Cylinder lock and key combination with a dual tumbler assembly and a key therefore

Abstract

A cylinder lock and key combination with a key slot and at least one dual tumbler assembly for locking a key plug against rotation. The dual tumbler assembly includes an outer pin movable elevationally in a chamber in the key plug, and an inner pin movable telescopically in a cylindrical bore in the outer pin. The outer pin is provided with at least one key contacting end portion for engagement with a first code portion of a key blade upon insertion thereof in the key slot. The inner pin is provided with at least one key contacting end portion, for engagement with a second code portion of the key blade. The key contacting end portions of the outer and inner pins of the tumbler assembly are located adjacent to each other at axially and radially well-defined code positions relative to a center-line of the tumbler assembly.

Claims

1. A cylinder lock and key combination, comprising: a key with an elongate key blade, having at least one code pattern with coded recessed portions, and a lock having a rotatable key plug with a key slot and at least one dual tumbler assembly for locking the key plug against rotation, each said at least one dual tumbler assembly including: an outer pin which is movable elevationally in a chamber in the key plug, wherein said outer pin is composed of a first or upper part, formed by a cylindrical sleeve portion defining, at the inside thereof, a cylindrical bore, which extends along an axis thereof, and a second or lower part being provided with a circumferential, circular surface portion and at least one key contacting axially projecting eccentric outer lug, which projects axially from said circumferential, circular surface portion in parallel to said axis, said circumferential, circular surface portion also being coaxial in relation to a centerline of said at least one dual tumbler assembly, and an inner pin, which is movable telescopically in said cylindrical bore of said outer pin, wherein a first or upper portion of said inner pin is cylindrical and is dimensioned for axial, guided movement within said cylindrical bore of said first or upper part of said outer pin, substantially along said centerline of the at least one dual tumbler assembly, and a second or lower portion of said inner pin is provided with at least one key contacting inner lug, wherein said at least one key contacting axially projecting eccentric outer lug and said at least one key contacting inner lug of said outer and inner pins of said at least one dual tumbler assembly are located adjacent to each other at axially and radially well-defined code positions relative to said centerline of said at least one dual tumbler assembly, wherein the code position of said at least one key contacting axially projecting eccentric outer lug of said outer pin is situated at a selected circumferentially coded location on said circumferential, circular surface portion, relative to said centerline of the at least one dual tumbler assembly, at a predetermined distance outwardly from said centerline, said at least one key contacting axially projecting eccentric outer lug of the outer pin being provided with gradually sloping portions extending in the circumferential direction on both sides of a tip thereof, and wherein the selected circumferentially coded location and a depth of said at least one key contacting axially projecting eccentric outer lug of the outer pin and a depth of said at least one key contacting inner lug of the inner pin are selectively positioned in accordance with first, second and third codes within coded recessed portions of said at least one code pattern on the key blade and have three degrees of freedom, when the key blade is being inserted into the key slot of said key plug of the lock, said three degrees of freedom including: 1) the axial position of said at least one key contacting axially projecting eccentric outer lug of the outer pin within an outer recessed portion of said at least one code pattern on the key blade, the depth of said outer recessed portion being at a first level and forming a first code; 2) the circumferential location of said at least one key contacting axially projecting eccentric outer lug of the outer pin along said circumferential, circular surface portion and within said outer recessed portion of said at least one code pattern on the key blade, the circumferential location of said outer recessed portion forming a second code; and 3) the axial position of the at least one key contacting inner lug of the inner pin within an inner recessed portion of said at least one code pattern on the key blade, the depth of said inner recessed portion being at a second level, said second level being generally a different value relative to the depth of said outer recessed portion at the first level, and forming a third code.

2. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the entire length of said inner pin extends along said centerline of said at least one dual tumbler assembly.

3. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 2, wherein the at least one key contacting projecting lug of said inner pin is conical and protrudes axially on said centerline of said at least one dual tumbler assembly.

4. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second or lower part of said outer pin comprises a cylindrical wall which extends only partly in the circumferential direction, leaving a circumferential free space adjacent to said first or upper part, and wherein said second or lower portion of said inner pin is extended radially outwardly into said free space.

5. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one key contacting inner lug of said inner pin protrudes axially but is offset radially from said centerline of said at least one dual tumbler assembly.

6. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said inner pin is composed of said first or upper cylindrical portion, extending along said centerline, and a second or lower portion having a radially offset flange provided with at least one axially protruding key contacting projecting lug.

7. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner pin is arranged at an angle, not exceeding 20, relative to a centerline of said at least one dual tumbler assembly.

8. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer pin is provided with at least one radially outwardly projecting member which prevents the outer pin from rotating around said centerline of said chamber.

9. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer and inner pins are movable axially together, one of them being movable a limited distance relative the other one.

10. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer pin has at least two, key contacting axially projecting end portions with associated eccentric lugs, located at different circumferential positions on an associated circular surface portion and each at a radial distance from said centerline, wherein said at least one dual tumbler assembly is provided with at least three key contacting end portions.

11. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner pin is arranged to cooperate with code portions located on an edge portion of said key blade, whereas said at least one key contacting axially projecting eccentric lug of said outer pin is arranged to cooperate with an associated code portion on a side shelf of said key blade.

12. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 11, wherein the outer pin has two opposite second or lower parts, each having a key contacting axially projecting eccentric lug cooperating with an associated code portion on the key blade.

13. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said opposite second or lower parts consist of one relatively long part cooperating with a code portion at the lower half of the key blade and one relatively short part cooperating with a code portion at the upper half of the key blade.

14. The lock and key combination as defined in claim 13, wherein said opposite second or lower parts consist of one relatively long part cooperating with a code portion at the lower half of the key blade and one relatively short part cooperating with a code portion at the upper half of the key blade and wherein said relatively long part is provided with two key contacting eccentric lugs, the extreme ends of which are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of said key plug.

15. The key for use with a lock and key combination as defined in claim 1, said key having an elongate key blade provided with said at least one code pattern having an outer recessed portion configured to engage said gradually sloping portions extending in the circumferential direction and an inner recessed portion, said first code being the depth of said outer recessed portion at said first level, said second code being the circumferential location of the outer recessed portion for engaging said axially projecting eccentric outer lug of the outer pin and said third code being the depth of said inner recessed portion at said second level.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in more detail below, with reference to the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 and FIG. 1a illustrate, in a perspective view and a side view, respectively, a key according to the invention, with two tumbler assemblies being schematically illustrated in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 1b shows, in a larger scale, a portion of the code pattern on the key of FIG. 1a;

(4) FIG. 1c is a top view of the key and tumbler assembly shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 1d is a cross-section through a lock with a key plug accommodating the key and the tumbler assemblies shown in FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a key according to the invention, where the code pattern is situated on an edge portion of the key blade;

(7) FIG. 2a is a side view of the key and tumbler assembly shown in FIG. 2;

(8) FIG. 2b is a top view of the key blade of FIGS. 2 and 2a;

(9) FIG. 2c shows, in a larger scale, a portion of the code pattern on the edge portion of the key blade;

(10) FIG. 3 is a side view of a tumbler assembly of the kind shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

(11) FIG. 3a is a longitudinal section through the tumbler assembly according to FIG. 3;

(12) FIG. 3b is a top view of the tumbler assembly shown in FIG. 3;

(13) FIG. 3c shows the top view of FIG. 3b in a larger scale;

(14) FIGS. 4, 4a, 4b and FIG. 4c are similar views as FIGS. 3, 3a, 3b, 3c of a modified embodiment having an inclined inner pin;

(15) FIGS. 5, 5a, 5b and 5c are similar views of a further embodiment, where the inner pin has an asymmetric end portion;

(16) FIG. 6 shows a tumbler assembly, similar to the one shown in FIG. 3, and an axially adjoining drive pin assembly to be arranged in a lock housing (not shown) surrounding the rotatable key plug where the tumbler assembly is located;

(17) FIG. 6a is a longitudinal section through the assembly shown in FIG. 6;

(18) FIGS. 6b and 6c are top views of the assembly of FIG. 6, the FIG. 6c being drawn to a larger scale;

(19) FIGS. 7, 7a, 7b and 7c are views, similar to those of FIGS. 6, 6a, 6b and 6c, of a modified embodiment of the tumbler assembly, with an inner pin having an asymmetric key contacting lug;

(20) FIGS. 8, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g and 8h illustrate a key with a key blade having two different code patterns, and tumbler assemblies each having an outer pin with a long part and a short part cooperating respectively with the two code patterns on the key, the FIGS. 8d, 8e and FIG. 8f illustrating three different embodiments;

