US2648973A

US2648973A - Lever tumbler cylinder lock

Info

Publication number: US2648973A
Authority: US
Inventors: Spain Roy Clifton
Original assignee: Yale and Towne Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Yale and Towne Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1947-10-31
Filing date: 1947-10-31
Publication date: 1953-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1970-08-18

Description

Aug. 18, 1953 R. c. SPAIN LEVER TUMBLER CYLINDER LOCK 2 Sheet's-Sheet 1 Filed OCb. 31, 1947 .N m, R 0J m M ff E W@ m A R INVENTOR @ou C. J/blh/ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY M@ ATTORNEY R. C. SPAIN LEVER TUMBLER CYLINDER' LOCK Aug.l 18, 1953 Filed 001'.. 51, 1947 Patented Aug. 18, 1953 LEVER TUDIBLER CYLINDERLOCK Roy yClifton Spain, Salem, Va., assignor to'The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application October 31, 1947, Serial No. 783,413

18 Claims. (Cl. 70-366) This invention relates to a lock, and more particularly, to a lock of the type fully set forth in the Diesel application, Ser. No. 771,913. Diesel shows a lock in the form of a cylinder within which is rotatably mounted a sleeve called an actuator for actuating the usual cam, connecting bar, etc. Rotatably mounted in the sleeve is a key plug, and this key plug is equipped with a series of tumblers that are rotatably mounted therein and are adapted to be set by a key inserted into a keyway of the plug. The tumblers are equipped with gatings, and when these gatings are properly aligned, a clutch in the form of a sliding bar, moves into the gatings. The clutch is normally held by the tumblers in a position to interlock the actuator or sleeve with the cylinder. When the tumblers are set, and the clutch moves into the gatings thereof, the sleeve is released for rotation relatively to the cylinder and is locked to the key plug for rotation therewith. Now, upon rotation of the key plug, the actuator or sleeve is rotated to move the connecting bar, cam, or the like.

In other words, Diesel contributes a lock in which the key plug is normally freely rotatable relatively to the Icylinder and sleeve, while the sleeve is preferably locked to the cylinder. The

proper setting of the tumblers of the key plug effects engagement between the key plug and the actuator or sleeve, for rotating the said sleeve and the operating parts associated therewith. Naturally, because the key plug is freely rotatable in its locked condition, it is impossible to apply picking torque against the tumblers, and the lock is therefore pick resisting to a great degree.

In the Diesel lock, the tumbler gatings are so related to what I term the fence of the clutch, that when the said fence is within the gatings, it is impossible to rotate the tumblers. In view of this, in order to remove the key from the key plug, it is necessary to provide an ejector to move the fence rst out of the several gatings. Diesel contributes an ejector in the form of a specially shaped tumbler that is rotated by the keyv during the initial outward movement of the key from the key plug, the ejector acting to move the fence out of the gatings so that the key may then be fully removed from the key plug.` To allow for the movement of the key relatively to the tumblers during the actuation of the ejector, the several bittings of the tumblers are flattened.

Naturally, because of the flattening of the hitejection of the clutch fence from the several tumblers.

As a feature of my invention, I utilize tumblers mounted eccentrically relatively to the key plug rather than concentrically as in Diesel. Through this arrangement, only very narrow angular portions of the tumbler peripheries will lie as extensions of the key plug periphery. Therefore, since thev clutch fence is held against the periphery of the key plug, except in that narrow zone in which the tumbler peripheries lie as extensions of the key Vplug periphery, it is obvious that the fence will not rub against the full periphery of each.

tumbler during rotation of the key plug relatively to the fence. Because of this relationship of the parts, when the tumblers are key set and the key plug rotated to move the tumblers into position to accept the fence, the fence will readily fall into the aligned gatings because it is only when the gatings move opposite the fence that the fence isv in position to contact the tumblers. In the Diesel lock, the alignment of the tumblers and the rotation of the tumblers relatively to the fence allows the fence to contact the tumblers and possibly to rotate one or more of the tumblers away from the key p-rior to the movement of the tumbler gatings opposite the fence. In other words, the fence can contact a tumbler surface in advance of the gating 4and then prevent that particular tumbler from maintaining its proper alignment relatively to the key and the remaining tumblers. My invention eliminates this possibility.

