CZ297960B6 - Combination of cylindrical lock and key, control key and service key - Google Patents

Abstract

In a cylinder lock-key combination, a control key (30) with a profile (34a through 34e, 35) provided with a key bit part (32) is used. This back profile (34a through 34e, 35) interacts with concentric grooves (16a through 16e) in a cavity (12) for the cylinder plug (20) to retain the plug (20) against longitudinal movement in certain rotary positions. This feature is combined with protrusions (27) provided on the plug (20), which protrusions interact with the concentric grooves (16a through 16e). Further, the cavity (12) is provided with a longitudinal groove (17) that permits mutual longitudinal movement between the plug (20) and the cylindrical housing (10). The plug (20) is easy to replace when a service key lacking a back profile is used.

Description

(57)

In combination with the cylinder lock and the key, an operating key (30) with a profile (34a to 34e, 35) is used on the ridge of the toothed part (32). This profile (34a to 34e, 35) cooperates with coaxial grooves (16a to 16e) in the cavity (12) for the cylindrical insert (20) to secure the insert (20) against longitudinal displacement in certain rotational positions. The projections (27) formed on the insert (20) cooperate with coaxial grooves (16a to 16e). The cavity (12) formed with the longitudinal groove (17) allows for longitudinal displacement between the insert (20) and the cylindrical sleeve (10). The insert (20) is replaceable using a service key without a profiled surface on the back of the toothed part (32).

BaCZ 297960 B6

Combination of cylinder lock and key, control key and service key

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to cylinder lock and key combinations, and more specifically to cylinder locks with an insert that can be easily replaced, the insert comprising a complete combination for coded pins or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has previously been known to provide a locking device with a removable and replaceable insert. The advantage of locks with a replaceable or interchangeable insert is that a relatively inexperienced worker can quickly provide a new code to the lock. Such new codes may be required if someone forgets to return the key and thus the key may come into the wrong hands.

Coding of locks in which the insert includes a complete combination can be easily accomplished by replacing the entire insert with another insert created with the new code. A known method of forming a removable insert is to use a pin extending through the housing or the like, the pin being actuated by a key inserted into the insert. A specially designed key, the so-called service key, is used to release the insert.

A replaceable cylinder lock of the type mentioned in the introduction is described in PCT Publication WO 97/36 072 of the Applicant Australian Lock Company. The lock comprises a coaxial groove in the cavity in the insert receiving housing. The insert comprises spherical protrusions which, when traversed in a coaxial groove, retain the insert in the cavity and thereby prevent the longitudinal displacement between the insert and the sleeve. By using a service key whose sides are formed with recesses, the balls may fit into the recesses and thus do not block the longitudinal displacement of the insert.

The described solution represents a brittle construction because the contact surface assuming longitudinal forces is small. This can result in the assembly device being pulled out or broken when the lock is handled, for example when someone attempts to open a heavy or stiff door by simply pulling on the key handle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cylinder lock and key combination in which the lock cylinder is easier to replace than known locks. Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a cylinder lock and a key in which the lock insert is better mounted with respect to longitudinal forces than with known locks. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a key for said combination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the discovery that a ridge profile key can be used to secure the insert against longitudinal displacement at certain positions. This is combined with protrusions on the insert that cooperate with grooves in the cavity of the housing. The insert is therefore easily replaceable and also the mounting of the insert is stronger than with previously known locks.

According to the present invention, a cylinder lock and key combination is provided, wherein the cylinder lock comprises a lock cylinder with a cylindrical housing and a cavity in a cylindrical housing adapted to receive a cylinder with a keyhole for the toothed part of the key. with the central axis of the cavity, wherein the at least one concentric groove cooperates with the profile formed on the spine of the toothed portion of the control or user key when the key is

Inserted into the actuating position in the cylinder lock, to prevent the key with the wrong profile from rotating; and further comprising the first longitudinal groove formed in the cavity wall and adapted to allow, in a first rotational position of the insert in which the keyhole is in alignment with the first longitudinal groove, the insertion of an operating key formed with a profiled surface on the ridge of the toothed portion ; a cam portion formed on the shell surface of the cylindrical liner which, when interacting with said at least one concentric groove, prevents relative longitudinal displacement between the cylindrical bushing and the liner; and a second longitudinal groove formed in the wall of the cavity and adapted to allow, in a second rotational position of the insert, in which the cam portion is aligned with the second longitudinal groove, a relative longitudinal displacement between the cylindrical housing and the insert; wherein in the rotational position of the insert, different from said first rotational position, when the profiled surface control key on the toothed ridge is inserted into the keyhole, the profiled surface on the toothed ridge cooperates with said at least one concentric groove to prevent mutual longitudinal displacement between the key and a cylindrical housing and thereby between the liner and the cylindrical housing; wherein when a service key without a profiled toothed surface is inserted into the keyhole, the relative longitudinal displacement between the insert and the cylindrical sleeve is allowed in said second rotary position, whereby the insert is retractable from or retractable into the cylindrical sleeve.

