CYLINDRICAL LOCK CORE AND LOCK WITH CYLINDRICAL LOCK CORE

Abstract

 Cylindrical lock core (2) for a cylinder lock, which lock core comprises a key channel (9) for inserting a flat key (14) having a coding edge (20) on one side of and a guiding edge (21) on the other side, at least one radial channel (8) opening into the key channel (9) and at least one coding tumbler (10) slidably mounted in the radial channel (9). The cylindrical lock core (2) is further provided with at least one cut-out (22, 25) arranged on the outer circumference thereof and spaced both from the inlet end and from the outlet end of the key channel (9), wherein there is at least one guiding stop (23, 26) removably inserted in the cut-out (22, 25) and having a bearing surface, which is at least partially aligned with the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical lock core (2), and a working area, a part of which extends into the key channel (9), namely into that portion of the key channel, which is intended for guiding the guiding edge (21) of the key (14). A cylinder lock with such a cylindrical lock core (2) and an assembly of the lock and a flat key (14) are described as well.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cylindrical lock core for a cylinder lock, which lock core comprises a key channel for inserting a flat key having a coding edge on one side of its blade and a guiding edge on the other side of the same, at least one radial channel opening into said key channel and at least one coding tumbler slidably mounted in said radial channel. The present invention also relates a cylinder lock comprising such cylindrical lock core as well an assembly comprising such cylinder lock and a key.

Background of the invention

[0002] Locks having cylindrical lock cores, which comprise tumblers for coding the respective lock, are generally known. A prior art lock comprises a case in which a cylindrical lock core is mounted, the latter being provided with a key channel for inserting a corresponding key. The case is further provided with guiding chambers, which are arranged inside the same and in which interlocking tumblers resting on spring elements are slidably mounted, while the cylindrical lock core is provided with radial channels accommodating coding tumblers. The lengths of the individual tumblers as well as the sequence of the same enable a code to be generated. Accordingly, a right key must have its blade provided with cut-outs / projections with individual depths corresponding to such code. Under the condition that a right key is inserted into the cylinder lock, at least one guiding chamber and one radial channel always adjoin in a coaxial manner. Simultaneously, the interlocking tumblers and coding tumblers, which are accommodated inside those chambers and channels, assume respective coaxial positions, the contact surfaces between an interlocking tumbler and a coding tumbler being arranged in a cylindrically shaped partition plane due to the action of the key, said partition plane being identical with the outer cylindrical surface of the lock core or with the inner surface of the case. After having been inserted into the key channel, the coding edge of the key blade, namely the cut-outs and projections of the same, come into contact with the respective coding tumblers, causing the latter to be pushed in a radial direction towards the respective guiding chamber. Consequently, the coding tumblers force the respective interlocking tumblers into the chamber in a manner that ensures that each contact surface between a coding tumbler and an interlocking tumbler forming an individual tumbler pair matches with the above cylindrical partition plane. On the contrary, when no key is inserted into the lock, the interlocking tumblers are partly slid out of the chamber due to the action of the respective spring elements, so that they intersect said cylindrical partition plane, thus preventing the cylindrical core from rotating inside the case. When a key carrying a wrong code is inserted into the key channel, the cylindrical partition plane is intersected by the coding tumblers slid out of certain chambers as well as by the interlocking tumblers slid out of the remaining chambers.

[0003] Moreover, the key channel can be provided with various longitudinal slots and lengthwise ribs. This means that the profile or cross-sectional shape of a right key must match with the given shape of the key channel. Thereby, a further safeguarding element of the lock is created.

[0004] It is desirable to create the highest possible number of selectable coding variations for a particular type of lock. Nevertheless, the numbers of the tumblers and longitudinal slots are limited by reasonable lengthwise and lateral dimension of the respective key.

