HK40051953B - A cylinder lock unit and an associated key - Google Patents

Description

Cylinder lock unit and associated key

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cylinder lock unit.

The invention also relates to a lock and key system comprising the cylinder lock unit, wherein the lock and key system comprises a key for unlocking the cylinder lock unit, the key comprising a grip portion and a key blade.

The invention further relates to a key for unlocking such a cylinder lock unit, which has a rotatable cylindrical key plug with a key slot and at least one side locking mechanism which is limited in its front region.

Background

Such lock and key systems, cylinder lock units and keys are often used in locking systems with a large number of lock units, which are used for example as door locks.

However, there is generally no cylinder lock unit on the market that is truly high security and has a compact structure and sufficient space to make it possible to accommodate an additional lock assembly in the rear region of the key plug. Indeed, there is a need to make room for such additional lock assemblies, for example, as part of the torque transmitting connection, a blocking mechanism for preventing the full insertion of an unauthorized key blade into the key slot, or an electronic assembly that facilitates the use of the cylinder lock unit.

Since additional lock assemblies may be located in the rear area of the key plug, there is no room to accommodate conventional side bars or other types of side tumbler mechanisms, which typically need to extend longitudinally along the entire length of the key plug.

In a similarly designed prior art lock structure disclosed in U.S. patent 6,981,396(Kim) and also in the service manual "CX 5 HIGH SECURITY cylinder keys-small format interchangeable core service manual", the key plug has a side locking mechanism comprising a side bar which interacts with a plurality of side locking tumblers. The side bars also interact with a fixing sleeve ("tubular operating body") extending along the entire length of the key plug. Accordingly, on the side provided with the side bars, the key plug is solid almost up to its rear end, and the associated tines (prong) in the associated lock unit will be sheared to accommodate the key plug and its secure full length side bars. With this arrangement, by rotating the key plug by means of the inserted key, the torque to be transmitted to the lock unit will be achieved by a single tine located on the opposite side of the key plug.

Another similar prior art document is published US patent application US 2002/0056301a1(Theriault), in which the cylinder plug comprises two side bars, one on each side of the key slot, and a locking section which is movable relative to the side bars and the lock housing in response to the insertion of a key blade having a uniquely configured male protrusion. In this prior art embodiment, the side bars extend substantially along the entire length of the key plug.

Disclosure of Invention

There is always a need for further improvements and it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a cylinder lock unit with a high security side locking mechanism which is difficult to operate without the use of a properly cut key to open the lock, which will also allow the key plug to possibly accommodate additional lock components in the rear region of the key plug, such as a portion of a torque transmitting connector, a blocking mechanism for blocking full insertion of an improperly cut key blade, or an electronic component which facilitates operation of the lock unit.

In fact, the present invention is a further development of inventions that have already filed U.S. applications and international patent applications (PCT/EP2018/062713), but these pending patent applications have not been disclosed by the date of filing the present application. The present invention differs from the invention disclosed in the prior application in that the "shell" of the lock unit (which is the term used in the prior application) is integral with or permanently retained within the housing (housing) of the lock unit and is not divided into an outer housing and an inner replaceable lock "core". Instead, the housing and the overall structure are more like the lock unit disclosed in the specification of us patent 8,720,241 (widen), the housing being divided into an upper part with a locking pin and a lower part with a hole for receiving a rotatable key plug. A further distinctive feature of the present invention is that the key plug has a rear portion where the key plug is either block-shaped or houses at least one additional lock component, such as a portion of a torque-transmitting connector (e.g. a screw that engages a threaded hole in a side), a blocking device for preventing a improperly cut key from being fully inserted into the keyway, or an electronic device for assisting the normal operation of the cylinder lock unit, at a respective side of the keyway.

The above object is achieved by providing a cylinder lock unit of the type defined in the opening paragraph and having the following features:

-said at least one side locking mechanism on at least one side of said key slot is completely confined within the front area of said key plug and comprises at least two longitudinal rows of coded side locking tumblers which are immediately adjacent to said front end of the key plug and which are movable independently of each other and which interact with the lower part of the housing directly or indirectly via side bars, thereby forming coded front end side locking mechanisms,

-the maximum length of said front region of the key plug on said at least one side of the key slot is 50% of the total length of the key plug, while the minimum length of the adjacent rear region of the front region is 50% of said total length,

-said rear region of the key plug accommodates the rear of the respective chamber of said central row cooperating with said lower locking pin, the respective side of the key plug being massive or accommodating at least one additional lock assembly,

-wherein,

-each such coded side locking tumbler is movable, with the at least two coded side locking tumblers interacting directly with the lower part of the housing, between a release-restricted position, in which each coded side locking tumbler is fully restricted within the key plug, and at least one locking position, in which each coded side locking tumbler protrudes radially outside the key plug so as to fit into at least one recess in the housing and engages with the housing and prevents rotation of the key plug,

