TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] . The present invention is relative to an improved security device for a cylinder
lock, in particular for doors or gates, having the purpose of safeguarding said cylinder
lock from tampering, breaking-in or vandalizing attempts.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] . Cylinder locks that are suitable, for example, to allow the closing and opening
of a door or a gate, that include a cylinder operated by means of a relative key inserted
into a keyhole arranged axially with respect to the cylinder are widely known.
[0003] . The cylinder locks of known type are generally made of brass, a material that offers
scarce mechanical resistance against forced-entry attempts performed by drilling and/or
breaking-in and/or wrenching.
[0004] . In order to safeguard the cylinder from possible break-ins, a known solution is
to fasten to the lock a covering element arranged so as to cover the cylinder and
consisting of a plate of essentially circular shape provided, at the keyhole on the
cylinder, with a round hole in which is rotatably connected a keyhole protection plate
provided with a slit to allow the insertion of the key.
[0005] . Although they improve the protection of the cylinder, such protective key-plates
do not however prevent the partial access to the cylinder through the slit on the
keyhole cover plate; thus the cylinder is still susceptible to possible tampering
or vandalising such as, for example, the insertion of glue or other substances into
said slit with the intent of damaging the cylinder.
[0006] . Italian Patent
IT 1342717 describes a security device for the cylinder of a lock that comprises a strip of
essentially rectangular shape having at one end a through opening into which is inserted
the section of the cylinder that protrudes from the lock.
[0007] . On the front surface of the strip, facing the opposite side of the lock, are formed
two seats within which are rotatably accommodated two substantially cylindrical cams
containing magnets.
[0008] . On the lateral surface of each cam is radially formed an undercut adapted to be
engaged with a respective locking pin slidingly contained within a through hole formed
transversely to the strip and communicating with the seat of the respective cam. Each
pin is thrust toward the outside of the respective through hole by a spring inserted
into the hole.
[0009] . On the front surface of the strip, and therefore on the external side of the door
so that it can be accessible to the user, is slidingly associated a covering element
capable of selectively occluding the cylinder of the lock.
[0010] . Laterally with respect to the covering element are formed, one on each side, relative
slots that can be engaged by the pins projecting from the strip when the covering
element completely covers the cylinder; in this manner, the sliding of the covering
element with respect to the strip is blocked.
[0011] . The release of the covering element is achieved by placing on the same element
a relative magnetic key containing magnets that can couple with the magnets contained
in the cams to cause the rotation of the cams to the point where the circumferential
undercuts are brought into a position of axial alignment with the pins.
[0012] . The lowering of the covering element causes the pins to come out of the lateral
slots and to enter into the cam undercuts, so as to allow the downward sliding of
the covering element and make the cylinder accessible for inserting the key to open
the door.
[0013] . Even though the security device described above provides a greater protection in
comparison with the conventional keyhole protection plates, it still presents some
drawbacks.
[0014] . To begin with, the size of the device, and in particular its considerable vertical
extension, in addition to making it aesthetically unattractive, may entail seizures
or jamming during the sliding of the covering element.
[0015] . In addition, the positioning of the covering element outside the strip, and therefore
in plain sight on the external face of the door on which the device is mounted, makes
it easily vulnerable to any acts of tampering, break-in or vandalism, for example
with hammer strokes to forcibly lower the covering element or through drilling to
access the cylinder, even when the covering element is in the blocked position.
[0016] . Another shortcoming lies in the possible difficulty in the unlocking operation under
normal conditions, in which the user is required to apply, with a certain force, a
downward thrust on the cover element to disengage the pins from the lateral slots
of the cover element itself.
[0017] . As a partial solution of the above problems, the solution suggested in European
Patent
EP 2913461 has been proposed, on which is based the preamble of claim 1, consisting of a security
device of a cylinder lock that includes a cylindrical casing associable to said lock
and provided with an axial opening wherein to house a cylinder of said lock, said
opening being eccentric with respect to the centre of the casing. A combinatory unit
comprises magnetic means, a slider interposed between the casing and a protective
key-plate adapted to be coupled to the casing and provided with a second through opening
arranged out of line with respect to the centre of said key-plate so as to be aligned,
when in use, with the axial opening. The slider moves between a locking position,
in which it occludes the axial opening to prevent access to the cylinder, and an unlocking
position in which it allows access to the opening. The switch between the locking
position and the unlocking position, and vice versa, is actuatable by a magnetic actuator
provided with a combination designed to cooperate with the magnetic means of the combinatory
unit.