[0005] Another known key type comprises a coding edge on either side of the key blade and a corresponding lock has two sets of slidably mounted tumblers, the coding tumblers belonging to one set abutting against the first coding edge and the coding tumblers belonging to other set abutting against the second coding edge. Other known keys are provided with dimples formed on the lateral sides of the respective key blades, said dimples engaging with the coding tumblers, which are displaceable inside the lock in a radial direction, said radial direction being perpendicular to the axes of the tumblers engaging with the coding edge of the key. Both the above mentioned technical solutions considerably increase the structural complexity of the lock, making the installation of the same even more difficult. The document UVZ23209 discloses a known cylindrical lock core which is provided with a circumferential cut-out for inserting a stop member, said stop member supporting a key inserted into the lock, namely the surface of the key which is perpendicular to the centre line of the same and which is arranged along the upper edge of the respective key blade. Thereby, the stop member defines the right insertion depth of the key. The latter technical solution, however, does not enable the upper key edge to be laterally guided. Besides that, it is not possible to achieve any noticeable increase in variability with regard to the shapes of the key.

[0006] Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to increase the number of the safeguarding elements or, in other words, the number of possible variations of a particular lock, without noticeably extending the labour input required for installation and without increasing the total number of the structural parts of such a lock.

Summary of the invention

[0007] The objective of the present invention is fulfilled by providing a cylindrical lock core for a cylinder lock, which lock core comprises a key channel for inserting a flat key having a coding edge on one side of and a guiding edge on the other side, at least one radial channel opening into the key channel and at least one coding tumbler slidably mounted in the radial channel. The cylindrical lock core is further provided with at least one cut-out arranged on the outer circumference thereof and spaced both from the inlet end and from the outlet end of the key channel, wherein there is at least one guiding stop removably inserted in the cut-out and having a bearing surface, which is at least partially aligned with the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical lock core, and a working area, a part of which extends into the key channel, namely into that portion of the key channel, which is intended for guiding the guiding edge of the key. The part of the guiding stop, which extends into the key channel, is provided with at least one slot for lateral and upper guiding of the guiding edge of the key.

[0008] Preferably, the slot - when viewed in a radial section of the cylindrical lock - is narrower than the key channel in its area for guiding the guiding edge of the key.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical lock core is provided with a first cut-out accommodating a first guiding stop and with a second cut-out accommodating a second guiding stop, the shapes of the first guiding stop and the second guiding stop being different from each other in the areas where they extend into the key channel.

[0010] It is also advantageous when at least one guiding stop has an arc shape and is in the form of a sheet-metal stamping or cutting, the radius of the outer arc-shaped surface of the guiding stop matching with that of the surface of the cylindrical lock core and/or the inner surface of the cut-out situated outside the key channel forming a portion of a cylindrical surface having a radius matching with that of the inner arc-shaped surface of the corresponding guiding stop.

[0011] The above aim is also achieved with a cylinder lock, comprising

• a case provided with a cylindrical cavity and at least one guiding chamber arranged in a radial direction with respect to the cylindrical cavity of the case,
• at least one interlocking tumbler, which is slidably mounted in the guiding chamber, and
• at least one spring arranged in the guiding chamber and forcing the interlocking tumbler in the direction from the guiding chamber towards the cylindrical cavity, and
• the above described cylindrical lock core, said cylindrical lock core being arranged in the cylindrical cavity of the case in a manner enabling said at least one radial channel to be displaceable to a position where it is coaxial with a guiding chamber formed in the case.

[0012] Preferably, the radial channel accommodates a sliding tumbler, which is slidably mounted inside the same and which has a supporting end for contacting an interlocking tumbler and a working end, said working end comprising a recess accommodating a contact element with a clearance, said contact element being secured against slipping out of the recess in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the coding tumbler and having, in at least one portion, a circular cross-section for providing a rolling contact with a coding edge of a key inserted into the cylinder lock.

[0013] It is also advantageous when the contact element has the shape of a ball or the shape of a cylindrical or barrel-like roller.

[0014] The radial channel may be provided with guide recesses for guiding the coding tumbler, the guide recesses being widened in the area, where they open into the radial channel, in order to form bearing surfaces for the contact element.

[0015] And the above aim is also achieved with an assembly consisting of a cylinder lock and a flat key having a coding edge and a guiding edge, wherein the assembly comprises the above described cylinder lock and a key having its guiding edge provided with at least one guiding recess, wherein the guiding recess extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the key and - upon insertion of the key into the key channel - accommodates that portion of the guiding stop, which extends into the key channel.

