CA1125046A

CA1125046A - Integrally changeable key combination transverse pin tumbler lock

Info

Publication number: CA1125046A
Application number: CA330,162A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Brian J. Monahan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-07-03
Filing date: 1979-06-20
Publication date: 1982-06-08
Also published as: ATE2348T1; AU4847679A; AU529461B2; EP0006765B1; JPS5513395A; EP0006765A1; DE2964603D1

Abstract

INTEGRALLY CHANGEABLE KEY COMBINATION TRANSVERSE
PIN TUMBLER LOCK

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A pin tumbler lock employs elements which allow the key combination to be selectively changed without removing the lock from its installed position or disassembling or replacing any part of the lock. The lock comprises a housing member, a sleeve member axially and rotationally positioned within an interior opening of the housing member and a plug member rotatably received within an interior opening of the sleeve member. Operation of the lock requires release of the two shear surfaces defined by the contact surfaces of the sleeve, housing, and plug members. Transversely parallel extending bores formed through the three members receive elements of a locking stack assembly. The locking stack assembly includes tumbler pins, driver pins, change wafers and locking pins. Upon insertion of a proper key, the interfaces between tile locking stack elements are positioned at the two shear surfaces thereby allowing operation of the lock. The sleeve member additionally includes chambers containing change wafers, and the relative position of the locking pins can be selectively changed in the locking stack assembly upon positioning the sleeve member in a combination changing position. Means inter-connecting the housing, sleeve and plug members releases one of the shear surfaces by relative rotational movement prior to the release of the second shear surface by relative axial movement. Magnetic elements of the locking stack assembly resist separation of the locking stack elements during insertion and removal of the key. A set key having a reciprocating projection member may be employed to change the lock combination.

Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to pin tumbler locks employing locking stack elements extending essentially transversely with respect to rotationally moveable elements of thc lock. More parLicularly, thc prcsent invention relates to a pin tumbler lock whercin the release positions of the locking stack elements can be selectively changed to achieve proper lock operation by keys having different combinations of bitting depths.
The configuration and arrangement of the present lock makes it applicable for use in cylindrical locks, tubular d,eadlocks, padlocks, mortise and rim cylinders and a variety of other situa~ions.
Intxoductory Discussion The ability to changc key combinations in certain lock-use situations can be very important. For example, many apartments, hotels, motels, locking rental access facilities and the like provide keys to gain access to the ~0 facilities durin~ limited periods of time. Over time the key to the facilities will typically be used by a large number of different users. The security of a subsequent user can be compromise~ if the key has been lost, stolen, retained or duplicated by a prior user and the lock combination of the facilities has not becn changed. Situations of personal injury and property loss have rcsulted from causes such as these. Some hotels and motels attempt to changc the lock combinations of guest rooms after each disappearance of a key to avoid the potential for liability resulting from unauthorized possession of room keys.

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Similar problems exist in securing locked facilities to which a large number of individuals possess keys at any particular time. ~or example, employees may be given keys to their employer's faciiities as a part of the employment. i~
:, of course, the employer will wish to secure the facilities in situations where keys are lost by his employees or retained by ex-employees.
Therc are many othcr situations where the ability to change or set the combination of a lock is important. In most of these situations, it is desirable to do so without incurring the e.~pense and delay in time of employing a locksmith to remove the lock from its installation, disassemble it and change or re~lace its parts, which is required for changillg th~ key combinatioll of most typicai locks. of course, in any type of lock, whether changeable or not, it is critically important that the construction and operation of the lock inherently provide the best resistance to picking or other forms of unauthorized use.
Brief Dcscription of ~rior Art ~Changeable combillation locks are known in the art.
~nited States Patent 3,422,646, issued to the inventor of the subject matter herein, discloses an axial tumbler change lock which utilizes a combinatïon change principle related in concept to the change principle of the present invention. ~-Transverse pin tumbler locks employing rotating elements which provide changeability are disclosed in United States Patents 2,113,007, 2,32G,358, 3,320,781, 3,589,153, 3,667,292 and

3,992,842.
Previous transverse pin tumbler locks having the ability to selectively change the lockinq combination have not proved to be entirely satisfactory. ~lany such locks ., .
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employ numerous intricate parts and are extremely complex in construction and operation. Some of these locks are oversize in physical dimensions and therefore are limited to specific applications and uses. The number of permutations to which the lock combination may be changed is limited in certain prior art locks. Other prior art locks require special keys which are significantly different than the conventional key and which are inconvenient to carry or handle. In addition to requiring a specific type of key, certain prior art locks ~o require substituting certain elements within the lock at the same time that the combination is changed.
Other limitations of prior art changeable tumbler locks may,be known and appreciated, especially after comprehending the significantly new and improved features and`advantages ~5 of the present invention.
Objects of the Inve_tion It is a general objective of the present invention to provide a new and improved transverse pin tumbler lock which allows rapid and selective change of the lock operating key combination without removing the lock from its installed position and without disassembling or replacing any of the parts of the lock. Other objects are to allow conventional keys having bitting depths cut therein in a conventional manner to be used as pass keys and as master keys for the ~5 lock of the present invention. Another object is to provide a lock in which the locking combination can be selectively changed for operation by different pass keys while maintaining the lock in condition for operation by at least one master key or a grand master kcy. A further objcctive is to provide a changeable key combination transversc pin tumbler lock of a ~ .
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construction with overall outside dimensions allowing use of the lock in a wide variety of different applications~
Other objects of the invention are to provide a new and improved lock which obtains increased resistance to S picking or other forms of unauthorizcd use, and which significantiy reduces the potential for separation of the locking stack elements upon insertion of a key into the lock.
SU~MAI~Y OE' THE INVENTION
In accordance with these and other objectives and aspects of the invention, the integrally changeable key combination transverse pin tumbler lock of the present invention generally comprises a housing member having an interior opening into which a sleeve member is received. The sleeve member includes an interior opening into which a plug member lS is received. The plug member is connectecl for rotation relative to the housing member, and the sleeve member is connected for axial and rotational movement relative to the housing member. The interface between the plug member and the sleeve member defines an inner shear surface, and the interface between the sleeve member and the housing member defines an outer shear surface. Transversely extending and radially aligned bores formed in the plug, sleeve and housing members receive elements of a locking stack assembly. The elements of the locking stack assembly include a driver pin, a loc~ing pin, a change wafer and a tumbler pin. Upon insertio?l of a proper combination key into a keyway formed in the plug member, the locking stack elements are positioned with the interfaces between various .. _ ....... _..... ....... .. _ ___ ?

locking stack elements at the inner and outer shear surfaces.
~pon rotation of the key and plug, the inner shear surface releasos first with slight rotation of the plug member relative to the sleeve and housing members, and thereafter S the slceve membor moves axially rclative to the housing member to release the outer shear surface for normal lock operation.
Additional features of the lock of the present invention allow changing of the lock operating combination.
Change wafer bores are formed radially through the sleeve member at positions axially and circumferentially displaced from corresponding bores in the sleeve which receive elements of the lockillg stack assembly. The sleeve member is operatively connected for selective positioninc3 in a combination changing 1~ position. In the combination changing position, the change wafer chambers are positioned in radial alignment with the bores extendinq through l:he plug member and the housing mcmber. ~t least one but preferably two change wafers are posltioned within and carried by the change wafer chamber.
~0 Upon rotational and axial movement of thc sleeve member to the combination changing position, at least one change wafer in the change wafer chamber is transferred into the locking stack assembly and a corresponding number of change wafers previously in the locking stack assembly is transferred into ~5 the change wafer chamberO As a result/ the interfaces between at least some of the elements of the locking stack assemhly are positioned at difforent radial depths, thereby resulting in change of the lock combination when the sleeve membor is rotated out of the combination changing position . . .

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into its normal lock operating position. To effectively change the lock combination, the length relationship of the change wafers and locking pins is such that the overall combined length of the maximum number of change wafers transposable into the locking stack assembly is at least one standard bitting depth interval less than the length of -the locking pin.
One of the elements of the locking stack assembly may comprise magnetic material to which the other elements of the locking stack assembly are attracted. The magnetic attraction tends to hold the elements of the locking stack together in contacting relation as the key is inserted into the keyway~ By holding the elements together, the locking stack elements do not be-come separated but return to their proper contacting relationship at the shear suraces for proper lock operation.
Although slightly modified conventional keys can be utilized to change the combiration of the lock, the present invention also involves a set key useful in changing the lock combination. The lock combination changing set key includes a projection member attached to the key and operable for recipro-cative motion generally parallel to the blade portion of the keyO
In summary of the above, therefore, the present invention may be broadly defined as providing a pin tumbler lock comprising a housing member having an interior opening formed therein; a sleeve member moveably received within the interior opening of the housing member~ the sleeve member having an interior opening forme~
therein; a plug member rotatably received within the interior opening of the sleeve member, the plug member having a keyway formed therein for receiving a key; a locking stack assembly com-prising elements including a driver pin, a locking pin, a tumbler sd/C~ 7 ?