[0018] . Although this prior art solution effectively resolves the above described problems,
it is limited in the number of possible combinations that can be obtained with the
combinatory unit.
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0019] . Hence it would be desirable to modify and improve the prior art solution described
in Patent
EP 2913461 so that the combinatory unit can offer a very high number of possible combinations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] . The main objective of the present invention is therefore to improve the prior art
cylinder lock security device of the above-mentioned patent so as to considerably
increase the number of combinations that can be obtained with the combinatory unit.
[0021] . In the scope of the above objective, one purpose of the present invention is to
provide an improved security device for a cylinder lock without considerably increasing
its dimensions with respect to the prior art device from Patent
EP 2913461.
[0022] . Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved security device
for a cylinder lock in which the structural simplicity and the ease of using it remain
unchanged, or are improved, with respect to the device known from Patent
EP 2913461.
[0023] . One not secondary purpose is to provide an improved security device for a cylinder
lock that achieves the objective and purposes indicated above at competitive costs
and that can be obtained with the usual well-known machinery, plants and equipment.
[0024] . The above objective and purposes, and other ones that will be more evident in the
description which follows, are achieved by an improved security device for a cylinder
lock as defined in claim 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0025] . Further characteristics and the advantages of the present invention will become
more evident from the following description of a particular, but not exclusive, embodiment
illustrated purely by way of indicative but not limiting example with reference to
the enclosed figures, wherein:
- figure 1 shows, in an exploded front perspective view, an improved security device
for a cylinder lock according to the present invention;
- figure 2 illustrates the device of figure 1 in an exploded rear perspective view;
- figure 3 illustrates the device of the previous figures in a front elevation and without
cover of the casing in an initial operating phase of blocking the access to the lock.
- figure 4 illustrates the device in the operating phase of fig. 3 with a magnetic actuator
applied;
- figures 5 and 6 illustrate, in views similar to the one of fig. 3, the device in intermediate
operating phases of passage between the locked position and the unlocked position
wherein access to the lock is allowed;
- figure 7 illustrates the device in the final operating phase of unlocking access to
the lock with the magnetic actuator applied;
- figure 8 illustrates, in a view similar to the one of fig. 3, the device in the operating
phase of unlocking the access to the lock after the removal of the magnetic actuator;
- figure 9 is a cross section of the device according to the median vertical plan of
figure 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] . With reference to the previously mentioned figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates
a security device for a cylinder lock according to the present invention.
[0027] . The device comprises a casing 2, generally of cylindrical shape, designed to be
associated to a lock and provided with a first axial opening 3 for inserting a cylinder
(not shown in the enclosed figures). The first opening 3 is arranged in an eccentric
position with respect to the centre of the casing 2.
[0028] . To protect the first opening 3, and thus the cylinder contained therein, a key-hole
protection disk 4 can advantageously be provided rotatably associated to the casing
2 in a position corresponding to the first opening 3.
[0029] . The key-hole protection disk 4 is provided with a slit 5 to allow the insertion
of a key in the lock cylinder.
[0030] . A protective key-plate 6 can be coupled to the casing 2 from the side opposite
the direction of insertion of the cylinder so that, when in use, it is positioned
on the door front facing outward.
[0031] . The protective key-plate 6 is provided with a second through opening 7 arranged
eccentrically with respect to the centre of the key-plate 6 so that, when the device
is mounted in place, it is positioned substantially aligned, preferably coaxially,
with the first opening 3 of the casing 2 and, if present, with the key-hole protection
disk 4.
[0032] . On the inner surface 8 of the key-plate 6 facing the casing 2 is provided a cavity
9 having an essentially rectilinear extension and oriented parallel to the medial
axis passing through the second opening 7 and the key-plate 6.
[0033] . On each side of the cavity 9 are advantageously provided guide means 10, 11, consisting
for example of a first guide surface 10 on one side of the cavity 9 and of a second
guide surface 11 on the opposite side.
