Patent Application
20060000251
The present invention concerns a rotor for a locking device that is at least opened or unlocked by the operation of a key.
Many locking devices are known on which the rotor is key-operated.
According to one conventional form of embodiment, a key having teeth on its edges acts on spigots or projections on locking tumblers so as to lower or raise them. It has been observed that rotor-type locking devices operated with such a key have often been targeted by picklocks. It is relatively easy for unauthorised persons to pick these types of lock using fine metal blades and hooked tools.
In order to make locks more difficult to pick, the use of fluted keys has been proposed. These fluted keys feature a control flute on both their plane faces, the flute situated on the left being designed to operate the tumblers whose nibs are on the left, whereas the flute situated on the right is designed to operate the tumblers whose nibs are on the right. Despite the fact that these locking devices offer greater security, it has been observed that fraudsters still succeed in picking them.
The object of the present invention is a locking device that is even more difficult to pick.
One important element of the invention is the rotor of the locking device, said rotor being operated by a key. The object of the invention is therefore a rotor featuring:
In the rotor according to the invention, at least one tumbler is brought into the unlocked position by a displacement in a different direction, advantageously at least partially opposed (and preferably substantially opposed) to the direction of displacement of not less than two tumblers, so as to bring them into the unlocked position, the nibs of said minimum of three tumblers extending at least partly into the chamber, along the same internal face thereof. This accordingly makes the lock difficult to pick, since it is necessary to displace one nib in one direction (for example downwards), while it is necessary to displace two other nibs, advantageously adjacent to the first, in an opposite direction (for example upwards).
From the outside, the fraudster will be unable to tell whether one or more nibs need to be displaced downwards while others need to be displaced upwards in order to permit the device to be unlocked. This therefore makes it possible to substantially complicate the picking of a lock by a fraudster.
Advantageously, the rotor will have at least four locking tumblers, at least two tumblers being brought into the unlocked position by a displacement in a different direction, advantageously at least partly opposed (and preferably substantially opposed) to the direction of displacement of at least two other tumblers, so as to bring them into the unlocked position.
The rotor preferably has at least five, more particularly at least seven locking tumblers. The rotor may for example comprise 8, 9, 10, 11 or even more tumblers. As a general rule, from 7 to 9 tumblers permit an adequate level of security to be provided.
It should be noted that the more tumblers are provided, the greater will be the number of combinations and the level of security.
Under one specific form of embodiment, the chamber features a first and second internal faces arranged opposite one another, with at least one nib controlling three tumblers being turned towards the first internal face, whereas at least one nib controlling another tumbler is turned towards the second internal face. This allows the possible combinations to be still further increased, particularly if the key is a single-entry key.
Under one preferred embodiment, at least one tumbler features a control nib and a spigot or projection which are adapted to permit the tumblers to be brought into the unlocking position by means of a master key. This master key will for example feature a channel or flute capable of unlocking one or more tumblers and teeth or projections along at least one of its edges capable of unlocking one or more other tumblers by operating on the spigots or projections thereof.
As a result, a rotor thus equipped can then be actuated by a servant key (i.e. the usual key for the rotor) of which the channel on one face operates the nibs of all the tumblers, as well as by the master key which operates certain tumblers by the channel on the nibs and other tumblers by the action of the teeth on the spigots of these other tumblers.
According to a detail of one embodiment, the rotor features a chamber with a longitudinal axis corresponding to the key insertion axis and a substantially rectangular cross-section. The nibs of the tumblers are adapted to cooperate with a key featuring on at least one of its faces a defined channel between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the first edge being adapted to displace one or more nibs of one tumbler or first group of tumblers in a first direction, while the second edge is adapted to displace one or more nibs of a second tumbler or second group of tumblers in an opposite direction from the first direction.
According to one embodiment, the control nibs of the tumblers are situated only along one face of the central chamber, with the result that it is adapted to cooperate with a key featuring on only one face a channel for operating tumbler nibs and, if appropriate, one or more teeth on the bitting or bittings, with said tooth or teeth being adapted to act on one or more of the tumbler spigots.
