EP1842988A1

EP1842988A1 - Cylinder lock

Info

Publication number: EP1842988A1
Application number: EP06425237A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sergio Mottura Serrature di Sic. S.p.A. Mottura
Original assignee: Mottura Serrature di Sicurezza SpA
Current assignee: Mottura Serrature di Sicurezza SpA
Priority date: 2006-04-05
Filing date: 2006-04-05
Publication date: 2007-10-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to cylinder locks of the type comprising: a lock body or stator (8); a cylinder or rotor (10), mounted so that it can rotate in the body (8) and having a passage for introduction of a key (12); and a set of first pins (11) and third pins (16) mounted so that they can slide radially in the cylinder (10) in respectively different angular positions. The first and third pins (11, 13) co-operate, respectively, with a first profile (15) and a second profile (7) of the key (3) and are designed to co-operate with second pins (13) to set themselves in a position such as to enable free rotation of the cylinder (10) within the body (8).

Description

The present invention relates to cylinder locks of the type comprising: a lock body or stator; a cylinder or rotor, mounted so that it can rotate in the body and having a passage for introduction of a key; an aligned set of first pins mounted so that they can slide radially in the cylinder in positions distributed along the axis of the cylinder and an aligned set of second pins mounted so that they can slide in the stator and designed to co-operate with the first pins in the neutral position of the cylinder, said first pins being designed to be engaged by a first pre-set profile of a key in order to set the second pins in a position such as to enable free rotation of the cylinder within the body; and at least one third pin, which is mounted so that it can slide radially in the cylinder and is designed to be engaged by a second pre-set profile of a key to set itself in a position such as to enable free rotation of the cylinder within the body.
A technique of forcing cylinder-lock devices envisages the insertion of a universal key (the so-called "bump key") and a stress exerted by this through rhythmed blows on its body, designed to transmit impulses to the first and second pins of the cylinder lock to bring them into the operating position such as to enable free rotation of the cylinder within the body. Various cylinder-lock devices referred to as "anti-bumping" devices have been developed, which present solutions such as to reduce the effectiveness of this forcing technique.
The solutions of the known art counteract forcing carried out using the bumping technique by preventing the action of banging on the key from releasing the interface between the surfaces of coupling of the cylinder and of the lock body from all the elements of interposition provided. Additional blocking elements are in fact present, which operate in the neutral position of the cylinder and upon which in said position no load is exerted by the impulses transmitted by the bump key.
Many of these solutions envisage additional elements that lead to a complication of the lock device and to an increase in the costs and management of the production process. Furthermore, these solutions, notwithstanding the validity of their principles of operation, are unable alone to guarantee a complete security on account of the machining tolerances of the elements making up the lock. The combination of a number of anti-bumping solutions that act when the cylinder is in the aforesaid neutral position is, however, problematical on account of the limited space available and the standard dimensions of the lock body.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a lock of the type referred to above that will guarantee a high degree of security, above all in regard to the forcing technique of a bumping type, and that will enable the aforesaid target to be achieved with a lock having a relatively simple, low-cost structure, as well as ensuring reliable operation.
In order to achieve the aforesaid purposes, the lock according to the invention is of the type according to the preamble of Claim 1 and is characterized in that the third pin has its axis that lies on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder and on which there also lie a first pin and the co-operating second pin, so that said at least one third pin will co-operate with said second pin when it comes into a position corresponding to an angular position of the cylinder shifted with respect to the aforesaid neutral position of the cylinder.
The solution according to the present invention can also be readily associated to an anti-bumping solution of a conventional type in so far as, since the anti-bumping security acts in a position rotated with respect to the neutral position of the cylinder, the elements designed to constitute the further block of the cylinder are shifted into positions that do not interfere with the positions of engagement of the elements of the conventional solutions.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the ensuing description with reference to the annexed plate drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lock according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a side view, with a detail in cross section, of the lock of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view according to the line III-III of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view according to the line IV-IV of Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a view of the cross section of Figure 3 with the correct key inserted,
Figure 6 is a view of the cross section of Figure 4 with the correct key inserted;
Figure 7 is a view of the cross section of Figure 5, in which the cylinder is in a position rotated with respect to the neutral position;
Figure 8 is a view of the cross section of Figure 6, in which the cylinder is in a position rotated with respect to the neutral position;
Figure 9 is a cross section corresponding to the cross section of Figure 5, in which the inserted key is a bump key;
Figure 10 is a cross section corresponding to the cross section of Figure 6, in which the inserted key is a bump key;
Figures 11 is a cross section corresponding to the cross section of Figure 7, in which the inserted key is a bump key; and
Figure 12 is a cross section corresponding to the cross section of Figure 8, in which the inserted key is a bump key.

