KEY LOCK CONTROL ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking control assembly comprising: an output flange (44) provided with an output slot (50); a set of washers (46) defining a passage (47); a set of keys (48) opposite said output slot (50); a key (10) having a bit (20) terminating in a free end (22), and adapted to be engaged inside the passage (47) to cooperate with said washers (46) and with said keys (52, 70, 84) to move them away from said output slot (50). Said output flange (44) further comprises a movable flap (100) closing a portion (90) of said output slot (50). And said free end (22) has an eccentric stop (30) suitable for being engaged through another portion of slot in order to be able to move said movable flap (100) away from said exit slot (50).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a key lock control assembly adapted to allow the passage of a key to then allow the lock to be operated by rotating the key.

[0002] Known locking control assemblies include a cylinder having, on one side, an entry flange with an entry slot and, on the other, an exit flange with an exit slot offset angularly by approximately 90° to the entry slot. The cylinder contains a set of washers stacked between the entry and exit flanges to define a conditioned passage path for the key between the entry and exit slots. The passage path defined by the washers is conditioned by whether or not it allows the key bit to rotate through the washers at an angle close to 90°.

[0003] The washers have radially extended portions projecting towards the center of the passage path. Therefore, a key whose bit has radial notches for coding is permitted to rotate through the washer set if the notches in the bit and the projecting portions of the washers coincide.

[0004] Furthermore, the cylinder includes a set of three controllable keys that close the exit slot. Each key in the set comprises a control shaft extending axially towards the entry flange and a lever attached to this control shaft. The lever extends radially towards the conditioned passage path to cooperate with the key's bit. Thus, if rotation of the key and the bit is permitted, the key sequentially drives the levers, and consequently the control shafts of the keys, which then release the exit slot. The key can then be driven through the exit slot beyond the flange to actuate a locking mechanism located behind the exit flange.

[0005] Reference may be made, in particular, to document EP 1 681 411 B1, which describes such a key-operated locking control assembly. Although relatively secure, the risk of them being picked remains. Reference may also be made to document FR 2 734 858, which describes a relatively secure, but complex and expensive, key-operated locking control assembly.

[0006] Furthermore, one problem that arises and that the present invention aims to solve is providing a key-operated locking control assembly that is more difficult to pick. In addition, the present invention aims to provide an economical key-operated locking control assembly.

[0007] To this end, a key-operated locking control assembly is proposed comprising: an input flange having an input slot and an opposite output flange having an output slot; a set of coded washers stacked between said input and output flanges to define a passage path between said slots; a set of controllable keys extending opposite said output slot, the keys of said set respectively comprising a control axis extending axially along said passage path; a key having a coded bit terminating in a free end, said bit being adapted to be engaged inside said passage path to cooperate with said coded washers and with said control axes when said key is driven in rotation so as to move said keys away from said output slot.The said output flange further includes a movable flap to close a portion of said output slot, while another portion of said output slot is free; and said free end has an eccentric stop suitable for engaging through said other portion in order to move said movable flap away from said output slot when said key is rotated in order to axially engage said bit through said output slot.

[0008] Thus, a key feature of the invention lies in the movable flap, which prevents the coded key from being inserted through the exit slot, even if the coded key corresponds to the encoding of the stacked washers, unless the free end of the key is fitted with the eccentric stop. In this way, even if the key's encoding were known to a third party, its reproduction would prevent that third party from using the resulting key to insert it through the exit slot and operate the lock located beyond. Thanks to the movable flap and the associated key, the risk of tampering with the entire locking mechanism is further reduced.Conversely, when the key associated with the locking mechanism is used, the eccentric stop engaged through the slot in the other portion can then come to rest against the movable flap, causing it to retract and thus completely free the slot. Since the keys have already freed this same exit slot, the cam can then be driven axially through the slot and beyond, enabling it to act on the locking mechanism when the key is rotated again. Thus, thanks to the movable flap, the exit slot is partially blocked, thereby limiting the possibilities of lock picking. And thanks to the eccentric stop on the free end of the key, the movable flap is easily moved away from the exit slot. In this way, the locking mechanism according to the invention is difficult to pick and, moreover, can be manufactured at a cost-effective price.

