Modular locks

Abstract

A modular lock (1) comprising at least one control unit (2) controlled by a corresponding key (A) and consisting of a stator (3) and a rotor (4); the rotor (4) being provided with a slot (5) of a shape and size complementary to that of the key (A) and provided with at least one movable pin (6) movable in a substantially radial channel also extending into the stator (3), the pin (6) being suitable for coupling / decoupling the stator (3) and the rotor (4) to each other. The unit (2) comprises at least one block (7) functionally associated with the rotor (4) and suitable for mechanically actuating a sliding bolt controlled by the lock (1). The base of at least one unit (2) comprises a longitudinal through hole (8), and the base of the block (7) comprises a threaded longitudinal cylindrical channel (9): in the assembled configuration, the hole (8) and the channel (9) are aligned and accommodate a lag screw (10) which engages on the thread of the channel (9) for mutually clamping the at least one unit (2) and the block (7). At least one spacing element (11) is inserted between the at least one control unit (2) and the block (7), the spacing element (11) being provided with a longitudinal through conduit (12) at its base and being provided with an idle lock cylinder (13) aligned with the rotor (3), the idle lock cylinder (13) being provided with means for coupling to the rotor (3) for transmitting the rotational movement of the rotor (3) to the movable element of the block (7) in order to mechanically actuate a sliding bolt controlled by the lock (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular lock, in particular to a lock comprising a modular lock cylinder. Background Art

[0002] Each lock is designed to be installed on a door or door leaf of a specific thickness.

[0003] Therefore, a specialized lock is required for the specific thickness of the door being installed.

[0004] To overcome this drawback and avoid the situation where specific locks have to be created based on the infinite number of thicknesses a door may have, some specific thicknesses have been standardized which door and door leaf manufacturers must adopt in order to be able to install locks that comply with them.

[0005] In this manner, each lock manufacturer would only need to produce products that meet the standards set forth in the specification reference.

[0006] An important part of every lock is the cylinder, the part that opens or closes the door or door leaf, usually activated by a key.

[0007] Obviously, each lock cylinder will be designed for a specific thickness of door or door leaf, according to its dimensions and according to any transmission and coupling elements interposed between the lock cylinder itself and the entire lock when they are mounted on such door or door leaf.

[0008] Some manufacturers are known to use locks and / or lock cylinders comprising removable extension components that are inserted between the movable parts of the mechanism and are suitable for deviating the mechanical movement.

[0009] By using these extension components, which have variable thickness, the lock and the lock cylinder can be adapted to a variety of different thicknesses, which are usually selected from the standard thicknesses.

[0010] The extension assembly in turn consists of a plurality of components (some of which are adapted to be coupled to a fixed part of the cylinder / lock and others to be coupled to a moving part).

[0011] Therefore, when a locksmith installs the lock (and the corresponding lock cylinder) on a door or door leaf, he needs to verify the thickness of the door leaf / door and assemble the most suitable extension assembly. At this point, the extension assembly can be inserted between the adjacent parts of the lock cylinder in order to adapt their length to the installation requirements.

[0012] Putting components together can be a complicated matter for a locksmith, especially when it needs to be done directly at the installation location.

[0013] The components of the assembly are small and numerous, and assembly can only be simplified by using special tools and working on a special workbench.

[0014] This condition is difficult to meet in the installation location, so that the assembly operation is, in practice, often rather long and complicated.

[0015] Furthermore, the various parts are usually locked in place using pins inserted in suitable dedicated holes on each part: it is therefore obvious that if high thicknesses need to be manufactured (hence using many aligned parts), very small machining errors may determine the misalignment of certain holes, thus making the insertion of the pins considerably complicated.

[0016] Furthermore, conventional solutions still require the use of at least one component (the component to which the other components will be fixed using pins or other equivalent elements) of the desired overall length.

[0017] This means that such specialized parts will still need to be available in multiple forms, which will need to be warehoused and managed, creating problems of a logistical and supply nature for manufacturers. Summary of the invention

[0018] The object of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks by providing a modular lock which is easy to install.

[0019] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a modular lock comprising commercially available components.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular lock that is reconfigurable.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular lock that is resistant to forced attempts by removing the lock.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular lock consisting of a small number of parts.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular lock which has virtually no gaps between the various assembled components and is therefore more robust and strong.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular lock which is low-cost, easy to implement in practice and safe to use.

