WO1996038643A1

WO1996038643A1 - Multiple tumbler combination for axial pin tumbler lock

Info

Publication number: WO1996038643A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/004410
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Steinbach
Original assignee: Chicago Lock Company
Priority date: 1995-06-02
Filing date: 1996-03-29
Publication date: 1996-12-05
Also published as: AU5380696A

Abstract

An improved axial pin tumbler lock assembly (10) is disclosed. The improvement resides in the providing of a forward tubular spacer (35) accommodating eight tumblers (38), and an intermediate spacer (40) accommodating a series of eight tumblers (44) and a rear tubular sleeve (45) also accommodating eight tumblers (49). A control key (60) and reset key (70) respectively are utilized to select one of a series of 64 different tumbler combinations. An operational key (80) is then utilized to operate the lock with the selected tumbler combination, a total of 64 operating keys being made available to operate each of the 64 tumbler combinations selected.

Description

MULTIPLE TUMBLER COMBINATION FOR AXIAL PIN TUMBLER LOCK BACKGROUND OF THE TNVENTΪON

Axial pin tumbler lock assemblies which permit the operator to change the tumbler code combination are known. In accordance with the present state of the art, such locks permit a limited number of tumbler code combinations to be programmed into the lock. Such assemblies generally provide a lock consisting of a lock barrel which contain an inner bushing secured to a lock shaft, and a tumbler sleeve which is rotatably carried on an extension portion of the lock shaft. Three groups of tumblers are utilized to set the tumblers with respect to the inner bushing and sleeve assembly, and also to set the tumblers relative to the top or outer sleeve with respect to the inner sleeve. A reset key is employed which may be used to set any given tumbler combination available, and then removed from the lock. An operating key is then utilized to operate the lock once the reset key has been used to set a particular tumbler coded combination.

The method of operation of such locks is described and shown in Patent Re 28,319 owned by Chicago Lock Company.

Such locks have particular application in fields such as the vending machine field since operating keys may easily be lost by the operator, or in the event that an employee is discharged or leaves the employee of the operator, the locks contained in the vending machine may be changed thereby to alter the tumbler combination in order to permit the use of an alternate operating key. This avoids the necessity of changing the lock each time it is deemed necessary from a security standpoint. It has been determined, however, that there is a need to increase the flexibility of such types of locks by permitting the expansion of the number of tumbler coded combinations available. Hence, the present invention is intended to provide an improved axial pin tumbler lock assembly which increases the number of coded combinations to a total of 64, or more. This result is achieved by increasing the number of shear lines which are contained in the lock assembly such that a series of two keys may be used in order to reset tumbler combinations and thereby increase the tumbler coded combinations

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved axial pin tumbler lock assembly which permits a greater number of tumbler coded combinations to be achieved and thereby increase the number of operating keys that may be employed with respect to such lock assembly In conjunction with the foregoing object, a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved axial pin tumbler lock assembly of the type described which includes a lock barrel in which is contained an elongate lock shaft to which is fixedly secured an inner bushing adjacent the rear end thereof. A first forward spacer is carried on the lock shaft adjacent the forward portion thereof and is rotatably mounted thereon. The first forward spacer is designed and adapted to carry a series of eight differently sized pin tumblers. A second intermediate spacer is carried on the lock shaft intermediate the first forward spacer and the inner bushing. The intermediate spacer is similarly rotatably positioned relative to the lock shaft, and also carries a series of eight differently sized tumblers in a particular orientation therein. Immediately adjacent to and rearward of the inner bushing is a tumbler sleeve which also is rotatable relative to the lock shaft, but fixedly secured relative to the lock barrel. The tumbler sleeve is designed to carry a series of eight tumblers therein. Hence, a first shear line is created as between the first forward spacer and the intermediate space, while a second shear line is established as between the intermediate spacer and the forward face of the inner bushing, and a third shear line is created between the rear face of the inner bushing and the tumbler sleeve.

In conjunction with the aforegoing object, a further object of the invention is to provide an assembly of the type described wherein a first control key may be utilized to set one of the group of pin tumblers along the control shear line, a second reset key may then be utilized to set another set of tumblers along the reset shear line, and once the control tumblers and the shear tumblers are set to a given coded combination, a certain operating key may be then utilized to operate the lock assembly along a third operating shear line.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an axial pin tumbler lock assembly of the type described, wherein the front face of the lock barrel is provided with an octagonal shaped opening in order to provide eight set positions, and each of the control key, reset key and operating key include an octagonal shaped flange formed along the operating end of the key such that the key is permitted entry into the keyway opening of the lock barrel and thereby affords the operator to manipulate and set the control key and reset keys respectively to a given position afterwhich the keys may be removed, and the operating key may then be utilized to operate the lock assembly. Further features of the invention pertain to particular arrangement of the parts whereby the above outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood by referenced to the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE TNVENTTON

