EP3569799B1 - Locking actuating assembly with a key - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a key lock control assembly adapted to authorize the passage of a key to then enable a lock to be operated by rotating the key.

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

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

In addition, the cylinder has a set of three controllable keys closing the outlet slot. Each of the keys in the set comprises a control axis extending axially towards said input flange and a lever secured to said control axis. The lever extends radially towards the passage path conditioned to be able to cooperate with the bit of the key. Thus, if the rotation of the bit and the key is authorized, the bit sequentially drives the levers, and hence 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 be able to activate a lock mechanism located behind the outlet flange.

We can in particular refer to the document EP 1 681 411 B1 , which describes one such type of key lock control assembly. Although they are relatively safe, the risk that they can be picked remains. 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 which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is in particular to provide a key locking control assembly which is more difficult to pick. Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide an economical key lock control assembly.

For this purpose, a key locking control assembly is proposed comprising: an inlet flange having an entry slot and an opposite outlet flange having an outlet slot; a set of coded washers stacked between said inlet and outlet flanges to define a passage path 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 terminating in a free end, said bit being adapted to be engaged inside said passage path to cooperate with said coded washers and with said control axes when said key is rotated so as to separate said keys of said exit slot. Said outlet flange further comprises a movable flap for closing a portion of said outlet slot, while another portion of said outlet slot is free; and said free end has an eccentric stop capable of being engaged through said other portion to be able to move said movable flap away from said exit slot when said key is rotated to be able to axially engage said bit through said exit slot.

Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the implementation of the movable flap thanks to which the introduction of the coded bit through the exit slot is impossible, even if the coded bit corresponds to the encoding of the stacked washers, if the free end of the bit is not fitted with the eccentric stop. In this way, even if the encoding of the bit were 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 shutter and the associated key, the risk of break-in of the locking control assembly is further reduced. On the other hand, when the key associated with the locking control assembly is used, the eccentric stop engaged through the slot in said other portion can then abut against the movable shutter so that it retracts and thus completely frees the slot. Since the keys have already released this same exit slot, the bit can then be driven axially through the slot and beyond to then be able to act on the lock mechanism when the key is once again rotated. Thus, thanks to the movable flap, the exit slot is partially closed and consequently, the possibilities of picking are limited. And thanks to the eccentric stop of the free end of the key, the movable flap can easily be moved away from the exit slot. In this way, the locking control assembly according to the invention is difficult to hook and, moreover, it can be produced at an advantageous cost.

Furthermore, and according to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, said outlet slot has two opposite median enlargements in a circular segment, one of said enlargements forming said portion of said slot. Thus, the movable flap is adapted to extend into at least one of the two widenings 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 to receive said movable flap. The movable flap is then movable in translation inside the radial housing between a position where it extends in said slot portion and a position where it is retracted inside the radial housing. After the eccentric stop causes the moving flap to move apart and its retraction inside the radial housing, the bit is then driven in translation through the exit slot, while the moving flap is in sliding support against the same bit as will be explained later in the description. In this way, it remains in the radial housing.

Also, said radial housing advantageously has a shoulder to retain said movable flap in a closing position of said outlet slot portion. In this way, the mobile flap remains trapped in the radial housing which guides it in translation. Also, its travel is limited between a position where it completely closes said portion of the slot and a position where it is completely separated from it.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said outlet flange comprises an elastic member for maintaining said movable flap in a closing position of said outlet slot portion. Thus, the elastic member returns 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 removed from the exit slot, the movable flap returns to its position where it closes the slot portion.

According to a preferred mode of implementation, said movable flap and said elastic member are molded together in a single piece of polymer material. In this way, the elastic member and the movable flap are produced at an advantageous cost. Furthermore, said elastic member advantageously comprises at least two deformable tangent rings. Thus, when the polymer material is for example polyethylene or even polyamide, we obtain both a relatively rigid movable flap and elastically deformable rings.

According to a particularly advantageous variant of the invention, said free end of said bit has cylindrical symmetry with a circular base and said eccentric stop is formed of a diametric tongue. Thus, by providing two opposite median enlargements in a circular segment making it possible to form a circular shape with the complement of the exit slot, the end of the bit coincides perfectly with the nearest functional clearance with the exit slot. Also, it is easy to form a diametrical tab at the end of the bit. In this way, and as will be explained in more detail later in the description, the diametric tongue has a peripheral end which will be able to push back 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 one another with respect to said rod, to form said bit. The notches of the two notched parts, and in particular their depth, determine the encoding of the bit. Thanks to the symmetry of the two notched parts, the key can be inserted through the entry slot in two angular positions spaced 180° apart.

