Key blank, key and cylinder lock and key combination

Abstract

A substantially flat key edge extends from the grip portion and has a connecting portion, a main longitudinal bite portion, and a free tip portion. The substantially flat key edge has a cross-sectional profile, the cross-sectional profile in the main longitudinal bite portion being confined within a rectangle, the height of which measured in the vertical direction is at least 2.5 times the width thereof, and the cross-sectional profile in the main longitudinal bite portion extends upward in the vertical direction from the lower edge surface to the upper edge surface along a vertical median plane passing through the rectangle. A single upper portion of the key edge has a relatively small transverse width that does not exceed 33% of the lower relatively wide portion of the key edge and extends obliquely upward with a relatively small angle of inclination with respect to the vertical plane, the angle of inclination being in the range of 3 DEG to 12 DEG.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a key blank configured to fit into a keyhole of a cylindrical key socket of an associated cylinder lock, wherein a substantially flat key blade extends from a gripping portion along a longitudinal axis and comprises a connecting portion, a main longitudinal bite portion to be provided with a row of coding cutouts, and a free tip portion. The substantially flat key blade comprises a cross-sectional profile wherein in the main longitudinal bite portion it is confined within a rectangle, the height of the rectangle measured in the vertical direction being at least 2.5 times its width, and extending vertically through the rectangle along a vertical middle plane from a lower edge surface upwards to an upper edge surface. The vertical middle plane is located in the middle of the rectangle and comprises at least two portions, namely a lower relatively wider portion comprising the lower edge surface and having a maximum width, measured between a first lower side surface and a second lower side surface, which is the same as 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, which is provided with an upper edge surface and is narrower than the lower portion; and a possible interconnecting portion, which extends between the lower portion and the upper portion along the vertical middle plane,

[0002] "Vertical middle plane" is intended to define a plane located between the lateral side surfaces of the substantially flat key blade. Here, "vertical" refers to the orientation shown in the drawing, and "middle" is intended to define a position substantially centered between the lateral sides of the rectangle, not necessarily exactly in the middle between these lateral sides.

[0003] However, all portions of the substantially flat key blade should extend along a "vertical mid-plane", from top to bottom.

[0004] It should also be noted that in the present invention, the terms "upper", "lower", "vertical" and "horizontal" are used with reference to the illustrated embodiment, and when used in actual applications, these terms may also be reversed or changed to different orientations of the substantially flat key blade.

[0005] The scope of the present invention also includes coded keys and cylinder lock and key combinations or systems. Background Art

[0006] Key blanks and coded keys forming cylinder lock and key combinations or systems and associated locks have evolved from a basic design created long ago, i.e., in the 1860s, by Linus Yale Junior, and are still being improved by various measures to increase security against unauthorized opening of the locks and to facilitate the rational production of locks and keys in large quantities. The general overall structure of the keyhole and the substantially flat key blade of the corresponding key or key blank generally comprises a cross-sectional profile consisting of three sections, each section having a specific task, namely: a lower relatively wide section, which is primarily used to guide the substantially flat key blade in the keyhole of the associated lock; an interconnecting section, which is used to make it more difficult to operate the associated lock in the event that an improperly cut key is inserted into the keyhole; and an upper relatively narrow section, which has an edge portion, which is used to locate a row of central lock pins of the associated lock to a predetermined position, thereby releasing the lock.

[0007] A contemporary example of such a lock and key system is disclosed in published European patent application EP3,366,870A1 (ASSA AB), wherein the improvement involves a stop arrangement defining a selectable stop for fully inserting a substantially flat key blade into a keyhole of a socket, wherein the key can be turned and release the cylinder lock. The cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blade of this prior art key has a number of longitudinal grooves and ribs and also has a number of portions inclined relative to a vertical mid-plane of the substantially flat key blade. Likewise, the keyhole in the key socket of the associated lock has a corresponding number of longitudinal recesses and ribs and inclined portions, so that the substantially flat key blade will slide fit within the keyhole with some clearance. In the cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blade and the corresponding keyhole, there are a number of portions inclined in alternating directions in the portion extending vertically between the lower and upper portions and thus forming an interconnection. The angle of inclination relative to the mid-plane is quite large, so that a relatively sharp bend will be formed between adjacent portions. This is a substantially flat key blade and keyhole configuration currently commonly used in cylinder lock and key systems.

[0008] Due to the bends between the inclined portions of the profiled keyhole, the security of the associated lock is enhanced, since the upper portion of the keyhole accommodating the lower end of the locking pin is relatively difficult to reach from below when the key has been removed. It is therefore difficult to see or find out how to move the locking pin to open the lock, and thus the serrated or curved configuration of the interconnecting portions of the keyhole will discourage attempts to pry the lock from below, particularly through the lower relatively wide portion of the keyhole. Of course, the lower relatively wide keyhole is a portion of the lock that is relatively easy to reach due to its relatively large width.

[0009] Purpose of the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a key blank or key of relatively simple geometry, without alternating directions of adjacent inclined portions and without sharp bends between adjacent inclined portions, and yet having advantages in manufacture and use, imparting good structural strength to the key blank and reliable and effective use when forming part of a lock and key combination or system.

[0011] Another object is to provide a key blank and corresponding key arrangement which will further facilitate rapid and rational mass production of cylinder lock and key combinations, in particular by adopting a rational method which simplifies the manufacture of the associated lock, the key opening of which corresponds to the contour of the substantially flat key blade of the key blank or coding key.

[0012] Yet another object is to provide such a structure which, despite its relatively simple geometry, will maintain a sufficiently high security against manipulation and unauthorized opening of the associated lock. Summary of the invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned purpose is achieved by providing the basic structure of a substantially flat key blade as described in the above-mentioned "Technical Field" section, wherein the upper relatively narrow portion has a lateral width not exceeding 33% of the maximum width of the lower portion, and extends upwardly inclined along a first direction, the first direction pointing away from the second lower side surface of the lower portion and inclined at a relatively small angle α relative to the vertical middle plane, α being in the range of 3° to 12°, and the lateral or lateral position of the upper relatively narrow portion of the key blade (including its first and second upper side surfaces) within the rectangle is such that an imaginary downward extension of the upper relatively narrow portion substantially along a second direction opposite to the first direction will fall on the lower edge surface of the substantially flat key blade located on the same second side of the vertical middle plane and on the inner side of the second lower side surface of the lower portion.

[0014] The above objects are achieved by means of such an arrangement of a substantially flat key blade comprising a relatively narrow, slightly inclined upper portion.

[0015] Therefore, the inclination angle α of the uppermost part of the key blank relative to the vertical middle plane is only 3° to 12°, which is a relatively small angle. However, despite the very simple structure of the key blank, this small angle is important and effective and will increase the security against picking, as will be explained below. The inclination angle interval can be 5° to 10°, in particular 8° to 9°.

[0016] The "vertical mid-plane" may be laterally displaced relative to a mid-plane of the key socket of the associated cylinder lock by a distance not exceeding 15% of the maximum width of the lower portion.

[0017] Furthermore, it will be possible to form large parts of the essentially flat key blade in one or a few operating steps, thereby achieving rational and rapid manufacturing, since these parts can be oriented essentially in one and the same inclined plane, without having to take special measures to form any alternating bends oriented in different directions.

[0018] Typically, the various surfaces of the key blank are easily manufactured with conventional tools used in the mechanical lock and key industry, including rotary cutting discs. Broaching may not be required, so manufacturing will be fast and cost-effective.

[0019] Furthermore, it is a great advantage that a key socket of an associated lock, the key hole of which has substantially the same cross-sectional profile as the key blank, can be quickly and rationally manufactured by using one or more rotating cutting disks, as described in the above-mentioned related US Patent Application No.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the key blank also has the following features:

[0021] The lower relatively wider portion of the substantially flat key blade comprises a lateral offset region at a vertical level adjacent to the interconnection portion, the lateral offset region being located substantially on the same lateral side of the mid-plane as the second lower portion side surface; the interconnection portion of the substantially flat key blade adjoins the lateral offset region of the lower portion and extends vertically upward from the lateral offset region, the interconnection portion of the substantially flat key blade has a middle side surface located adjacent to the vertical mid-plane and inclined substantially in a first direction away from the lateral offset region of the lower portion, and the interconnection portion of the substantially flat key blade has an outer side surface, which adjoins the second lower portion side surface of the lower portion, possibly via a stepped transition. The upper portion of the substantially flat key blade forms an upward extension of the interconnection portion, forming a substantially straight extension of the middle side surface of the interconnection portion at a first upper side surface, and also forming a substantially straight surface at an opposite second upper side surface, which adjoins (downwardly) the outer surface of the interconnection portion, possibly via a stepped transition.

[0022] By this arrangement, security against picking is further enhanced as the majority of the width of the lowermost portion does not abut the interconnecting portion, and so will the configuration of the corresponding keyhole of the associated cylinder lock. Accordingly, when no key is inserted into the key socket, the upper portion of the keyhole will appear very narrow when viewed from below, and the inclination of the relatively narrow upper portion directed away from the lateral offset region of the lower portion will also make it more difficult to view, reach or operate the middle locking pin of the cylinder lock from below.

[0023] It is advantageous if the relatively narrow upper portion of the substantially flat key blade is substantially uniform along the vertical extension of the upper portion, possibly with a tapered uppermost portion. Since the upper portion is very narrow, typically only about 1 mm wide, a typical embodiment would be that the entire upper portion of the key blade is of uniform thickness.

