EP1637672A1 - Key or key blank - Google Patents

Abstract

The key blank has a manually operable rod (51) oriented along a longitudinal axis (X), and a key-bit (52) carried by an end (510) of the rod to activate a lock. The key-bit has a reduced section (50), in a plane (Pt) transversal to the longitudinal axis, partially made by a hollow groove (53). The reduced section is asymmetric with respect to all planes parallel to the axis (X) and makes the axis (X) as axis of symmetry of rotation.

Description

The invention relates generally to the field of safety locks.

More specifically, the invention, according to a first of its aspects, relates to a safety lock, comprising a substantially cylindrical body, elongate along a longitudinal axis, a cylinder having a key inlet and mounted in the body rotated around the longitudinal axis and in translation along the longitudinal axis in a direction of introduction of the key, from a rest position to which it is resiliently biased, at least a first concealment flap of the input of key, mounted movably in the body in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis, and elastically biased towards a rest position by a centripetal elastic force, and an internal groove made in an inner periphery of the body, the first component being selectively displaced from its rest position to an authorization position by any suitable key having, in the plane transverse to the longitudinal axis, a thick section ad keyed to the lock and for which the first flap escapes the internal groove, and the first flap is selectively moved from its rest position to a first position offset by any unsuitable key or false key having, in the plane transverse to the axis longitudinal, a section thicker than the thickness adapted to the lock and for which a first outer edge member of the first flap falls into the internal groove and prohibits a translation of the barrel.

Safety locks of this type have been known for many years, as evidenced, for example, by patent documents FR-2,552,146 and FR-2,552,147.

Although these locks have so far given the greatest satisfaction, especially as to the level of safety they offer, the development of machines Digital reproduction of keys gives rise, at least in the long term, the need to increase the selectivity of these locks.

In this context, the present invention specifically aims, according to a first aspect, to provide an increased selectivity lock.

The lock of the invention, furthermore in conformity with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the first flap has a second external edge element through which it is engaged in the internal groove at least when it is placed in a position within a range of intermediate positions between its rest position and its authorization position, and in that the first flap is rotatably mounted on the cylinder around a secondary axis parallel to the longitudinal axis and offset from it towards a periphery of the barrel, this secondary axis being disposed in an axial plane passing between the first and second outer edge elements of the first flap.

Although it is already known from DE 195 09 337 and EP 0 633 373 to test, in a safety lock, a characteristic of the key and to compare it with a minimum limit and a maximum limit, the test members described in these documents are not occultation flaps moved by the key itself, but tilting levers each of which is moved by a probe tip pressing locally on the key.

Thus, while the occulting flap provided by the invention discriminates the key as a function of the overall shape of its profile, the rocker levers described in the documents DE 195 09 337 and EP 0 633 373 do not make it possible to test that the thickness that locally presents the key to the place where the touch probes support.

Preferably, the first flap is engaged in the internal groove by its second outer edge member when it occupies its rest position and any intermediate position between its rest position and its authorization position.

To do this, the first component comprises for example a pedunculated button forming a pivot, centered on the secondary axis, and received in a complementary housing of the barrel.

It is possible to provide that the first flap has a heel bearing the first outer edge member and a tip bearing the second outer edge member, that the heel has an inner edge disposed on the key inlet and selectively moved by a section. of the key, depending on the thickness, shape, and / or position of this section, and that the secondary axis is disposed in the tip of the first flap.

The inner edge of the first flap can be chamfered to facilitate insertion and removal of the key.

In a preferred embodiment, the lock of the invention comprises a second flap identical to the first flap, the first and second flaps adopting respective rest positions being deduced from each other by rotation around the longitudinal axis. .

This lock may also include a prestressed spring strap extended and engaged in respective outer peripheral grooves of the first and second components to exert the centripetal elastic force on these two components.

To perfect the kinematics of these shutters, the heel of each flap and the tip of the other flap can interpenetrate when these flaps are in their rest position.

The invention also relates to a key or a blank key that not only can be used for actuating a lock according to the invention, as defined above, but which has a structure which makes it inherently difficult to reproduce by any unauthorized person.

Such key or blank key, which comprises, in known manner, a rod operable by hand and oriented along a longitudinal axis, and a bit carried by one end of the rod for actuating the lock, the bit having, in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis, a reduced section at least partially drawn by a groove which is hollowed out, is essentially characterized in that the reduced section is asymmetrical with respect to any plane parallel to the longitudinal axis.

For example, the reduced section admits the longitudinal axis as axis of rotational symmetry.

