Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B27/00—Cylinder locks or other locks with tumbler pins or balls that are set by pushing the key in
  • E05B27/005—Cylinder locks or other locks with tumbler pins or balls that are set by pushing the key in with changeable combinations

Definitions

• the invention relates to a pin-type lock cylinder, comprising a cylinder housing, a core rotatable in the cylinder housing, and at least one pin, which is dividable by turning of a key inserted in the core, to allow recoding of the lock cylinder.
• blocking of a first key is instead achieved by the use of a second key, the code face of which differs from the code face of the first key.
• a second key By inserting the second key in the cylinder and turning the core, a reduction of the active length of the pin in at least one of the pin channels of the core is achieved. In this way, a recoding of the cylinder is easily realized, whereafter it is no longer possible to use the first key to open the lock.
• the second key is instead used, this second key constituting an authorized key for the lock.
• a separate ball is arranged radially outside the bottom pin in one of the pin channels of the core.
• the code face of the first key for this pin channel is arranged at a level such that the outermost part of the ball ends up on the dividing line between the core and the cylinder housing when the first key is inserted in the lock. If the first key is used, the ball thus acts as the outer part of a conventional bottom pin.
• the code face of the second key for the same pin channel is arranged at a level which lies one ball diameter higher than with the first key.
• the ball is thus lifted past the dividing line into the corresponding pin channel of the cylinder housing.
• the contact surface between the ball and the bottom pin hereupon ends up in line with the dividing line. It is then possible to turn the core until a recess arranged in the envelope surface of the core ends up directly in front of the ball in the pin channel of the cylinder housing. Once this has occurred, the ball drops down into the recess of the core, which constitutes a storage space for the used ball during continued use of the cylinder.
• the cylinder has thereby been recoded so that it is no longer possible to use the first key, which first key is thus blocked. Following the recoding, the second key instead constitutes the authorized key to the cylinder.
• the glue joint is at risk of being weakened over time, which can lead to one or more pin segments being accidentally broken off and thus to accidental recoding of the cylinder.
• the glue is at risk of being dissolved or worn away, which in the same way can result in accidental recoding.
• the production of such lock cylinders is relatively complicated and expensive, since it calls for separate production of the pin segments and, moreover, a relatively complicated gluing operation in which the pin segments must be fixed with high precision to the bottom pin and to one another.
• a further previously known recodable pin cylinder comprises a recodable breakpin, which is configured in one piece.
• the recodable breakpin comprises a lower cylindrical portion having a diameter which closely conforms to the diameter of the pin channel in the core and the cylinder housing. From the upper end face of the lower portion, an upper cylindrical portion extends axially for the pin, i.e. radially for the core, in the outward direction.
• the upper cylindrical portion has a substantially smaller diameter than the lower portion and thus constitutes a material thinning which allows the upper portion to be broken loose from the lower portion so as thereby to achieve recoding of the pin.
• a circumferential groove can be arranged in the envelope surface of the upper portion, close to the lower portion.
• a key is used whose code face for the recodable pin is arranged at a level such that the transition between the lower and upper portion and, where appropriate the groove, ends up on the dividing line between the core and the cylinder housing.
• One object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved lock cylinder which allows simple recoding of the cylinder by turning of the core by means of a purpose-made key. Another object is to provide a locking cylinder of this kind having high functional security and reliability, even after recoding. A further object is to provide a lock cylinder of this kind in which the risk of accidental receding is minimized. Yet another object is to provide a lock cylinder of this kind which allows a relatively simple and low-cost production.
• the lock cylinder comprises a cylinder housing, having a first cylindrical pin channel, and a core, rotatable in the cylinder housing and having a second cylindrical pin channel corresponding to the first pin channel.
• the first and second pin channels have substantially the same cross-sectional geometry.
• the lock cylinder also comprises at least one pin, which is accommodated in the second pin channel and is dividable by turning of a key inserted in the core, to allow recoding of the lock cylinder.
• the dividable pin is configured in one piece and comprises a first axial portion and a second axial portion, which axial portions are separated by a material cutout and have substantially the same cross- sectional geometry as the first and second pin channels.
• the dividable and recodable pin is configured in one piece, a relatively simple production of the pin is allowed. Only one workpiece needs to be machined and the production of the pin requires no precision gluing or other joining operation. Moreover, the configuration in which the separable portion originally constitutes an integral part of the dividable pin results in a secure and time-resistant holding-together of the two portions, whereby the risk of accidental separation, and thus recoding, is minimized.
