US2591111A

US2591111A - Key operated lock mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2591111A
Application number: US100106A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leon E Willett; Raymond G Baker
Original assignee: CHAMBERLIN Co
Current assignee: CHAMBERLIN Co
Priority date: 1949-06-20
Filing date: 1949-06-20
Publication date: 1952-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 1969-04-01

Description

April 1, 1952 1.. E. WlLLETT ET AL 2,591,111

KEY OPERATED LOCK MECHANISM Filed June 20. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. lid/v i. wxzztrr RA 7M 0N0 6. BAX! April 1, 1952 L. E. WlLLETT ET AL KEY OPERATED LOCK MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20. 1949 7/1. rill R m Mn N m M W. r mwe w April 2 1.. E. WILLETT ET AL 2,591,111

KEY OPERATED LOCK MECHANISM Filed June 20. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. At'O/Y E. W/ZLA-TT B/FA YMCA/0 6. 6461-7? v/mdmm W Patented Apr. 1, 1952 KEY OPERATED LOCK MECHANISM Leon E. Willett and Raymond G. Baker, Detroit, Mich, assignors to Chamberlin Company of America, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application June 20, 1949, Serial No. 100,106

13 Claims. (01. 70-355) lhis invention relates generally to key operated locking mechanism of the type suitable for use on swinging closures, such for example, as screens, windows and doors.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a lock having latching tumblers releasable from either side of the look by a bit type key and having provision for resisting unauthorized operation of the look by instruments other than the key.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock having a freely rotatable central hub and having an operating member supported for rotation about the hub axis. In accordance with this invention the operating member is normally held against rotation by a tumbler extending along one side of the hub and pivoted intermediate the ends on the operating member for rocking movement about an axis substantially parallel to the hub One end of the tumbler has-an abutment urged by spring means into latching engagement with a fixed shoulder to hold the operating member against rotation, and the other end of the tumbler has a cam positioned to register with a land on the key bit. The arrangement is such that rotation of the key in one direction engages the land with the cam, and rocks the tumbler against the action of the spring means to release the abutment from the shoulder. As a result continued rotation of the key in the above direction imparts a rotative movement of the operating member in a corresponding direction.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a plurality of tumblers pivoted on the operating member in juxtaposition to each other for rocking movement independently of one another and respectively coacting with a corresponding number of lands on the key bit to release the operating member. According to the present invention the tumblers and lands on the key bit are symmetrically arranged to enable releasing the tumblers by the key regardless of whether the keyis inserted into the look from the inner or outer sides of the latter.

A still further feature of this invention is to provide a lock of the above general type wherein provision is made on the key engaging ends of the tumblers for engaging a second fixed shoulder to latch the operating member in the event one or more of the tumblers are rocked beyond their released positions. This feature renders it extremely diflicult to release the tumblers by instruments other than the key intended for this purpose.

The foregoing as Well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-4 of Figure 8;

Figures 5 to 9 inclusive are sectional views showing the relationship of the various parts of the lock in diil'erent position; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view showing the manner in which the lock operates to prevent unauthorized release by instruments other than the key.

The lock'assembly forming the subject matter of this invention has many and diversified uses. However, it is particularly suitable for use in connection with either detention screens or doors, and is shown herein for the purpose of illustration as installed on a detention screen door structure.

The various parts of the lock assembly are shown in detail in Figure 1 of the drawings, and it will be noted that these parts are relatively simple in design, enabling the same to be economically manufactured on a production basis. Certain of the above parts cooperate with one another to form a case It) of a size to permit installation of the lock in a small space. In detail the parts forming the case comprise end plates H and I2 separated from one another by an annular spacer in the form of a split ring I3. The ring l3 has circumferentially spaced lugs 14 projecting from opposite edges thereof, and engageable in aligned openings I5 formed in the end plates to properly position the ring relative to these plates. The end plates are secured together with the spacer l3 clamped therebetween by machine screws i6 which respectively extend through the aligned openings iii in the plates.

