EP0719899B1 - Locking and control device for a key - Google Patents

Abstract

The box (1), designed (16) for flush panel mounting, carries a standard cylinder (2) accepting the key to be secured, whose rotation turns a key-bit in a horizontal slot (13) in a sleeve (12). The sleeve end (5) operates (6) rotary indication contacts (4). A solenoid (7) operated plunger (8), penetrating a hole (9) in the box top and entering recesses (10,11) in the sleeve, defines two sleeve positions 90 deg. apart. In one, the key is trapped. To free it for use, the authorised user satisfies e.g. a card or key-pad check. The plunger then rises, the key is rotated and withdrawn. All operations are centrally monitored, using signals from the rotary (4) and solenoid (21) contacts.

Description

The present invention relates to the security of premises residential or professional premises, for example commercial, administrative or industrial, and more particularly an object locking device such as a key or a similar object, in order to control its use.

Protection of premises, in particular industrial premises, is generally ensured by limiting access to the all or part of the premises, for example by equipping the openings by means of suitable locks. However, the persons authorized to enter the premises must be able to have keys and it is then necessary to carry at least as many keys as there are people authorized to enter the premises.

Thus, for example, patent FR-A-2,655,367 describes a double cylinder lock comprising a connection means sliding mounted between the lock bit and the rotor outside or the inside rotor. This device is suitable for mechanical and electrical condemnation.

A solution to limit the number of keys giving access protected premises may consist of using cards magnetic, each user having a card with a code controlling access to certain premises so selective. This solution cannot be suitable for premises already equipped with conventional locks, unless they are replaced or complete them with card readers, or even specially adapted coded keyboards.

Another solution is to temporarily put a key available to an authorized user, using a device of the type described in the French patent application 94.03580, according to which each key is provided with means of identification and is placed on a specific support for each key, inside a protective case. So, each user has a key (for example a simple pass) which only allows him to access the box, which contains several keys giving specific access to certain premises; he cannot remove either of these specific keys only in a controlled manner, and it can only leave the premises only after having replaced the specific key and picked up the first key.

The present invention relates to a device likely to adapt in an installation of the above type or supplement it to improve performance.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device locking an object, in particular a lock key, allowing to control its use.

The invention also relates to a device for object locking and control, easily adaptable to existing security and access control systems various premises.

• ledit cylindre recevant l'objet, portant un panneton présentant une branche dépassant du cylindre, pouvant pivoter suivant un angle de rotation déterminé;
• une pièce cylindrique de révolution, montée pivotante suivant le même axe de rotation que le panneton, comportant une fente recevant l'extrémité du panneton opposée à l'axe de pivotement, et au moins une butée limitant l'angle de rotation;
• un contacteur permettant de repérer la position angulaire de la pièce cylindrique.

The object locking and control device according to the present invention is of the type comprising a cylinder movable by rotation on its axis, receiving the object and being able to pivot from at least one free position to at least one locked position, and is distinguishes in that it comprises, in combination:

• said cylinder receiving the object, carrying a bit having a branch projecting from the cylinder, which can pivot according to a determined angle of rotation;
• a cylindrical part of revolution, pivotally mounted along the same axis of rotation as the bit, comprising a slot receiving the end of the bit opposite the pivot axis, and at least one stop limiting the angle of rotation;
• a contactor for locating the angular position of the cylindrical part.

According to a preferred embodiment in accordance in the invention, the device is completed by an electromagnet acting on a rod sliding in a fixed direction and engaging in at least one hole provided in the part cylindrical of revolution. It is possible to provide only one hole, for example corresponding to the locking position of the key, or provide two, spaced at a corresponding angle to the angular displacement of the key to pass from the free position to the locking position.

The rod of the electromagnet can thus occupy two positions, a high position and a low position. In low position, the rod is engaged in the hole (s) provided in the cylindrical part and prevents any rotation of this one. The electromagnet is adjusted so that the rod engages in the hole or holes when they are in correspondence. The release of the rod, causing the release of the cylinder, can be controlled remotely by acting on the electromagnet. Advantageously, a contactor is connected to the electromagnet to detect the position of the rod and complete the information transmitted by the repeating contactor the angular position of the cylindrical part.

