WO2009001048A2

WO2009001048A2 - Improvements relating to locks

Info

Publication number: WO2009001048A2
Application number: PCT/GB2008/002125
Authority: WO
Inventors: Walter Joseph Nugent
Original assignee: Nulock Pty Ltd; Beattie, Alex, T., S.
Priority date: 2007-06-25
Filing date: 2008-06-20
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: GB2450492A; WO2009001048A3; AU2008269534B2; GB0712297D0; AU2008269534A1; GB2450492B

Abstract

A lock cylinder apparatus comprising: a lock cylinder; a setting plate removably connected to the lock cylinder, the setting plate having at least one pin receiving hole; and at least a first pin arranged in the lock cylinder such that when the first pin is in a first position at least part of the first pin is aligned with a respective pin receiving hole in the setting plate, and when the first pin is in a second position the at least part of the first pin is not aligned with the respective pin receiving hole in the setting plate.

Description

Title: Improvements Relating to Locks

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a lock. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a cylinder lock.

A known cylinder lock includes a generally cylindrical lock cylinder located in a housing. A simplified example of a known cylinder lock is shown in figure 1. The cylinder lock 10 comprises a cylinder 5 located in a housing 4. Under certain conditions, the cylinder 5 is free to rotate within the housing 4. The housing 4 includes a number of channels 9 which extend through a depth of the housing 4 into corresponding channels in the cylinder 5. In each of the channels 9 a two-part pin 6,7 is located. Under the force of a helical spring 8 in each channel 9 the two-part pins 6,7 are arranged such that they protrude into the channels of the cylinder 5.

When a key 1 (comprising a key head 2 and a key shaft 3) is inserted into the cylinder 5 of the lock 10, an undulating surface on the shaft 3 of the key 1 forces the two-part pins 6,7 against the force applied by each of the helical springs 8; if the key which is inserted into the lock is the correct key for that lock then the juncture between each part of the pins 6,7 substantially aligns with the juncture between the cylinder 5 and the housing 4 of the lock 10. Thus, when the cylinder is rotated by applying a rotational force to the key head 2, the cylinder is free to rotate. In this case, one part 6 of each two-part pin 6,7 remains in the channel 9 of the housing 4 while the other part 7 of each two-part pin 6,7 remains in the corresponding channel of the cylinder 5.

If an incorrect key 1 is inserted into the lock 10, then the juncture between each part of the two-part pin 6,7 does not substantially align with the juncture between the cylinder 5 and the housing 4 of the lock 10. Instead, in at least one channel 9 of the lock 10, one part of each two-part pin 6,7 bridges the juncture between the cylinder 5 and the housing 4 thus preventing the cylinder 5 from rotating within the housing 4.

The cylinder 5 may be attached to a gearing system (not shown) which converts the rotational movement of the cylinder 5 to longitudinal movement in a bolt (not shown).

Thus, a cylinder lock 10 can be utilised to lock (ie. secure against unauthorised access), for example, doors, gates, windows, safes, post office boxes, safety deposit boxes, lockers, chests, chests of drawers, cabinets, cash boxes, padlocks, desk drawers or cupboards.

It will be appreciated that in known, conventional, cylinder locks 10 each cylinder 5 is designed to cooperate with one or more specific keys 1. Thus, if the keys 1 are lost, or the locks 10 need to be changed, then it is necessary to engage the services of a locksmith and it may be necessary to replace the housing 4 and cylinder 5 of the lock 10.

In some circumstances, the replacing of locks 10 occurs on a regular basis. For example, in situations where there are particular security concerns or the level of access which is granted to a particular locked item is regularly altered, it is necessary to alter the locks 10 each time a change occurs or each time there is a potential risk that the current keys 1 have fallen into the hands of an unauthorised user.

Furthermore, a known lock 10 may be associated with a common and a master key 1. The common key 1 is particularly associated with that lock 10 and is not able to unlock any other lock 10; however, the master key 1 may be associated with more than one lock 10 and could be suitable to unlock several different locks 10. Thus, for example, a security guard may be given a master key 1 which is able to unlock all (or most) of the locks 10 in a building - allowing the security guard free access to the building. However, another worker in the same building may be given a so-called common key 1 which is only able to unlock the lock 10 or locks 10 specifically associated with that particular worker.

It is not possible with conventional locks 10 of a known type to apply different types of lock operation for different keys 1 ; instead, each key 1 is either a common key 1 which can unlock a given lock 10 or a master key 1 which can also unlock the given lock 10 but can unlock other locks 10 too. Both the common and master keys 1 have the same effect upon the lock 10 (ie. they unlock/lock the lock 10).

The present invention seeks to ameliorate the problems associated with the prior art.

Accordingly one aspect of the present invention provides a lock cylinder apparatus comprising: a lock cylinder; a setting plate removably connected to the lock cylinder, the setting plate having at least one pin receiving hole; and at least a first pin arranged in the lock cylinder such that when the first pin is in a first position at least part of the first pin is aligned with a respective pin receiving hole in the setting plate, and when the first pin is in a second position the at least part of the first pin is not aligned with the respective pin receiving hole in the setting plate.

Preferably, the setting plate is moveable between first and second setting plate locations.

Advantageously, when the setting plate is in the first setting plate location, the first pin does pass through the respective pin receiving hole, and when the setting plate is in the second setting plate location the first pin does not pass through the respective pin receiving hole.

Conveniently, the setting plate is biased towards the second setting plate location, but may only move from the second setting plate location to the first setting plate location when the at least one pin is aligned with the respective pin receiving hole in the setting plate.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a slider connected to the setting plate and arranged to move therewith, the slider being operable to move between a first slider location, when the setting plate is in the first setting plate location, and a second slider location, when the setting plate is in the second setting plate location.

Conveniently, the slider is in a retracted configuration when the slider is in the first slider location.

Advantageously, a body of the slider is in an extended configuration when the slider is in the second slider location.

Preferably, the slider is biased towards the second slider location.

Conveniently, the cylinder is provided within a housing, and wherein the cylinder may be rotated with respect to the housing when the setting plate is in the first setting plate location, but may not be rotated with respect to the housing when the setting plate is in the second setting plate location.

Preferably, the first pin comprises a T-shaped pin with a head section and a shaft; the shaft is operable to be at least partially received by a respective hole of the setting plate; and the head section is operable to abut a surface of a key which may be located in a key receiving channel of the lock cylinder.

Advantageously, an end of the shaft of the T-shaped pin has a V- shaped groove.

