CA1238499A - Lock - Google Patents
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- CA1238499A CA1238499A CA000438275A CA438275A CA1238499A CA 1238499 A CA1238499 A CA 1238499A CA 000438275 A CA000438275 A CA 000438275A CA 438275 A CA438275 A CA 438275A CA 1238499 A CA1238499 A CA 1238499A
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- axis
- lock
- key
- magnetic elements
- obstructing
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
A lock for operation by a magnetic key has some locking elements which are moved circumferentially from locking to releasing positions by the key and further locking elements which are moved axially by the key from locking to releasing positions.
A lock for operation by a magnetic key has some locking elements which are moved circumferentially from locking to releasing positions by the key and further locking elements which are moved axially by the key from locking to releasing positions.
Description
From one aspect, the present invention relates to a lock comprising a plurality of magnetic elements and members defining respective paths along which the magnetic elements can move between respective releasing positions and locking positions, the magnetic elements obstructing operation 5 of the lock when in their locking positions but not when in their releasing post it owns.
A lock of the kind referred to is described in our published British Patent Specification l ,572,091. The lock described in this published specification has three magnetic elements, each confined to a respective 1û arcuate path with these paths being spaced apart along an axis of the lock The lock provides a high degree of security under most circumstances, since the magnetic elements are urged by gravity away from their releasing positions and access to the magnetic elements by picking instruments inserted into a key-hole of the lock is prevented.
If the took described in the aforesaid published specification is mounted with its axis vertical or can be-oriented so that its axis is vertical, the paths to which the magnetic elements are confined will each be horizontal nod the magnetic elements will not be biased to any particular position along these paths by gravity. In these circumstances, the lock is less secure than in other 2û circumstances According to a first aspect of the invention, a lock of the kind described is characterized in that the foci of the centers of said magnetic elements when the elements move along their respective paths do not lie entirely in planes which are parallel to any common reference plane.
In a lock having this characterizing feature, movement of at least one of the magnetic elements along its path is affected by gravity, irrespective of the orientation of the lock. This increases the difficulty of moving the magnetic elements to their releasing positions without use of the proper key, as compared with the known lock herein before mentioned, oriented so that 3û the magnetic elements move along horizontal paths.
The aforementioned characterizing feature may be achieved by providing three magnetic elements movable along mutually orthogonal rectilinear paths. Alternatively, the feature may be achieved by providing a pair of magnetic elements, one of which is movable along a rectilinear path and the other of which is movable along a curved path Icing in a plane transverse to the path of the one element. In a further alternative -arrangement, one of the magnetic elements may be confined to a curved path which does not lie in a plane.
according to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock comprising a hollow outer member and an inner member disposed within the outer member and defining a key-receiving opening, wherein the outer member includes two complementary approximately semi-cylindrical parts and retaining means embracing said parts to maintain said parts in assembled relation with each other around the inner member.
on example of a lock embodying the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 shows an end of a lock, called herein the outer end;
FIGURE 2 shows a cross-section of the lock on the line II-II of Figure l;
FIGURE 3 shows a cross-section on the line III-III of Figure 2;
FIGURE shows a cross-section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2;
FIGURE 5 shows a cross-section on the line V-V of Figure 2;
I
- pa FIGURE 6 shows assembled inner and outer members of the lock separated from other components and viewed from the outer end of the lock; and FIGURE 7 shows a perspective view of a key for use with the lock.
The lock comprises a hollow, generally cylindrical inner member 10 which defines a longitudinal axis II of the lock. The inner member defines an elongated, generally cylindrical opening 12, along the centre of which the axis II extends. The inner member 10 is disposed within a hollow outer member 13 and is arranged for rotation relative to the outer member when a proper key is inserted into the opening 12~ The outer member 13 is fixed in a housing 14 intended to be secured to a member which is to be locked or to a fixed structure (not shown).
At its inner end, the inner member 10 is provided with means for operating an associated device when the inner member is rotated relative to the housing 1~1. By way of example, there is shown a driving member 15 which projects radially from the inner member and is keyed to the inner member for rotation therewith. The driving member may be used to drive a bolt or other lockable element. In an alternative arrangement (not illustrated), there is provided on the inner member lo a movable switch contact or means for lo moving a switch contact to operate an electrical switch controlled by the lock. In certain applications of the lock, the inner member lo may be open at both ends.
For restraining rotation of the inner member 10 relative to the outer member 13 in the absence of the proper key, there are provided a plurality of magnetic locking elements. In the particular example illustrated, there are six locking elements, 16 to 21 respectively, and each of these is in the form ofa roller having Flat end faces and a cylindrical peripheral face. The rotters shown are hollow and open at both of their ends.