The pivoting cylindrical part may have a wall having a cut, the edges of which form stops limiting the angle of rotation by pressing against the cylinder receiving the object. The arc of a circle corresponding to this cut is substantially equal to the angle of rotation separating the free position from the locked position.

The slot provided in the wall of the cylindrical part of revolution is of substantially equal width, or slightly greater than the thickness of the bit, while its depth is greater than the width of the bit, so that this is more or less deeply engaged in the slot, according to its position. The slot is thus adapted to receive bits mounted on cylinders of variable length, the variation in length corresponding substantially to the depth of the slot.

The device of the invention is very particularly advantageous in that it complements existing systems comprising locks of which the cylinder is kept, preference to the European standard, the length of which may vary within specified limits. So, for example, it is possible to use the device of the invention with cylinders of length varying between approximately 28 and 35 mm, without that it is necessary to modify or adapt it.

The device of the invention can thus be integrated into a system for controlling the use of one or more keys. The key reserved for an authorized user is in place in the cylinder, in the locked position, i.e. that it cannot be extracted from the cylinder, otherwise by rotating by a determined angle. The user presenting himself in front of the device of the invention for removing the key (it can be for example the key opening access to a reserved room) must first identify themselves by means usual, manual or automated, so that the electromagnet is activated and unblocks the cylindrical part, allowing its rotation. After rotation of the key, it can be removed of the cylinder. The contactor then saved the position angular and this information is communicated to a central monitoring, or any logging or recording system, together with user identification as well as the date of the transaction. When the authorized user replaces the key, operations reverse are performed, and the contactor records the return the key to the locked position, and communicate this information to the central monitoring station, or to the system consignment or recording, together with the date of this second operation.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in more detail in the following description, relating to a preferential and non-limiting form of realization, with reference to the appended drawings, which represent :

Figure 1: an exploded perspective view showing the main elements of the device of the invention, offset along their axis.

Figure 2: a view in longitudinal section along the axis of rotation, of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3: a cross-sectional view along A-A of Figure 2 device.

The locking and control device shown in Figure 1 is particularly suitable for locking and checking a lock key, in order to check the use of the key by authorized users.

The device comprises a support block (1) in which the cylinder (2) of the lock is inserted, as standard European, intended to receive the key.

At the rear of the block (1), a cylindrical part is fitted of revolution (3) and a contactor (4), the cylinder (2), the cylindrical part (3) and the contactor (4) being arranged on the same axis.

The cylindrical part of revolution (3) has on its rear part a sleeve (5) which fits on the axis (6) contactor drive (4). The pivoting of the part cylindrical (3) causes the rotation of the axis (6) of the contactor at a determined angle, which makes it possible to raise the angular position, according to a conventional technique, for example by mechanical, electromechanical or magnetic contact. Indication of the angular position of the contactor axis can be processed by appropriate means such as a microcomputer (not shown).

The locking and control device is completed by an electromagnet (7) acting on a displacement rod (8) vertical, engaging in the through hole (9) which cross the block (1) to come in one or the other of the two blind holes (10) and (11) provided in the wall of the room cylindrical (3). Thus, the rod (8) of the electromagnet (7) can block the cylindrical part (3) in one or the other of the two positions.

The wall of the cylindrical envelope (12) of the part cylindrical (3) has an elongated slot (13), sufficient width to accommodate the bit integral with the cylinder (2) of the lock, shown in the following figures. This wall (12) is discontinuous and has a break on an arc of about 90 ° so that form two opposite stops (14) and (15) which limit the angle of rotation of the cylindrical part (3) coming to bear against the key cylinder (2).

The block (1) is preferably inserted in a fixed wall (not shown) from which it remains inseparable. The two chamfers (16) formed in opposite corners of the front face of the block (1) allow the block to be inserted into a wall, preventing any possibility of forward extraction, the part rear of the device being protected by the wall.