In addition, the present invention provides an operating key and a service key for use with the combination of the invention described above.

Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The present invention will be described in more detail below by way of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Giant. 1a and 1b show a cylinder lock sleeve according to the invention;

Giant. 2a and 2b show a cylinder lock cylinder;

Giant. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate an operating key according to the present invention for use with the cylinder lock housing shown in Figures Ia and 1b;

Giant. 4a and 4b show an operating key inserted into the cylinder;

Giant. Figures 5a and 5b show the operating key retracted and rotated approximately 45 ° from the retracted position;

Giant. 6a and 6b show the service key; and

Giant. 7a and 7b show the service key illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b, inserted into the lock and rotated to the lock insert replacement position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Construction

In the following description, a preferred embodiment of the cylinder lock will be described together with the associated key of the present invention.

-2GB 297960 B6

Giant. 1 shows a cylinder lock housing 10 for mounting in a door or the like and having a conventional generally cylindrical outer shape. This housing 10 is therefore completely interchangeable with the known known cylinder lock sleeves.

A cavity 12 is drilled in the housing 10 to receive the cylinder lock insert 20 shown in FIG. 2. The housing shown is intended for a lock of the type sold under the trademark ASSADESMO®, the function of this type of lock being described, for example, in Swedish. patents with publication numbers SE-B-469 565 and SE-BY69 566 of ASSA AB, which are incorporated herein by reference for more detailed information. Two grooves 14a, 14b, known in the art, engage the cavity walls and engage the respective side pin when the lock is in the locked position. A further groove 15 extends parallel to the grooves 14a, 14b. This further groove 15, preferably having a width of 2 mm, is adapted to receive a portion of the dorsal portion of the inserted key 30. This key will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 3.

The cavity is also formed with a longitudinal groove 17 that is wider than the other grooves and is adapted to cooperate with the projections or cam parts 27 of the insert 20 shown in Fig. 2 when the insert 20 is inserted or removed. Preferably, the cam portions have a width of approximately 5 mm. The operation of these cam parts will be described in more detail in the following description.

In addition to the longitudinal grooves mentioned above, there are also a plurality of coaxial grooves 16a to 16e shown in Fig. Ib. The shape, depth, or width of these grooves may vary, but all have in common that they pass the inner wall of the cavity 12 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10, i.e. perpendicular to the insertion direction of the key.

The inside diameter of the cavity 12 is adapted to receive the cylinder lock cylinder 20 shown in FIG. 2. Except for the cam portion 27, the cylinder 20 has a conventional shape for the respective lock type and includes a shoulder or collar 22 for proper placement in the housing 10. it comprises two side-pin slots 24 of which only one is shown in the figures. The insert 20 also includes a keyhole 26 for receiving a key, the position of which is apparent from FIG. 2b. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the keyhole 26 is greater than the width of the groove 15 in the housing 10. The meaning of such an arrangement will be explained in the description below.

The liner 20 also includes cam portions 27a to 27e which have already been mentioned. These cam parts have a shape that coincides with the circumferential grooves 16a to 16e in the wall of the cavity 12 in the longitudinal direction, see Fig. Ib. That is, when the liner 20 has already been inserted into the sleeve 10 and is in a position in which the cam portions 27a to 27e are not aligned with the groove 12, see Fig. 4b, these cam portions will prevent longitudinal displacement between the sleeve 10 and the liner. 20, whereby the liner 20 is fixedly mounted in the housing 10. However, if the liner 20 has already been rotated to a position in which the groove 17 aligns with the cam portions 27a to 27e, see Fig. 5b, the groove 17 will allow this longitudinal displacement relative to each other. thus, the insert 20 can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve 10. In this position, the insert 20 will follow the key because the key and the insert 20 are secured to each other by means of code grooves (teeth) on the key and driving pins in the insert 20.

Fig. 3a shows a key 30, the main parts of which are formed by a handle 31 and a toothed part 32. The sides of the toothed part 32 are formed with code grooves which during insertion of the key cooperate with locking pins known in the art. in cylinder lock cylinder 20, see, for example, the aforementioned published patents of ASSA AB. The cross-section of the toothed portion 32 is shown in Fig. 3b, from which it can be seen that the back surface 33 of the key is rounded to be adapted to the radius of curvature of the cavity 12 in the housing 10. The greatest height of the toothed portion 32 substantially corresponds to the length of the keyhole 26 in the insert 20 and the depth of the groove 15 in the sleeve 10 added together, and the key 30 can be inserted into the keyhole 26 when the insert 20 is in such a position in the sleeve 10 26 is aligned with the groove 15.

