Key blank, coded key, and cylinder lock and key system with improved locking arrangement

Abstract

A substantially flat key edge extends from the grip portion along a longitudinal axis and includes a connecting portion abutting the grip portion, a main longitudinal bite portion provided with a row of coded cuts, and a free tip portion. The connecting portion of the key edge is provided with a first selectable abutment surface facing the forward direction. The first abutment surface is formed as a forward end surface of a longitudinal rib portion located on a lateral side of the upper relatively narrower portion of the key edge, the vertical level of which is located in the vertical extent of the snap-in portion of the key edge, the longitudinal rib portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the key edge and being longitudinally confined to the connecting portion of the key edge, the longitudinal rib portion being located in the vertical extent of the snap-in portion of the key edge. And is limited in the boundary line of the rectangle of the key blank or slightly exceeds the rectangle in the transverse direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a key blank having a gripping portion for facilitating the insertion of a substantially flat key blade in an advancing direction along a longitudinal axis and the extraction of the substantially flat key blade in a retreating direction and also for rotating the substantially flat key blade so as to rotate it about the longitudinal axis. The substantially flat key blade extends from the gripping portion along the longitudinal axis and comprises, as seen in the advancing direction, a connecting portion adjoining the gripping portion, a main longitudinal engaging portion to be provided with a row of coding cutouts and a free tip portion. The cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blade is confined within a rectangle, the height of which is at least 2.5 times its width. The cross-sectional profile comprises a lower relatively wide portion having a maximum width substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the width of the rectangle, the maximum width being 75% to 100% of the width of the rectangle, an upper relatively narrow portion narrower than the lower portion and possibly an interconnecting portion extending between the lower and upper portions. The connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade is provided with a first selectable abutment surface facing in the advancing direction.

[0002] The invention also includes a key blank having a coded engaging portion to form a coded key and a cylinder lock and key system including a coded key and an associated lock having a key socket. Background Art

[0003] Key blanks and coded keys are known, for example from European patent specification EP 3,219,882 B1 (ASSA Ltd.). In the embodiment shown in that document, a first stop or abutment surface on each key has a selectable axial position, the first stop or abutment surface cooperating with a second abutment surface on the key socket and being positioned side by side adjacent to each other and equally spaced apart by a stop spacing distance in the respective group of keys, the selectable positions of one group being axially offset relative to at least one other group. Furthermore, the first stop surfaces on the keys are all located on a stepped transition at the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade. In this way, the system security of the cylinder lock and key system is enhanced, since the offset configuration of the axial positions of two adjacent first abutment surfaces is difficult to predict for unauthorized persons who wish to correctly copy the first surfaces in an attempt to copy the key.

[0004] However, since each key (see Figure 1 c. Figure 4a , Figure 7b , Fig.10c , Fig.11c13) is located on the stepped transition at the connecting portion of the key, so the selectable position of the first abutment surface will be limited to a limited longitudinal range within the stepped transition. In addition, the second abutment surface is defined by the bottom wall of the respective recess formed axially in the extension 110 of the socket 104" (see column 10, paragraph 48, lines 2-6). Therefore, the possible variations are limited to a longitudinal range less than the axial length of the extension 110, and will therefore affect the flexibility in selecting a specific pair of positions of two adjacent first and second abutment surfaces on the key and the socket, respectively.

[0005] Purpose of the Invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to achieve an improved stop arrangement which provides a flexible arrangement for stopping a key inserted into a key receptacle of an associated lock in a selectable position.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a more flexible structure of a substantially flat key blank or coding key so that the selectable position of the abutment surface is widely variable within the entire connecting portion between the gripping portion and the biting portion of the substantially flat key blade. Thus, the selectable position should not be limited to a stepped transition. By means of such a more flexible structure, an existing cylinder lock and key system can be updated to add a new, separate key set to the existing system, wherein the new, separate key set comprises at least one lock and key combination that is backwards compatible with the existing system. Alternatively or additionally, it should be possible to create a completely new system comprising sub-groups that are separate from each other or form a hierarchical system with sub-groups of different levels.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a key construction wherein the abutment surface on the key will help strengthen the key, at least for the addition of a new key set, and enable it to resist the considerable torque that may occur when attempting to open a lock with the new key. Summary of the invention

[0009] The above objects are achieved by a key blank and a coded key of the above type, wherein the first abutment surface on the key is formed as a forward end surface of a longitudinal rib portion, the longitudinal rib portion being located laterally on the upper relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade, the vertical plane of which is located within the vertical extent of the bite portion of the substantially flat key blade, the longitudinal rib portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substantially flat key blade and being longitudinally limited to the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade and within the boundary lines of the above rectangle or laterally slightly beyond the above rectangle, the possible lateral extension of which exceeds at most 25% of the width of the rectangle, the longitudinal rib portion having a selectable length measured from the grip portion to the forward end surface of the rib portion, which length is any desired fraction of the length of the connecting portion. The position of the forward end surface of the rib portion forming the first abutment surface on the key can be selected along the entire length of the connecting portion.

[0010] Due to the structure provided by the present invention, in particular the longitudinal rib portions extending along selected portions of the connecting portion at the lateral sides of the upper relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade, great flexibility is obtained in designing individual cylinder lock and key combinations or systems that are backwards compatible with existing systems or in creating entirely new cylinder lock and key systems (which may include various sub-sets of individual cylinder locks and keys or hierarchical systems with different levels of sub-sets). In addition, for the usual connecting portion of a key (generally not exceeding about 10 mm in length), the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal rib portions allows a wide range of possible lengths to be selected, for example 0 to 10 mm for a key blank or coded key, such as for a small format replaceable cylinder type lock.

[0011] Since the rib portion is located within the vertical extent of the bite portion of the substantially flat key blade, it is independent of any possible stepped transition at the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade. Thus, the key may or may not have such a stepped transition. Thus, in the absence of a stepped transition forming the first abutment surface, it will be more difficult for an unauthorized person to accurately determine the length of the key that is expected to be inserted into the associated lock, since it cannot be easily determined where the corresponding second abutment surface of the key socket of the associated lock should be located in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] Advantageously, the longitudinal rib portion is located adjacent the upper edge of the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade at the connection portion of the substantially flat key blade. This will reinforce the relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade adjacent the grip portion, particularly in relation to the torque applied to the grip portion when the grip portion is turned to rotate the key socket of the associated lock. The rib portion being integral with or securely attached to the grip portion will effectively transfer torque from the grip portion to the key socket, particularly in embodiments where the second abutment surface is located in a cavity or recess in the front end portion of the socket, such that the torque is directly transferred to the socket of the associated lock via the wall of the keyhole with minimal stress on the relatively narrow upper portion of the substantially flat key blade.

[0013] The prior art includes published documents in which attempts have been made to minimize the torque transmitted to the key socket during the turning of the key to drive the cylinder lock, for example, see U.S. Patent No. 5,272,895-A (Best Lock Co., Ltd.). In this prior art embodiment, there is a driving shoulder located adjacent to the gripping portion of the key, and the driving shoulder forms a stepped transition at the portion of the blade between the gripping portion and the biting portion of the substantially flat key blade, as shown in Figure 5 of the 895 patent. However, as clearly described in the specification column 4, lines 42-48, "the stop shoulder 56 is formed near the distal end of the blade 14." Therefore, in this case, the driving shoulder 16 for minimizing torque transmission and the stop shoulder 56 used as a stop or abutment surface are separate and far apart from each other. On the other hand, according to the present invention, the longitudinal rib portion serves as both a stop device and a torque minimizing device.

[0014] The longitudinal rib portion may be located on only one lateral side of the upper relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade or may be located on both lateral sides of the upper relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade. As described above, it is located at a vertical level within the vertical extent of the bite portion of the substantially flat key blade. Therefore, it is not located at any shoulder or step-like transition provided at a higher vertical level.

[0015] In case the upper narrower portion of the substantially flat key blade is located near the middle vertical plane of the substantially flat key blade, there may be two rib portions, one on each lateral side of the substantially flat key blade. The selected lengths of the two longitudinal rib portions may then be equal to or different from each other.

[0016] In the case of two longitudinal rib portions, one on each side of the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade, a first rib portion on one lateral side is too short to ensure correct alignment of the code cutout of the key with the central locking pin of the key socket, while a second rib portion on the other lateral side is longer than the first rib portion, the second longer rib portion can serve as an additional abutment surface and replace the first rib portion, thereby ensuring a correct stop of the key when the key reaches the fully inserted position inside the key socket. Such additional abutment surfaces can also be formed in other ways, as will be described below.

[0017] The cross-sectional profile of the upper relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade may be configured in a variety of ways, as will be described below:

[0018] In a first embodiment, the profile of the substantially flat key blade of the key blank (and therefore also the key hole of the key socket) comprises the above-mentioned interconnection between a lower part and an upper part, wherein the substantially vertical portion adjoins one lateral side portion of the lower part, the upper part is substantially centrally located along the middle plane of a rectangle, the profile being confined within said rectangle, and wherein the longitudinal rib portions are located on one or both lateral sides of the upper centrally located portion of the substantially flat key blade at the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade.

