Reset fixture for rekeyable lock assembly
AssigneeKwikset Corporation
InventorsGerald B. Chong, Steven Armstrong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reset fixture for a rekeyable lock cylinder includes a housing with a central recess for receiving a cylinder body. A first opening communicating with the central recess is defined in the housing for receiving a reset tool. A second opening communicating with the central recess is defined in the housing for receiving a bracing bar.
Claims7
A method for resetting an inoperative lock cylinder having a cylinder housing, a plug body disposed for rotation in the cylinder housing, and a plurality of racks and a plurality of pins disposed in the plug body, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a reset fixture having a bracing bar and a reset tool, wherein the reset fixture defines a central recess and a channel in the central recess configured to receive a projection extending from the inoperative lock cylinder to orient the inoperative lock cylinder for engagement with the reset tool and the bracing bar, wherein the reset fixture includes a bracing bar opening that extends from the exterior of the reset fixture to the central recess of the reset fixture along a longitudinal axis that is approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of the central recess and the channel, and wherein the bracing bar opening is located on a side of the reset fixture that is opposite a side of the reset fixture the reset tool opening is located on;
- extending the bracing bar through the bracing bar opening of the fixture housing along a longitudinal axis that is approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of the central recess;
- placing the inoperative lock cylinder housing and plug body in the central recess of the reset fixture such that the projection is received in the channel;
- moving the plurality of racks to a common alignment using the reset tool while the inoperative lock cylinder housing and plug body are in the central recess of the reset fixture, wherein the reset tool extends through a reset opening defined in the reset fixture;
- wherein the reset tool and the bracing bar extend through the fixture housing along a longitudinal axis that is approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of the recess
- moving the bracing bar to retain the plurality of racks at the common alignment wherein the bracing bar includes a finger located on its side to engage a locking bar portion of the lock cylinder when extending the bracing bar through the bracing bar opening of the reset fixture;
- and
- rotating the plug body in the cylinder housing to a rekeying position.
In combination with an inoperative rekeyable lock cylinder having a cylinder housing and a plug body disposed for rotation in the cylinder housing, a plurality of racks disposed adjacent a plurality of apertures formed in the cylinder housing, and a locking bar disposed adjacent an aperture formed in the cylinder housing, a reset fixture comprising:
- a fixture housing having a recess for receiving the cylinder housing and the plug body, wherein the reset fixture defines a channel in the recess configured to receive a projection extending from the inoperative lock cylinder to orient the inoperative lock cylinder for engagement with the reset tool and the bracing bar, wherein the reset fixture includes a bracing bar opening that extends from the exterior of the fixture housing to the central recess of the fixture housing along a longitudinal axis that is approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of the central recess and the channel, and wherein the bracing bar opening is located on a side of the reset fixture that is opposite a side of the reset fixture the reset tool opening is located on;
- a reset tool extending through the fixture housing configured to align the plurality of racks at a common alignment;
- wherein the bracing bar extending through the fixture housing configured to retain the plurality of racks at the common alignment wherein the bracing bar includes a finger located on its side to engage a locking bar portion of the lock cylinder when extending the bracing bar through the bracing bar opening of the reset fixture;
- and
- wherein the bracing bar extends through the bracing bar opening of the fixture housing along a longitudinal axis that is approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of the central recess.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.