[0025] This object, as well as these and other objects which will become clearer hereinafter, are achieved by a modular lock comprising at least one control unit controlled by a corresponding key and consisting of a stator and a rotor, said rotor being provided with a slot having a shape and dimensions complementary to those of said key and being provided with at least one movable pin movable in a substantially radial channel also extending into the stator, said pin being suitable for coupling or decoupling the stator and the rotor from each other and comprising at least one bit functionally associated with said rotor and suitable for mechanically actuating a sliding bolt controlled by said lock, characterized in that:

[0026] - the base of at least one of the units comprises a longitudinal through hole and the base of the block comprises a threaded longitudinal cylindrical channel, wherein, in the assembled configuration, the hole and the channel are aligned and accommodate a lag screw engaging on the thread of the channel for mutually clamping at least one of the units and the block;

[0027] At least one spacer element is inserted between said at least one control unit and said block, said spacer element being provided with a longitudinal through-duct at its base and with an idle lock cylinder aligned with said rotor, said idle lock cylinder being provided with means for coupling to the rotor for transmitting the rotational movement of said rotor to the movable element of said block in order to mechanically actuate a sliding bolt controlled by said lock. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a modular lock according to the invention, which embodiment is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a modular lock according to the present invention with a corresponding key inserted;

[0030] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Perspective section view of the lock and key taken along the midsagittal plane;

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Exploded perspective cross-section of the lock and key taken along the midsagittal plane;

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of another modular lock according to the present invention with a corresponding key inserted;

[0033] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Perspective cross-sectional view of the lock and key taken along the midsagittal plane;

[0034] Figure 6 yes Figure 4Exploded perspective cross-section of the lock and key taken along the midsagittal plane;

[0035] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 Exploded perspective view of the lock and key;

[0036] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 Another exploded perspective view of the lock and key;

[0037] Fig. 9 yes Figure 4 Another exploded perspective view of the lock and key. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] With particular reference to the drawings, reference numeral 1 generally designates a modular lock according to the present invention, and letter A generally designates a corresponding key.

[0039] The modular lock 1 comprises at least one control unit 2 which is controlled by a corresponding key A.

[0040] Each control unit 2 is composed of a stator 3 and a rotor 4 .

[0041] The rotor 4 is provided with a slot 5 of shape and size complementary to those of the key A and with at least one movable pin 6 movable in a substantially radial channel which also extends into the stator 3 .

[0042] The pin 6 is adapted to couple and decouple the stator 3 and the rotor 4 to each other.

[0043] The lock 1 according to the invention also comprises at least one block 7 functionally associated with the rotor 4 and suitable for mechanically actuating a sliding bolt controlled by the lock 1 .

[0044] In particular, rotor 4 will comprise an end intended to be coupled to mass 7 , which end will be able to transmit the rotational movement of rotor 4 (transmitted by the user through key A) to mass 7 .

[0045] According to the invention, the base of at least one unit 2 will advantageously comprise a longitudinal through hole 8 , and the base of the block 7 will conveniently comprise a threaded longitudinal cylindrical channel 9 .

[0046] In the assembled configuration, the hole 8 and the channel 9 will be aligned and will house a lag screw 10 engaging on the thread of the channel 9 (more precisely, screwed into the channel 9 itself) for clamping at least one unit 2 and block 7 to each other.

[0047] In practice, tightening by tightening the screws 10 , by means of corresponding lag screws 10 , will make it possible to fit each unit 2 with the face of a corresponding block 7 , which will ensure that the amount of play between the various components of the lock 1 according to the invention is minimized.

[0048] It should also be noted that according to the invention, between at least one control unit 2 and the corresponding block 7, at least one spacing element 11 can be reliably inserted, which spacing element 11 is provided with a longitudinal through-duct 12 at its base and is provided with an idle lock cylinder 13, which is aligned with the rotor 3 and is provided with means connected to the rotor 3 for transmitting the rotational movement of the rotor 3 to the movable element 14 of the block 7, so as to mechanically actuate the sliding bolt controlled by the lock 1.

[0049] The presence of the spacing element 11 is optional and would be necessary if the length of the lock 1 needed to be varied in order to adapt it to the thickness of the door leaf in which it has to be installed.

[0050] The spacing element 11 will have a thickness corresponding to the necessary increase in length to adapt the lock 1 to a variety of different commercial standards covering the majority of possible door leaf installations.

