EP2078806B1 - Cylinder lock comprising disc tumbler assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock (10) has a rotating driver (18) mounted remote from an axial hole (34) and a radial recess (37) in an extension of a cylindrical assembly (22). The driver actuates a locking mechanism. A coupling disk (50) is mounted in axial translation between the driver and the cylindrical assembly. The disk is coupled in rotation with a key (14). The translation of the key through the hole and recess provokes translation of the disk and engages the disk with the driver for rotatably driving the driver, when the key is driven in rotation.

Description

The present invention relates to a lock comprising a cylinder and a key for actuating a locking mechanism, said cylinder comprising a cylindrical assembly of coded washers.

Coded disc cylinders are well known. The coded washers have internally inwardly radially projecting portions separated by notches, and are stacked and held together against each other to form an assembly. The internal portions projecting from the coded washers successively stacked, have dimensions determined for each of the washers, so as to constitute a combination defining a code. This assembly has an inlet opening through which the key is inserted, and an outlet opening that the key is able to pass through. Between the two openings, extends a passageway for receiving a double bit of said key. This double bit, which extends symmetrically on either side of a shank of the key, has radial notches of different depths intended to cooperate with said internal portions projecting defining the code; and insofar as the coded bit corresponds to the correct set of coded washers, rotation of the bit in the cylindrical assembly is allowed.

In addition, the cylinder also comprises keys, generally three, pivotally mounted respectively by means of a shaft which extends along the cylindrical assembly and these keys close off the outlet opening. When the key is inserted inside the passageway and it corresponds to the cylindrical assembly of coded washers, the rotation of the key within the cylindrical assembly then causes successively, by through the bit, the rotation of the shafts corresponding to each of the keys, which pivoting releases the outlet opening. In this position, the key and its bit are then driven in translation through the outlet opening, so as to cooperate said bit with a locking mechanism installed for example in a door leaf. When the key is again driven in rotation, the bit then causes the locking mechanism to be driven either in a closed position or, conversely, in an open position. Thus, the cylindrical assembly is a filter intended to let through only the key or keys which the bit corresponds to the code defined by the washers, to then allow the passage of the bit to the locking mechanism.

In particular, we can refer to the document FR2880646 which describes such a mechanism.

Thus, in the locks of the aforementioned type, the double bit coded not only plays a role in allowing the key to pass through the cylinder, but it is also urged to cooperate with the locking mechanism without however that the encoded part is 'any use in this cooperation. Therefore, this bit is unnecessarily subjected to a wear likely, over uses, to deteriorate the encoding. In addition, it will be observed that the stroke of the bit, which must first be immobilized inside the cylindrical assembly, then be rotated so that it can then be translated to the locking mechanism located outside the cylindrical assembly to finally be driven again in rotation and cooperate with this locking mechanism, is relatively long and tortuous. Such a lock also requires a certain habit to be implemented with his key. In addition, this double bit requires to provide a key entrance opening, or slot, relatively wide, which facilitates the picking of the lock by the introduction of hooks through this slot. In fact, the larger the entrance opening, the easier it is to introduce hooking elements into the lock and to move them to unlock it.

Also, a problem that arises and that aims to solve the present invention, is to provide a lock, comprising a cylinder and a key, and which allows in particular to avoid premature wear of the bit of the key and also, which allows a simplification of the race of said bit and also greater safety.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a lock comprising a cylinder and a key for actuating a locking mechanism, said cylinder comprising a cylindrical set of coded washers, said cylindrical assembly having an inlet opening opposed to an opening outlet and an axial passageway that extends between the openings, said cylinder comprising at least one pivoting key for closing said outlet opening, said key comprising a coded bit intended to cooperate with said coded washers when said key is engaged to inside said axial path, said key being intended to be driven, first in rotation with respect to said cylindrical assembly to cause the pivoting of said at least one key and the release of said output opening, then in translation through said exit opening, and finally in rotation to be able to actuate said mechanism lock ism; according to the invention, the lock further comprises: a rotary driver mounted remote from said outlet opening in the extension of said cylindrical assembly, said rotary driver being adapted to actuate said locking mechanism; a clutch disk mounted axially translationally between said rotary driver and said cylindrical assembly, said clutch disk being adapted to be rotatably coupled with said key, and the translation of said key through said outlet opening causes the translation of said clutch disk; clutch disk and engaging it with said rotary driver to enable said rotational driver to be rotated when said key is rotated.

Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of a clutch plate and associated rotary drive, so that the rotary drive can play the role played by the key bit, in the locks according to the prior art. Thus, the keyed bit of the key is no longer subjected to premature wear by cooperating with the locking mechanism, since according to the invention, it is the rotary driver that cooperates directly with this locking mechanism .

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, said clutch disk is coupled in rotation with said key via said cylindrical set of coded washers. In this way, the training of the key in rotation through the bit, causes the rotation of the cylindrical assembly which itself then drives the clutch disc. To do this, said cylindrical set of coded washers preferably has eccentric axial rods which extend axially towards said rotary driver, while said clutch disc has eccentric orifices adapted to receive respectively said axial rods, and according to the invention said clutch disk is slidably mounted on said rods. In this way, the axial rods, which are mounted integral with the cylindrical assembly, are adapted to drive the clutch disk in rotation after the latter has been previously translated to the rotary drive, and that the cylindrical assembly is itself rotated.

Preferably, said cylinder comprises a sheath, said cylindrical set of coded washers being rotatably mounted inside said sheath. The sheath which is mounted in a fixed position, relative to a door leaf for example, thus preserves the cylindrical assembly of any offense. This sleeve has in particular a free end constricted around the inlet opening of the cylindrical assembly to allow the passage of the key. Furthermore, said clutch disc and said sleeve are advantageously kept locked in rotation relative to each other when said key is rotated relative to said cylindrical assembly, so as to precisely maintain the cylindrical assembly when the bit is rotated inside. In addition, said sleeve preferably has radial locking studs inside, while said clutch disk has a rim and radial notches in said rim so that said radial studs are adapted to extend within said radial notches to maintain said clutch disc and said barrel locked in rotation.

Furthermore, said sleeve and said clutch disc are free to rotate when said clutch disc has been driven in translation by means of the key and that it has come into engagement with said rotary drive, so as to allow precisely the rotational drive of the clutch disc via the key. Rotation of the clutch disc leads by the same, the rotary driver that it cooperates with the locking mechanism.

Advantageously, said key abuts against said clutch disk when said key passes through said outlet opening to cause translation of said clutch disk. Thus, it is provided that the drive in translation of the key inside the assembly to the cylindrical, in a very small stroke, without the bit protruding from the cylindrical assembly, causes the translation of the disc. clutch so that it is both released radial blocks, which blocks it in rotation and that it comes into engagement with the rotary drive. Then, the rotation of the key again causes through the bit, the rotation of the cylindrical assembly which itself, through the eccentric axial rods, drives the clutch disc in rotation and therefore, the rotary trainer. In this way, the stroke of the key inside the cylindrical assembly and in particular, as to the total axial translation to be able to drive the locking mechanism is much shorter than that of the locks of the prior art. Therefore, compared to the prior art, shorter keys are likely to be used thanks to the lock according to the invention.

In addition, said clutch disk advantageously has an axial axial bearing zone facing said rotary driver, while said rotary driver has a drive disk adapted to be housed in said axial bearing axial zone when said disk clutch is driven in translation. In this way, when the clutch disk is driven against the rotary driver, they are radially secured to one another.

Preferably, said clutch disk has, in the periphery of said axial axial bearing zone, an axially projecting stop portion, while said drive disk has at its periphery, a radial lug, said lug radial direction being intended to abut against said axially projecting stop portion, when said drive disk is housed in said axial axial bearing zone and that the clutch disc is rotated through the key.

