Patent Application
20080223096
The present invention relates to an indirect lock interface configured to thwart an attack on a locking mechanism of a lock, and in particular it relates to such an indirect lock interface which may be used in association with a key, combination dial, or tool, to provide a pathway, preferably a non-linear pathway, to the locking mechanism.
The present invention relates to lock interfaces for conventional key function, combination function, or unconventional tool operated combination locks, such as those unconventional tool operated combination locks disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/186,698 and 11/255,659. More particularly, the present invention relates to the coupling between the key combination dial, or tool, and the articulating element of the lock mechanism.
Lock mechanisms are vulnerable to direct attack against the keyway of key function devices and the manipulation elements of combination function devices whether conventional or unconventional. These attacks may include surreptitious means such picking, decoding, bypassing, impressioning, bumping, or other undetectable means. Other means include forced attacks including torsional, pulling, punching, drilling, or other covert means that may generally be detected by inspection. The introduction of foreign matter into the mechanism by nature also represents a threat to the reliable functioning of locking devices. However, each of these surreptitious, forced, or natural “attacks” require relatively free access to the point of attack, or interface between the lock mechanism and opening means.
The history of locks of all forms reveals many attempts to protect the mechanisms by using covers, doors, shields, tamper indicative devices, complex entry arrangements, articulated multipart keys, and other means. These efforts increased with the introduction of complex and fragile lock mechanisms after the mid-nineteenth century. The protection of a dial combination lock as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,209,569 to Bryson (1965) demonstrates the need. A means to reduce access to the keyway is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,386 to Hall (1967), U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,199 to Wiczer (1973), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,840 to McCarroll (1987). Multipart-segmented articulating keys are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,623 to Hsu (1997). These and many other similar devices and inventions have attempted to reduce the vulnerabilities described. Nevertheless, these various concepts find little practical application due to their complexity, difficulty in use, limited protection provided, and cost.
Accordingly, the present invention addresses these concerns through the use of novel and indirect couplings, or interfaces, between the lock opening means, such as a key, dial, or tool, and the locking mechanism of the lock. The present invention provides for several configurations that are preferably economical to fabricate, easy to install and to use, and assure the needed improved protection against the types of attacks described, and those which are similar.
The key function lock mechanism embodiments preferably incorporate an indirect linkage as appropriate to the several styles of pin tumbler, disc, wafer, or rotary tumbler cylinders in common use. The variety of pin tumbler mechanisms includes pins arranged in linear, radial, or axial (tubular) format. Each of these represents a specific configuration requiring different elements to achieve the advantages of the invention.
In one embodiment of the radial or axial (tubular) pin tumbler configuration the key would preferably be made with the engaging element arranged at a right angle to the bow of the key and also be of minimal thickness. The cylinder would preferably be located behind a protective cover containing a passage to accept the low profile key and provide for the key, when engaged, to be rotated sufficiently to manipulate the lock mechanism and unlock the lock. The cover may contain a moving element to press, or “drive home,” the key engaging element into the cylinder mechanism to assure reliable function.
In another embodiment, a linear pin tumbler configuration key may be provided with a hinged, flexible, or articulated link between the bow and the bitted portion. The cylinder would preferably be located behind a protective cover containing a passage to accept the key and its required travel. The key preferably would follow a substantially circuitous or otherwise non-linear path to engage the keyway. The link between the bow and the bitted portion of the key may provide the means to press the key into the keyway and cylinder mechanism. When engaged, the key bow may be moved in rotation about the centerline of the cylinder sufficiently so as to manipulate the cylinder mechanism and unlock the lock. When the lock has been unlocked, the key may be rotated back to the starting position, the bow, with the bitted element attached pulled from the cylinder, and the key recovered. The cylinder with which it functions generally determines the length of the bitted element of the key. The passage in the protective cover may be of a shape and size to diminish the opportunity for a bumping attack. This unique arrangement provides protection from the threat of bumping not found in the prior art.
Alternative embodiments of the combination lock configurations may include the use of a flexible continuous shaft to transmit the necessary torque from the lock opening means, such as a tool or dial, to the drive shaft of the locking cylinder. This shaft would preferably be arranged to fit within an indirect or curved path between the lock opening means and the cylinder. This embodiment may be an arrangement within a cover enclosing a traditional installed locking cylinder, incorporated within the handle of a lever lock, integrated into the body of a padlock, provided as an accessory for a generic padlock, or by other means. This embodiment may also function with either the dial of a conventional combination lock as appropriately modified, a specific tool, or other mechanism.
In alternative embodiments of the invention, the keyway or face of the locking cylinder mechanism is protected from direct attack by a covering element appropriate to the specific configuration, the mechanism may be manipulated easily and reliably, and the vulnerable elements are hidden and shielded from attack.
A first aspect of the present invention is a lock mechanism. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the lock mechanism includes a housing having an exterior surface and a locking cylinder associated with the housing. The locking cylinder preferably includes a rotatable element for locking and unlocking the locking cylinder, the rotatable element having a portion adapted to mate with an interface of a tool having a flexible portion leading to the interface. The lock mechanism preferably further includes a non-linear guide passage extending between the exterior surface of the housing and the rotatable element of said locking cylinder. Preferably, the flexible portion of the tool may be inserted into the guide passage to mate the interface with the rotatable element of the locking cylinder to permit manipulation of the rotatable element of the locking cylinder by the tool.
In accordance with one embodiment of this first aspect of the invention, the locking cylinder and the housing include a longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the housing and the longitudinal central axis of the locking cylinder may be parallel and not coaxial. Alternatively, the longitudinal central axis of the housing and the longitudinal central axis of the locking cylinder may be non-parallel.
In accordance with another embodiment of this first aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal central axis of the housing and the longitudinal central axis of the locking cylinder are perpendicular.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of this first aspect of the present invention, the locking cylinder and the non-linear guide passage are contained within the housing.
A second aspect of the present invention is a lock mechanism including a housing having an exterior surface and a locking cylinder at least partially contained with the housing. The locking cylinder preferably includes a rotatable element for locking and unlocking the locking cylinder, the rotatable element having a portion adapted to mate with an interface portion of a tool. The lock mechanism preferably further includes an attachment member having a plurality of exterior surfaces and a guide passage contained within the attachment member such that at least a portion of the guide passage extends between a first of the plurality of exterior surfaces of the attachment member and a second of the plurality of exterior surfaces of the attachment member. Preferably, a flexible portion of the tool may be inserted into the guide passage and mated with the rotatable element of the locking cylinder when the second of the plurality of exterior surfaces of the attachment member is abutted appropriately against the exterior surface of the housing, whereby the rotatable element of the locking cylinder may be manipulated by the tool.
In accordance with one embodiment of this second aspect of the present invention, one of the exterior surfaces of the attachment member is configured to mate to the exterior surface of the housing when the locking mechanism is locked. Alternatively, when the locking mechanism is unlocked the attachment mechanism is configured to separate from the housing such that the exterior surface of the housing and no exterior surface of the attachment mechanism are in engagement.
In accordance with another embodiment of this second aspect of the present invention, the first and second surfaces of the attachment member are formed from non-parallel planes.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of this second aspect of the present invention, the guide passage is non-linear.
In accordance with a method of manipulating a lock mechanism of the present invention, the lock mechanism including a housing having an exterior surface, a locking cylinder associated with the housing, the locking cylinder including a rotatable element for locking and unlocking the locking cylinder, the rotatable element having a portion adapted to interface with a tool and a non-linear guide passage extending between the exterior surface of the housing and the rotatable element of the locking cylinder, the method including inserting a first end of the tool into the non-linear guide passage; guiding the first end of the tool such that the first end of the tool engages the rotatable element of the locking cylinder; and rotating the tool to manipulate the rotatable element of the locking cylinder.
A more complete appreciation of the subject matter of the present invention and the various advantages thereof can be realized by reference to the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:
In the following are described embodiments of the indirect lock interface in accordance with the present invention. In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Where like elements have been depicted in multiple embodiments, identical reference numerals have been used in the multiple embodiments for ease of understanding.
It will become evident to one skilled in the art that several objectives and advantages of this invention follow from the novel method by which the traditional security functions are achieved using the features of the invention.
The conventional engagement of keys or manipulation of combination locks is accomplished by means of direct engagement or coupling with the keyway or knob of the mechanisms. Typically, the entryway into the locking mechanism is exposed at the exterior surface of the lock housing, such that a key or tool may be visually aligned and inserted therein. The lock may then be unlocked, unlatched, and opened by proper manipulation of the engaged key or tool within the lock mechanism.
Such an arrangement suffers from detrimental flaws. One of which is its susceptibility to being compromised by materials from the environment in which it is placed. For example, if the lock is placed outside, dirt may enter the entryway causing it to clog. Water or moisture may also enter, causing the interior components to rust or otherwise lose the ability to interact seamlessly. Other concerns involve those of malfeasants. Certain individuals may be motivated to attack locks, and those with exposed entryways are particularly vulnerable to attacks such as picking, bumping, or simple drilling.
The present invention includes the provision of a novel means to accomplish this engagement or coupling in a secure manner. More specifically, the present invention discloses means of extended pathways which may be hollow tubes adapted to accept a flexible shaft portion of a tool or may themselves include internal and rotatable shafts, or the like, for protecting lock mechanisms from being directly attacked, while offering novel means and methods for opening such protected locks. The pathways, shafts, or other features preferably extend through circuitous or substantially non- linear paths.
By use of the phrase “substantially non-linear,” it is to be understood that the shaft or path may include portions that are indeed linear, whether coaxial with the centerline of the locking mechanism or not. In addition, it is to be understood that the linear portions may comprise a majority of the path. Indeed, the phrase “substantially non-linear” should be understood to include paths that are anything but completely linear.
The embodiment of the invention shown in
A substantially non-linear internal guide passage may provide for the indirect engagement between a lock opening tool and the TOC cylinder. Alternatively, a solid flexible shaft may be inserted into the substantially non-linear passage such that rotatable engagement of the solid flexible shaft at a first end adjacent a key entryway would cause the second end of the shaft engaged to the locking cylinder to also rotate. The lock mechanism would thereby lock or unlock due to the rotation of the flexible shaft. As such, the flexible shaft may be an integral part of the TOC cylinder, a removable element, or an integral part of the tool. The solid flexible shaft may be secured in the passage by c-clips or other means.
Flexible shafts may be configured in a diameter which is less than that required for successful attack by drilling. For example, where the materials of construction of the lock would require a drill bit of a given diameter to drill out the lock mechanism, the guide tube may be configured to a lesser diameter, such that if a drill bit were passed through the shaft, only one which is insufficient to drill out the lock would successfully pass. Additionally, the manufacturing specifics of the flexible shaft and relative location of the lock mechanism, advantageously buried in an unknown position within the housing, may be proprietary such that a malfeasant would not know where in the structure to drill in a linear-based drilling attack aimed at the hidden lock mechanism.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, there is shown in
In use, an internal guide passage 36A of passage 16, such as that formed by a tubular structure, is substantially non-linear between a first end 32 and a second end 34 of passage 16, and is hollow. Generally, locking cylinder 14A and passage 16 are contained within an enclosed housing 12. Examples of such housings include doors, gates, fences, and safes, as well as the housing of conventional-type locks, such as padlocks, straight shackle locks, and the like.
As shown in
Housing 12 can be any structure within which locking cylinder 14A and passage 16 as formed by internal guide passage 36A can be placed or affixed. A non-exhaustive list of examples of affixation methods for affixing locking cylinder 14A and/or passage 16 to a surface of housing 12 include press-fitting, welding, gluing, and threading. In addition, such affixation or mating may be by proprietary means, or alternatively may be additional well known configurations, such as Forx, Phillips, Hex, Robertson, or the like. Otherwise, the locking cylinder 14A may be simply placed within the housing 12, such as by constructing housing 12 around locking cylinder 14A.
Preferably, locking cylinder 14A includes a first end 20, a second end 22, and a rotatable element 24. It should be understood that such a generic locking cylinder can be adapted for use in the present invention. The internal structure of a generic locking cylinder is well known in the art and will not be explained in detail.