Conveniently, a plurality of pins are provided.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a further pin located towards a first end of the lock cylinder and resiliently biased towards a key receiving channel of the cylinder, such that a first end of the further pin is operable to abut at least a portion of a shaft of a key which may be located in the key receiving channel and a second end of the further pin has a pin retaining section which may interact with a pin retaining member of a housing in which the cylinder apparatus is located.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a lock setting plate suitable for use in a lock cylinder apparatus, the setting plate having one or more holes through a depth thereof at least one of which is suitable to receive at least part of a pin of the lock cylinder apparatus.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a lock setting plate and a key, wherein the lock setting plate is associated with the key and the geometry of a surface of the key determines the locations of the one or more holes in the setting plate.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of changing a setting plate in a lock cylinder apparatus provided in a housing, the method comprising the steps of: using a first cylinder removing key associated with a first setting plate to at least partially remove a lock cylinder apparatus from the housing; removing the first setting plate; connecting a second setting plate to the lock cylinder; and replacing the cylinder apparatus in the housing using a second cylinder removing key which is associated with the second setting plate.

Preferably, the step of using the first cylinder removing key comprises the steps of: inserting the first cylinder removing key into a the lock cylinder such that the first pin moves into the first position; rotating the lock cylinder apparatus so as to cause the setting plate to move to the first setting plate location; and removing the lock cylinder apparatus, at least partially, from the housing.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of locking or unlocking a lock comprising: inserting a first key into a key receiving channel of a cylinder apparatus of the lock and thus causing one or more pins arranged in the cylinder apparatus to move into a first arrangement with respect to at least a portion of the key, wherein in the first arrangement at least part of one or more of the pins aligns with one or more respective holes in a setting plate connected to a slider of the cylinder apparatus, a body section of the slider being retained in a slot in of a housing of the cylinder apparatus; and rotating the cylinder apparatus with respect to the housing to cause the slider to retract such that it is not retained by the slot of the housing and the at least part of the one or more pins which are aligned with respective holes in the setting plate are at least partially received by the holes, and to cause a gearing arrangement of the cylinder apparatus to move with respect to a gearing member of the housing, wherein the gearing member of the housing is connected to a bolt of the lock and movement of the gearing arrangement causes the gearing member of the housing to move the bolt to a locked or an unlocked position.

Advantageously, inserting the first key into the key receiving channel of the cylinder apparatus causes a further pin of the cylinder apparatus to move with respect to a cylinder of the cylinder apparatus such that the further pin at least partially extends into a groove in the housing.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of deadlocking a lock comprising: inserting a second key into a key receiving channel of a cylinder apparatus of the lock and causing one or more pins arranged in the cylinder apparatus to move into a first arrangement with respect to at least a portion of the key, wherein in the first arrangement at least part of one or more of the pins aligns with one or more respective holes in a setting plate connected to a slider of the cylinder apparatus, a body section of the slider being retained in a first slot in of a housing, and causing a further pin of the cylinder apparatus to move from a first further pin position such that the further pin at least partially extends into a groove in the housing; rotating the cylinder apparatus with respect to the housing to cause the slider to retract such that it is not retained by the slot of the housing and the at least part of the one or more pins which are aligned with respective holes in the setting plate are at least partially received by the holes, the further pin being retained in the groove of the housing and prevented from returning to the first further pin position by the interaction of a pin retaining section of the further pin and a pin retaining member of the groove in the cylinder housing, and to cause a gearing arrangement of the cylinder apparatus to move with respect to a gearing member of the housing, wherein the gearing member of the housing is connected to a bolt of the lock and movement of the gearing arrangement causes the gearing member of the housing to move the bolt to a locked position; providing a second slot in the housing at a location such that after the bolt has moved into the locked position by rotation of the cylinder apparatus, the slider may extend into the second slot and the one or more pins are no longer at least partially received by the holes of the setting plate; and removing the key from the cylinder apparatus. Another aspect of the present invention provides a pin for use in a cylinder lock comprising a T-shaped main body having a head section substantially perpendicular to a shaft.

Preferably, the shaft of the pin has a V-shaped groove and the head of the pin is operable to abut against at least part of a key.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a pin for use in a cylinder lock comprising a first end for abutting against at least part of a key and a second end with a V-shaped groove which is suitable to be received in a hole of a setting plate.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a lock comprising: a lock cylinder apparatus; and a housing; wherein the lock cylinder apparatus is suitable to be housed in the housing and has a pin which is operable to be at least partially received in a groove of the housing when a key is inserted into the lock cylinder apparatus, interaction of the groove and the pin being adapted to prevent the lock cylinder apparatus from being removed from the housing but does not substantially hinder rotation of the lock cylinder apparatus in the housing.

Accordingly, by way of example, embodiments of the present invention shall now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional cylinder lock;

Figure 2 shows the operating principle of a lock according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of some of the components of a lock in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figures 4a and 4b show views of a slider in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a T-shaped pin in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a front pin in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 7a and 7b show views of a cylinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a front plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 9a and 9b show a cam gear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9c shows a cylinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a lock in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 12a and 12b show cross-sectional views of the front pin of an embodiment of the present invention in respective second and third front pin positions. Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a cylinder lock in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the slider and setting plate are in a second location.

Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a cylinder lock in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the slider and setting plate are in a first location.

An example embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to figures 2 to 14.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a lock cylinder 20, a removable setting plate 21 for use in the lock cylinder 20 and a housing 22 to house the lock cylinder 21 , wherein the setting plate 21 defines which key 27 will operate a lock 23 of which the lock cylinder 20, setting plate 21 and housing 22 form a part (see figures 3, 13 and 14).

Specifically, an embodiment of the invention includes a lock cylinder 20 (as shown in figures 3, 7a and 7b) and one or more generally T-shaped pins 24 (As shown in figure 5) held in a key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20. Each T-shaped pin 24 generally comprises a head section 26 and a shaft 29. The shaft 29 and head section 26 of each pin 24 are substantially perpendicular to each other. A guide protrusion 30 may also be provided on the pin 24.

In an embodiment, pin receiving channels 47 may be provided to help maintain the T-shaped pins 24 in the correct location along a length of the key receiving channel 25 (see figure 7a). The pin receiving channels 47 may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the key receiving channel 25 (the longitudinal axis of the key receiving channel 25 is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder 20). If pin receiving channels 47 are provided then they are operable to guide the movement of the head section 26 of each pin 24 to ensure that the pin 24 stays in substantially the same position along the length of the key receiving channel 25.

The guide protrusions 30 of the pins 24 may be at least partially received by further pin guiding channels (not shown) which may be part of the lock cylinder 21 or may form part of a separate member (not shown) which is attached to the cylinder 21. The guide protrusions 30 and further pin guiding channels help to guide the movement of the head section 26 of each pin 24 to ensure that each pin 24 remains correctly orientated and moves in the correct manner during operation of the lock 23.