The end plates are further formed with substantially centrally disposed aligned openings I! and with slots it which extend from corresponding sides of the openings It. The openings IT and slots I8 coact to form key holes of a shape to freely receive a bit type key I9 to be presently described. In this connection it is pointed out that the end plate l2 serves as a mounting plate for securing the lock assembly to suitable supporting structure, and is formed with a second slot 20. The slot 20 extends outwardly from the opening I! in diametrically opposed relationship to the slot l8, and renders the mounting plate |2 of the case adaptable for either right or left hand installations. The plate II is symmetrical, and as a consequence, may be used for either right or left hand installations.

Freely rotatably supported in the case it between the end plates and I2 is a hub 2|. The opposite ends 22 of the hub 2| are reduced in diameter, and are respectively rotatably supported in the openings H in the end plates. The hub 2| is bored to provide a central opening 23 therethrough, and is formed with a slot 24 extending for the full length of the hub from one side of the opening 23 to the periphery of the hub. The opening 23 is of sufiicient diameter to freely receive the pin 25 of the key shank I9, and the slot 24 is adapted to register with the slots IS in the end plates to freely receive the bit 26, Which pro jects laterally outwardly from the pin or key shank.

A :pair of

operating members

21 and 28 are respectively rotatably supported in the case l9 adjacent the inner surfaces of the end plates I and I2. The operating members have arcuate portions 29, andthe hub 2| has axially spaced annular stops 36 which form bearing surfaces for respectively engaging the inner "surfaces of the arcuate portions 29 on the operating members Hand 28. 1

A spacer block 3| is interposed between the operating members at one end of the arcuate portions 29, and is secured to both operating members by a machine screw 32. Also the operating members are angularly located with respect to one another by

pins

33 and 34. The pin 33 extends through the spacer block 3| and the oppo-- site ends thereof project into aligned openings 35 formed in the operating members. The pin 34 is diametrically opposed with respect to the pin 33 and also extends through aligned openings 36 in the operating members. Thus the operating members and the spacer block are rotatable as a unit relative to the hub 2| about the axis of the latter.

The operating members are also formed with lugs 31 which project laterally outwardly from the ends of the operating members opposite the ends thereof which are clamped to the spacer block 3| by the screw 32. tively project through arcuate recesses 38 formed in opposite edges of the annular spacer l3 at. one side of the latter. Also the lugs 3'! have aligned openings. 39 therethrough for attachment to suitable latch mechanism to be hereinafter de-.

scribed. 7

The operating members are normally held against rotation about the axis of the tube 2| by a plurality of tumblers. The number of tumblers may be varied, but for the purpose of illustration, three tumblers are shown, and are designated in the drawings by the numerals 40, 4| and 42. The tumblers are generally arcuate in configuration, and are located within the case In between the operating members in juxtaposition to one another at one side of the hub 2|. As shown particularly in Figure l of the drawings, the tumblers have aligned openings 43 intermediate the ends thereof for receiving the positioning pin 34, and are thereby capable of independent rocking movement about the axis of the pin 34, which is parallel to the axis of the hub 2|.

The tumblers have outwardly extending lugs 44 at corresponding ends, and these lugs are adapted to extend through an opening 45 formed in the The lugs 31 respec-.

adjacent side of the annular spacer |3. One side of the opening 45 provides a shoulder 49 for engagement by the lugs 44. When the lugs are positioned to engage the shoulder 46, rotation of the operating

members

21 and 28 is prevented, and the lugs are normally urged to this position by means of an arcuate spring 41. One end of the spring 41 is engaged in a slot 48 formed in one end of the spacer block 3|. The opposite end of the spring 41 is formed to provide three fingers 49, which respectively engage the tumblers at the inner sides of the lugs 44 to urge the latter outwardly into the opening 45. In this connection it will be noted from Figure l of the drawings that the tumblers are provided with notches 50 which form seats for the sprin fingers 49.