In summary, the present invention provides an improved axial pin tumbler lock assembly which permits a total of 64 tumbler coded combinations to be achieved. This object is attained by employing a series of two rotatable sleeves carried on the lock shaft which is axially centered within the lock barrel, and having a third tumbler sleeve positioned behind an inner bushing, which is rotatable relative to the lock shaft, but fixedly secured relative to the lock barrel. Further, in order to provide the operator with a precise set point for the use of both the control key and the reset key, the keyway opening in the lock barrel is provided with an octagonal shape, such that each of the points of the octagon will represent a fixed setting for setting a particular coded arrangement for the tumblers. In this manner, the operator will have a positive setting that he has reached the proper position with the control key in setting a coded arrangement for tumblers as well as a coded setting for the reset key, before removing the key such that the coded tumblers will be positively set in a given combination. Similarly, the operating key is provided with an octagonally shaped flange such that it can be received into the lock opening in order to operate the lock assembly.

The precise manner in which the improved lock of the present assembly operates will best be understood by reference to the drawings and the description hereinafter.

BRIEF PESCRIf TIQN OF PRAWTNGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the novel axial pin tumbler lock of the present invention with an operating key shown in position;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the axial pin tumbler lock of the present invention showing the relationship between the various parts and elements thereof including the tumbler arrangement;

Figure 3 shows the configuration of the reset key which operates one of the series of tumbler arrangements contained within the lock assembly;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the control key which operates another set of the control tumblers in the lock assembly;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the operating key showing the configuration thereof which is intended to operate the third set of tumblers contained in the lock assembly; Figure 6 is an elevational view in cross-section showing one coded combination as between the reset tumblers and the control tumblers thereby and establishing a shear line therebetween;

Figure 7 is an elevational view in cross-section showing an alternate coded set of tumbler combinations as between the reset tumblers and control tumblers and maintaining the shear line therebetween;

Figure 8 is an elevational view in cross-section showing the shear line created between the intermediate spacer containing the control tumblers and the inner bushing containing the driven tumblers or operating tumblers;

Figure 9 is an elevational view in cross-section, showing an alternate coded combination as between the control tumblers and the operating tumblers and maintaining the shear line as between the control tumblers and the operating tumblers;

Figure 10 is an elevational view in cross-section showing a particular coded combination of tumblers and showing the operating shear line between the control tumblers and the operating tumblers which functions with the operating key; and

Figure 11 is an elevational view, in cross section, showing an alternate coded tumbler arrangement as between the control tumblers and operating tumblers, and permitting an alternate operating key to operate along the operating shear line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRAWTNGS

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of the axial pin tumbler lock assembly 10 of the present invention. The lock assembly 10 is formed by an outer barrel 12 in which is contained the lock mechanism as will be more fully discussed hereinafter. The forward end of the barrel 12 is fitted with a flanged head 13 which accommodates a keyway 14 at the forward end thereof. A key 80 having a tubular body portion 82 is accommodated in the keyway 14 to manipulate the lock in a manner well-known.

The lock barrel accommodates a lock shaft 20 which is axially positioned therein, and terminates at its forward end in a lock plug 22 which operates as a centerpost for the tubular body portion 82 of the key 80. Once again, the construction and operation of tubular locks is well-known in the art. The rear end of the lock shaft 20 accommodates a lock cam 21 which is secured thereto by means of a lock nut 23. With reference to Figure 2 of the drawings, the detailed construction of the lock assembly of the present invention is illustrated. As indicated previously, the lock assembly 10 is formed by an outer lock barrel 12 which is tubular in configuration, having a flanged head 13 at its forward end, and a keyway 14 formed in the front face thereof. A feature of the present invention resides in the octagonal shaped keyway 14 represented by the numeral 15 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The purpose of the octagonal keyway 15 will be more fully described in conjunction with the lock assembly hereinafter.

The inner portion of the lock assembly is formed by a lock shaft 20 which is a rigid elongate tubular structure as illustrated. From a manufacturing standpoint, the lock shaft 20 is actually formed from two portions, the rear portion 25, and forward portion 27. The forward portion 27 of the lock shaft is provided with a lock plug 22 fixedly secured to its forward end, the lock plug 22 along with the front portion of the lock shaft 27 forming a centerpost relative to the outer barrel 12. As is well-known in the art, the lock plug 22 forms a centerpost for receiving a tubular key 80 in a manner well-known in the art. Incident to the manufacturing process, the front portion 27 and rear portion 25 of the lock shaft 20 is assembled by means of friction fitting the two pieces together once the spacers have been mounted onto the lock shaft 20 as will be described hereinafter.

