WO2014167588A1

WO2014167588A1 - Break-in resistant cylinder

Info

Publication number: WO2014167588A1
Application number: PCT/IT2013/000102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fausto Fustini
Original assignee: Cisas.P.A.
Priority date: 2013-04-09
Filing date: 2013-04-09
Publication date: 2014-10-16
Also published as: WO2014167588A8

Abstract

A break- in resistant cylinder (1) comprising a stator (2) which is provided with a substantially cylindrical longitudinal cavity (3) for accommodating a rotor (4) with a longitudinal seat (5) for the insertion of a key (6); the rotor (4) and the stator (2) comprise a plurality of channels (7), which are substantially aligned and facing when the cylinder (1) is in the configuration for locking; the channels (7) accommodate respective pins, counterpins and optional elastic means which are adapted to prevent the rotation of the rotor (4) in the stator (2) in the absence of the key (6) in the longitudinal seat (5); arranged inside the longitudinal cavity (3) and interposed between an end tip (8), directed outward, of the cavity (3), and the front face (9) of the rotor (4), is a protective shell (10) made of a material of high hardness; the shell (10) has a diameter not larger than the diameter of the cavity (3) and not smaller than the inner diameter of the end tip (8).

Description

BREAK-IN RESISTANT CYLINDER

The present invention relates to a break-in resistant cylinder (cylinder lock).

A cylinder is the mechanism, connected directly to a lock, that permits the opening or the closing of a door or window frame.

Many different types exist, but the basic system is constituted by an assembly of springs and pins which freely perform a translational motion inside respective channels which are arranged by a key in a particular condition that enables the unlocking of the lock.

Cylinders are particularly vulnerable to specific break-in techniques. In a correct installation, the cylinder has its ends aligned with the surface of the door of installation in order to deny a malicious individual access to a projecting portion with which to grip the cylinder in order to rip it from its seat.

Even if the installation has been carried out in compliance with the above indication, a malicious individual could still attempt to rip the cylinder from its seat by way of various attack strategies.

First he or she could try inserting a self-tapping screw in the hole intended for the insertion of the key and use the head of the screw as a projecting portion in order to force the cylinder.

Naturally, in order to ensure that the screw will withstand the force that will be applied when it is subjected to traction by the burglar in the attempt to rip out the cylinder, such screw must be of a substantial thickness.

Such thickness makes it necessary to adopt a self-tapping screw, since the hole intended to receive the key is insufficient to accommodate such screw.

Alternatively the break-in could involve the use of a drill (with corresponding drill bit) for enlarging the keyhole, and into the enlarged hole the burglar could proceed to screw a self-tapping screw of substantial thickness.

The widespread nature of high-power battery-powered drills and screwdrivers enables the burglar to carry out these operations to damage the cylinder quickly, while producing little noise.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing a break-in resistant cylinder that is difficult to drill using a drill with a drill bit.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a break-in resistant cylinder that is difficult to drill using a self-tapping screw.

Another object of the invention is to provide a break- in resistant cylinder in which drilling of the rotor requires a large amount of time and generates noise.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a break-in resistant cylinder that is low-cost, easily and practically implemented, and safe to use.

This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a break-in resistant cylinder of the type comprising a stator which is provided with a substantially cylindrical longitudinal cavity for accommodating a rotor with a longitudinal seat for the insertion of a key, said rotor and said stator comprising a plurality of channels, which are substantially aligned and facing when the cylinder is in the configuration for locking, said channels accommodating respective pins, counterpins and optional elastic means which are adapted to prevent the rotation of the rotor in the stator in the absence of the key in said longitudinal seat, characterized in that arranged inside said longitudinal cavity and interposed between an end tip, directed outward, of said cavity, and the front face of said rotor, is a protective shell made of a material of great hardness, said shell having a diameter not larger than the diameter of said cavity and not smaller than the inner diameter of said end tip.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the break-in resistant cylinder according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional side view along a longitudinal vertical line, of a first possible embodiment of a break-in resistant cylinder according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cylinder of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the cylinder of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a sectional side view along a longitudinal vertical line, of a second possible embodiment of a break-in resistant cylinder according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a front elevation view of a possible key paired with a break-in resistant cylinder according to the invention.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a break-in resistant cylinder.

The break-in resistant cylinder 1 comprises a stator 2 which is provided with a substantially cylindrical longitudinal cavity 3 for accommodating a rotor 4 with a longitudinal seat 5 for the insertion of a key 6.

The rotor 4 and the stator 2 comprise a plurality of channels 7, which are substantially aligned and facing when the cylinder 1 is in the configuration for locking. The channels 7 accommodate respective pins, counterpins and optional elastic means which are adapted to prevent the rotation of the rotor 4 in the stator 2 in the absence of the key 6 in the longitudinal seat 5.