The ends of the tumblers opposite the lugs 44 are formed with cams 5|, and these cams are positioned for engagement with the bit 26 on the key when the latter is inserted in the look as shown in Figures 4 to 9 inclusive. The end tumblers 40 and 42 are identical in design, and the cams 5| assume the same relationship to the bit 26 on the key. The intermediate tumbler 4|, on the other hand, is of somewhat different design in that the cam 5| is actually offset inwardly toward the hub 2|. It will be observed from Figure l of the drawings that the hub 2| is provided with an annular groove 5| of sufficient size to freely accommodate the inwardly projecting cam 5| on the intermediate tumbler 4|. It will also be seen from Figure 7 of the drawings that the intermediate tumbler 4| has an arcuate inwardly extending projection 52 intermediate the ends which engages in the groove 5| and serves to position the intermediate tumbler 4| centrally between the

end tumblers

40 and 42.

The bit 26 on the key is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings as having a land 53 intermediate the ends thereof and as having

lands

54 and 55 symmetrically arranged at opposite sides of the land 53. The

lands

54 and 55 are spaced equal distances outwardly from the axis of the key, and the land 53 is spaced a lesser distance from the axis of the key. The arrangement is such that insertion of the key into the look from either side of the latter registers the

lands

55 and 54 with the cams 5| on the

end tumblers

40 and 42 respectively, and the land 53 registers with the cam 5| on the intermediate tumbler 4|. Thus rotation of the key in a direction toward the cam ends of the tumblers engages the lands on the bit 26 with the cams 5| on the respective tumblers, and swings the tumblers about the axis of the pin 34 to disengage the lugs 44 from the shoulders 46, as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. Continued rotation of the key in the above named direction imparts a rotative movement to latter position the lugs 44 on the tumblers again register with the opening 45, and the tumblers are actuated by the spring 41 to extend the lugs through the opening 45 into engagement with the shoulder 46. It will be understood that upon return movement of the key from the position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 5, the bit on the key engages the spacer block 3| and adjacent ends of the operating members to return the latter to their latched positions.

Attention is now called to the fact that each tumbler has an outwardly extending projection 56 at .the cam end, and the annular spacer 13 has an opening 51 therethrough which registers with the projections 56 in the latched position of the lock shown in Figures '5 to 7 inclusive. During normal operation of the lock, the projections 56 are always spaced inwardly from the opening 51, and do not interfere with manipulation of the lock by the key. However, should an attempt be made to pick the lock, or in other words, to move the tumblers to their released positions by inserting an instrument 59 (Figure through the "key hole, the projections 55 on at least one of the tumblers would, in all probability, extend through the opening 51 in the manner shown in Figure 10. Thus rotation of the operating members to their released positions is prevented by engagement of the projection or projections extending into the opening 51 with a shoulder 60 forming one side of the opening 51.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, it will be noted that the lock is mounted on an upright frame bar 61, which in the present instance, forms the swinging side of a suitable door. The outer edge of the bar 6! is formed with a lateral flange 62 terminating in an inwardly extending flange B3. The inner edge portion of the bar 6| is curved laterally, and terminates in an outwardly extending flange 64. A plate 65 is welded or otherwise secured to the flange 63, and the inner edge portion of the plate has an outwardly extending flange 66 which coacts with the flange 64 to receive the adjacent edge portion of a screen or panel 61 therebetween.

The lock is supported in the space between the bar BI and plate 65 with the lock plate [2 seated on the inner surface of the bar Bl. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings one side of the plate I2 is formed with diverging arms 68 having lugs 69 at the extremities extending through slots 10 formed in the flange 62 of the frame bar 6|. The opposite side of the plate l2 has spaced laterally extending arms 1| which have a. wedging engagement with the inner edge of the flange 64 in the manner clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. The arms 1| are connected by a web 12 which is bowed laterally outwardly to occupy a position beneath the flange 64 after the lock is positioned on the bar 6|. The bar BI .and in the present instance, the plate 65 are formed with key hole slots 13 in registration with the key holes in the lock.