It will also be observed that the lock shaft 20 is provided with an inner bushing 29 which contains a series of eight tumbler openings 31 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The inner bushing 29 is fixedly secured to the lock shaft 20 and hence will rotate in response to the rotational movement of the lock shaft 20.

It will be observed that the lock plug 22 accommodates an alignment slot 32 which cooperates with an inner alignment flange 17 (Fig. 1 ) in manner well-known in the art. It will also be observed that the keyway 14 is similarly provided with an alignment groove 19 in order to accommodate the alignment lug 1 1 (Fig. 1) formed on the body portion 82 of the key 80, as is well-known in the art. The front portion 27 of the lock shaft 20 is also shown to include a knurled portion 33 which accommodates the friction fitting interlocking of the front portion 27 to the rear portion 25 of the lock shaft 20 incident to the manufacture thereof.

It will be observed that a first forward tubular spacer 35 is carried on the lock shaft 20 in a rotatable mounting manner such that the forward spacer 35 is rotatably moveable relative to the lock shaft 20. The forward spacer 35 is shown to be provided with a series of eight tumbler bores 36 formed therein and traversing the body portion of the spacer 35. A first set of reset tumblers 38 are carried in the forward spacer 35 in a manner which will be more fully discussed hereinafter.

It will also be observed that the lock shaft 20 is provided with a thickened portion forming a collar 24 having an aperture 26 traversing therethrough. The aperture 26 carries a pair of ball bearings 34 which are maintained in a biasingly outwardly urging manner by means of helical spring 37. The forward spacer 35 is provided with a series of eight stop grooves 39 formed along the inner periphery thereof. The stop grooves 39 cooperate with the ball bearings 34 to form positive stop position when the control key 60 is utilized to change tumbler combinations in a manner which will be more fully described hereinafter.

A second intermediate spacer 40 is similarly carried on the lock shaft 20 in a manner such that the spacer 40 is rotatable relative to the lock shaft 20. Once again, the second intermediate spacer 40 is provided with a series of eight tumbler bores 42 which carry therein a second set of control tumblers 44 necessary to the operation of the lock assembly.

It will be observed that the forward spacer 35 is located adjacent to and immediately forward of the second intermediate spacer 40, which in turn is positioned forwardly and immediately adjacent to the inner bushing 29.

A tumbler sleeve 45 is carried on the lock shaft 20 immediately rearwardly of the inner bushing 29, and is shown to be provided with a series of eight tumbler bores 47 which carry a third set of operating tumblers 49 therein. The tumbler sleeve 45 includes a locking lug 51 which is formed along the upper surface thereof, and is adapted to seat in a locking groove (not shown) formed in the inner wall of the lock barrel 12. It will be appreciated that the manner of locking the tumbler sleeve 45 to the lock barrel 12 is well-known in the art, and does not form a portion of the inventive subject matter of the present invention. However, it will be appreciated that once the assembly is completed and inserted into the lock barrel 12, the tumbler sleeve 45 is prevented from rotational movement within the outer barrel by means of the locking assembly consisting of the locking lug 51 which seats in the locking groove in the inner wall of the barrel 12. Hence, the lock shaft 20 is rotatable relative to tumbler sleeve 45, but tumbler sleeve 45 is not rotatable within the lock assembly 10. The operating tumblers 49 are shown to include spring shafts 53 which extend rearwardly from the pin portion of the tumblers 49, and carry thereon helical springs 55 which are held in position by means of a ring washer 57 which is in turn locked onto the lock shaft 20 by means of a lock ring 59, which locks onto the barrel 12. As is well-known in the lock art, the helical springs 55 accommodate the reciprocatory movement of the tumblers 38, 44, and 49 within the lock assembly when manipulated in accordance with the proper key. The springs 55 are intended to return the tumblers to their locking position when the key is removed.

The axial pin tumbler lock assembly of the present invention is created for the purpose of permitting the operator to accommodate 64 different coded tumbler arrangements within the same lock assembly. As is shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings, there are two keys which accommodate the changing of the tumbler coded combinations, and a third key which will operate the lock once the tumbler code combinations are set. The manner of the operation of the subject lock, and the manner of changing the tumbler codes is described hereinafter.