[0019] In such an embodiment, the substantially vertical portion of the interconnection may form the inner surface of an undercut groove formed in the lateral side surface of the substantially flat key blade, the lateral width of the substantially vertical portion of the interconnection above the undercut groove being narrower than the lower portion of the substantially flat key blade. Here, the undercut portion of the undercut groove may form the inner side of a security ridge extending upwardly from the lower portion of the substantially flat key blade parallel to the interconnection. The undercut groove may extend vertically downwardly into a groove cavity having opposing side surfaces and a lowermost bottom surface. These opposing side surfaces may be substantially parallel to each other. Possibly, the upper inner portion of the security ridge may be inclined to face upwardly towards the upper portion of the undercut groove, the upper portion of the groove being open in the lateral direction.

[0020] In a second embodiment, the cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blade includes an undercut profile groove on one side of the substantially flat key blade, and the lateral side surfaces located vertically above and below the undercut profile groove will be located substantially in the same vertical plane, with a shelf surface on the opposite side of the substantially flat key blade. In this embodiment, a longitudinal rib portion is located at the connecting portion of the key blade at a lateral side of the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade above the shelf surface.

[0021] In a third embodiment, the cross-sectional profile of the key blank comprises two deep grooves in two opposite lateral side surfaces of the substantially flat key blade, the two deep grooves being located in the interconnection portion of the substantially flat key blade, the depth of the two grooves being greater than half the width of a rectangle in which the substantially flat key blade is confined and the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade is located substantially centrally along the middle plane of the rectangle, and longitudinal rib portions are located on one or both lateral sides of the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade at the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade. Advantageously, when there are two rib portions, one on each side of the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade (even though in other embodiments), the second longitudinal rib portion may be shorter and may also be vertically displaced relative to the first longitudinal rib portion. In this way, there will be a large number of possible variations that will provide significant differences between key blanks within a group or subgroup.

[0022] In a fourth embodiment, the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade is inclined at 3° to 12° relative to the mid-plane of the rectangle within which the cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blade is confined. Such embodiments are disclosed in two other patent applications filed by the same applicant on the same date as the present application, which are respectively related to key blanks and key sockets. As mentioned above, the disclosures of the U.S. patent applications dated herewith are incorporated herein by reference.

[0023] As mentioned above, the present invention also includes a key blank wherein the upper portion of the main longitudinal portion of the substantially flat key blade is provided with a row of coded cutouts to form a coded key.

[0024] The substantially flat key blade may also be provided with an additional coding pattern in the lower part of the main longitudinal portion of the substantially flat key, the additional coding pattern being located on the bottom surface of the groove cavity, the groove cavity being formed in an undercut contour groove between the interconnection portion and the upward security ridge, the additional coding pattern comprising coding concave surfaces at several different vertical levels longitudinally along the longitudinal portion, the coding concave surfaces being at least partially hidden by the security ridge when viewed laterally in a horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical mid-plane of the substantially flat key blade.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention comprises a coding key which is combined with a cylinder lock to form a cylinder lock and key system. Typically, such a cylinder lock and key system may comprise at least one cylinder lock and key combination forming a matching pair, whereby the coding key may release an associated matching cylinder lock. Such a matching pair comprises a coding key and a cylinder lock as described above, the cylinder lock comprising a housing having a cylindrical bore and a key socket, the key socket having a cylindrical main body portion and an adjacent radial widening portion, the cylindrical main body portion being axially connected in the cylindrical bore, the radius of the radial widening portion being greater than the radius of the cylindrical portion. The key socket has a longitudinal key hole extending from a front end portion to a rear end portion of the key socket. The longitudinal key hole comprises a specific cross-sectional profile corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of a substantially flat key blade of the coding key, such that the coding key is slidingly fitted in the longitudinal key hole. A row of middle lock pins is arranged on the middle plane of the key socket, and the middle lock pins are vertically movable in the vertical holes of the cylindrical main body part, and the lock pins cooperate with the coded cutouts of the coded key, wherein the coded key can be inserted into the keyhole of the key socket in the forward direction to a release position, in which the lock can be released by rotating the coded key around the longitudinal axis and causing a corresponding rotational movement of the key socket, and the cylinder lock and key in each matching pair are provided with a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface that cooperate with each other, and the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface face in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first abutment surface is formed by the forward end surface of the longitudinal rib portion of the substantially flat key blade. The forward end surface is located at a desired position along the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade. The second abutment surface is formed by a matching front end surface located at the front end portion of the key socket, the longitudinal length of the longitudinal rib portion of the substantially flat key blade and the longitudinal position of the matching front end surface at the key socket being selected so that in each matching pair, when the key reaches the release position in the key socket, the forward end surface of the longitudinal rib portion and the matching front end surface at the key socket will contact each other.

[0027] The matching front end surface of the key socket of the cylinder lock may be formed by a bottom surface or end surface in a longitudinal cavity at the front end portion of the key socket, the longitudinal cavity being formed by a transverse lateral extension of the key hole. The longitudinal cavity is configured to accommodate a longitudinal rib portion of a substantially flat key blade and may have a selected depth measured from an entry opening in a radially widened portion of the key socket to a bottom portion of the longitudinal cavity. When the substantially flat key blade is inserted into the key hole, the longitudinal cavity of the key socket is located at a vertical level within the vertical range of the coding cutout in the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade. In each matching pair, the selected longitudinal length of the longitudinal rib portion of the coding key is equal to the selected depth of the longitudinal cavity of the key socket.

[0028] As mentioned above, the cylinder lock and key system may comprise completely separate lock and key combinations, wherein any key can only fit into a single lock and key set, or the system may be a graded system having sub-sets of locks and keys of varying grades.

[0029] In the latter case, i.e. in a hierarchical system, each subgroup may include, in addition to two or more matching pairs with various selected lengths of the rib portion of the key and corresponding selected longitudinal positions of the second abutment surface of the key socket, other possible cylinder lock and key combinations within the subgroup, wherein the rib portion of the key is too short, which will result in a misalignment of the coding cutout of the substantially flat key blade and the locking pin of the key socket, so that the key can never reach its release position. Such misalignment is avoided by means of a supplementary stop arrangement, which comprises an additional abutment surface on the key and an additional abutment surface on the key socket, which will replace the too short longitudinal rib portion and the additional abutment surface on the key socket will replace the matching front end surface at the key socket. The additional abutment surface will ensure a proper stop of the key in the key socket, for one or more other lock and key combinations, wherein the middle locking pin of the key socket will be misaligned relative to the coding cutout of the key due to the too short longitudinal rib portion on the key, wherein the additional abutment surfaces are configured to contact each other when the key reaches said release position in the key socket.

[0030] In a cylinder lock and key system, such further abutment surfaces provided on the lock and key combination in addition to the matching pair may be of a different type.

[0031] In one such further abutment surface, the further abutment surface on the coded key is located at a free tip portion of the substantially flat key blade and the further abutment surface on the key socket is formed on a fixed stop member at a rear end portion of the key socket.

[0032] Such a fixed stop member may for example be formed by a stop ring or washer of the type commonly used for key sockets to prevent the key socket from being pulled out of the housing of the lock.

[0033] Other types of further abutment surfaces on the key and at the key socket, which in some cases will replace the first and second abutment surfaces, will be disclosed in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and will also be defined in the appended claims.

[0034] Embodiments of the invention relate to a cylinder lock and key system comprising at least one sub-group of lock and key combinations which are backwards compatible with existing similar cylinder lock and key systems but without any longitudinal rib portions on the key and without any corresponding cavity in the key socket. In these new lock and key combinations, the radially widened front end portion of each key socket may have an increased thickness measured in the longitudinal direction of the key socket, the increase being equal to the selected depth of the cavity therein, and the optional stepped abutment portion on the key serving as a further abutment surface may have a reduced length, the reduction being equal to the increase in thickness, whereby the longitudinal rib portions of the keys of the sub-group will also be able to open the cylinder locks of the existing system and ensure proper stopping of the key by contacting the front end surface of the respective key socket when the key reaches its release position, in case the key is inserted into the respective key socket belonging to the same sub-group.

[0035] Key blanks of the present invention are usually made of brass or nickel silver alloy. Alternatively, they can be made of other metals such as steel or aluminum.

[0036] Typical production methods include stamping, milling and coining.

[0037] The key grip may be integral with the connecting portion and the main longitudinal portion of the substantially flat key blade. However, it is also possible to make the key blank into cut lengths of stretched strips and subsequently add a separate grip to each cut length.

[0038] Other possible manufacturing methods include sintering, casting and also additive methods of various materials (such as polymers, metals and metal alloys), including 3D printing methods.

[0039] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, although indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, because various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and therefore do not limit the present invention, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 A cylinder lock and key combination is shown in perspective view with the key fully inserted into the key receptacle of the associated cylinder lock;

[0042] Figure 2a The invention is shown in a perspective view alone. Figure 1 the key;

[0043] Figure 2b Shown on a larger scale Figure 2a Details:

[0044] Figure 3a and Figure 3b Respectively from Figure 1 The left side end view and side view show Figure 1 cylinder lock and key combination;

[0045] Figure 3c It is along Figure 3b A longitudinal section view along line 3c-3c in FIG.