[0051] It should be noted that at least one control unit 2 will advantageously include a profile on its front 15 , situated opposite the front defined by the slot 5 for housing the key A.

[0052] The block 7 will also advantageously comprise, on the face 16 , a complementary profile matching the shape of the front portion 15 of the unit 2 , being intended to be juxtaposed with the same front portion 15 .

[0053] The fact that the front portion 15 and the face 16 have complementary shapes and dimensions will facilitate the stability of their coupling and will further complicate any sabotage attempts involving the extraction or removal of the unit 2 from the mounted lock 1 by means of pliers, clamps and similar tools. In fact, reducing the amount of play between the various components of the lock 1 will hinder this type of break-in attack.

[0054] With particular reference to an embodiment that is undoubtedly of practical and application interest, the spacing element 11 may advantageously comprise, on its starting face 17, a complementary profile matching that of the front portion 15 of at least one unit 2, so as to be juxtaposed substantially without a gap with the front portion 15. Similarly, the spacing element 11 will reliably comprise, on its terminal face 18, a profile matching that of the complementary profile of the face 16 of the block 7, so as to be juxtaposed substantially without a gap with the face 16.

[0055] In this way, even if one or more spacing elements 11 are required in the mounting configuration of the lock 1, a stable and essentially play-free connection between all the components constituting the lock 1 will be ensured, making the lock 1 less susceptible to external attacks intended to break in by vandalism.

[0056] It should also be noted that the lock 1 according to the invention may effectively comprise a closing plug 19 for each control unit 2 .

[0057] The closing plug 19 will be insertable in the hole 8 of the unit 2 , upstream of the head 20 of the corresponding lag screw 10 .

[0058] The plug 19 will be effectively locked in the hole 8 by a method selected from transverse pins 21, tabs, splines, cotter pins, rivets, threaded grub screws, interference, etc.

[0059] For non-limiting illustrative purposes only, the figures illustrate the use of a transverse pin 21 to lock the plug 19 in place.

[0060] It should also be noted that the spacing element 11 may advantageously comprise a longitudinal through-going orifice 22 above the longitudinal through-going duct 12 .

[0061] Similarly, the control unit 2 may conveniently comprise a threaded longitudinal groove 23 above the longitudinal through hole 8 and aligned with the longitudinal through-aperture 22 of the element 11 in the configuration of use.

[0062] The auxiliary screw 24 will be securely received in the longitudinal through-opening 22 and screwed into the threaded longitudinal groove 23 .

[0063] This additional fastening of the spacing element 11 on the corresponding unit 2 will make the lock 1 according to the invention even more compact and robust, further reducing the risk of attempts at breaking using pliers, clamps and other similar tools.

[0064] The at least one control unit 2 will conveniently comprise a plurality of substantially radial channels of the stator 3 and the rotor 4 which are mutually offset in radial direction and / or in longitudinal direction relative to the lock 1 .

[0065] The construction thus described would be a lock 1 of radial coding type (in Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The features of the lock 1 according to the invention will allow a high degree of installation versatility, since the lock 1 can be installed in door leaves and doors of substantially any thickness simply by replacing, inserting or removing the spacing element 11.

[0066] Alternatively, it should be noted that at least one control unit 2 may advantageously comprise a plurality of substantially radial channels of the stator 3 and the rotor 4, which also extend to the base of the unit 2, above the longitudinal hole 8. These channels will be mutually offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the lock 1.

[0067] On the other hand, the construction in the previous paragraph is a lock 1 with a traditional coding type (in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3The features of the lock 1 according to the invention will allow a high degree of installation versatility, since the lock 1 can be installed in door leaves and doors of substantially any thickness simply by replacing, inserting or removing the spacing element 11.

[0068] It should be noted that the lag screw 10 may conveniently include a head 20 having a larger diameter than the threaded shank 20a.

[0069] The through hole 8 of the unit 2 will comprise a first section 25 with a diameter greater than that of the head 20 for free passage of the head 20 , and a second section 26 with a diameter greater than that of the rod 20 a and less than that of the head 20 .

[0070] Thus, during tightening of the screw 10 on the thread of the cylindrical passage 9 of the block 7 , an abutment lip for the head 20 will be defined between the first section 25 and the second section 26 .

