Patent Abstract:
A cylinder lock plug that utilizes an axially moving sidebar. The sidebar is displaced axially by a key positioning mechanism on the blade of a uniquely configured key. Also on the key are unique short grooves on the lateral sides of the key blade running substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the key blade. The short grooves are configured complementary to an inner surface of the axially moving sidebar. Only the properly configured key can receive the sidebar as the key is turned to rotate the cylinder lock plug and the short grooves receive the inner surface. The invention is meant to be used with additional locking mechanisms, such as, for example, tumblers.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to cylinder locks, and more particularly to cylinder locks that use a complementary configured key and sidebar in conjunction with conventional lock mechanisms, such as tumblers. The sidebar is positioned at a precise axial position by a key positioning mechanism on the key, wherein the sidebar can engage grooves on the side of the key blade. This positioning facilitates the shifting of the sidebar from a locked position to an unlocked position and the key can rotate the cylinder plug. 
   Cylinder locks for locking doors and other similar structures are well known in the art. Typically these cylinder locks include a cylinder shell, cylinder plug located within the cylinder shell and tumblers extending there through. Further, a locking member, such as a deadbolt, rotates with the cylinder plug to lock or unlock the door, cabinet or other structure. 
   WO93/09317 (Prunbauer) describes a lock and a key system that utilizes a sidebar mechanism to prevent a cylinder from rotating, but is silent on the axial movement of the sidebar. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,287 (Prunbauer) is directed to a key, but discloses a system similar to Prunbauer WO093/09317. 
   German Patent DE2828343, issued to Perkut, discloses yet another key and lock system that uses tumblers to match up with the key ridges and further discloses a ball to use with the sidebar to facilitate rotation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,566, issued to Brandt, discloses a lock that has an axially sliding member at the back of the plug, as a secondary locking mechanism, used in conjunction with conventional tumblers. 
   Further, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,477,875 and 6,945,082, both issued to Field et al., disclose a lock system that combines an axially sliding member operated by a contact tab integrally formed on a key, to facilitate release of the separate sidebar. 
   Notwithstanding the prior art, there still remains a need for a lock and key system that, among other things, combines the functions of an axially sliding member and a sidebar. Benefits of such a system include minimizing of moving parts, preferably making lock breakdown less likely, and increasing security of the lock itself. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In light of these and other benefits, a cylinder lock and a key to position an axially moving sidebar is disclosed herein. The cylinder lock of the present invention, generally, has a cylinder shell, a cylinder plug and a key. Additionally, it is preferred to use the present invention in conjunction with other conventional locking mechanisms, such as tumblers (discussed in detail in the prior art references mentioned above). 
   A door, cabinet or other structure houses the cylinder shell. The cylinder shell houses a rotatably mounted cylinder plug. The cylinder plug, broadly, has a spring loaded sidebar, a sidebar slot and a key path. The sidebar has a shoulder and an engraved face and is located within the sidebar slot. The sidebar slot has a first sidebar engagement region, a second sidebar engagement region, and a sidebar receiving area. The sidebar slot extends longitudinally substantially parallel to the key path; the key path being configured to facilitate receiving the proper key. 
   The key has a key positioning mechanism and short grooves that are both configured complementary to the side bar. The key positioning mechanism cooperates with the side bar positioning mechanism upon insertion of the key into the key path. The short grooves are configured complementary to the engraved face of the side bar to receive said engraved face. A proper key precisely positions the sidebar between the first sidebar engagement region and the second sidebar engagement region, in the sidebar receiving area. At this precise position, the sidebar can be shifted inward and the short grooves can receive the engraved face of the sidebar. 
   This foregoing description was meant to be general in nature and a more detailed description will explain the invention further. As previously mentioned, this novel cylinder lock and key are meant to be used in conjunction with other conventional locking means well known in the art and described in detail in references such as those previously mentioned. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cut away sectional side view of the cylinder plug and an embodiment of an axially displaceable sidebar according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of a key corresponding to a sidebar according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a key corresponding to a sidebar according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a cut away side view of the cylinder plug and an embodiment of an axially displaceable sidebar according to the present invention, wherein the axially moving sidebar has been precisely positioned in the sidebar receiving area. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a cylinder plug. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view from line A-A in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of an embodiment of the sidebar. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sidebar according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 8A  is a sectional view from line A-A in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sidebar according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 9A  is a sectional view from line A-A in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sidebar according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 10A  is a sectional view from line A-A in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sidebar according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 11A  is a sectional view from line A-A in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a key according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 12A  is a bottom view from line A-A in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a key according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 13A  is a bottom view from line A-A in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a key according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 14A  is a bottom view from line A-A in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 15  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a key according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 15A  is a bottom view from line A-A in  FIG. 15 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
   It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, are identified throughout the drawing by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely representations, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity. 
