Locks – Operating mechanism – Key
Patent
1994-06-02
1996-05-21
Meyers, Steven N.
Locks
Operating mechanism
Key
70496, E05B 1906
Patent
active
055178405
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cylinder lock-key combination which includes a side bar, and more specifically to a cylinder lock-key combination of the kind defined in the preamble of the following claim 1.
The invention also relates to a key for operating such a combination.
BACKGROUND ART
U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,673 (Widen) describes a cylinder lock provided with a side bar and pin tumblers of the aforesaid kind, in which the bottom surfaces of the rotatable pin tumblers are intended to coact with a coded, shouldered side part of the key. The coded surfaces engage with a segment-shaped part of the bottoms of respective pin tumblers, and curved transition parts whose radii correspond to the radii of the pin tumblers are provided between the coded surfaces of the key.
The side bar is spring-biased outwardly from the cylinder, into engagement with a recess in the lock housing, this recess being configured to urge the side bar into the cylinder plug upon rotation thereof, after having inserted the correct key into an operative position in the plug. The side bar includes a number of lugs having rounded engagement surfaces which coact with waisted parts of the side bar. In manufacture, the coded surfaces and the intermediate transition surfaces must be produced very accurately, and consequently the cylinder lock taught by this prior publication is comparatively expensive in manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,852 (Gysin) teaches a cylinder lock with which there is used a key which is provided on the side surfaces thereof with grooves which, when the key is inserted to an operative position in the plug, coact with tumblers that have outwardly projecting pins which engage in respective grooves. The tumblers of this lock do not coact with a side bar. Moreover, the pins on the tumblers are subjected to a relatively high degree of wear, which is liable to jeopardize the function of the cylinder lock after long-time use.
Other examples of the state of the prior art with regard to lock keys are found in SE B 380,861 (Winkhaus) and AU B 371,883 (Prunbauer).
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a cylinder lock-key combination provided with a side bar in which it is ensured that the side bar will be moved positively, or forcibly, into its locking position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cylinder lock-key combination which can be manufactured simply and the mutually coacting, moveable parts of which will only be subjected to a small degree of friction, causing only a slight degree of wear to these moveable parts and achieving continued reliable function of the combination over a long period of use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a combination of the aforesaid kind which will function smoothly and effectively even in difficult environments, for instance when the lock is exposed to moisture and/or cold.
A further object of the invention is to provide a cylinder lock of small dimensions which will nevertheless provide an extraordinary large number of possible combinations, therewith making it difficult to force the lock or to open the lock unless using a correct key.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects are fulfilled with an inventive cylinder lock-key combination of the aforesaid kind which is mainly characterized by the features set forth in the characterizing clause of claim 1.
The side bar is thus moved forcibly, so as to ensure that it will function reliably. Furthermore, because the driving pins are guided for movement in the plug, jamming is prevented as the side bar is moved.
It is conceivable in some cases to provide only one single driving pin, although it is normally preferred to provide one driving pin at each end of the side bar.
The driving pins may optionally be surrounded by springs, so as to facilitate and assist movement of the side bar to its locking position.
In order to ensure that the driving pins will function as intended, the ends of the pins distal from the side bar will preferably e
REFERENCES:
patent: Re31910 (1985-06-01), Oliver
patent: 3264852 (1966-08-01), Gysin
patent: 3418833 (1968-12-01), Kerr
patent: 4393673 (1983-07-01), Widen
patent: 4723427 (1988-02-01), Oliver
patent: 4998426 (1991-03-01), Genakis
patent: 5067335 (1991-11-01), Widen
patent: 5375444 (1994-12-01), Smith
Assa AB
Estremsky Gary
Meyers Steven N.
LandOfFree
Cylinder lock-key combination which includes a side bar; and a l does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cylinder lock-key combination which includes a side bar; and a l, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cylinder lock-key combination which includes a side bar; and a l will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2030524