MXPA06011040A - Key combination element in key blank and key - Google Patents

Abstract

A key blank including a generally elongate shaft portion defining first and second generally flat oppositely directed side surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second side surfaces cuttable to form key cuts that define a key combination surface, and at least one key combination element movably disposed in the elongate shaft portion and adapted for touching a lock combination element disposed in a cylinder lock plug, wherein the at least one key combination element has inherent energy for applying an urging force against the lock combination element. A key formed from the key blank and lock therefore are also disclosed.

Description

KEY AND KEY BLANK KEY COMBINATION ELEMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to fastening devices and more particularly to a mobile combination element arranged in a key or key blank, and the locks operated in this way.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known in the art, cylinder locks generally include a pin (also called a drum) arranged for rotation in a lock cylinder housing. The pin pins are slidably disposed in the pin and are arranged to move against the pins of the guide, which are disposed in holes formed in the cylinder housing and are spring-biased toward the axis of rotation of the pin. The insertion of an appropriate cutting key into a key guide provided in the pin moves the pins of the pin against the guide pins and aligns all the pins along a cutting line defined by the outer circumference of the pin. Thus allowing the rotation of the pin to originate the bolt operation or locking mechanism.

Cylinder locks are also known because they are equipped with a moving element (eg spikes) REF .: 175779 arranged in the blade of the key. An auxiliary locking pin is spring loaded into the cylinder housing, after insertion of the key into the key guide, the moving element is aligned with the auxiliary locking pin and interacts with these to align with the cutting line and allow the rotation of the pin. Even if a thief could pick up the combination of the key cut key, he could not defeat the safety without additionally aligning the mobile element with the auxiliary locking pin. This last action is very difficult to do without an authorized key, and thus the lock provides high security. Such locks are described, for example, in US Patents 5520035, 5784910 and 5839308 to Eizen et al., Assigned to the assignee of the present application. These patents describe a key blank that includes a generally elongated shaft portion defining a key combination surface adapted to have formed in this cut key that defines a key combination. The key blank includes a movable spigot element retained within the elongated shaft portion. The movable spigot element may be disposed in a single direction, away from the key combination surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide an improved key blank, keys and locks, as described in more detail below. A key blank including one is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. generally elongated shaft portion defining first and second opposed generally flat side facing surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second cuttable side surfaces to form key cuts defining a key combination surface, and at less a mobile key combination element (e.g., a spring) disposed in the elongated shaft portion and adapted to touch a key combination element disposed in a cylinder lock pin, wherein at least one combination element of The key has inherent energy to apply a pulse force against the lock combination element. At least one key combination element may be able to project elastically outwardly beyond the first and second side surfaces. The key blank (and / or key made from it, and the bolt provided therefrom) may include one or more of the following characteristics. For example, at least one key combination element can be pivotable around a pivot example. At least one combination element may include an elastic arm arranged in a niche formed in the elongated shaft portion and capable of projecting out elastically from the niche beyond at least one of the first and second side surfaces. For example, at least one combination element can include a pair of elastic arms extending from a common base that is pivotably mounted in a curvilinear cut extending from the niche, wherein the niche is formed with slits that emanate radially from the cut curvilinear, and where the walls of the grooves define the limits of angular movement of the elastic arms. At least one key combination element may include a plurality of interface surface for driving one or more bolt combination elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the figures in which: Figure 1 and 2 are respective sectional and plan illustrations of a keyed blank with cuts of key formed therein to form a key, and includes a mobile key combination element disposed therein, constructed and operated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is taken along the lines AA in the Figure 1, wherein the key combination element is in a first position that does not protrude from the key (key blank); Figure 3A is a more detailed sectional illustration of the key combination element shown in Figure 2, as indicated by the circle; Figure 3B is a detailed sectional illustration of a key combination element having a plurality of interface surfaces for driving a plurality of bolt combination elements, according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross sectional illustration of a cylinder latch, constructed and operated with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the latch cylinder bolt elements have not been aligned along a cutting line: and Figures 5 and 6 are respective cross-sectional and longitudinal sectional illustrations of the cylinder lock of Figure 4 with the key of Figure 1 inserted in a key guide therethrough, showing the orientation of the key combination element when the bolt elements of the cylinder bolt are aligned along the cutting line, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is made to Figures 1 and 2, which illustrate a key blank 10 constructed and operated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The key blank 10 may have a generally elongated shaft portion 12 extending along the longitudinal axis 13 and defining first and second lateral surfaces 14 and 16 directed in opposite manner, joined by edge surface 18. One or both of the first and second side surfaces 14 and 16 can have key cuts 20 formed therein that define a key combination surface, thereby forming a key 22. The key cuts 20 can be cut to interact with any kind of lock tang, such as telescopic lock downs, as is well known in the art. The key blank 10 (which becomes the key 22) can have a key head 24. The key 22 / white key 10 (here