Pin tumbler locks and keys therefor

An improved key-actuated pin tumbler lock comprising the following:

• a cylindrical core rotatable in a lock housing along a rotational path,
• a plurality of pin tumblers received in respective bores journalled in the core and the lock housing, each bore containing a pin tumbler including one core pin and one housing pin with a pin junction therebetween, each pin tumbler being biassed towards the core,
• a key slot in the core, whereby insertion in the key slot of a key having thereon suitable bits aligns the pin junctions of the plurality of pin tumblers with the rotational path of the core within the lock housing, thereby permitting the core to rotate within the lock housing, said pin tumblers, bores, and suitable bits on the key being located in a first plane, and the disengagement means is located in a second plane;
• and
• a retaining mechanism biassed to engage at least one of the pin tumblers, thereby resisting movement of the at least one pin tumbler in radially outward and radially inward directions within each said bore until released by insertion in the key slot of the key, the key including means for disengaging the retaining mechanism from the at least one pin tumbler, said retaining mechanism including a spring received in a groove located in the core and biassed towards engagement with the at least one pin tumbler, and said retaining mechanism further including a displaceable member constructed and arranged to release the spring from engagement with the at least one pin tumbler under influence of the disengagement means provided on the key.

An improved key-actuated pin tumbler lock comprising the following:

• a cylindrical core rotatable in a lock housing along a rotational path,
• a plurality of pin tumblers received in respective bores journalled in the core and the lock housing, each bore containing a pin tumbler including one core pin and one housing pin with a pin junction therebetween each pin tumbler being biassed towards the core,
• a key slot in the core, whereby insertion in the key slot of a key having therein suitable bits aligns the pin junctions of the plurality of pin tumblers with the rotational path of the core within the lock housing, thereby permitting the core to rotate within the lock housing, said pin tumblers, bores, and suitable bits on the key being located in a first plane, and the disengagement means is located in a second plane;
• a retaining mechanism biassed to engage at least one of the pin tumblers, thereby resisting movement of the at least one pin tumblers in radially outward and radially inward directions within each said bore until released by insertion in the key slot of the key, the key including means for disengaging the retaining mechanism from the at least one pin tumbler, said retaining mechanism including a spring received in a groove located in the core and biassed towards engagement with the at least one pin tumbler, and said retaining mechanism further including a displaceable member constructed and arranged to release the spring from engagement with the at least one pin tumbler under influence of the disengagement means provided on the key;
• and
• a locking bar comprising a trap received within a recess in the core and, in the locked position, adapted to extend through the rotational path into a side bar cavity in the lock housing, the trap being adapted to be withdrawn from the side bar cavity and the rotational path by means of withdrawal means provided on the key.

An improved key-actuated pin tumbler lock comprising the following:

• a cylindrical core rotatable in a lock housing along a rotational path,
• a plurality of pin tumblers received in respective bores journalled in the core and the lock housing, each bore containing a pin tumbler including one core pin and one housing pin with a pin junction therebetween, each pin tumbler being biassed towards the core,
• a key slot in the core, whereby insertion in the key slot of a key having thereon suitable bits aligns the pin junctions of the plurality of pin tumblers with the rotational path of the core within the lock housing, thereby permitting the core to rotate within the lock housing, said pin tumblers, bores, and suitable bits on the key being located in a first plane, and the disengagement means is located in a second plane;
• a retaining mechanism biassed to engage at least one of the pin tumblers, thereby resisting movement of the at least one pin tumbler in radially outward and radially inward directions within each said respective bore until released by insertion in the key slot of the key, the key including means for disengaging the retaining mechanism from the at least one pin tumbler, said retaining mechanism including a spring received in a groove located in the core and biassed towards engagement with the at least one pin tumbler, and said retaining mechanism further including a displaceable member constructed and arranged to release the spring from engagement with the at least one pin tumbler under influence of the disengagement means provided on the key;
• and
• a locking bar comprising a trap received within a recess in the core and, in the locked position, adapted to extend through the rotational path into a side bar cavity in the lock housing, the trap being adapted to be withdrawn from the side bar cavity and the rotational path by means of withdrawal means provided on the key, with the trap being biassed towards the core and being adapted to be urged towards the locked position by the disengagement means.

An improved key-actuated pin tumbler lock comprising the following:

• a cylindrical core rotatable in a lock housing along a rotational path,
• a plurality of pin tumblers received in respective bores journalled in the core and the lock housing, each bore containing a pin tumbler including one core pin and one housing pin with a pin junction therebetween, each pin tumbler being biassed towards the core,
• a key slot in the core, whereby insertion in the key slot of a key having thereon suitable bits aligns the pin junctions of the plurality of pin tumblers with the rotational path of the core within the lock housing, thereby permitting the core to rotate within the lock housing, said pin tumblers, bores, and suitable bits on the key being located in a first plane, and the disengagement means is located in a second plane;
• a retaining mechanism biassed to engage at least one of the pin tumblers, thereby resisting movement of the at least one pin tumbler in radially outward and radially inward directions within each said respective bore until released by insertion in the key slot of the key, the key including means for disengaging the retaining mechanism from the at least one pin tumbler, said retaining mechanism including a spring received in a groove located in the core and biassed towards management with the at least one pin tumbler, and said retaining mechanism further including a displaceable member constructed and arranged to release the spring from engagement with the at least one pin tumbler under influence of the disengagement means provided on the key;
• a locking bar comprising a trap received within a recess in the core and, in the locked position, adapted to extend through the rotational path into a side bar cavity in the lock housing, the trap being adapted to be withdrawn from the side bar cavity and the rotational path by means of withdrawal means provided on the key, with the trap being biassed towards the core and being adapted to be urged towards the locked position by the disengagement means;
• and
• wherein said lock includes a spring, a displaceable member, and a locking bar corresponding to each pin tumbler of said plurality of pin tumblers.

An improved key-actuated pin tumbler lock comprising the following:

• a cylindrical core rotatable in a lock housing along a rotational path,
• a plurality of pin tumblers received in respective bores journalled in the core and the lock housing, each bore containing a pin tumbler including one core pin and one housing pin with a pin junction therebetween, each pin tumbler being biassed towards the core,
• a key slot in the core, whereby insertion in the key slot of a key having thereon suitable bits aligns the pin junctions of the plurality of pin tumblers with the rotational path of the core within the lock housing, thereby permitting the core to rotate within the lock housing, said pin tumblers, bores, and suitable bits on the key being located in a first plane, and the disengagement means is located in a second plane;
• and
• a retaining mechanism biassed to engage at least one of the pin tumblers, thereby resisting movement of the at least one pin tumbler in radially outward and radially inward directions within each said respective bore until released by insertion in the key slot of the key, the key including means for disengaging the retaining mechanism from the at least one pin tumbler, said retaining mechanism including a spring received in a groove located in the core and biassed towards engagement with the at least one pin tumbler, and said retaining mechanism further including a displaceable member which is a ball member constructed and arranged to release the spring from engagement with the at least one pin tumbler under influence of the disengagement means provided on the key.