[0024] Furthermore, the entire inclined upper portion of the key blank will be centrally located relative to the lower portion and also relative to the vertical mid-plane, which will also facilitate the manufacture of the key blank. In particular, at least a portion of each of the first and second upper side surfaces of the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade is located on a first side and a second side of the vertical mid-plane, respectively.

[0025] Furthermore, the total vertical height of the interconnecting and upper portions of the substantially flat key blade is between 50% and 85% of the total height of the substantially flat key blade. Thus, the lower relatively wider portion of the substantially flat key blade will have a relatively small vertical height that is less than half of the total height, and its height may be substantially less than half of the total height, possibly as low as only 15% of the total height. This feature will also contribute to the security of the associated lock, since the distance from the lower portion of the keyhole (where a picking tool may be introduced) up to the upper end of the keyhole that accommodates the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade (including the bite portion of the substantially flat key blade) will be relatively large.

[0026] Furthermore, the middle side surface of the interconnection intersects the vertical middle plane. In other words, in the lower part, the first inclined lateral surface of the interconnection and its imaginary extension downwards will be completely on the second side of the vertical middle plane, while the first side surface of the upper part extending upwards will be completely on the first side of the vertical middle plane. Such an embodiment will ensure that the entire lateral displacement area of ​​the lower adjacent interconnection is located on the second side of the vertical middle plane, which also means that the corresponding part of the keyhole of the associated lock has such a lateral displacement area that makes it more difficult to operate the lock to move the middle locking pin to the release position when the substantially flat key blade has been extracted from the keyhole.

[0027] Still further, the lower portion of the substantially flat key blade has an upper first lateral surface, the upper first lateral surface being located substantially on the same lateral side of the vertical mid-plane as the first lower side surface, the first lateral surface forming a corner with the adjacent middle side surface of the interconnecting portion, the corner being located near the vertical mid-plane, and the first lateral surface forming at least a portion of a first stepped transition between the lower portion of the substantially flat key blade and the interconnecting portion. In a corresponding key socket, such corresponding lateral surface portion and the corner of the key socket of the associated lock will help to hinder attempts to reach the laterally offset adjacent passage of the key hole, for example using a lock picking tool.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first transverse surface of the key blank extends transversely from the first lower side of the lower portion all the way to the corner, thereby forming a first stepped transition. Alternatively, the first stepped transition also includes an upward ridge extending upward in a direction substantially parallel to the interconnection, the upward ridge having an outer surface portion adjacent to the first lower side surface of the lower portion, a top surface portion, and an inner surface portion adjacent to the first transverse surface. Thus, the first transverse surface will only form a portion of the first stepped transition. The undercut groove is formed and defined by the inner surface portion of the upward ridge, the first transverse surface with a corner, and the middle side surface of the interconnection. If desired, such an upright ridge will constitute a good place to arrange a side coding pattern. In addition, the upright ridge will mean that a corresponding recess for accommodating the ridge is formed in the keyhole of the key socket of the associated lock, and this corresponding recess will act as a closed slot cavity, in which a pick tool may be trapped when trying to open the lock without the correct key. Such an embodiment of the key blank will therefore further enhance the security of the corresponding lock against manipulation.

[0029] The second upper side surface of the upper part adjoins the second lower side surface of the lower part in a substantially straight extension, or there is also a second stepped transition on the other side of the vertical middle plane, where the second upper side surface of the upper part adjoins the outer surface of the interconnection part.

[0030] On the second side, the stepped transition may form a second lateral surface portion, which may be located above the level of the stepped transition on the first side, or at the same level, or at a lower level.

[0031] According to another possible feature of the key blank, at least one longitudinal groove or at least one profile rib is provided on one or both sides of the substantially flat key blade for providing a specific cross-sectional profile and / or a stop arrangement, the stop arrangement enabling the associated cylinder lock to be released with a correctly configured substantially flat key blade, whereby the substantially flat key blade will stop when it has reached a certain longitudinal position when inserted into the key socket of the associated cylinder lock.

[0032] As described above, the key blank may include a stop arrangement, the stop arrangement being provided with a (first) selectable abutment surface facing forward along the longitudinal axis, wherein the (first) abutment surface on the substantially flat key blade is formed as a forward end surface of a longitudinal rib portion, the longitudinal rib portion being located on the lateral side of the upper relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade, its vertical plane being located within the vertical range 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, the longitudinal rib portion being longitudinally limited to the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade, the longitudinal rib portion also being limited within the boundary line of the rectangle or laterally slightly beyond the rectangle, its possible lateral extension being at most 25% beyond the width of the rectangle, and the longitudinal rib portion having a selectable length measured from the grip portion, which length is any desired portion of the length of the connecting portion, whereby the position of the forward end surface of the rib portion is selectable along the entire length of the connecting portion.

[0033] In the case where the side coding pattern is located on a lateral side surface portion of the key blank, each side locking mechanism may comprise at least one side locking tumbler. Such side locking mechanisms are known per se in cylinder lock and key systems, for example from US Pat. No. 10,337,210 B2 (Wieden) relating to a replaceable cylinder lock cylinder for a cylinder lock unit and from the corresponding part-continuation US Pat. No. 10,570,643 B2 (Wieden) relating to a cylinder lock cylinder for a cylinder lock unit. According to these patent specifications, there is at least one side coding pattern, at least one side coding pattern is completely confined to the front area of ​​the rotatable key socket of the lock, the side locking tumblers of each side locking mechanism can be moved independently of each other, each coded side locking tumbler has at least three different coding positions, and each side locking mechanism has a plurality of different coding combinations.

[0034] In the present invention, a key blank or key with a key coding pattern can cooperate with the side coding mechanism of the lock, and the side coding pattern of the substantially flat key blade (and the associated coded side locking mechanism of the lock) can extend only along a portion of the entire length of the substantially flat key blade (and along a longitudinal portion of the key socket of the lock), or can extend along substantially the entire length of the substantially flat key blade from the grip portion to the tip of the substantially flat key blade.

[0035] Therefore, one skilled in the art can well combine the teachings of the above two US patents when designing a lock and key system without having to limit the coded side locking mechanism to only the longitudinal portion of the length of the substantially flat key blade.

[0036] As described above, the key blank may be provided with at least one key coding pattern in a substantially flat key blade to form a coded key, wherein the at least one key coding pattern comprises a central key coding pattern with a longitudinal row of coding cutouts in an upper relatively narrow inclined portion of the substantially flat key blade, and possibly also comprises at least one side coding pattern in a lower relatively wide portion.

[0037] The side coding patterns may be the same as each other, or may be different from each other.

[0038] Each side coding pattern may be located inboard of an upstanding security ridge of the substantially flat key blade so as to be at least partially concealed when viewed laterally from a lateral side of the substantially flat key blade.

[0039] The side coding pattern may be located on the bottom surface of an undercut groove cavity located inboard of the upstanding security ridge.

[0040] Another side coding pattern may be provided in the upper portion of the upright security ridge of the substantially flat key blade so that there are two side coding patterns adjacent side by side, the side coding patterns comprising an inner wavy side coding pattern partially hidden by the remainder of the security ridge. In other words, there may be a double coding near the security ridge.

[0041] Furthermore, the invention also comprises the combination of a coded key having at least one key coding pattern and an associated lock, thereby forming a cylinder lock and key combination, possibly forming part of a cylinder lock and key system having a plurality of coded keys and corresponding cylinder locks.

[0042] A related or associated cylinder lock is disclosed in a related patent application filed by the same applicant on the same date as the present application, which includes a key socket, the cross-sectional profile of the key hole of which corresponds to the key socket or the coded key according to the present invention. The name of the related patent application is "Key socket, cylinder lock, cylinder lock and key combination, and method for manufacturing a key socket", as described in the above related application cross-reference paragraph.

[0043] As mentioned above, in the embodiment of the cylinder lock and key combination according to the invention, there is a rib portion forming a first abutment surface on the substantially flat key blade. If so, the key socket of the associated cylinder lock is provided with a second abutment surface in a longitudinal hole or cavity formed on one or both lateral sides of the key hole, or beside a front end surface of a radially widened front end portion of the key socket. In case a coded key is inserted into the key socket of the cylinder lock, the cylinder lock will be released when the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface come into contact with each other.

[0044] By means of the above arrangement, it will be possible to design individual cylinder lock and key combinations or systems very flexibly, either backwards compatible with existing systems or to create completely new cylinder lock and key systems which may include various individual cylinder lock and key sub-groups or may include a hierarchical system with different hierarchical sub-groups. Furthermore, for the usual connecting portion of a key (generally not exceeding about 10 mm in length), the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal rib portion will allow a wide span of possible lengths to be selected, e.g. 0 to 10 mm for key blanks or coded keys, e.g. for small format interchangeable cylinder type locks.

[0045] Another independent patent application filed by the same applicant on the same date as the present application discloses a specific embodiment of such a key blank or coding key, which has a stop arrangement including a longitudinal rib portion on the key blank or coding key. The name of the independent patent application is "Key Blank, Coding Key, and Cylinder Lock and Key System with Improved Stop Arrangement", as described in the above cross-reference paragraph of the related application.