-in the case that the at least two coded side locking tumblers interact with the lower part of the housing via a side bar forming part of the coded side locking mechanism and located at the cylindrical outer circumference of the key plug so as to engage with a related groove in the cylindrical bore of the housing, the side bar being configured to fit and engage with at least one coded recess in the tumblers in a release retracted position to allow rotation of the key plug,

and wherein the one or more of the one or more,

-each of said at least two coded side locking tumblers is positioned in a selected one of at least three possible positions, said selected position providing a code and allowing rotation of the key plug relative to the housing when the tumbler is in said release-restricted position in case of direct interaction, or when the side bar is in said release-retracted position in case of interaction via the side bar,

there are thus a plurality of possible code combinations for the front-end side locking mechanism of the code.

In contrast to some prior art arrangements, there is direct contact between the side locking tumblers and the associated key without the intervention of any other moving parts. In this way the construction will be relatively simple and reliable. Since each side locking tumbler in the row has a different coding position, the number of possible combinations of these coding positions is very high and therefore the security is high. Even so, on each side of the keyway in the relatively long rear region of the key plug, there is still room for possible accommodation of additional lock assemblies separate from the coded locking pins and tumblers.

On the other hand, the relatively short front region of the key plug is rather compact and preferably substantially solid, except for the keyway, the chamber for the locking pin and any recesses and holes for accommodating one or more side locking mechanisms.

Due to the above defined structure of the cylinder lock cylinder and the relatively short front area of the rotatable key plug having a maximum length of 50% of the total length of the key plug, there is a safe and unique interaction between the key plug and the surrounding housing by means of the side locking mechanism located completely in the front area of the key plug, but there is still room for it to be possible to accommodate an additional locking assembly in the rear area of the rotatable key plug.

Preferably, there is one (in the axial direction) relatively short side locking mechanism on each side of the keyway in the front region of the key plug. It is then possible to accommodate at least four (two or more per side) independently movable locking tumblers separate and independent from the existing center locking pin. However, it is also possible to provide only one side locking mechanism on one side of the key slot.

The length of the front region of the key plug in which the at least one side locking mechanism is completely located is therefore rather short, for example 50%, about 40% or about 30% of the total length of the key plug. Nevertheless, due to its compact structure, the side locking mechanism can still provide a large number of coding combinations and a high degree of security for the cylinder lock cylinder.

It has turned out that the side locking tumblers of each longitudinal row on one or both sides of the key plug can comprise at least two and preferably at least three (or even more) side locking tumblers.

Preferably, an additional locking assembly, possibly accommodated in the rear region of the key plug on each side of the key slot, may form part of the torque-transmitting connection, for example a threaded hole for engagement with a fastening screw connected to a door locking mechanism in the associated lock unit, or blocking means for preventing a not correctly cut key blade from being fully inserted, or electronic means for assisting the normal operation of the circumferential lock unit.

Further, according to the present invention, there may be provided a combination of a cylinder lock unit as defined above and a key for unlocking the cylinder lock unit, the key comprising a grip portion and a key blade, wherein,

said key blade has on at least one side thereof a wave-like side code pattern consisting of a row of at least two side code portions substantially confined to the longitudinal half of the key blade closest to said grip portion, said wave-like side code pattern adjoining a straight groove extending towards the free end of the key blade.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a key, for example for unlocking a cylinder lock unit of the above-mentioned type, the key blade having on at least one side thereof a wave-like side code pattern consisting of a row of at least two side code portions which are substantially limited to the longitudinal half of the key blade closest to the grip portion, said wave-like side code pattern adjoining a straight profiled groove extending towards the free end of the key blade, and the wave-like side code pattern preferably being located at the ridge of an undercut profiled groove in at least one side of the key blade.

Further advantageous features of the invention are set out in the appended claims and also appear in the detailed description of some preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lock unit and a key insertable into a key plug forming portion of the lock unit in accordance with the present invention;

figure 2a shows an exploded view of various parts of the lock unit of figure 1;

fig. 2b shows a perspective view of the key of fig. 1 from the other side;

fig. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the lock unit of fig. 1 when a key is inserted into the key plug;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the lock unit of FIGS. 1 and 2a in a position to side-lock the tumblers;

