IL44652A - Adjustable key for cylinder locks - Google Patents

Claims (3)

1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS: j 1. An adjustable key for cylinder locks, comprising: a holder, a plurality of pins displaceable longitudinally in the holder independently of one another, each pin being displaceable longitudinally between a retracted position and any. selected one of a plurality of operative positions spring means biasing the pins to their respective retracted positions, manually operable setting means engageable with the pins for setting the pins in a selected configuration, locking means mounted in the holder, said locking means being engageable with the pins for locking the pins in their set position, and manually operable release means engageable with said locking means and operable to disengage the locking means from the pins to permit retraction of the pins.

2. An adjustable key according to claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a longitudinally extending casing having an end face and a handle portion which is spaced longitudinally from the end face, the pins extending through openings in the end face .

3. An adjustable key according to claim 2, wherein the casing comprises a pair of complementary shells fastened together, the casing being split in a longitudinal medial plane, one of the shells having a transverse end portion defining said end face . engageable tabs, the casing providing a plurality of longi- , tudinal slots, each tab being connected to a respective one of said pins and projecting through a respective one of said slots. 5. An adjustable key for cylinder locks, comprising: a casing, a plurality of pins displaceable longitudinally in the casing independently of one another, each pin being displaceable between a retracted position and any selected one of a plurality of operative positions, each pin providing a rearwardly extending ratchet portion, stop means mounted in the casing, said stop means being engageable with the pins to define the retracted positions thereof, first spring means biasing the pins to their respective retracted positions, manually operable setting means for setting the pins in a selected configuration, said manually operable setting means comprising a plurality of independently adjustable tabs, each tab being connected to a respective one of the pins, pawl means pivotally mounted in the casing, said pawl means being engageable with the ratchet portions of the pins, manually operable release means mounted on the casing, said manually operable release means comprising a slidable member having first, second and third operative positions, the member in its farst position abutting against the pawl means to urge the pawl means into locking engagement with said ratchet means to permit said ratchet portions to ride over said pawl ai means, and in its third position abutting against the pawl means to hold the pawl means to hold the pawl means out of engagement with the ratchet portions, and second spring means engaging the pawl means to bias said pawl means into engagement with the ratchet portions with sufficient force to prevent said first spring means from returning the pins to their retracted positions when the slidable member is in its second position. 6. An adjustable key according to claim 5, wherein the pawl means comprises a plurality of pivoted pawl memberseach of which is engageable with the ratchet portion of a respective pin. 7. An adjustable key according to claim 6, wherein the second spring means comprises a longitudinally slotted cantilever blade spring, defining independent spring sections, the free ends of which engage the pawl members to bias the pawl members into engagement with said ratchet portions. 8. An adjustable key according to claim 7, wherein the pivotally mounted pawl members have a common transverse pivotal axis, each pawl member having a first end on one side of said axis which end is engaged by the free end of the respective blade spring section, and a second end on the other side of said axis, and wherein the slidable member is longitudinally slidable in the casing and has a first abutment engageable with said first ends of the pawl members, in the first position of the slidable member to urge the pawl members into locking engagement with said ratchet portions, and a second abutment engageabl with said second ends of the pawl members, in the third pos tion of the slidable member, to hold the pawl members out o engagement with said ratchet portions . 9. An adjustable key according to claim 8, wherein the casing comprises a pair of complementary shells fastened together, the casing having an end face and a handle portion which is spaced longitudinally from the end face, the casing being split in a longitudinal medial plane, and one of the shells having a transverse end portion defining said end face 10. An adjustable key for cylinder locks, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings . Te 1-Aviv, April 16, 1974