GB2548159A

GB2548159A - Improved locks and locking mechanisms

Info

Publication number: GB2548159A
Application number: GB1604226.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: O'Sullivan Marcus; O'sullivan Mark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-11
Filing date: 2016-03-11
Publication date: 2017-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-11
Also published as: GB201701578D0; EP3222799A1; EP3222799B1; GB2548159B; GB201604226D0; GB2548224A; GB2548224B

Abstract

A lock has a cam 2 in a cylinder, a drive and a securing means; a key is inserted into a keyhole in at least one end of the cylinder causing the drive 104 to release the securing means 6 and enable the cam to rotate, disengaging a door bolt. Preferably the securing means has a spring 13 urging a pin towards the cam. The drive assembly may have a spool 7, engaging the securing pin and having two different diameter portions, displaced so the pin engages the smaller diameter when the keys inserted. Preferably, at one end of the drive, a top-hat bush 1 is fixed to the cam and a drive dog 14 is attached to it by protrusions engaging two or more holes and a slot; should this end of the cylinder detach from the lock, and the dog separates from the bush, a shutter 10 seals the end of the bush, the lock may still be opened with a key. At the other end of the drive there may be a sprung override plunger 9 displacing the spool when pressed against the springs 4.

Description

£idd^tteJnv«ifen

The invention relates generally to the field of locks and locking mechanisms and relates more specifically to cylinder locks and lockingirtiechariisrnSi

Background to the

The closest prior art known to the Applicant are cylinder locks and locking mechanisms for preventing unauthorised access through a doorway which comprise securing means for reducing the risk of unauthorised access through the doorway even when the cylinder Idik is snapped.

Typically, a cylinder lock comprises two key entry points, one on the exterior side of a door and one on the interior side, and an associated bp| mechanism incorporating a number of bolts which ejdrend, when the meehanlsm is bcked, between the door and the frame surrounling the doon \ihen a Cdrrect key is inserted into either the interior or extinor |!de of the cylinder lock, a cam within the lock can be actuated to move the or each bolt fmm a locked position tp an unlocked position, and vide versa, thus allowing the door to be locked and unlocked.

Cylinder |peks typical|f addldinally comprise means for stopping unauthorised access through the door when a part of the cylinder lock, usually an exterior end, is snapped or otherwise detached from the remainder of the lock. Most current cylinder lociss are provided with a saerificiai end portion prslvided at the exterior end of the lock whichi when snapped, aims to prevent the cam inside from being actuated msnualiy a serewdiver or other icl-pfcking tool. However, burglars managed to circumvent these means and manually actuate the cam to unlock the door.

Some cylinder locks have been furtler developed by incorporating a securing means comprising a pin or the like which, under normal, use, i.ei when the bck is not snapped, is suppressed and inactive. When the cylinder is snapped, the securing means, e,g, a loekin| pin, is ired to block raovement of the cam into a position wherein the or each bolt ol a bolt rnechahism is unlockedL hfowever, the^ mecharifsms have aiso been shown, in practice, to be ineffeaive if a cylnder is srsapped in a certain way, causing the securirll means to remain inactive and thus albwing unauthorised access through a doorway.

Various examples and embodiments of these cylinder locb and securing means are kn«^n and each suf^rs fpm at least the^ known disadvantaps. It is therefone an object of the current invention to provide an improved locking nieehanirn.

In a first broad independent aspect the invention provides a cylinder lock comprising a cam for actuating the bolting means of a door; the cyliider lock fiirther comprising two endl a first end positioned pn a first side of the cam and a second end position on a second side of the cam, substantially opposite said Irst end; vlierein at least said first end compri|is a keyhole which, when a key is Inserted, actuates the cam to lock or unlock the bolting means of the door; wherein the lock further comprises a drive assembly for dispiadn| said cam when a key is Inserted, and a seeuring means which Is dispiaceable, by said drive: asserriiy, between a first poitioh in which the securirig means engages with the cam to prevent its movement, and a second positiori wherein the securing means disengages the cam to allow moverTient of the cam; whereby; In use, when a k^ is not pi®sent in the lock, thii securing means is in the f rsL posit’on to prevent movement of the cam a|| thus the bo ,:sng means of the door

