EP0106397A2 - Safety lock of the tumblers type with a profiled stop pin - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock of the grooved type (6) to be actuated by a bit key, in which the consent stud (13), integral with the plate (1) with latches (3) and passing through the windows (10) with teeth (11 , 12) grooves (6) to allow the operation of the lock only by the prefixed key, has a profit depending on the profile of the key and the conformation of the toothed windows (10) of the grooves (6) of the lock, which are always identical for locks having different keys, the only element of differentiation of the covers being said profiled consent stud (13). In addition, preferably, said profiled consent stud (13) is removable and interchangeable and allows rapid and economical adaptation of a lock to actuation by a new key different from the original.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a lock of the type to be actuated by a bit key, comprising a plate with locks actuated by said key and having a consent stud and a series of grooves actuated by the key and having windows with teeth, crossed by said consent stud of the lock plate, to allow the displacement of the stud and the locks only by means of a key having in its bit a prefixed succession of projections and notches.

In known constructions, said consent stud of the lock plate has a prismatic shape with constant section and the teeth of the windows of the different grooves have a length defined according to the radius, relative to the axis of rotation of the key, of the projection or of the corresponding bit of the bit so that, under the action of the key, the free spaces between the teeth of the windows of all the grooves are arranged aligned to allow the passage between them of the bolt of consent of the latches . In locks with a key with two opposite non-symmetrical bits, the teeth of even position of each groove are not equal to the teeth of odd position of the same groove, since this makes unauthorized opening of the lock more difficult. However, these constructions have certain drawbacks.

A first drawback of known locks of the type under consideration consists in the high construction and assembly prices, due to the fact that it is necessary to predispose numerous grooves, each corresponding, as regards the lengths of the teeth of its window, to a couple specific measurements of the protrusions and opposite notches of the key and, once the key intended for actuating a specific lock has been produced, this must be mounted by choosing, in the correct order, the various grooves corresponding to the necks successive stages of projections and of the key. This includes, for the manufacture of the various grooves, the use of many different cookie cutters or very expensive cookie cutters with elements movable in different positions exactly prefixed; for the assembly of locks is required The careful intervention of specialist operators.

Another disadvantage of the locks considered consists in that it is not possible to successively modify a lock manufactured to be actuated by a certain key, in order to have it actuated by a different key, as iL would be desirable each time that the originating key must have been entrusted to a person who, we think, could have made a copy of it, as it is systematically verified during the installation of the lock if it is not installed personally by the user, and often repeats on the occasion of work in Premises protected by the serrure as well as on other occasions. Such a modification is on the contrary possible, even if with a relatively difficult operation and the substitution of a complicated component, in certain types of cylinder locks, which on the other hand have a lower degree of security than that of grooved locks.

The first object of the present invention is that to remedy the first indicated drawback of known groove locks, by producing a lock of the type to be actuated by a bit key in LaqueLLe the whole series of grooves is identical in Locks intended to be actuated by different keys, thus allowing a complete unification of the assembly operations of the series of grooves, and consequently the use of unskilled labor or the automation of operations.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, by the fact that the grooves constituting said series of grooves have in their windows teeth of predetermined measures independently of the conformation of the bits of the key intended to actuate the lock, and that said consent stud of the plate with latches is shaped according to a profile having projections and notches cooperating with the windows of the different grooves, each projection or notch of the consent stud having a measurement established as a function of the radius of the projection or corresponding key and measurement of the teeth of the corresponding throat, so that the consent pin passes freely between the teeth of the windows of the grooves when these have been moved by the pre-established key.

With these provisions, the grooves moved by the correct key do not have the free spaces aligned between the teeth of their windows but, despite this, they allow the passage of the consent stud because it has a profile corresponding to that of him. Free space between the teeth of the windows of the grooves thus displaced. Locks with these characteristics have undifferentiated series of grooves which can be predisposed with non-intelligent or automated operations, without taking any account of the conformation of the key which will have to actuate the lock, and this makes it possible to reduce the price of assembly operations. The differentiation of each lock is achieved by the application of a single element predisposed according to the conformation of the key, i.e. the profiled consent stud, and therefore represents the inevitable minimum cost burden for differentiation. locks. Also The costs of manufacturing the grooves result greatly reduced by the fact that, even if all the grooves of the series are different from each other, the number of different grooves to be produced corresponds to the number of grooves which constitute the series of grooves of the lock, which is much lower than the number of different grooves which must be predisposed for the differentiation of known locks, even when they belong to the so-called fixed constant types. The higher production price of the profiled consent stud, compared a simple traditional prismatic stud absorbs only a small part of the economic and organizational advantages thus obtained.