   Beginning with  FIG. 1 , a cylinder lock according to the present invention broadly includes a cylinder shell  11 , a cylinder plug  10 , and a key  12 . The cylinder shell  11  is preferably located within a door, cabinet, or other structure. The cylinder shell  11  houses cylinder plug  10 . The elements not shown are well known in the art and one of ordinary skill in the art would be able to understand these separate elements and their relation to the present invention. It is preferred, although not required, to construct all of the components out of a metal, for example brass. 
   The cylinder plug  10  has a sidebar slot  14 , key path  16  and a sidebar  18 . The cylinder plug  10  further includes a face  20  and a posterior  22 . Extending from the face  20  substantially longitudinally throughout the cylinder plug  10  toward the posterior  22  is the key path  16 . Located within the key path  16 , the cylinder plug  10  has first and second configured faces  24 ,  68  located on opposite sides of the key path  16 . Running relatively parallel to the key path  16  is the sidebar slot  14 . The sidebar slot  14  has a first sidebar engagement region  26  located proximate the face  20  and a second sidebar engagement region  28  located proximate the posterior  22 . Located between the first and second sidebar engagement regions  26 ,  28  is the sidebar receiving area  66 . Positioned within the sidebar slot  14  is the sidebar  18 . 
   The sidebar  18  has a rear engagement wing  30 , a beveled projection edge  32 , a front engagement wing  34 , an engraved face  36  and a side bar positioning mechanism  38  shown here in the form of a shoulder  70 . The sidebar  18  is front-biased, preferably through the utilization of a spring  40 , and axially moveable. The rear engagement wing  30  is located proximate the posterior  22  and configured to operate with the second sidebar engagement region  28 . The beveled projection edge  32  extends outwardly away from the key path  16  and is received in a notch in the lock shell, not shown but well known in the art. The front engagement wing  34  is located proximate the face  20  and configured to operate with the first sidebar engagement region  26 . The engraved face  36  is located on a portion of the sidebar  18  that is exposed to the key path  16 . The side bar positioning mechanism  38  extends a distance into the key path  16 . Both side bar positioning mechanism  38  and engraved face  36  are configured to correspond with a key  12 . 
   A key  12  has a bow  42  and a blade  44 . The blade  44  has a front tip  46  and a base  48 . The blade  44  also can have a flat edge  50  located opposite a bitted edge  52  and a grooved face  54  located opposite a channeled face  56 . Not shown, but known in the art, is a key blade that has both edges bitted. As is well known in the art, the channeled face  56  contains a pattern of longitudinally running channels  58  which can be configured to correspond with the first configured face  24  of the key path  16  and the grooved face can be configured to correspond with the second configured face  68  of the key path  16 . 
   The grooved face  54  of the key  12  contains short grooves  60  and a key positioning mechanism  62  shown here as a contact tab  72 . The short grooves  60  run substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the key B-B, but can also be at one or more unique predetermined angle  64  for each lock and key system. The short grooves  60  are configured to correspond to the engraved face  36  of the sidebar  18 . 
   The key positioning mechanism  62  may be located on the grooved face  54  of the key  12 . Alternatively contemplated, but not shown in this embodiment, is a key positioning mechanism  62  located on the channel face  56  of the key  12 . The key positioning mechanism  62  is configured complementary to the sidebar positioning mechanism  38 . The relationship of the key positioning mechanism  62  to the location of the short grooves  60  is configured complementary to the relationship of the sidebar positioning mechanism  38  to the engraved face  36  of the sidebar  18 . 
   There are many different embodiments of the key positioning mechanism  62  and sidebar positioning mechanism  38 . In a first embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the key positioning mechanism  62  may be a contact tab  72  which extends outward a distance on the blade  44  from the base  48  to a distance shorter than the length of the entire blade  44 . The sidebar positioning mechanism  38  for this embodiment is the shoulder  62 . 
   In a second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 12 , the key positioning mechanism  62  is a channel  74 , which is shown, but not limited to, as being milled into the grooved face  54  of the key  12 . The side bar positioning mechanism  38  in this embodiment is a foot  76 . The channel  74  engages with the foot  76  towards the rear of the side bar  18  that may extend beyond the engraved face  36 . 
   In a third embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 and 13 , the key positioning mechanism  62  is a second contact tab  78  extending outward a distance from the grooved face  54 . It is also contemplated that the second contact tab  78  extends outward a distance from the channeled face  56 . Additionally, it is further contemplated to utilize the second contact tab  78  on both faces of the key  12 . The second contact tab  78  engages with the sidebar positioning mechanism,  38 , which in this embodiment comprises a notch  80  in the sidebar  18 . 
   In a fourth embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10 and 14 , the key positioning mechanism  62  may be the channel  74  in the grooved face  54 , but the sidebar positioning mechanism is a peg  82  that extends away from the sidebar  18  into the key path  16 . 
