High Security Lock with Slider to Isolate Lock Pins from Cylinder Applied Torque

Abstract

A locking system uses a lock housing, a lock cylinder for rotation in the lock housing, pins to control the lock cylinder being in unlocked or locked states relative to the lock housing, and a key to control the position of the pins. The system further includes a slider or lock bar within the lock housing. The slider moves relative to the lock cylinder and the lock housing between (i) a cylinder locking position blocking rotation of the lock cylinder relative to the lock housing so as to isolate the pins from the torque applied to the lock cylinder while allowing the pins to be displaced between the locked and unlocked positions thereof and (ii) a pin locking position of the slider in which the pins are resisted from movement relative to the lock housing and the lock cylinder while rotation of the lock cylinder is uninhibited by the slider.

Claims

1. A high security locking system comprising: a key; a lock housing; a lock cylinder supported by the lock housing for rotation about a lock axis responsive to a torque applied to the lock cylinder; a plurality of pins operatively associated with the lock housing and the lock cylinder for engagement by the key when the key is inserted into the lock housing for movement of the pins relative to the lock cylinder and the lock housing between a locked position blocking rotation of the lock cylinder relative to the lock housing and an unlocked position in which rotation of the lock cylinder relative to the lock housing is uninhibited by the pins; and a slider operatively associated with the lock housing and the lock cylinder for movement relative to the lock cylinder and the lock housing between a cylinder locking position of the slider blocking rotation of the lock cylinder relative to the lock housing so as to isolate the pins from the torque applied to the lock cylinder while allowing the pins to be displaced between the locked and unlocked positions thereof and a pin locking position of the slider in which the pins are resisted from movement relative to the lock housing and the lock cylinder by the slider while rotation of the lock cylinder relative to the lock housing is uninhibited by the slider.

2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising: the slider occupying an intermediate position as the slider is displaced between the cylinder locking position and the pin locking position in which (i) the slider blocks rotation of the lock cylinder relative to the lock housing so as to isolate the pins from the torque applied to the lock cylinder and (ii) the pins are resisted from movement relative to the lock housing and the lock cylinder by the slider in the intermediate position; whereby the pins are resisted from movement prior to the rotation of the lock cylinder being uninhibited by the slider as the slider is displaced from the cylinder locking position to the pin locking position.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the slider is slidable relative to the lock cylinder along an axis oriented parallel to the lock axis.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the slider includes a first interlocking feature and the pins include a second interlocking feature arranged for interlocking with one another in the pin locking position.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the slider is movable relative to the lock cylinder from the cylinder locking position to the pin locking position responsive to insertion of a key into the lock housing.

6. A high security locking system comprising: a key; a lock housing, wherein the lock housing comprises of a torque capable feature which couples and uncouples with a slider under translation along the axis; and a lock cylinder disposed within the lock housing, comprising of a recessed pathway in the direction of the axis of rotation which guides a slider and provides a torque capable coupling along the entire translation of the slider.

7. The system according to claim 6 further comprising: the slider being movable to translate due to communication with the key, guided by a recessed path in the cylinder; the recessed path providing a torsional coupling mechanism from the slider to the cylinder; and the slider being slidable relative to the housing; and the sliding having features which when in certain positions of the sliding movement relative to the housing can engage with and lock the pins at their current position.

8. The system according to claim 7 further comprising a set of pins, wherein the pins have serrated features thereon to allow the slider to engage and couple with the pins and lock their movement at their current position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross section view of a high security locking system in a torque locked state but the pins are in a free state;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section and detail view of the high security locking system of FIG. 1 where the torque is now in an unlocked position and the pins are in a locked state;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the components;

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates the core locking mechanism in a rear isometric view in a locked state;

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates the core locking mechanism in a rear isometric view in an unlocked state;

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates the core locking mechanism in a rear isometric view in an unlocked state and the lock core has been rotated; and

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a cross section and is metric view for the locking bar outside of the assembly for better detail.

[0030] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The disclosed embodiments recite a high security locking system, where the lock core and lock pins are both in communication with a locking bar. The bar is capable of putting both the lock cylinder and the lock pins in one of two discrete states; locked or free. When the bar is untouched by a key or lock tools it is axially in one position in the lock. In the embodiment shown that would be towards the outside or front face of the lock. In this position the Locking bar is locking the core with a feature that couples the lock cylinder to the lock housing. The feature shown in this embodiment is a rectangular tab that protrudes off the locking bar. It is understood by the inventor the actual shape and location of this coupling feature is rather trivial and could be moved inside the bore of the housing, to the front of the lock, etc. and be of different generally shapes with out changing the intent and function of the feature which is to lock the core to the housing until the bar has traveled a set distance and then free the core. In the industry this is know as a slider element but in general this slider is not responsible for a second function. In this lock when that slider has been actuated on and has travelled a prescribed distance that is necessary to uncouple the lock cylinder from the lock housing elements on the slider itself have already trapped the pins from being able to move. In this embodiment the slider has a thread like feature that is inserted into serrations on the pins. This thread like or sharp-edged feature will be well into the serration of the pin before the torque is uncoupled from the coupling feature and will not be removed from the serration until the coupling feature is back into position create to discrete states of the lock. It should also be noted that the locking bar or sliding element is shown as acting across the top of the lock cylinder, is flat, and encompasses the pins in a symmetric manor. However, this locking bar could easily be place besides the pin stacks on either side, in the lock housing and several other areas that would satisfy the same purpose while not being a different concept. The locking bar shown is simply the preferred embodiment at the time of conception from a manufacturing perspective. The lock and pins can never both be in the free state at the same time. The can both be in the locked state but in general are in opposite states.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a high security locking system. Item 1 is a very standard key with no special features other than an exact length and proper biting. Item 2 is the lock cylinder which is the component of the lock that is unlocked or locked by the keys in order to operate the rest of the lock mechanism not shown in the drawings. Item 3 is the lock housing or the stationary part of a lock that houses the parts and mechanisms. Item 4 is the top pins or driver pins that are generally acted upon by springs not shown in the drawings. Item 5 are the key pins and item 6 is the locking bar. In this figure the key 1 has been pushed in far enough to where the bottom pins 5 have been set to there proper depth but the locking bar 6 has not been actuated by the key 1. In this state the locking bar 6 is solely locking the cylinder 2 to the housing 3.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a high security locking system where in the key 1 has continued to enter the cylinder 2 and has actuated the locking bar 6 and it no longer coupled with the pocket 7 in the housing. The cylinder 2 is now free to rotate in the housing 3 if the pins are in the proper height. The protruding thread 8 on the lock bar 6 is now trapping the pin 5 so if the pin 5 is not at the right height, then they would be locking the cylinder 3 but can not be adjusted further because they are locked by the locking feature 8 on the lock bar 6

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a high security locking in an exploded view fashion to clarify how the components interact. Of note and what may not be clear in other views is the guide way 9 in which the lock bar 6 is able to translate in. Also of note is the pockets 7 in which the lock bar 6 is coupled to when in its forward or coupled position.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a high security lock in which the lock bar 6 is coupled to the housing because the torque feature 10 is trapped in the pocket 7.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a high security lock in which the lock bar 6 is uncoupled from the housing because the torque feature 10 is translated out of the pocket 7.

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a high security lock in which the lock bar 6 is uncoupled from the housing because the torque feature 10 is translated out of the pocket 7 and the cylinder is being rotated

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates the main features of the lock bar and shows a detail view. In this embodiment the pins are trapped using a semicircular thread like feature which engaged the female thread form or serration on the mating pin.

[0039] Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.