Back to results
US 9,523,217 B2Granted
Variable section key and lock
AssigneeSchlage Lock Company LLC
InventorJason C. Clifford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A key and lock are provided. The key is provided with a blade having a longitudinal axis. The blade is provided with a channel extending along at least a portion of the blade and along the longitudinal axis. One or more section members is disposed within the channel and coupled to the blade. The section member is capable of movement relative to the blade in the channel. A lock having a keyway and an associated tortuous path to receive the section members as the blade is inserted in the keyway is also provided.
Claims19
A key, comprising:
- a bow;
- a blade attached to and extending longitudinally away from said bow, wherein said blade defines a longitudinal axis and includes:
- a longitudinally extending channel, wherein said channel has an open face and is defined by a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and a base wall opposite said open face, wherein said first and second side walls extend laterally from said open face to said base wall, and wherein said first and second side walls are transversely offset from one another and are connected by said base wall;
- and
- a plurality of teeth extending away from the longitudinal axis, wherein said teeth are defined by bittings;
- and
- a plurality of section members, wherein each of said section members is disposed within said channel and is movably coupled to said blade, and wherein said section members are longitudinally offset from one another and are transversely movable relative to said blade and relative to one another.
4 more elements
A lock comprising:
- a lock cylinder defining a substantially straight keyway, said keyway including a straight path and a tortuous path, wherein said straight path extends along an axial plane defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and wherein said tortuous path extends alongside said straight path in said longitudinal direction, is offset from said straight path in said transverse direction, and is tortuous in said transverse direction;
- a plurality of stationary section members mounted in the keyway;
- each of said stationary section members having opposite, facing protrusions that define a gap therebetween;
- and
- wherein, together, said gaps in said stationary section members form said tortuous path along said keyway.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a key including a bow and a blade attached to and extending away from said bow along a longitudinal axis;
- said blade comprising a channel extending along said blade, said channel including an open side along said blade;
- a plurality of section members disposed within said channel and coupled to said blade, each of said section members being movable relative to said blade in said channel and including at least one protrusion extending toward said open side of said channel;
- a lock comprising a lock cylinder having a keyway comprising multiple stationary section members defining a tortuous path along said keyway;
- and
- wherein, when said key is inserted into said keyway, said protrusions of said section members contact said stationary members and move said section members relative to said blade within said channel to pass through said tortuous path.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.