At least part of the head section 26 of each T-shaped pin 24 is positioned to rest against at least part of a key 27 which is received by the key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20. The at least part of the head section 26 of each of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 is resiliently held in contact with the at least part of the key 27 by a biasing mechanism 28 which may, in some embodiments, comprise a helical spring acting on a cover plate (not shown) removably attached to the cylinder 20 and part of the head section 26 of each pin 24 which opposes the at least part of the head section 26 of the pin 24 which rests on the key 27.

The shaft 29 of each of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 is orientated such that its location along an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the key receiving channel 25 is determined by the at least part of the key 27 on which the pin 24 rests and extends away from any pin receiving channels 47 which may be provided.

In other words, if a key 27 is inserted into the key receiving channel 25 then one or more of the T-shaped pins 24 is pushed against the force of the biasing mechanism 28 by at least part of the key 27. Thus, the location of one or more of the T-shaped pins 24 along respective pin receiving channels 47 (if they are provided) is determined by the geometry of at least part of the key 27.

An end 49 of one or more of the shafts 29 of the T-shaped pins which opposes the head section 26 of each of the pins 24 may have a V-shaped grooved 50 cut through an entire depth thereof.

The lock cylinder 20 has a first 41 and a second 42 end surface (see figures 9c, 13 and 14) at opposing ends thereof. The key receiving channel 25 extends from the first end surface 41 towards the second end surface 42. First 51 and second 52 end plates may be located at the respective first 41 and second 42 end surfaces of the lock cylinder 20. The first end plate 51 may include a key receiving aperture 53 which may be substantially aligned with the key receiving channel 25. The aperture 53 in end plate 51 may have different cross sectional shapes to match and accommodate different cross sections or broachings of key 27 shafts. Thus, a key 27 may be inserted into the key receiving channel 25 through the first end plate 51 covering the first end 41 of the lock cylinder 20. The first 51 and second 52 end plates may be attached to the cylinder 20 by means of one of more holding pins 54 (see figure 3) which may have a friction fitting with respective fitting cavities (not shown) on the cylinder 20 and the first 51 and second 52 end plates.

The setting plate 21 (as shown in figures 2 and 3) comprises a generally flat plate with one or more holes 32 located through at least part of a depth thereof (in some embodiments, the holes 32 are through an entire depth of the setting plate 21 ). The setting plate 21 is removably located in the cylinder 20 of the lock 23 (or in another element attached to the cylinder 20) and is orientated such that the shaft 29 of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 of the cylinder 20 may be aligned with one of the one or more holes 32 of the setting plate 21. The one or more holes 32 of the setting plate 21 are suitable to receive the shafts 29 of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 when the shafts 29 of the one or more pins 24 are aligned with the holes 32.

A slider 33 (as shown in figures 2, 3 and 4) is attached to the cylinder 20; the slider 33 includes a body 34 with a generally triangular cross-section and one or more slider supporting arms 35. The body 34 has two inclined side surfaces, one inclined end surface and one flat end surface. The one or more slider supporting arms 35 are suitable to be received by corresponding receiving arrangements 36 in the cylinder 20. In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more slider supporting arms 35 includes a resilient biasing mechanism 37 which may comprise a helical spring. In some embodiments, there are two slider supporting arms 35 each of which may include a resilient biasing mechanism 37 and each of which extends away from the slider body 34 substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof (the longitudinal axis of the slider 33 being generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 20). The or each resilient biasing mechanism 37 applies a force on the slider 33 such that it is biased away from the cylinder 20 of the lock 23.

In an embodiment, one or more resilient biasing mechanisms 37 for the same purpose are located in the cylinder 20.

In either case, the or each resilient biasing mechanism 37 acts on the slider 33 and the cylinder 20 (or a part which is attached or securely attached to the cylinder 20). In some embodiments, a cylinder side plate 55 is provided. The cylinder side plate 55 may be located on the opposing side of the cylinder 20 to which the slider 33 is attached and positioned such that the or each resilient biasing mechanism 37 acts on part of the cylinder side plate 55.

A mechanism is provided to attach the slider 33 moveably to the cylinder 20 such that it may move from a first slider location such that the slider 33 is substantially contained within the confines of the boundary of the cylinder 20, to a second slider location in which the slider 33 extends beyond the confines of the boundary of the cylinder 20. In embodiments of the invention, the mechanism comprises the one or more supporting arms 35 acting in cooperation with the corresponding receiving arrangements 36 in the cylinder 20 and a slider receiving section 56 of the cylinder 20 (which is suitable to receive the body 34 of the slider within the confines of the boundary of the cylinder 20) - see figures 3 and 7b.

The receiving arrangements 36 may include one or more conical cavities or cylindrical cavities each with a conical cavity base to secure the end of respective resilient biasing mechanisms 37 which may comprise a spring.

The or each resilient biasing mechanism 37 may be operable to bias the location of the slider 33 with respect to the cylinder 20 such that the slider 33 is in the aforementioned second location.

The slider 33 may be prevented from moving beyond the second slider location (ie. further away from the cylinder 20) by a stop mechanism which may comprise an elongate groove (not shown) in the one or more supporting arms 35 which correspond with one or more ridges (not shown) in part of the cylinder 20. The elongate grooves have a length which is generally equal to the length of possible movement of the slider 33 with respect to the cylinder 20. Thus, the or each resilient biasing mechanism 37 acts on the slider 33 in order to bias the slider 33 into the second slider location; however, the slider 33 is prevented from further movement by the one or more elongate grooves interacting with their ridges.

In another embodiment, the elongate groove may not be provided.

In embodiments of the invention, a key receiving elongate groove 57 is provided in one or more of the supporting arms 35. The elongate groove 57 is at least partially aligned with the key receiving channel 25 such that when a key 27 is inserted into the receiving channel 25, at least part of the key 27 engages with the elongate groove 57 and prevents the slider 33 from moving beyond the second location under the force of the resilient biasing mechanism 37 acting on one or more of the supporting arms 35.

In an embodiment of the invention, the at least part of the key 27 acting on the elongate groove 57 of the one or more supporting arms 35 prevents the slider 33 from moving into the second slider location; in this arrangement the slider 33 may be said to be in a third slider location. When the key 27 is removed from the key receiving channel 25, the key 27 no longer engages the groove 57 and the slider 33 is free to move to the second slider location.

In some embodiments the second slider location is such that the slider 33 is detached from the cylinder 20. In some embodiments the second and third slider locations are substantially identical.

