BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates generally to lock assemblies comprising mechanisms for preventing picking.

[0002] The procedure of attempting to pick a cylinder lock involves a process whereby usually a couple of tools are introduced into the key channel which purpose it is to align the cylinder pins and tumbler pins and at the same time exert a torsional or twisting moment on the cylinder itself.

[0003] The adjusting (picking) tool inserted into the key channel have the purpose of attempting to align the tumbler or cylinder pins, which are biased by internal springs to positions corresponding to their unlocked positions thus enabling the rotary cylinder to be turned.

[0004] The second tool has the purpose of applying a torsional or twisting moment to the cylinder core thereby clamping the cylinder and locking pins so that as each cylinder and corresponding locking pin is pushed to its unlocked position, the spring-biased locking pin is clamped tight and is not allowed to return to its locking position. Thus, the cylinder pins may be unlocked one at a time until all have been released thereby unlocking the lock by an unauthorized entity.

[0005] One mechanism to prevent picking is a pm moving into the cylinder opening when detecting improper pressure on the combination pin. However, current mechanisms fail to lock the combination pin when picking it detected.

[0006] These and other shortcomings of the prior art are addressed by the following disclosure.

SUMMARY

[0007] Disclosed herein is a lock assembly, comprising a body having a barrel section and a column section, a plug rotating inside the barrel section in response to maneuver of a combination pin, a firing pin located in a first firing pin compartment, located in the body of the lock assembly, the firing pin being mounted between the plug and a spring, said spring is configured to bias the firing pm towards the plug chamber; wherein the firing pin is configured to move towards the plug chamber when detecting picking in the combination pin; a retracting prevention mechanism comprising a locking element secured to the firing pm, said retracting prevention mechanism operable to prevent the firing pin from retracting from the plug chamber.

[0008] In other implementations, the firing pin, the spring and the retracting prevention mechanism are located in the column section, wherein the locking element of the retracting prevention mechanism comprises a locking pin located inside the firing pin and a locking spring connected to the locking pin and a recess located in the column section, near the firing pin, wherein the locking pin is configured to move inside the firing pin.

[0009] In other implementations, the locking spring biases the locking pin into the recess in response to movement of the firing pin towards the plug, such that the locking pin cannot be retracted from the recess.

[00010] In other implementations, the lock assembly further comprises a second firing pin located in the column section in a second firing pin compartment, said second firing pin is mounted between the plug and a second biased spring, wherein the retracting prevention mechanism comprises a second locking pin located inside the second firing pin and a locking spring connected to the locking pin and a recess located in the column section, near the firing pin.

[00011] In some exemplary implementations, the first firing pin compartment and the second firing pm compartment are configured to interface with a cylinder of the barrel section on both sides of a normal position of the combination pin. In some exemplary implementations, the lock assembly further comprises a cork located at a distal end of the column section.

[00012] In some exemplary implementations, the firing pin, the biased spring and the retracting prevention mechanism are located in the barrel section, wherein the locking element of the retracting prevention mechanism comprises a locking tooth located on a base connected to the firing pm, wherein the firing pin at least partially encloses the locking tooth, wherein said locking tooth prevents the firing pm from retracting from the plug chamber.

[00013] In some exemplary implementations, the lock assembly further comprises a second firing pin located in the barrel section, said second firing pin is located in a second firing pin compartment, wherein the retracting prevention mechanism comprises a second locking tooth located on a base connected to the second firing pin, wherein the second firing pin at least partially encloses (in other words, encapsulates, or forms a sleeve) the second locking tooth, wherein said second locking tooth prevents the second firing pin from retracting from the plug chamber.