Also, said driving end of the rod ends in a free end forming said free end of said bit. Preferably, the stem of the key is therefore of cylindrical symmetry with the circular director. However, it is planned to use a key rod having a straight 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 particularities and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given for information but not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

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

There 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 this case a double bit 20. Beyond the double bit 20, the rod 12 extends to a free end 22 having a diametric tongue 24. The double bit 20 has two diametrically opposed plates 26, 28 and notched symmetrically and at determined depths to carry out encoding. It will be observed that the two plates 26, 28 extend along a mean plane Pm, and that the tongue 24 extends substantially perpendicular to the mean plane Pm defined by these plates 26, 28. Also, the tongue 24 defines eccentric peripheral stops 30 whose function will be explained in the remainder of the description. It also defines two axial support shoulders 32, 34.

There Figure 2 shows a locking control assembly comprising a cylinder 36 inside which is inserted the key 10 shown on the Figure 1 . The cylinder 36 has an inlet slot 38 made in an inlet flange 40 and through which the double bit 20 has been introduced. The cylinder 36 has a cylindrical protective casing 42 of which it is devoid on the Figure 3 .

We find on this Figure 3 the cylinder 36 and the rod 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 authorizes, or not, the axial engagement of the double bit 20 of the key 10 after rotation beyond the outlet flange 44 by allowing the movement of a set of keys 48 located opposite one face rear 49 of the outlet flange 44 as will be explained below with regard to the Figure 5 . The cylinder 36 also includes 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 outlet slot 50 which is here released to allow the passage of the double bit 20 as we will explain it below. We also find on this Figure 5 , the set of keys 48 moved away from the exit slot 50 thanks to the action of the key.

Thus, the key set 48 comprises a main key 52 in a position spaced from this outlet slot 50. The key 52 is mounted in sliding support against the rear face 49 of the outlet flange 44 and it extends substantially diametrically between a enlarged free end 54 of an extra-thickness plate 56 and an opposite end 58. The outlet flange 44 has a main peripheral notch 60 inside which extends, in an axial direction of the cylinder 36, a main control axis 62. The latter is integral at one of its ends, with the opposite end 58 in return of the key 52 and it extends opposite to a position located approximately halfway between the two flanges 40, 44.

The main control axis 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 relative to the first portion 66, and towards the conditioned passage path 47.

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

Furthermore, the cylinder 36 comprises a second secondary key 70 having a free end forming a hook 72 and an opposite end 74 secured to a secondary axis 76 extending axially. The outlet flange 44 has a secondary peripheral notch 78 receiving the secondary axis 76. The latter also includes a secondary lever 80. The secondary key 70 is in sliding support against the opposite end 58 in return of the main key 52 and its free end forming a hook 72 is abutting against an edge 82 of the extra-thickness plate 56 of the main key 52. Thus, the secondary key 70 is kept away from the outlet slot 50 of the outlet flange 44 which it releases.

Opposite the secondary key 70, a crutch key 84 is also kept spaced from the exit slot 50 by the main key 52. The crutch key 84 has a control axis 86 resting in a third notch 88 and which is 'extends axially. It is also equipped with a lever not shown in the Figure.

The keys 52, 70 and 84 are in this position illustrated on the Figure 5 , moved away from the exit slot 50 when the bit 20 has been introduced inside the passage path 47 and it has been rotated by 90°. Such a position of the keys 52, 70 and 84 remains when the bit has then been driven in translation through the exit 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 passage path 47 after a reverse rotation of 90°, the main lever 64 pivots and is driven towards the conditioned passage path 47. Consequently, the main key 52 also pivots around the main control axis 62 and closes the outlet slot 50 of the outlet flange 44. The free end forming a hook 72 of the secondary key 70 then escapes the edge 82 of the extra-thickness plate 56 and it in turn pivots towards the exit slot 50 as illustrated in the Figure 4 , by hooking the extra-thickness plate 56. It thus blocks the main key 52 from rotating. In turn, the crutch key 84 pivots towards the exit slot 50 and forms a support against the main key 52 to also block it from pivoting .

We will first refer to the Figure 10 to describe the rear face 49 of the outlet flange 44. There we find the outlet slot 50 which extends diametrically. We will observe that it presents an identical section, to the game functional, except for the section of the double bit 20 and the rod 12 of the key 10. It has a substantially rectangular longitudinal shape having two opposite median enlargements 90, 92, in a circular segment. The upper median enlargement 90 is opposite the lower median enlargement 92 and, a radial housing 94 made in the thickness of the outlet flange 44 opens substantially perpendicularly to the outlet 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, the function of which will be explained below.

The radial housing 94 is adapted to receive a movable flap 100 as shown in the Figure 8 . The movable flap 100 has a front part 102 and opposite, a rear part 104. The rear part 104 is then connected to two tangent 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 a single piece 111 in a polymer material, for example polyethylene. Therefore, the two elliptical rings 106, 108 are elastically deformable along the axis of symmetry D of said single part. It will also be observed that the front part 102 and the rear part 104 of the movable flap 100 are separated from each other by two opposite support shoulders 112, 114.