5a, 5b, 5c and 5d show a bottom view, a front view, a top view and a longitudinal cross-sectional view, respectively, of the key plug of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 6 shows a key plug of an embodiment similar to FIG. 5d with a row of four side locking tumbler holes;

fig. 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d show a second embodiment of a key plug similar to one of fig. 5a to 5d, with a shorter side locking mechanism on each side of the key plug, with two locking tumblers in each side locking mechanism;

fig. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d show a modified embodiment of a key plug similar to one of fig. 5a to 5d, with only six locking pins (instead of the seven locking pins in the previous embodiment) and two side locking tumblers on each side of the key plug;

9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g and 9h show a third embodiment in different views, with a side locking mechanism provided with a side bar which cooperates with two side locking tumblers on one side of the key slot;

FIG. 10 shows a modified embodiment of the side locking mechanism having a side bar that interacts with a side locking tumbler that can move up and down and also rotate about its own axis;

FIG. 11 shows another modified embodiment in which the side locking tumblers are each provided with a longitudinally displaced finger;

12a, 12b, 12c and 12d show an embodiment of three side locking tumblers interacting with a side bar on one side of the key slot in views corresponding to FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, respectively;

fig. 13a and 13b show a fourth embodiment in a sectional view and in a perspective view, wherein two side bars are provided on each side of the key slot of the key plug, respectively;

fig. 13c shows a modified embodiment with a block-shaped rear area of the key plug and two short side bars in the front area of the key plug; and

fig. 14a and 14b show a modified embodiment of a key, having two different side code patterns on each side of the key blade.

Detailed Description

A first embodiment of the lock unit 100 of the invention is shown in fig. 1, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, comprising a cylindrical housing 200 with a rotatable key plug 300 and an associated key 40.

The cylindrical housing 200 has a threaded rear end portion and a slightly tapered front end flange.

As is well known, to cooperate with a door lock mechanism, the lock unit 100 is generally permanently installed in a door or the like. The cylindrical housing 200 includes a solid upper portion 220 and a lower portion 240, the lower portion 240 being formed with a cylindrical bore that receives a rotatable key plug 300.

The rotatable key plug 300 is formed in one piece and is adapted to transmit torque to the locking mechanism when the plug is rotated. In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 2a, this is achieved by a torque-transmitting connection comprising a cam member 151, which cam member 151 is fixed to the key plug 300 by two fastening screws 152a, 152b, which fastening screws 152a, 152b engage with threaded holes on each side of the key slot 320 in a rear region L1 of the key plug.

It should be noted that the torque-transmitting connection may be formed by other mechanical means, for example, a recess at the rear end of the key plug being coupled with a mating member forming part of the locking mechanism in the door or some other object to be locked in the closed position. If so, the rear region L1 of the key plug may be used for some other locking assembly as described above. As shown in fig. 13c, it is also possible to have the rear area of the key plug as a block material portion on each side of the key slot.

The solid upper portion 220 of the housing 200 (see fig. 2a) has a central row of parallel chambers or bores 221a, 221b, 221c, 221d, 221e, 221f and 221g, which in this particular embodiment are seven in number. Other common embodiments are provided with six such chambers in a central row, as shown below. On the upper side, the longitudinal cover plate 222 will normally cover the holes 221a etc. from above and hold a corresponding number of upper and lower locking pins 231a etc., 232a etc. and associated springs 235a etc. in place.

The key plug can also be seen in fig. 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 5c and 5 d. The outer diameter of the cylindrical key plug is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the bore in the lower portion 240 of the housing so that the key plug can rotate relative to the housing 200. However, the possible rotational movement of the key plug depends on the position of the lower locking pins 231a, 231b, 231c, 231d, 231e, 231f, 231g shown in fig. 2a, which are movable in respective vertical chambers or holes 331a, 331b, 331c, 331d, 331e, 331f, 331g arranged in the central longitudinal row of the upper part of the key plug 300. These vertical holes 331a are located above the central keyway 320. The lower locking pins 231a, etc. are held in place by associated top or upper locking pins 232a, 232b, 232c, 232d, 232e, 332f, 232g (collectively referenced as 232a-232g in fig. 2a) and corresponding coil springs 235a, 235b, 235c, 235d, 235e, 235f, 235g (collectively referenced as 235a-235g in fig. 2 a).

Thus, in the key plug 300, the corresponding chambers 331a, 331b, 331c, 331d, 331e, 331f, 331g of the central row will receive the lower locking pins 231a, 231b, 231c, 231d, 231e, 231f, 231 g.

In normal operation of the cylinder lock, a properly cut key 40 will operate the cylinder lock unit to rotate the key plug 300 and turn the rear cam 151.

According to the invention, the rear region of the key plug 300 (L1 in fig. 5 d) is relatively long, i.e. the distance from the rear end to the front end flange 310 amounts to at least 50% of the total length of the key plug (L1+ FR1), while the front region of the key plug (FR1 in fig. 5 d) is relatively short, i.e. amounts to at most 50% of its total length. However, the front region FR1 should be long enough to accommodate a side locking mechanism comprising at least two side locking tumblers (locking tumblers) in a longitudinal row.

