ES2609635T3 - Safety device for a cylinder lock - Google Patents

Abstract

Security device adapted to engage with a cylinder lock, said security device comprising a substantially cylindrical housing (2) that can be associated with said lock and provided with a first axial opening (3) adapted to accommodate a cylinder of said lock, being said first axial opening (3) arranged eccentrically with respect to said housing (2), a combinatorial unit (20, 21) that includes magnetic means (22, 23), a sliding element (17) that can slide with respect to said housing (2) between a locking position, in which said sliding element (17) occludes said first axial opening (3) in order to prevent, in use, access to said cylinder, and an unlocking position, in which said sliding element (17) allows access to said first axial opening (3), the transition between said locking position and said unlocking position being able to be operated, and vice versa, by means of an actuator or (36) magnetic provided with a combination adapted to act in conjunction with said magnetic means (22, 23) of said combinatorial unit (20, 21), said sliding element (17) being interposed between said housing (2) and a shield ( 7) protector adapted to engage with said housing (2), said shield (7) being provided with a second through opening (8) arranged eccentrically with respect to the center of said shield (7) such that said second opening ( 8) intern is aligned, in use, with said first axial opening (3), in which said combinatorial unit (20, 21) is adapted to be housed inside, and to be able to move together with, said sliding element (17) .

Description

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SECURITY DEVICE FOR A CYLINDER LOCK

DESCRIPTION

Technical field of invention

The present invention relates to a safety device for a cylinder lock, in particular for doors or gates, designed to prevent attempts to manipulate the lock, break it or vandalize it.

Prior art

Currently known cylinder locks, suitable, for example, to allow the closing and opening of a door or gate, comprise a cylinder that is operated by a relative key inserted in a keyhole formed axially with respect to the cylinder. Cylinder locks of known type are generally made of brass, a material that offers little mechanical resistance against forced attempts carried out by drilling and / or breakage and / or extraction.

A known means of protecting the cylinder lock against possible forced entries is to mount a covering element arranged in the cylinder lock to cover the cylinder and consisting of a circular bezel plate which is provided, in the keyhole, of a round hole in which a lock eye cover disc is provided rotatably provided with a slot that allows the key to be inserted.

Although they improve the protection of the cylinder, such trim plates do not prevent partial access to the cylinder through the slot in the keyhole cover; therefore, the cylinder is still exposed to possible acts of manipulation or vandalism, such as, for example, insertion through said glue groove or other substances that can damage the cylinder.

Italian patent IT 1342717, on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, describes a safety device for a cylinder lock that includes an essentially rectangular shaped base plate at one end of which a through opening is formed in the one that inserts the part of the cylinder that protrudes from the lock.

On the front surface of the base plate, facing the direction opposite to the lock, two seats are provided within which two substantially cylindrical cams containing magnets are rotatably housed.

A recess is formed radially on the side surface of each cam that can be engaged with a respective locking pin slidably housed in a through channel formed transversely to the base plate and communicating with the respective cam seat. Each pin is driven externally in the respective channel by means of a spring inserted in the channel.

With the front surface of the base plate and, therefore, on the external side of the door in order to be accessible to the user, a covering element that can selectively occlude the cylinder of the sliding part is associated lock. Laterally with respect to the covering element, suitable notches are formed on each side, which can be engaged with the pins protruding from the base plate when the covering element completely occludes the cylinder; in this way the sliding of the covering element with respect to the base plate is interlocked.

The unlocking of the covering element is made possible by placing on it a relative magnetic key containing magnets that can be coupled with the magnets contained in the cams to cause rotation of these cams until the circumferential recesses are brought to an axial alignment position with the pins.

The lowering of the covering element causes the pins to exit the lateral notches and enter the cavity recesses, so that the covering element is allowed to slide down with respect to the base plate and the cylinder is made accessible to insert the key to open the door.

Although the safety device described above provides greater protection with respect to conventional trims with keyhole covers, however it has some drawbacks. First, the dimensions of the device, and particularly its considerable vertical extent, in addition to making it aesthetically unattractive, can cause clogging or jamming during the sliding of the coating element.

In addition, the placement of the covering element outside the base plate and, therefore, in a visible position on the external side of the door on which the device is installed, makes it easily susceptible to attacks and possible manipulation actions , forced entry and vandalism, for example, by hitting it with mallet blows to forcefully lower the covering element or piercing it with a auger to access the cylinder,

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even when the covering element is in the locked position.

Another possible drawback is in the complicated unlocking procedure under normal conditions, in which it is required that the user apply, with some force, a downward thrust on the covering element to disengage the pins from the side notches of the covering element. .

