EP3008263B1 - Device for coupling two half-cylinders - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of locksmithing and more precisely the locksmith assemblies comprising cylinders with a so-called European profile.

In the field of locksmithing, it is customary to use cylinders housed in a lock and whose actuation by a suitable key can control the opening or closing of the lock. These cylinders comprise a stator inside which is adapted to rotate a rotor when a key of dimensions and adapted shapes is inserted. The end of the outward facing rotor of the lock has a key insertion slot while the opposite end of the rotor, facing the inside of the lock, is axially extended out of the stator by means of clutch of a rotary element for actuating the bolt of the lock.

Among these cylinders, the so-called European-profile cylinders are those whose cylinder body has a lateral extension of substantially oblong shape. When such a cylinder is fixed in the volume of the lock, the lateral extension is arranged vertically under the cylinder body.

Known European profile cylinders with two inputs, which consist of a one-piece cylinder which has at each axial end a key insertion slot, so that a single cylinder, of length substantially equal to the thickness of the door, allows to present an insertion slot on both sides of the door. A central rotary member is adapted to be housed in the center of this one-piece cylinder so as to engage with each of the two rotors. These cylinders have a standard size, in industrial manufacture, so that it is not possible to adjust to the thickness of a door slightly different from the standards without the end of the rotor forming the input face of the key does not protrude slightly from the door.

However, the fact that the rotor exceeds the thickness of the door poses a security problem. In the field of locksmithing, attempts must be made to prevent break-ins. A break-in process common is to destroy the so-called European profile cylinder and it is easy, when it exceeds the door, clamp with a clamp the part of the protruding rotor and rotate to cause a break of the central part of the assembly, at the level of the rotary element. The cylinder usually breaks very easily in two and when the broken part is removed, access to the bolt is free.

To solve this problem of adjustment of the size of the cylinders to the thickness of the door, it has been envisaged to have in the lock two half-cylinders with a European profile of shorter length than the monoblock cylinders described above, one on the outside and one on the inside of the door, connecting these two half cylinders by a bar which is housed at each of its axial ends in a bore formed in the lateral extension of each of the half cylinders. The rotary element engages on the one hand with the rotor of the inner half-cylinder and on the other hand with the rotor of the outer half-cylinder. The bar extends parallel to the axis of the half cylinders, away from the rotary member so as not to block its rotation. One can then provide monobloc strips, of different sizes. The size of the one-piece bar to be used depending on the thickness of the door is chosen so that it extends from one to the other of the so-called European profile half-cylinders. The document EP0670401 discloses such a device, which however has the disadvantage of remaining in a mounting where it is not possible to exactly adjust the length of the bar to the required size and where there is therefore the risk that the outer cylinder exceeds the door, this lightly.

According to the invention, it is intended to design a locksmith assembly that allows a possible adjustment to a door of non-standard thickness, so as to prevent the cylinder from protruding from the door and thus to eliminate any possibility of grab the cylinder from the outside with pliers to break it.

Alternatively to the device described in the prior art document EP 2,090,725 , the invention thus proposes a device for coupling two half cylinders with a so-called European profile by a bar system, wherein said system comprises two bars each having a first end adapted to be fixed to one of the half rolls and a second end hooked to an intermediate connecting piece which extends longitudinally between the half rolls, by by means of attachment elements carried respectively by said connecting piece and by said second end of the bar. The device is adjustable in that it allows multiple positions of cooperation, a bar and / or the connecting piece having longitudinally a succession of said attachment elements so as to allow the longitudinal adjustment of the coupling between said bar and said connecting piece. The attachment elements advantageously take the form of notched means arranged in longitudinal series, having a longitudinal succession of notches and ribs.

Thus, the adjustment of the hooking distance between a bar and the connecting piece is allowed. It is understood that, by proposing a certain pitch between the hooking means in series of the different parts adapted to mate with each other, it is easy to play on the overall adjustment step of the assembly, and one can easily adapt to the establishment of this assembly in doors of any thickness. Depending on whether a longitudinal succession of fastening elements is proposed on the connecting piece, on the bar, or on both, there is provided a device which allows a setting step determined by the spacing of the hooking elements. and which allows an enlarged area if the two parts comprise a succession of attachment elements.

