US 5,701,773 A · Dual function apparatus for opening and removing automotive side-bar ignition locks

Abstract

Apparatus for opening, or removing without damage, automotive side-bar type ignition locks, comprises a combination tool with a plurality of projections extending horizontally and forwardly from the combination tool to engage the lock's keyway, at least one balanced pair of recesses in the lock's face, or, optionally, when the tool is used as a lock-remover, the inner walls of the lock's hollow wing-nut cylinder cap. When used as a lock-forcing opener, the combination tool is placed in position on the lock cylinder's face and a conventional wrench gripping the tool's hexagonally-shaped portion is turned to create torque applied by the tool's projections against the walls of the lock's recesses, forcing the lock cylinder to turn to its ON position and start the vehicle's engine. When the lock is to be removed without damage, the combination tool is used as a drill guide mounted on the lock by its projections, with its drill guide hole so positioned that an access hole drilled therethrough gives access for a side-bar pressure tool to be inserted and to exert inward pressure on the lock's side-bar, while at the same time a wafer pressure tool is reciprocated in the lock's keyway to urge the lock's wafer elements into lock-opening alignment, allowing the side-bar to be retracted. The lock can then be removed from its automotive mounting, a replacement key made, and the lock returned and reinstalled for continued use. Combination tool, matching drill bit, side-bar pressure tool and wafer pressure tool may be provided as a locksmith's kit.

Claims9

Dependent claims

In combination with automotive side-bar ignition locks having wafer elements therein and a plurality of matched recesses facing outwardly, dual-function apparatus for turning on, and for removing without damage, said side-bar ignition locks, which comprises:

a combination metal tool having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom, said projections being positioned, sized and shaped complementarily to, and for fitting engagement with, said recesses in any automotive side-bar ignition lock to be serviced, said projections comprising:
one centrally disposed rectangular projection dimensioned to fit into said ignition lock's keyway;
and
at least one pair of diametrically opposite projections on said combination tool for fitting engagement in corresponding recesses in said ignition lock;
said combination tool having its rear portion shaped hexagonally to accept a wrench for turning said combination tool, applying torque to said projections and thus forcing said side-bar ignition lock to rotate to its ON position;
and
said combination tool also having a drill guide hole horizontally through its body, said guide being so located that, with said ignition lock in its OFF position and said combination tool operatively positioned thereon by said plurality of projections, a hole drilled through said guide hole into said lock will provide access to the area directly facing said lock's side-bar.

4 more elements

Method of removing an automotive side-bar ignition lock without damage thereto, said ignition lock having a plurality of recesses, including its keyway and other recesses in its cylinder face as well as openings in the hollow wing-nut of said lock's cylinder cap, by using a combination tool having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom, said projections including one centrally disposed rectangular projection sized and shaped for fitting engagement in said keyway of said lock, at least one pair of diametrically opposite projections for fitting engagement with corresponding complementary recesses in the face of said lock and optionally, one pair of diametrically opposite projections extending beyond said combination tool for fitting engagement with the inner walls of said hollow wing-nut, said combination tool having a drill guide hole therethrough for directing a drill into said lock to produce an access opening therein to the area directly adjacent to said lock's side-bar, the method comprising the steps of;

a) selecting a first step from the group consisting of:
prying of the wing-nut cylinder cap from the ignition lock's cylinder and leaving the wing-nut cylinder cap in place;
b) inserting the combination tool's projections into the lock's corresponding recesses, thus aligning the tool and its drill guide hole with the lock's cylinder;
c) inserting a drill bit, held adjustably in an arbor, into the guide hole of the combination tool and drilling an access opening in the ignition lock to a suitable depth;
d) removing both drill bit and combination tool;
e) simultaneously inserting a side-bar pressure tool into the drilled access opening and a wafer pressure tool into the lock's keyway, moving the wafer pressure tool therein in a reciprocating in-and-out motion to urge the lock's wafer elements into alignment while exerting steady inward pressure against the side-bar pressure tool, thereby causing the lock's side-bar to be retracted;
f) removing both side-bar and wafer pressure tools;
and
g) turning the lock cylinder to its ON position and removing the lock from its automotive mounting in a conventional manner.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual function apparatus for opening and removing automotive side-bar ignition locks

Life of this patent

Dual function apparatus for opening and removing automotive side-bar ignition locks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9