The setting plate 21 is located in a slot 38 of the slider 33 and is operable to move with the slider into respective first and second locations corresponding with the first and second slider locations. In embodiments of the invention, the slot 38 is located such that when the slider 33 is in the third location, an access hole 58 of the slot 38 is at least partially covered by at least part of the cylinder 20 or a part attached thereto (not shown). Thus, when a setting plate 21 is located in the slot 38 and the slider 33 is in the third location, the setting plate 21 is generally prevented from removal from the slot 38 by the at least part of the cylinder 20 (or part attached thereto). The access hole 58 of the slot 38 may also be at least partially covered when the slider 33 is in the second slider location; however, in embodiments of the invention, the setting plate 21 may be removed from the slot 38 when the slider 33 is in the second slider location. The housing 22 of the lock 23 is suitable to at least partially receive the cylinder 20. The housing 22 includes one or more slider receiving slots 59 which are suitable to receive the slider 33 (when it is not in the first slider location). In an embodiment, the slider receiving slots 59 of the housing 22 are located at predetermined locations so as to ensure correct operation of the lock 23 (as will be described in more detail below). In embodiments of the invention, the slider receiving slots 59 each have a front wall (not shown). The front wall is located such that it abuts a surface 61 of the body 34 of the slider

33 and, thus, prevents the cylinder 20 from being removed from the housing 22 when the slider 33 is received in one of the slots 59.

A gearing attachment member 40 (see figure 9c) may be located at the second end surface 42 of the cylinder 20. The gearing attachment member 40 is suitable to be received by a corresponding gearing attachment member receiving section 62 of a gearing arrangement 63 (see figures 9a and 9b) which may form part of the housing 22. The gearing arrangement 63 of the housing 22, in an embodiment of the invention, is such that a rotational force applied to the gearing attachment receiving section 62 will cause the a bolt (not shown) of the lock 23 to move between a locked and an unlocked position.

In an embodiment of the invention the gearing attachment member 40 is a rod 40 which extends from the cylinder 20 away from the second end surface 42 thereof generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 20. The rod 40 is located away from a centre of the second end surface 42 towards an edge thereof.

In embodiments of the invention, the gearing arrangement 63 of the housing 22 comprises a cam gear 63. The cam gear 63 may have a generally circular main body 64 and an arm 65 extending radially away from the main body 64 in the same plane as the main body 64. In embodiments, the arm 65 of the cam gear 63 extends away from the main body 64 in a direction which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 20. The arm 65 is operable to engage further gears (not shown) or a portion of a bolt of the lock 23. The main body 64 of the cam gear 63 may include an arcuate slot 62 as the gearing attachment receiving section 62. The rod 40, in an embodiment, may be received by the slot 62 and be substantially free to move along the slot 62 as the cylinder 20 is rotated. The slot 62 may be located in an outer circumferential surface (ie. periphery) of the cam gear 63 or may be located such that the slot 62 passes through a position which is generally in the centre of the main body 64 of the cam gear 62.

One or more keys 27 are associated with the setting plate 21. When a lock 23 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is fitted with a first setting plate 21 which is associated with a first type of key and a key 27 of the first type is inserted into the key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20, at least part of the key 27 moves the head section 26 of one or more of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 (which are located in the cylinder 20) against the biasing force of the respective biasing mechanism 28 such that the or each shaft 29 of the one or more pins 24 substantially aligns with a corresponding hole 32 in the setting plate 21 which is housed in a slot 38 of the slider 33 (the slider 33 is initially in the second slider location). This alignment operation is shown in figure 2; it will be noted that the arrangement shown in figure 2 is an embodiment of the invention in which a simpler form of T-shaped pin 24 is utilised.

A rotational force may be applied to the key 27 may once it has been inserted into the cylinder 20. The rotational force is imparted on the cylinder 20 of the lock 23 and the slider 33 engages a surface 66 of a slider receiving slot 59 of the housing 22 (see figure 11 ). The slider 33 is moved (by the interaction between the slider 33 and the corresponding receiving slot 59 of the housing 22) against the force supplied by the resilient biasing mechanism 37 such that the slider 33 moves towards the first slider location with respect to the cylinder 20. Because the shafts 29 of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 are substantially aligned with corresponding holes 32 in the first setting plate 21 , the shafts 29 are received by the holes 32 and the slider 33 is free to move to the first slider location.

Figure 13 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which a key 27 has been inserted into the cylinder 20. The key may, in this case be a correct key or an incorrect key - this aspect is not shown in the figure. The slider body 34 is located in a slider slot 59 of the housing 22.

Figure 14 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which a key 27 has been inserted into the cylinder 20. The key must, in this case be a correct key. The one or more pins 24 have been received by the corresponding hole 32 in the setting plate 21 and, as no slider slot 59 is provided at this point in the housing 22, the slider is in the first slider location and the cylinder may be rotated within the housing 22.

With the slider 33 in the first slider location, the cylinder 20 is free to rotate with respect to the housing 22. Thus, for example, the gearing attachment member 40 at the second end 43 of the cylinder 20 may interact with the corresponding gearing attachment member receiving section 62 of a gearing arrangement 63 of the housing 22 and effect the unlocking or locking of the lock 23 by movement of a bolt.

If an incorrect key 27 (for example, a key of a second type) is inserted into the key receiving channel 25, and an attempt is made to rotate the cylinder 20 in the housing 22, at least one of the shafts 29 of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 will not align with corresponding holes 32 in the first setting plate 21 ; as a result, the shafts 29 of the T-shaped pins 24 which are not aligned with corresponding holes 32 in the setting plate 21 prevent the slider 33 from moving into the first slider location by abutting against the setting plate 21 ; the body 34 of the slider 33 will engage a surface 66 of a slider receiving slot 59 in the housing 22 and this will prevent the cylinder 20 from rotating with respect to the housing 22. Thus, the gearing attachment member 40 of the cylinder 20 does not interact with the corresponding receiving section 62 of the housing 22 to allow the lock 23 to be locked or unlocked by movement of the bolt.

In some embodiments, the cylinder 20 further comprises a front or further pin 44 (see figure 6). The front pin 44 is located at the first end surface

41 of the cylinder 20 and has a longitudinal axis which is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20. The front pin 44 has a first 45 and a second 46 end.

In a first position, the front pin 44 is arranged such that the first end 45 of the front pin 44 extends into the key receiving channel 25 near the first end surface 41 of the cylinder 20. In the first position, the second end 46 of the front pin 44 is located substantially within the confines of the boundary of the cylinder 20.

In a second position, the front pin 44 extends beyond the confines of the boundary of the cylinder 20 into the housing 22 a first distance (see figure 12a).

In a third position, the front pin 44 extends beyond the confines of the boundary of the cylinder 20 into the housing 22 a second distance (the second distance being generally greater than the first distance) - see figure 12b.

