EP3280854B1 - Key, key blank and lock system with such a key and a corresponding lock cylinder - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of locking systems and in particular a key and the associated blank and a locking system which has a key according to the invention and a lock cylinder.

A central task of locking technology is to provide locking systems that reliably restrict access to or access to an object to a well-defined group of authorized persons. Mechanical locking systems are faced with the particular challenge of ensuring that, on the one hand, a sufficient number of different authorizations can be assigned by allowing a sufficiently high number of permutations for mechanical coding of the key, and, on the other hand, that the effort for unauthorized access is maximized.

Lock cylinders of mechanical locking systems generally have a component (“rotor”, cylinder core ”) that is mounted in a component fixed to the housing (“ stator ”) and rotatable about an axis, the rotation of which releases access, for example by actuating a Output element which is in operative connection with a bolt, whereby the coupling with an output mechanism can optionally be linked to conditions. The Release or non-release of a rotation of the rotor in the stator can in particular be brought about by the interaction of tumblers and counter-tumblers with a suitable mechanical coding of the key. This works in such a way that pairs of tumblers and counter tumblers are arranged in the initial state of aligned bores in the rotor and in the stator, with the ends of the tumblers protruding from the rotor into the keyway. With the suitably coded key inserted into the keyway, the tumbler-counter tumbler pairs are pushed (or not pushed) outwards against a spring force so far that their interface lies on the interface between the rotor and the stator, so that they prevent the rotor from rotating in relation to the stator (at which rotation the tumblers turn in the rotor and the counter tumblers remain in the stator) no longer oppose.

The number of possible permutations is defined on the one hand by the number of coding elements (e.g. coding holes) that can be arranged on a key, and on the other hand by the number of states that can be assumed per coding element.

Maximizing the effort for unauthorized access includes structural and material-related measures as well as preventing the key from being copied too easily. So far, the manufacturing hurdles that have to be overcome in order to copy a (security) key have been and are quite high, so that there are only a few providers who produce a copy of such a key with the necessary accuracy and the necessary tolerances can. The majority of these few providers take part in a more or less voluntary control and refuse unauthorized persons to copy keys.

The rapid advances in the areas of 3D printing, materials science, scanners and data processing programs now lead to fears that new copying options will emerge.

This looming problem can be counteracted by incorporating additional security features into the key which cannot be copied by 3D printers or similar means perhaps available to the broadest population, e.g. in the form of moving parts, the specific designs of which are decisive for the interaction with the lock cylinder.

In the field of locking systems, elements that can be moved into the key are already known. These are primarily used to increase the number of coding elements and thus the number of possible permutations. The elements used for this often have properties that have a negative effect on the reliability and service life of the said key. So describes EP 0 436 496 A1 a key, the shaft of which has a thicker incision area and a thinner profile area. In the profile area, circular cylindrical feeler pins are inserted in transverse openings (that is, connecting the two flat sides). By varying the length of the stylus, which generally exceeds the width of the profile area, it is possible to increase the variety of closures. The stylus essentially assume the function of a (movable) spacer. Furthermore, the in EP 0 436 496 A1 The key shown is susceptible to tilting of the movable element, which significantly impairs the reliability of use, and the stylus pins projecting beyond the profile area promote wear and tear and damage to the key.

Also in EP 1 336 022 B1 The movable element shown leads to an increased susceptibility to damage, for example due to contamination. The movable element is a ring which is inserted into an inclined slot in the shaft. This ring also acts as a spacer and serves to increase the variety and possible combinations of key codes.

FR 2762345 A1 shows a key with a ring as a movable element. The ring is inserted into a bore in the key shaft, from which On the narrow side of the key, a pin is inserted into the key shaft, which is passed through the opening of the ring and thus attaches the ring to the key and forms stops for moving the ring along the key bore. Due to the construction with an additional pin, which in turn only guides the ring very loosely, this construction is somewhat complex and poorly defined.

EP 0605932 A2 shows a key with an element which is introduced into a bore extending from one flat side of the key shaft to the other flat side of the key shaft. In this case, stops and / or the shape of the element ensure that the element can only be moved beyond one of the two flat sides and / or that the element does not rotate relative to the key shaft.

WO 00/57006 A1 shows a key with an element that protrudes beyond one of the two flat sides of the key shaft. The element is elastically mounted perpendicular to the flat side of the key shaft by being introduced into a bore that does not go through from one flat side to the other flat side of the key shaft. As a result, an elastic component, for example a spring, can be arranged between the element and the bottom of the bore.

EP 0 416 500 A1 shows a key and an associated cylinder lock, which is additionally secured against manipulation, which is aimed at the cracking of the lock, in that a movable lever is incorporated into the key and in that the cylinder lock has two pairs of tumbler and counter-tumbler that are matched to the movable lever. The tumbler-counter tumbler pairs are axially displaced along the key channel and set up such that a head part of the lever is pressed into a recess in the key channel when the key is fully inserted.

Lock cylinders, which have a stator and a rotor, the rotor can only be rotated when using a key with a movably mounted element, are also known per se. So shows the already mentioned EP 0 436 496 A1 like said stylus in combination with two Tumbler elements, which are acted upon by springs of different strength, and with one tumbler element each accessing one of the two ends of the stylus, can lead to a release of the rotor.

WO 2006/092779 A2 shows lock cylinder, which by key as for example in the mentioned EP 0605932 A2 disclosed, can be brought into their release position. For this purpose, the lock cylinder has a first control element and a second control element. The first control element is arranged normal to the first flat side of the key shaft and engages on one side of the movable element too. The second control element is arranged perpendicular to the second flat side of the key shaft and accesses the other side of the movable element. WO 2006/092779 A2 teaches different embodiments of the first and second control elements which differ, for example, in the shape, number and configuration of the various components of the control elements.

GB 2277774 A shows a lock cylinder which can be brought into its release position in that two pairs of tumblers interact with the same movable element, which is introduced into a bore going through the key shaft. The axis of the bore and the direction of movement of the element run at an angle of approximately 45 ° to the flat sides of the key shaft.

It is an object of the invention to provide a key, a key blank and a locking system which are protected against loss of security due to 3D printing of the key by integrating additional security features.