With reference to Figure 4, there is shown a control key 60 which is constructed as a typical tubular key. It includes a body portion 61, and a manipulating wing 62. The forward or operating end of the control key 60 is provided with an octagonal shaped flange 63 which is sized such that it is accommodated within the octagonal shaped opening 15 of the keyway 14 of the barrel 12. Cut into the octagonal shaped flange 63 are a series of bitted shoulders 64 which will operate the reset tumblers 38, which in turn operate against the control tumblers 44 in order to reset the control tumblers into a given prearranged tumbler combination within the second intermediate spacer 40. In operation, when the control key 60 is inserted into the keyway 14 of the barrel 12, the bitted shoulders 64 cut into the octagonal shaped flange 63 will press against the reset tumblers 38, which in turn will press against the control tumblers 44 and align said tumblers 44 such that a shear line is created between the intermediate spacer 40, and the front face 28 of the inner bushing 29. When in this position, the only shear line that is created will be between the intermediate spacer 40 and the front face 28 of the inner bushing 29 since the reset tumblers and control tumblers will maintain the forward spacer 35 and the intermediate spacer 40 in locked relationship, while the shear line is created between the control tumblers 44, and the operating tumblers 49 (See Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings). Hence, the only rotational movement that is permitted when the control key 60 is inserted into the lock assembly 10 is the movement of the forward spacer 35 and intermediate spacer 40 together in combination, relative to the inner bushing 29. This rotational movement will cause eight different alignment possibilities as between the control tumblers 44, and the operating tumblers 49 and permits the operator to select any predetermined coded tumbler combination.

It has also been found that when the control key 60 is utilized in order to rotate the forward spacer 35 and intermediate spacer 40 relative to the inner bushing 29, misalignment can occur as between the forward spacer 35 and intermediate spacer 40 and affect the setting of the tumbler combination. In order to insure that the forward spacer 35 and intermediate spacer 40 are rotated together in combination, the lock assembly 10 of the present invention is provided with a pair of ball bearings 34 contained within an aperture 26 formed in the collar 24 which is a part of the lock shaft 20. The ball bearings 34 will ride in the appropriate stop grooves 39 when the control key 60 is manipulated in any one of the eight position settings as indicated. Hence, positive stop positions are created and the assembly insures that the forward spacer 35 and intermediate spacer 40 will be rotated together in combination, relative to the inner bushing 29 when setting a tumbler combination with the control key 60.

Once the operator sets any one of the operating positions, 1-8 for the intermediate spacer 40 relative to the inner bushing 29 and tumbler sleeve 29, the control key 60 is removed from the lock at that given position. Thereafter, the reset key (Fig. 3) 70 which is also formed with a manipulating wing 71 and body portion 72, and provided with an octagonal shaped flange 73 having bitted shoulders 74, will then be inserted in the lock, and will operate the reset tumblers 38. The reset key will cause the reset tumblers 38 contained within the tumbler bores 36 of the forward spacer 35 to be set such that a shear line is created as between the forward spacer 35, and the intermediate spacer 40. In this position, the intermediate spacer 40, inner bushing 29, and the tumbler sleeve 45, are locked against rotational movement by the positioning of the control tumblers 44 and operating tumblers 49, and hence, the only rotational movement permitted is the forward spacer 35 and the reset tumblers 38 contained therein. In this position, the reset key may again select between eight positions, since there are eight sets of tumblers, in order to set one of the positions or tumbler arrangements relative to the control tumblers 44. Once one of the eight positions is selected with the reset key 70 turned to one of the eight positions, the reset key 70 is removed while in the selected position. Since the operator knows which position was selected by the control key 60, and which position was selected by the reset key 70, the operator can then select the operating key 80 which matches with the combination established as between the reset tumblers 38, and the control tumblers 44. The operating key 80 (Fig. 5) may then be used to operate the lock assembly in the manner generally well-known with respect to tubular locks. It will be observed that the operating key 80 is similarly formed with a manipulating wing 81, a body portion 82, and contains an octagonal flange 83 with bitted shoulders 84 which are bitted in a manner to manipulate the operating tumblers 49 only for the position selected by the control key 60 and reset key 70. Hence, there are a total of 64 different operating keys 80, one of which will operate each of the 64 combinations which the operator may select. It will also be observed that the operating key 80 is the only key that has an alignment lug 85 which will align with the alignment groove 19 formed in the keyway 14 of the barrel 12. It will be observed that neither the control key 60 nor the reset key 70 is provided with an alignment lug since it is necessary that each of these keys be removed from the lock when the desired position is selected by the operator in order to select a tumbler combination. Hence, it is only the operating key 80 that has an alignment lug 85 which must align with the alignment groove 19 in order to operate the operating tumblers 49 in order to lock and unlock a lock assembly. It will therefore be appreciated that the operating key 80 must always be inserted at the number 1 position to align the lug 85 with the alignment groove 19 and returned to that position to remove the key 80.