[0046] Figure 3d Shown on a larger scale Figure 3c Details;

[0047] Figure 3e The slightly larger scale 2:1 shows the Figure 2a The line 3e-3e in FIG. 1 passes through a cross section of the substantially flat key blade of the key.

[0048] Figures 4a to 4d A key blank is shown having a longitudinal rib portion adjacent to a grip portion;

[0049] Figure 5a to Figure 5c A similar key blank is shown having two longitudinal rib portions, one on each lateral side of a substantially flat key blade;

[0050] Figure 5d is a side view of a modified similar key blank further having a coding pattern in a bottom surface portion of the groove cavity inside the spine portion;

[0051] Figure 5e It is along Figure 5d A cross-sectional view taken along line 5e-5e in FIG.

[0052] Figure 5f is a side view of a further modified similar key blank suitable for manufacture by a 3D printing method, the further modified similar key blank having an upper rib extending along the entire length of a substantially flat key blade;

[0053] Figure 5g It is along Figure 5f A cross-sectional view taken along line 5g-5g in FIG.

[0054] Figures 6a to 6c A similar key blank is shown having two longitudinal rib portions, one of which is shorter than the other;

[0055] Figures 7a to 7cA key blank having two longitudinal rib portions is shown, and the cross-sectional shape of the key blank includes an undercut groove with a groove cavity;

[0056] Figures 8a to 8c Shown with Figures 7a to 7c A similar key blank in which one of the two longitudinal ribs is shorter than the other;

[0057] Figures 9a to 9c A key blank is shown having a longitudinal rib portion and an interconnecting portion with two portions inclined in different directions;

[0058] Figures 10a to 10c A key blank having a longitudinal rib portion and an undercut recess is shown, wherein lateral side surfaces of the substantially flat key blade located vertically above and below the undercut profile recess lie substantially in the same vertical plane;

[0059] Figures 11a to 11c A key blank is shown having two deep grooves at respective lateral sides of the interconnecting portion of a substantially flat key blade and two longitudinal rib portions at the upper portion;

[0060] Figures 12a to 12c A key blank is shown in which the interconnecting portion and the upper portion are inclined at a small angle relative to a vertical plane and a longitudinal rib portion is provided on the upper portion;

[0061] Figures 13a to 13c Shown with Figures 12a to 12c a similar key blank wherein there is also a second longitudinal rib portion on the other side, the second longitudinal rib portion being vertically displaced downwardly relative to the first longitudinal rib portion;

[0062] Figures 14a to 14c Shown with Figures 13a to 13c a similar key blank wherein the second longitudinal rib portion is displaced vertically downward and is also shorter than the first longitudinal rib portion;

[0063] Figures 15a to 15c Shown with Figure 12a to Figure 12b A key blank similar to the key blank shown in , wherein there is also an upward ridge located on another lateral side portion of the lower portion of the substantially flat key blade;

[0064] Figures 16a to 16c A cylinder lock and key combination is shown wherein the key socket of the lock is provided with a longitudinal cavity for receiving a longitudinal rib on the key;

[0065] Figures 17a to 17d A cylinder lock and key combination is shown with a supplementary stop arrangement comprising a further abutment surface at the free tip portion of a substantially flat key blade and a fixed stop member at the rear end portion of the key socket of the lock;

[0066] Figure 17aa to Figure 17dd Shown in detail Figures 17a to 17d a further abutment surface in;

[0067] Figures 18a to 18e A second supplementary stop arrangement is shown with additional abutment surfaces on the key and key socket;

[0068] Figures 19a to 19c and Figures 20a to 20c Shows Figure 18a to Figure 1 Further details of the 8g supplementary stop arrangement;

[0069] Figures 21a to 21c and Figures 22a to 22d Still further details of a supplementary stop arrangement are shown which will enable backward compatibility with existing lock and key systems; and

[0070] Figures 23a to 23c , Figures 24a to 24d and Fig.25a A third supplementary stop arrangement is shown having grooves in the lower and interconnecting portions of the substantially flat key blade and one or more blocking pins in the cylindrical portion of the key socket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the present invention

[0072] Figure 1 A key blank and key socket combination is shown, which includes Figure 2a and Figure 2b 1 and 2. The key blank 100 is shown separately in the figure and a key socket 900 that can be rotated in the hole of an associated cylinder lock (to be described below).

[0073] The key blank 100 includes a metal ring handle or grip portion 110 and a substantially flat key blade 150. The grip portion 110 is used to facilitate moving the substantially flat key blade 150 along the longitudinal axis A in an advancing direction ( Figure 1 The key hole 910 of the key socket 900 is inserted into the key hole 910 of the key socket 900 and the key hole 91 ... Figure 1 In addition, the user uses the grip portion 110 to rotate the substantially flat key blade 150 so that it rotates around the longitudinal axis A, and when the substantially flat key blade 150 has been fully inserted into the key socket 900, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the driver key socket 900 is also rotated (in the hole of the associated lock to release the associated lock).

[0074] The key blank 100 extends along a longitudinal axis A and is arranged in a forward direction ( Figure 1 and Figure 2aThe invention relates to a device for manufacturing a plurality of slits for use in the present invention. The slits for use in the present invention are shown in Figure 10 and are shown in Figure 110. The slits for use in the present invention are shown in Figure 110 and are shown in Figure 111. The slits for use in the present invention are shown in Figure 112 and are shown in Figure 113. The slits for use in the present invention are shown in Figure 114. The slits for use in the present invention are shown in Figure 115 and are shown in Figure 116. The slits for use in the present invention are shown in Figure 117 and are shown in Figure 118. The slits for use in the present invention are shown in Figure 119 and are shown in Figure 120. The slits for use in the present invention are shown in Figure 119 and are shown in Figure 121. The slits for use in the present invention

[0075] Key blank having one or more longitudinal rib portions

[0076] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a longitudinal rib portion 121 is provided adjacent to the grip portion 110, the longitudinal rib portion 121 being relatively short and used to provide an axial stop for the key blank 100 when the key blank 100 is inserted into the key hole 910 of the key socket 900, and the key blank 100 is provided with the above-mentioned coding cutout at the position 131. The longitudinal rib portion 121 cooperates with a corresponding stop portion at the key socket to provide a pair of abutment surfaces, namely, a first abutment surface formed by a forward end surface 125 of the longitudinal rib portion 121 on the connecting portion 120 of the key blank 100 (see Figure 2b Also see Figure 3d ) and a second abutment surface at the key socket 900, which in this embodiment is formed by a bottom surface 925 in a longitudinal recess or cavity 921 arranged as a transverse extension of the key hole 910 along a selected portion of the length of the key hole, see Figure 3c and Figure 3d . Meanwhile, Fig.16a , Fig.16b and Fig.16c .

[0077] The first and second abutment surfaces formed by the forward end surface 125 on the longitudinal rib portion 121 and the bottom surface 925 in the longitudinal recess or cavity 921 are located at such selected positions that during the insertion of the key into the key socket, when the forward end surface 125 and the bottom surface 925 contact each other, the middle lock pin ( Fig.16a 960) will be precisely aligned with the coded cutout at position 131 on the substantially flat key blade 150 so that the key and key socket can be turned and rotated together relative to the housing of the cylinder lock to release or open the cylinder lock. Of course, such rotational movement of the key and key socket is well known to anyone skilled in the art of mechanical cylinder locks.

[0078] In order to provide the above-mentioned flexibility of the stop arrangement, the longitudinal rib portion 121 of the key blank 100 (and the finished coded key) is located on the lateral side ( Figure 3d The downward side of Figure 3e to the right in the middle). From Figure 3e As can be seen from the cross-sectional view in FIG. 1 , the substantially flat key blade 150 has, in addition to the upper portion 170, a lower portion 160 and an interconnecting portion 165. The cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blank is confined within a (imaginary) rectangle R (see FIG. Figure 3e ), wherein the height h is at least 2.5 times its width w. The lower portion 160 has a maximum width approximately equal to or slightly less than the width w of the rectangle, the maximum width being 75% to 100% of the width of the rectangle R, while the interconnecting portion 165 and the upper portion 170 are much narrower than the lower portion 160.

[0079] The lower relatively wider portion 160 has a slightly curved lower edge 161 , and the upper relatively narrow portion 170 has an upper edge 171 .

[0080] from Figure 2a , Figure 3b and Figure 3e As can be seen in the figure, the vertical plane on which the longitudinal rib portion 121 is located is located within the vertical range of the bite portion 130 of the substantially flat key blade 150, that is, in the upper relatively narrow portion 170 of the substantially flat key blade and may also be located in the interconnection portion 165. The lateral extension of the longitudinal rib portion 121 should also be limited to the boundary line of the rectangle R or slightly beyond the rectangle R in the lateral direction, and its possible lateral extension may exceed 25% of the rectangle width w at most, so that the substantially flat key blade is relatively flat as a whole.

