Cylinder lock assembly and combinations

Abstract

Cylinder lock assembly comprising a cylinder having a cylinder axis defining an axial direction. The cylinder lock assembly further comprises a housing assembly in which the cylinder is rotatably received. The housing assembly comprises a basic part which extends axially and an end part which is at an axial end of the basic part. An axial length of the housing assembly depends on an axial position of the end part relative to the basic part. The end part is axially slidably connected with the basic part to be able to steplessly vary the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part, and hence the axial length of the housing assembly. The cylinder is accessible from an axial side of the housing assembly where the end part is, for operation of the cylinder lock assembly, independently of the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part.

Description

[0001] Title: Cylinder lock assembly and combinations

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a cylinder lock assembly and to combinations comprising the cylinder lock assembly.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] A standard cylinder lock comprises inter alia a housing with a rotatable cylinder received therein and a cam. By rotating the cylinder, the cam rotates along with it. Due to the cam being for instance coupled with the deadbolt, a door provided with the cylinder lock is thereby locked or unlocked. The cylinder may be connected with an operating knob or other operating device with which the cylinder can be rotated. An operating knob is typically moved manually. By rotating the operating knob, the cam rotates, and the cylinder lock is locked or unlocked. The operating knob is preferably on an inner side of the door, so as to allow the door to be simply and quickly opened manually from the inside. On the outer side of the door, the lock may possibly be operable with a traditional physical key.

[0006] Due to an increase of electronics in and around houses and other buildings, so-called smart locks are on the rise. A smart lock is a lock that can be automatically locked and unlocked, for instance through operation of a motor which makes a cylinder and the associated cam turn. Such operation may for instance take place with a smartphone which emits a wireless signal and thus actuates the motor. When a smartphone with the correct electronic authorization is held in the vicinity of the smart lock, the lock can be unlocked. A lock may also be operated by holding in the vicinity of the operating device an authorized pass or tag that emits a wireless signal and thus actuates the motor, which allows the door to be unlocked. During the wireless communication between the operating device on the one hand and the smartphone, pass or tag on the other hand, it can be verified whether the object being used is authorized to unlock the door. The motor is preferably on an inner side of the door, so as to hamper sabotage and to protect the motor from weather influences. On the outer side of the door, the lock may possibly be operable with a traditional physical key, in which case motor operation and key operation are preferably mutually independent, for instance by application of so-called hotel functionality in the cylinder lock.

[0007] In practice, there are many different kinds of doors of different thicknesses. Consequently, it is sometimes not easy to find the right cylinder lock having the right length, and often large stocks need to be kept to have a cylinder lock of the right length available every time. While there are also cylinder locks known that are adaptable in length, the lock, to that end, typically needs to be dismounted to quite an extent, which is relatively difficult and time consuming. WO2023 / 287293A1 discloses a cylinder lock that can be built up from inter alia one or more selectable lock housing extension parts, with the length of the built-up cylinder lock depending on the selected extension parts, in particular on their number and their respective axial thicknesses. Although this provides a certain improvement over previous cylinder locks, further improvement is still desired.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide a cylinder lock where the length of the cylinder lock can be more simply and / or more quickly adapted to the thickness of the door in which the lock is to be mounted, in particular for use in combination with an operating knob for manual operation and / or with a motor in the context of a so-called smart lock.

[0010] To this end, an aspect of the invention provides a cylinder lock assembly according to claim 1. The cylinder lock assembly comprises a cylinder having a cylinder axis which defines an axial direction. The cylinder lock assembly further comprises a housing assembly in which the cylinder is rotatably received. The housing assembly comprises a basic part which extends axially and an end part which is at an axial end of the basic part. An axial length of the housing assembly depends on an axial position of the end part relative to the basic part. The end part is axially slidably connected with the basic part to be able to steplessly vary the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part, and hence the axial length of the housing assembly. The cylinder is accessible from an axial side of the housing assembly where the end part is, for operation of the cylinder lock assembly, independently of the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part.