The first end 45 of the front pin 44 has two surfaces: key engagement surface 67 and support surface 68. The support surface 68 is located closer to the second end 46 of the front pin 44 than the key engagement surface 67. A front pin biasing mechanism 69 is provided (which may take the form of a helical spring) which biases the front pin 44 into the first position. In embodiments of the invention, the front pin biasing mechanism 69 comprises a helical spring (or other resilient biasing mechanism) located in a slot on the front pin 44. The slot in the front pin 44 extends through a length of the front pin 44 and a helical spring biasing mechanism receiving cavity (not shown) is located at one end of the slot. A first end of the helical spring is received in the cavity and a second end of the helical spring is attached to a end block 70.

When the front pin 44 is located at the first end surface 41 of the cylinder 20, the end block 70 of the front pin biasing mechanism 69 engages with a protrusion A25 which may be located on the cylinder 20 or on the first end plate 51 (see figures 6 and 8). The protrusion A25 acts against the end block 70 and the biasing mechanism 69 to ensure that the front pin 44 is biased into the first position (as described above). The support surface 68 of the first end 45 of the front pin 44 engages a corresponding support surface 72 of the cylinder 20 of the first end plate 51 to prevent the front pin 44 (which extends into the key receiving channel 25) from extending too far into the key receiving channel 25 such that it hinders the insertion of a key 27 into the channel 25.

If a key of a third type (which may also be a first or second type of key as discussed above) is inserted into the key receiving channel 25 of the lock 23, then part of the key is sized and positioned along the shaft of the key such that it engages the key engagement surface 67 of the front pin 44 and causes the front pin 44 to move against the biasing force of the front pin biasing mechanism 69 from the first front pin position to the second front pin position. The housing 22 includes a front pin receiving groove 74 which is suitable to receive at least part of the second end 46 of the front pin 44 when it is in the second front pin position. If a key of a fourth type (which may also be a first or second type of key as discussed above) is inserted in the key receiving channel 25 of the lock 23, then part of the key is sized and positioned along the shaft of the key such that it engages the key engagement surface 67 of the front pin 44 and causes the front pin 44 to move against the biasing force of the front pin biasing mechanism 69 from the first front pin position to the third front pin position.

The front pin receiving groove 74 in the housing 22 includes one or more pin retaining members 76.

The second end 46 of the front pin 44 comprises a pin retaining groove or hook 77 which is operable to cooperate with the one or more pin retaining members 76 in the front pin receiving groove 74 of the housing 22. The one or more pin retaining members 76 are located at predetermined locations in the groove 74 of the housing 22 so as to ensure correct operation of the lock (as will be described in more detail below).

When the front pin 44 is in the second front pin position, the front pin 44 does not extend into the groove 74 of the housing 22 sufficiently to allow the pin retaining hook 77 to cooperate with the pin retaining members 76; in this position, the pin retaining members 76 do not hinder movement of the front pin

44 through the groove 74. However, the pin retaining members 76 may prevent the pin 44 from moving towards the third front pin position by engaging the second end 46 of the front pin 44.

When the front pin 44 is in the third front pin position, then the pin retaining hook 77 and the pin retaining members 76 may cooperate and engage each other; thus, the front pin 44 may be retained within the front pin receiving groove 74 of the housing 22 and be prevented from moving under the force of the front pin biasing mechanism 69 into the first front pin position by one of the retaining members 76. The pin retaining hook 77 and the pin retaining member 76, however, do not interact to prevent the front pin 44 from moving further into the groove 74 in the housing 22 (ie. further away from the first front pin position).

When the front pin 44 is in the second or third front pin position the cylinder 20 cannot be removed from the housing 22 because the front pin 44 bridges the juncture between the cylinder 20 and housing 22.

When at least part of the first end 45 of the front pin 44 engages at least part of a key of the third type which has been inserted into the key receiving channel 25, the front pin 44 is prevented from movement further away from the first front pin position and the front pin 44 may be operable to prevent the key 27 from being removed from the key receiving channel 25: in order to remove the key 27 from the key receiving channel 25, the front pin 44 must move further away from the first front pin position (ie. further into the groove 74 of the housing 22) to allow a part of the key to pass through the key receiving channel 25 and out of the cylinder 20. The front pin 44 can be prevented from movement with respect to the key 27 by use of a suitable front pin retaining member 76 in the housing 22 which engages with the second end 46 of the front pin 44 (as described above).

In embodiments of the present invention, the front pin 44 is utilised to prevent (or allow, depending on its position) removal of the cylinder 20 from the housing 22, to allow a deadlock mode of operation, and in order to prevent

(or allow, depending on its position) removal of a key 27 from the key receiving channel 25 of the lock 23.

In embodiments of the present invention, the pin retaining hook 77 of the front pin 44 comprises a groove (as opposed to a hook) and at least one of the one or more pin retaining members 76 of the housing 22 comprises a cooperating ridge. The operation of the embodiment of the invention is not altered substantially by utilising a groove instead of a hook for the pin retaining hook 77.

In embodiments of the present invention, the housing 22 may include a thumb turn 78 or knob which is located on the opposing side of the housing 22 to the first end surface 42 of the cylinder 20.

The operation of embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

For the purposes of describing the operation of embodiments of the present invention the following basic configuration shall be assumed: the lock cylinder 20 is located in housing 22. A slider 33 is provided and holds a setting plate 21. A front pin 44 is located at a first end surface 41 of the cylinder 20 and a first end plate 51 is also located at the first end surface 41. A second end plate 52 is located at the second end surface 42 of the cylinder 20. A gearing attachment member 40 is provided at the second end surface 42 and comprises a rod 40 which extends beyond the second end plate 52 of the cylinder 20 and is received in an arcuate slot 62 in a cam gear 63 of the housing 22. As indicated, the housing 22 includes a cam gear 63 which operates a bolt (not shown) and may interact with the rod 40 (see figure 9). The housing 22 also includes one or more slider receiving slots 59 (see figure 11 ) and a front pin receiving groove 74. A thumb turn 78 is located on the opposing side of the housing 22 (ie. towards the second end surface 42 of the cylinder). The housing 22 and cylinder 20 are fitted such that the key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20 is accessible from one side of the lock 23 and the thumb turn 78 (see figure 10) is accessible from another side of the lock 23 (in an arrangement which is common in many domestic locks 23 on front doors - for example). It will be appreciated that this particular embodiment of the present invention has been selected by way of an example for illustrative purposes only and that the operational principles of embodiments of the present invention which are described below are equally applicable to other embodiments of the invention and are not limited to the embodiment described immediately above.

The key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20 may be initially located in a first position in which the body 34 of the slider 33 is located in a slider receiving slot 59 in the housing 22. In some embodiments, the key receiving slot 25 in this first position is located at the top of the cylinder 20 (ie. at a 12 o'clock position).