[0081] The length of the longitudinal rib portion 121 measured from the gripping portion 110 along the axis A of the substantially flat key blade should be selected to be any desired fraction of the total length of the connecting portion 120. Thus, this length may be minimal (as short as possible, close to zero), or may be any desired length not exceeding the total length of the connecting portion 120. Thus, the forward end surface 125 may be located anywhere between the gripping portion 110 and the main longitudinal bite portion 130. Possibly, the length of the longitudinal rib portion 121 is such that its forward end surface 125 is close to the bite portion 130 of the substantially flat key blade 150. It may even be located directly adjacent to the first coding cutout in the bite portion 130. Accordingly, the position of the forward end surface 125 of the rib portion may be selected along the entire length of the connecting portion 120.

[0082] It should be noted that the cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blade may include only the lower portion 160 and the upper portion 170 without the interconnection 165 therebetween. If so, the upper relatively narrow portion 170 will likely directly abut the lower portion 160 midway between the lateral sides of the rectangle R.

[0083] like Figure 3eAs is clearly shown in the figure, at the connecting portion 120 of the substantially flat key blade 150, the longitudinal rib portion 121 is located near the upper edge 171 of the upper portion 170 of the substantially flat key blade 150. In this way, the transversely extending longitudinal rib portion 121 forming the relatively narrow upper portion 170 of the substantially flat key blade 150 will greatly enhance the strength of the substantially flat key blade 150 and will directly transmit any torque from the grip portion to the key socket 900 via the wall of the key hole 910. This will apply to any embodiment in which the second abutment surface 925 of the key socket is located in a longitudinal recess or cavity 921 adjacent to the entrance to the key hole 910 of the key socket 900. Typically, as is well known for cylinder locks of this general type, the entrance to the key hole 910 is located in a radially widened or elongated front end portion 930 of the key socket 900. The front end portion 930 is adjoined by a cylindrical longer portion 940 having a smaller diameter than the widened front end portion 930.

[0084] As will be seen from the various embodiments to be described below, the key blank may be provided with one or more longitudinal rib portions, possibly two (or more) longitudinal rib portions, at least one longitudinal rib portion on each lateral side of the upper relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade, the selected lengths of the longitudinal rib portions being equal to or different from each other. See, for example, Figures 4a to 4c , Figures 9a to 9c , Figures 10a to 10c and Figures 11a to 11c (a relatively long rib section), Figure 5a to Figure 5e and Figures 7a to 7c (two rib sections of equal length), and Figures 6a to 6c and Figures 8a to 8c (One long rib portion on one lateral side and one short rib portion on the other side).

[0085] Various cross-sectional profiles of key blanks

[0086] The cross-sectional profile of a key blank can be configured in a variety of ways.

[0087] A first embodiment of the cross-sectional profile comprises (see Figure 1 to Figure 3e , Figures 4a to 4d , Figure 5a to Figure 5c , Figures 6a to 6c , Figures 7a to 7c and Figures 8a to 8c ) An interconnection 165, 265, 265a, 265b, 265c, 265d between the lower portion 160, 260, 260a, 260b, 260c, 260d and the upper portion 170, 270, 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d. The interconnection includes a substantially vertical portion adjacent to the lateral side portion of the lower portion, Figure 3e , Figure 4c , Figure 4d , Figure 5c , Figure 6c , Figure 7c and Figure 8c The upper portion 170, 270, 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d is substantially centered along the middle plane M of the rectangle R ( Figure 3e The longitudinal rib portion is located on a relatively narrow upper portion of the substantially flat key blade ( Figure 3e Of these, 170 Figure 4c A lateral side of 270) ( Figure 3e 121 of them, Figure 4c 221) or on two lateral sides of the relatively narrow upper portion of the substantially flat key blade ( Figure 5c 221a, 222a, Figure 6c 221b and 22b in Figure 7c 221c, 222c and Figure 8c 221d, 222d).

[0088] The substantially vertical portion of the interconnecting portion 165, 265, 265a, 265b, 265c, 265d forms an inner surface 167, 267, 267a, 267b, 267c, 267d of an undercut recess 168, 268, 268a, 268b, 268c, 268d formed in a lateral surface (at the bottom) of the substantially flat key blade. Figure 3e The lateral width of the substantially vertical portion of the interconnection portion located above the undercut groove is narrower than the lower portion of the substantially flat key blade.

[0089] In this first embodiment of the cross-sectional profile, the undercut portion of the undercut groove forms the inside of a security ridge 166, 266, 266a, 266b, 266c, 266d, which extends upwardly from the lower part of the substantially flat key blade parallel to the interconnection. The security ridge will make it more difficult to operate the key socket of the associated lock (the tongue can extend into the key hole at a level lower than the middle lock pin in the lock, which is known per se in the art). In addition, the undercut portion of the undercut groove extends downwardly to the groove cavity 269e (see Figure 5e ), the groove cavity 269e has opposite side surfaces and a bottom surface at the bottom. Figure 3e , Figure 4c , Figure 5c , Figure 5e , Figure 6c , Figure 7c and Figure 8c As will be seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 , these opposing side surfaces of the groove cavity can be substantially parallel to each other.

[0090] Comparison Figure 3e , Figure 4c , Figure 5c , Figure 6c Detailed configuration of the cross-sectional profile in Figure 7c , Figure 8c It will be apparent that the profile of the first embodiment may vary slightly when slightly different cross-sectional profiles are shown. Figure 5e , Figure 7c and Figure 8c In the cross-sectional profile shown, the upper inner portions of the safety ridges 266c, 266d and 266e are inclined to face upward toward the upper portions of the grooves 268c, 268d and 268e. The upper portions of the grooves 268c, 268d, 268e are open in the lateral direction (to the right in the figure).

[0091] exist Figure 5d and Figure 5e In a variation of the first embodiment shown, the slot cavity 269e The bottom surface of the key blade is utilized to accommodate more coding patterns (in addition to the coding cutouts at the edge of the upper portion of the key blade), the coding patterns having Figure 5d In the wavy configuration shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 2 , two concavities can be seen. These concavities, represented by the broken lines, are located on two different vertical levels, thus forming a code with three levels, also including the code level of the bottom surface itself. A person skilled in the art will understand that such a wavy code pattern can be easily formed with the help of a cutting disk maintained in a vertical plane, which moves longitudinally along the key blade while being raised and lowered to form the wavy code pattern. A great advantage of such a position of the code pattern is that the code pattern is hidden behind the security ridge when the key blade is viewed or photographed in a transverse horizontal direction, substantially perpendicular to the vertical middle plane of the substantially flat key blade. The code pattern is therefore hidden inside the security ridge and is very difficult to detect optically.

[0092] If desired, a second code pattern may also be cut into the security ridge 266e itself, for example a lighter code with a lower concave surface than the Figure 5d The concave surface shown in FIG is located higher, such a coding cut penetrates the material in the security ridge from the outside all the way inward. Then, when viewed in a transverse horizontal direction, the wavy coding pattern at the bottom surface inside the security ridge will only be partially hidden. Therefore, a portion of the groove cavity 269e inside the security ridge will be visible.

[0093] Figure 5f and Figure 5gYet another modified variation of the first embodiment is shown, in which the upper rib is formed vertically above the undercut groove 268f and vertically below the ridge portion adjacent to the gripping portion of the key blank. In this variation, there is no room for using a vertically oriented rotating cutting disk. However, this variation can be formed by additive manufacturing methods (such as 3D printing). Here, the key pattern in the lower portion 260f of the key blade (below the groove cavity 269f) is well hidden inside the security ridge 266f and also below the upper rib extending along the entire length of the key blade. Therefore, this variation will make it more difficult to observe the additional coding in the lower portion of the key blade by optical methods.

[0094] In use Figure 5d , Figure 5e When the hidden coding pattern shown in FIG. 1 is used, a person skilled in the art may use an arrangement of a side locking tumbler or a centrally positioned locking pin in the key socket of the associated lock, as disclosed in U.S. Patents 8,156,777 B1 and 8,347,680 B2 (both in the name of B. Weiden, assignee Winlock Corporation).

[0095] Figures 9a to 9c and Figures 10a to 10c A second embodiment of the cross-sectional profile of the key blanks 300a and 300b is shown, wherein the lateral sides of the lower and upper portions 360a, 360b and 370a, 370b lie substantially in the same plane on the same side (right and left sides of the rectangle respectively) as the recesses 368a, 368b in the interconnecting portions 365a, 365b, with the shelf surface 369a, 369b on the other side. A single longitudinal rib portion 321a, 322b lies above the shelf surface, also on said other side.

[0096] Figures 11a to 11c A third embodiment of the cross-sectional profile of the key blank 400 is shown. It comprises two deep recesses 468, 469 in two opposite lateral side surfaces of the substantially flat key blade, located in the interconnection 465. The depth of the two recesses 468, 469 is greater than half the width w of the rectangle in which the substantially flat key blade is confined. In this embodiment, there are two longitudinal rib portions. A first longitudinal rib portion 421 is located on one side of the upper portion 470 of the substantially flat key blade, while a second longitudinal rib portion 422 is located on the other side. The upper portion 470 of the substantially flat key blade is located substantially centrally along the median plane M of the rectangle R ( Figure 3e ). The first rib portion 421 is slightly longer than the second longitudinal rib portion 422, the difference being D. Fig.11a In addition, Fig.11cAs shown, the relatively short second longitudinal rib portion 422 is displaced downwardly a small vertical distance d relative to the first slightly longer rib portion 421. It will be appreciated that by varying the parameters D and d as desired, a large number of different combinations of key blanks can be distinguished. Of course, such variations are also possible in other cross-sectional profile embodiments that do not have very deep grooves.

