NZ549104A - A removable core assembly for a lock cylinder with catch and lock features to prevent unintended withdrawal of core assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock cylinder 10 to be operated by a key 11 is disclosed. The lock cylinder 10 includes an outer body 12 that receives a core assembly 21. The core assembly 21 includes a catch member 28 that is movable between a retaining position and a release position, with the member 28 when in the released position providing for removal of the core assembly 21 from within the body 12.

Description

4 9 10 4 *10052316323* PATENTS FORM 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 Our Ref: 756989NZ Dated: 10 August 2006 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A removable core assembly for a lock cylinder We, Kaba Australia Pty Limited, an Australian company ACN 000 993 957, of Unit 4, 42-44 Redfern Street, Wetherill Park, New South Wales, 2164, Australia, 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: 1 1 1 AUG 2006 RIOIIVlo [R:\LIBT]54082.doc:irg A Removable Core Assembly for a Lock Cylinder Technical Field The present invention relates to lock cylinders and more particularly to a lock cylinder having a removable core.

Background of the Invention Lock cylinders include a rotor that cooperates with a stator. Pins operatively associated with the rotor and stator are moved by means of a key to enable rotation of the rotor to operate the lock cylinder. Frequently a sleeve surrounds the stator to retain the pins in position, together with their springs that urge the pins inwardly to engage the key.

One previously known lock cylinder has had a removable core. The core being maintained in the outer body by means of a catch at the inner end of the core. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the lock cylinder is relatively long. This makes it difficult for installation in some instances.

Another lock cylinder has side bars that retain the core within the body. A disadvantage of this lock is that when the lock becomes worn the core is easily, and sometimes accidentally, removed.

Object of the invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a lock cylinder including: an outer body having a body with an end face, a passage extending inwardly of the body from said end face, said passage having a longitudinal axis, a slot in said body extending longitudinally relative to said passage from said end face and open to said passage and including a slot portion extending angularly about said axis, the slot portion being spaced from said end face; a core assembly located in said passage, said assembly including, la [R:\LIB TTJ4063NZ.doc:hxa a stator having an end face and a passage extending inwardly of the stator from the stator end face, the stator passage having a longitudinal axis, a rotor located in the stator passage angularly movable about the stator axis relative to said stator by operation of a key, key pins operatively associated with the rotor and stator and engaged by the key to provide for said angular movement, the angular movement being from a key insertion position, a retaining pin engaged in said slot for movement there along, a catch movable between a first position preventing removal of the assembly from the outer body passage, and a second position allowing withdrawal of the assembly from the outer body passage; and wherein said retaining pin and slot are configured so that when said retaining pin is in said slot portion said pin engages said outer body to prevent withdrawal of the assembly from said body passage.

Preferably, said slot includes a longitudinal extending portion extending longitudinally of said outer body passage relative to the outer body passage longitudinal axis, with said longitudinal extending portion being angularly located at a predetermined position for insertion of said key, and said longitudinal portion is displaced angularly about the longitudinal axis of the stator body passage from said predetermined position.

Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the outer body passage and the longitudinal axis of the stator passage are the same axis.

Preferably, said catch includes a catch member pivotable about catch axis generally transverse relative to the axis of the stator, with the catch member being pivoted between said first position and said second position about said catch axis.

Preferably, said assembly includes a spring urging said catch member to said first position.

Preferably, said catch member includes a first abutment portion that engages said stator when said catch is in the first position, and a second abutment portion that engages the outer body when the catch is in said first position. 2 [R:\LIBTT]4063NZ.doc:hxa Preferably, said catch member is part of said core assembly so as to be moved therewith.

