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US 9,598,880 B2Granted
Lock cylinder including modular plug
AssigneeSchlage Lock Company LLC
InventorsBrian Edward Walls, Jason Curtis Clifford, Scott Douglas Welsby
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an exemplary embodiment, a plug assembly includes a plug body, a sidebar, a cover plate, and a plurality of rack pins positioned in the plug assembly. A first portion of the sidebar is positioned in the plug and a second portion protrudes beyond the outer surface of the plug body. The rack pins are configured to selectably resist and permit radially inward motion of the sidebar. The cover plate is operable to selectably retain the rack pins within the plug body.
Claims23
An apparatus comprising:
- a plug assembly, the plug assembly including:
- a substantially cylindrical plug body defining a longitudinal first axis, a transverse second axis, a lateral third axis, and a central plane including the longitudinal first axis and the transverse second axis, the plug body comprising:
- a keyway extending along the central plane of the plug body, wherein the keyway is structured to receive a key having a top cut;
- a plurality of openings connected to the keyway, wherein each opening is defined in part by a ledge;
- and
- an axial channel formed on the outer surface of the plug body, and connected to the openings;
- a sidebar positioned in the axial channel, the sidebar comprising an interference member formed on a radially inner side of the sidebar, and a tapered portion formed on a radially outer side of the sidebar, wherein the sidebar is biased in a radially outward direction;
- a plurality of rack pins positioned in the openings, each of the rack pins defining a single-piece unitary structure including a laterally-extending first section positioned at least partially within the keyway, extending laterally across the central plane, and structured to engage the top cut of the key, and a transversely-extending second section extending from the first section in a first transverse direction and having a contact surface facing the axial channel, wherein each contact surface includes a receiving notch having a first lateral depth, wherein each receiving notch is configured to receive a portion of the interference member, wherein each of the rack pins is operable in a first transverse position in which the receiving notch is aligned with the interference member and a second transverse position in which the receiving notch is not aligned with the interference member;
- wherein each contact surface further comprises a false gate notch having a second lateral depth less than the first lateral depth;
- and wherein each rack pin extends laterally across the central plane on a single transverse side of the keyway;
- and
- a plurality of biasing members, wherein each of the biasing members is positioned in one of the openings and urges a corresponding one of the rack pins in the first transverse direction, and wherein the biasing members urge the first sections into contact with the ledges.
9 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a plug defining a longitudinal first axis, a transverse second axis, a lateral third axis, and a central plane including the longitudinal first axis and the transverse second axis, the plug including a keyway extending along the central plane, a plurality of cavities in communication with the keyway, and an axial channel in communication with the plurality of cavities, wherein the keyway is structured to receive a key having a top cut;
- a plurality of rack pins, wherein each of the rack pins is positioned in one of the cavities, wherein each of the rack pins comprises a single-piece unitary construction including a laterally-extending first leg and a transversely-extending second leg extending transversely from the first leg in a first transverse direction, wherein the first leg is positioned at least partially in the keyway, extends laterally across the central plane, and is structured to engage the top cut of the key, and the second leg includes a contact surface facing the axial channel, wherein each contact surface includes a receiving notch, and wherein each rack pin extends laterally across the central plane on a single transverse side of the keyway;
- a sidebar seated in the axial channel, wherein a radially outer side of the sidebar facing away from the central plane includes a tapered portion, and a radially inner side of the sidebar facing toward the central plane includes an interference member sized and configured to be received in the receiving notch of each rack pin, and wherein the sidebar is biased in a radially outward direction toward an outer position in which the tapered portion protrudes beyond an outer surface of the plug;
- and
- a plurality of biasing members, wherein each of the biasing members is positioned in one of the cavities and urges a corresponding one of the rack pins in the first transverse direction;
- wherein the sidebar is free to move radially inward toward an inner position when the interference member is aligned with the receiving notch of each rack pin, and is not free to move radially inward when the interference member is not aligned with the receiving notch of at least one of the rack pins;
- and
- wherein each cavity is defined in part by a ledge, and wherein the biasing members urge the first legs into contact with the ledges.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.