WO 2007/088765 discloses a safety device adapted to engage with a cylinder lock comprising:

- a substantially cylindrical housing that can be associated with the lock and provided with a first axial opening adapted to accommodate a cylinder of said lock,

- a combinatorial unit that includes magnetic means,

- a sliding element that can slide with respect to the housing between a locking position, in which the sliding element occludes the first opening in order to prevent, in use, access to the cylinder, and an unlocking position, in the that the sliding element allows access to the first opening,

in which the transition between the blocking position and the unlocking position, and vice versa, can be operated by a magnetic actuator provided with a combination adapted to act in conjunction with the magnetic means of the combinatorial unit, and in which the sliding element is interposed between the housing and a protective shield adapted to engage with the housing. The shield is provided with a second through opening aligned, in use, with the first opening.

WO 03/025316 discloses a cylinder lock protector for vehicles in which a sealing plate, which acts between a position to close an insertion hole corresponding to the keyhole of a cylinder lock and a position to open The insertion hole is contained in a housing, and a magnet lock is arranged that allows the action of the sealing plate from the closing position to the opening position when a magnet key is adjusted in an adjustment recess in the Case. The insertion hole is arranged eccentrically with respect to the housing and the keyhole is arranged eccentrically with respect to the center of the shield.

Summary of the invention

The main objective of the present invention is, therefore, to devise a safety device of a cylinder lock that can overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. Within the scope of the previous objective, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a safety device for a cylinder lock provided with a greater capacity to resist attempts of forced entry, manipulation or vandalism.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a device that combines the protection or shielding functions of the cylinder in a single structure. A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a safety device that has a more compact structure, to ensure both more reliable operation and a more attractive aesthetic appearance. Still another purpose is to perform a device in which the locking and unlocking operations performed by the user can be carried out more easily. A no less important purpose is to make a safety device for a cylinder lock that achieves the objective and the above purposes at competitive costs and that can be created with the usual well-known machines, systems and equipment.

The purpose and the above purposes, and others that will be more evident in the following description, are achieved by a safety device for a cylinder lock according to claim 1.

Brief description of the figures

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached figures, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates, in an exploded view in front perspective, a safety device for a cylinder lock according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 illustrates the device of Figure 1 according to an exploded view in rear perspective;

- Figures 3a to 3c illustrate different phases of operation of the device of the previous figures, partially disassembled;

- Figure 4a illustrates in a front elevation the device to which a magnetic key is coupled in a position of

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blocking;

- Figure 4b is a cross section along the plane A-A of Figure 4a;

- Figure 5a illustrates, on a front elevation, the device with which a magnetic key is paired in an unlocked position;

- Figure 5b is a cross section along the plane B-B of Figure 5a;

- Figures 6a and 6b schematically show the device mounted on a protective shield, respectively in the locked and unlocked position;

- Figures 7a to 7c illustrate the sequence of operation that a user must follow in order to clear access to the cylinder and open the lock on which the device is mounted;

- Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the protective device according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to the aforementioned figures, reference number 1 indicates a safety device for a cylinder lock 100 (figure 7a) applicable, for example, to a door 200. The device comprises a basic body, or housing 2, of essentially cylindrical shape that can be associated with the lock 100 and provided with a first axial opening 3 for inserting a cylinder (not shown in the attached figures). The first opening 3 is arranged in an eccentric position with respect to the housing 2.

As a protection of the first opening 3 and, therefore, of the cylinder contained therein, a lock eye cover disk 4 that can be associated with the housing 2 in a recessed circumferential part 5 disposed thereon can be advantageously provided on a rotating basis. length of at least one edge portion of the first opening 3. The keyhole cover disk 4 is provided with a groove 6 to allow the insertion of the rod of a relative key 300 into the cylinder lock 100. A protective shield 7 is adapted to engage the housing 2 from the side opposite the direction of insertion of the cylinder so that, when in use, it is arranged on the side facing outward of the door 200.

The protective shield 7 is provided with a second through opening 8 arranged eccentrically with respect to the center of the shield 7 so that, preferably when the device is installed, said second opening 8 is substantially aligned coaxially with the first opening 3 of the housing 2 and, if present, with the keyhole cover disk 4. On the inner surface 9 of the protective shield 7 opposite to the housing 2 there is provided a cavity 10 having a substantially straight extension and arranged substantially parallel to the central axis that passes through the second opening 8 and the protective shield 7.

Guiding means 11, 12 are advantageously provided laterally with respect to said cavity 10, consisting, for example, of a first part 11 on one side of the cavity 10 and a second part 12 on the opposite side, both of which are lowered with respect to the internal surface 9 of the protective shield 7 oriented to the housing 2.