Specifically, the chamber features a central chamber defined between at least a first face and a second face situated opposite one another, whereas the nibs that control the tumblers are situated solely along the first face or second face of the central chamber, with the result that it is adapted to cooperate with a key featuring a tumbler nib control channel on only a first face or on the opposing face thereof, the key possibly furthermore featuring one or more teeth on the bitting or bittings, and said tooth or teeth being adapted to act upon one or more tumbler spigots.
It is preferred if the control nibs of the tumblers are of substantially the same width, the longitudinal edges of the groove being spaced apart from one another by a minimum distance corresponding at least to the maximum width of the tumbler control nib. If appropriate, the nibs will be of variable width, for example the nibs will be narrower in respect of one or more tumblers adjacent to the aperture for introducing the key into the chamber. In this case the channel will be sufficiently wide to allow the passage and sliding of the nibs of the various tumblers in the channel.
Advantageously, certain tumblers, as well as their nibs, are adapted to cooperate with a key having a channel of substantially variable width, said variable width being not less than the width of the biggest of the nibs. The key for example features a control channel on only one of its lateral faces, the key then being a single-entry key. The other face of the key may then have a profile adapted to allow guidance and/or to only allow the key to be introduced into a special rotor with a suitable profile. The key may also have symmetrical control channels on both of its opposing lateral faces, so that in this instance the key is a double-entry key.
According to a special feature of one embodiment, the tumblers are accommodated in slots equidistant or different distances apart from one another, or else in slots forming at least two distinct groups of slots, said groups being equidistant from one another or different distances apart.
According to yet another detail, some tumblers, along with their nibs, are adapted to cooperate with a key channel of variable width, said channel extending in a defined zone between two longitudinal lines spaced apart by a distance corresponding at least to the width of the nibs. Advantageously, the maximum width separating the two longitudinal lines will be a function of the distance between the extreme positions of the nibs in the various tumblers.
According to one detail, the tumblers are selected from at least one group of at least three tumblers featuring a nib one edge of which, cooperating with an edge of the key channel, extends between two extreme positions.
The nib of the tumblers may be of variable or constant width and/or variable or identical shape.
According to a special feature of one embodiment, the nib of at least one tumbler presents a face that slopes with respect to the plane perpendicular to the tumbler's direction of movement and/or is rounded (i.e. curved), said nib being adapted to cooperate with a sloping and/or rounded edge of a channel incorporated on a key.
Another special feature may be a tumbler nib with a substantially triangular or trapezoidal or rounded shape. The channel in the key and the chamber of the rotor are then configured accordingly.
According to a special feature of one practical embodiment, the spring or springs acting on one or more tumblers against a movement in a first direction are all situated on a first side of the rotor, while the springs acting on one of the other tumblers against a movement in an opposite direction from said first direction are situated on a second side opposite the first side. In order to increase the number of combinations, each slot of the rotor may be operatively associated with a tumbler with motion in one direction or with a tumbler with motion in an opposite direction.
Advantageously, the springs operating on the tumblers are alternately spaced individually or unitarily or groupwise, notably in twos or threes, per tumbler or per group of tumblers.
Specifically, the springs of the tumblers or groups of tumblers are positioned in separate or diametrically opposed seats or so as to mirror one another.
According to a detail of one possible embodiment, one or more slots, or even each slot, receive one or more tumblers (notably two or three) sliding in the same direction as, or opposite direction from, one another, against the action of one or more springs.
According to one preferred embodiment, the rotor features at least one means for holding the rotor in a housing of a locking device or handle. Such a means is advantageously an open or closed retainer or staple, said retainer or staple advantageously being mounted so as to slide in a slot on the rotor, with the sliding action preferably being performed against the action of at least one spring. For example, the means for holding the rotor in the housing is a nib carried on the rotor, said nib being designed to slide or otherwise and/or being deformable or otherwise.
