Patent Application
20200190852
The technical field of the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for locking and unlocking. The technical field may more specifically relate to the use of key operated locks.
In the accompanying drawings:
The instant invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or photographs, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be operative, enabling, and complete. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.
Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad ordinary and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one”, “single”, or similar language is used. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list.
For exemplary methods or processes of the invention, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal arrangement, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or arrangement, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.
Additionally, any references to advantages, benefits, unexpected results, or operability of the present invention are not intended as an affirmation that the invention has been previously reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed. Likewise, unless stated otherwise, use of verbs in the past tense (present perfect or preterit) is not intended to indicate or imply that the invention has been previously reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed.
A key, as that term is used herein, is a user held device that is partially inserted into a lock and rotated in order to lock or unlock. Electronic, dial combinations, and other kinds of keys are not addressed or relevant to this invention.
The lock identification, or ID, is the pattern cut into the key that allows one key to be accepted for locking or unlocking, while rejecting all other keys with different IDs. The ID consists of an ordered set of pin values, where there are a fixed number of pins having a limited number of possible values for any given lock. The term ID position is also used in reference to a particular position or orientation of certain components, such as the angular orientation of the rotating pins when fully engaged by the key.
Key locks consist of two primary mechanisms: a key identification mechanism, and a latch control mechanism. The key identification mechanism is the part of a key lock that accepts the key inserted by the user, and recognizes whether or not the key has the ID assigned to the specific lock. When the key has the correct ID, the key identification mechanism allows the key to be rotated so as to interface with the latch control. The latch control connects with the key identification mechanism on the backside of the mechanism on most key locks, including this invention. Latches for key locks may be of various types, such as deadbolt latches as typically used on entry doors of homes, or momentary latches as may be used on a cabinet door, or padlock type open/closed hooks, or other. The rotating pin key lock of the present disclosure can be utilized with various kinds of latch controls, including the three mentioned here. Notwithstanding, the term key lock may be used and is generally used herein in reference to a key identification mechanism that is attachable to a latch control mechanism.
When conventional key locks are mentioned herein, it is assumed to be related to those points common to mass marketed locks that use split-pin key identification mechanisms with keys that can be copied in most hardware stores on a key cutter, as are typical of Kwikset, Schlage, Master, and other lock manufacturers' commercial and residential locks. Split-pin IDs typically consist of a set of four to seven pins, with each pin split into two pieces (or sometimes three to accommodate two different key IDs), where the total length of each pin is the same, but the length of the top part of the split-pin and the length of the bottom part of the split-pin varies, typically with three to six possible split length values.
A rake and pick are tools that allow a lock to be unlocked without the correct key by raking over each split-pin with a raking wire while applying rotational force with the pick on the key identification mechanism so as to capture the top of each split-pin in its ID position. A skilled locksmith can use a rake and pick set to open most conventional locks within minutes. This description for picking a lock can often be applied to other types of key locks that do not use split-pin ID mechanisms.
A bump key is a specially cut key designed to allow easy unlocking of a key lock by means of tapping on the bump key while applying a rotating pressure. A bump key transfers the tap from the outside of the key towards the center of the lock, jolting each split-pin simultaneously. The rotating pressure is not so strong as to keep the pins from sliding, but strong enough to snare each top part of the split-pin in its ID position. With minimal training, a person can use a bump key to unlock nearly any lock that the bump key fits. This description can sometimes be applied similarly to key locks that do not use split-pin ID mechanisms.
The present rotating pins key lock invention utilizes single-piece rotating pins instead of the split-pins used in conventional locks. Generally, unless noted otherwise, the discussion about the invention assumes a specific orientation in which the key is inserted into the front of the rotating pins key lock into a substantially vertically oriented key insertion slot, and where a side of the key having ID cut surfaces faces up when the key is inserted. The disclosure generally further assumes and describes a key rotation following insertion that is initially clockwise, and the rotating pins stationed to the right of the key on the inside of the lock. Note that these references to top/bottom, front/back, left/right, and clockwise /counter-clockwise are mostly fixed for this disclosure to minimize ambiguities in the discussion, but can easily be implemented in virtually any combination of orientations.
Referring now to the drawing Figures, and initially to
Referring now also to
The outer cylindrical surface 501 of center collar 50 includes a rectangular, longitudinally oriented locking pin slot 51 that extends the length of the collar. At the bottom of slot 51 near each end is a spring recess 505, and a locking pin hole 52 that extends from the bottom of spring recess 505 through the wall of center collar 50. Holes 52 are configured to align with a pair of locking pin receiving holes 42 in key collar 40 when the key collar is rotated within collar 50 all the way clockwise to the key verification position, as will be explained in greater detail below.