The cavity 10 or, if present, the guiding means 11, 12 have, at least on one side and preferably on each side of its longitudinal extension, stop means, whose function will be better explained below, which comprise, in one side, at least a first notch 13 and a second notch 14 and advantageously, on the opposite side, at least a third notch 15 and a fourth notch 16.

In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in the attached figures, the one formed by the first notch 13 and the second notch 14 is disposed deviated from the pair formed by the third notch 15 and the fourth notch 16. In particular, the first notch 13 is disposed near the end of the cavity 10 adjacent to the second opening 8 and the second notch 14 in an intermediate section; on the opposite side, the third notch 15 is disposed in an intermediate section of the cavity 10 and the fourth notch 16 near the opposite end of the cavity 10 with respect to the second opening 8.

Advantageously, the walls of the cavity 10, or the first recessed part 11 and the recessed second part 12, are joined near the respective notches 13, 14, 15, 16 through an inclined plane or a rounded section.

A sliding element 17 is slidably housed within the cavity 10 and can move between a blocking position (figures 3a, 4a, 4b, 7a), in which the sliding element 17 closes the second opening 8 so that it occludes the cylinder lock 100 and prevents access to it through the first opening 3 and the slot 6, if any, in the lock eye cover disk 4, and an unlocking position (figures 3c, 5a, 5b , 7c), in which the sliding element 17 clears the passage through the second opening 8 to allow the user to insert the rod of the key 300 into the cylinder through the slot 6 and the opening 3.

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A combinatorial unit of the magnetic type is adapted to be accommodated in the sliding element 17 so that it can move together with the sliding element 17. The combinatorial unit comprises at least one cam, preferably two cams 20, 21, in each of which magnetic means 22, 23 are housed; the rotation of the cams, driven by a magnetic actuator 36 as will be better explained below, allows the sliding element 17 to slide or interlock it by means of suitable interlocking means 30, 31 controlled by the cams 20, 21. In the positions end of movement of the sliding element 17, that is, when the sliding element 17 is in its upper or locked position to occlude the second opening 8 or in the lower unlocking position, the locking means 30, 31 engage with the means stop, which comprise at least notches 13, 14 and / or 15, 16 for stably locking the sliding element in said positions.

To this end, the sliding element 17 is provided with at least a first seat 18 and a second seat 19, essentially circular in shape and disposed deviated from each other, adapted to rotatably accommodate the first cam 20 and the second cam 21. Of course, if there is only one single cam, the sliding element 17 will therefore be provided with a single seat.

In the first cam 20 first magnetic means 22 are housed and in the second cam 21 second magnetic means 23 are housed; the first and second magnetic means 22, 23 may include at least one magnet on each cam, of opposite polarity, or two magnets of opposite polarity SN on the first cam 20 and the same amount of magnets of opposite polarity on the second cam 21 , or, again, two magnets of the same polarity SS on the first cam 20 and two magnets of the same polarity, opposite the first, NN, on the second cam 21. In each case, the configuration of the magnets must be such that, in the final locking and unlocking positions of the sliding element 17, a magnet housed in the first cam 20 is oriented to the opposite polarization magnet housed in the second cam 21, as shown by way of example in the figures 3a and 3c. Naturally, it is possible to provide more than two magnets so that the combinatorial possibilities of the device are increased.

In the circumference of each cam 20, 21 a first groove 24 and a second groove 25 are formed respectively. A pair of washers 26, 27 are advantageously provided to hold and cover the first cam 20 and the second cam 21 in the respective seats 18, 19.

Within the thickness of the sliding element 17, on the respective sides, a first duct 28 and a second duct 29 are arranged axially offset from each other and in communication, respectively, with the first seat 18 and the second seat 19 approximately in their axes respective cross sections. The conduits 28, 29 are suitable for slidingly accommodating the locking means of the sliding element 17, comprising a respective first pin 30 and second pin 31, whose sliding movement is opposed by elastic means such as a first spring 32 and second spring 33 respective deviations against suitable stops 34, 35 provided in conduits 28, 29.

The movement of the sliding element 17 from the locked position to the unlocked position, and vice versa, is achieved by a magnetic actuator 36 provided with a suitable combination of third magnetic means (not shown in the attached figures) adapted to engage with the combination defined by the first and second magnetic means 22, 23 contained in the first and second cam 20, 21 to cause rotation of the latter, as will be better explained below. Advantageously, the sliding element 17 is provided with a recess 37 to avoid interference, in the unlocked position, with the second opening 8.

