Cutter for cylindrical locks

{
  "publication_number": "US4432677A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Cutter for cylindrical locks",
  "abstract": "A rotary tool, adapted to be chucked in a rotary power tool, is provided with cutting blades for cutting away the annulus that surrounds the core portion of a lock of the type referred to above. When the annulus is cut away, the tumbler mechanism is exposed axially outwardly so that the tumblers may be actuated by a depressor tool for opening the lock in the event the key has been lost. The cutter has an axial tubular front end portion that pilots on the lock core and fits the annular gap between the core and surrounding portion of the lock. The front end of the cutter has a stop portion projecting axially ahead of the front cutting edges to limit the depth of the cut and to prevent damage to the projecting ends of the tumbler pins.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A rotary cutting tool for gaining access to the horizontal tumbler mechanism of a cylindrical lock having a central core surrounded by a ring provided with an annular interior surface of greater diameter than the exterior annular surface of the core so as to provide an annular gap receivable of a tubular key, said cutter comprising a one-piece cylindrical body having a rear end adapted to be chucked in a power tool and a coaxial tubular front end portion terminating in a smooth annular face radial to the axis of the body, said front end portion having an annular wall of such radial thickness as to fit into the gap of the lock and said annular wall having a continuous, smooth, interior annular surface for piloting of the tool on the lock core, said tubular portion having rigid with and exteriorly thereof a plurality of like cutter blades equi-angularly spaced apart and terminating in a radial plane offset axially rearwardly from the annular front face, each blade having a radial front cutting edge and an outer cutting edge extending rearwardly and lengthwise of the body for cutting out an annular portion of the lock ring to expose the tumbler mechanism."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The cutter provided by the instant invention finds particular utility in the authorized opening of cylindrical locks of the horizontal-tumbler type in the event of loss of the key, for example. Such locks are used primarily in coin-operated machines because they provide substantially maximum security, being extremely difficult to pick, even by expert locksmiths. An especially well-known lock of this type is the \"Ace\", manufactured by the Chicago Lock Co. of Chicago, Ill. The keys for these locks bear the U.S. Pat. No. 1,984,202.\n\nBasically, a lock of this type is cylindrical in construction and has an internal fixed part and a key-operated core or spindle that is angularly movable relative to the fixed part when the proper key actuates the tumbler mechanism to clear the tumblers from the radial interface between the fixed and movable parts. In a typical lock of this type there are seven sets of horizontal tumblers. Each is movable axially to clear the interface by means of a pin that is pushed by a projection of predetermined design on the front end of the tubular key. The pins are of different lengths, as are the key projections, the principle of operation being that the key will push all pins axially in their respective amounts until all tumblers just clear the interface, following which the key can turn the movable part relative to the fixed part and the lock will open.\n\nThe key-receiving core faces outwardly and is surrounded by an annular, fixed lock portion which prevents easy access to the tumblers except by the key or a rather complicated pick.",
  "cpc": [
    "B23B 51/0426",
    "E05B 19/20",
    "Y10T 408/5584",
    "Y10T 408/893",
    "Y10T 408/895"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23B 51/04",
    "E05B 19/20"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Delmar D. Lewis"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1981-12-14",
  "publication_date": "1984-02-21",
  "grant_date": "1984-02-21",
  "priority_date": "1981-12-14",
  "application_number": "US-33061981-A",
  "family_id": "23290549",
  "cited_by_count": 10,
  "citations": [
    "FR591387A",
    "US1716455A",
    "US1941551A",
    "US1892863A",
    "US2797598A",
    "US3130763A",
    "US3244035A",
    "FR2257381A1",
    "US4156375A",
    "US4167363A",
    "US4261093A"
  ]
}