Patent Publication Number: US-2005120530-A1

Title: Contoured jaw extractor tool and method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (patentee&#39;s docket KP004) entitled “Side Acting extractor tool”; having a common inventor, and filed on the same date herewith. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE  
      This invention relates for example to locks of the kind having pin or other types of tumblers arranged to be displaced by an appropriately cut or cut key in order to enable opening of the lock by permitting a movable portion of the lock to be moved relative to the main body or cylinder of the lock. This invention more particularly relates to a method and an extractor tool having a contoured jaw for extracting broken pieces from a recess, for example, broken key portions of such keys from keyways of such locks. It will be convenient hereinafter to describe all aspects of this invention with particular reference to pin and wafer locks, but it is to be understood that the invention may be applied to other types of members having broken pieces therein, and to locks having other types of tumblers.  
      It is not uncommon for the end portion of a key to break off in a lock keyway, particularly an automobile ignition lock utilizing tumblers. Such automobile locks usually constitute the primary electrical switch for the vehicle and employ the key to impose a torque on the switch once the key is properly inserted, and keys are often bent or otherwise stressed due to the forces imposed thereon during use. When a portion of the automobile ignition key is broken off within the lock keyway or slot, such broken end is usually inaccessible, thus preventing the ignition switch from being operated and rendering the vehicle inoperative. Until the inaccessible broken key end portion is removed from the lock, operation of the vehicle is usually prevented. Broken key extractors are known and such devices may use a variety of tools for endeavoring to coax the broken key end from the lock. Adhesives, hook probes, and the like, may be used. However, the difficulty encountered in removing broken keys from locks often is so great that the lock must be entirely replaced at considerable expense.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,883 Apr. 25, 2000 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,253 issued Jul. 17, 2001, both to Kimzey each discloses a multiple, separate component extractor system tool for removing inaccessible broken key portions from keyways of locks. The extractor system tool consists of a separate pliers-like spreader tool for inserting into a keyway to displace any interfering tumblers, and a pair of thin elongated elements capable of being inserted into the lock on opposite sides of the broken key end portion and wherein twisting of the elements allegedly grips the broken key end to permit extraction from the lock. Extraction is aided by the pliers-like spreader tool having thin jaws inserted into the lock keyway for retracting lock tumblers, the dust shutter door and buzzer electric switches so as to prevent such items from interfering with the key extraction. As is obvious, this extractor system tool is not very convenient or efficient to use particularly because it literally requires three hands to use, one for each of the pair of elements and a third for the pliers-like spreader.  
      Other prior art such as disclosed in the last two figures,  FIGS. 26 and 27 , comprises a straight tool shaft having a single tooth or hook, usually a rigid shaft with a fixed, rigid tooth or hook intended for somehow grabbing the broken key portion from within the keyway. Such a prior art tool has been found not to have the angularity required to insure good tooth or hook bite into the broken key portion, and the single tooth or hook does not provide sufficient grabbing of the broken key portion for efficient extraction. This prior art tool also does not have tip or distal end features for enabling effective prying and ramping of tumbler pins resting partially or fully on the broken key portion within the keyway.  
      There is therefore still a need for a simple, single, one hand, effective and efficient extractor tool for efficiently extracting a loose item such as a broken key portion from a slot such as a keyway.  
      In addition to the many other aspects as claimed, the extractor tool and the method of the present disclosure provide a simple one tool, one hand, effective and efficient way of extracting broken key portions from keyways of almost any kind of lock. As illustrated and described, the extractor tool of the present disclosure is suitable for extracting from a keyway a broken key portion of a cut key. In fact the extractor tool of the present disclosure is suitable for extracting a removable piece from within any recess, provided the removable piece has a contact surface on which the single or multiple friction jaws of the tool can function. In a first embodiment, the extractor tool of the present disclosure comprises a single-axis acting device including a handle member; a tool member having a first end for connecting to the handle member, and a second and distal end for inserting into a recess such as a keyway containing the removable piece or broken key portion. The second and distal end includes a jaw section contoured to follow a contact surface area, such as a key bitting slope on the broken key portion, for making a single axis jaw contact with the contact surface, and for maximizing a contact area between the contoured jaw section and the contact surface.  
      In a second embodiment, the extractor tool of the present disclosure comprises a dual-axes acting mechanism. The dual-axes acting mechanism is suitable for extracting from a keyway a broken key portion of a double-edge key. The dual-axes acting mechanism is assembled from two single-axis acting devices each including a handle member; a tool member having a first end for connecting to the handle member, and a second and distal end for inserting into a recess such as a keyway containing the removable piece or broken key portion. The second and distal end of each single-axis acting device includes a jaw section contoured to follow a contact surface area, such as a key bitting slope on the broken key portion, for maximizing a contact area between the contoured jaw section and a contact surface. In the dual-axes acting mechanism, the two single-axis acting devices are attached together pivotably for opening and closing movements in a scissors manner, and so that the acting axis of one jaw is offset from and apposite relative to that of the other jaw, thereby enabling the mechanism to make two offset and apposite jaw-contacts, one with each edge of the double-edge broken key portion.  
      In an up and down positioned keyway, the dual-axes acting mechanism can be assembled for right-over-left (ROL) keyways so that the two jaws and their acting axes are offset left-to-right, and so that the acting axis of the right jaw during closing is from up to down, and that of the left jaw is from down to up.  
      Similarly, the dual-axes acting mechanism can also be assembled for left-over-right (LOR) keyways so that the two jaws and their acting axes are offset left-to-right, and so that the acting axis of the left jaw during closing is from up to down, and that of right jaw is from down to up.  
      The method of the present disclosure is suitable for extracting from a lock keyway having two spaced apart opposing side surfaces, two spaced apart opposing edges, a series of lock tumblers, and a longitudinal axis, a broken key portion including a broken end and at least one key bitting having a key bitting slope. In addition to the many other aspects as claimed, the method includes (a) longitudinally inserting into the lock keyway an extractor tool having a distal tip, a first edge, and a second edge including an extracting jaw having a friction surface contoured relative to the key bitting slope for maximizing contact between the friction surface and the key bitting slope within the lock keyway; (b) contacting the broken end of the broken key portion with the distal tip; (c) moving the first edge of the extractor tool towards one of the two spaced apart and opposing edges of the lock keyway; (d) further moving the distal tip and the contoured friction surface longitudinally into the keyway and the contoured friction surface into a contoured mating relationship with the key bitting slope; and (e) simultaneously pressing the contoured friction surface into the key bitting slope and pulling the extractor tool longitudinally back out of the keyway, thereby gripping the key bitting slope and extracting the broken key portion out of the keyway.  