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the device of Figure 1 where the three elements constituted by the block (1) carrying the cylinder (2), the cylindrical part (3) and the contactor (4) are put in place and assembled.

The bit (18) of the cylinder (2), seen at the end, is engaged in the housing formed by the slot (13). As shown Figure 2, the depth of the slot (13) is sufficient to receive panniers occupying variable positions longitudinally, i.e. corresponding to cylinders (2) of variable length. So in the case of the cylinder shown in Figure 2, you can use a cylinder variable length, between approximately 28 and 35 mm.

As shown in Figure 3, the cylinder (2) is blocked in its position, in the block (1) by the groove (19) in which it is engaged, while the envelope (12) of the cylindrical part can rotate on its axis under the action of angular displacement of the bit (18) which turns with the key (20) engaged in the cylinder and pushes back the cylindrical envelope (12) by resting on the edges of the slot (13) in which he is engaged. The rotation angle is limited, as shown in Figure 3, by the stops (14) and (15) which come to bear against one or other of the faces of the base of the cylinder (2).

So if in the position of the key shown on the Figure 3, the key can be extracted from the cylinder (2), a rotation 90 ° clockwise brings the stop (14) bearing against the base of the cylinder (2), and this position corresponds to the key lock which can no longer be extracted from the cylinder. In addition, in one or other of the two extreme angular positions of the key, one press exerted on the key in the direction of blocking has the effect of pressing either of the stops (14) and (15) against the base cylinder (2) via the bit (18), but no excessive pressure is exerted on the contactor (4) which is the most fragile element, and therefore the indication of the position it gives is not distorted.

In addition, the blocking of the cylindrical part (3) is completed by the rod (8) of the electromagnet (7), which engages, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the holes provided on the cylindrical part.

Finally, when the key is in the locked position, the stop (14) bearing against the base of the cylinder (2), the end of the rod (8) engages in the hole (10) provided on the sleeve (5), and this low position of the rod (8) is detected by a contactor (21) connected to the electromagnet (7). This contactor also provides additional information. on the position of the rod (8), and, consequently, on the key lock position, which completes the information supplied by the contactor (6). Unlocking, to allow operate the key, is remotely controlled by operating on the electromagnet (7) to raise the rod (8).

The engagement of the rod (8) in the second hole (11), when the key is in the other extreme position and the stop (15) is against the base of the cylinder (2), is carried out the same way.

Claims (6)

1. A device for locking and controlling an article such as a key or similar article, of the type comprising a cylinder which is mobile in rotation about its axis, receiving the article and being able to pivot from at least one free position to at least one locked position, characterised in that it comprises, in combination:

   said cylinder (2) receiving the article, bearing a key bit (18) having a branch projecting out of the cylinder, capable of pivoting at a given angle of rotation;

   a cylindrical revolving part (3), mounted to pivot along the same axis of rotation as the key bit (18), comprising a slot (13) receiving the end of the bit opposite the pivot axis, and at least one stop surface (14, 15) limiting the angle of rotation;

   a contactor (4) making it possible to locate the angular position of the cylindrical piece (3).
2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises an electromagnet (7) acting on a shank (8) which slides in a fixed direction and engages in at least one hole (10, 11) provided in the cylindrical revolving part (3).
3. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the electromagnet (7) is connected to a contactor (21) detecting the position of the shank of the electromagnet.
4. A device according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the pivoting cylindrical part (3) comprises a wall (12) having a cutout, the edges of which form stop surfaces (14, 15) limiting the angle of rotation by coming to bear against the cylinder (2) receiving the article.
5. A device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the arc of a circle corresponding to the cutout is substantially equal to the angle of rotation separating the free position from the locked position.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the depth of the slot (13) formed in the cylindrical revolving part (3) is greater than the width of the key bit (18), such that the latter is engaged to a greater or lesser depth in the slot, depending on its position.

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