[0009] Furthermore, and according to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, said exit slot has two opposing median enlargements in a circular segment, one of said enlargements forming said portion of said slot. Thus, the movable flap is adapted to extend into at least one of the two enlargements of the exit slot to block the passage of the cam.

[0010] Preferably, the output flange has a radial housing opening into a portion of the slot to receive the movable flap. The movable flap is then translationally movable within the radial housing between a position where it extends into the portion of the slot and a position where it is retracted within the radial housing. After the eccentric stop causes the movable flap to extend and retract within the radial housing, the cam is then translated through the output slot, while the movable flap slides against the cam, as will be explained later in the description. In this position, it remains within the radial housing.

[0011] Furthermore, the radial housing advantageously features a shoulder to retain the movable flap in a position where it closes a portion of the outlet slot. In this way, the movable flap remains captive within the radial housing, which guides its translation. Its travel is thus limited between a position where it completely closes a portion of the slot and a position where it is completely open.

[0012] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outlet flange includes an elastic element for maintaining the movable flap in a position that closes a portion of the outlet slot. The elastic element thus returns the movable flap to a position where it abuts against the shoulder of the radial housing. In other words, as soon as the cam is withdrawn from the outlet slot, the movable flap returns to its position where it closes the portion of the slot.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the movable flap and the elastic element are molded together in a single piece from polymer material. In this way, the elastic element and the movable flap are produced at a cost-effective price. Furthermore, the elastic element advantageously comprises at least two deformable tangent rings. Thus, when the polymer material is, for example, polyethylene or polyamide, both a relatively rigid movable flap and elastically deformable rings are obtained.

[0014] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the free end of the key bit has cylindrical symmetry with a circular base, and the eccentric stop is formed by a diametrical tab. Thus, by providing two opposing median enlargements in the form of circular segments, allowing them to form a circular shape with the remaining output slot, the end of the key bit coincides perfectly, within functional clearance, with the output slot. Furthermore, it is easy to form a diametrical tab at the end of the key bit. In this way, and as will be explained in more detail later in the description, the diametrical tab has a peripheral end that can push back the movable flap when the key is rotated.

[0015] Preferably, the key comprises a shaft having a working end fitted with a ring and a driving end equipped with two notched portions, symmetrical to each other with respect to the shaft, to form the bit. The notches in the two notched portions, and in particular their depth, determine the encoding of the bit. Thanks to the symmetry of the two notched portions, the key can be inserted through the entry slot in two angular positions 180° apart.

[0016] Also, the drive end of the shaft terminates in a free end forming the free end of the bit. Preferably, the key shaft is therefore cylindrically symmetrical with a circular director. However, a key shaft with a cross-section is planned for use.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings in which: there Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a key for a locking control assembly according to the invention; the Figure 2 is a schematic three-quarter front perspective view of a locking control assembly according to the invention; the Figure 3 is a partial schematic top and detail view of the locking control assembly shown on the Figure 2 ; there Figure 4 is a schematic three-quarter rear view detail of the control assembly according to the invention in a first position; the Figure 5 is a schematic view of the object of the Figure 4 in second position; the Figure 6 a schematic rear perspective view from below of the object Figure 3 ; there Figure 7 is a schematic top-down, rear-perspective view of the object Figure 3 in first position; the Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a detail of the Figure 7 ; there Figure 9 is a schematic rear view of the elements shown on the Figure 7 in a second position; and, the Figure 10 is a schematic rear view of an element represented on the Figure 5 .