      In a third embodiment, the extractor tool of the present disclosure comprises a triple-axes acting mechanism. The triple-axes acting mechanism is suitable for extracting from a recess, removable items including heavy items and items that can rotate within the recess. The triple-axes acting mechanism is assembled from three single-axis acting devices each including a handle member; a tool member having a first end for connecting to the handle member, and a second and distal end for inserting into the recess containing the removable item. The second and distal end of each single-axis acting device includes a jaw section contoured to follow a contact surface on the removable item and for maximizing a contact area between the contoured jaw section and a contact surface on the item. In the triple-axes acting mechanism, the three single-axis acting devices are attached together pivotably for opening and closing movements in a scissors manner, and so that the acting axis of one jaw is offset from, apposite to, and between the two other acting axes of the two other jaws, thereby enabling the mechanism to make three offset, apposite and non-torque jaw-contacts at three different points with the contact surface of the removable item. 
    
    
      In the detailed description of the invention as presented below, reference is made to the drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a first embodiment comprising a single-axis acting device of the extractor tool of the present disclosure having a first side of two sides facing up;  
       FIG. 2  is the same as  FIG. 1 , but with the second side of two sides facing up;  
       FIG. 3A  is an enlarged illustration of the contoured jaw section of the tool of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-section of the tool member of the extractor tool of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of further details of the contoured jaw section of  FIG. 3A ;  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of a second embodiment comprising a left-over-right (LOR) dual-axes acting mechanism of the extractor tool of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of the second embodiment comprising a right-over-left (ROL) dual-axes acting mechanism of the extractor tool of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 7  is a schematic front end view of the second embodiment (left-over-right) of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a schematic front end view of the third embodiment (right-over-left) of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIGS. 9A-9B  are each a side view illustration of an exemplary single-edge cut key for use in accordance with the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 10A  is a cross-sectional illustration of the exemplary single-edge cut key of  FIG. 9A ;  
       FIG. 10B  is an illustration of a skeleton key;  
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are each a side view illustration of an exemplary dual-edge cut key (left-over-right and right-over-left respectively) for use in accordance with the present disclosure;  
       FIGS. 11C and 11D  are each an enlarged illustration of the keys of  FIG. 11A and 11B  showing key bittings including humps and valleys in detail;  
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are each a cross-sectional illustration of the exemplary dual-edge cut keys of  FIGS. 11A and 11B  respectively;  
       FIG. 13  is an end view of a keyway of a lock for a single cut key;  
       FIGS. 14A-14B  are each an end view of left-over-right and right-over-left keyways of cylinder locks for double cut keys;  
       FIG. 14C  is an end view of a keyway of a lock for a skeleton key;  
       FIG. 15  is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view of an exemplary lock, for example a pin lock having an end view as in  FIGS. 14A-14B ;  
       FIG. 16  is a schematic longitudinal cross sectional view of an exemplary lock, for example a single pin-series lock showing a correct single-edge cut key inserted therein;  
       FIG. 17  is a schematic longitudinal cross sectional view of an exemplary lock, for example a wafer lock, showing a correct dual-edge cut key inserted therein;  
       FIGS. 18-20  are illustrations similar to  FIGS. 16 and 17  showing broken key portions within lock keyways requiring extraction;  
       FIGS. 21-23  are schematic illustrations of several stages of the first embodiment of the extractor tool of the present disclosure extracting the broken key portion of  FIG. 18  out of the keyway;  
       FIGS. 24-25  are schematic illustrations of stages of the second embodiment of the extractor tool of the present disclosure extracting the broken key portion of  FIG. 19  out of the keyway;  
       FIGS. 26 and 27  are illustrations of an exemplary Prior Art tool having a straight tool shaft including a single tooth or hook;  
       FIG. 28  is a schematic perspective illustration of a third embodiment comprising a triple-axes acting mechanism of the extractor tool of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 29  is an illustration of the triple-axes acting mechanism tool of  FIG. 28  gripping a rotatable drill bit for extraction;  
       FIG. 30  is an illustration of the triple-axes acting mechanism tool of  FIG. 28  gripping a broken round stem of a skeleton key for extraction;  
       FIG. 31  is an illustration of a ROL dual-axes acting mechanism being ineffective in gripping a rotatable drill bit for extraction;  
       FIG. 32  is an illustration of the triple-axes acting mechanism of the present disclosure effectively gripping a rotatable drill bit for extraction;  
       FIG. 33  is an illustration of the triple-axes acting mechanism of the present disclosure effectively gripping a rotatable spherical item for extraction;  
       FIG. 34  is an illustration of a ROL dual-axes acting mechanism being ineffective in gripping a rotatable plate item for extraction;  
       FIG. 35  is an illustration of the triple-axes acting mechanism of the present disclosure effectively gripping a rotatable plate item for extraction. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE  
      While the present disclosure will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 13-25 , locks  150  suitable for use with the present invention are illustrated.  FIG. 13  is a front view of a lock  150  for a single cut key  202 , and  FIGS. 14A-14B  are each a view of an end  158  of various keyways of a cylinder lock  150  for example as described above.  FIG. 14C  is an illustration of the front of a skeleton lock.  FIG. 15  is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view of an exemplary lock, for example a pin tumbler lock having an end  158  as in  FIGS. 14A-14B .  FIG. 16  is a schematic longitudinal cross sectional view of the exemplary lock  150 , for example a single pin tumbler lock  150  showing a correct single-edge cut key  202  inserted therein.  FIGS. 17-18  are each a schematic longitudinal cross sectional view of an exemplary lock, for example a wafer lock, showing a correct dual-edge cut key  204  inserted therein.  
      Still referring to  FIGS. 13-20 , the keyway  156  as shown is linearly cut through the plug or inner cylinder  154 . As viewed in cross section or from its end  158  ( FIGS. 13-14C ), the typical keyway  156  for a single-edge cut key  202  includes an upper portion  176  for receiving the bladed section  230  ( FIG. 10A ) of a key, and a lower portion  178  for receiving the warded section  240  of the key  202 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 15-20 , the moveable locking members, such as wafers or pins  160  are located linearly along the length or depth of the keyway  156  resulting in a multitude of combination locking points that a cut key  202 ,  204  must simultaneously defeat in order to allow the inner plug  154  to turn.  