The ridge surface 33 has a jagged profile when viewed from the side and includes protrusions 34a to 34e and straight portions 35 therebetween. The shape and position of the projections 34a to 34e correspond to respective grooves

-3 CZ 297960 B6

16a to 16e in the housing 10 and respective cam parts 27a to 27e of the insert 20, as best seen in FIG. 3a. Since this type of lock does not have upper and lower tumblers and the like, there is no need for a straight dividing line between the insert 20 and the sleeve 10. Thus, the positions of the protrusions can be varied freely along substantially the entire surface 33 of the spine, allowing a wide variety of spine profiles.

Referring again to Fig. 3b, it is seen that the profile in the transverse direction of the key 30 is limited to a portion of the back surface and that a limited portion of the width of the back surface is provided with a guide portion 37 which is approximately 1/3 of the overall width. the surface of the back. The purpose of this guide portion is to allow the key to be inserted into the longitudinal groove 15 in the housing 10, since the width of the groove 15 is smaller than the width of the key blank.

Giant. 4 shows the retracted position for the key. It can be seen from this figure that the guide surface 37 rests against the wall in the cavity 12 in the sleeve 10. If the guide surface is not there, the projections 34 of the key profile would strike against the bottom of the groove 16, causing damage by abrasion on the key and also on the sleeve. This is prevented by the illustrated shape of the key 30 provided with the guide surface 37 in combination with the groove 15.

It can be seen that the overall height of the toothed portion 32 is greater than the height of the key for conventional locks, and therefore a key blank with a higher toothed part must be used. A portion of the spine is milled to form portions between the protrusions. Due to the heating generated by the cutting processes and the rotary tools and in order to achieve a smoother shape, inclined transition surfaces between the protrusions and the portions 35 therebetween, such as the protrusion 34d, are preferred. However, right angles can also be used. The key blank may be cut with a spine profile if preferred. The material of the guide portion 37 is then cut away. Alternatively, the key blank may be formed with the guide surface 37 prior to milling, thereby simplifying the final machining.

In order to achieve the correct insertion position for the key 30 in the lock, the key is also provided with a stop protrusion 36 that blocks further insertion of the key when the protrusion rests against the front surface of the insert.

Activity

In the following description, the operation of the lock and key of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. In Fig. 4, the key 30 is shown to be inserted into the insert 20 but not rotated from the retracted position. In this retracted position, the key is inclined to approximately 45 °, as can be seen in Fig. 4b. The reason for this bearing is that it is advantageous to position the grooves 14a and 14b for the side pins, as can be seen in Fig. 1a. By positioning these grooves, the possible width of the sleeve 10 is minimized and a more compact construction is achieved.

Giant. 5a shows how the spine profile of the key coincides with the peripheral grooves in the housing when the key has already been inserted in a position in which the projection 36 abuts the front surface of the insert. Since the protrusions 34 may extend in the grooves 16 when the key is rotated, this rotation is not locked and the key operates as in a conventional lock.

However, if the key presents an incorrect spine profile, i.e. a profile that does not correspond to the grooves 16, the key rotation is locked from the position shown in FIG. 4 and the lock cannot be unlocked even if the key presents the correct code holders or surfaces.

In the position shown in Fig. 5b with the key turned approximately 45 ° from the insertion position shown in Fig. 4, i.e. with the key 30 in the vertical position, the projections 34a to 34e engage the corresponding grooves 16a to 16e. That is, the axial displacement of the key is blocked and that the key can generate relatively large axial forces without damaging the key or the lock. This is advantageous when the key functions as a door knob for opening the door in which the lock is mounted.

-4GB 297960 B6

In this position, however, the key cam portions 27 are aligned with the longitudinal groove 17 formed therein in the housing, and hence, in this position, it is merely the spine profile of the key that prevents relative axial displacement between the insert and the housing. The shape of the ridge profile makes it possible to exert large axial forces because the interaction area between the ridge profile and the grooves in the sleeve is several square millimeters in size, approximately 9 square millimeters in the illustrated embodiment, although the grooves are relatively shallow.

When the insert is to be replaced, a service key without a spine profile is inserted, see Fig. 6, as well as a conventional 45 ° inclined key, as in Fig. 4. The material in the housing near the groove 15 then prevents the service key from slipping into the groove. even if it lacks the back profile. The service key is then turned to the position shown in Fig. 7. It is in this position that the insert can be replaced. Since a service key that lacks the back profile preventing the key from being pulled out is used, the insert can be pulled out of the sleeve by the key and replaced by another insert, also by the service key.

