Re-keyable lock cylinder

Abstract

A re-keyable lockset that employs pairs of first and second pins. Coupling of the first and second pins to one another defines a key profile for a mating key. A second key with a different key profile may be installed to the lockset when the first and second pins are uncoupled from one another. Thereafter, the first and second pins may be re-coupled to one another to define the key profile of a new mating key. A method for re-keying a lockset is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for re-keying a lockset comprising:
 providing a lockset having a look lock cylinder body, a first axis, and a plug assembly having a first axis, the plug assembly including a guide bar and a plurality of first pin members and a plurality of second pin members, each of the first pin members being coupled to an associated one of the second pin members to inhibit relative movement therebetween along the first axis of the plug assembly; 
 inserting a first key with a first key profile to the plug assembly to align the second pin members in a predetermined orientation; 
 rotating the plug assembly relative to the lock cylinder body to maintain the second pin members in the predetermined orientation; 
 moving the guide bar parallel to the first axis; 
 moving the guide bar transverse to the first axis to uncouple the first pin members from the second pin members to permit relative movement therebetween along the first axis; 
 removing the first key from the plug assembly; 
 inserting a second key with a second key profile to into the plug assembly to reposition at least one of the first pin members relative to a respective one of the second pin members along the a first axis direction relative to the plug assembly, the second key profile being different than the first key profile; 
 re-coupling each of the first pin members to the associated one of the second pin members. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the plug assembly is rotated through a predetermined angle relative to the lock cylinder body prior to uncoupling the first pin members from the second pin members. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein rotation of the plug assembly through the predetermined angle radially locates said guide bar to a groove that is formed in the lock cylinder body and wherein uncoupling the first pin members from the second pin members is effected by moving the guide bar into the groove. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein maintenance of the second pin members in the predetermined orientation is effected through engagement of a lock bar to the second pin members. 
     
     
       5. A method for re-keying a lockset comprising:
 providing a lockset having a lock cylinder body and a plug assembly, the plug assembly including a plurality of first pin members and a plurality of second pin members, each of the first pin members being coupled to an associated one of the second pin members to inhibit relative translation therebetween along a first axis; 
 inserting a first key with a first key profile to the plug assembly to align the second pin members in a predetermined orientation; 
 rotating the plug assembly relative to the lock cylinder body to maintain the second pin members in the predetermined orientation; 
 uncoupling the first pin members from the second pin members to permit relative translation therebetween along the first axis; 
 removing the first key from the plug assembly; 
 inserting a second key with a second key profile to the plug assembly to reposition at least one of the first pin members relative to a respective one of the second pin members along the first axis, the second key profile being different than the first key profile; and 
 re-coupling each of the first pin members to the associated one of the second pin members to thereby inhibit relative translation therebetween along the first axis; 
 wherein the plug assembly is rotated through a predetermined angle relative to the lock cylinder body prior to uncoupling the first pin members from the second pin members, and rotation of the plug assembly through the predetermined angle radially locates a guide bar to a groove that is formed in the lock cylinder body, and uncoupling the first pin members from the second pin members is effected by moving the guide bar into the groove, 
 wherein the plug assembly includes a plug and wherein the guide bar is moved into the groove when a tool that is inserted through a face on the plug is employed to push the guide bar in a direction that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plug assembly. 
 
     
     
