The Eastern Company

Elbert M Spencer

Michael O Misner

Stanley C Wolniak

Ronald L Brown

Timothy P Laabs

Richard H Schulz

Herbert J Kincaid

Combination operated trigger lock for firearms

A difficult-to-duplicate key for operating a rotatable plug and cylinder lock has an imaginary center axis that extends along the length of the key at a location situated between opposed, relatively narrow edge surfaces, and centered between opposed, relatively wide side surfaces. The edge and side surfaces cooperate to define a key of generally rectangular cross section. First, second and third rows of concave recesses are formed in and extend lengthwise along the side and edge surfaces of the key for receiving rounded inner end regions of pin tumblers of the plug and cylinder lock when the key is inserted to an operating position in a keyway of the lock for positioning the tumblers to permit the plug to be rotated relative to the cylinder. The recesses of the first, second and third rows extend along first, second and third sets of recess axes that extend in first, second and third planes, respectively, that radiate from the imaginary center axis. Non-standard angular relationships of the first, second and third planes are utilized to orient the first, second and third sets of axes in a non-standard, non-symmetrical and non-aligned manner that causes the recesses of at least one (preferably two) of the first, second and third rows to be of a non-circular shape that is difficult to 'read' to determine the key's recess axis orientation. The use of difficult to 'read' recess shapes together with the use of non-standard recess axis orientations renders key duplication difficult.

Key for rotary plug and cylinder lock, and method of forming the key

A key operated rotatable plug and cylinder define pin-receiving holes arranged in first, second and third rows that extend in first, second and third planes, respectively that radiate from a common center axis that extends substantially centrally through a plug-defined keyway. A key of generally rectangular cross-section is insertable into the keyway to bring recesses that are formed in its two relatively flat side surfaces and in one of its narrow edge surfaces into alignment with the pin-receiving holes so that inner ends of tumbler pins that are carried within the holes are received in the key-defined recesses to position the tumbler pins to permit plug rotation relative to the cylinder. The first plane extends from the center axis through the holes of the first row, and parallels the opposed, relatively flat side surfaces of a keyway-inserted key. The second and third planes extend from the center axis through the holes of the second and third rows, respectively, and position the second and third rows of pins so that they are inclined relative to the first plane at angles 1) that are unequal, 2) that do not cause the second and third planes to extend within a common plane, and 3) that are separately chosen from a set of values that reside between about seventy five and about one hundred five degrees, with values of ninety and one hundred five degrees being avoided in the selection of at least one, preferably both, of these angles.

Key operated rotary plug and cylinder lock

An anti-static switch lock wherein a terminal assembly having the desired configuration of rotor and contacts is secured to one end of a hub. The other end of the hub has an inboard lipped boss forming, in cooperation with the hub end, a circumscribed radial groove. A keylock assembly includes a barrel, one end of which has a chamber to receive the boss of the hub, and a key operated, rotatable plug. The hub, having the terminal assembly attached to one end, is positioned such that the groove is disposed within the chamber of the barrel. A number of stakes are formed in the barrel, the stakes engaging the groove to firmly secure the hub to the barrel. The plug is inserted into the barrel, the end of the plug interlocking with the shaft of the terminal assembly rotor to effectuate switching of contacts. To bias the plug, a spring mount which mounts a coil spring is interposed between the plug and the shaft of the rotor for the terminal assembly, one end of the spring engaging a catch on the hub to urge the rotation of the plug and shaft.

Method for assembly of anti-static switch lock

Anti-static switch lock and method for assembly thereof

An improved anti-static switch lock of the type having a key-operated plug rotatably located within a lock barrel, A nonconductive switch adapting hub connected to the lock barrel and a switch affixed to the hub, actuable upon rotation of the plug. The improvement consisting of a hub and plug design wherein the hub is connected to the lock barrel by resilient legs which engage an annular shoulder within the barrel and the plug extends from the barrel such that it prevents the legs from disengaging the shoulder. A biasing means interconnects the hub and one of the hub legs to bias the rotation of the plug and the switch to a desired position.

Growing community of inventors

Wildwood, IL, United States of America

Elbert M Spencer