[0046] The structure with one or more longitudinal rib portions has the advantage that a reinforcement of the coded key is formed in the connecting portion by each longitudinal rib portion being laterally integrated with the relatively narrow upper portion of the substantially flat key blade in the connecting portion.

[0047] 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.

[0048] Typical production methods include stamping, milling and coining.

[0049] Typically, the key grip will 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.

[0050] Other possible manufacturing methods are sintering, casting and also additive methods of various materials (eg polymers, metals and metal alloys), including 3D printing methods.

[0051] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become 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 become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] 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:

[0053] Figure 1a A key according to the invention and an associated cylinder lock with a housing and a rotatable key socket are shown in a perspective view;

[0054] Figure 1b Shows Figure 1a a cross-sectional profile of a substantially flat key blade;

[0055] Figure 1c Shown on a larger scale Figure 2 An end view of a key socket;

[0056] Figure 2 The exploded perspective view shows Figure 1a a key, key socket and housing including a row of central locking pins and other internal components of a cylinder lock and key combination;

[0057] Figure 3 Shown in end view Figure 1a and Figure 2 The key and lock are inserted into the key socket of the cylinder lock;

[0058] Figure 4a Shown in side view Figure 1a , Figure 2 and Figure 3 keys and cylinder locks;

[0059] Figure 4b It is along Figure 4a A cross-sectional view of the key and cylinder lock taken along line 4b-4b in FIG.

[0060] Figure 5a The key is shown in longitudinal section. Figure 4a In the cylinder lock of , the upper and lower middle locking pins are also shown to cooperate and engage with the V-shaped cutouts in the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade;

[0061] Figure 5b Shown on a larger scale Figure 5a Detail in, showing contact between one of the lower locking pins and the V-shaped cutout of the substantially flat key blade;

[0062] Figure 6a Shown along Figure 5a A cross-sectional view of the cylinder lock and the inserted substantially flat key blade taken along line 6a-6a in FIG.

[0063] Figure 6b Shown on a larger scale Figure 6aThe details in Figure 5b The contact between the lower locking pin and the V-shaped cutout is also shown;

[0064] Figure 7a is a detailed front view of the key socket without a key inserted into the key hole, showing how the key hole communicates with the middle hole accommodating the lower middle locking pin;

[0065] Figure 7b yes Figure 7a An enlarged detailed schematic diagram of

[0066] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of a key socket viewed from below, showing how the central hole is only partially accessible from below via a narrow open passage;

[0067] Figure 8b yes Figure 8a An enlarged detailed schematic diagram of

[0068] Fig. 9 It is along Figure 7a A longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the key socket taken along line 9-9 in FIG.

[0069] Fig.10 Schematically shows a side view of a rectangular blade with a gripping portion from which a key blank according to the invention can be machined;

[0070] Fig.11 It is along Fig.10 A cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 1 shows a rectangular blade;

[0071] Fig.12 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 Shown by Fig.10 and Fig.11 Three variants of the first embodiment of the key blank according to the invention formed by a rectangular blade;

[0072] Fig.15 , Fig.16 and Fig.17 A further variation of the first embodiment is shown;

[0073] Fig.18 , Fig.19 and Fig. 20 Three variants of the second embodiment of the key blank according to the invention are shown;

[0074] Fig.21 , Fig. 22 and Fig.23 Three further variations of the second embodiment are shown;

[0075] Fig.24 , Fig.25 , Fig.26 , Fig. 27 and Fig.28 is shown configured to slideably accommodate Fig.13 Various profiles of keyholes of the type shown in , showing different angles of inclination of the upper and interconnecting parts of the keyhole (and therefore also of the corresponding substantially flat key blade);

[0076] Fig.29 A key socket having a key hole is shown in cross-section, wherein a key according to the invention cooperates with two side locking mechanisms on two lateral sides of the key hole of the key socket;

[0077] Fig.30 The stereogram shows Fig.29 A key and a key socket, wherein the key is located outside the key socket, and a stop arrangement is also shown in two enlarged schematic diagrams;

[0078] Fig.31 and Fig.32 Shows Fig.30 Two enlarged detailed schematic diagrams of;

[0079] Fig.33 A key socket with an inserted key having an improved detent arrangement is shown in perspective view;

[0080] Fig.34 It only shows Fig.33 A stereogram of a key;

[0081] Fig.35 yes Fig.34 Amplification of details in

[0082] Fig.36 It is along Fig.34 a cross section taken along line 36-36 in;

[0083] Fig.37 Shown in side view Figure 33 to Figure 36 Keys and key sockets;

[0084] Fig.38 It is along Fig.37 A longitudinal horizontal cross-sectional view of line 38-38 in FIG. 1 , which shows the stop arrangement;

[0085] Fig.39 yes Fig.38 An enlarged detailed schematic diagram of

[0086] Fig.40 is a side view of a key inserted into a key socket, similar to Figure 33 to Figure 39 The key and key socket are provided with a coded side locking mechanism with a side lever;

[0087] Fig.41 It is along Fig.40 A longitudinal horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 41-41 in FIG.

[0088] Fig.42 yes Fig.41 , which shows the interaction between a key provided with a longitudinal rib portion and a key socket with a radial widening portion, enlarged in the longitudinal direction;

[0089] Fig.43 A variation of a key having a longitudinal rib portion and interaction with a key socket forming part of an existing cylinder lock and key system is shown;

[0090] Fig.44 and Fig.45 A substantially flat key blade provided with a longitudinal rib portion on one lateral side and inserted into a key socket of an associated cylinder lock is shown in perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively;

[0091] Fig.46 and Fig.47 With Fig.44 and Fig.45 A similar view shows a variant having two longitudinal rib portions, one on each lateral side of the substantially flat key blade, the two rib portions having the same length;

[0092] Fig.48 and Fig.49 With Fig.44 and Fig.45 Similar views show another variation having a longitudinal rib portion on each lateral side of the substantially flat key blade, one of the longitudinal rib portions being shorter than the other and also slightly displaced vertically downward;

[0093] Fig.50a , Fig.50b , Fig.50c and Fig.50d shows how one or two coding patterns can be formed on the side portions of the lower portion of a substantially flat key blade by a cutting tool having a vertically oriented rotating cutting disk, one such coding pattern being at least partially concealed on the inner side of a spine portion; and

[0094] Fig.51a , Fig.51b , Fig.51c and Fig.51d In a similar view it is shown how a coding pattern can be formed by a cutting tool having a rotating cutting disk which is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical plane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of key blanks, coded keys and cylinder lock and key combinations or systems according to the present invention

[0096] Basic structure of a cylinder lock and key combination

[0097] exist Figures 1a to 9 In the embodiment, a cylinder lock and key combination is schematically shown, which includes a cylinder lock 990 and a key 100, the key 100 being formed by a key blank 100' of the present invention (see Figures 12 to 23 and Fig.34 )form.

[0098] The key 100 includes (see Figure 2 ) a gripping portion 110 and a substantially flat key blade 150 extending from the gripping portion 110 to a free tip portion 140 via a connecting portion 120 and a biting portion 130 (provided with a coding cutout). The substantially flat key blade 150 has a lower edge surface 161 and an upper edge surface 171, the upper edge surface 171 forming a middle key coding pattern in the form of V-shaped cutouts 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d, 131e, 131f.

[0099] like Figure 1b and Figure 4b (And there is Figures 12 to 23 ), the substantially flat key blade 150 may be made in one piece and have a cross-sectional profile consisting of three parts from the lower edge surface 161 to the upper edge surface 171, namely, the lower part 160, the interconnecting part 165 and the upper part 170. It should be noted that the interconnecting part 165 may be omitted and the substantially flat key blade has only a lower relatively wide part and an upper relatively narrow part, as described below.

[0100] The associated lock 990 (see Figure 2 ) comprises a housing 991 and a rotatable cylindrical key socket 900. The housing 991 has an elongated cross section with an upper portion 992 and a lower portion 993 (see also Figure 3 , Figure 4b and Figure 6a The lower portion 993 has a longitudinally extending cylindrical hole 995 in which the cylindrical key socket 900 is rotatably pivoted.

[0101] In the upper portion 992 of the housing 991 (see Figure 2 , Figure 4b and Figure 6a ), having a row of central holes 996, in the example, the axes of the six central holes are generally located in a vertical central plane VP, which is consistent with the substantially flat key blade 150 inserted into the key socket 900 (and the key socket 900 is in its release or unlocked position, such as Figure 4band Figure 6a The central hole 996 is aligned with the vertical middle plane MP of the substantially flat key blade 150 in the case shown in FIG. Each middle hole 996 accommodates an upper locking pin 997, one of which is divided into a first portion 997a and a second portion 997b, and each of these upper locking pins 997, 997a, 997b is biased downward by a coil spring 998. The upper end of the coil spring 998 is fixed by a cover plate 999.

[0102] In the example shown, when the properly cut substantially flat key blade 150 of the key 100 is inserted into the key socket 900 of the lock 900, the upper locking pins 997, 997a, 997b are positioned with their lower ends located at the shear line of the cylindrical surface of the hole 995 so that the key socket 900 can be rotated therein, as shown in accordance with Figure 4b , Figure 5a and Figure 6a Will understand.

