AU2007335177B2

AU2007335177B2 - Locking system with security turning keys

Info

Publication number: AU2007335177B2
Application number: AU2007335177A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ulrich Kramer
Original assignee: Kaba AG
Current assignee: Kaba AG
Priority date: 2006-12-21
Filing date: 2007-12-12
Publication date: 2014-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-12
Also published as: JP2010513753A; AU2007335177A1; CN101595269A; RU2009127522A; EP2094922A1; WO2008074171A1; UA96465C2; EP2094922B1; RU2479703C2; IL199125A0; IL199125A; HK1135744A1; CN101595269B; JP5382349B2

Abstract

The locking system has security turning keys (S) and associated cylinders (Z). At the key tips, the keys and also the blanks (S1) thereof have a concave recess (10) which interacts with a convex formation (20) on a displaceable counterpart (21) in the cylinders such that, when the key is entirely inserted, the concave recess (10) rests flat on the convex formation (20) on the counterpart, and a key without said concave recess is locked out (a) by the convex formation of the counterpart, thus preventing complete insertion, and such that a locking or switching function is made possible by the counterpart. Starting from the key tip, the concave recess (10) first of all has a first inclination (N1) and subsequently a second inclination (N2) to the key axis, with the second inclination being greater than the first inclination. These concave recesses (10) which are difficult to copy are already provided on the blanks. This provides protection for the blanks, and the security and permutation capacity of the locking system are increased.

