A locksmith tool apparatus for decoding the length of a tumbler pin disposed in a discrete lock cylinder within a cylinder lock of the type having a lock housing with a rotatable lock cylinder therein, said apparatus comprising:
- lock insertion means slidably insertable into a key way of the rotatable lock cylinder and including an upper portion and a slidable lower portion, said upper portion having a key shape, said key shape being uniquely defined by the shape of an upper portion of a key specific to the cylinder lock, said slidable lower portion when inserted into said key way being oriented to depress the tumbler pin to a fixed position within said discrete lock cylinder and in a direction away from said upper portion of said lock insertion means;
- a frame uniquely attachable to said lock insertion means for controlling the distance said lock insertion means is to be slidably inserted into the key way such that a first end of a wire extending from a groove in said upper portion of said lock insertion means is oriented to extend in said direction away from said upper portion and downwardly along a forward wall within said discrete lock cylinder, said frame including means for supporting said slidable lower portion and permitting said slidable lower portion to be removed from the key way while the upper portion of said lock insertion means remains in the key way;
- a small diameter fixed tube disposed within said groove for supporting said wire slidably driven therein, said small diameter fixed tube and said groove extending in a direction from said frame to said upper portion of said lock insertion means, said groove for guiding said small diameter tube to a position within said upper portion of said lock insertion means substantially over said discrete lock cylinder;
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- a universal adaptor for attaching to said frame, said universal adaptor comprising:
- a wire depressing means attachably connected to a second end of said wire extending from said frame for slidably driving said wire through the small diameter fixed tube, the slidably driven wire depressing the tumbler pin from a fixed relative position below said slidable lower portion to a fully depressed position, said small diameter fixed tube being oriented such that the wire is guided to extend downwardly along said forward wall of the discrete lock cylinder thereby making contact with the tumbler pin therein at said fixed relative position;
- means for measuring a maximum distance the wire is slidably extended downwardly by said wire depressing means;
- means for calculating, in response to said measured maximum distance, a distance said tumbler pin must be extended downwardly from below said upper portion of said lock insertion means when said slidable lower portion is removed such that a bottom surface of said tumbler pin, resting on a driver pin within said discrete lock cylinder, is flush with the rotatable lock cylinder permitting the rotatable lock cylinder to rotate;
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- zeroing means connected to said wire depressing means and said measuring means for calibrating the measuring means by compensating for changes in wire elasticity or shifting of the small diameter fixed tube.