' pin and means for biasin~ the locking stack elements in contacting relation; the housing and sleeve and pl.ug members each having a bore Eormed therein in radially aligned relation to receive the elemen-ts of the locking stack assembly, whereby a proper combina-tion key positions the interfaces of the locking stack elements at points essentially coincident with shear surfaces defined at the interior openings between the housing and sleeve and plug members; and an improvement comprising: connection means operatively connecting the sleeve member for allowing axial move-ment relative to the plug and housing members, and actuating means operatively connecting the sleeve and plug members for moving the sleeve member axially within the lock, the actuating means being operative upon positioning a proper combination key in the keyway and upon rotating the plug member substantially out of a position wherein the bores through the housing ancl sleeve and plug members are in radially aligned relation.
Furthermore, the present invention may be seen as pro-viding a pin tumbler lock comprising a housing member having an interior opening formed therein; a sleeve member moveably received within ~he interior opening of the housing member, the sleeve member having an interior opening formed therein; a plug member rotatably received within the interior opening of the sleeve member, the plug member having a keyway ormed therein for receiving a key; a locking stack assembly comprising elements including a driver pin, a locking pin, a change wafer, a tumbler pin and means ~or biasing the locking stack elements in contacting relation; the housing and sleeve and plug members each having a bore formed therein in radially aligned relation to receive the elements o~ the locking stack assembly, whereby a proper combina-sd/~ ~ -7A-.
, tion key positions the interfaces of the locking stack elements at points essentially coincident with shear surfaces defined at the interior openings between the housing and sleeve and plug members, and an improvement comprising: connec-tion means opera-tively connecting the sl~eve member for predetermined axial and rotational movement relative to the plug and housing members, the predetermined axial and rotational movement defining a combination changing position of the sleeve; an auxiliary bore formed through the sleeve member and positioned in a predetermined location axially and circumferentially spaced from the bore first afore-mentioned formed in the sleeve member, the predetermined location positioning the auxiliary bore in radial alignment with the bore in the housing member upon the sleeve memher be~ng positioned in the combination changing position; at least one change wafer positioned within the auxiliary bore in the sleeve member; and change means operatively connected for positioning the sleeve member in the combination changing position.
The invention is specifically defined in the appended claims. A more complete understanding of the invention and of a preferred embodiment may be obtained from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment and from the accompanying drawings consisting of a number of figures.

sd¦~n -7B-~S~D~6 BRI~P DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a left side elevational vie~ of the integrally changeable key combination transverse pin tumbler lock incorporating the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the lock shown in FIG. lo FIG. 3 is a rear axonometric view of the lock shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the elements of the lock in exploded relation.
FIGS. 4 through 12 are vertical transverse sectional views taken substantiall.y in the plane of line A-A of FIG, 1.
Plane A-~ in FIG. 1 falls substantially in the center of a rearwardmost locking stack assembly present in the lock illustrated in FIG. 1. More specifically, various conditions of the lock are ill.ustrated in FIGS. 4 through 12. FIG. 4 :~
illustrates the lock condition with a key removed. FIG. 5 illustrates the lock condition with an improper combination key inserted. FIGS. 6 through 11 illustrate sequential conditions of the lock as the lock is unlocked, the combination is changed, and the lock is locked. FIG. 12 illustrates the lock condition after the combination has been changed and the key removed. Re~erence dots have been added to FIGS. 4 through 12 to illustrate the conditions of relative rotation of the housing sleeve and plug members of the lock. Certain ~ :
'~ chambers formed within the sleeve member of the lock are not-visible in FIGS. 4 through 12 because of axial movement of the sleeve member relative .to the viewing plane during different conditions of lock operation. ~

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L2~46 FIGS~ 13 through 18 arc homolographic partial sectional views of the lock taken from the view line B-~
of FIG~ 2. In FIGSo 13 through 18, the housing member of the lock is broken away except in the lower left hand corner of each figure, and a tail piece retainer member and a flange portion of the plug member are cut away to a radial position at the outer cylindrical surface of the sleeve member. FIGS~
13 through 18 reveal relative positions of the housing member, sleeve member, and plug member as the lock is unlocked, the combination is changed and the lock is locked. More specifically, FIG~ 13 illustrates the condition of elements shown in FIGS~ 4 ~`
an~ 12. FIG~ 1~ illustrates the condition of elements shown in FIG~ ~ FIGS~ 15 and 16 illustrate the condition of elements shown in FIG~ 7~ FIG~ 17 illustrates the condition of elements shown in FIGS~ 8 and 9. And FIG~ 18 illustrates the condition of elements shown in FIG~ 10~ ~ short center line added to each of ~IGS~ 13 to 18 indicates the center line of the bores or pinways formed in the housing member of the lock.
FIGS~ 19 through 21 are vertical longitudinal section views of the lock taken substantially in the plane of line c-C of FIG~ 2~ FIG~ 19 being enlarged. More specifically, FIGS~ 19 and 20 illustrate two different arrangements of elements within locking stack assemblies in the lock. FIG~
21 illustrates a key inserted into the lock to position the 2~ locking stack elements in a condition for normal operation of the lock.
FIG~ 22 is a partially sectioned view similar to FIG~ 21 with the plug and tail piece retainer members shown in elevation. FIG. 22 illustrates the release of the inner and outer shear sorfaces with propcr operation of the lockO

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FIG. 23 is a front view similar to that of ~IGo 2 illustrating tne rotational position of the key and plug member corresponding to the situation illustrated in FIG. ,~
22.
FIGS. 24 through 27 are considerably enlarged fragmentary partial transverse vertical sectional views similar to those of FIGS. 4 through 12. FIG. 24 illustrates the position of the elements of the locking stack assembly to release the inner shear or release surface. FIG. 25 ]-0 illustrates the position of the locking stack elements to release the outer shear or release surface. FIG. 26 illustrates alignment of a change wafer chamber in the sleeve member with the bore in the plug member. FIG. 27 illustrates alic~nment of the change wafer chamber with the bores in the housing member and plug member in the combination changing position of the sleeve member. Certain chambers formed within the sleeve member are not visible in FIGS. 24 through 27 because of,axial movement of the sleeve member relative to the viewing plane during different conditions of lock operation. ;~
FIGS. 28 through 30 are rear axonometric views of the lock with the key inserted and with the tail piece and tail piece retainer removed to illustrate the position of the sleeve and plug members relative to the housing member at different points of lock operation. FIG. 28 illustrates 25, a condition also shown in FIGS. 5, 11, 21 and 24. FIG. 29 illustrates a condition also shown in FIGS. 7, 15 and 26.
FIG. ~0 illustrates the combination changing condition also shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 17 and 27.

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~:~2,~L6 FIG. 31 is an a~onometric view of r3 set key which is advantageous for use with a lock disclosed hereinO
YIG. 32 is a side elevational view of FIG. 31 with a finger knob element sectioned in a plane coincident with the elevational vertical surface of the key as shown.
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- - Dl;`SCl~II'TION OF 'I`IIE l'REFE~RFI~ ~:MBODIMENT
By way of gencral introduction, the elements of an integrally changeable key combination transverse pin tumbler lock 40 incorporating the present invention are best seen in FIG. 3, and the assembled relationship of these elements in the lock is shown best in FIGS. 1, 2, 19 and 21. The lock 40 includes a housing member 41 having a hollow interior opening 42 for receiving a sleeve member 43. The sleeve member 43 is generally of hollow tubular construction and includes a hollow interior 44 for receiving a barrel portion 45 of a plug member 46. As will be described more completely, the plug member 46 is mounted in the lock 40 for rotational movement,relative to the housing 41, and the sleeve member 43 is mounted for both rotational and axial movement relative to the housing and plug members. The shear abutting contact surfaces between the housing member and the sleeve member at the interior opening 42 define an outer shear surface of the lock. The abu-tting contact surfaces between the barrel portion 45 of the plug member and the sleeve member 43 at the interior opening 44 define an inner shear surface of the lock. A keyway 47 is formed axially through the plug member 46 and receives the blade portion 48 of a conventional key 49 having the conventional bitting depths 50 cut in the blade portion 48, as is shown in FIG. 21.
~5 Elements of a locking ~tack assembly 51 are received within hores radially extending from the keyway 47 into an encasement portion 52 of the housing member 41. The bores into which the elements of the locking stack assemblies 51 are received are defined by tumbler pinways 53 extending , .. .. . , ; , ' ' ~ , . . ~ .