It is also an object of the invention that the additional security features do not have any negative effects on the reliability of the devices according to the invention. This relates in particular to the key or key blank, in which the additional security features are to be designed in such a way that the probability of a malfunction due to, for example, tilting or wear and tear is markedly reduced.

These objects are achieved by the invention as defined in the patent claims.

According to the invention, this is a key or key blank having a bow and a shaft, codings being or can be introduced into the shaft, which are used for mechanical interaction with tumbler pins loaded by springs in a lock cylinder, as well as an element that is introduced into a bore which continuously connects a flat side of the shaft with the other flat side, the element being movably mounted along an axis of the bore and this movement along the axis of the bore is limited by at least one stop, characterized in that the movable mounted element has a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the bore, which has a central part and at least two guide parts, wherein the guide parts extend radially to the central part that they prevent tilting of the element.

The key according to the invention or the key blank according to the invention are provided in particular for mechanical locking cylinders (purely mechanical or combined mechanical-electronic locking cylinders) of the type described at the outset, in which a stator and a rotor which can be rotated relative to this have pairs of tumblers and counter-tumblers.

The additional security features are discussed below as features of a key according to the invention. All of these additional security features can also be integrated into a blank according to the invention, which is only further processed into a finished key at a later point in time by applying mechanical codes.

The key according to the invention is designed, for example, as a flat reversible key, i.e. the shaft is essentially flat and has coding bores at least on the flat sides. At least the shaft is symmetrical with respect to a rotation through 180 °. Apart from the security features described below and apart from a possible electronic module and its housing, the key according to the invention can be manufactured from one piece. In particular, all features of the key, e.g. Shank, bow, coding, etc., which are not related to the security features described below, are manufactured using the current manufacturing methods that are part of the current state of the art.

A core of the invention is to make the copying of keys based on 3D printers more difficult by adding movable elements in the area of the key shaft. When inserting a key according to the invention into a lock cylinder, the movable element interacts as known per se with two tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs, whereby for each tumbler-counter-tumbler pair exactly one position defined by the tumbler protruding into the key channel leads to the separation surface between tumbler and counter-locking of a tumbler-counter-tumbler pair coincides with the shear line between rotor and stator, whereby a tumbler-counter tumbler pair which occupies this one position no longer prevents the rotor from rotating relative to the stator.

In a preferred embodiment, a movable element is introduced into a bore which continuously connects one flat side of the shaft to the other flat side. The shape and dimensions of the element and the bore are the same designed that, on the one hand, tilting of the movably mounted element is prevented and, on the other hand, the hurdle for replication is further increased. This can be realized in that the element has a central part and at least two, often preferably at least three, guide parts arranged radially in relation to it, which lead to the shape of the element not being circular-cylindrical. In one embodiment of the movable element, it has four guide parts which are arranged around the central part in such a way that the element has a cruciform cross section. However, embodiments are also conceivable which have three, five or more guide parts, so that an overall star-shaped cross section can also result.

The cross section perpendicular to the axis of the bore can be unchanged from one flat side of the shaft to the other. The cross section of the element can, however, also vary from one flat side of the shaft to the other. This is particularly the case when the element has means for defining a maximum deflection of the element. Such a maximum deflection can be achieved, for example, in that the element is designed in such a way that it comes into contact with a part / part preventing further deflection at two points, preferably one in each case in the region of the two flat sides. Such a stop part or an originally separate stop part can define an undercut, in particular with respect to the axial directions of movement of the element, as a result of which the element is caught between two stops formed in this way. It can be designed in such a way that it is free of elements protruding over the respective flat side, so that the key

Alternatively, such a part can also be integrated in the bore itself in combination with a corresponding shape of the element.

The procedure according to the invention solves a dilemma that exists in connection with movable elements in the key. The procedure is based on the knowledge that such an element can only be guided over a very limited guide length in the hole provided for it. This stems from the fact that, on the one hand, the strength (thickness) of the key shaft, which corresponds to the maximum guide length, is generally only a few millimeters. On the other hand, the extent of the movable element along the shaft plane cannot be arbitrarily small if the mechanical stability and function are to be guaranteed. This inevitably leads to an unfavorable relationship between the length (dimension in the direction of the direction of movement) of the movable element on the one hand and expansion along the shaft plane (for example diameter gauge) on the other hand. Without the measures according to the invention, this would lead to reduced reliability due to tilting of the element. In mechanical engineering, for example, the maxim applies that the ratio between the guided length and the guided width should be greater than 1.3 to 1.5 in order to be able to largely avoid tilting an element. Transferred to the key or blank with a movable element, this would result in a width (diameter) of the element without special precautions, which would not only affect the stability and handling of the element but also with regard to its interaction with corresponding tumbler-counter tumbler pairs would be very disadvantageous.

The movable element in the key according to the invention solves this dilemma of a maximally possible, reliably guided width, in that the element has guide parts which define a guide width that is reduced in comparison to the diameter of the movable element.

In one embodiment, the movable element is part of an insert which can also include the stop. In particular, the insert as a whole can have an external circular cylinder shape and the bore can be a single bore with a circular cross-section so that the insert can be introduced into the bore of the shaft regardless of the design of the element or the guide parts. This embodiment leads to a minimal effort in terms of producing the bore and integrating the element into the shaft.

The insert is firmly connected to the key or key blank, for example by being pressed into it and / or glued to it.

In a preferred embodiment, as already indicated, the maximum deflection of the element in the direction of the bore axis is limited by its interaction with at least one stop per flat side, which limits the movement in the corresponding axial (with respect to the bore axis) direction and which in the corresponding flat side of the shaft is integrated, ie is formed by a portion extending inward from the flat side or a corresponding element. This stop section or this stop part forms an undercut with respect to axial movements of the element.

These stops can be formed by stop parts which are in turn introduced into a bore, the bore and stop parts being designed so that the stop parts assume a defined position. This can e.g. be realized in that the stop parts are designed pin-shaped and have a head, the heads of the stop parts (hereinafter referred to as stop heads) resting on projections integrated into the bore of the stop parts. These projections can be designed to be annular and implemented by reducing the diameter of the bore. The surfaces of the stop parts pointing in the direction of the flat side of the shaft are preferably flush with the flat sides themselves in their end position. In this embodiment, the stop heads partially protrude into the bore of the element and thus prevent a correspondingly shaped movable element from falling out of the bore.

The stop parts are screwed, glued, pressed or otherwise fixed in their bore.

In a further embodiment, the stops are implemented by closing the bore for the element itself, for example by means of a continuous or step-shaped narrowing towards the flat sides. These constrictions serve as stop parts and can be continuous, for example ring-shaped, or interrupted, for example a single or multiple extensions. The constrictions can be the result of an embossing close to the bore or another treatment of the flat sides of the shaft.

Regardless of whether the stops are the result of a local, near-surface deformation of the shaft or a stop part (which in embodiments can belong to a guide body, as described in detail below), the stops act in particular from the outside, i.e. from the flat side of the shaft here, on the element and are therefore free of parts penetrating the element. This reduces the manufacturing effort compared to embodiments in which the stops act on inside areas of the element, i. Areas that are not directly accessible from a flat side, considerably. In one embodiment, the movable element has a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the bore, which changes as a function of the position along the bore axis. This change in the cross section is designed so that the element, in combination with at least one stop, can only move up to a maximum deflection along the axis of the bore. For example, the element can have recesses at least towards the stops which allow a movement along the axis of the bore until a non-recessed part of the element comes into contact with a stop. Such recesses can also be made in other regions of the movable element. In particular, all guide parts can have the same cutouts, regardless of whether they interact with a stop or not.

Embodiments in which at least one of the guide parts interacts with a stop which is formed by an element that does not protrude beyond the flat side of the shaft and defines an undercut have the advantage that the guide parts cannot protrude beyond the flat side of the shaft in any position of the element . This ensures that only the central part of the element can protrude beyond the flat sides of the shaft. The recesses can be made, for example, by bevels (radially outwards sloping surface areas) be formed or have such, whereby the movable element can be designed so that it retracts into the shaft even with forces acting at an angle to the axis of the bore or even perpendicular to this, whereby the element when pushed into a Key opening cannot be tilted.

Towards the flat sides of the shaft, bores, movable element and stops / stop parts are preferably made in such a way that, apart from possible tolerances, they complement each other essentially with an exact fit in order to prevent the functionality of the movable element, e.g. by pollution, to prevent. In particular, the guide parts are guided precisely on both sides through corresponding wall parts of the bore.

It is an important finding in connection with the present invention that with the aid of the above-mentioned guide parts the risk of tilting and thus a defect of the locking mechanism, in the worst case during the opening or closing process, can be greatly reduced. This risk can be further reduced if the dimensions of the element, guide parts and holes are matched to one another. The relevant dimensions are the maximum length of the movable element or the guide parts in the direction of the axis of the bore and the widths of the guide parts. The latter are the dimensions of the considered guide part tangential and perpendicular to the axis of the bore. It has been shown that ratios between the length of the element and the widths of the guide parts of greater than 1 are advantageous. Embodiments in which these ratios are greater than 1.3 or greater than 1.5 are particularly advantageous. If the guide parts do not extend over the entire length of the element, this condition (ratio of at least 1, 1.3 or 1.5) can also apply to the length of the guide parts in relation to their width. If the width is not constant as a function of the radial position - for example because the guide parts taper towards the outside, are round or rounded, or have rounded and straight partial areas - this condition applies, for example, to the mean width.

The width of the guide parts as a function of the radial position can in particular be set up so that the surface along which the guide takes place (the guide surface) increases. For example, a guide part which has convex sides in cross section normal to the axis of the bore for a given radial extension of the guide part has a larger guide surface than a guide part of the same radial extension with straight sides.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the guidance of the element can be limited to side surfaces of the respective guide parts. This can be achieved in that the bore is designed in such a way that there are spacings between the radially outer end of the guide parts and the wall of the bore or that at least the relevant tolerances are larger.

With a view to possible wear and tear of the components of the security feature, it can be advantageous if the length of the movable element does not exceed a thickness (thickness) of the shaft so that the element can be brought into a position in which no part is not in the lock cylinder Introduced key protrudes beyond the plane of the two flat sides of the shaft, ie if the movable element can withdraw into the shaft on both sides at least flush with the two flat sides when a force is applied to the element. The maximum length of the element should therefore be less than or equal to the shaft thickness. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the ends of the element are shaped in such a way that the element retracts into the shaft even with forces acting at an angle to the axis of the bore or even perpendicular to this, for example by rounded or beveled the ends of the element are.

The described security feature can be in any position on the shaft of the key. In an embodiment according to the invention, the described security feature is on the shaft towards the bow, for example at the height attached to or behind the first conventional coding. The security feature is preferably, but not mandatory, attached in a centered manner on the shaft.

In a further embodiment, the key or key blank has at least one guide body which is introduced into the bore and which is designed to guide the movably mounted element along the axis of the bore and / or the movement of the movably mounted element along the axis of the Limit drilling. For this purpose, the guide body has, for example, at least one of the following elements: at least one guide recess, whose shape is matched to the guide part of the movable element, at least one stop, which is designed to limit the movement of the element along the axis of the bore .

The key or key blank can in particular have two guide bodies, one on each side of the bore, which continuously connects one flat side of the shaft to the other flat side.

In one embodiment, the guide body has a guide part and a stop part.

The guide body can be made in one piece or consist of parts firmly connected to one another. In particular, the guide body is in one piece.

The guide part is designed to guide the movement of the movably mounted element along the axis of the bore, for example through said guide recesses. In a preferred embodiment, the guide part is a component different from the key or key blank, at least before it is integrated into the key or key blank. The guide part does not have to be an independent component, but can be implemented integrally with other components, for example a stop part. However, it is also possible for the guide part to be an integral part of the key or key blank, for example through a correspondingly shaped bore.

The stop part is set up to limit the movement of the movably mounted element along the axis of the bore, in particular by forming a stop. For example, the stop part can close off one or more guide recesses against a flat side of the shaft.

Regardless of whether the guide body consists of one piece or has a separate guide part and a separate stop part, the guide body can have surfaces on the outside that give it a circular cylindrical shape, so that said bore can be round and the guide body can be easily introduced into and inside it can be fastened, for example.

The guide body can be pressed into the bore of the key or key blank, regardless of its shape.

The key or key blank can in particular have two stop parts, which are designed so that the movable element can be brought into position before the second of the two stop parts is introduced into the guide body (s) so that it can be brought into position after the second stop part has been introduced into the shaft is stored guided along a limited route.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the guide body is a unit consisting of a guide part and a stop part, so that a first such unit, the element and a second such unit can be introduced into the bore in such a way that the element is in turn along a limited route is stored guided. For example, the first unit can be introduced into the bore from one flat side and the element and the second unit can be introduced one after the other into the bore from the other flat side.

To connect the guide part and the stop part to form a unit, they can be glued, manufactured from one piece or firmly connected in some other way. The units can be held in a certain position relative to one another by being pressed into the shaft.

Furthermore, it is also possible that two such units and the element brought into position between these units form an insert which is then used as The whole can be introduced into the shaft, for example pressed in. The use can be stabilized, for example, by gluing the units. However, it is also possible for the components of the insert to be held in a specific position with respect to one another only when they are introduced into the bore.

In embodiments with two or more guide bodies, the shape of the guide bodies can be identical. The guide bodies can, however, be introduced into the bore rotated by an angle about the axis of the bore.

In embodiments with two or more stop parts, the stop parts can be identical in shape and differ only in that they are introduced into the hole rotated relative to one another by an angle about the axis of the hole.

• In einem Schnitt senkrecht zur Längsachse des Elements, sind die Führungspartien nicht direkt aneinander grenzend. Beispielsweise können diese durch kreisförmige Abschnitte getrennt sein.
  Insbesondere können die Führungspartien Fortsätze auf dem Mantel eines Zylinders sein. Die Führungspartien sind dann durch Flächen, welche auf dem Mantel liegen, getrennt.
• Die Führungspartien können sich nicht über die gesamte Länge des Elements erstrecken.
• Eine oder mehrere Führungspartien können gegeneinander axial, d.h. entlang der Längsachse des Elements, versetzt angeordnet sein.
  Insbesondere kann das Element einen erster Satz an Führungspartien, welche sich über eine ersten Teilbereich des Elements entlang dessen Längsachse erstrecken, und einen zweiten Satz an Führungspartien, welche sich über einen zweiten Teilbereich des Elements entlang dessen Längsachse erstrecken, aufweisen, wobei der erste Satz an Führungspartien um einen bestimmten Drehwinkel gegenüber dem zweiten Satz an Führungspartien versetzt ist (die Drehachse ist wiederum die Längsachse des Elements, d.h. die Führungspartien sind auch in Umfangrichtung zueinander versetzt). Insbesondere können erster und zweiter Satz um einen solchen Drehwinkel versetzt sein, dass die Führungspartien des ersten Satzes in Umfangsrichtung dort positioniert sind, wo die Flächen, welche die Führungspartien des zweiten Satzes trennen, aber axial versetzt liegen.

In addition to one or more of the mentioned features of the guide body, the guide part, the stop part, the bore, the stop and / or the stop part, the element can have one or more of the following features:

• In a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the element, the guide parts are not directly adjacent to one another. For example, these can be separated by circular sections.
  In particular, the guide parts can be extensions on the jacket of a cylinder. The guide parts are then separated by surfaces that lie on the jacket.
• The guide parts cannot extend over the entire length of the element.
• One or more guide parts can be arranged axially offset from one another, ie along the longitudinal axis of the element.
  In particular, the element can have a first set of guide parts which extend over a first partial area of the element along its longitudinal axis extend, and have a second set of guide parts, which extend over a second portion of the element along its longitudinal axis, wherein the first set of guide parts is offset by a certain angle of rotation with respect to the second set of guide parts (the axis of rotation is again the longitudinal axis of the Elements, ie the guide parts are also offset from one another in the circumferential direction). In particular, the first and second set can be offset by such an angle of rotation that the guide parts of the first set are positioned in the circumferential direction where the surfaces that separate the guide parts of the second set are axially offset.

• Das Element ist beidseitig über die Flachseiten des Schafts hinaus auslenkbar.
• Das Element, beziehungsweise der Einsatz, weist von beiden Flachseiten her betrachtet dieselbe Form auf. Das heisst insbesondere, dass das Element, beziehungsweise der Einsatz, bis auf eine möglicherweise vorhandene Drehung um die Achse der Bohrung, symmetrisch bezüglich einer Ebene ist, welche parallel zu den Flachseiten mittig durch den Schaft verläuft.
• Die Form des zentralen Teils, sowie gegebenenfalls eines Übergangsbereichs zwischen zentralem Teil und Führungspartien ist formsymmetrisch bezüglich besagter Ebene.

Since the element according to the invention, or the insert into which it is inserted, is used in particular in reversible keys, the element and / or insert can have one or more of the following features:

• The element can be deflected on both sides beyond the flat sides of the shaft.
• The element, or the insert, has the same shape when viewed from both flat sides. This means in particular that the element or the insert, apart from a possible rotation about the axis of the bore, is symmetrical with respect to a plane which runs parallel to the flat sides through the center of the shaft.
• The shape of the central part and, if applicable, a transition area between the central part and the guide parts is symmetrical in shape with respect to said plane.

A locking system according to the invention has a key according to the invention and a matching lock cylinder.

Such a lock cylinder has a stator mounted fixed to the housing and a rotor located in the stator and rotatable about an axis by using a key having the appropriate coding. Furthermore, a key channel is formed on the rotor, which is accessible from the outside via the associated key opening. A number of tumbler-counter tumbler pairs are arranged in the stator and in the rotor, of which at least two tumbler-counter tumbler pairs interact with the movable element when the key is fully inserted into the keyway. All locking devices of the locking locking device pairs are each loaded by a spring. Two tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs are preloaded by springs with different spring constants, so that one of these pairs forms a tumbler-counter-tumbler pair with a lower load and the other of these pairs forms a more heavily loaded tumbler-counter-tumbler pair. These two tumbler-counter tumbler pairs are designed in such a way that they interact with the element of the key, which is movably mounted in the through hole of the key shaft, in that they come into contact with the element from one side of the shaft.

The lock cylinder can be designed as a single cylinder or as a double cylinder. In addition to the mechanical safety features described here (tumblers interacting with the movable element, conventional tumblers), it can also optionally have electronic / electromechanical safety features.

In one embodiment of the lock cylinder, the tumblers mounted in the lock cylinder and interacting with the movable element are designed in such a way that at least one of these tumblers must be pushed out of the key channel in the direction of the stator through a part of the key engaging behind the key opening, i.e. the key must be locally wider than the key opening in order to unlock the lock caused by this tumbler-counter tumbler pair. The movable element must therefore be brought into a position in which it protrudes from the flat side of the key. Since it is not possible to insert a key into the lock cylinder that is wider than the width of the key opening, it is impossible for a key without the corresponding movable element to unlock said tumbler-counter tumbler pair.

In one embodiment, this active pushing back of a tumbler is achieved in that two tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs with different loads interact via the movable element, these tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs being designed in such a way that the weaker-stressed tumbler-counter tumbler pair is released in the direction of the above-mentioned rear-engaging part The stator has to be pushed while the more heavily loaded tumbler-counter tumbler pair must move towards the rotor (or keyway) to unlock. A stop (either the Key or a tumbler-counter-tumbler pair) the displacement of the movable element from the key shaft caused by the more heavily loaded tumbler-counter tumbler pair. For unlocking, both tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs involved must assume a predefined position, which is only given if the dimensions of the tumbler-counter tumbler pairs and the movable element and the positions of the effective stop interact in the intended manner.

In embodiments, the tumblers are loaded via springs mounted on the housing of the cylinder. In a preferred embodiment of the springs, the ratio of the two springs connected to the movable element is of the order of magnitude of two to one.

The spatial arrangement of the two tumbler-counter tumbler pairs can be designed in different ways. So these can be opposite each other and be perpendicular to the flat sides. However, one or both tumbler-counter tumbler pairs can also act on the movable element at an angle that is not normal and / or not face one another. Furthermore, it is possible that the more heavily loaded tumbler-counter tumbler pair is formed only by the tumbler itself (and the spring) and is located completely in the rotor. In particular, both tumbler-counter tumbler pairs can be arranged to run radially.

The interaction between the movable element and the corresponding tumblers occurs when the key is completely inserted into the keyway via their contact points. These are given for example by the end faces of the central part of the element and the key-side end faces of the tumblers. The latter can be designed in such a way that these the shape of the element and the relative position of the respective tumbler to the Consider key channel. Depending on the design of the end faces forming the contact points, the interaction takes place via a point, line or flat contact. Embodiments are also possible in which the characteristics of the two contact points differ.

The contact points can run parallel to the flat sides of the shaft. On the element side, these contact points preferably do not coincide with the mentioned recesses resulting from the interaction with the stops and / or not with bevels or roundings.

Further embodiments are evident from the dependent patent claims.

Fig. 1a-1c

Eine perspektivische Ansicht sowie zwei Querschnittdarstellungen einer ersten erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform des Schlüssels;

Fig. 2

Eine Detailansicht der ersten erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform, welche das im Schlüsselschaft geführte bewegliche Element zeigt;

Fig. 3

Eine Explosionsdarstellung der ersten erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform des Schlüssels;

Fig.4a-4c

Eine Explosionsdarstellung einer zweiten erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform des Schlüssels sowie zwei Querschnittdarstellungen einer solchen erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform;

Fig. 5

Eine Schnittansicht durch einen Schliesszylinder, welcher zu einem erfindungsgemässen Schlüssel passt, bei eingestecktem Schlüssel;

Fig. 6

Eine Schnittansicht durch einen Schliesszylinder, welcher zu einem erfindungsgemässen Schlüssel passt, wobei kein Schlüssel in den Zylinder eingeführt ist;

Fig. 7

Eine Schnittansicht durch einen Schliesszylinder, welcher zu einem erfindungsgemässen Schlüssel passt, während des Vorganges des Einschiebens des Schlüssels;

Fig. 8 und 9

je eine alternative Ausführungsform eines beweglichen Elements;

Fig. 10

Eine Draufsicht einer dritten erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform des Schlüssels;

Fig. 11

Eine frontale Detailansicht der dritten erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform;

Fig. 12

Eine seitliche Detailansicht der dritten erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform;

Fig. 13

Eine Explosionsdarstellung der dritten erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform des Schlüssels; und

Fig. 14a-14b

Zwei Querschnittdarstellungen der dritten erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform des Schlüssels.

The following drawings show exemplary embodiments of the invention according to the invention, on the basis of which the invention is described in detail. In the drawings, the same reference symbols denote the same or analogous elements. The drawings show:

Figures 1a-1c

A perspective view and two cross-sectional representations of a first embodiment of the key according to the invention;

Fig. 2

A detailed view of the first embodiment according to the invention, which shows the movable element guided in the key shaft;

Fig. 3

An exploded view of the first embodiment of the key according to the invention;

Figures 4a-4c

An exploded view of a second embodiment of the key according to the invention and two cross-sectional views of such an embodiment according to the invention;

Fig. 5

A sectional view through a lock cylinder, which fits a key according to the invention, with the key inserted;

Fig. 6

A sectional view through a lock cylinder that fits a key according to the invention, with no key inserted into the cylinder;

Fig. 7

A sectional view through a lock cylinder, which fits a key according to the invention, during the process of inserting the key;

Figures 8 and 9

an alternative embodiment of a movable element;

Fig. 10

A top view of a third embodiment of the key according to the invention;

Fig. 11

A front detailed view of the third embodiment according to the invention;

Fig. 12

A detailed side view of the third embodiment according to the invention;

Fig. 13

An exploded view of the third embodiment of the key according to the invention; and

Figures 14a-14b

Two cross-sectional views of the third embodiment of the key according to the invention.

The mode of operation and implementation of the invention is shown below using various exemplary embodiments. It goes without saying that the invention is not restricted to these embodiments, but also includes other embodiments that are consistent with the claims.

Figure 1a shows a first embodiment of a key 1 according to the invention, which has a bow 2, an insertion restriction 3, a shaft 4 and a movably mounted element 5 integrated into the shaft. The key is designed as a flat reversible key, ie the shaft is essentially flat and points Coding holes at least on the flat sides. At least the shaft 4 is symmetrical with respect to a rotation through 180 °.

The key 1 also has codes 6 in the form of holes of different depth and / or width.

In the embodiment shown, the movably mounted element 5 has four radially protruding from a central part 7 (with respect to an axis 9 of the bore 10 in which the moveable element is guided, see FIG Figures 1b, 1c ), guide sections 8 on both sides. The element 5 is introduced into the through bore 9 of the shaft, the movement of the element along the axis 10 of the bore 9 being limited by a stop 11 on each side of the shaft.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the element 5 is at the rear end of the shaft, i. towards the bow 3, especially behind the rearmost coding 6. However, the element can be attached anywhere on the shaft of the key without affecting functionality.

Figure 1b FIG. 11 shows a cross section along the line in FIG Fig. 1a level AA. The movably mounted element 5 is guided along the axis 10 through the lateral delimitation of the bore 9. A situation is shown in which the element 5 assumes a position in which the geometric center point of the element along the axis of the bore is not in the middle between the two flat sides 16.1-16.2 of the key. As a result, the element protrudes beyond a flat side, although the length 12 of the element along the axis of the bore is equal to the strength (thickness) 15 of the shaft.

Figure 1c shows a cross section along the plane BB drawn in FIG. la, in which the stops 11 implemented as a narrowing of the bore 9 are visible.

In Figure 2 is a detailed view of the first embodiment according to Figures 1a-1c shown, in which you can see the movable element 5 particularly well. Furthermore, in Fig. 2 the widths 13.1-13.4 and radial dimensions 14.1-14.3 of the guide parts 8 are shown. The radial extension of the fourth guide section is not off due to the stop designed as a narrowing of the bore Fig. 2 evident. The various guide parts can differ in their widths and radial dimensions. In the embodiment shown, the guide parts each have identical widths and identical radial dimensions, the width not having to correspond to the radial dimensions.

The respective dimensions and the arrangement of the guide parts are chosen so that they prevent tilting of the element when moving along the axis 10 of the bore within the specified tolerances, i.e. that the ratio between the length of the guide element along the axis of the bore and the widths of the guide parts is greater than 1.5. Furthermore, two non-parallel axes of the element are guided by the guide parts, one of the angles between the at least two axes preferably being 90 ° or the guide parts being arranged symmetrically at an angle of 360 ° divided by the number of guide parts.

In the in Fig. 2 As shown in the detailed view, the element 5 has four guide parts 8 which are arranged such that the element has a cruciform cross-section. Furthermore, spacings 19 are shown between the radially outer end faces and the wall of the bore, which lead to the fact that the guide parts 8 are only guided along their side faces.

In a further embodiment, the element has three guide parts, which are preferably arranged at an angle of 120 ° to one another.

Furthermore, the Figures 1 and 2 shown embodiments in that the maximum length of the element along the axis 10 of the bore 9 is identical to the thickness 15 of the shaft, ie the element does not protrude beyond the flat sides 16.1, 16.2 with appropriate centering along the bore.

In the Fig. 2 The guide parts shown have a recess 17 formed by a bevel towards the outside opposite the central part 7 of the element on. Thanks to these recesses 17, it is possible to integrate at least one stop in each of the two flat sides of the shaft in order to limit the movement of the element along the axis of the bore. In Fig. 2 the stops are the result of embossments 11 made on the flat sides of the shank near the bore. The stops integrated in this way run flush with the flat sides of the shaft.

The bevels of the guide parts also have the function of allowing the key to be pushed into the keyway with ease by pushing the tumblers backwards through the bevel.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the first embodiment of a key according to the invention according to FIG Figures 1 and 2 , in which the element 5 has not yet been introduced into the bore 9. After the element has been introduced into the continuous bore, the stops which limit the movement of the element along the axis 10 of the bore 9 are formed in a further work step. This is done, for example, by embossing designed to this effect, which are incorporated into the two flat sides of the shaft in the immediate vicinity of the bore.

Figure 4a shows in an exploded view a key 1 of a second embodiment. This has originally separate stop parts 18 which are fastened to the shaft and which form the stops of the guided movement of the element 5 by being introduced into a separate bore 23 for the stop parts. Furthermore, an element 5 designed with a view of the stop parts 18 is shown, which element differs slightly from the embodiment of FIG Figures 1a-2 differs.

Figures 4b and 4c show two cross-sectional representations, which show a possible configuration of the interaction between the movable element 5 and the stop parts 18. The stop parts 18 have a head 21 and a body 22 and can be pressed into the separate bore 23 (bore of the stop parts), which varies in diameter so that it has one area for the head and one for the body. The overlaps Bore for the stop parts in the head area the hole for the element 5. In the embodiment shown, the element is provided with recesses 24 against the stop parts, which allow the element to move up to a maximum deflection along the defined by the dimensions of the recesses To move the axis of the holes. The maximum deflection is reached as soon as the head of one of the two stop parts comes into contact with an ascending step 25 that defines the recess. The stop parts can be screwed, glued, pressed, soldered, welded or otherwise fixed in the hole. Figure 4b shows the situation when the element is centered, ie not deflected along the axis 10 of the bore 9. In Figure 4c the position of the element 5 is shown close to the maximum possible deflection.

Figures 5-7 show the mode of operation of a key 1 according to the invention in cooperation with an associated lock cylinder 30 Fig. 5 a possible embodiment is shown with a suitable key completely inserted into the lock cylinder. In the embodiment shown, the movable element 5 interacts with two tumblers 31, 32, which are loaded to different degrees by the two springs 33, 34. The spring 33 with the larger spring constant pushes the associated first tumbler 31, including the corresponding counter tumbler 35, into the rotor 36, whereby the movably mounted element is pushed along the axis of the bore in the direction of the flat side 37 facing away from the first tumbler 31. This in turn pushes the second tumbler 32 loaded by the spring 34 with the smaller spring constant in the direction of the stator. In the configuration shown, the movement comes to a standstill as soon as a state is assumed in which the first tumbler 31 presses against the tumbler stop 38. Alternatively or in addition, the movably mounted element 5 can press against one of the previously described stops which limit the movement of the element 5 in the shaft. Springs, tumblers, stops and movable elements are designed in such a way that, in said state, the dividing lines between the two tumblers 31,32 and the associated counter tumblers 35,39 with the Shear line 40 coincide between rotor 36 and stator 41 and the rotor can be rotated.

Figure 6 shows the situation in which no key has been inserted into the lock cylinder 30 via the key opening 47. The springs 33, 34 press the two tumblers as far into the rotor 36 and thus into the keyway 42 as the tumbler stops 38, 43 allow. In the embodiment shown, the tumbler stops are set such that the dividing line between the more heavily loaded tumbler 31 and the associated counter tumbler coincides with the shear line 40 if the tumbler 31 rests on the tumbler stop 38. This tumbler-counter tumbler pair does not lead to any blockage. On the other hand, if the tumbler 32, which is less loaded, rests on the tumbler stop 43, the counter tumbler 39 protrudes into the rotor and thus provides a lock 44.

Figure 7 shows the situation with a (matching) key not completely inserted into the lock cylinder 30 via the key opening 47, or with a completely inserted key which has no coding at the point of application of the two tumblers. In the embodiment shown, the more heavily loaded tumbler 31 is pushed in the direction of the stator 41, whereby a blockage 44 is created. At the same time, the more weakly loaded tumbler 32 is pushed in the direction of the stator 41, the tumbler 32 being designed so that the associated counter tumbler 39 still protrudes into the rotor 36 in this situation, i.e. the locking 44 of the less stressed tumbler caused by the counter tumbler Counter-tumbler pair remains in place even in the event of a maximum filling of the key channel given by the key opening 47, but not filling the key channel behind the key opening. This means that no conventional key that does not have a movable element can release the blockage caused by the weaker strained tumbler-counter tumbler pair, since this would require coding in the form of an elevation, so that such a key would no longer be able to be inserted into the lock cylinder .

In the Figures 5-7 the two tumbler-counter tumbler pairs are not perpendicular to the key channel 42 and they are not facing each other with a view to their reference axes. Furthermore, the two tumbler-counter tumbler pairs are arranged in such a way that their reference axes run radially. These are not mandatory requirements for the functionality of a key according to the invention in combination with an associated lock cylinder. One or both tumbler-counter tumbler pairs can also be arranged perpendicular to the key channel. Furthermore, they can lie collinearly opposite one another with respect to their axes of movement, whereby they do not necessarily have to be arranged normal to the keyway.

Figure 8 shows very schematically an alternative cross-sectional shape of a movable element 5. In contrast to the embodiments described above and below, the element has only three guide parts 8, which are also distributed asymmetrically.

• Das Element weist fünf Führungspartien 8 auf. Alternativ ist auch eine andere Anzahl von Führungspartien 8 möglich, beispielsweise sechs, sieben oder acht, wobei die Anzahl vorzugsweise mindestens drei beträgt.
• Die Führungspartien 8 weisen in Funktion der radialen Position keine konstante Breite auf, sondern verjüngen sich nach aussen hin.

Figure 9 FIG. 4 shows an embodiment which differs from that of FIG Figures 1-8 distinguishes:

• The element has five guide parts 8. Alternatively, a different number of guide sections 8 is also possible, for example six, seven or eight, the number preferably being at least three.
• As a function of the radial position, the guide parts 8 do not have a constant width, but taper towards the outside.

These two features are independent of one another, ie there are both elements with any number of guide sections of constant width and elements with guide sections of non-constant width with, for example, an arrangement as in FIG Figures 1-9 conceivable.

Guide sections of non-constant width can also include, for example, rounded shapes or shapes that expand outward in areas.

The Figures 10-14 show a third embodiment of a key 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the movably mounted element 5 is embedded in a first guide body 50.1 and a second guide body 50.2, which guide the element 5 along the axis 10 of the bore 9. The first guide body 50.1 has a first guide part 51.1 and a first stop part 51.1 and the second guide body 50.2 has a second guide part 51.2 and a second stop part 51.2.

The element 5 has at least one element-side stop 53 against both flat sides of the shaft. The movement of the element 5 along said axis 10 is limited by a first stop part 52.1 and a second stop part 52.2 by the stops 54.1 of the first stop part 52.1 ("first stops") and stops 54.2 of the second stop part 52.2 ("second stops") element-side stops 53 are matched.

Figure 10 shows a plan view of the key 1 according to the third embodiment shown. In addition to the aforementioned elements of a key, such as Reide 2, insertion restriction 3, shaft 4 and codes 6, the movable element 5, its central part 7 and its guide parts 8 and the first stop part 52.1 are visible.

Figure 11 is a detailed view of the key according to FIG Figure 10 showing the area around the movable member 5. In the embodiment shown, the guide parts 8 taper outwards in a linear manner. This taper can be described by specifying a minimum width 55.1 of the guide part 8 and a maximum width 55.2 of the guide part 8.

Figure 12 shows a detailed side view of the movable element 5 embedded in the first guide body 50.1 and second guide body 50.2.

The first and second guide body, consisting of the first and second guide part, the first and second stop part, and the element 5 embedded therein are designed as an insert 56 which can be pressed as a whole into the bore 9 of the shaft 4.

In the embodiment shown, the length of the element 5 along the longitudinal axis of the insert 56 is identical to the total length of the first and second guide body, the guide parts 8 and an annular area around the central part 7 having a bevel. These bevels are designed to enable effortless insertion of the key into the keyway by pushing the movable element 5 into the shaft 4 through the bevels, even with a force acting on the element 5 parallel to a flat side of the shaft 4 becomes.

Figure 13 shows an exploded view of the insert 56 according to FIG Figure 12 , consisting of a first guide body 50.1, a second guide body 50.2 and the movable element 5.

The first and second guide bodies are each in one piece and have a guide part (51.1, 51.2) and a stop part (52.1, 52.2).

Each guide part 8 runs from an end face of the movable element 5 over only part of the length of the movable element 5. The end of the guide part 8 facing away from this end face forms a stop 53 on the element side.

In the embodiment shown, the guide parts 8 have a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the element, which tapers towards the outside. The leading parts are therefore beveled. Alternatively, the guide parts can also be rounded and / or have curved side areas. In particular, convex side regions can have an advantageous effect on the guide properties due to an enlarged guide surface.

The guide parts that start from one end face are arranged offset relative to the guide parts that start from the other end face in such a way that element-side stops 53 are present.

The two stop parts are designed so that each stop part limits the movement of the guide parts 8 extending from the end face of the element 5 facing away from it in the direction of the flat side of the key on which the stop part is located. For this purpose, the first stop part 52.1 has first The stops 54.1 and the second stop part 52.2 have second stops 54.2 which interact with the element-side stops 53.

Furthermore, the first guide part 51.1 and the second guide part 51.2 are designed to hold all the guide parts, i.e. regardless of which end face of the movable element 5 they start from, to guide over the entire length of the first and second guide part.

In the embodiment shown, the first and second guide bodies are identical in shape. However, they differ in their orientation relative to one another.

Four guide parts 8 extend from each end face of the movable element 5, each of which has an angle of 90 ° to the two adjacent guide parts (the axis of rotation is the central longitudinal axis of the movable element 5). The four elements that extend from one end face of element 5 are rotated by 45 ° with respect to the four elements that extend from the other end face of element 5.

Consequently, the first guide part 51.1 and the second guide part 51.2 form a continuous channel with eight guide recesses 57, which each have an angle of 45 ° to the two adjacent guide recesses. Furthermore, each of the two stop parts has four stop part recesses 58 which, together with the four guide recesses 57, form a continuous channel which guides the four guide parts 8 arranged on the same side of the element 5. The four guide recesses 57, which guide the four guide parts 8 arranged on the other side of the element 5, are closed off by said stop part. The element-side surfaces of the stop part form the stops of the stop part.

Accordingly, the first guide body 50.1 differs from the second guide body 50.2 only in its orientation rotated by 45 ° (relative to the central axis of the element 5, or relative to the axis 10 of the bore 9).

The Figures 14a and 14b show a cross section along the in Figure 10 Plotted plane AA, the section going through two guide parts 8 on one side of the element 5, while the guide parts on the other side are arranged on other levels.

In Figure 14a the movable element 5 is located completely within the shaft 4 with the first flat side 16.1 and the second flat side 16.2. The guide parts 8 are guided along the channel formed by the first guide part 51.1 and the second guide part 51.2, the guide parts not being in contact with either the first stop part 52.1 or the second stop part 52.2. The same applies to the invisible leading parts.

The guide body and the movable element are pressed into the through hole 9. Alternatively, they could also be glued in, welded in or otherwise fastened.

In Figure 14b the movable element 5 is maximally deflected in the direction of the first flat side 16.1. The guide parts 8, which start from that flat side of the element 5 which faces away from this first flat side 16.1, are in contact with the first stop part 52.1. The maximum deflection in the direction of the second flat side 16.2 is defined analogously.

Claims (14)

1. A key (1) or key blank including a bow (2) and a shank (4), codings (6) being incorporated or being able to be incorporated into the shank, which serve for mechanically interacting with tumbler pins, which are fitted in a locking cylinder (30) and loaded by springs, as well as an element (5), which is fitted into a bore (9), which continuously connects a flat side (16.1) of the shank to the other flat side (16:2), wherein the element (5) is supported mobile along an axis (10) of the bore (9) and at least one abutment delimits said movement along the axis, characterized in that the mobile supported element (5) has a cross-section vertically to the axis (10) of the bore (9), which has a central part (7) and at least two guiding parts (8), wherein the guiding parts (8) extend radially to the central part in such a manner that they prevent the element from canting.
2. The key or key blank according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length (12) of the guiding parts along the axis of the bore to a width (13), which is defined vertically to radial directions, amounts at least to 1, preferably at least to 1.5.
3. The key or key blank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bore (9) is specified such that, at the radially outer ends thereof, the guiding parts (8) have spacings (19) to the wall of the bore such that the guiding parts are only guided along the sidewalls thereof.
4. The key or key blank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the element includes at least three guiding parts.
5. The key or key blank according to claim 4, wherein the element has a cruciform cross-section.
6. The key or key blank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the element has a maximum length (12) along the axis of the bore, which is identical to a depth (15) of the continuous bore or is shorter than said depth.
7. The key or key blank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one respective abutment delimits the movement of the element (5) along the axis of the bore on both sides, wherein an abutment part (18) forms each one of said abutments, which part (18) is attached to the shank (4) and/or an abutment part of the shank forms at least one of said abutments, which abutment part extends along the bore inwards from the flat side (16.1, 16.2).
8. The key or key blank according to any of the preceding claims, including a guiding body (50.1, 50.1), which is fitted into the bore (9) and which is formed to guide the mobile supported element (5) along the axis (10) of the bore (9) and/or to delimit the movement of the mobile supported element (5) along the axis (10) of the bore (9).
9. The key or key blank according to claim 8, wherein the guiding body (50.1, 50.2) includes a guiding part (51.1, 51.2) and an abutment part (52.1, 52.2), wherein the guiding part is adapted to guide the movement of the mobile supported element (5) along the axis (10) of the bore (9) and wherein the abutment part is adapted to delimit the movement of the mobile supported element (5) along the axis (10) of the bore (9).
10. A locking system, including a key according to any of the claims 1 to 9 and a locking cylinder (30) including a stator (41), which can be supported stationarily at the housing, as well as a rotor (36) located inside the stator and rotatable about an axis by using a key having the suitable coding, with a key channel (42), a key opening (47), at least two tumbler/counter-tumbler pairs supported in the rotor and the stator, wherein the counter-tumblers are loaded by one respective spring, wherein two tumbler/counter-tumbler pairs (31, 35; 32, 39) of the tumbler/counter-tumbler pairs are pre-loaded with springs (33, 34) having different spring constants such that one of said pairs forms a tumbler/counter-tumbler pair (32, 39) being less loaded and the other one of said pairs forms a tumbler/counter-tumbler pair (31, 35) being more loaded, and said two tumbler/counter-tumbler pairs being specified such that they interact with the element (5) of the key being supported mobile in the continuous bore of the key shank, in that they reach contact with the element (5) from one respective side of the shank.
11. The locking system according to claim 10, wherein the tumbler (32) of the less loaded tumbler/counter-tumbler pair has a length, which is reduced along the axis of movement thereof, to the effect that cancelling the blocking by means of the less loaded tumbler/counter-tumbler pair (32, 39) can only be accomplished by a part of the key engaging behind the key opening (47).
12. The locking system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the spring constant of the spring (33) of the more loaded tumbler/counter-tumbler pair (31, 35) is approximately double the spring constant of the spring (34) of the less loaded tumbler/counter-tumbler pair (32, 39).
13. The locking system according to any of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the tumblers are not located collinearly opposite each other.
14. The locking system according to any of the claims 10 to 13, wherein, with completely introduced key or key blank, the tumblers (31, 32) are exclusively in contact with the central part (7) of the element (5), wherein, towards both flat sides (16.1, 16.2) of the key or the key blank, said central part (7) includes end surfaces extending parallel towards said flat sides.

Images