[0034] . The guide means 10, 11 include engaging means whose function will be better explained
below, comprising, on one side, at least one first recess 12 and a second recess 13
and, on the opposite side, at least one third recess 14 and a fourth recess 15. The
first recess 12 is arranged axially facing the third recess 14, and the second recess
13 is arranged axially facing the fourth recess 15.
[0035] . Advantageously, the walls of the cavity 9, or the first guide surface 10 and the
second guide surface 11, are joined near the respective recesses 12, 13 and 14, 15
through an inclined plane or arc segment.
[0036] . A slider 16 is slidably accommodated inside the cavity 9 and movable between a
locking position (figs. 3, 4), in which the slider 16 occludes the second opening
7 so as to close off and prevent access to the cylinder of the lock through the first
opening 3 and, if present, the slit 5 on the key-hole protection disk 4, and an unlocking
position (figs. 7, 8, 9), in which the slider 16 frees the passage through the second
opening 7 to allow the user to insert the key into the cylinder through the slit 5
and the opening 3.
[0037] . In the body of the slider 16 can be housed a combinatory unit of magnetic type
that is thus movable together with the slider 16.
[0038] . The combinatory unit includes at least four satellites 17, 18, 19, 20, each containing,
within suitable cavities, respective magnetic means 21, 22, 23, 24; the rotation of
the satellites, actuated by a suitable magnetic actuator as will be better explained
below, allows or blocks the sliding of the cursor 16 by means of suitable blocking
means 25, 26 controlled by the satellites 17, 18, 19, 20. At the travel limit positions
of the slider 16, that is, when the slider 16 is in the upper, or locking, position
to close the second opening 7 or in the lower, or unlocking position, the blocking
means 25, 26 engage the engaging means, comprising the recesses 12, 13 and 14, 15,
to stably block the slider 16 in those positions.
[0039] . On the circumference of each satellite 17, 18, 19, 20 is provided a respective
first cut 38, a second cut 39, a third cut 40 and a fourth cut 41.
[0040] . The blocking means 25, 26 include a pair of pins 27, 28 provided with respective
heads 30A, 30B having shapes, preferably semi-spherical, that are complementary to
the shape of the recesses 12, 13, 14, 15 so that the heads 30A, 30B can selectively
engage the recesses 12 and 14 or the recesses 13 and 15, depending on the operating
position of the device. In addition, the pins 27, 28 have respective flared connecting
portions 29A, 29B between the heads 30A, 30B and the stems of the pins 27, 28; the
flared portion 29A of the pin 27 is suitable to cooperate with the first and the third
cut 38, 40, while the flared portion 29B of the pin 28 is designed to cooperate with
the second and the fourth cut 39, 41 in accordance with the operating modes that will
be better explained below. The pins 27, 28 are slidingly housed in a through hole
31 or in respective coaxial and opposite blind holes formed transversally to the slider
16 so that said pins 27, 28 are arranged axially opposite to each other and oriented
with their heads facing in opposite directions.
[0041] . The pins 27, 28 slide counter to the bias of elastic means, such as a respective
first spring 32 and second spring 33 arranged coaxially with the pins 27, 28 and in
contact with suitable engagement means formed in the hole 31, or a single spring biasing
against the heads of the pins 27, 28.
[0042] . The slider 16 is provided with a first seat 34, a second seat 35, a third seat
36 and a fourth seat 37 of essentially circular shape and reciprocally arranged two
by two along parallel axes to essentially form a square or a rectangle. The seats
34, 35, 36, 37 are suitable to accommodate respectively, in a rotatable manner, the
first, the second, the third and the fourth satellite 17, 18, 19, 20 provided with
the respective first, second, third and fourth magnetic means 21, 22, 23, 24. The
pairs formed, respectively, by the first seat 34 and second seat 35 and by the third
seat 36 and fourth seat 37, and consequently the satellites 17, 18, 19, 20 housed
in the respective seats, are arranged axially aligned with each other along an axis
parallel to the axis defined by the through hole 31 and by opposite sides with respect
to the through hole 31.