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radially through the barrel poxtion 45 of the plug member, by locking pin chambers 54 extending radially through the sleeve member, and by driver pinways 55 extending radially through the encasement portion 52 of the housing member.
-, 5 The tumbler pinways 53, locking pin chambers 54 and driver pinways 5S are positioned in the members ~1, 43 and 46 in radially aligned relationship when the lock is in the locking position. The elements of each locking stack assembly include a tumbler pin 56, a locking pin 57, a driver pin 58, -10 a change wafer S9 and a spring 60 or other means for biasing the elements of the locking stack assembly in radially inward and contacting relationship.
Upon insertion of a proper combination key 99 into the keyway, as is shown in FIG. 21, the bitting depths 50 of the blade portion 48 contact the tumbler pins 56 of each locking stack assembly. The elements of the locking stack assembly are forced radially inward by the bias force of the springs 60. The elements of each locking stack assembly are radially positioned in accordance with the depths of the bittings 50 cut in the key. A proper combination key positions the contacting interfaces of the locking stack elements in a coincidental relation with the inner and outer - shear surfaces as the key is rotated. Positioned in this manner, the elcments o the locking stack assembly allow the ~5 plug member to rotate with respect t~ the sleeve and housing members by operatively releasing or not blocking the inner shear surface. Similarly, the outer shear surface is released or not blocked by the elements of the locking stack assembly.
After release of the inner shear surface by slight rotation ~13-.. . ..
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of the plug member, means interconnecting the plug, housing --and sleeve members move the sleeve member axially with respect to the housing member, and this axial movement - releases the outer shear surface as is generally illustrated in FIG. 22, to obtain normal lock operation.
The sleeve member 43 also includes a plurality of change wafer chambers 61 extending radially therethrough.
Each change wafer chamber 61 is displaced circumferentially and axially with respect to a corresponding locking pin chamber 5g. Each of the change wafer chambers contains and carries at least one, but preferably two or more, change wafer elements 59. In general, the lock 40 includes means for allowing movement of the sleeve member to a combination changing position which is axially and rotationally displaced from its normal lock operating position. In the combination changing position, the change wafer chambers 61 are positioned in radial alignment with the driver pinways 55. As will be described more completely, at least one of the change wafers 59 previously contained within one change wafer chamber 61 is transferred into the locking stack assembly 51 and at ~ ;
least one change wafer previously within the locking stack assembly is transferred into the change wafer chamber 61.
The change wafer is transferred into the locking stack assembly at a different position relative to the locking stack elements than the position occupied by the previous change wafer which has been removed from the locking stack assembly. As a result, the relative position of the locking pin in the locking stack assembly is shifted and the key combination of the lock has been changed.

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A rnore complete description of the details of the lock elements, the assembly of these elements and operation of the lock 40, as well as a set key for use with the lock are next describedO
Lock Structure The majority of details of the lock elements are perceptable by r,eference to FIGS. 3 and 19, In describing the details of the lock 40, the term "axial" or a formative thereof refers to a reference axis around which the plug member and sleeve member rotate. The term "radial" refers to a reference perpendicular with respect to the axial reference; The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction generally parallel to the axial reference. The term "transverse"
refers to a reference cross~ise to a longitudinal reference.
The terms "frorit" or "forward" or other similar terms refer to a portion of the lock towards the end in which the key is inserted, as is shown in FIG. 2. The term "rear" or another similar term refers to the axial and longitudinal portion of the lock opposite to a forward portion. The terms "up" and "down" or other similar terms are relative terms and are used in relation to the lock as shown in the drawing.
The housing member 41 includes a main cylindrical portion 71 from which the encasement portion 52 extends. The encasement portion 52 is generally of solid rectangular box-like configuration and extends radially outwa~d and up ~rom the cylindrical portion 71. The driver pinways 55 extend radially in parallel relation through the encasement portion and into the interior opening 4~. The driver pinways are axially spaced from one another at equal intervals. The ... ... . . ... ..- . - - -- , , :
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radial]y outward terminal ends of the driver pinways are-terminated by a cap member 72 attached to the encasement portion 5~. The elements of the locking stack assemblies 51 are inserted into the lock through the open outer ends of the driver pinways before the cap 72 is attached. The driver pinways, the locking pin chambers, change wafer chambers and tumbler pinways are preferably cylindrical in cross section, of uniform diameter, and slightly greater in diame~er than the diameter of the locking stack elements received therein.
The interior opening 42 of the housin~ member is generally defined by an inner cylindrical surface 73 which extends axially through the cylindrical portion 71 of the housing member. The inner cylindrical surface 73 defines in part the outer shear surface of the lock. A forward edge 74 of the cylindrical portion 71 extends outward from the inner cylindrical surface 73 and lies in a plane essentially perpendicul..r with respect to the axial reference. A rear edge generally referenced 75 of the cylindrical portion 71 includes a planar portion 76, a portion defining a locking recess 7i and another portion defining a change recess 78, as is also shown in FIGS. 28 to 30. The planar portion 76 extends outward from the inner surface 73 and lies in a plane essentially perpendicular to the axial reference. The 26 iocking recess portion 77 extends longitudinally forward from the planar portion 76 by a predetermined amount. The locking recess 77 is generally of a rectan~ular notch form (FIGS. 17 - 18) and extends radially through the cylindrical portion 71 of the housing member. The change recess 78 (FIGS.
13 - 18) extends longitudinally forward of the planar portion .. . _. .. .
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76 by a distance less than the forwardmost longitudinal extension of the locking recess 77. The change recess 78 is circumferentially displaced in next adjoining relationship to the locking recess 77. The change recess is also generally of rectangular notch configuration and extends radially through the cylindrical portion 71.
The sleeve member 43 includes an outer surface 80 of essentially cylindrical and axially extending shape. The diameter of the outer surface 80 is slightly less than the diameter of the inner surface 73 of the housing member, thereby allowing the sleeve member to be received in a concentric and closely fitting relationship within the interior opening of the housing member. The fitting relationship is such that both axial and rotational movement of the sleeve member relative to the housing member can be smoothly effected without unnecessary clearance space. The in-terface between the outer surface 80 of the sleeve member and the inner surface 73 of the housing member defines the outer shear surface of the lock 40.
The inner opening 44 of the sleeve member is defined by an inner cylindrical surfacc 81 extendin~ axially through the slceYe and in coaxial relationship with the outer surface 80. The radial distance between the surfaces 80 and 81 dcfines the thickness of the sleeve member. The radial thickness of the sleeve member is preferably slightly in excess of t~e length of a locking pin 57 tsee FIGS. 26 and 27).
The ~ctual tllickness of the sleeve is determined by the diameter of iocking pin and change wafer chambers and the radius of the outer cylindrical surface of the sleeve member.
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The loc~ing pin chambers 54 and change wafer chambers 61 extend radially completely through the sleeve member and intersect the inner and outer surfaces 81 and 80.
The locking pin chambers 54 extend radially parallel to one another and longitudinally in axial alignment. The locking pin chambers are spaced at equal axial intervals equal to the intervals at which the driver pinways 55 are positioned. The change wafer chambers also extend radially parallel to one ~ another and longitudinally in axial alignment at intervals - equal to the axial intervals of the driver pinways. Each change wafer chamber 61 is ci~cumferentially and axially spaced with respect to a corresponding locking pin chamber (FIGS. 13 - 18). I~lattened surfaces 82 and 83 (FIGS. 24 and 27) extend longitudinally through the intersections of the chambers 54 and 61 with the outer surface 80 of the sleeve member. The flattened surfaces 82 and 83 are of essentially the same transverse width as the diameter of the change wafer and locking pin chambers.
A front edge generally referenced 84 of the sleeve member is defined by a planar portion 85 and a sleeve actuating notch portion 86, also shown in FIGS. 13 - 18. The planar portion 85 extends between surfaces 80 and 81 and lies in a plane essentially perpendicular with respect to the axial reference. The sleeve actuating notch portion 86 includes a flat rearwardmost portion 87 and two oppositely spaced transverse camming surface portions 88 and 89, referenced only in FIG. 15. The camming surface portions 88 and 89 extend convergently from the planar portion 85 toward the rearward portion 8i. The sleeve actuating notch 86 is t ., ':

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essentially circumferentially centered with respect to an axial reference through the centers of the locking pin chambers 54.
A rear edqe generally referenced 90 of the sleeve member is defi~ed by a planar portion 91 and a sleeve restoring projection 92, also shown in FIGS. 13 - 18. The planar portion 91 extends between surfaces 80 and 81 in a plane perpendicular to the axial reference. The sleeve restoring ~ projection 92 extends rearward of the planar portion 91 and includes a rearwardmost flat surface 93 and two transversely opposite spaced camming surfaces 94 and 95 referenced only in FIG. 15. The camming surfaces 94 and 95 angle convergently from the planar surface 9l to the projection surface 93.
The sleeve restoring projection 92 is essentially circumferentially 15 . centered with respect to an axial reference through the locking pin chambers 54.
The sleeve member 43 also includes an offset tab portion 96 positioned essentially diametrically opposite the sleeve restoring projection 92, as shown best in FIG. 3.
: The tab portion 96 has a thickness which extends radially outward from the outer surface 80 (FIG. 19). The radial inner surface of the tab portion 96 is approximately coincidental with the outer surlace 80 of the sleeve member. The tab portion 96 also extends rearward of the planar portion 91 of the rear edye of the sleeve (FIGS. 13 - 18). The tab 96 includes a rearwardmost flat surface 97 and two transversely opposite camming surfaces 98 and 99 angling divergently outward from the flat surface 97 toward the edge portion 91, referenced only in FIG. 14.

