Patent ID: 8001816

Claim:
A method for unlocking a pin tumbler lock defined by a plug disposed within a casing, a series of aligned vertical holes formed within the plug and casing, spring-loaded driver pins and corresponding key pins disposed within the aligned holes such that the plug can be rotated relative to the casing when respective contact surfaces between the driver pins and key pins are aligned with a shear line between the plug and casing, a locking mechanism that releases upon relative rotation of the plug and casing and a keyway horizontally formed within the plug, the method comprising: inserting first and second devices into an upper portion of the keyway, so that they are disposed within the keyway simultaneously and are horizontally adjacent each other, to urge the key pins and driver pins upward against their spring biases; withdrawing the first device from the keyway while the second device remains inserted therein so that respective bottoms of the key pins are in contact with the second device; inserting a third device into a lower portion of the keyway underneath the second device to urge the second device upward and further urge the key pins and driver pins upward against their spring biases such that the key and driver pins are disposed outside the plug's periphery and respective contact surfaces between the second device and key pins are aligned with the shear line; and rotating the plug relative to the casing to unlock the locking mechanism.