As a further feature of the invention, I utilize an endwise movement of the key plug relatively to the cylinder for ejecting the fence from the several tumbler gatings. Thus, the key plug when moved inwardly, releases the fence for movement toward the gatings. When the fence is within the tumbler gatings and the lock has been operated, the endwise movement of the key will effect endwise movement of the key plug to move the fence out of the gatings. This is an extremely important feature as it makes it possible to use a normally bitted key and to contributevery smooth action to the lock operation.

y I have thus outline rather broadlyA the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be. better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is 'based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my'invention.

:Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a cylinder lock in which my invention is embodied. Of course, it is not-necessary that my lock be in the form of a cylinder, since the key plug and sleeve may be housed ina handle or other means, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. Figs. 2 and 3 are sections taken along lines 2 2 of Fig. 1, showing the tumblers in their normal locking position and in their key set position. Fig. 4 is a section taken along lines 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a section taken along lines 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a section taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 4. Fig. '7 is an exploded view of parts of my lock.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the cylinder of my lock is designated by reference numeral Il), and has rotatably mounted therein an actuator in the form of a sleeve l, best illustrated in Fig. '7. is a key plug designated by reference numeral |2.Y

Rotatable at the inner end of the cylinder l is a disc I3 to which is staked or otherwise secured a connecting bar I4 used to operate a lock mechanism in a well-known manner understood by those skilled in this art. Of course, instead of the connecting bar Id, the cylinder may be equipped with a cam or other means. A pin IV is secured to the end of the sleeve I and ts within a notch of the disc |3 so that rotation of the sleeve effects rotation of the disc and the connecting bar I4.

Sleeve is rotatable in the cylinder I0, and is retained against endwise removal therefrom by a retainer I5 best shown in Fig. 7. Retainer I6 is inserted into the cylinder I through a slot as best seen in Figs. 1 and 6, and lies within a groove |8 of the sleeve For maintaining the retainer I5 in position, the cylinder I3 is formed with a slot |9 in which is inserted a retainer slide 2li adapted to enter a slot 2| in the retainer I6. Of course, other means may be used for retaining the sleeve within the cylinder I0, all as will be well understood.

Key plug I2 is formed with a series of Chambers 22 separated by walls 23 that extend to the periphery of the key plug and are slotted at 23a for a purpose to appear below. Mounted in each of the chambers 22 is a tumbler 2b! supported for rotation on a shaft 25 retained within the key plug as is best illustrated in Fig. 5. Each of the chambers 22 is formed with an end Wall 26 against which presses a spring 21, the other end of the spring 21 operating against a shouldered surface 28 of each of the tumblers 24. Each tumbler is further equipped with a limit surface 29 operating against aV shoulder 30 of a chamber 22 for limiting the rotary movement of each tumbler. It is ob- Vious that when a key K is inserted in the keyway 3|, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the several tumblers are rotated against the pressure of the several springs 21. This acts to align the gatings 32 of the several tumblers for the entrance of a fence 33 formed as an integral part of a clutch 34. Clutch 34 is best illustrated in Fig. 7, and is shown formed with a locking ridge 35 as well as a fence 33. The locking ridge 35 is adapted for entry into a slot |9a in the cylinder I0 formed as a part of the slot IQ, to which reference has already been made. The purpose of this arrangement will be explained presently.