• the upper and the lower portion of the dividable pin have substantially the same cross- sectional geometry as the first and second pin channels ensures that these two portions are held substantially- parallel with the two pin channels when, at the moment of separation, the upper portion is in the first pin channel of the cylinder housing and the lower portion is in the second pin channel of the core.
• the material cutout which is arranged between the upper and lower portion of the dividable bottom pin is level with the dividing line between the core and the cylinder housing.
• the pure shearing also results in a distinct fracture without initial elastic bending, once the shearing fracture limit has been reached. It is thereby indicated in a clear and intuitively graspable manner to the person turning the key that the upper portion has been separated from the lower portion.
• a further advantage which is acquired by virtue of the pure shearing fracture is that the force required to achieve the fracture is fully defined by the shearing strength of the material and the cross- sectional area of the material bridge at the material cutout which joins the upper and the lower portion. It is hereby possible to easily and precisely determine, through choice of material and cross-sectional area for the material bridge, how large a turning force needs to be applied to the key m order to achieve recoding of the locking cylinder.
• the dividable pin can be constituted either by an edge pin or a side pin.
• the dividable pin expediently has an internal axial bore and at least one circumferential groove arranged radially outside the bore, which circumferential groove extends from the envelope surface of the first and second portion in the radial direction in towards the bore.
• the material bridge joining the upper and the lower portion is then constituted by the material between the external groove and the internal bore .
• the external groove constitutes an indication of fracture, which helps to ensure that the fracture occurs at the correct position in the axial direction of the pin and that the fracture surface is flat and perpendicular to the axial direction of the pin.
• the cross-sectional area of the material bridge is annular. Hence the combined fracture length for a given fracture area is less.
• the first and the second pin channel, as well as the first and second axial portions of the dividable pm, are expediently circular-cylindrical. Fitting of the pin, for example, is hereby facilitated, since the pin does not need to be turned to a certain orientation for insertion in the channel.
• This embodiment further means simple production, since the pin channels can be produced by a simple drilling operation and the pin by a simple lathe operation and, in embodiments having an internal bore, a simple drilling operation.
• the pin channels and the dividable pin can be configured with other cross- sectional geometries, such as different polygonal shapes, as long as the cross-sectional geometry of the dividable pin closely conforms to that of the pin channels so as to ensure a high degree of parallelism between them.
• the dividable pin is expediently formed from nickel silver and its cross-sectional area at the material cutout is expediently between around 0.32 and around 0.55 mm 2 , preferably around 0.44 mm 2 .
• An optimal necessary shearing force for separating the upper portion of the pin is hereby obtained.
• the core expediently has on its outer envelope surface an outwardly open recess, the centre of which is arranged in substantially the same radial plane as the centre of the first pin channel in order to receive a separated portion of the dividable pin. Following recoding, the separated portion is held securely in place in the recess, so that this portion is prevented from obstructing or blocking the moving parts of the cylinder or of the rest of the lock.
• a circular-cylindrical dowel is expediently arranged in the recess such that it projects from the bottom of the recess towards the mouth of the recess.
• the dividable pin expediently has two or more circumferential grooves which are arranged axially one behind the other and radially outside the bore and which extend from the envelope surface of the break-off pin in the radial direction in towards the bore. In this way, a plurality of separable portions arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the dividable pin are formed. This in turn affords the possibility of several recodings, using a corresponding number of different keys.
• the lock cylinder can further comprise two or more dividable pins, which are each arranged in a respective channel. Recoding is hereby enabled for different key types. For example, a first of the dividable pins can be designed for recoding with respect to a single user key, whilst a second of the dividable pins is designed for recoding with respect to a master key.
• the invention also relates to a lock comprising such a lock cylinder.
• FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a lock cylinder according to one embodiment of the invention with a first key inserted;
• Figs. 2a-c are sectional views corresponding to that in Fig. 1 on a reduced scale and show a second, a third and a fourth key inserted;
• Fig. 3a is a perspective view of a first dividable bottom pin which can be used in a lock cylinder according to the invention
• Fig. 3b is a side view of the dividable bottom pin shown in Fig. 2a;
• Fig. 4 is a side view corresponding to that in Fig. 3b and shows a second dividable bottom pin which can be used in a lock cylinder according to the invention
• Fig. 5 is a side view corresponding to that in Fig. 3b and shows a third dividable bottom pin which can be used in a lock cylinder according to the invention
• Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a core forming part of the lock cylinder formed in Fig. 1;
• Figs. 7a-h are schematic cross-sectional views of a lock cylinder according to the invention and show different positions of the constituent parts.
• the lock cylinder shown in Figs. 1, 2a, 2b and 2c comprises a cylinder housing 1 in which a core 2 is rotatably arranged. A tailpiece 3 is connected to the core 2.
