TW202030410A - A cylinder lock unit and an associated key - Google Patents

Abstract

A cylinder lock unit provided with a rotatable key plug (300) and a connection for transferring a torque to a lock mechanism when a key plug is rotated. The cylinder lock unit includes a housing (200) having an upper part (220), provided with a central row of locking pins in associated cavities, and a lower part (240) with a cylindrical bore accommodating the rotatable key plug. A back region (L1) of the key plug has a minimum length of at least 50% of the total length thereof. The adjoining front region (FR1) has a maximum length of 50% of the total length and accommodates, in addition to the central row of locking pins, at least one side locking mechanism (351a, 351b, 351c) which is located in its entirety within the front region of the key plug and interacts with the lower part of the housing. The invention also relates to a key (40) for unlocking the lock unit.

Description

Cylindrical lock unit and associated key

The present invention relates to a cylindrical lock unit as described before the first item of the scope of patent application. Therefore, the cylindrical lock unit includes an upper half and a lower half of the housing.

The lower half of the shell has a cylindrical bore for accommodating a rotatable key plug.

The rotatable key socket is integrally formed and is used to transmit torque to a locking mechanism through a torque transmission connecting member when the key socket is rotated.

The upper half of the shell is provided with a central row composed of upper and lower locking pins located in the associated holes.

The key socket has a central row composed of corresponding holes for accommodating the lower locking pins in the central row.

The key socket has at least one side locking mechanism whose operation is independent of the central row composed of upper and lower locking pins.

A key slot extends axially rearward from the front end of the key socket and is used to accommodate an associated key.

The central row of upper and lower locking pins and the side locking mechanism are configured to engage and lock the key socket to prevent the key socket from rotating in the lower half of the housing unless the associated key Insert the key slot.

The present invention also relates to a combination of the above-mentioned cylindrical lock unit and a key for unlocking the cylindrical lock unit. The key includes a grip and a key blade.

In addition, the present invention relates to a key for unlocking a cylindrical lock unit having a rotatable cylindrical key socket. The rotatable cylindrical key socket has a key slot and a key slot limited to the front area of the rotatable cylindrical key socket. At least one side locking mechanism.

Such lock and key systems, cylindrical lock units, and keys are often used in locking systems with a large number of lock units, such as door locks.

However, generally speaking, there is no cylindrical lock unit in the market that is truly highly safe and has a compact structure and sufficient space to possibly accommodate an additional lock assembly in the rear area of the key socket. In fact, there is a need to make room for such additional lock components, such as a part of the torque transmission connector, a blocking mechanism to prevent the unauthorized key body from being completely inserted into the key slot, Or some electronic components that promote the effectiveness of the cylindrical lock unit.

Since the additional lock assembly may be located in the rear area of the key socket, there is no room for conventional side rods or other types of side tumbler mechanisms, which usually need to extend longitudinally along the entire length of the key socket .

It was disclosed in US Patent No. 6,981,396 (Kim) and also in the maintenance manual "CX5 HIGH SECURITY CYLINDERS-small format In the prior art lock structure similar in design to the "interchangeable core service manual", the key socket has a side locking mechanism, which includes a side rod that interacts with many side locking tumblers. The side rod is also connected to a fixed sleeve extending along the full length of the key socket. The barrel (cylindrical operating body) interacts. Correspondingly, on the side where the side rod is provided, the key socket is solid almost until the rear end, and the associated tines in the associated interlock unit will be cut In order to accommodate the key socket and its safety full-length side lever. In this configuration, by rotating the key socket with the inserted key, the torque to be transmitted to the lock unit can be realized through a single tine on the opposite side of the key socket .

Another similar prior art document is the published US Patent Application No. US 2002/0056301 A1 (Theriault), in which the cylindrical lock cylinder includes two side rods, which are respectively arranged on two sides of the key slot The cylindrical lock core also includes a locking part, which is movable relative to the side rod and the lock shell in response to the insertion of the key body with the correct protruding teeth. In this specific embodiment of the prior art, the side rod extends substantially along the entire length of the key socket.

There is always a need for further improvements. The main goal of the present invention is to improve safety and provide a cylindrical lock unit with a high-security side locking mechanism that is difficult to manipulate without using a correctly cut key When the lock is opened, it also allows the key socket to contain additional lock components in the rear area, such as a part of a torque transmission connector, a blocking mechanism for blocking the full insertion of the key body that is not cut correctly, or a facilitating lock The electronic components of the unit.

In fact, the present invention is a further development of an earlier invention. The earlier invention has filed a U.S. application and an international patent application (PCT/EP2018/062713), but as of this application The filing date of these patent applications under review has not yet been published. The present invention is different from the earlier invention disclosed in the earlier application. Its novelty lies in that the "shell" of the lock unit (a term used in the earlier application) is integrated or permanently placed in the housing of the lock unit, and There is no replaceable lock "core" divided into an outer shell and an inner. On the contrary, the housing and the entire structure are more like the lock unit disclosed in the specification of US Patent No. 8,720,241 (Widén). The housing is divided into an upper half with a plurality of locking pins and a cavity for accommodating a rotatable key socket. The lower half of the hole.