Preferably said assembly includes a sleeve surrounding said stator and being operatively associated therewith to retain said key pins.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of lock cylinder and key therefore; Figure 2 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of the lock cylinder and key of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of the lock cylinder of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic end elevation of the lock cylinder of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the lock cylinder as shown in Figure 4 sectioned along the line 5-5 thereof; Figure 6 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the lock cylinder as shown in Figure 3 sectioned along the line 6-6; Figure 7 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the lock cylinder as shown in Figure 3 sectioned along the line 7-7; Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of the body of the lock cylinder of Figure i; Figure 9 is a schematic end elevation of the body of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the body of Figure 8 sectioned along the line 10-10; Figure 11 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the body of Figure 8 sectioned along the line 11-11; Figure 12 is a schematic side elevation of the key of Figure 1; Figure 13 is a schematic side elevation of a core assembly of the lock cylinder of Figure 1; Figure 14 is a further side elevation of the core assembly of Figure 13; 3 [R:\LIB TT]4063NZ.doc:hxa Figure 15 is a schematic end elevation of the core assembly as shown in Figure 14; Figure 16 is a further end elevation of the core assembly of Figure 14; Figure 17 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the core assembly of Figure 14 sectioned along the line 17-17; Figure 18 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the core assembly as shown in Figure 17; Figure 19 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the core assembly of Figure 14 sectioned along the line 19-19; Figure 20 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the core assembly of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a schematic isometric view of a catch member employed in the lock cylinder of Figure 1; Figure 22 is a schematic side elevation of the catch member of Figure 21; Figure 23 is a schematic end elevation of the catch assembly of Figure 21; and Figure 24 is a schematic sectioned end elevation of the catch assembly as shown in Figure 22 sectioned along the line 24-24.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a lock cylinder 10 and key 11 therefore. The lock cylinder 10 includes an outer body 12. The body 12 has an end face 13. Extending inwardly of the body 12 from the end face 13 is a passage 14. The passage 14 has a longitudinal axis 15. Located at the internal end of the passage 14 is a cam adapter 16 to which there is attached a cam 17 via threaded fasteners 18. Located between the cam 17 and body 12 is a friction spring 19. When the lock cylinder 10 is operated by an appropriate key and the key turned about the axis 15, the cam 17 also rotates about the axis 15 to operate an associated lock assembly. The adapter 16 has longitudinally extending slots 20 that cooperate with a core assembly 21. Accordingly the core assembly 21 extends inwardly of the passage 14 to engage the adaptor 16.

[R:\LIB TT]4063NZ.doc:hxa The core assembly 21 includes an outer sleeve 22 that is relatively thin and is cylindrical in configuration. The sleeve 22 slidably engages the cylindrical surface 23 of the body 12 that surrounds the passage 14.

The sleeve 22 has a passage 24 within which there is received a stator 25. The stator 25 is generally cylindrical in configuration and has an end face 26, with a passage 27 extending inwardly of the stator 25 from the end face 26. Mounted on the stator 25 is a catch member 28. The sleeve 22 is fixed to the stator 25 by being crimped thereto while also abutting the face 26.

Located in the passage 27 is a rotor 29, the rotor 29 having an end flange 30. The rotor 29 projects inwardly of the passage 27 so that the flange 30 abuts the face 26. The flange 30 is provided with a key aperture 31 that extends to a key slot 32.

The rotor 29 has a transverse passage 33 through which there projects a retaining pin 34. The retaining pin 34 engages in the slots 20 so that angular movement of the assembly 21 about the axis 15 causes angular movement of the adapter 16. A circlip 35 engaged in the slot 36 retains the assembly 21 together as stator 25 abuts the flange 30.

The body 12 is provided with a passage 37 that receives a pin 38, the pin 38 engaging with a slot 39 in the stator 25 to correctly locate the stator 25 and prevent angular movement thereof during normal operation of the cylinder lock 10. The body 12 also has passages 40 that receive antidrill pins 41.

The body 12 has a pair of slots 42 that include a longitudinal slot portion 59 that terminate internally at angularly slot portions 43. The slots 42 and slot portions 43 receive the extremities of the pin 34 as best seen in Figure 6. When the key slot 34 is aligned with the axis 44, the pin 43 extends transverse of the axis 44, as seen in Figure 6. However upon angular displacement of the pin 34 from a position perpendicular to the axis 44, and aligned with the slots portions 59, the pin 34 does not prevent withdrawal of the core assembly 21 from within the body 12. However, when the pin 34 is engaged in the slot portions 43 the pin 34 retains core assembly 21 in the body 12.

A catch 45, including the catch member 28, is captively located between the sleeve 22 and stator 25. The member 28 includes a ridge 46 about which the member 28 [R:\LIBTT]4063NZ.doc:hxa pivots, with the ridge 46 therefore providing an axis 61 about which the member 28 "rock". The axis 61 is perpendicular to longitudinal axis 15.

The member 28 includes a first abutment portion 47 that projects into an annual slot 48 of the rotor 29. A second abutment portion 49 engages within a recess 50 in the body 12. A spring 51 extends between the member 28 and stator 25 to urge the member 28 to the position shown in Figure 5, that is, a position preventing withdrawal of the assembly 21. The member 28 is movable between a first position as shown in Figure 5 retaining the assembly 21 in the body 12 and a second position at which the member 28 is pivoted about the axis 61 so that the portion 49 no longer engages within the recess 50. Accordingly when in the second position the member 28 permits removal of the assembly 21 from within the body 12. When the member 28 is in the second position thereof and the pin 34 aligned with the slots portions 59 the assembly 21 can be withdrawn from within the body 12. The member 21 has a cam surface 52 as part of the abutment portion 47, with the cam surface 52 projecting into the annular slot 48. When the key 11 is inserted and rotated about the axis 15, the key engages the cam surface 52 and causes angular movement (pivoting) of the member 28 about the axis 47. This angular movement moves the abutment portion 49 from within the recess 50. This then releases the assembly 21 for removal from the body 12. In that regard the key 11 has recesses 53 that receive a portion of the abutment portion 49 to move so that the abutment portion 49 can leave the recess 50.