According to a detail of another preferred embodiment, the rotor has at least one means designed to cooperate with at least one tool or instrument, notably at least one removal key, in order to remove the rotor from its housing without damaging the rotor and its housing or without needing to dismantle the locking device or part thereof. The rotor can thus be removed in a straightforward manner using a suitable tool or key, thereby allowing one rotor to readily be replaced with another, as for example in the case of loss or theft of a servant key.
For example, the means designed to cooperate with at least one tool, notably at least one removal key, is at least one nib or one spigot, notably a nib or spigot mounted in advantageous manner on one or more legs of an open retainer, and a nib or spigot mounted on a closed retainer.
The retainer (30) is for example of the closed type (
According to one feature, the rotor is adapted to cooperate with a housing presenting an annular groove designed to receive at least part of the retainer for retaining the rotor in the housing, and at least one groove, more particularly two grooves, advantageously longitudinal and/or axial, with at least one groove opening partially or fully onto the annular groove.
The retainer preferably presents a first end that is broader than the longitudinal groove or grooves, and a second end that is narrower than the longitudinal groove that opens at least partially onto the annular groove.
According to another feature of one embodiment, the rotor is adapted to cooperate with a removal key, more particularly a straightforward elongate key, said key presenting either a channel designed to move, notably to lower or raise, a nib on the retainer and hence the retainer itself, or else an edge with a tooth which presses on a spigot on the retainer in order to move the latter, the movement of the retainer being sufficient to displace its broad end from the annular groove of the housing and only allow the rotor to be removed once the latter has been brought into an unlocked position. For example, the rotor is adapted to cooperate with a removal key that corresponds to a master key having a portion designed to control the removal of the rotor, said master key making it possible to release the rotor so as to arrive, notably following rotation thereof, at a rotor removal position or a position enabling the rotor to be removed by longitudinal displacement.
According to yet another embodiment, the retainer is of the double-ended closed type (
It is practical for the rotor to have a nib, advantageously located in the plane of the slot in which the retainer slides.
Specifically, the retainer presents one broad end, characterised in that the nib of the rotor is positioned in an area not adjacent to the broad end of the retainer, the opposite side from the broad end of the retainer.
Advantageously, the rotor is adapted to cooperate with a housing presenting an annular groove designed to receive part of the retainer, a longitudinal slot allowing passage of the nib of the rotor, and at least two longitudinal grooves for tumblers, said two grooves opening or not onto the annular groove, or otherwise.
According to a further embodiment, the retainer having a control nib along one of its legs has its small end open.
According to yet another embodiment, the rotor is characterised by a closed retainer with two ends which are both essentially of the same width, advantageously smaller than the longitudinal grooves for tumblers, and by the fact that the rotor is adapted to cooperate with a housing presenting at least two longitudinal grooves for tumblers, one of which opens onto the annular groove.
It is clear that instead of using a rotor means or retainer that opens out into a groove, more particularly an annular groove, in the housing, it is possible to reverse the mechanism, i.e. to use a housing means or retainer that is movably mounted, said means or retainer opening out at least partially into a channel or groove, notably an annular groove on the rotor.
According to one practical detail, the rotor is characterised by the use of tumblers with control nibs situated along the two internal faces of the chamber (10) of the rotor, more particularly with the control nibs situated along the two faces being movable in both directions so as to further increase the number of possible combinations.
According to one specific embodiment, the rotor is adapted to operate with a single-entry key, notably a key incorporating a channel on each face, said two channels being asymmetrical; with or without teeth on the edges of the key.
A further object of the invention is a locking device or handle having at least one housing that cooperates with at least one rotor according to the invention, more particularly adapted to cooperate with a key or master key as defined above.
According to one locking device embodiment, in which the retainer presents a broad end and an element designed to engage in an annular groove on the housing, the housing presents a slope with a width essentially identical to or greater than the broad end of the retainer and advantageously situated at the start of a longitudinal groove for tumblers which does not open into the annular groove of the housing, said slope facing the broad end of the retainer in the correct position for inserting the rotor into the housing with or without the key introduced into the rotor, and advantageously without having to resort to a removal key.