[0103] Rotatable key socket 900 (see Figure 2 ) has an outer cylindrical surface 940 and has a radially widened end portion 930 at the front end portion 901, the outer cylindrical surface 940 is assembled with a small gap inside the cylindrical hole 995 of the housing 991, the radially widened end portion 930 has a radius larger than the cylindrical surface 940 and is used together with a stop member formed by an elastic stop ring 926 at the rear end portion 902 of the key socket 900 to longitudinally fix the key socket 900 in the lower portion 993 of the housing 991.

[0104] The key socket 900 has a row of six central holes 905, the diameter and spacing of which are the same as the holes 996 of the housing 991. Thus, if and when the substantially flat key blade 150 of the key 100 is withdrawn from the key socket 900 of the lock 990, the upper locking pins 997, 997a can be pushed downwardly into the central holes 905 of the key socket (compare Fig. 9 ).

[0105] The central hole 905 of the key socket 900 accommodates a corresponding number (six) of lower locking pins 959. Figure 5b and Figure 6b As shown, the lower ends of the lower locking pins each have a tapered end portion 961 with a smoothly rounded apex 962, which may be a tapered end portion as shown in the figure or an end portion formed as a chisel. The end portion 961 will contact each of the above-mentioned V-shaped cutouts 131a to 131f cut in the upper edge surface 171 of the substantially flat key blade 150 with its apex 961a, each V-shaped cutout having a horizontal (such as Figure 5b 1 and 15. As shown in FIG. 1 , a short flat bottom portion 132 is provided which is parallel to the longitudinal direction A of the substantially flat key blade 150. As shown in FIG.

[0106] like Figure 4b and Figure 6a As shown, the lower edge surface 161 of the lower relatively wide portion 160 of the substantially flat key blade 150 is partially cylindrical, and its curvature is the same as the cylindrical surface 940 of the key socket 900 (also refer to Figure 1b ).

[0107] The lock and key combination has a configuration in which the substantially flat key blade 150 has an inclined upper portion 170 and adjacent inclined lateral side surfaces of the interconnecting portion 165 (and the corresponding geometry of the keyway). Thus, according to the present invention, the cross-sectional profile of the substantially flat key blade 150 ( Figure 1b and Figures 12 to 23 ) and the corresponding keyhole 910 are novel and comprise a combination of features with a relatively narrow upper portion 170 / 970 which is slightly inclined relative to the vertical mid-plane MP. The inclination angle α is relatively small, in the interval 3° to 12°, possibly in the interval 5° to 10°, in particular about 8°, such as Figure 24 to Figure 28 shown.

[0108] However, it is worth noting that key 100 ( Figure 1b ) or a key blank forming a key and a corresponding key hole 910 ( Figure 1c ) is considerably different due to the inclined upper portion 170 / 970 of the substantially flat key blade / key hole, which extends obliquely upwards along the first direction P1 (see Figure 1b ), with the above-mentioned inclination angle α (see Figure 1c ), and points away from the second lower side surface of the lower portion. Furthermore, the lateral or transverse position of the upper relatively narrow portion of the key blade / keyhole (including its first and second side surfaces / side walls) within the rectangle is such that an imaginary downward extension of the upper relatively narrow portion substantially in a second direction P2 opposite to the first direction P1 would fall on the same second side ( Figure 1b The upper portion 970 of the cross-sectional profile of the corresponding keyhole 910 is inclined in the same manner as the upper portion 170 of the substantially flat key blade 150, and the upper side wall of the upper portion 970 of the keyhole is also configured in the same manner as the side surface of the substantially flat key blade 150, wherein the substantially flat key blade is slidably fitted into the corresponding keyhole 910.

[0109] As described above with respect to the geometric configuration of the substantially flat key blade 150, the cross-sectional profile is confined within a rectangle having a height h ( Figure 1b ) is at least 2.5 times its width w.

[0110] exist Figure 1b In the particular embodiment shown, the lower relatively wider portion 160 of the substantially flat key blade includes a lateral offset region 164 located on the same lateral side of the midplane MP as the second lower side surface 163 of the lower portion 160. An interconnection portion 165 adjoins the lateral offset region 164 and extends vertically upward from the lateral offset region 164. The interconnection portion 165 has a middle side surface 166 located near the vertical midplane MP and inclined in a first direction P1 away from the offset region 164. An outer side surface 167 of the interconnection portion 165 adjoins the second lower side surface 163 of the lower portion 160. The upper portion 170 forms an upward extension of the interconnection portion 165 with a vertical extension of the middle side surface 166. In addition, the upper portion 170 forms a vertical surface at the opposite second upper side surface 173, which adjoins (downwardly) the outer side surface 167 of the interconnection portion 165 via a stepped transition 168.

[0111] The upper portion 170 is in this embodiment and generally has a uniform width along its entire vertical extension. In a possible alternative embodiment, its uppermost portion may taper upwards.

[0112] like Figure 1b As shown (also compared to Fig.24 ), at least a portion of the first and second upper side surfaces 172, 173 of the upper portion 170 of the substantially flat key blade 150 are respectively located on the first side (left side) and the second side (right side) of the vertical middle plane MP.

[0113] In this embodiment, the total height of the interconnecting portion 165 and the upper portion 170 of the substantially flat key blade 150 is approximately 80% of the total height h of the substantially flat key blade 150. According to the invention, this ratio may be in the range of 50% to 85%. Of course, the corresponding geometric relationships will apply to Figure 1c Keyhole 910 is shown.

[0114] According to another aspect of the invention, in the illustrated embodiment, the middle side surface 166 of the interconnecting portion 165 passes through the vertical mid-plane MP very close to the upper end of the interconnecting portion 165 .

[0115] The lower portion 160 of the substantially flat key blade 150 has an upper first lateral surface 160t which is substantially located on the same side of the median plane MP as the first lower side surface 162. The lateral surface 160t will form a corner 160c with the adjacent middle side surface 166 of the interconnecting portion 165. The corner 160c is located near the vertical median plane MP. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral portion 160t forms part of a stepped transition between the lower portion 160 and the interconnecting portion 165. Alternatively, the lateral surface 160t may extend laterally from the first lower side surface 162 all the way to the corner 160c so that the lateral surface forms a relatively long stepped transition. Such an embodiment as Figures 12 to 17 shown.

[0116] exist Figure 1b implementation plan and Figures 18 to 20 In the embodiment shown in FIG. , the stepped transition portion ( Figure 1b The left side in FIG. 1 includes an upward ridge 169 extending parallel to the interconnection portion 165. The ridge 169 has an outer side surface portion 169o adjacent to the first lower side surface 162 (downwardly), a top surface portion 169t, and an inner side surface portion 169i adjacent to the first lateral surface 160t. Therefore, the first lateral surface 160t forms only a part of the first stepped transition portion and is formed with an undercut groove defined by the inner side surface portion 169i of the ridge 169, the first lateral surface 160t with the corner 160c, and the middle side surface 166 of the interconnection portion 165. Figure 1b On the right side, the second upper side surface 173 adjoins the outer side surface 167 of the interconnection portion 165 via a stepped transition portion 168 .

[0117] Figures 12 to 23 Two basic embodiments of a substantially flat key blade having a slightly inclined upper portion 170 are shown, wherein the first embodiment has a long stepped transition of the lateral surface extending from the first lower side surface 162 all the way to the corner 160c, and the second embodiment has an upward ridge portion 169 extending a limited distance parallel to the interconnection portion 165.

[0118] It should be noted that the key hole 910 of the key socket can be relative to the rotation axis C ( Figure 1c ) is slightly displaced. Thus, the middle plane MP of the key hole 910 may be laterally displaced by a lateral distance LD that does not exceed 15% of the width w of the rectangle R within which the substantially flat key blade 150 (and therefore also the key hole 910) is confined.

[0119] The above-described basic configuration of a substantially flat key blade (and corresponding key blank without coding cutouts) and a corresponding key hole of a key socket will facilitate rapid and reasonable mass production of key blanks or coding keys and associated locks in a cost-effective manner without requiring different portions in the middle to be oriented in alternating directions and without requiring sharp bends between different portions. Furthermore, as will be discussed below, the security of the associated lock will remain at a sufficiently high level to prevent manipulation and picking of the lock.

[0120] Security measures to prevent operation of cylinder locks and key combination locks

[0121] like Figure 7a and Figure 7b As shown, due to the basic structure of the cylinder lock and key combination described above, the interconnecting portion 965 and the upper portion 970 of the key hole 910 are laterally contracted, thereby establishing free visual communication between the lower relatively wider portion 960 of the key hole 910 and each middle hole 905 in the upper portion of the key socket 900 through only a narrow opening channel, and the middle hole 905 accommodates a corresponding lower middle pin 959. From below along the vertical plane VP ( Figure 7b ) observation, this narrow opening passage NOP is defined by the corner portion 960c of the downwardly directed tongue 960t of the key socket material and the lateral surface 969t forming the stepped transition of the key hole 910, see in particular Figure 8a and Figure 8b .from Figure 7b and Figure 8b It will be apparent that when the key 100 has been removed from the keyway 910, only the tapered (conical) end portion 961 ( Figure 5b and Figure 6b )'s side portion 961s is visible and accessible from below.

