Rekeying a lock assembly

[00002] The present invention relates generally to lock cylinders and particularly to lock cylinders that can be rekeyed. More particularly, the invention relates to lock cylinders that can be rekeyed without the use of a master key.

[00003] When rekeying a cylinder using a traditional cylinder design, the user is required to remove the cylinder plug from the cylinder body and replace the appropriate pins so that a new key can be used to unlock the cylinder. This typically requires the user to remove the cylinder mechanism from the lockset and then disassemble the cylinder to some degree to remove the plug and replace the pins. This requires a working knowledge of the lockset and cylinder mechanism and is usually only performed by locksmiths or trained professionals. Additionally, the process usually employs special tools and requires the user to have access to pinning kits to interchange pins and replace components that can get lost or damaged in the rekeying process. Finally, professionals using appropriate tools can easily pick traditional cylinders.

[00004] The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages of conventional lock cylinders. The lock cylinder of the present invention operates in a transparent way that presents the familiar experience of inserting a key and rotating the key in the lock cylinder, as with current cylinders. However, in the present invention, that same familiar experience is used to rekey the lock cylinder. Thus, the user does not require any special knowledge, training, or tools to rekey the lock cylinder of the present invention.

[00005] The present invention provides a simple means for “teaching” a lock cylinder a new key while obsoleting old keys. According to the present invention, a rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis and a plug assembly disposed in the cylinder body. The plug assembly includes a plug body and a carrier sub-assembly disposed adjacent the plug body. The plug assembly further includes a plurality of pins. The carrier subassembly assembly is moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder body and includes a plurality of racks for engaging the pins. The racks disengage from the pins in response to movement of the carrier in a first direction and engage the pins in response to movement of the carrier in a second direction. The lock cylinder is in a rekeyable condition when the racks are disengaged from the pins.

[00006] The present invention further includes a novel method of rekeying a rekeyable lock cylinder. According to the invention, a method of rekeying a rekeyable lock cylinder comprises the steps of providing a lock cylinder with a plug body and a lock face having a keyway and a tool-receiving aperture, inserting a first valid key in the keyway, rotating the plug body to a first position, inserting a tool in the tool-receiving aperture, removing the first valid key from the keyway, inserting a second valid key in the keyway, and rotating the plug body away from the first position. The step of inserting the tool includes the step of moving a rack out of engagement with a pin.

[00007] According to one aspect of the invention, the lock cylinder includes a carrier that is moveable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lock cylinder and the step of inserting the tool includes the step of moving the carrier.

[00008] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

[00039] A lock cylinder 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. The lock cylinder 10 includes a longitudinal axis 11, a lock cylinder body 12, a plug assembly 14 and a retainer 16. In FIG. 1, the plug assembly 14 is in the home position relative to the cylinder body 12.

[00040] The lock cylinder body 12, as seen in FIGS. 15a-15e, includes a generally cylindrical body 20 having a front end 22, a back end 24 and a cylinder wall 26 defining an interior surface 28. The cylinder wall 26 includes an interior, locking bar-engaging groove 29 and a pair of detent recesses 30, 32. The generally V-shaped locking bar-engaging groove 29 extends longitudinally along a portion of the cylinder body 12 from the front end 22. The first detent recess 30 is disposed at the back end 24 and extends to a first depth. The second detent recess 32 is disposed adjacent the first detent recess 30 and extends to a lesser depth. A detent bore 34 extends radially through the cylinder wall 26 for receiving a detent ball 36 (FIG. 2).

[00041] The plug assembly 14 includes a plug body 40, a carrier sub-assembly 42 and a plurality of spring-loaded pins 38 (FIGS. 2 and 20a-20b). The plug body 40, illustrated in FIGS. 16a-16f, includes a plug face 44, an intermediate portion 46 and a drive portion 50. The plug face 44 defines a keyway opening 52, a rekeying tool opening 54 and a pair of channels 56 extending radially outwardly for receiving anti-drilling ball bearings 60 (FIG. 2). The drive portion 50 includes an annular wall 62 with a pair of opposed projections 64 extending radially inwardly to drive a spindle or torque blade (neither shown). The drive portion 50 further includes a pair of slots 66 formed in its perimeter for receiving the retainer 16 to retain the plug body 40 in the cylinder body 12.

[00042] The intermediate portion 46 includes a main portion 70 formed as a cylinder section and having a first longitudinal planar surface 72 and a plurality of channels 74 for receiving the spring-loaded pins 38. The channels 74 extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the plug body 40 and parallel to the planar surface 72. A second planar surface 76 extends perpendicular to the first planar surface 72 and defines a recess 80 for receiving a retaining cap 82 (FIGS. 2 and 22a-22d). The channels 74 extend from the second planar surface 76 partially through the plug body 40, with the sidewalls of the channels open to the first planar surface 72. The first planar surface 72 further includes a plurality of bullet-shaped, rack-engaging features 78. A bore 86 for receiving a spring-loaded detent ball 36 (FIG. 2) extends radially inwardly from opposite the first planar surface 72.