In Figure 1, the reference number 1 designates as a whole a cylinder lock mounted in the door of a dwelling (not illustrated) and associated to a key 3 having a grip 4 and a laminar body 5 with two opposed faces 6 and two longitudinal edges 7.
With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the lock 1 comprises a body 8, or stator, traversed by a cylindrical passage 9, within which a rotor or cylinder 10 is mounted so that it can rotate.
Provided in the cylinder 10 is a set of first pins 11, mounted so that they can slide radially within respective radial holes 10a made in the cylinder 10 and giving out into a passage 12, made axially through the cylinder 10, for introduction of the key 3.
The first pins 11 co-operate with second pins or counterpins 13 mounted so that they can slide radially in the body 8 and recalled by springs 14 against the first pins 11.
The first pins 11 have end tips designed to co-operate with a first shaped profile, which in the example illustrated is defined by a plurality of depressions 15 made on one or both of the faces 6 of the key 3. In this way, the key authorized to open the lock is able, in the passage 12, to cause axial displacement of the blocking pins 11 in the operating positions illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, in which they do not project beyond the external surface of the cylinder 10, so that they do not prevent a rotation of the cylinder 10 with respect to the body 8.
A plurality of third pins 16, which have parallel axes and are distributed along the axis of the cylinder, are arranged so that they can slide radially within respective radial holes 10b within the cylinder 10 in a direction rotated with respect to the direction in which the first pins 11 slide. In the non-binding embodiment of Figures 3 to 12, the third pins 16 are arranged perpendicular to the first pins 11. Each third pin 16 has its own axis that lies on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder 10, on which also one of the second pins 13 and one of the first pins 11 lie. In this way at the moment in which, during rotation of the cylinder, the holes 8a and 10b are brought into mutual correspondence, the third pins 16 and the second pins 13 are in a condition of co-operation.
The third pins 16 have first projections 16b designed to co-operate with cavities 7a of the edge 7 of the key 3.
The plurality of third pins 16 comprises third pins of a first set 16' and third pins of a second set 16". The third pins 16' of the first set have second projections 16a in the radial direction of the cylinder 10 that face the surface of the cylindrical passage 9. The projections 16a are designed to be engaged in a groove 9a made on the surface of the cylindrical passage 9. The third pins 16" of the second set are without the projection 16a and are such as to possess an encumbrance in the radial direction of the cylinder smaller than the encumbrance of the third pins 16' of the first set.
Starting from the condition in which the cylinder 10 is in a neutral position (Figures 3 and 4), the key 3 is inserted in the passage 12 (Figures 5 and 6), in this way displacing the first, second and third pins 11, 13, 16 into respective operating positions. The first and second pins 11, 13 set themselves flush with the mutually facing ends of the hole 10a of the cylinder 10 and of the hole 8a of the lock body 8, respectively. Said position assumed by the first and second pins 11, 13 enables rotation of the cylinder 10. The third pin 16" of the second set, co-operating with the edge 7 of the key 3, is brought flush with the end of the hole 10b, which faces the surface of the cylindrical passage 9. The third pin 16' of the first set sets itself in such a way that the tip of the projection 16a sets itself flush with the end of the hole 10b that faces the surface of the cylindrical passage 9.
When the key is turned (Figures 7 and 8) the first, second and third pins 11, 13, 16 maintain the aforesaid operating positions, enabling the lock to complete the travel of actuation in opening or closing of the cylinder 10 of the cylinder lock 1.
In the case where an attempt is made to force the lock using a bump key, the person forcing the lock inserts a key 3' that is not correct within the passage 12. With banging on the bump key that has been inserted, the first and second pins 11, 13 receive, via the key 3', impulses designed to make them slide within the respective guide holes 8a, 10a. An expert thief is able to understand the instant in which the first and the second pins 11, 13 are in the respective operating positions described above so that the cylinder 10 can be rotated. If we imagine the first and second pins 11, 13 in said operating positions, in the case where the incorrect key is of a first type and presents, in a position corresponding to the third pin 16' of the first set, a second profile along the edge 7' such that the projection 16a of the third pin 16' projects beyond the end of the guide hole 10b, the cylinder 10 is prevented from rotating on account of the engagement of the projection 16a with the groove 9a made on the surface of the cylindrical passage 9.
However, usually bump keys, owing to the experience acquired by picklocks, have edges 7' with profiles having deep depressions, which by co-operating with the third pins of the first set cause the projections 16a to reside within the respective guide hole 10b. More specifically, picklocks use bump keys that have a continuous groove along the edge 7' that extends throughout the longitudinal length of the edge 7' and is characterized by a depth such as to cause the projections 16a to reside within the respective guide hole 10b. In this case then, the person forcing the lock using the bump key, from the neutral position of the cylinder manages to turn the latter and execute part of the travel of opening of the cylinder lock 1 (Figures 9 to 12).
In the cylinder locks according to the invention, when the angular position of the cylinder illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 is reached, since the third pins 16 lie on planes perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder on which also corresponding second pins 13 lie, the third pins 16 are then in a condition of co-operation with these second pins 13.
Represented in Figures 9 to 12 is the situation where a third pin 16' of the first set, co-operating with the edge 7' of the incorrect key, is brought into a radial position in which the projection 16a is flush with the end of the hole 10b.
