IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,007,528
Granted Patent B2
US 7,007,528 · App. 10/815,289 · Granted Mar 7, 2006

Re-keyable lock cylinder

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,007,528
App. No.
10/815,289
Granted
Mar 7, 2006
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (22)

1. A method for re-keying a lockset comprising:

providing a lockset having a look cylinder body, a first axis, and a plug assembly, 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;

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 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;

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.

Assignments (12)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2023
From: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
To: ASSA ABLOY AMERICAS RESIDENTIAL INC.
Reel/Frame 065629/0451 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2023
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 064029/0313 →
NOTICE OF SUCCESSOR AGENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY) REEL/FRAME 036131/0272 Recorded Jun 5, 2018
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 046301/0425 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 22, 2016
From: KWIKSET CORPORATION
To: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 039116/0293 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2015
From: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036131/0272 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2015
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., A CORP. OF FLORIDA; KWIKSET CORPORATION; LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.; PRICE PFISTER, INC.; ROV HOLDING, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; ROVCAL, INC.; ROVCAL, INC., A CORP. OF CALIFORNIA; RUSSELL HOBBS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; SALIX ANIMAL HEALTH, LLC; SEED RESOURCES, L.L.C.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC. AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO ROVCAL, INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TELL MANUFACTURING, INC.; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TETRA HOLDINGS (US), INC.; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE
Reel/Frame 036102/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2015
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; TOASTMASTER INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; ROVCAL, INC.; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; SEED RESOURCES, L.L.C.; PRICE PFISTER, INC.; KWIKSET CORPORATION; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.; LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; TELL MANUFACTURING, INC.; SALIX ANIMAL HEALTH, LLC
Reel/Frame 036052/0845 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2013
From: PRICE PFISTER, INC.; KWIKSET CORPORATION; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 029731/0589 →
PATENT ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 28, 2012
From: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
To: KWIKSET CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029537/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 28, 2012
From: PRICE PFISTER, INC.; KWIKSET CORPORATION; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 029538/0186 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2012
From: NEWFREY LLC
To: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029510/0820 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2004
From: CHONG, GERALD; ARMSTRONG, STEVEN
To: NEWFREY LLC
Reel/Frame 014557/0076 →