The lugs 31 on the operating

members

21 and 28 are connected to the inner ends of a pair of rods 15 by a pin 16 extending through the aligned openings 39 in the lugs 3.1. The rods 15 extend in opposite directions from the pin 16 along the inner-side of the flange 65 and the outer ends of the rods are respectively pivotally connected to the inner ends of slides 11. The slides 11 are supported by guides 18 for sliding movement in the direction of length of the frame bar BI, and are .connected to latch members in the form of bolts 19. The bolts are respectively supported by the guides '18 for sliding movement in opposite directions perpendicular to the path of sliding movement of the slides 11, and are of sufllcient length to project through aligned openings 80 and 8| formed in the flange 62 and adjacent flxed frame structure 82 to lock the door in its closed position.

As shown in Figure 2 of the drawings the inner end portions of the bolts 19 are formed with slots 83 through which the slides 11 extend, and the latter are connected to the bolts 19 by pins 84 extending in a direction transverse to the bolts through slots 8.5 formed in the slides 11. The upper end portions of the slots 85 extend for some distance along the respective slides at right angles to the pins 84, and the opposite ends of the slots 85 flare laterally to the inner edge of the slides 11 to form inclined cam faces 86.

When the operating

members

21 and 28 are looking in the positions shown in Figures 5 to 7 inclusive of the drawings, the bolts 19 are extended .to their operative positions shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, and the pins 84 are engaged in the straight portions of the slots 85. Thus the bolts 19 cannot be moved inwardly to their released positions by applying a force directly on the bolts. On the contrary the bolts can only be released by manipulating the lock with the proper key. In this connection it will be noted that when the lock is operated by the key, the operating members are rocked to the position shown in Figure 9 of the drawings. As the operating members are rocked to the position shown in Figure 9, the slides 11 are moved up-- wardly by the rods 15 to engage the cam sur--.

faces 86 with the pins 84 and retract the bolts 19 to their released positions. Of course return movement of the operating members to their locked positions shown in Figure 5 moves the slides 11 downwardly relative to the pins 84 on the bolts 19 and moves bolts outwardly through the registering openings 8| in the fixed frame 82.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A lock assembly of the type adapted for operation by a key having a shank and a bit projecting laterally from the shank adjacentone end of the latter, comprising a case having plates secured together in lateral spaced relationship and one of the plates having a key receiving slot, a hub rotatably supported by the plates and positioned between the latter, said hub having an opening for receiving the key shank and having a slot registerable with the slot in said one plate for receiving the key bit, a member supported in the case for rotation about the hub axis, a tumbler pivoted intermediate the ends on the member for rocking movement about an axis substantially parallel to the hub axis, abutment means -on the tumbler at one side of the pivot and engageable with a shoulder fixed relative to the case to prevent rotation of said member, spring means acting upon the tumbler to urge the abutment means into engagement with said shoulder,

cam means on the tumbler at the opposite side of the pivot and adapted to respectively coact" with a land on the key bit upon rotation of the key in one direction to rock the tumbler about its pivot against the action of the spring means and disengage the abutment means from the shoulder, a second abutment means at the cam end of the tumbler, and means 'fixed relative to r the case engageable with the second abutment means upon excessive rocking movement of the tumbler toward its released position to prevent rotation of saidmember by the tumbler.

2. The lock assembly set forth in claim 1 in i which both plates of the case have key receiving slots to enable inserting the key into the case from either the inner or outer sides of the case, and in which the cam means on the tumbler are symmetrically arranged to engage the land on the key to release the first named abutment means on the tumbler from said shoulder regard- I less of whether the key is inserted into the lock from'the inner or outer sides thereof.

3. A lock assembly of the type adapted for operation by a key having a shank and having a bit'projecting laterally from the shank adjacent one end of the latter, comprising a casing having laterally spaced plates provided with aligned openings, a hublocated between the plates and having the opposite ends respectively freely rotatably supported in the aligned openings in said plates, said hub having an opening for receiving the key shank and having a slot registerable with slots in said plates for receiving the key bit, an operating member supported in the case for rotation about the axis of the hub, a plurality of tumblers pivoted intermediate the ends on the operating member to one side of the hub for rock- 7 ing movement independently of one another about an axis substantially parallel to the hub axis, abutment means on each tumbler at one side of the pivot axis and engageable with a shoulder fixed relative to the case to prevent rotation of the operating member, spring means normally urging the abutment means into engagement with said shoulder, cam means on each tumbler at the opposite side of the pivot axis and adapted to respectively coact with lands on the key bit upon rotation of the key in one direction to rock the tumblers about the pivot axis against the action of said spring means and disengage the abutment means on the tumblers from said shoulder, said cam means being symmetrically arranged to enable releasing the abutment means on the tumblers from said shoulder regardless of whether the key is inserted into the lock from the inner or outer sides thereof. 7

4. A lock assembly of the type adapted for operation by a key having a shank and having a'bit projecting laterally from the shank adjacent one end of the latter, comprising a case having laterally spaced plates provided with aligned openings, a hub located between the plates and having the opposite ends respectively freely rotatably supported in the aligned openings in said plates, said hub having an opening for receiving the key shank and having a slot registerable with slots in said plates for receiving the key bit, an operating member supported in the case for rotation about the axis of the hub,a plurality of tumblers pivoted intermediate the ends on the operating member to one side of the hub for rocking movement independently of one another about an axis substantially parallel to the hub axis, abutment means on each tumbler at one side of the pivot axis and engageable with a shoulder fixed relative to the case to prevent rotation of the operating member, spring means normally urging the abutment means into en-- gagement with said shoulder, cam means on each tumbler at the opposite side of the pivot axis and adapted to respectively coact with lands on the key bit upon rotation of the key in one direction to rock the tumblers about the pivot axis against the action of said spring means and disengage the abutment means on the tumblers from said shoulder, second abutment means on each tumbler at the cam ends of the latter, and means fixed relative to the case engageable with the second abutment means upon excessive rocking movement of the tumblers toward their released positions to prevent rotation of the operating member by said tumblers.

5. The lock assembly set forth in claim 4 in 'which the cams on the tumblers are symmet- 8 rically arranged to enable the key to release the tumblers from said shoulder regardless of whether the key is inserted into the look from the inner or outer sides of the. lock.

6. A look assembly of the type adapted for operation by key having a shank and having a bit projecting laterally from the shank adjacent one end of the latter, comprising a case having laterally spaced plates and having an annular spacer located between the plates in fixed relation thereto, a hub located between the plates and having the opposite end portions freely rot'atably supported in aligned openings in said plates, said hub having an opening therethrough for receiving the key shank and having a slot registerable with slots in said plates for receiving the key bit, operating members respectively rotatably supported in the case on opposite end portions of the hub and having portions projecting laterally through arcuate slots in thespacer, a tumbler located between the operating members to one side of the hub and pivoted intermediate the ends on the operating members for rocking movement about an axis substantially parallel to the hub, abutment means on the tumbler at one side of the ,pivot axis and engageable with a shoulder on the spacer to prevent rotation of the operating members, spring means normally urging the abutment means into engagementwith said shoulder, and cam means on the tumbler at the opposite side of the pivot axis and adapted to respectively coact with a land on the key bit upon rotation of the key in one direction to rock the tumbler about its pivot axis against the action of the spring means and thereby disengage the abutment means on the tumbler from said shoulder.