Consequently, in the aforesaid condition of co-operation of the third pin 16' of the first set with the corresponding second pin 13 (Figure 12), the third pin 16' and the corresponding second pin 13 are flush with the facing ends, respectively, of the hole 8a of the lock body 8 and of the hole 10b of the cylinder 10, this position enabling rotation of the cylinder 10. The third pin 16" of the second set instead (Figure 11), since it does not have the projection 16a and is thus shorter, in the aforesaid condition of co-operation between third pins 16 and second pins 13, assumes a position such that the second pin 13 projects within the hole 10b, in this way preventing rotation of the cylinder.
In the situation where the edge 7' of the bump key has a profile, which, when it co-operates with the third pin 16' of the first set, brings the projection 16a into a position inside the hole 10b, the same third pin 16' of the first set, in the aforesaid condition of co-operation with a corresponding second pin 13, assumes a position such as to cause the second pin 13 to project within the hole 10b, in this way preventing rotation of the cylinder.
Obviously, the third pins 16, which, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures lie on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 10, can, however, be arranged on planes differently inclined with respect to said axis, so that in any case they will co-operate with the corresponding second pins 13 for angular positions of the cylinder 10 rotated with respect to the aforesaid neutral position of the cylinder itself.
A further embodiment envisages that the third pins 16 are all third pins 16' of the type of the first set, i.e., that are all provided with the projection 16a, but envisages that said pins 16' are characterized by overall dimensions, in the radial direction of the cylinder 10, that are different.
Another embodiment envisages that the third pins 16 are all third pins 16" of the type of the second set, i.e., that are all without the projection 16a, but envisages that said pins 16" are characterized by overall dimensions, in the radial direction of the cylinder 10, that are different.
In a further embodiment, the cylinder lock 1 comprises pairs of third pins 16, each pair having third pins arranged on one and the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder 10 and positioned diametrally opposite to one another with respect to the laminar body 5 of the key 3. The projection 16b of each third pin 16 of the pair co-operates with the cavity 7a of the corresponding edge 7 of the key 3.
The lock device according to the present invention, can moreover be associated to anti-bumping devices of a conventional type.
From the foregoing description, it is evident that the lock according to the invention presents a high degree of security and in particular enables an extremely large number of different opening combinations, corresponding to an equally high number of keys. At the same time, the lock operates efficiently and reliably and has a relatively simple and low-cost structure.
Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated herein purely by way of example, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A cylinder lock, comprising: a lock body or stator (8); a cylinder or rotor (10), mounted so that it can rotate in the body (8) and having a passage for the introduction of a key (12); an aligned set of first pins (11) mounted so that they can slide radially in the cylinder (10) in positions distributed along the axis of the cylinder (10) and an aligned set of second pins (13) mounted so that they can slide in the stator (8) and designed to co-operate with the first pins (11) in the neutral position of the cylinder (10), said first pins (11) being designed to be engaged by a first pre-set profile (15) of a key (3) to set the second pins (13) in a position such as to enable free rotation of the cylinder (10) within the body (8); and at least one third pin (16), mounted so that it can slide radially in the cylinder (10) and designed to be engaged by a second pre-set profile (7) of a key (3) to set itself in a position such as to enable free rotation of the cylinder (10) within the body (8),
said cylinder lock being characterized in that said at least one third pin (16) is set, with respect to the axial dimension of the cylinder (10), in a position substantially corresponding to that of a first pin (13) and of the co-operating second pin (11), so that said at least one third pin (16) will co-operate with said second pin (13) when it comes into a position corresponding to an angular position of the cylinder (10) rotated with respect to the aforesaid neutral position of the cylinder (10).
The cylinder lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said third pins (16), which have axes distributed along the axis of the cylinder (10).
The cylinder lock according to Claim 2, characterized in that said plurality of third pins (16) has first projections (16b) in the radial direction of the rotor (10) facing the passage of the key (12), designed to engage said pre-set second profile (7) of said key.
The cylinder lock according to Claim 3, characterized in that said plurality of third pins (16) has a first set and a second set of said third pins (16', 16") , said third pins (16', 16") of said first and second sets having different overall dimensions in the radial direction of the cylinder (10).
The cylinder lock according to Claim 4, characterized in that said stator (8) has a groove (9a) made on the internal cylindrical surface (9) of the stator (8).
The cylinder lock according to Claim 5, characterized in that said third pins (16') of said first set have second projections (16a) facing the internal cylindrical surface (9) of the stator, designed to engage said groove (9a) of said internal surface (9) of the stator (8).
The cylinder lock according to Claim 6, characterized in that said second projections (16a) of said third pins (16') of said first set have a conical development.
The cylinder lock according to Claim 3, characterized in that said first projections (16b) of said third pins (16) have a conical development.
The cylinder lock according to Claim 4, characterized in that said third pins (16) of said first and second sets have second projections (16a) facing the internal cylindrical surface (9) of the stator, designed to engage said groove (9a) of said internal surface of the stator.
The cylinder lock according to Claim 2, characterized in that said plurality of third pins comprises pairs of third pins (16), each pair having third pins arranged on one and the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder (10) and positioned diametrally opposite to one another with respect to the laminar body (5) of the key (3), the projection (16b) of each third pin (16) of the pair co-operating with the corresponding edge (7) of the key (3).
The cylinder lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that it moreover comprises anti-bumping means of a conventional type.
The foregoing substantially as described and illustrated herein and for the purposes specified.