   In a fifth embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11 and 15 , the key positioning mechanism  62  may be multiple channels  74 ,  74 ′ in the grooved face  54 , and the sidebar positioning mechanism may be multiple pegs  82 ,  82 ′ extending away from the sidebar  18  into the key path  16  . The pegs  82 ,  82 ′ must be precisely aligned vertically and axially with the multiple channels  74 ,  74 ′ in the grooved face  54 . One or more of these multiple pegs  82 ,  82 ′ can be configured to allow for multiple layers of masterkeying. 
   The bitted edge  52  of the blade  44  is meant to operate with conventional tumblers, well known in the art but not shown in the drawings. Also contemplated, but not shown, is the use of a second sidebar having a second sidebar positioning mechanism, a second set of short grooves and a second key positioning mechanism. This would even further increase the security measures of the novel cylinder lock and key blank. The novel cylinder lock will now be described in operation in conjunction with the novel key blank. 
   In preferable operation, the present invention operates to prevent rotation of the cylinder plug  10  when an improperly configured key  12  is inserted into the key path  16  of the cylinder plug  10 . When a properly configured key  12  is inserted into the key path  16 , the cylinder lock plug  10  can be rotated to disengage a functionally attached deadbolt, or other similar structure well known in the art. 
   The front tip  46  of the blade  44  of the key  12  can be inserted into the key path  16 . As previously stated, only a key  12  with a channeled face  56  configured to correspond to the first configured face  24  of the key path  16  and a grooved face  54  configured to correspond to the second configured face  68  of the key path  16  can be inserted; while, improper keys will be precluded from entering the key path  16 . 
   Prior to insertion of the key  12 , the sidebar  18  sits in a locked position. ( FIG. 1 ). In the locked position, the first sidebar engagement region  26  blocks the sidebar  18  from moving inward by contacting the front engagement wing  34 . As the blade  44  slides axially to the posterior  22  of the cylinder plug  10 , at a predetermined distance the key positioning mechanism  62  will engage the sidebar positioning mechanism  38 . As the blade  44  continues sliding further in the same direction, the sidebar  18  can move correspondingly because of the cooperation between the key positioning mechanism  62  and the sidebar positioning mechanism  38 . 
   At a precise distance when the proper key  12  is fully inserted, the key positioning mechanism  62  will have pushed/forced the sidebar  18  into the precise location (see  FIG. 4 ) for enabling rotation of the key  12 , and, in turn, locking or unlocking the cylinder plug  10 . At this precise distance the front engagement wing  34  can clear the first sidebar engagement region  26  and the rear engagement wing  30  can clear the second sidebar engagement region  28 . ( FIG. 4 ). As a result of this precise axial positioning, the sidebar  18  will be able to shift inward to, in turn, enable operative engagement with the key  12 . 
   If a key  12  with an improper key positioning mechanism  62  is inserted, the sidebar  18  cannot be moved the precise distance. If the key positioning mechanism  62  is too far forward or if it is located at the improper location vertically to engage with the sidebar positioning mechanism  38 , the sidebar  18  will not be precisely positioned in the sidebar receiving area  66  because the front engagement wing  34  cannot clear the first sidebar engagement region  26 . On the other hand, if the key positioning mechanism  62  is too far to the rear, the sidebar  18  will be pushed too far toward the posterior  22  of the cylinder plug  10  causing the rear engagement wing  30  to become blocked/obstructed by the second sidebar engagement region  28 . Both of these scenarios will prevent the sidebar  18  from shifting inward toward the key blade  44 . 
   However, if a key  12  with a proper key positioning mechanism  62  is inserted, the sidebar  18  will be forced a precise and operative axial position within the cylinder plug  10 . (see  FIG. 4 ). At this precise axial distance, the sidebar  18  can be shifted inward toward the key blade  44 . This inward shifting is typically achieved though cooperation of the beveled projection edge  32  and the notch. As the key bow  42  is turned, the cylinder plug  10  can rotate as well, in turn, rotating the sidebar  18  in the sidebar slot  14  of the cylinder plug  10 . At this point, the notch operates with the beveled projection edge  32  to shift the sidebar  18  inward toward the blade  44 . 
   As the sidebar  18  shifts inward toward the blade  44 , the engraved face  36  can abut the short grooves  60 . A blade  44  with short grooves  60  configured complementary to the engraved face  36  can receive the engraved face  36 , and the sidebar  18  can fully shift inward, allowing rotation of the cylinder plug  10 , and, in turn, the locking or unlocking of the door as described above. If the blade  44  has short grooves  60  that are not configured complementary to the engraved face  36 , the sidebar  18  can be prevented from shifting inward, thus preventing the rotation of the cylinder plug  10 . 
   As previously mentioned, this locking system is meant to be incorporated into a cylinder lock which incorporates standard and conventional locking elements, such, for example, tumblers which engage the bitted edge  52  of the blade  44  and the description has been limited to those novel elements of the present invention. 
   The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4