[0011] Such a cylinder lock assembly can be used in combination with different panels, such as, for example, doors of different thicknesses, for instance in replacement of existing cylinder locks in those panels. With the help of being able to steplessly vary the axial length of the housing assembly, it is possible in a simple manner to adapt a cylinder lock to a desired length by axially sliding the end part relative to the basic part such that the axial length of the housing assembly corresponds to the length of the cylinder lock to be replaced and / or to the thickness of the panel in which the cylinder lock is to be mounted, while the thickness of door fittings, if present, can for instance be reckoned in. The desired axial length of the housing assembly can be simply obtained by axially sliding the end part relative to the basic part, so that the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part can be steplessly varied and the right axial length of the housing assembly can be chosen. The axial length is the dimension of the housing assembly of the cylinder lock assembly viewed in the direction of the cylinder axis. Being able to steplessly vary the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part ensures that the axial length of the housing assembly can be adapted for a wide range of different door thicknesses, and this is not limited to a discrete selection of predetermined door thicknesses. Such an adaptation in axial length of the housing assembly is relatively simple and may thus, for instance, be carried out by a consumer himself. To that end, it is not necessary to dismount the cylinder lock assembly or to build it up from loose parts first. The sliding of the end part of the housing assembly takes place from the axial end of the basic part that normally remains accessible when the cylinder lock has been positioned in the panel. Such a length adaptation may thus be carried out relatively simply and quickly.

[0012] A further aspect of the invention provides a combination of a cylinder lock assembly as described and at least one addition assembly connectable with the cylinder lock assembly and configured for forming an axial addition to the cylinder lock assembly. Each addition assembly comprises: a housing addition part connectable with the end part, for forming an axial addition to the end part; and an operating element addition part connectable with the operating element, for forming an axial addition to the operating element. The operating element addition part is received rotatably in the housing addition part, preferably such that the operating element addition part has a fixed axial position relative to the housing addition part.

[0013] With the help of the at least one addition assembly, it is possible in a simple manner to provide a cylinder lock having a greater axial length than is made possible directly by the axial slidability of the end part relative to the basic part. The desired length can be simply obtained by connecting at least one addition assembly of a suitable length with the cylinder lock assembly, so that the length of the new combination corresponds to the desired length of the cylinder lock. The connection of the at least one addition assembly to the cylinder lock assembly can take place at the accessible axial end of the end part. Such a length adaptation can thus be carried out relatively simply and quickly.

[0014] A further aspect of the invention provides a combination of a cylinder lock assembly as described and an operating device for operation of the cylinder lock assembly, wherein the operating device is couplable with the operating element and optionally comprises a motor for automated rotation drive of the coupled operating element. The operating device with motor may for instance be operated by a wirelessly connected mobile device such as a smartphone. The cylinder lock can then be operated as a smart lock, for instance by holding the smartphone with the correct electronic authorization in the vicinity of the operating device. This provides ease of use and comfort during opening of a locked door, and can make the use of physical keys redundant, which may be particularly advantageous in the case of often changing authorizations. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that the operating device is manually operable, for instance through rotation of an operating knob by hand. This provides the possibility of manually opening the door simply and quickly from the side of the door where the operating device is, preferably the inner side of the door. In case of a manual operating knob, it is possible for the operating device not to comprise a motor.

[0015] It will be clear that the herein described combinations comprising the cylinder lock assembly can also be combined mutually.

[0016] Further advantageous elaborations of the invention are described in the dependent claims and will be further explained in the following detailed description.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In this detailed description of the figures, with the aid of reference numerals, reference is made to examples that are represented in the figures. The embodiments described in the detailed description, however, are not limited to examples that are shown in the figures, but may also be implemented in a different manner than shown in the examples. The embodiments described in the detailed description can therefore be read and understood also without the reference numerals. The various embodiments to be described hereinafter can be used in combination with each other or independently of each other. The figures are schematic and merely show examples. In the figures, corresponding elements are denoted with corresponding reference signs. For the purpose of clarity of the figures, each element is not always provided with reference signs in all of the figures where the element concerned can be seen.

