Flat key lock cylinder

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lock cylinder (10) comprising a stator (16) and a rotor (24). Said rotor has a first end (26) opposite a second end (28) and a key passage path delimiting two rotor portions (34, 36), one (34) of said portions and said stator (16) comprising radial locking members (38, 40), said stator (16) and said rotor (24) having a plurality of pre-cutouts (106, 108) between said first end (26) and said second end (28). The other rotor portion (36) comprises a plurality of coded lamellae (44) mounted movably and extending partially in said passage path (32); two coaxial keys (52, 54) cooperating with said plurality of coded lamellae (44) and with said stator (16); and said two keys (52, 54) are isolated from each other by a partition (70) located between the pre-cutting section and said second end (28).Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Flat key lock cylinder

[0001] The present invention relates to a flat key lock cylinder capable of resisting break-ins.

[0002] Known lock cylinders comprise a stator having a cylindrical housing and a rotor rotatably mounted in the cylindrical housing of the stator. The stator comprises an extension which extends radially relative to the cylindrical housing and inside which are engaged pins capable of extending partially into the cylindrical housing. Also, the rotor has two opposite ends and a key passage path which extends axially inside and opens into one of the ends. The key passage path divides the rotor into two portions opposite one another, and in one of the portions counter-pins extend radially to be able to cooperate respectively with the pins of the stator.Inserting the coded key into the keyway through the first end of the rotor allows the contact areas of the pins and counter pins in the rotor and stator joint plane to be adjusted to allow rotation of the rotor.

[0003] The lock cylinder also comprises a bit mounted on the stator and the other end of the rotor engages in the bit to be able to drive it in rotation. The cylinder is then installed through the edge of a door leaf equipped with a bolt so that the end of the cylinder and consequently the end of the rotor, comes flush with the edge in order to be able to insert the key. And the rotational driving of the bit, by means of the key engaged in the rotor, causes the translational movement of the bolt to thus lock the door leaf.

[0004] During break-ins, the cylinder flush with the edge is generally held in a vice in a clamp and is thus driven into movement to be broken. It is then easy to extract the rotor and directly access the bit to drive it into rotation and unlock the door leaf.

[0005] To prevent this direct access to the bit, it was thought of making pre-cuts in the stator and rotor, near the key entry end. In this way, when the flush end of the cylinder is forced, it breaks at the pre-cuts. And then, the remaining rotor part remains engaged inside the remaining stator part. And these remaining parts are then set back from the edge of the leaf, so that it is impossible to take them back using pliers. Consequently, the lock cylinder is certainly damaged, but the leaf cannot be unlocked.

[0006] Reference is made to document GB2518496, which describes such a lock cylinder.

[0007] However, after the cylinder has been broken, the rotor and stator parts remain rotationally linked by the remaining pins extending partially through the rotor. However, it is still possible to act on the remaining counter pins using suitable tools to hook the cylinder and be able to drive the rotor and the bit in rotation.

[0008] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a lock cylinder which provides better resistance to break-ins.

[0009] In order to solve this problem, a flat key lock cylinder is proposed comprising a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted in said stator, said rotor having a first end opposite a second end and a flat axial key passage path opening into said first end and delimiting two opposite rotor portions, one of said rotor portions and said stator comprising radial locking members adapted to cooperate with each other, said stator and said rotor having a plurality of pre-cutouts arranged along the same pre-cutout section between said first end and said second end.The other rotor portion comprises a plurality of coded lamellae mounted to move in a transverse direction and extending partially in said key passage path; and two independent locking keys extending axially in the extension of one another, and cooperating both with said plurality of coded lamellae and with said stator to lock said rotor in rotation in said stator. Said two keys are isolated from each other by a partition located between the pre-cut section and said second end.