Insofar as the operating key 80 is concerned, once it is inserted into the keyway 14 of the lock assembly 10, it will actually operate against the operating tumblers 49 via the reset tumblers 38 and control tumblers 44, in order to establish an operating shear line as between the rear face 30 of the inner bushing 29, and the tumbler sleeve 45. It will be appreciated that since the tumbler sleeve 45 that contains the operating tumblers 49 is locked against rotational movement relative to the barrel 12 by means of the locking lug 51 which sits in a recess in the underside of the barrel 12, the only shear line that will operate will be the shear line as between the rear face of the inner bushing 29, and the tumbler sleeve 45. For purposes of the discussion herein, this shall be referred to as the operating shear line. Once the operating shear line is established, the operating key 80 is able to rotate the lock shaft 20 and since the lock cam 21 is fixedly secured to the rear portion thereof, the locking mechanism will be operated by means of the operating key 80. Figures 6 through 11 illustrate the manner in which the various tumblers are set into their respective positions to establish the various shear lines referred to hereinabove. With reference to figures 6 of the drawings, it will be observed that the various parts are oriented with the forward spacer 35, positioned adjacent to the intermediate spacer 40, which is in turn adjacent to the forward face 28 of the inner bushing 29, followed by the tumbler sleeve 45 which is adjacent to the rear face 30 of the inner bushing 29. The first set of reset tumblers generally represented by the numeral 38 are shown to be oriented and labeled with the letters "A" through "H," and are oriented relative to the control tumblers generally represented by the numeral 44 and identified with the letters "a" through "h" thereby to establish the reset shear line represented by the line R-R. This orientation will occur when the reset key 70 is positioned in the keyway 14 of the lock barrel 12 with the bitted shoulders 74 aligned with the tumblers 38 such that once the key 70 is inserted into the proper position, the tumbler group 38 will align with the tumbler group 44 such that shear line R-R is created. In this position, the reset key may be rotated thereby to set an alternate reset tumbler arrangement as generally represented in Figure 7. It will be observed that in Figure 7, the various reset tumblers have been re-oriented such that the tumbler combinations as between the reset tumblers 38 and the control tumblers 44 have been changed. In this orientation, the reset key 70 has been utilized in order to change the tumbler combination and create tumbler combination G-a; H-b;

A-c; B-d; C-e; D-f; E-g; and F-h. The shear line R-R will remain in place so long as the reset key 70 is retained in the lock. When the reset key 70 is removed from the lock, the driven or operating tumblers 49, being spring loaded, will orient all of the tumblers forwardly so that the various of the tumblers will cross the shear lines in a manner commonly known in the art, so that the lock is not operational without the proper key. The manner in which the driven and driver tumblers operate with respect to a tubular lock are well-known in the art.

With respect to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, the various tumbler orientations with respect to the control key 60 are illustrated. As previously described, the control key 60 is also utilized for the purpose of altering or changing the tumbler combination that exists as between the control tumblers 44, and the operating tumblers 49. In Figure 8, for example, it will be observed that tumbler combination Ga-1 ; Hb-2; Ac-3; Bd-4; Ce-5; Df-6; Eg-7; and Fh-8 is illustrated.

When the control key 60 is inserted into the lock such that the bitted shoulders 64 engage the tumblers, the reset tumblers 38 and control tumblers 44 will act as driven tumblers, and drive the operating tumblers 49 downwardly until control shear line C-C is established. Once in this configuration, the control key 60 may then be utilized to change the tumbler combination as between the control tumblers 44, and the operating tumblers 49. Once the control key 60 is inserted into the lock in order to establish the control shear line C-C, and the tumblers re-oriented, one can then establish, for example, the tumbler combination as shown in Figure 9. In this view, the control key 60 has been manipulated and rotated thereby rotating forward spacer 35 and intermediate spacer 40, relative to the inner bushing 29, and now establishes tumbler combination as follows: Df-1; Eg-2; Fh-3; Ga-4; Hb-5; Ac-6; Bd-7; and Ce-8. The control key 60 is then removed from the lock, and now one must use the operating key 80 which has the proper bitted shoulders 84 in order to operate the tumbler combination as indicated.

It will be appreciated that each individual lock will be provided with a single control key 60, and a single reset key 70. However, given the fact that there are 64 separate tumbler combinations which are possible, there will be a total of 64 operating keys in order to have an operating key 80 which will operate each of the possible tumbler combinations. It will be appreciated from a view of Figures 6 through 9 of the drawings, that the reset key 70 and the control key 60 will operate only to establish the respective shear lines as illustrated, namely shear line R-R for the reset key 70, and the control shear line C-C with the control key 60.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the operation of the operating key 80 when inserted into the lock in order to manipulate and operate the lock assembly 10. With respect to Figure 10, the operating shear line O-O is illustrated. It will be observed that the operating shear line O-O will exist between the rear face 30 of the inner bushing 29 and the tumbler sleeve 45. The shear line O-O is established by the operating key which will drive the reset tumblers 38 and control tumblers 49 inwardly thereby to properly align the operating tumblers 49 thereby establishing the shear line O-O. In this position, the operating key 80 will be able to manipulate and rotate the forward spacer 35, intermediate spacer 40, and inner bushing 29 relative to the tumbler sleeve 45. From a view of Fig. 10 of the drawings, it will be appreciated that reset tumblers 38 and control tumblers 44 will span the R-R shear line and C-C shear line such that only the operating shear line O-O is created, which will therefore rotate the lock shaft 25 having the lock cam 21 affixed thereto. This action will occur because the inner bushing 29 is fixedly secured to the lock shaft 20, and hence the rotational movement causing the movement of the inner bushing 29 in a rotating fashion will in effect rotate the lock shaft 25.