      Referring first to  FIGS. 13-17 , a lock  150  that is useful for the purposes of the present disclosure, usually has a front end  158  and a keyway  156  as shown in  FIGS. 13-14C . Then as illustrated starting from  FIG. 15 , the lock  150  is comprised of a housing or outer cylinder  152 , and a movable member or plug  154 , for example a rotatable member that has the keyway  156  formed into it for receiving a key. Such a lock also includes locking devices or tumblers, such as pins or wafers  160 , located partially within the movable member or plug  154 . These locking devices are operatable by only the correct key  202 ,  204  ( FIGS. 16-20 ) for correctly displacing all the pins or wafers  160  out of interference within the keyway and thus allowing or enabling movement of the movable member or plug  154  within the housing  152 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 15 , generally, the keyway  156  has two oppositely facing and spaced apart wall surfaces  172 ,  173 , a first edge, usually an upper edge  174 , and a second and opposite edge, usually a bottom edge  175 , with each of these edges extending longitudinally from the front end or external opening  158 , into the movable member or plug  154 . For each lock and correct key combination, the keyway  156  is formed deep enough for completely accommodating a length of the front or shaft portion  220  ( FIG. 11A ) of the correct key  200 . The keyway as such also has a width W 1  ( FIG. 14A  for example) lying between the two opposite wall surfaces  172 ,  173 , and such width is generally represented by a width of the upper and lower keyway edges  174 ,  175 , but is further reduced by ward or key entry restricting features  180 ,  171  within the warded portion of the key way.  
      As is well known, these pins or wafers  160  as illustrated in  FIGS. 15-25 , are able to move with the aid of springs  169  within limits established inside the channels or guide ways  167  machined into the lock&#39;s plug  154  and cylinder  152 . The downward travel of these pins allows each to get to their lowest or locking and keyway interfering positions  170  ( FIG. 15 ) when released, or when there is no key to hold them up, but is constrained in order to prevent the pins from falling out of their travel channel  167 .  
      Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIGS. 15-25 , a lock  150  that includes a cylinder or housing  152 , a rotatable barrel  154  as the movable member mounted inside the cylinder  152 , is an excellent example of a lock useful in accordance with the present disclosure. A lock as such thus includes the keyway  156  formed through the front end  158  of the barrel and extending inwardly of the barrel in the longitudinal direction. For locking devices, the lock for example may include groups of pin tumblers ( FIGS. 15-16 ) or wafers ( FIGS. 17-18 )  160  that are mounted partially in the cylinder  152  and in the barrel  154  with each group or series thereof being movable towards and away from a longitudinal axis  185  of the rotatable barrel  154 .  
      As further illustrated in  FIG. 15 , each group of pin tumblers  160  typically includes a first (for example upper) pin  164  and a second (or lower) pin  166 , with the lower pin  166  of each group being mounted to move and intrude or interfere through part of the movable member or plug  154  into the keyway  156  in the absence of a correct key. Insertion of the correct key into such a lock ( FIGS. 16 and 17 ) first moves or displaces the intruding tumbler pins or wafers  160  out of the keyway  156 . In the pin tumbler lock, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the correct key also aligns the first and second pins  164 ,  166  of each group of pins at a shear line  168  that lies between the housing  152  and the barrel  154  so as to allow the barrel  154  to rotate within the cylinder or housing  152 .  
      The terms “upper” and “lower” as used throughout the specification to describe the key  200 , key blade  234 ,  236  and keyway  156 , are not to be understood as limiting the disposition of those components. Such relative terms are used for convenience of description only and in actual use, the upper edge surface  226  for example may be located to the side or underneath. In the preferred construction hereinafter described, the upper edge surface  174  of the keyway is that edge through which the pin tumblers for a single-edge cut key intrude into the keyway  156 . The corresponding edge surface  226  of a single-edge cut key  202  is that edge containing the cuts or bittings  250 . Thus such locks  150  typically are installed with the locking pins  160  located on a top side so that dirt does not fall into channels within which these pins, wafers and working mechanisms are located. As such, we can refer to the part of the lock having the pin sets as being the top of the lock.  
      In other words, an exemplary lock for use with the present disclosure is a mechanical lock such as a lock  150  that has a housing or shell cylinder  152 , a rotatable plug or inner cylinder  154 , a keyway  156  formed longitudinally through the plug  154 , and moveable locking members such as mechanical pins or wafers  160  that can be raised or lowered by insertion of a correct cut key  200  inserted through the keyway  156  into the lock. Insertion of the correct cut key causes repositioning of these pins or wafers  160  from their lowest or locking and keyway interfering positions  170  ( FIG. 15 ) back to alignment at their opening or shear line aligning positions  168 , thereby allowing the inner cylinder or plug  154  to turn or rotate inside the lock housing or cylinder shell  152 . Such rotation typically causes blocking sidebars (not shown), for example, to fall into a gap (not shown), thereby releasing the locking mechanism. Through various methods of attachment this turning of the inner plug facilitates some external movement that disengages a locking pawl or other security device allowing access to the item being protected by the lock.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-12B ,  FIGS. 9A-10A  are side view illustrations of an exemplary single-edge cut key  202  (for use in accordance with the present disclosure) showing the humps  254 , valleys  252 , and details thereof relevant for the operation of the present disclosure.  FIG. 10B  is an illustration of a skeleton key  208  having a handle  210 , a shaft  261  and a blade portion  249 .  
      Similarly,  FIGS. 11A-12B  are side view illustrations of an exemplary dual-edge cut key  204  (for use in accordance with the present disclosure) also showing the humps  254 , valleys  252 , and other details thereof relevant for the operation of the present disclosure. In particular,  FIGS. 11A, 11C  and  11 B,  11 D are each a side view illustration of dual-edge cut keys whose broken key portion  270  will be suitable for extraction by a left-over-right version  330  and right-over-left version  340 , ( FIGS. 5-8 ) respectively of the extractor tool  300  of the present disclosure. The difference between the key of  FIG. 11A, 11C  and that of  FIG. 11B, 11D  is the side on which the waisting groove  232  is located, thus making the key blades  234 ,  236  right-over-left or left-over-right.  FIGS. 12A and 12B  are each a cross-sectional illustration thereof respectively showing the left-over-right and right-over-left nature of the key blades  234 ,  236 .  
      In general, a key shown as  200 , whether a single-edge cut key  202  as in  FIGS. 9A-10B , or a dual-edge cut key  204  as in  FIGS. 11A-12B , usually includes a rear or grip portion called the bow  210 , and an elongate front or shaft portion  220  having two oppositely facing side surfaces  222 ,  223 , an upper edge  224  and a lower or bottom edge  226 . Each of the two oppositely facing side surfaces  222 ,  223 , the upper edge  224  and the lower or bottom edge  226 , each extend from the bow  210  to a distal end or tip  228  of the shaft portion  220 . The shaft portion  220  as such has a general thickness T 1  ( FIGS. 12A, 12B ) lying between the two oppositely facing sides  222 ,  223 .  
