Key, lock, and locking system

Abstract

A key, comprising: a key head; and a key shank (10), characterized in that the key shank (10) includes a torsion section (20) that is formed, in particular cold formed, along a longitudinal axis (L) at least in sections, wherein the key shank (10) includes a base cross-section (26) in a transition portion to the torsion section (20), wherein a cross-section (30) of the key shank (10) protrudes at least in sections beyond the base cross-section (26) in the torsion section (20) in a direction towards the key tip (70).

Claims

1. A key, comprising: a key head; and a key shank (10), characterized in that the key shank (10) includes a first section that is adjacent to the key head and a torsion section (20) that adjoins the first section and is formed, in particular cold formed, along a longitudinal axis (L) at least in sections, wherein the key shank (10) includes a base cross-section (26) in a transition portion to the torsion section (20), wherein a cross-section (30) of the key shank (10) protrudes at least in sections beyond the base cross-section (26) in the torsion section (20) in a direction towards the key tip (70), wherein the key shank (10) includes at least one profile element (22) that is configured as a longitudinal groove, wherein the profile element (22) also includes a torsion in the torsion section (20), wherein the key tip (70) is formed as a portion of the torsion section (20) and is continuously twisted about the longitudinal axis (L) of the key shank, and wherein the key tip (70) is not congruent to the first section of the key shank.

2. The key with the key head and the key shank (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a length (A) and a torsion angle (ω) of the key shank (10) is variable in the torsion section (20) in the direction towards the key tip.

3. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that the torsion section (20) is configured as a control curve or includes a control curve.

4. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one flank (38) and/or an edge (35) of the key shank (10) protrudes beyond the base cross-section (26).

5. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that the key shaft (10) includes at least one coding element (40) that is configured in particular as a recess in an edge (35).

6. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two profile elements (22) that extend parallel to one another in a first section (15) that starts at the key head are twisted about the longitudinal axis (L) of the key shank (10) in an adjoining torsion section (20) and are advantageously arranged double helix-shaped.

7. The key according to claim 6, characterized in that at least the key shank (10) is made from an elastic material.

8. The key according to claim 7, characterized in that at least the key shank (10) is made from one of spring steel and polyurethane.

9. The key according to claim 8, characterized in that at least the key shank (10) is made from PUR D 44.

10. The key according to claim 1, characterized in that the key shank (10) is rotatably supported in the key head.

11. A lock, in particular configured to receive the key according to claim 1, wherein the lock includes a locking cylinder (50) with a cylinder core (52), characterized in that at least one decoding element is configured in the cylinder core (52), wherein the decoding element includes an arcuate, in particular helical, contour at least in sections, or the decoding element is arranged on an arcuate, in particular helical, path.

12. The lock, according to claim 11, characterized in that the arcuate, in particular helical path, extends along a base profile (55) of the cylinder core (52).

13. The lock according to claim 11, characterized in that plural decoding elements configured as scanning elements (57) are arranged on a helical path.

14. The lock according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one decoding element is configured as an arcuate, in particular helical, protrusion, or as an arcuate, in particular helical, recess.

15. The lock according to claim 11, characterized by a coupling element (60) which scans the tip (70), in particular the tip associated with the torsion section (20).

16. A locking system, comprising: the lock according to claim 11.

17. A locking system, comprising: the key according to claim 1.

Description

(1) The invention is subsequently described based on embodiments with reference to schematic drawing figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the key according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the key according to the invention;

(4) FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate various views of a lock according to the invention, in particular of a locking cylinder;

(5) FIGS. 4a through 4c illustrate various views of a coupling element of a lock according to the invention, in particular of a locking cylinder.

(6) In the subsequent description, identical reference numerals are used for identical or like components.

(7) As evident from FIG. 1, a key shank 10 extends along a longitudinal axis L. The key shank 10 includes a first section 15 that is adjacent to a non-illustrated key head. A torsion section 20 adjoins the first section of the key head. The key shank 10 furthermore includes profile elements 22 that are configured in the illustrated embodiment as longitudinal grooves. The longitudinal grooves are illustrated in the first section 15 and also in the torsion section 20. The torsion section 20 is a section which includes a twist of the section of the key shank 10 about the longitudinal axis L. Advantageously, the torsion section 20 is cold-formed, this means produced by cold forming.

(8) At a beginning of the torsion section 20 a base cross-section 26 is formed. The base cross-section is not illustrated in FIG. 1. Only a sectional plane of the base cross-section 26 is visible. Also the cross-section of the first section 15 can serve as the base cross-section, this mean the base cross-section can be formed starting from the key head. Since the cross-sectional surface decreases in the instant embodiment from the first section 15 in a direction towards the torsion section 20, the cross-section at a beginning 25 of the torsion section 20 is designated as the base cross-section in the subsequent description.

