WO2016125056A1

WO2016125056A1 - Lock cylinder with locking device

Info

Publication number: WO2016125056A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/050451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giorgia TOGNAZZO
Original assignee: Tognazzo Giorgia
Priority date: 2015-02-03
Filing date: 2016-01-29
Publication date: 2016-08-11
Also published as: EP3253941A1

Abstract

The invention is a new cylinder for locks, comprising a revolving plug (R) suited to control the bolt and partially projecting from the side of the main body (C) of the cylinder when there is no key in the keyhole, and comprising a locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) completely housed in the main body (C). Said locking pin (B l, B2) comprises a first locking portion (B l) suited to be inserted in and extracted from recesses, seats, holes or other similar shaped cavities (Rf) present in the revolving plug (R) that is coupled with the bolt, and a second operating portion (B2) suited to be coupled with a translation mechanism (M). Said translation mechanism (M) and said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) are housed in the main body (C) of the lock cylinder, in a part where there are no other mechanisms and intended to be positioned towards the inside of the house, apartment or building.

Description

LOCK CYLINDER WITH LOCKING DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

The present patent concerns the field of lock production and in particular it concerns lock cylinders.

The locks manufactured at present comprise a multifunctional door locking mechanism, made up of a bolt which is inserted in the counter plate fixed to the doorpost, and a univocal interchangeable mechanism provided with one or more identical keys and suited to activate the multifunctional mechanism and the bolt.

The univocal interchangeable mechanism is known as lock cylinder and comprises a main body, inside which there are two rotary operating cylinders provided with a slot for the insertion of the key (keyhole) that rotate on the same axis in opposite positions.

The main body of the lock cylinders is cylindrical, known as American cylinder or Yale cylinder, or is a body with cross section consisting of a circular portion and of a projecting portion having two parallel sides and round end, known as European cylinder. Each operating cylinder is connected to a cam or revolving plug arranged between said operating cylinders and rotating on the same rotation axis, which controls the door locking bolt.

Both the main body and said operating cylinders are provided with holes that are orthogonal to the rotation axis of the cylinders and house active pins, passive pins and thrust springs.

Some lock cylinders have holes and coplanar pins facing towards the projecting portion, other lock cylinders have sets of holes and pins arranged so that they are coplanar in opposing sets and/or arranged with different inclination with respect to the key and the rotation centre.

When each operating cylinder is in the angular starting position with respect to the main body, meaning the position of insertion and extraction of the key, the orthogonal holes of the operating cylinder and of the main body are aligned, and the active and passive pins are thrust by said thrust springs towards the centre of the operating cylinder itself, preventing the rotation of said cylinder.

Inserting the key in the hole of an operating cylinder means translating the active and passive pins away from the centre, said translation being determined by the height of the corresponding tooth of the key on which the active pin rests.

If the height of each tooth of the key is correct, the active and passive pins are translated by the correct distance, so that each active pin remains within the operating cylinder and the corresponding passive pin is completely thrust into the main body by the corresponding tooth of the key: in this position, by turning the key it is possible to rotate the operating cylinder, thus rotating the revolving plug and translating the door bolt, locking or unlocking the door.

If the height of the teeth of the key is not correct, the active and passive pins prevent the operating cylinder from rotating.

These types of lock do not ensure a sufficient degree of safety, since they can be easily opened with certain tricks, using some specific tools.

Picklocks are known, which are thin tools with a curved tip with which thieves open said known cylinder locks.

A door breaking method comprises the forced extraction of the cylinder, which results in the breakage of the screw that holds the cylinder in position, and the translation of the bolt by means of a tool such as, for example, a screwdriver.

To prevent the forced extraction of the cylinder, when the cylinders used at present are in the rest position, with no key inserted and rotated therein, the revolving plug or cam is rotated laterally. The forced extraction of the cylinder is prevented by the revolving plug or cam, which rests against the structure of the lock.