• the cylinder housing 1 has a set of radial, circular-cylindrical pin channels 4, including a first pin channel 4a.
• a set of top pins 5, including a first top pin 5a, are arranged one in each pin channel 4.
• the core 2 has corresponding set of circular-cylindrical pin channels 6, including a second pin channel 6a.
• the pin channels 4, 4a of the cylinder housing 1 and the pm channels 6, 6a of the core 2 have substantially the same diameter. In the position shown in Figs.
• the pm channels 6, 6a of the core 2 are arranged in line with the pm channels 4, 4a of the cylinder housing.
• a set of bottom pins 7, 7a are accommodated in the pin channels 6, 6a of the core 2.
• a dividable pm 8 is also accommodated, outside the corresponding bottom pm 7a.
• An axial key channel 9 is made in the core 2.
• a first user key 10 is shown inserted in the key channel 9.
• a second user key 11 which constitutes a recoding key with respect to the first user key 10
• a third user key 12 which constitutes a recoding key with respect to the second user key
• a first master key 13 is inserted in the key channel .
• Figs. 3a, 3b, 4 and 5 three different dividable pins 8, 8', 8'' which can be used in the lock cylinder shown in Figs. 1 and 2a-c are shown on an enlarged scale.
• the dividable pin 8 shown in Fig. 4 is that which is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2a-c.
• the dividable pin 8' shown m Figs. 3a and 3b comprises a lower axial portion 21 and a first upper axial portion 22.
• the first upper axial portion 22 is demarcated from the lower axial portion by means of a material cutout, which in the shown example is constituted by a circumferential groove 23 made in the envelope surface of the pm 8'.
• a centrally bored circular-cylindrical bore 24 extends axially from the upper end of the pm 8' , down through the upper axial portion 22, to the lower axial portion 21.
• the groove 23 extends from the envelope surface m the direction inwards towards the bore 24 and tapers in the inward direction.
• the groove 23 is further shaped such that its lower wall 23a has a smaller angle to the cross- sectional plane of the pin than does the upper wall 23b.
• annular material bridge 25 Between the inner point of the groove 23 and the bore 24 there is formed an annular material bridge 25, the area of which is defined by the inner diameter of the groove 23 and the diameter of the bore 24. This material bridge 25 constitutes the connection between the upper axial portion 22 and the lower axial portion
• the groove 23 constitutes an indication of fracture when the upper axial portion 22 is to be separated from the lower axial portion for recoding, as will be described in greater detail below.
• the cross sectional area of the material bridge is around 0.44 mm 2 .
• the distance between the centre of rotation of the core 2 and the dividing line 15 between the core 2 and the cylinder housing 1 is 6.5 mm.
• the dividable pin 8 is formed from nickel silver. Based on the shearing strength of nickel silver and in consideration of a certain friction upon the rotation of the core, the torque with which the key must act upon the core is around 1 Nm in order for a shearing fracture to occur in the material bridge. With further regard to production tolerances for the cross-sectional area of the material bridge, the required turning moment is around 1 ⁇ 0.3 Nm.
• the dividable pin 8 shown in Figs. 4, 1 and 2a-c differs from the dividable pin 8' shown in Figures 3a and 3b by the fact that a second upper axial portion 26 is arranged above the upper axial portion 22.
• the bore 24 extends through both the upper axial portions 22, 26.
• a second groove 27 demarcates the second upper axial portion 26 from the upper axial portion 22.
• Fig. 5 there is also shown a dividable pin 8'', in which a third upper axial portion 28 is arranged above the second upper axial portion 26 and is demarcated from the latter by means of a third groove 29.
• the bore 24 here extends through all the upper axial portions
• the lower axial portions 21 and the upper axial portions 22, 26, 28 of the dividable pins 8, 8', 8'' shown in Figs. 3a-b, 4 and 5 are all circular- cylindrical and have substantially the same or a somewhat smaller diameter as/than the first 4a and the second 6a pin channel in the cylinder housing 1 and the core 2 respectively.
• the envelope surfaces of the axial portions 21, 22, 26, 28 are thus configured such that they closely adjoin the walls of the pin channels 4a, 6a. This ensures that the dividable pins 8, 8', 8'' are held parallel with the pin channels 4a, 6a when these pins are axially displaced in the channels.
• the outer diameter of the axial portions 21, 22, 26, 28 should however be somewhat smaller than the diameter of the first 4a and second 6a pin channels.
• the core 2 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2a-c is shown in perspective.
• the first recess 30 is disposed in the envelope surface of the core.
• the recess 30 is arranged such that its centre lies in substantially the same radial plane as the centre of the first pin channel 6a of the core.
• the diameter of the recess 30 is substantially as large as the diameter of the first 4a and second 6a pin channels.
• a dowel 31 is arranged in the recess 30. The dowel 31 extends, in the radial direction of the core 2, centrally out from the bottom of the recess 30.
• the dowel 31 is circular-cylindrical, having a diameter which is substantially as large as or somewhat smaller than the bore 24 of the dividable pin 8.
• a second recess 32 having a second dowel 33 is correspondingly arranged in the same radial plane as another of the pin channels 6 of the core 2.
• Fig. 7a a lower position of the pins 5a, 7a, 8 in the pin channels 4a, 6a when there is no key inserted in the key channel 9.
• the top pin 5a extends past the dividing line 15 between the core 2 and the cylinder housing 1. The core 2 is thus blocked from rotating relative to the cylinder housing 1 and the cylinder is locked.
• a first key 10 see Fig. 1 has been inserted in the key channel 9.
• the code face of the second key 11 for the first and second pin channels 4a, 6a is arranged at a somewhat higher level than the corresponding code face of the first key 10. This difference in level of the code faces of the first 10 and the second 11 key for the first and second pin channels 4a, 6a substantially corresponds to the height of the second upper axial portion 26 (most clearly shown in Fig. 4) of the dividable pin 8.
• the pin 5a, 7a, 8 When the second key 11 is inserted in the key channel 9, the pin 5a, 7a, 8 thus assume the position shown in Fig. 7d.
• the material bridge is located between the first upper axial portion 22 and the second upper axial portion 26 level with the dividing line 15 between the core 2 and the cylinder housing 1.
• the lower wall 27a of the groove 27 in this case adjoins the dividing line 15.
• the core 2 can be turned further, as is illustrated in Fig. 7e.
• the recess 30 is placed in line with the first pin channel 4a of the cylinder housing.
• the separated second axial upper portion 22 can hereupon drop down into the recess 30 and is stored there during continued use of the lock cylinder.
• the dowel 31 is threaded in through the central hole formed by the bore 24 through the second upper axial portion 26, which helps to correctly position this separated portion 26 in the recess 30.
• the dowel 31 also fulfils a function, in that it prevents the first top pin 5a from dropping down into the recess 31.
• Fig. 7g is shown the position which is assumed if the first key 10 is reinserted in the key channel 9. As can be seen from the figure, the first top pin 5a will then block turning of the core 2, this key no longer being able to be used to unlock a lock containing the lock cylinder. On the other hand, it is possible to use the second key 11 for continued manoeuvring of the lock cylinder and the lock in which it is arranged.
• Fig. 7h also illustrates that it is still possible to use the first master key 13 illustrated in Fig. 2c, even after the above-described recoding. This master key 13 lifts the bottom pin 7a such that the upper end thereof is placed in line with the dividing line 15.
• the dividable pin 8 When the master key 13 is used, the dividable pin 8 will thus always be displaced upwards such that it is wholly received in the first pin channel 4a of the cylinder.
• the first dividable bottom pin 7a thus has no effect upon the blocking of the core 2 when the master key 13 is inserted in the key channel.
• the master key 13 can thus be used, regardless of the number of upper axial portions which have been separated from the dividable pin 8.
• the lock cylinder by means of the second key 11, can be recoded by separation of the second upper axial portion, then the third key 12, shown in Fig. 2b, can be used for a second recoding.
• Such further recoding can be desirable, for example, if the second key also gets lost.
• the second recoding is realized in a manner corresponding to the above-described manner, the first axial upper portion 22 of the dividable pin being separated from the lower axial portion 21 and being placed in the recess 30, outside the previously separated portion 26.
• the dividable pin 8' shown in Fig. 3a allows only one recoding
• the dividable pin 8'' shown in Fig. 5 allows three recodings .
• corresponding dividable pins can also be arranged in one or more second pin channels. Recoding with respect to a master key is hereby enabled in a corresponding manner to that described above.
• the invention instead of being applied in a lock cylinder with edge pin(s), can equally well be applied in a cylinder with side pin(s) . It is also possible to apply the invention in cylinders with both edge and side pins, the dividable pin or pins being able to be edge pins(s), side pin(s) or both edge and side pins.

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• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Pistons, Piston Rings, And Cylinders (AREA)

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• 2008
  • 2008-05-26 SE SE0801225A patent/SE531481C2/sv unknown
• 2009
  • 2009-05-26 EP EP09755151.9A patent/EP2315889B1/en active Active
  • 2009-05-26 WO PCT/SE2009/050595 patent/WO2009145713A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-05-26 DK DK09755151.9T patent/DK2315889T3/en active

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