Center collar 50 further includes a series of rotating pin receiving holes 55 in the wall of the collar, perpendicular to and offset from a longitudinal axis of collar 50. As can be seen in the cross-section view of
The offset of holes 55 from the longitudinal axis of collar 50 is selected such that when the rotating pins 30 are installed in holes 55, a middle region of the pins 30 is exposed within the central bore 506 of the center collar. The dashed line in
Referring still to
Referring now also to
Referring now to
The latch tabs 74 are essentially rectangular pads of equal thickness. The thickness is selected such that the top surfaces of the tabs are flush with outer cylindrical surface 501 of the center collar when the latch 70 is seated in the bottom of slot 51. Conversely, if there is a gap between the internal latch 70 and the bottom of slot 51, some portion or all of tabs 74 will project beyond the outer surface 501 of the collar.
Referring now to
Inner cylindrical surface 602 has a latch and key release groove 61 that extends longitudinally rearward from the inside of front face 604 to the back end 605. At the bottom of groove 61 is an exemplary stop pin receiver 66 in the form of a bored hole that extends through the wall of outer collar 60 for holding a spring stop pin 67 (see
Referring to
The bottom surface 85 has a pair of notches 86 configured to align with and receive the latch tabs 74 of internal latch 70 when the locking pin bracket slot 51 in center collar 50 is rotationally aligned with release groove 61 in outer collar 60 (in other words when the center collar is in the key verification position). The back edges of the notches 86 have a tapered transition to the bottom surface 85 of controller 80 defining internal latch ramps 82. A face pin 81 extends from the front end of controller 80 into the pin button hole 68 in front face 604 of outer collar 60.
The top surface 84 of release controller 80 has a channel 89 for holding a controller spring 83. The spring 83 is installed in a compressed state between the spring stop pin 67 and the forward end of channel 89. Because the stop pin 67 is fixed in outer collar 60, the controller spring 83 tends to urge the release controller 80 in a forward direction relative to outer collar 60. The amount of forward movement is determined by the space between the back of front face 604 of collar 60 and the front end 87 of controller 80.
Referring now to
Referring now also to
The ID notch 303 and surface 33 extend from below the spline 31 toward bottom end 38. ID surface 33 and homing surface 32 may be parallel to each other, and to longitudinal axis A. For example, in the depicted embodiment, a plane B defined by the two surfaces 32, 33, intersects longitudinal axis A, and is perpendicular to plane of symmetry S. In one particular embodiment the clocking pin 36 is centered on plane S, and except for the position of the key ID hole 37, pins 30 are all entirely symmetrical about plane S.
The key ID hole 37 is located generally on the outer facing side 302 of pin 30, longitudinally between ID notch 303 and homing notch 306. Referring to the cross-section view of
As can be seen, the angular positions ai through a4 of the key ID hole 37, as measured clockwise or counter clockwise from the plane of symmetry S, varies from pin to pin. The angle, referred to here as the rotating pin ID angle, may be a non-zero amount, as in the case of depicted pin ID angles α1, α3, and α4, or zero as in the case of depicted pin ID angle α2. The ID angle may be referred to as positive or negative amount depending upon the direction ID hole 37 is offset from plane of symmetry S.
As will become better understood below, the ID position of pins 30 shown in
Referring to
Key 10 may further include a series of optional security grooves 13 positioned between the ID cut surfaces 11, and extending into the key from the ID side 14 perpendicular to axis D. The grooves 13 are arranged to align with a corresponding series of optional security pins 15 in the center collar 50. The pins 15 are positioned in a manner similar to that of key retaining pin 57, in that they are received inside grooves 13 when the key is rotated into the key verification position, and clear of grooves 13 when the key is in the home position.
Operation of key lock 1 will now be described, beginning with reference to the cross-section views of
When the key collar 40 and rotating pins 30 are in their home positions as in
In the raised position shown, the latch tabs 74 also project into notches 86 of key release controller 80. Because the internal latch 70 is being prevented from moving inward by the effective blocking of pins 72, the key release controller 80 is held in the rearward, secured position of
When the rotation of the key and key collar nears the key verification position, and the pins have rotated substantially into alignment with ID cut surfaces 11, the pin locking flutes 47 on locking tab 44 of key collar 40 begin to engage and mate with the splines 31 on pins 30. As soon as the spline engagement begins, the rotational orientation of the rotating pins 30 is fixed, with the pins locked into their respective ID positions, prior to fully completing rotation of the key collar to the key verification position. Thus the key collar reaches the key verification position after the rotating pins have already been secured in their respective ID positions.
The angles of the ID cut surfaces 11 are selected to ensure that engagement of the locking flutes 47 and splines 31 will occur in each case at the respective one of the finite number of possible pin angular orientations at which the ID holes 37 are in their ID positions. In other words, before the locking flutes 34 reach the splines 31, each pin must be rotationally positioned by the key ID cut surface 11 within an angular range that will ensure the spline and flute engagement happens at the ID position, and not one tooth ahead or behind it. The angle of the key ID cut surface 11 therefore does not have to be perfect but does have to rotationally position spline 31 within an angular spacing between two desired adjacent spline teeth.