The intermediate piece has a central base and side connection parts to the bars arranged longitudinally on either side of the base. It is these lateral parts which carry a longitudinal succession of fastening elements, adapted to cooperate with corresponding fastening elements made on a connecting tab which extends one end of the bar.

Advantageously, the connecting lug of a bar and the lateral part of the connecting piece have section portions which complement each other when they are coupled to cover a section equivalent to that of the bar. Thus, they ensure a continuous shape in the axial extension of the bar when they are coupled and thus improves the rigidity of the assembly by the continuity of the section.

• les barrettes s'étendent sous l'axe commun aux rotors et à l'élément rotatif de commande. La pièce de raccord est disposée longitudinalement au niveau de l'élément rotatif de commande et elle présente un méplat sur sa face supérieure pour laisser passage à cet élément rotatif ;
• des moyens sont prévus pour la fixation de la barrette dans le prolongement latéral et les parois délimitant l'évidement du prolongement latéral bloquent en position transversalement la barrette et la partie de la pièce de raccord qui y sont logées ;
• les rotors sont adaptés à entraîner un élément rotatif par l'intermédiaire de moyen d'embrayage, qui présentent une dimension longitudinale équivalente à celle des barrettes, et des entretoises formant cales d'allonge sont disposées en sortie des rotors des demi cylindres de manière à prolonger les moyens d'embrayage pour que ceux-ci puissent transmettre l'effort de rotation depuis les rotors vers l'élément rotatif.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the intermediate piece is made of a more robust material than the material of the bars. Thus, it has the advantage of solidifying this assembly area, compared to a monobloc strip, while it is this area that presents the most risk of rupture during an attempted break-in. An advantageous development concerns a lock assembly in which two half-cylinders with a so-called European profile, each having a lateral extension of a body in which a stator is a receiver of a driving rotor of a rotary lock-control element, are coupled by an adjustable device according to the invention. As has been previously stated, the device is adjustable in that it comprises two bars each adapted to be housed in a recess formed in each of the lateral extensions and to extend projecting from the corresponding half-cylinder to cooperate with the intermediate piece of connection. According to different characteristics of this set of locksmith:

• the bars extend below the axis common to the rotors and to the rotary control element. The connecting piece is arranged longitudinally at the level of the rotary control element and has a flat on its upper face to allow passage to this rotating element;
• means are provided for fixing the bar in the lateral extension and the walls delimiting the recess of the lateral extension block in position transversely the bar and the portion of the connecting piece accommodated therein;
• the rotors are adapted to drive a rotary element by means of clutch means, which have a longitudinal dimension equivalent to that of the bars, and spacers forming shims elongate are disposed at the output of the rotors of the half cylinders so as to extend the clutch means so that they can transmit the rotational force from the rotors to the rotary member.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective du dispositif d'accouplement de deux demi cylindres selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective similaire à la vue de la figure 1, dans laquelle les éléments du dispositif d'accouplement sont représentés dans une vue éclatée ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective, de l'autre côté de l'axe du dispositif par rapport aux figures 1 et 2, d'un ensemble de serrurerie comportant le dispositif d'accouplement de la figure 1, dans laquelle on a représenté pour faciliter la compréhension un demi cylindre assemblé et un demi cylindre en vue éclatée ; et
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du dispositif d'accouplement de la figure 1.

The invention will now be more fully described by reading the following description with reference to the figures, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of the coupling device of two half-cylinders according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view similar to the view of the figure 1 in which the elements of the coupling device are shown in an exploded view;
• the figure 3 is a perspective view, on the other side of the axis of the device with respect to Figures 1 and 2 , a locksmith assembly comprising the coupling device of the figure 1 in which an assembled half-cylinder and an exploded half-cylinder are shown for ease of understanding; and
• the figure 4 is a top view of the coupling device of the figure 1 .