Brief description of the drawings

[0016] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically represented in the attached drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cylinder lock according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows the lock of Fig. 1 in a vertical longitudinal section and Fig. 3 shows the lock of Fig. 1 in a lateral section. Fig. 4 shows a key for an assembly according to the invention. For the sake of clarity, the individual representations are strongly magnified in the drawings.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

[0017] The lock according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a case 1 provided with a cylindrical cavity in which a cylindrical lock core 2 is accommodated. The attached drawings show a lock comprising two pairs of cases 1 and corresponding cylindrical lock cores 2, which means that there is one cylindrical lock core 2 provided for either side of the respective door. The two cylindrical lock cores 2 are interconnected through a coupling assembly 15. Furthermore, there is an operating element 16 being arranged between the said cores, said element serving for actuating a locking bar. The portions of the case 1 associated with either cylindrical lock core 2 are interconnected through a bridge 17, the latter being provided with an anchoring hole 18 for securing the lock inside a door. The bridge simultaneously serves as an assembling stopper 4 for either case 1. In Fig. 1, the openings 19 for possible lateral arresting pins are also apparent.

[0018] The case 1 comprises an array of guiding chambers 3 which open into the cylindrical cavity, the axes of said chambers being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cavity. The guiding chambers 3 are closed by the assembling stopper 4 secured by the retaining pin 5 arranged on the outside surface of the case. Each guiding chamber 3 accommodates an interlocking tumbler 6 slidably mounted therein. The space between the assembling stopper 4 and the interlocking tumbler 6 accommodates a compression spring 7.

[0019] The cylindrical lock core 2 comprises an array of radial channels 8, the rotation of the cylindrical lock core 2 inside the case 1 causing said radial channels to be aligned with the guiding chambers 3. Consequently, each guiding chamber 3 assumes a coaxial arrangement with respect to a corresponding radial channel 8. The cylindrical lock core 2 also comprises an inner key channel 9 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical lock core 2. The radial channels 9 individually open into the key channel 9.

[0020] Furthermore, each radial channel 8 contains a coding tumbler 10, which is slidably mounted inside the same and which has a supporting end 11 provided with a contact face for maintaining contact with an interlocking tumbler 6 or with a cylindrical inner surface of the cylindrical cavity of the case 1, on the one hand, and a working end 12 for contacting a coding edge 20 of a key 14, on the other hand.

[0021] The cylindrical lock core 2 is also provided with a first cut-out 22 and a second cut-out 25, said cut-outs being arranged on the opposite side with respect to the radial channels 8. The first cut-out 22 accommodates a first arc-shaped guiding stop 23 inserted therein, the outer arc-shaped surface of said guiding stop being aligned with the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical lock core 2, while the inner surface of the guiding stop can at least partially protrude into the key channel 9, said inner surface being adapted for guiding the key 14 performing its sliding movement within the key channel 9, on the one hand, and for preventing a wrong key from being fully inserted into the lock, on the other hand. Specifically, the guiding stop can prevent a wrong key from being inserted into the lock in it that acts as an obstruction causing a wrong key to stop when the guiding edge 21 of the same is not provided with a corresponding guiding recess 24.

[0022] Analogously, the second cut-out 25 accommodates a second guiding stop 26 having a similar function in relation to the first guiding stop 23. The second guiding stop 26 can extend into the key channel 9 such that the corresponding second guiding recess 27 formed in the key 14 is situated on the opposite side of the guiding edge 21 of the key or on the same side. In the latter case, however, said second guiding recess must be deeper.

[0023] According to another embodiment, solely the first cut-out 22 and the first guiding stop 23 are provided, the latter extending into the key channel 9 in a manner requiring the respective key 14 to be provided with a guiding recess 24, 27 on either side of its guiding edge 21 in a manner requiring the respective key 14 to be provided with a guiding recess 24 on a single side of its guiding edge 21.

[0024] In the above manner, an element is provided which is simple from the structural and assembling point of view and which enables a large variety of the pairs constituted by a key and a lock to be created. Accordingly, the code is based not only on a unique combination of numbers, spacings and lengths of the individual tumblers 10 and profiles of the key channels 9, said profiles being defined by the longitudinal slots and ribs extending along the respective key channel 9, but also on the shape of each individual inserted guiding stop 22, 25, particularly in the area where said guiding stop extends into the key channel 9, on the total number of the inserted guiding stops 22, 25 and on the distance of the latter from the inlet end of the key channel 9.