[00014] In some exemplary implementations, the first firing pin compartment and the second firing pm compartment are configured to interface with a cylinder of the barrel section on both sides of a normal position of the combination pin. In some exemplary implementations, the spring is configured to rotate the firing pin after moving above the locking tooth In some exemplary implementations, the spring is a locking spring. In some exemplary implementations, the locking tooth has a non-circular shape, wherein the firing pin rotates only after pushed above the locking tooth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00015] Some implementations are described herein by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is noted that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

[00016] In the drawings:

1 shows a cross section of a lock assembly, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00018] Fig. 2 shows a cross section of a lock assembly with an authorized key, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00019] Fig. 3 A shows a cross section of a lock assembly with an unauthorized key, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00020] Fig. 3B shows a side view of a firing pin slightly moving when an unauthorized key is inserted into the lock assembly, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00021] Fig. 4A shows a cross section of a lock assembly in which the firing pin locks the combination pin moved by an unauthorized key, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00022] Fig. 4B shows a side view of a firing pin irreversibly locked in a recess when an unauthorized key is inserted into the lock assembly, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00023] Figs. 5A-5F show a side view of a locking pin and a locking spring located inside the firing pm, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00024] Figs. 6A-6B show a cross section of a lock assembly having a firing pin in the barrel section with an authorized key in the lock assembly, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00025] Fig. 7A shows a cross section of a lock assembly with an unauthorized key, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00026] Fig. 7B shows a zoom-in view of the firing pin mechanism entering the plug chamber, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention

[00027] Figs. 7C-7D show a firing pin mechanism of a barrel section in a biased state, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention; [00028] Figs. 7E-7F show a firing pin mechanism of a barrel section in an extended state, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00029] Figs. 8A-8C show a firing pin mechanism having a locking tooth in multiple states, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[00030] Figs. 9A-9B show a spring of a firing pin mechanism of a barrel section, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00031 ] Provided herein is a picking-proof lock assembly. The lock assembly comprises at least one firing pin configured to detect picking by detecting rotation of the cylinder’s plug without a matching key for matching combination pins of the lock assembly. The firing pin is secured to a biased spring, such that when the plug is in valid state, the plug prevents movement of the firing pin due to the biased spring. When the plug rotates radially for more than a predefined threshold, for example 30 degrees, the firing pin will be biased towards the plug and prevent movement of the combination pin and the plug. The firing pin forms a single unit with a retracting prevention mechanism. The retracting prevention mechanism is configured to prevent the firing pin from retracting from the plug, thus locking the combination pm in place. Forming a single unit with both the firing pm and the retracting prevention mechanism secures the firing pin from retracting to its original state, outside the plug. In some exemplary implementations, the lock assembly comprises two (or more) firing pms and two (or more) retracting prevention mechanism, one for each of the firing pins. The two firing pins are configured to detect, and automatically react to movement of the combination pin above a predetermined threshold. The lock assembly may have more than two firing pins for each combination pm. The plug assembly may be in one or more of the combination pins in a cylinder.

[00032] In the initial, non-actuated state, the firing pin is located outside the plug, and functions as a detector, configured to detect change in the plug’s state without the correct key inserted into the lock assembly. When in the initial, non-actuated state, the firing pin is located (in other words, retracted) in its compartment inside the body of the lock assembly. As detailed below, the firing pm may be located in the barrel section, surrounding the cylinder, and/or in the column section. In the initial, non-actuated state, the firing pin is operably coupled to a biasing spring. The spring’s tension is configured to bias the firing pin towards the cylinder in case the cylinder rotates beyond a predetermined threshold and thereby ceases to block the firing pin’s movement. In the actuated blocking state, the firing pin is biased towards the plug to block the movement of the combination pin, most likely due to a picking procedure. Upon motion of the firing pin towards the plug, a locking pm or a locking tooth is actuated preventing retraction of the firing pin outside the plug, to the firing pin’s compartment.

[00033] The locking mechanism may be used in doors, safes, vaults, and any mechanism that comprises a combination lock or padlocks. Locking the movement of the firing pm back to its compartment may result in a need to replace the entire lock mechanism, including the cylinder itself and the lock body. However, this may be chipper than suffering an unauthorized person in a residence, office, safe and the like.

[00034] Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a lock assembly, according to exemplary configuration. In figure 1 , there is no key in the lock assembly, and there is no picking of the combination pm. The lock assembly comprises a barrel section 140 including the plug 142 and the plug chamber 145 where the key is to be inserted. It should be noted that the plug 142 covers a majority of the cross section of the plug chamber 145, leaving room for the internal combination key 165 and external combination pm 167 to sit on driver pin unit. The driver pin unit may comprise an internal driver pin 160 substantially surrounded by external driver pin 134. The internal driver pin 160 and the external driver pin 134 may be placed against a biased spring 132. The biased spring 132 is configured to press the driver pin unit against the combination key.

