WO1987002737A1

WO1987002737A1 - Cylinder lock with key for electro-mechanical locking

Info

Publication number: WO1987002737A1
Application number: PCT/GB1986/000615
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roy Stephen Jefferies
Original assignee: Lowe & Fletcher Limited
Priority date: 1985-10-25
Filing date: 1986-10-10
Publication date: 1987-05-07
Also published as: AU6544886A; EP0245335A1

Abstract

An information carrier (17) has depressions (20) representing information and a reader includes a cylinder (11) defining a passage along which the information-bearing portion of the carrier can be moved, a contact element (24) mounted in the cylinder to be moved by the carrier in a manner corresponding to the depressions, a photo-electric emitter-detector pair (25) for providing an electrical signal representing the movements of the contact element and the lever (26) for transmitting motion from the contact element to the emitter-detector pair. The latter is disposed adjacent to an end of the cylinder remote from the contact element and the lever is mounted in a channel defined at the periphery of the cylinder.

Description

CYLINDER LOCK WITH KEY FOR ELECTRO-MECHANICAL LOCKING

From one aspect, the present invention relates to an information carrier in the form of a key and to a lock having means for reading information from the key and providing an electrical output signal which is used to control an electrically energisable element which can release a key receiving member of the lock for movement by the key.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock and key wherein the key has formations representing data and the lock has a key-receiving member defining a key passage, a contact element mounted in the key-receiving member for movement relative thereto and arranged for contact with and for movement by said formations of the key, when inserted into the passage, and a driven member arranged to be movable by the key, when in the passage, the key being adapted to move the driven member without concurrently moving the contact element with the driven member.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a keyreader comprising a key-receiving member defining a passage for receiving an information-bearing part of a key and a contact element mounted in the key-receiving member and arranged to protrude into the passage to contact sσid part of the key, a driven member arranged to be moved relative to the contact element by the key, when present in the passage, and reading means for providing an electrical signal representing a sequence of movements of the contact element into and out of the path of the key.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling apparatus by means of a key, having formations which represent information, wherein the key is inserted into a reader, a contact element engages successive ones of said formations during insertion of the key and undergoes movement in a pattern which represents said information , an electrical signal which represents said information is generated in response to said movement of the contact element, the key is subjected to further movement to transmit motion to a member of the apparatus, the contact element does not move with the key during said further movement thereof and control is exercised in dependence on the content of said electrical signal and on said further movement of the key.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock and key, wherein the key has an elongated information-bearing portion, said portion has a pair of opposite major faces extending along its length and a pair of opposite minor faces extending along its length and extending between the major faces, the lock includes a hollow housing, the lock includes a keyreceiving member which defines a key-slot for receiving said portion of the key, the key-receiving member is mounted in the housing for movement relative thereto, the lock includes a plurality of tumblers which are movable by said portion of the key, when inserted into the key-slot, from respective locking positions in which they obstruct relative movement of the keyreceiving member and housing to respective releasing positions in which they do not obstruct such relative movement and wherein the key has on at least one of said minor faces formations which engage the tumblers to move same to their releasing positions, characterised in that the lock also includes electrically energisable means for controlling operation of the lock, the key has additional formations on at least one of said major faces and the lock includes reading means for reading information from said additional formations and providing an electrical output signal for controlling energisation of said electrically energisable means.

The lock of a combination according to the fourth aspect of the invention can have a compact configuration. The tumblers and the reading means can lie at the same position along the lock, for example respective parts of the reading means lying at opposite sides of the key-slot so that the key-slot and tumblers lie generally between the parts of the reading means. A lock of small overall dimensions can be arranged for reading a large amount of information from an appropriate key.

The key-receiving member, the housing, the reading means and the electrically energisable means of the lock of a combination according to the fourth aspect of the invention preferably form a unit which is no larger than the replaceable cylinder of a conventional pin-tumbler cylinder lock, for example as used in night-latches. This unit may be substituted for the cylinder of a night-latch markedly to improve the security of the night-latch. Thus, the housing of the lock preferably has adjacent to an end of the keyreceiving member at which the key is introduced into that member an endface with a substantially circular periphery and said unit preferably lies entirely within a notional cylindrical space with a diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of said end-face.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading device suitable for reading information from an information carrier having mechanical formations which represent the information, the device comprising a member defining a path along which the information carrier is moved during reading, a contact element mounted in said member for movement transversely of said path and for engaging the information carrier during reading, signalling means for providing a signal representing the information read from the carrier and transmitting means for transmitting motion from the contact element to the signalling means, wherein the contact element is a rolling element arranged for rolling on said mechanical formations of the carrier.

Preferably the transmitting means includes a lever and a contact element is interposed between the lever and said path. The contact element Is preferably guided by said member for reciprocation towards and away from the path.

According a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a keyoperated device comprising a body, a mechanism incorporating a driven member which is moved relative to the body by the key when the device is used and reading means for reading information from the key when applied to the device and representing said information electronically.

The electronically represented Information can be processed remotely from a device according to the sixth aspect of the invention or by means of a processor incorporated in the device. Such processing may Include comparison of information read from the key with stored information, in order to check whether the key is an acceptable key for operation of the particular device. Alternatively, the information read from the key may simply be stored for subsequent retrieval. The mechanism may be an electric switch having at least one pair of contacts, whereof a first contact moves with the driven member relative to the body and a second contact remains stationary with respect to the body.

The mechanism may alternatively or additionally be a releasable fastening mechanism incorporating a latch or a bolt. The mechanism may be disposed in a housing distinct from the body. The housing may be mounted on the body. Each of the housing and the body may have respective mounting formations which can co-operate with a snap-fit to secure the housing in a fixed relation to the body.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided, in combination, an information carrier and a reading device for receiving the carrier and for reading information from the carrier, when applied to the reading device, wherein the reading device comprises blocking means responsive to movement of the information carrier relative to the reading device at a speed exceeding a predetermined speed during reading of information from the carrier by the reading device by providing a blocking signal.

The blocking means limits the speed at which the information carrier can be applied to the reading means and read whilst being applied. The limiting speed would be selected to ensure that errors cannot be introduced into the information read from the information carrier as a consequence of movement of the carrier at an excessive speed.

The reading device may further comprise a processor which compares the number of bits of information read from a predetermined part of the information carrier with a predetermined number and, if there is a difference, rejects information read from the carrier. Such a processor ensures that errors cannot be introduced into the information read from the carrier by interrupting insertion of the carrier, effecting partial withdrawal of the carrier whilsr insertion is interrupted and then completing insertion.

The blocking means of a combination according to the seventh aspect of the invention preferably comprises signalling means which responds to movement of the information carrier into the reading device by providing a series of pulses, the duration of the intervals between successive pulses depending on the speed at which the carrier is moved, and comparator means for comparing the duration of said intervals with a predetermined period and for providing the blocking signal when the duration is less than the predetermined period.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided the combination comprising an information carrier, a key and a reading device for receiving the information carrier and for reading information from the carrier, wherein the reading device comprises a key-receiving member defining a key-slot into which a selected one of the information carrier and the key can be inserted, a housing in which the key-receiving member is mounted, a plurality of tumblers movable by the key, when inserted into the key-slot, from respective locking positions in which the tumblers restrain movement of the key-receiving member relative to the housing into respective releasing positions in which the tumblers do not restrain said movement and reading means for reading information from the information carrier during insertion of the carrier into the key-slot and wherein the information carrier is arranged to permit the tumblers to remain in their locking positions during insertion of the information carrier into the key-slot.

The reading device of a combination according to the eighth aspect of the invention may be used normally for reading information from the information carrier or from several information carriers; whereas the key may be used in emergencies or other exceptional circumstances for moving the key-receiving member relative to the housing.

Examples of locks, other reading devices, keys and other information carriers embodying the Invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

FIGURE I shows a perspective view of a first lock, an outer body and certain parts associated therewith being omitted; FIG URE 2 shows components of the lock of figure 1 separated from each other and certain parts omitted from figure 1 alao being shown;

FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of an information carrier for use with the lock of figure 1 ; FIGURE 4 shows a perspective view of a key for use with the lock of figure 1 ;

FIGURE 5 illustrates a second example of lock and key; FIGURE 6 illustrates a third example of lock and key. FIGURE 7 illustrates a switch of a modified lock; FIGURE 8 shows a cross-section through a fourth lock in a plane containing an axis of the lock;

FIGURE 9 shows a further cross-section of the fourth lock, in a plane transverse to the axis of the lock;

The lock of figures 1 and 2 comprises a hollow housing 10 containing a key-receiving member 1 1 which, when the proper key shown in figure 4 has been introduced into the key-receiving member, can be turned relative to the housing about an axis 12. A number, five, in the illustrated example, of pin tumblers 13 is mounted in the housing 10 in a known manner for preventing turning of the key-receiving member relative to the housing when the key is absent from the lock. The member 1 1 defines a key-slot 14, which may extend along the entire length of the member 1 1 and which has a substantially rectangular shape, in planes perpendicular to the axis 12. The tumblers 13 protrude into the key-slot so that they can be engaged by formations 15 on the key, when the latter is introduced into the slot 14, and displaced by those formations to respective releasing positions, in which they no longer obstruct turning of the member 1 1 relative to the housing. In use, the housing 10 is mounted in and is secured in a hollow body 16 which prevents access being gained to the tumblers from the outside of the housing, other than through the member 1 1. Whilst the key of figure 4 is absent from the lock of figure 1 , the information carrier 17 shown in figure 3 can be inserted into the key-slot 14. The information carrier includes a handle 18 at one end and an elongated portion 19 which can be inserted in the slot 14. This elongated portion bears information represented by formations arranged in at least one row on the carrier. These formations may be apertures which extend completely through the thickness of the carrier or recesses which extend only partly through the thickness of the carrier. In the example illustrated, the information is represented by apertures 20 arranged in a single row extending along the portion 19 of the carrier. This portion has a substantially rectangular profile, as viewed in a plane transverse to its length, and each of the apertures 20 extends from one major face of the carrier to the other major face. Adjacent to one minor face and to one major face of the carrier, the portion 19 defines a row of recesses 21 . These recesses constitute a clock-track, the function of which will be explained hereinafter. It will be noted that the apertures 20 and the recesses 21 are al l parallel -sided.

In different examples of information carriers, intended for use in different locks, the clock tracks may be the same and the recesses of the clock tracks are conveniently formed by moulding. However, the row of apertures 20 will differ from one example of information carrier to another and the apertures 20 are conveniently formed by punching material from blank information carriers, after moulding.

The key shown in figure 4 has a handle 22 and an elongated portion 23 which has a generally rectangular cross-section, as viewed in planes perpendicular to its length, and which corresponds to the portion 1 9 of the Information carrier. It wil l be noted that the formations 15 of the key are provided along one minor face thereof. On one major face of the key mot shown) there is provided a clock track corresponding to the row of recesses 21 of the information carrier. On the opposite major face of the key there is provided a data track corresponding to the apertures 20 of the information carrier but preferably comprising recesses, not apertures. The information thus borne by the key may be the same as or may differ from the information borne by the carrier 17. It will be noted that the information carrier lacks formations corresponding to the formations 15 and the dimensions of the information carrier are such that, when it is introduced into the key-slot 1 4, it does not move the tumblers into respective releasing positions.

The lock comprises reading means for reading information from whichever of the carrier 17 and key is inserted into the slot 1 4. The reading means comprises a first contact element 24 which is mounted in the key receiving member 1 1 adjacent to the key-slot 14 for engaging the key or information carrier and traversing the row of recesses 21 of the latter. The reading means further comprises signalling means 25 for providing an electrical signal representing the recesses 21. There is further provided transmission means 26 for transmitting motion from the first contact element 24 to the signalling means 25. The signalling means 25 comprises a diode 27 for emitting radiation, a detector 28 for receiving that radiation and an obstructing element 29 which can move into a position between the diode and the detector where the element 29 obstructs the transmission of radiation from the diode to the detector and can be moved out of the path of radiation from the diode to the detector. In the example illustrated, the obstructing element 29 is an end portion of a lever which constitutes the transmitting means 26. This lever is mounted in a groove 30 formed in the key-receiving member 1 1 for pivoting relative thereto about a pivot axis 31 which is perpendicular to the lock axis 12. It will be noted that the pivot axis 31 is much nearer to the first contact element 24 than to the obstructing element 29. Accordingly, the transmitting means 27 amplifies motion transmitted from the contact element to the obstructing element. The lever is biased by a spring into engagement with the contact element.

The first contact element 24 is guided by the key-receiving member 1 1 for reciprocation along a path which is perpendicular to the axis 12 and to the length of the key-slot 14. The contact element is adapted to roll on adjacent surfaces of the key-receiving member and/or on the key when the latter is inserted into and is removed from the key-slot. The preferred form of the first contact element is a ball. The diameter of the ball is substantially greater than the width of each of the recesses 21. The diameter of the ball is, however, sufficiently small to enable the ball to penetrate a significant distance into the recess, for example at least one millimetre.

A second contact element 32 is mounted in the member 1 1 in the same manner as is the contact element 24. This second contact element is positioned so as to be aligned with the row of apertures 20 of the carrier 17, when the latter is inserted into the key-slot 14. With the second contact element , there are associated transmitting means 33 and signalling means 34 arranged in the same manner as are the transmitting means 26 and signalling means 25. In the example illustrated, the transmitting means 26 and 33 lie on opposite sides of the key-slot 14. However, both transmitting means could lie at the same side of the key-slot. Furthermore, additional contact elements, transmitting means and signalling means may be provided for reading additional information from the carrier. The signalling means are conveniently mounted in α separately formed holder 35 which is secured on the key-receiving member 1 1. This is achieved by a cap 36 which fits over the holder 35 and has resilient fingers which are a snap-fit in the keyreceiving member. The lock also includes means for providing an entry signal upon entry of a key or other instrument into the key-slot 14 and for providing a signal when the key or the information carrier 17 has been fully inserted. This means comprises a further lever 37 mounted in a further groove formed in the member 1 1 and having an end portion 38 adjacent to an outer end face 39 of the key-receiving member which protrudes into the key-slot 14 and is urged towards such a position by a spring. As shown, a bail is preferably interposed between the end portion 38 and the key or carrier present in the key-slot. A pair of resilient switch contacts 40, 41 is provided inside the cap 36 and an end portion of the lever 37 remote from the portion 38 is arranged for engagement with the contact 40 to move same into engagement with the contact 41 , when the key or the information carrier is introduced into the key-slot 14. When the key is fully inserted, it engages the contact 41 and moves this out of engagement with the contact 40. The information carrier 17 operates in a similar manner to open the contacts 40, 41. It will be noted that the holder 35 defines a passage through which the key or the information carrier can pass to the contacts 40, 41.

In the body 16, there are provided several electrical contact shoes 42, through which electrical connection is established with the diode 27, detector 28, diode and detector of, the signalling means 34 and with the contacts 40 and 41. The contact shoes 42 mounted in the body engage respective resilient conductors 43 mounted on the holder 35. As shown in figure 2, the holder is conveniently an assembly of two separately moulded parts, one of which supports the diodes and detectors and the other of which bears electrical conductors for facilitating connection of these components with the resilient conductors 43.

There is provided a micro-processor 44 which may be mounted in the body 16 or separately therefrom. The micro-processor is connected with the contacts 42 in the body by additional conductors (not shown). There is further provided an electrical power source 45, for example a battery of cells. This power source also may be mounted in the body 16 or separately therefrom. The micro-processor is arranged to provide an electrical output signal to an associated device (not shown) which is to be controlled by the lock. Such associated device may be data-processing apparatus or an electrically energisable release mechanism for a door latch or bolt.

The lock of figure 1 may further comprise electrically energisable means, similar to that hereinafter described with reference to figure 8, and controlled by the micro-processor 44, for preventing rotation of the key- receiving member 1 1 relative to the housing 10 unless a predetermined set of information has been read from the key during Insertion of the latter into the slot 14.

The housing 10 of the lock shown in figures 1 and 2 has the form of a housing of a profile lock, comprising a generally cylindrical portion with a projection along one side of the cylinder. It will be noted that the tumblers and reading means are all contained within the profile of the housing, so that the lock of figure 1 can be substituted for a known profile lock. As in the case of known profile locks, the lock of figure 1 may include a rotatable eccentric element for driving an associated bolt, means being provided for transmitting torque from the key-receiving member 1 1 to the eccentric element.

The lock of figures 1 and 2 may be modified to serve as a reading device for reading information from the information carrier shown in figure 3. In this modification, the key-receiving member 1 1 is fixed with respect to the housing 10 and the tumblers 13 are omitted. The lock illustrated in figure 5 comprises a body 510 containing a key- receiving member 51 1 which has an end face exposed at the outside of the body. The member 51 1 defines a passage 512 extending into the lock from this end face to receive the key 513. The key has a generally cylindrical, elongated stem 514 having wards 515 projecting radially from the stem adjacent to one end thereof. At an opposite end of the stem, there is provided a handle 516. Accordingly, the passage 512 has a profile which includes a circular part and a rectangular extension projecting from the periphery of the circular part.

Along one side of the stem 514, there is formed a row of depressions 517 which constitutes a data track of the key. Along an opposite side of the stem there is formed a row of depressions which constitutes a clocktrack (not shown) of the key.

There is mounted in the body 510, in co-axial relation with the key- receiving member 51 1 and at a position remote from the exposed end face thereof, a rotatable output element 518 having driving means for transmitting drive to an associated device. In the example illustrated, the associated device comprises a bolt 519 and a cam 520 for reciprocating the bolt. The driving means is a drive shaft 521 connecting the output element with the cam for turning therewith about an axis 522 of the lock.

The output element 518 has an eccentric element 523 extending into the member 51 1 at a position offset from the axis 522. When the stem 514 of the key has been fully inserted into the passage 512, the eccentric element 523 is engageable by the wards 515 of the key to receive therefrom torque and enable the output element and cam to be turned by the key. Complimentary wards 524 are provided in the member 51 1 to inhibit turning of the output element by means of an incorrect key.

Locking means is provided for releasably restraining reciprocation of the bolt by means of the cam 520, unless acceptable information has been read from the key inserted Into the passage 512. In the example illustrated in figure 5, the locking means comprises a plunger 524 guided by the body 510 for movement between a projected position, in which the plunger lies partly in a recess 526 defined by the bolt and partly in the body 510 and a retracted position, in which the plunger lies entirely in the body. Alternatively, the plunger could be arranged to engage a recess formed in the cam 520 or in the output element 518. For moving the plunger between its projected and retracted positions, there is provided a solenoid 527 which is mounted in a fixed position in the body 510. The plunger 525 may constitute an armature of the solenoid. Alternatively, the armature of the solenoid may be formed separately from the plunger 525 and arranged to impart motion thereto. The plunger may be biased in one direction by a spring.

Control means is provided for controlling energisation of the solenoid 527 in accordance with information read from the key. The control means includes a microprocessor 528 mounted in the body 510 or remotely therefrom and connected with other electrical components of the lock by suitable leads. There is also disposed in the body 510 a source of electrical power, for example a battery of cells 529. For clarity of illustration, leads connecting the battery, microprocessor and other electrical components of the lock are omitted from the drawing. A pair of electrical contacts 530 are mounted in the member 51 1 for providing to the microprocessor 528 a signal Indicating insertion of the key or some other instrument into the passage 512. For operating the contacts, there is provided a lever 531 disposed in a channel defined by the member 51 1 and having one end portion engaged with a movable contact of the contact pair 530. An opposite end portion of the lever is engaged with a contact element 532 mounted in the member 51 1 to protrude into the passage 512 and engage the key 513, when the latter is introduced into the passage. The contact element 532 is preferably a ball which can roll on the key. Alternatively, the contact element may be integral with the lever 531. The lever is pivoted for movement relative to the member 51 1 about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to and is offset from the lock axis 522. As the stem 514 of the key is introduced into the passage 512, it engages the contact element 532 and expels the contact element from this passage, thereby pivoting the lever and closing the contacts 530. The lever is urged by a spring (not shown) into engagement with the contact element.

A second contact element 533, which is also preferably a ball, is disposed in the member 51 1 for engagement with the key along the clocktrack. With the contact element 533, there is associated a lever 534 pivotally mounted in a channel defined by the member 51 1 . Signalling means 535 for providing to the microprocessor 528 an electrical signal representing movements of the contact element 533 is also mounted in the member 51 1 . The signalling means comprises an emitter and a detector of radiation which are spaced apart by a gap into which an end portion of the lever 534 can penetrate, when the contact element 533 is expelled from the passage 512.

During insertion of the key into the passage 512, the contact element 533 is caused to reciprocate towards and away from the lock axis 522 and the transmission of radiation from the emitter to the detector of the signalling means 535 is interrupted intermittently. The pivot axis of the lever 534 is nearer to the contact element 533 than to the signalling means 535, so that the lever amplifies the motion of the contact element and applies the amplified motion to the signalling means. The lever is biased by a spring against the contact element.

At the side of the member 51 1 remote from the lever 534, there is provided a further lever 536 which is also mounted in a channel defined by the member 51 1. with the lever 536, there are associated a contact element 537 and signalling means 538 corresponding to the contact element 533 and signalling means 535. During insertion of the key into the passage 512, the contact element 537 rolls along the data track of the key and the signalling means 538 provides to the microprocessor an electrical signal representing the formations of the data track.

The lock illustrated in figure 6 comprises a number of parts which correspond to parts of the lock hereinbefore described with reference to figure 5. In figure 6, such corresponding parts are indicated by like reference numerals with the prefix 6 substituted for the prefix 5 used in figure 5. The preceding description is deemed to apply to such corresponding parts, except for the differences hereinafter mentioned.

The output element 6 18 of the lock of figure 6 lies at least partly inside the member 6 1 1 and a number of tumblers 640 are arranged in a known manner, normally to restrain rotation of the output element relative to the member 61 1. In place of the wards, the key of figure 6 has a bit 6 15 formed with notches to co-operate with the tumblers 640 and displace those tumblers to respective releasing positions, when the key stem 614 is fully inserted into the passage 6 12.

The output element 618 is also formed with a recess to receive an end portion of the plunger 625 which is guided by the body 6 10 for movement towards and away from the lock axis 622. The plunger is urged by a spring into the recess of the output element and can be withdrawn from the recess by energisation of the solenoid 627.

During insertion of the stem 6 14 of the key into the member 6 1 1 , data is read from the key by the signalling means 635 and 638 and is compared by the microprocessor 628 with data stored in the microprocessor. If the data read from the key is acceptable, the microprocessor causes the solenoid 627 to be energised so that the plunger 625 is withdrawn from the output element 618. As the key reaches the fully inserted position, it moves the tumblers 640 into respective releasing positions so that the output element is freed for rotation relative to the member 61 1. Torque can be transmitted from the key to the output element by means of the bit 6 15 and the cam 620 can therefore be turned to retract the bolt. Before the key can be withdrawn, the output element must be returned to its initial position, in order to align the keybit 6 15 with the rectangular part of the passage 612. The locks of figures 5 and 6 may be modified by substitution for the cam and bolt mechanism of a rotary switch, as shown in figure 7. In figure 7, there is illustrated a generally cylindrical housing 641 which would normally be stationary and fixed to the body 510 or 610, as the case may be. The bodies of the modified locks may be cylindrical and adapted to co-operate with the housing 641 with a snap-fit. Inside the housing, there is rotatably mounted a rotor 642 having a square central opening, in which there is received the drive shaft 521 or 621 , as the case may be. The rotor and the housing 641 carry respective electrical contacts which can be opened or closed by turning of the rotor with the drive shaft.

The lock illustrated in figures 8 and 9 comprises certain parts which correspond to those hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 and 2. In figures 8 and 9, such corresponding parts are indicated by like numerals with the prefix 1 and the preceding description is deemed to apply to those corresponding parts, except for the differences hereinafter mentioned.

In the lock of figure 8, the first and second signalling means are mounted beside that portion of the housing 1 10 which contains the tumblers. In a case where there are only two contact elements, these are preferably at opposite sides of the key-slot, the corresponding signalling means being at opposite sides of the tumblers. In a case where four contact elements are provided, there would be two contact elements at each side of the key-slot and two signalling means at each side of the tumblers. It will be noted that the signalling means of the lock of figure 8 are relatively near to the outer end face 139 and that the levers constituting the transmission means pivot about axes which are parallel to the axis 1 12. Each lever is arranged with its length generally transverse to the length of the key-receiving member. Furthermore, the levers lie outside the key-receiving member and are mounted in a carrier (not shown) which is a snap-fit on the housing 10. Additional elements (not shown) may be interposed between the levers and the contact elements, in a case where the latter are balls. Alternatively, the contact elements may be elongated. The arrangement is such that, when a key has been fully inserted into the key-receiving member 1 1 1 , the levers lie outside that member so that the levers do not impede rotation of the member 1 1 1 relative to the housing 1 10. Adjacent to an inner end of the row of tumblers, there is mounted in the housing 1 10 an electrically energisable motor 150 which, in the example illustrated, is a solenoid arranged with its axis perpendicular to the axis 1 1 2. An armature 151 of the solenoid is urged by a spring (not shown) towards a projected position, in which an end portion of the armature protrudes from the housing 1 10 towards the key-receiving member 1 1 1. When the solenoid is energised, the armature is withdrawn into the housing 1 10.

There is interposed between the solenoid 150 and the key-receiving member 1 1 1 a rectangular plate-like element 152 formed with an aperture in which the end portion of the armature 151 can be received, when the latter is in its projected position. A notch in an edge of the element 152 receives a projection 153 which is on the member 1 1 1 . This projection is spaced substantially from the armature 151 . The element 152 is confined to the space between the member 1 1 1 , on the one hand, and the housing 1 10 and solenoid 150, on the other hand. Furthermore, movement of the element 152 is restricted by the projection 153 and by the armature 151 , when the latter is in its projected position. The element 152 is not, however, fixed with respect to any other component.

If the member 1 1 1 is turned relative to the housing 1 10 whilst the armature 151 is retracted, the element 152 turns freely with the member 1 1 1 and turning of the member 1 1 1 is not impeded. If an attempt is made forcibly to turn the member 1 1 1 relative to the housing 1 10 whilst the armature is in its projected position, the element 152 will be pivoted slightly about the armature so that corners of the element 152 jam against the internal surface of the housing 1 10. The element 152 is then capable of transmitting torque from the member 1 1 1 to the housing 1 10 and thereby preventing relative rotation. It will be noted that such torque is not transmitted entirely through the armature 151 and the armature is unlikely to be sheared. The lock of figure 8 is intended for use with a key having along a minor face formations for co-operation with the tumblers and having on at least one major face recesses representing information which can be read by the reading means. When an appropriate key is inserted into the lock, each tumbler is displaced to a releasing position in which it no longer prevents rotation of the member 1 1 1 relative to the housing 1 10. The micro-processor 144 compares information read from the key with stored information and, if appropriate, provides a control signal for energising the solenoid 150 to retract the armature. The member 1 1 1 is then free to be turned by means of the key to operate an associated device, for example a latch or lock, in a known manner.

In each of the locks hereinbefore described, generation of the key-entry signal when insertion of a key is commenced instructs the micro-processor to become active and to energise intermittently the diode corresponding to that contact element which is aligned with the clocktrack of the key. When the leading end of the key reaches this contact element, the contact element is moved and an appropriate signal is provided to the micro-processor. If that contact element does not move into a recess of the clocktrack within a predetermined period, for example 2.5 seconds, then the microprocessor assumes a default condition and energisation of the solenoid or other motor Is prevented.

The microprocessor continues to energise intermittently the diode corresponding to the clocktrack until coincidence of a first formation of the clocktrack with the contact element has been detected and confirmed. The diode associated with the contact element which corresponds to the information track of the key is then energised to interrogate the key at a predetermined position relative to the first formation of the clocktrack. The diode corresponding to the clocktrack is then energised intermittently and the process is repeated until the key has been fully inserted. This is signalled to the microprocessor and the time which has elapsed since insertion of the key is checked. If this exceeds 2.5 seconds, the microprocessor assumes the default condition.

The intervals between successive energisations of that diode which corresponds to the information track on the key are compared with a predetermined period and, if any one or more of these intervals is found to be shorter than the predetermined period, the microprocessor assumes the default condition, In order to avoid the possibility of an error resulting from excessively rapid insertion of the key. The number of bits read from the clocktrack is compared with the expected number and, If there is a difference, the microprocessor assumes the default condition. If the default condition is not assumed, then data read from the information track of the key is compared with data previously stored by the microprocessor and, If correspondence is found, an electrial output signal is provided and is used, for example, to energise the solenoid or other motor and permit rotation of the key-receiving member relative to the housing.

The switch of Figure 7 may be associated with the lock of Figures I and 2 or with the lock of Figures 8 and 9, the rotor of the switch being coupled with the key-receiving member of the lock. Alternatively, the cam and bolt mechanism of Figure 6 may be associated with the lock of Figures 8 and 9.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lock and key wherein the key has formations representing data and the lock has a key-receiving member defining a key passage, a contact element mounted in the key-receiving member for movement relative thereto and arranged for contact with key when inserted into the passage, and a driven member arranged to be movable by the key, when in the passage, the key being adapted to move the driven member without concurrently moving the contact element with the driven member.

2. A lock and key according to Claim I wherein, when the key is present in the passage, the key is turnable about an axis of the lock relative to the contact element.

3. A lock and key according to Claim 2 wherein the driven member is arranged to be moved by turning of the key.

4. A lock and key according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the key has a cylindrical portion and a non-cylindrical portion and wherein the contact element is arranged to contact the cylindrical portion of the key during turning of the key.

5. A lock and key according to any preceding Claim wherein the contact element Is arranged for rolling on the key during insertion of the key into the passage.

6. A lock and key according to any preceding Claim wherein there is operatively associated with the contact element reading means for responding to movement of the contact element by providing an electrical signal representing such movement.

7. A key-reader comprising a key-receiving member defining a passage for receiving an information-bearing part of a key, a contact element mounted in the key-receiving member and arranged to protrude into the passage to contact said part of the key, a driven member arranged to be moved relative to the contact element by the key, when present in the passage, and reading means for providing an electrical signal representing a sequence of movements of the contact element into and out of the path of the key.

8. A key-reader according to Claim 7 wherein the driven member is arranged for turning relative to the key-receiving member about an axis of the reader.

9. A reader according to Claim 8 wherein the contact element is arranged for movement towards and away from said axis relative to the key-receiving member and is restrained by the key-receiving member against movement in other directions.

10. A key-reader according to any one of Claims 6 to 9 wherein the keyreceiving member defines an opening through which a key can be introduced into the reader and wherein the driven member lies adjacent to an end of the key-receiving member remote from said opening.

I I . A method of controlling apparatus by means of a key having formations which represent information wherein the key Is inserted into a reader, a contact element engages successive ones of said formations during insertion of the key and undergoes movement in a pattern which represents said information, an electrical signal which represents said information is generated in response to said movement of the contact element, the key is subjected to further movement to transmit motion to a member of the apparatus, the contact element does not move with the key during said further movement thereof and control is exercised in dependence on the contents of said electrical signal and on said further movement of the key.

12. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein or in the accompanying drawings.