Adaptable radial tumbler lock

An adaptable lock assembly comprising:

• a housing having a bore therein;
• a cylindrical plug rotatably mounted in said bore, said plug having a longitudinal axis and a first groove disposed in the circumference of said plug circumferentially about said longitudinal axis, said plug further including a first orifice parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first orifice adapted to receive a key;
• and
• a first radial tumbler and a second radial tumbler disposed in said first groove for circumferential motion about said longitudinal axis in said first groove, said first radial tumbler and second radial tumbler adapted to be disposed in said first groove in an engaged position or a disengaged position relative to each other, wherein a distal end of at least one of said first radial tumbler and second radial tumbler extends into said first orifice to engage said received key;
• wherein said first radial tumbler and second radial tumbler are movable between said engaged position and said disengaged position without removal of said plug from said housing.

An adaptable lock assembly comprising:

• a housing having a bore therein;
• a plug rotatably mounted in said bore, said plug having:
• a longitudinal axis and a first groove disposed cirumferentially about and radially outwardly from said longitudinal axis,
• a first orifice parallel to said longitudinal axis, that is adapted to receive a key,
• a retainer cavity, and
• a second orifice that intersects the retainer cavity, and adapted to receive a reset tool;
• a first radial tumbler and a second radial tumbler disposed in said first groove for circumferential motion about said longitudinal axis in said first groove, said first radial tumbler and said second radial tumbler adapted to be disposed in said first grove in an engaged position or a disengaged position relative to each other;
• a retainer adapted to be diposed in said plug ina first position or a second position within the retainer cavity, wherein said retainer when disposed in said first position confronts said first radial tumbler such that said first radial tumbler and said second radial tumbler are in said engaged position, and wherein said retainer when disposed in said second position, does not confront said first radial tumbler, such that said first radial tumbler and said second radial tumbler are in said disengaged position.

A method for reprogramming a lock which accepts and is operated by a first key, such that subsequent to reprogramming, the lock will not accept the first key but will accept and be operated by a second key, the method comprising the following steps made without disassembling the lock:

• providing an adaptable lock assembly comprising a housing having a bore therein, a plug rotatably mounted in the bore, the plug having a longitudinal axis and a first groove disposed in the plug concentrically about and radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis, the plug further including a first orifice parallel to the longitudinal axis, the first orifice adapted to receive a key, and a first radial tumbler and a second radial tumbler disposed for circumferential motion about the longitudinal axis in the first groove, the first radial tumbler and the second radial tumbler adapted to be disposed in the first groove in an engaged position or a disengaged position relative to each other;
• providing a first key which configured to operate the lock, and a second key, each of the first key and the second key including a longitudinal contour of outwardly-projecting ridges and grooves, the second key having a different longitudinal contour of outwardly-projecting ridges and grooves than the first key;
• inserting the first key into the first orifice;
• placing the first radial tumbler and the second radial tumbler in the disengaged position;
• removing the first key from the first orifice;
• inserting the second key into the first orifice;
• and
• placing the first radial tumbler and the second radial tumbler in said engaged position.