EP0719899A1 - Locking and control device for a key - Google Patents

Abstract

The box (1), designed (16) for flush panel mounting, carries a standard cylinder (2) accepting the key to be secured, whose rotation turns a key-bit in a horizontal slot (13) in a sleeve (12). The sleeve end (5) operates (6) rotary indication contacts (4). A solenoid (7) operated plunger (8), penetrating a hole (9) in the box top and entering recesses (10,11) in the sleeve, defines two sleeve positions 90 deg. apart. In one, the key is trapped. To free it for use, the authorised user satisfies e.g. a card or key-pad check. The plunger then rises, the key is rotated and withdrawn. All operations are centrally monitored, using signals from the rotary (4) and solenoid (21) contacts.

Description

The present invention relates to the security of residential premises or professional premises, for example commercial, administrative or industrial, and more particularly an object locking device such as a key or the like, in order to control the 'use.

The protection of premises, in particular industrial premises, is generally ensured by limiting access to all or part of the premises, for example by fitting the openings with suitable locks. However, the persons authorized to enter the premises must be able to have keys and it is then necessary to carry out at least as many keys as there are persons authorized to enter the premises.

Thus, for example, patent FR-A-2,655,367 describes a double barrel lock comprising a sliding connection means mounted between the bit of the lock and the outer rotor or the inner rotor. This device is suitable for mechanical and electrical locking.

One solution to limit the number of keys giving access to protected premises may consist in using magnetic cards, each user having a card comprising a code controlling access to certain premises selectively. This solution cannot be suitable for premises already equipped with conventional locks, unless they are replaced or supplemented by card readers, or even specially adapted coded keyboards.

Another solution consists in making a key temporarily available to an authorized user, using a device of the type described in French patent application 94.03580, according to which each key is provided with means of identification and is placed on a support. specific to each key, inside a protective case. Thus, each user has a key (for example a simple pass) which only allows him to access the box, which contains several keys giving specific access to certain premises; he can only remove one of these specific keys in a controlled manner, and he cannot leave the premises only after having replaced the specific key and resumed the first key.

The present invention relates to a device capable of adapting to an installation of the above type; or top it up to improve performance.

More specifically, the subject of the invention is an object locking device, in particular a lock key, making it possible to control the use thereof.

Another subject of the invention is a device for locking and controlling an object, easily adaptable to existing systems for securing and controlling access to various premises.

• ledit cylindre recevant l'objet, portant un panneton présentant une branche dépassant du cylindre, pouvant pivoter suivant un angle de rotation déterminé;
• une pièce cylindrique de révolution, montée pivotante suivant le même axe de rotation que le panneton, comportant une fente recevant l'extrémité du panneton opposée à l'axe de pivotement, et au moins une butée limitant l'angle de rotation;
• un contacteur permettant de repérer la position angulaire de la pièce cylindrique.

The object locking and control device according to the present invention is of the type comprising a cylinder movable by rotation on its axis, receiving the object and being able to pivot from at least one free position to at least one locked position, and is distinguishes in that it comprises, in combination:

• said cylinder receiving the object, carrying a bit having a branch projecting from the cylinder, which can pivot according to a determined angle of rotation;
• a cylindrical part of revolution, pivotally mounted along the same axis of rotation as the bit, comprising a slot receiving the end of the bit opposite the pivot axis, and at least one stop limiting the angle of rotation;
• a contactor for locating the angular position of the cylindrical part.

According to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, the device is completed by an electromagnet acting on a sliding rod in a fixed direction and engaging in at least one hole provided in the cylindrical part of revolution. It is possible to provide a single hole, corresponding for example to the key locking position, or to provide two, spaced at an angle corresponding to the angular movement of the key to move from the free position to the position of locking.

The rod of the electromagnet can thus occupy two positions, a high position and a low position. In the low position, the rod is engaged in the hole or holes provided in the cylindrical part and prevents any rotation of the latter. The electromagnet is adjusted so that the rod engages in the hole or holes when they are in correspondence. The release of the rod, causing the release of the cylinder, can be controlled remotely by acting on the electromagnet. Advantageously, a contactor is connected to the electromagnet to detect the position of the rod and complete the information transmitted by the contactor repeating the angular position of the cylindrical part.

