Locking device

A key comprising:

• a gripping portion;
• an actuating portion, the actuating portion comprising a plurality of pushing regions that extends radially away from a central axis and each pushing region of the plurality of pushing regions axially urges a locking element of a plurality of locking elements a predetermined distance toward a distal end of an inner core of a locking device;
• and
• wherein the key cooperatively engages the locking device, the locking device comprising:
• the plurality of locking elements, each locking element of the plurality of locking elements comprising a projection;
• an outer housing member comprising a key-receiving region and an internal face, the key-receiving region comprising a central opening and a plurality of apertures extending radially from the central opening;
• the internal face comprising:
• a plurality of axial channels channel;
• and
• an annular channel;
• each axial channel of the plurality of axial channels and the annular channel being able to receive a respective projection of the plurality of locking elements;
• each axial channel of the plurality of axial channels being aligned with a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures of the key receiving region;
• an inner core, the inner core being receivable within the outer housing member and comprising a receiving portion for each locking element of the plurality of locking elements;
• and
• wherein each projection extends radially outwards from the inner core.

A method of using a locking device and a key, the method comprising:

• engaging the key with the locking device, the locking device comprising:
• a plurality of locking elements, each locking element of the plurality of locking elements comprising a projection;
• an outer housing member comprising a key-receiving region and an internal face, the key-receiving region comprising a central opening and a plurality of apertures extending radially from the central opening;
• the internal face comprising:
• a plurality of axial channels;
• and
• an annular channel;
• each axial channel of the plurality of axial channels and the annular channel being able to receive a respective projection from the plurality of locking elements;
• each axial channel of the plurality of axial channels being aligned with a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures of the key-receiving region;
• an inner core receivable within the outer housing member and comprising a receiving portion for each locking element of the plurality of locking elements;
• and
• wherein each projection extends radially outwards from the inner core;
• exerting, via an actuating portion of the key, pressure on the plurality of locking elements that urges the plurality of locking elements towards a distal end of the inner core;
• responsive to the key reaching a predetermined position, aligning the projections with the annular channel formed in the internal face of the outer housing member;
• and
• rotating, via the key, the inner core.