The operation of the device is as follows: in the state with the door closed with the safety device actuated and, therefore, with the sliding element 17 covering the second opening 8 from the inside to prevent access to the cylinder lock ( Figures 3a, 4a, 4b, 7a), the first and second magnetic means 22, 23 are arranged so that a magnet contained in the first cam 20 is oriented towards the magnet of opposite polarity contained in the second cam 21, such as It is shown by way of example in Figure 3a. With this arrangement, the first spring 32 pushes the head of the first pin 30 in engagement with the first notch 13, while the opposite end of the first pin 30 presses against the cylindrical wall of the first cam 20 from an approximately opposite direction to the first slit 24.

Similarly, and symmetrically, the second spring 33 pushes the head of the second pin 31 into engagement with the third notch 15, while the opposite end of the second pin 31 presses against the cylindrical wall of the second cam 21 from one direction approximately opposite to the second groove 25. In this way, the sliding movement of the sliding element 17 is interlocked by engaging the pins 30, 31 with the respective notches 13, 15, preventing access to the cylinder and, therefore, to the lock. In order to release the sliding element 17 and, therefore, to allow access to the cylinder to insert the key 300, it is necessary to place the magnetic actuator 36 on the external face of the safety device in the position of the second opening 8, covered so internal by the sliding element 17.

The specific magnetic combination preset in the actuator 36 causes the misalignment of the magnetic means 22, 23 and, therefore, the rotation counterclockwise, with reference to Figure 3b, of

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the first and second cam 21,21 so that the first slit 24 is placed in axial alignment with the first pin 30 and, consequently, the second slit 25 with the second pin 31. The springs 32, 33 therefore push the respective pins 30, 31 in engagement with grooves 24, 25.

The downward movement of the actuator 36, while maintaining constant contact with the safety device as shown by way of example in Figure 7b, allows the release of the heads of the pins 30, 31, which are no longer subjected to the actions of the springs 32, 33, of the respective notches 13, 15 as shown by way of example in Figure 3b and, therefore, the sliding down of the sliding element 17 along the means 11 , 12 guiding which, in turn, gradually clears the second opening 8 to allow, once the operation is completed, the opening of the lock.

At the end of the downward movement the actuator 36 is removed and the sliding element 17 reaches the unlocked position, shown by way of example in Figures 3c, 5a, 5b and 7c; the removal of the actuator 36 causes the reverse rotation, in the clockwise direction with reference to FIG. 3c, of the cams 20, 21, which return to the initial position with the first magnetic means 22 aligned with the second means 23 magnetic by effect of magnetic attraction between magnets of opposite polarities. The ends of the pins 30, 31 are disengaged from the respective slits 24, 25 and, pushed by the action of the springs 32, 33, the heads of the first pin 30 and the second pin 31 are respectively engaged in the second notch 14 and in the fourth notch 16. In this way, the sliding element 17 is locked in the unlocked position at the stop of the movement, thus completely clearing the second opening 8 and allowing access with the key 300 to the cylinder to open the door 200. To return the safety device 1 back to the unlocked position it is sufficient to repeat the operation in reverse sequence, placing the actuator 36 in the safety device 1 and dragging it upwards.

The advantageous presence of inclined planes or arc-shaped connection sections between the notches 13, 14, 15 and 16 and the guiding means 11, 12 facilitates the release of the heads of the pins 30, 31 to release the sliding movement of the sliding element 17, making it easier for the user to remove the actuator 36 without requiring strenuous efforts.

From the foregoing, it is evident how the present invention achieves the initially intended purposes and advantages: in fact, a safety device for a cylinder lock has been designed that can overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, and in particular a device which has a level of resistance and, therefore, a more effective security against attempts of forced entry and manipulation and vandalism, which results from the arrangement of the sliding element 17 and the combination mechanism, which consists of cams 20, 21, the magnetic means 22, 23 and the pins 30, 31, which are fully secured and protected within the structure of the same mechanism and, therefore, much less prone to external attacks; therefore, the structure of the device integrates and performs the functions of both protection and shielding of the cylinder lock, when it is in the locked position.

Another advantage of the present invention is found in the extremely compact structure of the device, obtained as a result of previously arranging the combinatorial unit within the cursor 17. In this way, it was possible to obtain a device with a more reliable operation, as it was not prone to jamming or binding and less susceptible to external agents, such as ice formation, in addition to having an attractive aesthetic appearance. The housing of the combinatorial unit within the sliding element also makes it possible to obtain the advantage that, even in case of perforation of the device in an attempt of forced entry, the sliding element remains locked in its position.