The inner member 10 and outer member 13 collectively define For the 2û rollers 16, 17 and 18 respective paths along which the rollers can move freely under the influence of gravitational and magnetic fields. In the example illustrated, each of these paths is substantially rectilinear and is parallel tothe axis 11. As shown in Figure 5, these paths are spaced apart equally around the axis. A part of the path for the roller 16 is provided by a slot 22 formed in the inner member 10, this slot having a longer dimension parallel to the axis 11 and a dimension extending circumferential of the axis which is slightly greater than the corresponding dimension of the roller 16. The slot 22 extends along only a fraction of the length of the inner member 10 and is spaced from both the outer and inner ends thereof. The outer member 13 has 3û in its internal surface a rectilinear channel 23 which may extend along theentire length of the outer member. This channel has the same width as and is aligned with the slot 22 so that approximately one half of the roller 16 runs inthe slot and the other half runs in the channel. Movement of the roller along the channel is limited by the ends of the slot. As can be seen in Figure 2, the dimension of the channel 23 which extends radially of the axis 11 is approximately equal to the radius of the roller 16 and the corresponding dimension of the slot 22 is slightly greater than the radius of the roller so ~23l~
that the roller can roll on the inner member without the peripheral surface of the roller contacting the outer member.
The side walls of the sly 22 and channel 23 constitute abutment surfaces for the roller 16. When the roller is in the locking position illustrated in Figure 2, engagement of these abutment surfaces with the roller prevents rotation of the inner member 10 relative to the outer member 13.
There are also formed in the inner surface of the outer member 13 channels of approxbnately semi-circular cross-section which extend around lo the axis 11 and intersect the channel 23. In the particular example illustrated, two such circumferential channels, I and 25 are provided. When the roller 16 is aligned with one or other of the channels 24 and 25, it is in a releasing position and no longer restricts rotation of the inner member 10 relative to the outer member. If the inner member is rotated, the roller is carried from the channel 23 into the channel 24 or 25, as the case may be. If there is no requirement to provide the lock with a master key, a single circumferential channel may be formed in the outer member.
The paths for the rotters 17 and 18 are formed in a manner corresponding to that in which the path for the roller 16 is formed and the circumferential 2û channels 24 and I intersect the paths of the rollers 17 wind 18 so that these rollers have releasing positions aligned circumferential of the axis 11 with the releasing positions of the roller 16. This arrangement provides for rotation of the inner member 10 relative to the Corey member 13 through an angle of 360. In a case where more restricted relative rotation of the inner and outer members is acceptable, circumferential channels which subtend at the axis 11 correspondingly smaller angles can be provided and there may be provided for the rollers 16, 17 and 18 respective circumferential channels which do not lie at the same position along the axis 11.
Respective paths for the rollers 19, 20 and 21 are defined collectively by 3û the inner member 10 and a sleeve 26 which extends around a part of the inner member positioned between the outer member 13 and the outer end of the lock. These paths are curved, in the particular example shown, each being of arcuate form with the centre of curvature Icing on the axis 11. As shown in Figure 3, these paths are spaced apart equally about the axis 11.
A part of the path for the roller 21 is provided by a slot 27 in the inner member, the longer dimension of the slot extending circumferential of the inner member and the dimension which extends along the axis 11 being slightly I
greater than the distance between the end -faces of the roller. A -further part of the path for the roller 21 is provided by a slot 28 in the sleeve 26. This slot has the same widely as and is aligned with the slot 27. Opposite walls of the slots 27 and 28 constitute abutment surfaces with which the end faces of the roller 21 overlap when the roller is in the locking position illustrated in Figure 3. In one side wall of the slot 28, there is formed an opening 29 which can receive that part of the roller protruding from the slot 27 when the roller is moved to a releasing position. When in a locking position, by which we mean any position other than the releasing position, the roller 21 obstructs axial lo displacement of the sleeve 26 relative to the inner member lo. By means of a cam mechanism hereinafter described, rotation ox the inner member relative to the outer member 13 is prevented unless axial displacement of the sleeve 26 relative to the inner member is permitted.
The paths for the rollers 19 and 2û are provided in a way similar to that in which the path for the roller 21 is provided and the sleeve 26 is formed with Further openings 3û and 31 for receiving the rollers 19 and 20 when in their releasing positions. The foci of the centers of the rollers 19,20 and 21, when these rollers move along their respective paths, lie in a single plane which is perpendicular to the axis 11.
2û It will be noted that the rollers 19, 2û and 21 overlap entirely with one another along the axis il. If required, these rollers may be off-set from one another along this axis partly or entirely. Furthermore, we prefer to provide a further group of rollers (not shown) arranged in a manner similar to that of the rollers 19, 20 and 21 but spaced from those rollers along the axis. In this 25 way, the number of combinations of releasing positions which are available in locks of the same general construction can be increased considerably.
The particular example of lock illustrated in the drawings has, near to an inner end of the lock, a group of rollers which move axially between locking and releasing positions and, spaced from that group in q direction 3û towards an outer end of the lock, a group of rollers which move circumferential between locking and releasing positions. In alternative arrangements, the rollers which move circumferential may be nearer to the inner end o-F the lock than are the rollers which move axially. Furthermore, there may be more -than two groups of rollers. For example, the lock may 35 comprise three groups of rollers, each group being spaced along the lock from the other groups. The rollers of the middle group moving either circumferential or axially between locking and releasing positions and the Lo Lo rollers of the other two groups moving axially or circumferential between locking and releasing positions.