[0071] Similarly, the auxiliary screw 24 will include a head 27 having a diameter greater than that of the threaded rod 28; in this case, the longitudinal through-hole 22 of the spacer element 11 will include a first portion 29 having a diameter greater than that of the head 27, serving as a free passage for the head 27, and a second portion 30 having a diameter greater than that of the rod 28 and less than that of the head 27.

[0072] During tightening of the auxiliary screw 24 on the thread of the unit 2 , a shoulder surface for the head 27 is defined between the first portion 29 and the second portion 30 of the opening 22 .

[0073] The abutment lip and the shoulder surface will ensure tightening of the corresponding screws 10 and 24 to result in a stable clamping fixation of the parts of the lock 1 relative to each other.

[0074] It should be noted that from the perspective of application of the present invention, the number of the spacing element 11 can be multiple.

[0075] Such elements 11 may have different thicknesses and may be stacked on top of one another in order to increase the length of lock 1 by a value corresponding to any combination of these elements 11 .

[0076] In order to ensure that the movement is effectively transmitted from the rotor of unit 2 to the movable element of block 7, there is the possibility of using an extension 31 whose profile cooperates with the two previously mentioned parts at the front. The extension 31 is part of the movable lock cylinder 13, although it can be physically separated from the movable lock cylinder 13 or integrated into the movable lock cylinder 13.

[0077] The operation of the lock according to the invention is simple: at the time of installation, the necessary length will be selected and, by installing a specific type of spacing elements 11 or an appropriate number of spacing elements 11 aligned and stacked with each other, the most suitable lock 1 can be assembled. First, the screws 24 will be tightened to connect the spacing elements 11 to the units 2; subsequently, the screws 10 will be screwed in to connect the units 2 (at least one of which will already be associated with at least one spacing element 11) to the block 7.

[0078] Finally, the plugs 19 must be inserted into the holes 8 , locking them in place, for example, by means of the pins 21 .

[0079] If the lock 1 needs to be disassembled in order to reconstruct it (adjust its overall length by replacing, adding and / or removing at least one element 11), the locksmith will continue the disassembly operations (in the reverse order of the previously described order) and then appropriately reassemble the necessary parts.

[0080] The present invention advantageously solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a modular lock 1 that is easy to install.

[0081] Conveniently, modular lock 1 comprises commercial components: in fact, screws 10 and 24 may be of commercial type, so that their procurement is easy and their cost is low.

[0082] Usefully, the modular lock 1 is reconfigurable and can therefore be removed from one door leaf and mounted on a door leaf of different thickness by intervening (adding, removing, replacing) at least one spacing element 11 present.

[0083] Advantageously, modular lock 1 is particularly resistant to attempts at forced entry by pulling out the lock, since the minimized amount of play between the various modules (components) that make it up hinders forced entry from the outside using pliers, clamps, extractors and other similar tools.

[0084] Advantageously, the modular lock 1 consists of a small number of components, which ensures its high stability, robustness and compactness, and keeps the costs of providing the modular lock 1 under control.

[0085] Usefully, the modular lock 1 has virtually no gaps between the various assembled components and is therefore stronger and more secure.

[0086] Positively, the modular lock 1 is easy and practical to implement and has low costs: these characteristics make the lock 1 according to the invention an innovation that is safe to use.

[0087] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0088] In the illustrated embodiments, individual characteristics shown in relation to a specific example may in reality be interchanged with other different characteristics existing in other embodiments.

[0089] In practice, the materials used as well as the dimensions may be any according to requirements and the state of the art.

[0090] In case the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and / or signs, those reference numerals and / or signs have been included solely for the purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and therefore such reference numerals and / or signs do not have any restrictive effect on the understanding of each element identified by way of example through such reference numerals and / or signs.

Claims

1. A modular lock comprising at least one control unit (2), said control unit (2) being controlled by a corresponding key (A), and said control unit (2) being constituted by a stator (3) and a rotor (4), said rotor (4) being provided with a slot (5) of a shape and size complementary to that of said key (A), and being provided with at least one movable pin (6), said pin (6) being movable in a substantially radial channel also extending into said stator (3), said pin (6) being suitable for coupling / decoupling said stator (3) and said rotor (4) with each other, and said control unit (2) comprising at least one block (7) functionally associated with said rotor (4) and suitable for mechanically actuating a sliding bolt controlled by said modular lock (1), characterised in that: - the base of the at least one control unit (2) comprises a longitudinal through hole (8), and the base of the block (7) comprises a threaded longitudinal cylindrical channel (9), wherein in the assembled configuration, the longitudinal through hole (8) and the threaded longitudinal cylindrical channel (9) are aligned and accommodate a lag screw (10) which engages on the thread of the threaded longitudinal cylindrical channel (9) for clamping the at least one control unit (2) and the block (7) to each other; At least one spacing element (11) is inserted between the at least one control unit (2) and the block (7), the spacing element (11) being provided with a longitudinal through-duct (12) at its base and with an idle lock cylinder (13) aligned with the rotor (4), the idle lock cylinder (13) being provided with means for coupling to the rotor (4) for transmitting the rotational movement of the rotor (4) to the movable element of the block (7) in order to mechanically actuate the sliding bolt controlled by the modular lock (1).

