GB1592404A - Key socket member for locks - Google Patents

Description

(54) KEY SOCKET MEMBER FOR LOCKS (71) We, ELKEM-SPIGERVERKET AfS, a Company incorporated under the laws of Norway, of Elkemhuset, Middelthunsgate 27, Oslo 3, Norway, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a lock in which a rotatable key socket member may be actuated by various operating members, and may be arranged to actuate a movable bolt for locking or opening of a door.

The invention has for its object to produce a key socket member which can be actuated by usual operating members as keys, free/occupied indicators for toilet doors and/or cylinder locks without the necessity of requiring a special shape on these operating members, and without the necessity of providing extra insertions between the key socket member and the operating member. It is thus possible that a lock incorporating the invention may be mounted in a door regardless of which function the lock is going to have. It is thereafter possible, according to requirement, to operate the lock with a normal key, or without changing anything in connection with the lock, with a free/occupied indicator, or if wished, a cylinder lock.

Previously it has, in order to obtain corresponding advantages, been necessary to furnish the key or the operating member with a special shape adapted to a profiled aperture in the key socket member, preferably an aperture of square-cross-section; or insertions in the profiled aperture have been used. The key or operating member has hereby been given a shape or form which is unlike that which is usually recognised as a key.

Accordingly the present invention provides a key socket member for a lock, which is shaped to receive and drivably engage a lock operating member in the form of either a profiled constant cross-section pin or a tumbler operator key and including a rotatable member having a central aperture shaped to cooperate with said profiled pin or to receive and support the cylindrical nose of a tumbler key.

In order to promote a fuller understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, an embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows in section a key socket member situated inside a lock; Fig. 2 shows the lock of Fig. 1 in vertical section through the centre of the key socket member; Fig. 3 shows a key; Fig. 4 A shows an external view of the lock and a key for use with it, and Figs. 4 C and 4 D show respectively a typical signal sign and a typical lock cylinder.

In the lock shown in Fig. 1 a key socket member is rotatably supported in the lock housing 2 and the cover 3. The shape of the key socket member allows employment of an operating member which is shaped as a profiled pin such as a square cross-section pin, but which can also be used with a typical tumbler key equipped with a bit, the centre of the key socket member being arranged with a profiled aperture 4 which gives support for the cylindrical nose portion of the key, while the open sector 5 in the key socket member 1 allows the key to be turned the necessary angle to a freeposition after opening or locking the lock.

The ridge 6 in the bottom portion of the open sector of the key socket member fits into the ward on the key bit and makes it impossible that the key can be withdrawn from the lock except when in the locked and open positions.

Thus it can be seen that operating members such as a key 8, a signal sign 9 or lock cylinder 10 can be directly inserted into the central aperture 4 of the key socket member and be used to move the same to operate the lock.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A key socket member for a lock, which is shaped to receive and drivably engage a lock operating member in the form

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. (54) KEY SOCKET MEMBER FOR LOCKS (71) We, ELKEM-SPIGERVERKET AfS, a Company incorporated under the laws of Norway, of Elkemhuset, Middelthunsgate 27, Oslo 3, Norway, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a lock in which a rotatable key socket member may be actuated by various operating members, and may be arranged to actuate a movable bolt for locking or opening of a door. The invention has for its object to produce a key socket member which can be actuated by usual operating members as keys, free/occupied indicators for toilet doors and/or cylinder locks without the necessity of requiring a special shape on these operating members, and without the necessity of providing extra insertions between the key socket member and the operating member. It is thus possible that a lock incorporating the invention may be mounted in a door regardless of which function the lock is going to have. It is thereafter possible, according to requirement, to operate the lock with a normal key, or without changing anything in connection with the lock, with a free/occupied indicator, or if wished, a cylinder lock. Previously it has, in order to obtain corresponding advantages, been necessary to furnish the key or the operating member with a special shape adapted to a profiled aperture in the key socket member, preferably an aperture of square-cross-section; or insertions in the profiled aperture have been used. The key or operating member has hereby been given a shape or form which is unlike that which is usually recognised as a key. Accordingly the present invention provides a key socket member for a lock, which is shaped to receive and drivably engage a lock operating member in the form of either a profiled constant cross-section pin or a tumbler operator key and including a rotatable member having a central aperture shaped to cooperate with said profiled pin or to receive and support the cylindrical nose of a tumbler key. In order to promote a fuller understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, an embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows in section a key socket member situated inside a lock; Fig. 2 shows the lock of Fig. 1 in vertical section through the centre of the key socket member; Fig. 3 shows a key; Fig. 4 A shows an external view of the lock and a key for use with it, and Figs. 4 C and 4 D show respectively a typical signal sign and a typical lock cylinder. In the lock shown in Fig. 1 a key socket member is rotatably supported in the lock housing 2 and the cover 3. The shape of the key socket member allows employment of an operating member which is shaped as a profiled pin such as a square cross-section pin, but which can also be used with a typical tumbler key equipped with a bit, the centre of the key socket member being arranged with a profiled aperture 4 which gives support for the cylindrical nose portion of the key, while the open sector 5 in the key socket member 1 allows the key to be turned the necessary angle to a freeposition after opening or locking the lock. The ridge 6 in the bottom portion of the open sector of the key socket member fits into the ward on the key bit and makes it impossible that the key can be withdrawn from the lock except when in the locked and open positions. Thus it can be seen that operating members such as a key 8, a signal sign 9 or lock cylinder 10 can be directly inserted into the central aperture 4 of the key socket member and be used to move the same to operate the lock. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A key socket member for a lock, which is shaped to receive and drivably engage a lock operating member in the form of either a profiled constant cross-section pin or a tumbler operator key and including a rotatable member having a central aperture shaped to cooperate with said profiled pin or to receive and support the cylindrical nose of a tumbler key.

2. A key socket member as claimed in Claim 1, in which said rotatable member is provided with an arcuate portion shaped to cooperate with the ward of said tumbler key to prevent removal of the tumbler key except when in a locked or open position.

3. A key socket member for a lock substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.