The present invention relates to a lock configured to be operated by a key with a key shank, which includes at least in a part of its axial length a profile which is closed or semi-closed to define at least one cavity including a key coding.
Such locks are e.g. known from U.S. Pat. No. 9,920,548 B2, WO 2016/162363 A1 and WO 2018/041277 A1 of the same applicant.
The uniqueness of a lock is defined by a number of specific characteristics. This number is limited so that a limited number of unique locks can be provided. It is desirable to increase the number in a simplified manner.
It is an object of the present invention to refine the existing locks such that an increased variety of unique configurations are possible.
For solving this object, a lock according to claim 1 is provided. Also, a lock system according to claim 10 and a method for manufacturing a lock according to claim 15 are provided. The further claims specify additional embodiments of the lock and the lock system.
According to claim 1 the lock comprises at least one keyway shaping element, which is formed separate from the plug and which is fixed to the plug such that it is immovable relative to the plug when the key shank is inserted into the plug, wherein a protruding portion of the at least one keyway shaping element protrudes into the keyway to redefine its geometry. This allows the configuration of a larger number of unique locks.
The provision of at least one keyway shaping elements allows also the provision of master and slave locks. A master lock may be e.g. configured as a lock which includes the at least one keyway shaping element and a slave lock may be configured in the same way, but without the at least one keyway shaping element.
There may be provided a master key which is configured to operate the master lock as well as the slave lock, and a slave key which is configured to operate the slave lock only. The master key may e.g. include a wall portion, which, seen in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction in which the key shank extends, has a shape complementary to the protruding portion of the at least one keyway shaping element. The slave key may e.g. include a wall portion, which, seen in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction in which the key shank extends, has a shape complementary to the keyway without the at least one keyway shaping element.
There may be provided more than one keyway shaping element. For instance it is conceivable to provide the plug with two or more keyway shaping elements, each being formed separate from the plug and fixed to the plug such that they are immovable relative to the plug when the key shank is inserted into the plug. The protruding portions of the keyway shaping elements protrude into the keyway to redefine its geometry at different locations. The keyway shaping elements may be arranged at the same axial position along the axial direction of the keyway. Accordingly, the geometry of the keyway is redefined at locations, which have the same axial position. In addition to this configuration or alternatively thereto keyway shaping elements may be arranged offset to each other along the axial direction of the keyway. Thereby, the geometry of the keyway is redefined at different axial positions.
Preferably, the at least one keyway shaping element is different from a plate having a U-shaped opening.
The plug for receiving the key shank of the key includes a keyway, which is defined by a predetermined geometry. Preferably, the predetermined geometry has a cross-section which is different from a rectangular shape and/or from a U-shape.
Preferably, the lock according to the invention may comprise a plug which is made of one piece.
Preferably, the geometry of the keyway may be defined in part by the plug and in part by at least one another component, e.g. by a housing in which the plug is to be accommodated such that it is rotatable in the unlocked state of the lock. Alternatively, the geometry of the keyway may be defined fully by the plug.
Preferably, the key to operate the lock according to the invention may comprise a key shank which is different from a U-shape and/or a flat shape. Preferably, the key shank is free of a flat blade. The profile of the key shank defining the at least one cavity which includes a key coding may include an arcuate wall portion. The profile of the latter may be defined by two opposite side faces, which are arcuate.
Preferably, the key to operate the lock according to the invention may comprises a key shank defined by a rigid hollow key body that includes the at least one coding cavity. The shape of the key body is such that the key coding is at least in part invisible from outside and/or the shape of the key body is different from a U-shape.
Following, further embodiments are described with reference to Figures. In the drawings:
In general, the embodiments of the lock described hereinafter may comprise the following components:
The individual embodiments and variants thereof are now described in more detail.
At the position of said clearance of the edge element 12a the cap 10a forms an arcuate segment 14a. The latter includes at least one slit 15a which runs alongside of the segment 14a. In the assembled state as shown in
The keyway 21 defined in the plug 20 has a predetermined profile when seen in a plane perpendicular to the direction into which a key is introduced into the keyway 21. Here, the profile of the keyway 21 has an arcuate middle portion 21a connecting two side portions 21b, 21d, each of which including a return portion 21c, 21e. The protruding portion 17a of the keyway shaping element 16a redefines said predetermined keyway profile in the plug 20. Here, the protruding portion 17a includes teeth and thus has the effect that the outer side of the middle portion 21a of the keyway 21 is no longer defined by a circular line, but by a serrated curve.
As shown in
The plug 20 comprises a keyway 21, which extends in the insertion direction of the key and which serves for receiving the shank of the key.
The plug 20 is provided with an axle 11 (see also
The plug 20 has ribs 27 and slots 23 therebetween, which are arranged transversally to the rotation axis 11a. The validating elements 40 are received in the slots 23 and arranged on the axle 11 in a rotatable manner around the rotation axis 11a. The slots 23 are configured such that a portion of a validating element 40 can cooperate with at least one blocking bar 30.
