RU2811710C1 - Lock and key - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mechanical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: lock with a key for it contains a stator, inside of which a rotor is located with the possibility of rotation, having a longitudinal slot, inside which there are corresponding pins that are mutually opposite. The slot is adapted for inserting a key into it, which has a socket for placing a corresponding freely orientable lever configured to actuate the pins. The freely oriented key arm contains a flattened free end, the thickness of which is less than the thickness of the key. The free end is provided with at least one profiled protruding strip on one of the side edges of at least one of its surfaces. The longitudinal slot of the rotor contains at its end section a recess for temporary placement of a corresponding profiled protruding strip of the lever. The recess adapted to temporarily accommodate the corresponding profiled protruding strip of the lever has an overall length less than the length of the lever and a depth less than the height of the protruding strip. The central section of the recess has a constant depth. The two mutually opposite end sections are merged by means of curved surfaces with a longitudinal slot. The stator and rotor contain radial holes that form, in a mutually aligned configuration, a channel facing the side surface of the longitudinal slot. The channel accommodates an elastic means, a corresponding mating pin, and a pin that is configured to abut the side edge of the key. A cylinder lock and a key for a cylinder lock are also proposed.

EFFECT: ability to provide a pivot arm that does not protrude from the key profile and to provide a lock without widening the slot for a key with a pivot arm, which preserves available space for additional coding pins for increased security.

9 cl, 17 dwg

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lock and an associated key.

There is currently a cylinder lock that can be operated by means of a corresponding key, the characteristics of which are described in Italian Patent No. 1235586 of September 6, 1989, and European Patent EP 1728944 with a priority date of June 1, 2005, both in the name of the same applicant. Such documents describe a cylinder lock, the coding of which cannot be immediately deciphered from the outside, in order to prevent it from being hacked.

This result is achieved due to the presence in the cylinder rotor of at least two pins, mutually opposite relative to the slot for inserting the key, and such pins have one corresponding end protruding into the slot itself.

The pins are associated with corresponding mating pins, which can elastically transition from a configuration of complete placement within the stator to at least one configuration of simultaneous placement in the stator and rotor, thereby rigidly connecting the two parts.

The key is provided with a lever which is configured to be positioned so that it can rotate in a corresponding slot and which, when the key is inserted into the slot, actuates the pins, positioning them so that the mating pins are in the configuration in which they are completely housed in the stator, thus allowing the rotor to move after turning the key.

The presence of a lever in the key, associated with at least two pins, provides higher security of the lock against force actions, generally defined as “opening with a master key” (mechanical burglary).

The requirement to increase the reliability of this type of lock leads to an increase in the number of pins located in the rotor and stator, which can be used in adapted key codings.

However, unfortunately, the swing arm usually protrudes in relation to the profile (contour) of the key.

For this reason, it should be noted that the use of a pivot lever on a key implies the need to widen the key slot that is present on the lock rotor at the lever.

The spaces in the rotor where slots are provided to accommodate any coding pins are extremely limited due to the small size of the rotor itself.

The widening of the key slot described above (which is necessary to allow passage of the lever) further reduces the available space, thus preventing the insertion of additional coding pins.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a lock and associated key that provide a high degree of security against external influences.

Within this purpose, it is an object of the invention to provide a lock and associated key that allows the use of a large number of coding pins.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock and associated key that allows any surface of the key to be used as a coded surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lock and associated key that are low cost, easy and practical to implement, and safe to use.

This object, as well as these and other objects which will become more apparent below, is achieved by means of a lock and associated key of a type which contains a stator within which a rotor can rotate, said rotor being provided with a longitudinal slot within which are corresponding pins are essentially mutually opposed, wherein said slot is adapted to receive said key, which is provided with a socket for receiving a corresponding freely oriented lever, which is configured to actuate said pins, characterized in that:

- said freely oriented lever of said key comprises a substantially flattened free end, the thickness of which is less than the thickness of said key, wherein said free end is provided with at least one profiled protruding strip on one of the side edges, at least one of its surfaces;

- said longitudinal slot of said rotor contains at its end section a recess for temporary placement of a corresponding profiled protruding strip of said key;

- said stator and said rotor comprise radial openings which form, in a mutually aligned configuration, a channel which faces the side surface of said longitudinal slot, said channel receiving elastic means, a corresponding mating pin, and a pin which is configured to abut against side edge of the specified key.

