Interchangeable core lock

A replaceable core lock system comprising:

• cylinder lock means, said lock means including shell means and a plug which is rotatable relative to the shell means about an axis, the plug defining a keyway which extends axially thereof, said lock means further including a retainer pin tumbler receiving bore which extends through the shell means and an activating pin tumbler receiving bore which extends between said keyway and the outer circumference of the plug, said retainer and activating pin tumbler receiving bores having axes which are oriented generally transversely with respect to the axis of rotation of the plug, the axes of said retainer and activating pin tumbler receiving bores being non-aligned when the plug is in an unrotated state relative to the shell means, said bores being positioned so as to be capable of being brought into alignment, the shell means further having a non-linear groove which extends from said retainer pin tumbler receiving bore to a first end of the shell means, said shell means first end being disposed oppositely with respect to the key insertion end of the keyway, said plug and shell means cooperating to define a plurality of locking pin tumbler receiving chambers, locking pin tumbler stacks being disposed in said locking pin tumbler receiving chambers and defining the bitting of said lock means;
• an activating pin disposed in said activating pin tumbler receiving bore, said activating pin being movable along said bore and being sized to at least in part be received in said retainer pin tumbler receiving bore;
• core retainer means, said retainer means including a housing which defines a retainer pin tumbler receiving chamber, said retainer pin tumbler receiving chamber of said housing being axially alignable with said retainer pin tumbler receiving bore in said shell means, said retainer means further including a resiliently biased retainer pin tumbler, said retainer pin tumbler being reciprocal in said housing chamber to normally engage said retainer pin tumbler receiving bore in said shell means to thereby capture said cylinder lock means against motion relative to said housing, insertion into the plug keyway of a control key having a bitting which engages said activating pin transversely repositioning the inwardly disposed end of said retainer pin tumbler to the level of the intersection of said retainer pin tumbler receiving bore in said shell means with said groove whereby said cylinder lock means may be rotated relative to said housing and may be separated therefrom.