The sleeve 26 is constrained -to rotate with the inner member 10 about the axis 11 by co-operation between respective -Flat surfaces on the sleeve and 5 inner member. As shown in Figure 63 in the preferred arrangement there are two flat surfaces on the exterior of the inner member 10, these being disposed at diametrically opposite positions but spaced one nearer to the axis 11 and one Further from the axis. Corresponding flat internal surfaces are provided on the sleeve. With this arrangement, the sleeve will fit onto the inner lo member one way up only and correct assembly of the components is facilitated.
The inner member 10 extends through a ring 32 disposed between the outer member it and the sleeve 26. This ring has an axially projecting tooth 33 which engages in a complementary recess in the adjacent end of the sleeve 15 to cause the ring to rotate about the axis 11 with the sleeve and the inner member. In a face of the ring presented towards the outer member 13, there is provided a female cam formation 34 which co-operates with a male cam formation 35 (see logger I) on the outer member to cause movement of the ring 32 and sleeve 26 along the axis 11 away from the outer member 13 2û whenever the inner member lo is turned relative to the outer member from the initial position illustrated in the drawings, in which the key can be inserted into and withdrawn from the inner member. A spring 36 acting between a head 37 of the inner member and the sleeve 26 urges the sleeve and -the ring 32 along the axis 11 towards the outer member 13 so that the I tooth 33 is maintained in driving engagement with the sleeve and the cam formation 35 is maintained in engagement with the ring 32.
The head 37 is formed separately from the inner member lo and fits onto an outer end portion of the inner member. Axially overlapping parts of the inner member and head are provided with respective flat surfaces parallel 3û to the axis 11 for ensuring that the head and inner member rotate -together about the axis 11. us shown in Figure 6, in the preferred arrangement, there are two flay surfaces on the inner member, one of these, 3~3 being nearer to the axis 11 than the other surface 39 and q pair of correspondingly positioned flat surfaces being provided on the head 37 so that correct assembly of the 35 head with the inner member is facilitated.
The head 37 is mounted in a circular opening formed in the housing I a-t the outer end thereof so that the head can rotate relative to the housing kowtow the axis if. The head includes a radially outwardly projecting flange 39 which bears against an internal surface of the housing to prevent the head and other internal components of the lock from being withdrawn from the housing through the opening at the outer end thereof.
The head 37 defines an aperture through which a key can be inserted into the opening 12. This aperture includes a generally circular portion 40 and a rectangular notch 41 extending outwardly from the periphery of the circular portion. As shown in Figure 7, the key intended to be used with the lock shown in the drawings has a generally cylindrical shank 5 and, adjacent to a 1û handle of the key, a driving lug 6 projecting radially outwardly of the shank.
When the key is inserted, this lug passes through the notch 41 to engage in a corresponding notch 42 formed in the adjacent end portion of the inner member lo so that the key can drive the inner member about the axis if.
There is formed in the head 37 a passage 43 which is spaced a short doziness along the axis if from the outer end face of the head and extends from the notch 41 to the periphery of the head. In this passage, there is disposed an obstructing clement 44 movable between an obstructing position illustrated in Figure 1, in which the element obstructs the notch 41, and thus prevents insertion of the key into or withdrawal of the key from the inner 2û member lo and a non-obstructing position in which the element lies sufficiently far from the axis if to permit the driving lug of the key to pass between the element and the axis. The obstructing element is preferably adapted to roll on the driving lug of the key and, in the example illustrated, is in the form of a belt.
Adjacent to the head 37, the housing 14 is formed with a recess 45 for receiving the ball 44 when the ball is moved to its non-obstructing position whilst the inner member lo is in the initial rotational position illustrated in the drawings. Between those boundaries of the recess 45 which are spaced apart circumferential of the axis if, there extends around the remainder of 3û the periphery of the head a cylindrical surface 46 formed on the housing 14and spaced from the axis if by a distance such that, when the inner member is turned from its initial rotational position and the ball is carried around the axis if by the heed of the inner member, the ball 4~1 is constrained to occupy its obstructing position.
As shown in Figure 2, the inner member lo is preferably a two-part assembly formed from a relatively thick-walled tube 47 and a thin-walled lining 48. The slots 27 and 28 are cut in the tube 47 before the lining 48 is . 9 -applied to the tube. The lining is introduced from the inner end of the tube and, when properly positioned, an outer end portion of the lining is spread radially outwardly into an annular groove formed in the tube. This renders the lining a captive of the tube and the lining prevents access being gained to 5 the rollers through the opening 12.
The sleeve 26 also is preferably Formed as a two-part assembly From a tube 49 and a sheath 50. Cutting of -the slots 28 is conveniently carried out by means of a milling cutter rotating bout an axis parallel to the axis 11 and with the tubes 47 and 49 assembled together. The slots 27 and 28 are then cut together. The openings 29, 30 and 31 may be cut at the same time by a smaller diameter cutting surface on the milling cutter, or in a separate cutting operation. After the slots 28 and openings 29, 30 and 31 have been cut, the sheath 50 is applied to the tube 49 from the inner end thereof until a radially inwardly projecting rib on the sheath 50 snaps into a circumferential 15 groove formed in the external surface of the tube 49. The rollers 19, 20 and 21 are inserted into their paths before the sheath is applied and the sheath then prevents escape of the rollers.