• la Figure 1A est une vue schématique en perspective d'une serrure conforme à l'invention ;
• la Figure 1B est une vue schématique partielle en perspective de la serrure représentée sur la figure 1 ;
• la Figure 2A est une vue schématique de détail en perspective d'une partie de la serrure représentée sur la figure 1B et sous un autre angle de vue ;
• la Figure 2B est une vue schématique de ladite partie de serrure représentée sur la Figure 2A habillée d'un élément supplémentaire logé dans la serrure illustrée sur la Figure 1A ;
• la Figure 2C est une vue schématique de détail dudit élément supplémentaire représenté sur la Figure 2B ; et,
• la Figure 2D est une vue schématique de la serrure illustrée sur la Figure 2A débarrassée de certains éléments.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention. the invention, given as an indication but without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the Figure 1A is a schematic perspective view of a lock according to the invention;
• the F igure 1B is a partial schematic perspective view of the lock shown on the figure 1 ;
• the Figure 2A is a schematic perspective detail view of a portion of the lock shown in FIG. Figure 1B and from another angle of view;
• the Figure 2B is a schematic view of said lock portion shown in FIG. Figure 2A dressed with an additional element housed in the lock shown on the Figure 1A ;
• the Figure 2C is a schematic view of detail of said additional element represented on the Figure 2B ; and,
• the 2D Figure is a schematic view of the lock shown on the Figure 2A rid of certain elements.

The Figure 1A illustrates a lock 10 comprising a cylinder 12 and a key 14 intended to be introduced into the cylinder 12. The cylinder 12 comprises a base 16 and a sleeve 17 of cylindrical symmetry about an axis A of the lock, the base 16 being adapted to be fixed on a flapper equipped with a locking mechanism in its thickness. Also, the cylinder comprises a rotary driver 18 which protrudes from the base 16 and opposite the sleeve 17 so as to cooperate with the locking mechanism. As regards the sleeve 17, it has a free edge 20 folded radially and it houses a cylindrical assembly 22 housed in a sleeve forming a sleeve, which will be described below in more detail with respect to the Figure 1B . This cylindrical assembly 22 has an inlet opening 24 having an axial circular orifice and a radial slot 25 extending from this axial circular orifice. It will be observed that this inlet opening 24 extends along a radius with respect to the axis A, and no longer according to a diameter in accordance with the locks of the prior art. The inlet opening 24 is therefore shorter and therefore smaller, and it offers greater difficulties for the introduction of picking tools. In correspondence, the key 14 has a rod 26 of circular symmetry ending in a free end 27 and it is provided with a radial bit as well as an actuating head 30. The radial bit 28 has notches 31 intended to constitute a coded combination Given the cross-sectional shape of the rod 26 and the bit 28, which is identical to that of the inlet opening 24, this key 14 is adapted to be introduced inside the cylinder 12 to actuate the rotary driver 18 and thus act on the locking mechanism.

We will now refer to the Figure 1B , representing the lock 10 described above opposite the Figure 1A but where some elements have been removed to better explain how it works. The sleeve 17 and the base 16 have in particular been removed, as well as the sleeve which will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. Figure 2C and in which is housed the cylindrical assembly.

Thus, we find on this Figure 1B , the key 14 whose free end 27 is located opposite the inlet opening 24 ready to be introduced inside the cylindrical assembly 22 which will be described in more detail. The cylindrical assembly 22 has two opposing flanges, a front flange 30 in which is formed the inlet opening 24, and a rear flange 32 which has an axial bore 34 extended radially by a radial recess 37, shifted by 90 ° by relative to the radial slot 25. Axial drilling 34 and radial recess 37 communicate and open together on the front face 33 of the rear flange 32, which front face appears on the Figure 1B . Furthermore, it will be observed that the rod 26 and the bit 28 are able to pass through the axial bore 34 and the radial recess 37 together.