The pivoting cylindrical part may include a wall having a cutout, the edges of which form stops limiting the angle of rotation by coming into abutment against the cylinder receiving the object. The arc corresponding to this cut is substantially equal to the angle of rotation separating the free position from the locked position.

The slot provided in the wall of the cylindrical part of revolution is of substantially equal width, or slightly greater than the thickness of the bit, while its depth is greater than the width of the bit, so that it is more or less deeply engaged in the slot, depending on its position. The slot is thus adapted to receive bits mounted on cylinders of variable length, the variation in length corresponding substantially to the depth of the slot.

The device of the invention is very particularly advantageous in that it makes it possible to supplement existing systems comprising locks of which the cylinder is kept, preferably to the European standard, the length of which can vary within determined limits. Thus, for example, it is possible to use the device of the invention with cylinders of length varying between approximately 28 and 35 mm, without it being necessary to modify or adapt it.

The device of the invention can thus be integrated into a system for controlling the use of one or more keys. The key reserved for an authorized user is in place in the cylinder, in the locked position, that is to say that it cannot be extracted from the cylinder, except by rotating it by a determined angle. The user appearing before the device of the invention to remove the key (it may for example be the key opening access to a reserved room) must first identify himself by usual, manual means or automated, so that the electromagnet is activated and unlocks the cylindrical part, thus allowing its rotation. After rotation of the key, it can be removed from the cylinder. The contactor then recorded the angular position and this information is communicated to a central monitoring station, or any recording or recording system, together with the identification of the user as well as the date of the operation carried out. When the authorized user puts the key back in place, the reverse operations are carried out, and the contactor records the return of the key to the locked position, and communicates this information to the central monitoring station, or to the recording or recording system , at the same time as the date of this second operation.

• Figure 1 : une vue en perspective éclatée montrant les principaux éléments du dispositif de l'invention, décalés suivant leur axe.
• Figure 2 : une vue en coupe longitudinale, suivant l'axe de rotation, du dispositif de la Figure 1.
• Figure 3 : une vue en coupe transversale suivant A-A du dispositif de la Figure 2.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in more detail in the following description, relating to a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, with reference to the appended drawings, which represent:

• Figure 1: an exploded perspective view showing the main elements of the device of the invention, offset along their axis.
• Figure 2: a view in longitudinal section, along the axis of rotation, of the device of Figure 1.
• Figure 3: a cross-sectional view along AA of the device of Figure 2.

The locking and control device shown in Figure 1 is particularly suitable for locking and controlling a lock key, in order to control the use of the key by authorized users.

The device comprises a support block (1) into which is inserted the cylinder (2) of the lock, in European standard, intended to receive the key.

At the rear of the block (1), a cylindrical part of revolution (3) is fitted as well as a contactor (4), the cylinder (2), the cylindrical part (3) and the contactor (4) being arranged on the same axis.

The cylindrical part of revolution (3) has on its rear part a sleeve (5) which fits on the axis (6) of the contactor (4). The pivoting of the cylindrical part (3) causes the rotation of the axis (6) of the contactor by a determined angle, which makes it possible to raise the angular position, according to a conventional technique, for example by mechanical, electromechanical or magnetic contact. The indication of the angular position of the axis of the contactor can be processed by suitable means such as a microcomputer (not shown).

The locking and control device is completed by an electromagnet (7) acting on a rod (8) with vertical displacement, engaging in the through hole (9) which crosses the block (1) to come into one or the other of the two blind holes (10) and (11) provided in the wall of the cylindrical part (3). Thus, the rod (8) of the electromagnet (7) can block the cylindrical part (3) in one or the other of the two positions.

The wall of the cylindrical casing (12) of the cylindrical part (3) has a slot (13) of elongated shape, of sufficient width so that the bit integral with the cylinder (2) of the lock can be accommodated therein, shown in the following figures. This wall (12) is discontinuous and has a rupture on an arc of approximately 90 ° so as to form two opposite stops (14) and (15) which limit the angle of rotation of the cylindrical part (3) coming in support against the key cylinder (2).

The block (1) is preferably inserted into a fixed wall (not shown) from which it remains inseparable. The two chamfers (16) formed in opposite corners of the front face of the block (1) allow the block to be inserted into a wall, preventing any possibility of extraction towards the front, the rear part of the device being protected by the wall.

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the device of Figure 1 where the three elements constituted by the block (1) carrying the cylinder (2), the cylindrical part (3) and the contactor (4) are put in place and assembled.

The bit (18) of the cylinder (2), seen at the end, is engaged in the housing formed by the slot (13). As shown in FIG. 2, the depth of the slot (13) is sufficient to receive the bits occupying variable positions longitudinally, that is to say corresponding to cylinders (2) of variable length. Thus, in the case of the cylinder shown in Figure 2, one can use a cylinder of variable length, between 28 and 35 mm approximately.

As shown in Figure 3, the cylinder (2) is locked in its position, in the block (1) by the groove (19) in which it is engaged, while the envelope (12) of the cylindrical part can rotate on its axis under the action of the angular displacement of the bit (18) which rotates with the key (20) engaged in the cylinder and pushes back the cylindrical envelope (12) by bearing on the edges of the slot (13) in which he is engaged. The angle of rotation is limited, as shown in Figure 3, by the stops (14) and (15) which come to bear against one or other of the faces of the base of the cylinder (2).

Thus, if in the position of the key shown in Figure 3, the key can be extracted from the cylinder (2), a rotation of 90 ° clockwise brings the stop (14) in abutment against the base of the cylinder (2), and this position corresponds to the locking of the key which can no longer be extracted from the cylinder. In addition, in one or the other of the two extreme angular positions of the key, a pressure exerted on the key in the direction of blocking has the effect of pressing one or the other of the stops (14) and (15) against the base of the cylinder (2) by means of the bit (18), but no excessive pressure is exerted on the contactor (4) which constitutes the most fragile element, and consequently the indication of the position it gives is not distorted.

In addition, the blocking of the cylindrical piece (3) is completed by the rod (8) of the electromagnet (7), which engages, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the holes provided on the cylindrical piece .

Finally, when the key is in the locked position, the stop (14) being in abutment against the base of the cylinder (2), the end of the rod (8) engages in the hole (10) provided on the sleeve (5), and this low position of the rod (8) is detected by a contactor (21) connected to the electromagnet (7). This contactor also provides additional information on the position of the rod (8), and consequently on the locking position of the key, which supplements the information provided by the contactor (6). The release, to allow the key to be operated, is remotely controlled by acting on the electromagnet (7) to raise the rod (8).

The engagement of the rod (8) in the second hole (11), when the key is in the other extreme position and the stop (15) is against the base of the cylinder (2), is effected in the same way way.

Claims (6)

Device for locking and controlling an object such as a key or similar object, of the type comprising a cylinder movable by rotation on its axis, receiving the object and being able to pivot from at least one free position to at least one locked position, characterized in that it comprises, in combination: - Said cylinder (2) receiving the object, carrying a bit (18) having a branch projecting from the cylinder, able to pivot according to a determined angle of rotation; - A cylindrical part of revolution (3), pivotally mounted along the same axis of rotation as the bit (18), comprising a slot (13) receiving the end of the bit opposite the pivot axis, and at least one stop (14, 15) limiting the angle of rotation; - a contactor (4) for locating the angular position of the cylindrical part (3). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an electromagnet (7) acting on a rod (8) sliding in a fixed direction and engaging in at least one hole (10, 11) provided in the part cylindrical of revolution (3). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the electromagnet (7) is connected to a contactor (21) detecting the position of the rod of the electromagnet. Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the pivoting cylindrical part (3) has a wall (12) having a cutout, the edges of which form stops (14, 15) limiting the angle of rotation in coming to bear against the cylinder (2) receiving the object. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the arc corresponding to the cut is substantially equal to the angle of rotation separating the free position from the locked position. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth of the slot (13) formed in the cylindrical part of revolution (3) is greater than the width of the bit (18), so that it is engaged more or less deeply in the slot, depending on its position.

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