Patent Application
20110011139
Key cylinder lock sets are well known and commonly used in many applications, including, for example, padlocks, residential and commercial entry doors, and vehicle door applications. It is often desirable to change or “re-key” a lock to prevent access to a locked structure or enclosure by the holder of an authorized key, for example, when a key is lost or stolen, or when access (such as by a former employee or resident) is no longer necessary or desirable. While re-keying some key cylinder locks requires disassembly of the lock and removal of the cylinder plug from the cylinder body to replace or rearrange tumblers, other key cylinder lock sets have been developed to include recoding or re-keying mechanisms that allow a user to alter the locking mechanism to accept a different authorized key. For example, a recodeable key cylinder lock arrangement may be configured such that, upon insertion of an authorized key and selective movement of the locking mechanism to a recoding condition (such as by rotation of the key to a recoding orientation and/or insertion of a tool into the lock cylinder), insertion of a different key may cause the locking mechanism to become configured to be unlocked by the different key.
In one embodiment, a recodeable key cylinder lock may include a sidebar configured to be movable from a locked condition to an unlocked condition to disengage a locking portion of the sidebar from a corresponding locking portion of the housing for rotation of the cylinder plug. Insertion of an authorized key moves a series of wafer tumblers to unlocking positions, in which code blocks (disposed in corresponding unlocking positions) assembled with the sidebar engage notches in the wafer tumblers to allow the sidebar to move to the unlocked condition. Rotation of the cylinder plug to a recoding orientation allows a liftbar to engage an appendage of a codebar for release of the code blocks from the sidebar, such that the code blocks may be moved to new unlocking positions corresponding to a coded surface of a new authorized key.
One such exemplary embodiment of a key cylinder lock set configured to allow for this type of recoding operation is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/244,881 (Publication No. 2006/0117822) (the “'881 application”), entitled LOCK APPARATUS AND METHOD, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, to the extent that it is not conflicting with the present application. In the exemplary embodiment (illustrated in FIGS. 36A-36I of the '881 application, and corresponding Figures A-I herein), a recodeable lock 929 includes a cylinder plug 930 configured to receive an authorized key 901 (Figure A) for engaging a series of slidable wafer tumblers 923 (Figures B, C, and I) to align notches 935 disposed on the wafer tumblers 923 with corresponding protrusions 910 (Figure G) associated with a sidebar 984 (Figures B and C). Upon alignment of the notches 935 and protrusions 910, the sidebar 984 becomes movable (by flexible arm 976 on sleeve 920) to disengage from a notch 916 (Figure B) of the housing 914, thereby allowing the cylinder plug 930 to be rotated to an unlocked orientation. The protrusions 910 are disposed on a series of code blocks 908 (Figures B and G-I) positioned in channels 983 of the sidebar 984 and are each secured at a fixed distance from the key axis by serrations 909 on the code blocks 908 that interlock with corresponding serrations 951 on posts 950 of a codebar 946 (Figures D and G) that is received in apertures 977 of the sidebar 984 (Figure C).
To modify or “recode” the locking mechanism to accept a different key for unlocking the lock, an authorized key is inserted into the key cylinder plug 930 to align the wafer notches 935 with the code block protrusions 910 to allow the sidebar 984 to disengage the notch 916 in the cylinder housing 914 to permit rotation of the plug 930 and sidebar 984 about the key axis (by turning the key). When the cylinder plug 930 and sidebar 984 are rotated to a recoding orientation (Figure D), an appendage 945 of the codebar 946 engages a catch 995 of a liftbar 985. A tool 905 may then be inserted into an access hole 919 of the housing 914 to move a pivot lever 991 engaged with the liftbar 985 (Figure E), such that the liftbar 985 moves the codebar posts 950 out of engagement with the code blocks 908, allowing the code blocks 908 to move radially with respect to the key axis (along channels 983 in the sidebar 984). Upon insertion of a new key (which the user intends to use as the new authorized key), the coded surface of the new key moves each of the code blocks 908 (which are still engaged with corresponding wafer tumblers 923) against corresponding springs 924. Subsequent withdrawal of the tool 905 allows a biasing member 966 to return the codebar posts 950 to engagement with the code blocks 908, thereby securing the code blocks 908 in new radial positions with respect to the key axis. Consequently, the new positions correspond to the coded surface of the new key. Thereafter, insertion of the new key in the cylinder plug 930 aligns the wafer notches 935 with the code block protrusions 910 for disengagement of the sidebar 984 from the housing notch 916 and rotation of the cylinder plug 930 to either of the unlocked and recoding orientations. Also, to ensure that the key is fully inserted in the lock when recoding, an anti-rotation block 980 (Figures B and C) is provided in the cylinder plug 930 for interlocking engagement with the cylinder housing 914, with the anti-rotation block 980 being configured to disengage from the housing 914 upon full insertion of the key. The anti-rotation block 980 includes a flex arm 981 that biases the block 980 back to interlocking engagement with the housing 914 upon withdrawal of the key.
In the illustrated embodiment of the '881 application, the liftbar 985 and pivot lever 991 are disposed in a holding block 917 (Figures D and E) extending from an outer cylindrical surface of the housing 914 (and may, but need not, be integral with the housing 914). A spring cover 921, from which the biasing member 966 extends, is secured to the holding block 917 to retain the liftbar 985 and pivot lever 991. To allow for engagement of the codebar appendage 945 with the liftbar catch 995, a slot or channel 913 is provided in the housing 914 (Figure B), through which the codebar appendage 945 may travel as the cylinder plug 930 and sidebar 984 are rotated between locked, unlocked, and recoding orientations. A notch in the holding block 917 (Figure B) permits the appendage 945 to enter the holding block for engagement with the liftbar catch 995 in the recoding orientation. However, as the channel 913 is unable to extend around the entire circumference of the housing 914, travel of the codebar appendage 945 and rotation of the cylinder plug 930 and sidebar 984 is limited to less than 180°. This limitation may restrict the applications in which the recodeable key cylinder lock set may be used, as some applications require upwards of 360° rotation of the key cylinder plug to operate the latch with which the key cylinder is being used.
According to an inventive aspect of the present application, a recodeable key cylinder locking arrangement may include a cylinder housing configured to permit increased rotation (e.g., greater than 180° rotation) of a cylinder plug having a codebar with an appendage that extends radially outward of the cylinder plug diameter, for example, to engage a liftbar for adjustment of code blocks assembled with the sidebar. In one embodiment, a cylinder housing may be provided with a circumferential wall having an circumferential track axially positioned to receive the appendage of the codebar for rotation of the cylinder plug and sidebar.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, a recodeable lock includes a housing, a cylinder plug, a plurality of wafer tumblers, and a sidebar coupled with the cylinder plug. The sidebar is assembled with a plurality of code blocks and a codebar releasably securing the code blocks to the sidebar. A liftbar is disposed in the housing radially outward of the cylinder plug and is configured to selectively engage a radially outward extending appendage of the codebar when the cylinder plug and sidebar are rotated to a recoding orientation, to release the code blocks from the sidebar. The housing includes a circumferential track axially positioned to receive the appendage of the codebar to permit greater than 180 degree rotation of the cylinder plug and sidebar with respect to the housing.
Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the drawings, wherein:
Figure A illustrates a perspective view of a recodeable key cylinder lock;
Figure B illustrates an exploded view of the recodeable key cylinder lock of Figure A;
Figure C illustrates another exploded view of the recodeable key cylinder lock of Figure A;
Figure D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the recodeable key cylinder lock of Figure A;
Figure E illustrates another cross-sectional view of the recodeable key cylinder lock of Figure A;
Figure F illustrates a front perspective view of the recodeable key cylinder lock of Figure A;
Figure G illustrates a bottom view of a portion of the recodeable key cylinder lock of Figure A;
Figure H illustrates a side view of a portion of the recodeable key cylinder lock of Figure A;
Figure I illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the recodeable key cylinder lock of Figure A;
This Detailed Description merely describes embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as described in the specification and claims is broader than and unlimited by the preferred embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.
