Locks – Operating mechanism – Key
Patent
1999-04-22
2000-12-05
Barrett, Suzanne Dino
Locks
Operating mechanism
Key
70455, 70375, 70424, 70417, E05B 2700
Patent
active
061550906
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cylinder lock of the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1.
Cylinder locks of the kind that include a profiled element fitted to the front end of the lock plug have the advantage of enabling the major part of the key slot formed in the plug to be configured to fit a large number of keys belonging to one and the same key-family, while separation between various individuals in the family is achieved by configuring the key slot of the profiled element to the appearance specific to the individual concerned, i.e. only an intended key can be inserted.
The profiled element can also be made of any chosen material, which may be different from the brass material from which the main part of the lock plug is normally made. For instance, the profiled element may be made of stainless steel or hardened steel.
The use of hardened steel also incorporates in the lock construction separate protection against an attempt to drill into the lock, which obviates the need to provide a separate drill-guard in front of the plug, for instance in the form of a separate element in the lock construction.
Another advantage afforded by a profiled element of this kind is that it can be replaced. Thus, when the key-slot opening becomes worn as a result of very frequent use of the key, it is not necessary to replace the whole of the cylinder plug or the lock cylinder, since it will normally be sufficient to replace solely the profiled element.
This replaceability of the profiled element can also be of value in cases where it is desired to prevent an unauthorized person using a key to which he/she has access or possesses, for instance after having stolen the key, gaining entry to a locked room. This can be achieved simply by replacing the profiled element, without needing to replace the entire lock cylinder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As before mentioned, cylinder locks that include different types of profiled element are known to the art.
For instance, SE,B,8403605-2 (Wartsila) teaches a lock system that includes a plurality of different groups of cylinder locks that incorporate rotatable latch discs and a plurality of different types of key for the various lock groups with mutually deviating key profiles, wherewith the utility of one key profile in one lock group is determined by the latch discs of the lock and by the configuration of the key-receiving opening in the latch discs. One and the same key will have at least two different profiles disposed axially one after the other. This lock system can thus be said to include a plurality of profiled elements of the kind to which this document pertains, arranged one after the other in the lock plug. These profiled elements are not therefore intended to safeguard the plug from an attempt to force the lock from outside, for instance by drilling into the plug. Neither can the profiled element be replaced as readily as that described in the aforegoing, when the need arises.
U.S. Pat. No. 3 736 780 (Singer) describes a cylinder lock in which the profiled element is attached to the lock plug by means of externally accessible screws. A separate cover plate may optionally be crimped onto the profiled element, to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the lock. This arrangement, however, provides no real protection against forcing of the lock from the outside. The actual cover plate and the screws can be easily removed with the aid of a screwdriver for instance.
U.S. Pat. No. 4 478 061 (Preddey) teaches a cylinder lock according to the preamble of claim 1. This lock includes a releasable profiled element that has a key-slot configured for a key having two parallel coded blades for actuation of double rows of pin tumblers. The profiled element is anchored to the plug by means of a cross pin.
U.S. Pat. No. 1 422 594 (Maxwell) describes a cylinder lock in which a profiled element forms an integral part of the lock plug, said profiled element merely having a protective function and not intended to separate keys that belong to one and the same family. Th
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patent: 5507163 (1996-04-01), Juang
patent: 5737948 (1998-04-01), Lefkovits
patent: 6079240 (2000-06-01), Shvarts
Assa AB
Barrett Suzanne Dino
LandOfFree
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