As mentioned above, the rear region (L1) of the key plug is intended to receive the rear of the central row of holes 331a-331g above the keyway 320, and possibly additional lock components, which may be part of the torque-transmitting connection, such as the fastening screws 152b on either side of the keyway, or a blocking mechanism for preventing full insertion of an improperly cut key blade, or an electronic component that assists or assists in the normal operation of the lock unit.

Importantly, the key plug 300 is provided with a side locking mechanism located on at least one side of the key slot 320 and fully confined within a front region FR1 longitudinally forward of a rear region L1. Preferably, this front region FR1 is substantially solid, except for the keyway, the cavity for the lower locking pin, and any recesses and holes for accommodating the side locking mechanism itself. According to the invention, the side locking mechanism comprises at least two independently movable side locking tumblers, thereby providing a high security mechanism with at least three different coding positions for each locking tumbler and a plurality of different coding combinations for the side locking tumblers.

In the above embodiment, referring to fig. 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, the side locking mechanism comprises three coded side locking tumblers 351a, 351b, 351c (fig. 2a and 5a) in a solid front region thereof, which are arranged in a row at one side of the key slot 320 of the key plug 300. The three locking tumblers are all located in this forward region and are also located radially within the lower portion 240 of the housing. This position of the side locking mechanism 351a, 351b, 351c has the advantage that it will mainly interact with the lower part 240 of the housing in relation to the recess or hole 242 (fig. 2a and 4) next to the front end flange 310 of the key plug 300. Other embodiments are possible, as described below.

The three side locking tumblers 351a, 351b, 351c are biased at a lateral distance from the keyway 320 by springs 361a, 361b, 361c (collectively 361a-361c in fig. 2a) located in associated vertical chambers or bores 371a, 371b, 371c (collectively 371a-371c in fig. 2a) so that projecting fingers project into the keyway which will engage with wave-like side coding patterns 41 on the key blade of the associated key 40 (fig. 2 b). When the key 40 is inserted into the key slot 320, the locking tumblers 351a and the like will move up and down in response to their contact with the side code pattern 41. The lower ends of the coded side locking tumblers 351a, etc. will then interact with the associated recesses or holes 242 in the lower part 240 of the housing 200. At the same time, a plurality of V-shaped prongs (bitting) at the upper edge 42 of the key 40 will interact with the locking pins 231a of the center row. The key 40 can be turned to rotate the key plug 300 and unlock the cylinder lock unit only when all the upper and lower locking pins 231a etc., 232a etc. and the three side locking tumblers 351a etc. are correctly positioned within the circumference of the key plug 300.

Importantly, the side tumblers 351a and the like are movable independently of the center locking pin 231a and the like. Thus, if the cylinder lock is operated by the so-called "slam-shot" technique, it is possible to position all the locking pins 231a, but it will be more difficult to operate the coded side lock tumblers 351a etc. simultaneously so that they also enter the respective coded positions. Thus, the side locking mechanism 351 will provide a high degree of security for the cylinder core.

The interaction between the lateral locking tumblers 351b of the key plug 300 and the lower part 240 of the surrounding housing is further illustrated in fig. 4, which fig. 4 shows the embodiment of fig. 2a in cross section.

In fig. 4, the side locking tumblers 351b are in their fully retracted position within the key plug, with both ends located on the shear line between the key plug 300 and the surrounding lower part 240 of the housing. The center pin 231f is also positioned such that its upper end is flush with the shear line. In this position, the key plug can be rotated or turned, as long as all other centre pins and coded side locking tumblers are also confined within the key plug.

In fig. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, a basic (first) embodiment is shown, as described above, in which three side locking tumblers 351a, 351b, 351c in a longitudinal row are located in associated holes 371a, 371b, 371c on one side of the keyway 320. Since each side locking tumbler 351a, 351b, 351c has three possible codings, in this example the total number of codings for the side locking mechanism is 3 x 3 ═ 27 in this case.

In a modified form of the first embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, in the associated hole 371a, 371b, 371c, 371d, there are four side-locking tumblers in a longitudinal row. The rear region L1 and the front region FR1 of the key plug are as long as in the previous embodiment.

In the second embodiment shown in fig. 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the structure is similar to the first embodiment (all reference numerals start with the number 4 instead of 3), but here there are a row of coded side locking tumblers on each side of the key slot 420, each row consisting of two independently movable side locking tumblers 451a, 451b and 461a, 461b, respectively. Each side locking tumbler will interact with the lower part of the surrounding housing in the same way as shown in fig. 4. There are therefore four side-locking tumblers which are movable independently of one another, each in at least three height positions. Thus, in this embodiment, the number of possible coding combinations is even greater (at least 3 × 3 × 3 × 81).

