Lock with key-controlled removable and installable plug and key for same

Claim 2

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installable plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell, and a longitudinal groove for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove.

Claim 3

The lock of claim 1 in which said means for biasing biases said control tumbler to said first state and said key urges it to said second state.

Claim 4

The lock of claim 1 in which said control tumbler is a disk and said means for biasing is a spring.

Claim 5

The lock of claim 1 further including a containment surface in said shell for blocking movement of said second end from said first state to the extended second state.

Claim 6

The lock of claim 1 further including actuator means rotatably mounted to said shell, and means on said plug for engaging with said actuator means in one of a number of positions for rotation therewith.

Claim 7

The lock of claim 1 in which said peripheral groove extends for approximately ninety degrees.

Claim 8

The lock of claim 1 in which said peripheral groove extends for approximately one hundred eighty degrees.

Claim 9

The lock or claim 1 in which said peripheral groove extends for approximately three hundred sixty degrees.

Claim 10

The lock of claim 8 in which said lock further includes stop means for defining the limits of rotation of said plug.

Claim 11

The lock of claim 8 in which said shell further includes insert means in said peripheral groove for defining the limits of rotation of said plug.

Claim 12

The lock of claim 8 in which said shell further includes insert means in said peripheral groove for providing a containment surface for blocking movement of said second end from said first state to said second state.

Claim 13

The lock of claim 1 in which said shell includes a second longitudinal groove spaced from said longitudinal groove, said set of combinating tumblers lock at said second longitudinal groove and unlock, when properly read to enable the plug to rotate and align said retaining end of said control tumbler, at said longitudinal groove.

Claim 14

The lock of claim 1 in which said control tumbler has a reference surface at least a portion of which is higher than the highest reference surface corresponding to a bitted portion of a key.

Claim 15

The lock of claim 1 further including key means including a first bitted portion for reading said combinating tumblers and enabling said plug to be rotated to align the said second end of said control tumbler with said longitudinal groove and including a second bitted portion for driving said control tumbler to second state to enable removal of said plug.

Claim 16

The lock of claim 14 in which said key means includes two keys, one having said first bitted portion, the other said second bitted portion.

Claim 17

The lock of claim 14 in which said key means includes one key having both bitted portions.

Claim 18

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installable plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell; a containment surface for blocking movement of said second end from the first state to the extended second state; and a longitudinal groove traversing said containment surface for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove.

Claim 19

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installable plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell; a containment surface for blocking movement of said second end from the first state to the extended second state; and a longitudinal groove traversing said containment surface for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove.

Claim 20

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installation plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a three hundred and sixty degree peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell, and a longitudinal groove for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove.

Claim 21

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installation plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a three hundred and sixty degree peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell, and a longitudinal groove for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove.

Claim 22

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installable plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell; a containment surface for blocking movement of said second end from the first state to the extended second state; and a longitudinal groove traversing said containment surface for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove; and key means including a first bitted portion for reading said combinating tumblers and enabling said plug to be rotated to align the said second end of said control tumbler with said longitudinal groove and including a second bitted portion for driving said control tumbler to said second state to enable removal of said plug.

Claim 23

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installable plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell; a containment surface for blocking movement of said second end from the first state to the extended second state; and a longitudinal groove traversing said containment surface for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove; and key means including a first bitted portion for reading said combinating tumblers and enabling said plug to be rotated to align the said second end of said control tumbler with said longitudinal groove and including a second bitted portion for driving said control tumbler to said second state to enable removal of said plug.

Claim 24

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installable plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell; and a longitudinal groove for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove; and key means including a first bitted portion for reading said combinating tumblers and enabling said plug to be rotated to align the said second end of said control tumbler with said longitudinal groove and including a second bitted portion for driving said control tumbler to said second state to enable removal of said plug.

Claim 25

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installable plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell; and a longitudinal groove for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove; and key means including a first bitted portion for reading said combinating tumblers and enabling said plug to be rotated to align the said second end of said control tumbler with said longitudinal groove and including a second bitted portion for driving said control tumbler to said second state to enable removal of said plug.

Claim 26

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installation plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell; a containment surface for blocking movement of said second end from the first state to the extended second state; and a longitudinal groove traversing said containment surface for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove; and key means including a first bitted portion for reading said combinating tumblers and enabling said plug to be rotated to align the said locking end of said control tumbler with said longitudinal groove and including a second bitted portion for driving said control tumbler to said second state to enable removal of said plug.

Claim 27

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installation plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell; a containment surface for blocking movement of said second end from the first state to the extended second state; and a longitudinal groove traversing said containment surface for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove; and key means including a first bitted portion for reading said combinating tumblers and enabling said plug to be rotated to align the said locking end of said control tumbler with said longitudinal groove and including a second bitted portion for driving said control tumbler to said second state to enable removal of said plug.

Claim 28

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installable plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell, and a longitudinal groove for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove.

Claim 29

A lock having a key-controlled removable and installable plug comprising: a plug including a set of combinating tumblers and a control tumbler including a retaining end and a second end, in a first state said retaining end being extended and said second end being retracted relative to said plug, in a second state said retaining end being retracted and said second end being extended relative to said plug; means for biasing said control tumbler to one of said states, said control tumbler including means for engaging with a key to drive said control tumbler to the other state; and a shell for rotatably receiving said plug and having a peripheral groove for receiving said retaining end of said control tumbler in said first state and preventing longitudinal withdrawal of, while permitting rotation of, said plug in said shell, and a longitudinal groove for accommodating extension of said second end in said second state and enabling withdrawal and installation of said plug when said second end is aligned with said longitudinal groove.