Patent · US Expired

Rekeyable lock method and apparatus

US4440009A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
7References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 7, 1981
Grant dateApr 3, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 7, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T70/7746
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A rekeyable cylinder lock includes removeable spacers between top and bottom tumbler pins, and a key bit device for removing a spacer from the pin chamber through the key way. The key bit device includes bitting thereon to position the spacer in the top pin chamber and a cut in the opposite side thereof adapted to capture the spacer from the top pin chamber and remove it from the lock. In another embodiment of the invention, a key bit device is provided for placing a spacer into a pin chamber of the lock to rekey the lock. It includes a mechanism, such as a spring, in a cut on the back side of the key bit that is adapted to force a spacer out of the cut and into the pin chamber in the lock.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.