Thus, part 111 shown on the Figure 8 is adapted to be inserted into the radial housing 94, the front part 102 towards the outlet slot 50 and the tail 110 towards the periphery of the outlet flange 44.

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

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

First of all, as illustrated in the Figure 7 , showing a section in the thickness of the outlet flange 44, we find the radial housing 94 inside which the part 111 is inserted, the front part 102 extended in the upper median enlargement 90, while the two shoulders of The opposite support 112, 114, not referenced so as not to burden the drawing, rests on the shoulders 98, 96 of the axial housing 94, also not shown. It will be observed that the tail 110 of the part 111 is in radial abutment against the interior 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 passage path 47 along the axis of the cylinder C which then coincides with the axis of revolution A of the key, and this, until the diametrical tongue 24 engages under the front part 102 of the movable flap 100. The diametrical tongue 24 thus extends in a direction parallel to the average plane defined by the outlet slot 50.

From this situation as represented on the Figure 7 , and the relative position of the elements present, the rotation R of the key in the direction of clockwise at an amplitude close to 90°, not only caused the filtering of the double bit 20 through the set of coded washers 46, and hence 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 thanks to one of the eccentric peripheral stops 30 of the diametrical tongue 24. The diametrical tongue 24 then extends substantially perpendicular to the mean plane of the slot of exit 50 as illustrated Figure 9 .

On the Figure 9 , the front part 102 of the movable flap 100 has therefore been retracted inside the radial housing 94, while the two elliptical rings 106, 108 have been compressed and deformed elastically, the tail 110 pressing against the interior of the cylindrical protective casing 42. In this position, the diametrical tongue 24 thus maintains the movable flap 100 in the retracted position, while the double bit 20 extends opposite the exit slot 50. Consequently, the key 10 can be pressed even further so as to carry the double bit 20 through the exit slot 50 then out to the rear of the exit 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 part 102 of the movable flap 100 which remains retracted in the radial housing 94.

Conversely, when the double bit 20 is removed from the cylinder 36, the front part 102 of the movable shutter 100 escapes the reach of the rod 12 and its free end 22, and it is then driven through the upper median widening 90 thanks to the relaxation of the elliptical rings 106, 108 which return to their original shape.

Thus, we understand that it is impossible to insert a key whose double encoded bit corresponds to the set of coded washers, but which does not have a diametrical tab.

Claims (10)

1. A key locking control assembly comprising:

   - an input flange (40) having an input slot (38) and an opposite output flange (44) having an output slot (50) ;

   - a set of coded washers (46) stacked between said input (40) and output (44) flanges to define a passage path (47) between said slots (38, 50);

   - a set of controllable pins (48) extending facing said output slot (50), the pins (52, 70, 84) of said set comprising respectively a control axis (62, 76, 86) extending axially along said passage path (47);

   - a key (10) including a coded bit (20) terminating in a free end (22), said bit (20) being adapted to be engaged inside said passage path (47) to cooperate with said coded washers (46) and with said control axes (62, 76, 86) when said key (10) is driven in rotation so as to move said pins (52, 70, 84) away from said output slot (50);

   said output flange (44) further comprising a movable flap (100) for sealing a portion (90) of said output slot (50), while another portion of said output slot is free;

   characterised in that said free end (22) has an eccentric stop (30) capable of being engaged through said other portion in order to be able to move said movable flap (100) away from said output slot (50) when said key (10) is driven in rotation to be able to engage axially said bit (20) through said output slot (50).
2. The locking control assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that said output slot (50) has two opposite median enlargements (90, 92) in a circular segment, one (90) of said enlargements (90, 92) forming said one portion of said slot (50).
3. The locking control assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said output flange (44) has a radial housing (94) opening into said one portion (90) of said slot (50) to receive said movable flap (100) .
4. The locking control assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that said radial housing (94) has a shoulder (96, 98) for retaining said movable flap (100) in a sealing position of said one portion (90) of output slot (50).
5. The locking control assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said output flange (44) comprises an elastic member (106, 108) to hold said movable flap (100) in a sealing position of said one portion (90) of output slot (50).
6. The locking control assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that said movable flap (100) and said elastic member (106, 108) are moulded together in a one piece of polymer material.
7. The locking control assembly according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that said elastic member comprises at least two deformable tangent rings (106, 108) .
8. The locking control assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised 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 of a diametrical tab (24).
9. The locking control assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said key (10) includes a rod (12) having a manoeuvring end (16) provided with a ring and a drive end (18) equipped with two notched parts (26, 28) which are symmetrical to each other relative to said rod (12) to form said bit (20).
10. The locking control assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that said drive end (18) of the rod (12) terminates in a free end (22) forming said free end of said bit.

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