The above objective is achieved by providing a cylindrical lock unit as described in the opening paragraph of this article and having the following new features (relative to the publicly available prior art):

The minimum length of the rear area of the key socket is at least 50% of the total length of the key socket,

However, the maximum length of the key socket adjacent to the front area is 50% of the total length,

The rear area of the key socket accommodates the rear part of the central row composed of corresponding holes cooperating with the lower locking pins, and two side parts are reserved on each side of the key slot to possibly accommodate at least one additional lock Components,

The front area of the key socket accommodates the at least one side locking mechanism on at least one side of the key slot,

The at least one side locking mechanism is completely confined to the front area of the key socket,

The at least one side locking mechanism includes a longitudinal row consisting of at least two side locking tumblers each directly or indirectly interacting with the lower half of the housing via a side rod, and

The at least two coded side locking tumblers in each side locking mechanism can move independently of each other. In each of the longitudinal rows in the front area of the key socket, there are at least 3 different code positions for each coded side locking tumbler , And a plurality of different code combinations are used for the at least two side locking tumblers.

Contrary to some prior art structures, there is direct contact between the side locking tumbler and the associated key, without any other moving parts in between. In this way, the structure will be relatively simple and reliable. Since each side locking tumbler in the column has different code positions, the number of possible combinations of these code positions will be large, so the safety is very high. Even so, there is still space on each side of the key slot located in the relatively long rear area of the key socket so that it is possible to accommodate additional lock components separated from the coded lock pin and the tumbler.

On the other hand, the relatively short front area of the key socket is relatively compact and generally solid, except for the key slot, the hole for locking the pin, and any recesses or holes for housing the side locking mechanism or several mechanisms. .

Due to the above-mentioned structure of the cylindrical lock core, and the rotatable key socket has a relatively short front area with a maximum length of 50% of the full length of the key socket, through the side locking mechanism completely located in the front area of the key socket, the key socket There will be a safe and unique interaction between them, but there will still be room for the possibility of accommodating additional lock components in the rear area of the rotatable key socket.

It is preferable to have a relatively short (in the axial direction) side locking mechanism on each side of the key slot located in the front area of the key socket. Then, it is possible to accommodate at least 4 (two or more on each side) independently movable locking tumblers that are separate and independent from the conventional central locking bolt. However, it is also possible to arrange only one side locking mechanism on one side of the key slot.

The length of the front area of the key socket in which at least one side locking mechanism is completely located is therefore relatively short, for example, 50%, about 40%, or about 30% of the total length of the key socket. Nevertheless, due to the compact structure of the side locking mechanism, it can still provide a large number of code combinations and the high security of the cylindrical lock cylinder.

Facts have proved that each longitudinal row consisting of one of the key sockets or the side locking tumblers on both sides may contain at least two and preferably at least 3 (or even more) side locking tumblers.

Preferably, the additional lock components that may be accommodated in the rear area of the key socket on each side of the key slot can form part of the torque transmission connector, for example for connecting to the associated interlock unit The threaded hole of the fastening screw of the door locking mechanism, or the blocking device to prevent the incorrectly cut key body from being fully inserted, or the electronic device to assist the correct operation of the cylindrical lock unit.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide the above-mentioned cylindrical lock unit combined with a key for unlocking the cylindrical lock unit, the key including a grip portion and a key body, wherein,

The key body on at least one side has a wavy side code pattern consisting of a row of at least two side code parts, and the at least two side code parts are generally limited to the key body closest to the grip part In the longitudinal half of the key body, the wavy code pattern is adjacent to a straight side groove extending toward the free end of the key body.

In addition, the present invention relates to a key for unlocking the above cylindrical lock unit. The key body on at least one side of the key has a wavy side code pattern composed of a row of at least two side code parts, and the at least The two side coding parts are roughly confined to the longitudinal half of the key body closest to the grip. The wave-shaped side code pattern is adjacent to a straight side groove extending to the free end of the key body, and the wave-shaped side code pattern is located on the key body. The ridge portion of the side groove where the bottom of at least one side surface is cut.

Further advantageous features of the present invention are stated in the appended patent claims and also appear in the detailed description of some preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

40: key

41: Side code style

42: convex teeth/upper edge

100: Cylindrical lock unit

141, 141': side code style

142: Edge code style

151: Cam member / rear cam

152a, 152b: Fastening screws

200: shell

220: upper half of the shell

221a-221g: parallel holes

222: Longitudinal cover

231a-231g: Lower locking latch

231a'-231f': central locking bolt

232a-232g: upper locking latch

235a-235g: coil spring

240: lower half of the shell

242: recess or hole

243: longitudinal recess or groove

300: Rotatable key socket

310: Front flange

320: key slot

331a-331g: vertical holes

351a-351c: Coded side locking tumbler

361a-361c: Spring

371a-371c: vertical holes

400, 400': key socket

420: key slot

451a, 451b, 461a, 461b: side locking mechanism

500: Key socket

551a, 551b: side locking tumbler

554: horizontal finger

555: code recess

580: Side Rod

580a: lug

581: spring

651b: Side locking tumbler

654: horizontal finger

655: material part

656, 657: recess

680: Side Rod

680a: Slot

751b: Side locking tumbler

754: Horizontal Finger

755: recess

800, 800': key socket

851a'-851d': Side locking tumbler

880, 880': side stick

900: Key socket

920: key slot

951a-951c: Side locking tumbler

980: Side Rod

981: Spring

FR1, FR2, FR3: Front area

L1, L2, L2': rear area

L3: length

R: Arrow

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lock unit and a key that can be inserted into the key socket of the lock unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2a is an expanded view of various components of the lock unit in Figure 1;