Between the inlet opening 24 and the axial bore 34, thus extends a path 35 in the direction of the axis A of the lock and adapted to receive the key 14. Between these two flanges, 30, 32 are stacked and held tight against each other coded washers 36 which only a few elements are represented on the Figure 1B to give more clarity to the drawing and the description. These coded washers 36 have internal portions radially projecting 38 and alternately internal notches 40. These are the internal portions projecting from the coded washers successively stacked, and more precisely their size, which define a combination adapted to cooperate with the bit 28 of the key 14 and particularly its notches 31.

When the key 14 is introduced into the passageway 35 through the inlet opening 24 along the axis A of the lock, and the combination of the notches 31 of the bit 28 coincide with the combination defined by the coded washers 36 , the key 14 is capable of being rotated so that the bit 28 can drive in rotation, via eccentrics, two drive shafts 42, 44 terminated by hidden keys on the Figure 1B by the rear flange 32. The keys extend against a rear face 46 of the rear flange 32, while the shafts 42, 44 extend axially away from the passageway 35. These shafts are held in external slots 48 practiced at the periphery of the coded washers 36 and in the extension, in the rear flange 32. Thus, these drive shafts 42, 44 open from the rear face 46 of the rear flange 32.

Moreover, on this Figure 1B are also illustrated a clutch disk 50 mounted in axial translation and in its extension, the rotary drive 18. The clutch disk 50 has a border 52 in which are formed radial notches 54. Radial pads 56 s' extend in these radial notches 54 to lock in rotation the clutch disc 50. To do this, these radial pads 56 are integral with the sleeve 17 so as to be able to rotate firmly, precisely the clutch disc 50 and the sleeve 17. The trace of these radial pads 56 has been represented on the sleeve 17 illustrated on the Figure 1A , ready for the base 16. It will be observed that in this position, the sleeve 17 is secured to the base 16 and therefore, that the clutch disk is integral in rotation with the leaf on which the lock is installed.

We will now refer to the Figure 2A illustrating in more detail the clutch disc 50 and the rear face 46 of the rear flange 32. In addition, there is Figure 2A the cylindrical assembly 22, its rear flange 32 opposite its front flange 30, while the drive shafts are here masked by the coded washers 36. However, appear clearly here between the rear flange 32 and the clutch disc 50, two keys, one proximal key 58 located against the rear face 46 of the rear flange 32 and a distal key 60 located between the proximal key 58 and the clutch disc 50. The two keys 58, 60 are, as shown in FIG. Figure 2A partially superposed in a rest position where they seal the axial bore 34 and the radial recess 37, which also open together on the rear face 46 of the rear flange 32.

The Figure 2B to which we will refer now, illustrates the object represented on the Figure 2A , except that the cylindrical assembly 22, which also comprises the keys 58, 65, is housed inside a bushing 64 forming a sleeve, which sleeve is rotatably mounted inside the sleeve 17. This drive socket 64 has a free opening 66 and opposite a bottom 68 against which is supported the clutch disk 50. Also found on this Figure 2B , the rotary drive 18 which is rotatably mounted in the base 16, but which is locked in axial translation relative to this base 16. Furthermore, the clutch plate 50 is held in abutment against the bottom 68 and removed from the rotary driver 18 by means of an axial coil spring 70 return. In addition, the clutch disc 50 is rotatably mounted to the drive bushing 64 by means of two guide pins, one of which, 72 shorter, appears on the Figure 2B . Of course, the clutch disc 50 has two eccentric holes adapted to receive respectively the pins.

We have shown on the Figure 2C the drive sleeve 64 equipped with its short pin 72 and diametrically opposed to a long pin 74. The short pin 72 protrudes from the bottom 68 while the long pin 74 passes through the bottom 68 to be secured to the Inner of the cylindrical assembly 22. It will be noted that the long pin 74 extends between the keys and does not interfere with their respective pivoting. Furthermore, the drive bushing 64 has an axial outlet orifice 76, able to pass through the free end 27 of the key 14. It is specified here that the clutch disk 50 has no orifice opposite the bottom 68, and a fortiori, no longer with respect to the axial output port 76. In this way, it is understood that the free end 27 of the key 14 is adapted to be driven projecting from the bottom 68 through the orifice axial output 76 so as to be able to bear against the clutch plate 50 to drive it in translation and away from the fund 68.