Some burglars perforate the main body, thus destroying the springs, the active and/or passive pins and using any key to rotate the operating cylinder and the revolving plug. Another method for opening said known locks includes the insertion of a key with short teeth in the keyhole, after which the active and passive pins are placed in the release position by properly striking the key. In order to overcome all the drawbacks mentioned above, a new lock cylinder with locking device has been designed and manufactured.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide a safety cylinder for locks that does not allow the lock to be released, even if the pins are moved manually to the correct position using special tools.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new safety cylinder for locks that does not allow the lock to be released, even if the operating cylinder is removed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new safety cylinder that does not allow the lock to be released, even if a key having exactly the same shape as the owner's key is used.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new safety cylinder that can be produced with no need to modify the existing production lines actually used to manufacture lock cylinders.

These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new lock cylinder comprising a mechanism that locks the revolving plug.

The new safety cylinder for locks comprises a main body, at least one operating cylinder, a revolving plug suited to control the bolt, active and passive pins with corresponding thrust washers substantially equal to those of the known cylinder locks and a mechanism provided with a revolving plug locking pin.

In the rest position, meaning when there is no key in the keyhole, the revolving plug is rotated laterally, that is, is partially projecting from the outline of the main body.

In particular, the revolving plug that controls the bolt is provided with one or more recesses, seats, holes or other similar shaped cavities in its projecting portion suited to be coupled with the bolt or on the circumference of its cylindrical portion that rotates in the cylinder body.

If said hole or recess is provided on the projecting portion of the revolving plug, said hole or recess is decentred with respect to said projecting portion of the revolving plug itself, and in such a position that it lies within the outline of the main body when said revolving plug is in the rest position with no key in the keyhole.

Said locking pin suited to translate towards and away from said revolving plug is located inside the main body of the lock cylinder.

Said locking pin is suited to translate from a position in which at least part of the same is inserted or housed in one of said recesses, seats, holes or other similar shaped cavities of the revolving plug, preventing the latter from rotating, to a position in which it is completely extracted from said recess, seat, hole or other similar shaped cavity of the revolving plug, allowing the latter to rotate.

According to the invention, said locking pin may translate according to an inclined direction, lying on the vertical plane of the main body of the lock cylinder, substantially directed from the portion of the main body of the cylinder towards the revolving plug.

Said locking pin comprises a first locking portion and a second operating portion.

The first locking portion of the locking pin is suited to be inserted in and extracted from the recess, seat, hole or other similar shaped cavity of the revolving plug when the latter is in the rest position with no key inserted or rotated in the keyhole.

The second operating portion of the locking pin is suited to connect the first locking portion of the locking pin itself with a mechanism that is suited to translate the locking pin between the locking position and the release position.

Said locking pin serves its function even if the revolving plug is not aligned with the body of the lock. In fact, if the revolving plug were in any position not aligned with the body of the lock, the locking pin would in any case fit in one of the recesses, seats, holes or other similar shaped cavities of the revolving plug, preventing the latter from rotating. In particular, locking the revolving plug in a position in which it is not aligned with the body of the cylinder prevents the forced extraction of the cylinder itself from the lock, thus increasing the degree of safety of the new cylinder for locks.

The translation mechanism of the locking pin can be a mechanism with axial operation such as, for example, a motor with a worm screw meshing with a threaded hole provided in the operating portion of the locking pin or, for example, an electromagnet or solenoid positioned around the operating portion of the locking pin.

The translation mechanism of the locking pin can also be a mechanism with tangential operation such as, for example, a motor arranged orthogonally with respect to the direction of translation of the locking pin, provided with a gear wheel or a helical screw meshing with a rack-shaped section or with inclined teeth of the operating portion of the locking pin.

According to the invention, said locking pin may be provided with a second locking portion, parallel to said first locking portion and suited to prevent the projecting portion of the revolving plug that is coupled with the bolt from being aligned with the outline of the main body.

In the preferred solution, the cross section of the second operating portion of said locking pin is such as to prevent its rotation, for example it is formed by two parallel sides joined by two semicircular sides, and the cross section of said first locking portion of said locking pin is circular.

Both the locking pin and the translation mechanism of said locking pin are housed in the body of the lock cylinder, in a portion where there are no other mechanisms.

Said locking pin and said translation mechanism are housed in the part of the lock that is intended to be positioned towards the inside of the house, apartment or building.