Description

1 LOCKING SYSTEM WITH SECURITY REVERSIBLE KEYS The invention relates to a locking system having security reversible keys and assigned cylinders. The invention also relates to corresponding key blanks and security reversible keys for an assigned cylinder. 5 In locking technology there are the fundamental and continuous problems, on the one hand to make the unauthorised copying of keys more difficult and to prevent it with better and better means and on the other hand to increase the number of possible permutations of a key and with this also the security of the locking systems. 10 From US 5 438 857 a key of this type is known with an insertion prevention as additional security element. Here there is an additional control face on the key, which with an assigned control pin at the cylinder entrance prevents the insertion of a wrong key. This control pin is longer than a coding pin and extends beyond the central bisecting plane of the key. The control face at the key tip is designed as a 15 rising inclined lead-in surface. It also extends beyond the central plane of the key and lifts the control pin and by means of this pushes it out of the way. This control pin therefore prevents the insertion of keys without the correct control face. These control faces may already be applied to the key blank and with this make a key blank protection possible. These inclined control faces, while making for an additional 20 impediment, are, however, still not difficult to copy. It is therefore very important to create a significantly higher copy protection by means of new methods. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 2 From WO 01/77466 on the other hand a key system with security reversible keys is known, which at the tip of the key comprise a horizontal blocking groove (BN) with a coded blocking depth. In the assigned cylinder at the rearmost coding position there is a pair of blocking tumbler pins with a lengthened blocking counter pin, which 5 prevent the complete insertion of a key with an insufficiently deep blocking groove. This blocking groove coding results in higher permutation capacities. A horizontal blocking groove of this type, however, is still not difficult to copy. In accordance with the invention there is provided a locking system comprising 10 security reversible keys having flat sides with at least two coding pin rows and with assigned cylinders having tumbler pins, wherein by turning an assigned cylinder a locking or switching function is carried out, the security reversible keys having a concave recess on the flat sides at a key tip, wherein the concave recess interacts with a corresponding convex formation on a displaceable counterpart in the assigned 15 cylinders, the counterpart being displaceable by the key in a direction of a key axis, so that when the key is entirely inserted the concave recess rests flat on the convex formation on the counterpart, but that a key without the concave recess is stopped at a distance from the position of complete insertion by the convex formation of the counterpart so as to prevent complete insertion of the key, and wherein the concave 20 recess starting out from the key tip in the direction of the key axis initially comprises a first inclination and subsequently a second inclination to the key axis, wherein the second inclination is greater than the first inclination and the concave recess in the direction of the key axis comprises a rounded concave area, and wherein a coupling element of the cylinder is displaceable in the direction of the key axis into a locking 25 or switching position by the counterpart. There is further provided key blank for a key blank for a security reversible key or security reversible key with at least two coding pin rows on flat sides for an assigned cylinder with tumbler pins, wherein by turning the cylinder a locking or switching 30 function is carried out, comprising a concave recess on the flat sides of the key at the 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 3 key tip, whereby the concave recess interacts with a corresponding convex formation on a displaceable counterpart in the cylinder, the counterpart being displaceable by the key in a direction of a key axis, wherein the concave recess is suitable for resting flat on the convex formation of the counterpart when the key is entirely inserted, as a 5 result of which a key blank or key without the concave recess is stopped at a distance from the position of complete insertion by the convex formation of the counterpart, and complete insertion of such a key is prevented, and wherein the concave recess starting out from the key tip in the direction of the key axis initially comprises a first inclination and subsequently a second inclination to the key axis, wherein the second 10 inclination is greater than the first inclination and the concave recess in the direction of the key axis comprises a rounded concave area, and wherein a coupling element of the cylinder is displaceable in the direction of the key axis into a locking or switching position by the counterpart. 15 Described herein is a method for the manufacturing of keys and cylinders of a locking system according the above description, wherein the concave recesses on the key tips and the convex formations on the counterparts are centrally manufactured or authorised and the further coding of the keys and the assembly of the cylinders are capable of being carried out decentrally in further manufacturing steps. 20 In one embodiment, the concave recesses at the tips of the keys so interact with a convex formation on a counterpart in an assigned cylinder, so that the concave recess in case of a fully inserted key lies flat on the convex formation on the counterpart, and a key blank, resp., a key without this concave recess is locked out by the convex 25 formation of the counterpart, i.e., a complete insertion is prevented. These concave recesses are difficult to define and correspondingly very difficult is an unauthorised copying of them as well as of the convex formations in the cylinder. The concave recesses may be implemented in a multitude of different shape variants, so that with this it is also possible to achieve a correspondingly significantly higher permutation 30 capacity. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 4 The dependent claims are related to advantageous further developments of the invention, which make possible further advantages with respect to the security of a locking system, the security against copying of key blanks, keys and cylinders, with 5 respect to a long service life and low wear as well as to a higher number of permutations and applications. In the following the invention is described on the basis of examples of embodiments and Figures. These illustrate: 10 Fig. 1 A reversible key blank or key with concave recesses at the tip of the key and convex formations on a counterpart in the cylinder according to the invention, Fig. 2a, b, c, d examples of concave recesses with a rounded area, 15 Fig. 3 a an example of a concave recess with additional straight sections, Fig. 3b, 4 a creating milling cutter, for example, of Fig. 3a, Fig. 5 the creation of a widened concave recess, Fig. 6a, b arrangements of concave recesses in various parts of a cross section of a key, 20 Fig. 7a, b, c concave recesses on an asymmetrical tip of a key, Fig. 8 an assignment of different variants of concave recesses to different market areas and application segments, Fig. 9a, b, c a concave recess with lead-in areas for tumbler pins and with a blocking groove in three views, 25 Fig. 10 a double cylinder lock with concave recesses on the key and convex formations in the cylinder, Fig. 11 a, b, c, d concave recesses, which have been created with a milling cutter with the milling cutter axis parallel to the y-axis, in different views, Fig. 12 a concave recess, which has been created by a milling cutter with 30 an angle to the y-axis, 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 5 Fig. 13 a further example of a milling cutter profile and the concave recess created with it, Fig. 14a, b, c a concave recess, which has been created by a milling cutter with the milling cutter axis parallel to the z-axis in three views. 5 Fig. 1 illustrates the locking system in accordance with the invention with a security reversible key S, rep., a key blank S' with at least two coding pin rows Ai on the flat sides and with an assigned cylinder Za, Zb (illustrated in Fig. 10) and with tumbler pins 3 (illustrated, e.g., in Figs. 6 and 7a), wherein by turning the cylinder a locking 10 or switching function 9 is carried out. The key tips 11 comprise a concave recess 10, which interacts with a convex formation 20a, 20b on a displaceable counterpart 21a, 21b, so that the concave recess 10 in case of a completely inserted key lies flat on the convex formation 20a, 20b on the counterpart and a key blank, resp., a key without this concave recess 10 is locked out by the convex formation 20 on the counterpart, 15 so that a complete insertion is prevented and wherein with the counterpart 21 a coupling element is capable of being displaced in x-direction into a locking - or switching position. As will be further illustrated in the Figs. 2a - d, the concave recess 10, starting out 20 from the key tip and extending in the direction of the key axis x, at the beginning comprises a first inclination NI and subsequently a second inclination N2 to the key axis, wherein the second inclination is greater than the first inclination (N2 > NI). The Figs. 1 and 10, as an example, illustrate a double cylinder Za, Zb, wherein by the 25 insertion of a key with a correct concave recess 10 the counterpart 21a, which here is designed as a displaceable coupling element 22a, is slid into a locking - or switching element 23 with positive engagement. By subsequent turning of the completely inserted key S, the locking - or switching element 23 is turned and with this a locking - or switching function 9 is carried out, e.g., locking of a lock or an actuation 30 of an electrical contact in an as such known manner. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 6 As the Figs. 1 and 10 illustrate, the counterpart 21, besides the convex formation 20, may also comprise a concave seating area 25, which corresponds to a convex shape of the key tip 11 next to the concave recess 10. With this the seating area can be 5 enlarged. The concave recesses 10 at the key tip 11 in accordance with the invention and the assigned convex formations 20 in the cylinder are further explained in the following Figs. 2 - 5. 10 The Figs. 2a - d on keys S or key blanks S' with a central plane 5 in cross-section in x-direction illustrate various shapes of concave recesses 10.1 - 10.3 with a rounded concave area 13, departing from a slight first inclination NI relative to the x-axis, which changes to a significantly greater inclination N2. Assigned to these concave 15 recesses are convex formations 20.1 - 20.3 on the counterparts 21.1 - 21.3 in the cylinder, so that the concave recesses 10 in case of a completely inserted key lie on the convex formations 20. A key blank or key without the concave recess 10 on the contrary with its lead-in area 35 on the key tip will bump against the convex formation 20 and by doing so is blocked, resp., stopped at a lock-out distance a, so 20 that it is not possible for the key to be inserted further (completely) and with this the cylinder therefore cannot be turned. It is possible to create these concave recesses 10 with a milling cutter 40, the milling cutter axis 41.1 of which is vertical to the x-axis, which here extends parallel to the 25 y-axis. In doing so, the milling cutter 40 is moved on a milling track 42. The radius R of the milling cutter then also corresponds to the radius R of the rounded concave areas 13 of the concave recesses 10. Fig. 2a illustrates a concave recess 10.1 with a small radius RI of, e.g., 1 mm for a 30 key thickness d = 2.5 mm. This corresponds to a ratio of RI/d = 0.4. The first and the 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 7 second inclination here amount to NI = 0', N2 = 900 and the difference of the inclinations N2 - NI = 900. This concave recess 10.1 can only be arranged outside the lead-in areas 7 of the tumbler pins 3, because the inclination N in the lead-in area should amount to at most approx. 