[0043] . The first, second, third and fourth magnetic means 21, 22, 23, 24 inserted in the
respective first, second, third and fourth satellite 17, 18, 19, 20 each comprise
a pair of magnets with opposite polarity S-N.
[0044] . Four washers 42, 43, 44, 45 are advantageously provided to maintain and cover the
respective satellites 17, 18, 19, 20 in the respective seats 34, 35, 36, 37.
[0045] . The displacement of the slider 16 from the locking position to the unlocking position,
and vice versa, is achieved by means of a magnetic actuator 47, known for example
from Patent
EP 2913461, provided with further magnetic means arranged according to an appropriate combination
and suitable to interact with the first, second, third and fourth magnetic means 21,
22, 23, 24 contained respectively in the first, second, third and fourth satellite
17, 18, 19, 20 to cause the rotation of the latter, as will be better explained later.
[0046] . Advantageously, the slider 16 has a concavity 46 to avoid interfering, in the unlocking
position shown in figure 8, with the second opening 7.
[0047] . The operation of the device is as follows: in the condition with the door closed
with the security device actuated, and therefore with the slider 16 covering the second
opening 7 from inside to prevent access to the lock (figs. 3, 4), the first spring
32 pushes axially the head 30A of the first pin 27 into engagement with the first
recess 12, while the second spring 33 pushes axially the head 30B of the second pin
28 into engagement with the third recess 14 along the same axis defined by the hole
31.
[0048] . The satellites 17, 18, 19, 20 are arranged so that a circumferential portion of
each of them engages the flared portions 29A, 29B of the pins 27 and 28, in particular
the first and the third satellite 17, 19 engage the flared portion 29A of the first
pin 27, and the second and the fourth satellite 18, 20 engage, from an opposite side,
the flared portion 29B of the second pin 28, blocking thereby the sliding of the pins
27, 28 along the hole 31 to prevent the disengagement of the heads 30A, 30B from the
recesses 12, 14.
[0049] . The magnetic means 21, 22, 23, 24 are reciprocally arranged in a casual manner
depending on the position imposed on them by the latest operation to unlock the magnetic
actuator 47 to bring the device to the closing position.
[0050] . In the position described above, the movement of the slider 16 is blocked by the
engagement of the heads 30A, 30B in the respective recesses 12, 14; the heads 30A,
30B are in turn blocked by the engagement of the satellites 17, 18, 19, 20 with the
flared portions 29A, 29B, thus preventing the sliding of the pins 27, 28. With this
configuration, the access to the cylinder and thus to the lock is completely prevented.
[0051] . To obtain the unlocking of the slider 16, and thus allow access to the cylinder
to insert the key, it is necessary to set the magnetic actuator 47 against the external
face of the security device at the second opening 7, covered internally by the slider
16.
[0052] . The specific magnetic combination prearranged on the actuator 47 is configured
to impose a movement of the magnetic means 21, 22, 23, 24 so as to induce a rotation
in opposite directions to the satellites 17, 18, 19, 20 to bring the respective cuts
38, 39, 40, 41 to face the flared portions 29A, 29B of the pins 27, 28.
[0053] . In particular, with reference to figure 5, the first and the third satellite 17,
19 accomplish respectively a rotation in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction
to bring the respective cuts 38, 40 to face the flared portion 29A, while the second
and the fourth satellite 18, 20 rotate respectively in a counterclockwise and clockwise
direction to bring the respective cuts 39, 41 to face the flared portion 29B.
[0054] . In this manner, the movement of the opposed pins 27, 28 is no longer blocked by the
satellites 17, 18, 19, 20, and therefore said pins 27, 28 are free to slide along
the hole 31 to disengage the heads 30A, 30B from the respective recesses 12, 14. The
free sliding of the pins 27, 28 is however countered elastically by the springs 32,
33, which however push the heads 30A, 30B into engagement in the respective recesses
12, 14, as shown in figure 5.