Said translation mechanism can be activated through a separate remote control, or through a remote control included in the owner's key, or through a proximity circuit integrated in the cylinder or in the door which detects a corresponding element integrated in the owner's key or in a badge, card, keyholder associated with it.

According to the invention, the translation mechanism can be powered by the mains current or it can be powered by a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery housed within the door, in the cylinder itself or in a knob located on the side of the door that faces towards the inside of the house, apartment or building.

According to the invention, the translation mechanism may also be operated manually by means of a lever, knob or other element suited to be operated by the user and placed on the side of the lock that faces towards the inside. Said lever, knob or other element suited to be operated by the user acts on said locking pin, directly or through a mechanism or transmission element, translating it to the locking position or to the release position. The practical use of the new safety cylinder for locks is described here below by way of example.

The new cylinder for locks is mounted as a common cylinder for locks.

In the rest position, with no key inserted in the keyhole, the locking pin is translated in such a position as to prevent the rotation of the revolving plug that activates the bolt. When a key is inserted in the keyhole, the active and passive pins translate in the respective holes provided in the operating cylinder and in the main body and, if the key used is the key associated with the new lock, said active and passive pins come to be in such a position as to allow the rotation of the operating cylinder.

In this condition, the key cannot be turned yet, and the lock cannot be released, since the translation mechanism of the locking pin holds said locking pin in the revolving plug in the locking position, preventing it from rotating.

The owner provides for activating the translation mechanism by means of the remote control, badge, radio frequency device or other system, thus obtaining the translation of the locking pin, releasing the revolving plug and allowing the lock to be released or locked.

The characteristics of the new safety cylinder for locks will be highlighted in greater detail in the following description, with reference to the attached drawings which are enclosed by way of non-limiting example.

Figures 1, 2, 3a, 3b show a first example of embodiment of the new cylinder for locks with locking device.

Figures 1 and 2 respectively show a vertical longitudinal sectional view and a vertical transverse sectional view of the new safety cylinder for locks.

The new cylinder for locks with locking device comprises a main body (C), at least one operating cylinder (O) with a keyhole, a revolving plug (R) suited to control the bolt, a locking pin (B l, B2), a mechanism (M) that activates said locking pin (B l, B2).

Active and passive pins with corresponding thrust springs are provided, which are not illustrated in the figures.

The revolving plug (R) that controls the bolt is provided, in its projecting portion (Rl) suited to be coupled with the bolt, a hole or recess (Rf) whose axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the revolving plug (R) itself.

As shown in Figure 2, said hole or recess (Rf) present on the projecting portion (Rl) of the revolving plug (R) is in a decentred position with respect to said projecting portion (Rl) of the revolving plug (R) itself, and in such a position that it lies within the outline of the main body (C) when said revolving plug (R) is in the rest position with no key inserted in the keyhole.

A locking pin (B l, B2) translating according to an axis (y) parallel to the rotation axis (R) of the operating cylinder (O) is housed in the main body (C) of the new cylinder for locks, in its lower part.

Said locking pin (B l, B2) comprises a first locking portion (Bl) and a second operating portion (B2).

The first locking portion (B l) of the locking pin (B l, B2) is suited to be inserted in and extracted from the hole or recess (Rf) provided in the revolving plug (R) when said revolving plug (R) is in the rest position with no key inserted or rotated in the keyhole, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b illustrating a cross section along plane k.

The second operating portion (B2) of the locking pin (B l, B2) is suited to connect the first locking portion (B l) of the locking pin (B l, B2) with a mechanism (M) suited to translate the locking pin (B l, B2) between the locking position, shown in Figure 3a, and the release position, shown in Figure 3b.

In this example, the first locking portion (Bl) of said locking pin (Bl, B2) has a circular cross section, while the second operating portion (B2) of said locking pin (B l, B2) has a cross section formed by two parallel sides joined by two semicircular sides, in such a way as to prevent the rotation of the locking pin (Bl, B2) itself. Said second operating portion (B2) is provided with a threaded hole for connection with the translation mechanism (M), constituted by a motor (M) whose axis (Υ') is parallel to the translation axis (Y) of the locking pin (B l, B2), having a worm screw that meshes with said threaded hole provided in said second operating portion (B2) of the locking pin (B 1, B2).