Arranged inside the longitudinal cavity 3, interposed between an end tip 8, directed outward, of the cavity 3 and the front face 9 of the rotor 4, is a protective shell 10 made of a material of high hardness.

The shell 10 has a diameter that is not larger than the diameter of the cavity 3 and not smaller than the inner diameter of the end tip 8.

The surface directed outward 11 of the shell 10 is symmetrically concave with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotor 4.

In this manner, if a burglar attempts to break through the cylinder 1 using a drill (with a respective bit for perforation and/or with a self-tapping screw), the tip of the bit will tend to fall into the concavity, ending up on the bottom thereof, thus making it complicated to execute the hole for breaking- in along a different alignment.

Naturally the hole for breaking-in should be substantially centered with respect to the longitudinal seat 5, and its skewing owing to the concavity will, at least partially, compromise its effectiveness.

According to an alternative embodiment which is particularly advantageous in terms of increasing the security of the cylinder 1 that adopts it, the surface directed outward 11 of the shell 10 could be symmetrically convex with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotor 4.

In such case the convexity of the surface 11 would determine a considerable complexity of the drilling operation with the drill used for breaking in: in fact the utensil would tend to move from the ideal position of the drill, imposed by the user, in relation to the shape of the surface on which it is resting and in relation to the surface hardness thereof.

According to a further embodiment, which is particularly effective for warding off breaking-in attacks perpetrated with a drill, a screwdriver and other, similar tools, the surface directed outward 11 of the shell 10 can have at least one protrusion of the type preferably selected from a projection, a rib, a lip, a pit, a groove and/or a combination thereof.

Naturally the presence of an irregular shape structure of the surface 11 (as a result of the presence of slots, ribbing, projections and/or pits) will impose a high number of stable positions in which to rest the drill bit of the drill (or other similar tool): a careful choice of the shape structure of the surface 11 will make it possible to restrict such stable positions to predetermined regions of the shell 10 which make it more difficult to break in.

Moreover the presence of ribbing, slots and the like can also damage the bit of the drill (the drill bit and/or self-tapping screw) by making it quickly lose the cutting surfaces that ensure the efficiency of drilling.

It is convenient to note that, according to an embodiment that is particularly efficient and secure against attempts at breaking in, the assembly 1 can comprise means 12 of coupling the shell 10 to the rotor 4.

The coupling means 12 have a low mechanical resistance, and are thus easily prone to breakage when subjected to external forces.

Breakage of the coupling means 12 results in the mutual decoupling of the shell 19 and the rotor 4.

In particular, if a torque higher than a predetermined value is applied to the shell 10 alone (for example by way of the action of a bit of a drill and/or of a self-tapping screw associated with a screwdriver) then the coupling means 12 will break, with consequent entrainment in free rotation of the shell 10 by the element with which the torque is applied.

This therefore will defeat the attempt to perforate the shell 10 since it will move together with the tool used for drilling, entrained thereby.

The advantages of this embodiment are evident and numerous. In fact, in addition to ensuring an effective protection against attempts to break in which involve drilling of the cylinder 1 , it enables, in conditions of perfect efficiency of the coupling means 12, the correct alignment of the shell 10 with the rotor 4 (in particular with the longitudinal seat 5).

According to an alternative embodiment, which is also particularly secure against attempts to break in perpetrated with drilling tools, the shell 10 can have a degree of freedom of rotation with respect to the axis of the rotor 4, within the accommodation defined by the cavity 3 of the stator 2 and by the front face 9 of the rotor 4.

It is evident that this embodiment will also defeat any attempt to perforate the shell 10 since it will move together with the tool used for drilling, entrained thereby.

The cylinder 1 comprises a pair of half-stators 2a and 2b, which are adapted to accommodate respective half-rotors 4a and 4b in respective half- cavities 3a and 3b, and are interconnected by way of a lower joint 13 with one portion 13a accommodated in a lower seat of the half-stator 4a and coupled to it and one portion 13b accommodated in a lower seat of the half- stator 4b and coupled to it.

The joint 13 comprises a channel 14 for fixing to the installation door or window frame.

It further comprises another two channels 15 and 16 for fixing to the respective seats of the half-stators 4a and 4b.

In order to ensure the correct operation of the cylinder 1 according to the invention, interposed between the half-rotor 4a and the half-rotor 4b is a command bit for respective components of the type of a spring latch, a sliding latch and the like.

According to an embodiment aimed at increasing security by preventing several breaking-in attacks, the cylinder 1 can comprise a protective outer enclosure, provided with specific codification means, which is facing and proximate to the shell 10.