[00035] The driver pm unit is located in a driver compartment in the column section of the lock assembly. The driver compartment may be defined between walls 182 and 184 extending laterally from a main wall of the column section. In the exemplary embodiment of figures 1 -6, the firing pm and the retracting prevention mechanism are located in the column section. In other embodiments, the firing pin and the retracting prevention mechanism are located in the barrel section 140. When the firing pm and the retracting prevention mechanism are located in the column section, the column section comprises a stopper 130 configured to close the housing of the lock assembly, after assembling the components of the firing pin and retracting prevention mechanism. The stopper 130 may be located at a distal end of the column section.

[00036] The lock assembly comprises one or more firing pins 112, 114. In the exemplary configuration illustrated in figure 1, the lock assembly comprises two firing pins 112, 114, although a single firing pin and a corresponding retracting prevention mechanism is also contemplated. The first firing pin 112 and the second firing pint 14 are each located in firing pin compartments. For example, the first firing pin 112 and first spring 122 are located in first firing pin compartment defined between walls 184 and 186 extending laterally from a main wall of the column section. Similarly, the second firing pm 114 and second spring 124 are located in second firing pin compartment defined between walls 180 and 182 extending laterally from a main wall of the column section. The first firing pin 112 and the second firing pinl l4 may be located on both sides of a normal position of the combination pin 165, 167, in order to cover two options of rotating the plug 142 with the combination pin 165, 167. The plug 142 has a void in the section consumed by the combination pin 165, 167. At normal non-actuated state, the void in the plug 142 is located above the driver pin unit. When moving the plug clockwise, the void of the plug 142 is adjacent to left area 195, which triggers the firing pin 114. When the plug 142 is moved counter clockwise, the void of the plug 142 is adjacent to right area 192, which triggers the firing pin 1 12. In the initial, non-actuated state, before detecting picking, the firing pins 1 12 and 114 are biased against the plug 142 by the springs 122, 124, respectively. When plug 142 rotates in a manner that at least one of the firing pins 112, and 114 cease to be blocked, the non- blocked firing pin is actuated and extends into plug chamber 145.

[00037] F iring pins 112 and 114 comprise locking pins 116 and 118 respectively. Locking pins

1 16 and 118 are part of the retracting prevention mechanisms, each which is operable to lock the firing pins in the plug chamber 145 when triggered. The locking pins 116 and 118 are inserted into a recess in a non-retractable manner, as disclosed below.

[00038] Fig. 2 shows a cross section of a lock assembly configuration with an authorized key. In figure 2, combination pins 165, 167 rotate in an authorized manner, using key 170 that rotates combination pm 165, 167. Plug 142 rotates counter clockwise, covering only a portion of plug chamber 145 located above first firing pin 112 and first firing pin 1 12 is blocked from entering the plug chamber 145. As illustrated, first firing pin 112 is located at the same height as second firing pm 1 14.

[00039] Fig. 3A illustrates an implementation of a cross section of a lock assembly with an unauthorized key. As illustrated in figure 3 A, combination pm 165, 167 rotates in an unauthorized manner, using a picking implement 150 that rotates combination pin 165, 167. Plug 142 rotates counter clockwise, covering only a portion of plug chamber 145 located above first firing pm 1 12. When combination pin 165, 167 rotates in an unauthorized manner, less power is applied from plug 142 on first firing pin 112 and firing pin 112 is actuated and extends upwards into plug chamber 145. As illustrated in figure 3, firing pin’s 112 motion (extension) into plug chamber 145 is retractable (in other words reversible), and first firing pin 112 can move back (retract) into its initial position - outside plug chamber 145. As illustrated, first spring 122 extends relative to first spring 122 at its initial, non- actuated state. Similarly, locking pin 116, located inside first firing pin 112 is higher than locking pin 1 18 located inside second firing pin 114. In the context of the disclosure, the term“higher” means closer to plug chamber 145. [00040] Fig. 3B illustrates an exemplary implementation of a side view of firing pin 410 slightly moving when an unauthorized key, or a picking implement 150 is inserted into key way of the lock assembly. As illustrated, recess 440 located near firing pin 410, in column section of lock assembly. Firing pm 410 extends towards plug chamber 145 in response to unauthorized movement of combination pin 165, 167. Locking pin 430 is located inside firing pin 410 and attached to locking spring 420. In initial, non-actuated state, locking spring 420 is operable to bias locking pin 430 in a lateral direction and locking pin’s 430 movement is blocked by body 400. As locking pin 430 cannot enter recess 440, the movement of firing pin 410 is reversible, and firing pin 410 can retract to its initial, non-actuated position outside plug chamber 145. Firing pin 410 is locked when locking pm 430 enters recess, as illustrated in figure 4B.