This configuration is particularly advantageous because it provides a cylinder lock which more effectively prevents movement of the cam and therefore unlocking of assoelated bolting means of a door when the cylinder is snapped. Th&Mduring.meapsisJmplfment^^^^^ Is soon as a key is removed from the keyhole so that however 'well' the cylinder may be snapped, i,e. regardless of how gently or aceyratell the cyilinder is sheppeli He securilg: means prevents movement of the cam without the correct key. The securing means is not illant on a particular amount of force or direction of force to be implemented.

Preferably, said securing means comprises a spring and a pin which, in said first position, Is urged by said spring to engage and prevent movement of tie cam; and said drive asserplly comprises a spool which engages said pin; wherein the spool is shaped and sized such that; when a key is inserted into or withdrawn from the iodc, the 5pQ|l is displaced to facilitate movement of the pin between said and second positions. This configuration Is pafticiilafiy advantageous because the size and shape of the 5ροο·Ι ensures that the pin is engaging and preventing movement of the cam when a Is absent fhom t|e keyhole. The provision of a spring pin and spool also sirnplifies the eGnfi|uretlon and minimises the risk that unauthorised access will be gained.

Preferably, wherein a first portion of the spool engages said pin when a key is not present in the lock and a second portion of the spool engages the pin when a key is inserted into the fock; wherein the first portion # the spool is greater in diameter than the second portion such that, v^en a key is inerted into the lock, the pin is disengaged Irpm the cam under the force of said spring. The first portion of the spool having a greater diameter than the second portion ensures that the pin is pushed, against the force of the spring, into engagement with the cam when a key is absent from the keyhole. When a key is inserted, the spool is displaced so that the portion of lesser diameter engages the pin to allow the pin to disengage the cam. The configuration is thus simplified and the performance and efficacy of the lock is improved.

Preferably, a region of the spool which comprises said first and second portions has a larallelogram shape and the first portion of the spool comprises a corner of the parallelogram and the second portfen of the spool eornprises a side of t|e paralielpgpm adjacent the cpfher of the first portion. A parallelo|rafti shape allows the lock to be used effectively from either the first, exterior end o· t^'e second, Interior end with an equal effect on the pin. If a corner of the parallelo^ro region comprises the first poition, and sides adJaGeni the corner comprise the second portion (front the first or seasnd ends), the pin can effective^ and disengage the cam when a key is inserted at the first end or when a !iiy Or actuapr i| used at the second end.

Pmferably, the drive assembly at the first end of the lock eomprises a top hat bush hxed to said cam and a drive dog assembly; said drive dog assembly comprising two or moil digits which engage two or more comesponding recesses of said top hat bush, when a key Is insetted into the lock, to actuate said top hat bush; and wherein the top hat bush further comprises a channel and said drive dog assemb^ comprises an elongate member which is located within and extends through said channel to engage and displace said spool when a key is inserted. The two or more digts and; cssssponding recesses ensure that the top hat bush and thus the cam are rotated in an improved manner to unlock and lock the bolting means of a d|or. T|e elonpte member of IN drive dbg assembly and the channel of the top hat bush are particularly advantageous because the spool can be effectively displaced when a key is inserted at tN fN|

Preferably, said drive assemble further GOmprIses a shutter for shutting the aperture of the top hat busf? when the elongate member of the doN dog assembly is removed frcr sasd a|eiture> such that, in use, if the elongate member Is extracted from the aperture^ the shulter slutS iiail apeiture to prevent access to said cam. The shutter prevents access to the cam from the first end should the first end be detached irom the remainder of the bck. if the first end of the tack is snapped from the rest of the lock, the elonpte member of the drive dog assembly fails out of the aperture of the top hat bush and the shutter subsequently shuts the aperture.