[0055] . To disengage the heads 30A and 30B it is therefore necessary to pull the magnetic
actuator 47 downward, keeping it always in contact with the security device 1 to thus
obtain as a consequence the guided movement downward of the slider 16, containing
the magnetic combinatorial unit, along the walls of the cavity 9 or, if present, of
the guide means 10, 11. The arc-shaped or inclined-plane profile of the walls of the
cavity 9, or of the guide means 10, 11 if present, makes it possible to advance the
pins 27, 28 slidingly along the hole 31 to disengage the heads 30A, 30B from the recesses
12, 14, overcoming the elastic reaction of the springs 32, 33, as exemplified in figure
6; in this manner, the second opening 7 is gradually made accessible to make it possible,
once the operation is completed, to insert the key to open the lock.
[0056] . At the end of the slider 16 travel, and therefore with the second opening 7 completely
accessible, the heads 30A, 30B of the pins 27, 28, pushed by the action of the springs
32, 33, engage respectively the second and the fourth recess 13, 15; the subsequent
removal of the magnetic actuator 47 at the end of the slider 16 travel returns the
satellites 17, 18, 19, 20 to the initial position with respective inverse rotations
with respect to the previous rotations, as shown in figures 7 and 8. The rotations
of the satellites 17, 18, 19, 20 block the heads 30A, 30B of the pins 27, 28 in the
respective seats 13, 15, since the flared portions 29A, 29B are no longer interfaced
with the cuts 38, 39, 40, 41, which now are turned in opposite directions, but they
face the circumferential portions of the satellites 17, 18, 19, 20. In this manner,
the slider 16 is blocked in the unlocking position of the device, as the sliding of
the pins 27, 28 along the hole 31 is prevented.
[0057] . To return the security device 1 to the position of access to the second opening 7
locked, it is sufficient to repeat the above operations in reverse, by positioning
the magnetic actuator 47 on the device 1 to cause the rotation of the satellites 17,
18, 19, 20 so as to disengage the heads 30A, 30B from the respective seats 13, 15
and allow the sliding upward of the slider 16 pulled by the magnetic actuator 47.
[0058] . The advantageous presence of inclined planes or of arc-shaped sections connecting
the recesses 12, 13, 14, 15, defined by the walls of the cavity 9 or by the guide
means 10, 11, facilitates the disengagement of the heads 30A, 30B and makes it easier
for the user to move the actuator 47 without exerting considerable efforts.
[0059] . From the above description, it is evident how the present invention achieves the
initially outlined purposes and advantages: in effect, an improved lock security device
was devised with the capability of considerably increasing the number of combinations
that can be obtained with the combinatorial unit. In fact, the increase from two to
four satellites, each housing as many magnetic means, formed by a pair of magnets
of opposite polarity, makes it possible to increase with a factorial progression the
number of obtainable combinations.
[0060] . It is pointed out that the increase of the number of satellites does not also entail
an increase in the dimension and size of the device, which however remains compact
and can be matched with the standard dimensions of the locks. This is thanks to the
particular compact configuration of the combinatory unit, in which the satellites
17, 18, 19, 20 are housed in the slider 16 aligned two by two from opposite sides
with respect to the blocking means 25, 26 that block the movement of the slider 16.
The blocking means 25, 26 are thus interposed between the two pairs of satellites
so as to be able to interact simultaneously with two satellites arranged perpendicularly
with respect to the axis defined by the blocking means 25, 26.
[0061] . The device according to the present invention is also of simple construction and
easy for the user to use.
[0062] . Naturally, the present invention is susceptible of many applications, modifications
or variants, without thereby departing from the scope of patent protection as defined
by claim 1.
[0063] . Furthermore, the materials and equipment used to implement the present invention,
as well as the shapes and dimensions of the individual components, can be the most
appropriate to the specific requirements.
1. Security device adapted to be coupled to a cylinder lock, said security device (1)
comprising a casing (2) associable to said lock and provided with a first axial opening
(3) adapted to house a cylinder of said lock, said first axial opening (3) being eccentrically
arranged in respect to the center of said casing (2), a protective key-plate (6) adapted
to be coupled to said casing (2), said protective key-plate (6) being provided with
a second through-opening (7) eccentrically arranged in respect to the center of said
protective key-plate (6) such that said second through-opening (7) is aligned, in
use, with said first opening (3), a slider (16) movable in respect to said casing
(2) between a locking position, wherein said slider (16) occludes said first opening
(3) in order to prevent, in use, accessing said cylinder, and an unlocking position,
wherein said slider (16) allows accessing said first opening (3), and a magnetic combinatory
unit (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) movable together with said slider (16), characterized in that said magnetic combinatory unit (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) includes at least
four satellites (17, 18, 19, 20) each containing respective magnetic means (21, 22,
23, 24), said at least four satellites (17, 18, 19, 20) being adapted to be rotatably
housed into respective seats (34, 35, 36, 37) provided on said slider (16), said seats
being mutually arranged at right angles.