[00041] Fig. 4 A illustrates an exemplary implementation of a cross section of a lock assembly in which firing pin locks combination pin is actuated by an unauthorized key or picking implement. As illustrated, combination pin 165, 167 rotates in an unauthorized manner, using picking implement 150 rotating combination pin 165, 167. Plug 142 rotates counter clockwise beyond a predefined threshold, uncovering firing pin 1 12 extending upwards into plug chamber 145. Firing pin’s 112 extension into plug 142 chamber 145 is enabled by spring 122. When plug 142 uncovers firing pin 1 12, spring 122 biases locking pm 116 that enters recess 440 inside body 400 of plug 142 assembly. When locking pin 116 enters recess 440, firing pin’s 112 movement into plug chamber 145 is non- retractable, and firing pin 112 cannot move back into its initial position, outside plug chamber 145. Locking pin 116 being located inside firing pin forms in an exemplary implementation a single unit, as locking pin 116 can only move in case firing pin 112 moves towards plug chamber 145. The single unit comprising firing pm 112, locking pin 116 and locking spring enable simple and fast manufacture, assemble and installment processes.

[00042] Fig. 4B illustrates an exemplary implementation of a side view of a firing pm irreversibly locked in a recess when an unauthorized key is inserted into the lock assembly. As illustrated recess 440 located near firing pin 410, in column section of lock assembly. Firing pin 410 extends towards plug chamber 145 in response to unauthorized movement of combination pm 165, 167. Locking pin 430 is located inside firing pin 410 and attached to locking spring 420. When plug 142 extends further than a predefined threshold and uncovers firing pin 112, locking spring 420 biases locking pin 430 in a lateral direction into recess 440. Recess 440 limits motion of firing pin 410 into plug chamber 145, as locking pin 430 is still partially enclosed by firing pin 410, as picking implement below in figures 5A-5F. When locking pin 430 is inserted into recess 440 and locking spring 420 is extended, no element can retract locking pin 430 from recess 440 and thus firing pin 410 is locked inside plug chamber 145.

[00043] Figs. 5A-5F illustrates an exemplary implementation of a side view of a locking pm and a locking spring located inside the firing pin. The firing pin has a wide section 530 interfacing with spring 122 and narrow section 510 configured to enter plug chamber 145. Locking pin 520 is located inside wide section 530. Locking pin 520 extends outside wide section 530 via aperture 505 in a sidewall of wide section 530. The sidewall of wide section 530 is defined as side substantially perpendicular to surface interfacing with spring 122.

[00044] Figure 5 A illustrates an isometric view of firing pin when locking pin 520 is substantially inside wide section 530 of firing pin. A portion of locking pin 520 may extend from aperture 505 of wide section 530, blocked by the body of lock assembly. Figure 5B illustrates a side view of firing pm, showing locking spring 528 in a biased position, and locking pm 520 substantially inside wide section 530. Connector 525 is configured to limit movement of locking pin 520 when locking spring 528 extends, as shown below. Connector 525 is located between locking spring 528 and locking pin 520. Connector 525 may be attached to locking pin 520, or may be assembled as a single piece with locking pin 520. Figure 5C illustrates locking pin 520 versus recess 550, when narrow section 510 of firing pm is blocked by plug and locking pm 520 cannot enter recess 550.