According to one detail, the locking device is characterised by a closed retainer with two ends, both of which are of essentially the same width, advantageously smaller than the longitudinal grooves for tumblers, the housing furthermore presenting at least two longitudinal grooves for tumblers, one of which opens onto the annular groove.
The housing preferably presents a slope, said slope advantageously being situated at the end of at least one of the longitudinal grooves which do not open onto the annular groove.
A further object of the invention is a master key for a rotor in accordance with the invention. Specifically, this key presents at least one face incorporating a channel designed to act on nibs of tumblers and at least one edge incorporating teeth designed to act on spigots of tumblers.
Yet another object of the invention is the use of locking devices and handles according to the invention for protecting a series of cabinets or lockers.
By using such locking devices it is possible to greatly increase the ability of one or more cabinets or of one or more lockers to withstand being opened fraudulently.
Moreover, the rotor according to the invention may be used in existing housings that have a chamber suitable for receiving the rotor. This therefore advantageously makes it possible to readily replace rotors of existing locking devices with rotors according to the invention.
There are in existence many types of rotor assembly in housings of locking devices and handles, and this is well known in the world of locking device and handle manufacturers. The particular attraction of this invention is that it proposes a new design of rotor that can advantageously be inserted into an existing housing in place of an old rotor.
This makes it possible to greatly limit the cost of manufacturing locking devices and handles according to this new, invention because it allows existing housings to be used.
With security in mind, the use of the split key is envisaged for locking devices on, for example, office furniture, and the use of such keys with a rotor according to this new invention forms part of the claims (
Special features and details of preferred embodiments will become apparent from the detailed description that follows, referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In the Figures the same reference numbers have been used to identify similar or identical parts.
In the embodiment illustrated, the rotor presents ten slots 11 for receiving tumblers 12, 13, for example five tumblers 12 and five tumblers 13. Tumblers 12 are brought into the unlocking position by an upward movement (H) against the action of their respective spring 14, whereas tumblers 13 are brought into the unlocking position by a downward movement (B) against the action of their respective spring 14.
The nibs 12A, 13A of the tumblers 12, 13 all extend over the same internal face of the chamber 10 of substantially rectangular cross-section. This means that the unlocking action necessitates an upward movement by some nibs and a downward movement by certain other nibs, which accordingly makes unauthorised unlocking a complex matter. The fraudster cannot tell whether and which tumblers need to be displaced downwards or upwards.
The tumblers 12, 13 present a substantially rectangular central passage whose width substantially corresponds to the maximum thickness of the flat side 4 of the key 3, whereas the height is greater than the maximum width of the flat side 4 in order to allow relative movement of the tumblers with respect to the flat side 4 of the key.
In the locked position, part of the tumblers extends into the cavities on the rotor, thereby preventing any rotation of the rotor 1 whenever the key 3 or master key 25 is not engaged in the chamber 10.
If in the embodiment shown in
For example, the rotor 1 will have at least four locking tumblers, at least two tumblers 13 being brought into the unlocked position by displacement in an opposite direction (B) to the direction (H) of displacement of at least two tumblers 12 in order to bring them into the unlocked position.
It is likewise possible to use tumblers featuring a nib adjacent to the face lying opposite to the face along which the nibs of tumblers 12, 13 extend. This then enables the possible combinations to be further increased.
On each of its faces 4A, 4B the key 3 presents a channel 20 which extends between an upper edge 21 and a lower edge 22, the upper edge 21 being designed to push down the nibs of tumblers 13, while the lower edge 22 is designed to push up the nibs of tumblers 12. The lower and upper edges are spaced apart from one another by a distance DX, which varies but is at least equal to the width L of the nibs. The positioning of the nibs 12A, 13A on the tumblers may vary from one tumbler to another, which explains the curved, variable profile of the edges 21, 22.
To provide for the rotor to be unlocked by an authorised person who does not possess the key, it is advantageous to provide on one or more tumblers one or more spigots 24 designed to cooperate with a master key 25.
