Lock Cylinder Decoding via Felt Tip Indicator Dial

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for decoding key lock cylinders are often destructive and require visual inspection, making it difficult to access and decode wafers deep within the lock cylinder.

Innovation Solution

A lock decoding device comprising an alignment dial and an indicator dial, with a feeler tip rod and an indicator rod, which allows for non-destructive decoding by rotating the indicator dial to align the feeler tip with the wafer, indicating the wafer position through a labeled indicator window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual inspection methods are used to decode lock wafers, then the decoder can identify wafer positions, but the method requires direct line of sight to the wafers which are deep within the lock cylinder, making the process difficult and often destructive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewafer position detection accuracyVSAvoidaccessibility to lock wafers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feeler tip as an intermediary element that physically contacts the wafers inside the lock cylinder. This feeler tip is connected to a dial mechanism that translates the position of the wafers into readable indicator positions on the dial face, allowing the decoder to measure wafer positions without needing direct visual access to the deep interior of the lock cylinder

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the visual inspection method with a mechanical sensing system. Instead of using light and eyes to detect wafer positions, the system uses a feeler tip that mechanically contacts the wafers and a dial mechanism that mechanically translates this contact into readable position indicators, eliminating the need for visual line of sight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If destructive measures are taken to unlock the lock cylinder when no key is available, then the lock can be opened, but the lock itself is damaged in the process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to unlock without keyVSAvoiddamage to lock cylinder

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The decoding device allows the lock cylinder to reveal its own internal wafer configuration through the feeler tip mechanism. By rotating the dial and observing the indicator positions, the user can determine the correct key configuration without forcing or damaging the lock, enabling the lock to effectively decode itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the lock cylinder structure is complex with wafers deep inside, then the lock provides better security, but visual inspection methods become ineffective and require destruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelock securityVSAvoidwafer position detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the detection problem from a visual/spatial dimension to a rotational/measurement dimension. Instead of trying to visually see deep into the lock cylinder, the feeler tip mechanism converts the three-dimensional position of wafers into a two-dimensional rotational position on the dial face, making the measurement accessible and readable from the exterior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250198194A1Apparatus and method for decoding a keyed lock cylinder

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 CAPEHART KEITH

AI summary

A lock decoding device includes an alignment dial comprising an indicator rod extending from a top surface. The lock decoding device further includes an indicator dial comprising a feeler tip rod extending from a bottom surface. The feeler tip rod extends through the alignment dial. The indicator rod extends through an indicator window of the indicator dial. When the indicator dial is rotated, the feeler tip rod rotates to enable a feeler tip to contact a wafer of a lock cylinder, and the indicator rod moves within the indicator window to indicate a wafer position of the wafer.