[0097] Figures 12a to 12c , Figures 13a to 13c , Figures 14a to 14c and Figures 15a to 15c A fourth embodiment of the cross-sectional profile is shown, which includes an upper relatively narrow portion, which is relatively narrow relative to the rectangular R ( Figure 3e ) is slightly inclined at an angle of 3° to 12°, in particular 5° to 10°, preferably about 8°, within which a substantially flat key blade is confined. As mentioned above, the profile of such a key blank is disclosed in two other patent applications filed on the same date as the present patent application. The upwardly extending inclined upper portions 570a, 570b, 570c, 570d forming interconnecting portions 565a, 565b, 565c, 565d (which are also slightly inclined at least on one side adjacent to the middle plane M) are advantageous because the corresponding key socket (not shown here) can be manufactured with a rotating disk in a very reasonable and inexpensive process suitable for mass production. Even so, as detailed in the parallel patent application, such a key socket will be relatively difficult to operate for straight key holes without bends or alternating directions in the vertical direction.

[0098] Figures 12a to 12c The substantially flat key blank 500a shown in FIG. 5 has a lower portion 560a having a maximum width adjacent to its lower edge 561a. An interconnecting portion 565a adjoins a laterally offset upper region of the lower portion 560a and extends obliquely upward and adjoins the upper portion 570a. The upper portion 570a is relatively narrow, with a width typically less than 33% of the maximum width of the lower portion 560a. A longitudinal rib portion 521a is provided adjacent its upper edge 571a, similar to Figures 9a to 9c The longitudinal rib section shown in . Figures 11a to 11c The third embodiment shown in FIG. 1 may have some variations of the second embodiment, such variations include a second longitudinal rib portion 522b on the opposite side (see Figures 13a to 13c ) or 522c (see Figures 14a to 14c ), the second longitudinal rib portion 522c may be shorter than the first longitudinal rib portion 521c (having a distance D, see Fig.14a ), and may also be displaced vertically downward (with a distance d, see Fig.14c). Accordingly, this fourth embodiment will have as many possible variations as the third embodiment. Figures 15a to 15c As shown, a security ridge 566d may be provided on the opposite side, the security ridge 566d extending upwardly parallel to the interconnecting portion 565d of the key blank 500d.

[0099] Key blank with coded cutouts forming a coded key

[0100] As mentioned above, see Figure 2a and vertical dashed line 131, the key blank described above is intended to be provided with a coding cutout in the upper relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade. Such a coding cutout may be of various types, such as a V-shaped cutout which may have an inclined edge portion, a bevel cutout or a cutout which is deeper on one lateral side of the substantially flat key blade than on the other lateral side. In addition, although not specifically disclosed in the present specification, the substantially flat key blade may be provided with a coding pattern, which is formed on one or both sides of the substantially flat key blade. The present invention also includes various types of such coded keys made from the blank described above. In the case where the substantially flat key blade is provided with a side coding pattern, it may be sufficient to have only one coding cutout at the relatively narrow upper edge of the substantially flat key blade, but there are usually at least three such cutouts, in particular five, six or seven cutouts.

[0101] Cylinder lock and key system

[0102] The invention also relates to a coded key as described above, which is combined with a cylinder lock to form a cylinder lock and key system. Such a system may comprise one or more cylinder lock and key combinations, wherein at least one cylinder lock and key combination forms a matching pair. In such a matching pair, the coded key can be inserted into a release position in which the coded key can be turned together with a rotatable key socket in the lock to open the lock.

[0103] Fig.16a , Fig.16b and Fig.16c Such a matching pair is shown, with a coded key 100 and a matching key socket 900 of an associated cylinder lock. Figure 2a The key blank shown in FIG. 1 is formed with six V-shaped cutouts 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d, 131e, 131f, and the matching key socket 900 of the associated cylinder lock is connected to the key blank. Figure 1900 is similar to the key socket shown in (mirror configuration, longitudinal rib portion 121 is formed on the other side). The cylinder lock (not shown) has a cylindrical hole, in which the key socket 900 is pivoted by its cylindrical portion 940, radially widened portion 930 and internal key hole 910. The longitudinal key hole 910 extends from the front end portion 901 of the key socket to the rear end portion 902, so that the substantially flat key blade 150 of the key 100 can be received and accommodated in any desired longitudinal position. The cross-sectional profile of the key hole corresponds to the profile of the coding key (for example any of the cross-sectional profiles of the key blanks described above), so that the coding key can be slidably assembled in the key hole. In addition, a central locking pin 960 is provided on the central plane of the key socket. Fig.16a Reference numeral 905 denotes an upper opening 905 for inserting the locking pin into the associated cavity.

[0104] In this particular mating pair, the longitudinal rib portion 121 (see Fig.16c ) along the entire length of the connecting portion 120 of the substantially flat key blade 150 from the grip portion 110 along the longitudinal axis A all the way to the first V-shaped cutout 131a. In this embodiment, the axial length of the connecting portion 120 of the substantially flat key blade is approximately 10 mm. Therefore, the length of the rib portion starting from the grip portion 110 is also 10 mm. There is no stepped transition adjacent to the grip portion that serves as a stop member. Instead, the stop arrangement is formed by a longitudinal rib portion 121 having a first abutment surface ( Fig.16c ), and the bottom surface 925 ( Fig.16b ), the bottom surface 925 serves as a second abutment surface. When the key 100 is inserted into the key hole 910 ( Fig.16a ), when the first abutment surface (forward end surface 125) contacts the second abutment surface (bottom surface 925), the key 100 will stop. The longitudinal cavity 921 is formed by the lateral extension of the key hole 910, such as Fig.16b Of course, the shape of the longitudinal cavity 921 should be configured to accommodate the longitudinal rib portion 121, leaving some clearance. Its cross-section may even be slightly larger, since it does not have to serve as a guide member. The necessary guidance will be achieved by the substantially flat key blade 150 and the cross-sectional profile of the key hole 910.

[0105] The length of the longitudinal rib portion 121 and the corresponding length of the matching longitudinal cavity 921 can be selected as desired. In this way, a great deal of flexibility can be achieved. In principle, the length of the rib portion can be selected to be any desired fraction of the length of the connecting portion 120 of the essentially flat key blade, see Fig.16aIn a matching key socket, a corresponding length or depth should be selected for the longitudinal cavity 921 (starting from the entry opening 922 in the radial widening 930, see Fig.16b ). The length and depth of the match can be selected over the entire longitudinal extent of the connecting portion 120, in this case from 0 to about 10 mm.

[0106] It is possible to construct a cylinder lock and key system with completely independent matching pairs, wherein a particular key can only be used to release a matching key socket in the same pair and not any other key socket in the system. For each matching pair, a separate set of cylinder lock and key combinations can be formed by selecting specific pins in the key socket and coded cutouts in the key, which is well known per se.

[0107] Grading system with supplementary stop arrangement

[0108] Another way of taking advantage of the flexibility inherent in the wide range of longitudinal lengths of the rib portion of the key is to form a graded system of sub-groups with different levels, so that some keys can open more than one sub-group of cylinder lock and key combinations, while other keys can open a smaller number of cylinder lock and key combinations and may only be able to open one such combination in a sub-group.

[0109] One method of forming such a hierarchical system is to form subgroups which, in addition to two or more matching pairs having various selected lengths of the rib portion of the key and corresponding selected longitudinal positions of the second abutment surface (e.g., the bottom surface of the above-mentioned cavity), also include other lock and key combinations in which the rib portion of the key is too short to provide a matching pair. If the rib portion is too short, the key may travel too far in the keyhole, and then it will be difficult to find the release relative position of the key and the key socket. In order to avoid such misalignment, a supplementary stop arrangement can be provided for these other lock and key combinations. Such a supplementary stop arrangement can be provided in a variety of ways, as will be described below. The supplementary stop arrangements all include additional abutment surfaces on the key and the key socket, which will replace the above-mentioned abutment surfaces.

[0110] The first such supplementary stop arrangement is Figures 17a to 17c and Figure 17aa to Figure 17cc As shown, the further abutment surface 1125 on the coding key 1100 is located at the free tip portion 1140 ( Fig.17c ), the other corresponding abutment portion on the key socket 1900 is formed on the fixed stop member 1925 at its rear end. The fixed stop member 1925 can be a stop ring 1926 of the type commonly used for key sockets (see Figure 17aa , Figure 17bb , Figure 17cc and Figure 17dd) or a washer to prevent the key socket from being pulled out of the lock housing (not shown here).