Figure 2b is a perspective view of the key of Figure 1 from the other side;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lock unit of Figure 1 with a key inserted into the key socket;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view drawn through the lock unit of Figure 1 and Figure 2a at the position where the tumbler is locked on the side;

Figure 5a, Figure 5b, Figure 5c and Figure 5d are respectively a bottom view, a front view, a top view and a longitudinal sectional view of the key socket of Figure 2a;

Figure 6 shows the key socket of a specific embodiment similar to Figure 5d, but with 4 side locking tumbler holes arranged in a row;

Figures 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d illustrate the key socket of the second embodiment similar to one of Figures 5a to 5d, in which there is a key socket on each side of the key socket Short side locking mechanism, and two locking tumblers in each side locking mechanism;

Figures 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d illustrate the key socket of a modified embodiment similar to one of Figures 5a to 5d, in which there are only 6 locking pins (instead of the first few 7 locking bolts of a specific embodiment) and two side locking tumblers on each side of the key socket;

Figures 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, and 9h illustrate the third specific embodiment in different views, which has a side rod Side locking mechanism, the side lever cooperates with two side locking tumblers on one side of the key slot;

Figure 10 shows a modified embodiment of the side locking mechanism, which has a side lever that interacts with several side locking tumblers that can move up and down and can also rotate around their own axis;

Figure 11 illustrates another modified embodiment, where the side locking tumblers are each provided with longitudinally displaced fingers;

Figures 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d corresponding to Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d respectively. There are 3 side locking tumblers and one side of the key slot Specific embodiments of the upper sidebar interaction;

Figures 13a and 13b illustrate the fourth embodiment in cross-section and perspective view, which has two side rods respectively arranged on both sides of the key slot of the key socket;

Figure 13c illustrates a modified embodiment with a block-shaped rear area of the key socket and two short side bars in the front area of the key socket; and

Figures 14a and 14b illustrate a modified embodiment of the key, which has two different side code patterns on each side of the key body.

The first specific embodiment of the lock unit 100 of the present invention is shown in Figure 1, Figure 2a, Figure 2b, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5a, Figure 5b, Figure 5c, and Figure 5d In the figure, the lock unit 100 includes a cylindrical housing 200 with a rotatable key socket 300, and an associated key 40.

The cylindrical housing 200 has a threaded rear end and a slightly tapered front flange.

As is well known, in order to cooperate with the door locking mechanism, the lock unit 100 is usually permanently installed in the door or the like. The cylindrical housing 200 includes a solid upper half 220 and a lower half 240 forming a cylindrical bore for accommodating the rotatable key socket 300.

The rotatable key socket 300 is integrally formed and is used to transmit torque to the locking mechanism when the socket rotates. In this specific embodiment, as can be seen from Figure 2a, this is achieved with a torque transmission connector including a cam member 151. The cam member 151 is fixed to the key socket 300 by two fastening screws 152a, 152b, and the fastening screws 152a , 152b are engaged with two threaded holes located in the rear area L1 of the key socket 300 and on both sides of the key slot 320 respectively.

It should be pointed out that the torque transmission connector can be formed with other mechanical components, for example, a recess at the rear end of the key socket is coupled with a counterpart component that forms a locking mechanism in the door or some other object to be locked in the closed position a part. If so, the rear area L1 of the key socket 300 can be used for some other lock components, as described above. It is also possible that the rear area of the key socket is a piece of block material on each side of the key slot, as shown in Figure 13c.

The solid upper half 220 of the housing 200 (refer to Figure 2a) has a central row composed of parallel holes 221a, 221b, 221c, 221d, 221e, 221f, and 221g. The number of holes in this specific embodiment is seven. As shown below, other common embodiments have a central row of 6 holes. On the upper side, the longitudinal cover plate 222 usually covers the holes 221a and the like from above and fixes the same number of upper and lower locking pins 231a and the like, 232a and the like and the associated springs 235a and the like.

The key socket can also be seen in Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5a, Figure 5b, Figure 5c, and Figure 5d. The outer diameter of the cylindrical key socket is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the bore in the lower half 240 of the housing, so that the key socket 300 can rotate relative to the housing 200. However, the possible rotational movement of the key socket depends on the position of the locking pins 231a, 231b, 231c, 231d, 231e, 231f, 231g shown in Figure 2a, and the lower locking pins 231a can be placed in the corresponding vertical holes 331a. , 331b, 331c, 331d, 331e, 331f, 331g, and the vertical holes 331a are arranged in a central longitudinal row on the upper half of the key socket 300. These vertical holes 331a are located above the central key slot 320. The lower locking pin 231a, etc. are associated top or upper pins 232a, 232b, 232c, 232d, 232e, 332f, 232g (labeled as 232a-232g in Figure 2a) and the corresponding coil springs 235a, 235b, 235c, 235d , 235e, 235f, 235g (labeled as 235a-235g in Figure 2a).