This object and such objects are also achieved by means of a cylindrical lock type which includes a stator within which a rotor can rotate, said rotor being provided with a longitudinal slot within which corresponding pins are substantially mutually opposed, said slot being adapted to inserting a key, which is provided with a socket for receiving a corresponding freely orientable lever, which is configured to actuate said pins, characterized in that:

- said longitudinal slot of said rotor contains at its end section a recess for temporarily accommodating a corresponding contoured protruding strip of said freely oriented lever of said key, which is formed on a corresponding substantially flattened free end, the thickness of which is less than that of said key;

- said stator and said rotor comprise radial openings which form, in a mutually aligned configuration, a channel which faces the side surface of said longitudinal slot, said channel receiving elastic means, a corresponding mating pin, and a pin which is configured to abut against side edge of the specified key.

Such an object and such objects are further achieved by a key for cylinder locks of the type comprising a socket for receiving a corresponding freely adjustable lever, which is adapted to actuate the pins of a corresponding lock, characterized in that said freely adjustable lever of said key comprises a substantially flattened free an end whose thickness is less than the thickness of said key, wherein said free end is provided with at least one contour protruding strip on one of the side edges of at least one of its surfaces.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a lock and associated key according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a key according to the prior art;

Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of a key according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of a cylinder in isometric view of a key according to the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 of a cylinder and a key according to the prior art;

FIG. 5 is a detail of FIG. 3 of a cylinder according to the prior art;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI in FIG. 3 of a cylinder and a key according to the prior art at an operation stage; FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII drawn in FIG. 3 of a cylinder and a key according to the prior art in an additional step of operation; FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a cylinder and corresponding key according to the invention; FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional detail along line IX-IX in FIG. 8 of a cylinder and a key according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a detail of FIG. 8 of a cylinder according to the invention; FIG.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along line XI-XI in FIG. 8 of a cylinder and a key according to the invention at an operating stage;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line XII-XII in FIG. 8 of a cylinder and a key according to the invention in an additional operating step; FIG.

FIG. 13 is a partial side sectional view of a key according to the prior art; FIG.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a key according to the prior art; FIG.

FIG. 15 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a key according to the invention; FIG.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a key according to the invention; FIG.

FIG. 17 is a schematic isometric cross-sectional view of a lock and associated key according to the invention.

With specific reference to the figures, reference numeral 1 generally denotes a lock and reference numeral 2 generally denotes a key associated therewith.

The lock 1 contains a stator 3, inside which a rotor 4 can rotate, and such a rotor is equipped with a longitudinal slot 5, inside which the corresponding pins 6, 7 are located essentially mutually opposite.

The slot 5 is designed to accommodate the key 2 after its insertion into the front part of the lock 1.

The key 2 is equipped with a handle 2a and a coded shank 2b, which is designed to be inserted into the slot 5 of the lock 1.

At the end of the coded shank 2a, the key 2 contains a socket 8 for placing a corresponding freely oriented lever 9: the lever 9 is rotatable inside the socket 8 by means of a transverse pin 2c. The orientable lever 9 is designed to activate pins 6 and 7 of lock 1.

It should be noted that according to the invention, the freely oriented lever 9 of the key 2 conveniently includes a substantially flattened free end 10, the thickness of which is less than that of the key 2.

From figures 2 and 15 it can be seen that such a flattened free end 10 can be formed between two flat surfaces 11 and 12 that form an acute angle; such surfaces 11 and 12 are formed by straight generatrices, parallel to the axis of the pin 2c, for rotation in the socket 8.

In addition, it should be noted that the free end 10 is preferably provided with at least one contoured projecting strip 13 on one of the side edges of at least one of its surfaces, that is, one of the two flat surfaces 11 and 12.

According to the invention, the longitudinal slot 5 of the rotor 4 will, expediently, contain at its end section a recess 14 for temporary placement of the corresponding contour protruding strip 13 of the key 2.

In addition, the stator 2 and the rotor 3 will necessarily contain radial holes 15 and 16, which form, in a mutual alignment configuration, a channel that faces the side surface of the longitudinal slot 5.

The channel (which consists of aligned holes 15 and 16) will conveniently accommodate an elastic means 17, a corresponding mating pin 18 and a pin 19, which is configured to rest against the side edge 20 of the key 2.

With particular reference to an embodiment of clear practical and applicable interest, the recess 14 adapted to temporarily accommodate a corresponding contoured protruding strip 13 of the lever 9 may preferably have an overall length that is less than the length of the lever 9 and a depth that is less than the height of the protruding strip 13.

It should be noted that the dimensional parameters of the recess 14 can be better identified when the key 2 is completely inserted into the longitudinal slot 5 relative to its specific parts.

In fact, the recess 14 relative to the key 2, when it is completely positioned in the slot 5, is an initial front part 21 closest to the axis of rotation of the lever 9, and a final front part 22 facing the surface of the key 2, which is located in front of the slot 8.

The central portion 23 of the recess 14 has a constant depth, while the two mutually opposite end portions 24 and 25 conveniently merge through curved surfaces with the longitudinal slot 5.

Such curved merging surfaces allow the lever 9 to slide over continuous surfaces without steps or sudden changes in size or shape, thereby allowing the key 2 to be accessed and removed from the slot 5 without causing unwanted snagging or jamming.

In addition, it should be noted that the radial holes 15 and 16, which form a channel configured to accommodate the elastic means 17, the mating pin 18 and the pin 19, have a diameter corresponding to the depth of the recess 14.

By means of these dimensional parameters, it is possible to ensure that the mating pin 18 does not become stuck in the recess 14 when the key 2 is rotated, as would happen with conventional locks A and keys B (the situation is shown in the accompanying Fig. 6).

In addition, it should be noted that the radial hole 16 of the rotor 4 may conveniently contain at least two segments 26, 26a of different diameters.

The pin 19, in turn, will preferably have at least one first zone 27, the shape and dimensions of which are substantially the same as the dimensions of the segment 26, and at least one second zone 28, the shape and dimensions, essentially complementing segment 26a. The presence of segments 26 and 26a and zones 27 and 28 of different diameters will lead to jamming of the pin 19 when trying to break in with a key 2 with incorrect coding on its side surface 20, which will not allow opening the lock 1.

In addition, it should be noted that the pins 6 and 7 may conveniently have profiled front portions that are adapted to codedly abut corresponding complementary profiled portions that are present on at least one portion of the lever 9 selected from at least one a profiled protruding strip 13 and a flat surface formed by one of the flat surfaces 11 and 12 delimiting an acute angle.

Such coding of the flat surfaces 11 and 12 or the protruding strips 13 and the front parts of the pins 6 and 7 will further improve the security of the lock 1 against burglary.

In addition, it should be noted that the side edge 20 of the coded shank 2b of the key 2 may conveniently comprise a coded profile which is provided with at least one coded recess 29 for temporarily housing the head 30 of the pin 19, which will preferably have the shape and dimensions , which complement the dimensions of the recess 29.

This coded connection of the head 30 to the corresponding recess 29 will also help improve the security of the lock 1 and key 2 compared to the levels of performance that can be obtained with locks A according to the prior art.

It should be noted that the lock 1 according to the invention is an innovative component due to its implementation design, even independently of its interface with the key 2.

Likewise, key 2 is a highly innovative component and extremely versatile since it can also be used in conventional A locks.

From the accompanying drawings it can be seen that the key 2 preferably has many parts that are similar to those of conventional keys B: such characteristics make the new key 2 very versatile, since it can also work with conventional locks A. This versatility is especially useful in those cases when only a portion of the locks are replaced in a building controlled using coordinated coding: in this case, only a few authorized persons will need to have access key 2, which can open all locks 1 and A that are present.

Comparing Figures 3, 4 and 5 (which show the prior art in this industry) with Figures 8, 9 and 10, it can be seen that the recess (created by milling) forming the recess 14 in the lock 1 is much smaller than that required in locks A in the prior art, and this is due to the fact that the lever 9 of the key 2 takes up much less space than the levers C of conventional keys.

In addition, compared to the levers C of conventional keys, the shape of the protruding strip 13 is chosen to at least partially fit into the slot for accommodating the pin 6, thereby minimizing the size of the recess 14.

Comparing figures 6 and 7 (which show the prior art in this industry) with figures 11 and 12, it can be seen that the hole 15 (and therefore also the mating pin 18) is wider than the portion of the slot 5 (covered by the recess 14): this prevents the mating pin 18 from accidentally falling into the slot 5 (into the recess 14), unlike what would happen in a conventional lock A (as shown in Fig. 6).

Preferably, the present invention solves the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a lock 1 and an associated key 2 that provide a high degree of tamper resistance.

Conveniently, the lock 1 and the associated key 2 according to the invention allow the use of a large number of coding pins.

Preferably, the lock 1 and associated key 2 according to the invention allow any surface of the key 2 to be used as a coded surface.

Positively, the key 2 according to the invention is compatible with locks A according to the prior art and, therefore, it can be integrated into buildings where there are conventional locks A and locks 1 according to the invention, including as an access key 2.

Positively, the lock 1 and the associated key 2 are simple and practical to implement and have a low cost: such characteristics make the lock 1 and key 2 undoubtedly innovative to be safe in use.

The invention, as thus conceived, is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, all parts can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

The embodiments explain the individual features shown in relation to specific examples, which may in fact be interchangeable with other, different features existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be anything according to needs and the state of the art.

Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and symbols, such reference numerals and/or symbols have been included for the sole purpose of improving the understanding of the claims and, accordingly, such reference numerals and/or symbols are not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or symbols.

Claims (18)

1. A lock with a key for it, containing a stator (3), inside of which a rotating rotor (4) is located, having a longitudinal slot (5), inside which the corresponding pins (6, 7) are located, which are mutually opposite, and the slot ( 5) is adapted for inserting a key (2) into it, which has a socket (8) for placing a corresponding freely oriented lever (9), configured to actuate pins (6, 7), characterized in that: - freely oriented lever (9) of the key (2) contains a flattened free end (10), the thickness of which is less than the thickness of the key (2), while the free end (10) is equipped with at least one profiled protruding strip (13) on one from the lateral edges of at least one of its surfaces; - the longitudinal slot (5) of the rotor (4) contains at its end section a recess (14) for temporary placement of the corresponding profiled protruding strip (13) of the lever (9); - the recess (14), adapted for temporary placement of the corresponding profiled protruding strip (13) of the lever (9), has a total length less than the length of the lever (9) and a depth less than the height of the protruding strip (13), - the central section (23) of the recess (14) has a constant depth, and two mutually opposite end sections (24, 25) merge through curved surfaces with a longitudinal slot (5); - the stator (3) and the rotor (4) contain radial holes (15, 16), which form, in a mutual alignment configuration, a channel facing the side surface of the longitudinal slot (5), wherein the channel accommodates an elastic means (17) corresponding a response pin (18), and a pin (19), which is designed to rest against the side edge (20) of the key (2). 2. A lock with a key according to claim 1, characterized in that when the key (2) is fully inserted into the longitudinal slot (5), the recess (14) defines the initial front part (21), closest to the axis of rotation of the lever (9), and the final the front part (22) facing the surface of the key (2), which is located in front of the socket (8). 3. A lock with a key according to claim 1, characterized in that the radial holes (15, 16), which form a channel configured to accommodate an elastic means (17), a mating pin 11 (18) and a pin (19), have a diameter , close to the depth of the recess (14). 4. A lock with a key according to claim 1, characterized in that the radial hole (16) of the rotor (4) contains at least two segments (26, 26a) with different diameters, while the pin (19) has at least at least one first zone (27) with a shape and dimensions complementary to the shape and dimensions of the segment (26) and at least one second zone (28) with a shape and dimensions complementary to the shape and dimensions of the segment (26a). 5. A lock with a key according to claim 1, characterized in that the pins (6, 7) have profiled front parts, which are adapted for a coded stop in the corresponding complementary profiled areas available on at least one part of the lever (9), selected from at least one profiled protruding strip (13) and a flat surface. 6. A lock with a key according to claim 1, characterized in that the side edge (20) of the key (2) contains a coded profile equipped with at least one coded recess (29) for temporary placement of the head (30) of the pin (19) having a shape and dimensions that are complementary to the shape and dimensions of the recess (29). 7. A cylinder lock containing a stator (3), inside of which there is a rotatable rotor (4), wherein the rotor has a longitudinal slot (5), inside of which there are corresponding pins (6, 7), which are located mutually opposite, and the slot (5) is adapted for inserting a key (2), which is equipped with a socket (8) for placing a corresponding freely oriented lever (9), which is configured to actuate the pins (6, 7), characterized in that: - the longitudinal slot (5) of the rotor (4) contains at its end section a recess (14) for temporary placement of the corresponding profiled protruding strip (13) of the freely oriented lever (9) of the key (2), which is formed on the corresponding flattened free end (10) , the thickness of which is less than the thickness of the key (2); - the recess (14), adapted for temporary placement of the corresponding profiled protruding strip (13) of the lever (9), has a total length less than the length of the lever (9) and a depth less than the height of the protruding strip (13), - the central section (23) of the recess (14) has a constant 12 depth, and two mutually opposite end sections (24, 25) merge through curved surfaces with a longitudinal slot (5); - the stator (3) and the rotor (4) contain radial holes (15, 16), which form, in a mutual alignment configuration, a channel facing the side surface of the longitudinal slot (5), wherein the channel accommodates an elastic means (17) corresponding a response pin (18), and a pin (19) designed to rest against the side edge (20) of the key (2). 8. A key for a cylinder lock, containing a socket (8) for placing a corresponding freely oriented lever (9), which is adapted for actuating the pins (6, 7) of the corresponding lock (1), characterized in that the freely oriented lever (9) key (2) contains a flattened free end (10), the thickness of which is less than the thickness of the key (2), while the free end (10) is equipped with at least one profiled protruding strip (13) on one of the side edges, at least , one of its surfaces, and with the key (2) fully inserted into the longitudinal slot (5), the flattened free end (10) of the rotary freely oriented lever (9) does not protrude beyond the contour of the key (2). 9. The key according to claim 8, characterized in that the profiled protruding strip (13) has a shape and dimensions that are complementary to the shape and dimensions of the end section of the rotor slot (4), which is configured to accommodate a pin (6) for its, according to at least partially located in the end portion of this slot.