[00045] Figure 5D shows an isometric view of the firing pin when the locking pin 520 extends outside the wide section 530 of the firing pin, when the firing pin moves towards the plug chamber 145 and the locking pin’s 520 height reaches the recess 550. Figure 5E shows a side view of the firing pin, showing the locking spring 528 in an extended position, and the locking pin 520 substantially outside the wide section 530. A connector 525 is configured to limit the movement of the locking pm 520 when the locking spring 528 extends. The firing pin has a bore or a void volume configured to host the connector 525, the locking pin 520 and the locking spring 528. The connector 525 may be attached, glued, or secured to the locking pin 520. The connector 525 may be assembled as a single piece with the locking pin 520. Figure 5F shows the locking 520 extending from the wide section 530. The connector 525 may limit the movement of the locking pin 520. Such limitation may be enabled designing a bore having variable heights. The variable depths form bulges 570, 572 in the bore. The external sidewall of the connector 525, defined by top sections 562, 566 of the connector 525, is limited by the bulges 570, 572. The bulges 570, 572 enable passage of the locking pin 520 but limit the passage of the connector 525, as the connector’s height is bigger than the locking pin’s height.

[00046] Figs. 6A-6B show a cross section of a lock assembly having a firing pin in the barrel section with an authorized key in the lock assembly, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The authorized key 670 maneuvers the combination pin 660 inside the plug chamber 645. The barrel section 650 is defined outside the plug 640. The plug 640 rotates in an authorized manner in a counter clockwise direction. When the authorized key 670 maneuvers the combination pin 660, the plug 640 uncovers the firing pin mechanism 630 and the firing pin in the firing pin mechanism 630 remains outside the plug chamber 645. In some exemplary exemplary implementations, the lock assembly comprises two firing pin mechanisms 630 and 633, located on two sides from the initial position of the combination pin 660, above the driver pin unit. The driver pm unit may comprise an internal driver pin 610 substantially surrounded by external driver pin 615. The internal driver pin 610 and the external driver pin 615 may be placed against a biased spring 620. The biased spring 620 is configured to press the driver pin unit against the combination pin 660. The driver pin unit resides in the column section 605 of the lock assembly.

[00047] Fig. 7A shows a cross section of a lock assembly with an unauthorized key, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The combination pin 660 is maneuvered by an unauthorized member 690 in a counter clockwise direction. When the combination pin 660 reaches firing pin mechanism 630, the firing pin moves into the plug chamber 645 and limits the movement of the combination pin 660. The firing pin mechanism 630 comprises a locking tooth connected to the firing pm and prevents the firing pm from retracting back to the barrel section 650 and back from the plug chamber 645. It can be seen that the firing pin mechanism 632 remains in its initial position, outside the plug chamber 645.

[00048] Fig. 7B shows a zoom-in view of the firing pin mechanism entering the plug chamber, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The firing pin mechanism 630 comprises a static base 710 located inside the barrel section 650 and a moving pm 720 extending into the plug chamber 645. The moving pin 720 is pressed against the plug 640 by a spring 730. The spring 730 may be located between the static base 710 and the moving pin 720. When the combination pm 660 moves above the moving pin 720 in an unauthorized manner, less weight is applied on the moving pin 720, and the spring 730 extends towards the plug chamber 645, pushing the moving pin 720 into the plug chamber 645. The top section of the moving pin 720 may be in contact with bottom surface 648 of the combination pin 660.

[00049] Figs. 7C-7D show a firing pin mechanism of a barrel section in a biased state, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Figure 7C shows a side view of the firing pin mechanism of the barrel section, including the static base 710 and the moving pin 720. The spring 730 may be contained inside the static base 710, inside the moving pin 720 or divided inside both the static base 710 and the moving pin 720. [00050] Figure 7D shows a top view of the firing pin mechanism of the barrel section. The top view shows both ends 740, 745 of the spring 730. Is should be noted that the spring’s 730 shape changed between the biased state and the extended state, in a manner that the position of the ends 740, 745 changes as detailed below. The spring 730 is configured to move the moving pin 720 upwards, into the plug chamber 645, and in a rotating movement, relative to the center of the moving pin 720. In order to move the moving pin in a rotating manner, a locking spring may be used. The moving pin 720 may move clockwise, or counter clockwise, as desired by a person skilled in the art, in addition to movement towards the plug chamber 645. The top view also shows a locking tooth 770 connected to the static base and located on top of the static base 710. The locking tooth is at least partially surrounded by the moving pin 720. When the moving pin 720 moves upwards and rotating because of the spring 730, the locking tooth 770 prevents retracting the moving pin back to its initial position and back from the plug chamber 645.