Preferably, the series of grooves is composed by grooves of odd position all equal to each other and by grooves of even position also all equal to each other but not equal to the grooves of odd position.

Thanks to this characteristic, the number of different grooves that must be manufactured is reduced to only two, which represents the minimum compatible with the conservation, with keys with two opposite bits, of the degree of security depending on the fact that the position of the grooves results differently in The odd turns and in The even turns, that is to say that The key does not have the two symmetrical opposite pannetons between them. The cost of manufacturing the lock grooves is thus reduced to the minimum possible.

A second object of the invention is to remedy even the second drawback reported of known groove locks, by producing a lock which, although having the degree of security of locks with a bit key, can be modified at any time to be actuated. by a key different from the previous one, with an operation that can be done by the same user without the intervention of a third party.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, by the fact that the profiled consent stud is applied to the lock plate in a removable and interchangeable manner, and that the windows of the grooves have, between successive teeth, a height at less equal to the height of the highest projections of the consent stud.

Thanks to this feature, the adaptation of the lock to a new key is obtained simply by replacing the previous profiled consent stud by a new differently profiled consent stud, corresponding to the new key, without having to modify the series of grooves, which do not constitute an element in dividing the lock. The operation of replacing the profiled consent stud is made possible by the timely sizing of the windows of the grooves, which ensures that the consent stud can be unthreaded and threaded through said windows without being prevented by the grooves when these are found in, rest position. In order to make it easy and secure Said adaptation of the lock to a new key, we can put on the market a series of keys, accompanied by a corresponding consent stud, enclosed in sealed confections which cannot be distinguished and which do not allow The observation of the profiles of the keys and the stud of consent contained, before opening the confections.

Preferably, said interchangeable consent stud is accessible through an opening on the inside of the envelope of the lock, arranged in correspondence with a specific position of the lock plate with which the consent stud moves.

Thanks to this feature, it can be avoided that the substitution of the consent stud is carried out without actuating the lock, by an unauthorized person. Particularly, by choosing said specific position of accessibility different from that of opening the lock, it is avoided that the consent stud can, for example, be disassembled by play by children, while by choosing It also different from The completely closed position, we avoid that the substitution is made to facilitate the exit of a room, by an unauthorized person who entered by other passage. This specific accessibility position is preferably chosen in correspondence with an intermediate key turn, position in which the lock is not normally left.

• La figure 1 montre en perspective explodée une partie des composants d'une serrure réalisée selon L'invention; ,
• Les figures 2 et 3 montrent en détail La forme des fenêtres des gorges d'ordre impair et respectivement pair de La serrure;
• La figure 4 montre un exemple de profil en escalier régulier du goujon de consentement de La serrure, et
• La figure 5 montre Le profil de La clef correspondante au goujon de consentement selon La figure 4 quand on adopte des gorges avec fenêtres selon Les figures 2 et 3;
• La figure 6 montre, en vue frontale, un exemple de goujon de consentement profilé monté de manière interchangeable sur La plaque à verrous;
• La figure 7 montre Le profil de La clef qui correspond au goujon de consentement selon La figure 6 quand on adopte des gorges avec fenêtres selon Les figures 2 et 3;
• La figure 8 montre Le goujon de consentement interchangeable de La figure 6 vu de profil avec Les moyens, partiellement sectionnés, pour Le retenir;
• La figure 9 montre en plan un petit ressort de retenue pour Le goujon de consentement interchangeable;
• La figure 10 montre une plaquette de fixation pour Le petit ressort selon La figure 9;
• La figure 11 montre en perspective une autre forme de réalisation de goujon de consentement interchangeable; et
• La figure 12 montre en perspective une serrure avec ouverture pour Le montage interchangeable du goujon de consentement profilé.