The key 6 associated with the cylinder 1 and with the outer enclosure will in such case comprise a portion 16 of a width not greater than the lower dimension of the slot of the enclosure, for the free rotation of the key 6 inside the cavity 3, integrally with the rotor 4 while it is also inserted in the slot of the enclosure.

In order to enable an optimal level of protection against breaking-in attacks, the shell 10 is provided with material preferably selected from steel, optionally subjected to tempering, case-hardening, ammonia hardening and similar treatments, titanium, ceramic materials, sintered materials (such as for example widia), composite materials and combinations thereof. Advantageously, thus, the present invention solves the problems explained previously, by identifying a break-in resistant cylinder 1 that is difficult to drill, in particular when the burglar uses a drill with a corresponding drill bit.

Effectively the break-in resistant cylinder 1 is also difficult to drill by using a self-tapping screw (for example associated with a screwdriver, even if it is battery-operated).

Profitably the break-in resistant cylinder 1 is devised in such a manner as to render the drilling of the rotor 4 very complex (in the remote possibility wherein it is feasible), requiring a long time and generating noise.

The noise and the duration of the break-in will be such as to make it probable that someone (a neighbor, a passer-by etc.) will notice the break-in attempt and raise the alarm.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

1. A break-in resistant cylinder of the type comprising a stator (2) which is provided with a substantially cylindrical longitudinal cavity (3) for accommodating a rotor (4) with a longitudinal seat (5) for the insertion of a key (6), said rotor (4) and said stator (2) comprising a plurality of channels (7), which are substantially aligned and facing when the cylinder (1) is in the configuration for locking, said channels (7) accommodating respective pins, counterpins and optional elastic means which are adapted to prevent the rotation of the rotor (4) in the stator (2) in the absence of the key (6) in said longitudinal seat (5), characterized in that arranged inside said longitudinal cavity (3) and interposed between an end tip (8), directed outward, of said cavity (3), and the front face (9) of said rotor (4), is a protective shell (10) made of a material of high hardness, said shell (10) having a diameter not larger than the diameter of said cavity (3) and not smaller than the inner diameter of said end tip (8).

2. The break-in resistant cylinder according to claim 1 , characterized in that the surface directed outward (11) of said shell (10) is symmetrically concave with respect to the longitudinal axis of said rotor (4).

3. The break-in resistant cylinder according to claim 1 , characterized in that the surface directed outward (11) of said shell (10) is symmetrically convex with respect to the longitudinal axis of said rotor (4).

4. The break-in resistant cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface directed outward (11) of said shell (10) has at least one protrusion of the type preferably selected from a projection, a rib, a lip, a pit, a groove and/or a combination thereof.

5. The break- in resistant cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (12) of coupling said shell (10) to said rotor (4), said coupling means (12) having a low mechanical resistance to breakage, with decoupling of said shell (10) from said rotor (4), upon application of a torque higher than a preset value to the shell (10) alone.

6. The break-in resistant cylinder according to claim 1 and alternative to claim 5, characterized in that said shell (10) has a degree of freedom of rotation with respect to the axis of said rotor (4), within the accommodation defined in said cavity (3) of said stator (2) and the front face (9) of said rotor (4).

7. The break-in resistant cylinder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cylinder comprises a pair of half-stators (2a, 2b), which are adapted to accommodate respective half- rotors (4a, 4b) in respective half-cavities (3a, 3b), and are interconnected by way of a lower joint (13) with one portion (13a) accommodated in a lower seat of said half-stator (4a) and coupled to it and one portion (13b) accommodated in a lower seat of said half-stator (4b) and coupled to it, said joint (13) comprising a channel (14) for fixing to the installation door or window frame.

8. The break-in resistant cylinder according to claim 7, characterized in that interposed between said half-rotor (4a) and said half-rotor (4b) is a command bit for respective components of the type of a spring latch, a sliding latch and the like.

9. The break-in resistant cylinder according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a protective outer enclosure, provided with specific codification means, which is facing and proximate to said shell (10), the key (6) which is associated with said cylinder ( 1 ) and with said outer enclosure comprising a portion ( 17) of a width not larger than the lower dimension of the slot of said enclosure, for the free rotation of said key (6) inside said cavity (3), integrally with said rotor (4) while it is also inserted in the slot of said enclosure.

10. The break-in resistant cylinder according to claim 1 , characterized in that said shell (10) is made with material preferably selected from steel, optionally subjected to tempering, case-hardening, ammonia hardening and similar treatments, titanium, ceramic materials, sintered materials, composite materials and combinations thereof.