[0019] Figure 1A shows a perspective view of an example of a cylinder lock assembly with a set screw, where the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part is a first position;

[0020] Figure IB shows a perspective view of the cylinder lock assembly with set screw from Figure 1A, where the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part is a second position, due to which the axial length of the housing assembly is less than in Figure 1A;

[0021] Figure 2A shows a perspective view of the example of Figure 1A without the end part and the set screw;

[0022] Figure 2B shows a perspective view of the example of Figure 1A without the end part, the set screw and the cylinder;

[0023] Figure 3A shows a perspective view of the example of Figure IB with a coupling piece;

[0024] Figure 3B shows a side view of the example of Figure 3A further provided with an operating device;

[0025] Figure 4A shows a perspective view of an example of an addition assembly;

[0026] Figure 4B shows a perspective view of the addition assembly of Fig. 4A from a substantially opposite viewing direction; and

[0027] Figure 4C shows a side view of a combination of the example of Figure 1A with the addition assembly of Figure 4A.

[0028] Generally, the invention provides a cylinder lock assembly 1 comprising a cylinder 2 having a cylinder axis C which defines an axial direction. The cylinder lock assembly 1 further comprises a housing assembly 4 in which the cylinder 2 is rotatably received. The housing assembly 4 comprises a basic part 6 which extends axially and an end part 8 which is at an axial end of the basic part 6. An axial length LI of the housing assembly 4 depends on an axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6. The end part 8 is axially slidably connected with the basic part 6 to be able to steplessly vary the axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6, and hence the axial length LI of the housing assembly. The cylinder 2 is accessible from an axial side of the housing assembly 4 where the end part 8 is, for operation of the cylinder lock assembly 1, independently of the axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6.

[0029] An example of the cylinder lock assembly 1 is represented in Figures 1A and IB, where the axial length LI in Figure IB is less than in Figure 1A in that the end part 8 in Figure IB, compared with Figure 1A, has been axially shifted relative to the basic part 6. From the views of Figures 2A, 2B, 3B, and 4C, it further becomes clear how in this example the end part 8 can be axially shifted relative to the basic part so as to steplessly vary the axial length LI of the housing assembly 4 of the cylinder lock assembly 1, as is further explained elsewhere in this description.

[0030] By application of the cylinder lock assembly 1, a great variety of cylinder locks, i.e., cylinder locks having a great variety of axial lengths, can be replaced. In particular, it is possible in a simple manner to adapt the cylinder lock assembly 1 to a desired length by axially sliding the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6. Being able to steplessly vary the axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6 ensures that the axial length LI of the housing assembly 4 can be adapted for a wide range of different door thicknesses, and this is not limited to a selection of predetermined door thicknesses.

[0031] Further effects and advantages of the cylinder lock assembly 1 have already been described in the summary and these effects and advantages are understood to be inserted here by citation. In an embodiment, as shown, for instance, in Figs. 1A-3A, the housing assembly 4 is connected by means of a bridge 10 with a further housing assembly 30 which is located, with respect to the end part 8, at an opposite axial side, in line with the described housing assembly 4. The further housing assembly 30 is configured, in this example, for cooperation with rotation blocking elements and a further cylinder 44 operable with a fitting physical key and received in the further housing assembly 30. Operation of the cam 12, further discussed elsewhere herein, is possible in this example both via the cylinder 2 and via the further cylinder 44, viz., from the respective axial ends of the cylinder lock assembly 1.

[0032] Such a combination of different kinds of housing assemblies 4 and 30 in one door provides the possibility of operating the cylinder lock on one side of the door with an associated fitting physical key, and operating the cylinder lock on the other side of the door manually or automatedly, with no physical key being needed. For a manual operation, for instance, a turning knob as operating knob may be non-rotatably coupled to the cylinder 2. The possibility of manual or automated operation is further explained elsewhere herein, in particular with reference to Figs. 3A-3B.

[0033] In an embodiment, the cylinder lock assembly 1 is configured such that the cylinder 2 has a fixed axial position relative to the basic part 6. The fixed axial position of the cylinder 2 relative to the basic part 6 makes it possible to have the cylinder 2, in a relatively robust manner, remain connected with the cam 12 before, during and after varying of the axial length LI of the housing assembly 4.

[0034] In an embodiment, the axial slidability of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6 is limited, in particular in accordance with a limited axial sliding range L3, such that always at least a part of the cylinder 2 extends axially in the end part 8. In consequence, the end part 8 cannot get completely detached from the cylinder 2, so that the cylinder 2 and the end part 8, apart from the axial slidability mentioned, can remain stable with respect to each other and / or with respect to the basic part 6. In the example shown, the limitation is substantially furnished by a limiting pin 50 which is here fixedly positioned in the end part 8 and extends through a guiding slot 52 in the basic part 6.