[0018] There Figure 1 shown in rear perspective a key 10 having a shaft 12 of cylindrical symmetry about an axis of revolution A and extending between a first end 14 provided with an operating member 16, and a second end 18 equipped with a bit and more precisely in this case a double bit 20. Beyond the double bit 20, the shaft 12 extends to a free end 22 having a diametrical tongue 24. The double bit 20 has two diametrically opposed plates 26, 28 and notched symmetrically and to determined depths to perform an encoding. It will be observed that the two plates 26, 28 extend along a mean plane Pm, and that the tongue 24 extends substantially perpendicularly to the mean plane Pm defined by these plates 26, 28. Furthermore, the tongue 24 defines eccentric peripheral stops 30, the function of which will be explained later in the description. It also defines two axial support shoulders 32, 34.

[0019] There Figure 2 shows a locking control assembly comprising a cylinder 36 into which the key 10 shown on the Figure 1 The cylinder 36 has an entry slot 38 formed in an entry flange 40 and through which the double bit 20 has been inserted. The cylinder 36 has a cylindrical protective housing 42 which is absent on the Figure 3 .

[0020] We find on this Figure 3 The cylinder 36 and the shaft 12 of the key are engaged through the entry flange 40. Opposite the entry flange 40, the cylinder 36 includes an exit flange 44. Between the two flanges, the cylinder 36 also includes a set of coded washers 46, which define a conditioned passage 47 for the double bit 20. This set of coded washers 46 allows, or prevents, the axial engagement of the double bit 20 of the key 10 after rotation beyond the exit flange 44 by permitting the movement of a set of keys 48 located opposite a rear face 49 of the exit flange 44, as will be explained below with regard to the Figure 5 . The cylinder 36 also has a split back plate 45, located behind the keyway 48.

[0021] We find on this Figure 5 The set of coded washers 46 engages between the inlet flange 40 and the outlet flange 44. It should be noted that the outlet flange 44 has an outlet slot 50, which is here opened to allow the passage of the double bit 20, as will be explained below. Also found on this Figure 5 , the set of keys 48 moved away from the output slot 50 thanks to the action of the key.

[0022] Thus, the key set 48 comprises a main key 52 in a position offset from this output slot 50. The key 52 is mounted in a sliding bearing against the rear face 49 of the output flange 44 and it extends substantially diametrically between an enlarged free end 54 of a thickened plate 56 and an opposite return end 58. The output flange 44 has a main peripheral notch 60 inside which, along an axial direction of the cylinder 36, a main control shaft 62 extends. The latter is fixed at one of its ends to the opposite return end 58 of the key 52 and it extends at the opposite end to a position located approximately halfway between the two flanges 40, 44.

[0023] The main control axis 62 includes a main lever 64 having a first portion 66 which extends substantially perpendicularly to the main control axis 62 and a second free portion 68, which extends back from the first portion 66, and towards the conditioned passage path 47.

[0024] As presented on the Figure 5 , the main lever 64 is held in a position away from the passageway 47 by means of the double bit 20 of the key 10 which has been driven into rotation 90° with respect to its angular position when it was introduced through the entry slot 38 of the entry flange 40.

[0025] Furthermore, the cylinder 36 includes a second secondary key 70 having a free end forming a hook 72 and an opposite end 74 integral with a secondary shaft 76 extending axially. The output flange 44 has a secondary peripheral notch 78 receiving the secondary shaft 76. The latter also includes a secondary lever 80. The secondary key 70 slides against the opposite return end 58 of the main key 52, and its free end forming the hook 72 abuts against an edge 82 of the plate 56, which is thicker than the main key 52. ​​Thus, the secondary key 70 is held away from the output slot 50 of the output flange 44, which it releases.

[0026] Opposite the secondary key 70, a lever key 84 is also held away from the output slot 50 by the main key 52. ​​The lever key 84 has a control shaft 86 bearing in a third notch 88 and extending axially. It is also equipped with a lever not shown in the figure.

[0027] Keys 52, 70 and 84 are in the position illustrated on the Figure 5 , moved away from the exit slot 50 when the cam 20 was inserted into the passage 47 and rotated 90°. Such a position of the keys 52, 70 and 84 remains when the cam was subsequently moved in translation through the exit slot 50 beyond the set of keys 48 to actuate a lock mechanism not shown.