      In some cases however, the key as well as key blank as shown in  FIG. 10A  may include at least one waisting groove or recess  232  formed in at least one of the oppositely facing side surfaces  222 ,  223  and at a location adjacent to at least one of the upper and lower edges  224 ,  226  to form the key blade  234 ,  236  having a reduced thickness that is less than the general thickness T 1  of the shaft portion  220 . The waisting groove  232  as such usually extends longitudinally along the shaft portion  220  from the bow or grip portion  210  to the distal end  228 , thus causing a bladed section, for example an upper bladed section  230  that is coincident with a blade  234 , to lie to the left or right of a vertical axis of the key shaft  220 , as well as adjacent the upper edge  224 . In a dual-edge cut key, this is what makes the key and keyway right-over-left (ROL) or left-over-right (LOR) in profile ( FIGS. 14A-14B , and  12 A- 12 B) As shown in  FIG. 10A , in the single-edge cut key  202 , it also has a warded or lower section  240  including a ward groove  242  for receiving the ward  180  within the keyway  156 . In a dual-edge cut key, there are two blades  234 ,  236 , being an upper and a lower blade.  
      Typically as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-11D , a particular key is formed from a key blank by cutting or forming (in at least one or both of an upper and lower edges  224 ,  226  of blades  234 ,  236  of the shaft portion  220 ), a series of key cuts or bittings  250  that normally vary from one another in the their depths. The series of cuts or bittings  250  as illustrated in  FIGS. 9B, 11C  and  11 D is comprised of a plurality of valleys  252  and humps  254  that alternate in the longitudinal direction of the shaft portion  220  from the grip portion  210  to the distal end  228  thereof. Each hump  254  has an apex  256  representing its highest point. Each apex (or appositely located apexes on the upper and lower edges in the case of a dual-edge cut key) forms a relatively wide section of the shaft portion. Each hump as such has a first slope S 1  inclining for example upwards from a first adjacent valley  252  to the apex  256 , and a second slope S 2  ( FIGS. 11C, 11D ) declining from the apex  256  into a second adjacent valley  252 .  
      On the other hand, each valley  252  has a root  258  representing its lowest point with each root or appositely located roots on the upper and lower edge surfaces forming “narrow sections” of the shaft portion  220 . Each valley  252  as such also shares the two slopes S 2  (which at the same time is the second slope to a first adjacent hump) declining for example downwards from the apex  256  of a first adjacent hump  254  to the root  258 , and S 1  (which at the same time is the first slope to a second adjacent hump) inclining upwards from the root  258  to the apex  256  of a second adjacent hump.  
      Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 9A-11D , a single-edge cut or a dual-edge cut key  202 ,  204  respectively, has the rear portion or bow  210  for gripping or holding onto, and an elongate, thin front or shaft portion  220  extending forwardly of the bow  210 . The front or shaft portion  220  includes first and second sides  222 ,  223 , the blade edge or edges  224 ,  226 , and a warded portion  240 . The warded portion  240  includes a mechanical feature, for example a ward groove  242 . The absence, presence and precision of such mechanical feature  242  allow or restrict what key will fit in what lock. The blade  234  and upper edge  224  typically include the bittings or cuts  250  that form the combinated mechanical code for correctly manipulating the pins or wafers  160  in a particular lock  150 . The distal end or tip  228  of the front or shaft portion  220  of the key usually includes a double edge taper  260  ( FIG. 9B , giving the tip  228  a pointed shape. This allows the key on being inserted into the keyway  156 , to gradually and easily lift each of the pins or wafers  160  from their lowest at-rest position  170 , and to allow the lifted pins in particular to ride up and down the cut edge  224  of the key blade  234 .  
      In order to further assist the pins  160  to glide up and down the cut edge  224  of the key blade  234 , cuts or bittings  250  are formed as the humps  254  and valleys  252  with tapered sides comprising rising or inclining slopes S 1  (moving bow to tip) and falling or declining slopes S 2 . Each of the tapered sides or slopes S 1 , S 2  thus acts as a ramp allowing the pins  160  to glide up and down the cut edge  224  of the key blade  234 .  
      The cuts or bittings  250  on the blade  234  of the correct key are formed so as to coincide or be aligned with the positioning within the lock ( FIG. 15 ) of the pins or wafers  160 . The combination (combinating) effect of these cuts  250  is accomplished by creating a depth of a cut for each pin position that correctly positions the physical boundary between the upper pin  164 , and lower pin  166  of each set of pins, at the shear line  168  or at a side-bar acceptance position. This allows all blocking features of these devices to be neutralized, and thereby enables rotational movement of the inner cylinder or plug  154 .  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-11D , a dual-edge cut key  204  is comprised of the bow  210 , a shaft portion  220  having two blades  234 ,  236 , and instead of a warded section, it has a junction between the two blades. Dual-edge cut keys  204  as such are usually designed with identical cuts or bittings  250  on the bladed edges  224 ,  226  in order to allow a user the freedom to put the key in an upside down or downside up manner, and still have the key enter a single pin-series lock ( FIG. 16 ) and operate the single series of pins therein. This freedom is particularly useful when trying to insert an automobile key into an automobile lock when it is dark. As further illustrated, a dual-edge cut key  204  is also useful in locks, such as wafer locks that have alternately dispersed wafers  160  on two opposite sides ( FIG. 17-18 ).  
      Again,  FIG. 10B  is an illustration of a skeleton key  208  having a handle  210 , a shaft  261  and a blade portion  249 . As will be illustrated below, a break in such a key typically will occur along the cylindrical shaft  261 , and the triple-axes acting embodiment  500  of the present invention ( FIG. 28 ) is suitable for extracting the broken portion.  
      When forming cuts in a key blank to create a key, it will be noticed that the strength of the key is lessened or is least at the root or lowest point  258  of the deepest cut or valley  252 , due to the cutting away of material. In the case of a dual-edge cut key with identical cuts on both edges  224 ,  226  this inherent weakness would be exaggerated due to the cut occurring on both sides of the key blank.  