The above and other characteristics and advantages of the subject of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description tion of certain embodiments of the invention, set out by way of nonlimiting examples, and schematically represented in the appended drawings, in LesqueLs:

• Figure 1 shows in exploded perspective part of the components of a lock produced according to the invention; ,
• Figures 2 and 3 show in detail The shape of the windows of the odd and respectively even order grooves of The lock;
• Figure 4 shows an example of a regular staircase profile of the lock's consent stud, and
• Figure 5 shows the profile of the key corresponding to the consent stud according to Figure 4 when adopting grooves with windows according to Figures 2 and 3;
• FIG. 6 shows, in front view, an example of a profiled consent stud mounted interchangeably on the lock plate;
• Figure 7 shows the profile of the key which corresponds to the consent stud according to Figure 6 when adopting grooves with windows according to Figures 2 and 3;
• Figure 8 shows the interchangeable consent stud of Figure 6 seen in profile with the means, partially sectioned, to retain it;
• Figure 9 shows in plan a small retaining spring for the interchangeable consent stud;
• Figure 10 shows a mounting plate for the small spring according to Figure 9;
• Figure 11 shows in perspective another embodiment of interchangeable consent stud; and
• Figure 12 shows in perspective a lock with opening for interchangeable mounting of the profiled consent stud.

In Figure 1 is represents the lock system of a grooved lock, which is constituted by a plate 1 with a folded part 2 which carries the locks 3 intended to engage in the men tonnet. In plate 1 is formed a window 4, one edge of which forms teeth 5 intended to be engaged by a central part of the bit of a key for advancing by successive turns the system of locks according to arrow A, by engaging it in the chin.

To allow the actuation of the lock by the only key predisposed for this purpose, on the plate 1 are stacked grooves 6 in variable number, five in this example, provided with slots 7 by means of which they are guided by pivots (not shown) integral with the envelope of the lock (also not shown), so that the grooves can slide in the direction of arrow B perpendicular to the direction A of movement of the lock. The grooves 6 have an opening 8 in which the key is introduced, when it is threaded into the lock and one side 9 of this opening cooperates with a corresponding projection or notch of the key when the latter turns, causing the groove 6 according to arrow _B against the action of return springs not shown, to a position which depends on the radius, relative to the axis of rotation of the key (axis of the keyhole), of the sailLie or of the notch of the bit which cooperated with the gprge considered. Each groove 6 also has a window 10 which extends perpendicular to the direction B of movement of the grooves, and in the window 10 protrude from the pairs of opposite teeth 11 and 12. For the locks actuated by keys with two opposite bits, The length is normally different for the even teeth and the odd teeth, which implies that the two keys of the key are not symmetrical between them and which is connected to a higher degree of security. In the known locks, the teeth 11 and 12 are chosen so that, when the grooves 6 have been moved by the right key, the spaces between the opposite teeth 11 and 12 of the different grooves corresponding to the current turn are aligned and allow the passage between the teeth of a stud of prismatic consent fixed to Plate 1, thus allowing the latter to advance in direction A under the effect of the rotation of the key. This implies that the lengths of the odd and even teeth 11 and 12 of each groove 6 correspond to the radii of the corresponding opposite projections or notches of the key bit, with the constructive and fitting consequences illustrated in the premise. On the contrary, in the application of the invention, the measurements of the pairs of odd and odd teeth of each groove 6 are chosen without any relation to the conformation of the key. It follows that the spaces between the opposite teeth 11 and 12 corresponding to the current turn do not result aligned between the various grooves 6, even when the key which actuates the lock is correct. The possibility of displacement of the plate 1 with locks is however restored by the fact that to the plate 1 is applied a consent stud 13 which, instead of being prismatic, is profiled so as to present its section, corresponding to each groove 6, exactly where is the free space between the opposite teeth 11 and 12, if the key which actuates the lock is correct. The consent stud 13 therefore has a number of superimposed sections, each of which forms on one side and on the other of the stud 13 a projection or notch whose position depends on the radius of the corresponding projection or notch of the key. , and the conformation of the corresponding groove 6 of the lock. It is clear that, being defined and constant The conformation of each groove 6 of the series of grooves of the lock, it is possible to choose a profile of consent stud 13 and to deduce therefrom the profile of a corresponding key, or vice conversely, whatever the conformation of the windows 10 of the grooves 6. The construction of the latter is simplified if we make all the grooves 6 of odd position equal to each other and all the grooves 6 of equal position equal between them but not to those odd, condition this one which preserves with the lock the maximum degree of security. The windows of the gorges odd can therefore be, for example, configured according to FIG. 2, and those of the even grooves according to FIG. 3. They differ for a displacement in opposite directions of the teeth of the successive turns. Indicated by D this displacement, it corresponds to a similar displacement D applied, alternately in opposite directions, to the projections and notches of the bits 14 and 15 of a key 16 relative to the corresponding projections and notches of the profiled consent stud 13 ', as is particularly observed in the comparison of Figures 5 and 4; in the latter, for the sake of comparison, a profiled stud 13 'is shown having the shape of a regular staircase.