This reduced section may in particular extend along an average path and have, perpendicular to this average path, a substantially constant thickness.

The average path advantageously has a sinuous shape, indifferently made of curves or zigzags.

The key or key blank according to the invention is preferably made at least partly by stamping.

• la figure 1 est une vue partielle éclatée en perspective d'une serrure conforme à l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue de face d'une ébauche de clef conforme à l'invention;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe partielle de l'ébauche illustrée à la figure 2, observée suivant l'incidence définie par les flèches III-III de la figure 2;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe partielle de l'ébauche illustrée à la figure 2, observée suivant l'incidence définie par les flèches IV-IV de la figure 2;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'une clef conforme à l'invention, réalisée à partir de l'ébauche illustrée à la figure 2;
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une serrure conforme à l'invention, la coupe étant réalisée dans le plan des volets d'obturation de l'entrée de clef et la serrure étant observée dans l'état qu'elle adopte en recevant une clef ou une ébauche de clef adaptée à cette serrure;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe axiale de serrure illustrée à la figure 6 et observée suivant l'incidence définie par les flèches VII-VII de cette figure 6;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une serrure conforme à l'invention, la coupe étant réalisée dans le plan des volets d'obturation de l'entrée de clef et la serrure étant observée dans l'état qu'elle adopte en cours d'introduction d'une clef ou d'une ébauche de clef adaptée à cette serrure, cet état étant le même que celui qu'elle adopte en recevant une clef ou une ébauche de clef d'épaisseur supérieure à celle qui est adaptée à cette serrure;
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe axiale de serrure illustrée à la figure 8 et observée suivant l'incidence définie par les flèches IX-IX de cette figure 8;
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une serrure conforme à l'invention, la coupe étant réalisée dans le plan des volets d'obturation de l'entrée de clef et la serrure étant observée dans l'état qu'elle adopte dans son état de repos, cet état étant le même que celui qu'elle adopte en recevant une clef ou une ébauche de clef d'épaisseur inférieure à celle qui est adaptée à cette serrure;
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe axiale de serrure illustrée à la figure 10 et observée suivant l'incidence définie par les flèches XI-XI de cette figure 10;
• la figure 12 est une vue en perspective d'un volet d'obturation de l'entrée de clef, utilisé dans une serrure conforme à l'invention;
• la figure 13 est une vue de profil du volet illustré à la figure 12, ce volet étant observé suivant l'incidence définie par la flèche XIII de la figure 12;
• la figure 14 est une vue de face du volet illustré à la figure 12, ce volet étant observé suivant l'incidence définie par les flèches XIV-XIV de la figure 13;
• la figure 15 est une vue de profil du volet illustré à la figure 12, ce volet étant observé suivant l'incidence définie par la flèche XV de la figure 12; et
• la figure 16 est une vue de face du volet illustré à la figure 12, ce volet étant observé suivant l'incidence définie par les flèches XVI-XVI de la figure 15.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given hereinafter, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of a lock according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a front view of a key blank according to the invention;
• Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of the blank shown in Figure 2, observed according to the incidence defined by the arrows III-III of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the blank shown in Figure 2, observed according to the incidence defined by the arrows IV-IV of Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a key according to the invention, made from the blank shown in Figure 2;
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a lock according to the invention, the section being made in the plane of the shutter shutters of the key inlet and the lock being observed in the state that it adopts. receiving a key or a key blank adapted to this lock;
• Figure 7 is an axial sectional view of lock illustrated in Figure 6 and observed according to the incidence defined by the arrows VII-VII of Figure 6;
• FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a lock according to the invention, the section being made in the plane of the shutter shutters of the key inlet and the lock being observed in the state that it adopts. during the introduction of a key or a key blank adapted to this lock, this state being the same as that which it adopts by receiving a key or a thick key blank greater than the adapted one this lock;
• Figure 9 is an axial sectional view of lock illustrated in Figure 8 and observed according to the incidence defined by the arrows IX-IX of Figure 8;
• FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a lock according to the invention, the section being made in the plane of the shutter shutters of the key inlet and the lock being observed in the state it adopts. in its state of rest, this state being the same as that which it adopts by receiving a key or a blank of key of thickness less than that which is adapted to this lock;
• Figure 11 is an axial sectional view of lock illustrated in Figure 10 and observed according to the incidence defined by the arrows XI-XI of Figure 10;
• Figure 12 is a perspective view of a shutter of the key inlet, used in a lock according to the invention;
• Figure 13 is a side view of the flap illustrated in Figure 12, this flap being observed according to the incidence defined by the arrow XIII of Figure 12;
• Figure 14 is a front view of the flap illustrated in Figure 12, this flap being observed according to the incidence defined by the arrows XIV-XIV of Figure 13;
• Figure 15 is a side view of the flap illustrated in Figure 12, this flap being observed according to the incidence defined by the arrow XV of Figure 12; and
• FIG. 16 is a front view of the flap illustrated in FIG. 12, this flap being observed according to the incidence defined by the arrows XVI-XVI of FIG. 15.

