Abstract:
A tool is disclosed for opening tubular locks in which a tubular key is receivable. The tool includes a plurality of probes that are releasably retained and secured in a given position to align the shear points in the lock in an opening position. The probes can be ergonomically and individually manipulated and have a course and a fine adjustment, such that the shear point of each tumbler can be easily and efficiently determined. Once the shear point is determined, the probe may be fixed in the position to maintain each tumbler driver.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to tools for opening locks without the use of a key and more particularly to a locksmith tool for tubular locks, wherein the tool provides a plurality of probes that are biased by the tumblers and selectively securable in a given position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to locksmith tools, and more particularly, to a picking tool for tubular locks of the type wherein the front end portion of a cylinder is rotatable within a casing and cooperates with the casing to define an annular keyway in which a tubular key is receivable, the key having a series of recesses on its front end that cooperates with spring biased tumblers in the lock which move parallel to the lock axis. 
     Tubular key locks are frequently used to gain access to coin boxes of vending machines, on switches that control electrical circuits of automobile burglar alarms systems, on coin boxes of gambling instruments, plus numerous other types of equipment. The tubular key that is accepted by the lock of this type is not as readily duplicated as a more conventional flat key intended for a cylinder lock having a slot-like key receiving aperture. Tubular key locks also have the further advantage that they cannot readily be picked by means of conventional picking tools. 
     Upon occasion, however, there are legitimate reasons for having a tubular key type of lock picked by a locksmith. Traditional picking devices for the tubular type of lock are not efficient, and generally, even the most skilled locksmith will take a substantial period of time to open a tubular type of lock with such a device. 
     Previously, such picking devices have been designed to fit only one particular type of lock. In actual practice, there are several different sizes of locks with center pin sequences, offset left and offset right pin sequences. Therefore, the picking tools of the prior art are not adaptable to the nonconventional size of tubular lock, or the offset pin sequences. 
     Almost all tubular cylinder locks at the present time, include seven (7) in number of tumblers. However, there is currently being manufactured a tubular cylinder lock which includes eight (8), or more tumblers. 
     Tubular key locks, such as those sold under the trademark “ACE” and “GEM”, are frequently used on coin boxes of vending machines and on switches that control the electrical circuits for audible burglar alarm systems. 
     However, the need still exists for a tool for assisting locksmiths in opening tubular locks. The need also exists for a tool that provides sufficient feedback to an operator to assist in locating the shear points of the tumblers in the lock. A further need exists for a tool that can retain a tumbler in a given position, wherein the shear point is located in an opening position of the lock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a general object of the present invention to provide a locksmith tool for the selectively opening a tubular key type, wherein the lock can be opened relatively quickly and without extensive training. 
     More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tool whereby torsional force can be applied to the cylinder of a tubular key type of lock simultaneous with the application of axial force to each of the tumbler drivers of the lock, so that the tumblers can be individually depressed against the bias of the respective springs, until each tumbler driver and its tumbler are brought to a position in which their adjacent ends are in the line of shear of the lock. It is a further object of the present invention to maintain a tumbler driver in an openable position with respect to the shear line, while the shear line of the remaining tumblers is determined. 
     The present invention provides a plurality of probes that can be individually manipulated, wherein the individual motion includes a coarse and a fine adjustment, such that the shear point of each tumbler can be easily, individually and efficiently determined. Once the shear point is determined, the probe may be fixed in the desired position. 
     The present invention includes a tool for picking a lock, including a main housing having a lock end, a manipulator end and a plurality of pathways having a first opening at the manipulator end and a second opening at the lock end; and a plurality of throw controls connected to the housing, each throw control including; (i) a threaded barrel sized to engage a corresponding threaded section on the housing; (ii) an elongate flexible probe sized to be slideably received through the pathway and a length of the barrel; (iii) a plunger connected to the probe; (iv) a retaining cap threadingly engaged to the barrel to capture a portion of the plunger therebetween, the retaining cap movable with respect to the barrel to locate the plunger relative to the barrel, and hence, probe relative to a corresponding tumbler. The throw control thus provides a limited amount of longitudinal displacement of the probe, as well as longitudinally shifting the location of the throw. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the tool. 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of the housing. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the throw mechanism. 
     FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the outer housing. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the end cap. 
     FIG. 7 is a front end view of the end cap. 
     FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the inner housing. 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing a pathway. 
     FIG. 10 is an end view of the tool. 
     FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 12 is an end view of a seven probe tool. 
     FIG. 13 is an end view of an eight probe tool. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention provides a tool  10  for opening with a key lock without the use of a traditional key. 
     The lock to which the tool  10  is be adapted, includes a generally tubular stud, on one end of which is mounted a closure cap. A mounting nut is threaded to the stud for the purpose of securing the lock enclosure (not shown). A facing plate is received in the stud behind the closure cap, and a spacer is received in the stud behind the facing plate. At the opposite end of the stud is a locking arm. The locking arm is secured by a nut, to a threaded extension of the lock cylinder which is contained within the stud. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  3 , and  9 , the tool  10  includes a housing  12 , a plurality of probes  30  and a corresponding plurality of throw controls  26 . 