The outer member 13 also is conveniently a two-part assembly, these parts abutting in a plane which contains the axis 11, as shown in logger S. The 20 parts are formed with complementary projections 51 and recesses -For maintaining the required alignment. The two parts may be identical one with the other. When these parts have been assembled together, a ring 52 is applied to a rear end portion of the outer member to embrace the parts and hold them together. End portions of these parts adjacent to the ring 32 may 25 be held together by the housing 14 and have lugs which project in directions away from the axis 11 and are received in corresponding recesses in the housing to prevent withdrawal of the outer member 13 from the housing in q direction away from the head 37. To facilitate assembly, the housing 14 also is formed as a two-part assembly with the parts meeting in a plane containing 3û the axis 11 and perpendicular to the plane in which the parts of the outer member 13 meet. The housing parts are retained in assembled relation by a nut 53 screwed onto the housing and a hardened ring 54 which is pressed into an annular recess in the housing after the housing has been assembled.
The components of the lock are not pinned together and there is no 35 requirement to drill holes for pins.
At its inner end, the outer member 13 is formed with a radially inwardly projecting flange 55 against which a shoulder on the inner member lo bears to I
prevent withdrawal of the inner member and head 37 from tub housing in the inner axial direction.
The rollers 16 to 21 are formed of a magnetic material, for example mild steel, but are no permanently magne~ised. They can be handled during 5 assembly more easily than could rnagnetised elements. The outer member 13 and the housing 14 may be formed of digest mounded or sistered parts and the tubes 47 and 49 are machined from non-magnetic metal. The sheath 5û
may be formed of a plastics material. The ring 32 and the ball 44 are formed of hardened steel. The cam -formation 35 also is preferably wormed 10 separately from the other components of the outer member 13 and may be hardened steel.
It will be noted that the cam formations 34 and 35 are remote from the outer end of the lock so that they are unlikely to be rendered ineffective if the lock is drilled from its outer end. The cam formations may be modified 15 to cause relative axial movement in opposite directions when relative rotational movement in opposite directions occurs.
When the key is absent from the lock, the rollers 16 to 21 occupy locking positions to which they are biased by gravity. In order to be moved to their releasing positions, the rollers must be moved in different planes, at least 2û some of the rollers being moved against the action of gravity. It will be noted that there is no single plane and no set of parallel planes which contains the entire foci of the centers of the rollers when the rollers move along their paths to their releasing positions.
When the key is introduced into the lock the driving lug 6 of the key 25 engages the ball 44 and moves the ball radially outwardly to its non-obstructing position. The lug then passes the ball and the ball drops back to its obstructing position behind the lug. The lug is then in driving engagement with the inner member 10 and a permanent magnetic field associated with the shank of the key, which is disposed within the opening 12, biases the rollers 163û to 21 to respective releasing positions. With the rollers in their releasing positions, the inner member lo can be rotated freely relative to the outer member through any angle. Until the inner member is returned to its initial rotational position, withdrawal of the key is prevented by engagement of the driving lug o-F the key with the ball 44, the ball being held in its obstructing35 position by the surface 46 on the housing. This ensures that, when the key iswithdrawn, the rollers can move along their respective paths into locking positions.
I
I f provision is required for withdrawal of the key in alternative positions, a corresponding number of recesses similar to the recess 45 would be formed in the housing and a corresponding number of female cam formations similar to the formation 34 would be provided in the sleeve 26.
S The lock illustrated in the accompanying drawings may be modified by omitting the earn formation 34 from the ring 32, omitting the complementary cam formation 35 from the outer member and providing an alternative cam mechanism, as now described In this alternative arrangement, there is disposed outside the sleeve 26 a further sleeve (not shown) constrained to 1û move along the axis 11 and around the axis with the sleeve 26. A pin which is fixed with respect to the outer member 13 projects from the housing 14 into a slot formed in the further sleeve. This slot extends circumferential of the axis 11 but is non-rectilinear. Movement o-f the slot over the pin when the key is turned from an initial position causes the sleeve 26 to move along the axis in one direction and movement of the slot over the pin when the key is returned to its initial position causes the sleeve to move along the axis in the opposite direction. Thus, no spring equivalent to the spring 36 is required. The arrangement is such that the key can be withdrawn only when the sleeves have been moved axially to their initial positions. The magnetic 2û elements are then free to move to their locking positions.
A lock of the kind referred to is described in our published British Patent Specification l ,572,091. The lock described in this published specification has three magnetic elements, each confined to a respective 1û arcuate path with these paths being spaced apart along an axis of the lock The lock provides a high degree of security under most circumstances, since the magnetic elements are urged by gravity away from their releasing positions and access to the magnetic elements by picking instruments inserted into a key-hole of the lock is prevented.
If the took described in the aforesaid published specification is mounted with its axis vertical or can be-oriented so that its axis is vertical, the paths to which the magnetic elements are confined will each be horizontal nod the magnetic elements will not be biased to any particular position along these paths by gravity. In these circumstances, the lock is less secure than in other 2û circumstances According to a first aspect of the invention, a lock of the kind described is characterized in that the foci of the centers of said magnetic elements when the elements move along their respective paths do not lie entirely in planes which are parallel to any common reference plane.