Preferably, the drive assembly at the second end of tie lock compri.ses an internal gtihger actuator which is accessible from the second end of the lock and which, in use, can be dispiaced to engage and displace said spool. An internal plunger actuator simpiifies the configuration from the second end. Simplification ei this end is possible because it isldr less likely that the seesnd erid wHlfee letgK from the remainder of the lock, and unauthorised access to the cam via the second end is much less likely.

Preferably, said drive as^imbty further comprises one or more springs connecfed to said internal plunger actuator; wherein, in use, said internal plunger actuator is displaced against the or each spring such that, when pressure is released from the actuator, the actuator disengages said spool so that the spool may return to the first position in which the securing means engages and prevents movement of the cam. This configuration is particularly advantageous because the spool efficiently returns to its resting state when pressure is released from the actuator such that the securing means, i.e. the pin, engages and prevents movement of the cam when pressure is released from the actuator.

Preferably, the lock Is configured such that, in the event that the first end of the cylinder is detached from the remainder of the lock, the lock is still actuable by a key. This configuration is particularly advantageous because, even if the hrst end of the cylinder is detached from the remainder of the lock, the lock can still be actuafeily a person with a eoiwett key. liithe drawings:

Figure 1A shows exterior views from the front and side of a preferred embodiment of thd; invention. figure ΊΒ shpws a cross-sectiohal view from the side along A-A of a preferred embodiment in the secured position.

Figure 1C shows a cross-sectional view from above along B-S of a preferred embodiment F gL re 2 Shows a posspealve cross-sect-onal view of a |ref€rred embodiment in the secured positio Hi

Figure 3A shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment in the secured position.

Figure 3B shows a perspective eross-sectional view of a preferred eraiGdiment in the unsecured position.

Fl^re 4A shows a further perspeclive cross-^sectional view of a prefeired embodiment in the secured position.

Figure 4B shows a further perspective cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment in the unsecured posilioni Γ gures 5A to 5E show perspective, cros.s--sectional and side on views of a top hat bush in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

Figures 6A to SC show side and cross^rsectional viev® of a drive dcg assembl^ iri;; accordance with a pfifefr|d embodirnsht;

Figures 7A to 7D show side and front on views of a top hat drive pin irv accordance with a preferred embodiment

Fi|ures 8A to 8F show perspective, cross-sectiohil, side and front on views of a rotator body in accordance with a preferred embodiment

Ft|ures 9A to 9C show vies?® of a securing pin in accordance with a preferred embodimeri. Fipres WA to 10C show front, side on and enlarged sectional views of a spool in

Figures 11A to 11E show perspecive and cross-seaional vievwr if a iliitor drive dog ii; accordance with a preferred embodiment

Figures 12A to 12C show side, front and cross^seetiora, views of an intornai plunger actuator in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

Figures Ί 3A and 13B show views of a pin hole shutter in accordance with a preferred embodiment. A preferred embodiment of a cylinder lock is shown in Figure 1 and is referenced generally as 10Θ. The lock 1£K) is improved in that a securing means is actuated whenever a key is removed from the lock to prevent itiovement of a lock cam inside the lock and therefore prevent unlocking of associated bolting means df a door (not shown) which extend between a door and a frame surrounding the door (also not shown).

The lock 100 comprises a cam 2 which is located between a first end 101 and a secorsd end 102 of the lock 100, The fifst ehd 101 comprises a keyhole 103. When a (prrect) ^ is inserted into the keyhole the cam can be actuated; via drive assembly 104, to unlock and lock the cylinder lock 100. The lock 100 also Gomprises securing rmeans 6, preferably in the form of a pin, which is displaceable by the drive assembly 104 between a lilt position in which the securing means 6 engages the cam 2 to prevent its movement, and a second position in which the securing means 6 disengages the cam 2 to allow its movernerst.