     The housing  12  in the form of a generally cylindrical body machined, molded on formed from a material such as hard plastic, polymer, metal, or hard rubber. The housing  12  has two diameters, including a relatively large diameter, characterizing a manipulator end  16  and a lock end  14 , having a relatively small diameter. The manipulator end  16  is grasped by the operator who uses the tool  10  to open the lock. An outer surface of the flared section  44  of the housing may be knurled to facilitate manipulation of the tool  10 . The circumference of the manipulator end is sized to provide access to each probe without excessive interference with an adjacent probe. The housing  12  includes a plurality of pathways  18  extending from the manipulator end  16  to the lock end  14 . The pathway  18  are sized to slidably receive a corresponding probe  30 . For example, with a 7 probe pick, the pathways  18  are located about a 1.5 inch diameter circle. However, as the pathways  18  diverge as they extend toward the manipulator end, the throw controls  26  are located on an approximately 2 ¼ inch circle. Thus, the user has sufficient room to operate the throw controls  26 . 
     The remainder of the main housing  12  has a reduced diameter, terminating at the lock end  14 . The lock end of the housing includes a lock piece  48  for aligning the pathways  18  with the lock. For tubular locks, the lock piece  48  has a generally circular cross section with a plurality of longitudinal grooves extending along an outer surface of the tip similar to a tubular key. 
     As stated, the main housing  12  includes a number of longitudinally extending pathways  18  having a first opening  20  at the manipulator end  16  and a second opening at the lock end  14 , and specifically at the lock piece  48 . Each pathway  18  is adjacent or extends through a threaded section  24 . The number of pathways  18  may vary, however, in a preferred embodiment there are seven pathways. That is, there may be 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 or 10 pathways. The number of pathways is determined by the number of tumblers in the lock. The pathways are constructed to resist movement of the probes  30  along the respective pathway. Thus, the pathway may include pinch points to provide the resistance to longitudinal displacement of the corresponding probe. 
     The housing  12  may be formed of substantially single piece construction or of multiple components. For example, the pathways  18  may be defined by an inner body  13  and an outer body  15 , wherein the inner body is received within the outer body. An end cap  17  may be connected to the inner body and the outer body to partially define the pathways  18 . The outer body  15  defines the flared section  44  and may include the desired surface features such as knuling. The inside of the outer body  15  is sized to slidably receive the inner body  13 . The outer body  15  includes threaded retaining mounts  11  for receiving a fastener to receive the inner body  13  and end cap  17  to the outer body. 
     The inner body  13  is a generally tapered element having a plurality of grooves or channels  19  on the outer surface. The channels  19  are sized to slideably receive the probe  30 . The lock piece  48  is connected to the lock end of the inner body  13  by any suitable manner such as function fit, threads or adhesives. The channels  19  and the inside of the outer body  15  cooperate to form a portion of the pathway  18 . 
     The probe  30  is an elongated flexible member, preferably a flexible wire, sized to be slidably received through the pathway  18 , and a length of a barrel  28 . Each probe  30  extends from a proximal end at the throw control  26  to distal end at the lock piece  48 . Preferably, the probe  30  does not exhibit a favored direction of flex. That is, the probe  30  is equally flexible in each direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The probes  30 , which are formed of substantially cylindrical wires, serve to longitudinally displace the lock tumblers in the lock. The probes  30  must be longitudinally slidable within the pathways  18 , in order to move to whatever position is required by the code of any lock, which might be encountered. That is, the probes  30  must be movable to respective positions which correspond to locations of the code of any key blade. The pathways  18  and the probes  30  are sized to preclude kinking or folding of the probe within the pathway. The probes  30  and the pathways  18  may be sized so the probes do not freely move. That is, there is at least a slight resistance along the pathway  18 . As best seen in FIG. 3, the diameter of the wires from which the probes  30  are formed is slightly less than the diameter of pathways  18  in which they are received. Each probe  30  may be provided with markings comprising lock code indicia, which can be read to reveal a lock code, so that a new key can be cut for the owner of the lock. A particular lock code indicia may be imprinted on each probe to indicate the lock opening position for a particular lock tumbler with which that probe is engaged. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  3 ,  4 , and  9 , a plurality of throw controls  26  are connected to the housing  12 . Each throw control  26  includes the threaded barrel  28 , a correspondingly threaded cap  34 , a plunger  32 , and a lock mechanism. The throw control  26  allows for the selective movement of the probe  30  relative to the housing  12  and particularly the lock piece  48 . In addition, the throw control  26  provides for the selective retention of a probe  30  at a given extension. 
     The threaded barrel  28  is threaded into a threaded section  24  of a corresponding passageway in the housing  12 . The threaded barrel  28  has a threaded outer surface. Retention of the threaded barrel  28  relative to the housing  12  may be accomplished by disposing a nut  31  on the threads of the barrel  28 . Specifically, the nut  31  may be threaded along the barrel  28  to contact the housing  12  and preclude rotation of the barrel relative to the housing. Thus, by rotating the barrel  28  relative to the housing  12  and tightening the nut against the housing, the length of barrel extending from the housing can be readily adjusted. As discussed subsequently, this provides a coarse adjustment or location of the throw. 