Correspondingly, in the key socket 300, the central row composed of corresponding holes 331a, 331b, 331c, 331d, 331e, 331f, 331g will accommodate the lower locking pins 231a, 231b, 231c, 231d, 231e, 231f, 231g.

In the normal operation of the cylindrical lock, the key 40 that is cut correctly will operate the cylindrical lock unit to rotate the key socket 300 and rotate the rear cam 151.

According to the present invention, the rear area (L1 in Fig. 5d) of the key socket 300 is relatively long, that is, at least 50% of the total length (L1+FR1) of the key socket measured from the rear end to the front flange 310, but the key The front area of the socket (FR1 in Figure 5d) is relatively short, that is, at most 50% of the total length. However, the front area FR1 should be long enough to accommodate a longitudinal row of side locking mechanisms consisting of at least two side locking tumblers.

As mentioned above, the rear area (L1) of the key socket is used to accommodate the rear part of the central row of holes 331a-331g above the key slot 320, and it may also accommodate additional lock components that are part of the torque transmission connector. For example, the fastening screws 152b on both sides of the key slot, or the blocking mechanism to prevent the incorrectly cut key body from being fully inserted, or the electronic component to promote or assist the correct operation of the lock unit.

What is important is that the key socket 300 is provided with a side locking mechanism, which is located on at least one side of the key slot 320 and is completely confined in the front area FR1 longitudinally in front of the rear area L1. Preferably, the front area FR1 is substantially solid, except for the key slot, the hole of the lower locking pin, and any recesses and holes for accommodating the side locking mechanism itself. According to the present invention, the side locking mechanism includes at least two independently movable side locking tumblers, which can provide a high degree of safety mechanism, of which there are at least 3 different code positions for each locking tumbler and a plurality of different The code combination is used to lock the tumblers on these sides.

In the above specific embodiment, referring to Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5a, Figure 5b, Figure 5c and Figure 5d, the side locking mechanism includes the key slot 320 of the key socket 300 in the solid front area Three coded side locking tumblers 351a, 351b, and 351c arranged in a row on one side (Figures 2a and 5a). The three locking tumblers are completely located in this front area and also located radially inside the lower half 240 of the housing. The side locking mechanism 351a, 351b, 351c is adjacent to the front end flange 310 of the key socket 300. The advantage of this position is that the side locking mechanism is mainly located in the associated recess or hole 242 (Figure 2a and Figure 4). The lower half 240 of the housing interacts. As described below, other specific embodiments are also possible.

The three side locking tumblers 351a, 351b, 351c are located in the associated vertical holes 371a, 371b, 371c (in Figure 2a together labeled 371a-371c) in the spring 361a, 361b, 361c (labeled together as 361a-361c in Figure 2a) are biased to have a certain lateral distance from the key slot 320 so that the protruding fingers of the side locking tumblers 351a-351c enter the key slot, and the convex The out finger will cooperate with the wavy side code pattern 41 on the key body of the associated key 40 (Figure 2b). When the key 40 is inserted into the key slot 320, the locking tumbler 351a and the like will move up and down in response to their contact with the side code pattern 41. The lower end of the coded side locking tumbler 351a etc. will then interact with the associated recess or hole 242 in the lower half 240 of the housing 200. At the same time, many bittings on the upper edge 42 of the key 40 will interact with the central row composed of the locking pins 231a and the like. Only when the lower and upper locking pins 231a etc. and 232a etc. and the three side locking tumblers 351a etc. are all correctly positioned in the circumference of the key socket 300, it is possible to turn the key 40 to rotate the key socket 300 and unlock the cylindrical lock unit.

What is important is that the side tumblers 351a and the like can move independently of the central locking bolt 231a and the like. Therefore, if the cylindrical lock is manipulated by the so-called bumping technique, it is possible to locate all the locking pins 231a, but it will be more difficult to simultaneously manipulate the coded side lock tumbler 351a and so on to enter the code position. Therefore, the side locking mechanism 351 will provide a high degree of security of the cylindrical lock cylinder.

The interaction between the side locking tumbler 351b of the key socket 300 and the surrounding lower half 240 of the housing is further illustrated in Fig. 4, which is a cross-sectional view of the specific embodiment of Fig. 2a.

In Figure 4, the side locking tumbler 351b is located in the fully retracted position in the key socket, where its two ends are located at the cut line between the key socket 300 and the lower half 240 of the housing, and The center pin 231f is also positioned so that its upper end is flush with the cut line. here When in position, the key socket can be rotated or turned, as long as all other central pins and coded side locking tumblers are also confined in the key socket.

Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d illustrate the basic (first) specific embodiment, in which three side locking tumblers 351a, 351b, 351c in a longitudinal row are located on one side of the key slot 320 The associated holes 371a, 371b, and 371c are as described above. In this embodiment, since the side locking tumblers 351a, 351b, and 351c each have 3 possible codes, the total number of codes of the side locking mechanism will be equal to 3x3x3=27 in this case.

In a modified version of the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, there are four side locking tumblers in a longitudinal row in the associated holes 371a, 371b, 371c, and 371d. The rear area L1 and the front area FR1 of the key socket are as long as the previous embodiment.

In the second embodiment shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d, the structure is similar to the first embodiment (all component symbols start with the number 4 instead of 3), but in On each side of the key slot 420 is a row composed of coded side locking tumblers, and each row is composed of two independently movable side locking tumblers 451a, 451b and 461a, 461b. Each side locking tumbler will interact with the surrounding lower half of the housing in the same way as shown in Figure 4. Therefore, there are 4 side locking tumblers that can move independently of each other, and each side locking tumbler is located at one of at least 3 different height positions. Therefore, the number of possible code combinations is even greater in this specific embodiment (at least 3x3x3x3=81).

The rear area L2 of the key socket 400 is a little longer in this second specific embodiment, and the front area FR2 is shorter, and the total length L2+FR2 is the same as that in FIG. 5d.

In the modified version of the second specific embodiment shown in Figures 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d, the structure is exactly the same as the specific embodiment shown in Figure 7a, except The number of central locking pins 231a', ...231f' (Figure 8c) of the key socket 400' is 6 instead of 7, and the total length of the key socket is slightly shorter. However, the length of the rear area L2' is slightly greater than half the length of the key socket.

In the third specific embodiment shown in Figures 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h, and 10, the central locking bolt The number of is 7 again, which is the same as most of the previous specific embodiments, but the side locking mechanism is different, only on one side of the key socket 500 there are two side locking tumblers, these two side locking The tumblers 551a, 551b cooperate with the relatively short side rod 580 (Figure 9d). Side locking mechanisms with side bars are known, but not in the following context: the key socket of the cylindrical lock unit has a rear area reserved for possible additional lock components. The additional lock assembly, for example, two relatively long fastening screws, is used to fix the cam member or the like in the rear area of the key socket. The side rod 580 is usually held in a longitudinal recess or groove 243 (refer to Figure 9a) by a spring 581 (refer to Figure 9d) in a position protruding laterally beyond the outline of the key socket 500, and the spring 581 is located on both sides Lock between the tumblers to save longitudinal space. In the above position, the side bar will be aligned with the corresponding groove 243 of the lower half 240 of the housing 200 and thereby effectively lock the key socket to prevent rotation. However, when the side locking tumblers 551a and 551b are in certain vertical positions, with the key 40 that is correctly cut, the side rod 580 can resist the action of the spring 581 and move laterally to a retracted position. In this retracted position, the side rod 580 is no longer in the groove 243. Therefore, by turning the key 40, the side rod 580 retracts and allows the key socket 500 to rotate. Then, the lug 580a of the side rod will enter the coding recess 555 in the cylindrical surface of the side locking tumbler 551b. This interaction is clearly visible in the enlarged view of Figure 9c, which also illustrates how the lateral fingers 554 of the side locking tumbler 551b can be raised to the correct position by the side code pattern on the key 40. through With the side lever, the side locking mechanism provides a high degree of safety because it is difficult to manipulate the side locking tumblers 551a, 551b to release the lock. In this specific embodiment, when there are only two side locking tumblers in a row, the rear area of the key socket 500 may have a longer length L3, as shown in FIG. 9h, and only a relatively short front area FR3 is left.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, each side locking tumbler 651b, 751b can interact with the side rods 680, 780 in different ways, or via fingers that rotate along an axis or are non-rotatable and have longitudinal displacement. In Figure 10, the side locking tumbler 651b can be rotated between two rotation end positions, as indicated by arrow R. The material portion 655 between the two adjacent recesses 656 and 657 on the cylindrical surface of the side locking tumbler can be inserted into the corresponding slot 680a of the side rod 680. In the case that the code recesses 656 and 657 have two or three rotation positions and three or more levels, there will be six or more code combinations for each locking tumbler 651b. In this case, the code pattern on the side of the key must be configured to accommodate two or three different pivot positions of the lateral fingers 654.

Similarly, in Figure 11, the lateral finger 754 of the side locking tumbler 751b is longitudinally displaced (along the longitudinal axis of the key slot of the key socket) into one of the three coding positions. Therefore, when the recess 755 has several possible levels on the cylindrical surface of the tumbler, there will also be a large number of code combinations for each side locking tumbler, such as 9 or more.

In a modified version of the third embodiment shown in Figures 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, there are three side locking tumblers 951a, 951b, 951c (the key in the key socket 900 On one side of the groove 920), the side locking tumbler 951a, etc. interact with the longer side rod 980 biased by the spring 981.