When the key collar 40 is in the key verification position and the rotating pins 30 in their ID positions, the key ID holes 37 are all aligned with the ID locking pin alignment holes 53 in center collar 50, and the locking pin receiving holes 42 in key collar 40 are both aligned with the locking pin holes 52 in center collar 50. The obstructions blocking the pins 72 and 73 of internal latch 70 are therefore effectively removed, releasing internal latch 70 to move inward to an unsecured position seated at the bottom of the locking pin slot 51. This may be referred to as key ID verification, and as noted above can only occur after the rotating pins 30 have been secured at their ID positions.
It should be understood however that if the key ID is not correct, at least some of the rotating pins 30 will not be placed in their ID positions. In that case, even though the key collar latch pins 72 are aligned with the locking pin receiving holes 42, at least some of the ID test pins 73 will face the outer facing side 302 of a pin 30 instead of being aligned with an ID hole 37. Consequently, only a slight inward movement of internal latch 70 is possible as the very ends of pins 72 enter holes 42 and the gap between the ends of ID test pins 73 and rotating pins 30 closes, causing some of the pins 73 to then bear against outer facing sides 302, and thereby stop any further inward movement. The ends of pins 72 and/or the edges of holes 42 may be provided with a bevel or chamfer to allow the key collar to be rotated away from the key verification position in this particular situation back toward the home position.
As explained above, the internal latch 70 is biased inward toward its unsecured position by the spring-loaded key release controller 80. The instant that all the pins 30 and key collar 40 reach their ID and key verification positions (using a key with the proper ID), the obstruction provided by the latch tabs 74 of internal latch 70 begins to move away, and the key release controller 80 slides forward to the position shown in
With the internal latch 70 thus fully seated in slot 51, the latch tabs 74 of internal latch 70 no longer protrude into the latch and key release groove 61 in outer collar 60 (or only slightly protrude due to the slight recess of key release controller 80). Consequently, the center collar 50 is unlocked, or unsecured from outer collar 60 and will remain that way as long as the internal latch 70 is held seated in slot 51. Note that the internal latch may be configured to cause the pins 72 to enter holes 42 and thereby rotationally lock the key collar to the center collar before the latch tabs 74 are completely withdrawn from groove 61 and the center collar becomes unlocked from the outer collar.
If the center collar is subsequently rotated, causing latch tabs 74 to begin moving out from under key release controller 80, the function of holding down latch tabs 74 is taken up by the inner surface 602 of outer collar 60. The center collar may thus be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise by any amount, with the latch tabs 74 traversing groove 61 freely in either direction for as long as the key release controller 80 is in the forward, unsecured position. The latch tabs 74 may have an arcuate surface matching the curvature of inner surface 602, and beveled side edges to prevent excessive catching on the corner of groove 61. However some slight degree of catching or clicking into groove 61 may be desirable to provide tactile or audible user feedback that the key collar is at the key verification position.
Because the key collar 40 and center collar 50 are locked together in the unsecured condition of the key lock, the center collar can be rotated in the described manner within outer collar 60 by rotating both collars (key collar and center collar) as a unit with the key. The rotation may be used to operate a latch control mechanism of a door latch or lock connected to the back of center collar 50. For example, the door mechanism may be a deadbolt configured so that rotating the key collar and center collar clockwise from the key verification position of
In the unsecured condition of the key lock, the key is trapped in the lock by the key retaining pin 57 and any optional security pins 15, as well as the ID surfaces 33 of some of the rotating pins 30. Thus, when the key is being used to operate a door latch or lock mechanism, the key cannot be removed. To remove the key, the key lock must first be returned to the secured condition. This is done by rotating the key collar and center collar to the key verification position (detectable by feel or sound as noted above), then pressing in (toward outer collar front face 604) the extended face pin 81 of key release controller 80. Pressing the face pin 81 in pushes the key release controller rearward back to the position shown in
At the same time pins 72 and 73 are withdrawn from their respective holes in the rotating pins 30 and key collar 40, leaving the key collar and pins 30 again unrestrained and free to rotate. Note that if face pin 81 were to be released at this point while the key collar is still in the key verification position, the release controller 80 would again spring forward, extending face pin 81, and pushing the internal latch 70 inward.
The key 10 may be removed by rotating the key collar 40 back to the home position of
There has been described a novel rotating pin key lock apparatus and process with substantially improved ability to resist being opened with a pick or bump key. For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the use of relative terms, such as “substantially”, “generally”, “approximately”, and the like, are utilized herein to represent an inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.
In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. Unless the exact language “means for” (performing a particular function or step) is recited in the claims, a construction under § 112, 6th paragraph is not intended. Additionally, it is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