[0028] Conversely, when the double-bitted key 20 is withdrawn from the guideway 47 after a 90° reverse rotation, the main lever 64 pivots and is driven towards the conditioned guideway 47. Consequently, the main key 52 also pivots around the main control shaft 62 and closes the output slot 50 of the output flange 44. The free, hook-shaped end 72 of the secondary key 70 then disengages from the edge 82 of the thickened plate 56 and, in turn, pivots towards the output slot 50 as illustrated in the Figure 4 , by hooking the thickened plate 56. It thus blocks the main key 52 from rotating. In turn, the support key 84 pivots towards the output slot 50 and forms a support against the main key 52 to also block it from pivoting.

[0029] We will first refer to the Figure 10 To describe the rear face 49 of the output flange 44, we find the output slot 50, which extends diametrically. It will be noted that it has an identical cross-section, apart from the functional clearance, to the cross-section of the double bit 20 and the shaft 12 of the key 10. It has a substantially rectangular longitudinal shape with two opposing median enlargements 90, 92, in the form of a circular segment. The upper median enlargement 90 is opposite the lower median enlargement 92, and a radial recess 94, formed in the thickness of the output flange 44, opens substantially perpendicularly to the output slot 50, into the upper enlargement 90 and, on the opposite side, into the periphery of the output flange 44. This radial recess 94 has two opposing shoulders 96, 98, the function of which will be explained below.

[0030] The radial housing 94 is adapted to receive a movable shutter 100 as shown on the Figure 8 The movable flap 100 has a front portion 102 and, opposite it, a rear portion 104. The rear portion 104 is connected to two tangent elliptical rings 106 and 108, and the rear portion 108 has a tail 110. The movable flap 100, the two elliptical rings 106 and 108, and the tail 110 are molded together as a single piece 111 from a polymer material, for example, polyethylene. Consequently, the two elliptical rings 106 and 108 are elastically deformable along the axis of symmetry D of this single piece. It will also be noted that the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104 of the movable flap 100 are separated from each other by two opposing support shoulders 112 and 114.

[0031] Thus, piece 111 depicted on the Figure 8 is adapted to be inserted into the radial housing 94, the front part 102 towards the outlet slot 50 and the tail 110 towards the periphery of the outlet flange 44.

[0032] Thus, and as illustrated by the Figure 6 , through the split rear plate 45, the front part 102 of the flap 100 extends into a portion of the exit slot 50 and more precisely, into the portion corresponding to the upper median widening 90. Therefore, thanks to the movable flap 100, the double bit 20 of the key 10 cannot be driven through the exit slot 58, even if it had passed through the filter of the set of coded washers 46 because, the free end 22 of the rod 12 with cylindrical section and circular base would come against it, if this free end 22 was not provided with the diametrical tongue 24.

[0033] Indeed, as we will explain with regard to the Figures 7 et 9 , while keeping an eye on the Figures 8 et 10 , the diametrical tab 24 allows the movable flap 100 to be retracted.

[0034] Firstly, as illustrated on the Figure 7 The figure, showing a cross-section through the thickness of the outlet flange 44, reveals the radial housing 94 into which part 111 is inserted. The front portion 102 extends into the upper median enlargement 90, while the two opposing support shoulders 112 and 114, not shown to avoid cluttering the drawing, rest on the shoulders 98 and 96 of the axial housing 94, also not shown. It should be noted that the tail 110 of part 111 is radially butted against the inside of the cylindrical protective housing 42, which, in the figure, has been removed for the purposes of the detailed description.

[0035] Thus, the double bit 20 of the key 10 was inserted in translation inside the conditioned passage path 47 along the axis of the cylinder C which is then coincident with the axis of revolution A of the key, until the diametrical tongue 24 comes to engage under the front part 102 of the movable flap 100. The diametrical tongue 24 thus extends in a direction parallel to the average plane defined by the exit slot 50.