As illustrated in the figures, the coupling device 2 according to the invention makes it possible to connect two European half-cylinders 4, and this device mainly comprises two assembly bars 6 adapted to be each fixed on one of the half-cylinders. as well as an intermediate connecting piece 8 which extends longitudinally between the two bars and on which the free end of the bars is reported.

This coupling device is part of a locksmith assembly, as illustrated by way of example on the figure 3 , which comprises two European half cylinders adapted to be arranged opposite in the thickness of the door, one inwardly, the other outwardly. The device is particularly interesting because it is adjustable so that it manages the distance between the two half-cylinders, as will be described below.

Each so-called European profile half-cylinder comprises a first portion forming a cage 10 of circular section and a second portion forming a lateral extension 12 of this cage. The cage is pierced with a longitudinal through bore 14 adapted to receive an assembly formed of a rotor 16 and a stator 18 respectively pierced with radial holes 20 to accommodate a set of pins not shown - and against pins. A holding screw, not visible in the figures, crosses the lateral extension to open into the bore through the cage so as to lock the stator in position, only the rotor being adapted to rotate inside the stator under the effect of its actuation by an adequate key. In known manner, the insertion into the rotor of a key of the shapes and dimensions adapted allows the correct setting of this set of pins for unlocking in rotation of the rotor.

Each of the half cylinders is oriented in the door so that the insertion slot of the key 22 is accessible from outside the door. In this orientation, the inside face of the cylinder 24 is called the face which is arranged in the thickness of the door and the outside face of the cylinder 26 is called the face which is accessible for the user to insert his key, whether it be on one side or the other of the door. As illustrated on the figure 3 , a shielding piece 28, in which is provided a cutout equivalent to the insertion slot, is pressed against the face of the rotor facing outwards.

The rotation of one of the rotors by the action of the key causes the rotation of a rotary element 30, with bit or gear, arranged between the rotors 16 as illustrated on FIG. figure 3 . The rotary element 30 is intended for actuation of the bolt of the lock. For this purpose, the end of the rotor facing the inside of the door is extended longitudinally out of the stator by clutch means of the rotary member 32. The rotary element is hollowed at its center to receive a driver 33 adapted to cooperate with either the clutch means specific to the rotor of one of the half-rolls, or the clutch means specific to the rotor of the other half-cylinder, according to the half-cylinder in which the key is inserted.

As described above, each of the half cylinders of the lock assembly is a so-called European profile half-cylinder, that is to say that it comprises a lateral extension of the housing housing stator and rotor. When such a cylinder is conventionally arranged in the lock, the lateral extension 12 extends vertically under the cage 10 housing the stator and the rotor. The lateral extension extends longitudinally over the entire length of the half-cylinder. A recess 34, of oblong section in the vertical and transverse plane extends longitudinally inside the lateral extension, from the inner face of the cylinder to a bottom wall which extends vertically away from the outer face of the cylinder. There is provided a shielding piece which extends inside the lateral extension 12 between the outer face and the recess.

The half cylinders are connected longitudinally by the coupling device, at the height of the lateral extensions, so that the coupling device extends under the axis of the rotors and under the rotating element. Each of the bars is fixed in the recess of the lateral extension, via a through fastening means, adapted to be housed in a bore transverse to the cylinder 36 and in a corresponding bore 38, of substantially the same diameter, transverse to the bar.

The intermediate coupling part 8 should be placed under the rotating element. It is indeed this piece intermediate, as will be described below, which has a shape adapted to allow passage to the rotary control element for its good rotation. It will be understood that the longitudinal position of the intermediate coupling piece is fixed by the design of the lock and the location of the bolt, and that the adjustable connection device according to the invention makes it possible to propose bars of greater or lesser size according to the position of the intermediate piece and the distance between it and the half cylinders to be connected. As illustrated in the figures, it is possible to use in the device of the invention strips of different lengths.