In the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 13c, there are two relatively short side locking mechanisms, one side locking mechanism is provided on each side of the key slot, and each side locking mechanism has an adjacent The side bar 880 of the front flange of the key socket 800. This is an advantageous embodiment in which there are many code combinations, but an extremely compact structure limited to a relatively small portion (less than 20%) of the entire length of the key socket. The rear area has a relatively long length L2, the rear area is block-shaped, except for the rear part of the central row composed of holes or holes, and the front area FR2 is relatively short, but if necessary, the front area of the key socket can be as shown in Figure 9h The specific embodiment (FR3) is just as short.

Finally, the fifth embodiment is shown in Figures 13a and 13b, in which the key socket 800' is provided on each side of the key slot of the solid front area FR1 by cooperating with the associated side rod 880' Four side locking tumblers 851a', 851b', 851c', and 851d' form a row. Here, since the two side locking mechanisms are arranged on the two sides of the key slot, and each side locking mechanism has a row consisting of 4 side locking tumblers, there will be a large number of code combinations.

Figure 13b also shows a housing for the fifth embodiment, which is similar to that shown in Figure 2a, but it is used for a configuration with two side bars 880'. Here, each side rod 880' in the locked position is respectively disposed in an individual groove 243" in the lower half of the housing.

The side rods shown in Figures 9a to 9h, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12d, Figure 13a, Figure 13b, Figure 13c are advantageous because the spring that pushes the side rod radially outward (For example, 581 in Figure 9d) are located between a pair of side locking tumblers, so that the end of the side rod can be very close to the front end of the key socket, thereby saving space. Preferably, one of the springs should be located between two adjacent side locking tumblers closest to the front flange of the key socket and cooperate with the side rod. When only two side locking tumblers and side levers work together, As shown in Figures 9h and 13c, there is only a single spring, which makes the side locking mechanism very compact.

Furthermore, in all specific embodiments, the hole (such as 371c) for receiving the side locking tumbler (such as 351c) closest to the front end of the key socket is closer to the front flange than all the central holes (such as 331a-331g) , Which can effectively use the space of the side locking mechanism. Therefore, in the front area FR1, FR2, FR3, which is at most half the full length of the key socket and may be shorter, there is room for at least two and possibly 3 or 4 The side locking tumblers are arranged in a row.

The associated key 40 has a wavy side code pattern 41 (refer to Figure 2b), and the side code pattern 41 has an encoding part that interacts with the side locking tumbler. All the side code patterns 41 of the key 40 are roughly located in the half of the key body closest to the key grip. In addition, the side code part closest to the grip part in this pattern 41 is closer to the grip part than all the protruding teeth 42 on the edge of the key. The protruding teeth of the latter interact with the central row of locking pins of the cylindrical lock. In this way, these keys 40 will be different from all prior art keys.

Referring to Figure 2b, the key can also be provided with a wave-shaped side code pattern 41 only on one side of the key body. The other side can be just flat or provided with some other code style or configuration.

Examples of different code patterns 141 and 141' on both sides of the key body are shown in Figure 14a and Figure 14b.

In Figure 14a, the side code pattern 141' on one side of the key body is formed by two parallel upper and lower wall surfaces of the side groove. The side groove has a first part and a second part. One part is confined to the longitudinal half of the key body closest to the key holding part and has two side coding parts. The second part forms a straight side groove without any side coding parts.

As shown in Figure 14b, the other side of the key also has a first part and a second part. The first part has a side coding part confined to the longitudinal half of the key body closest to the grip. The two parts form a straight side groove without any side coding part. However, on this side of the key body, the bottom of the side groove is cut and a ridge is provided at the position of the side coding portion. The upper wall surface of the side groove is all straight, so the side code tumbler of the lock unit that interacts with the wavy guide surface under the side groove must be biased downward, for example, with a spring to follow the wavy guide surface .

Since this technique is known per se, the side coding part can be formed by a recess in the wavy guide surface of the side groove whose bottom is cut.

In principle, it is possible to use a key with a side code pattern only on one or both sides of the key body and no protruding teeth on the upper edge of the key body. If so, the local locksmith can form an edge code on the key at a later stage as needed.

As is also known in this technology, if any, several different angles can be used to chamfer to form the convex teeth of the upper edge code pattern.

Furthermore, it is of course possible to provide a key in which the wavy side code pattern is selected from a group consisting of a plurality of possible code positions at different vertical levels, and the possible code positions include central position and forward shift Position and backward position, where:

The central position corresponds to the position of one axis of the side locking tumbler of the associated cylindrical lock unit when the key is fully inserted into the key slot,

The forward position is longitudinally displaced from the central position toward the free end of the key body by an incremental distance,

The backward shifting position is longitudinally displaced from the central position toward the grip of the key by an incremental distance,

When the key is fully inserted into the key slot of the rotatable key socket, the center position, the forward position, and the backward position respectively correspond to a specific position of a transverse finger on the side locking tumbler of the associated interlocking unit The position, the horizontal finger is for example the finger 654 or the finger 754 mentioned above.