[00043] The carrier sub-assembly 42 (FIGS. 2, 6 and 10) includes a carrier 90 (FIGS. 17a-17e), a plurality of racks 92 (FIGS. 18a-18b), a spring catch 96 (FIGS. 19a-19b), a spring-loaded locking bar 94 (FIGS. 21a-21b), and a return spring 98 (FIG. 2). The carrier 90 includes a body 100 in the form of a cylinder section that is complementary to the main portion 70 of the plug body 40, such that the carrier 90 and the main portion 70 combine to form a cylinder that fits inside the lock cylinder body 12. The carrier 90 includes a curved surface 102 and a flat surface 104. The curved surface 102 includes a locking bar recess 106 and a spring catch recess 108. The locking bar recess 106 further includes a pair of return spring-receiving bores 109 (FIG. 17c) for receiving the locking bar return springs. The flat surface 104 includes a plurality of parallel rack-receiving slots 102 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier. A semi-circular groove 111 extends along the flat surface 104 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrier 90. The back end of the carrier 90 includes a recess 112 for receiving the return spring 98.

[00044] Each spring-loaded pin 38 includes a pin 113 and a biasing spring 115. The pins 113, illustrated in FIGS. 20a-20b, are generally cylindrical with annular gear teeth 114 and a central longitudinal bore 116 for receiving biasing springs 115 (FIG. 2). The racks 92, illustrated in FIGS. 18a-18b, include a pin-engaging surface 118 having a plurality of gear teeth 122 configured to engage the annular gear teeth 114 on the pins 113, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 12, and a semi-circular recess 124 for engaging the bullet-shaped, rack-engaging features 78 on the planar surface 72, as illustrated in FIG. 12. The racks 92 further include a second surface 126 that includes a plurality of anti-pick grooves 128 and a pair of locking bar-engaging grooves 132.

[00045] The spring-loaded locking bar 94, illustrated in FIGS. 21a-22b, is sized and configured to fit in the locking bar recess 106 in the carrier 90 and includes a triangular edge 134 configured to fit in the V-shaped locking bar-engaging groove 29. Opposite the triangular edge 134, the locking bar 94 includes a pair of longitudinally extending gear teeth 136 configured to engage the locking bar-engaging grooves 132 formed in the racks 92, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

[00046] The spring-retaining cap 82, illustrated in FIGS. 22a-22d, includes a curvilinear portion 140 having an upper surface 142 and a lower surface 144. The thickness of the curvilinear portion 140 is set to allow the curvilinear portion 140 to fit in the recess 80 with the upper surface 142 flush with the intermediate portion 46 of the plug body 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 12. A plurality of spring alignment tips 146 extend from the lower surface 144 to engage the springs 115. In addition, a pair of cap retaining tips 152 extend from the lower surface 144 to engage alignment openings 154 formed in the plug body 40 (FIGS. 16e-16f)

[00047] To assemble the lock cylinder 10, the pins 113 and spring 115 are disposed in the channels 74 of the plug body 40. The spring-retaining cap 82 is placed in the recess 80, with the cap retaining tips 152 disposed in the alignment openings 154 and the spring alignment tips 146 engaged with the springs 115. The carrier sub-assembly 42 is assembled by placing the racks 92 into the slots 102 and the spring-loaded locking bar 94 into the locking bar recess 106, with the gear teeth 136 engaging the locking bar-engaging grooves 132 formed in the racks 92. The spring catch 96 is disposed in the spring catch recess 108 of the carrier 90. A valid key 160 is inserted into the keyway 52, the return spring 98 is compressed into the return spring recess 112, and the carrier sub-assembly is placed adjacent the plug body 40, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The plug assembly 14 is placed in the lock cylinder body 12 and the retainer 16 is disposed in the slots 66 formed in the plug body 40 to retain the plug assembly 14 in the cylinder body 12. The lock cylinder 10 is now keyed to the valid key 160.

[00048] The properly keyed lock cylinder 10, without the key 160 inserted, is illustrated in FIGS. 4-7. The pins 113 are biased to the bottom of the channels 74 and, based on the cut of the key 160, the racks 92 are disposed at various positions in the slots 102 of the carrier 90. In this configuration, the locking bar 94 extends from the carrier 90 to engage the groove 29 in the cylinder body 12 to prevent the plug assembly 14 from rotating in the cylinder body 12 and the racks 92 engage the pins 113, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In addition, the bullet-shaped features 78 are misaligned with the groove 111 in the racks 92 and therefore interfere with movement of the racks 92 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lock cylinder 10, preventing the lock cylinder 10 from being rekeyed.

