Yale Push Key Pin Tumbler Padlock

[GWiens2001]

The iron and brass Yale PKPT padlocks.



Gordon

[stratmando]

That's the one, when correct key inserted, does it just go up enough to open, so pins don't go into other chambers?

[GWiens2001]

Yes. It will not raise raise enough for the first pin stack to clear the plug. It raises a bit and then the shackle to gain clearance to remove the padlock.

The key can not be removed until the shackle is closed again.

Gordon

[stratmando]

It does make sense since pins aren't aligned with chambers.
Unless the key was continuously getting narrower toward the tip. And any humps removed.
Which I wanted to add while on subject. If you had a Key Retaining Lock, and want to make Non Retaining, just Rekey same way. Shallow cuts at Hilt, Deeper towards the tip, no bumps. Key will pull right out.

[Kenneth_V]

I just picked up one of these online.
Hopefully it will be here in a couple days



Now to find an original key blank!

[stratmando]

I have a Large and Small Yale Push Key Padlock, the Large one uses a Flat Key, the small one has a profile?
Not sure correct name for a key that is not flat? The small one I have that looks like yours has a small chain attached, one side says Yale, Other Side says US, And the
Key says USN. Read they may have been used in WW2?
Is yours Flat?

[stratmando]

I just picked up one of these online.
Hopefully it will be here in a couple days



Now to find an original key blank!

Did you check the Yale and Towne Padlock Catalog between pages 93 and 99, shows what Blanks for which Padlock. I may have original old Blank(s)

[Kenneth_V]

I did. That is actually what I was looking for in the catalogues.

Let me know if you have one. I’d be interested if you do.

[GWiens2001]

The non-flat keys for those were referred to as their "corrugated" keys.

The flat one are still produced today.

There were two main sizes. The larger has four pins. The smaller only has three pins.

There was another one that is more unusual and harder to find. They were produced by Yale specifically for one customer - PGL&C CO. People's Gas Lamp and Coke Company. It is different because instead of the key pins pushing the driver pins/springs out of the shackle into the padlock body, the key pins push the springs and driver pins INTO the shackle.







Just a little history tidbit. Here is another about PGL&C Co. They constructed the first long distance, high pressure steel natural gas pipeline. It went from northern Texas to Chicago, Illinois in the United States. That was 90 years ago in 1932, and made industrial use of natural gas commercially viable.

Sometimes learning about the locks can teach you some surprising things about history.

Gordon

[Kenneth_V]

I’ll have to look when it arrives. I believe it is the 4 pin based on the size.

It already has been a lesson in history

[GWiens2001]

You can also look at the side of the padlock next to the plug and you will see the caps for the chambers. Count the caps and you will see the number of pins.

Gordon