Figure 11, this illustrates still another tumbler combination as between the reset tumblers 38, and control tumblers 49, vis-a-vis the operating tumblers 49. In this view, a different operating key 80 would have to be employed in order to manipulate the lock since the tumbler combination is now different from that established for the lock as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. Once again, with the proper operating key, having the proper bitted shoulders 84, shear line O-O will be established as between the control tumblers 44 and operating tumblers 49 in order to permit the lock to operate.

As was indicated previously, a further feature of the present invention is the provision of the octagonal keyway 15 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings. This is considered an additional improvement since each of the reset key 70 and control key 60 are provided with an octagonal flange 63 and 73 respectively, which will fit within the octagonal keyway 15. Once the operator, for example, rotates the control key 60 to the desired position, 1 through 8, the control key is removed when in that position to establish a particular tumbler combination. Thereafter, the reset key 70 may be inserted at the same position from which the control key 60 was removed. The reset key 70 may then be rotated to any desired position, 1 through 8, in order to select the tumbler combination as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. The reset key 70 is then removed at that position, and the lock is now programmed for the tumbler combination as between the control key 60 and reset key 70. It will therefore become apparent that once a particular tumbler combination has been set as between the reset tumblers 38 and control tumblers

44, only one operating key 80 will operate that particular combination. In view of the fact that there are eight different settings for each of the reset tumblers 38 as well as the control tumblers

44, there will be a total of 64 combinations possible, and hence there will be 64 operating keys useable with each lock. The provision of the octagonal keyway 15 insures to the operator that when inserting either the reset key 70 or control key 60 to move to the next position, that a positive setting of the position will occur since the key is only removable when the octagonal alignment flange on the key is in alignment with the octagonal shaped keyway 15. This represents a positive setting for each of the eight possible tumbler combinations and does not permit the operator to mistakenly remove the key between positions. In operation, each of the operating keys ideally is marked with a particular control group number, and reset group number, so that the operator having the master keys consisting of the control key 60 and reset key 70 will be able to immediately go to the proper position for each key, and reset the lock assembly 10 to the number 1 position in order to re-program the lock. However, in the unlikely event that the reset group number and control group number is not known or is not identified, the operator having control of the control key 60 and reset key 70 must take each key, and insert in each of the eight positions until he can rotate the key in the lock and then reset it to position 1. Once both the reset tumblers 38 and control tumblers 44 are reset to the number 1 position, the operator may then re-program the lock assembly 10 to any desired control group number selected from 1 through 8, and reset group number again selected from groups 1 through 8. The operating key 80 for that particular tumbler combination would then have to be utilized in order to operate the lock.

Indeed, while the axial pin tumbler lock assembly 10 of the present invention has been described as having 64 possible tumbler combinations, one may actually dramatically increase the tumbler combinations by the use of the control key 60 and the reset key 70. It will be appreciated that since there are eight different reset tumblers 38 which are contained within the forward spacer 35, and eight different control tumblers 44 positioned within the intermediate spacer 40, that there would be 64 different possible tumbler combinations as between the two sets of eight tumblers. Further, since there are eight different operating tumblers 49, in fact there would be a geometrically larger number of tumbler combinations which would actually be 64 times 8 or 512 tumbler combinations. However, in such an eventuality, one would have to create 512 different operating keys in order to accommodate each of the possible tumbler combinations. It is therefore deemed to be ideal from a practical standpoint to simply create a series of 64 tumbler combinations requiring 64 different operating keys for each lock such that the lock owner may select any one of 64 different tumbler combinations and have an operating key to operate each of said tumbler combinations.

It will also be understood that the pin tumblers employed in an axial pin tumbler lock generally consist of a series of eight differently sized coded tumblers for the reset tumblers, as well as for the control tumblers. The tumblers are sized and coded such that when the lock assembly is positioned into the lock position, all of the shear lines are spanned by one or more tumblers such that the lock will not operate. The operating key is then employed to simply move all of the reset and control tumblers into position relative to the operating tumblers such that the only shear line that is created is the operating shear line. As was previously indicated, this positioning is shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings.