(21) FIGS. 8i, 8k, 8l, 8m and 8n show two modified embodiments for a thin and a thick (dashed lines) key blade, respectively;

(22) FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e and 9f illustrate the tumbler assembly only, the embodiment being the same as the one shown also in FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d, without the associated key;

(23) FIGS. 10, 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d illustrate a further embodiment of a key and associated tumbler assemblies, where the outer pin is provided with two axially projecting lugs;

(24) FIGS. 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g and 11h illustrate a further embodiment where the inner pin is offset radially from the centre-line of the tumbler assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(25) In FIGS. 1, 1a, 1b and 1c, there is shown a key 10 with a key blade 11. The key blade 11 is elongate and, in the illustrated embodiment, generally flat. Although not shown explicitly, the key blade is normally provided with profiled ribs and grooves so as to fit in a corresponding profiled keyway in a lock (FIG. 1d). The key blade 11 is provided with a number of code patterns 12, each such code pattern 12 cooperating with a corresponding tumbler assembly 50.

(26) According to the present invention, a new kind of tumbler assembly 50 is used. Normally, there is a row of such tumbler assemblies being arranged in a row of cylindrical bores, adjacent to a key slot 15, in a rotatable key plug 20 of an associated lock, with a housing 30, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 1d. The lock itself may be of a general kind well known to those skilled in the art.

(27) The new kind of dual tumbler assembly 50 comprises an outer pin 51 and an inner pin 52, which is movable telescopically in an axial bore 51a in the outer pin 51. Both the outer pin 51 and the inner pin 52 have axially protruding key contacting end portions which engage with the associated code pattern 12 on the key blade. The inner pin 52 has a key contacting end portion in the form of a conical pointed lug 52b, which in this embodiment is located on the centre-line C of the tumbler assembly. As will appear below, this pointed lug 52b can alternatively be asymmetrically located in relation to the centre-line C.

(28) The outer pin 51 is composed of a first or upper part 51c, provided with the bore 51a, at the inside thereof, and a second or lower part 51d, which is provided with an axially displaced end portion, in this embodiment in the form of an axially projecting lug 51b. This axially displaced end portion or projecting lug 51b is situated at a circumferentially coded position at a radial distance from the centre-line C so as to engage with an associated code portion, in this embodiment in the form of a recess portion 12b in the associated code pattern 12 on the key blade 11.

(29) In FIG. 1b there are shown, schematically, the coded locations configured to receive the axial lugs 51b, 52b, serving as key contacting portions. Thus, the conical lug 52b of the inner pin 52 is, in this embodiment, located on the centre-line C, and the possible code variations for this key contacting portion is the axial position on the centre-line. Normally, this axial position, or depth, may be defined at two, three or four different levels.

(30) The axially projecting lug 51b on the outer pin 51, on the other hand, may be positioned at any coded location along the dash-dotted circle CL. For practical reasons, there should be four to twelve possible positions corresponding to a mutual angular difference of 90 to 30. Of course, the axial length or depth of the lug 51b may also be coded into 2-4 different levels. These coded variations will correspond to various axial depths of the code recess portion 12a and a multitude of variations for the coded recess portion 12b, including axial depth variations as well as angular positions as indicated above.

(31) In order to retain the exact angular position of the axial lug 51b on the outer pin 51, it is of course essential that the outer pin 51 is maintained in an angular or rotational position in the associated bore in the key plug of the lock. This is achieved by the radially outwardly projecting members or fins 51f which are guided in associated grooves along the bores of the key plug.

(32) As will be explained further below, the exact structure of the tumbler assembly 50 may be modified in many ways. However, in all embodiments, there is a combination of an inner pin with an axially projecting lug 52b (or axial recess) and an outer pin 51 with at least one axially projecting lug 51b (or axial recess), the position of the lug 52b or recess being coded axially, and the position of the axial lug 51b (or recess) being coded circumferentially (up to 12 or even more positions) as well as axially. Accordingly the number of code combinations for one tumbler assembly 50 is very great, e.g. 48 if there are two axial positions for each lug or recess and 108 if there are three axial positions for each lug or recess.