In a lock having this characterizing feature, movement of at least one of the magnetic elements along its path is affected by gravity, irrespective of the orientation of the lock. This increases the difficulty of moving the magnetic elements to their releasing positions without use of the proper key, as compared with the known lock herein before mentioned, oriented so that 3û the magnetic elements move along horizontal paths.
The aforementioned characterizing feature may be achieved by providing three magnetic elements movable along mutually orthogonal rectilinear paths. Alternatively, the feature may be achieved by providing a pair of magnetic elements, one of which is movable along a rectilinear path and the other of which is movable along a curved path Icing in a plane transverse to the path of the one element. In a further alternative -arrangement, one of the magnetic elements may be confined to a curved path which does not lie in a plane.
according to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock comprising a hollow outer member and an inner member disposed within the outer member and defining a key-receiving opening, wherein the outer member includes two complementary approximately semi-cylindrical parts and retaining means embracing said parts to maintain said parts in assembled relation with each other around the inner member.
on example of a lock embodying the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 shows an end of a lock, called herein the outer end;
FIGURE 2 shows a cross-section of the lock on the line II-II of Figure l;
FIGURE 3 shows a cross-section on the line III-III of Figure 2;
FIGURE shows a cross-section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2;
FIGURE 5 shows a cross-section on the line V-V of Figure 2;
I
- pa FIGURE 6 shows assembled inner and outer members of the lock separated from other components and viewed from the outer end of the lock; and FIGURE 7 shows a perspective view of a key for use with the lock.
The lock comprises a hollow, generally cylindrical inner member 10 which defines a longitudinal axis II of the lock. The inner member defines an elongated, generally cylindrical opening 12, along the centre of which the axis II extends. The inner member 10 is disposed within a hollow outer member 13 and is arranged for rotation relative to the outer member when a proper key is inserted into the opening 12~ The outer member 13 is fixed in a housing 14 intended to be secured to a member which is to be locked or to a fixed structure (not shown).
At its inner end, the inner member 10 is provided with means for operating an associated device when the inner member is rotated relative to the housing 1~1. By way of example, there is shown a driving member 15 which projects radially from the inner member and is keyed to the inner member for rotation therewith. The driving member may be used to drive a bolt or other lockable element. In an alternative arrangement (not illustrated), there is provided on the inner member lo a movable switch contact or means for lo moving a switch contact to operate an electrical switch controlled by the lock. In certain applications of the lock, the inner member lo may be open at both ends.
For restraining rotation of the inner member 10 relative to the outer member 13 in the absence of the proper key, there are provided a plurality of magnetic locking elements. In the particular example illustrated, there are six locking elements, 16 to 21 respectively, and each of these is in the form ofa roller having Flat end faces and a cylindrical peripheral face. The rotters shown are hollow and open at both of their ends.
The inner member 10 and outer member 13 collectively define For the 2û rollers 16, 17 and 18 respective paths along which the rollers can move freely under the influence of gravitational and magnetic fields. In the example illustrated, each of these paths is substantially rectilinear and is parallel tothe axis 11. As shown in Figure 5, these paths are spaced apart equally around the axis. A part of the path for the roller 16 is provided by a slot 22 formed in the inner member 10, this slot having a longer dimension parallel to the axis 11 and a dimension extending circumferential of the axis which is slightly greater than the corresponding dimension of the roller 16. The slot 22 extends along only a fraction of the length of the inner member 10 and is spaced from both the outer and inner ends thereof. The outer member 13 has 3û in its internal surface a rectilinear channel 23 which may extend along theentire length of the outer member. This channel has the same width as and is aligned with the slot 22 so that approximately one half of the roller 16 runs inthe slot and the other half runs in the channel. Movement of the roller along the channel is limited by the ends of the slot. As can be seen in Figure 2, the dimension of the channel 23 which extends radially of the axis 11 is approximately equal to the radius of the roller 16 and the corresponding dimension of the slot 22 is slightly greater than the radius of the roller so ~23l~
that the roller can roll on the inner member without the peripheral surface of the roller contacting the outer member.
The side walls of the sly 22 and channel 23 constitute abutment surfaces for the roller 16. When the roller is in the locking position illustrated in Figure 2, engagement of these abutment surfaces with the roller prevents rotation of the inner member 10 relative to the outer member 13.
There are also formed in the inner surface of the outer member 13 channels of approxbnately semi-circular cross-section which extend around lo the axis 11 and intersect the channel 23. In the particular example illustrated, two such circumferential channels, I and 25 are provided. When the roller 16 is aligned with one or other of the channels 24 and 25, it is in a releasing position and no longer restricts rotation of the inner member 10 relative to the outer member. If the inner member is rotated, the roller is carried from the channel 23 into the channel 24 or 25, as the case may be. If there is no requirement to provide the lock with a master key, a single circumferential channel may be formed in the outer member.
The paths for the rotters 17 and 18 are formed in a manner corresponding to that in which the path for the roller 16 is formed and the circumferential 2û channels 24 and I intersect the paths of the rollers 17 wind 18 so that these rollers have releasing positions aligned circumferential of the axis 11 with the releasing positions of the roller 16. This arrangement provides for rotation of the inner member 10 relative to the Corey member 13 through an angle of 360. In a case where more restricted relative rotation of the inner and outer members is acceptable, circumferential channels which subtend at the axis 11 correspondingly smaller angles can be provided and there may be provided for the rollers 16, 17 and 18 respective circumferential channels which do not lie at the same position along the axis 11.
