WO2020079715A1

WO2020079715A1 - Modular cylinder

Info

Publication number: WO2020079715A1
Application number: PCT/IT2018/000131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enzo Talamonti; Andrea FERRONI; Luca PIETROPAOLO; Luca GENTILI; Giovanni Ferri; Giannino FILIPPONI
Original assignee: Cisa S.P.A.
Priority date: 2018-10-17
Filing date: 2018-10-17
Publication date: 2020-04-23
Also published as: EP3867466A1

Abstract

A modular cylinder (1) comprising at least one main unit (2) provided with a stator (3), designed to be coupled rigidly to the seat of a leaf, and a rotor (4), which can rotate within the stator (3) by virtue of the action of a respective key designed for the alignment of respective coding pins which is accommodated within a seat (5) of the rotor (4). The cylinder (1 ) comprises: at least one transmission element (6), which can be coupled in series to the main unit (2) optionally with the interposition of other transmission elements (6); at least one actuation device (7), which is provided with a bit (8) which is functionally associated, when the cylinder (1) is installed in the respective leaf, with at least one component chosen between a spring latch and a bolt; the actuation device (7) is interposed between at least two components chosen between the main unit (2) and a transmission element (6); at least one connecting bar (9), which is arranged in a substantially longitudinal direction and can be coupled rigidly and detachably to all the components of the cylinder (1); at least one spacer (10), which is coupled to the connecting bar (9) and is aligned with the actuation device (7); at least one means (1 1) for locking the at least one main unit (2) on the connecting bar (9), for the compaction in the configuration for use of the unit constituted by the at least one unit (2), the at least one transmission element (6) and the at least one actuation device (7). (Figure 3)

Description

MODULAR CYLINDER

The present invention relates to a modular cylinder for locks and the like.

Each lock is designed for installation on a door or on a leaf that has a specific thickness.

The need is therefore observed to have locks that are adapted to the specific thickness of the installation door.

In order to obviate the drawback, thus avoiding the need to create specific locks as a function of the several thicknesses that a door may have, some specific thicknesses have been standardized and manufacturers of doors and leaves must adopt them in order to be able to install locks that are compliant with them.

In this manner, each lock manufacturer only has to manufacture products that comply with the standards provided in the reference markets.

The fundamental component of each lock is the cylinder, i.e., the component that allows the opening or closure of a door or window, which is operated generally by means of a key.

Obviously, each cylinder is designed for a specific door or leaf thickness, as a function of its dimensions and of any transmission elements and coupling elements that are interposed between the cylinder and the lock as a whole when they are installed inside the door or the leaf.

It is known that some manufacturers use locks and/or cylinders that comprise removable extension assemblies, which are interposed between the active portions of the mechanisms and are designed to transfer the mechanical movements.

By adopting these extension assemblies (which have variable thicknesses) it is possible to adapt locks and cylinders to various thicknesses, generally chosen among the standardized ones.

In turn, the extension assemblies are constituted by a plurality of components (of which some are designed for coupling to the fixed portions 7

of the cylinder/lock and others are designed for coupling to the movable parts).

The fitter assigned to the installation of the lock (and of the corresponding cylinder) on the door or leaf must therefore check the thickness of the door/leaf and assemble the most suitable extension unit. At this point the extension unit can be interposed between contiguous portions of the cylinder in order to adapt its length to the installation requirements.

The assembly of the unit can be complicated for the fitter, in particular when it has to be performed directly at the installation site.

The components of the unit are small and numerous; their assembly is simplified by adopting specific tools and by working on a dedicated work surface.

This condition can be difficult to provide at the installation site and therefore the assembly operations are actually generally rather long and complicated.

It should also be specified that increasingly often custom doors (ordered directly by the customer) are provided which have thicknesses that are different from the standardized ones in which the position provided for the bit of the cylinder is not central with respect to the thickness of the door.

These conditions render cylinders of the traditional type, including the ones coupled to respective extension units, unsuitable because they do not allow to cover effectively the entire range of sizes.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, proposing a modular cylinder that can be adapted easily to doors having substantially any thickness.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to propose a modular cylinder that can also adapt to doors with lock mechanisms that are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the thickness.