[0035] In an embodiment, the cylinder lock assembly 1 comprises a stepless setting structure 14 configured for cooperation with a setting means 16 for steplessly settable limitation of the axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6. A stepless setting structure 14 in combination with a setting means 16 makes it possible for the user to steplessly limit the axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6 to obtain the desired axial length LI of the housing assembly 4, for instance in cooperation with a bias discussed elsewhere herein. In this way, in particular, an effective upper limit of the axial length LI can be steplessly set.

[0036] In an embodiment, the stepless setting structure 14 is, or comprises, screw thread 18 for cooperation with screw thread 20 of the setting means 16, the setting means 16 being, for example, a set screw 22. A setting means 16 having screw thread 20 in combination with a screw thread 18 as a stepless setting structure 14, makes the setting, in particular limiting, of the axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6 easy to understand and to carry out for the user.

[0037] In an embodiment, the cylinder lock assembly 1, for example the housing assembly 4 thereof, comprises guiding structures 25 which, at least jointly, are configured to limit movability of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6 to the axial slidability. The guiding structures 25 prevent the end part 8 from moving outside the axial slidability relative to the basic part 6, which promotes ease of use and reliable functioning of the cylinder lock assembly 1.

[0038] In an embodiment, the axial slidability of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6 provides an axial sliding range L3 of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 6 mm, more preferably at least 7 mm, still more preferably at least 8 mm, for example about 9 mm. This provides as an advantage that the axial length LI of the housing assembly 4 can be adapted for use in doors having substantially all possible different thicknesses within a range of thicknesses corresponding in size to the axial sliding range.

[0039] In an embodiment, the cylinder lock assembly 1 comprises an operating element 24 which is axially slidably yet non-rotatably connected with the cylinder 2 for operation of the cylinder lock assembly 1 via the operating element 24 from the axial side of the housing assembly 4 where the end part 8 is, independently of the axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6. An operating element 24 which is axially slidably yet non-rotatably connected with the cylinder 2 can advantageously prevent a length adaptation to the cylinder 2 and / or the operating element 24 being necessary for operation of the cylinder lock assembly 1 via the operating element 24. In this example, the operating element 24 is positioned radially within the cylinder 2.

[0040] In an embodiment, the cylinder lock assembly 1 comprises a biasing element 26 which is configured to axially bias the operating element 24 relative to the cylinder 2 towards the axial side of the housing assembly 4 where the end part 8 is. Due to the bias of the operating element 24 relative to the cylinder 2, the operating element 24 is brought to an easily attainable axial position relative to the end part 8, for operation of the cylinder lock assembly 1 via the operating element 24, in particular irrespective of the axial shift of the end part 8.

[0041] In an embodiment, the biasing element 26 is further configured for, via the operating element 24, biasing the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6 in an axial direction corresponding to an increase of the axial length LI of the housing assembly 4. As mentioned elsewhere herein, such a bias can, for instance together with a limitation imposed by the setting means 16, effectively determine the axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part. In that regard, the biasing element 26 can advantageously fulfill a double biasing function of, on the one hand, biasing the operating element 24 itself and, on the other hand, biasing the end part 8 via the operating element 24.

[0042] In an embodiment, the operating element 24 and the end part 8 are configured to axially engage with each other to limit the mutual axial positions of the operating element 24 and the end part 8 at least one-sidedly, in particular to hinder the operating element 24 from getting detached and / or extending beyond a predetermined axial distance outside the housing assembly 4. The operating element 24 in this example comprises one or more limiting surfaces 27. The end part 8 in this example comprises a ringshaped limiting edge 29 which extends radially inward on the corresponding axial side of the end part 8. The one or more limiting surfaces 27 are configured to engage the limiting edge 29. The operating element 24 may thus, for instance, extend to a predetermined axial distance outside the housing assembly 4. This provides as an advantage that the operating element 24 can be engaged, for instance by an operating device 40 as mentioned elsewhere herein, for operation via the part that projects from the housing assembly 4, and that the cylinder lock assembly 1 can thereby be operated.

