History of Locks
1 : To Set the Adjustable Key to the Existing Combination
• Hold the stock of key between thumb and forefinger of left hand with the CODE lettering uppermost . ( see fig . 1 )
• With right thumb and forefinger gently turn the knurled knob towards yourself ( as if trying to unscrew ) and at the same time pull out the stock of the key from the key cap so that by slightly extending the stock in this way , the adjustable pins on the stock are free to move . ( see Fig . 2 )
• With the left hand , hold the extended stock so as to avoid pressing against the springs at the base of the stock ( see Fig . 3 ) and with the right hand move each of the adjustable pins marked A , B , C , X , Y , Z so that their ends are on the line opposite and running through the centre of the respective figures of the combination . For example , if the combination you wish to set on the key is 651055 , the movements are as follows : - Move Pin A to line 6 , i . e . the line opposite and running through the centre of the figure 6 . Move Pin B to line 5 , i . e . the line opposite and running through the centre of figure 5 . Move Pin C to line 1 , i . e . the line opposite and running through the centre of figure 1 . Turn the key over with the word CODE facing downwards , and still holding the extended stock as shown in Fig . 3 . Move Pin X to line 0 , i . e . the line opposite and running through the centre of the figure 0 . Move Pin Y to line 5 , i . e . the line opposite and running through the centre of the figure 5 . Move Pin Z to line 5 , i . e . the line opposite and running through the centre of the figure 5 .
• To secure the pins in position , hold the key between thumb and forefinger ( see Fig . 4 ), telescope the key stock and cap together until the knurled knob automatically clicks into the locked position .
• Check the position of the pins . If any pin is in the wrong position , it is necessary to release the stock from the key cap again , and make the necessary correction .
Fig . 1 . Fig . 2 . Fig . 3 . Fig . 4 .
Fig . 5 . Fig . 6 . Fig . 7 . Fig . 8 .
2 : To Neutralise the Lock
Insert the Adjustable Key ( which has been set to the existing combination of the lock ) taking care that the key is correctly held , that is to say , with right thumb on the milled side . With slight inward pressure , turn key clockwise ( through 30⁰ ) until the keyhole is in direct line with the letter of the embossed word CODE . ( see Fig . 6 .) This is the neutral position of the lock . In order to remove the key while the key-way is in this position , it is necessary to turn the milled bezel about 1 / 8 ” in a clockwise direction . Do this with the left thumb and forefinger and while holding the bezel in this position , the Adjustable Key can be extracted . The lock is then neutralised . The last combination has been cancelled , leaving the cylinder free to accept any desired combination .
3 : To Set the Adjustable Key to Any Desired Combination
This is precisely the same series of operations as those outlined in Section 1 for setting the Adjustable Key to the existing combination of the lock .
4 : To Transmit the New Combination to the Lock
Before the Adjustable Key can be inserted while the lock is in neutral , it is necessary to turn the milled bezel about 1 / 8 ” in a clockwise direction . Do this with the left thumb and forefinger and while holding the bezel in this position , insert the correctly set Adjustable Key , taking care that the key is held with right thumb on the milled side . ( see Fig . 7 .)
Release the milled bezel . With slight inward pressure , turn key anti-clockwise through 30⁰ so that the keyway is now along the centre line pointing to the letter C of the embossed word CODE . Withdraw key . The lock is then set to the selected combination .
The lock cannot now be returned into neutral with any other combination but the one transmitted .
The lock was innovative in many ways not least in the number of different combinations ; it ’ s possible to set 1,000000 differs . It was also possible to purchase a kit which enabled fixed code keys to be quickly and easily assembled .
The paperwork , sales literature at the time describes a wide range of lock types such as : - Code Mask Safe Locks , Special Code locks to prevent unauthorized use of company seals , special Code locks that operate switches , furniture locks and even a special Code locks versions for hotels . The Code padlock and rim dead-latch are well known ; the author would be interested in hearing of other uses the Code principle has been applied to .
Brian Morland , curator of the MLA Heritage Room and the History of Locks Museum & Archive , welcomes comments and corrections and can be contacted by email : brian @ emorlands . com or visit www . historyoflocks . com
MAR / APR 2021
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