Each validating element 40 has a first arm 41, which is configured to contact a coding part of a key, and a second arm with a recess 44. Here, the validating elements 40 are arranged in an alternating inverted manner so that the first arms 41 point alternatingly to the left and right side.
The plug 20 includes further a receiving groove 22, which extends alongside of the plug 20 and which serves for receiving the blocking bar 30 in the unlocked state of the lock.
The blocking bar 30 is preloaded such that in the locked state of the lock it is pushed into a longitudinal groove which is formed in the housing 50 (not shown). Said longitudinal groove extends along a longitudinal direction which is arranged parallel to the rotation axis 11a, around which the plug is rotatable with respect to the housing 50 in the unlocked state of the lock. The pushing force is e.g. produced by elastic means, e.g. in the form of one or more springs 34.
In the example of
In the locked state of the lock, the blocking bars are arranged between the plug 20 and the housing 50, whereby a rotation of the components including the cap 10a, the plug 20, the blocking bars 30, and the validating elements 40 with respect to the housing 50 is disabled.
When a key with the correct coding is used, then the validating elements 40 and with it the recesses 44 have the correct position, so that the blocking bar 30 can be received in a receiving space formed by recesses 44 of the validating elements 40 and the receiving groove 22 in the plug 20, and in an analogous manner, the second blocking bar can be received in a receiving space formed by recesses 44 of the validating elements 40 and the second receiving groove in the plug 20. Thereby, the blocking bars are released out of the longitudinal grooves in the housing 50 so that the components including the cap 10a, the plug 20, the blocking bars 30, and the validating elements 40 can be rotated relative to the housing 50 around the rotation axis 11a.
In the present embodiment, the key shank 71a has a semi-closed profile enclosing at least partially the coding part. The key shank 71a has an arcuate middle portion 72a connecting two side portions 73, 75 each being connected to a return portion 74, 76. Thus, the key shank 71a is shaped towards its middle of the key shank 71a, e.g. U-shaped. The portions 73 and 74 as well as the portions 75 and 76 enclose a coding cavity 74′ and 76′, respectively, in which the key coding is formed, e.g. in form of one or more coding tracks. A coding track extends along the key shank 71a and may have e.g. a wavelike course. The coding track may be formed e.g. by a line of successive channel portions and/or ridge portions.
When looking at the key 70a itself, the portions 73-76 prevent that the coding part of the key 70a is visible from outside. This impedes an unauthorized duplication of the key 70a e.g. by producing a copy based on pictures taken from the key 70a.
The outer face of the key shank 71a is adapted to the profile defined by the keyway shaping element 16a. To this end, the outer face of key shank 71a is formed complementary to the protruding portion 17a of the keyway shaping element 16a. Here, the key shank 71a includes grooves 78a for receiving the teeth forming the protruding portion 17a.
When inserting the key 70a into the lock, the teeth of the protruding portion 17a engages into the grooves 78a and the first arm 41 of a validating element 40 protrudes into the coding cavity 74′ or 76′ (see
As is also apparent from
As is also apparent from
As is also apparent from
In the examples shown in
Here, the protruding portion 17e of the keyway shaping element 16e has a toothed profile. As with the keyway shaping elements of
The cap 10e has in the middle a protruding element 5e, which defines part of the shape of the keyway 21 and which is received in a recess 26 formed in the plug 20, see
The keyway shaping elements 16a-16e are e.g. made of metal. The keyway shaping element 16a-16d may be manufactured e.g. by metal injection moulding. The keyway shaping element 16e may be manufactured by machining a piece of raw material, e.g. by laser cutting.
The shank of a key which is useable with a lock having a keyway shaping element 16a-16e has an outer surface which is complementary to the protruding portion 17a-17e. Thus, the shank of the key may have for instance one or more grooves (see grooves 78a in
The keyway shaping element 16a-16e cooperate with the outer surface of the key shank. It is possible to configure the keyway shaping element such that it cooperates with the inner surface of the key shank.
The cap 10f has the passage 13a. A protruding element 5f defining part of the keyway 21 and including a slot 6f is formed in the middle of the cap 10f. The protruding element 5f has a hole 9f going transversally through the slot 6f for receiving the ends of a pin 7 (see
The keyway shaping element 16f is formed as a plate. It has a protruding portion 17f to redefine the keyway 21 and a through-hole 19f for fixation to the cap 10f.
In the assembled state as shown in
The edge element 12f in
Here, the protruding portion 17f of the keyway shaping element 16f has teeth. Accordingly, the inner surface of the key shank 71f has grooves 78f for engagement with the teeth, see
Similar as with the keyway shaping elements of
Seen in a front view, the protruding portion may include one or more straight portions, one or more curved portions or combinations thereof.
The keyway shaping element 16g has a protruding portion 17g defined by a curved shape. The latter may be defined e.g. by a section of a circle, wherein the centre of this circle is chosen to be offset to the rotation axis 11a, so that the protruding portion 17g protrudes from below into the middle portion 21a of the keyway 21.
The keyway shaping element 16h has a protruding portion 17h with a polygonal shape.
In a further embodiment, the keyway shaping element may also be configured such that it can be placed in a slot 23 of the plug 20 and attached to the axle 11 to which the validating elements 40 are attached.
In
The length of a groove 78f in the key shank 71f can be chosen in dependency on the position of the keyway shaping element 16i along the plug 20. Thereby, a master and slave lock system may be provided. For instance, a first lock with a keyway shaping element 16i in the foremost slot 23 (in the following “first position”) and a second lock with a keyway shaping element 16i within the axial length of the plug 20 (in the following “second position”) may be provided. A key with grooves sufficiently long so that they extend at least from the first to the second position can open the first and second lock, whereas a key with shorter grooves can open only the second look, but not the first one, since the end of those shorter grooves will abut against the keyway shaping element 16i in the first position, so that the key shank cannot fully be inserted into the keyway.
The keyway shaping element may also be configured such that it redefines another portion of the keyway 21 than its middle portion 21a.
The shape of the upper part 18j of the keyway shaping element 16j corresponds to the lower part of the middle portion 21a of the keyway 21, so that this part 18j does not protrude into the middle portion 21a, see
The keyway shaping element 16j has on each side a protruding portion 17j protruding into the return portions 21c, 21e of the keyway 21. Here, the protruding portions 17j are formed as one or more teeth. A key useable with the keyway shaping element 16j has a key shank 71j, in which the outer surface of the return portions 74j, 76j have a shape complementary to the protruding portions 17j. Here, the return portions 74j, 76j have grooves 78j for engagement with the teeth of the protruding portions 17j.
Other keyway shaping elements are conceivable to redefine other portions of the keyway 21.
Instead of providing one single keyway shaping element 16k it is also possible to use more than one keyway shaping element. For instance, one may combine keyway shaping elements 16f and 16j and attach them by means of a cap 10f to the plug 20, which result in the same redefinition of the keyway as the keyway shaping element 16k. The thickness of the keyway shaping elements and the thickness of the slot 6f of cap 10f are adapted to each other such that more than one keyway shaping element can be placed in the slot 6f.
In the first and second embodiments, keyway shaping elements are provided at the front end of the keyway 21. It is conceivable to provide one or more keyway shaping elements within the axial length of the keyway 21.
The plug 20 has side wings 21b′, 21d′. Side wing 21b′ defines the side portion 21b of the keyway 21 and side wing 21d′ defines the side portion 21d of the keyway 21. A keyway shaping element 16l, 16m is received in a blind hole 24 formed in a side wing 21b′, 21d′, see also
A keyway shaping element 16l, 16m is a formed by a pin, which is fixed in a blind hole 24 e.g. by press-fitting. The fixation is such that a keyway shaping element 16l, 16m does not move relative to the plug 20 when the key shank 711 of a key is inserted into the plug 20. In the assembled state, the front end of a keyway shaping element 16l, 16m forms a protruding portion 17l, 17m which protrudes into the keyway 21 and thereby redefines its geometry.
The length of a keyway shaping element 16l, 16m, its position along the plug 20 and the shape of the protruding portion may vary.
A key 70l, which is useable with a lock of
A groove configured to cooperate with the keyway shaping element 17n of
The length of a groove 78l, 78m is adapted to the position of a keyway shaping element 17l, 17m along the plug 20. When the key shank 71l is fully inserted into the keyway 21, a keyway shaping element 17l, 17m will be positioned at the closed end of the groove 78l, 78m.
Alternatively or in addition to the provision of one or more grooves 78l, 78m it is also conceivable to change the profile geometry of the key shank. The plug 20 of
Both side wings 21b′, 21d′ are provided with keyway shaping elements 16o. A keyway shaping element 16o has a protruding portion 17o and may e.g. have the shape of the keyway shaping element 16m.
The keyway shaping elements 16o protrude into the keyway 21, so that a side wing 21b′, 21d′ and the top of a protruding portion 17o enclose an angle of A1, see
In accordance with the provision of the angle B between the keyway shaping elements 17o, a key useable with a plug 20 of
Other embodiments are conceivable which change the profile geometry of the key shank. In the example of
The embodiments described herein allow the provision of a master and slave lock system. For instance a lock according to
The embodiment as shown in
From the preceding description, numerous modifications are accessible to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention that is defined by the claims.
The keys described here have an arcuate middle portion, on both sides of which a U-shaped wall portion is attached. Other profiles are conceivable, in particular those as shown in FIGS. 11 to 46c of U.S. Pat. No. 9,920,548 B2, in FIGS. 14 to 17 of WO 2016/162363 A1 and in FIG. 13 of WO 2018/041277 A1 of the same applicant. In general, the key shank may at least in a part of its axial length include a profile which is closed or semi-closed to define at least one cavity including a key coding.
The key shank with the key coding may be manufactured in one piece. The at least one cavity is formed such that the key coding is at least in part invisible from outside. The profile may have a shape which is different from a U-shape.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
19175228.6 | May 2019 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2020/063217 | 5/12/2020 | WO |