(9) The cross-section in the additional torsion section 20, this means starting from a beginning of the torsion section 25 in a direction towards the key tip, can protrude beyond the base cross-section at least in sections. The illustrated cross-section 30 is referred to in an exemplary manner. The cross-section 30 is not identical to the base cross-section 26. The cross-section 30 is rather arranged twisted relative to the base cross-section 26 about the longitudinal axis L. Thus, sections of the cross-section 30 protrude beyond the surface of the base cross-section 26.

(10) The profile elements 22 are arranged parallel to each other in the first section 15 of the key shank 10. In the torsion section 20 the profile elements 22 are also arranged twisted and have a torsion. Put differently, the profile elements 22 can have a helical shape in the torsion section 20. In particular, the two profile elements 22 can have a double helix shape.

(11) The key shank 10 can be made from elastic material, in particular spring steel or polyurethane, particularly advantageously PUR D 44.

(12) The edges 35 or the side shanks 38 of the key shank 10 in the torsion section 20 can also have a helical shape. Portions about the edges 35 are designated as side flanks 38. These flanks 38 and/or edges 35 of the key shank 10 protrude at least in sections beyond the base cross-section 26 of the key shank 10.

(13) An additional coding option is provided by the torsion section 20 and elements of the key shank that are also twisted about the longitudinal axis L, like, e.g. the twisted profile elements 22, twisted edges 35 and twisted flanks 38. This facilitates a three-dimensional coding function.

(14) FIG. 1 furthermore illustrates that a length A and a rotation angle ω of the key shank 10 in the portion direction 20 are variable in a direction towards the key tip.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a key shank 10, in particular of a torsion section 20. In addition to profile elements 22 configured as longitudinal grooves, coding elements 40 are configured. The coding elements 40 are configured as recesses in edges 35. Advantageously a different number of coding elements 40 is configured at a first edge 35 and at a second edge 35′. A distance between the individual coding elements 40 varies as well.

(16) It is evident from the view according to FIG. 2 that the profile elements 22 have an arc shape or a helix shape. Also the flanks 38 are configured helix shaped or arc shaped. Put differently, this yields a twisted arrangement of the profile elements 22, the coding elements 40 and of the edges 35 and the flanks 38.

(17) The torsion section 20 of the key shank 10 can be configured variable. In particular it is possible in an embodiment that different angles α are formed in conjunction with the profile 22 elements relative to the longitudinal axis.

(18) FIGS. 3a and 3b show a longitudinal sectional view through a schematically illustrated locking cylinder 50 and a top view of a schematically illustrated locking cylinder 50. Plural scanning elements 57 are formed in the cylindrical core. The scanning elements are radially arranged relative to the base profile 55. In particular, the elements 57 are arranged on a helical path. The helical path extends along the base profile 55 of the cylinder core 52. The scanning elements 57 are in particular configured for scanning the coding elements 40.

(19) FIGS. 4a through 4c illustrate a coupling element 60. The coupling element 60 is used for scanning a key tip 70 of a key shank 10. The key tip 70 is configured in particular as a partial section of the torsion section 20. Thus, the coupling element 60 scans the twisted tip 70 of the key shank 10. Advantageously the coupling element is configured so that the tip 70 is scannable over its entire length.

(20) This is illustrated in particular in FIG. 4c. The tip 70 can penetrate up to the dashed section 61 of the coupling element 60 so that the coupling element 60 scans an entire length of the tip 70. It is appreciated that the tip 70 of the key shank 10 does not have to be pointed. The key tip 70 can also be configured as a flat surface.

(21) FIG. 4b illustrates a top view of a coupling element 60. The coupling element 60 has a shape that is complementary to a torsion section or to the shape of the key tip 70 that is produced by the torsion. Thus, the coupling element 60 does not have a straight opening but a curved opening 65.

(22) Overall the geometric match of the locking cylinder 50 or the coupling element 60 relative to the key shank 10 provides a three-dimensional precisely fitted insertion of the key shank 10 into the cylindrical core 52. This facilitates a three-dimensional coding function.

REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS

(23) 10 Key shank 15 First section 20 Torsion section 22 Profile element 25 Start torsion section 26 Base cross-section 30 Cross-section 35, 35′, 35″ Edge 38 Flank 40 Coding element 50 Locking cylinder 52 Cylindrical core 55 Base profile 57 Scanning element 60 Coupling element 61 Section 65 Opening 70 Tip A Length of the key shank in the torsion section L Longitudinal axis key shank α Torsion angle ω Torsion angle