It will be appreciated from the above description that the present invention provides an improved multiple tumbler combination lock which may be reset by the operator to an alternate operating key without the removal of the lock from the equipment in which it is located, and permits the changing of the tumbler combination with ultimate ease. Further, the present invention provides a total of 64 different operating tumbler combinations for the same lock thereby expanding usability of the lock in the event of lost operating keys, or a change of employees. While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIM 1

An axial pin tumbler lock of the type operated by a tubular key and adapted to accept and change operating key tumbler combinations, comprising in combination, a generally cylindrical open-ended tubular lock barrel having a keyway at its front end and a body portion extending rearwardly therefrom, a rigid lock shaft projecting centrally and axially through said lock barrel and having a front cylindrical section which seats centrally in said keyway of said lock barrel forming a centerpost for receiving a tubular key thereon and forming an enlarged plug head, said lock shaft having a rear cylindrical section and being elongate thereby to extend axially through said lock barrel and terminating in a threaded rear end which is adapted to carry a lock cam thereon, a first forward tubular spacer rotatably carried on said lock shaft and spaced rearwardly from said front cylindrical section defined by a front face and a rear face, and having a plurality of tumbler bores formed in and traversing said first spacer, a second intermediate spacer rotatably carried on said lock shaft and positioned rearwardly adjacent to said first forward spacer, defined by a front face and a rear face, and having a plurality of tumbler bores formed in and traversing said intermediate second spacer, an inner bushing mounted on said lock shaft and fixedly secured thereto, said inner bushing having a forward face and a rear face and provided with a series of tumbler openings formed along the periphery thereof, a tumbler sleeve carried on said lock shaft and provided with a plurality of tumbler bores formed in and traversing said tumbler sleeve, said tumbler sleeve further provided with locking means for locking said tumbler sleeve to said lock barrel such that said tumbler sleeve, when carried in said lock barrel is prevented from rotational movement, a first set of reset tumblers carried in said tumbler bores of said first forward tubular spacer and coded to provide a first reset shear line between said first forward spacer and said second intermediate spacer when properly aligned along the circumference of said first forward tubular spacer, a second set of control tumblers carried in said tumbler bores of said second intermediate spacer and coded to provide a second control shear line between said second intermediate spacer and said forward face of said inner bushing when properly aligned along the circumference of said second intermediate spacer, a third set of operating tumblers carried in said tumbler bores of said tumbler sleeve and adapted to traverse said tumbler openings in said inner circular bushing and coded to provide a third operating shear line between said rear face of said inner circular bushing and said tumbler sleeve. said third set of operating tumblers provided with rearwardly extending spring shafts which carry spring means thereon and adapted to rest against a spring stop lockingly engaged on the rearward end of said lock shaft, a control key having a tubular body telescopically receivable over said plug head and centerpost, and having bitted shoulders formed around the periphery thereof which are coded and engageable with said first set of reset tumblers and second set of control tumblers thereby to shift said tumblers respectively to establish said second control shear line between said second intermediate spacer and said front face of said inner bushing thereby to establish one of a number of coded control tumbler combinations, a reset key having a tubular body telescopically receivable over said plug head and centerpost, and having bitted shoulders formed around the periphery thereof which are coded and engageable with said first set of reset tumblers thereby to shift said tumblers respectively to establish said first reset shear line between said first forward tubular spacer and said second intermediate spacer thereby to establish one of a number of coded reset tumbler combinations, and an operating key having a tubular body telescopically receivable over said plug head and centerpost, and having bitted shoulders formed around the periphery thereof which are coded and engageable with said third set of operating tumblers via said first reset tumblers and second control tumblers thereby to shift said third set of said operating tumblers respectively to establish said third operating shear line between said rear face of said inner bushing and said tumbler sleeve and permit the lock shaft to rotate and in turn rotate said lock cam between a locked and unlocked position. CLAIM 2

The axial pin tumbler lock as set forth in Claim 1 above, wherein said keyway on said lock barrel is provided with an octagonal shaped opening, and each of said control key, reset key and operating key is provided with a manipulating wing at its forward end and an octagonal shape flange adjacent the rear end of said key body whereby each of said keys is receivable through said octagonal shaped keyway. CLAIM 3

The axial pin tumbler lock as set forth in Claim 1 above, wherein each of said first tubular spacer, second intermediate spacer and tumbler sleeve is provided with a series of eight tumbler bores, each of which carries a coded tumbler, whereby said control key may be utilized and manipulated to said one of eight different tumbler codes to establish one of eight control shear lines, said reset key may be utilized and manipulated to one of eight different tumbler codes to establish one of eight reset shear lines, and said operating key may be utilized and manipulated to operate the operating shear line once said control shear line and reset shear line have been established.