[0043] In an embodiment, the biasing element 26 is arranged in the cylinder 2, in particular between a wall of the cylinder 2 and the operating element 24. Due to the biasing element 26 being arranged in the cylinder 2, the cylinder lock assembly 1 can be of relatively compact design. The wall of the cylinder 2 mentioned is preferably a wall extending transversely to the cylinder axis C.

[0044] In an embodiment, the axial slidability of the end part relative to the basic part is selectively blockable, for instance by tightening a blocking screw (not shown) countersunk in the end part in a direction transverse to the cylinder axis, such that the blocking screw fixingly engages the basic part. Thus, if so desired, it can be counteracted that the axial length of the housing assembly can still be reduced while the cylinder lock assembly is installed. At the same time, the stepless variability of the axial length prior to installation is preserved.

[0045] In an embodiment, the cylinder lock assembly 1 comprises a cam 12 which is provided on an axial side of the basic part 6 opposite with respect to the end part 8, while the cylinder lock assembly 1 is configured for rotation coupling between the cylinder 2 and the cam 12. This provides the possibility, with the cylinder lock assembly 1, to unlock and lock a bolt of a lock with the help of the cam 12.

[0046] In an embodiment, the cam 12 is non-rotatably coupled with the cylinder 2. The non-rotatable coupling between the cylinder 2 and the cam 12 increases the robustness and eases the installation of the cylinder lock assembly 1. Moreover, in this way a coupled operating device 40, if present, can detect, via the cylinder 2 and the operating element 24, that the cam rotates, for instance as a result of operation via the optional further cylinder 44.

[0047] In an embodiment, the cylinder lock assembly 1 comprises a connecting pin 28 which extends transversely to the axial direction C through both the cylinder 2 and the cam 12 so as to fix the cylinder 2 and the cam 12 relative to each other. The broken line in Fig. 2A indicates that the connecting pin 28 can be displaced from the position shown, along this line to a fitting receiving space in the cam 12 and the cylinder 2. In cooperation with the receiving space mentioned, the connecting pin 28 prevents movement of the cylinder 2 relative to the cam 12, and vice versa.

[0048] Furthermore, as for instance shown in Figure 4C, the invention provides a combination of a cylinder lock assembly 1 as herein described and at least one addition assembly 32 connectable with the cylinder lock assembly 1 and configured for forming an axial addition to the cylinder lock assembly 1 on an axial side where the end part 8 is. The addition assembly 32 of Fig. 4C is separately shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. Each addition assembly 32 comprises a housing addition part 34, connectable with the end part 8, for forming an axial addition to the end part 8. Each addition assembly 32 further comprises an operating element addition part 36, connectable with the operating element 24, for forming an axial addition to the operating element 24. The operating element addition part 36 is rotatably received in the housing addition part 34, preferably such that the operating element addition part 36 has a fixed axial position relative to the housing addition part 34. With the help of the at least one addition assembly 32 for the cylinder lock assembly 1, it is possible, in a simple manner, for the axial length of a cylinder lock comprising the cylinder lock assembly 1 to be further increased, in particular by a fixed supplementary length L2 as a supplement to the steplessly variable length LI. The fixed supplementary length L2 of such an addition assembly 32 can be, for example, 10 mm or 20 mm. The desired axial length for the cylinder lock to be formed can be composed by connecting at least one addition assembly 32 of a suitable length with the cylinder lock assembly 1, and by, as far as necessary, steplessly setting the axial length of the cylinder lock assembly 1, so that the length of the new combination corresponds to the length of the cylinder lock to be replaced, and / or, for instance, to the thickness of the door in which the cylinder lock is placed. Thus, a stepless adaptation of the axial length remains possible while advantageously the range of possible axial lengths is increased. Although each addition assembly 32 will typically have a fixed length L2, it is possible that multiple addition assemblies of different lengths are furnished, which, moreover, may possibly be axially linked together, so that a particularly great range of possible lengths becomes possible while nonetheless stepless adjustment can remain possible within a large part of the range or even the whole range. Further effects and advantages of the combination of the cylinder lock assembly 1 and at least one addition assembly 32 have already been described in the summary and these effects and advantages are understood to be inserted here by citation.