Respective paths for the rollers 19, 20 and 21 are defined collectively by 3û the inner member 10 and a sleeve 26 which extends around a part of the inner member positioned between the outer member 13 and the outer end of the lock. These paths are curved, in the particular example shown, each being of arcuate form with the centre of curvature Icing on the axis 11. As shown in Figure 3, these paths are spaced apart equally about the axis 11.
A part of the path for the roller 21 is provided by a slot 27 in the inner member, the longer dimension of the slot extending circumferential of the inner member and the dimension which extends along the axis 11 being slightly I
greater than the distance between the end -faces of the roller. A -further part of the path for the roller 21 is provided by a slot 28 in the sleeve 26. This slot has the same widely as and is aligned with the slot 27. Opposite walls of the slots 27 and 28 constitute abutment surfaces with which the end faces of the roller 21 overlap when the roller is in the locking position illustrated in Figure 3. In one side wall of the slot 28, there is formed an opening 29 which can receive that part of the roller protruding from the slot 27 when the roller is moved to a releasing position. When in a locking position, by which we mean any position other than the releasing position, the roller 21 obstructs axial lo displacement of the sleeve 26 relative to the inner member lo. By means of a cam mechanism hereinafter described, rotation ox the inner member relative to the outer member 13 is prevented unless axial displacement of the sleeve 26 relative to the inner member is permitted.
The paths for the rollers 19 and 2û are provided in a way similar to that in which the path for the roller 21 is provided and the sleeve 26 is formed with Further openings 3û and 31 for receiving the rollers 19 and 20 when in their releasing positions. The foci of the centers of the rollers 19,20 and 21, when these rollers move along their respective paths, lie in a single plane which is perpendicular to the axis 11.
2û It will be noted that the rollers 19, 2û and 21 overlap entirely with one another along the axis il. If required, these rollers may be off-set from one another along this axis partly or entirely. Furthermore, we prefer to provide a further group of rollers (not shown) arranged in a manner similar to that of the rollers 19, 20 and 21 but spaced from those rollers along the axis. In this 25 way, the number of combinations of releasing positions which are available in locks of the same general construction can be increased considerably.
The particular example of lock illustrated in the drawings has, near to an inner end of the lock, a group of rollers which move axially between locking and releasing positions and, spaced from that group in q direction 3û towards an outer end of the lock, a group of rollers which move circumferential between locking and releasing positions. In alternative arrangements, the rollers which move circumferential may be nearer to the inner end o-F the lock than are the rollers which move axially. Furthermore, there may be more -than two groups of rollers. For example, the lock may 35 comprise three groups of rollers, each group being spaced along the lock from the other groups. The rollers of the middle group moving either circumferential or axially between locking and releasing positions and the Lo Lo rollers of the other two groups moving axially or circumferential between locking and releasing positions.
The sleeve 26 is constrained -to rotate with the inner member 10 about the axis 11 by co-operation between respective -Flat surfaces on the sleeve and 5 inner member. As shown in Figure 63 in the preferred arrangement there are two flat surfaces on the exterior of the inner member 10, these being disposed at diametrically opposite positions but spaced one nearer to the axis 11 and one Further from the axis. Corresponding flat internal surfaces are provided on the sleeve. With this arrangement, the sleeve will fit onto the inner lo member one way up only and correct assembly of the components is facilitated.
The inner member 10 extends through a ring 32 disposed between the outer member it and the sleeve 26. This ring has an axially projecting tooth 33 which engages in a complementary recess in the adjacent end of the sleeve 15 to cause the ring to rotate about the axis 11 with the sleeve and the inner member. In a face of the ring presented towards the outer member 13, there is provided a female cam formation 34 which co-operates with a male cam formation 35 (see logger I) on the outer member to cause movement of the ring 32 and sleeve 26 along the axis 11 away from the outer member 13 2û whenever the inner member lo is turned relative to the outer member from the initial position illustrated in the drawings, in which the key can be inserted into and withdrawn from the inner member. A spring 36 acting between a head 37 of the inner member and the sleeve 26 urges the sleeve and -the ring 32 along the axis 11 towards the outer member 13 so that the I tooth 33 is maintained in driving engagement with the sleeve and the cam formation 35 is maintained in engagement with the ring 32.
The head 37 is formed separately from the inner member lo and fits onto an outer end portion of the inner member. Axially overlapping parts of the inner member and head are provided with respective flat surfaces parallel 3û to the axis 11 for ensuring that the head and inner member rotate -together about the axis 11. us shown in Figure 6, in the preferred arrangement, there are two flay surfaces on the inner member, one of these, 3~3 being nearer to the axis 11 than the other surface 39 and q pair of correspondingly positioned flat surfaces being provided on the head 37 so that correct assembly of the 35 head with the inner member is facilitated.
