Tool for pin tumbler locks

A kit for use in the loading of pin stack elements into a pin tumbler lock having a shell in which is formed a cylindrical bore adapted to receive a plug, the shell further having formed therein a set of chambers for containing a pin stack having one or more pin stack elements, wherein said kit includes:

• a tool for loading a pin tumbler lock with at least one set of pin stack elements;
• and
• a loading guard for maintaining the loaded pin stack elements within the chambers when the cylindrical bore is not occupied by either said tool or the plug;
• and wherein said tool comprises:
• a cylindrical shank having a diameter similar to the diameter of the plug, and having formed therein a loading groove extending along at least a portion of said shank corresponding to the length of the set of chambers and intersecting with the longitudinal axis of said shank;
• a set of parallel loading bores formed in said shank, extending between said loading groove and the cylindrical outer surface of said shank, each said loading bore dimensioned to contain at least one element of a pin stack, said loading bores further having a spacing along said shank in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis thereof equal to the spacing of the chambers;
• and
• a hinged loader element, having a contact surface, mounted within said loading groove in adjustable positioning between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to said loading bores, operative for selectable transfer of the at least one pin stack element from each said loading bore to a chamber in axial registration therewith, wherein when said loader element is in the extended position its contact surface is substantially level with said cylindrical outer surface of said shank.