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The plug member 46 is formed by the barrel portion 45 and a flange portion 100 positioned forward of the barrel portion 45. The exterior surface 101 of the barrel portion 45 is essentially of axially extending cylindrical shape.
The diameter of the exterior surface is slightly less than the diameter of the inner surface 8l of the sleeve member, such that a close fitting relationship is achieved to allow smooth movement of the barrel portion within the interior opening of the sleeve without unnecessary clearance space.
10 ~ The interface between the outer surface 101 of the barrel - portion and the inner surface 81 oE the sleeve member defines the inner shear surface of the lock.
~ The flanqe portion 100 extends radially outward from the barrel portion 45 at the front end of the plug member. The flange portion defines a planar shoulder surface 102 facing rearwardly of the flanye and extending in a plane essentially perpendicular with respect to an axial reference.
The shoulder surface 102 is adapted to cont~ct the forward edge 74 of the housing member 41 (FIG. 19) and to maintain the plug ~ember in a stationary axial position with respect to the housing member as the plug member is rotated relative to the housing member. The keyway 47 extends axially through the plug member from a forward face 103 of the flange 100 to a rear end 104 of tile barrel portion 45. The rear end 104 is defined by a flat surface which extends in a plane perpendicular with respect to an axial reference. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 13 and 19 to 21, a change opening 109 is formed radially outward through the flange 100 from the bottom of the keyway`47. The change opening 109 i~ important in the combination changing operation, as will be described.

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The tumbler pinways 53 extend radially in parallel relation with the keyway 47 (~IG. 4) through the barrel portion and intersect the upper outer surface 101. The tumbler pinways 53 are positioned in axial alignment along the plug member and are positioned at axial intervals along the plug member equal to the intervals between corresponding driver pinways 55 ~lnd locking pin chambers 54. The driver and tumbler pinways are positioned in circumferential alignment when the shoulder portion 102 contacts the forward edge 74 of the housing member. Therefore, each of the driver pinways 55 is positioned essentially at an equal axial distance from the forward edge 74 of the housing membcr as a corresponding tumbler p~nway 53 is axially positioned from the shoulder surface 102 of the flange 100. The outer surface 101 of the plug member includes a longitudinally extending flat portion 105 (FIGS. 28 to 30). The flat portion 105 has transverse width equal to the diameter of the cylindrical tumbler pinways 53 and extends in intersecting relation with the aligned pinways 53. The longitudinal positions of the tumbler pinways are such that each pinway 53 is in parallel alignment with a bittiny depth 50 formed on the upper blade portion 48 of a fully inserted key.
A sleeve actuatil-g pin member 106 extends radially outward from the flattened surface 105 at a position longitudinally adjacent to the shoulder surface 102. The pin member 106 is centered with the axially aligned centers ~-of the tumbler pinways 53. The pin member 106 is preferably made of hardened steel to deflect drilling through the flange portion of the plug member and along the shear surfaces of the lock in an attempt to force open the lock. A slot 107 r ~, 5~

extends transversely of the barrel portion 45 at the rear end 104 of the plug member. The slot 107 is adapted to receive a forward end portion of a tail piece member 108.
A tail piece retainer 110 is attached to the rear S end 104 of the plug member 46. The tail piece retainer 110 holds the plug member, tail piece, sleeve member and housing member in assembled relationship. The tail piece member operates a conventional bolt or latch, not shown. A slot 111 in the tail piece retainer 110 receives the tail piece member 108 and holds the tail piece member in the slot 107.
The tail piece retainer 110 is attached to the end 104 of the plug by screws 112 threaded into threaded bores 113. A
lower portion 114 of the slot 111 is in allgnment with the keyway 47.
The tail piece retainer 110 includes a forward facing shoulder surface 115 extending essentially radially outward from the barrel portion of the plug member in a plane perpendicular with respect to the axial reference. The shoulder surface 115 contacts the rear edge portion 76 of the housing member 41 to hold the plug, sleeve and housing members in assembled relationship. The tail piece retainer 110 rotates with the plug member and the surface 115 prevents axial movement of the plug member with respect to the housing member while allowing rotational movement. The axial distance between the shoulder surface 102 of the flange and the shoulder surface 115 of the tail piece retainer is slightly greater than the axial distance between the front and rear edges 74 and 75 of the housing member, thereby allowing smooth rotational movement while preventing relative axial movement of the plug member relative to the housing member.

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-A sleeve restoring tab 116 projects longitudinally forward from the shoulder surface 115 of the tail piece retainer 110, as is also shown in FIGS. 13 - 13. The tail piece retainer 110 is a~tached to the plug member such that the sleeve restoring tab 116 is in axial alignment with a center line throu~h the tumbler pinways 53 and sleeve actuating pin 106. The sleeve restoring tab 116 is positioned at a radial distance equal to the radial distance of the sleeve member from the center axial reference through the plug member. The thickness of the sleeve restoring tab is ~o greater than the thickness of the sleeve member. The sleeve restoring tab 116 includes a forward flat surface 117 and two oppositely spaced camming surfaces 118 and 119 converging from the shoulder surface 115 to the forward surface 117, as referenced only in FIG. 14.
A sleeve rotating notch 120 is formed radially inward of the outer circumferential edge of the tail piece retainer 110 and rearward of the shoulder surface 115. The radial inward depth of the notch 120 extends inward to the outer surface 80 of the sleeve member. The notch 120 includes two circ-~ferentially oppositely spaced camming surfaces 121 and L22, referenced only in FIG. 13, which converge rearward1y from the shoulder surface 115 of the tail piece retainer. The notch 120 is located in a predetermined circumferential position on the tail piece retainer to receive a portion of the offset tab portion 96 of the sleeve member when the sleeve member is in or is being rotated to and from the combination changing position ~FIGS. 16 - 18).

, . . .

Details of some of the elements of the locking stack assembly Sl are best seen in FIGSo 24 - 270 Each of the locking stack assembly elements 56 to 59 is preferably cylindrical in cross-section. The diameter of the each element is slightly less than the diameter of the bores t formed radially through the plug, sleeve and housing members, thereby allowing radial movement of the locking stack elements without binding or the like. The axial reference and length dimension of the locking stack assembly elements extend radially with respect to the lock. The flat interfacing end surfaces of the locking stack elements which abut and contact the flat interfacing end surfaces of the next radially adjacent,locking stack elements are all essentially perpendicular with respect to an axis through each cylindrically shaped element. Chamfered edges 123 are provided between the outer cylindrical surfaces and the interfaces. The purpose of the chamfered edges 123 is to compensate for wear, slight variations in the correct key bitting depths and accumulated manufacturing tolerances in lengths of locking stack elements during lock operation.
The length o~ the driver pins 58 and the tumbler pins 56 may vary in a desired manner. The length of each of the change wafers 59, both within the locklng stack assembly Sl and within the change wafer chambers 61 is uniform. The length of the change wafers is equal to an in~egral multiple of the standard depth interval to which bitting depths are formed in the key. The length of each locking pin 57 is the same and is no greater than radial thickness of the sleeve member 53. Further, the length of each locking pin .. ~ _ . ~_ __,. . . .
.. . i 9 ~ -~ 57 is an integral number of lengths of a change wafer 59.
Depending on the diameter of the locking pins and the outside diameter of the sleeve member 43, the iength of the locking pins 57 may be somewhat less than the radial thickness of the sleeve member 43. As is shown in FIG. 25, as the plug member 46 rotates, the point where the outside cylindrical surface 101 of the barrel member 45 intersects the flat surface 105 acts as a cam ~o move the locking pins slightly upward. The slight upward movement, shown in FIC.. 25, positions the interface or abutting surface between the locking pin 57 and change wafer 59 coincidently with the outer shear surface thereby allowing release of the outer shear su~face.

The maximum number of change wafers positioned continually in each change wafer chamber is such that the combined length of the change wafers in the change wafer chamber is equal to the length of a locking pin. As will be more apparent from the subsequent descr:iption of key combination changing operation, the maximum number of change wafers transposable from tile change wafer chamber into the locking stack assembly is less than the total number continually received in the change wafer chamber. Consequently, the total combined length of the transposed change wafers is less than the total length of the locking pin, by at least one bitting depth interval.