[0010] Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the implementation of a complementary locking system of the rotor inside the stator by means of the coded lamellae, and in addition, two locking keys separated from each other by a partition. Also, the key associated with such a lock cylinder has on one of its faces, notches of different depths adapted to cooperate with the counter-pins, and on the opposite face, a sinuous groove adapted to cooperate with the coded lamellae to drive them in translation and to act on the keys.

[0011] When the cylinder is broken at the pre-cut section, the key furthest from the key entry end of the key passage path remains in the locking position. It is in fact retained by the partition which is also not affected by the break. And consequently, the remaining part of the rotor is immobilized inside the remaining part of the stator, not only by means of the pins but also by means of the second key.

[0012] It is then much more difficult to act on both the counter-pins and the remaining coded blades to operate the rotor.

[0013] However, in terms of security, it is important to increase the unlocking time of a lock cylinder by a qualified person. Thus, by implementing two different systems for locking the rotor in rotation and allowing these two systems to be operational despite the breakage of the end of the cylinder, the unlocking time is considerably extended.

[0014] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said other rotor portion has two grooves extending axially in the extension of one another and separated by said partition. Thus, the two coaxial grooves make it possible to respectively accommodate the two locking keys in order to be able to guide them in translation in a radial direction. The two keys are then movable between two positions, an unlocked position in which they extend to the bottom of the two coaxial grooves respectively and they then allow rotation of the rotor inside the stator, and a locked position in which they respectively and partially project from the ribs to engage in an internal groove of the stator in order to be able to prevent rotation of the rotor.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment, which is in no way limiting, said other rotor portion comprises a removable plate having a free face and extending from said first end to said second end, and said two grooves and said partition are provided in said free face. Such a plate has the advantage of simplifying the machining of the various elements of the cylinder and facilitating the assembly of the rotor.

[0016] Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment, said other rotor portion has an anchoring orifice located in the vicinity of said second rotor end, while said removable plate has, opposite said free face, an anchoring stud, to engage in said anchoring orifice. In this way, when the removable plate is itself broken during a break-in, the other end remains secured to the rotor thanks to the anchoring stud and the anchoring orifice which cooperate with each other.

[0017] Furthermore, said removable plate preferably has, opposite said free face, transverse slots regularly spaced from each other and opening into said grooves, to receive said coded slats.

[0018] Thus, the transverse slots accommodate and allow the translationally coded slats to be guided. In addition, the slats extend into the ribs to be able to interact with the keys.

[0019] Preferably, said rotor has two lateral notches symmetrical to each other with respect to an axial plane to form first pre-cuts. Thus, the rotor breaks more easily at the lateral notches when the cylinder is forced.

[0020] In addition, said stator advantageously has two facing slots extending respectively in line with said lateral notches to form second pre-cuts. In this way, the rotor and the stator break simultaneously along the pre-cut plane when the cylinder is forced.

[0021] According to an alternative embodiment, said plurality of coded lamellae has a first lamella located near said first rotor end and a second coded lamella spaced from said first end, and said pre-cut section extends between said first coded lamella and said second coded lamella. Thus, the pre-cut section extends near the key entry end. Therefore, the cylinder is broken near the entry end and consequently, a longer portion remains intact.

[0022] Further, said plurality of coded slats has a third coded slat located opposite said first coded slat with respect to said second coded slat, and said partition extends between said third and second coded slats.

[0023] In addition, the cylinder advantageously comprises a bit mounted on said stator, and said second end of said rotor engages in said bit.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig.l] is a schematic exploded perspective view of a lock cylinder according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2A] is a schematic top perspective view of ...

[0027] [Fig.2B] is a schematic perspective view from below of the element of the object illustrated in [Fig.2A];

[0028] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of another element illustrated in the [Fig.l];

[0029] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view from above of the elements illustrated in [Fig.l], [Fig.2A] and [Fig.3];

[0030] [Fig.5] is a partial schematic perspective view from above of the object re presented in [Fig.l] in a first state; and,

[0031] [Fig.6] is a schematic view of the object shown in [Fig.5] in a second state.