The head 37 is mounted in a circular opening formed in the housing I a-t the outer end thereof so that the head can rotate relative to the housing kowtow the axis if. The head includes a radially outwardly projecting flange 39 which bears against an internal surface of the housing to prevent the head and other internal components of the lock from being withdrawn from the housing through the opening at the outer end thereof.
The head 37 defines an aperture through which a key can be inserted into the opening 12. This aperture includes a generally circular portion 40 and a rectangular notch 41 extending outwardly from the periphery of the circular portion. As shown in Figure 7, the key intended to be used with the lock shown in the drawings has a generally cylindrical shank 5 and, adjacent to a 1û handle of the key, a driving lug 6 projecting radially outwardly of the shank.
When the key is inserted, this lug passes through the notch 41 to engage in a corresponding notch 42 formed in the adjacent end portion of the inner member lo so that the key can drive the inner member about the axis if.
There is formed in the head 37 a passage 43 which is spaced a short doziness along the axis if from the outer end face of the head and extends from the notch 41 to the periphery of the head. In this passage, there is disposed an obstructing clement 44 movable between an obstructing position illustrated in Figure 1, in which the element obstructs the notch 41, and thus prevents insertion of the key into or withdrawal of the key from the inner 2û member lo and a non-obstructing position in which the element lies sufficiently far from the axis if to permit the driving lug of the key to pass between the element and the axis. The obstructing element is preferably adapted to roll on the driving lug of the key and, in the example illustrated, is in the form of a belt.
Adjacent to the head 37, the housing 14 is formed with a recess 45 for receiving the ball 44 when the ball is moved to its non-obstructing position whilst the inner member lo is in the initial rotational position illustrated in the drawings. Between those boundaries of the recess 45 which are spaced apart circumferential of the axis if, there extends around the remainder of 3û the periphery of the head a cylindrical surface 46 formed on the housing 14and spaced from the axis if by a distance such that, when the inner member is turned from its initial rotational position and the ball is carried around the axis if by the heed of the inner member, the ball 4~1 is constrained to occupy its obstructing position.
As shown in Figure 2, the inner member lo is preferably a two-part assembly formed from a relatively thick-walled tube 47 and a thin-walled lining 48. The slots 27 and 28 are cut in the tube 47 before the lining 48 is . 9 -applied to the tube. The lining is introduced from the inner end of the tube and, when properly positioned, an outer end portion of the lining is spread radially outwardly into an annular groove formed in the tube. This renders the lining a captive of the tube and the lining prevents access being gained to 5 the rollers through the opening 12.
The sleeve 26 also is preferably Formed as a two-part assembly From a tube 49 and a sheath 50. Cutting of -the slots 28 is conveniently carried out by means of a milling cutter rotating bout an axis parallel to the axis 11 and with the tubes 47 and 49 assembled together. The slots 27 and 28 are then cut together. The openings 29, 30 and 31 may be cut at the same time by a smaller diameter cutting surface on the milling cutter, or in a separate cutting operation. After the slots 28 and openings 29, 30 and 31 have been cut, the sheath 50 is applied to the tube 49 from the inner end thereof until a radially inwardly projecting rib on the sheath 50 snaps into a circumferential 15 groove formed in the external surface of the tube 49. The rollers 19, 20 and 21 are inserted into their paths before the sheath is applied and the sheath then prevents escape of the rollers.
The outer member 13 also is conveniently a two-part assembly, these parts abutting in a plane which contains the axis 11, as shown in logger S. The 20 parts are formed with complementary projections 51 and recesses -For maintaining the required alignment. The two parts may be identical one with the other. When these parts have been assembled together, a ring 52 is applied to a rear end portion of the outer member to embrace the parts and hold them together. End portions of these parts adjacent to the ring 32 may 25 be held together by the housing 14 and have lugs which project in directions away from the axis 11 and are received in corresponding recesses in the housing to prevent withdrawal of the outer member 13 from the housing in q direction away from the head 37. To facilitate assembly, the housing 14 also is formed as a two-part assembly with the parts meeting in a plane containing 3û the axis 11 and perpendicular to the plane in which the parts of the outer member 13 meet. The housing parts are retained in assembled relation by a nut 53 screwed onto the housing and a hardened ring 54 which is pressed into an annular recess in the housing after the housing has been assembled.
The components of the lock are not pinned together and there is no 35 requirement to drill holes for pins.
At its inner end, the outer member 13 is formed with a radially inwardly projecting flange 55 against which a shoulder on the inner member lo bears to I
prevent withdrawal of the inner member and head 37 from tub housing in the inner axial direction.
The rollers 16 to 21 are formed of a magnetic material, for example mild steel, but are no permanently magne~ised. They can be handled during 5 assembly more easily than could rnagnetised elements. The outer member 13 and the housing 14 may be formed of digest mounded or sistered parts and the tubes 47 and 49 are machined from non-magnetic metal. The sheath 5û
may be formed of a plastics material. The ring 32 and the ball 44 are formed of hardened steel. The cam -formation 35 also is preferably wormed 10 separately from the other components of the outer member 13 and may be hardened steel.
It will be noted that the cam formations 34 and 35 are remote from the outer end of the lock so that they are unlikely to be rendered ineffective if the lock is drilled from its outer end. The cam formations may be modified 15 to cause relative axial movement in opposite directions when relative rotational movement in opposite directions occurs.