Preferably, first end 20 of locking cylinder 14A is affixed to a surface of housing 12 or is at least found within the housing. A longitudinal axis 26 (
Preferably, passage 16 includes a first end 32, a second end 34, and a guide passage 36A extending through first end 32 and second 34 of passage 16. First end 32 of passage 16 is configured to be received within aperture 30 of locking cylinder 14A. First end 32 of passage 16 is preferably press-fit into aperture 30 such that passage 16 resists rotation while inside aperture 30. First end 32 of passage 16 may also engage aperture 30 through any of the above described examples of affixation methods.
Preferably, the alignment of passage 16, or alternatively a solid flexible shaft 17 contained within the passage (
As described above, first end 32 of passage 16 is received within aperture 30 of locking cylinder 14A. At the exterior surface 28 of locking cylinder there is formed an interface between locking cylinder 14A and passage 16. Another interface is formed at the surface where second end 34 of passage 16 is affixed to housing 12. Preferably, the interface between locking cylinder 14A and passage 16 forms a non-linear guide passage 36A with the interface between second end 34 of passage 16 and housing 12.
As further shown in
A tool 40A used to lock and unlock lock mechanism 10 is shown in
In the embodiments shown in
Flexible engagement element 44 of tool 40A is configured to be received within guide passage 36A of passage 16. It is contemplated in the present invention that at least a portion of an external surface 45 of flexible engagement element 44 that is received within guide passage 36A corresponds to an internal surface 37 of guide passage 36A such that flexible engagement element 44 may not rotate within guide passage 36A. This will allow a user having tool 40A to easily lock and unlock lock mechanism 10 by inserting flexible engagement element 44 into guide passage 36A in a particular position wherein flexible engagement element 44 will enter into locking cylinder 14A in a corresponding position that engages rotatable element 24 of locking cylinder 14A. By doing so, the rotations required to unlock the lock may be properly calibrated.
Alternatively, flexible engagement element 44 may be rotated within guide passage 36A such that a user would have to rotate tool 40A to find a correct position before flexible engagement element 44 can be received within aperture 30 of locking cylinder 14A, again to calibrate the rotations required to unlock the lock.
The locking cylinder 14A also includes a conventional latch 51. Briefly, and in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, once the tool 40A is manipulated through its unlocking sequence the entire tool may be manually turned to rotate the latch to allow opening of the locked structure. In other embodiment, the latch 51 may automatically rotate once the lock is unlocked.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in
Another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in
As shown in
Preferably, flexible engagement element 44″ of tool 40C may be inserted into non-linear guide passage 36C and interfaced with rotatable element 24″ of locking cylinder 14C to manipulate rotatable element 24″ of locking cylinder 14C.
Exterior surface 71 of accessory 70 is configured to mate to or otherwise abut exterior surface 38″ when housing 62 and accessory 70 are assembled. Non-limiting examples of how housing 62 and accessory 70 are assembled together include accessory 70 being pinned to housing 62 or welded thereto. Preferably, first surface 71 and second surface 72 of accessory 70 each include a plane that is not parallel to each other thereby creating non-linear guide passage 36C.
As shown in
Alternative embodiments of the combination lock configurations may include the use of a flexible continuous shaft to transmit the necessary torque from the lock opening means, such as a tool or dial, to the drive shaft of the locking cylinder. This shaft would preferably be arranged to fit within an indirect or curved path between the lock opening means and the cylinder. This embodiment may be an arrangement within a cover enclosing a traditional installed locking cylinder, incorporated within the handle of a lever lock, integrated into the body of a padlock, provided as an accessory for a generic padlock, or by other means. This embodiment may also function with either the dial of a conventional combination lock as appropriately modified, a specific tool, or other mechanism.
As has therefore been shown and described, the novel indirect lock interface provides means by which a lock opening means, such as a key, dial, or tool, may be engaged with a lock opening mechanism, such as a disc or pin tumbler for example, through an indirect passage, such as a non-linear passage. Such passage protects the lock opening mechanism from attack, both forced and surreptitious, while also serving to protect the lock mechanism from debris and such. The passage may be formed integrally with the lock housing or may be provided as a separate attachment for association with the lock. The attachment may be fixed or may be moveable, such as by rotation. Preferably, the path of such passage is circuitous such that there is not a direct path to the lock mechanism.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/881,713, filed Jan. 22, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60881713 | Jan 2007 | US |