[0032] [Fig.l] shows an exploded view of a lock cylinder 10 according to the invention. The lock cylinder 10 has two parts 12, 14 symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane Pm. Therefore, only one 12 of the two parts 12, 14 will be described in detail.

[0033] The lock cylinder 10 comprises a stator 16 having a first open portion with a circular base 18 and a second closed portion 20 extending radially from the first portion 18. The second closed portion 20 has a thickness ep less than the diameter of the first portion 18 and a width L substantially greater than this diameter.

[0034] Thus, the first part 18 defines a cylindrical housing with a circular base 22 inside which a rotor 24 is rotatably mounted.

[0035] The rotor 24 has a first input end 26 and it extends axially to a second drive end 28. Also, it receives a key 30, which is engaged in a key passage path 32. The key passage path 32 is substantially flat and it extends axially, from the input end 26, along a diameter of the rotor 24, towards the second drive end 28.

[0036] Also, the key passage path 32 defines a first rotor portion 34 opposite a second portion 36.

[0037] The first rotor part 34 then receives a plurality of counter-pins 38, six in number in the exemplary implementation shown here. The counter-pins 38 are then aligned along a radial plane of the rotor 34 substantially perpendicular to the key passage paths 32. And they are movable in translation in the first rotor part 34.

[0038] Opposite, the second closed part 20 of the stator 16 comprises a plurality of pins 40 pushed respectively towards the cylindrical housing 22 by means of a plurality of springs 42. The pins are also six in number in the example presented here, and they are intended to come into axial support respectively on the counter-pins 38.

[0039] The coding of the lock cylinder 10 is then carried out, in particular by the different lengths of the counter-pins 38.

[0040] Opposite the first rotor part 34, the second part 36 receives coded slats 44, five in number in the example presented here. The coded slats 44 each have an indexing lug 46 intended to extend inside the key passage path 32, and opposite, a notched support surface 48. The different positions of the notch on the support surface of each of the coded slats 44 precisely allow additional coding of the lock cylinder 10 to be carried out. For example, the notch can be arranged in three different positions, two extreme positions and a middle position.

[0041] Also, the coded blades 44 are adapted to be guided in translation in a transverse direction of the rotor 24 by means of a plate 50 which will be described in more detail below. The plate 50 is then adapted to also receive two locking keys, a first key 52 and a second longer key 54. These keys locking bars 52, 54, are formed of cylindrical bars of revolution, a short one 52 and a long one 54, and they are adapted to extend inside an axial locking groove 56 made inside the first part 18 of the stator 16, in a position diametrically opposite to the second part 20.

[0042] The lock cylinder 10 also comprises a bit 55 adapted to be connected to the second drive end 28 of the rotor 24 as will be explained below.

[0043] The plate 50 will be detailed with reference to [Fig.2A] and [Fig.2B]. It has a free face 58 opposite a support face 60. It will be observed that the free face 58 defines a surface of cylindrical symmetry, while the support face 60 defines a flat surface.

[0044] Also, the plate extends longitudinally between a free end 62 and an opposite connecting end 64. The plate 50 further has a large central groove 66 made in the free face 58 and opening axially into the connecting end 64. And it has a small central groove 68 extending coaxially with the large central groove 66 in the free face 58 and opening into the free end 62 of the plate 50. The two grooves 66, 68 are separated from each other by a partition 70. They have the same square section, and the large groove 66 has a length greater than the small groove 68.

[0045] Consequently, the partition 70 is closer to the free end 62 than it is to the connecting end 64.

[0046] For example, the partition 70 is located at a distance from the free end 62, close to a third of the total length of the plate 50.

[0047] Furthermore, the plate 50 has transverse slots made in the bearing face 60 and regularly spaced from each other between a first slot 72 and a fifth and last slot 74. It also has second 76, third 78 and fourth slots 80 between the first 72 and fifth 74 slots.

[0048] The first 74 and second 76 slots open into the small central groove 68, while the third 78, fourth 80, and fifth 74 slots open into the large central groove 66.

[0049] Thus, each of the transverse slots 72, 76, 78, 80 and 74 respectively receives the coded slats 44. The notched support surfaces 48 then extend transversely in the grooves 66, 68.

[0050] Furthermore, it will be observed that the plate 50 has, on its bearing face 60, and in its connecting end 64, an anchoring stud 82 whose function will be explained below.

[0051] Furthermore, and on the other hand, the plate 50 has two first lateral notches 84, 86 symmetrical to each other with respect to the small groove 68. The two first lateral notches 84, 86 extend between the first transverse slot 72 and the second transverse slot 76.

[0052] The body of the rotor 24 will now be described with reference to [Fig. 3]. This is formed from a single piece, and is adapted to be completed by the pins 38, the coded strips 44, the plate 50 and the locking keys 52, 54 to constitute the rotor 24.

[0053] We thus find the input end 26 opposite the drive end 28, and the key passage path 32. Also, we find the second part 36 of rotor 24, which comprises a housing 88 adapted to receive the plate 50. Also, the body of the rotor 24 has transverse oblong slots regularly spaced from each other between a first oblong slot 90 and a fifth oblong slot 92. Between the two, extend a second 94, a third 96 and a fourth 98 oblong slots.

[0054] These oblong lights 90, 94, 96, 98 and 92 open respectively into the key passage path 32. And they are intended respectively to receive the indexing lugs 46 of the coded strips 44.

[0055] Consequently, the oblong slots 90, 94, 96, 98 and 92 are spaced from each other by a pitch identical to that which separates the transverse slots 72, 76, 78, 80 and 74 of the plate 50.

[0056] Furthermore, the body of the rotor 24 has an anchoring orifice 100 formed in the bottom of the housing 88 between the fifth oblong slot 92 and the drive end 28 of the rotor 24. This anchoring orifice 100 is intended to receive the anchoring stud 82 of the plate 50. The cooperation of these two elements will be explained below.

[0057] And in addition, the body of the rotor 24 has two second lateral notches 102, 104 opposite one another and according to a section situated between the first oblong slot 90 and the second oblong slot 94. The two second lateral notches 102, 104 thus define a first front part 101 of the stator 24, and a first rear part 103.

[0058] The role of these second lateral notches 102, 104 will be explained in the remainder of the description.

[0059] Also, we find in [Fig.4] the body of the rotor 24 shown in [Fig.3] provided with the plate 50 which is inserted into the housing 88, its bearing face 60 against the bottom of the housing 88. We also find the first key 52 engaged in the small central groove 68 and the second key 54 engaged in the large central groove 66. The two locking keys 52, 54 are thus held coaxially.

[0060] Furthermore, the anchoring stud 82 is then engaged in the anchoring orifice 100, which are entirely hidden in [Fig.4].

[0061] Furthermore, it will be observed that the plate 50 has given dimensions and is adjusted so that its free face 58 defines with the envelope of the body of the rotor 24, a mean cylindrical surface of revolution.

[0062] Furthermore, it will be observed that the first two lateral notches 84, 86 of the plate 50 extend respectively in line with the second lateral notches 102, 104 of the rotor body.

[0063] Thus, in [Fig. 5], we find the rotor 24 in the position it has when it is adjusted inside the first part 18 of the stator 16. We then partially find the bit 55 to which the drive end 28 of the rotor 24 is linked in rotation.

[0064] We also find the row of pins 40 and their spring 42. Also, we find the second part 36 of rotor 24, as shown in [Fig.4] with in addition the coded blades 44 respectively engaged in the transverse slots 72, 76, 78, 80 and 74.

[0065] Also, it is understood that the first two lateral notches 84, 86 of the plate 50 extending respectively in line with the second lateral notches 102, 104 of the body of the rotor 24 make it possible to form a weakened zone of the rotor 24.