     The plunger  32  is connected to a corresponding probe  30 . The plunger  32  may be connected to the probe  30  at the proximal end. The plunger  32  is sized to be partially received within the threaded barrel  28 . The plunger  32  includes an insertion stop shoulder  33  for contacting a portion of the threaded barrel  28  and precluding complete passage of the plunger through the barrel. Thus, the probe  30  and the plunger  32  may be moved in the longitudinal direction of the probe and specifically toward the lock piece  48 , while motion of the probe toward the lock piece is limited by contact between the insertion stop shoulder and the threaded barrel  28 . The plunger  32  also includes an extraction stop shoulder  35 . 
     In an alternative configuration, the plunger  32  is omitted and the proximal end of a probe  30  extends rearwardly of the housing  12 , and may be bent at an oblique angle to the longitudinal direction, so as to provide a convenient handle for individual manipulation of each probe  30 . The insertion and extraction stops are affixed or crimped to the probe  30 . However, in preferred embodiments, the plunger  32  is employed and the probes  30  do not include the oblique angle. 
     A retaining cap  34  is engaged, preferably threadingly, to the barrel  28 , to capture a portion of the plunger  32  between a terminal end of the threaded extension and the cap. Specifically, the retaining cap captures the insertion stop shoulder and the extraction stop shoulder between the barrel  28  and the retaining cap. The retaining cap  34  is a generally cylindrical member having a longitudinally extending aperture therethrough. The retaining cap  34  includes an inwardly extending retaining collar  37  sized to contact the extraction stop shoulder  35  of the plunger  32 . Thus, the plunger  32  is movable between contacting the insertion stop against the threaded barrel and contacting the extraction stop against the extraction stop shoulder. Movement is defined as the throw of the probe. The retaining cap  34  and the plunger  32 , may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, composites or polymer. 
     The distance between contacting the insertion stop against the threaded barrel  28  and the extraction stop against the collar defines a throw. The throw of the lock  36  allows an operator to assess the relative resistance of a given tumbler (spring) against a spring in the lock against a probe  30 , to determine the appropriate location of the shear points in the lock. A retaining cap lock  38  is provided for releasably positioning the retaining cap  34  relative to the barrel  28 . 
     The retaining cap lock  38  is a nut threaded onto the threaded barrel  28  between the coarse nut and the retaining cap  34 . As the retaining cap lock  38  is threaded against the retaining cap  34 , further motion of the retaining cap along the threaded barrel  28  is precluded. Thus, motion of the probe  30  away from the lock piece  48  is precluded and the probe extends a given distance from the lock piece. 
     The throw controls  26  may be comprised of any suitable material, preferably metallic material such as aluminum or brass. The threaded barrel  28  is also preferably comprised of metallic material. The threaded extension  24  is connected to the housing and extends from the housing along the splay of the housing. 
     Operation 
     In utilizing the tool for opening the lock, the tool  10  is operably connected to a lock to dispose the lock piece  48  in the lock. The flexible probe  30  is translated along a longitudinal axis of the probe  30  to contact the terminal end of the probe with a corresponding tumbler in the lock. If necessary, the threaded barrel  28  may be rotated with respect to the housing  12  to provide the coarse adjustment of the throw. That is, the threaded barrel  28  is adjusted to locate the available motion of the tumbler within the throw of the throw mechanism. Once the coarse adjustment is made, the fine adjustments via the throw controls  26  are initiated. 
     As the tumbler is biased by a spring in the lock, there is resistance to movement of the probe  30  upon contact with the tumbler. Motion of the probe  30  is continued by exerting pressure on the plunger and the plunger slides relative to the threaded barrel  28 . Upon the shear point being located, the retaining cap is secured by the retaining cap lock and the extraction stop contacts the collar and the plunger  32  is precluded from further extraction from the threaded barrel  28 . Thus, the given tumbler is located at the shear point and the operator can move to the next tumbler for adjustment. 
     This process is repeated until each tumbler has been aligned at its respective shear point. Upon all the tumblers being aligned with their respective shear points and the corresponding retaining caps locked, the housing  12  is rotated to effectively turn the key and unlock the lock. 
     As each probe  30  may be provided with the lock code indicia, which can be read to reveal a lock code, a new key can be cut for the owner of the lock. The aggregate reading taken from the indicia on all probes constitutes the complete probe for a given lock, from which a replacement key can be made. 
     The tool of the present invention is adapted to function with the coplanar tumbler type of lock, and is able to operate within the confines of a narrow axis opening key way of such a lock. The present tool incorporates a Unique structure for imposing frictional restraint or “drag” on the tumbler probes, which are adjustable for cooperation with locks having tumblers under various degrees of spring pressure. The picking tool further embodies a unitary housing for internally mounting the tumbler probes, and securing the tumblers, thus serving to mount the probe restraining and probe locking structure thereon, to provide a compact and readily manipulable precision tool. 
     While preferred embodiments of the picking tool of the invention have been illustrated and described, reference has been made to certain changes and modifications, which may be made therein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additional changes and modifications may be made therein, within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the appended claims.