[0111] Fig.18a , Fig.18b , Fig.18c , Fig.18d , Fig.18e A second complementary stop arrangement is shown, in which an additional abutment surface on the coded key 2100 is formed on a starting step-like transition 2122 which is located at the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade at a higher vertical level than the longitudinal rib portion 2121 which is too short compared to the depth D1 of the longitudinal cavity or recess 2921 in the front end portion of the key socket 2900. Fig.18b and Fig.18c As shown in (enlarged detail), the longitudinal rib portion 2121 having a length L1 shorter than the depth D1 of the recess 2911 will not contact the corresponding bottom surface 2925 of the longitudinal cavity or recess 2921 in the key socket 2900. Accordingly, when the key release position is reached, the end surface 2125 (see Fig.18b and Fig.18d ) will form an additional abutment surface with the widened end portion 2930 of the key socket 2900 (see Fig.18c and Fig.18e ) on the flat front end surface 2935. Therefore, in order to ensure that the key cutout and the lock pin of the key socket are properly aligned, in this particular case where the longitudinal rib portion is too short, the end surface 2125 ( Fig.18b and Fig.18d ) will replace the longitudinal rib portion 2121. Of course, on the other hand, the longitudinal rib portion 2121 will function and contact with a matching key socket (not shown), wherein the depth of the bottom surface of the recess (not shown) is as short as the length L1 of the key 2100.

[0112] Fig.19a , Fig.19b , Fig.19c A similar complementary stop arrangement is shown, wherein the depth D2 ( Fig.19c ) is shallower, the length of the longitudinal rib portion is still too short to make contact. Here, when the key 3100 reaches its release position, the starting step-shaped transition portion 3122 will replace the short longitudinal rib portion 3121 and contact the front end surface 3935 ( Fig.19c )touch.

[0113] Fig.20a , Fig.20b , Fig.20cAnother supplementary stop arrangement is shown, wherein the depth D3 ( Fig.20c ) is as great as the length of the longitudinal rib portion 4121 that protrudes into the key socket. Thus, in the lock and key combination 4900-4100, there will be contact between the longitudinal rib portion 4121 and the bottom of the longitudinal cavity or recess 4921 and between the starting step-like transition 4122 on the key 4100 and the front end surface 4935 of the key socket 4900. When the key 4100 reaches its release position in the key socket 4900, the starting step-like transition 4122 will complement the rib portion and ensure proper alignment and proper stopping of the key 4100.

[0114] Figures 21a to 21c and Figures 22a to 22d A modified variation of the second supplementary stop arrangement is shown. This variation can be used to replace a sub-set ( 5100 ) of a new key and a key socket 5900 . Figures 22a to 22c ) is added to the Figures 20a to 20c The new key 5100 is similar to the situation in the prior art system of a key (not shown) and a key socket 4900' of a similar type as shown in , although there is no longitudinal rib portion 4121 on the substantially flat key, but only a regular starting stepped abutment portion 4122 adjacent its gripping portion, and there is no corresponding transversely widened cavity or recess in the key socket 4900'. For this reason, the substantially flat key blade of the new key 5100 is the same length as the substantially flat key blade of the key in the prior art system, but the length of the optional starting stepped transition portion 5122 is slightly shorter. Figure 21b It can be seen that the reduction in length L2 allows new key sockets 5900 belonging to the same sub-group to have a corresponding increase L2 of the thickness T+L2 of the radial widening portion 5930, so that the new substantially flat key 5100 will be able to operate with the key socket 4900' of the existing system and also with the new key socket 5900. When the new key 5100 is inserted into the key socket of the existing lock, the longitudinal rib portion will ensure the proper stop of the new key 5100. The reduced length L of the optional stepped transition portion 5122 on the new key will be just right to ensure that the new keys 5100 will stop correctly when they reach their release position in the new key socket 5900. The reverse is not true, as the existing key (not shown) has a stepped abutment portion of length L+L2 (the same as the starting stepped transition portion 4122 on the key 4100, see Fig.20b ), when the existing key is inserted into the keyhole of the new key socket 5900, the stepped abutment portion with a length of L+L2 is too long.

[0115] The new substantially flat key 5100 is inserted into the key socket 4900' of the existing system (see Figure 21b and Fig.21c ), when the new key reaches its release position, the longitudinal rib portion 5121 of the new substantially flat key 5100 will contact the front end portion of the key socket 4900'.

[0116] In addition, see Figure 22b , Fig.22c and Fig.22d The width of the longitudinal cavity or recess 5931 in the front end surface 5930 is configured to accommodate the longitudinal rib portion 5121 with a slight gap so that the laterally widened longitudinal rib portion 5121 will contact the side wall of the corresponding longitudinal cavity or recess 5931 and will improve the ability to transmit strong torque from the key to the key socket.

[0117] exist Figures 23a to 23c , Figures 24a to 24d and Fig.25a , a third complementary stop arrangement is shown. The substantially flat key 6100 has grooves 6168a, 6168b in the lower relatively wide portion 6160 of the substantially flat key blade and also on each side of the interconnecting portion 6165 (see Fig.24a and Fig.24c ), the substantially flat key blade is of the type described above and as Figure 1 to Figure 3e As shown, there is a longitudinal rib portion 6121 ( Fig.24c and Fig.24d ). The upper portion 6170 extends upward from the interconnecting portion 6165.

[0118] Grooves 6168a, 6168b extend longitudinally rearward from free tip portion 6140 ( Fig.24a , Fig.24c ), and is slightly shorter than the main longitudinal engaging portion 6130 of the substantially flat key blade, in this embodiment having a length slightly less than half the total length of the substantially flat key blade. The grooves 6168a, 6168b are configured to accommodate blocking pins 6169a, 6169b, which are inserted into obliquely inclined pin chambers 6180a and 6180b, respectively, in the form of cylindrical holes made by the outer cylindrical circumferential surface of the key socket 6900. Each groove has an end surface 6168as, 6168bs, which will form a further abutment surface for stopping the key 6100 when the key 6100 is inserted into the key socket 6900, and which contacts each blocking pin 6169a, 6169b when the release position is reached.

[0119] The blocking pins 6169a, 6169b are used to partially block the passage of a middle lock pin (not shown) from the relatively wide lower portion of the key hole 6960 to the pin hole of the engaging portion 6130, the middle lock pin being centrally located in the key socket 6900. When there is no key in the key hole, the blocking pins 6169a, 6169b will make it more difficult to operate the cylinder lock.

[0120] It is possible to have such a blocking pin 6169a, 6169b on only one side of the substantially flat key blade, and there may be more than one blocking pin on each side, possibly with one or two blocking pins below the most central locking pin in the key socket to increase the security of the key socket against operation from below.

[0121] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the invention may be varied in many ways. These variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications obvious to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A key blank (100), comprising: - A grip portion (110) for facilitating: Inserting a substantially flat key blade (150) in a forward direction and withdrawing the substantially flat key blade in a backward direction along the longitudinal axis (A), and rotating the substantially flat key blade so as to cause it to rotate about said longitudinal axis, and - the substantially flat key blade (150), the substantially flat key blade: extending from said gripping portion (110) along said longitudinal axis (A), comprising, when viewed in the direction of advancement, a connecting portion (120) adjacent to the gripping portion, a main longitudinal engaging portion (130) in which a row of coding cuts (131) are to be provided, and a free tip portion (140), having a cross-sectional profile substantially confined within a rectangle (R) having a height (h) at least 2.5 times its width (w), The cross-sectional profile includes o a lower relatively wider portion (160) having a maximum width substantially the same as or slightly less than the width of the rectangle, the maximum width being 75% to 100% of the width of the rectangle, o an upper relatively narrow portion (170) which is narrower than the lower portion, o and possibly an interconnection (165) extending between said lower and upper parts, wherein the connecting portion (120) of the substantially flat key blade (150) is provided with a first selectable abutment surface facing the advancing direction, and The first abutment surface is formed as a forward end surface (125) of a longitudinal rib portion (121), wherein: located laterally of said upper relatively narrow portion (170) of the substantially flat key blade, with its vertical plane being located within the vertical extent of said bite portion (130) of the substantially flat key blade, extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the substantially flat key blade, said connecting portion (120) being longitudinally constrained to a substantially flat key blade (150), is also confined within the borders of the rectangle (R) or slightly beyond the rectangle in the lateral direction, with a possible lateral extension exceeding at most 25% of the width of the rectangle, having a selectable length measured from said gripping portion (110) to said forward end surface (125) which is any desired fraction of the length of said connecting portion (120), • Thereby, the position of the forward end surface (125) of the longitudinal rib portion (121) forming the first abutment surface on the key can be selected along the entire length of the connecting portion (120).

2. The key blank according to claim 1, wherein: The longitudinal rib portion is located adjacent an upper edge (171) of the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade at the connecting portion (120) of the substantially flat key blade.

3. The key blank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The key blank is provided with two longitudinal rib portions (221a, 222a; 221b, 222b), one on each lateral side of the upper relatively narrow portion (270a; 270b) of the substantially flat key blade (200a; 200b), the selected lengths of the two longitudinal rib portions being equal to or different from each other.