Figures 3a and 3b respectively show the locking position and the release position of said locking pin (Bl, B2) in the hole or recess (Rf) of the revolving plug (R).

Figures 4, 5, 6a and 6b show a second example of embodiment, in which said locking pin (Bl, B2, B3) comprises a second locking portion (B3) that is parallel to said first locking portion (B l) and suited to prevent the projecting portion (Rl) of the revolving plug (R) that is coupled with the bolt from being aligned with the outline of the main body (C). Figures 7, 8, 9a and 9b respectively show a vertical longitudinal sectional view, a vertical transverse sectional view and two sectional views along plane k of a third example of embodiment of the new safety cylinder for locks, in which the translation mechanism (M) of the locking pin (Bl, B2) is constituted by a motor (M) arranged orthogonally with respect to the direction of translation (y) of the locking pin (Bl, B2) and provided with a gear wheel (Ml) meshing with a rack-shaped section or with inclined teeth of the operating portion (B2) of the locking pin (Bl, B2).

Figures 10a and 10b show the two locking and release positions of a fourth example of embodiment, in which the translation mechanism (M) of the locking pin (Bl, B2, B3) is constituted by a motor (M) arranged orthogonally with respect to the direction of translation (y) of the locking pin (Bl, B2, B3), and wherein the locking pin (B l, B2, B3) comprises a second locking portion (B3) that is parallel to the first locking portion (B l) and suited to prevent the projecting portion (Rl) of the revolving plug (R) that is coupled with the bolt from being aligned with the outline of the main body (C).

Figure 11 shows a vertical sectional view of a fifth example of embodiment of the new cylinder for locks with locking device.

The new cylinder for locks comprises a main body (C), at least one operating cylinder (O) with a keyhole (Of), a revolving plug (R) suited to control the bolt, active and passive pins (P) with corresponding thrust springs not illustrated in the figures, a locking pin (B), an operating mechanism (M) for operating said locking pin (B).

The revolving plug (R) that controls the bolt is provided with recesses, seats, holes (Rf) or other similar shaped cavities on the circumference of its cylindrical part that rotates in the body of the cylinder (C).

Inside the main body (C) of the new safety cylinder for locks, substantially in the part housing the thrust springs and the passive pins (P), there is a locking pin (B) that translates according to an axis that is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the operating cylinder (O).

Said locking pin (B) is suited to translate from a position in which it is coupled with or inserted in one of said recesses, seats, holes (Rf) or other similar shaped cavities of the revolving plug (R), thus preventing the latter from rotating, to a position in which it is released from said recesses, seats, holes (Rf) or other similar shaped cavities provided in the revolving plug (R), thus allowing the latter to rotate.

Said locking pin (B) is housed in the part of the new safety cylinder that is intended to be positioned towards the inside of the house, apartment or building.

The translation of said locking pin (B) between the two positions can be obtained by means of a manually operated mechanism or by means of a servo mechanism (M).

Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.

Claims

1. Cylinder for locks, comprising a main body (C), at least one operating cylinder (O) with a keyhole (Of), active and passive pins (P) with corresponding thrust springs, a revolving plug (R) suited to control the bolt partially projecting from the side of the main body (C) of the safety cylinder when there is no key in the keyhole, characterized in that it comprises a locking pin (B l, B2) completely housed in the main body (C) and translating on an axis (y) that is not central and is parallel to the rotation axis (r) of the revolving plug (R) and of the operating cylinder (O), and wherein said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) comprises:

a first locking portion (B l) parallel to the rotation axis (r) of said revolving plug (R) and adjacent to the outer surface of the main body (C) and suited to be inserted in or extracted from a hole or recess (Rf) present in the part of the revolving plug (R) that is coupled with the bolt and included within the outline of the main body (C) when there is no key in the keyhole,

a second operating portion (B2) suited to be coupled with a translation mechanism (M),

and wherein said translation mechanism (M) and said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) are housed in the main body (C) of the cylinder for locks in a portion where there are no other mechanisms that is intended to be positioned towards the inside of the house, apartment or building.