An important consequence of the use of a stud profile consent to place as different series of gorges, to individualize The lock is that the number of combinations _b achievements in the lock (and thus the number of different keys that you can predict) becomes practically unlimited.

Since the series of grooves of a lock according to the invention is not linked to the conformation of the key, and the element which differentiates each lock to recognize the respective key is the consent stud of plate 1 with locks, this profiled stud only must match the keys in the construction of the lock. Therefore it follows, as a further development of the invention, that the same lock can be adapted to operation with different keys if the profiled stud 13 is made interchangeable and there are provided groups of keys matched with their respective consent studs.

In the embodiment of which certain details are illus- very in Figures da 6 to 10, The bolt system comprises, in addition to its base plate 1, a counter plate 17, The series of grooves 6 of the lock being intended to be placed between plates 1 and 17. In this case; The profiled stud 23 has a tail 18 inserted in a seat 1 'of the plate 1 and a shoulder 19 inserted in a seat 17 'of the plate 17, as well as, preferably, a means 20 for gripping it; in addition, the profiled stud also has a projection 21 which prevents it from being mounted in the inverted position and which is provided with connection ramps 22. With these latter parts cooperates a small profiled spring 24 fixed to the plate 17, for example by means of 'a fixing plate 25 as shown in Figures 8 to 10. Thus, the profiled stud 18-23 can be interchanged on the plates 1, 17 with a very easy operation which immediately follows the adaptation of the lock to the operation with a new type of key. The means 20 for gripping the profiled stud 23 is accessible through an appropriate opening of the envelope of the lock, arranged on the inside of the door to which it is applied.

For this purpose, for the reasons already indicated, it is advisable to avoid that the profiled stud 23 can be substituted in a normal position of the lock, that is to say with a lock completely open or completely closed. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 12, the envelope 26 of the lock, in which is formed the keyhole 27, has an opening 28 for access to the profiled stud, which has a limited width and which corresponds to a intermediate position (for example, at the second closing turn) of the lock. Thus, it is normally necessary to have the old key to carry the lock in this intermediate position, before being able to access the stud profit and substitute it to adapt the lock to a new key. The opening 28 of the envelope 26 can be normally opened by a simple oscillating plate 29 of the same kind often used to cover the hole 27 of the lock.

The fact that the lock consent stud is mounted, as in the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 8, between a base plate and a counterplate, involves some increase in the security of the lock compared to to forcible attempts. The provision of a consent stud supported at its two ends between two plates of the bolt system can therefore be advantageously adopted even when it is not intended to replace the consent stud. However, for constructive reasons, it may in certain cases be preferable to use a single plate 1 (arranged under the grooves 6) or 17 (arranged above them).

Another embodiment of the profiled consent stud is shown in FIG. 11. In this case The stud comprises a small benefited block 33 terminating superiorly by a mounting and gripping head 31 having wings 32. The block 33 can be fixed to a plate 1 or 17 by means of screws 34 passing through holes in the wings 32 and possibly mounted on these wings so as not to be able to come off. With this embodiment, the assembly and replacement of the stud profit requires the use of a tool such as a screwdriver.

If a lock according to the invention is provided with a spring lock (so-called "half-turn"), this will be actuated by means of a subsequent displacement of the lock system beyond the fully open position, in a manner known per se, not being applicable in this case The most usual system of making on the grooves separate slots for turning around, because by applying the invention there is no position preset of gorges activated by Le clef juste.

A lock according to the invention makes it possible to substitute the key which is coordinated to it, each time that the occasion arises, because of the loss of a key or because it has been entrusted to a person. suspect or for any other reason, by a simple and economical operation. In addition, the characteristic of the lock can be systematically exploited, for example, at the time of the construction of a building, by initially providing all the apartments with locks with equal keys, so that the persons carrying out the work can enter all apartments with the same key, and by carrying out the Personalization of each lock as and when the corresponding apartment is occupied. Likewise, the lock can be differentiated when the tenant is changed in hotels with apartments and the like. It must however be realized that the lock according to the invention is not indicated only for doors of premises (in projecting or concealed execution) but that it can also be used on safes, curtains and other movable closures to protect.