Another object of the invention is to propose a modular cylinder constituted by a small number of components that are easy to assemble. A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular cylinder that has low costs, is relatively simple to provide in practice and is safe in application.

This aim, these objects and others which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a modular cylinder of the type comprising at least one main unit provided with a stator, designed to be coupled rigidly to the seat of a leaf, and a rotor, which can rotate within said stator by virtue of the action of a respective key designed for the alignment of respective coding pins which is accommodated within a seat of said rotor, characterized in that it comprises

- at least one transmission element, which can be coupled in series to said main unit optionally with the interposition of other transmission elements,

- at least one actuation device, which is provided with a bit which is functionally associated, when the cylinder is installed in the respective leaf, with at least one component chosen between a spring latch and a bolt, said actuation device being interposed between at least two components chosen between said main unit and a said transmission element,

- at least one connecting bar, which is arranged in a substantially longitudinal direction and can be coupled rigidly and detachably to all the components of said cylinder,

- at least one spacer, which is coupled to said connecting bar and is aligned with said actuation device,

- at least one means for locking said at least one main unit on said connecting bar, for the compaction in the configuration for use of the unit constituted by said at least one unit, said at least one transmission element and said at least one actuation device.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the modular cylinder according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a modular cylinder according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a modular cylinder according to the invention in a first assembly configuration;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a modular cylinder according to the invention in a second assembly configuration;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a modular cylinder according to the invention in a third assembly configuration;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cylinder of Figure 2, fully assembled;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cylinder of Figure 3, fully assembled;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cylinder of Figure 4, fully assembled;

Figure 8 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal plane, of the cylinder of Figure 2, fully assembled;

Figure 9 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal plane, of the cylinder of Figure 3, fully assembled;

Figure 10 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal plane, of the cylinder of Figure 4, fully assembled.

With reference to the figures, a modular cylinder is generally designated by the reference numeral 1.

The modular cylinder 1 according to the invention comprises at least one main unit 2 provided with a stator 3 and a rotor 4, which can rotate within the stator by means of the action of a respective key designed for the alignment of respective coding pins when said key is accommodated within a seat 5 of the rotor 4.

The stator 3 is designed to be coupled rigidly to the seat of a leaf, being preset thereat to move at least one component chosen among the spring latch, the bolt and any redirection elements.

The cylinder 1 according to the invention comprises at least one transmission element 6, which can be coupled in series to the main unit 2, optionally also with the interposition of other transmission elements 6.

In practice, downstream of each main unit 2 it is possible to couple a respective transmission element 6, downstream of which it is possible to arrange additional transmission elements 6 arranged substantially in series.

The cylinder 1 according to the invention furthermore comprises at least one actuation device 7, which is provided with a bit 8 which is functionally associated, when the cylinder 1 is installed in the respective leaf, with at least one component chosen between a spring latch and a bolt, for the actuation thereof (in particular, the rotations of the bit 8 can cause the extraction and/or retraction of the bolt and also the retraction of the spring latch).

The spring latch and the bolt are already present in the leaf and are part of the mechanisms of the corresponding lock, which must be actuated by the cylinder 1.

The actuation device 7 is validly interposed between at least two components chosen between the main unit 2 and one of the transmission elements 6.

With particular reference to the specific methods that render the cylinder 1 according to the invention particularly efficient and functional, it is specified that it also comprises at least one connecting bar 9 which is arranged in a substantially longitudinal direction and can be coupled rigidly and detachably to all the components of said cylinder 1.

The cylinder 1 according to the invention is advantageously provided with at least one spacer 10: when the modular cylinder 1 is completely assembled, the spacer 10 is coupled to the connecting bar 9 and is aligned with the actuation device 7.

Finally, in the cylinder 1 according to the invention there is at least one means 11 for locking the at least one main unit 2 on the connecting bar 9, for compaction in the configuration for use of the unit constituted by the at least one unit 2, by the at least one transmission element 6 and by the at least one actuation device 7.

With particular reference to a constructive solution of unquestionable interest in practice and in application, each connecting bar 9 can favorably comprise a plurality of holes 12, which can be aligned with respective recesses 13 of at least one main unit 2, for arranging respective locking means 1 1 of the type chosen among screws, pins, rivets, tabs, keys and the like.

In this manner, by means of the arrangement of the pins 11 (with particular reference to the example proposed by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying figures) in the holes 12 and in the recesses 13 it is possible to assemble the cylinder 1 according to the invention, by providing a number of transmission elements 6 that conforms to the length of the connecting bar 9: a specific thickness of the installation leaf corresponds to each connecting bar 9 (having a predefined length).

Furthermore, depending on the first number of transmission elements 6 interposed between a specific unit 2 (for example the one that faces the inner side of the installation leaf) and the actuation device 7 and on the second number of transmission elements 6 interposed between the other unit 2 (for example the one that faces the outer side of the installation leaf), it is possible to select the position of the actuation device with respect to the thickness of the leaf, thus aligning it with the provided mechanisms, so that it can easily actuate the spring latch and/or the bolt and/or the redirection elements that are present on said leaf.

With particular reference to an embodiment of unquestionable interest in application, the connecting bars 9 can advantageously be a plurality: in this case, each bar 9 has a specific length and a respective distribution of a series of holes 12 and 14, for the assembly of modular cylinders 1 of different length. This result is achieved by installing a different number of transmission elements 6 and by proceeding with a different placement of the actuation device 7 (with respect to the main units 2 and to the transmission elements 6).

It is specified therefore that each transmission element 6 can be arranged upstream or downstream of the actuation device 7 (optionally even by installing multiple transmission elements in series upstream or downstream of the actuation device 7 and by instead inserting none on the opposite side, i.e., downstream or upstream of said device 7). With respect to the longitudinal extension of the cylinder 1 that it will be possible to assemble, therefore, it will be possible to arrange the actuation device 7 substantially at the centerline (substantially symmetrical arrangement) or off-center (even with great asymmetry).

From the construction standpoint, it is pointed out that the at least one transmission element 6 can conveniently comprise a stator casing 15, which can be coupled rigidly to the respective connecting bar 9, within which a rotor core 16 can rotate freely and is coupled, optionally with the interposition of additional transmission elements 6, to the rotor 4 of at least one main unit 2.

The rotor 4 of each main unit 2 comprises, on its terminal front 17 which lies opposite the one provided with the seat 5 for the respective key, respective contoured protrusions and recesses, for coupling to at least one other component chosen between a transmission element 6 and an actuation device 7.

The protrusions and recesses that are present on the terminal front 17 have the purpose of rendering stable, despite the ease of assembly, the coupling among the various components, which must be matched by optimum transfer of motion from the rotor 4 to the bit 8 of the actuation device.

Each transmission element 6 can in fact efficiently comprise, on at least one first face 18 of the respective rotor core 16, specific recesses and tabs the shape and dimensions of which are complementary to the protrusions and recesses that are present on the terminal front 17 of the rotor 4 of the main unit 2.

Each transmission element 6 furthermore comprises, on the second face 19 which lies opposite the first phase 18, respective contoured protrusions and recesses which are identical to those of the front 17 of the rotor 4 of the main unit 2. This particular shape allows the interchangeability and modularity of the transmission elements and therefore their optional series arrangement, in order to increase the length of the cylinder 1, depending on the specific requirements set by the thickness of the installation leaf.

In order to identify the technical and structural characteristics of each component of the cylinder 1 according to the invention, it is specified that the actuation device 7 can validly comprise a rotatable bit 8 which is functionally associated with a respective shaft 20 (optionally with the interposition of specific transmission members 21).

The shaft 20 in practice constitutes an extension which pushes the transmission members 21 when the key is inserted.

The rotatable bit 8 furthermore comprises, on its front surface and on its rear surface (in greater detail, on the front surface and on the rear surface of the transmission members 21 on which the bit 8 is coupled, optionally with the interposition of the shaft 20, which acts as an extension) specific receptacles and raised portions whose shape and dimensions are complementary with respect to the protrusions and recesses that are present on the terminal front 17 of the rotor 4 of the main unit 2 and/or on a second face 19 of a respective transmission element 6. This particular shape allows easy assembly of the cylinder 1 according to the invention.

It is appropriate to point out that the spacer 10 is substantially shaped like an inverted letter U, forming a lower hollow whose shape and dimensions are complementary to those of the respective connecting bar 9 for stable coupling thereto: in practice, the spacer 10 can be fitted on the bar 9 (constructive possibilities in which a prismatic coupling, of the type of a dovetail coupling and/or a contoured coupling, is provided are not excluded).

The mutually opposite side walls of the spacer 10 conveniently comprise at least one respective through opening 10a for the accommodation of at least one element for coupling to the connecting bar 9.

In practice, by means of the arrangement of a screw, of a pivot or of a rivet in the through opening 10a and in a corresponding hole 14 of the bar, it is possible to define stably the position of the spacer 10 and, with it, the position of the actuation device 7.

More particularly, the upper plate for interconnection of the side walls of the spacer 10 comprises an upper face provided with a cylindrical concavity, in order to allow the passage without interference of the bit 8 of the actuation device 7 upon a rotation thereof imposed by the rotor 4 of the main unit 2.

Furthermore, it is specified that the stator 3 of each main unit 2 can advantageously comprise a transverse notch 22 which forms a prefracture line. If break-in attempts occur which provide for pulling the cylinder 1 out of the installation leaf 1 by means of a grip tool (for example pliers, a vise or a tool of that type), the stator 3 will break along the transverse notch 22 and the remaining portion of the cylinder 1 will remain integral with the leaf, maintaining the configuration for locking the rotor 4 with respect to the stator 3 (the release of which is possible only by using the respective key) and thus preventing the opening of the leaf on the part of the person who is attempting the break-in.

It is specified furthermore that the stator 3 of the units 2 and the stator casing 15 of the transmission elements 6 comprise respective slots 23 and 24 designed to accommodate the connecting bar 9.

The slots 23 and 24 can have a simple prismatic configuration, but it is not excluded to provide them with particular shapes, in order to define with the bar 9 actual prismatic pairs which prevent any mutual movement of the components involved except for longitudinal translation. Longitudinal translation is locked by means of the locking means 11 , once the exact geometry of the cylinder 1 that one intends to assemble has been identified.

The connecting bar 9 can be constituted by a single prism made of material with high mechanical strength (for example a metal, in particular a steel appropriately provided with additives, a composite or a ceramic derivative).

It is not excluded to provide the bar 9 by means of a stacking of laminas arranged side-by-side and/or superimposed: by adopting laminas with different mechanical characteristics (for example by alternating rigid and very hard laminas with more easily deformable laminas, which in the tension-deformation chart have a particularly conspicuous portion that corresponds to plastic deformations) it is possible to combine their properties, increasing resistance against pulling the cylinder 1 out of the leaf.

Advantageously, the present invention solves the problems previously described by proposing a modular cylinder 1 which can be easily adapted to doors/leaves substantially of any thickness. By means of the adoption of connecting bars 9 of different length and of a specific number of transmission elements 6 it is in fact possible to adapt the cylinder 1 substantially to any thickness of the installation leaf.

Conveniently, the modular cylinder 1 according to the invention can also adapt to doors with lock mechanisms arranged asymmetrically with p

respect to the thickness. In this case, by arranging the transmission elements 6 in a different number upstream and downstream of the actuation device 7 it is possible to align the bit 8 thereof with the mechanisms of the lock that are already present in the installation leaf, thus rendering the cylinder 1 compatible with any shape of the leaf.

Positively, the modular cylinder 1 according to the invention is constituted by a small number of components that are easy to assemble. This characteristic makes it preferable for fitters, who will be able to proceed with the assembly of the cylinder 1 even during the installation thereof on the leaf (in place) without requiring a workbench and special and/or dedicated tools.

The adoption of a minimal number of components is particularly useful also for the manufacturer, since it minimizes the number of different parts to be kept in stock, reducing their management costs and allowing greater standardization of production.

Validly, the modular cylinder 1 according to the invention is relatively simple to provide in practice and has low costs: these characteristics render the modular cylinder 1 according to the invention an innovation of assured application.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole 12

purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

13 CLAIMS

1. A modular cylinder of the type comprising at least one main unit (2) provided with a stator (3), designed to be coupled rigidly to the seat of a leaf, and a rotor (4), which can rotate within said stator (3) by virtue of the action of a respective key designed for the alignment of respective coding pins which is accommodated within a seat (5) of said rotor (4), characterized in that it comprises

- at least one transmission element (6), which can be coupled in series to said main unit (2) optionally with the interposition of other transmission elements (6),

- at least one actuation device (7), which is provided with a bit (8) which is functionally associated, when the cylinder (1) is installed in the respective leaf, with at least one component chosen between a spring latch and a bolt, said actuation device (7) being interposed between at least two components chosen between said main unit (2) and a said transmission element (6),

- at least one connecting bar (9), which is arranged in a substantially longitudinal direction and can be coupled rigidly and detachably to all the components of said cylinder (1),

- at least one spacer (10), which is coupled to said connecting bar (9) and is aligned with said actuation device (7),

- at least one means (11) for locking said at least one main unit on said connecting bar (9), for the compaction in the configuration for use of the unit constituted by said at least one unit (2), said at least one transmission element (6) and said at least one actuation device (7).

2. The modular cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that each said connecting bar (9) comprises a plurality of holes (12), which can be aligned with respective recesses (13) of at least one main unit (2), for the accommodation of respective locking means (11) of a type chosen from screws, pins, rivets, tabs, keys and the like. 14

3. The modular cylinder according to claim 2, characterized in that said connecting bars (9) are a plurality, each of which has a specific length and a respective distribution of a series of holes (12, 14) for the assembly of modular cylinders (1) having a different length, in relation to the presence of a different number of said transmission elements (6), and having a different placement of the actuation device (7), in relation to the arrangement of said at least one transmission element (6) upstream or downstream of said actuation device (7).

4. The modular cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one transmission element (6) comprises a stator casing (15), which can be coupled rigidly to the respective connecting bar (9), within which a rotor core (16) can rotate freely which is coupled, optionally with the interposition of additional transmission elements (6), to the rotor (4) of at least one main unit (2).

5. The modular cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotor (4) comprises, on its terminal front (17) which lies opposite the one provided with said seat (5) for said respective key, respective contoured protrusions and recesses, for coupling to at least one other component chosen from a said transmission element (6) and an actuation device (7).

6. The modular cylinder according to claim 5, characterized in that each transmission element (6) comprises, on at least one first face (18) of the respective rotor core (16), specific recesses and tabs whose shape and dimensions are complementary to said protrusions and recesses that are present on said terminal front ( 17) of said rotor (4) of said main unit (2), and comprises, on the second face (19) that lies opposite said first face (18), respective contoured protrusions and recesses which are identical to those of said front (17) of said rotor (4) of said main unit (2).

7. The modular cylinder according to at least one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said actuation device (7) comprises a rotatable bit (8) which is functionally associated with a shaft (20), said rotatable bit (8) comprising, on its front surface and on its rear surface, specific receptacles and raised portions whose shape and dimensions are complementary to said protrusions and recesses that are present on said terminal front (17) of said rotor (4) of said main unit (2) and/or on a second face (19) of said transmission element (6).

8. The modular cylinder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spacer ( 10) is substantially shaped like an inverted letter U, forming a lower hollow whose shape and dimensions are complementary to those of the respective connecting bar (9) for stable coupling thereto, the mutually opposite side walls of said element (10) comprising at least one respective through opening (10a) for the accommodation of at least one element for coupling to said connecting bar

(9)·

9. The modular cylinder according to claim 8, characterized in that an upper plate for the interconnection of said side walls of said spacer (10) comprises an upper face which is provided with a cylindrical concavity in order to allow the passage without interference of said bit (8) of said actuation device (7) upon a rotation thereof imposed by the rotor (4) of said main unit (2).

10. The modular cylinder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stator (3) of said main unit (2) comprises a transverse notch (22) which forms a prefracture line, in case of break-in attempts which provide for pulling the cylinder (1) out of the installation leaf by means of a grip tool, said stator (3) breaking along said transverse notch (22) and the remaining portion of said cylinder (1) remaining integral with said leaf.