EP4269727A1 - Key element use, key element, key and key element manufacturing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a U-shaped key element (2) of a key (1) or tool made from a flat metal, in particular sheet metal, as a key element (2) for a double-bit lock, in particular for a double-bit lock of a control cabinet. The U-shaped key element (2) has a first flat leg (5) and a second flat leg (5) spaced apart from the first leg (5). The flat legs (5) are arranged parallel or almost parallel to one another in a key element plane (6).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a use of a U-shaped key element according to claim 1. The invention further relates to a key element of a flat key or tool made of metal, in particular of a metal sheet, for a use described herein according to the preamble of claim 7.

The invention also relates to a key according to the preamble of claim 13. The key can be a switch cabinet key and is used for Operating a double-bit lock, in particular a double-bit lock according to DIN 43 668.

Finally, the invention relates to a method according to claim 14, wherein the method is used to produce a key described herein.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Double-bit control cabinet locks are widely used. The keys for opening/closing a double-bit lock are usually made using complex metal or plastic casting processes.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the object of the invention is to simplify the production of keys for double-bit locks. This task is achieved by using a U-shaped key element according to claim 1. The use relates to a key element of a key or tool, the key/tool and therefore also the key element being made of a flat metal, in particular sheet metal. The key element is intended for a double-bit lock, in particular for a double-bit lock of a control cabinet. The U-shaped key element has a first flat leg and a second flat leg spaced apart from the first leg, the flat legs being arranged parallel or almost parallel to one another in a key element plane. The flat legs grip the lock where the beards of the double-bit key would otherwise grip. The simplification of the production of the key element is that the sheet metal forming the key is processed without metal casting processes or metal forging processes. The key also does not include a cavity or hollow cylinder section; any central pin of the double-bit lock will find enough space in the space between the legs of the U-shaped key element. The lock is activated in the same way as with the double bar key: The key element is inserted into the lock and turned there to the right or left.

According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the leg length of the legs is formed in such a way that the legs engage mechanically in the double-bit recess of the double-bit lock in such a way that the key element creates a torque sufficient for opening/closing the lock in the double-bit lock. Closure can be brought in. In this respect, it is expedient if the legs each have a width of approximately 3 mm to approximately 4 mm, preferably approximately 3.5 mm. The legs can be formed from a solid sheet metal material approximately 2 mm to approximately 3 mm thick, in particular from a solid material approximately 2.5 mm thick.

The key element can be formed exclusively from a, in particular one-piece, flat metal sheet metal part by punching out, sawing out, milling out and/or cutting out. When cutting sheet metal, the energy input can be carried out using heat or optically, for example with a laser, or with a suitable cutting medium.

It can be provided that the legs of the key element have a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section. To avoid injuries when handling the key element, the edges of the legs can, at least in sections, comprise chamfers and/or curves.

The key element preferably has an arm section adjacent to an arm of a key or tool, the arm section having a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section. The edges of the arm section or of the arm arranged on the arm section can also have chamfers and/or curves, at least in sections.

The key element can be designed for a double-bit lock according to DIN 43 668, whereby DIN 43 668 relates to a “key for cells or cabinet doors of electrical switchgear”, namely a “double-bit key”.

Simplifying the production of keys for double-bit locks is also possible with a key element according to claim 7. The key element can be part of a key or can be arranged on a key or key arm, in particular at the end or at the head. The key element includes a first flat leg and a second flat leg spaced apart from the first leg. The flat legs are arranged parallel or almost parallel to one another in a key element plane. The key element level is the plane of symmetry in which the flat sheet metal part is geometrically arranged.

Preferably, the key element can be formed in one piece from a flat metal sheet metal part, in particular by punching out, sawing out, milling out and/or cutting out. No casting or forging is required when producing the key element.

The legs of the key element can have a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section. The key element can have an arm section adjacent to an arm of a key, the arm section having a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section.

In a particularly stable and easy-to-produce key element variant, it is provided that the ratio of leg length to leg distance (L/A) is in the range between approximately 1 and approximately 2. The ratio of leg length to leg distance (L/A) is preferably approximately 1.3. The legs can have a leg length in a length range between approximately 7 mm and approximately 11 mm. The legs can have a leg spacing in a distance range between approximately 5 mm and approximately 7 mm. The key element can have an overall width in a width range between about 12 mm and about 14 mm have, preferably about 13 mm. The key element can have a total length in a total length range between about 9 mm and about 13 mm, preferably the total length can be about 11 mm. At least one leg can have at least one curve on the inside and/or outside. The radius of the rounding in the key element section between the legs can be in the range between approximately 1 mm and approximately 2 mm, in particular approximately 1.5 mm. The radius on the outside of the leg or key element can be in the range between approximately 4 mm and approximately 6 mm, preferably the radius there can be approximately 5 mm.

Simplifying the production of keys for double-bit locks is also possible with a (switch cabinet) key according to claim 13. Accordingly, the key comprises a key element described herein.

Simplifying the production of keys for double-bit locks is finally possible with a manufacturing method according to claim 14. The key element and key arm are therefore formed in one piece exclusively from a flat sheet metal part, in particular by punching out, sawing out, milling out and / or cutting out. The key is manufactured without metal casting process steps and without metal forging process steps.

The aforementioned components as well as those claimed and described in the exemplary embodiments to be used according to the invention are not subject to any special exceptional conditions in terms of their size, shape, material selection and technical conception, so that the selection criteria known in the field of application can be used without restriction.

