AU2002225035B2

AU2002225035B2 - Cylinder lock with a cylinder housing and flange key for a cylinder lock

Info

Publication number: AU2002225035B2
Application number: AU2002225035A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kurt Prunbauer
Original assignee: EVVA Werk Spezialerzeugung von Zylinder und Sicherheitsschloessern GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: EVVA Sicherheitstechnologie GmbH
Priority date: 2001-02-15
Filing date: 2002-01-23
Publication date: 2004-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-23
Also published as: ATE368783T1; JP2004518045A; ES2288186T3; NO20024962D0; PL198114B1; DE50210580D1; HUP0300051A2; ATA2392001A; PT1272720E; HU225255B1; SK284924B6; DK1272720T3; HRP20020818B1; HRP20020818A2; GB2372284B; WO2002064921A1; PL356741A1; EP1272720B1; CZ294916B6; GB0108450D0

Abstract

A cylinder lock with a cylinder casing 1 and a rotatable cylinder core 2 comprises: a key channel 4 for receiving a flat key 5; followers [25, figure 1] for control faces on the key; locking parts which allow or prevent rotation of the cylinder core 2; and a slidable catch bar 26 located within the cylinder core 2 in a plane across the longitudinal centre plane [7, figure 1] of the cylinder lock. The catch bar 26 comprises a locking arm 27 positioned over the key channel and is movable by the edge of the key 5 and by the spring force 35 between locked and unlocked positions. When the key is only partially inserted in the key channel, a locking flank 30 on the key holds the locking arm in a locking recess 28 in the cylinder casing, thus preventing rotation of the core 2. When the key is fully inserted, as shown in figure 2, the locking arm is positioned opposite a free recess 29 on the key. Upon rotation of the key the locking arm 27 can enter the key recess 29. When the key is rotated, the recess 29 retains the key such that the key cannot be removed [figure 3].

Description

1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 EVVA-WERK SPEZIALERZEUGUNG VON ZYLINDER- UND SICHERHEITSSCHLOSSERN GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H. CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Cylinder lock with a cylinder housing and flange key for a cylinder lock The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:la

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(-i TECHNICAL FIELD oThe invention concerns a cylinder lock with cylinder housing and a cylinder core that can be rotated therein, that has a key channel for a flat key and sensing elements for the control surfaces of the key as well as locking elements which block the cylinder core against rotation or release it.

OBACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In the case of cylinder locks the inserted key should be able to be removed only in the so called neutral position. The removal of the key in any other rotated position should be prevented, in particular in the 1800 position of the cylinder core.

Constructions known at present are not effective in all cases.

However, when the cylinder core is in the neutral position, it should be possible to remove the key even when during rotation tensile force acts on the key. This occurs when, for example, the door is pulled closed with a rotated key and then, while maintaining the tension, attempt is made to remove the key. In the case of some locks it may happen that while being rotated the locking elements situated inside of the lock will jam due to the tensile force, so that they will not reach the relieving position or only when the key is released briefly and is removed afterwards. This is often considered by users as a fault in the lock's construction.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cylinder lock with cylinder housing and a cylinder core that can be rotated therein, that has a key channel for a flat key and sensing elements for the control surfaces of the key as well as locking elements which block the cylinder core against rotation or release it, characterised in that in the cylinder core in a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane 2 of the cylinder lock a displaceable safety shackle is provided, that overlaps the key channel on a narrow side by means of a locking arm, while the locking arm is displaceable via control surfaces of the key and the spring force between the locked position and the relieving position and in the case of a fully inserted flat key it is situated opposite a relieving recess of the key and when the key is not fully inserted it is held by a locking flank of the key in the locked position in a locking recess of the O cylinder housing and further characterised in that the safety shackle has a guide arm Sdisplaceably arranged in a mounting bore of the cylinder core and a locking arm Nlaterally protruding from it.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a flat key for a cylinder lock in accordance with an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the key has variation elements, like key notches and/or longitudinal profiled grooves and lateral profiled recesses, characterised in that the key has a relieving recess on its top and adjacent to it has a locking flank in the direction of the tip of the key.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention may provide a key that can be removed only in the accurately defined neutral position and in the rotated position the locking elements provided in the lock should be relieved of tension, even if the key causes a tensile load.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention in the cylinder core in a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane of the cylinder lock a displaceable safety shackle is provided, that overlaps the key channel on a narrow side by means of a locking arm, while the locking arm is displaceable via control surfaces of the key and the spring force between the locked position and the relieving position and in the case of a fully inserted flat key it is situated opposite a relieving recess of the key and when the key is not fully inserted it is held by a locking flank of the key in the locked position in a locking recess of the cylinder housing.

The flat key for the aforementioned cylinder lock is characterised in that the key has a relieving recess on its top and adjacent to it has a locking flank in the direction of the tip of the key.

Further advantageous features become apparent from the claims, description and drawings.