We will finally refer to the 2D figure , before describing the complete operation of the lock according to the invention, with reference to all the Figures 2, 2A to 2D . This last 2D figure , illustrates detail elements from the object represented on the Figure 2A , essentially free of the keys 58, 60.

In addition to the elements already described, with reference to the other figures, and in particular the rotary driver 18 and the clutch disk 50 which faces it, first of all, particular characteristics of these two elements will be described. With regard to the clutch disk 50, there is its border 52 and the radial notches 54. The latter are spaced from each other by 90 ° with respect to the axis A of the lock. Furthermore, the edge 52 facing the rotary driver 18, has a semicircular rim 80 bordering an axial axial bearing area 82, which is located opposite the rotary driver 18. The semicircular flange 80 defines two stops diametrically opposed, one of which appears on the 2D figure , in axial projection of the edge 52. The rotary driver 18 meanwhile, has a drive disk 86 adapted to be housed inside the axial axial bearing zone 82 and against the clutch disc 52 The drive disc 86 has at its periphery a radial lug 88 adapted to abut against the stops 87 as will be explained hereinafter.

Thus, when the key is rotated a quarter of a turn inside the cylindrical assembly 22, the two drive shafts themselves are rotated and causes the pivotal distal 60 and proximal keys 58 to pivot. , which from said rest position in which they seal the axial bore 34 and the radial recess 37, deviate from each other, precisely to release them. On the 2D figure , the keys and their shafts have been removed for the clarity of the drawing and appear, thus the axial bore 34 and the radial recess 37 opposite which then extends the clutch disc 50.

Moreover, it has been shown on the 2D figure , the long pin 74 engaged in the rear flange 32.

The distal 60 and proximal 58 keys thus spaced apart, the key is then depressed further and driven in axial translation inside the cylindrical assembly 22. The free end 27 of the key 14 and the bit 28 then pass through respectively the axial drilling 34 and the radial recess 37, and are driven between the keys 60, 58. The free end 27 then bears against the clutch disk 50, which is then driven in axial translation towards the rotary drive 18 compressing the helical spring 70, while the sleeve 64 illustrated in particular on the Figure 2B remains in a fixed position. The drive in translation of the key 14 continues, the clutch disc 50 moves away from the base 68 of the drive sleeve 64 and abuts against the rotary drive 18, the drive disc 86 of this the latter being housed inside the axial axial bearing zone 82. In doing so, the stopper 84 is then brought opposite one of the lateral faces of the radial lug 88, while the notches radial 54 are released from the radial pads 56.

In this position, the bit 28 is integral in rotation with the rear flange 32, which rear flange 32 is itself rotatably connected to the drive sleeve 64 by means of the pins 74, 72; the latter making it possible to link in rotation the clutch disc 50 and the driving bush 64; and finally, the clutch disk 50 is now rotatably connected to the rotary driver 18 via the stopper 84, which is able to bear circumferentially against the lateral face of the radial lug 88 Thus, since the clutch disk 50 is no longer connected in rotation with the sleeve 17, since the radial notches 54 escape the range of the radial pads 56, the rotation of the key 14 causes rotation in one only block, the cylindrical assembly 22, the drive sleeve 64, the clutch 50 and finally the rotary driver 18 which will then be able to cooperate with the locking mechanism to unlock the leaf.

Conversely, when the key 14 is released, the clutch plate 50 rests against the base 68 and the drive sleeve 64 by means of the helical return spring 70, insofar as the radial notches 54 are respectively located opposite the radial studs 56. The wrench 14 may then be rotated 90 °, and in the opposite direction, to then be removed.