The present application contemplates a recodeable key cylinder lock having a lock housing adapted to permit increased rotation of the cylinder plug and recodeable locking mechanism, for use with locking arrangements requiring extended rotation of the cylinder plug (e.g., greater than 180° rotation, 360° rotation, or greater than 360° rotation). In one embodiment, a recodeable lock includes a housing having a recodeable locking mechanism with a radially outward extending portion or appendage that is engaged by a liftbar within the housing to permit “re-coding” of the lock, to allow the lock to be unlocked by a new and different authorized key. According to an inventive aspect of the present application, the housing may be provided with a circumferential track that is axially aligned with the appendage to receive the appendage during rotation of the unlocked cylinder plug, thereby allowing greater rotation of the cylinder plug. In one such embodiment, a circumferential track may extend around the entire circumference of the housing to permit 360° rotation of the cylinder plug. While the circumferential track may take one or more of several suitable forms, in one embodiment, the circumferential track includes a first portion formed by a slot extending through a peripheral wall of the housing, and a second portion formed by a recess or pocket disposed on an inner periphery of the housing.
While the recodeable key cylinder arrangement may be provided in a variety of configurations, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement may include some components that are consistent with the recodeable lock 929 of the '881 application. For example, as shown in
The recodeable cylinder lock 129 of
The exemplary mortise housing 240 includes a circumferential wall 211 having an inner circumferential pocket or recess 212 sized and positioned to receive an appendage 245 of the codebar 246 extending radially outward of the cylinder plug diameter (defined by the cylinder plug 230 and the sidebar 284). This arrangement allows the appendage 245 to engage a liftbar 285 radially outward of the cylinder plug diameter, while allowing for rotation of the cylinder plug 230 and sidebar 284. The pocket 212 and the housing slot or channel 213 (
While the recodeable key cylinder arrangement may be provided in a variety of configurations, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement may include some components that are consistent with the recodeable lock 929 of the '881 application. For example, the illustrated locking mechanism 220 includes a sidebar 284 and a codebar 246 with an appendage 245 extending outward of the plug diameter, the codebar 246 also including posts 250 (
Due to the additional wall thickness and space available in the larger mortise housing, some of these components may be modified, for example, to be more durable, more cost effective, and/or more simple (using fewer components). As one example, the mortise housing may be configured to retain a liftbar for engaging a portion of a codebar of a recodeable cylinder. In the illustrated embodiment of
As shown, the use of a liftbar 285 configured to engage a tool directly may eliminate the need for a pivoting mechanism or an intermediate pivoting component, as are shown in the embodiment of
As another example of a modified component for use with the recodable key cylinder and mortise housing locking arrangement, the mortise housing may retain one or more spring loaded biasing members configured to bias the sidebar, when in the locked orientation, towards engagement with a series of wafer tumblers in the cylinder, such that proper positioning of the wafer tumblers (in response to insertion of an authorized key) allows the sidebar to be moved out of engagement with a locking portion of the mortise housing for rotation of the cylinder plug. In the illustrated embodiment, compression springs 222 and bearing members 276 disposed in holes or openings 242 in the mortise housing 240 bias the sidebar 284 and codebar 246 inward, thereby allowing the cylinder plug 230 and sidebar to rotate by turning the key. While plugs, fasteners or other such components may be installed in the openings 242 to retain the springs 222 and bearing members 276 in the mortise housing 240, in another embodiment, the openings 242 may be crimped or coined to retain the spring members and bearing members. While other suitably shaped bearing members may be used, the spherical shape of the illustrated bearing members 276 allows the sidebar 284 and codebar 246 to smoothly rotate into or out of engagement with the bearing members 276.
While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/022,083, entitled “KEY CYLINDER LOCK ARRANGEMENTS” and filed Jan. 18, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, to the extent that they are not conflicting with the present application.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US09/31428 | 1/20/2009 | WO | 00 | 9/9/2010 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61022083 | Jan 2008 | US |