As shown best in FIG. 21, the innermost radial ends 124 of the tumbler pins 56 are rounded or otherwise formed in a suitable manner to contact and seat against the bitting depths 50 formed in the blade portion 48 of a key :'' .
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49 ~hen fully inserted in the keyway. Shoulder portions 133 and 134 of the key extend transversely outward from the blade portion 48 on opposite sides and shoulder 133 contacts the outer surface 103 of the flange portion 100 of the plug, S thereby limiting the maximum depth to which the key 49 can be ~ongitudinally inserted into the keyway. A bow portion 135 of the key extends from the blade portion to allow the key to be grasped by the fingers of the user.
Preferably, the overall radial length of each locking stack assembly is essentially the same as shown in ~IGS. 20 and 21. Uniform locking stack lengths make the lock more difficult to pick since release depths of each locking stack assembly are more difficult to perceive by probing or the like.
At least one of the elements of each locking stack assembly comprises permanent magnetic material or material capable of being magnetized as permanent magnetic material.
The other elements of the locking stack assembly are forrned of material attracted to the permanent magnetic material.
Preferably, the driver pins are formed of the permanent magnetic material or a permalloy such as Alnico because such ~`
magnetic material cannot be machined to maintain close length tolerances, as is necessary for the other elements of the locking stack assembly. Preferably, the remaining 2~ elements of the locking stack except the springs, are made of a free machining magnetic stainless steel alloy which is attracted by the magnetic flux of the magnetic locking stack element.

~5~

The purpose of the permanent magnetic element and other elements is to prevent the locking stack elements from separating at the abut~.ing end interface surfaces from one another, except during proper operation of the lock.
Slight separation can occur because the locking stack elements bounce up and down over the serrations between bitting depths as the key is inserted and withdrawn. When the user imparts a slight rotating torque to the key and plug member before the key is fully inserted into the keyway, the locking stack elements may hang up and not fully seat on the abutting end surfaces of one another or the tumbler pins may not fully seat on the bitting depths of the key bit. ~lagnetic attraction insures that the elements of the locking stack assembly are maintained in abutting relationship until the shear surfaces ~
are released by proper lock operation. The magnetic element ;
also enhances the resistance to picking because it is more difficult to separate the elements of the locking stack assembly when they are attracted to one anot:her. In some circumstances, picking a lock can be achieved by probing each locking stack assembly individually while applying rotating torque to the plug to release the locking stack assemblies one at a time. The magnetic element reduces the susceptability of the lock to this type of picking.
All of the locking stack elements of the lock ~0 are made of suitable metalLic materials, as is apparent to one skilled in the art. When magnetic locking stack elements are employed, it is preferable to form the housing, plug and sleeve members from non-magnetic material to avoid undesirable ~;
magnetic interaction with the magnetic locking stack elements.

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' ~ ': "',, :' Lock Assembly - -- -Asscmbly of the lock can best be understood by reference to FIGS. 3 and 13 to 19. The sleeve member 83 is inserted coaxially intermediate the barrel portion 45 of the plug member and the inner cylindrical surface 73 of the housing member. Tlle plug member 46 is inserted from the front edge 74 of the housing member into the interior opening 42. The rearward facing shoulder 102 of.the flange portion 100 abuts and contacts the forward edge 74 of the cylindrical portion 71 of the housing member. The forward end of the tail piece member 108 is inserted into the slot 107. The tail piece retainer 108 extends through the slot 111 in the tail piece retainer member 110 and the tail piece retainer is attached to the rear end 104 of the barrel portion of the plug by the screws 112. A proper combination key is inserted in the keyway 47 and the tumbler pins are inserted from the driver pinways 55 into the tumbler pinways 53 of the plug member. The sleeve member is next positioned in the combination changing position wherein the change wafer chambers are aligned with the driver pinways and two change wafers 59 are inserted into each of the change wafer chambers 61. The sleeve member is rnoved to a position wherein the locking pin chambers are aligred with the driver pinways and the remainder of the locking stack elements are inserted. ~-The locking stack assemblies are maintained-in position by attaching the cap rnember 72 over the outer end of the encasement portion 52 of the housing member.
With the sleeve member fully inserted to the front in the housing member the offset tab 96 is received within the locking recess 77 and the forward edge portion 85 is in abutting contact with the shoulder 102 of the flange portion -28- ;

.-r ' ' ~Si~6 of the plug. The sleeve actuating notch 86 surrounds and receives therein the sleeve actuating pin 106. With the forward edge portion 85 of the sleeve abutting the shoulder surface 102, the center points of the locking pin chambers 54 are positioned at the same axial positions as the center points of the driver pillways 55 and tumbler pinways 53 (FIGS. 19 - 21).
In assembled relation, certain relationships should be noted, as can also be seen from FIGS. 13 to 18.
With the forward edge portion 85 of the sleeve member 43 abutting the shoulder surface 102 of the flange 100 as shown in FIG. 13, the forward flat surface 117 (FIG. 14) of the sleeve restoring tab 116 of the tail piece retainer contacts the rearwarl flat surface 93 ~FIG. 15) of the sleeve restoring projection 92. lrhus~ it should be recognized that the rotation of the plug member to its homc position during normal lock operation operatively causes the sleeve actuating tab 116 to contact the sleeve restoring projection g2 and force the sleeve member to its axially forward position. It should a~so be noted that the locking recess 77 in the housing member extends longitudinally forward a sufficient distance so that the tab portion received therein does not inhibit full forward axial movement of the sleeve.
The maximum longitudinally forward extension of 25- the change recess 78 is insufficient to allow the offset tab 96 to move longitudinally completely out of the locking reces~ during normal lock operation, because the rearward flat surface 97 (YIG. 14) of the tab 96 contacts the forward surface 115 of the tail piece retainer. An exception occurs . ~

,.
.. .

', during the combination changing operation ~-hen the sleeve rotating notch 120 is positioned in axial alignment with the offset tab 96 (PIGS. 15 to 18). Under this circumstance, the sleeve member can be moved axially rearward a sufficient distance to move the tab out of the locking recess 77. The rearward flat surface 93 of the slecve restoring projection contacts the shoulder surface 115 of the tail piece retainer in this condition (FIGS. 16 -18). Further, the radial outward extent of the opening 109 formed radially outward 10 through the flange 100 from the keyway 47 is sufficient to expose an amount of the planar edge portion 85 of the front edge 84 of the sleeve member (FIGS. 2 and 19). Other relationships are impl~cit from the description of structure and operation.
Normal Lock Operation ~ormal operation of the lock begins with the lock in the condition illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 19 or 20. The plug member is in a home or beginning position, typically with the keyway 47 in a vertically extending manner. The elements of the locking stack assembly are biased radially 20 inward to the maximum point allowable by the inner termination of the tumhler pinways in the plug member. In FIG. 4, the -~ -lock is in the locked condition due to the driver pin 58 extending through both release or shear surfaces. There-fore, it is impossible to move any of the plug, sleeve or housing members with respect to one another. In FIGS. 19 and 20, it is also apparent that both shear surfaces are blocked by locking stac~ elements, since none of the abutting interface surfaces of the locking stack elements coincide with either of the shear surfaces.

,, , _ _ _ _ . _ ........ . . . . .

.
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FIG. 5 iilustrates the condition of a lock with an improper key inserted. The locking stack elements have been biased upward or radially outward by the bitting depth 50 of the key. The abutting surface between the locking pin 57 and the change wafer 59 coincides with the inner shear surface. Therefore, the inner shear surface. is released and slight rotation of the plug is possible as is shown in FIG.
6. ~owever, the outer shear surface is not released since the driver pin 58 extends throuyh the outer shear surface.
~s is shown in FIG. 14, the plug member is rotated slightly until the sleeve actuating pin 106 contacts the transve~se camming surface 88 (FIG. 15) of the sleeve actuating notch 86. At this point, no further rotation is possible because the outer shear surface is blocked. The blocked outer shear surface prevents the rearward axial movement of the sleeve member, and therefore the lock remains in the locked condition.
With a proper key inserted, both shear surfaces are released. Release of the inner and outer shear surfaces is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 15, 21, 22 and 25. Rotation of the plug member from the YIG. l4 position causes the sleeve actuating pin 106 to follow the camming surface 88 (FIG. 15) -of the sleeve actuating notch 86 to axially push the sleeve member rearward to the position shown in FIG. 15. Rotation - of the plug in either the clockwise or the counterclockwise directions results in the same type of normal lock action, with the sleeve actuating pin contacting one or the other of the ~pposite camming surfaces 88 or 89 (FIG. 15) o~ the sleeve actuating notch 86 to push the sleeve rearward. It should be noted that as the plug is rotated, the sleeve .
: .