7. The lock assembly set forth in claim 6 characterized in that a second abutment means is provided on the cam end of the tumbler and a second shoulder is provided on the spacer for engagement with the second abutment means upon excessive rocking movement of the tumbler toward its released position to prevent rotation of the operating members by said tumbler.

8. A lock assembly of the type adaptedfor operation by key having a shank and having a bit projecting laterally from the shank adjacent one end of the latter, comprising a case having laterally spaced plates and having an annular spacer located between the plates in fixed relation thereto, a hub located between the plates and having the opposite end portions freely rotatably supported in aligned openings in said plates, said hub having an opening therethrough for receiving the key shank and having a slot registerable with slots in said plates for receiving the key bit, operating members respectively rotatably supported in the case on opposite endportions of the hub and having portions projecting shoulder on the spacer to prevent rotation of the operating members, spring means acting on the tumblers to urge the abutment means thereon into engagement with said shoulder, cam

means on each tumbler at the opposite side 'of.

the pivot axis and adapted to respectively coact with lands on the key bit upon rotation of the key in one direction to rock the tumblers about their pivot axes against the action of the spring means and thereby disengage the abutment means on the respective tumblers from said shoulder, the said cam means being symmetrically arranged to release the tumblers from said shoulder regardless of whether the key is inserted into the look from the inner or outer sides thereof.

9. The lock assembly of claim 8 characterized in that second abutment means is provided at the cam end of each tumbler for engagement with a second shoulder on the spacer upon excessive rocking movement of the tumblers toward their released positions to prevent rotation of the operating members by the tumblers.

10. A look assembly comprising a case, a hub freely rotatably supported in the case, said hub having an opening therethrough for receiving a key shank and having a slot for receiving a key bit, a member supported in the case for rotation about the hub axis, a plurality of tumblers arranged in juxtaposition to one another in the case and pivoted intermediate the ends on said member to one side of the hub for rocking movement about an axis substantially parallel to the hub axis, abutment means on each tumbler at one side of the pivot axis and engageable with a shoulder fixed relative to the case to prevent rotation of said member, spring means acting on the tumblers and normally urging the abutment means into engagement with said shoulder, cam means on each tumbler at the opposite side of the pivot axis and. adapted to respectively engage lands on the key bit upon rotation of the key in one direction to rock the tumblers about the pivot axis against the action of the spring means and disengage the abutment means on the tumblers from said shoulder.

11. A look assembly comprising a case, a hub freely rotatably supported in the case, said hub having an opening therethrough for receiving a key shank and having a slot for receiving a key bit, a member supported in the case for rotation about the hub axis, a pair of tumblers pivoted intermediate the ends thereof on said member to one side of the hub for rocking movement about an axis substantially parallel to the hub axis and having cam portions at one side of the pivot axis adapted to respectively engage lands on the key bit, an intermediate tumbler between the pair of tumblers and pivoted between the ends thereof on the pivot axis of said pair of tumblers, cam means on the intermediate tumbler adapted to engage another land on the key bit, abutment means on each tumbler at the opposite side or" the pivot axis and engageable with a shoulder fixed relative to said case to prevent rotation of the member, and spring means normally urging the abutment means into engagement with said shoulder.

12. The latch assembly defined in claim 11 in which the case has inner and outer walls slotted to enable inserting the key into the hub from either the inner or outer sides of the case, and in which the cams on the tumblers are symmetrically arranged with respect to the lands on the key bit to enable releasing the abutment means on the tumblers from said shoulder by the key regardless of whether the key is inserted into the look from the inner or outer sides thereof.

13. The latch assembly defined in claim 11 in which the tumblers are provided with abutment means adjacent the cams thereon for engagement with a second shoulder fixed relative to the case upon excessive rocking movement of the tumblers toward their released positions to prevent rotation of said member by the tumblers.

LEON E. WILLETT. RAYMOND G. BAKER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Doubler Apr. 21, 1885 Number