The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 17, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 08, 2001
Rodrick A. Herdman, West Chester, OH (US);
EZ Change Lock Company, LLC, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
An adaptable lock assembly and a method of using the lock assembly in order to reprogram a lock to accept a key different from the key which originally operated the lock . The lock assembly includes a housing with a bore disposed through the housing and a plug rotatably mounted in the bore . The plug includes at least one radial slot which is disposed in the plug along the circumference of the plug . The plug further includes a longitudinal slot used as a keyway which is adapted to receive a key. The assembly further includes first and second radial tumblers which are disposed in the radial slot and are capable of being in an engaged or disengaged relationship. The distal ends of the first and second radial tumblers extend into the keyway to provide a pattern of ridges along the longitudinal inner walls of the keyway . When the first and second radial tumblers are engaged in a first position, a first key fits the lock . The first and second radial tumblers may be disengaged in order to reprogram the lock to a second key