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restoring tab 116 moves out of rotational alignment with the sleeve restoring projection 92 to thereby allow a~ial movement of the sleeve member. It should be further noted that the forward edge of the offset tab portion 96 of the sleeve does not move rearward to a position in which the tab 96 moves completely out of the locking recess 77. Each time the plug is returned to its home position, the sleeve restoring tab 116 contacts the sleeve restoring projection 92 and moves the sleeve member to its axially forward position.
Normal lock operation can thus be summarized.
With the elements of the locking stack assemblies positioned to release both shear surfaces, rotation of the plug member first releases the inner shear and thereafter, the sleeve actuating pin operatively moves the sleeve member axially rearward. The rearward movement of the sleeve shifts the locking pin chambers axially with respect to the driver pinways. Returning the pl~g member to home position causes the sleeve restoring tab 116 to contact the sleeve restoring projection 92 and force the sleeve member to its forwardmost position. Thus, the plug rnember rotates with respect to the housing and the sleeve member moves only axially with respect to the housing during normal lock operation. During normal lock operation, the sleeve member has not been shifted sufficiently rearward so that the change wafer chambers 61 ~S align with the tumbler pinways 53 regardless of the rotational position of the plug, as is illustrated by FIG. 15.
It is apparent from this manner of operation that the l.ocking recess 77 and tab 96 form one means for preventing rotational movement of the sleeve member relative to the housing member while allowing axial movement of the sleeve member relative to both the housing and plug members. The .

;

.
flange shoulder surface 102 and the surface 115 of the tail piece retainer 110 form means for allowing rotational movement of the plug member relative to the housing member while preventing axial movement of the plug member relative to the S housing member. The sleeve member is shifted from its first or forwardmost axial position to a second or intermediate axial position by means of the sleeve actua~ing pin 106 and the sleeve actuating notch 86. The intermediate axial position defines a normal lock operating position of the sleeve member. The home position of the pl~g member defines its first rotational position, and the position at which the sleeve member is shifted to the second axial position is a second rotational position of the plug member. The second rotational position is illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23. The sleeve restorinq projection 92 and the sleeve restoring tab 116 form one example of means for shifting the sleeve member axially from its second axial position to its first axial position.
Key Combination Changing Operation Changing the combination of the lock proceeds by inserting'a proper combination set key, releasing,both ~;
interfaces and rotating the plug member to a predetermined pOsition shown in FIGS. 7, 15 and 26, which defines a third rotatiollal pOSition of thc plug member. In the predetermined :'5 rotational position shown in FIG. 15, the o~fset tab 96 iâ
aligned with the sleeve rotating notch 120 in the tail piece retainer 110. Under these conditions, a projection member~]45 is manually inserted into the change opening 109 to contact the forward edge portion 85 of the sleeve member '30 43 and move the sleeve member to a rearwardmost axial or , -33-,~
:

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.
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~si~6 third axial position (FIG. 16). ~t the third axial position, the rearward surface 93 (FIGo 15) of the sleeve restoring projection 92 contacts the surface 115 of the tail piece retainer. Also, the offset tab 96 projects into the notch 120 Camming surface 98 (FIG. 14) of thc tab 9G contacts one camming surface 121 (FIG. 13) of the notch 120 to slightly rotate the sleeve member wit~l respect to thç housing member and shift the tab 96 slightly out of the locking recess 77 into the change recess 78.
Thereafter, the plug member is rotated back from its third rotational position to its first rotational position shown in FIG. 8, and the sleeve rotating notch 120 carries the offset tab 96 circumferentially in the change recess 78 (FIG. 17). Rotation of the sleeve thereby occurs, placing the change wafer chambers 61 in radially aligned condition with the tumbler and driver pinways as is shown in FIG. 17.
The two change wafers in the change wafer chamber are inserted into the locking stack elements between the tumbler pin and the change wafer in the locking stack assembly, as is shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 27. The locking pin positioned in the locking pin chamber has been temporarily rotated out of alignment with the driver and tumbler pinways. Thereupon, the set key is removed and a new combination key is inserted.
The new combination key has bitting depths cut to a new combination, the new combination being defined by at least one of the bitting depths on the new key being a depth different from the corresponding bitting depth of the first key by an amount,equal to the length of at least one change wafer.
Insertion of the new or second key is illustrated in FIG. 9.

.

, By comparing FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be seen that the new key is cut to a deeper bitting depth. As a result, the upper change wafer which was positioned in the driver pinway 55 is transferred into the change wafer chamber, and the lower change wafer previously positioned in the change wafer chamber is transferred into the tumbler pinway 53. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment two change wafers remain in the change wafer chamber at all times.
Therefore, it is possible to once again release both shear interfaces because abutting end surfaces of the change wafers between the driver pin and the tumbler pin are coincidental with the shear surfaces (FIGS. 24 and 27~. The combination change position of the sleeve is illustrated in FIG. 17.
In accordance with the general principle involved in the key combination changing operation, the maximum total combined length of the maximum number of change wafers transposable at a new relative position in the locking stack assembly is the length of one bitting depth interval less than the total length of a locking pin. As a result, it can readily be recognized that the length in the loc~ing stack from the rounded end of the tumbler pin to the inter-face surfaces on the ends of the locking pin i5 changed.
In the preferred e~bodiment only one change wafer is trans-posed and its length is one bitting depth interval less than the locking pin length. It is possible in accordance with this change principle concept that more than two change wafers can be positioned in the change wafer chamber and that more than one change wafer can be transposed into the locking stack.
Of course, the length of the locking pin and the radial 3Q thickness of the sleeve wouid be adjusted accordingly.

~;

_ _ .. _ .. _ _ , - , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .. .... _ _ . . _ .. . _ .. . . .. _ f , .
.

' The new combination or second key is thereafter rotated counterclockwise past the combination changing position as is shown in FIG. 10. Rotating the plug counter clockwise causes the sleeve rotating notch 120 to carry the tab 96 back to an aligned position with the locking recess 77 (FIG. 18). The camming surfaces 122 ~FIG. 13) and 99 (FI~. 14) longitudinally force the tab 96 into the locking recess 77. 'rhe key and plug are rotated back to the home position as is shown in FIG. 11 and the sleeve restoring tab 116 and sleeve restoring projection 92 force the sleeve member ~o its axial forward or first position. Thereafter, normal lock operation occurs with the new key in the same manner as has previously occurred with the old key. Removal of the new key from the lock results in a condition illustrated in FIG. 12.
By comparing FIGS. ~ and 12, it can be seen that the combination change operation, in effect, transferred a change wafer 59 from a position radially outward with respect to the locking pin 57 to a position radially inward with respect to the locking pin. In this manner, a wide variety of lock permutation combinations are available, particularly since such changes are available in each of the locking stack assemblies.
During the lock combination changing operation, it ;'5 is apparent that the sleeve member is moved to a rearwardmost or third axial posltion, as well as rotated. Rotation occurs from the first or normal locking condition position as i5 defined when the tab 96 is within the locking recess 77, to a second rotational position where the tab is maximally ' . _, . .
.f ' "': ~, ' " ~' . : , . , ' , .. .

5~

circumferentially displaced in the change recess 78 (FIG. 17 and FIGS. 15 and 13). Thus, the change recess 78 and the tab 96 comprise one form of means allowing rotation of the sleeve member to a combination changing position. The sleeve rotating notch 120 and the tab 96 form one means for operatively rotating the sleeve member from its first rotational position to its second rotational position, and also for rotating the sleeve member back from the second to the first rotational position.
It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the conventional techniques of master keying and grand ;
master keying can be employed by appropriately arranging the elements,of the locking stack assembly. FIG. 20 is one illustration of such a technique wherein more than one change wafer 59 and locking pin 57 have been employed in some of the locking stack assemblies. It should be noted that combination changes for master keys can be effected without affecting pass key depths, and vice versa, in the same manner as combination changes for pass keys.
~ Set ~ey A conventional pass key 49 illustrated in FIG. 21 has previously been described in normal operation of the lock 40. It is noted that the pass key 49 includes two transversely spaced shoulder portions 133 and 134 which extend outwdrdly from the blade portion 48 of the key. The shoulder portion 133 limits the maximum amount of insertion of the key into the keyway 47 upon contacting the front surface 103 of the flange 100. The lower shoulder portion 134 covers the opening 109 in the bottom portion of the keyway. Thus, the lower sl-oulder portion of a conventional , :. . ~

D
~25~6 pass key prevents exposure of the forward edge of the sleeve 43 through the opening 109 and thus prevents unauthorized change.
, One form of a set key for changing the combination of the lock 40, not specifically shown, requires removal of the lower shoulder portion 134 of a conventional pass key.
Thus, the lower longitudinal edge of the blade portion 48 extends,into the bow portion 135 of the key. With this arrangement a projection member such as a stiff wire or the like can be manually inserted below the blade portion 48 to contact the forward planar edge portion 85 of the sleeve to shift it axially to the rearwardmost axial position preparatory to rotat~ng the sleeve to the combination changing position.
A preferred form of another type of set key 140 is illustrated in FIGS. 31 and '32. The key 140, of course, includes an elongated blade portion 141 attached to a bow portion 142. An upper shoulder 143 extends transversely of the blade portion to limit axial insertion of the key in the lock.
A projection member 195 is positioned permanently within a slot 144 formed in the bow portion 142. The slot 144 extends in next adjacent and offset parallel relation with the lower straight edge of the blade portion. The projection member 145 is attached to a finger ~nob member 146 on each transverse , side of the bow portion. A rounded boss portion 147 formed on the end of the projection member positioned toward the bow portion extends transversely out of an enlarged slot 148, and th~ finger knob mcmbers 146 are connected to the outer transverse ends of the boss portion, preferably by rivets 150 extending transversely through an,opening 151 in the boss portion 147. The finger knob members 146, the boss portion . ~

. , .