      Given prolonged use, during which the sides of the key are worn out from being inserted, turned, twisted and withdrawn many times, it is common for some keys to break at the root or lowest point  258  of the deepest cut or valley  252  where the shaft of the key is relatively the narrowest. This is because the metal of the key shaft portion  220  has been fatigued by the normal habit of applying some rotational or twisting motion after insertion in order to operate the lock. Typically, the point of such a break lies a number of cuts forward of the bow  210  of the key, and hence the remnant or unbroken key portion of the broken key (that is, the portion of the shaft still attached to the bow) has a number of cuts in it too. As such, upon removing the bow and this unbroken key portion from the keyway, some pins  162  of the pins and wafers  160  that were initially held in their upwards or opening position by the cuts in the unbroken key portion, will now be released and fall to their at-rest or keyway interfering and locking positions  170  ahead or upstream of a broken key portion  270  that is still within the keyway. This effectively traps the broken key portion  270  within the keyway  156 , and behind such released pins  162 .  
      In other words, if cut keys or keys with bittings or cuts  250  formed in them break (when inserted into a lock and being turned in an attempt to open the lock), the break  272  will normally occur at a root  258  of a valley  252  (of the series of valleys and humps of the bittings) because the root  258  of the valley as such is one of the “narrow sections” of the shaft portion  220 .  
      As such, it has been found (as illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 ) that the unbroken key portion that is removable with the bow  210  typically ends with a declining or second slope S 2  declining from an apex  256  of a hump into the root  258  of the valley where the break  272  occurred. On the other hand, the broken key portion  270  left within the keyway  156  and needing to be extracted, typically starts with a corner lip L 1  or an inclining or first slope S 1  inclining from the root  258  of the valley where the break  272  occurred upwardly to the apex  256  of the next hump. These findings are true for single-edge cut as well as double-edge cut keys. Because there is usually enough longitudinal spacing within each such root  258  in order for it to hold the bottom of a pin  166 , a line break  272  will usually leave a corner lip L 1  ahead of the inclining slope S 1  on the broken key portion  270 .  
      Accordingly, in order to extract the broken key portion  270  from behind the released pins  162 , one must (1) reach into the keyway  156 , (2) raise the released pins or wafers  162  that are blocking the broken key portion  270  within the keyway, (3) grasp the broken key portion, and (4) withdraw the broken key portion while keeping the released pins  162  out of its way. Such a multiple tasked activity can be difficult and is conventionally accomplished with two hands, three tools, and with a flashlight in ones mouth in order to facilitate viewing of these critical elements all at the same time. This difficulty is increased even more in the case of a dual-edge cut automotive key where wafers must be withheld from two directions while attempting to grasp and extract the broken key portion.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the extractor tool  300  of the present disclosure has several embodiments illustrated as  310 ,  311  (single-axis acting versions,  FIGS. 1 and 2 ),  330  and  340  (each a dual-axes acting version,  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), and  500  a triple-axes version ( FIG. 28 ). As illustrated,  FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a first version of the first embodiment of the extractor tool of the present disclosure showing a single-axis acting device  310  having a tool portion  314  with its first side  328  facing up, and hence its second side  329  facing down.  FIG. 2  is an illustration of a second version  311  of the same single-axis acting device  310  laid down oppositely to its position in  FIG. 1 , meaning that the tool portion  314  has its first side  328  facing down, and hence its second side  329  facing up.  
      Each embodiment is suitable for extracting from a keyway  156 , a broken key portion  270  that includes at least a contact surface segment such as a corner lip L 1  or a key bitting slope S 1  ( FIGS. 21-25 ). The only difference between the embodiments  310  and  311  is whether the tool is placed on a surface with a first side thereof or a second side thereof facing down, as will be described below. Thus each of the extractor tool  310 ,  311  as such is a single-axis acting device that includes a handle member  312 ; and a tool member  314  having a first end  316  for connecting to the handle member  312 . The tool member  314  also includes a second and distal end  318  for inserting into the keyway  156  containing the broken key portion  270 . The second and distal end  318  includes a jaw section  320  having a jaw surface  322  contoured for gripping a surface area of a broken key portion  270 , and for following an at least one key bitting slope S 1  on the broken key portion  270 , and for maximizing a contact area between the jaw surface  322  and any surface area on the broken key portion. The jaw surface  322  includes friction means  324  for enhancing jaw grip.  
      As illustrated clearly in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the friction means for example comprise a series of teeth  324  that are formed each at a tooth angle  326  so as to enable each tooth to have an attack angle into any surface positioned parallel to the friction surface  322 . As illustrated, each tooth of the series of teeth  324  has a curved inner surface Ht for enabling the tip  317  thereof to grip and claw increasingly into the contact surface (e.g. into L 1  or S 1 ) when the tool member  314  is being pulled back out of the keyway  156 , even when being pulled out horizontally. As further shown, the teeth  324  are formed all along the jaw  320  and in decreasing teeth size towards the very tip  318  of the tool member  314 .  
      The tool member  314  is generally flat including first and second sides  328 ,  329  a first edge  334 , and a second and opposite edge  336 . The first edge  334  extends from the first end  316  to the second and distal end  318  of the tool member  314 , and the second and opposite edge  336  includes the jaw section  320 . The jaw surface  322  extends diagonally from the second and opposite edge  336  to the first edge  334  of the tool member, and includes the friction means or teeth  324  for gripping a surface area such as a corner lip L 1  or the key bitting slope S 1  of the broken key portion  270 . Although the friction means on the friction surface  322  are described for example as teeth  324 , such friction means equally can be suitable surface abrasions, surface texturing means or surface roughening means.  
      As further illustrated, the extractor tool  310 ,  311  can be seen as including (a) a mid-portion  339  (b) the handle portion  312  connected to the mid-portion  339  and extending rearwards of the mid-portion; and (c) the tool portion  314  connected to, and extending forwardly from, the second and opposite end of the mid-portion  339 . The tool portion  314  has a first longitudinal axis  342 , and the distal end  318  includes the extracting jaw section  320  having the friction surface  322  for contacting and gripping the broken key portion  270  within the keyway  156 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the friction surface  322  is angled at an angle  323  relative to the longitudinal axis  342 , and is contoured, for maximizing contact thereof with contact surface segments of the broken key portion, for example with the corner lip L 1  or slope S 1  of a key bitting on the broken key portion  270 . It should be noted that when looking at the single-axis acting device extractor tool  310 ,  311  from the handle towards the distal end  318 , in both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bend, or bend  352  of the mid-portion  339  is to the left or first side  360  of the axis  344 ,  344 ′ in  FIG. 1 , but to the right or second side  362  of the same axis in  FIG. 2 . This phenomenon of this design is important in the creation of the dual-axes acting, right-over-left (ROL) and left-over-right (LOR) embodiments  330  and  340  of the extractor tool  300  of the present disclosure (to be described below).  