One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the illustrated embodiment may be varied and modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the invention is not limited to ASSADESMO® type locks.

In a preferred embodiment, the entire locking system is integrated in the cylinder. The side pins are retained in recesses formed therein, for example by circumferential rings or projections at the edges of the recesses. In this way, the side pins will not fall out when the insert is removed from the housing and thus allows easy replacement of the insert.

In the embodiment shown, the grooves 16a to 16e are circumferential, i.e., allow the key to be rotated 360 °. However, it is also possible to provide a lock in which the grooves extend through only a portion of the cylinder insert cavity.

In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal groove 15 has a width less than the width of the key blank. A construction in which the width of the groove substantially corresponds to the width of the key blank is also possible. A disadvantage is then that the service key then tends to slide into the groove during insertion.

In the drawings, a housing with two grooves 14a and 14b for side pins is shown. However, the present invention can of course be used for locks formed with only one side pin or for locks completely devoid of side pins. Of course, the number of grooves 16 may vary depending on the number of profile shapes used.

The keys for use with the lock of the present invention are preferably made of a key material such as nickel brass.

The insertion position as well as the angle by which the key is rotated when locking or unlocking can of course vary.

The grooves shown may be formed in different shapes or in different positions. If the turning angle for unlocking is greater than 90 °, for example 180 °, the longitudinal groove 17 may be made wider than shown.

-5 CZ 297960 B6

PATENT CLAIMS

Claims (5)

A cylinder lock and key combination, wherein the cylinder lock comprises a locking cylinder with a cylindrical housing (10) and a cavity (12) in a cylindrical housing (10) adapted to receive a cylinder (20) with a keyhole (26) for the toothed portion (32) a key (30), the wall of the cavity (12) comprising at least one coaxial groove (16a to 16e) extending coaxially with the central axis of the cavity (12), characterized in that said at least one coaxial groove (16a to 16e) cooperates with a profile (34a to 34e, 35) formed on the spine (33) of the toothed part (32) of the control key when the key is slid into the control position in the cylinder lock to prevent rotation of the wrong profile key (34a to 34e, 35) ; wherein the combination further comprises a first longitudinal groove (15) formed in the wall of the cavity (12) and adapted to allow a first pivoting position of the insert (20) in which the keyhole (26) is aligned with the first longitudinal groove (15) inserting an operating key (30) formed with a profiled surface on the back of the toothed portion (32); a cam portion (27a to 27e) formed on the skirt surface of the cylindrical liner (20) which, when interacting with said at least one concentric groove (16a to 16e), prevents relative longitudinal displacement between the cylindrical bushing (10) and the liner (20); and a second longitudinal groove (17) formed in the wall of the cavity (12) and adapted to allow, in a second rotational position of the insert (20), in which the cam portion (27) is aligned with the second longitudinal groove (17), a cylindrical housing (10) and an insert (20); wherein, in the rotational position of the insert (20), different from said first rotational position, when the profiled surface control key (30) on the back of the toothed part (32) is inserted into the keyhole (26), the profiled surface on the back of the toothed part (32) cooperating with at least one concentric groove (16a to 16e) to prevent relative longitudinal displacement between the key (30) and the cylindrical sleeve (10) and thereby between the insert (20) and the cylindrical sleeve (10); and wherein when a service key without a profiled surface is inserted into the keyhole (26) of the insert (20) on the spine of the toothed part (32), the relative longitudinal displacement between the insert (20) and the cylindrical bushing (10) is allowed in said second rotary position , whereby the insert (20) is retractable from or insertable into the cylindrical housing (10). Combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the profile (34a to 34e, 35) extends along a limited portion of the width of the toothed portion (32), preferably over 2/3 of the width of the toothed portion, the width of the first longitudinal groove (32). 15) substantially corresponds to the width of the profile (34a to 34e, 35). Combination according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the width of the second longitudinal groove (17) is greater than the width of the first longitudinal groove (15), and is preferably 5 mm. A control key for use with a combination according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a portion of the ridge surface portion (33) on the toothed portion (32) is formed with a profile (34a to 34e, 35) in the longitudinal direction of the key, the profile cooperates with at least one groove (16a to 16e) in the cavity (12) in the cylindrical housing (10). A service key for use with a combination according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the section on the ridge surface (33) on the toothed portion (32) is formed without a profiled surface in the longitudinal direction of the key. 3 drawings -6GB 297960 B6