Key-operated cylinder lock with removable plate tumbler container

A lock assembly for use with any desired product and constructed for cooperating with a first key for activation thereof and a second key for partial disassembly thereof comprising:

• A. a housing constructed for being mounted in a receiving zone formed in a product and comprising
• a. a cylinder receiving cavity dimensioned for mating engagement with a cylinder member,
• b. at least one longitudinally-extending slot formed in the cylinder receiving cavity, and
• c. at least one arcuate slot formed in the cylinder receiving cavity;
• B. a cylinder forming member constructed for removable mounted engagement in the receiving cavity of the housing and comprising
• a. a front panel constructed for mating engagement with the housing and incorporating a key-receiving portal formed therein;
• b. a rear panel
• 1. positioned in juxtaposed, spaced, facing relationship with the front panel, and
• 2. comprising latch engaging means extending from the rear panel, and
• c. a plate tumbler container receiving zone formed between the front panel and rear panel and dimensioned for receiving and retaining a cooperating plate tumbler container, and
• C. a separate and independent plate tumbler container dimensioned for secure, mounted, retained engagement in the receiving zone of the cylinder-forming member in cooperating relationship with the cylinder receiving cavity of the housing and comprising
• a. a key entry portal formed in a wall of the container for alignment with the key receiving portal of the cylinder,
• b. a plurality of slots formed in the container in juxtaposed, spaced, parallel relationship with each other,
• c. a first tumbler set comprising a plurality of plate tumblers separately mounted in one of said plurality of slots for independent movement therein between a first locking position and a second unlocked position in response to the insertion of a first key,
• d. a second tumbler set comprising at least one plate tumbler separately mounted in a slot of the container for independent movement therein between a first locking position and a second unlocked position in response to the insertion of a second key,
• e. a plurality of spring means mounted with the plurality of plate tumblers forming the first set for normally biasing each plate tumbler into the first locked position in cooperating engagement with the longitudinally-extending slot of the housing,
• f. each of said plate tumblers forming the first set comprising activation means responsive to the first key structure for moving each of the plate tumblers from its first locked position to its second unlocked position thereby enabling arcuate movement of the cylinder-forming member and plate tumbler container relative to the housing to be achieved,
• g. spring means mounted with the plate tumblers forming the second set for normally biasing each plate tumbler into the first locked position in cooperating engagement with the arcuate slot of the housing, and
• h. each of said plate tumblers of the second set comprising activation means responsive to the second key structure for moving the plate tumbler from its first locked position to its second unlocked position thereby enabling axial movement of the cylinder-forming member and plate tumbler container relative to the housing to be achieved
• whereby a lock assembly is realized that can be quickly and easily constructed without loss or dislodgement of plate tumblers from their retained position and is able to have a plate tumbler container removed and replaced with ease.