450 (see Fig. 6), resp., correspond to the lead-in 5 angle Nz of the tumbler pins 3 at the key tip 11. For this purpose, in a lead-in area of tumbler pins lead-in faces 31 may be formed (Fig. 2d). The maximum inclination N2 here may also be limited by a blocking groove BN (see Fig. 7c). P1 here designates the next coding position with coding steps C1 - C4. The milling tool movement 42 extends parallel to the x-axis and the lock-out path, resp., the lock-out distance a of a 10 key without a concave recess 10.1 here, e.g., amounts to a = 1.1 mm, which is caused by an assigned convex formation 20.1 on a counterpart 21.1 in the cylinder. Fig. 2b illustrates the milling tool 40.1 creating the recess 10.1 with a milling cutter axis 41.1, which extends parallel to the z-axis. In the z-y-plane the milling cutter 40.1 15 comprises a width bi, which here corresponds to the width bI of the recess 10 and wherein bI is greater than the depth tI of the recess 10. The recess 10 comprises a surface area F 1 in cross-section and a length 11 in x-direction. Fig. 2c illustrates an example with greater radius R2 of, e.g., R2 = 2 mm and correspondingly with a ratio R2/d = 0.8. The milling cutter movement 42 here first 20 takes place parallel to the x-axis and then in a 450 direction. The concave recess 10.2 with the inclinations NI = 00, N2 = 45' is rounded over an area 13 with an inclination of N = 00 - 450. This recess 10.2 may be arranged in the lead-in area 7, if the maximum inclination N of the concave recess in preference amounts to a maximum of 45'. The lock-out distance here is smaller, with, e.g., only a = 0.7 mm. 25 The concave recesses 10 are designed in such a manner, that they do not at all or only as little as possible reach into the nearest coding position P1, so that no coding steps Ci are omitted. On the other hand, the lock-out distance a shall be large enough to effect a secure massive locking-out of a wrong key. For this purpose, the lock-out 30 distance a may lie within a range of 0.5 - 1.5 mm, in preference of 0.8 - 1.2 mm, 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 8 resp., comprise a ratio a/d of 0.25 - 0.6, in preference of 0.3 - 0.5. In preference the concave recess 10 is cut-out relatively deeply (tl) and may extend up to close to the central bisecting plane 5, so that the minimum distance e to the central bisecting plane preferably amounts to at most 10 - 15% of the key thickness d. The distance e, 5 however, may also amount to 0% of d (Fig. 7). Fig. 2d illustrates a concave recess 10.3 with a small radius RI, which first extends parallel to the x-axis with a first inclination of NI = 00, then with a rounded area 13 of N = 0' to 450 and finally with a second inclination N2 = 45', which forms a lead 10 in face 31 for tumbler pins 3. The lock-out distance here amounts to a = 1.1 mm, created by the convex formation 20.3 on the counterpart 21.3. The Figs. 2a and 2d represent more advantageous variants than the Fig. 2c, with a greater lock-out distance a. 15 The shaping of the concave recesses 10 in preference is selected in such a manner, that a secure lock-out of wrong keys is achieved, that, however, they do not extend into the coding steps Ci of the closest coding position P1 and so that they are difficult to define and to copy. 20 For this purpose the first inclination NI of the concave recess 10 relative to the key axis can lie between 0' and 10', i.e., be very small and the second inclination N2 of the concave recess can amount to at least 40', i.e., in preference may be selected as large. The difference between the first and the second inclination N2 - NI should 25 amount to at least 300. It is possible to achieve this by a rounded area 13 with a relatively small, tight radius R relative to the key thickness d. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 9 In doing so, the concave recess 10 in the direction of the key axis x can comprise a rounded area with a radius of at most 2 mm. And the concave recess can comprise a rounded area with a radius R, which is smaller than the thickness d of the key. In this, the ratio of radius to key thickness R/d may be between 0.4 and 0.8. 5 The Figs. 3a, 3b, 4 and 5 illustrate further examples 10.11 with rounded (13) and with conical, resp., straight areas, which are created with a milling cutter 40.11 with conical sections, with a milling cutter axis 41.11 and with a milling cutter movement 42 parallel to the x-axis, as well as the assigned convex formation 20.11 on the 10 counterpart 21.11 in the cylinder. In the cross-sectional representation of Fig. 3a the concave recess 10.11 comprises straight sections with inclinations NI and N2. In preference such concave recesses 10 in the cross section in x-direction may also comprise at least one inclined straight section, resp., comprise at least three differing 15 straight and rounded sections, resp., areas. Fig. 3a illustrates a concave recess 10.11, which can be created with a milling cutter 40.11, with a straight section with a first inclination of, e.g. NI = 100 and a subsequent rounding with a radius R, which passes over into a straight section with a 20 second inclination N2 of approx. 60'. An assigned convex formation 20.11 in case of a key S without this concave recess 10.11 results in a lock-out over the distance a. Fig. 3b illustrates the creating milling cutter 40.11 in the x-z-plane and Fig. 4 in the y-z-plane, wherein here the milling cutter axis 41.11 lies in the surface of the key S, 25 S'. The created recess 10.11 lies within the semi-circle 40.11 of Fig. 4. Fig. 5 illustrates, how with a milling cutter 40.12 with a milling cutter axis 41.12 in x-direction it is possible to create a widening of the concave recess in y-direction. For this purpose, the milling cutter is first moved in the direction of the x-axis as in 30 Fig. 3a and subsequently is displaced parallel in y-direction by the distance 42. By 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 10 this a corresponding widening of the recess 10 is produced, which, e.g., may form lead-in faces 31 for coding tumbler pins 3 with a corresponding inclination. In order to achieve all the objectives of the invention as well as a secure functioning, 5 the concave recesses 10 in accordance with the invention are optimally positioned and shaped as relatively large and compact: relatively wide and deep and short with respect to the key size and the very limited space at the tip of the key; i.e., in order to fulfil additional security functions, without reducing the space for the coding functions of a high-performance key. 10 For this purpose, the length 11 in