On its opposing faces 25A, 25B, this key 25 presents a channel 26 which is adapted to cooperate with one or more nibs of one or more tumblers from the two groups of tumblers, and on one or two edges 27 of the flat side 4, it presents one or more teeth 27A adapted to cooperate with one or more spigots or projections 24 on one or other tumbler(s) from the two groups of tumblers (see
This allows a high level of security to be provided in respect of a large number of keys, while having a single master key to unlock them in case of need or of loss of the key specific to a locking device (or the servant key).
By creating different shapes of channel 26 and/or of the teeth on the edge or edges 27, and by inserting specially adapted tumblers, the result is thus a different master key and a different series of combinations fitted by this or these other master key(s).
A scaled-up view of a tumbler 12 is shown in
To ensure a sufficient number of possible combinations, both the tumblers and their nibs are adapted to cooperate with a channel on a key of variable width, said variable width presenting a minimum width at least equal to the width of the nibs.
Accordingly, the hollows or peaks of the channel 20 (see
The end 4C of the key 3 presents a flared channel 20 to facilitate the passage of the tumbler nibs in the channel 20. The same goes for the end 25C of the master key 25.
The tumbler seen in
One useful application for this new rotor and these new keys with their high level of resistance to fraudulent opening is the protection of property such as skis, bicycles, dinghies, accessories, etc. being transported on the roof or tailgate of cars, or in caravans and mobile homes. This therefore also makes it possible to ensure that the object is suitably locked and that articles cannot be used in the event that the rotor is improperly moved, notably opened. There are generally a number of different locking devices in a caravan or on the various accessories transported on the roof of a car. With security and user-friendliness in mind, it is advantageous for all the locking devices of a caravan or accessories on the roof of a car to be fitted with rotors having the same combination, which is the reason for the attraction of removable rotors to be replaced with rotors having the same combination in accordance with this new invention.
Patents EP 0350474, U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,123, EP 0494062, U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,654, the contents of which are incorporated into the present description by reference, show the concept of locking devices with a barrel or rotor that can be removed with the help of a removal key and a two-ended retainer (EP 0350474; U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,123); or alternatively of a two-ended retainer operatively associated with a nib on the rotor (EP 0494062; U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,654). The servant keys for the rotors outlined in these patents are of the conventional type with one or two edges provided with teeth which act on the nibs of the tumblers.
The use of rotors and keys according to this new invention can advantageously increase the ability of the locking devices to withstand being picked, and therefore the security of personal possessions.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to present a new design of rotor and the keys for it, which can easily be inserted and which, moreover, can be removed without the need to dismantle the locking device, and which can advantageously be accommodated in the existing housing of the locking device, in place of the old rotors.
Under such an arrangement, the rotor has tumblers (12, 13) as outlined above, but in addition there is an extra slot for receiving a retainer such as the one shown in
Under the action of a spring, the retainer is pushed into an annular slot 32 in the housing 2 in which its broad end is accommodated and the rotor is thus held in the housing. The servant key or master key actuate the tumblers (12, 13), and allow the rotor to rotate; however, these keys do not come into contact with the retainer, which remains accommodated in the annular groove and retains the rotor.
The housing (
Such a rotor equipped with an open retainer (
In the application concerning a removable rotor, the retainer inserted into the rotor will for example be of the type illustrated in
In order to maintain the security of a locking device equipped with such a rotor having a double-ended retainer (
In the unlocked position it will therefore be the narrow end of the retainer that will lie opposite to the open longitudinal groove 43 on the annular groove.
The broad end of the retainer is wider than the longitudinal grooves (42, 43) of the housing and the narrow end is narrower than the longitudinal groove 43 which opens onto the annular groove 32 (
Some arrangements show one narrow end of the retainer substantially reduced in width (
The housings may have two, four, six or more longitudinal grooves (42, 43) for movement of the tumblers, but only one (43) must open onto the annular groove 32 in order to ensure that the rotor can be removed only in the unlocked position.