Naturally, the particular provisions indicated may vary in different practical applications; thus, the number of turns and / or the number of grooves which constitute the series and the lock can be varied. The lock can be provided with control means and references for vertical and horizontal locks or any other known accessory. In cases where the profiled consent stud is replaceable, the means for its insertion and its retention in position in the bolt system can even be varied widely. Finally, it is possible to conceive of embodiments with a semi-fixed consent stud, in which the profiled stud which individualizes the lock, although not immediately accessible and changeable as in the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 12, can be substituted in the lock system after detachment. of the envelope of the lock or after detachment of the lock of the door or other support.

Claims (10)

1 - Lock of the type to be actuated by a key (16) with bit, comprising a plate (1,17) with latches (3), actuated by La- iite key (16) and having a dowel of consent (13,23 , 33) and a series of grooves (6) actuated by the key (16) and having windows (10) with teeth (11,12), crossed by said consent stud of the lock plate, to allow displacement stud and locks only by means of a key having in its bit (14,15) a prefixed succession of projections and notches, characterized in that The grooves (6) constituting said series of grooves present in their windows ( 10) of the teeth (11, 12) of predetermined measures independently of the conformation of the bits (14, 15) of the key (16) intended to actuate the lock, and that said consent stud (13, 23, 33) of the plate (1,17) with locks (3) is shaped according to a profile having projections and notches cooperating with Windows (10) of the diff grooves (6), each projection or notch of the consent stud (13, 23, 33) having a measurement established as a function of the radius of the sailLie or corresponding notch of the key (16) and of the measurement of the teeth (11, 12) of the corresponding groove (6), so that the consent stud passes freely between the teeth of the windows of the grooves when these have been moved by the preset key. 2 - Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that The series of grooves (6) is composed by grooves (6) of odd position all equal to each other and by grooves (6) of even position also all equal to each other but not equal to the grooves (6) of odd position. 3 - Lock according to Claim 2, characterized in that the odd grooves (6) and the even grooves (6) differ by an inversion of the difference (D) in length of the teeth (11,12) of the turns successive, a similar length difference (D) being provided, alternately in opposite directions, in the projections and the notches of the key (16) compared to the corresponding projections and notches of the profiled consent stud (13,23,33) which corresponds to The key (16). 4 - Lock according to claim 1 and possibly 2 and / or 3, characterized in that the profiled consent stud (23,33) is applied and made integral with the plate (1,17) with locks (3) in a removable manner and interchangeable, and that the windows (10) of the grooves (6) have, between the teeth (11,12) successive, a height at least equal to the height of the highest projections of the consent stud (23,33). 5 - Lock according to claim 4, characterized in that said interchangeable consent stud (23.33) is accessible through an opening (28) on the inner side of the envelope (26) of the lock, arranged in correspondence with a specific position of the lock plate (1,17) (3) with which the displacement of the consent stud (23,33). 6 - Lock according to claim 5, characterized in that said specific position of the plate (1,17) with locks (3) corresponds to one turn of the lock, intermediate between the positions of full opening and complete closing. 7 - Lock according to claim 4 and optionally 5 and / or 6, characterized in that said interchangeable consent stud (23) is mounted between reception seats (1 ', 17') disposed respectively on the plate (1) base of the lock system (3) and on a counter-plate (17) integral with the lock system (3) and situated, with respect to the base plate (1), on the opposite side of the series of grooves (6 ) of the lock. 8 - Lock according to claim 7, characterized in that said consent stud (23) is retained in the operative position by a small spring (24) with elastic snap which allows extraction by voluntary action. ₉ - Lock according to claim 8, characterized in that said small spring (24) acts on a projection (21) of the consent stud (23), arranged asymmetrically to prevent mounting of the consent stud (23) in the inverted position. 10 - Lock according to claim 4 and optionally 5 and / or 6, characterized in that said interchangeable consent stud (33) comprises a small profiled block terminating above by a head (31) for mounting and gripping having wings ( 32) crossed by screws (34) for mounting on a plate (1 or 17) with bolts (3).

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