[0049] In an embodiment, where the setting means 16 is, for example, a set screw 22, in the housing addition part 34 a through axial opening 38 is formed, through which the set screw 22 can extend so as to connect the housing addition part 34 with the end part 8 and the basic part 6. In the end part 8 itself, preferably, a corresponding through opening is formed, as will be clear with reference to Figures 1A and IB. A set screw 22 in combination with a through axial opening 38 and a screw thread 18 makes the setting of the axial position of the end part 8 relative to the basic part 6, also with addition of an addition assembly 32, simple to carry out for the user.

[0050] In an embodiment, the at least one addition assembly 32 is connected with the cylinder lock assembly 1 to form the axial addition to the cylinder lock assembly 1. The connection of the at least one addition assembly 32 with the cylinder lock assembly 1 ensures that the axial length of a cylinder lock comprising the combination of the cylinder lock assembly 1 and the addition assembly 32 is increased. This makes the combination of the cylinder lock assembly 1 and the addition assembly 32 suitable for application in doors having greater thicknesses. Connecting the addition assembly 32 with the cylinder lock assembly 1 ensures that the combination can thereupon be simply positioned in the door.

[0051] As shown, for example, in Figure 3B, the invention further provides a combination of a cylinder lock assembly 1 as herein described and an operating device 40 for automated operation of the cylinder lock assembly 1. The operating device 40 in this example is couplable with the operating element 24 by means of a coupling piece 42, see also Figure 3A, which can be placed between the operating device 40 and the operating element 24. The coupling piece 42 in this example has an opening through which the set screw 22 can extend and a further opening through which the operating element 24 and possibly the end part 8 can extend. During mounting, the coupling piece 42 can be positioned relative to the cylinder lock assembly 1 by turning the screw 22 in the screw thread 18, while the coupling piece 42 can preferably abut an outer surface of the door 46 or a door fitting 48 if present on the door 46. After the coupling piece 42 has been positioned, the operating device 40 can be connected with the operating element 24 and the coupling piece 42. The operating device 40 comprises, for example, a motor for rotation drive of the coupled operating element 24, and a communication unit for wireless communication with a smartphone or other electronic device for electronic authentication. It is also possible that the operating device 40 is manually operable, for instance by rotating an operating knob thereof by hand. The operating device 40 may then, for instance, be substantially or wholly formed by an operating knob which during use is non-rotatably coupled with the operating element 24.

[0052] Furthermore, the invention provides a combination of a cylinder lock assembly 1, an addition assembly 32 and an operating device 40 as described. The combination of a cylinder lock assembly 1, an addition assembly 32 and an operating device 40 brings corresponding advantages with it.

[0053] While the invention has been explained herein on the basis of examples and embodiments, these do not constitute any limitation of scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Thus, a single cylinder lock assembly may for instance be one-sidedly or two-sidedly adaptable in length, where two-sided adaptability can make a greater adaptation range without use of an addition assembly possible and, moreover, can increase the possibilities for positioning of the cam. Further, as an alternative to the example shown, it is for instance possible that the cylinder lock assembly is physically operable only from one axial end, while operation from the other side is then, for instance, exclusively electronically possible by wireless communication with an operating device that can operate the cylinder lock assembly physically. Thus, many variations, combinations and elaborations are possible within the scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

[0054] LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0055] 1 - cylinder lock assembly