Correspondingly, the clutch means extending the rotor towards the rotary control element may be larger or smaller. As it is visible on the figure 3 shims 39 of equivalent section to that of the European cylinder are provided which form a spacer between the inner face of the cylinder and the rotary element. These wedges make it possible to stiffen the assembly and to ensure the longitudinal guidance of the bar and the clutch means.

We will now describe in more detail the coupling device according to the invention, adjustable in that it allows multiple positions of cooperation of each of the bars relative to the intermediate connection piece.

Each of the bars has the general shape of a longitudinal bar of oblong section, slightly smaller in size than the recess of oblong section of the lateral extension of the cylinder. A first end 40 has a straight face, perpendicular to the axis of the bar. This first end is adapted to be inserted into the half-cylinder, and the correct positioning of the bar is determined when the right end face of the bar is in abutment against the bottom wall of the recess. In this position, the bar is fixed inside the cylinder by fixing means through the bores 36 and 38.

At the opposite of this first end, the bar has on a certain longitudinal dimension a connecting lug 42 having with respect to the bar a reduced section area by a flattened longitudinally and parallel to the long side of the oblong shape. Here, the flat is shifted transversely relative to the median plane of the strip parallel to the long side thereof. In this way, the connecting lug has a portion of oblong section, more or less thick according to the transverse offset of the flat, with an assembly face 44 formed by the flat part which extends between a shoulder 46 formed by the section. complete bar and a flange 48 which corresponds to the end of the bar facing the intermediate fitting part.

The assembly face 44 of the connecting lug has hooking elements 50, so that each of the bars can be connected to the intermediate piece by the cooperation of these hooking elements and hooking elements. complementary 52 embedded on the intermediate fitting part. The attachment elements are respectively disposed on the connecting faces of the connecting lugs and on the connecting piece in longitudinal series, and one or the other of the elements of a series is made to correspond with one or the other of the series of complementary elements. This allows the adjustment of the attachment distance between a bar and the connecting piece.

The intermediate connecting piece 8 comprises a central base 54 and two lateral parts 56 arranged longitudinally on either side of the base. Similar to what has just been described for the connection lug of the bar, the side portions have a reduced section by a flattened longitudinally and parallel to the long side of the oblong shape. The flat is also shifted transversely to the median plane of the strip parallel to the long side thereof. In this way, each of the lateral parts has a portion of oblong section, more or less thick depending on the transverse offset of the flat, with an assembly face 58 formed by the flat portion extending between a shoulder formed by the central base and a fallen edge 60 which corresponds to the lateral end of the intermediate connecting piece.

It is these assembly faces carried by the intermediate connecting piece which have the attachment elements complementary to those carried by the bars. For this complementarity, it is possible to provide on the bars male and female catches, and to arrange female male and female catches on the lateral parts of the connecting piece. As it is visible on the figure 3 in particular, the assembly faces of the lateral parts are oriented transversely in the same direction. Such a common orientation of the two lateral parts facilitates the machining of the connecting piece. However, it will be understood that the faces of assemblies could be turned in opposite directions, without this hindering the interchangeability of the bars.

The attachment elements of the device according to the invention are arranged in longitudinal series. In these series it will be possible to distinguish distal hooking elements, which are the hooking elements arranged at the free end of the connecting lug or of the corresponding lateral part, and the proximal hooking elements. According to the invention, as shown in the figures, the attachment elements take the form of notched means. Thus, the female hooking means are assimilated to the different successive notches, ie the notches 62 made in the assembly face, and the male hooking means to the resulting ribs 64 arranged between each notch. However, it will be understood that the shape of these attachment elements can vary, without departing from the context of the invention, since the cooperation of the complementary fastening elements allows the longitudinal locking of the bar concerned in relation to the intermediate piece of connection and the relative displacement of these two parts in a direction transverse to the assembly faces, before this relative movement is blocked by the insertion of the assembly in the recess of the lateral extension, as will be described below.