It will be observed that the key length 14 introduced through the cylindrical assembly 22 is relatively small in comparison with the locks of the prior art, since it is no longer the bit 28 of the latter that actuates the locking mechanism but the rotary drive 18. The latter is itself driven by the clutch disc 50 and the cylindrical assembly 22, which are rotated when the key is itself rotated.

In this way, the key 14 object of the invention, is not only equipped with a single bit 28 and no longer a double bit like the locks of the prior art, but moreover, it is much shorter than that of the locks of the prior art. Notwithstanding, the bit 28 does not cooperate directly with the locking mechanism, it is less rapidly degraded.

Claims (10)

1. A lock (10) comprising a cylinder (12) and a key (14) for actuating a locking mechanism, said cylinder comprising a cylindrical assembly (22) of coded discs (36), said cylindrical assembly having an input opening (24) opposed to an output opening (34, 37) and an axial pathway (35) which extends between the openings, said cylinder (12) comprising at least one swiveling wedge (58, 60) to close said output opening (34, 37), said key comprising a coded key bit (28) intended to cooperate with said coded discs when said key is engaged into said axial pathway (35), said key being intended to be driven, first in rotation relative to said cylindrical assembly (22) to cause the swiveling of said at least one wedge and the release of said output opening, then in translation through said output opening, and finally in rotation to be able to actuate said locking mechanism;
   characterized in that it further comprises :

   - a rotary driving device (18) remotely fitted from said output opening (34, 37) extending from said cylindrical assembly (22), said rotary driving device being adapted to actuate said locking mechanism ;

   - a clutch disk (50) movably fitted with an axial translation liberty between said rotary driving device (18) and said cylindrical assembly (22), said clutch disk being adapted to be rotationally coupled to said key (14);

   and in that the translation of said key (14) through said output opening (34, 37) causes the translation of said clutch disk (50) and its engagement with said rotary driving device (18) to allow rotationally driving of said rotary driving device when said key (14) is rotated.
2. A lock according to claim 1, characterized in that said clutch disk (50) is rotationally coupled to said key (14) via said cylindrical assembly (22) of coded discs (36).
3. A lock according to claim 2, characterized in that said cylindrical assembly (22) of coded discs is provided with at least an offset axial rod (74) which axially extends towards said rotary driving device (18), while said clutch disk (50) is provided with at least an off-center opening that could receive said at least one axial rod (74), and in that said clutch disk (50) is slidingly fitted on said at least one axial rod.
4. A lock according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said cylinder (12) comprises a sleeve (17), said cylindrical assembly (22) of coded discs being fitted rotationally within said sleeve.
5. A lock according to claim 4, characterized in that said clutch disk (50) and said sleeve (17) are kept rotationally blocked the one relative to the other when said key (14) is rotated relative to said cylindrical assembly (22).
6. A lock according to claim 5, characterized in that said sleeve (17) is inside provided with radial blocking pads (56), while said clutch disk (50) has an edge (52) and radial notches (54) provided into said edge, said radial pads being adapted to extend within said radial notches in order to keep said clutch disk (50) and said sleeve (17) rotationally blocked.
7. A lock according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said sleeve (17) and said clutch disk (50) are rotationally free when said clutch disk is engaged with said rotary driving device (18).
8. A lock according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said key (14) bears against said clutch disk when said key passes though said output opening (34, 37) to cause the translation of said clutch disk (50).
9. A lock according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said clutch disk (50) is provided with a circular axial bearing zone (82) located in front of said rotary driving device (18), while said rotary driving device comprises a driving disc (86) that could be housed into said circular axial bearing zone when said clutch disk (50) is translated.
10. A lock according to claim 9, characterized in that said clutch disk (50) is provided, in the circumference of said circular axial bearing zone (82), with an axially projecting stop part (84), while said driving disc (86) is provided, at its periphery, with a radial pin (88), said radial pin being intended to abut against said axially projecting stop part (84), when said driving disc (86) is housed into said circular axial bearing zone (82).

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