A first key may be inserted into the key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20. The first key is a correct key for the setting plate 21 and the first key includes a portion which is operable to force the front pin 44 against its biasing mechanism 69 into the groove 74 of the housing 22 into the second front pin position. In other words, the first key is of the first and third types of key described above.

The or each shaft 29 of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 located in the cylinder 20 aligns with the corresponding holes 32 in the setting plate 21

(because the key is a correct key for the setting plate 21 ). A second end 46 of the front pin 44 is forced against its biasing mechanism 69 into the groove 74 of the housing 22.

When the key is rotated, the cylinder 20 rotates with the key. The slider body 34 is initially located in a corresponding slot 59 of the housing 22.

However, as the slider body 34 engages a surface 66 of the slot 59 it is forced against the resilient biasing mechanism 37 to the first slider location. The cylinder 20 is, therefore, free to rotate within the housing 22. The cylinder 20 is prevented from removal from the housing 22 by the front pin 44 which bridges the juncture between the cylinder 20 and the housing 22.

The cylinder 20 may be rotated, for example, clockwise by approximately 90° (ie. to a 3 o'clock position).

A rotation of this type moves the rod 40 through a portion of a length of the arcuate slot 62 in the cam gear 63 from a position which is generally towards the centre of the slot 62. Before the rotation is complete the rod 40 engages an end surface 80 of the slot and, thus, further rotation of the cylinder 20 (to complete the 90° rotation) causes the cam gear 63 to rotate. Rotation of the cam gear 63 causes, for example, the arm 65 of the cam gear 63 to engage a bolt and move the bolt into a locked position.

During the clockwise rotation the slider 33 is retained within the confines of the boundary of the cylinder 20 as no corresponding receiving slot 59 is provided in the housing 22. Thus, the shafts 29 of the one or more T- shaped pins 24 are held in their respective holes 32 in the setting plate 21.

The key cannot be removed from the cylinder 20 because the or each head section 26 of at least one of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 engages at least part of the key. As the head section 26 of the or each pin 24 is not free to move (because the shaft 29 of the or each pin 24 is held in a hole 32 of the setting plate 21 ), the head section 26 engages the key 27 and prevents its removal. Moreover, a front pin retaining member 76 in the front pin receiving groove 74 of the housing 22 may be provided at this point around the groove 74 to prevent the front pin 44 from moving further away from the first front pin position (to allow the key 27 to be removed from the cylinder 20 if the T- shaped pins 24 did not also perform this function). At the end of the rotation to the 3 o'clock position, the slider 33 may be aligned with a corresponding slot 59 in the housing 22. This allows the slider 33 to move towards the second slider location. The key can still not be removed from the key receiving channel 25 because a pin retaining member 76 is provided in the pin receiving groove 74 of the housing 22 and, thus, the front pin 44 acts on at least part of the key and cannot be moved further away from the first front pin position to allow removal of the key.

The key may then be rotated back through approximately 90° anticlockwise to the 12 o'clock position.

As the key and cylinder 20 are rotated, the rod 40 moves through the arcuate slot 62 in the cam gear 63 and does not engage an end surface 80,81 thereof and, thus, the cam gear 63 does not rotate and the bolt remains in a locked position.

The slider 33 engages a surface 66 of the slider receiving slot 59 in which it is located, moves into the first slider location and is free to move into the slider receiving slot 59 in the housing 22 in which it was originally located; the shafts 29 of the one or more pins 24 are released from the holes 32 in the setting plate 21. A pin retaining member 76 of the pin receiving groove 74 of the housing 22 is not provided at this location and the front pin 44 is free to move further away from the first front pin position to allow removal of the key. Thus, it is now possible to remove the key from the key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20.

The rod 40 is generally located in the arcuate slot 62 of the cam gear 63 away from the ends 80,81 thereof. Thus, the cam gear 63 can rotate without the ends 80,81 of the slot 62 engaging the cam gear 63. The thumb turn 78 is connected to the cam gear 63 such that it may be rotated to move the bolt to an unlocked position. Thus, the bolt may be moved to an unlocked position by rotating the thumb turn 78 (ie. the lock 23 is not "deadlocked").

Assuming that the lock 23 has not been unlocked by use of the thumb turn 78, in order to move the bolt into an unlocked position the first key is reinserted into the key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20 (if it was removed in the first instance). The key 27 may be rotated approximately 90° in an anticlockwise direction from the 12 o'clock position to a 9 o'clock position.

Once again, because the correct key has been inserted, the shafts 29 of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 align with the corresponding holes 32 in the setting plate 21 and when the slider 33 engages a wall 66 of the slider receiving slot 59 in which it is located, the slider 33 may move to the first slider location. During the rotation, the rod 40 moves along the arcuate slot 62 in the cam gear 63 and engages an end surface 81 thereof before the rotation is complete. As the rotation is completed the cam gear 63 rotates (due to the interaction between the cam gear slot 62 and the rod 40) and the bolt is moved into an unlocked position. During rotation, the cylinder 20 is prevented from being removed from the housing 22 by the front pin 44 (as before).

As discussed above, the key cannot be removed due to the interaction of at least one of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 and/or the front pin 44, and the key 27. A slot 59 for the slider 33 may be provided in the housing 22 to allow the slider 33 to move towards the second slider location when the cylinder 20 has been rotated to the 9 o'clock position.

Now that the bolt has been moved to an unlocked position, the cylinder

20 may be rotated back to the 12 o'clock position, allowing the slider 33 to return to the slider receiving slot 59 in the housing 22 in which it was originally located and causing the release of the T-shaped pins 24 from the holes 32 in the setting plate 21. The front pin 44 is also free to move away from the first front pin position and, thus, the key may be removed.

As the rod 40 is back in a generally central location in the arcuate slot 62, the cam gear 63 may be rotated by use of the thumb turn 78 to move the bolt to the locked position again.

A second key may be inserted into the key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20. The second key is a correct key for the setting plate 21 and the second key includes a portion which is operable to force the front pin 44 against its biasing mechanism 69 into the groove 74 of the housing 22 into the third front pin position. In other words, the second key is of the first and fourth types of key described above.

Operation of the lock 23 is generally as described above in relation to the first key. However, the front pin 44 is forced into the third front pin position when the key is inserted into the key receiving channel 25. Thus, the key retaining member (or members) 76 located in the front pin receiving groove 74 of the housing 22 prevent the front pin 44 from moving to the first front pin position. However, the front pin 44 is not prevented from movement away from the first front pin position.