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention result from the subclaims, as well as from the following description and the associated drawing, in which - by way of example - an exemplary embodiment of a control cabinet key is shown. Also individual features of the claims or of the embodiments can be combined with other features of other claims and embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1

einen Schlüssel mit einem hierin beschriebenen Schlüsselelement in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 2

eine Aufsicht auf einen Schlüssel gemäß Fig. 1 und

Fig. 3

eine seitliche Ansicht eines Schlüssels gemäß der Figuren 1 und 2.

Show in the drawing

Fig. 1

a key with a key element described herein in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

supervision of a key in accordance with Fig. 1 and

Fig. 3

a side view of a key according to Figures 1 and 2 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The Figures 1 to 3 show various views of a (switching cabinet) key 1, on which a U-shaped key element 2 is arranged at the end for actuating a double-bit lock. The key 1 can be part or component of a key tool with several key elements 2, in this respect the key 1 can include further elements 3 and/or fasteners 4.

The U-shaped key element 2 can be used so that a double-bit lock can be operated. The geometry and dimensions of a double-bit lock can be found, for example, in DIN 43 668. The two mutually adjacent and parallel legs 5 of the key element 2 replace the bit areas of a conventional double-bit key made from die-casting.

The legs 5 can be inserted into the closure over a length of approximately 8 to approximately 9 mm, preferably approximately 8.5 mm, thereby ensuring a stable engagement the closure can be achieved so that sufficient torque can be transferred from the key element 2 to the closure.

In Fig. 2 is a supervision of a key 1 according to Fig. 1 can be seen, whereby the key 1 and thus also the legs 5 of the key element 2 are arranged in the drawing plane, which forms the key element plane 6. In Fig. 2 It can be seen that the legs 5 of the key element 2 are spaced apart from one another; the distance fits geometrically approximately to the dimensions of a central pin of the double-bit lock. The U-shaped key element 2 has an arm section 7 which merges into an arm 8 of the key 1. The arm can have a width of about 7 to about 10 mm, preferably about 8 mm.

According to Fig. 3 Key arm 8 and key element 2 are formed from a flat material, for example from a flat metal sheet. The material thickness can be in the range of a few mm, for example it can be approximately 2.5 mm. The legs 5, the arm section 7 and the key arm 8 each have rectangular cross sections. The key 1 is formed in one piece, ie from a sheet metal part by cutting, punching, milling and/or sawing, and with regard to further elements (3), for example by bending. The key element 2 can, for example, be manufactured in such a way that an almost rectangular recess 9, possibly with curves, is created in the sheet metal by sawing/punching/cutting, the recess 9 being delimited by the legs 5.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

1

Key

2

Key element

3

another element

4

Fasteners

5

leg

6

Key element level

7

arm section

8th

poor

9

recess

Claims (14)

Use of a U-shaped key element (2) of a key (1) or tool formed from a flat metal, in particular sheet metal, as a key element (2) for a double-bit lock, in particular for a double-bit lock of a control cabinet, the U-shaped Key element (2) has a first flat leg (5) and a second flat leg (5) spaced apart from the first leg (5), the flat legs (5) being arranged parallel or almost parallel to one another in a key element plane (6). . Use of the U-shaped key element (2) according to claim 1, wherein the leg length of the legs (5) is formed such that the legs (5) mechanically engage in the double-bit recess of the double-bit lock in such a way that the key element (2 ) sufficient torque can be introduced into the double-bit lock to open/close the lock. Use of the U-shaped key element (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the key element (2) is formed exclusively from a, in particular one-piece, flat sheet metal part by punching, sawing, milling and/or cutting out. Use of the U-shaped key element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the legs (5) of the key element (2) have a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section. Use of the U-shaped key element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the key element (2) has an arm section (7) adjacent to an arm (8) of a key (1) or tool, and wherein the arm section (7 ) has a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section. Use of the U-shaped key element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the key element (2) is designed for a double-bit lock according to DIN 43 668. Key element (2) of a flat key (1) or tool made of metal, in particular of a metal sheet, for use according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a first flat leg (5) and a first leg (5) spaced apart second flat legs (5), the flat legs (5) being arranged parallel or almost parallel to one another in a key element plane (6). Key element (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the key element (2) is formed in one piece from a flat sheet metal part, in particular by punching out, sawing out, milling out and/or cutting out. Key element (2) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the legs (5) of the key element (2) have a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section, and/or in that the key element (2) has an arm section (7) adjacent to an arm (8) of a key (1), the arm section (7) having a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section. Key element (2) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the ratio of leg length to leg distance (L/A) is in the range between approximately 1 and approximately 2, the ratio of leg length to leg distance (L/A) preferably being approximately 1 .3. Key element (2) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the legs (5) have a leg length in a length range between approximately 7 mm and approximately 11 mm, and/or that the legs (5) have a leg spacing in a distance range between approximately 5 mm and approximately 7 mm, and/or that the key element (2) has a total width in a width range between approximately 12 mm and approximately 14 mm, preferably approximately 13 mm, and/or that the key element (2) has a total length in a total length range between approximately 9 mm and approximately 13 mm, preferably approximately 11 mm. Key element (2) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that at least one leg (5) has at least one curve on the inside and/or outside. Key (1), in particular switch cabinet key, for operating a double-bit lock, in particular a double-bit lock according to DIN 43 668, characterized by a key element (2), preferably arranged at the end, according to one of claims 7 to 12. Method for producing a key (1) according to claim 13, wherein the key element (2) and key arm (8) are formed in one piece exclusively from a flat sheet metal part, in particular by punching out, sawing out, milling out and / or cutting out, and wherein the production of the key ( 1) without metal casting process steps and without metal forging process steps.

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