CLAIM 4

The axial pin tumbler lock as set forth in Claim 1 above, wherein said lock shaft further includes a collar positioned immediately rearwardly and adjacent to said plug head, said collar provided with an aperture traversing therethrough, and a pair of ball bearings maintained in said aperture and having a spring interposed therebetween thereby to biasingly urge said ball bearings into a normal extended position, and said first forward tubular spacer is provided with a plurality of stop grooves formed along the inner periphery thereof, said ball bearings cooperating with said stop grooves to provide a series of positive stop positions for said first forward spacer relative to said lock shaft. CLAIM 5

An axial pin tumbler lock of the type operated by a tubular key and adapted to accept and change operating key tumbler combinations, comprising in combination, a generally cylindrical open-ended tubular lock barrel having a keyway at its front end and a body portion extending rearwardly therefrom, a rigid lock shaft projecting centrally and axially through said lock barrel and having a front cylindrical section which seats centrally in said keyway of said lock barrel forming a centerpost for receiving a tubular key thereon and forming an enlarged plug head, said lock shaft having a rear cylindrical section and being elongate thereby to extend axially through said lock barrel and terminating in a threaded rear end which is adapted to carry a lock cam thereon, a first forward tubular spacer rotatably carried on said lock shaft and spaced rearwardly from said front cylindrical section defined by a front face and a rear face, and having a plurality of tumbler bores formed in and traversing said first spacer, a secdnd intermediate spacer rotatably carried on said lock shaft and positioned rearwardly adjacent to said first forward spacer, defined by a front face and a rear face, and having a plurality of tumbler bores formed in and traversing said intermediate second spacer, an inner bushing mounted on said lock shaft and fixedly secured thereto, said inner bushing having a forward face and a rear face and provided with a series of tumbler openings formed along the periphery thereof, a tumbler sleeve carried on said lock shaft and provided with a plurality of tumbler bores formed in and traversing said tumbler sleeve, said tumbler sleeve further provided with locking means for locking said tumbler sleeve to said lock barrel such that said tumbler sleeve, when carried in said lock barrel is prevented from rotational movement, a first set of reset tumblers carried in said tumbler bores of said first forward tubular spacer and coded to provide a first reset shear line between said first forward spacer and said second intermediate spacer when properly aligned along the circumference of said first forward tubular spacer, a second set of control tumblers carried in said tumbler bores of said second intermediate spacer and coded to provide a second control shear line between said second intermediate spacer and said forward face of said inner bushing when properly aligned along the circumference of said second intermediate spacer, a third set of operating tumblers carried in said tumbler bores of said tumbler sleeve and adapted to traverse said tumbler openings in said inner circular bushing and coded to provide a third operating shear line between said rear face of said inner circular bushing and said tumbler sleeve. said third set of operating tumblers provided with rearwardly extending spring shafts which carry spring means thereon and adapted to rest against a spring stop lockingly engaged on the rearward end of said lock shaft, said first set of reset tumblers may be varied with respect to said second set of control tumblers thereby to change the tumbler combinations therebetween, and said first set of reset tumblers and second set of control tumblers may be changed and altered relative to said third set of operating tumblers, whereby a plurality of various tumbler coded combinations may be set within said axial pin tumbler lock to provide a multiple number of operating positions for said lock. CLΔIM-ύ

The axial pin tumbler lock as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein said lock further is provided with a control key having a tubular body telescopically receivable over said plug head and centerpost, and having bitted shoulders formed around the periphery thereof which are coded and engageable with said first set of reset tumblers and second set of control tumblers thereby to shift said tumblers respectively to establish said second control shear line between said second intermediate spacer and said front face of said inner bushing thereby to establish one of a number of coded control tumbler combinations, a reset key having a tubular body telescopically receivable over said plug head and centerpost, and having bitted shoulders formed around the periphery thereof which are coded and engageable with said first set of reset tumblers thereby to shift said tumblers respectively to establish said first reset shear line between said first forward tubular spacer and said second intermediate spacer thereby to establish one of a number of coded reset tumbler combinations, and an operating key having a tubular body telescopically receivable over said plug head and centerpost, and having bitted shoulders formed around the periphery thereof which are coded and engageable with said third set of operating tumblers via said first reset tumblers and second control tumblers thereby to shift said third set of said operating tumblers respectively to establish said third operating shear line between said rear face of said inner bushing and said tumbler sleeve and permit the lock shaft to rotate and in turn rotate said lock cam between a locked and unlocked position. C ATM 7

The axial pin tumbler lock as set forth in Claim 5 above, wherein said lock shaft further includes a collar positioned immediately rearwardly and adjacent to said plug head, said collar provided with an aperture traversing therethrough, and a pair of ball bearings maintained in said aperture and having a spring inteφosed therebetween thereby to biasingly urge said ball bearings into a normal extended position, and said first forward tubular spacer is provided with a plurality of stop grooves formed along the inner periphery thereof, said ball bearings cooperating with said stop grooves to provide a series of positive stop positions for said first forward spacer relative to said lock shaft.