Each notched longitudinal series forms a succession of notches and ribs which extend on the assembly face perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the bar or the intermediate connecting piece. The notches extend over the entire height of the assembly face, the height here denoting the dimension of largest side of the oblong section of the bars and the connecting piece. Thus, the notches and the ribs have dimensions adapted to the achievement of an effective coupling, in which the bars can not escape longitudinally with respect to the intermediate fitting part. The pitch between each notch of a series is advantageously 2.5 mm, which allows a very fine adjustment of the lock assembly in which the device according to the invention is integrated.

The base of the intermediate piece has a flat upper face 66, made by a flat so that the height of the base is less than that of the side portions. The width of the base is at least equal to the width of the rotary control element, so that the clearance created by the flat part forming the upper face of the base allows the rotation of the rotary element when that is driven by one of the rotors. The base further comprises a transverse bore 68, adapted to receive a screw for fixing the connecting piece in the thickness of the door.

It has been seen that the connecting lugs and the lateral parts of the connecting piece have a shape of oblong section portion. These portions have complementary dimensions such that, when the connecting lugs and the side portions are coupled, the assembly covers a section equivalent to that of the bars. Thus, it ensures a continuous shape in the longitudinal extension of the bar and improves the rigidity of all by the continuity of the section.

In addition, such an assembly can be accommodated in the recess of the lateral extension of the half-cylinder, and if necessary in the corresponding recess of the lateral extension of the spacers arranged facing the half-cylinder, the walls delimiting the recesses of these extensions providing a locking in position of the intermediate fitting part relative to the bar secured to the cylinder by the through fastening means. This freezes the position of the intermediate piece of connection relative to the bars without the need for additional fastening means.

The foregoing description clearly explains how the invention achieves the goals it has set for itself. In particular, as just described, the fact of having a device for connecting the half-cylinders in several parts, with an intermediate connecting piece, thus has the advantage of facilitating the adjustment of the distance between the two half-cylinders. On the one hand, there is obtained by this device a setting between two extreme positions sufficiently distant from each other, due to the addition of these attachment areas. A first extreme adjustment position, corresponding to the maximum approach position of the two half-cylinders, is defined when each of the bars is abutted by its shoulder against the corresponding lateral end of the connecting piece, while the opposite end position, corresponding to the maximum spacing of the two half-cylinders, is obtained when, for each bar, is made to cooperate with each other the distal gripping elements of the bars with the corresponding distal gripping elements of the lateral parts of the intermediate connecting piece. Between these two extreme positions, we adjust the distance between the cylinders by choosing which fastening elements of the different longitudinal series present on the bars and on the connecting piece is cooperating with each other. Moreover, one can very finely define this distance, since the presence of four sets of hooking elements, namely two carried by the connecting piece and a bearing by each of the two bars, allows to add the steps adjustment. This makes it possible to propose fastening elements that succeed each other longitudinally with a very small pitch, for a setting Longitudinal plus -fin that avoids that one or the other of the half cylinders does not exceed the thickness of the door. It is then possible to limit the longitudinal portion on which these fastening elements are made, in order to avoid weakening the structure of the parts by reducing their section. This arrangement also allows an asymmetrical arrangement of the bars. As illustrated by way of example, the bars can be of different lengths, and one can further play on the asymmetry of the assembly by moving differently each of the bars relative to the connecting piece.

It will be understood that the relative position to be given to the webs relative to the intermediate coupling piece before determining this position is first accurately determined. Then, successively, the plating of a bar against one of the lateral parts is carried out, then the assembly is inserted into the recess of the lateral extension of one of the half-rolls up to the abutment against the bottom wall of the recess, and the bar is fixed in the half-cylinder by a pin. This direct attachment of the bar indirectly blocks the intermediate connecting piece both by the cooperation of the hooking elements which prevents the release of the intermediate connecting piece in the plane of the contact face and by the presence of the walls of the recess which prevents the transverse clearance of the intermediate fitting part. The same operations are then performed for the other bar, it being understood that if the longitudinal dimension of one of the bars is greater than the longitudinal dimension of the half-cylinder, it is necessary to add shims forming a spacer as previously described. , and that it is then these wedges that prevent the transverse clearance of the connecting piece relative to the bar which is fixed by pin in the half cylinder.