The invention is explained in detail based on an embodiment. The features according to the invention can be provided in any lock construction, consequently there are no limitations in this regard. The advantage of the tension relief of the locking elements in the lock applies to all lock constructions of this type.

2a BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS SFig. 1 shows the cross-section through a cylinder lock of a certain type of

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construction, that is used only in the way of an example, Fig. 2 is a schematic longitudinal section through a portion of the cylinder core with the key inserted in the neutral position, I Fig. 3 shows a rotated position of the cylinder core, C€3 Fig. 4 is a section according to line IV-IV of Fig. 2, SFig. 5 is a view from above on the cylinder core with the cylinder housing Ssectioned; non-essential parts of the lock have been omitted, Fig. 6 shows the view from above on a variation, N Fig. 7 shows the view from above of a variation of the top of a key.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to Fig. 1 the cylinder core 2 is rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing 1. The rotation is carried out along the cylindrical rotational plane 3. The key in the form of a flat key, the key bit 6 of which has the known key notches is situated in the key channel 4. In the central longitudinal plane 7 of the lock there are situated both the key channel 4 with the key 5, as well as the bore 8 of the core pin. The core pin 9, controlled in its position by the key notches of the key bit 6, is situated in the bore 8 of the core pin.

Parallel to the bore 8 of the core pin in the cylinder core 2 a guide channel 10 that passes through the cylinder core is provided. In the guide channel 10 a guide body 11 is provided laterally to the core pin 9. On that flank 12 which is averted from the key channel the guide body 11 has a disengagement groove 13.

Furthermore, at the top end of the guide body 11 there is a retaining tongue 14 engaging a compression spring Laterally to the guide channel 10 there is a displaceable locking element 17 in a recess 16, said locking element being biased by the spring 18 in the direction of a locking recess 19 of the cylinder housing. In the case of the non-rotated position of the cylinder core, illustrated in Fig.1, the locking lug 20 of the locking element 17 is engaged by the locking recess 19.

On its internal end the locking element 17 has a sensing spigot 21 against each guide body 11, the sensing spigot so dimensioned that it can be pushed into the disengagement groove 13.

The cylinder lock operates as follows: When the key 5 is inserted, the core pin 9 is pressed downwards by the key bit 6 against the pressure of the spring 15 in the allocated position. The guide body 11 is displaced with it and in the case of the correct key the disengagement groove 13 reaches the illustrated position, so that it will be situated opposite the locking lug 20 of the locking element 17. Consequently, when rotating the cylinder core the locking element with its locking lug 20 can be pushed out from the locking recess 19, whereby the sensing spigot 21 is pushed into the disengagement groove 13. Thus the cylinder core can be freely rotated.

If a plurality of core pins 9 and guide bodies 11 are provided, they all have to assume the position mentioned to enable the disengagement position of the locking element 17.

If an incorrect key is used, the core pin 9 and the guide body 11 connected with it assume a different position, so that the sensing spigot 21 protrudes into the flank 12 of the guide body, thus blocking the lock.

In the plane of rotation of the guide body 11 the cylinder housing 1 has an annular groove 22 each that is open towards the cylinder core 2. The width of the annular groove 22 corresponds to the width of the guide body or it is greater. The respective ends of the guide body 11 and of the core pin 9 become free by virtue of the annular groove 22, due to which the stroke is increased on the one hand and both components can be made longer on the other, so that the guiding in the guide channel and in the bore 8 of the core pin will be improved. Moreover, the upper end of the guide body 11 is engaged by the annular groove 22 if no key is inserted, thus providing a protection for the core against removal. Therefore the cylinder core cannot be broken up by the known pulling method. As far as currently known lock features are concerned, the key 5 can satisfy all conventional flat keys which fit, since they are common for divided tumbler pins.

In the current embodiment the key has longitudinal profiled grooves 23 and lateral profiled recesses 24, which can be sensed by additional sensing elements 25 and offer the possibilities for additional variations.

In Fig.1 the cylinder housing 1 has the conventional housing form with the web 32. As it can be seen, there are, however, no lock elements in this web 23.

Consequently this web 32 may be either omitted as this is required for a round cylinder, or this space can be used for additional lock and fastening elements.

The arrangement of the annular grooves 22 is only in the way of an example and may also be omitted.

Fig.2 shows a broken section along the central longitudinal plane 7 through a portion of the internal (coupling side) end of the cylinder core and cylinder housing. The key 5 is fully inserted, so that all (not illustrated here) core pins, allocated to the individual key notches 36, are positioned in such a manner that the cylinder core 2 can be rotated relative to the cylinder housing 1. In a plane, perpendicularly to the central longitudinal plane of the cylinder lock, a safety shackle 26 is displaceably provided, that overlaps the key channel 4 on its narrow side by means of a locking arm 27.

As this can be seen especially from Fig.4, the upper end of the safety shackle 26 lies with its locking arm 27 in a locking recess 28 of the cylinder housing 1.