[0122] More specifically, if Figure 8b It will be seen that the section or side portion 961s of each locking pin end portion 961 visible and accessible from below does not include the apex 961a ( Figure 6b ), because the apex is hidden by the corner portion 960c of the downwardly oriented tongue 960t due to the inclined orientation of the interconnecting portion 965 and the upper portion 970 of the keyhole and the lateral offset position of the narrow opening passage NOP relative to the vertical axis of the hole 905 defining the vertical mid-plane VP. Therefore, it will be difficult to determine by optical or mechanical inspection how far each lower locking pin 959 must be moved upward to position its upper end surface at the release shear line, i.e. Figure 5a Of course, if Fig. 9As shown in FIG. 1 , all lower locking pins 959 are held in their lowermost positions by means of upper locking pins 997 , 997 a , 997 b and coil springs 998 , so it is not easy to distinguish their coded lengths or heights.

[0123] like Figure 1c and Figure 7b As best seen, the lower relatively wider portion 960 of the keyhole 910 extends upwardly on either side of a vertical mid-plane VP, with side wall portions 962, 963 being substantially parallel to one another, except for a lowermost inclined surface portion 963s (which may have been formed in the portion 930 of the key socket when the initial keyhole slot was formed by means of a rotating cutting disk), until a downwardly oriented tongue 960t. From here, the keyhole 910 continues to extend upwardly on a second side (right side) of a corner portion 960c of the tongue 960t. On a first side (left side) of the tongue 960t, the keyhole extends upwardly to a transverse, substantially horizontal surface 969t which, together with the tongue 960t, forms a transverse recess or slot cavity 969 the width of the keyhole 910, leaving only a narrow opening passage NOP ( ) on a second side (right side) of the keyhole. Figure 8a and Figure 8b ). When the substantially flat key blade is inserted into the keyway, the recess or groove cavity 969 below the transverse wall surface 969t will receive the ridge portion 169 of the substantially flat key blade. On the right side of the keyway, the interconnecting portion 965 extends upwardly until the aforementioned horizontal wall surface, which forms a stepped transition 968 to the narrower upper portion 970 of the keyway 910. As mentioned above, the width of this upper relatively narrow portion 970 is at most 33% of the width of the lower portion 960.

[0124] exist Figure 7a , Figure 7b , Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Fig. 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the groove cavity 969 forms a lateral constriction of the keyhole 910 positioned parallel to the upwardly extending interconnecting portion 965, so that the groove cavity 969 will prevent any prying tool from moving upward from the lower widened portion 960 on the first or left side of the vertical plane VP, where the prying tool will be stuck in the groove cavity 969, not exceeding the lateral, substantially horizontal surface 969t, or stuck by the downwardly oriented tongue-shaped member 960t, and the only open passages are the open passages on the right side of the downwardly oriented tongue-shaped member 960t, along the inclined surface portions 966 and 972 in the interconnecting portion 965 and the upper portion 970 of the keyhole 910.

[0125] When following this narrow opening channel NOP ( Figure 8a and Figure 8b) when advancing, any prying tool will encounter the side portions 961s or sections of each tapered end portion 961 of the middle locking pin 959, which are curved in two dimensions away from the entry direction and are therefore difficult to engage or grasp.

[0126] Some preferred embodiments of the substantially flat key blade of a key blank or key according to the invention

[0127] like Fig.11 As shown, a substantially flat key blade 150 of a key blank or key according to the present invention can be formed by machining a rectangular blade 100r, the cross-sectional view of which is taken along Fig.10 1-11 in FIG. 1 , namely at the bite portion between the connecting portion and the free tip portion of the substantially flat key blade to be formed.

[0128] The dimensions of the rectangular blade 100r are typically 8 mm to 9 mm (height "h", measured along the vertical mid-plane MP) and 2.5 mm to 3 mm (maximum width "w", measured perpendicular to the vertical mid-plane VP). The key can be of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned continuation-in-part application of U.S. Patent 10,570,643 B2 (Weiden). Alternatively, the key can be of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 10,337,210 B2 (Weiden), which relates to a small replaceable cylinder lock core ("SFIC") for a cylinder lock unit. In the latter case, the dimensions will be 8 mm (height "h") and 2.7 mm (maximum width "w").

[0129] exist Figure 12-Figure 23 In the figure, two different embodiments are shown, each of which has multiple variations. The first embodiment is as shown in FIG. Figures 12 to 17 As shown, the second embodiment is as follows Figures 18 to 23 shown.

[0130] exist Fig.12 In the embodiment, the key blank 1100a has a lower portion 1160a with a slightly curved lower edge surface 1161, the curvature of which corresponds to the curvature of an associated cylindrical key socket into which it is intended to be inserted during use. The height of the lower portion 1160a is 15% to 50% of the total height h measured from the lower edge surface 161 to the upper edge surface 171, while the height of the remaining portion of the key blank above the lowermost portion is 50% to 85% of the total height h.

[0131] On a first side of the lower portion 1160a, i.e. on the left side in the figure, there is a stepped transition with a transverse, substantially horizontal surface 1160t extending all the way to a corner 1160c, where the lower portion 1160a adjoins upwardly a slightly inclined upper portion 1170a with a first inclined transverse side surface 1172a and an opposite second transverse side surface 1173a. As mentioned above, the transverse side surfaces 1172a, 1173a are both inclined relative to the vertical midplane MP, with an inclination angle α of 3 to 12 degrees, preferably about 8 degrees. In this particular variant of the first embodiment, the second transverse side surface 1173a extends from the upper edge surface 1171 all the way downwardly to the lower edge surface 1161, so that there is no stepped transition on this second side of the key blank.

[0132] exist Fig.13 In the second variation of the first embodiment shown, the key blank 1100b is structured similar to Fig.14 The structure in is the same, except that there is a stepped transition portion 1168b on the second side (right side in the figure), and the second lateral side surface of the upper part abuts the lateral, substantially horizontal surface. Here, the interconnection portion 1165b is vertically located between the upper part 1170b and the lower part 1160b.

[0133] exist Fig.14 In the third variation of the substantially flat key blade 1100c shown, the structure is similar to Fig.13 The structure of FIG. 1165 is similar to that of FIG. 1166 , except that the stepped transition portion 1168 c on the second side (right side) is located at a higher vertical height. Therefore, in this variation, the interconnection portion 1165 c has a longer vertical extension.

[0134] Fig.15 , Fig.16 , Fig.17 The variants 1100d, 1100e, 1100f of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are different from the variants 1100d, 1100e, 1100f in that the key blank is divided into two or three parts, respectively. Fig.12 , Fig.13 , Fig.14 The only difference is that it has relatively small ribs R1, R2 ( Fig.15 and Fig.16 ) and relatively shallow grooves G1, G2 extending longitudinally along the interconnecting portion and partially along the lower portion ( Fig.16 and Fig.17 ). Such ribs and grooves may be formed by methods known in the art, such as using a rotary cutting tool. In addition, in variation 1100f, there is a connecting portion ( Figure 2 The longitudinal rib portion 1121f (indicated as 120) extends therefrom, as will be further explained below.

[0135] Figures 18 to 23 The second embodiment of the key blank shown corresponds substantially to the first embodiment described above, except that on a first side (left side) of the lower part there is a ridge 1169 extending upwardly parallel to the interconnection and / or the upper part on the other side of the vertical midplane MP. Such a ridge has already been described above, Fig. 20 The key blank 1200c described above corresponds to the variant described above with reference to Figure 1b , Figure 4b and Figure 6a An embodiment of a substantially flat key blade 150 is described.

[0136] Some additional embodiments within the scope of the present invention

[0137] Generally speaking, on the key according to the present invention, the key code pattern is formed in the upper edge code portion of the upper part of the key, that is, the key code pattern located in the middle (such as the V-shaped cutouts 131a to 131f provided in the above-mentioned embodiment), and may also be formed on the lateral side surface portion of the lower part and / or the interconnecting part of the substantially flat key blade on one or both lateral sides of the substantially flat key blade.

[0138] exist Fig.29 , it is shown how the key 1100 according to the present invention cooperates with two side locking mechanisms. As described above, the key is in the upper edge portion 1171 ( Fig.30 ) is also provided with a central V-shaped cutout 1131.

[0139] In this embodiment, the key 1100 cooperates with two side locking mechanisms 1200, 1300 on each side of a central keyhole 1910 in a rotatable key socket 1900 of an associated lock (not shown in its entirety). Such side locking mechanisms are known, for example, from the above-mentioned US Patent No. 10,337,210 B2 (Wieden) and the corresponding continuation-in-part application US Patent No. 10,570,643 B2 (Wieden), the latter relating to a cylinder lock cylinder for a cylinder lock unit. However, in the context of the present invention, the side coding pattern on the substantially flat key blade 1150 is not necessarily limited to the longitudinal half of the substantially flat key blade located closest to the gripping portion 1110 of the key, but may extend along the entire length of the substantially flat key blade or only along a portion of the length. Possibly, there is only one side locking tumbler per respective side.

[0140] In this embodiment, each side locking mechanism comprises one or more side locking tumblers 1210 and 1310, respectively, each having a transverse finger 1211 and 1311 protruding laterally into the side coding patterns 1151 and 1152 located in each respective lateral side surface of the lower portion 1160 and the interconnecting portion 1165 of the substantially flat key blade 1150. On the second side of the key, i.e. Fig.29 On the left side, the side coding pattern 1151 is partially located in the interconnection portion 1165 of the substantially flat key blade.