Referring now once again to Fig. 'EL the sleeve is shown formed with a large opening 33 in which is housed the clutch 34, as is probably best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, one end of the clutch 34 being rounded as at 37 to allow a pivotal movement thereof relativelt7 to the opening 36. The sleeve is cut away as seen at 38 in Figs. 2 and '7 to house a spring 39 that is staked thereto, this spring having an upper portion 40 and a lower` portion 4|. The upper portion 40 is adapted' to Rotatable Within the sleeve I bear against the cylinder IIJ and to form a means for yieldingly resisting rotation ofthe sleeve relatively to the cylinder from the position of Figs. 2 and 3, The lower spring portion 4| bears against the surface 34a of the clutch 34 to maintain the fence 33 of the clutch pressed toward the key plug and for movement into the several gatings 32 of the tumblers.

With the parts' in the position of Fig. 2, the ridge 35 of the clutch 347 is within the slot |3a of the cylinder, and therefore locks the sleeve I I against rotation. Therefore, the connecting bar |4 and disc E3 are held also against rotation. At the same time, since the fence 33 is out of the several tumbler gatings 32, the key plug is free to rotate relatively to the sleeve and the insertion of a tool or false key will merely allow the key plug to rotate freely. If the true key K is inserted, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the tumblers are aligned properly relatively tothe fence 33 so 'that the fence enters the several gatings 32 of the tumblers when the key plug is rotated to move gatings 32 and slots 23a of walls 23 opposite fence 33. At the same time, the ridge 35 of the clutch 3 has moved out of the slot |9a'. It is now apparent that the sleeve II has been unlocked relatively to the cylinder, and has been locked to the tumblers, and therefore the key plug I2. Rotation of the key plug I2 bythe key K within the key hole 3|, will now eifectl simultaneous rotation of the key plug and the sleeve I| to actuate the connecting Ybar I4. This rotation of the sleeve i will be yieldingly resisted by the part itil of the spring 39. Also, this part 40 through its coaction with slot ISa, will contribute a clicking action when the key plug is moved back to locking position, this clicking action being desirable in locks of this class.

With the parts in the position of Fig. 3,l it is desirable to remove the key from the key plug. However, this cannot be done because the tumblers are in such relation to the fence 33 through their gatings 32, that the tumblers cannot'be rotated- It becomes necessary, therefore, in order to rotate the tumblers 2 CI, to rst remove the fence 33 from the several gatings 32. This is accomplished through means of cam surfaces 50, 5| on the clutch ooacting with cam surfaces '52, 53 on the key plug as best seen in Figs. 4 and 5. Considering now Figs. 4 and 5, it will be noted first that the key plug I2 is movable from its position of Fig. 5 outwardly to its position of Fig. 4 relatively to the sleeve |I as determined by the shoulder 5d. on the key plug coacting with the surface 55 of the sleeve I.

When the key K is iirst inserted into the key plug IB, it acts to move the key plug to its positionof Fig. 5 if the plug is not already in this position, whereupon the depression 52a from which extends the cam surface 52, is opposite the forward end of the clutch 34 so that the saidv forward endl may enter the depression 52a. Similarly, the depression 53a from which extends the cam surface 53, is oppositeV the end of the clutch 35 so that the entire clutch may move into the position shown` in Figs. 3 and 5 upon the proper alignment of the tumblers. Obviously, when the tumblers are not aligned with their gatings 32 oppositethe fence 33, the clutch will be maintained in its position of Fig. 2.