In a preierrel embodirillht the secu-ig means Gornpfises a sping 13 and a pin 6 and the drive assembly 104 comprises a spool 7 which engages the pin 6 and which is displaced when a key is inserted to allow movement of the pin 6, from the first to the second position^ and Iherefores movement of the; cam i. li a preferred embodiment, the spool 7 comprises a region which is of a parallelogram shape and a corner of the region engages the pin in the first position, and the sides of the parallelogram adjacent the comer engage the pin in the second position. The side of the parallelogram which engages the pin in the second po.sition depends on which end the Spool is displaced, i.e. pushed from. in 3 further preferred embodiment, the drive assembly at the first end 101 of the bck 100, i.e. the external lock barrel, comprises a drive dog assembly 14 and a top hat bush 1. The drive dog assembly 14 comprises two or more digits, or :siDrter pins, tor engaging corresponding recesses of tie top hat lush 1. The drive dog assembly further comprises a central elihgate member, or central pin which passes through an aperture of the top hat hush 1 to engage the spool 7 when a key Is Inserted at ihe flrsi end 10T. in a preferred embodiment, the lock 100 further comprises a shutter TO whicH shuts the aperture of the top hat bush 1 in the event that the elongate member of the drive dog assembly is rernoved; fstsm the aperture pf the top Np bush 1, e.g. If the first end 101 is detached from the remainder of the lock 100.

The second end 102 of the lock 100, i.e. the internal lock barrel, comprises an internal plunges actuator 9 for diSDiidng the spool 7 and disengaging the securing means 6 from the cam from the inside of a doorway. In a preferred embodiment, the second end 102 also comprises a keyhole. i)ne or more springs are provided for displadn| the spool such that the securing meansi is in the first position when a key is absent from the keyhole of the first end 101 or if pressure is released from the iriiternal plunger actuator | df the second end 102.

Thd lock 100 comprises the following in uS|: in the resting state, as shown best in Figure 2, the pin 6 is held down against the spring 13 by the spool 7 so that it is enppd in a hole in the internal Ipek barreb

As shown best in Figure ii, when a key is inserted into the external lock barrel the end of the key will push the external drive dog assembly 14 forward so that the drive pins, i.e. digits of the drive dog assembly 14, engage in the pockets/recesses on the top hat bush 1. This action also advances the long pin, or elongate member, in the centre which will push the spool 7 against the spring 12 and allow the locking pin 6 to rise clear of the hole in the internal lock barrel due to the action of the spring 13, This action is all complete by the time the key Is full| inserted and therefore ready to rotate. As the external lock barmi rotates the dnye Is transferred to the ejcternai drive dt^ assembly ΊΑ due to the engagement of the ears in the slots in the lock barrebthe drive is transferred to the top hat bush 1 by the short pins which are engaged in the pockets on the bush. The top hat bush 1

Is p8fr«an€n% engaged with the rotator body S the piis 3 and so as the top hat bush rtstaliBS the rota^r body and the cam 2 also rota^.

When the key is withdrawn all the component return to the resting state; to shown best in Figure 3B, when a key is inseited into the internal lock barrel the end oi the key will push the internal plunger 9 forward against the springs 4 until It contacts the inside face of the rotator drive dog 8 and then the two move forward together, against the spring 12. This action causes the drive dogs on the front face of the rotator drive dog 8 to engage in the slot on the back of the rotator body 5 and also the pin in the centre of the internal plunger 9 pushes the spool 7 forwards against the spring 1Ί and allows the locking pin 6 to rise dear of the hole in the internal lock barrel due to the action of the spring 13, This action is complete by the time the key is fully inserted and therefore ready to rotate, to the internal Lock barrel rotates the drive is transferred via the ears on the side of the internal drive dog 8, which are in the sbts in the lock barrel, to the rotator body | b>y the drive dogs on the face of the internal drive dog 8 and so to the cam.