[0141] As in the above-described embodiments, the upper portion 1170 of the key 1100 is slightly inclined relative to its vertical mid-plane (coinciding with the vertical mid-plane VP of the key socket in this embodiment), and as described above, the key 1100 is disposed on its first side ( Fig.29 The key blade 1160 is also provided with an upright ridge 1169 (most of which is hidden by the transverse fingers 1311 in the figure) in which the side coding pattern 1152 is located, for example in the form of wavy recesses (not shown) in the material of the substantially flat key blade. The wavy side coding pattern comprises different levels of coding recesses, possibly also an additional coding level on top of the ridge portion 1169, as is known from US patent specification US 7,159,424 (Wieden).

[0142] from Fig.29 It can be seen that the wavy side coding pattern 1152 on the first side (right side) of the substantially flat key blade is only provided with a wavy guide surface, and when the substantially flat key blade is inserted into the keyhole 1910, the transverse finger 1311 is supported and guided on the guide surface, while the wavy side coding pattern 1151 on the second side (left side) of the substantially flat key blade has upper and lower parallel guide surfaces, and the upper and lower parallel guide surfaces forcefully guide the finger 1211 of the side locking drum 1210 along the wavy pattern 1151, and the wavy pattern 1151 is formed as a groove on the second side (left side) of the substantially flat key blade 1150.

[0143] Finger 1311( Fig.29 The right side of the middle keyhole 1910 is held downwardly on an associated guide surface by means of an upper coil spring 1398 so that when the key 1100 is inserted into the keyhole 1910, the side locking cylinder 1310 moves up and down in an associated chamber 1396 extending vertically on the lateral side of the middle keyhole 1910. Fig.29 On the left side of , see also Fig.34), the wavy portion of the side code pattern 147 forming the groove extends only along a portion of the total length of the substantially flat key blade and merges with a straight portion near the tip of the substantially flat key blade and a downwardly inclined end portion (not shown). When the key 1100 is fully withdrawn from the key hole 1910 in the key socket 1900, the coil spring 1298 will keep the side locking drum 1210 in the lowest position.

[0144] When the side locking drums 1210 and 1310 are located Fig.29 1152), the side bars 1220 and 1320 will position their lugs 1221 and 1321 projecting inwardly (towards the centre of the key socket) to align with associated recesses in the outer surfaces of the respective side locking cylinders 1210 and 1310, respectively. In this way, when the key socket is rotated by means of the inserted key 1100, the side bars 1220 and 1320 will be allowed to move inwardly towards the centre of the key socket 1900 and thereby disengage from associated recesses (not shown) in the housing of the cylinder lock (also not shown). As a result, the lock can now be opened by further rotational movement of the key 1100.

[0145] In principle, the side locking mechanisms 1200 and 1300 themselves are known in the prior art cylinder lock technology, but not in combination with the key 1100 according to the invention, which has a single inclined, relatively narrow upper part 1170 of the essentially flat key blade 1100.

[0146] Figure 29 to Figure 49 Another possible feature is also shown, involving a clear stop arrangement that defines the complete insertion of the substantially flat key blade 1150 in the key hole 1910, at which the cylinder lock can be released. For this purpose, see Fig.30 and Fig.32 , the substantially flat key blade 1150 of the key 1100 is provided with a longitudinal rib portion 1121 having an axially clear end surface 1125 located at a relatively small distance from the gripping portion 1110 of the key 1100. In the key hole 1910 of the key socket 1900, there is an associated axial cavity or hole 1921, see Fig.31The axial hole 1921 has a shape corresponding to the axial rib portion 1121 of the substantially flat key blade 1150 to accommodate the axial rib portion 1121 when the key 1100 is inserted into the key hole 1910 of the key socket 1900. The axial length of the hole 1921 is selected so that when the end surface 1125 of the rib portion 1121 abuts the bottom surface 1925 of the axial hole 1921, the key 1100 is positioned to define full insertion of the substantially flat key blade in the key hole, thereby allowing the lock to be released and opened by turning the key 1100.

[0147] If desired, such a pair of axial rib portions and axial holes may also be provided on the other side of the lock and key combination, as will be described below.

[0148] Now, refer to Figure 33 to Figure 37 Briefly describing a key blank 100' from which the above-described coded key embodiment may be formed, these figures also disclose the optional feature of a rib portion acting as a stop arrangement.

[0149] The key blank 100' according to the present invention is configured to fit into a keyway of a cylindrical key socket of an associated cylinder lock having a key socket 990', such as Fig.33 As shown schematically in FIG. 100 , key blank 100 ′ (see FIG. Fig.34 ) includes a substantially flat key blade 150' extending from the grip portion 110' along the longitudinal axis A and including (cf. Figure 2 , Figure 2 The parts of the substantially flat key blade are more clearly shown) the connecting portion 120', the engaging portion 130' and the free tip portion 140'.

[0150] The substantially flat key blade has a cross-sectional profile, see Fig.36 , in the main longitudinal bite portion 130 '(also refer to Figure 1b and Figures 12 to 23) is confined within a rectangle whose height h measured in the vertical direction is at least 2.5 times its width w, and the cross-sectional profile extends in the vertical direction from the lower edge surface 161' to the upper edge surface 171' along a vertical middle plane MP passing through the rectangle, the vertical middle plane being located in the middle of the rectangle, and the cross-sectional profile comprises at least two parts: a lower relatively wider part 160', which comprises the lower edge surface and has a maximum width measured between the first lower side surface 161' and the second lower side surface 162', which is the same as or slightly smaller than the width w of the rectangle, the maximum width being 75% to 100% of the width of the rectangle; an upper relatively narrow part 170', which is provided with the upper edge surface 171' and is narrower than the lower part 160'; and a possible interconnecting part 165', which Extending between the lower part and the upper part along the vertical middle plane, wherein: the upper relatively narrow portion 170' has a lateral width not exceeding 33% of the maximum width w of the lower portion 160', and extends upwardly inclined along a first direction, the first direction is inclined at a relatively small angle α relative to the vertical middle plane MP, α is in the range of 3° to 12°, and the relative first and second upper side surfaces 172', 173' of the upper relatively narrow portion 170' are inclined at a relatively small angle relative to the vertical middle plane MP, so that an imaginary downward extension of the upper part substantially along a second direction opposite to the first direction will fall on the lower edge surface 161' of the substantially flat key blade 150' located on the same second side (right side) of the vertical middle plane MP and on the inner side of the second lower side surface 162' of the lower part.

[0151] Many other advantageous features of the key blank are set forth above under the heading "Summary of the Invention" and can also be seen from the above detailed description of the key and the substantially flat key blade. It should also be noted that the key blank is typically provided by the key manufacturer to the locksmith, who will then make the finished key according to well-known methods. For example, as described above, the substantially flat key blade may have a side coding pattern ( Fig.29 1151 and 1152 in the figure) can be sold to a locksmith, who will then cut a code (e.g. Fig.30 1131 in ). Therefore, even such a key blank is a commercial product.

[0152] As described above, the key blank 100' may be provided with a longitudinal rib portion 121' at its connecting portion 120' adjacent to the gripping portion 110' of the key blank 100', the longitudinal rib portion 121' being located at an upper relatively narrow portion 170' of the substantially flat key blade, see Fig.34 and Fig.35The longitudinal rib portion acts as a stop arrangement which will ensure that the substantially flat key blade (the key blade of a finished coded key when inserted into the keyhole in the key socket of the associated cylinder lock) will be accurately stopped when reaching a position in which the cylinder lock can be released by turning the key and the key socket within the housing of the cylinder lock.

[0153] Now refer to Figures 37 to 49 A stop arrangement having a longitudinal rib portion at the connecting portion of a substantially flat key blade is briefly described. Here, the flexibility obtained by a specific stop arrangement is illustrated by two different sub-groups of the new cylinder lock and key system, one sub-group comprising a cylinder lock with a key socket 2900 and a corresponding key 2100, such as Fig.37 , Fig.38 and Fig.39 As shown, another sub-set includes a cylinder lock with a key socket 3900 and a corresponding key 3100, as shown in FIG. Fig.40 , Fig.41 and Fig.42 As shown, this sub-set is also compatible with existing similar systems of cylinder locks and keys, in which there is no specific stop arrangement other than the conventional stepped transition portion of the gripping portion adjacent the key cooperating with a corresponding contact surface portion at the front end portion of the key socket of the associated cylinder lock.

[0154] exist Fig.37 , Fig.38 and Fig.39 On the key 2100 of FIG. 1 , there is a relatively long rib portion 2121 extending from the grip portion 2110 along the main portion of the connecting portion 2120 almost all the way to the bite portion 2130, which is provided with a V-shaped cutout in the upper edge 2171 of the substantially flat key blade. Fig.39 As shown in the enlarged view in FIG. 1 , the lateral side of the upper portion of the substantially flat key blade (compare Fig.30 and Fig.36 ) extends longitudinally through the radially widened portion 2930 (large in this embodiment) and extends slightly further into the cylindrical portion 2940 of smaller diameter. The rib portion 2121 has an end surface 2125 that is relatively close to the first hole 2905 that accommodates the middle lower locking pin, which end surface forms a first abutment surface. Fig.38 and Fig.39In the position shown, the end surface 2125 on the key contacts the corresponding second abutment surface 2925 in the entrance 2921 of the key socket 2900. These dimensions are selected so that when the first and second abutment surfaces contact each other during the insertion of the key 2100 into the key socket, the key has reached a longitudinal relative position in which the cylinder lock can be released by turning the key and the key socket in the housing (not shown) of the cylinder lock.