The safety lock of the invention essentially comprises, in known manner, a cylindrical body 1, a barrel 2, and one or more shutters such as 3 and 4.

The body 1, of generally cylindrical shape, is elongate along a longitudinal axis X and closed by a face 10 in which is pierced an orifice 12 allowing the introduction of a key, such as the key 5 illustrated in FIG.

Moreover, this body 1 carries, in its inner periphery 100, an internal groove 11.

The barrel 2 is mounted in translation in the body 1 along the axis X, in a direction D of introduction of the key 5, and against an elastic force which remembers it in a rest position for which it rests on the face 71 of a lining 7, this lining itself leaning against the face 10 of the body 1.

The barrel 2, which has a key inlet 20, is also rotatably mounted in the body 1 about the longitudinal axis X.

Each of the shutters such as 3 and 4 makes it possible to conceal the key entry 20, is movably mounted in the body 1 in a plane Pt transverse to the longitudinal axis X, and is elastically biased towards a rest position by a force centripetal elastic, that is to say a force that urges each flap towards the longitudinal axis X.

The lining 7, disposed between the barrel 2 and the face 10 of the body 1, is itself pierced with a passage 70 for the key 5.

Each of the shutters 3 and 4 may, in a known manner, adopt at least three positions, namely the previously mentioned rest position, in which this shutter at least partially closes the key inlet 20, an authorization position in which this flap escapes the internal groove 11 and allows the translation of the barrel 2 relative to the body 1, and a first offset position, in which the flap falls into the internal groove 11 and prohibits the translation of the barrel 2 relative to the body 1.

More specifically, each component such as 3 and 4 is moved from its rest position to its authorized position by any key adapted to the lock, that is to say by a key having, according to the plane Pt transverse to the longitudinal axis X (Figure 2), a section 50 of maximum thickness E adequate for the lock in question (Figure 4).

Each shutter such as 3 and 4 is moved from its rest position to its first position offset by any geometric key unsuited to the lock and any false key, and in particular by a key or key substitute having, according to the plane Pt transverse to axis longitudinal X, a section 50 of greater thickness than the appropriate thickness E for the lock considered.

In the latter case (FIGS. 8 and 9), each shutter such as 3 and 4 falls into the internal groove 11 by a first external edge element, such as 31 and 41, of this shutter, and prohibits a translation of the barrel 2 by relation to the body 1.

According to the invention (FIGS. 10 and 11), at least one of the flaps, and preferably each flap such as 3 and 4, has a second external edge element, such as 32 and 42, through which it is engaged in the internal groove 11 at least when it is placed in a position within a range of intermediate positions between its rest position and its authorization position.

Preferably, each flap 3, 4 is engaged in the internal groove 11 by its second outer edge member 32, 42 when it occupies its rest position (FIGS. 10 and 11) and any intermediate position between its rest position and its authorization position.

For example (Figures 1, 6, 8, 10), each flap 3, 4 is rotatably mounted on the barrel 2 about a secondary axis XX parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the body 1.

Each secondary axis XX is offset relative to the longitudinal axis X of the body 1 towards the periphery 200 of the cylinder 2, and is disposed in an axial plane Pa (FIG. 6) which passes between the first and second outer edge elements, such as that 31, 32 and 41, 42, of each strand 3 and 4.

To do this, each flap 3, 4 comprises for example a pedunculated button, such as 33, 43, pivoting, centered on the corresponding secondary axis XX, and received in a corresponding complementary housing 23 of the barrel 2.

As shown in particular in Figures 6, 8, and 10, each component such as 3 and 4, has a heel such as 34 and 44, and a tip such as 35 and 45, the axis secondary XX of each component 3 and 4 being disposed in the tip 35, 45 of this component.

The heel 34, 44 of each flap 3, 4 carries the first outer edge member 31, 41 of this flap, while the tip 35, 45 of the same flap carries the corresponding second outer edge member 32, 42.

Each bead 34, 44 also has an inner edge, such as 340 and 440, which is disposed on the keyway 20 and which is displaced by the reduced section 50 of the key 5, depending on the thickness, the shape and / or position of this section 50.