      In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the single-axis acting first embodiment of the extractor tool  300  generally is also suitable for effectively extracting a removable piece (broken key portion  270 ) from within a recess (keyway  156 ) in a member (lock plug  154 ). As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and  4 , and described above, the extractor tool  300  includes (a) the handle portion  312  extending longitudinally and having a vertical axis  344  and a second longitudinal axis  344 ′ coincident with the longitudinal axis  344 ; and (b) the mid-portion  339  having a third longitudinal axis  350 . The mid-portion  339  is connected to the handle portion  312  and includes the bend  352  extending at a first angle  354  to the vertical axis  344  for enhancing positioning of the jaw section  320 , by leveraging manipulation of the handle portion  312 ; and (c) the tool portion  314  is connected to, and extends forwardly from the mid-portion  339 , and at a second angle  356 , to the third longitudinal axis  350  of the mid-portion.  
      The tool portion  314  has the first side surface  328 , the second and opposite side surface  329 , the first longitudinal axis  342  substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis  344 ′, and the distal end  318  including the extracting jaw  320  having the friction surface  322  contoured for contacting and gripping the removable piece or broken key portion  270  ( FIGS. 18, 19 ) within the recess or keyway  156 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the bend  352  of the mid-portion  339  is in the first direction to a first side  360  of the vertical axis  344  when the extractor tool  311  is placed on a surface with the first side surface  328  of the tool portion  314  facing down. On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the bend  352  of the mid-portion  339  is in a second direction to the second side  362  of the vertical axis  344  when the extractor tool  310  is placed on a surface with the second side surface  329  of the tool portion  314  facing down.  
      The extractor tool  310 ,  311  as such is made from rolled spring steel for providing the strongest lateral strength possible during use. Such lateral strength from spring steel is greatly superior to that of conventional tools formed by forging or by stamping methods.  
      As further shown in  FIG. 3B , the tool portion  314  of the extractor tool  310 ,  311  has a thickness T 3  that is small or thin enough to allow the tool portion  314  to be insertable into and through the warded portion  140  ( FIG. 13 ) of a lock&#39;s keyway  156 . The warded portion  140  normally is very narrow for restricting what keys  202  ( FIGS. 9-11D ) will or will not fit into what lock. Still referring to  FIG. 3B , the tool portion  314  of the extractor tool  310 ,  311  also has a width or operating height W 2  that is short enough to allow it to enter into the straight blade receiving portion  182  ( FIG. 14B ) of the keyway, usually the portion that receives the bladed section  230  ( FIG. 10A ) of the shaft portion, for example of the key  202 .  
      Thus as shown in  FIGS. 15-16  for example, in a pin tumbler lock  150 , the width or operating height W 2  of the extractor tool  310 ,  311  is sized so that it can enter the keyway  156  where only the blade section  230  of the key normally enters, as well as below the lowest or at-rest point  170  of the lowest released pins or wafers  162  blocking a broken key portion  270  within the keyway. As pointed out above, the thickness T 3  of the tool member or portion  314  must also be thin enough to allow it to enter the key blade portion  182  of the keyway. However, the thickness T 3  must also be large enough to enable its top edge  334  to support and hold up or open any dustcover or flap [not shown] normally found at the outer end  158  of an automotive lock for example. Also, the nose or tip  319  ( FIG. 4 ) of the second and distal end  318  of the tool portion  314  of the extractor tool  310 ,  311  is pointed for enabling it to easily pry under any pins or wafers  163  ( FIGS. 18 and 19 ) that are partially or fully still resting on the broken key portion  270  within the keyway  156 .  
      Again, the tool portion  314  of the extractor tool  310 ,  311  has an angled or sloping jaw  320  that is contoured so as to be able, for example, to follow and mirror the rising or inclining slope S 1  of a cut or bitting  250  on a broken key portion  270 . This allows much or most of the jaw slope or surface  322  of the extractor tool to be positionable parallel with a contact surface area such as the corner lip L 1  or the inclining slope S 1 . The sloping jaw  320  has a multitude of small, sharpened and angled teeth  324  that are formed into it so that when the sloping jaw  320  is positioned at a tooth angle  326  ( FIG. 3A ) against a segment, such as the inclining slope S 1  of the broken key portion  270 , these teeth  324  will be angled such that they bite into such segment.  
      The arrangement and action of these teeth  324  are much like a chisel chiseling into a work surface at an angle with a sharpened wood chisel being run over the work surface. As such, the teeth  324  will dig into the surface of the segment of the broken key portion  270  when the extractor tool is being pressed down against the broken key portion while simultaneously being pulled backwards and out of the keyway  156 . In fact, as described above each tooth of the teeth  324  has the curved inner surface Ht for enabling the tip  317  of the tooth to grip and claw increasingly into the contact surface (e.g. into the corner lip L 1  or slope S 1 ) when the tool member  314  is being pulled out of the keyway  156 , even when being puled out horizontally.  
      Referring in particular to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , they are enlarged illustrations of the contoured friction jaw  320  and of the distal end  318  of the tool portion  314  of each single-axis acting device  310 ,  311  whether to be used as is, or assembled into a dual-axes acting mechanism  330 ,  340 , or even into a triple-axes acting mechanism  500  ( FIGS. 29-35 ).  
      The tooth angle  326  as such is desirable for enabling the sloping jaw  320  to grab onto any part of a key cut or bitting including the corner lip L 1  where the break  272  occurs ( FIGS. 19-21 ) as well as the inclining slope or ramp S 1 . The corner lip L 1  of course is any remnant of the root or flat  258  of the deepest cut where the break  272  occurred. Such grabbing occurs because the combination of sloping jaw  320  of the tool, the tooth angle  326  and hook nature of the curved surface Ht ( FIG. 4 ) of the teeth, always results in an angular attack by the teeth  324  on any surface against which the jaw  320  is positioned. With the first or single tool embodiment,  310 ,  311 ,  330 ,  340 , the nose or tip  319  of the distal end  318 , as described above, is pointed ( FIG. 4 ) in order to allow it to pry and to penetrate under pins or wafers  163  still resting on the broken key portion  270 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the dual-axes acting, right-over-left and left-over-right embodiments  330  and  340  of the extractor tool  300  of the present disclosure are illustrated. The left-over-right (LOR) version  330  is assembled by first laying the tool  311  of  FIG. 2  down on a surface, then laying the tool  310  of  FIG. 1  on top of it, such that the jaw sections  320 ,  320 ′ thereof are opposite and facing each other. The two tools  310 ,  311  are then pivotably mounted together at pivot  370 .  