It is also noted that the compact structure thus achieved makes it possible to considerably reduce the operating displacement of the sliding element, which remains contained within the maximum diameter of the protective shield 7, making it possible to reduce the dimensions in the door and embed the safety device in a washer. 38 for a more attractive aesthetic appearance, as shown by way of example in Figures 6a, 6b.

An additional advantage is the ease for the user to carry out the locking and unlocking operations, further facilitated if inclined approach areas are provided near the locking and unlocking positions of the sliding element.

Naturally, the present invention is susceptible to numerous applications, modifications or variants without thereby departing from the scope of patent protection as defined in claim 1. For example, the combinatorial unit may include more than two cams, with the notches and relative locking pins, to increase the number of combinations available; Figure 8 shows, by way of example, a further embodiment of the safety device according to the present invention, in which the protective shield 107 in which the sliding element 117 is slidably housed is illustrated, the movement of which is controlled by a combinatorial unit comprising three cams 120, 121 and 122.

In addition, the materials and equipment used to implement the present invention, as well as the forms and

dimensions of the individual components, may be the most suitable for specific requirements.

Claims (6)

10 fifteen twenty 2. 25 3. 30 Four. 35 5. 40 45 6. fifty 7. 55 8. 60 9. Security device adapted to engage with a cylinder lock, said security device comprising a substantially cylindrical housing (2) that can be associated with said lock and provided with a first axial opening (3) adapted to accommodate a cylinder of said lock, being said first axial opening (3) arranged eccentrically with respect to said housing (2), a combinatorial unit (20, 21) that includes magnetic means (22, 23), a sliding element (17) that can slide with respect to said housing (2) between a locking position, in which said sliding element (17) occludes said first axial opening (3) in order to prevent, in use, access to said cylinder, and an unlocking position, in which said sliding element (17) allows access to said first axial opening (3), the transition between said locking position and said unlocking position being able to be operated, and vice versa, by means of an actuator (36) m agnico provided with a combination adapted to act in conjunction with said magnetic means (22, 23) of said combinatorial unit (20, 21), said sliding element (17) being interposed between said housing (2) and a protective shield (7) adapted for coupling with said housing (2), said shield (7) being provided with a second through opening (8) arranged eccentrically with respect to the center of said shield (7) such that said second through opening (8) is aligned, in use, with said first axial opening (3), in which said combinatorial unit (20, 21) is adapted to be housed inside, and to be able to move together with, said sliding element (17). Safety device according to claim 1, wherein a cavity (10) oriented, in use, is provided towards said housing (2) on the inner surface (9) of said shield (8), said cavity (10) having a substantially linear extension disposed substantially in parallel with the central axis passing through said second opening (8) and said shield (7). Safety device according to claim 2, wherein said sliding element (17) is adapted to be slidably housed within said cavity (10) so as to be able to move between said blocking position, in which said sliding element occludes said second opening (8), and said unlocking position, in which said sliding element (17) clears the passage through said second opening (8). Safety device according to claim 1, wherein said combinatorial unit (20, 21) comprises at least one cam (20, 21) rotatably associated with said sliding element (17) and including said means (22, 23) magnetic, said at least one cam (20, 21) being adapted to control suitable interlocking means (30, 31) adapted to allow said sliding element (17) to slide between said locking position and unlocking position or to interlock said sliding element (17) in said locked position or unlocked position. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein said combinatorial unit (20, 21) comprises at least a first cam (20) and a second cam (21) rotatably associated with said sliding element (17), each including of said at least one first cam (20) and a second cam (21) at least one magnet (22, 23) polarized to be attracted, in said locked position and in said unlocked position, by an opposite polarizing magnet included in The other cam. Safety device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one first cam (20) and second cam (21) are adapted to control suitable interlocking means (30, 31) adapted to allow said sliding element (17) to be slide between said lock position and unlock position or to lock said slide element (17) into said lock position or unlock position. Safety device according to claim 6, wherein said interlocking means (30, 31) are slidably associated with said sliding element (17) and can move against elastic means (32, 33) to interlock or allow movement sliding of said sliding element (17). Safety device according to claims 2 and 7, wherein said interlocking means (30, 31) are adapted to engage with suitable stop means (13, 14, 15, 16) provided in said cavity (10) for interlocking of stably said sliding element (17) in said locked position or unlocked position. Safety device according to claim 8, wherein said magnetic actuator (36) that interacts with said magnetic means (22, 23) causes a rotational movement of said first cam (20) and said second cam (21) adapted to disengage said interlocking means (30, 31) of said stop means (13, 14, 15, 16) to allow said sliding element (17) to slide from said locked position to said unlocked position and vice versa.