simply "key 22") can define a reversible key, where both flat surfaces can be used. and 16 constitute key combination surfaces. According to one embodiment of the present invention, one or more key combination elements 26 are movable disposed in the key 22. By "key combination" it is meant that the key combination element 26 is capable of touching an element of the key. bolt combination arranged in a cylinder bolt drum to bring alignment with a cutting line, as described hereinafter. Different key combination elements directed in opposite manner 26 can have different configurations. In such a case, which depends on the orientation of the key 22, it is possible to operate two different and mutually exclusive master key systems, each of which is operated by a different spigot element configuration, more than one element can be supplied. of key combination 26 in the key 22. Reference is also made to Figure 3A. The key combination element 26 may include one or more elastic arms 28, for example, made of spring metal. In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the key combination element 26 includes a pair of elastic arms 28 extending from a common curvilinear guide base 30., which is pivotally mounted in a curvilinear guide cut 32 extending from a niche 34 formed in an elongated shaft portion 12. The niche 34 may be an opening extending through the thickness of the key 22. The element of key combination 26 is able to project elastically outwardly from niche 34 beyond one or both of the first and second side surfaces 14 and 16. In the non-limiting mode illustrated in Figure 3A, the key combination element 26 elastically protrudes outwardly beyond the first and second side surfaces 14 and 16. The key combination element 26 has inherent potential energy or inherent energy for short, which means that it has innate material properties to store potential energy to apply a impulse force against a bolt combination element, as described further below. In other words, the key combination element 26 is itself an inclined operating element for applying a driving force against the bolt combination element. The key combination element 26 can apply the driving force against the bolt combination element without the aid of any other force (such as a spring) that is applied to the key combination element 26. As mentioned above, the key combination element is movable disposed in the key 22. In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the key combination element 26 is pivotable about a pivot axis 36 (the pivoting movement is indicated by the arrows 38 in the Figure 3A). The pivot axis 36 (seen in Figure 1, and perpendicular to the drawing sheet in Figure 3A) is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis 13 of the portion of je 12 and rests in a plane between the first and second side surfaces 14 and 16. The axis plane of the pivot 36 may be generally parallel to the first and / or second side surfaces 14 and 16. The niche 34 may be formed with slots 39 that emanate radially from the curvilinear guide cut 32, wherein the walls of the slot 39 define the limits of the angular movement of the elastic arms 28. Reference is now made to Figure 3B. In this non-limiting mode, the key combination element 26 can have a plurality of interface surfaces 59 that can be in contact and drive one or more of the bolt combination elements. This can increase the number of keys / bolt combinations possible with the invention. Reference is now made to Figures 4-6, which illustrate a cylinder lock 40, constructed and operated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The cylinder lock 40 may comprise a cylinder lock housing 44 and a pin 46, which is arranged for rotation in the housing 44 and has a key guide 42. The cylinder lock 40 may comprise common elements in any cylinder lock conventional. In summary, as is well known in the art, the pin dowels 48 (Figure 4) can be slidably disposed on the pin 46 and arranged to move against the guide dowels 50, which are disposed in the holes formed in the housing. cylinder lock 44 and may have spring inclined, for example, towards the axis of rotation of the pin. The insertion of the key 22 into the key guide 42 moves the dowel pins 48 against the guide dowels 50 and aligns all the dowels along the cut line 52 (Figure 6) defined by the external circumference of the pin, thus allowing the rotation of the pin 46 to cause the operation of a locking mechanism 55, for example, a camera (Figure 5). In the present invention, the key combination element 26 is adapted to touch a bolt combination element 54 disposed on a pin 46. The bolt combination element 54 may have any configuration, size and shape. In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the latch combination element 54 comprises a first portion 56 that touches the key combination element 26 and a second portion 58 that touches one of the guide pins 50. Just more than one combination element of key 26 can be provided in key 22, more than one corresponding lock combination element 54 can be provided in pin 46. Figure 5 and 6 illustrate key 22 inserted in key guide 42, wherein the element The key combination 26 pushes the latch combination element 54 against one of the guide pins 50, and originates alignment along the line of cut 52. In this orientation. The key combination element 26 protrudes from the key 22. As mentioned above, the key combination element 26 protrudes outwardly beyond one or both of the first and second surfaces 14 and 16. Either of the side surfaces 14 and 16 of the key combination element 26 protruding is automatically determined by the position of the lock combination element 54. It is noted that since the key 22 moves aligned through the key guide 42, the combination element The key 26 moves radially because it pivots about the pivot axis 36. The scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinbefore as well as modifications and variations thereof that could occur for a person. skilled in the art after reading the above description and which is not in the prior art. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. A key blank comprising a generally elongated shaft portion defining first and second generally directly opposite side surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second cuttable side surface to form key cuts defining a surface key combination; characterized in that at least one mobile key combination element disposed in the elongated shaft portion and adapted to touch a bolt combination element disposed in a cylinder bolt pin, wherein at least one key combination element has inherent power for applying a driving force against the bolt combination element, and wherein at least one element comprises an elastic arm disposed in a niche formed in the elongated shaft portion and capable of protruding outwardly from the niche more beyond the first and second lateral surface.