[0036] Based on this situation as represented on the Figure 7 and the relative position of the elements present, the clockwise rotation R of the key by approximately 90°, not only caused the double bit 20 to be filtered through the set of coded washers 46, but also the separation of the keys not shown on this Figure 7 , but also the retraction of the movable flap 100 inside the radial housing 94 by means of one of the eccentric peripheral stops 30 of the diametrical tab 24. The diametrical tab 24 then extends substantially perpendicularly to the average plane of the exit slot 50 as illustrated by the Figure 9 .

[0037] On the Figure 9The front portion 102 of the movable flap 100 has thus been retracted into the radial housing 94, while the two elliptical rings 106, 108 have been compressed and elastically deformed, the tail 110 bearing against the inside of the cylindrical protective housing 42. In this position, the diametrical tab 24 thus holds the movable flap 100 in the retracted position, while the double bit 20 extends opposite the exit slot 50. Consequently, the key 10 can be driven in further so as to bring the double bit 20 through the exit slot 50 and then out at the rear of the exit flange 44 and the key set 48. During the driving of the key 10, the shaft 12 is driven in friction against the front portion 102 of the movable flap 100, which remains retracted. radial housing 94.

[0038] Conversely, when the double bit 20 is removed from the cylinder 36, the front part 102 of the movable flap 100 escapes the reach of the rod 12 and its free end 22, and is then drawn through the upper median enlargement 90 by the release of the elliptical rings 106, 108 which return to their original shape.

[0039] Thus, it is understood that it is impossible to insert a key whose encoded double bit would correspond to the set of coded washers, but which would lack a diametrical tab.

Claims

1. Key-operated locking control assembly comprising: - an input flange (40) having an input slot (38) and an opposite output flange (44) having an output slot (50); - a set of coded washers (46) stacked between said input flanges (40) and output flange (44) to define a passage path (47) between said slots (38, 50); - a set of controllable keys (48) extending opposite said output slot (50), the keys (52, 70, 84) of said set respectively comprising a control shaft (62, 76, 86) extending axially along said passage path (47);- a key (10) having a coded bit (20) ending in a free end (22), said bit (20) being adapted to be engaged inside said passage (47) to cooperate with said coded washers (46) and with said control shafts (62, 76, 86) when said key (10) is driven in rotation so as to move said keys (52, 70, 84) away from said output slot (50); characterized in that said outlet flange (44) further includes a movable flap (100) for closing a portion (90) of said outlet slot (50), while another portion of said outlet slot is free; and in that said free end (22) has an eccentric stop (30) suitable for being engaged through said other portion in order to be able to move said movable flap (100) away from said exit slot (50) when said key (10) is driven in rotation in order to be able to axially engage said bit (20) through said exit slot (50).

2. Locking control assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said exit slot (50) has two opposing median enlargements (90, 92) in circular segment, one (90) of said enlargements (90, 92) forming said a portion of said slot (50).

3. Locking control assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said outlet flange (44) has a radial housing (94) opening into said a portion (90) of said slot (50) to receive said movable flap (100).

4. Locking control assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said radial housing (94) has a shoulder (96, 98) to retain said movable flap (100) in a closing position of said portion (90) of exit slot (50).

5. Locking control assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatsaid outlet flange (44) includes an elastic element (106, 108) to maintain said movable flap (100) in a position of closing said portion (90) of outlet slot (50).

6. Locking control assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that said movable flap (100) and said elastic element (106, 108) are molded together in one piece from polymer material.

7. Locking control assembly according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said elastic organ comprises at least two deformable tangent rings (106, 108).

8. Locking control assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said free end (22) of said bit (20) is of cylindrical symmetry with a circular base and in that said eccentric stop (30) is formed of a diametrical tongue (24).

9. Locking control assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said key (10) has a shaft (12) having an operating end (16) provided with a ring and a driving end (18) equipped with two parts (26, 28) notched symmetrically to each other with respect to said shaft (12) to form said bit (20).

10. Locking control assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that said drive end (18) of the rod (12) terminates in a free end (22) forming said free end of said bit.