2. The modular lock according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one control unit (2) comprises a profile on its front (15), said front (15) being opposite to the front of said slot (5) defining said key (A), and said block (7) comprises, on a face (16) intended to be juxtaposed with said front (15), a complementary profile matching the shape of said front (15) of said control unit (2).

3. The modular lock according to claim 2, characterized in that The spacer element (11) comprises, on its starting face (17), a complementary profile matching the profile of the at least one control unit (2) so as to be juxtaposed with the profile of the at least one control unit (2) substantially without a gap, and comprises, on its terminal face (18), a profile matching the complementary profile of the block (7) so as to be juxtaposed with the complementary profile of the block (7) substantially without a gap.

4. The modular lock according to claim 1, characterized in that For each control unit (2), the modular lock comprises a closing plug (19) which can be inserted into the corresponding longitudinal through hole (8) upstream of the head (20) of the corresponding lag screw (10), the closing plug (19) being locked in the longitudinal through hole (8) by a method selected from a transverse pin (21), a tab, a spline, a cotter pin, a rivet, a threaded grub screw, interference.

5. The modular lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the spacer element (11) comprises a longitudinal through-hole (22) above the longitudinal through-duct (12), The control unit (2) comprises a threaded longitudinal groove (23) above the longitudinal through hole (8) and aligned with the longitudinal through hole (22) of the spacing element (11) in the use configuration, an auxiliary screw (24) being received in the longitudinal through hole (22) and screwed into the threaded longitudinal groove (23).

6. The modular lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one control unit (2) comprises a plurality of said substantially radial channels of said stator (3) and said rotor (4), said plurality of said substantially radial channels being mutually offset in a radial direction and / or in a longitudinal direction relative to said modular lock (1).

7. The modular lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one control unit (2) comprises a plurality of said substantially radial channels of said stator (3) and said rotor (4), said plurality of said substantially radial channels also extending to said base of said control unit (2), above said longitudinal through hole (8), said plurality of said substantially radial channels being mutually offset in a longitudinal direction relative to said modular lock (1).

8. The modular lock according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The lag screw (10) comprises a head (20) having a diameter greater than the diameter of a threaded shank (20a) of the lag screw (10), the longitudinal through hole (8) of the control unit (2) comprising a first section (25) having a diameter greater than the diameter of the head (20) of the lag screw (10) to provide free passage for the head (20) of the lag screw (10), and a second section (26) having a diameter greater than the diameter of the threaded shank (20a) of the lag screw (10) and less than the diameter of the head (20) of the lag screw (10), an abutment lip being defined between the first section (25) and the second section (26) for the head (20) of the lag screw (10) during tightening of the lag screw (10) onto the threads of the base of the block (7).

9. The modular lock according to claim 5, characterized in that The auxiliary screw (24) comprises a head (27) having a diameter greater than the diameter of the threaded shank (28) of the auxiliary screw (24), the longitudinal through-hole (22) of the spacer element (11) comprising a first portion (29) having a diameter greater than the diameter of the head (27) of the auxiliary screw (24) to provide free passage for the head (27) of the auxiliary screw (24), and a second portion (30) having a diameter greater than the diameter of the threaded shank (28) of the auxiliary screw (24) and less than the diameter of the head (27) of the auxiliary screw (24), a shoulder surface being defined between the first portion (29) and the second portion (30) for the head (20) of the auxiliary screw (24) during tightening of the auxiliary screw (24) onto the thread of the block (7).

10. The modular lock according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The spacer elements (11) are in plural, have different thicknesses, and are stackable so as to increase the length of the modular lock (1) by a value corresponding to any combination of the spacer elements (11).

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