Moreover, such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in that it makes it possible to produce the bar and the intermediate piece of connection in two different materials. It will then be possible to provide the intermediate fitting part in a more robust material, such as stainless steel, that the material in which the bars are made. Thus, it has the advantage of solidifying this central assembly zone, compared to an embodiment with a monobloc strip, while it is understood that it is precisely this area that has the greatest risk of rupture during a attempted break-in.

Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the structure of the coupling device and the associated lock assembly, which have just been described by way of non-limiting examples. By way of example, it is possible to modify without departing from the context of the invention the shape of the hooking elements, notched, since their arrangement on the bars and on the intermediate coupling part allow a longitudinal adjustment of the center distance. between the half cylinders that the device according to the invention is adapted to connect.

Claims (9)

1. Device for coupling two half-cylinders (4) of the European profile type by means of a connecting bar system, in which said system comprises two connecting bars (6) each of which has a first end (40) designed to be fixed to one of the half-cylinders (4) and a second end hooked to an intermediate connecting piece (8) which extends longitudinally between the cylinders (4), through hooking elements (50, 52) that are supported respectively by said connecting piece and by said second end of the connecting bar (6), characterized by the fact that said device is adjustable in that it allows multiple positions of cooperation, with a connecting bar (6) and/or the connecting piece having a series of said hooking elements (50, 52) arranged longitudinally so that the longitudinal adjustment of the coupling between said connecting bar (6) and said connecting piece (8) can be adjusted, with said hooking elements (50, 52) taking the form of notched means presenting a longitudinal series of notches (62) and ribs (64).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each connecting bar (6) has a connecting tab (42) on the second end which longitudinally extends said connecting bar (6) to hook up with said intermediate connecting piece (8), with said tab (42) supporting part of said hooking elements (50).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the intermediate connecting piece (8) comprises a central base (54) and two lateral parts (56) which partly support hooking elements (52) that are complementary to those supported by the connecting tab on the connecting bars (6) so as to cooperate with the latter to produce an adjustable coupling.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the connecting tab on a connecting bar (42) and the lateral part of the corresponding connecting piece (56) have portions of section defined by a plane assembly face (44, 58) which supports said hooking elements (50, 52), with said portions of section being complementary to each other such that, when the connecting bar (6) and the connecting piece (8) are coupled by joining the assembly faces together, the assembly has a section equivalent to that of the connecting bar 6).
5. Device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that the central base (54) of the connecting piece (8) has a flat bar forming an upper plane face (66) such that a transverse passageway is provided through the center of said connecting piece (8).
6. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the connecting piece (8) and the connecting bars (6) are made of different materials, particularly in that the connecting piece (8) is made of a harder material than that used to make the connecting bars (6).
7. Lock assembly in which two European profile half-cylinders (4) each comprising a lateral extension (12) of a cage (10) housing a stator (18) which takes a rotor (16) that drives a rotating element operating the lock (30), are coupled together by a coupling device (2) adjustable according to one of claims 1 to 6, with said two connecting bars (6) each being designed to be housed in a recess (35) formed in each of the lateral extensions and to protrude from the corresponding half-cylinder in order to cooperate with the intermediate connecting piece (8).
8. Lock assembly according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that it comprises connecting bar (6) fixation means in the lateral extension (12) of the cylinder and that the walls of the recess (34) in the lateral extension prevent the connecting bars (6) and the part of the connecting piece (8) housed in the recess from being displaced.
9. Lock assembly according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that the rotors (16) are designed to drive the rotating element (30) by means of a spindle (33) and engagement means (32) which have a longitudinal dimension equivalent to that of the connecting bars (6) and in that spacers forming lengthening strips (39) are arranged at the end of the half-cylinders such that engagement means (32) pass through which transfer the rotating force from the rotors (16) to the rotating element (30).

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