       6. A method for re-keying a lockset having a lock cylinder, a plug supported in the lock cylinder for rotation about a longitudinal axis, a pin assembly having a plurality of pin members supported in the plug for sliding movement along a first direction relative to the plug and transverse to the longitudinal axis, a lock bar supported in the plug for sliding movement in a direction transverse to the first direction and a plurality of racks, each of the racks operatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of pin members and interposed between the lock bar and the pin assembly so that the lock bar is selectively moveable relative to the plug for allowing rotation of the plug within the lock cylinder, the method comprising:
 inserting a first key with a first key profile into a slot formed in the plug;   rotating the plug relative to the lock cylinder about the longitudinal axis to a re-keying position;   moving a guide bar in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and parallel to a first axis of the plug which is transverse to the longitudinal axis from a first position to a second position so that the pin assembly is uncoupled from the lock bar to permit relative movement of the plurality of pin members along the first axis;   removing the first key from the slot;   inserting a second key with a second key profile into the slot, the second key profile being different than the first key profile so that the pin assembly is repositioned relative to the lock bar along the first direction;   moving the guide bar from the second position to the first position so that the pin assembly is coupled with the lock bar to inhibit relative movement of the plurality of pin members along the first axis;   rotating the plug relative to the lock cylinder about the longitudinal axis to a home position; and   removing the second key from the slot.   
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6 further comprising inserting a re-keying tool into an access formed in a face of the plug in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis to engage and move the guide bar. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 further comprising biasing the guide bar into the first position when the re-keying tool is removed from the plug. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 6 further comprising moving the guide bar from the first position to the second position to simultaneously uncouple all of the plurality of pin members from the lock bar. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 6 further comprising moving the guide bar within a slot formed in the lock cylinder to uncouple the pin assembly from the lock bar. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 6 further comprising repositioning at least one of the plurality of pin members relative to the rack operatively associated therewith when the second key is inserted into the slot. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 11 further comprising repositioning each of the plurality of pin members relative to the rack operatively associated therewith when the second key is inserted into the slot. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 6 further comprising biasing the plurality of pin members in a direction parallel to the first direction. 
     
     
       14. A method for re-keying a lockset comprising:
 providing a lockset having a lock cylinder body in which a plug assembly rotates about a longitudinal axis, the plug assembly having a first axis and including a guide bar and a plurality of first pin members and a plurality of second pin members;   coupling each of the first pin members to an associated one of the second pin members to inhibit relative movement therebetween along a first direction relative to the plug assembly;   inserting a first key with a first key profile into the plug assembly to urge the second pin members into a predetermined orientation;   rotating the plug assembly relative to the lock cylinder body;   moving a portion of the guide bar parallel to the longitudinal axis to permit a portion of the guide bar to move parallel to the first axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis;   uncoupling the first pin members from the second pin members;   removing the first key from the plug assembly;   inserting a second key with a second key profile into the plug assembly to reposition at least one of the first pin members relative to a respective one of the second pin members along the first direction, the second key profile being different than the first key profile; and   re-coupling each of the first pin members to the associated one of the second pin members.   
     
     
       15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plug assembly is rotated through a predetermined angle relative to the lock cylinder body prior to uncoupling the first pin members from the second pin members, wherein rotation of the plug assembly through the predetermined angle locates a portion of the guide bar to a groove that is formed in the lock cylinder body and wherein uncoupling the first pin members from the second pin members is effected by moving the guide bar into the groove. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15 further comprising engaging a lock bar to the second pin members to maintain the second pin members in the predetermined orientation. 
     
     
       17. A method for re-keying a lockset having a lock cylinder, a plug supported in the lock cylinder for rotation about a longitudinal axis, a pin assembly having a plurality of pin members supported in the plug for sliding movement along a first axis of the plug transverse to the longitudinal axis, a lock bar supported in the plug for sliding movement in a direction transverse to a first direction relative to the plug and a plurality of racks, each of the racks operatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of pin members and interposed between the lock bar and the pin assembly so that the lock bar is selectively moveable relative to the plug for allowing rotation of the plug within the lock cylinder, the method comprising:
 inserting a first key with a first key profile into a slot formed in the plug;   rotating the plug relative to the lock cylinder about the longitudinal axis to a re-keying position;   moving a portion of a guide bar in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis to compress a spring to permit a portion of the guide bar to move parallel to the first axis and uncouple the pin assembly from the lock bar to permit relative movement of the plurality of pin members along the first direction;   removing the first key from the slot;   inserting a second key with a second key profile into the slot to reposition the pin assembly relative to the lock bar along the first direction, the second key profile being different than the first key profile;   moving the guide bar parallel to the first axis to couple the pin assembly with the lock bar to inhibit relative movement of the plurality of pin members along the first direction;   rotating the plug relative to the lock cylinder about the longitudinal axis to a home position; and   removing the second key from the slot.   
     
     
       18. The method of claim 17 further comprising moving the guide bar parallel to the first axis to simultaneously uncouple all of the plurality of pin members from the lock bar. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim 17 further comprising moving the guide bar within a slot formed in the lock cylinder to uncouple the pin assembly from the lock bar, repositioning at least one of the plurality of pin members relative to the rack operatively associated therewith when the second key is inserted into the slot, and biasing the plurality of pin members in a direction parallel to the first direction.