      Use of the left-over-right (LOR) version thereof is illustrated in  FIG. 7  where when the tool  330  is held on edge (with a right side jaw and a left side jaw) as well as open for gripping a piece between the jaws  320 ,  320 ′, the left side jaw of  310  will be up for coming down into the grip, and the right side jaw of  311  will be down for moving up into the grip. This is useful for extracting from left-over-right keyways, a broken key portion of a dual-edge cut key  204  ( FIGS. 11A-11D ) that has a top edge left blade portion  234  defined by a waisting groove  232  on the upper right side of the key blank, and a bottom edge blade portion  236  defined by a waisting groove  232  on the lower left side of the key blank.  
      On the other hand, the right-over-left (ROL) version  340  is assembled by first laying the tool  310  of  FIG. 1  down on a surface, then laying the tool  311  of  FIG. 2  on top of such that the jaw sections  320  thereof are opposite and facing each other. The two tools  310 ,  311  are then pivotably mounted together at pivot  370 . Use of the right-over-left arrangement thereof is illustrated in  FIG. 8  where when the tool  340  is held on edge (with a right side jaw and a left side jaw) as well as open for gripping a piece between the jaws  320 ,  320 ′, the right side jaw of  310  will be up for coming down into the grip, and the left side jaw of  311  will be down for moving up into the grip.  
      Operation of the tool  300  is illustrated in  FIGS. 15-25 , of which  FIGS. 18-20  each illustrate a broken key portion  270  blocked within the keyway  156  by released pins or wafers  162 , requiring extraction in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIGS. 21-23  are schematic illustrations of several stages of broken key portion  270  extraction using the first embodiment, the single-axis acting device  310 ,  311  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the present disclosure, while  FIGS. 24-25  are schematic illustrations of stages of broken key portion  270  extraction using the second embodiment, dual-axes acting mechanism extractor tools  330 ,  340  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of the present disclosure.  
      As pointed out above, in the second, dual-axes acting mechanism embodiment  330 ,  340 , two of the single-axis acting device  310 ,  311  are assembled together in a scissors manner at a pivot  370  for left-over-right  330 , and right-over-left  340  keyway operations. These embodiments as such are very suitable for extracting broken key portions  270  of dual-edge cut keys  204  from left-over-right, and right-over-left keyways  156 . To use either of these second embodiments  330 ,  340 , the scissors pair is closed during insertion into the keyway  156 , and after insertion the pair is opened so that the smooth outer or first edges  334 ,  334  (each a first edge of the single-axis acting device  310 , here forming top and bottom edges), displace any released wafers or pins  162  that have fallen into their locking positions  170  blocking the broken key portion  270  within the keyway.  
      In each of the first and second embodiments as above, the tool portion  314  fits within the part of the keyway left behind by the removed unbroken key portion of the key. Because of this, the tool portion  314  is thin enough to fit through the gap in the warded section  140  ( FIG. 13 ) of the keyway, and narrow enough to fit through under the lowest drop point  170  of the released pins or wafers  162  ( FIG. 15 ).  
      As such, it is intended and it is possible with one hand (a) to insert the tool portion  314  of the extractor tool  310 ,  311 ,  330 ,  340  below the released pins  162  into the keyway and into contact with the broken end  272  of the broken key portion  270 ; (b) to raise and if need be, angle the extractor tool while lifting the released blocking pins or wafers  162  out of the way of the broken key portion (see FIGS.  21 - 23 ); (c) to move the extractor tool portion  314  forwardly, angling where necessary, in order to pry underneath any partially supported pins  163  on the broken key portion; and to position the friction surface  322  of the contoured jaw  320 ,  320 ′ of the tool portion against a surface of a segment, such as a corner lip L 1  or the rising or inclining slope S 1 , of the broken key portion  270 ; (d) if required, to use the sharpened points or tips  317  of the teeth  324  to grip such a surface; (e) then to press down and clamp onto such surface; and (f) to then pull backwardly while still pressing down, thereby withdrawing the broken key portion  270  from the keyway, with the first or top edge  334  of the tool portion  314  keeping the released but lifted pins or wafers  162  out of the way.  
      Accordingly, a method of the present disclosure is suitable for extracting a broken key portion  270  from a lock keyway having two spaced apart opposing side surfaces  172 ,  173 , two spaced apart opposing edges  174 ,  175 , a series of lock tumblers  160 , and a longitudinal axis  185 . The broken key portion includes a broken end  272  and potential contact surface areas including a corner lip L 1  and at least one key bitting  250  having a key bitting slope S 1 . The method includes (a) longitudinally inserting into the lock keyway  156  the tool portion of an extractor tool having a distal tip  318 , a first edge  334 , and a second edge  336  including an extracting jaw  320  having a friction surface  322  for contacting a segment of the surface of the broken key portion, where the extracting jaw is contoured relative to the key bitting slope S 1  for maximizing contact between the friction surface thereof and the key bitting slope within the lock keyway; (b) contacting the broken end  272  of the broken key portion with the distal tip; (c) moving the first edge  334  of the extractor tool towards one of the two spaced apart and opposing edges of the lock keyway; (d) further moving the distal tip  318  and the contoured friction surface  322  longitudinally into the keyway  156  and the contoured friction surface  322  into a contoured mating relationship with the key bitting slope S 1 ; and (e) simultaneously pressing the contoured friction surface  322  into the key bitting slope S 1  and pulling the extractor tool  310 ,  311 ,  330 ,  340  longitudinally back out of the keyway, thereby gripping the key bitting slope and extracting the broken key portion out of the keyway.  
      The method includes using the first edge  334  of the extractor tool for moving released and interfering tumblers  162  back out of the keyway during longitudinally inserting into the keyway. It also includes inserting a thin portion of the distal tip  318  through a clearance gap between one of the spaced apart and opposing edges of the keyway and an apex  256  of the key bitting slope S 1 . The longitudinally inserting function comprises inserting a first one  310  and a second one  311  of the single-axis acting devices, as a dual-axes acting scissors mechanism, with each device  310 ,  311  having a distal tip, a first edge, and a second edge including an extracting jaw  320 ,  320 ′ having a friction surface contoured relative to a key bitting slope of the at least one key bitting on the broken key portion for maximizing contact with, and grip of, the broken key portion within the lock keyway.  
