Cylinder lock and key assembly and hierarchical system therefor
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
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Aug 31, 1999
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Oct 31, 1996
filing date -
Oct 31, 1996
priority date (Note) -
Expired
status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
A lock mechanism has at least one tumbler pin having one or more slots in the tip surface of the pin and a key blade which is formed with a projection extending from the surface of the bitting area. The tumbler pin can be rotatable in such a manner that it will seek to accommodate the projection on the surface of the key and to match the surfaces of the key and tumbler pin tip, thus aligning the tumbler pin at a position predetermined by the key bitting. In this regard, the tumbler pin tip is preferably tapered and adapted to engage with a key having a complementarily shaped bitting surface, i.e., complementary to the tapered surface of the tumbler pin tip, such that the tumbler pin will seek to accommodate the tapered surface of the key bitting to align the tumbler pin at a proper position. Alternatively, the tumbler pin can include a projection or the like to inhibit rotation of the tumbler pin. Cylinders and keys according to the present invention can be arranged in hierarchical systems to perform special functions and provide master keying capability.
First Claim
Other Claims data not available
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International Classification(s)
- 1996 Application Filing Year
- E05B Class
- 313 Applications Filed
- 95 Patents Issued To-Date
- 30.36 % Issued To-Date
Cited Art Landscape
Patent Citation Ranking
- 27 Citation Count
- E05B Class
- 80.81 % this patent is cited more than
- 26 Age