Patent ID: 7698921

Claim:
A key comprising: a shank for use with a first pin operated cylinder having a plurality of first pins and at least one second pin, said shank also being for use with a second pin operated cylinder having a plurality of only first pins without said at least one second pin; said shank defining at least one planar surface configured to define a longitudinally extending key-cut region thereon, said longitudinally extending region having formed thereon a plurality of first key cuts configured to position the plurality of first pins of the first pin operated cylinder at first-pin shear line positions when the key is fully inserted in the first pin operated cylinder, and having pre-formed thereon at least one second key cut configured to position at least one second pin at a second-pin shear line position when the key is fully inserted in the first pin operated cylinder, wherein said plurality of first key cuts define first recesses corresponding in configuration to said first pins, and wherein said at least one second key cut defines a first recess portion corresponding to one of said first recesses and configured to position one of said first pins at one of said first-pin shear line positions when the key is fully inserted in the second pin operated cylinder, and at least one second recess portion which is cut deeper than said first recess portion and which is configured to position said at least one second pin at said second-pin shear line position when the key is fully inserted in the first pin operated cylinder; wherein said at least one second key cut has a shape defined by a combination of a guide groove, an additional groove and an additional key cut having a generally truncated conical configuration formed over said additional groove, said additional key cut corresponding to the plurality of first key cuts.