[0025] If a key is not provided with a matching guiding recess 24, 27, the respective guiding stop will 23, 26 prevent it from being fully inserted into the key channel 9. Consequently, it will not be possible to open the lock by means of such key. Unlike the profile of the key 14, the guiding stops 23, 26 are not visible without dismantling the respective lock. Thus, unauthorized persons are not able to determine whether the respective key 14 should have a guiding recess 24, 27 and what such a guiding recess should be like.

[0026] Furthermore, the guiding recesses 24, 27 facilitate, in association with the shape of the guiding stop 23, 26 or with the upper and at least one lateral edge of the slot formed in the guiding stop 23, 26, a proper insertion of the key into the lock, thus making the movement of the key in the lock smoother.

[0027] In this exemplary embodiment of the cylindrical lock core 2, the arrangement of the coding tumblers 10 is modified so that the working end 12 comprises a recess, in which a ball 13 is rotatably accommodated, said ball being adapted for coming into a rolling contact with a coding edge 20 of a key 14, i.e. with the cut-outs and projections of said edge, when the key 14 is being slid into the key channel 9 and out of the same.

[0028] Hence, both the coding tumblers 10 and the interlocking tumblers 6 are radially displaceable with respect to the cylindrical lock core 2, i.e. in a direction which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cavity or to that of the key channel 9.

[0029] The radial channels 8 formed in the cylindrical lock core 2 comprise additional guide recesses (not shown) for guiding the tumblers 10 in a radial direction. The above mentioned guide recesses are widened in the area, where they open into the key channel 9, thus providing bearing surfaces for guiding the balls 13 during the sliding movement of the respective coding tumbler 10 inside the radial channel 8 and preventing the ball 13 from being slid out of the respective recess during the sliding movement of a key 14 inside the key channel 9.

[0030] The recess for accommodating the ball 13, i.e. the recess formed at the working end 12 of the coding tumbler 10, has a shape of a partial cylindrical surface which surrounds the ball 13 with a certain clearance so that a sector of the circumferential circle of the cross-sectional profile of the ball 13, which sector belongs to the area where the ball 13 is in contact with the recess formed at the working end 12 of the coding tumbler 10, has an angular extension between 190° and 330° when viewed in a cross-sectional representation related to the centre of the ball. In other words, the recess for accommodating the ball 13 is formed in a manner which enables the ball 13 to freely rotate inside the recess while preventing the same from being displaced with respect to the coding tumbler 10, specifically in the direction of the sliding movement of the tumbler in the radial channel 8. Nevertheless, differently shaped of recesses are also usable, provided that they enable the ball 13 to rotate while preventing it from sliding out of the recess in the radial direction with respect to the cylindrical lock core 2. Thus, the shape of the recess does not have to follow exactly that of the ball 13 but must provide at least three supporting points which fulfil the above function.

[0031] It is obvious that the balls 13 can be replaced with another contact element which can create a rolling contact with a coding edge 20 of a key 14. Such contact element can assume, for example, a shape of a cylindrical or barrel-like roller etc. In general, the contact element has a circular cross-section in a plane which defines the direction of the movement of the key 14 being slid into the lock or out of the same. Moreover, as mentioned above, the shape of the recess formed at the working end 12 of the coding tumbler 10 must be adapted to that of the contact element in order that the latter is enabled to perform a rotational movement around an axis, which is perpendicular to the plane encompassing the direction of the insertion of the key 14 into the key channel 9. Simultaneously, the rotating contact element must be prevented from falling out of the recess in any radial direction with respect to the cylindrical lock core 2. Thus, a rolling contact of the contact element with the coding edge 20 of the key 14 is achieved, causing the contact element to rotate around its axis extending in the movement direction of the key 14 when the key 14 is being slid into or out of the key channel 9. Preferably, the contact element extends beyond the working end 12 of the coding tumbler 10.

[0032] The structural arrangement of the coding tumbler 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment of the invention, namely the arrangement comprising the working end 12 provided with a contact element for providing a rolling contact with a key 14, reduces the wear of the coding tumbler 10 itself and the key 14 during the operation of the lock, on the one hand, and makes the movement of the key 14 being slid into / out of the key channel 9 considerably smoother, on the other hand.

[0033] The known coding tumblers 10 constituting the prior art may also have a split arrangement which means that they comprise a first portion with a supporting end 11 and a second portion with a working end 12.

