becomes inoperable. A special key when rotated causes a cylinder to rotate creating a cavity in the lock allowing access to the control shaft through the facing of the lock. The control shaft has a spring that compresses upon adjustment securing a nodule on the control shaft into one of several cavity slots. The control shaft has teeth that mesh into the adjustable moveable shaft. The teeth may or may not cause the moveable shaft to change position upon the rotation of the control shaft. The bridging device connects the main cylinder and the sloped upper portion of the adjustable moveable shaft. This bridge slides under and raises the upper moveable shaft into an aligning position with the adjustable moveable shaft thereby preventing jamming when the main cylinder is returned to its original position.
A pin tumbler locking mechanism comprising at least one key pin housed in the main cylinder that aligns with at least one pin tumbler located in the housing for said main cylinder wherein the improvement comprises a means to adjust the shear line, at the location of said key pin and said pin tumbler and between said main cylinder and said housing for said main cylinder, and a means to rotate said main cylinder after said means to adjust the shear line has been engaged.
A rekeyable pin tumbler locking mechanism not requiring the removal of internal parts for the rekeying comprising a main cylinder with at least one adjustable shaft, at least one moveable shaft outside of the main cylinder, the said adjustable shaft and said moveable shaft align and house a key pin and pin tumbler respectively, an elongated core element means to adjust the position of either said adjustable shaft or said moveable shaft whereby a new shear line is created between said adjustable shaft and said moveable shaft adjustment, and a cavity means whereby said adjustable shaft and said moveable shaft in any set position rotate without hindrance when the operational key is turned.
The self-contained housing of at least one key pin and of at least one pin tumbler of a lock that aligns with said key pin comprising moveable sections means that create a shear line at the position where said key pin and said pin tumbler are encased by said moveable sections means and means allowing rotation of main cylinder when said moveable sections are engaged in different shear line positions, the said housing being adjustable by means of a replaceable elongated core element means.
The self-contained housing of at least one key pin and of at least one pin tumbler of a lock that aligns with said key pin comprising moveable sections means that create a shear line at the position where said key pin and said pin tumbler are encased by said moveable sections means and means allowing rotation of main cylinder when said moveable sections are engaged in different shear line positions, the said housing being adjustable by means of a replaceable elongated core element means means, a means to allow access to said elongated core element means by use of a special key or master key, a means to prevent the jamming of said housing with other internal parts of the locking mechanism, a means to adjust said elongated core element means without a corresponding adjustment of said housing, and a means to have the housing be properly positioned in a operable position after adjustment of said elongated core element means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.