(33) As appears from FIGS. 2, 2a, 2b and 2c, it is possible to locate the code pattern on the edge portion of the key blade, rather than on one or two of the sides of the key blade. In this embodiment, the tumbler assemblies 50 are oriented with their centre-lines extending in a central plane of the relatively flat key blade 11 of the key 10. Each tumbler assembly 50 with an outer pin 51 and an inner pin 52 is designed just like in the previous embodiment, the only difference being that the associated code patterns on the edge portion of the key blade 11 may fall partially outside the key blade material, if the key blade 11 is thin in relation to the dimensions of the tumbler assemblies. In this case, there may be a lower number of possible locations for the recess portions 12b (see FIG. 2c), but the number of possible code combinations for each tumbler assembly 51, 52 will still be relatively large.

(34) FIGS. 3, 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate, separately, the tumbler assemblies shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3, the outer pin 51 is visible, with its guiding member or fin 51f and its axially projecting lug 51b. The only visible part of the inner pin is the lower key contacting end portion or lug 52b. The latter is located on the centre-line C of the tumbler assembly.

(35) From the longitudinal section shown in FIG. 3a, it is seen that the upper, somewhat wider part of the inner pin 52 is guided by the cylindrical bore 51a in the upper part 51c of the outer pin 51. It is also evident that the inner and outer pins are movable axially together and that the outer pin 51 may be displaced downwards in relation to the inner pin 52. Thus, the axially projecting lugs 51b and 52b may be displaced axially, either together or relative to each other. It will be understood that the mutually engaging cylindrical surfaces of the inner and outer pins may be axially straight, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or provided with shoulders which limit the relative axial movement. These shoulders 51e and 52e may be configured to limit the relative axial movement of the inner pin 52 either downwards (as shown) or upwards.

(36) The relative locations of the axially projecting lugs 51b and 52b will also appear from FIGS. 3b and 3c. The axially projecting lug 52b of the inner pin 52 is in this case located on the centre-line C, whereas the axially projecting lug 51b on the outer pin 51 is situated at a coded location, with its pointed end positioned circumferentially somewhere along the circle line CL. The lug 52b is conical with a pointed or slightly rounded end 52b, whereas the lug 51b has gradually sloping portions 51bs on either side of the pointed or slightly rounded tip 51b. According to the present invention, the lug 51b is situated at a coded location, e.g. at one of a number of circumferentially well defined positions, along the circle line CL. The circumferential position represents one degree of freedom, whereas the axial positions of the lugs 51b and 52b provide two further degrees of freedom, thus providing a very large number of possible code combinations of each tumbler assembly 50.

(37) As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 4a, 4b and 4c, the inner pin 52 of the tumbler assembly 50 may be slightly inclined relative to the centre-line C of the tumbler assembly. In this case, the cylindrical bore 51a in the outer pin 51 is of course tilted accordingly. The inclinational angle may be 20 or less in relation to the centre-line C. Still, it will be possible to vary the code locations of the lugs 51b and 52b in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

(38) A similar effect is obtainable by way of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5, 5a, 5b and 5c. Here the axially projecting lug 52b is asymmetrically located along an inner circle CL2, whereas the axially projecting lug 51b on the outer pin 51 is located somewhere on an outer circle line CL1. In this way, the number of code combinations will be even greater.

(39) In FIGS. 6, 6a, 6b and 6c further components of the lock are shown, viz. a drive pin assembly 60 with an outer pin or sleeve 61 and an inner pin 62 arranged axially in line with the tumbler assembly 50 with the outer pin 51 and the inner pin 52. The drive pin assembly 60 is arranged in an associated bore in a surrounding, stationary housing of the lock (not shown), so that the abutting end surfaces of the tumbler assembly 50 and the drive pin assembly 60 are located at the shear line between the rotatable key plug and the surrounding lock housing. In this embodiment, an inner pressure spring 72 acts on the inner drive pin 62, whereas an outer pressure spring 71 acts on the outer drive pin 61. In this way, the drive pin assembly 60 will normally be located in a position which locks the key plug against rotation. Only when a correctly cut key is inserted into a key slot of the key plug (not shown), will it be possible to rotate the key plug by turning the inserted key.

(40) FIGS. 7, 7a, 7b and 7c illustrate a similar embodiment, the differences being that the outer pin 51 is provided with a widened cylindrical bore 51a accommodating a circumferential flange 52f on the inner pin 52. Also, the projecting lug 52b (see FIG. 7c) on the inner pin 52 is asymmetric or radially displaced in a similar manner as in FIGS. 5, 5a, 5b, 5c.

(41) A further embodiment of the tumbler assemblies 50 is shown in FIG. 8. Here, the inner pin 52 with its axially projecting lug 52b is similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the outer pin 151 is provided with two opposite lower parts, i.e. one short part 151s and one longer part 151l. At their bottom ends, these parts are provided with axially projecting lugs 151sb and 151 1b, respectively. The shorter lugs 151sb cooperate with upper coded recesses 12b, on the edge portion of the key blade 111, whereas the longer lugs 151 1b engage with coded recesses 120 cut into a shelf on the associated side of the key blade 11. The central lugs 52b on the inner pins 52 engage with code recesses 12a on the edge of the key blade 111.

(42) As appears from FIG. 8h the shorter lugs 151sb may by located in various circumferential positions, e.g. two, three or four positions, on the circular portion CLs, whereas the longer lugs 151 1b may by positioned at a selected position along the circular portion CL1. It will be appreciated that this structure opens up for many code combinations. The engagement between the tumbler assembly and the key blade 11 will also appear from FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f. FIGS. 8d and 8e show two embodiments with the longer projecting lug being oriented to the right and to the left, respectively. In FIG. 8f there is a third embodiment where the longer part of the outer pin 151 is provided with two different longer lugs 151 1c and 151 1d. In this embodiment (FIG. 8f) the two lugs may be coded in the same way as in WO2007/018456 (WINLOC AG), with one or the other, or both, of the longer lugs 151 1c and 151 1d engaging with an associated one of the coded recesses 120 on the shelf of the key blade 111.

(43) In FIGS. 8i, 8k, 8l, 8m and 8n there are shown some modified embodiments of the present invention.

(44) The key blade 111 may be somewhat thinner (without the dashed portion on the back side as seen in FIG. 8i). If so, the outer pin 151 will only have one axially projecting lug, a long lug 151 1b (compare FIGS. 8k and 8l).

(45) On the other hand, if the key blade is thick (as in the previous embodiments), there is room for a code pattern with coded recesses 120 on the back side 111a as well, and long lugs 151 1b branching down on both sides of the key blade 111, as shown in FIGS. 8m and 8n. It should be pointed out that it is just a coincident that the two long lugs 151 1b in FIG. 8n have the same lengths. Generally, they are of different lengths, being dependent on the particular depths of the recesses 120.

(46) In FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e and 9f, the tumbler assembly 50, and the associated tumbler drive assembly 60, and the spring assembly 70 (of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 through 8d) are shown as such, without the engaging key being illustrated.

(47) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10, 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, the key 10 with the key blade 11 and the coded recess portions 12 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, although each code pattern 12 comprises a centrally located recess portion 12a and two adjoining recess portions 12b and 12c each accommodating a lug 51b, 51c on the outer pin 51. The central recess portion 12a is adapted to receive the axially projecting lug 52b on the inner pin 52, this lug 52b being located on the centre-line C. The locations of the three lugs 51b, 51c and 52b appear best from FIG. 10d. In this embodiment, the two lugs 51b, 51c are located opposite to each other on the circle line CL. However, these two lugs may be positioned at any two distinct points along the circle line CL (less than 180 apart). It will be appreciated that there is a very high number of possible code locations for these three lugs 51b, 51c and 52b.

(48) The tumbler assembly 50 shown in FIGS. 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g and 11h resembles the one shown in FIGS. 5-5c, with one lug 51b on the outer pin 51 and another lug 52b on the inner pin 52. However, in this case, the inner pin 52 has a radially offset flange 52a which is provided with the axially projecting lug 52b (see FIG. 11e). In order to make room for the offset flange 52a, the second or lower part 51d of the outer pin 52 extends only partly in the circumferential direction, leaving a free space axially adjacent to the first or upper part 51c.

(49) With such a structure, the projecting lug 52b on the inner pin 52 may be located at the same radial distance from the centre-line C on the circle line CL, as can be seen from the FIGS. 11c, 11d, 11g, 11h. Accordingly, each of the lugs 51b and 52b may be located at any circumferential position on a semi-circle (half of the circle line CL). In this case, there is no coded recess portion on the centre-line C.