[0056] 2 - cylinder

[0057] 4 - housing assembly

[0058] 6 - basic part

[0059] 8 - end part

[0060] 10 - bridge

[0061] 12 - cam

[0062] 14 - stepless setting structure

[0063] 16 - setting means

[0064] 18 - screw thread of stepless setting structure

[0065] 20 - screw thread of setting means

[0066] 22 - set screw

[0067] 24 - operating element

[0068] 25 - guiding structures

[0069] 26 - biasing element

[0070] 27 - limiting surface

[0071] 28 - connecting pin

[0072] 29 - limiting edge

[0073] 30 - further housing assembly

[0074] 32 - addition assembly

[0075] 34 - housing addition part

[0076] 36 - operating element addition part

[0077] 38 - through axial opening in housing addition part

[0078] 40 - operating device

[0079] 42 - coupling piece between operating device and operating element

[0080] 44 - further cylinder

[0081] 46 - door

[0082] 48 - door fitting(s) 50 - limiting pin

[0083] 52 - guiding slot

[0084] LI - axial length of the housing assembly

[0085] L2 - axial length of the housing addition part L3 - axial sliding range

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cylinder lock assembly, comprising: a cylinder having a cylinder axis which defines an axial direction; and a housing assembly in which the cylinder is rotatably received, comprising a basic part which extends axially and an end part which is at an axial end of the basic part, wherein an axial length of the housing assembly depends on an axial position of the end part relative to the basic part, wherein the end part is axially slidably connected with the basic part to be able to steplessly vary the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part, and hence the axial length of the housing assembly, wherein the cylinder is accessible from an axial side of the housing assembly where the end part is, for operation of the cylinder lock assembly, independently of the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part.

2. A cylinder lock assembly according to claim 1, configured such that the cylinder has a fixed axial position relative to the basic part.

3. A cylinder lock assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the axial slidability of the end part relative to the basic part is limited such that always at least a part of the cylinder extends axially in the end part.

4. A cylinder lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a stepless setting structure configured for cooperation with a setting means for steplessly settable limitation of the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part.

5. A cylinder lock assembly according to claim 4, wherein the stepless setting structure is or comprises screw thread for cooperation with screw thread of the setting means, wherein the setting means is, for example, a set screw.

6. A cylinder lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylinder lock assembly comprises guiding structures which at least jointly are configured to limit movability of the end part relative to the basic part to the axial slidability.

7. A cylinder lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial slidability of the end part relative to the basic part provides an axial sliding range of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 6 mm, more preferably at least 7 mm, still more preferably at least 8 mm, for example about 9 mm.

8. A cylinder lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an operating element which is axially slidably yet non-rotatably connected with the cylinder, for operation of the cylinder lock assembly via the operating element from the axial side of the housing assembly where the end part is, independently of the axial position of the end part relative to the basic part.

9. A cylinder lock assembly according to claim 8, comprising a biasing element which is configured to axially bias the operating element relative to the cylinder towards the axial side of the housing assembly where the end part is.

10. A cylinder lock assembly according to claim 9, wherein the biasing element is further configured for, via the operating element, biasing the endpart relative to the basic part in an axial direction corresponding to an increase of the axial length of the housing assembly.

11. A cylinder lock assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the operating element and the end part are configured to axially engage with each other to limit the mutual axial positions of the operating element and the end part at least one-sidedly, in particular to hinder the operating element getting detached and / or extending beyond a predetermined axial distance outside the housing assembly.

12. A cylinder lock assembly according to any one of claims 9 - 11, wherein the biasing element is arranged in the cylinder, in particular between a wall of the cylinder and the operating element.

13. A cylinder lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cam which is provided on an axial side of the basic part opposite with respect to the end part, wherein the cylinder lock assembly is configured for rotation coupling between the cylinder and the cam.

14. A cylinder lock assembly according to claim 13, wherein the cam is non-rotatably coupled with the cylinder.

15. A cylinder lock assembly according to claim 14, comprising a connecting pin which extends transversely to the axial direction, through both the cylinder and the cam so as to fix the cylinder and the cam relative to each other.

16. A combination of a cylinder lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one addition assembly connectable with the cylinder lock assembly, configured for forming an axial addition to thecylinder lock assembly on an axial side where the end part is, wherein each addition assembly comprises: a housing addition part connectable with the end part, for forming an axial addition to the end part; and an operating element addition part connectable with the operating element, for forming an axial addition to the operating element, wherein the operating element addition part is rotatably received in the housing addition part, preferably such that the operating element addition part has a fixed axial position relative to the housing addition part.

17. A combination according to claim 16 when depending on claim 5, wherein the setting means is a set screw, wherein in the housing addition part a through axial opening is formed through which the set screw can extend so as to connect the housing addition part with the end part.

18. A combination according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the at least one addition assembly is connected with the cylinder lock assembly to form the axial addition to the cylinder lock assembly.

19. A combination of a cylinder lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 15 and an operating device for operation of the cylinder lock assembly, wherein the operating device is couplable with the operating element and optionally comprises a motor for automated rotation drive of the coupled operating element.

20. A combination according to claim 19, comprising a combination according to any one of claims 16 - 18.