2. Cylinder for locks according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) is suited to translate from a first locking position, in which it is at least partially inserted in said hole or recess (Rf) of said revolving plug (R), thus preventing its rotation, to a second release position, in which it is completely extracted from said hole or recess (Rf) of said revolving plug (R), thus allowing it to rotate.

3. Cylinder for locks according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) comprises a second locking portion (B3) that is parallel to said first locking portion (B l) and suited to prevent the projecting portion (Rl) of the revolving plug (R) coupled with the bolt from lying within the outline of the main body (C) when the locking pin (Bl, B2, B3) is translated to the locking position.

4. Cylinder for locks according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said translation mechanism (M) moves axially (Υ') in a direction that is parallel to the translation axis (Y) of the locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3).

5, Cylinder for locks according to claim 4, characterized in that said translation mechanism (M) is constituted by a motor (M) whose axis (Y) is parallel to the translation axis (Y) of the locking pin (B; B l, B2, B3) and provided with a worm screw that meshes with a threaded hole made in said second operating portion (B2) of the locking pin (B; B l, B2, B3).

6. Cylinder for locks according to claims 1, 2, 3, characterized in that said translation mechanism (M) moves in a direction that is not parallel to the locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3), and wherein said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) and said translation mechanism (M) are provided with mechanical coupling elements that are such that the action of said translation mechanism (M) causes the translation of said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) along its translation axis (Y), parallel to the rotation axis (R) of the revolving plug (R).

7, Cylinder for locks according to claim 6, characterized in that said translation mechanism (M) of the locking pin (B; B l, B2, B3) is constituted by a motor (M) arranged orthogonally with respect to the direction of translation (y) of the locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) and provided with a gear wheel (Ml) meshing with a rack-shaped section or with inclined teeth of the operating portion (B2) of the locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3).

8. Cylinder for locks, comprising a main body (C), at least one operating cylinder

(O) with a keyhole (Of), a revolving plug (R) suited to control the bolt, active and passive pins (P) with corresponding thrust springs, characterized in that said revolving plug (R) is provided with recesses, seats, holes or other similar shaped cavities (Rf) on one or both sides facing towards the operating cylinders (O), and wherein a locking pin (B; B l, B2, B3) housed in the main body (C) translates in such a way as to be fitted in or extracted from said recesses, seats, holes or other similar shaped cavities (Rf) of said revolving plug (R), and wherein said locking pin (B; B l, B2, B3) translates along a direction that is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the operating cylinders (O).

9. Cylinder for locks according to claim 8, characterized in that said locking pin is arranged in the part of the main body (C) that houses the thrust springs of the active and passive pins (P).

10. Cylinder for locks according to claims 8, 9, characterized in that said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) translates on the vertical plane of the main body (C), substantially along the direction extending from the portion of the main body (C) intended to house the passive pins (P) towards the cylindrical portion of the revolving plug (R) suited to revolve within the outline of said main body (C).

11. Cylinder for locks according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) is translated manually by means of a lever, knob or other element suited to be operated by the user and to act on said locking pin (B; B l, B2, B3), and wherein said lever, knob or other element suited to be operated by the user is arranged in the part of the lock that is intended to be positioned towards the inside of the house, apartment or building.

12. Safety cylinder for locks according to claims 8, 9, 10, characterized in that said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) is translated by means of a servo mechanism operated by a radio frequency or NFC technology electronic control circuit suited to recognize a code or sequence or cipher emitted by a complementary radio frequency or NFC technology circuit housed in the owner's key of the lock, and wherein when said radio frequency or NFC technology electronic control circuit detects the presence of the correct code or sequence or cipher of the radio frequency or NFC technology circuit of the owner's key it activates the translation of said locking pin (B; B l, B2, B3) to the release position, and wherein when said radio frequency or NFC technology electronic control circuit recognizes the absence or allontanamento of the correct code or sequence or cipher of the radio frequency or NFC technology circuit of the owner's key it activates the translation of said locking pin (B; Bl, B2, B3) to the locking position.