In this second embodiment, the rear region L2 of the key plug 400 is slightly longer, while the front region FR2 is shorter, with the total length L2+ FR2 being the same as in fig. 5 d.

In the modified form of the second embodiment shown in fig. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d, the structure is identical to that shown in fig. 7a and so on, except that the number of center locking pins 231a ' … … 231f ' (fig. 8c) in the key plug 400 ' is six instead of seven, and the total length of the key plug is slightly shorter. Also, the length of the rear region L2' is slightly greater than half the length of the key plug.

In the third embodiment shown in fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h and 10, the number of central locking pins is again seven, as in most of the previous embodiments, but the side locking mechanism is different, with only two side locking tumblers on only one side of the key plug 500, the two side locking tumblers 551a, 551b cooperating with a relatively short side bar 580 (fig. 9 d). Such a side locking mechanism with side bars is known per se, but not in a cylinder lock unit with a key plug in the following cases: the key plug has a rear area reserved for possible additional locking means, such as two relatively long tightening screws, for fixing a cam member or the like in the rear area of the key plug. The side bar 580 is normally held in a longitudinal recess or groove 243 (see fig. 9a) in a position projecting laterally beyond the contour of the key plug 500 by a spring 581 (see fig. 9d), while the spring 581 is located between two side locking tumblers to save longitudinal space. In this position, the side bar will register (register with) a corresponding recess 243 in the lower portion 240 of the housing 200, effectively locking the key plug against rotation. However, when the side locking tumblers 551a and 551b are positioned in certain vertical positions, the side bar 580 can be moved laterally against the action of the spring 581 to a retracted position, in which the side bar 580 is no longer located in the groove 243, by means of a correctly cut key 40. Thus, by turning the key 40, the side bar 580 will retract and allow the key plug 500 to rotate. The lug 580a of the side bar will then enter the coded recess 555 in the cylindrical surface of the side lock tumbler 551 b. This interaction will be clearly seen in the enlarged view of fig. 9c, which also shows how the lateral fingers 554 of the side locking tumblers 551b are lifted into the correct position by the side coding pattern on the key 40. Since it is difficult to manipulate the side lock tumblers 551a, 551b to release the lock, the side lock mechanism will provide a high degree of security by the side bars. In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 9h, in the case of a row with only two side locking tumblers, the rear region of the key plug 500 can have a longer length L3, leaving only a relatively short front region FR 3.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, each side locking tumbler can interact in a different way with the side bar by means of a finger which is rotatable or non-rotatable along its axis and which has a longitudinal displacement. In fig. 10, the side locking tumblers 651b can be rotated between two rotated end positions, as indicated by arrow R. The material portion 655 between two adjacent recesses 656,657 on the cylindrical surface of the side locking tumbler can fit into a corresponding groove 680a of the side bar 680. In the case of coded wells 656,657 having two or three rotational positions and three or more levels (levels), the code combination for each locking tumbler 651b will be six or more. In this case, the coding pattern of the key sides must be configured to accommodate two or three different pivot positions of the lateral fingers 654.

Similarly, in fig. 11, the lateral finger 754 of the side locking tumbler 751b is longitudinally displaced (along the longitudinal axis of the keyway of the key plug) into one of three coding positions. Thus, with the recess 755 having multiple possible levels on the cylindrical surface of the tumbler, there will also be a large number of coding combinations, e.g., nine or more, per side locking tumbler.

In a modification of the third embodiment shown in fig. 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, there are three side locking tumblers 951a, 951b, 951c (on one side of the key slot 920 of the key plug 900) which interact with a somewhat longer side bar 980 biased by a spring 981.

In a fourth embodiment shown in fig. 13c, there are two relatively short side locking mechanisms, one on each side of the keyway, and each side locking mechanism has a side bar 880 adjacent the front end flange of the key plug. This is an advantageous embodiment with a large number of coding combinations but with a very compact structure limited to a very small part (less than 20%) of the total length of the key plug. The rear region has a relatively long length L2, being block-shaped except for the rear part of the central row of holes or chambers, and the front region FR2 is relatively short, but the front region of the key plug may be as short as the embodiment shown in fig. 9h (FR3), if desired.

Finally, fig. 13a and 13b show a fifth embodiment, in which the key plug 800 'is provided in its central front end region FR1, on each lateral side of the key slot, with a row of four side locking tumblers 851a', 851b ', 851 c', 851d 'which cooperate with an associated side bar 880'. Here, a very large number of code combinations results, since the side locking mechanisms are arranged on both sides of the key slot and each side locking mechanism has a row of four side locking tumblers.

