Lock adjustable to operate with different keys

A lock assemblable into a lock assembly and selectively operable therein by each of a plurality of different keys comprising:

• a casing;
• a plurality of cylinders rotatably disposed one in the other in said casing, said lock including structure closing one end thereof, a keyway being disposed in said one end in which a key may be inserted for operating said lock;
• a plurality of pin tumblers;
• means in said casing and said plurality of cylinders for movably receiving said plurality of pin tumblers, said pin tumblers being positionable by a key inserted in said keyway, said tumblers being configured to form a first common pin tumbler shear line between a first and a second of said plurality of cylinders when said pin tumblers are positioned by a first key inserted in said keyway, said first common pin tumbler shear line permitting rotation of said first cylinder relative to said second cylinder, said pin tumblers also being configured to form a second common pin tumbler shear line between said second cylinder and said casing when said pin tumblers are positioned by a second key different from said first key inserted in said keyway, said second common pin tumbler shear line permitting rotation of said second cylinder relative to said casing;
• and
• means actuable from the exterior of said lock assembly through said keyway of said lock when said lock is assembled in said lock assembly for selectively engaging said first and said second cylinders independently of the positioning of said pin tumblers, whereby said first key but not said second key is operable to rotate said first cylinder relative to said second cylinder and said casing across said first common pin tumbler shear line when said means for engaging does not engage said first and second cylinders, and said second key but not said first key is operable to rotate said first and second cylinders together relative to said casing across said second common pin tumbler shear line when said means for engaging engages said first and second cylinders.

A lock assemblable into a lock assembly and selectively operable therein by each of a plurality of different keys comprising:

• a casing;
• a plurality of cylinders rotatably disposed one in the other in said casing, said lock including structure closing one end thereof, a keyway being disposed in said one end in which a key may be inserted for operating said lock;
• a plurality of pin tumblers;
• means in said casing and said plurality of cylinders for movably receiving said plurality of pin tumblers, said pin tumblers being positionable by a key inserted in said keyway, said tumblers being configured to form a first common pin tumbler shear line between a first and a second of said plurality of cylinders when said pin tumblers are positioned by a first key inserted in said keyway, said first common pin tumbler shear line permitting rotation of said first cylinder relative to said second cylinder, said pin tumblers also being configured to form a second common pin tumbler shear line between said second cylinder and said casing when said pin tumblers are positioned by a second key different from said first key inserted in said keyway, said second common pin tumbler shear line permitting rotation of said second cylinder relative to said casing;
• and
• means actuable from the exterior of said lock assembly from an end of said lock assembly opposite said one end when said lock is assembled in said lock assembly for selectively engaging said first and said second cylinders independently of the positioning of said pin tumblers, whereby said first key but not said second key is operable to rotate said first cylinder relative to said second cylinder and said casing across said first common pin tumbler shear line when said means for engaging does not engage said first and second cylinders, and said second key but not said first key is operable to rotate said first and second cylinders together relative to said casing across said second common pin tumbler shear line when said means for engaging engages said first and second cylinders.

A lock assemblable into a lock assembly and selectively operable therein by each of a plurality of different keys comprising:

• a casing;
• a plurality of cylinders rotatably disposed one in the other in said casing, said lock including structure closing one end thereof, a keyway being disposed in said one end in which a key may be inserted for operating said lock;
• a plurality of pin tumblers;
• means in said casing and said plurality of cylinders for movably receiving said plurality of pin tumblers, said pin tumblers being positionable by a key inserted in said keyway, said tumblers being configured to form a first common pin tumbler shear line between a first and a second of said plurality of cylinders when said pin tumblers are positioned by a first key inserted in said keyway, said first common pin tumbler shear line permitting rotation of said first cylinder relative to said second cylinder, said pin tumblers also being configured to form a second common pin tumbler shear line between said second cylinder and said casing when said pin tumblers are positioned by a second key different from said first key inserted in said keyway, said second common pin tumbler shear line permitting rotation of said second cylinder relative to said casing;
• and
• at least one movable engaging member and means in at least said first and second cylinders for movably receiving said at least one engaging member, said at least one engaging member defining an adjustable shear line, a rotatable member disposed adjacent said at least one engaging member, said at least one engaging member and said rotatable member including mutually engaging structure for moving, upon rotation of said rotatable member, said at least one engaging member between a first position not engaging said first and second cylinders and placing said adjustable shear line between said first and second cylinders, and a second position engaging said first and second cylinders and placing said adjustable shear line between said second cylinder and said casing, whereby said first key but not said second key is operable to rotate said first cylinder relative to said second cylinder and said casing across said first common pin tumbler shear line when said at least one engaging member is in its first position and said second key but not said first key is operable to rotate said first and second cylinders together relative to said casing across said second common pin tumbler shear line when said at least one engaging member is in said second position thereof.

A lock system comprising a plurality of locks, each adjustable from the exterior thereof without disassembling the respective lock to operate it in at least three keyed configurations thereof, all of said plurality of locks being keyed so as to operate in a first keyed configuration thereof with a first key which may act as a master key, locks of at least two sub-groups of said plurality of locks being keyed so as to operate in a second keyed configuration thereof with a key that is different for each of said sub-groups which key may act as a sub-master key for the locks of the respective sub-groups of locks, each of said sub-groups of locks including at least one lock, each of said plurality of locks being keyed to operate in a third keyed configuration thereof with a key that is different for each of said plurality of locks, said first key not operating any of said locks in said second and third keyed configurations thereof, said keys which operate said locks in said second keyed configuration thereof not operating any lock in said first and third keyed configurations thereof, said keys which operate said locks in said third keyed configuration thereof not operating any of said locks in said first and said second keyed configurations thereof, and each of said plurality of locks including means for adjusting a respective lock, from the exterior thereof without disassembling the respective lock, to operate in said first, second and third keyed configurations thereof.