When the key is absent from the lock, the rollers 16 to 21 occupy locking positions to which they are biased by gravity. In order to be moved to their releasing positions, the rollers must be moved in different planes, at least 2û some of the rollers being moved against the action of gravity. It will be noted that there is no single plane and no set of parallel planes which contains the entire foci of the centers of the rollers when the rollers move along their paths to their releasing positions.
When the key is introduced into the lock the driving lug 6 of the key 25 engages the ball 44 and moves the ball radially outwardly to its non-obstructing position. The lug then passes the ball and the ball drops back to its obstructing position behind the lug. The lug is then in driving engagement with the inner member 10 and a permanent magnetic field associated with the shank of the key, which is disposed within the opening 12, biases the rollers 163û to 21 to respective releasing positions. With the rollers in their releasing positions, the inner member lo can be rotated freely relative to the outer member through any angle. Until the inner member is returned to its initial rotational position, withdrawal of the key is prevented by engagement of the driving lug o-F the key with the ball 44, the ball being held in its obstructing35 position by the surface 46 on the housing. This ensures that, when the key iswithdrawn, the rollers can move along their respective paths into locking positions.
I
I f provision is required for withdrawal of the key in alternative positions, a corresponding number of recesses similar to the recess 45 would be formed in the housing and a corresponding number of female cam formations similar to the formation 34 would be provided in the sleeve 26.
S The lock illustrated in the accompanying drawings may be modified by omitting the earn formation 34 from the ring 32, omitting the complementary cam formation 35 from the outer member and providing an alternative cam mechanism, as now described In this alternative arrangement, there is disposed outside the sleeve 26 a further sleeve (not shown) constrained to 1û move along the axis 11 and around the axis with the sleeve 26. A pin which is fixed with respect to the outer member 13 projects from the housing 14 into a slot formed in the further sleeve. This slot extends circumferential of the axis 11 but is non-rectilinear. Movement o-f the slot over the pin when the key is turned from an initial position causes the sleeve 26 to move along the axis in one direction and movement of the slot over the pin when the key is returned to its initial position causes the sleeve to move along the axis in the opposite direction. Thus, no spring equivalent to the spring 36 is required. The arrangement is such that the key can be withdrawn only when the sleeves have been moved axially to their initial positions. The magnetic 2û elements are then free to move to their locking positions.
Claims (6)
1. A lock comprising a plurality of magnetic elements and members defining respective paths along which the magnetic elements can move between respective locking positions and respective releasing positions, the magnetic elements obstructing operation of the lock when in their locking positions but not when in their releasing positions, wherein the loci of the centres of the magnetic elements when the magnetic elements move along their respective paths do not lie entirely in planes which are parallel to any common reference plane.
2. A lock according to Claim 1 wherein at least one of said paths has a form such that the locus of the centre of the associated magnetic element, when the element moves along the path, is a curve which lies in a datum plane.
3. A lock according to Claim 2 wherein the locus of the centre of another of the magnetic elements when that other magnetic element is moved along its path would, if produced, intersect said datum plane.
4. A lock according to Claim 3 wherein one of said members defines an elongated, rectilinear opening to receive a key for moving the magnetic elements, the locus of the centre of said one element is an arc of a circle and the centre of curvature of said arc lines in the opening.
5. A lock according to Claim 1 wherein said members include a hollow outer member and an inner member disposed within the outer member, wherein the inner member defines a key-receiving opening and wherein the outer member includes two complementary, approximatately semi-cylindrical parts and retaining means embracing said parts.
6. A lock according to Claim 1 wherein a first of said members defines an opening for receiving a key which is to operate the lock, said first member defining an axis of the lock which extends along the opening, said first member being movable, when the magnetic elements occupy respective releasing positions, around the axis relative to the second of said members, wherein there is further provided an obstructing element mounted in said first member for movement between an obstructing position nearer to said axis and a non-obstructing position further from said axis, means is provided for moving the obstructing element around the axis with the key when the key is inserted into the opening and is turned and wherein there is provided means for maintaining the obstructing element in its obstructing position over a limited range of movement of the obstructing element with said first member around the axis.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000438275A CA1238499A (en) | 1983-10-04 | 1983-10-04 | Lock |
| CA000539731A CA1241849A (en) | 1983-10-04 | 1987-06-15 | Lock |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000438275A CA1238499A (en) | 1983-10-04 | 1983-10-04 | Lock |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000539731A Division CA1241849A (en) | 1983-10-04 | 1987-06-15 | Lock |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1238499A true CA1238499A (en) | 1988-06-28 |
Family
ID=4126216
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000438275A Expired CA1238499A (en) | 1983-10-04 | 1983-10-04 | Lock |
| CA000539731A Expired CA1241849A (en) | 1983-10-04 | 1987-06-15 | Lock |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000539731A Expired CA1241849A (en) | 1983-10-04 | 1987-06-15 | Lock |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (2) | CA1238499A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-10-04 CA CA000438275A patent/CA1238499A/en not_active Expired
-
1987
- 1987-06-15 CA CA000539731A patent/CA1241849A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA1241849A (en) | 1988-09-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |