Freewheeling lock apparatus and method

Abstract

n some embodiments of the present invention, a freewheeling lock apparatus and method are provided in which the freewheeling lock affords actuation of a device only in response to the use of an appropriate key. The locking mechanism can include a housing, a sleeve received at least partially within the housing, a lock cylinder received at least partially within the sleeve and having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, a guide engagable with the sleeve and with one or more tumblers or other projecting elements of the lock cylinder, and an actuator engaged with the lock cylinder for rotation therewith when the lock cylinder is rotated in the unlocked configuration, and moved by the sleeve to a position disengaged from the lock cylinder when the lock cylinder is rotated in the locked configuration.

Description

Background technique [0001] There are a variety of keyed locks or locking mechanisms used to prevent unauthorized or unwanted entry and / or use of various objects and devices, including unrestricted vehicles, houses, drawers, doors, and the like. While conventional keyed locks and locking mechanisms are generally effective at preventing such unwanted entry and / or use, certain tools and methods have been devised for the purpose of forcibly entering and / or using such locked items. Effectiveness of breaking or overcoming keyed locks. [0002] One known way of opening a lock is by picking the lock. Lockpicking requires a lot of knowledge about the inner workings of the particular lock being picked and is often quite time consuming. Additionally, locks are constantly being improved, making the process of picking certain forms of locks difficult if not impossible. Because lockpicking presents unique challenges, certain groups of primarily malicious intentions, most notably car thi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, these design changes were of limited effectiveness, as the resulting locks would still break under more aggressive attempts to open the lock, and the locks were often too strong and made manufacturing and installation costly

Also, increasing the strength of some lock components requires the subsequent strengthening of other lock components, resulting in costly and iterative lock redesigns in an attempt to eliminate the "weak link" in the lock system

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