Opposite the locking arm 27 the key 5 has a relieving recess 29. As a result of this relieving recess 29 the cylinder core can be freely rotated, because when rotated the locking arm 27 is pushed out from the locking recess 28 and is placed downward into the relieving recess 29. This possibility to displace the safety shackle is, however, present only when the key is fully inserted. If the key is not fully inserted, the locking flank 30 of the key will be situated below the locking arm 27, so that the locking arm 27 cannot be displaced downward and consequently the cylinder core cannot be rotated.

The dimensioning is such, that the overall depth of the relieving recess 29 is equal to the overall height of the locking arm 27. The depth X of the locking recess 28 corresponds approximately that of the depth of the relieving recess 29 opposite the locking flank 30 to the tip of the key.

As this can be seen from Fig.2, the position of the locking flank 30 is lower than the top 31 of the key. This lowering makes the pushing through of the tip of the key under the locking arm 27 possible. The lowering also acts as a further security feature of the key, since conventional flat keys without such depressions cannot be fully inserted into the key channel.

The effectiveness of the device is due to the fact that shortly before the full insertion of the key into the key channel the locking flank 30 engages the locking arm 27 from below and prevents a premature rotation of the cylinder core.

Consequently the lateral loading of the core pins is eliminated, which thus will be relieved from any rotating movement, since the rotation will be possible only when the key is fully inserted.

I In the rotated position according to Fig.3 with a fully inserted key, the locking arm 27 holds the key firmly in its position, so that it cannot be removed.

As it can be seen from Fig.4, the safety shackle 26 comprises a guide arm 33, that is mounted in a mounting bore 34, under the pressure of the spring The external surface 39 of the locking arm 27 that abuts against the locking recess 28, is made so wide that the locking arm 27 cannot be engaged by any of the other locking recesses 19, thus preventing jamming when rotating the cylinder core.

As it can be further seen from Fig.2, the position of the safety shackle 26 is preferably in front of the first key notch 36, viewed from the tip of the key.

The distance Z, however, is in principle variable, so that the safety shackle may be further situated from the tip of the key.

In Figs.2 to 5 the locking arm 27 in the lock and the relieving recess 29 on the top 38 of the key are transversely constructed in such a manner that they are perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 7. However, in an advantageous manner the arrangement can be oblique, as this becomes obvious from Figs.6 and 7.

shows the arrangement of the safety shackle 26 when viewing the cylinder core from above. The bores 8 of the core pins are schematically shown without the core pins present in them. The necessary space for the displacement of the locking arm 27 in the cylinder core is assured by the slot 37, as this becomes apparent also from Fig.4.

The arrangement of the safety shackle and the construction of the key depend to a great extent from the remaining construction of the lock.

According to Fig.6 the cylinder lock can be varied by that the locking arm 27 of the safety shackle 27 is oblique to the central longitudinal plane 7 of the lock.

7 Consequently the slot 37 of the cylinder core is also arranged obliquely in this o case. The angle to the perpendicular is shown slightly increased and in practice is about 300. Accordingly, in Fig. 7 the relieving recess 29 is also arranged obliquely on the top O 38 of the key, leading to the increase of the number of variations and security when locked.

t Alternatively, the perpendicular arrangement of the safety shackle 27 according e¢3 Sto Fig. 2 can be combined with the oblique arrangement of the relieving recess 29 on C the top of the key, whereby an oblique rib is provided on the safety shackle 27 which

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N, senses the oblique relieving recess.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations CI and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

2. A cylinder lock according to claim 1, characterised in that the safety shackle is provided in a plane, the distance of which is variable from the inside end of the cylinder lock, while preferably the plane is in front of the first core pin.
3. A cylinder lock according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that a slot is provided in the cylinder core to guide the safety shackle and enable its displacement.
4. A cylinder lock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the locking arm is provided at an angle to the perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane. Cylinder lock according to claim 4, characterised in that the angle is approx.
6. A cylinder lock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the locking arm is perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane and has a rib oblique thereto that engages an oblique relieving recess of the lock.
7. A flat key for a cylinder lock according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the key has variation elements, like key notches and/or longitudinal profiled grooves and 9 lateral profiled recesses, characterised in that the key has a relieving recess on its top o and adjacent to it has a locking flank in the direction of the tip of the key. O 8. A flat key according to claim 7, characterised in that the depth of the relieving recess from the top of the key corresponds to the height of the locking arm and the r height of the relieving recess from the locking flank is smaller than the depth of the O relieving recess from the top of the key.
9. A flat key according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the position of the relieving recess from the tip of the key is variable, preferably in front of the first key C notch. A flat key according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the relieving recess is arranged obliquely on the top of the key.
11. A cylinder lock substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A flat key for a cylinder lock substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this seventh day of October 2004 EVVA-WERK Spezialerzeugung von Zylinder- und Sicherheitsschl6ssern Gesellschaft m.b.H. Co. Kommanditgesellschaft Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: