EP3569799A1 - Locking control assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock control assembly includes: an outlet flange (44) having an exit slot (50); a set of washers (46) defining a passageway (47); a set of keys (48) facing said exit slot (50); a key (10) comprising a bit (20) terminated by a free end (22), and adapted to be engaged inside the passageway (47) to cooperate with said washers (46) and with said keys (52); , 70, 84) to move them away from said exit slot (50). Said outlet flange (44) further comprises a movable flap (100) closing a portion (90) of said outlet slot (50). And said free end (22) has an eccentric stop (30) adapted to be engaged through another slot portion to be able to move said movable flap (100) away from said exit slot (50).

Description

The present invention relates to a key lock control assembly adapted to allow the passage of a key to then allow to actuate a lock by driving the key in rotation.

Known locking control assemblies comprise a cylinder having on the one hand an inlet flange in which is provided an inlet slit and an opposite outlet flange in which is provided an exit slot angularly offset by approximately 90 °. compared to the entrance slot. The cylinder contains a set of washers stacked between the inlet and outlet flanges to define a conditioned path of passage of said key between said inlet slot and said exit slot. The passage path defined by the washers is conditioned in that it authorizes or not the rotation of the bit through the set of washers of an angle close to 90 °.

The washers have radially extended portions projecting towards the center of the passageway. Also, the key whose bit has radial notches to code it, is allowed to be rotated through the set of washers if the notches of the bit and the projecting portions of the rings coincide respectively.

In addition, the cylinder has a set of three controllable keys closing the exit slot. Each of the keys of the set comprises a control pin extending axially towards said inlet flange and a lever integral with said control pin. The lever extends radially towards the conditioned passage way to be able to cooperate with the bit of the key. Thus, if the rotation of the bit and the key is allowed, the bit sequentially drives the levers, and thus the control axes of the keys, which then release the exit slot. Therefore, the bit can then be pushed through the exit slot beyond the flange so as to actuate a lock mechanism located behind the outlet flange.

In particular, we can refer to the document EP 1 681 411 B1 which describes such a type of key lock control assembly. Although they are relatively safe, the risks of being hooked remain. We can also refer to the document FR 2,734,858 , describing a relatively secure, but complex and expensive key lock control assembly.

Also, a problem that arises and that aims to solve the present invention is in particular to provide a key lock control assembly that is more difficult to crochet. In addition, the present invention aims to provide an economic key lock control assembly.

For this purpose, there is provided a key lock control assembly comprising: an input flange having an input slot and an opposite output flange having an output slot; a set of coded washers stacked between said input and output flanges to define a path of passage between said slots; a set of controllable keys extending opposite said exit slot, the keys of said set respectively comprising a control axis extending axially along said passage path; a key comprising a coded bit terminated by a free end, said bit being adapted to be engaged within said passageway to cooperate with said coded washers and with said control pins when said key is rotated so as to move away said keys of said exit slot. Said output flange further comprises a movable flap for closing a portion of said output slot, while another portion of said output slot is free; and said free end has an eccentric abutment adapted to be engaged through said other portion to be able to move said movable flap away from said exit slot when said key is rotated in order to be able to axially engage said bit through said exit slot.

Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of the movable flap with which, the introduction of the bit coded through the output slot is impossible, even if the bit coded correspond to the encoding stacked washers, if the free end of the bit is not provided with the eccentric stop. In this way, even if the encoding of the bit is known to a third party, its reproduction would not allow the third party to use the key thus produced so that it can be engaged through the exit slot to control the lock located beyond. Thanks to the movable flap and the associated key, it further reduces the risk of burglary of the lock control assembly. However, when the key associated with the locking control assembly is implemented, the eccentric abutment engaged through the slot in said other portion can then abut against the movable flap so that it retracts and thus completely releases the slot. Since the keys have already released the same exit slot, the bit can then be driven axially through the slot and beyond to then act on the lock mechanism when the key is once again rotated. Thus, thanks to the movable flap, it closes part of the exit slot and therefore, it limits the possibilities of picking. And thanks to the eccentric stop of the free end of the key, it is easy to move the movable flap of the exit slot. In this way, the lock control assembly according to the invention is difficult to crochet and moreover, it can be realized at an advantageous cost.

In addition, and according to a feature of the invention particularly advantageous, said exit slot has two opposite median widening in circular segment, one of said enlargements forming said a portion of said slot. Thus, the movable flap is adapted to extend in at least one of the two enlargements of the exit slot to block the passage of the bit.

Preferably, said outlet flange has a radial housing opening into said portion of said slot for receiving said movable flap. The movable flap is then movable in translation inside the radial housing between a position where it extends into said slot portion and a position where it is retracted into the radial housing. After the eccentric abutment to cause the separation of the movable flap and its retraction inside the radial housing, the bit is then driven in translation through the exit slot, while the movable flap is in sliding contact against the same. bit as will be explained in the following description. In this way, it remains in the radial housing.

Also, said radial housing advantageously has a shoulder for retaining said movable flap in a closed position of said outlet slot portion. In this way, the movable flap remains trapped in the radial housing which guides it in translation. Also, its stroke is limited between a position where it completely closes said slot portion and a position where it is totally removed.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said outlet flange comprises an elastic member for holding said movable flap in a closed position of said outlet slot portion. Thus, the elastic member remembers the movable flap to a position where it abuts against the shoulder of the radial housing. In other words, as soon as the bit is withdrawn from the exit slot, the movable flap resumes its position where it closes the slot portion.

According to a preferred embodiment, said movable flap and said elastic member are molded together in one piece of polymeric material. In this way, the elastic member and the movable flap are made at an advantageous cost. Moreover, said elastic member advantageously comprises at least two deformable tangent rings. Thus, when the polymeric material is for example polyethylene or polyamide, one obtains both a relatively rigid movable flap and elastically deformable rings.

According to a particularly advantageous variant embodiment of the invention, said free end of said bit is of cylindrical symmetry with a circular base and said eccentric stop is formed of a diametrical tongue. Thus, by providing two opposite median widening in circular segment to form with the complement of the exit slot a circular shape, the end of the bit perfectly coincides with the functional clearance near the exit slot. Also, it is easy to form a diametrical tongue at the end of the bit. In this way, and as will be explained in more detail in the following description, the diametral tongue has a peripheral end that can come to push the movable flap when the key is rotated.

Preferably, said key comprises a rod having an operating end provided with a ring and a driving end equipped with two notched parts, symmetrical to each other with respect to said rod, to form said bit. The notches of the two notched parts, and in particular their depth, determines the encoding of the bit. Thanks to the symmetry of the two notched parts, the key can be introduced through the entrance slot in two angular positions spaced 180 ° from each other.

Also, said drive end of the rod ends with a free end forming said free end of said blade. Preferably, the stem of the key is therefore of cylindrical symmetry the circular director. However, it is expected to implement a key shaft having a cross section.

• la Figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une clé pour un ensemble de commande de verrouillage conforme à l'invention ;
• la Figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective de trois quarts avant d'un ensemble de commande de verrouillage selon l'invention ;
• la Figure 3 est une vue schématique partielle de dessus et de détail de l'ensemble de commande de verrouillage illustré sur la Figure 2 ;
• la Figure 4 est une vue schématique de trois quarts arrière de détail de l'ensemble de commande conforme à l'invention dans une première position ;
• la Figure 5 est une vue schématique de l'objet de la Figure 4 dans une seconde position ;
• la Figure 6 une vue schématique en perspective arrière de dessous de l'objet de la Figure 3 ;
• la Figure 7 est une vue schématique en perspective arrière de dessus de l'objet de la Figure 3 dans une première position ;
• la Figure 8 est une vue schématique de face d'un détail de la Figure 7 ;
• la Figure 9 est une vue schématique arrière des éléments représentés sur la Figure 7 dans une seconde position ; et,
• la Figure 10 est une vue schématique arrière d'un élément représenté sur la Figure 5.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of indication but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a key for a lock control assembly according to the invention;
• the Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of three quarters front of a lock control assembly according to the invention;
• the Figure 3 is a partial schematic top and detail view of the lock control assembly shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;
• the Figure 4 is a schematic view of three quarters rear detail of the control assembly according to the invention in a first position;
• the Figure 5 is a schematic view of the object of the Figure 4 in a second position;
• the Figure 6 a schematic rear perspective view from below of the object of the Figure 3 ;
• the Figure 7 is a schematic view in rear perspective from above of the object of the Figure 3 in a first position;
• the Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a detail of the Figure 7 ;
• the Figure 9 is a schematic rear view of the elements represented on the Figure 7 in a second position; and,
• the Figure 10 is a schematic rear view of an element represented on the Figure 5 .

The Figure 1 shows in rear perspective a key 10 having a rod 12 of cylindrical symmetry around an axis of revolution A and extending between a first end 14 provided with an operating member 16, and a second end 18 equipped with a bit and more precisely in the case of a double bit 20. Beyond the double bit 20, the rod 12 extends to a free end 22 having a diametrical tongue 24. The double bit 20 has two diametrically opposed plates 26, 28 and notched symmetrically and at specific depths to perform encoding. It will be observed that the two plates 26, 28 extend in a mean plane Pm, and that the tongue 24 extends substantially perpendicular to the average plane Pm defined by these plates 26, 28. Also, the tongue 24 defines off-center peripheral stops The function of which will be explained later in the description. It also defines two axial bearing shoulders 32, 34.

The Figure 2 shows a lock control assembly comprising a cylinder 36 inside which is introduced the key 10 shown on the Figure 1 . The cylinder 36 has an inlet slit 38 formed in an inlet flange 40 and through which the double bit 20 has been introduced. The cylinder 36 has a cylindrical protective casing 42 which it does not have on the Figure 3 .

We find on this Figure 3 the cylinder 36 and the shank 12 of the key engaged through the inlet flange 40. The cylinder 36 comprises, opposite the inlet flange 40, an outlet flange 44. Also, the cylinder 36 comprises, between the two flanges, a set of coded washers 46, which washers define a conditioned passage path 47 of the double bit 20. This set of coded washers 46 allows or not the axial engagement of the double bit 20 of the key 10 after rotation beyond the outlet flange 44 allowing the movement of a set of keys 48 located opposite a face rear 49 of the output flange 44 as will be explained below next to the Figure 5 . The cylinder 36 also has a split rear plate 45 located behind the set of keys 48.

We find on this Figure 5 the set of coded washers 46 engaged between the inlet flange 40 and the outlet flange 44. It will be observed that the outlet flange 44 has an exit slot 50 which is here released to allow the passage of the double bit 20 as one will explain it below. We also find on this Figure 5 , the set of keys 48 spaced from the exit slot 50 through the action of the key.

Thus, the set of key 48 comprises a main key 52 in a position spaced from this exit slot 50. The key 52 is mounted slidingly against the rear face 49 of the outlet flange 44 and extends substantially diametrically between a widened free end 54 of a thickened plate 56 and an opposite end 58. The output flange 44 has a main peripheral notch 60 inside which extends, in an axial direction of the cylinder 36, a main control shaft 62. The latter is secured at one of its ends, the opposite end 58 back of the key 52 and it extends the opposite to a position halfway about between the two flanges 40, 44.

The main control shaft 62 comprises a main lever 64 having a first portion 66 which extends substantially perpendicular to the main control axis 62 and a second free portion 68, which extends back from the first portion 66, and to the conditioned passageway 47.

As presented on the Figure 5 , the main lever 64 is retained in a position spaced from the path 47 through the double bit 20 of the key 10 which has been rotated 90 ° relative to its angular position during its introduction through the inlet slot 38 of the inlet flange 40.

In addition, the cylinder 36 has a second secondary key 70 having a free hook end 72 and an opposite end 74 integral with a secondary axis 76 extending axially. The outlet flange 44 has a secondary peripheral notch 78 receiving the secondary axis 76. The latter also comprises a secondary lever 80. The secondary key 70 is in sliding abutment against the opposite end 58 back of the main key 52 and its free hook end 72 is abutting against an edge 82 of the thickened plate 56 of the main key 52. Thus, the secondary key 70 is kept away from the output slot 50 of the output plate 44 it releases.

Opposite the secondary key 70, a cotter key 84 is also kept away from the exit slot 50 by the main key 52. The keyway 194 has a control pin 86 resting in a third slot 88 and which 'extends axially. It is also equipped with a lever (not shown in FIG.

The keys 52, 70 and 84 are in this position illustrated on the Figure 5 , spaced from the exit slot 50 when the bit 20 has been introduced inside the passageway 47 and has been rotated 90 °. Such a position of the keys 52, 70 and 84 remains when the bit was then driven in translation through the outlet slot 50 beyond the set of keys 48 to actuate a lock mechanism not shown.

On the other hand, when the double bit 20 is removed from the passageway 47 after a reverse rotation of 90 °, the main lever 64 pivots and is driven towards the conditioned passageway 47. Therefore, the main key 52 also pivots around main control shaft 62 and closes the exit slot 50 of the outlet flange 44. The free hook end 72 of the secondary key 70 then escapes the edge 82 of the thickened plate 56 and rotates in turn towards the exit slot 50 as illustrated on the Figure 4 , while coming to hang the plate in excess thickness 56. It thus blocks in rotation the main key 52. In turn, the kickstand key 84 pivots towards the exit slot 50 and comes to form a crutch against the main key 52 to block it also in pivoting .

We will first refer to the Figure 10 to describe the rear face 49 of the outlet flange 44. There is the exit slot 50 which extends diametrically. It will be observed that it presents an identical section, the game functional near, the section of the double bit 20 and the shank 12 of the key 10. It has a substantially rectangular longitudinal shape with two median widenings 90, 92 in circular segment. The upper median enlargement 90 is opposite to the lower median enlargement 92 and a radial housing 94 formed in the thickness of the outlet flange 44 opens substantially perpendicularly to the exit slot 50, in the upper enlargement 90 and, at the opposite, in the periphery of the outlet flange 44. This radial housing 94 has two opposite shoulders 96, 98 whose function will be explained below.

The radial housing 94 is adapted to receive a movable flap 100 as shown in FIG. Figure 8 . The movable flap 100 has a front portion 102 and the opposite a posterior portion 104. The posterior portion 104 is then connected to two tangential elliptical rings 106, 108 and the last 108, is provided with a tail 110. The flap mobile 100, the two elliptical rings 106, 108 and the tail 110 are molded together in one piece 111 in a polymeric material, for example polyethylene. Therefore, the two elliptical rings 106, 108 are elastically deformable along the axis of symmetry D of said single piece. It will also be observed that the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104 of the movable flap 100 are separated from each other by two opposite bearing shoulders 112, 114.

Thus, the piece 111 represented on the Figure 8 is adapted to be inserted in the radial housing 94, the front portion 102 to the outlet slot 50 and the tail 110 to the periphery of the outlet flange 44.

In this way, and as illustrated by Figure 6 , through the split rear plate 45, the front portion 102 of the flap 100 extends into a portion of the exit slot 50 and more precisely, in the portion corresponding to the upper median widening 90. Therefore, thanks to the flap mobile 100, the double bit 20 of the key 10 can not be driven through the exit slot 58, even though it would have crossed the filter of the set of coded washers 46 because, the free end 22 of the rod 12 of section cylindrical circular base, would abut against him, if however this free end 22 was not provided with the diametral tongue 24.

Indeed, as we will explain with regard to Figures 7 and 9 , while keeping an eye on Figures 8 and 10 , the diametral tongue 24 allows to retract the movable flap 100.

First of all, as illustrated on the Figure 7 , showing a section in the thickness of the outlet flange 44, there is the radial housing 94 inside which is inserted the piece 111, the front portion 102 extended in the upper median widening 90, while the two shoulders opposite support 112, 114, not referenced to not weigh down the drawing, rest on the shoulders 98, 96 of the axial housing 94, not shown either. It will be observed that the shank 110 of the workpiece 111 is in radial abutment against the inside of the cylindrical protective casing 42 which in the figure has been removed for the purposes of the detailed description.

Thus, the double bit 20 of the key 10 has been inserted in translation inside the conditioned passageway 47 along the axis of the cylinder C which is then coincidental with the axis of revolution A of the key, and this until the diametral tongue 24 comes to engage under the front portion 102 of the movable flap 100. The diametrical tongue 24 thus extends in a direction parallel to the mean plane defined by the exit slot 50.

From this situation as represented on the Figure 7 , and the relative position of the elements in the presence, the rotation R of the key in the direction of clockwise by an amplitude close to 90 °, has not only caused the filtering of the double bit 20 through the set of coded washers 46, and thus the spacing of the keys not shown on this Figure 7 , but also the retraction of the movable flap 100 inside the radial housing 94 through one of the eccentric peripheral stops 30 of the diametral tongue 24. The diametrical tongue 24 then extends substantially perpendicularly to the mean plane of the slot of exit 50 as illustrated by Figure 9 .

On the Figure 9 , the front portion 102 of the movable flap 100 has been retracted into the radial housing 94, while the two elliptical rings 106, 108 have elastically compressed and deformed, the tail 110 bearing against the inside of the cylindrical protective casing 42. In this position, the diametral tongue 24 thus maintains the movable flap 100 in the retracted position, while the double bit 20 extends opposite the exit slot 50. As a result, the key 10 can be depressed even further. in order to carry the double bit 20 through the exit slot 50 and then out of the rear of the outlet flange 44 and the set of keys 48. During the depression of the key 10, the rod 12 is driven in friction against the front portion 102 of the movable flap 100 which remains retracted into the radial housing 94.

Conversely, when the double bit 20 is withdrawn, the cylinder 36, the front portion 102 of the movable flap 100 comes to escape the scope of the rod 12 and its free end 22, and is then driven through the upper median enlargement 90 due to loosening of the elliptical rings 106, 108 which resume their original shape.

Thus, it is understood that it is impossible to insert a key whose double bit encoded would match the set of coded washers, but which would be devoid of diametrical tongue.

Claims (10)

Key lock control assembly comprising: an inlet flange (40) having an inlet slot (38) and an opposite outlet flange (44) having an exit slot (50); - a set of coded washers (46) stacked between said inlet (40) and outlet (44) flanges to define a passageway (47) between said slots (38, 50); - a set of controllable keys (48) extending opposite said exit slot (50), the keys (52, 70, 84) of said set respectively comprising a control axis (62, 76, 86) extending axially along said passageway (47); a key (10) comprising a coded bit (20) terminated by a free end (22), said bit (20) being adapted to be engaged inside said passageway (47) to cooperate with said coded washers ( 46) and with said control pins (62, 76, 86) when said key (10) is rotated so as to move said keys (52, 70, 84) away from said exit slot (50); characterized in that said output flange (44) further comprises a movable flap (100) for closing a portion (90) of said output slot (50), while another portion of said output slot is free;
and in that said free end (22) has an eccentric stop (30) adapted to be engaged through said other portion to be able to move said movable flap (100) away from said exit slot (50) when said key (10) is driven in rotation to axially engage said bit (20) through said outlet slot (50). A lock control assembly as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said exit slot (50) has two opposite median widenings (90, 92) in a circular segment, one (90) of said enlargements (90, 92) forming said a portion of said slot (50). Locking control assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said outlet flange (44) has a housing radial (94) opening into said one portion (90) of said slot (50) for receiving said movable flap (100). Locking control assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said radial housing (94) has a shoulder (96, 98) for retaining said movable flap (100) in a closed position of said one portion (90) of exit slot (50). A lock control assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said outlet flange (44) comprises an elastic member (106, 108) for holding said movable flap (100) in a closed position said portion (90) of exit slot (50). Locking control assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that said movable flap (100) and said elastic member (106, 108) are molded together in one piece of polymeric material. Locking control assembly according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said elastic member comprises at least two deformable tangent rings (106, 108). Locking control assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said free end (22) of said bit (20) is of cylindrical symmetry with a circular base and in that said eccentric stop (30) is formed a diametral tongue (24). Locking control assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said key (10) comprises a rod (12) having a maneuvering end (16) provided with a ring and a drive end (18) equipped with two parts (26, 28) notched symmetrical to each other relative to said rod (12) to form said bit (20). Locking control assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that said drive end (18) of the rod (12) terminates in a free end (22) forming said free end of said blade.

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