151: Cam member / rear cam

152a, 152b: Fastening screws

200: shell

220: upper half of the shell

221a-221g: parallel holes

222: Longitudinal cover

231a-231g: Lower locking latch

232a-232g: upper locking latch

235a-235g: coil spring

240: lower half of the shell

242: recess or hole

300: Rotatable key socket

310: Front flange

320: key slot

331a-331g: vertical holes

351a-351c: Coded side locking tumbler

361a-361c: Spring

371a-371c: vertical holes

FR1: Front area

L1: Rear area

Claims (29)

A cylindrical lock unit (100), which comprises: A housing (200) with an upper half (220) and a lower half (240), The lower half (240) of the housing has a cylindrical bore for accommodating a rotatable key socket, The rotatable key socket (300) is integrally formed and used to transmit a torque to a locking mechanism through a torque transmission connecting member when the key socket is rotated, The upper half (220) of the housing is provided with a central row of upper and lower locking pins in the associated holes (232a-232g, 231a-231g), The key socket (300) has a central row composed of corresponding holes (331a-331g) for accommodating the lower locking pins in the central row, The key socket has at least one side locking mechanism (351a-351c), and the operation of the side locking mechanism is independent of the central row composed of the upper and lower locking pins (231a-231g, 232a-232g); A key slot (320), which extends axially rearward from the front end (310) of the key socket and is used to accommodate an associated key (40), The central row composed of the upper and lower locking pins and the side locking mechanism are used to engage and lock the key socket to prevent the key socket from rotating in the lower half of the housing unless the associated key is inserted into the Key slot, The features of the cylindrical lock unit are: The minimum length of a rear area (L1) of the key socket is 50% of the total length of the key socket, The maximum length of an adjacent front area (FR1) of the key socket is 50% of the total length, The rear area (L1) of the key socket accommodates the rear part of the central row composed of corresponding holes (331a-331g) cooperating with the lower locking pins, and is reserved on each side of the key slot Two sides so that it is possible to accommodate at least one additional lock assembly (152b), The front area (FR1) of the key socket accommodates the at least one side locking mechanism on at least one side surface of the key slot, The at least one side locking mechanism is completely limited to the front area (FR1) of the key socket, The at least one side locking mechanism includes a longitudinal row consisting of at least two side locking tumblers (351a-351c) each directly or indirectly interacting with the lower half of the housing via a side lever, and The at least two coded side locking tumblers (351a-351c) in each side locking mechanism can move independently of each other, and there are at least 3 different code positions in each longitudinal row of the front area of the key socket Used for each coded side locking tumbler, and a plurality of different code combinations are used for the at least two side locking tumblers. The cylindrical lock unit described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the longitudinal row of the side locking tumblers in the side locking mechanism includes at least 3 side locking tumblers (351a-351c). The cylindrical lock unit described in item 1 or item 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the at least one additional lock assembly includes a part of the torque transmission connector. The cylindrical lock unit described in item 3 of the scope of patent application, wherein the portion of the torque transmission connector includes at least one fastening screw (152b). The cylindrical lock unit according to any one of the above patent applications, wherein the key socket includes two side locking mechanisms (451a, 451b; 461a, 461b) respectively arranged on both sides of the key slot. The cylindrical lock unit described in any one of the above-mentioned patent applications, Wherein, each of the coded side locking tumblers in the front area of the key socket is provided with a transverse finger (554), which is connected to the associated key when the key is inserted into the key slot The side code pattern (41) on the upper side keeps direct contact. The cylindrical lock unit according to any one of the above-mentioned patent applications, wherein at least two of the coded side locking tumblers (351a, 352b) can be selected between a coded release position and at least one locked position When in the code release position, the at least two coded side locking tumblers are completely confined in the key socket, and the at least two coded side locking tumblers protrude radially to the key socket at the at least one locking position And engages with at least one recess (242) of the housing to prevent the key socket from rotating. The cylindrical lock unit according to any one of items 1 to 6 of the scope of patent application, wherein the longitudinal row composed of the coded side locking tumblers of each side locking mechanism is associated with an associated side rod (580) Cooperating, the associated side rod (580) forms part of the side locking mechanism and is located on the cylindrical outer circumference of the key socket and is used to engage an associated recess located inside the housing Slot (243) to prevent the key socket from rotating, unless a correctly cut key is inserted into the key slot, when the key socket rotates, the side rod is located inside the circumferential contour of the key socket. The cylindrical lock cylinder described in item 8 of the scope of patent application, wherein each of the coded side locking tumblers is provided with a lateral finger (554) that cooperates with a side code pattern on an associated key, and At least one code recess (555) is provided in an outer part of each coded side locking tumbler, and there is a vertical distance between the code recess and the transverse finger, and the code recess is used to communicate with the side rod (580 ) Cooperate to release the side rod (580) from the groove in the housing. The cylindrical lock unit described in item 9 of the scope of patent application, wherein the transverse finger (754) is longitudinally displaced along the key groove to form a code that locks the central axis of the tumbler relative to the associated code side The position, the coding of each locking tumbler is based on the longitudinal displacement of the transverse finger and the position of the at least one coding recess cooperating with the side rod. The cylindrical lock unit described in item 9 of the scope of patent application, wherein each of the coded