[0155] Figure 40 to Figure 43 Another key and key socket combination belonging to another subgroup in the system is shown, in which, in addition to the central locking pin (not shown), the key socket 3900 of the cylinder lock also includes two side locking mechanisms, the side locking mechanism having a short row of two locking cylinders that can move up and down in the hole 3396 and having another short row of two locking cylinders that can move up and down in the hole 3296 on the other lateral side (compare Fig.29 ). The side locking mechanism also includes a side bar on each lateral side, one of the side bars (3220) being located at Fig.40 In this subgroup, the radially widened portion 3930 of the key socket 3900 is longitudinally enlarged, which is larger than Fig.39 The corresponding portion 2921 in the embodiment of the present invention is thicker, so that the second abutment surface formed by the inner surface portion 3925 is located not far inside the front end surface of the key socket, see Fig.42 . The longitudinal enlargement of the radial widening portion 3930 is such that when the key 3100 is used with the normally thick portion 4930 of the key socket 4900 belonging to an existing cylinder lock (not shown), the end surface 3125 of the rib portion 3121 will contact the flat front end surface 4925 of the key socket 4900 of the existing cylinder lock, while the relative position of the new key and the key socket of the existing cylinder lock is just such that the existing cylinder lock will be released. In this way, backward compatibility is achieved. On the other hand, the existing key (not shown) cannot open the new lock because the thicker radial widening portion will stop the existing key with the normal stepped key stop before it reaches the release position relative to the key socket of the new lock. Thus, a new completely independent lock and key sub-set can be added to the existing cylinder lock and key system. This is a useful result of the flexibility provided by the laterally offset longitudinal rib portion located at the connecting part of the essentially flat key blade.

[0156] As mentioned above, longitudinal rib portions serving as stop arrangements may be provided on one or both sides of the substantially flat key blade at relatively narrow portions thereof. Figures 44 to 49 Some examples are shown in .

[0157] exist Fig.44 and Fig.45In the embodiment of the present invention, there is only one longitudinal rib portion 5121, which is located on the same side as the interconnection portion 5165 of the substantially flat key blade. Here, the cross-sectional profile is in principle the same as Fig.23 The associated key socket 5900 has a transverse lateral extension of the key hole which is configured to accommodate a longitudinal rib portion 5121 of a substantially flat key blade.

[0158] exist Fig.46 and Fig.47 In the embodiment of , there are two longitudinal rib portions 6121, 6122 of equal length, one on each lateral side of the upper portion 6170 of the substantially flat key blade, with corresponding lateral extensions of the key hole formed in the associated key socket 6900. Figure 1b and Fig.36 , the outer boundary lines of the two longitudinal rib portions 6121, 6122 are confined within a rectangle R which defines the outer boundary lines of the outline of the substantially flat key blade.

[0159] exist Fig.48 and Fig.49 In the embodiment of , there are also two longitudinal rib portions 7121, 7122, one of which is relatively long (7121) and the other is relatively short (7122). Fig.48 The shorter one (7122) is also slightly displaced vertically downward. These longitudinal rib portions 7121, 7122 are also confined within the rectangle R.

[0160] In addition to serving as a stop arrangement, a reinforcement of the key blank and the coding key is formed in the connecting portion by each longitudinal rib portion being laterally integral with the relatively narrow upper portion of the substantially flat key blade in the connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade. Thus, the substantially flat key blade will have greater strength even in the event of a possible attempt to use the coding key with a cylinder lock that does not match the key.

[0161] Hidden key code pattern

[0162] As mentioned above, refer to Fig.29 The above description of one or two side coding patterns on the lower portion of the substantially flat key blade 1150 mentions that a side coding pattern may be formed at the security ridge of the substantially flat key blade of the key blank, the side coding pattern being located on a first side of the substantially flat key blade, the first side being opposite to a second side of the substantially flat key blade extending upwardly from the inclined upper portion. Fig.50a , Fig.50b , Fig.50c and Fig.50dAs shown, such a security ridge can be formed by cutting the key code in the lower part 8160 of the key blank 8100 by means of a rotating cutting disk 10 that moves along a wave-like curve along the longitudinal axis of the key blank. The rotating cutting disk 10 is held in a vertical plane, oriented parallel to the vertical middle plane MP of the key blank 8100 and mounted on a rotating shaft 11 that is held in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical middle plane MP of the key blank while being oriented relative to the key blank along the longitudinal axis of the key blank. Fig.50b The rotating shaft 11 moves longitudinally in the direction indicated by the arrow PD in FIG. While moving longitudinally, the rotating shaft 11 will also move vertically up and down.

[0163] The relative dimensions (thickness of the rotating cutting disc 10 and the first side of the vertical midplane MP, i.e. Fig.50a The width of the stepped transition portion 8160t of the left lower portion 8160 in the key blank is such that when the rotating disk moves along the key blank, a safety ridge 8169 will be formed on the first side of the lower portion 8160 of the key blank. Inside this safety ridge, a safety ridge will be formed near the lower edge surface 8161 of the key blank. Fig.50b and Fig.50d The wavy key code pattern indicated by the dotted line 8161w in FIG. Fig.50a and Fig.50c When the key blank is viewed laterally from the left side of the key, the key code pattern 8161 will be hidden by the security ridge 8169. Therefore, for someone who may want to copy the key blank and its side code pattern 8161w inside the security ridge 8169, it will be difficult to optically view or measure the key code pattern 8161w.

[0164] If desired, another side coding pattern 8161w' may be cut at a slightly higher vertical level of the security ridge itself, for example, by moving the rotating cutting disk 10a longitudinally along the key blank 8100 a second time and then subsequently to the left. Fig.50a and Fig.50c The left side of the 8169 is shifted laterally to cut through all the material in the upper portion of the safety ridge 8169. Fig.50b and Fig.50d In the figure, this second side coding pattern is indicated by a wavy dot-dash line 8161w' with a concave surface 8161c'. By this double side coding pattern 8161w, 8161w', the security ridge 8169 will be partially destroyed by the second side coding pattern 8161w', while the first side coding pattern 8161w will only be partially hidden by the remaining part of the security ridge 8169 (the destroyed part of the security ridge is not shown in the figure).

[0165] exist Figures 51a to 51d In the embodiment of the key blank 8100 shown, the angle of inclination α of the upper portion 8170 of the substantially flat key blade is 5°, which is Fig. 27The cross-sectional profile shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the cross-sectional profile of the corresponding key hole in the key socket. Fig.50a As shown, for such an angle of inclination, the rotating disk 10 can be oriented along a vertical plane and still on a first side ( 8170 ) opposite the inclined upper portion of the substantially flat key blade. Fig.50a The left side of the figure forms a safety ridge.

[0166] In the case of a slightly greater inclination angle α (e.g. 8°) of the upper portion 9170 of the key blank, see Fig.51a , Fig.51b , Fig.51c and Fig.51d , the security ridge can still be formed by means of the rotating cutting disk 20, for example, by keeping the rotating cutting disk on a slightly inclined plane while moving longitudinally (arrow PD), the inclination angle of the axis 21 relative to the horizontal plane is 8°. In this case, there is only one side coding pattern in the key blank 9100, and the side coding pattern 9161w with the concave surface 9161c will be completely hidden or laterally obscured by the security ridge 9169. In addition, the width of the lower part 9160 of the key blank can be slightly smaller, so that the vertical planes VP and MP coincide with each other, as shown in the figure.

[0167] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a coded key or key blank having a lower side coding pattern that is completely or partially laterally hidden by a security ridge will increase the security of a coded key (e.g., having a middle upper edge coding and one or two lower side codings) or a key blank (e.g., having only one or two lower side codings) against unauthorized duplication.

[0168] Of course, any lower side coding (e.g. Figures 50a to 50d as well as Figures 51a to 51d ), for example, by additive methods in a variety of materials such as polymers, metals, and metal alloys, including 3D printing methods.

[0169] Having thus described the invention, it will be apparent that the invention may be varied in a number of ways. These variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all modifications which would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A key blank (100', 100) configured to fit into a keyway of a cylindrical key socket (990'; 900) of an associated cylinder lock, comprising a substantially flat key blade (150'; 150), the substantially flat key blade: extending from the gripping portion (110'; 110) along the longitudinal axis (A), comprising a connecting portion (120'; 120), a main longitudinal engaging portion (130'; 130) in which a row of coding cutouts (131a to 131f) is to be provided, and a free tip portion (140'; 140), having a cross-sectional profile, the cross-sectional profile in said main longitudinal bite portion: o is confined within a rectangle whose height (h) measured in the vertical direction is at least 2.5 times its width (w), o extending upwardly in the vertical direction from a lower edge surface (161'; 161) to an upper edge surface (171'; 171) along a vertical middle plane (MP) passing through the rectangle, the vertical middle plane being located in the middle of the rectangle, oConsists of at least two parts: a lower relatively wider portion (160'; 160) comprising said lower edge surface (161'; 161) and having a maximum width measured between the first lower side surface (162) and the second lower side surface (163) that is the same as or slightly less than the width of the rectangle, the maximum width being 75% to 100% of the width (w) of the rectangle, an upper relatively narrow portion (170'; 170) provided with an upper edge surface (171'; 171) and narrower than the lower portion, and a possible interconnection (165'; 165) extending along said vertical median plane between the lower part and the upper part, in: the upper relatively narrow portion (170') has a lateral width not exceeding 33% of said maximum width of the lower portion (160') and extends obliquely upwards along a first direction (P1), said first direction being directed away from the second lower side wall (163) of the lower portion and being inclined at a relatively small angle α with respect to said vertical median plane, α being in the interval 3° to 12°, The lateral or transverse position of the upper relatively narrow portion (170') of the key blade comprising the first and second upper side surfaces (172', 173') within the rectangle is such that an imaginary downward extension of the upper relatively narrow portion substantially in a second direction (P2) opposite to the first direction would fall on the lower edge surface (161'; 161) of the substantially flat key blade (150'; 150) situated on the same second side of the vertical midplane (MP) and on the inner side of the second lower side surface (163) of the substantially flat key blade.