[0066] Referring in parallel to [Fig. 1] it will be observed that the stator 16 has two facing slots 106, 108 which extend in the first 18 and the second 20 parts of the stator and according to a cross section defining a section plane 110. Thus, the two facing slots 106, 108 divide the stator 16 into a second front part 112 and a second rear part 114 longer than the front part 112. The two parts 112, 114 of the stator 16 are then connected by only the upper zone 116, at the top of the first part 18, and the lower zone 118 at the end of the second part 20, located respectively between the ends of the slots 106, 108.

[0067] Also, when the rotor 24 is mounted inside the first part 18 of the stator 16, the two first lateral notches 84, 86 of the plate 50 and the second lateral notches 102, 104 of the body of the rotor 24, extend respectively in line with the two facing slots 106, 108.

[0068] Furthermore, the lock cylinder 10 is adapted to be installed across a door jamb edge, so that the front portion 112 of the stator 16 extends substantially projecting from the edge or flush.

[0069] Also, the key 30 adapted to the lock cylinder 10, has a face provided with notches having different depths to be able to cooperate with the counter-pins 38 so as to adjust the contact zones between the pins 40 and the counter-pins 38 in the joint plane of the rotor 24 and the stator 16. And on the opposite face, the key 30 has a sinuous groove in which the indexing lugs 46 of the coded strips 44 engage. When the key is pushed into the key passage path 32, the coded strips 44 are driven in translation so that, at the end of the travel of the key, all the notches of the notched bearing surfaces 48 extend in line with the keys 52, 54 to allow them to penetrate inside their respective grooves 68, 66 and thus release the axial locking groove 56. The double action on the counter pins 38 and on the coded blades 44 release the rotation of the rotor 24.

[0070] On the other hand, when the rotor 24 is in an angular position corresponding to the locking of the bolt, and the key 30 is removed from the rotor 24, simultaneously, the pins 40 partially penetrate through the rotor 24 and the coded lamellae 44 are driven in translation and thereby cause the movement of the keys 52, 54 towards the outside of the grooves 68, 66 respectively and inside the axial locking groove 56. Consequently, the keys 52, 54 extend both partially in the grooves 68, 66 and in the axial locking groove 56 across the joint plane between the rotor 24 and the stator 16. In this way, the rotor 24 is doubly locked in rotation by the keys 52, 54 on the one hand and on the other hand, by the pins 40 on the other hand.

[0071] In this latter situation, and during a break-in, the front part 112 of the stator 16 can be held in a vice using pliers for example, and be forcibly driven into movement. The lock cylinder 10 can then break, and it breaks in a preferential manner along a pre-cut section defined by the notches 84, 86 of the plate 50, the second lateral notches 102, 104 and the two facing slots 106, 108.

[0072] Indeed, the stator 16 breaks at the level of the upper 116 and lower 118 zones, while the rotor 24 breaks at the level of the first notches 84, 86 of the plate 50 and the second lateral notches 102, 104.

[0073] In [Fig.6] we find the rotor 24 thus broken, freed from the stator. We will first observe that the remaining part of rotor 24 remains in place in the housing of the leaf edge provided for this purpose.

[0074] On the other hand, the first input end 26 of the rotor 24 could have been torn off, as could the end of the plate 50. Consequently, the first coded blade 44 housed in the first slot 72 and the first key 52 could have been removed. Therefore, the first key 52 no longer constitutes a means of locking the rotor 24 in rotation.

[0075] The same applies to the first two pins 40 which could be extracted and which then no longer constitute a means of locking the rotor 24 in rotation.

[0076] On the other hand, the second rear part 114 of the stator 16, not shown in the figure, remains in place just like the first rear part 103 of the rotor 24 inside the stator 16.

[0077] In addition, the plate part 50 cannot be extracted thanks to the anchoring pin 82 engaged in the anchoring hole 100. Consequently, the second key 54 also remains in place and cannot be removed because the partition 70 makes it inaccessible. Consequently, it always extends into the axial locking groove 56 of the rear part 114 of the stator 16 and into the large central groove 66, so as to block the rotor 24 rotating.

[0078] Thus, despite the partial rupture of the lock cylinder, not only do some of the pins 40 remain engaged in the rotor 24, but in addition, the second key 54 is also engaged in the axial locking groove 56 of the stator 16.

[0079] In this way, despite the break-in, the rotor 24 retains both rotation locking elements linked to the pins 40, in its first part 34, and rotation locking elements, in its second part 36, linked to its second key 54 and its corresponding coded strips 44. In this way, the bit 55 cannot be driven in rotation to act on the bolt of the door leaf.

[0080] Furthermore, the first rear part 103 of the rotor 24 and the second rear part 114 of the stator 16, not shown in [Fig.6], extend back from the housing of the leaf edge and are thus difficult to access using pliers.

[0081] It will be observed that the other part 14 of the lock cylinder 10 as illustrated in [Fig.l], may be completely identical to said one part 12 described in detail above.

Claims

Claims

1. A lock cylinder (10) with a flat key comprising a stator (16) and a rotor (24) rotatably mounted in said stator, said rotor having a first end (26) opposite a second end (28) and a flat axial key passage path (32) opening into said first end (26) and delimiting two opposite rotor portions (34, 36), one (34) of said rotor portions and said stator (16) comprising radial locking members (38, 40) adapted to cooperate with each other, said stator (16) and said rotor (24) having a plurality of pre-cutouts (106, 108) arranged along a same pre-cutout section between said first end (26) and said second end (28); characterized in that the other rotor portion (36) comprises: - a plurality of coded slats (44) mounted to move in a transverse direction and extending partially in said key passage path (32);- two independent locking keys (52, 54) extending axially in the extension of one another, and cooperating both with said plurality of coded blades (44) and with said stator (16) to lock said rotor (24) in rotation in said stator; and in that said two keys (52, 54) are isolated from each other by a partition (70) located between the pre-cut section and said second end.;

2. Lock cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that said other rotor portion (36) has two grooves (66, 68) extending axially in line with one another and separated by said partition (70).

3. Lock cylinder according to claim 2, characterized in that said other rotor portion (36) comprises a removable plate (50) having a free face (58) and extending from said first end to said second end, and in that said two grooves (66, 68) and said partition (70) are provided in said free face.

4. Lock cylinder according to claim 3, characterized in that said other rotor portion (36) has an anchoring orifice (100) located in the vicinity of said second rotor end (28), while said removable plate (50) has, opposite said free face (58), an anchoring stud (82), to engage in said anchoring orifice. (100).

5. Lock cylinder according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said removable plate (50) has, opposite said free face (58), transverse slots (72, 76, 78, 80, 74) regularly spaced from each other and opening into said grooves (66, 68), to receive said coded slats (44).

6. Lock cylinder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said rotor (24) has two lateral notches (102, 104) symmetrical to each other with respect to an axial plane to form first pre-cuts.

7. Lock cylinder according to claim 6, characterized in that said stator (16) has two facing slots (106, 108) extending respectively in line with said lateral notches (102, 104) to form second pre-cuts.

8. A lock cylinder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said plurality of coded slats (44) has a first slat located near said first rotor end (26) and a second coded slat spaced from said first end, and in that said pre-cut section extends between said first coded slat and said second coded slat.

9. A lock cylinder according to claim 8, characterized in that said plurality of coded slats (44) has a third coded slat located opposite said first coded slat with respect to said second coded slat, and in that said partition (70) extends between said third and second coded slats.

10. A lock cylinder according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a bit (55) mounted on said stator (16), and in that said second end of said rotor (28) engages in said bit (55).

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