side locking tumblers (651b) can move up and down and rotate in an associated hole, and the rotation position also forms a code. The cylindrical lock unit according to any one of items 8 to 11 of the scope of patent application, wherein at least one of the side tumblers (351c) is located in front of a first hole (331g), The first hole (331g) is the closest to the front end (310) in the central row composed of the corresponding holes. The cylindrical lock unit described in claim 12, wherein the at least one coded side locking mechanism extends rearward from a region adjacent to the first hole. The cylindrical lock unit according to any one of items 8 to 13 of the scope of the patent application, wherein at least one spring (581) is provided on two side locking tumblers that cooperate with the side rod (580) Between (551a, 551b), there is no spring between a side locking tumbler (551b) and one end of the side rod. The cylindrical lock unit described in item 14 of the scope of patent application, wherein a single spring (581) is provided between two adjacent side locking tumblers (551a, 551b) closest to the front end of the key socket, and The single spring cooperates with the side rod (580). The cylindrical lock unit according to any one of items 8 to 15 in the scope of patent application, wherein the rear area (L2) of the key socket is in a block shape, except for the corresponding hole group Into the back of the central column. The cylindrical lock unit according to any one of the above-mentioned patent applications, wherein the side locking tumblers (351a-351c) can move in a plane which is relative to the key slot (320) Lateral displacement. The cylindrical lock unit according to any one of the above-mentioned patent applications, wherein the row consisting of the locking pins in the upper half of the shell includes 6 or 7 locking pins, the locks The plug is used for cooperating with a plurality of protruding teeth (42) on an edge of the associated key (40) inserted into the key slot. A combination of the cylindrical lock unit described in any one of the above-mentioned patent applications and a key (40) for unlocking the cylindrical lock unit (200), the key including a grip and A key body in which The key body has an edge code pattern (42), the edge code pattern includes a longitudinal continuous row composed of a coding portion defined by a plurality of convex teeth, and the convex teeth are used in the housing of the cylindrical lock unit The central column of the locking bolts interacts, The key body has a wavy side code pattern (41), which is used to interact with the at least one side locking mechanism located in the front area of the key socket and on at least one side surface of the key socket, and The wavy side code pattern (41) is generally limited to the longitudinal half of the key body closest to the gripping portion and includes at least two encoding portions for interacting with the at least two of the at least one side locking mechanism Two side locking tumblers interact. The combination of the lock unit and the key according to item 19 of the scope of patent application, wherein at least one of the side code parts of the wavy side code pattern (41) of the key is higher than All the code parts of the edge code pattern (42) are closer to the grip part of the key. The combination of the lock unit and the key according to item 19 or item 20 of the scope of patent application, wherein the side code parts of the wave-shaped side code pattern (41) are arranged in the longitudinal half of the key body Continuous column. A key for unlocking an associated cylindrical lock unit with a rotatable cylindrical key socket. The rotatable cylindrical key socket has a key slot and at least one side locking mechanism confined to the front area of the rotatable cylindrical key socket , The key includes a grip and a key body, where At least one side surface of the key body is provided with a wavy side code pattern composed of a row of at least two side code parts, and the at least two side code parts are generally limited to the longitudinal half of the key body closest to the grip part , The wavy side code pattern is adjacent to a straight side groove extending toward the free end of the key body, and The wavy side code pattern is located at a ridge portion of a side groove where one of the bottoms of at least one side surface of the key body is cut. The key described in item 22 of the scope of patent application, wherein the key body has an edge code pattern (42; 142), and the edge code pattern includes a longitudinal continuous row composed of a plurality of code parts defined by a plurality of convex teeth . Such as the key described in item 23 of the scope of patent application, wherein the protruding teeth are formed by oblique cutting at a plurality of different angles. For example, the key according to item 23 or item 24 of the scope of patent application, wherein at least one of the side code parts of the wavy code pattern is closer to the key than all the code parts of the edge code pattern The grip. For the key described in any one of items 22 to 25 of the scope of the patent application, there is a wavy side code pattern on both sides of the key body. For the key described in any one of items 22 to 26 of the scope of patent application, there are different types of wavy side code patterns (141, 141') on both sides of the key body. The key according to any one of items 22 to 26 in the scope of the patent application, wherein each of the coding portions is formed by a recess in the wavy side code pattern. The key according to any one of items 22 to 28 of the scope of patent application, wherein the at least two side code parts of the wave-shaped side code pattern are each selected from a group, and the groups are in different The vertical level is composed of a plurality of possible code positions. The possible code positions include the center position, the forward position and the backward position. The central position corresponds to the position of an axis of the side locking tumbler of the associated cylindrical lock unit when the key is fully inserted into the key slot, The forward position is longitudinally displaced from the central position toward the free end of the key body by an incremental distance, The backward position is longitudinally displaced by an incremental distance from the center position toward the grip portion of the key, When the key is fully inserted into the key slot of the rotatable key socket, the central position, the forward position, and the backward position respectively correspond to a transverse direction on the side locking tumbler of the associated cylindrical lock unit A specific position of the finger (654; 754).

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