A removal key, which is generally an elongate servant key, is equipped with a channel to enable it to operate the nib of the retainer in a downward direction, resulting in the broad end of the retainer (
In the unlocked mode only, the narrow end of the retainer is then situated opposite the longitudinal groove (43) which is open onto the annular groove 32, and accordingly it is possible to remove the rotor from the housing and introduce another rotor thereinto.
In some applications master keys are not wanted and in order to remove a rotor from its housing whilst ensuring a sufficient level of security it will first be necessary to use the servant key to turn the rotor and thereby unlock the locking device.
Once the servant key has been removed, the removal key is introduced, lowering the retainer, and the rotor is removed from the housing; another rotor can thus be introduced.
For other applications (locker rooms in factories, schools, offices, etc.) it is desirable to have a master key, and hence in addition to the option of removing the rotor in the unlocked position with a simple removal key there is the option of having an elongated master key or “master removal key” to actuate the retainer as explained earlier.
In such a scenario, the insertion of a master removal key makes it possible to unlock all the tumblers (12; 13) and furthermore to lower the retainer. The rotor can therefore be turned from the locked position to the unlocked position in which the narrow end of the retainer (
Another form of embodiment of a removable rotor is one in which the two-ended retainer (
The housing for such a rotor is illustrated in
There are two longitudinal grooves (42, 43), which are diametrically opposed to receive the displacement of the tumblers (12; 13).
The retainer (
The tumblers (12, 13) move in two longitudinal grooves (42, 43) on the housing which are able to open (partially or fully), or not, onto the annular groove 32.
In addition the housing (
To facilitate the insertion of such a rotor without having to use a removal key, it is practical to position a slope having a width greater than or equal to the large width of the retainer at the start of the longitudinal groove that faces the broad end of the retainer when the nib 40 is situated opposite its groove 34 in the housing. When the rotor is positioned in the housing, the broad end of the retainer enters the annular groove 32. To remove the rotor it is first necessary to introduce the servant key or the master key (if adapted for this purpose) and turn the rotor as far as the unlocked position in which the nib 40 of the rotor will lie opposite the longitudinal groove 34. The servant key is now removed and the (elongate) removal key, which lowers the retainer or staple (
Another form of embodiment of a locking device featuring a retainer-type rotor (
In such a case, inserting a straightforward removal key does not make it possible to withdraw the rotor since the nib 40 is not situated opposite the longitudinal groove 34. What is then needed is a master removal key which makes it possible to lower the retainer and rotate the rotor until the nib 40 lies opposite the groove 34, which enables the rotor to be withdrawn and replaced with a new rotor. Some designs for a two-ended closed retainer have the second (narrow) end accommodated above the first (broad) end, as depicted in
In this case diameter D2 is essentially equal to, but advantageously less than, the diameter of the rotor (D rotor) and diameter D1 is essentially bigger than the diameter of the rotor (D rotor).
In the unlocked position, inserting the removal key or the master removal key only allows the second (narrow) end 31 of the retainer accommodated above the first (broad) end to remain outside the rotor.
In this case it is the longitudinal groove 42 which must be open onto the annular groove 32, since it is in this position that the rotor is unlocked.
A suitable aperture between the annular groove 32 and the required longitudinal groove (in this case 42) enables the rotor to be withdrawn (
Such an embodiment operatively associated with a rotor of this new invention forms an integral part of the present invention.
It will be apparent that rather than using a staple or retainer adapted to be operated with a key, it is possible to use other systems to hold the rotor 1 in the housing. For example, the projection 40 may be adapted to move against a spring and may present a pent face so as to push the projection 40 into the body of the rotor 1 for as long as the projection 40 has not reached the annular groove. When the projection 40 is situated opposite said groove, the spring pushes the latter into the groove. The projection 40 then presents a face forming a limit stop to stand in the way of the rotor's removal.
The key illustrated is a single-entry key.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| BE 2004/0325 | Jun 2004 | BE | national |