Therefore, when the cylinder 20 has been rotated to the 3 o'clock position, the slider 33 is located in a corresponding slider slot 59 in the housing 22 and the T-shaped pins 24 are free with respect to surface of the key (ie. they are not held by the holes 32 in the setting plate 21 ). The front pin 44 is also free to move away from the surface of the key but is prevented from moving from the third front pin position to the first front pin position. Thus, the key may be removed from the key receiving channel 25. When the key 27 has been removed from the cylinder 20, the cylinder 20 is still in the 3 o'clock position, the front pin 44 and the slider 33 prevent the cylinder 20 from being removed from the housing 22 and the slider 33 prevents the cylinder 20 from rotating.

The rod 40 is engaged with an end of the arcuate slot 80 in the cam gear 63 (because, unlike in the case with the first key, the cylinder 20 has not been rotated back to the 12 o'clock position). Thus, the cam gear 63 cannot be rotated because the rod 40 is connected to the cylinder 20 and prevented from movement by the cylinder 20 which is prevented from rotational movement as discussed above. Thus, the thumb turn 78 cannot be used to move the bolt into the unlocked position. In other words, a deadlock has been achieved.

The first key or the second key can be used to unlock the deadlocked lock 23 in the manner substantially described above.

A third key may be inserted into the key receiving channel 25 of the cylinder 20. The third key is a correct key for the setting plate 21 ; however, unlike the first and second keys, the third key does not include a portion which is operable to force the front pin 44 against its biasing mechanism 69 into the groove 74 of the housing 22 into the third or second front pin positions.

Thus, when the third key is inserted into the cylinder 20 and rotated such that the slider 33 moves to the first slider location, the front pin 44 does not bridge the juncture between the cylinder 20 and the housing 22. Thus, there is no mechanism preventing removal of the cylinder 20 from the housing

22. In this manner the cylinder 20 may be extracted from the housing 22.

If the third key was not a correct key for the setting plate 21 , then the slider 33 would not have been able to move into the first slider location and the cylinder 20 would have remained held in the housing 22 by the action of the slider 33 on the wall 66 of the slot 59 of the housing 22. Once the cylinder 20 has been removed from the housing 22, the slider 33 is not prevented from moving further away from the first slider location under the force of the resilient biasing mechanism 37. However, in this example, an elongate groove 57 (as described above) is located on at least one of the two supporting arms 35 of the slider 33. The key engages the elongate groove 57 and prevents the slider 33 from moving from the third to the second slider location. Thus, the slot 38 in which the setting plate 21 is located is not accessible and the setting plate 21 cannot be removed (or fall out). The key may be removed from the cylinder 20 and this allows the slider 33 to move to the second slider location. In the second slider location the setting plate 21 can be removed.

Thus, it will be appreciated that it is possible to replace a setting plate 21 without the need to engage the services of a locksmith. Furthermore, a new setting plate 21 can be purchased and fitted without the need to replace the entire lock 23. Each new setting plate 21 can have respective "common keys" (such as the first key discussed in the above example), "deadlock keys"

(such as the second key discussed in the above example), and "cylinder removal keys" (such as the third key discussed in the above example) associated therewith.

It will be appreciated that the location of the slider receiving slots 59 in the housing 22, and the location of the front pin retaining members 76 can be altered to achieve a desired lock configuration and operation. The 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions described above are merely examples and other positions could be used with the parts of the lock 23 arranged accordingly.

It will be understood that a lock 23 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be utilised as a door lock, as part of a padlock, or in any other arrangement where a cylinder lock could be utilised. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention are useful when it is necessary to change a lock on a regular basis.

It will be understood, that embodiments of the present invention can be used to allow different keys to have different functionality for the same lock.

The V-shaped grooves 50 in the shafts 29 of the T-shaped pins 24 limit the amount of movement of the end of the pin 24 as it approaches the respective hole 32 in the setting plate 21. If the end of the pin 24 was of, for example, a conical shape then the pin shaft 29 would being to move into the hole 32 as it approached the hole 32 but was not necessarily precisely aligned with the hole 32.

Thus, the use of V-shape grooves 50 limits the ability of a lock-picker to pick the lock - for example by scrubbing the pins 24 of the lock 23.

The grooves 50 provide an arrangement which is more resilient to wear and thus, this advantage may not be substantially affected by the age of the lock 23.

In an embodiment of the invention, the setting plate 21 includes one or more grooves, channels and/or false holes (not shown) which are designed to make picking the lock 23 more difficult. The grooves, channels and false holes may be located in a surface of the setting plate 21 such that if one of the shafts 29 of the one or more T-shaped pins 24 is moved along the surface of the setting plate 21 (as a lock picker may do during a locking picking attempt), an end of the shaft 29 (which may include a V-shaped groove 50) will at least partially move into one of the grooves, channels, or false holes. This will provide a lock picker with a false impression that the pin has moved into a hole 32 in the setting plate 21. The one or more grooves, channels and/or false holes may include grooves or channels across a surface of the setting plate 21 in a direction which is generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the setting plate (ie. such that one groove or channel may provide a false indication for many pins 24). The groove or channel may be located across an entire length of the setting plate 21 or just a part thereof. The one or more false holes may comprise holes which do not pass through entire depth of the setting plate, or do pass through an entire depth of the setting plate 21 but have a varying diameter throughout the depth of the setting plate 21 such that the false hole will receive the pin shaft 29 but not allow the shaft 29 to pass sufficiently though the false hole to allow enough movement of the setting plate 21 and/or slider 33 for the cylinder 21 to rotate in the housing 22. The one or more grooves, channels, and/or false holes may have semi-circular or v-shaped cross-sections. The one or more grooves, channels and/or false holes may be located either side of the holes 32 across a width of the setting plate 21.

Thus, a lock picker may move a pin shaft 29 into a groove, channel or false hole and be under the impression that the pin shaft 29 has been received by a hole 32. However, the pin shaft 29 has not been received by a hole 32 and may not pass through the setting plate 21 sufficiently to allow the lock 23 to be unlocked or locked. Unless all of the pin 24 are received by actual holes 32, the locker picker will find it very difficult to determine whether or not a particular pin 24 is received by a hole 32 or a groove, channel, or false hole in the setting plate 21. The setting plate 21 may be manufactured with one or more grooves, channels, and/or false holes before the holes 32 a made in the setting plate 21.

The V-shaped grooves 50 allow the edges of the pin shaft 29 to move across a surface of the setting plate 21 and may increase the likelihood of the shaft 29 being at least partially received by one of the grooves, channels, and/or false holes in the surface of the setting plate 21.

When a lock 23 according to an embodiment of the present invention is locked then it is the slider 33 which prevents rotation of the cylinder 20. In known locks 10, it is the pins 6,7 which often perform this function. The pins 6,7 are more delicate than the slider 33 and are prone to damage should someone attempt to force the cylinder 5 to rotate. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a more robust lock 23.