4. The key blank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The cross-sectional profile of the key blank includes said interconnecting portion (265a) between said lower portion and said upper portion, - said interconnecting portion (265a) comprises a substantially vertical portion adjoining a lateral side portion of said lower portion (260a), - said upper portion (270a) is substantially centrally located along the median plane of said rectangle, the contour being confined within said rectangle, and - wherein said longitudinal rib portion (221a; 222a) is located on one or both lateral sides of said upper relatively narrow portion (270a) of the substantially flat key blade at said connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade.

5. The key blank according to claim 4, wherein: The substantially vertical portion of the interconnecting portion (265a) forms an inner surface (267a) of an undercut groove (268a), the undercut groove being formed in a lateral side surface of the substantially flat key blade, and the lateral width of the substantially vertical portion of the interconnecting portion above the undercut groove is narrower than the lower portion (260a) of the substantially flat key blade.

6. The key blank according to claim 5, wherein: The undercut portion of the undercut groove (268a) forms the inner side of a security ridge (266a) extending upwardly from the lower portion (260a) of the substantially flat key blade parallel to the interconnection portion (265a).

7. The key blank according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The undercut groove (268f) extends vertically downward into a groove cavity (269f) having opposite side surfaces and a lowermost bottom surface.

8. The key blank according to claim 7, wherein: The opposing side surfaces of the groove cavity are substantially parallel to each other.

9. A key blank according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: An upper inner portion of the safety ridge (266c) is inclined to face upward toward an upper portion of the undercut groove (268c), the upper portion of the groove being open in the lateral direction.

10. The key blank (300b) according to claim 1, wherein: The cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blank comprises: - an undercut profile groove (368b) which is located on one side of the substantially flat key blade, - lateral side surfaces of the substantially flat key blade located vertically above and below the undercut profile groove, the lateral side surfaces being located substantially in the same vertical plane, and - a shelf surface (369b) located on the opposite side of the substantially flat key blade, and - wherein said longitudinal rib portion (322b) at the connection portion of the substantially flat key blade is located on a lateral side of said upper portion of the substantially flat key blade above said shelf surface (369b).

11. The key blank (400) of claim 1, wherein: The cross-sectional profile of the key blank comprises two deep grooves (468, 469) in two opposite lateral side surfaces of the substantially flat key blade, the two deep grooves being located in an interconnection portion (465) of the substantially flat key blade, the depth of the two grooves being greater than half the width (w) of the rectangle in which the substantially flat key blade is confined and the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade is substantially centrally located along a mid-plane of the rectangle, and wherein the longitudinal rib portions (421, 422) are located on one or both lateral sides of the upper portion (470) of the substantially flat key blade at the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade.

12. The key blank (500a, 500b, 500c, 500d) of claim 1, wherein: The cross-sectional profile of the key blank includes an upper relatively narrow portion (570a, 570b, 570c, 570d) inclined by 3° to 12° relative to a mid-plane of the rectangle within which the substantially flat key blank is confined.

13. The key blank (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The upper portion of said main longitudinal portion of the substantially flat key blade is provided with a row of cutouts (131a to 131f) to form a coded key.

14. The coded key (200d) according to claim 13, wherein: There is also an additional coding pattern located in the lower part of the main longitudinal portion of the substantially flat key, the additional coding pattern is located on the bottom surface of a groove cavity (269e; 269f), the groove cavity is formed in an undercut contour groove (268e; 268f) between the interconnection portion and the upward security ridge (266e; 266f), and the additional coding pattern includes coding concave surfaces at several different vertical levels longitudinally along the main longitudinal bite portion, and when viewed laterally in a horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical mid-plane of the substantially flat key blade, the coding concave surfaces are at least partially hidden by the security ridge (266e; 266f).

15. A coded key (100) as claimed in claim 13 or 14, which is combined with a key socket (900) of an associated cylinder lock to form a cylinder lock and key system, the cylinder lock and key system comprising one or more cylinder lock and key combinations, at least one of which forms a matching pair, the cylinder lock and key combination comprising: a housing having a cylindrical bore, and a key socket (900) having a cylindrical main portion (940) pivoted in the cylindrical hole and an adjoining radially widened portion (930) having a radius greater than that of the cylindrical portion, having a longitudinal key hole (910) extending from a front end portion to a rear end portion of the key socket, the longitudinal keyhole (910) has a specific cross-sectional profile corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of a substantially flat key blade of a coding key, so that the coding key can be slidingly fitted in the longitudinal keyhole, A row of middle locking pins (960) is provided on the middle plane of the key socket, the middle locking pins being able to move vertically in the vertical holes (905) of the cylindrical body portion, and The locking pin (960) cooperates with the coding cutouts (131a to 131f) of the coding key, in: a release position in which the coding key can be inserted into the key hole of the key socket in the forward direction, in which the lock can be released by rotating the coding key (100) around the longitudinal axis (A) and causing a corresponding rotational movement of the key socket (900), The cylinder lock and key in each said matching pair are provided with mutually cooperating first and second abutment surfaces, the first and second abutment surfaces facing in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis (A), and wherein: a first abutment surface formed by said forward end surface (125) of said longitudinal rib portion (121) of the substantially flat key blade, said forward end surface being located at a desired position along said connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade, a second abutment surface formed by a matching front end surface (925) at said front end portion of the key socket (900), The longitudinal length of the longitudinal rib portion (121) of the substantially flat key blade and the longitudinal position of the matching front end surface (925) at the key socket are selected so that in each of the matching pairs, when the key reaches the release position in the key socket, the forward end surface of the longitudinal rib portion and the matching front end surface at the key socket will contact each other.

16. A cylinder lock and key system as claimed in claim 15, wherein: The matching front end surface of the key socket of the cylinder lock is formed by: a bottom surface (925) located in the longitudinal cavity (921) at said front end portion (930) of the key socket (900), The longitudinal cavity (921) is formed by a transverse lateral extension of the keyhole (910), the longitudinal cavity (921) being configured to receive the longitudinal rib portion (121) of a substantially flat key blade and having a selected depth measured from an entry opening in the radially widened portion (930) of the key socket to the bottom portion (925) of the longitudinal cavity (921), when the substantially flat key blade is inserted into the key hole (910), the longitudinal cavity (921) of the key socket is located at a vertical level within the vertical range of the coded cutouts (131a to 131f) in the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade, and In each of said matching pairs, the selected longitudinal length of said longitudinal rib portion (121) of the coded key is equal to said selected depth of said longitudinal cavity (921) of the key socket.

17. A cylinder lock and key system as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein: The system is a hierarchical system with subgroups of different grades.

18. A cylinder lock and key system as claimed in claim 17, wherein: Subgroups in the system include: In addition to two or more matching pairs having various selected lengths of the rib portion of the key and corresponding selected longitudinal positions of said matching front end surface of said key socket, Other possible cylinder lock and key combinations in the sub-set, where the rib portion (3121) of the key (3100) is too short, which would result in the coding cutouts of the substantially flat key blade and the locking pins of the key socket being misaligned, so that the key can never reach its release position, Avoiding this misalignment by means of a supplementary stop arrangement which o comprising an additional abutment surface (3122) on the key, which will replace the longitudinal rib portion (3121) which is too short, and o an additional abutment surface (3935) on the key socket which will replace the matching front end surface (3921) at the key socket (3900), o for one or more of said other lock and key combinations in which the central locking pin of the key socket would be misaligned relative to the coded notch of the key due to a too short longitudinal rib portion on the key, said further abutment surface (3122, 3935) ensures a proper stop of the key in said key socket, Wherein, the further abutment surfaces are configured to contact each other when the key reaches the release position in the key socket.

19. The cylinder lock and key system of claim 18, wherein: - said further abutment surface (1125) on the coding key (1100) is located at the free tip portion of the substantially flat key blade, - said further abutment surface on the key socket is formed on a fixed stop member (1926) at a rear end portion of the key socket (1900).

20. The cylinder lock and key system of claim 18, wherein: - said further abutment surface on the coding key is formed by an end surface (6168as) of a groove (6168a) situated in said lower relatively wider portion (6160) of the substantially flat key blade (6100) and possibly also in said connecting portion, - the groove (6168a) extends longitudinally rearwardly from the free tip portion (6140) of the substantially flat key blade towards the gripping portion and is shorter than the main longitudinal engaging portion (6130) of the substantially flat key blade, - said further abutment surface on the key socket is formed by at least one blocking pin (6169a) located in a fixed position in said cylindrical portion of the key socket (6900), - The blocking pin (6169a) is used to partially block the passage from below to the adjacent middle locking pin.

21. The cylinder lock and key system of claim 18, wherein: - said further abutment surface on the coding key is formed on a second longitudinal rib portion (521c) which is situated on the opposite lateral side compared to the first longitudinal rib portion (522c), - said second longitudinal rib portion (521c) is longer than said first longitudinal rib portion and / or is located at a lower vertical level than said first longitudinal rib portion, - a corresponding further abutment surface in the key hole of the key socket is formed on the key socket, and wherein: - When the key reaches its release position in the key socket, the further abutment surface on the second longitudinal rib portion on the key and the further abutment surface in the key hole of the key socket are arranged to contact each other instead of the first and second abutment surfaces.