      The function of moving the first edge of the extractor tool towards one of the two spaced apart and opposing edges includes contacting and displacing any released and interfering tumblers  162  of the series of tumblers, intruding into the keyway upstream of the broken end  272  of the broken key portion  270  relative to tool insertion. That of further moving the distal tip  318  and the contoured friction surface  322  longitudinally into the keyway includes further contacting and displacing any tumblers  163 , of the series of tumblers, sitting in a key bitting  250  on the broken key portion  270  downstream of the broken end  272  of the broken key portion, relative to tool insertion. The first one and the second one of the single-axis acting devices are attached together pivotably at a pivot  370  in a scissors manner, and the simultaneous pressing and pulling function comprises closing handle portions of the first one and of the second one of the single-axis acting devices.  
      The method further includes closing handle portions of the first one and of the second one of the single-axis acting devices before longitudinally inserting the distal tips thereof into the keyway. Moving the first edge comprises opening the handle portions of the first one and of the second one of the single-axis acting devices after longitudinally inserting. The keyway includes a vertical axis and the first one and the second one of the single-axis acting devices are attached in a first manner so that when longitudinally inserted, the first one of the single-axis acting devices is offset to a first side of the vertical axis, and the second one of the single-axis acting devices is offset to a second and opposite side of the vertical axis. The keyway also includes a vertical axis and the first one and the second one of the single-axis acting devices are attached in a second manner so that when longitudinally inserted, the first one of the single-axis acting devices is offset to the second and opposite side of the vertical axis, and the second one of the single-axis acting devices is offset to the first side of the vertical axis.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 28-35 , a triple-axes acting, third embodiment and operation thereof, of the extractor tool of the present disclosure are illustrated generally as  500 . As illustrated, this embodiment  500  is suitable for extracting, from a recess, removable items including heavy items and items that can and may tend to rotate within the recess, items such as broken drill bits  570 . Referring in particular to  FIG. 28 , this version  500  of the extractor tool is a triple-axes acting mechanism as shown, including three single-axis acting devices  310 A,  310 B,  311  that are attached together pivotably at pivot  507  for opening and closing movements in a scissors-like manner. Although they are shown as  310 A,  310 B,  311 , they can equally be  311 A,  311 B,  310  based on the left-over-right and right-over-left assembly technique as discussed above.  
      As illustrated, an acting axis A 1  of one ( 311 ) of the three single-axis acting devices  311 ,  310 A,  310 B, as attached, is offset from and apposite relative to the acting axes A 2 , A 3  of the other two, ( 310 A,  310 B), of the three single-axis acting devices. The three devices A 1 , A 2 , A 3  are attached as shown so that the contoured jaw section  320 ′ of the one of the three single-axis acting devices is apposite to and facing contoured jaw sections of the other two of the three single-axis acting devices.  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and described above with reference to the first and second embodiments, each single-axis acting device  311 ,  310 A,  310 B has (i) a handle member  312  and (ii) a tool member  314 . The tool member  314  has a first end  316  for connecting to the handle member  312 , and a second and distal end  318  for inserting into a recess containing the removable item  570  (drill bit),  571  (sphere-like),  573  (flat). The second and distal end  318  includes the jaw section  320  having a jaw surface  322  contoured for following a contact surface on the removable item, and for maximizing a contact area between the jaw surface  322  and such contact surface. The friction means for example comprise a series of teeth  324  that are formed each at a tooth angle  326  and including a curved surface Ht so as to enable each tooth to have an attack angle into any surface, such as the contact surface, positioned parallel to the friction surface  322 .  
      The tool member  314  is generally flat including first and second sides  328 ,  329  a first edge  334 , and a second and opposite edge  336 . The first edge  334  extends from the first end  316  to the second and distal end  318  of the tool member  314 , and the second and opposite edge  336  includes the jaw section  320 ,  320 ′. The jaw surface  322  extends diagonally from the second and opposite edge  336  to the first edge  334  of the tool member, and includes the friction means or teeth  324  for gripping the contact surface of the removable item.  
      The acting axis A 1  as described above is located apposite to and between the acting axes A 2  and A 3  in order to enable removal of the removable item in a torque-free manner. The torque-free manner of the tool  500  is illustrated comparatively in  FIGS. 29-35 . ( FIG. 31 ), using a tool with only two offset jaws along offset axis A 1  and A 2 , will undesirably result in a grip-defeating torque  550  as shown. Similarly as shown in  FIG. 34 , an attempt to grip a rotatable or movable item like a plate or flat piece  573  ( FIG. 34 ) using a tool with only two offset jaws along offset axis A 1  and A 2 , will undesirably also result in a grip-defeating torque  551  as shown.  
      On the other hand, using the triple-axis acting mechanism of the present disclosure as shown in  FIGS. 29, 30 ,  32 ,  33  and  35 , with its three axes A 1 , A 2 , A 3  arranged as shown, results in a zero-torque or torque free and effective grip on a drill bit  570 , a sphere  572  and a flat item  573 . In each of these cases, an effective grip is important for enabling extraction of such items from a recess.  
      In particular, as illustrated in  FIG. 30 , the triple-axis acting mechanism of the present disclosure with its three axes A 1 , A 2 , A 3  arranged as shown, is very suitable for extracting a broken skeleton key portion  208 , in a zero-torque or torque free and effective grip manner, from a skeleton lock keyway.  
      As can be seen, there has been provided an extractor tool of the present disclosure that is suitable for extracting from a keyway a broken key portion of a cut key where the broken key portion includes a contact surface segment such as a corner lip or a key bitting slope. The extractor tool of the present disclosure includes a handle member; and a tool member having a first end for connecting to the handle member, and a second and distal end for inserting into the keyway containing the broken key portion. The second and distal end includes a contoured jaw section having a jaw surface contoured for following a key bitting slope on the broken key portion and for maximizing a contact area between the contoured jaw section and the contact surface.  
      There has also been provided a method that is suitable for extracting from a lock keyway having two spaced apart opposing side surfaces, two spaced apart opposing edges, a series of lock tumblers, and a longitudinal axis, a broken key portion including a broken end and a key bitting having a key bitting slope. In addition to the many other aspects as claimed, the method includes (a) longitudinally inserting into the lock keyway an extractor tool having a distal tip, a first edge, and a second edge including an extracting jaw having a friction surface contoured relative to the key bitting slope for maximizing contact between the friction surface and the key bitting slope within the lock keyway; (b) contacting the broken end of the broken key portion with the distal tip; (c) moving the first edge of the extractor tool towards one of the two spaced apart and opposing edges of the lock keyway; (d) further moving the distal tip and the contoured friction surface longitudinally into the keyway and the contoured friction surface into a contoured mating relationship with the key bitting slope; and (e) simultaneously pressing the contoured friction surface into the key bitting slope and pulling the extractor tool longitudinally back out of the keyway, thereby gripping the key bitting slope and extracting the broken key portion out of the keyway.