Importance

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Abstract

A reciprocating combinating tumbler for a lock plug assembly which includes a flat body portion and a bent-over (or enlarged) end portion is provided for use with a lock plug barrel having a generally cylindrical outer periphery, a longitudinal axis, a keyway slot formed substantially along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of spaced-apart cavities formed substantially perpendicular to the keyway slot. In use, the tumbler reciprocates between an extended position wherein the bent-over end portion is spaced radially outwardly of the outer periphery of the lock plug barrel and protrudes into a longitudinal spline formed in the aperture of a housing, and a retracted position wherein the bent-over end portion is spaced radially inwardly of the outer periphery of the barrel and does not protrudes into the longitudinal spline. When the tumbler is in the extended position, the bent-over end portion provides resistance to cutting, shearing, and breaking by supplying additional surface contact between the bent-over end portion of the tumbler and the longitudinal spline of the aperture thereby making it more difficult to force the tumbler through the plastic material which surrounds the longitudinal spline. The tumbler is movable into the retracted position when the keyway slot of the barrel and the opening of the flat body portion is received by a properly-fitting key.

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First Claim