Locks – Operating mechanism – Key
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-23
2004-10-05
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3676)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Key
C070S409000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06799447
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a cylinder lock-key-combination, a key blank intended for the combination and a key intended for the combination and made from the key blank.
In growing markets great numbers of opening combinations for selected lock mechanisms and/or additional new key profiles are needed for large groups of locks to be masterkeyed, which can be distinguished from earlier key profiles already provided for the markets and which can be utilized for keeping the different lock groups separate from each other. A key profile refers here to the form of a key before any combination surfaces or combination cuts required by the actual opening combination of the lock are made. For big applications it may even be necessary to provide dedicated key profiles. In addition depending on the application different key profiles should be available on the one hand for locks operated in only one turning direction and on the other hand correspondingly also for bidirectionally operable locks. The turning direction or operating direction of a lock refers here to the direction in which the key turns for opening the lock mechanism. Since cylinder locks provided with so-called rotatable locking discs are advantageous from the viewpoint of their masterkeying and pickproof properties, the new key profiles should be suitable for particular lock mechanisms of this kind.
A bidirectionally operable cylinder lock provided with rotatable locking discs and having a symmetrical key which may be inserted in the lock in two different turning positions is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,172. This lock can be adapted also to be operable in only one turning direction, but this requires positively blocking one of the turning directions by means of a separate blocking member. A more recent cylinder lock is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,405. This lock is operable in only one turning direction and the returning of the locking discs is accomplished by making use of a separate returning member, whereby more space is obtained in the shank of the key for different profile grooves. In this lock the opening for the key in the locking discs is additionally designed in a certain way so that for example a key according to a practical implementation of U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,172 is not operable in the lock shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,405. Hereby, by means of this solution a key profile family of its own is provided which is independent of earlier key profiles.
Also the patent FI 25618 shows a bidirectionally operable lock in which the selection of the direction of operation occurs by means of a separate guiding plate located in front of the set of discs. In this solution, in the key opening of the locking disc there is a counter surface for each possible combination cut. In addition the key itself comprises a key shank having a separate bit part for combination cuts, which is in clear contrast to the keys according to the solutions mentioned above. Thus the key inserted in the lock is available for only one turning direction at a time and in addition the opening combination is identical for both turning directions.
An aim of the invention is to provide a novel cylinder lock-key-combination, new keys intended therefor as well as key blanks for the keys, suitable particularly for locks provided with rotatable locking discs and making it possible to provide new key profiles which are operationally independent of prior known key profiles. An aim is additionally to provide a solution offering versatile possibilities for adapting the invention in view of different needs for locking so that it may easily be adapted to locks operable on the one hand in one turning direction and on the other hand in two turning directions. In addition the solution should be uncomplicated, secure as to its operation and advantageous as to its costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention the key opening of at least one locking disc has at least two discrete counter surfaces for effecting turning of the locking disc in one direction, and these counter surfaces are so dimensioned and arranged with regard to each other that at least two different combination values can be alternatively selected for the corresponding combination surface of the key. Different combination values refer to the possible different turning angles through which the key turns the locking discs in order to open the lock mechanism. In accordance with the invention a simple and well-defined design is obtained for the key opening of the locking disc which may effectively be utilized in cooperation with the combination surfaces of the key having a key profile of clearly different design from those previously known. In addition the same basic solution may with advantage be adapted both for cylinder locks operable in one direction and for cylinder locks operable in two directions.
The technical effect of the solution can further be improved when the key opening of a code locking disc which can be provided with different combination values has two counter surfaces for one turning direction of the key, and the two counter surfaces are angularly spaced from each other about the turning axis of the locking disc and are disposed at different respective angles to the central axis of the key opening of the locking disc so that they are inclined at an angle of about 30°. The central axis of the key opening extends in the plane of the locking disc as distinct from the turning axis of the locking disc, which is perpendicular to the central axis of the key opening and passes through the center of the key opening.
When the counter surface in the key opening of the code locking disc corresponding to larger turning angles of the key extends substantially to the central normal of the central axis of the key opening, the key opening may in a simple way be made fully symmetrical for a bidirectionally operable lock or partly symmetrical for a unidirectionally operating lock. In both cases the counter surfaces and/or return surfaces for the same turning direction are diametrically located with regard to the turning axis of the locking disc.
The key openings of the code locking discs can with advantage be at least substantially identical and formed so that some degree of free turning of the key is provided, i.e. the code locking discs turn with the key only after the key has been turned to some degree, for instance about 15°, from the initial insertion position of the key. The lock includes further at least one lifting 0-locking disc of which the key opening is smaller than the key opening of the normal code locking discs and which always turns when the key is turned in the lock. The basic aim of a lifting 0-locking disc is to provide for returning of the locking bar into its locked position under positive guidance when the lock mechanism is locked. No code locking disc has in this case the 0. combination. Consequently, the combination values of the code locking discs determining the opening combination of the lock are totally independent of the 0-locking disc and its counter surfaces, which increases the number of opening combinations available and improves the masterkeying properties of the solution according to the invention. In addition the lifting 0-locking disc may naturally be utilized for defining the profile of the key shank compatible with the key channel and to arrange for desired variations thereof for providing different lock families.
When the lock is operable in only one turning direction, the surface of the key opening of a code locking disc opposite to the counter surface with regard to the central axis serves as a return surface, which in cooperation with the key is used to return the locking discs to the locking position of the lock mechanism. By arranging the return surface in the same plane as one of the counter surfaces of the locking disc a simple and well-defined form is obtained for the key opening. The solution is secure as to its operation and no separate return members are needed in it.
When the lock is operable in both turning direc
Kiiski Seppo
Mielonen Pekka
Abloy Oy
Gall Lloyd A.
Smith-Hill John
Smith-Hill and Bedell
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