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~:; . :
~: :, :.

147 and the cnlarged slot 148 define one form of means for permanently affixing the projection member 145 to the key 140. The maximum forward and rearward projection of the projection member is limited by contact of the boss portion with the ends of the enlarged slot 148.
~pon insertion of the set key 140 into the keyway and rotation of the key to the position in which combination changing procedure can begin (FIG. 15), the finger Xnob members are grasped and the projection member 145 is moved toward the rear of the lock. The leading edge 1~9 of the projection member 145 contacts the forward edge portion 85 of the sleeve member, and further movement of the projection member forces the sleeve member rearwardly (FIG. 16).
- lrhereafter~ the sleeve can be rotated to the combination changing position and the combination changing process can proceed as previously described. The projection member 145 can be withdrawn from the opening 109 by moving the finger knob members 146 away from the flange of the lock. It is apparent that the projection member lq5 is therefore permenantly connected to the key in a manner whereby it may be moved in longitudinally reciprocating motion parallel to and in next adjoining relation with the bit portion of the key, to be inserted into and removed from the opening 109.
In the foregoing description of various keys, only six different bitting depths have been illustrated for purposes of clarity. It should be understood that the more common nine or ten bitting depths can be employed with the lock ~ in the same manner as the six illustrated.
The foregoing description makes it apparent that the lock 40 of the present invention allows relatively rapid and selective change of the key combination without removing the , !` :

r .

.

lock from its installed position or replacing parts. Furthermore, more pick-resistant lock action has been secured because of the release of the inner shear surface prior to release of the outer shear surface. Release of the inner shéar surface prevents further probing or the like in an attempt to pick or release ~he outer shear surface. The construction and arrangement of elements within the lock is such that the overall dimensions of the lock can be used in a wide variety of applications. The number of key combinations to which the lock may be changed allows rapid key combination change for operation by different pass keys as well as a number of acceptable key combination changes for master key operation.
Ideally, ~master key bitting depths are cut to lesser depths than pass key bittiny depths.
The unique use of magnetic elements within the locking stack assemblies enhances the reliability of operation and the pick-resistance of the lock. ~any other advantages are apparent to those having skill in the art.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention .'0 has thus been described with a degree of particularity. It should be understood, however, that the specificity of the present disclosure has been made by way of example, and that changes in details of features may be made without departing from the spirit o~ the invention.

:~ , ~ -'"

'~

Claims

I CLAIM AS MY INVENTION:

l. A pin tumbler lock comprising a housing member having an interior opening formed therein; a sleeve member moveably received within the interior opening of the housing member, said sleeve member having an interior opening formed therein; a plug member rotatably received within the interior opening of the sleeve member, said plug member having a keyway formed therein for receiving a key; a locking stack assembly comprising elements including a driver pin, a locking pin, a tumbler pin and means for biasing said locking stack elements in contacting relation; said housing and sleeve and plug members each having a bore formed therein in radially aligned relation to receive the elements of the locking stack assembly, whereby a proper combination key positions the interfaces of said locking stack elements at points essentially coincident with shear surfaces defined at the interior openings between said housing and sleeve and plug members; and an improvement comprising:
connection means operatively connecting said sleeve member for allowing axial movement relative to said plug and housing members, and actuating means operatively connecting said sleeve and plug members for moving said sleeve member axially within said lock, said actuating means being operative upon positioning a proper combination key in the keyway and upon rotating said plug member substantially out of a position wherein the bores through said housing and sleeve and plug members are in radially aligned relation.
2. A lock as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
restoring means operatively connecting said sleeve and plug members for moving said sleeve member in an axial direction opposite to that axial movement effected by said actuating means, said restoring means being operative with rotation of said plug member into a position wherein the bores through said housing and sleeve and plug members are in radially aligned relation.
3. A lock as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
additional connection means operatively connecting said sleeve member for allowing predetermined axial and rotational movement relative to said plug and housing members, the predetermined axial and rotational movement defining a combination changing position of said sleeve;
an auxiliary bore formed through said sleeve member and positioned in a predetermined location axially and circumferentially spaced from the bore first aforementioned formed in said sleeve member, the predetermined location positioning the auxiliary bore in radial alignment with the bore in said housing member upon said sleeve member being moved to the combination changing position; and change means operatively connecting said sleeve and plug members for positioning said sleeve member in the combination changing position.
4. A lock as defined in claim 3 wherein said change means further comprises:
means operatively connecting said plug and sleeve members for rotating said sleeve through the predetermined rotational movement of the combination changing position.
5. A lock as defined in claim 3 or 4 wherein said change means further comprises:
a change opening extending from said sleeve member through said plug member to an exterior surface of said plug member at an exterior surface of said lock, whereby an instrument can be inserted through the change opening to contact said sleeve member.
6. A lock as recited in claim 3 further comprising at least one change wafer element positioned continually within the auxiliary bore of said sleeve member.
7. A pin tumbler lock comprising a housing member having an interior opening formed therein; a sleeve member moveably received within the interior opening of the housing member, said sleeve member having an interior opening formed therein; a plug member rotatably received within the interior opening of the sleeve member, said plug member having a keyway formed therein for receiving a key; a locking stack assembly comprising elements including a driver pin, a locking pin, a change wafer, a tumbler pin and means for biasing said locking stack elements in contacting relation;
said housing and sleeve and plug members each having a bore formed therein in radially aligned relation to receive the elements of the locking stack assembly, whereby a proper combination key positions the interfaces of said locking stack elements at points essentially coincident with shear surfaces (defined at the interior openings) between said housing and sleeve and plug members, and an improvement comprising:
connection means operatively connecting said sleeve member for predetermined axial and rotational movement relative to said plug and housing members, the predetermined axial and rotational movement defining a combination changing position of said sleeve;
an auxiliary bore formed through said sleeve member and positioned in a predetermined location axially and circumferentially spaced from the bore first aforementioned formed in said sleeve member, the predetermined location positioning the auxiliary bore in radial alignment with the bore in said housing member upon said sleeve member being positioned in the combination changing position;
at least one change wafer positioned within the auxiliary bore in said sleeve member; and change means operatively connected for positioning said sleeve member in the combination changing position.
8. A lock as defined in claim 7 further comprising:
actuating means operatively connecting said sleeve and plug members for moving said sleeve member axially upon rotation of said plug member substantially from a position wherein the bores first aforementioned through said housing and sleeve and plug members are aligned.
9. A lock as defined in claim 8 wherein:
said sleeve member is essentially of uniform predetermined radial thickness, the locking pin of said locking stack assembly is essentially of length equal to the predetermined thickness of said sleeve member, and a plurality of change wafers is positioned in each auxiliary bore, each change wafer is of the same thickness, and the total length of the plurality of change wafers in the auxiliary bore is essentially equal to the predetermined thickness of said sleeve member.
10. A lock as defined in claim 9 wherein:
one of the elements of said locking stack assembly includes permanent magnetic material exhibiting magnetic attraction for the other elements of said locking stack assembly.
11. A lock as defined in claim 10 wherein:
one of the driver pin or the locking pin or the tumbler pin of said locking stack assembly includes the permanent magnetic material, and the other elements of said locking stack assembly and the change wafers positioned in the auxiliary bore include material attracted to the permanent magnetic element.
12. A lock as defined in claim 11 wherein the portions of said housing member and said sleeve member and said plug member generally adjacent to the bores of said members are formed of material not attracted to the magnetic material.
13. A lock as defined in claim 7 wherein said change means further comprises:
means operatively connecting said plug and sleeve members for rotating said sleeve through the predetermined rotational movement of the combination changing position.
14. A lock as defined in claim 7 wherein said change means further comprises:
a change opening extending from said sleeve member through said plug member to an exterior surface of said plug member at an exterior surface of said lock, whereby an instrument can be inserted through the change opening to contact said sleeve member.
15. A lock as defined in claim 14 further comprising in combination:
a key adapted for insertion into the keyway of said plug member, said key comprising a projection member connected to said key in aligned position to be received within the change opening upon insertion of the key into the keyway.
16. An invention as defined in claim 15 wherein the projection member of said key is connected for longitudinal reciprocating movement relative to said key.
17. An invention as defined in claim 16 wherein the change opening is positioned in adjoining and aligned relation with the keyway, and said key further comprises:
a blade portion of basically elongated characteristics, the blade portion adapted to be received within the keyway of said plug member;
a bow portion extending from the blade portion and adapted to be grasped to operate said lock;
a stop shoulder extending from the blade portion and adapted to contact said plug member and limit insertion of said key into the keyway;
said projection member is connected to said key for longitudinal reciprocating motion in parallel and next adjoining relation with the blade portion; and finger knob means operatively connected to said projection member for moving said projection member in reciprocating movement.
18. A tumbler lock comprising:
a housing member defining an axially extending interior cylindrical opening therein;
a cylindrical sleeve member moveably positioned within the interior opening of said housing member, said sleeve member contacting said housing member at an interface defining an outer shear surface, said sleeve member further defining an axially extending cylindrical interior opening therein;
a plug member having a cylindrically shaped and axially extending barrel portion, the barrel portion being moveably positioned within the interior opening of said sleeve member, the barrel portion contacting the sleeve member at an interface defining an inner shear surface, said plug member further defining an axially extending keyway opening therein adapted for receiving a blade portion of a key;
first connection means operatively connecting said plug and housing members for allowing rotational movement of said plug member relative to said housing member and for preventing substantial axial movement of said plug member relative to said housing member, said first connection means allowing said plug member to assume a first rotational position and a second rotational position relative to said housing member, the second rotational position being rotationally displaced from the first rotational position;