When the key is withdrawn all the components return to the resting state;

In the event that the lock Is broken then the external drive dog assemlly will have fileri away with the external lock barrelj helped by the action of the spring 11, this will restiove the long central pin, i,e, the ebngate member, from the hole through the tpp hat |M|h 1 this allows the pin hole shutter 1© to drop behind the hole in the top hat bush 1 thus blocking the hole against the threat of a smali tool or the recovered drive dog asserhbly 14 being inserted and moving the spool 7 to release the locking pin 6. This ensures that the rotator 5 remains locked in position relative to the internal lock barrel. Insertion of a key into the internal bck barrel will sill be able to operate the bck as described above to effect an exit through the door.

Claims

ClaMlS

1. A cylinder Isck cornprisin|ia cam for actoatlng the boitln|:meaF5s of a dofcsr; the cylitider lock furtler comprising tv^o ends, a first end positioned on a |rst side of the earn and a second end position on a second side of the cam, substantially opposite said fi^t end; wherein at least said first ehd comprises a keyhole which, when a i^r iS; inserted, actuates the cam to lock or unlock the bolting means of the door; wherein the lock irrther comprises a drive assembly for displacing said cam when a key is inserted, and a securing means which is displaceable, by said drive assembly, between a firslposition In which the securing means engages with the cam to prevent its movement, and a second position wherein the securing mearss disengages the cam to allow movement of the cam; whereby, in use, when a key Is not present in the lock, the securing means is in the first position to prevent movement of the cam and thus the bolting means of the doph
2. A lock according to claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises a sp!n| and a pin which, in said first position, is urged by said spring to engage anl; prevent poyierne^^ of the cam; and said drive assembly comprises a spool which engages said pin; wherein the spool is shaped and sized such that, when a key is isi^rted into or withdrawn from the lock, the spool Is displaced to faciitate movement of the pin between said first and second positions.
3. A lock according to claim I, wherein a first portion of the spool engages said pin when a key is not present In the lock and a second portion of the spool engages the pin when a key is inserted into the lock; wherein the first portion of the spool is greater in diameter than the second portion such that, when a key is Inserted into the lock, the pin is disengaged from the cam under the force of said spring,
4. A Lock according to either claim 2 or claim 3, whefein a region dl the spool which comprises said firat and second portions has a pralleiop^m shape and the first portion of the spool cornpf^es a corner pf the parallelogram and the second portion of the spcxjl comprises a side of the paralleteiram adjacent the corrser of the Irst portion.
5. A lock aceonding to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the drive assemb^ at the fiist end of the lock cornprises a top hat bush fixed to said ram and a drive dog assembly; said drive log asso!?i% comprifhg two or more ligip which engage Um QF niore corresponllng recesses ol said top hat bushr when a is inserted Irto the lock^ to actuate aid top hat hush; and wherein the top hat bueh further dompriSiii a channel and said dri^fe dog assembly comprises an ebnpte meimber which is iocated within and extends thnoygh said ehannei to engage and displace said spool when a key is inserted.
6. A lock according to daim S, wherein said drive assembly further comprises a shutter for shutting the aperture of the top hat bush when the elongate member of the drive dog assembly is removed from said aperture, such that, in use, if the elongate member is eKtracted from the aperturdi the shutter shuts said aperture to prevent access to said cam. A lock according to arf of ciaims 2 to 6, whemin the drive assembly at the second end pf the lock comprises an intirnal plunger actualpr which is accessible from the second end of the lock and which, in use, can be displaced to engage and displace said spool, I. A lock according to claim 7, wherein said drive assembly further comprises one or more springs connected to said internal plunger actuator; wherein, in use. said internal plunger actuator is displaced against the or each spring such that, when pressure is released from the actuator, the actuator disengages said spool so that the spool may return to the first position in which the secyrllg means engages and prevents mpydrneni of the cam,
9. A lock according to an| of the preCedihg claims, wherein the lock is configured such that, in the event that the first end of the cylinder is detached from the remainder of the lock, the lock is still actuable by a key.
10. A cylinder lock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accorfip|nylng figures.