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; a slider operatively associated with the lock housing and the lock cylinder for movement relative to the lock cylinder and the lock housing between La 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 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 by the slider while rotation of the lock cylinder relative to the lock housing is uninhibited by the slider; wherein the slider includes a first interlocking feature formed thereon for engaging at least one of the pins in the pin locking position of the slider; and wherein said at least one of the pins includes a plurality of second interlocking features formed thereon at spaced apart positions along a length of the pin, in which each second interlocking feature is arranged to be interlocked with the first interlocking feature at a respective longitudinal position of the pin relative to the lock cylinder to resist movement of the pin relative to the lock cylinder.

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 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.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the slider includes a torque feature arranged to be interlocked with a corresponding feature on the lock housing in the cylinder locking position to isolate the pins from the torque applied to the lock cylinder, the torque feature being slidable relative to the lock housing together with the slider.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the corresponding feature on the lock housing comprises a pocket receiving the torque feature of the slider therein in the cylinder locking position.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the slider includes a plurality of the first interlocking features formed thereon in association with respective ones of the pins and wherein each pin includes a plurality of the second interlocking features formed thereon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) 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;

(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate cross section and detail views 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;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the components;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates the core locking mechanism in a rear isometric view in a locked state;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates the core locking mechanism in a rear isometric view in an unlocked state;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates the core locking mechanism in a rear isometric view in an unlocked state and the lock core has been rotated; and

(8) FIGS. 7A and 7B show perspective and cross section views respectively for the locking bar outside of the assembly for better detail.

(9) In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) 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 that 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 without 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 known 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 in which the thread-like feature 8 defines a first interlocking feature on the slider and the serrations 11 define a plurality of second locking features spaced apart from one another along a length of each pin as best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. This thread like or sharp-edged feature 8 will be well into a corresponding one of the serrations 11 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 to create to two 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 symmetrical manner. However, this locking bar could easily be placed beside the pin stacks on either side, in the lock housing and several other areas that would satisfy the same purpose while not being different in 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. They can both be in the locked state but in general are in opposite states.

(11) 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 their 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.

(12) FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the high security locking system according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein the key 1 has continued to enter the cylinder 2 and has actuated the locking bar 6 and the locking bar is 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 threads or locking features 8 on the lock bar 6 are now trapping the pins 5 so that if the pins 5 are not at the right height, then they would be locking the cylinder 3 but cannot be adjusted further because they are locked by the locking features 8 on the lock bar 6

(13) FIG. 3 illustrates the high security locking according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in an exploded view 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 pocket 7 in which the lock bar 6 is coupled to when in its forward or coupled position.

(14) FIG. 4 illustrates the high security locking according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the lock bar 6 is coupled to the housing because the torque feature 10 is trapped in the pocket 7.

(15) FIG. 5 illustrates the high security locking according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the lock bar 6 is uncoupled from the housing because the torque feature 10 is translated out of the pocket 7.

(16) FIG. 6 illustrates the high security locking according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 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.

(17) FIG. 7A illustrates the main features of the lock bar according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 7B shows a sectional view of the lock bar in which the pins are trapped using a semicircular thread like feature which engages the female thread form or serration on the mating pin. In this manner, (i) the slider includes a first interlocking feature formed thereon for engaging at least one of the pins in the pin locking position of the slider, and each pin includes a plurality of second interlocking features formed thereon at spaced apart positions along a length of the pin, in which each second interlocking feature is arranged to be interlocked with the first interlocking feature at a respective longitudinal position of the pin relative to the lock cylinder to resist movement of the pin relative to the lock cylinder. Furthermore, the torque feature on the slider that is arranged to be interlocked with a corresponding feature on the lock housing in the cylinder locking position to isolate the pins from the torque applied to the lock cylinder, is further arranged to be slidable relative to the lock housing together with the slider.

(18) 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.