[00049] The internal configuration of a lock cylinder 10 with the valid key 160 inserted therein at the home position is illustrated in FIGS. 8-12. In this configuration, the locking bar 94 is free to cam out of the groove 29 in the cylinder body 12, as depicted in FIGS. 8, 9 and 12. The bits of the key 160 lift the pins 113 in the channels 74 and thereby re-position the racks 92 in the slots 102. When repositioned, the racks 92 are disposed to align the locking bar-engaging grooves 132 with the extended gear teeth 136 on the locking bar 94. The locking bar 94 is free to cam out of the groove 29 as the key 160 is rotated. At the same time, the bullet-shaped features 78 are aligned with the groove 111 in the racks 92, as illustrated in FIG. 12, allowing the racks 92, and the carrier 90, to move parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lock cylinder 10.

[00050] To rekey the lock cylinder 10, the valid key 160 is inserted into the keyway 52, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-14 and rotated approximately 45° counterclockwise from the home position until the spring catch 96 moves into the second detent recess 32 formed in the cylinder body 12. A paperclip or other pointed device 162 is inserted into the tool opening 54 and pushed against the carrier 90 to move the carrier 90 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lock cylinder 10 until the spring catch 96 moves into the first detent recess 30, and the pointed device 162 is removed. With the spring catch 96 disposed in the first detent recess 30, the racks 92 are disengaged from the pins 113, as illustrated in FIG. 14. The valid key 160 is removed and a second valid key is inserted and rotated clockwise to release the spring catch 96. As the spring catch 96 leaves the first detent recess 30, the carrier 90 is biased toward the plug face 44 by the return spring 98, causing the racks 92 to re-engage the pins 113. At this point, the lock cylinder 10 is keyed to the second valid key and the first valid key 160 no longer operates the lock cylinder 10. The lock cylinder 10 can be rekeyed to fit a third valid key by replacing the first and second valid keys in the above procedures with the second and third valid keys, respectively.

[00051] An alternative embodiment 210 of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 23-29. The alternative embodiment includes the same components, as illustrated in FIG. 23, but several of the components have been modified. Functionally, both embodiments are the same.

[00052] The modified housing 212, illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, includes a plurality of apertures 214 running longitudinally along the bottom thereof and a pair of vertical grooves 216, 218 formed in the housing sidewall. In addition, the sidewall includes a removable side panel 220. The rectangular holes 214 are positioned to allow the use of a manual override tool. The center groove 216 includes an aperture 222 extending through the housing sidewall. The aperture 222 allows a user to move the locking bar during a manual override operation. The side panel 220 provides access for performing certain operations while changing the master key of the lock cylinder.

[00053] The modified pin biasing springs 226, illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 25, include a non-constant diameter, with the last few coils at each end of the springs 226 having a reduced diameter. The tapering allows for a greater spring force in a smaller physical height.

[00054] The modified spring catch 228, illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 26, includes a central U-shaped portion 230 and a pair of arms 232 extending from the U-shaped portion 230.

[00055] The modified carrier 236, illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 27, includes means for retaining the spring catch 228 in the spring catch recess 238. In the illustrated embodiment, this includes a guide 240 projecting outwardly in the center of the spring catch recess 238 and a pair of anchors 242 radially offset from the guide 240. The guide 240 prevents the spring catch 228 from moving transversely in the recess 238 while permitting it to move radially outwardly to engage the housing 12, 212 as described above. The anchors 242 engage the arms 232 of the spring catch 228 and prevent the arms 232 from splaying outwardly, thereby directing the compressive force of the spring catch 228 to extend the U-shaped portion 230 outwardly to engage the housing 12, 212.

[00056] The modified pins 244, illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 28, include a single gear tooth 246 instead of the plurality of gear teeth of the pins 113 described above. The single gear tooth 246, which preferably includes beveled sides 248, provides for a smoother engagement with the racks during the rekeying process.

[00057] The modified racks 250, illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 29, include beveled gear teeth to improve the engagement with the pins during the rekeying process. In addition, the pair of locking bar-engaging grooves 132 in the racks 92 are replaced with a single locking bar-engaging groove 251.

[00058] The modified locking bar 252, illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 30, is thinner than locking bar 94 and replaces the pair of gear teeth 136 with a single gear tooth 256 and rounds out the triangular edge 134. The thinner design reduces any rocking of the locking bar 252 in the locking bar recess 106.

[00059] The above-described embodiments, of course, are not to be construed as limiting the breadth of the present invention. Modifications and other alternative constructions will be apparent that are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.