List of reference numerals

[0034] 

1

case

2

cylindrical lock core

3

guiding chamber

4

assembling stopper

5

retaining pin

6

interlocking tumbler

7

spring

8

radial channel

9

key channel

10

coding tumbler

11

supporting end

12

working end

13

ball

14

key

15

coupling

16

operating element

17

bridge

18

anchoring hole

19

opening for lateral arresting pins

20

coding edge

21

guiding edge

22

first cut-out

23

first guiding stop

24

first guiding recess

25

second cut-out

26

second guiding stop

27

second guiding recess

Claims

1. Cylindrical lock core (2) for a cylinder lock, which lock core comprises a key channel (9) for inserting a flat key (14) having a coding edge (20) on one side and a guiding edge (21) on the other side, at least one radial channel (8) opening into the key channel (9) and at least one coding tumbler (10) slidably mounted in the radial channel (9), the cylindrical lock core (2) being further provided with at least one cut-out (22, 25) arranged on the outer circumference thereof and spaced both from the inlet end and from the outlet end of the key channel (9), characterized in that there is at least one guiding stop (23, 26) removably inserted in the cut-out (22, 25) and having a bearing surface, which is at least partially aligned with the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical lock core (2), and a working area, a part of which extends into the key channel (9), namely into that portion of the key channel, which is intended for guiding the guiding edge (21) of the key (14).

2. Cylindrical lock core (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the part of the guiding stop (23, 26), which extends into the key channel (9), is provided with at least one slot for lateral and upper guiding of the guiding edge (21) of the key (14).

3. Cylindrical lock core (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is provided with a first cut-out (22) accommodating a first guiding stop (23) and with a second cut-out (25) accommodating a second guiding stop (26), the shapes of the first guiding stop (23) and the second guiding stop (26) being different from each other in the areas where they extend into the key channel (9).

4. Cylindrical lock core (2) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one guiding stop (23, 26) has an arc shape and is in the form of a sheet-metal stamping or cutting, the radius of the outer arc-shaped surface of the guiding stop (23, 26) matching with that of the surface of the cylindrical lock core (2) and/or the inner surface of the cut-out (22, 25) situated outside the key channel (9) forming a portion of a cylindrical surface having a radius matching with that of the inner arc-shaped surface of the corresponding guiding stop (23, 26).

5. Cylinder lock, comprising

- a case (1) provided with a cylindrical cavity and at least one guiding chamber (3) arranged in a radial direction with respect to the cylindrical cavity of the case (1),

- at least one interlocking tumbler (6), which is slidably mounted in the guiding chamber (3), and

- at least one spring (7) arranged in the guiding chamber (3) and forcing the interlocking tumbler in the direction from the guiding chamber (3) towards the cylindrical cavity,

characterized in that it further comprises a cylindrical lock core (2) according to any of the claims 1 to 4, said cylinder lock core being arranged in the cylindrical cavity of the case (1) in a manner enabling said at least one radial channel (8) to be displaceable to a position (3) where it is coaxial with a guiding chamber (3) formed in the case (1).

6. Cylinder lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the radial channel (8) accommodates a sliding tumbler (10), which is slidably mounted inside the same and which has a supporting end (11) for contacting an interlocking tumbler (6) and a working end (12), said working end comprising a recess (10) accommodating a contact element with a clearance, said contact element being secured against slipping out of the recess in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the coding tumbler (10) and having, in at least one portion, a circular cross-section for providing a rolling contact with a coding edge (20) of a key (14) inserted into the cylinder lock.

7. Cylinder lock according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact element has the shape of a ball (13) or the shape of a cylindrical or barrel-like roller.

8. Cylinder lock according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the radial channel (8) is provided with guide recesses for guiding the coding tumbler (10), the guide recesses being widened in the area, where they open into the radial channel (8), in order to form bearing surfaces for the contact element.

9. Assembly consisting of a cylinder lock and a flat key having a coding edge (20) and a guiding edge (21), characterized in that it comprises a cylinder lock according to any of the claims 5 to 8 and a key (14) having its guiding edge (21) provided with at least one guiding recess (24, 27), wherein the guiding recess extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the key (14) and - upon insertion of the key (14) into the key channel (9) - accommodates that portion of the guiding stop (23, 26), which extends into the key channel (9).

Drawing