Lock with a center gap sidebar
US6523381B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T70/7616
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A sidebar for use for automotive locks and all sidebar locks includes an interruption in an edge along the surface to interrupt the inclined plane that is formed when the sidebar becomes canted relative to the longitudinal axis of the lock barrel as the result of the insertion of an incorrectly coded key, in particular a cousin key, into the lock barrel. In one embodiment, the interruption is provided by a gap at or near the longitudinal midpoint of the sidebar. The gap is of sufficient size to accommodate the sidebar biasing spring. In another embodiment, the interruption is provided by indenting the sides of the sidebar at the longitudinal midpoint of the sidebar. In a further embodiment, the sidebar groove in the sleeve is widened at a location corresponding to the longitudinal midpoint of the sidebar.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.