Fig. 13b also shows the housing of the fifth embodiment. Although the housing is used in an arrangement with two side bars 880', the housing is similar to that shown in fig. 2 a. Here, each side bar 880' is seated in its locked position in a corresponding recess 243 "in the lower part of the housing.

The side bars shown in fig. 9 a-9 h, 10, 11, 12d, 13a, 13b, 13c are very advantageous because the springs (e.g., 581 in fig. 9d) that push the side bars radially outward are each located between a pair of side locking tumblers so that the ends of the side bars can be very close to the front end of the key plug, saving space. Preferably, one of the springs should be located between two adjacent side locking tumblers closest to the front end flange of the key plug and cooperate with the side bar. When only two side locking tumblers are engaged with the side bar, as shown in fig. 9h and 13c, there is only a single spring, which makes the side locking mechanism very compact.

Furthermore, in all embodiments the hole (e.g. 371c) for the side locking tumbler (e.g. 351c) located closest to the front end of the key plug is closer to the front end flange than all the central holes (e.g. 331a-331g), thereby making efficient use of the space of the side locking mechanism, so that in the front region FR1, FR2, FR3, which is at most half the total length of the key plug and may be shorter, there is room for at least two and possibly three or four side locking tumblers to be arranged in a row.

The associated key 40 has a wavy side code pattern 41 (see fig. 2b), the side code pattern 41 having a code portion for interacting with the side locking tumblers, all the side code patterns 41 of the key 40 being located substantially in the half of the key blade closest to the grip portion of the key. Furthermore, the side code portions of the pattern 41 closest to the grip portion will be closer to the grip portion than all the V-shaped teeth 42 on the edge of the key, which latter teeth interact with the central row of locking pins of the cylinder lock. As such, these keys 40 will be different from all prior art keys.

Referring to fig. 2b, the key may also have a wave-like side code pattern 41 on only one side of the key blade. The other side may simply be flat or may have some other coding pattern or configuration.

Fig. 14a and 14b show examples of different code patterns 141 and 141' on both sides of the key blade.

In fig. 14a, the side code pattern 141' on one side of the key blade is formed by two parallel upper and lower wall surfaces of a profiled groove having a first portion with two side code portions confined to the longitudinal half of the key blade closest to the grip portion of the key and a second portion forming a straight profiled groove without any side code portions.

The other side of the key shown in fig. 14b also has a first portion with a side code portion limited to the longitudinal half of the key blade closest to the grip portion and a second portion forming a straight profiled groove without any side code portion. On this side of the key blade, however, the profiled groove is undercut and provided with a ridge at the location of the side code portion. The upper wall surface of the profiled groove is straight at all times, so that the side coding tumblers of the lock unit interacting with the lower wave-like guide surface of the profiled groove must be biased downwards, for example with a spring, in order to follow the wave-like guide surface.

As is known per se in this technology, the side coding portions may be formed by recesses in the wave-like guide surface of the undercut groove.

In principle, it is possible to use keys which are provided with a side code pattern only on one or both sides of the key blade and which have no teeth on the upper edge of the key blade. As such, local locksmiths may form edge codes on such keys at a later stage, if desired.

As is also known in the art, the V-shaped lobes of the upper edge-coding pattern may be cut at different angular inclinations, if any.

In addition, it is of course possible to provide a key in which the wavy side coding pattern is selected from a group of possible coding positions which include at different vertical levels:

a central position corresponding to the axial position of the side locking tumblers of the associated cylinder lock unit when the key is fully inserted into the key slot,

an advanced position longitudinally displaced from the central position towards the free end of the key blade by an incremental distance,

a rearward position longitudinally displaced from the central position by an incremental distance towards the grip portion of the key,

said central position, said forwardly moved position and said rearwardly moved position each correspond to a specific position of a transverse finger, such as the above mentioned finger 654 or finger 754, on the side locking tumbler of the associated lock unit when the key is fully inserted into the keyway of the rotatable key plug.

Claims (28)

1. A cylinder lock unit comprising:

-a housing (200) having an upper portion (220) and a lower portion (240);

-said lower part (240) of the housing has a cylindrical bore accommodating a rotatable key plug having a cylindrical outer circumference,

said rotatable key plug (300) being formed in one piece and adapted to transfer torque to the locking mechanism via a torque transfer connection when the key plug is rotated,

-said upper part (220) of the housing is provided with a central row of upper and lower locking pins (232a-232g, 231a-231g) in the associated chamber (221a-221g),

-said key plug (300) having a central row of respective chambers (331a-331g) for receiving said lower locking pins in said central row,