second connection means operatively connecting said sleeve and housing members for allowing axial movement of said sleeve member from a first axial position to a second axial position relative to said housing member, the second axial position being axially displaced from the first axial position, said second connection means also operatively preventing rotation of said sleeve member in the first and second axial positions relative to said housing member;
at least one driver pinway formed in said housing member and extending radially outward from the interior opening of said housing member;
at least one locking pin chamber formed in and extending radially through said sleeve member, the locking pin chamber being located in said sleeve member in radial alignment with the driver pinway upon said sleeve member assuming the first axial position;
a tumbler pinway formed in said plug member and extending radially from the barrel portion into the keyway, the tumbler pinway being located on said plug member in radial alignment with the driver pinway and the locking pin chamber upon said plug member assuming the first rotational position and upon said sleeve member assuming the first axial position, the aligned tumbler pinway and locking pin chamber and driver pinway defining a locking stack bore;
a locking stack assembly comprising elements including a driver pin and a locking pin and a tumbler pin, said locking stack assembly being received within the locking stack bore, the driver pin and the locking pin and the tumbler pin being received respectively within the driver pinway and the locking pin chamber and the tumbler pinway in contacting relationship with the ends of said pin elements positioned essentially at the inner and outer shear surfaces upon insertion of a proper combination key into the keyway and upon said plug and sleeve members being positioned respectively in the first rotational and first axial positions, thereby allowing operation of said lock by said rotation of said key from its first rotational position to its second rotational position;
actuating means operatively connected for moving said sleeve member from its first axial position to its second axial position upon rotation of said plug member from its first rotational position to its second rotational position; and restoring means operatively connected for moving said sleeve member from the second axial position to its first axial position upon said plug member being rotated from its second rotational position into its first rotational position.
19. A pin tumbler lock as defined in claim 18 and further of the type allowing change of the key combination without removing said lock from its installed position and without disassembly or replacement of parts:
wherein said plug member is rotatable to a third rotational position, the third rotational position being rotationally displaced from either the first or second rotational positions of said plug member;

wherein said second connection means further operatively connects said housing member to said plug member for allowing axial movement of said sleeve member to a third axial position, the third axial position being axially displaced from either of the first or second axial positions of said sleeve member;
wherein said locking stack assembly further includes a change wafer as an element of said assembly;
wherein the rotational position of the sleeve member in the first and second axial positions defines a first rotational position of said sleeve member;
further comprising third connection means operatively associated with said second connection means and operatively connected with said plug and sleeve members for allowing rotation of said sleeve member to a second rotational position when said sleeve member is positioned in the third axial position, the second rotational position being rotationally displaced from the first rotational position of said sleeve member, the condition of said sleeve member when simultaneously positioned in the second rotational and third axial positions defining a combination changing position;
further comprising a change wafer chamber formed in and extending radially through said sleeve member, said change wafer chamber being positioned in radial alignment with the driver pinway when said sleeve member is positioned in the combination changing position;
further comprising means operatively extending to the exterior of said lock from said sleeve member for allowing movement of said sleeve member to its third axial position when said plug member is positioned in its third rotational position; and further comprising sleeve rotating means operatively connected for rotating said sleeve member from its first rotational position to its second rotational position, said sleeve rotating means being operative with rotation of said plug member from its third rotational position to its first rotational position.
20. A pin tumbler lock as recited in claim 20 wherein:
said sleeve rotating means is also operatively connected for rotating said sleeve member from its second rotational position to its first rotational position upon rotation of said plug member from its first rotational position into its third rotational position.
21. A pin tumbler lock as recited in claim 20 further comprising at least one change wafer positioned continually in said change wafer chamber.
22. A pin tumbler lock as recited in claims 18 or 21 wherein said first connection means comprises:
a flange member extending radially outward from said plug member and defining a shoulder surface contacting one axial end of said housing member, and a retainer member attached to said plug member and extending radially outward from said plug member, said retainer member defining a shoulder surface contacting the other axial end of said housing member.
23. A pin tumbler lock as recited in claims 18 or 21 wherein said second connection means comprises:
a locking recess formed in said housing member, and an offset tab member attached to said sleeve member and extending into said locking recess when said sleeve member is positioned in the first and second axial positions.
24. A pin tumbler lock as recited in claims 18 or 21 wherein said actuating means comprises:
an actuating member connected rigidly to said plug and extending radially outward of said plug member, and an actuating notch formed in said sleeve member in predetermined position to receive the actuating member therein when said plug and sleeve members are positioned respectively in their first rotational and first axial positions, said actuating notch further including at least one cam surface for operatively moving the sleeve member to its second axial position upon contact with the actuating member when said plug member is rotated from its first rotational position to its second rotational position.
25. A pin tumbler lock as recited in claims 18 or 21 wherein said restoring means comprises:
a restoring tab member operatively attached to said plug member and connected to rotate with said plug member, said restoring tab member further comprising at least one cam surface, and a restoring projection member connected to said sleeve member at a predetermined position, the predetermined position being one which locates said restoring projection member in axially aligned and contacting relation with said restoring tab member when said plug member and said sleeve member are respectively positioned in their first rotational and first axial positions, said restoring projection member further comprising at least one cam surface adapted to contact the cam surface of said restoring tab member upon said sleeve member being positioned in the second axial position and said plug member being rotated to its first rotational position.
26. A pin tumbler lock as recited in claim 18 or 21 wherein one of the elements of said locking stack assembly comprises permanent magnetic material, and the other of said locking stack elements comprise material magnetically attracted to the magnetic material.
27. A pin tumbler lock as recited in claim 21 wherein said means operatively extending to the exterior of said lock from said sleeve member for allowing movement of said sleeve member comprises:
a change opening extending from said sleeve member to an exterior exposed surface of said lock in its installed position, said change opening allowing insertion of an instrument therein to contact said sleeve member and move said sleeve member from its second axial position to its third axial position.
28. A pin tumbler lock as defined in claim 21 wherein said sleeve rotating means comprises:
a retainer member attached to said plug member and extending radially outward from said plug member, a tab member attached to said sleeve member and extending toward said retainer member, a sleeve rotating notch formed in said retainer member at a predetermined position to receive the tab member when in its first rotational position.
29. A pin tumbler lock as defined in claim 21 wherein:
a plurality of change wafers are positioned continually in said change wafer chamber, and said locking stack assembly includes at least one group of change wafers, each group being defined by a pre-determined number of abutting contiguous change wafers, the predetermined number being one less than the number of change wafers continually in the change wafer chamber.
30. A pin tumbler lock as defined in claim 29 wherein the length relationship of said locking pins and change wafers is that the total combined length of the maximum number of change wafers transposable from one change wafer chamber into one locking stack assembly is at least one bitting depth interval less than the length of the locking pin of the locking stack assembly.