As shown in particular in FIG. 7, the inner edge 340, 440 of each shutter 3, 4 is advantageously chamfered to facilitate the insertion and removal of the key 5.

The shutters 3 and 4 are preferably two in number and adopt respective rest positions which are deduced from each other by a rotation of 180 degrees around the longitudinal axis X.

The centripetal force which resiliently biases the flaps 3 and 4 towards their rest position is for example exerted by a spring strap 6 (FIGS. 1 and 7 in particular), prestressed in extension, and engaged in respective external peripheral grooves 36 and 46 of these shutters 3 and 4.

Each flap 3, 4 preferably has (FIGS. 1, 11 and 15) an outgrowth such as 341 and 441 formed on its heel 34, 44, and a countersink such as 351 and 451 formed in its tip, so that, in the rest position of these flaps, the heel 34 and 44 of each flap and the tip 45 and 35 of the other flap interpenetrate by penetration of one of the excrescences in that of the two countersinks adjacent thereto.

A key 5 (FIG. 5) or a key blank 500 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that can be used for actuating a lock as previously described comprises, in a known manner, a rod 51 operable by hand and oriented, operating, along the longitudinal axis X of the lock, and a bit 52 carried by an end 510 of the rod 51 to actuate the lock.

Also known, the blade 52 has (Figure 2) in the plane Pt transverse to the longitudinal axis X, a reduced section 50 at least partially drawn by a groove 53 which is hollowed.

According to the invention, the reduced section 50 is asymmetrical with respect to any plane parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

For example, the reduced section 50 admits the longitudinal axis X as axis of rotation symmetry, and is in this case invariant by rotation of 180 degrees around the axis X.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reduced section 50 may extend along an average path M and may also, in a nonlimiting manner, present, perpendicularly to this average path M, a substantially constant thickness E, independently of the overall width L in this section 50.

The average path M can develop in a rounded curve or zigzags, but preferably has a sinuous shape in all cases.

The key or the key blank thus defined is advantageously made by stamping, at least in part.

Under these conditions, if the thickness of the section 50 of the key used to cause the displacement of the flaps 3 and 4 of the lock, or the thickness of the picking tool, are oversized relative to the thickness E (Figure 4) that presents the key adapted to the lock, then the first edge elements 31 and 41 of the shutters 3 and 4 fall, as is also the case for the lock described in the patent document FR - 2 552 147, in the internal groove 11 and prohibit the translation of the barrel 2 relative to the body 1 of the lock, so the actuation thereof.

And if the thickness of the section 50 of the key used to cause the displacement of the flaps 3 and 4, or if the thickness of the picking tool, are undersized compared to the thickness E that presents the key adapted to the lock, then it is, according to the invention, the second edge members 32 and 42 of the shutters 3 and 4 which fall into the internal groove 11 and which prohibit the translation of the barrel 2 relative to the body 1 of the lock, so the actuation thereof.

But the selectivity of the lock of the invention is not only increased by the introduction of a lower limit of thickness in addition to the upper limit: it is also increased by a shape effect, as allows 4, which is assumed to represent the reduced section 50 of a key or a blank adapted to the lock in question.

Indeed, if the reduced section of another key of another blank, although having the thickness E adapted to the lock, has an unsuitable shape, the stroke performed by the shutters 3 and 4 from their position of rest under the effect of the introduction of this other key or blank will be oversized by contact with the flaps in the zones 501 if the average path M of the section of the other key or blank is less curved than that of FIG. 4, and will be oversized by contact with the flaps in the zones 502 if the average path M of the section of this other key or blank is more curved than that of FIG. 4.

Claims (5)

Key or blank key, this key (5) or blank (500) comprising a rod (51) operable manually and oriented along a longitudinal axis (X), and a bit (52) carried by one end (510) the rod (51) for actuating the lock, the bit (52) having, in a plane (Pt) transverse to the longitudinal axis (X), a reduced section (50) at least partially drawn by a groove (53) which is hollowed out, characterized in that the reduced section (50) is asymmetrical with respect to any plane parallel to the longitudinal axis (X). Key or key blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the reduced section (50) has the longitudinal axis (X) as the rotational axis of symmetry. Key or key blank according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the reduced section (50) extends along an average path (M) and has perpendicular to this mean path (M) , a thickness (E) substantially constant. Key or key blank according to claim 3, characterized in that the average path (M) has a sinuous shape. Key or key blank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is made at least partly by stamping.

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