Let us assume that the key plug has been rotated to eect operation of the connecting bar I4 as desired, and that the operator Wishes to remove the' key K. The'inere outward movementv of the key K will move the plug I2 from its posiytion of Fig. to its position of Fig. 4, bringing the part 54 of the key plug against the shoulder '55 of the sleeve ll. During this movement, the cam surfaces 52, 53 act on the cam surfaces 56, 5| of the clutch 34 and eject the clutch from the several tumbler gatings as is Well shown in Fig 4 and to carry ridge 35 into cylinder slot |9a. Now, the continued outward movement of the key effects a rotation of the tumblers in the usual Way and the key is removed from the key plug. Itv should be well noted that because of the eccentric relation of the shaft 28 to the axis of rotation of the key plug, only a very relatively narrow angular portion of the periphery of each tumbler 24 will be allowed to move into alignment with the peripheral surface of the key plug I2. As a matter of fact, those portions of the tumbler peripheries that move into alignment With the key plug periphery will always be in that angular zone defined by the slots 23a, formed in the several walls 23 separating the compartments 22 in which the tumblers are rotated. Therefore, it is only within the narrow zone defined by the slots 23al of the walls 23 that the tumbler peripheries may be contacted by the fence. Because of this relationship of the parts, rotation of the key plug will effect rotation of the tumblers without the simultaneous contact of the fence and the tumblers. In view of this, the tumblers may be moved freely opposite the fence in the desired zone for the entry of the fence into the several gatings. This feature, plus the very eicient and simple manner in which the fence is moved out of the gatings of the tumblers, utilizing merely the surfaces of the key plug and the fence, forms a very important contribution in this art.

vI now claim:

l. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a sleeve rotatable in said cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said sleeve and adapted for endwise movementrelatively thereto, key set tumblers mounted for movement in said key plug and having peripheral portions, said peripheral portions of said tumblers having gatings therein, spring means for pressing said tumblers toward aV predetermined position, said tumblers being movable by a key in opposition to said spring means, a clutch member for clutching said key plug to said sleeve, the peripheral portions of said tumblers holding said clutch member out of clutching position when vsaid tumblers are pressed towards said predetermined position so that said key plug rotates freely relatively to said sleeve and cylinder, the alignment of said gatings by key action effecting the entry of said clutch member in said gatings to clutch said key plug and sleeve for rotation together relatively to said cylinder, the gatings of said tumblers being formed with outlining surfaces in non-camming relation to said clutch member so that said tumblers are locked by said clutch member against movement upon entry of said clutch member in said gatings, a cam surface on said key plug for ejecting said clutch member from said gatings upon endwise movement of said key plug incidental to the withdrawal of the key from said key p-lug, the insertion of said key into said key plug moving said key plug endwise in a reverse direction for releasing said clutch member for movement toward said tumblers.

2. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a sleeve rotatable in said cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said sleeve and movable endwise relatively thereto, key set tumblers mounted for 6, movement in said key plug and having peripheral portions, said peripheral portions of said tumblers having gatings therein, a clutch member for clutching said key plug to said sleeve mounted in an opening on said sleeve and having a fence portion facing said tumblers, the peripheral portions of said tumblers holding said clutch member out of clutching position until said tumblers are key set with their gatings aligned, means on said clutch member locking said sleeve to said cylinder when said clutch member is out of clutching position, the alignment of said gatings by key action effecting the entry of said clutch member in said gatings to clutch said key plug and sleeve for rotation together relatively to said cylinder while releasing said sleeve from said cylinder, spring means for yieldingly holding said sleeve against rotation with said key plug after said sleeve is released from said cylinder, a cam surface on said key plug for ejecting said clutch member from said gatings upon endwise movement of said key plug incidental to theV Withdrawal of the key from said key plug, the insertion of said key into said key plug moving said key plug endwise in a reverse direction for releasing said clutch member for movement toward said tumblers.

3. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, asleeve rotatable in said cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said sleeve and movable endwise re1- atively thereto, key set tumblers mounted for movement in said key plug andhaving peripheral portions, said peripheral portions of said tumblers having gatings therein, a clutch member for clutching said key plug to said sleeve mounted in an opening on said sleeve and having a fence portion facing said tumblers, a spring pressing ,Y said clutch member toward said tumblers, the

peripheral portions of said-tumblers holding said clutch member out of clutching position until said tumblers are key set with their gatings aligned whereby said key plug rotates freely re1- atively to said sleeve and cylinder, the alignment of said gatings by key action effecting the entry of saidclutch member in said gatings to clutch said key plug and sleeve for rotation together relatively to said cylinder, a cam surface on said key plug for ejecting said clutch member from said gatings upon endwise movement of said key plug incidental to the withdrawal of the key from said key plug, the insertion of said key into said key plug moving said key plug endwise in a reverse direction for releasing said clutch member for movement toward said tumblers.

4. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a sleeve rotatable in said cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said sleeve and movable endwise relatively thereto, key set tumblers mounted for movement in said key plug and having peripheral portions, said peripheral portions of said tumblers having gatings therein, a clutch member for clutching said key plug to said sleeve, the peripheral portions of said tumblers holding said clutch member out of clutching position until said tumblers are key set with their gatings aligned, the alignment of said gatings by key action effecting the entry of said clutch member in said gatings to clutch said key plug and sleeve for rotation together relatively to said cylinder, a cam surface on saidkey plug for ejecting said clutch member from said gatings upon endwise movement of said key plug incidental to the withdrawal of the key from said key plug, the insertion of said key into said key plug moving said key plug endwise in a reverse direction ,for` releasing said clutch member for movement toward said tumblers.

5. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a sleeve rotatable in said cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said sleeve, key set tumblers rotatable in said key plug, means mounting said Atuntiblers eccentrically relatively to said key plug with vthe peripheral surfaces of said tumblers lying as extensions of the key plug `perip-liery in aV relatively narrow angular-zone ofthekeyplug periphery, said'perip-heral portions of said tumblers having gatings therein, a clutch member for clutching said key plug to said sleeve, portions of said key plug holding said clutch member out of clutching position and away from said tumblers except when a predetermined angularportion of said' key plug is opposite said clutch membei', the. peripheral portions of said tumblers holding said clutch member out oi clutching position even when said predetermined angular portion of said'key plug is opposite said clutch member so that said key plug rotates freely relatively to said sleeve and cylinder, the alignment of said gatings by key action oppositeA said predetermined angular portion of said key plug efecting the entry ci said, clutch member insaid gatings vto clutch said key plug and sleeve'for rotation tegether relatively to said. cylinder.

c 6.. Inv a lock of the class described, a cylinder,

a sleeve rotatable in said. cylinder, a. key-plug `rotatable in said sleeve, key set tumblers rotatable in said key plug,- means mounting said tumblers eccentrically relatively to said key plug with the peripheralfsurfaces, of said tumblerslying as extensions/of the key vplug periphery'in a relatively narrow angular zone of' the. key plug periphery, said peripheral portions of said-tumblers having gatings. therein, a clutch. member for clutching said key plug. to said. sleeve, portions-of said key plug, holding said clutch member out of' clutching position and away fromy said tumblersexoept when a predetermined angular portion of said key ping is; opposite said. clutch member, the peripheral'. portions of said tumblers holding said clutch member out of clutching position even l whenl said 4predetermined angular portion-of said key plug is opposite said.v clutch members@i that said key. plug rotates freely relativelyl to said sleeve; and cylinder, a detent portion on said clutch member for: locking said sleeve to said cylinder when said clutch member is held by said tumblers out'of clutching position, the alignmentof said gatings by'key action` opposite said predetermined, angular portion of said key' plug eiecting the entry of said clutch member in saidgatings to. clutch said. key plugr and sleeve for rotation together relatively to said cylinder.

'7. In aloc'k ofv the class described', a cylinder, a sleeve rotatable in said cylinder, a 'key'plufg' rotata'ble in said sleeve and movable endwise rela'- tively thereto, key set tumblers mounted for ro'- tation; in said key plug on an axis parallel to the axis of' rotation of said key plug and' having pe'- riphera'lV portions, said peripheral portions of'- said tumblers having gatings therein, a clutch: memberi for clutching said key plug to said sleeve, the peripheralportions of said tumblers holdingsaid clutch member out of clutching. position.. until said gatingsare. aligned by key action whereupon the entry of said; clutch memberA into said gat'- ings, clutches said key plug and sleeve forV Yrotation together. relatively to said cylinder, the-gatingsofsaid tumblers being formed with outlining surfaces in non-camming relation to said clutch member so that said tumblers are locked by said clutch member against movement upon entry of said clutch member in said gatings, a cam surface on said key plug for ejecting said clutch member from said gatings upon endwise movement of said key plug incidental to the withdrawal of the key from said key plug, the insertion of said key into said key plug moving said key plug endwise in a reverse direction for releasing said clutch member for movement toward said tumblers.

8. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said cylinder and movable endwise relatively thereto, a lock actuatonkey set tumblers movable in said key plug, means for clutching said key plug to said lockactuator, surfaces on said tumblers for maintaining said means out of clutching position, said tumblers having gatings that when aligned allow movement of said means into said aligned gatings whereby to clutch said key plug to said lock actuator, the gatings oi said tumblers being formed with outlining surfaces in non-camming relation tosaid means so that said tumblers are locked by said means against movement upon entry of said means in said gatings, a cam surface on said key plug for ejecting said means from said gatings uponV endwise movement of said key plugincidental to the Withdrawalof the key from said key plug, the insertion of said key into said key plug moving said key plug endwise in a Vreverse direction for releasing said means for movement toward said tumblers.

9. in a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said cylinder and movable endwise relatively thereto, a lock actuator, key set tumblers movable in said key plug, means for clutching said key plug to said lock actuator, surfaces on said tumblers for maintaining said means out of clutching position, said tumblers having gatings that when aligned allow' movement of said means into said aligned gatings whereby to clutch 'said key plug to said lock actuator, the gatings of said' tumblers being noncamming with relation to said means whereby said tumblers are locked against movement by said means when said means enter said gating's, andan ejector surface on said key plugV for ejecting said means from said gatings upon endwi'se movement of said key plug incidental to the withdrawal' of the key'from said key plug;

l0; VIn a lock of the class described, a cylinder, akey plug rotatable in said'cylinder and adapted for endwi'se movement relatively' thereto, key set tumblers rotatable in saidkey plug and having peripheral portions formed with gatings; a fence' in said cylinder adapted to enter said gatingsl When Vsaid tumblers are properly set by a key, and means whereby movement ofthe key plug endvvise of the cylinder incidental to the removal of' the key from the key' plug effects the movement of the fence out of the 'tumbler gat'-v lngS:

1'1'. In a lock of the class described', a cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said cylinder and adapted for endwise movementrelatively thereto, key set tumblers rotatable in said key plug and having' peripheral portions formed with gatings, a fence in said cylinder adapted to enter saidl gatings when' said' tumblers are properly set by a key, and' means extending between saidkey plugY and fence actuated by movement of the key plug end- Wi'serof the cylinder incidental t'o the removal' of the key from` thev key plug for effecting: the movement of the .fence out of the tumbler gatin'gs.

12'. avlock` of'tli-e class described, a cylinder,-

a key plug rotatable in said cylinder and adapted for endwise movement relatively thereto, key set tumblers rotatable in said key plug and having peripheral portions formed with gatings, a fence in said cylinder adapted to enter said gatings when said tumblers are properly set by a key, a surface of said key plug contacting a surface of said fence whereby to cam and hold said fence out of the tumbler gatings as said key plug is moved endwise in one direction relatively to said cylinder, the movement of the key plug in a reverse direction moving said key plug surface to release said fence for movement toward said tumblers.

13. In a lock oi the class described, a cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said cylinder and adapted for endvvise movement relatively thereto, key set tumblers rotatable in said key plug and having peripheral portions formed with gatings, a

fence in said cylinder adapted to enter said gattings when said tumblers are properly set by a key, a spring pressing said fence toward said gatings, a surface of said key plug being formed .for coaction with said fence whereby when said key plug is pushed inwardly incidental to the insertion of the key plug said key plug surface will lie out of positioning contact with said fence whereby said fence may move into the tumbler gatings, said surface having a fence camming portion movable against the fence as said key plug is moved endwise incidentally to the removal of the key from the key plug whereby to cam the fence out of the tumbler gatings.

14. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said cylinder and adapted for endwise movement relatively thereto, key set tumblers rotatable in said key plug and having periperal portions formed with gatings, a fence in said cylinder adapted to enter said gatings when said tumblers are properly set by a key, a surface of said key plug contacting a surface of said fence whereby to cam and hold said fence out of the tumbler gatings as said key plug is moved endwise in one direction relatively to said cylinder incidental to the movement of the key out of the key plug, the movement of the key plug in a reverse direction incidental to the insertion of the key into the key plug moving said surface to release said fence for movement toward said tumblers.

15. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said cylinder, a lock actuator, key set tumblers `eccentrically movable in said key plug, means for clutching said key plug to said lock actuator, surfaces on said tumblers for maintaining said means out of clutching position, a detent portion on said means for locking said lock actuator to said cylinder when said means are held by said tumblers out of clutching position, said tumblers having gatings that when aligned allow movement of said means into said aligned gatings whereby to clutch said key plug to said lock actuator while releasing said lock actuator from said cylinder whereupon said key plug and lock actuator rotate together, and portions of said key plug holding said means out of clutching position and away from said tumblers except when a predetermined angular portion of said key plug is opposite said means.

16. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a sleeve rotatable in said cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said sleeve and movable endwise relatively thereto, key set tumblers mounted for movement in said key plug and having peripheral portions, said peripheral portions of said tumblers having gatings therein, a clutch member for clutching said key plug to said sleeve mounted in an opening on said sleeve and having a fence portion facing said tumblers, the peripheral portions of said tumblers holding said clutch member out of clutching position until said tumblers are key set with their gatings aligned, means on said clutch locking said sleeve to said cylinder when said clutch is out of clutching position, the alignment of said gatings by key actio-n eiecting the entry of said clutch member in said gatings to clutch said key plug and sleeve for rotation together relatively to said cylinder while releasing said sleeve from said cylinder, spring means for yieldingly holding said sleeve against rotation with said key plug after said sleeve is released from said cylinder, and means responsive to endwise movement of said key plug for ejecting said clutch member from said gatings.

17. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said cylinder, key set tumblers rotatable in said key plug, means mounting said tumblers eccentrically relatively to said key plug with the peripheral surfaces of said tumblers lying as extensions of the key plug periphery in a relatively narrow angular zone of the key plug periphery, said Zone of said key plug having a slot for the entry of a detent, said peripheral portions of said tumblers having gatings therein, a detent mounted in said cylinder adapted to enter said tumbler gatings and plug slot, portions of said key plug holding said detent away from said tumblers except when said predetermined angular zone and slot of said key plug are opposite said detent, the peripheral portions of said tumblers holding said detent out of said plug slot even when said predetermined angular zone and slot of said key plug are opposite said detent, and the alignment of said gatings by key action opposite said predetermined I'angular zone and slot of said key plug effecting the entry o said detent into said gatings and slot.

18. In a lock of the class described, a cylinder, a key plug rotatable in said cylinder, key set tumblers rotatable in said key plug, means mounting said tumblers eocentrically relatively to said key plug with the surfaces of said tumblers lying substantially as extensions of the key plug periphery in a relatively narrow angular zone of the key plug periphery formed as a slot in said key plug, a detent bar mounted for entry into said plug slot, portions of said key plug holding said detent bar away from said tumblers except when said predetermined angular` Zone of said key plug is opposite said detent bar, said surfaces of said tumblers maintaining said detent bar out of said plug slot even when said predetermined angular zone of said key plug is opposite said detent bar, said tumblers having gatings that when aligned by key operation opposite said predetermined angular Zone of said key plug allow movement of said detent bar into said aligned gatings and plug slot.

ROY CLIFTON SPAIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number