2. A spanner target comprising a substantially elongated shaft portion defining first and second oppositely directed substantially flat side surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second cuttable side surfaces to form key cuts that define a key combination surface; characterized in that at least one key combination element pivotable about a pivot axis and movably disposed in the elongated shaft portion and adapted to touch a bolt combination element disposed in a cylinder bolt pin, wherein less a key combination element has inherent energy to apply a driving force against the bolt combination element.

The key blank according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one key combination element comprises a plurality of interface surfaces for driving at least one bolt combination element.

The key blank according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one key combination element comprises a pair of elastic arms extending from a common base which is pivotally mounted in a curvilinear cut extending from the niche, and where the niche is formed with grooves that emanate radially from the curvilinear cut, where the walls of the groove define the limits of an angular movement of the elastic arms.

5. A wrench comprises a generally elongated shaft portion defining first and second oppositely directed generally flat side surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second side surfaces is formed with key cuts defining a combination surface of key; characterized in that at least one mobile key combination element arranged in the elongated shaft portion and adapted to touch a bolt combination element disposed in a cylinder bolt pin, wherein at least one key combination element has inherent power for applying a driving force against the bolt combination element, and wherein at least one key combination element comprises an elastic arm disposed in a niche formed in the elongated shaft portion and capable of projecting elastically outward from the niche beyond the first and second side surfaces.

6. A spanner comprises a generally elongated shaft portion defining first and second oppositely directed substantially flat side surfaces, joined by side edges, at least one of the first and second side surfaces is formed with the key cuts that define a surface of key combination; characterized in that at least one key combination element pivotable about a pivot and movable shaft disposed in the elongated shaft portion and adapted to touch a bolt combination element disposed in a cylinder bolt pin, wherein at least one The key combination element has inherent energy to apply a pulse force against the bolt combination element.

The key element according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that at least one key combination element comprises a plurality of interface surfaces for driving at least one bolt combination element.

The key according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that at least one key combination element comprises a pair of elastic arms extending from a common base which is pivotably mounted in a curvilinear guide cut extending from the niche, and wherein the niche is formed with slits that emanate radially from the curvilinear guide cut, where the walls of the slot define the limits of an angular movement of the elastic arms.

9. A bolt comprises a cylinder lock housing; a pin provided in the housing is cylinder lock, arranged for rotation relative to it and having a key guide; and a key comprises a generally elongated shaft portion defining first and second oppositely directed substantially flat side surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second side surfaces is formed with key cuts defining a combination surface of a key characterized in that at least one mobile key combination element arranged in the elongated shaft portion and adapted to touch a bolt combination element disposed in a cylinder lock pin, wherein at least one key combination element has inherent energy for applying a driving force against a bolt combination element, and wherein at least one key combination element comprises an elastic arm disposed in a niche formed in an elongated shaft portion and capable of projecting elastically outwardly from the niche beyond the first and second side surfaces .

10. A bolt comprises a cylinder lock housing; a pin provided in the housing is cylinder lock, arranged for rotation relative to it and having a key guide; and a spanner comprising a generally elongated shaft portion defining first and second opposingly directed generally flat side surfaces, joined by edge surfaces, at least one of the first and second side surfaces is formed with key cuts defining a surface of key combination; characterized in that at least one key combination element pivotable about a movable pivot shaft disposed in the elongated shaft portion and adapted to touch a bolt combination element disposed in a cylinder lock pin, wherein at least one The key combination element has inherent energy to apply a pulse force against the bolt combination element.

The bolt element according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that the cylinder lock comprises pin dowels slidably disposed on the pin and arranged to move against the guide pins disposed in holes formed in the cylinder lock housing. , and the key combination element is adapted to touch a bolt combination element disposed on the pin.

The bolt element according to any of claims 9-11, characterized in that any of the protruding key combination element side surfaces is automatically determined by the position of the bolt combination element.

13. The bolt element according to claim 10, characterized in that the key moves linearly through the key guide, the key combination element moves radially when it pivots about the pivot axis. The bolt element according to any of claims 9-13, characterized in that it comprises different oppositely directed key combination elements.