The keys 27 which may be utilised with locks according to embodiment of the present invention need not differ substantially to the type of keys used in known locks. Therefore, there is no need to re-equip key cutters with new key cutting tools.

It will be understood that the setting plate 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention is operable to at least partially receive pins 24 in respective holes 32 of the setting plate 21 , when the pins are in a first arrangement.

It will be appreciated that the front pin 44 need not be at the first end 41 of the cylinder 20 but may be located at the second end 42 or at anther location along the length of the key receiving channel 25.

The use of the front pin 44, the T-shaped pins 24, pins with V-shaped grooves 50, a setting plate 21 , and a slider 33 need not be confined to the embodiments of the present invention described herein, but may be applied to known lock types. Although the front pin retaining hook 77 has been described as a hook or groove it will be appreciated that other arrangements are possible and that this section of the front pin 44 could be described as a pin retaining section.

It will be appreciated that the setting plate 21 may include more than one set of holes 32 and that each set of holes 32 may be associated with a different key 27.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims:

1. A lock cylinder apparatus comprising: a lock cylinder; a setting plate removably connected to the lock cylinder, the setting plate having at least one pin receiving hole; and at least a first pin arranged in the lock cylinder such that when the first pin is in a first position at least part of the first pin is aligned with a respective pin receiving hole in the setting plate, and when the first pin is in a second position the at least part of the first pin is not aligned with the respective pin receiving hole in the setting plate.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the setting plate is moveable between first and second setting plate locations.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein, when the setting plate is in the first setting plate location, the first pin does pass through the respective pin receiving hole, and when the setting plate is in the second setting plate location the first pin does not pass through the respective pin receiving hole.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the setting plate is biased towards the second setting plate location, but may only move from the second setting plate location to the first setting plate location when the at least one pin is aligned with the respective pin receiving hole in the setting plate.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a slider connected to the setting plate and arranged to move therewith, the slider being operable to move between a first slider location, when the setting plate is in the first setting plate location, and a second slider location, when the setting plate is in the second setting plate location.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the slider is in a retracted configuration when the slider is in the first slider location.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a body of the slider is in an extended configuration when the slider is in the second slider location.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the slider is biased towards the second slider location.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the cylinder is provided within a housing, and wherein the cylinder may be rotated with respect to the housing when the setting plate is in the first setting plate location, but may not be rotated with respect to the housing when the setting plate is in the second setting plate location.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein: the first pin comprises a T-shaped pin with a head section and a shaft; the shaft is operable to be at least partially received by a respective hole of the setting plate; and the head section is operable to abut a surface of a key which may be located in a key receiving channel of the lock cylinder.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an end of the shaft of the T-shaped pin has a V-shaped groove.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of pins are provided.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a further pin located towards a first end of the lock cylinder and resiliently biased towards a key receiving channel of the cylinder, such that a first end of the further pin is operable to abut at least a portion of a shaft of a key which may be located in the key receiving channel and a second end of the further pin has a pin retaining section which may interact with a pin retaining member of a housing in which the cylinder apparatus is located.

14. A lock setting plate suitable for use in a lock cylinder apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , the setting plate having one or more holes through a depth thereof at least one of which is suitable to receive at least part of a pin of the lock cylinder apparatus.

15. A lock setting plate according to claim 14 and a key, wherein the lock setting plate is associated with the key and the geometry of a surface of the key determines the locations of the one or more holes in the setting plate.

16. A method of changing a setting plate in a lock cylinder apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 provided in a housing, the method comprising the steps of: using a first cylinder removing key associated with a first setting plate to at least partially remove a lock cylinder apparatus from the housing; removing the first setting plate; connecting a second setting plate to the lock cylinder; and replacing the cylinder apparatus in the housing using a second cylinder removing key which is associated with the second setting plate.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the step of using the first cylinder removing key comprises the steps of: inserting the first cylinder removing key into a the lock cylinder such that the first pin moves into the first position; rotating the lock cylinder apparatus so as to cause the setting plate to move to the first setting plate location; and removing the lock cylinder apparatus, at least partially, from the housing.

18. A method of locking or unlocking a lock comprising: inserting a first key into a key receiving channel of a cylinder apparatus of the lock and thus causing one or more pins arranged in the cylinder apparatus to move into a first arrangement with respect to at least a portion of the key, wherein in the first arrangement at least part of one or more of the pins aligns with one or more respective holes in a setting plate connected to a slider of the cylinder apparatus, a body section of the slider being retained in a slot in of a housing of the cylinder apparatus; and rotating the cylinder apparatus with respect to the housing to cause the slider to retract such that it is not retained by the slot of the housing and the at least part of the one or more pins which are aligned with respective holes in the setting plate are at least partially received by the holes, and to cause a gearing arrangement of the cylinder apparatus to move with respect to a gearing member of the housing, wherein the gearing member of the housing is connected to a bolt of the lock and movement of the gearing arrangement causes the gearing member of the housing to move the bolt to a locked or an unlocked position.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein inserting the first key into the key receiving channel of the cylinder apparatus causes a further pin of the cylinder apparatus to move with respect to a cylinder of the cylinder apparatus such that the further pin at least partially extends into a groove in the housing.

20. A method of deadlocking a lock comprising: inserting a second key into a key receiving channel of a cylinder apparatus of the lock and causing one or more pins arranged in the cylinder apparatus to move into a first arrangement with respect to at least a portion of the key, wherein in the first arrangement at least part of one or more of the pins aligns with one or more respective holes in a setting plate connected to a slider of the cylinder apparatus, a body section of the slider being retained in a first slot in of a housing, and causing a further pin of the cylinder apparatus to move from a first further pin position such that the further pin at least partially extends into a groove in the housing; rotating the cylinder apparatus with respect to the housing to cause the slider to retract such that it is not retained by the slot of the housing and the at least part of the one or more pins which are aligned with respective holes in the setting plate are at least partially received by the holes, the further pin being retained in the groove of the housing and prevented from returning to the first further pin position by the interaction of a pin retaining section of the further pin and a pin retaining member of the groove in the cylinder housing, and to cause a gearing arrangement of the cylinder apparatus to move with respect to a gearing member of the housing, wherein the gearing member of the housing is connected to a bolt of the lock and movement of the gearing arrangement causes the gearing member of the housing to move the bolt to a locked position; providing a second slot in the housing at a location such that after the bolt has moved into the locked position by rotation of the cylinder apparatus, the slider may extend into the second slot and the one or more pins are no longer at least partially received by the holes of the setting plate; and removing the key from the cylinder apparatus.