x-direction, the width bI and the depth tI as well as the surface area F1 in the cross section of the concave recesses 10 in preference may comprise the following relative sizes: - The width b 1 of the concave recess 10 is at least 20 - 40% greater than the 15 width b2 of the tumbler pins 3, - the width bI of the concave recess 10 amounts to at least 50% of their length 11, - the cross-sectional surface area F1 of the concave recess 10 amounts to at least 6% of the cross-sectional surface area F of the key, in preference to at 20 least 8% - 10 %, - the cross-sectional surface area F1 of the concave recess 10 is greater than the cross-sectional surface area F2 of the tumbler pins 3, in preference at least 20 - 50% greater, - the width bI of the concave recess 10 in preference amounts to at least 25 25 30 % of the width of the key. This corresponds to the examples described in the Figs. The locking system in accordance with the invention may comprise keys and key 30 blanks with two or several differing variants of concave recesses 10i on the key tip 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 11 11 and of corresponding convex formations 20i on the counterparts 21 in the cylinders. With this, it is possible to further increase the permutation capacity and also the copying security of the locking system. In doing so, these variants may comprise differing shapings of the concave recesses 10i. 5 The Figs. 6a, b schematically illustrate examples of the arrangement of concave recesses 10.1, 10.2 in different partial sections 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 of the key cross section 12 relative to the position of the coding pin rows Ai and the coding tumbler pins 3 with the tumbler pin axes 4, which are situated in the planes of the coding pin 10 rows Ai. Fig. 6a illustrates an example with three coding pin rows Al, A2, A3, wherein the planes of Al and A2 lie parallel to the z-axis and the plane of A3 parallel to the y axis. The concave recesses 10.1 in a partial section 12.1 here are outside the lead-in 15 faces 31 of the tumbler pins 3 of the coding pin rows Ai and the concave recesses 10.2 in the partial section 12.3 lie in the lead-in face 31 of the coding pin row Al, for which reason their maximum inclination N in the lead-in area 7 of the tumbler pins amount to at most 45', resp., should correspond to Nz. 20 As a further variant, a locking system, e.g., can also comprise two equal concave recesses 10.2, which, however, are arranged on different sides, left or right of a key (viewed from above on to the key tip, 1 = left side, r = right side): Here on the right in the cross-section 12.2 and/or on the left symmetrically in the cross-section 12.3. With this, for example, keys with a recess 10.2 in the cross-section 12.2 for cylinders of a 25 first installation and keys with a recess 10.2 in cross-section 12.3 for a second installation as well as keys with recesses 10.2 in cross-section 12.2 and in cross section 12.3 for both installations can be created, as well as for a third installation with cylinders, which comprise assigned convex formations 20.2 in both cross sections 12.2 and 12.3. 30 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 12 Fig. 6b illustrates an example with inclined coding -, resp., tumbler pin rows Al A5 with the angles Wal, Wa2 between the tumbler pin axes 4, resp., the coding planes Al, A2 and the z-axis. Here too, a concave recess 10.1 lies in a partial section 12.1 outside the lead-in areas 7 of the tumbler pins. One concave recess 10.2 in a 5 partial section 12.2 partially lies in a lead-in area 7 of the coding pin row A2. In this manner, it is possible to create locking systems with different variants of concave recesses, which are formed in different partial sections 12.1, 12.2 of the key cross-section 12. 10 The recesses 10.1 located opposite one another in the key centre 6 in the cross sections 12.1, however, are vary unfavourably situated, because their depth tI here is very limited. 15 The further examples of the Figs. 7 - 14 illustrate advantageous recesses 10, which are arranged besides the key centre 6 and which are designed as particularly large with respect to cross section surface area F1, width bI and depth tl, resp., minimum distance e from the central bisecting plane 5 of the key. In addition, here the recesses 10 optimally are positioned in such a manner, that they comprise a coding pin row A, 20 wherein they with respect to shaping are adapted to the tumbler pins 3 of this coding pin row (32 in Fig. 7). For this the concave recess 10 can: - Comprise a lead-in area 7 of a coding pin row A, 25 - or it may comprise a lead-in area 7, 31 for the tumbler pins 3, - and besides the lead-in area 7, 31 it can also comprise an area with a greater inclination N2.2 of in preference at least 550, - and the inclination N of the concave recess 10 in the lead-in area 7, 31 of the coding pin row A can correspond to the lead-in angle Nz of the tumbler pins 30 3, resp., amount to at most 45', 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 13 - or the concave recess 10 may comprise a lead-in face 31, which has been created with a coding milling cutter, (which is particularly efficiently producible), - or the concave recess 10 may additionally comprise a horizontal blocking 5 groove milling BN, (which limits the maximum inclination N2.1 (in Fig. 7c) in the lead-in area 7, 31 to a value Nz.) The concave recess 10 may comprise a coding pin row A with narrow tumbler pins 10 3.1, wherein their width b2 in preference amounts to at most 5 0 - 5 5 % of the key thickness d. The surface area F2 of these tumbler pins 3.1 is then correspondingly small (in Figs. 7a, b and 9c). With this, the ratio F1/F2 becomes correspondingly greater (F1 = surface area of 10) and with this the inclination N2.2 of the concave recesses 10 next to the lead-in areas 7, 31 is capable of being formed as greater and 15 N2.2 may there amount to, e.g., 600 to 90' (Fig. 7c). These advantageous variants of concave recesses 10 with a tumbler pin row A are further explained in the Figs. 7 - 14. 