Key-operated mechanical lock
OwnerStephen S. Maplesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lock operated by a corresponding key. The lock has a housing, and a keyway is formed in the housing along a keyway axis for receiving the corresponding key therein. A latch is moveable with respect to the housing between a first position, wherein the lock is secured, and a second position, wherein the lock is not secured. A permutation surface is formed on the latch, and a plurality of intermediaries are disposed within the housing. Each intermediary has a first portion engageable with the permutation surface of the latch and a second portion engageable with the corresponding key, wherein insertion of the corresponding key into the keyway selectively engages the intermediaries with the permutation surface in a predetermined sequence, thereby moving the latch from the first position to the second position.
Claims20
A lock operated by a corresponding key, comprising:
- a housing;
- a keyway formed in said housing for receiving the corresponding key therein, wherein said keyway extends along a keyway axis;
- a latch movable with respect to said housing between a first position, wherein the lock is secured, and a second position, wherein the lock is not secured;
- a permutation surface formed on said latch, said permutation surface configured to correspond to said corresponding key;
- and
- a plurality of intermediaries disposed within said housing, said intermediaries moveable independent of one another, each intermediary having a first portion engageable with said permutation surface of said latch and a second portion engageable with the corresponding key, wherein engagement of the corresponding key with said intermediaries selectively engages said intermediaries with said permutation surface in a predetermined sequence, thereby moving said latch from said first position to said second position.
A lock operated by a corresponding key, comprising:
- a housing;
- a keyway formed in said housing for receiving the corresponding key therein,
- wherein said keyway extends along a keyway axis;
- a plurality of bores formed in said housing, wherein each bore of said plurality of bores is in communication with said keyway and extends substantially perpendicular to said keyway axis;
- a chamber formed in said housing and spaced from said keyway by said plurality of bores, wherein said chamber is in communication with each said bore of said plurality of bores;
- a latch disposed within said chamber and movable with respect to said housing between a first position, wherein the lock is secured, and a second position, wherein the lock is not secured, the latch having a permutation surface with a plurality of camming surfaces formed thereon;
- and
- a plurality of intermediaries, each disposed within a respective bore of said plurality of bores, and each having a first portion engageable with said permutation surface of said latch and a second portion engageable with the corresponding key, wherein engagement of the corresponding key with said intermediaries selectively engages said intermediaries with said camming surfaces on said permutation surface in a predetermined sequence, thereby moving said latch from said first position to said second position.
A lock for use with a key having a bit profile, the lock comprising:
- a housing;
- a keyway formed in the housing for receiving the key therein;
- a latch moveable with respect to the housing between a first position and a second position, the latch having a permutation profile formed thereon;
- and
- a plurality of intermediaries each having a first portion that is disposed within the keyway for engagement with the key and a second portion that is disposed adjacent to the latch for engagement with the latch, wherein engagement of the intermediaries with the latch during sliding engagement of the key with the intermediaries is operable to move the latch from the first position to the second position if the bit profile of the key corresponds to the permutation profile of the latch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.