2. The key blank according to claim 1, wherein: The lower relatively wider portion (160) of the substantially flat key blade (150): comprising, at a vertical level adjacent to said interconnection portion (165), a laterally offset region (164) located substantially on the same lateral side of said median plane (MP) as said second lower side surface (163); The interconnection portion (165) of the substantially flat key blade: a transverse offset region (164) adjacent to the lowermost portion (160) and extending vertically upwardly therefrom, having a median side surface (166) located near said vertical median plane (MP) and inclined in said first direction (P1), away from said lateral offset region (164) of the lower portion (160), and having an outer side surface (167) which adjoins the second lower side surface (163) of the substantially flat key blade, possibly via a transition, The upper portion (170) of the substantially flat key blade: forming an upward extension of the interconnection portion (165), a substantially straight extension of said middle side surface (166) forming an interconnection (165) at said first upper side surface (172), • A substantially straight surface is also formed at the second upper opposing side surface (173), which adjoins the outer surface (167) of the interconnection portion (165), possibly via a transition portion (168).

3. The key blank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The relatively narrow upper portion (170) is substantially uniform along its vertical extension, possibly with a tapered uppermost portion.

4. The key blank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: At least a portion of each of the first (172) and second (173) upper side surfaces of the upper portion (170) of the substantially flat key blade (150) is located on a first side and a second side, respectively, of the vertical midplane (MP).

5. A key blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The total vertical height of the interconnecting portion (165) and the upper portion (170) of the substantially flat key blade (150) is between 50% and 85% of the total vertical height (h) of the substantially flat key blade (150).

6. A key blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A medial side surface (166) of the interconnecting portion (165) intersects the vertical median plane (MP).

7. A key blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The lower portion (160) of the substantially flat key blade (150) has an upper first lateral surface (160t), which is substantially located on the same lateral side of a vertical mid-plane (MP) as the first lower side surface (162), the first lateral surface forms a corner (160c) with an adjacent middle side surface (166) of the interconnection portion (165), the corner (160c) being located near the vertical mid-plane (MP), and the first lateral surface (160t) forms at least a portion of a first stepped transition portion (169t, 160t) between the lower portion (160) of the substantially flat key blade and the interconnection portion (165).

8. The key blank according to claim 7, wherein: The first lateral surface (1160t) extends laterally from the first lower side of the lowermost portion (1160a) all the way to the corner (1160c) to form the first stepped transition portion.

9. The key blank according to claim 7, wherein: The first stepped transition portion also includes an upward ridge (169; 169'; 1169) extending upward in a direction substantially parallel to the interconnecting portion (165; 169'; 1169), the upward ridge having an outer surface portion (169o) of the first lower side surface (162) adjacent to the lower portion (160), a top surface portion (169t) and an inner surface portion (169i) adjacent to the first lateral surface (160t), so that the first lateral surface only forms a part of the first stepped transition portion, and is formed with an undercut groove defined by the inner surface portion (169i) of the ridge, the first lateral surface (160c) with the corner (160c) and the middle side surface (166) of the interconnecting portion (165).

10. The key blank according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The second upper side surface (1173a) of the upper part (1170a) is adjacent to the second lower side surface of the lower part (1160a) in a substantially straight extension, or there is also a second stepped transition portion (1168b; 1168c) on the other side of the vertical middle plane, and at the second stepped transition portion, the second upper side surface of the upper part is adjacent to the outer surface of the interconnecting part (1165b; 1165c).

11. A key blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The key blank is provided with at least one longitudinal groove (G1; G2) or at least one profile rib (R2) on one or both lateral sides of a substantially flat key blade for providing: - specific cross-sectional profiles and / or - a stop arrangement (121'; 1121, 1125; 2121; 2125; 3121; 3125; 5121; 6121, 6122; 7121, 7122) which enables the associated cylinder lock to be released with a correctly configured substantially flat key blade so that the substantially flat key blade will stop when it has reached a certain longitudinal position when inserted into the key socket of the associated cylinder lock.

12. A key blank according to claim 11, comprising said stop arrangement provided with a first selectable abutment surface (1125) facing forwardly along said longitudinal axis, wherein: The first abutment surface on the substantially flat key blade (1150) is formed as a forward end surface of a longitudinal rib portion (1121) which: o a vertical plane located within the vertical extent of the bite portion of the substantially flat key blade, located lateral to an upper relatively narrow portion of the substantially flat key blade, o extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substantially flat key blade, o a connecting portion longitudinally constrained to a substantially flat key blade, o is also confined within the boundaries of the rectangle or slightly beyond the rectangle in the lateral direction, with a possible lateral extension of at most 25% beyond the width of the rectangle, o having a selectable length measured from said gripping portion (1110) being any desired fraction of the length of the connecting portion, • Thereby, the position of said forward end surface of the rib portion is selectable along the entire length of the connecting portion.

13. The key blank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one key coding pattern (131a to 131f; 1151, 1152; 8161w', 8161w; 9161w) is provided on the substantially flat key blade to form a coded key (100; 1100; 8100; 9100), wherein The at least one key coding pattern comprises a central key coding pattern with a longitudinal row of coding cutouts (131a to 131f) in the upper relatively narrow inclined portion (170) of the substantially flat key blade (150), and possibly also comprises at least one side coding pattern (1151, 1152; 8161w', 8161w; 9161w) in the lower relatively wide portion (1160; 8160; 9160).

14. The key blank according to claim 13, wherein: The at least one side coding pattern is located on an upright security ridge of the substantially flat key blade (8169; 9169) to be at least partially concealed when viewed laterally from a lateral side of the substantially flat key blade (8100; 9100).

15. The key blank of claim 14, wherein: The at least one side coding pattern is located on the bottom surface of the undercut groove cavity, and the undercut groove cavity is located on the upright security ridge (8169; 9169).

16. The key blank of claim 15, wherein: There is also a side coding pattern (8161w') in the upper portion of the upright security ridge (8169) of the substantially flat key blade (8100), such that there are two side coding patterns adjacent side by side, the side coding patterns including an internal wavy side coding pattern (8161w) that is partially hidden by the remainder of the security ridge.

17. A coded key according to any one of claims 13 to 16, in combination with the associated cylinder lock (990, 1900) to form a cylinder lock and key combination (100, 990; 1100, 1900), possibly forming part of a cylinder lock and key system with a plurality of coded keys and corresponding cylinder locks.

18. A cylinder lock and key combination as claimed in claim 17, comprising a longitudinal rib portion (1121, 3121) forming a first abutment surface (1125; 3125) on the substantially flat key blade, wherein: The key socket (1900; 3900) of the associated cylinder lock is provided with a second abutment surface (1925; 3925) which: in a longitudinal cavity (1921) formed on one or both lateral sides of a key hole (1910) in the key socket, or Beside the front end surface (3925) of the radially widened front end portion (3930) of the key socket (3900), When the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface contact each other, the cylinder lock releases.

19. A cylinder lock and key combination as claimed in claim 18, wherein: Each of said longitudinal rib portions (1121; 3121) forms a reinforcement of the coding key (1100; 3100) in said connecting portion of the substantially flat key blade by being laterally integrated with said relatively narrow upper portion of the substantially flat key blade.

20. A key blank configured to fit into a keyhole of a cylindrical key socket of an associated cylinder lock, comprising a substantially flat key blade (8100; 9100) having an upper relatively narrow portion (8170; 9170) and a lower relatively wider portion (8160; 9160), the width of the upper relatively narrow portion not exceeding 33% of the width of the lower relatively wider portion, in: A substantially flat key blade (8100; 9100) is provided with: an upper middle snap-in portion in the upper relatively narrow portion (8170; 9170), the snap-in portion being sized to form a middle key coding pattern therein, and at least one wavy inner side coding pattern (8161w; 9161w) located in the lower relatively wider portion (8160; 9160) of the substantially flat key blade, at the bottom surface of an undercut groove cavity located in the upstanding security ridge (8169; 9169), thereby being at least partially hidden when viewed laterally in the lateral direction.

21. The key blank of claim 20, wherein: There is also a side coding pattern (8161w') in the upper portion of the upright security ridge (8169) of the substantially flat key blade (8100), such that there are two adjacent side coding patterns (8161w, 8161w') positioned side by side, the side coding pattern including the internal wavy side coding pattern which is partially hidden by the remainder of the security ridge (8169) when viewed laterally in the lateral direction.

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