20 The Figs 7a, b illustrate an example with an asymmetrical formation of the lead-in faces 35 on the key tip 11, in that the cross-section plane 36 of the lead-in faces forms an angle W2 of e.g., 10' to the central bisecting plane 5 of the key S, resp., of a key blank S'. In preference, this angle W2 may lie within a range of between 50 and 20'. In this manner it is possible to create a locking system with an increased 25 permutation capacity, e.g., by five variants with the angles W2 = 0', +10', -10', +20', -20'. Furthermore, with an asymmetrical shape of the lead-in faces 35, e.g., in accordance with Fig. 7, also more space for the formation of concave recesses 10 right up to the central bisection plane 5 can be created. This makes a large surface area F lof the concave recess 10 in the cross-section 12 possible. 30 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 14 A symmetrical formation of the lead-in surfaces 35 at the key tip is illustrated, e.g., in Fig. 6 with an angle W2 = 00 to the cross-section plane 36. The Figs. 7a, 7b illustrate a key cross-section 12 with the coding pin rows Al - A5 5 as well as with a tumbler pin 3 in the coding pin row Al. A concave recess 10.8, which here is shaped as almost symmetrical to the coding pin row Al, may here be created with a milling cutter 40.8, the profile of which corresponds to the concave recess shape 10.8 and with a milling cutter axis 41.2, which lying in the plane y-z comprises an angle WI to the y-axis. When the same milling cutter 40.8 is utilised 10 with a milling cutter axis 41.1 parallel to the y-axis, a correspondingly different shape variant of the concave recess is created. In order to with a milling cutter axis 41.1 (with WI = 00) achieve essentially the same shape 10.8 of the concave recess, a correspondingly different profile shape of the milling cutter 40 would have to be utilised. With the milling cutter 40.8 here also lead-in faces 32 in the lead-in area of 15 the coding pin row Al are created, which are adapted to the shape of the tumbler pins 3. The lead-in area for the tumbler pins 3, 3.1 consists of lead-in faces 7 with a width of b7 (Fig. 9a, b, c), so that the lead-in angle for the tumbler pins in the concave recess 20 10 nowhere does exceed the value Nz. Lead-in surfaces 7, 31 of this kind, however, may also be created on the key blank after the creation of the concave recesses 10 on the key blank with a first milling cutter 40 and subsequently (decentrally) with a second coding milling cutter in the 25 lead-in area 7, 31, so that there a desired maximum inclination N of, e.g., 42' - 450 is not exceeded. Fig. 7c illustrates a further possibility of not exceeding the permissible inclination N of the concave recesses 10 in the lead-in area 7, 31 of the tumbler pins. Here the 30 concave recess 10.8 in addition may comprise a horizontal blocking groove BN. A 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 15 blocking groove of this kind is described in WO 01/77466. With it, an additional coding in the form of a blocking code can be implemented. Fig. 7c in perspective view illustrates a cross-section with a cross-section plane, 5 which corresponds to the coding plane Al, on a key tip 11 in analogy to the example of Fig. 9 with a concave recess 10.9. In the cross-section plane Al (in the lead-in area 7, 31) this recess 10.8 comprises a first inclination of N1 = 0' and subsequently a rounded concave area 13 with a maximum second inclination of N2.1 = Nz. Thereupon follows a horizontal blocking groove BN, which, e.g., is created with a 10 coding milling cutter. Outside the lead-in face 7 the concave recess 10.8 comprises a greater second inclination, which here, e.g., amounts to N2.2 = 600 - i.e., here it is possible that the second inclination in preference amounts to considerably more than 450. 15 Fig. 8 illustrates an assignment of different variants of concave recesses 10 on the keys S and on the key blanks S' to different market - and application areas Mi. In this manner, with a locking system with several differing variants of concave recesses 1Oi it is possible to define an unequivocal segmentation into independent market - and application areas Mi. These may be geographically different market areas, e.g., for 20 individual countries or representatives or also technically differing application areas, e.g., of technically differing systems with differing permutation capacities for different application areas and differing security requirements. This segmentation into market - and application areas by means of differing variants 25 of concave recesses 10i may be implemented in an analogous manner, as is explained in WO 01/77466 for an additional blocking groove coding. With these differing variants of concave recesses 10i, however, it is also possible to create additional coding permutations (Cod). Thus in a system with 40 different 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 16 variants, for example, 20 different market areas can be unequivocally differentiated between and in addition 20 new coding permutations can be created. The locking system in accordance with the invention also makes possible the 5 manufacturing of keys and cylinders in two steps, wherein in a first superimposed more difficult step the concave recesses 10 on the key tips and the convex formations 20 on the counterparts of the cylinders are centrally manufactured by the system owner and in a simpler second step the further coding of the keys and the assembly of the cylinders with counterparts may take place decentrally. 10 The differing variants of concave recesses 10i can be created by: - Differing profile shapes of a creating milling cutter 40, e.g., with the milling cutters 40.8 of Fig. 7, 40.9 of Fig. 11, 40.6 of Fig. 13 and 40.7 of Fig. 14, - as well as different positions of the milling cutter axes 41: E.g., the axis positions 15 41.1 and 41.2 in the Figs. 7a and 11, the positions 41.3 in Fig. 12, 41.4 in Fig. 14, 41.11 in Fig. 3 and 41.12 in Fig. 5. These milling cutter axes are: 41.1 in the y - z plane, parallel to the y-axis 41.2 in the y - z plane, with angle WI to the y-axis 41.3 in the x - y plane, with W3 to the y-axis 20 41.4 in the x - z plane, parallel to the z-axis 41.11 in the x - z plane, parallel to the x-axis. The milling cutter axes 41 may be vertical to the x-axis with an angle WI of 0' to 200 to the y-axis or be vertical to the z-axis with an angle W3 of 0' to 200 to the y 25 axis or be vertical to the x-axis with an angle W4 of 00 to 200 to the z-axis. - With this, e.g., the following variants of differingly shaped concave recesses 10 are created: 10.1 - 10.13 of the Figs. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 - 14. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 17 - In addition, it is possible that that the concave recesses 10i are provided in differing parts 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 (Fig. 6) on the left or right side of the key - 1 or r - and the cross-section planes 36 of the lead-in faces 35 on the key tip may form differing angles W2 to the central bisecting plane 5. 5 By means of combinations of these factors therefore it is possible, for example, with two different milling cutter shapes 40, three different positions of the milling cutter axes 41, arrangement in three different cross-section parts 12i and with three different angles W2 of the lead-in faces 35, theoretically in total 2 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 54 10 different variants of concave recesses 10i can be created. This also signifies, that a specific variant of it is very difficult to define and to copy. The Figs. 9a, b, c illustrate a further example of a concave recess 10.9 with a 15 horizontal blocking groove BN in three views in analogy to the example of Fig. 7c. The blocking groove BN is situated in the lead-in area 7, 31 of the tumbler pins 3, the coding plane Al of which, as in the example of Fig. 7a, b, comprises an angle of Wal of, e.g., 15' to the z-axis. 20 Fig. 10 illustrates a double cylinder lock 1 with the cylinders Za, Zb for keys S, resp., key blanks S' with a concave recess 10 at the tip of the key 11 and with assigned convex formations 20 on counterparts 21a, 21b in the cylinders Za, Zb. As is also illustrated in Fig. 1, these counterparts are arranged on displaceable coupling elements 22a, 22b for actuating a locking - or switching element 23. These 25 counterparts 21 may also be designed as a separate part, e.g., as extension elements or they may be designed as an insert and utilised in a modular system. It is also possible that a coupling element 22 can be displaced into a locking - or switching position in a half cylinder with the counterpart 21. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 18 The Figs. 1 la - d illustrate a key S, or a key blank S' with a concave recess 10.9, which has been created with a milling cutter 40.9. Its milling cutter axis 41.1 here is parallel to the y-axis. If the same milling cutter 40.9 with an axis position 41.2 with an angle WI to the y-axis is utilised, correspondingly a new variant with a different 5 shape of the concave recess 10 is created. The angle WI may amount to, e.g., 100 200. Fig. 12 illustrates a further variant with a concave recess 10.5, which has been created with the milling cutter 40.9 of Fig. 11, with, however, a milling cutter axis 10 41.3, which lies in the x - y-plane and which comprises an angle W3 of, e.g., 100 200 to the y-axis. Fig. 13 illustrates a further variant of a concave recess 10.6, which has been created with a milling cutter 40.6. This comprises a different profile shape, but the same 15 position of the milling cutter axis 41.1 parallel to the y-axis as in the example of Fig. 1 lb. The Figs. 14a, b, c illustrate in three views a further variant of a concave recess 10.7, which has been created with a milling cutter 40.7, the axis 41.4 of which lying in the 20 x - z-plane, extends vertical to the y-axis and parallel to the z-axis. The views of Fig. 14b and c illustrate the concave recess 10.7, which is situated partially in a lead-in area 7, 31 of a coding pin row Ai and which there forms a lead-in face 31 with an inclination N2 to the x-axis of at most 450. This can be created, e.g., with a milling track 42, which extends first with a 00- and then with a 45 0 -direction to the x-axis. 25 This example comprises a strongly distinctive, deep concave recess 10.7, which extends almost to the central bisecting plane 5 with a minimum distance e of a few percent of the key thickness d. This results in a secure locking out of wrong keys. A different milling cutter axis might also comprise an angle W4 of, e.g., 50 - 200 to the z-axis. 30 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 19 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not 5 to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the 10 common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Within the framework of this description, the following designations are utilised: S Key S' Key blank 15 Z Cylinder x Key axis x, y, z Directions in space Pi Coding positions Ai Coding pin rows 20 Ci Coding steps Codi Coding permutation N Inclination of 10 NI First inclination N2 Second inclination 25 Nz Lead-in angle of 3 R Radius of 10, resp., of 40 F Surface area of the key cross-section 12 b Key width d Key thickness 30 a Lock-out distance 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 20 e Minimum distance of 10 to 5 F1 Surface area of 10 in cross-section bI Width of 10 ti Depth of 10 5 11 Length of 10 in x-direction F2 Surface area of 3 in cross-section (in 10 with C1) b2 Width of 3 b7 Width of the tip of the coding pin W1 Angle of 41 (in y-z-plane) 10 W2 Angle of 35 W3 Angle of 41 (in x-y-plane) W4 Angle of 41 (in y-z-plane) Wa Angle of 4 to z-direction I Left side of S 15 r Right side of S BN Blocking groove Mi Market areas 1 Double cylinder lock 3 Tumbler pins 20 3.1 Narrow tumbler pin 4 Axis of 3 5 Central bisecting plane of S 6 Key centre (x-z-plane) 7 Lead-in area, resp., lead-in face for the tumbler pin 25 9 Locking - or switching function 10, 10i Concave recess 10.1- 10.13 Various shapes of 10 11 Key tip 12 Cross-section of key 30 12.1, 12.2 Parts of 12 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 21 13 Rounded concave area of 10 17 Lead-in face horizontal 20, 20i Convex formation 21 Counterpart in Z 5 22 Coupling element, displaceable 23 Locking - or switching element 25 Concave seating area of 21 next to 20 31 Lead-in faces of 3 in 10 32 Lead-in faces like shape of 3 10 35 Lead-in faces, bevelled tip of key 36 Cross-section plane of 35 40 Milling cutter for 10 41 Milling cutter axis 41.1 In y - z plane, parallel to y-axis 15 41.2 In y - z plane, with WI to y-axis 41.3 In x - y plane, with W3 to y-axis 41.4 In x - z plane, parallel to z-axis 41.5 In x - z plane, parallel to x-axis 42 Milling track 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU

Claims

1. Locking system comprising security reversible keys having flat sides with at 5 least two coding pin rows and with assigned cylinders having tumbler pins, wherein by turning an assigned cylinder a locking or switching function is carried out, the security reversible keys having a concave recess on the flat sides at a key tip, wherein the concave recess interacts with a corresponding convex formation on a displaceable counterpart in the assigned cylinders, the 10 counterpart being displaceable by the key in a direction of a key axis, so that when the key is entirely inserted the concave recess rests flat on the convex formation on the counterpart, but that a key without the concave recess is stopped at a distance from the position of complete insertion by the convex formation of the counterpart so as to prevent complete insertion of the key, 15 and wherein the concave recess starting out from the key tip in the direction of the key axis initially comprises a first inclination and subsequently a second inclination to the key axis, wherein the second inclination is greater than the first inclination and the concave recess in the direction of the key axis comprises a rounded concave area, 20 and wherein a coupling element of the cylinder is displaceable in the direction of the key axis into a locking or switching position by the counterpart.

2. Locking system according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section plane from 25 lead-in faces on the key tip forms an angle to a central bisecting plane of the key, wherein the angle amounts to at most 15' - 20'.

3. Locking system according to claim 1, wherein differing variants of concave recesses are defined by differing shapes and/or by arrangement in differing 30 parts of the key cross-section. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 23

4. Locking system according to claim 1, wherein the counterparts are arranged on a displaceable coupling element of a double cylinder or are formed as a separate part. 5

5. Locking system according to claim 1, wherein the counterpart also comprises a concave seating area, which corresponds to a convex shape of the key tip next to the concave recess. 10

6. Key blank for a security reversible key or security reversible key with at least two coding pin rows on flat sides for an assigned cylinder with tumbler pins, wherein by turning the cylinder a locking or switching function is carried out, comprising a concave recess on the flat sides of the key at the key tip, whereby 15 the concave recess interacts with a corresponding convex formation on a displaceable counterpart in the cylinder, the counterpart being displaceable by the key in a direction of a key axis, wherein the concave recess is suitable for resting flat on the convex formation of the counterpart when the key is entirely inserted, 20 as a result of which a key blank or key without the concave recess is stopped at a distance from the position of complete insertion by the convex formation of the counterpart, and complete insertion of such a key is prevented, and wherein the concave recess starting out from the key tip in the direction 25 of the key axis initially comprises a first inclination and subsequently a second inclination to the key axis, wherein the second inclination is greater than the first inclination and the concave recess in the direction of the key axis comprises a rounded concave area, and wherein a coupling element of the cylinder is displaceable in the direction 30 of the key axis into a locking or switching position by the counterpart. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 24

7. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the first inclination of the concave recess to the key axis lies between 00 and 100 and that the second inclination of the concave recess amounts to at least 400. 5

8. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the concave recess comprises lead-in faces for the tumbler pins of a coding pin row.

9. Key blank or key according to claim 8, wherein the concave recess apart from 10 the lead-in faces for the tumbler pins also comprises a section with a greater inclination of in preference at least 550.

10. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the concave recess also comprises a horizontal blocking-groove, which corresponds to a pair of 15 blocking tumbler pins in the cylinder.

11. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the width of the concave recess is at least 20 - 40% greater than the width of the tumbler pins. 20

12. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the width of the concave recess amounts to at least 50% of its length.

13. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the surface area of the cross section of the concave recess amounts to at least 8% of the surface area of the 25 cross-section of the key.

14. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the concave recess is created with a profiled milling cutter, the axis of which is substantially perpendicular to the key axis and has an angle of between 00 and 200 to a central bisecting 30 plane of the key. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU 25

15. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the concave recess in the direction of the key axis comprises a rounded concave area, the radius of which is smaller than the thickness of the key or that it amounts to 2 mm at 5 most.

16. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the concave recess comprises a minimum distance to a central bisecting plane of the key blank or key, which amounts to at most 10% of the key thickness. 10

17. Key blank or key according to claim 6, wherein the concave recess is arranged in a coding pin row and in front of the first coding position.

18. Locking system with keys and cylinders, key blank for a security reversible 15 key, or a security reversible key, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5302076_1 (GHMatters) P81114.AU