2. Security device as in claim 1, wherein a cavity (9) facing, in use, said casing (2)
is provided on an inner surface (8) of said protective key-plate (6), said cavity
(9) having a substantially linear extension and being arranged substantially parallel
to the medial axis passing through said second through-opening (7) and said protective
key-plate (6).
3. Security device as in claim 2, wherein guide means (10, 11) are provided on each side
of said cavity (9), said guide means (10, 1) comprising a first guiding surface (10)
arranged at a side of said cavity (9) and a second guiding surface (11) arranged at
the opposite side of said cavity (9).
4. Security device as in claim 3, wherein said slider (16) is adapted to be slidably
accommodated inside said cavity (9) so as to be movable along said first guiding surface
(10) and said second guiding surface (11) between said locking position and said unlocking
position.
5. Security device as in claim 3, wherein said guide means (10, 11) include engaging
means (12, 13, 14, 15) comprising at least a first recess (12) and a second recess
(13) provided on said first guiding surface (10), and at least a third recess (14)
and a fourth recess (15) provided on said second guiding surface (11), said first
recess (12) axially facing said third recess (14) and said second recess (13) axially
facing said fourth recess (15).
6. Security device as in claim 5, wherein said slider (16) comprises blocking means (25,
26) controlled by said at least four satellites (17, 18, 29, 20), said blocking means
(12, 13, 14, 15) being adapted to engage said engaging means (12, 13, 14, 15) to firmly
block said slider (16) into said locking position or unlocking position.
7. Security device as in claim 6, wherein said blocking means (25, 26) include a pair
of pins (27, 28) provided with respective heads (30A, 30B) having a shape complementary
to the shape of said engaging means (12, 13, 14, 15), said heads (30A, 30B) being
adapted to selectively engage said first recess (12) and said third recess (14), when
said slider (16) is in said locking position, and said second recess (13) and said
fourth recess (15) when said slider (16) is in said unlocking position.
8. Security device as in claim 7, wherein said blocking means (25, 26) are slidably associated
to said slider (16) and movable in opposite directions along a transverse axis of
said slider (16) against the bias of elastic means, said blocking means (25, 26) being
arranged axially opposed with said heads (30A, 30B) facing opposite sides.
9. Security device as in claim 7, wherein each of said at least four satellites (17,
18, 19, 20) respectively comprises a first cut (38), a second cut (39), a third cut
(40) and a fourth cut (41), said blocking means (25, 26) further comprising a first
flared portion (29A) and a second flared portion (29B) respectively connecting said
heads (30A, 30B) to the respective pins (27, 28), said first flared portion (29A)
being adapted to selectively cooperate with said first cut (38) and said third cut
(40), said second flared portion (29B) being adapted to selectively cooperate with
said second cut (39) and said fourth cut (41).
10. Security device as in claim 6, wherein the passage between said locking position and
said unlocking position, and viceversa, is actuatable by a magnetic actuator (47)
provided with a combination adapted to cooperate with said magnetic combinatory unit
(17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) to impart a rotation to said at least four satellites
(17, 18, 19, 20) able to disengage said blocking means (25, 26) from said engaging
means (13, 14, 15, 16) such that moving said slider (16) from said locking position
to said unlocking position, and viceversa, is allowed.
11. Security device as in claim 10, wherein said rotation imparted to said at least four
satellites (17, 18, 19, 20) by said magnetic actuator (47) causes said first cut (38)
and said third cut (40) facing said first flared portion (29A) and said second cut
(39) and fourth cut (41) facing said second flared portion (29B) so as to allow said
blocking means (25, 26) sliding to disengage said heads (30A, 30B) from said engaging
means (12, 13, 14, 15) such that moving said slider (16) from said locking position
to said unlocking position, and viceversa, is allowed.