Patent ID: 7533550
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A changeable lock assembly that can be reconfigured to operate with different keys of a set of user keys, without disassembling the lock, comprising: a) a set of keys, the set of keys comprising at least a first user key having a first contour edge that operates the lock in a first lock configuration but does not operate the lock in a second lock configuration, and a second user key having a second contour edge that operates the lock in the second lock configuration but does not operate the lock in the first lock configuration, wherein the first contour edge and the second contour edge have at least a first contour position and a second contour position that are differently configured; b) a housing having a generally cylindrical bore with an inner surface and a plurality of generally cylindrical driver chambers intersecting the bore surface; c) a plurality of generally cylindrical drivers, each driver having a diameter and being positioned and movable within one driver chamber, and being urged toward the bore surface; d) a plug having a generally cylindrical periphery and rotatably mounted within the bore so as to form a shear line at the interface of the bore surface and the plug periphery, the plug further having: e) a separate change tool having a blade portion with an upper edge that intersects all of the plurality of retainer cavities when the change tool is inserted within the change tool slot; f) a plurality of tumblers, each tumbler being positioned and movable within one tumbler chamber; and g) a plurality of lock configuration change balls, each change ball being associated with one pin chamber, having a first position within the pin chamber between the driver and tumbler, and a second position within the retainer cavity, wherein when the plug is in the second rotated position and the change tool is inserted within the change tool slot, the upper edge of the change tool raises all of the plurality of change balls when disposed in the respective retainer cavities to a position where, upon subsequent rotation of the plug away from the second rotated position, all of the raised change balls are isolated in the corresponding driver chambers.