[00051] Figs. 7E-7F show a firing pin mechanism of a barrel section in an extended state, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Figure 7E shows a side view of the firing pin mechanism of the barrel section, including the static base 710 and the moving pin 720. In some exemplary implementations, the static base 710 has a larger cross section than the moving pin 720. Hence, the bore inside the barrel section may have a wide section fitting the static base 710 and a narrow section, relatively closer to the plug chamber 645, configured to host the moving pin 720.

[00052] The spring 730 may be partially contained inside the static base 710 and secured to a bottom section of the moving pin 720.

[00053] Figure 7F shows a top view of the firing pin mechanism of the barrel section in an extended state. The top view shows both ends 740, 745 of the spring 730. Is should be noted that the spring’s 730 shape changed between the biased state and the extended state, in a manner that the position of the ends 740, 745 changes as detailed below. The spring 730 is configured to move the moving pin 720 upwards, into the plug chamber 645, and in a rotating movement, relative to the center of the moving pin 720. When the moving pin 720 moves in a rotating manner, the locking tooth 770 remains in its initial position. An internal section 780 of the moving pin 720 is located above the locking tooth 770 in the extended state. In the biased state, the moves relative internal section 780 of the moving pin 720 is located in the same height as the locking tooth 770.

[00054] Figs. 8A-8C show a firing pin mechanism having a locking tooth in multiple states, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8 A shows the firing pin mechanism in an initial state, when the plug covers the moving pm 720. The moving pin encloses a locking tooth 770. It can be seen that the lateral surface 772 of the locking tooth 770 interfaces with an internal lateral surface 780 of the moving pin 720. For simplicity, spring outlet 785 located in moving pin 720 is located near longitudinal edge 775 of the locking tooth 770.

[00055] Figure 8B shows the firing pin mechanism in an intermediate state, when the plug partially covers the moving pin 720. In the intermediate state, the moving pin 720 enters the plug chamber, in a reversible manner. That is, when the plug moves, the moving pin 720 can retract to the initial, non-actuated state shown in figure 8A. In the intermediate state, the moving pin 720 moves upwards, away from the base 710, and does not rotate. The upward movement is reversible, as force applied on the moving pin 720 by the plug can push the moving pin 720 backwards, outside the plug chamber, onto the base 710. It can be seen that in the intermediate state, the spring outlet 785 is still close to the longitudinal edge 775 of the locking tooth 770 and the moving pin 720 not yet rotated relative to the locking tooth 770.

[00056] Figure 8C shows the firing pm mechanism in a locked state, when the moving pin 720 is irreversibly locked inside the plug chamber. In the locked state, the plug chamber moves upwards and above the top surface of the locking tooth 770. When reaching over the locking tooth 770, the moving pin can rotate relative to the locking tooth 770. It can be seen that the shape of locking tooth can be selected from any non-circular shape, such that the moving pin 720 can rotate only after reaching a height higher than the height of the locking tooth 770. Rotation of the moving pin 720 can be visualized as the spring outlet 785 of the moving pin 720 is closer to the center of the locking tooth than to the longitudinal edge 775 of the locking tooth 770. The rotational movement of the moving pin 720 is enabled by the spring 730. The force applied when pushing the moving pin 720 outside the plug chamber is direct, but the spring 730 requires rotational movement of the moving pin 720 before rearward movement back to the initial, non-actuated state. Thus, the locking tooth 770 locks the moving pm 720 inside the plug chamber.

[00057] Figs. 9A-9B show a spring of a firing pin mechanism of a barrel section, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Figure 9A shows a top view of the spring 930, in which the spring 930 has two ends 910 and 920. The ends 910 and 920are not located one above the other. The side view, shown in figure 9B, shows the height 940 of the spring 930. The height differs between the biased state and the extended state, in which the moving pin is locked inside the plug chamber

[00058] It should be noted that the claimed invention also encompasses an exemplary embodiment in which the lock assembly comprises one firing pin located in the column section as shown in figures 1-5 and another lock assembly located in the barrel section as shown in figures 6-8. [00059] While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but only by the claims that follow.