-the key plug has at least one side locking mechanism (351a-351 c; 451a, 451b, 461a, 461 b; 551a, 551 b; 951a, 951b, 951 c; 851a, 851 b; 851a '-851d') operating independently of the upper and lower locking pins of the center row;

a key slot (320; 420; 520; 920) extending axially rearward from a front end of the key plug and configured to receive an associated key (40; 140) having a key blade,

-the upper and lower locking pins of the central row and the side locking mechanism are arranged to engage and lock a key plug against rotation in the lower part of the housing unless the blade of the associated key is fully inserted into the keyway,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

-said at least one side locking mechanism on at least one side of said key slot is completely confined within a front area of said key plug and comprises at least two longitudinal rows of coded side locking tumblers (351a-351 c; 451a, 451b, 461a, 461 b; 551a-551 b; 951a, 951b, 951 c; 851a, 851 b; 851a '-851d'), which are immediately adjacent to said front end of the key plug and which are movable independently of each other and interact with the lower part of the housing directly or indirectly via a side bar, thereby forming a coded front end side locking mechanism,

-the maximum length of said front region (FR 1; FR 2; FR3) of the key plug on said at least one side of the key slot is 50% of the total length of the key plug, while the minimum length of the adjacent rear region (L1; L2; L3) of the front region is 50% of said total length,

-said rear region (L1; L2; L3) of the key plug accommodates the rear of the respective chamber of said central row cooperating with said lower locking pin, the respective side of the key plug being massive or accommodating at least one additional lock assembly,

-wherein,

-each such coded side locking tumbler (351a, 352b, 351 c; 451a, 451b, 461a, 461b) is movable, with the at least two coded side locking tumblers (351a, 352b, 351 c; 451a, 451b, 461a, 461b) interacting directly with the lower part of the housing, between a release-restricted position, in which each coded side locking tumbler is fully restricted within the key plug, and at least one locking position, in which each coded side locking tumbler protrudes radially outside the key plug so as to fit into at least one recess (242) in the housing and engages with the housing and prevents rotation of the key plug,

-in case the at least two coded side locking tumblers (551a, 551 b; 951a, 951b, 951 c; 851a, 851 b; 851a ' -851d ') interact with the lower part of the housing via a side bar (580, 980, 880 ') forming part of the coded side locking mechanism and located at the cylindrical outer circumference of the key plug so as to engage with a related groove (243) in said cylindrical bore of the housing, said side bar being configured to fit and engage with at least one coded recess (555; 656,657) in said tumblers in a release retracted position to allow rotation of the key plug,

and wherein the one or more of the one or more,

-each of said at least two coded side locking tumblers is positioned in a selected one of at least three possible positions, said selected position providing a code and allowing rotation of the key plug relative to the housing when the tumbler is in said release-restricted position in case of direct interaction, or when the side bar is in said release-retracted position in case of interaction via the side bar,

there are thus a plurality of possible code combinations for the front-end side locking mechanism of the code.

2. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 1,

-the longitudinal row of coded side locking tumblers in the at least one coded front side locking mechanism comprises at least three side locking tumblers (351a-351 c; 851a ', 851 b', 851c ', 851 d').

3. Cylinder lock unit according to claim 1 or 2,

-the at least one additional lock assembly comprises a portion of the torque transferring connection.

4. Cylinder lock unit according to claim 1 or 2,

-said at least one additional lock assembly comprises a blocking mechanism for preventing full insertion of an incorrectly cut key blade or an electronic assembly facilitating normal operation of the cylinder lock unit.

5. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 1,

the key plug is provided with two coded front end side locking mechanisms (451a, 451b, 461a, 461 b; 851a ', 851b ', 851c ', 851d ', 880 '; 851a, 851b, 880), one on each side of the key slot.

6. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 1,

-each of said coded side locking tumblers in said coded front side locking mechanism is provided with a transverse finger (554; 654; 754) which, when the key blade is inserted into said key slot, maintains a direct contact with a side code pattern (41; 141'; 141) on the key blade of said associated key.

7. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 6,

-said at least one coded recess (555; 656,657) of each said coded side locking tumbler is provided at a vertical distance from said transverse finger (554; 654; 754) and is adapted to cooperate with said side bar (580; 680; 780) to enable disengagement of the side bar (580; 680; 780) from said groove inside said housing.

8. Cylinder lock unit according to claim 6 or 7,

-the lateral fingers (754) are longitudinally displaced along the keyway to form a coded position relative to a central axis of the associated coded side locking tumbler, each coded side locking tumbler being coded with respect to the longitudinal displacement of the lateral fingers (754) and the position of the at least one coded recess (755) cooperating with the side bar (780).

9. Cylinder lock unit according to claim 6 or 7,

-each of said coded side locking tumblers (651b) is movable up and down as well as in rotation in the associated chamber, the rotational position also forming a code.

10. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 1,

-at least one of said coded side locking tumblers (351 c; 551b) is located in front of a first chamber which is closest to said front end in a corresponding chamber of said central row.

11. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 10,

-said at least one coded front side locking mechanism (551a, 551b, 580; 951a, 951b, 951c, 980) extending rearwardly from an area adjacent to said first chamber.

12. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 1,

-at least one spring (581; 981) is arranged between two coded side locking tumblers (551a, 551 b; 951b, 951c) cooperating with said side bar (580; 980), there being no spring between the coded side locking tumblers (551 b; 951c) and the end of the side bar.

13. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 12,

-a single spring (581) is arranged between two adjacent coded side locking tumblers (551a, 551b) closest to the front end of the key plug and cooperating with the side bar (580).

14. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 1,

-the key slot (320; 420; 520; 920) is oriented in a central plane aligned with the lower locking pin and the respective cavity in the central row,

-the coded side locking tumblers (351a-351 c; 451a, 451b, 461 a; 551a, 551 b; 951a, 951b, 951c) in the coded front side locking mechanism are movable in a plane laterally displaced with respect to the key slot (320, 420; 520; 920).

15. The cylinder lock unit according to claim 1,

-the upper and lower locking pins of the central row in the upper part of the housing comprise six or seven lower locking pins adapted to cooperate with a protruding tooth (42; 142) on an edge portion of a key blade of the associated key (40; 140) inserted into the key slot.

16. Combination of a cylinder lock unit according to any one of the preceding claims and a key (40; 140) for unlocking the cylinder lock unit (200; 200'), the key comprising a grip portion and a key blade, wherein the key blade has on at least one of its sides,

-a first portion with a wave-like side code pattern (41; 141; 141') which is substantially limited to the longitudinal half of the key blade closest to said grip portion and comprises at least two side code wave portions configured to interact with a front end side locking mechanism of said at least one code,

-an adjacent second portion which is straight and extends to the free end of the key blade.

17. The lock unit and key combination of claim 16,

-at least one of the side code wave portions of the wave-like side code pattern (41; 141, 141') of the key is closer to the grip portion (40; 140) of the key than all code portions of the edge code pattern (42, 142).

18. The lock unit and key combination according to claim 16 or 17,

-the side code wave portions of said wave-like side code pattern (41; 141, 141 ") are arranged in successive rows in said longitudinal half of the key blade.

19. A key for unlocking an associated cylinder lock unit having a rotatable cylindrical key plug with a key slot and at least one coded front-end side locking mechanism confined in a front region of the key plug, comprising a grip portion and a key blade, wherein the key blade has on at least one of its sides,

-a first portion with a wave-like side code pattern consisting of a row of at least two side code wave portions substantially limited to the longitudinal half of the key blade closest to said grip portion,

-an adjacent second portion which is straight and extends to the free end of the key blade.

20. The key according to claim 19,

-said wave-like side code pattern is located on the ridge of an undercut groove in at least one side surface of the key blade.

21. The key according to claim 19 or 20,

-said key blade further having an edge coding pattern (42; 142), which edge coding pattern (42; 142) comprises longitudinally consecutive rows of code portions defined by V-shaped serrations.

22. The key according to claim 21,

-the V-shaped teeth are cut at different angles of inclination.

23. The key of claim 21, wherein at least one of said side code wave portions of the wave-like code pattern is closer to the grip portion of the key than all code portions of the edge code pattern.

24. The key according to claim 19,

-said key blade having a wave-like side code pattern on both sides thereof.

25. The key according to claim 24,

-said key blade having different kinds of wave-like side code patterns (141, 141') on both sides of the key blade.

26. The key according to claim 19,

-each of said side coding wave portions is formed by a recess in said wave-like side coding pattern.

27. The key according to claim 19,

-each of said at least two side coding wave portions of the wave-like side coding pattern is selected from a group of possible coding positions comprising at different vertical levels:

a central position corresponding to the axial position of the side locking tumblers of the associated cylinder lock unit when the key is fully inserted in said keyway,

-an advanced position longitudinally displaced from said central position towards said free end of the key blade by an incremental distance,

-a rearward position longitudinally displaced from said central position by an incremental distance towards said grip portion of the key,

-said central position, said advanced position and said retracted position each correspond to a specific position of a transverse finger (654; 754) on said side locking tumbler of the associated cylinder lock unit when a key is fully inserted into said key slot of the rotatable key plug.

28. The key according to claim 19,

the free end of the key blade comprises at least one of two sides an inclined ramp surface extending from a lower edge of the key blade so as to be adjacent to a straight portion of said second portion of the key blade.