22. The cylinder lock and key system of claim 18, wherein: - the further abutment surface on the coding key is formed on a starting stepped abutment portion (5122) which is located at a higher vertical level than the longitudinal rib portion (5121) on the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade (5100), - said further abutment surface (5931) on the key socket is formed in said radially widened portion (5930) of the key socket, at a flat front end surface of said radially widened portion.

23. The cylinder lock and key system of claim 18, wherein: The system includes at least one subset of matching pairs of keys and key sockets, wherein: - the selected depth (D3) of the longitudinal cavity in the front end portion of the matching key socket (4900) is less than half the thickness of the radially widened portion of the key socket, and - A supplementary stop arrangement is obtained by providing a starting stepped abutment portion (4121) on the key (4100), wherein the starting stepped abutment portion has an end surface serving as an additional abutment surface which comes into contact with the front end surface (4921) of the key socket (4900) when the key (4100) reaches its release position.

24. A cylinder lock and key system as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 23, comprising at least one sub-set, the lock and key combination of at least one sub-set being backward compatible with existing similar cylinder lock and key systems but without a longitudinal rib portion on the key or a corresponding cavity in the key socket, the at least one sub-set comprising a key (5100) with a longitudinal rib portion and a key socket (5900) with a corresponding cavity in the radial widening portion, wherein: - the radially widened front end portion of each key socket has an increased thickness (T+L2) measured in the longitudinal direction of said key socket, the increase (L2) being equal to the selected depth of said cavity, - the stepped abutment portion (5122) on each key, if any, has a reduced length (L) equal to said increase in said thickness, Thereby, the longitudinal rib portions of the keys in the at least one subset will be able to open the cylinder locks of the existing system.

25. A cylinder lock and key system comprising one or more cylinder lock and key combinations, wherein at least one cylinder lock and key combination forms a matching pair, the cylinder lock and key combination comprising: A key blank comprising: A grip portion (110) for facilitating: o inserting the substantially flat key blade in a forward direction and withdrawing the substantially flat key blade in a backward direction along the longitudinal axis (A), and o rotating the substantially flat key blade (150) so that it rotates about said longitudinal axis, and A substantially flat key blade (150) which: o extending from said gripping portion (110) along said longitudinal axis (A), o comprising, when viewed in the advancing direction, a connecting portion (120) adjacent to the gripping portion, a main longitudinal engaging portion (130) in which a row of coding cuts (131) are to be provided, and a free tip portion (140), o having a cross-sectional profile substantially confined within a rectangle (R) having a height (h) at least 2.5 times its width (w), oThe cross-sectional profile includes: o a lower relatively wider portion (160) having a maximum width substantially the same as or slightly less than the width of the rectangle, the maximum width being 75% to 100% of the width of the rectangle, o an upper relatively narrow portion (170) being narrower than the lower portion, o and an interconnecting portion (165) extending between said lower portion and said upper portion, o wherein said connecting portion (120) of the substantially flat key blade is provided with a first selectable abutment surface facing said advancing direction, and o wherein the first abutment surface is formed as a forward end surface (125) of a longitudinal rib portion (121), the longitudinal rib portion: located on the lateral side of the upper relatively narrow portion (170) of the substantially flat key blade, with its vertical plane being located within the vertical extent of the bite portion (130) of the substantially flat key blade (150), extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the substantially flat key blade, said connecting portion (120) being longitudinally constrained to a substantially flat key blade, is also confined within the borders of the rectangle (R) or slightly beyond the rectangle in the lateral direction, with a possible lateral extension exceeding at most 25% of the width of the rectangle, having a selectable length measured from the gripping portion to the forward end surface (125) that is any desired fraction of the length of the connecting portion (120), whereby the position of the forward end surface (125) of the longitudinal rib portion forming the first abutment surface on the key can be selected along the entire length of the connecting portion (120); o and wherein an upper portion of said main longitudinal portion of the substantially flat key blade is provided with a row of coding cutouts (131a to 131f) to form a coded key (100); and a cylinder lock comprising: a housing having a cylindrical bore, and a key socket (900) having a cylindrical main portion (940) pivoted in the cylindrical hole and an adjoining radially widened portion (930) having a radius greater than that of the cylindrical portion (940), o having a longitudinal key hole (910) extending from a front end portion to a rear end portion of the key socket (900), o the longitudinal key hole (910) has a specific cross-sectional profile corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blade (150) of the coding key, so that the coding key can be slidingly fitted in the longitudinal key hole (910), o having a row of middle locking pins (960) on the middle plane of the key socket (900), the row of middle locking pins being able to move vertically in the vertical holes (905) of the cylindrical body portion (940), and o the locking pin (960) cooperates with the coding cutouts (131a to 131f) of the coding key (100), in: a release position in which the coding key (100) can be inserted into the key hole (910) of the key socket (900) in the forward direction, in which the lock can be released by rotating the coding key about the longitudinal axis (A) and causing a corresponding rotational movement of the key socket (900), the cylinder lock and key in each said matching pair being provided with first and second cooperating abutment surfaces, said first and second abutment surfaces facing in opposite directions along said longitudinal axis, and wherein: a first abutment surface formed by said forward end surface (125) of said longitudinal rib portion (121) of a substantially flat key blade (150), said forward end surface being located at a desired position along said connecting portion (120) of the substantially flat key blade, a second abutment surface formed by a matching front end surface (925) at said front end portion of the key socket (900), The longitudinal length of the longitudinal rib portion (121) of the substantially flat key blade and the longitudinal position of the matching front end surface (925) at the key socket are selected so that in each of the matching pairs, when the key reaches the release position in the key socket, the forward end surface of the longitudinal rib portion and the matching front end surface at the key socket will contact each other.

26. A cylinder lock and key combination comprising: A key blank (100) comprising: A gripping portion (110), and A substantially flat key blade (150) which: o extending from said gripping portion (110) along said longitudinal axis (A), o comprising, when viewed in the advancing direction, a connecting portion (120) adjacent to the gripping portion (110), a main longitudinal engaging portion (130) in which a row of coding cuts (131) are to be provided, and a free tip portion (140), o having a cross-sectional profile substantially confined within a rectangle (R) having a height (h) at least 2.5 times its width (w), o the cross-sectional profile includes: a lower relatively wider portion (160), the lower relatively wider portion having a maximum width substantially the same as or slightly less than the width (w) of the rectangle, the maximum width being 75% to 100% of the width of the rectangle, o an upper relatively narrow portion (170) which is narrower than the lower portion (160), o and an interconnecting portion (165) extending between said lower portion and said upper portion, o wherein said connecting portion (120) of the substantially flat key blade (150) is provided with a first selectable abutment surface facing said direction of advancement, and o wherein the first abutment surface is formed as a forward end surface (125) of a longitudinal rib portion (121), the longitudinal rib portion having a selectable length measured from the gripping portion (110) to the forward end surface (125) being any desired fraction of the length of the connecting portion (120), o whereby the position of the forward end surface (125) of the longitudinal rib portion forming the first abutment surface on the key can be selected along the entire length of the connecting portion (120); o and wherein an upper portion (170) of said main longitudinal portion of the substantially flat key blade is provided with a row of coding cutouts (131a to 131f) to form a coded key; and a cylinder lock comprising: a housing having a cylindrical bore, and a key socket (900) having a cylindrical main portion (940) pivoted in the cylindrical hole and an adjoining radially widened portion (930) having a radius greater than that of the cylindrical portion (940), o having a longitudinal key hole (910) extending from a front end portion to a rear end portion of the key socket (900), o the longitudinal key hole (910) has a specific cross-sectional profile corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blade (150) of the coding key (100), so that the coding key can be slidingly fitted in the longitudinal key hole (910), o having a row of middle locking pins (960) on the middle plane of the key socket (900), the row of middle locking pins being able to move vertically in the vertical holes (905) of the cylindrical body portion (940), and o the locking pin (960) cooperates with the coding cutouts (131a to 131f) of the coding key (100), in: a release position in which the coding key can be inserted into the key hole of the key socket in the forward direction, in which the cylinder lock can be released by rotating the coding key (100) about the longitudinal axis (A) and causing a corresponding rotational movement of the key socket (900), the cylinder lock and the key being provided with cooperating first and second abutment surfaces (125, 925) facing in opposite directions along said longitudinal axis (A), the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface are configured to contact each other when the key reaches a release position in the key socket, and An additional coding pattern is located in the lower part of the main longitudinal portion of the substantially flat key, the additional coding pattern is located on the bottom surface of a groove cavity (269e, 269f) between the interconnection portion and the security ridge (266e, 266f), the groove cavity is formed in an undercut contour groove (268e, 268f), the security ridge extends upward from the lower part parallel to the interconnection portion, and the additional coding pattern includes coding concave surfaces formed longitudinally along the main longitudinal bite portion of the key blade at several different vertical levels, when viewed laterally in a horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical middle plane of the substantially flat key blade, the coding concave surfaces are at least partially hidden by the security ridge (266e, 266f).

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