In respect of the sleeve 22 it should be appreciated it has an aperture 54 through which the portion 49 may project, as well as an aperture 55 to provide for access of the pin 38 to the stator slot 39. The stator 25 has the slot 39 so that the pin 38 can prevent angular movement of the stator 25 while allowing removal of the assembly 21.

In operation with the above described lock cylinder 10, to remove the core assembly 21 an appropriate key 11 is inserted. This key 11 not only has the combination for the cylinder 10, but includes an additional end portion 56 to engage the cam surface 52. Accordingly the key shoulders 57 are displaced further from the leading edge 58 than 6 [R:\LIB TT]4063NZ.doc:hxa a key normally use to operate the lock 10. The key 11 being a modified key in that it will also engage the cam surface 52.

In operation of the above described lock 10 to remove the core 21 the key 11 is inserted. The key 11 would need to have a blade profile 59 that will enable angular movement of the key 11 about the axis 15, that is, a profile 59 that would move the pins 60 to allow angular movement of the rotor 29 relative to the stator 25. This angular movement would then operate the cam surface 52 to remove the abutment portion 49 from within the recess 50. Additionally this angular movement would move the pin 34 along the angular portions 43 until the pin 34 was aligned with the slots portions 59. Thereafter the assembly 21 can be withdrawn. To insert a core assembly 21 the reverse operation takes place.

The catch 45 retains the assembly 21 in the body 12 during normal operation of the cylinder 10, that is, when a normal key is used and the pin 34 is aligned with slot portion 59.

[R:\LIBTT]4063NZ.doc:hxa 7

Claims (8)

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A lock cylinder including: an outer body having a body with an end face, a passage extending inwardly of the body from said end face, said passage having a longitudinal axis, a slot in said body extending longitudinally relative to said passage from said end face and open to said passage and including a slot portion extending angularly about said axis, the slot portion being spaced from said end face; a core assembly located in said passage, said assembly including, a stator having an end face and a passage extending inwardly of the stator from the stator end face, the stator passage having a longitudinal axis, a rotor located in the stator passage angularly movable about the stator axis relative to said stator by operation of a key, key pins operatively associated with the rotor and stator and engaged by the key to provide for said angular movement, the angular movement being from a key insertion position, a retaining pin engaged in said slot for movement there along, a catch movable between a first position preventing removal of the assembly from the outer body passage, and a second position allowing withdrawal of the assembly from the outer body passage; and wherein said retaining pin and slot are configured so that when said retaining pin is in said slot portion said pin engages said outer body to prevent withdrawal of the assembly from said body passage.

2. The lock cylinder of claim 1, wherein said slot includes a longitudinal extending portion extending longitudinally of said outer body passage relative to the outer body passage longitudinal axis, with said longitudinal extending portion being angularly located at a predetermined position for insertion of said key, and said longitudinal portion is displaced angularly about the longitudinal axis of the stator body passage from said predetermined position.

3. The lock cylinder of claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of the outer body passage and the longitudinal axis of the stator passage are the same axis. 8 [R:\LIB TT]4063NZ.doc:hxa 549104

4. The lock cylinder of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said catch includes a catch member pivotable about catch axis generally transverse relative to the axis of the stator, with the catch member being pivoted between said first position and said second position about said catch axis.

5. The lock cylinder of claim 4, wherein said assembly includes a spring urging said catch member to said first position.

6. The lock cylinder of claim 4 or 5, wherein said catch member includes a first abutment portion that engages said stator when said catch is in the first position, and a second abutment portion that engages the outer body when the catch is in said first position.

7. The lock cylinder of claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein said catch member is part of said core assembly so as to be moved therewith.

8. The lock cylinder of anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein said assembly includes a sleeve surrounding said stator and being operatively associated therewith to retain said key pins. Kaba Australia Pty Limited By the Attorneys for the Applicant intellectual property office of n.z. 1 ' AUG 2006 Rioeiveo 9 [R:\LIB TT]4063NZ.doc:hxa