Lock

Abstract

A tumbler for positioning in a bore perpendicular to a keyway in a lock for selectively engaging a feature of a key within the keyway, wherein the tumbler comprises a male part that interlocks with a female part about a compressed spring; the male part having retaining teeth for selectively engaging an inner notch or an outer notch of the female part, such that when the retaining teeth engage the outer notch, the tumbler has a first configuration with an uncompressed overall length and on compression assumes a second configuration wherein the teeth of the male part engage the inner notch in the female section so that the overall length of the lock component is reduced, the change being irreversible.

Claims

1. A tumbler for positioning in a bore extending radially from a keyway in a lock for selectively engaging a feature of a key within the keyway, said tumbler comprising: a) a male part that interlocks with a female part about a compressed spring; the male part having retaining teeth for selectively engaging an inner notch or an outer notch of the female part, such that when said retaining teeth engage the outer notch, the tumbler has a first configuration with an uncompressed overall length and on compression assumes a second configuration wherein the teeth of the male part engage the inner notch in the female part so that the overall length of the interlocked male and female parts is reduced, such that the change in length is irreversible; and b) an inner pin having a length equal to the combined length of the interlocked male and female parts when the teeth of the male part engage the inner notch of the female part and the interlocked male and female parts are compacted.

2. The tumbler of claim 1, wherein the female part has more than one inner notch, such that the interlocked male and female parts may assume a plurality of reduced overall lengths.

3. The tumbler of claim 1, wherein said male and female parts each have a flat surface parallel to the keyway and beveled edges around said flat surfaces.

4. The tumbler of claim 1, wherein the male part is fabricated from a stiff resilient material.

5. The tumbler of claim 4, wherein the stiff resilient material is a metal or alloy.

6. The tumbler of claim 5, wherein the teeth of the male part have outer tapered surfaces and lower flat surfaces and the metal or alloy of the male part has a Young's modulus such that the teeth may be forced inwards to enable the tumbler to be compacted, but the compaction is irreversible.

7. A lock assembly comprising the tumbler of claim 6, a driver pin, a spring and a plug, and further comprising a filling disk, such that in a non-compacted state, the inner pin and filling disk are positioned within the tumbler, but on compacting, the filling disk is expelled out of the tumbler into the bore.

8. The tumbler of claim 1, further comprising a filling disk, such that the filling disk and the inner pin have a combined length equal to the combined length of the male and female parts when the teeth of the male part engage the outer notch of the female part and the interlocked male and female parts are not compacted.

9. A lock comprising a cylinder configured to rotate within a barrel, and provided with a lock assembly within a bore; the lock assembly comprising a tumbler disposed perpendicular to a keyway, the tumbler comprising a male part that interlocks with a female part about a compressed spring; the male part having retaining teeth for selectively engaging an inner notch or an outer notch of the female part, such that when said retaining teeth engage the outer notch, the tumbler has a first configuration with an uncompressed overall length and on compression assumes a second configuration wherein the teeth of the male part engage the inner notch in the female part so that the overall length of the tumbler is reduced, such that the change in length is irreversible; an inner pin having a length equal to the combined length of the interlocked male and female parts when the teeth of the male part engage the inner notch of the female part and the tumbler is compacted; a driver pin, a spring and further comprising a filling disk, such that in a non-compacted state, the inner pin and filling disk are positioned within the tumbler, but on compacting, the filling disk is ejected out of the tumbler into the bore, such that inserting a key having a shallow dimple into the keyway and rotating causes the key having a shallow dimple to press against the tumbler, causing the tumbler to be compacted and the inner pin to expel the filling disk out of the tumbler and into the bore.

10. The lock of claim 9 further wherein the cylinder further comprising a socket on an opposite side of the cylinder from the bore, such that rotation of the cylinder through a preset angle causes the filling disk to be ejected out of the bore by the driver pin, and into the socket.

11. The lock of claim 10, wherein the preset angle is 180 degrees.

12. The lock of claim 10 further comprising additional compactable tumblers.

13. A method of changing a key and lock combination by providing the lock of claim 10, and inserting a key having at least one shallow dimple corresponding to a tumbler having a first lock component, and rotating the key to compact the first lock component, thereby ejecting the filling disk into the bore, such that on rotating the cylinder through the preset angle, the filling disk is transferred to the socket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.

(2) With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention; the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a lock housing or stator, having a pair of cylinders, each within a barrel, and corresponding keys.

(4) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a compactable tumbler in its extended state;

(5) FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the compactable tumbler of FIG. 2 in a compacted state;

(6) FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a lock showing a cylinder (also known as rotor, or plug) in the barrel of a stator (housing), and a tumbler system that includes the compactable tumbler. Also shown is part of a key in the keyway, such that a dimple is aligned with the compactable tumbler and receives the end of the compactable lock element, resulting in the cylinder being able to turn within the barrel;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the lock of FIG. 4, wherein a key with a shallow dimple is inserted into the keyway, causing the compactable tumbler to extend into the bore within the stator of the lock;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a modified compactable tumbler its extended state, the modified tumbler having an inner pin. Also shown is a filling disk;

(9) FIG. 7 shows the modified compactable tumbler of FIG. 6, in its compacted state, ejecting the filling disk;

(10) FIG. 8 shows the modified compactable tumbler of FIG. 7 within the cylinder of a lock, with a key in the keyway, the key having a shallow dimple, such that the filling disk is transferred from the compactable tumbler to the bore extending into the barrel, and remains within the barrel as the cylinder is turned by the key;

(11) FIG. 9 is a section through a lock and key showing the modified compactable tumbler in its non-compacted state with the filing disk within the tumbler, with a key having a deep dimple, and

(12) FIG. 10 is a section through a lock and key showing the modified compactable tumbler in its compacted state, with a key having a deep dimple causing the modified compactable tumbler to compact, ejecting the filling disk from the modified compacted tumbler into the bore.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(13) With reference to FIG. 1, a cylinder block 2 is shown. The cylinder block 2 contains a pair of cylinder plugs 3 that each rotate within a barrel 4. There is a keyway 6 within the cylinder plug for a key. The barrel 4 is part of the stator 5. Rotating the key 8 causes the cylinder plug 3 to rotate within the barrel 4 and to turn a transmission element 9 that transfers the torque of the key to retract the latch or bolt of the lock (not shown).

(14) Within the stator 5 or housing, are various bores that include pin like elements known as tumblers and driver pins. The key aligns the tumblers pins and drivers such that the joining edges thereof are aligned with the shear line between the cylinder and the barrel, allowing the cylinder plug 3 to rotate.

(15) The present invention is directed to a novel type of lock component, known hereinbelow as a compactable tumbler.

(16) With reference to FIG. 2 a sectional view of a compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 is shown. Tumbler 10.sub.1 is generally cylindrically shaped, and so its section, as shown is generally rectangular. Tumbler 10.sub.1 consists of a first element 12 and a second element 14 coupled around a spring 16. One of the first element 12 and the second element 14 is provided with teeth 18 that engage a notch 20 in the other of the first element 12 and the second element 14. As shown, the lower element 14 is provided with teeth 18 and the upper element 12 is provided with a notch 20. It will be appreciated however, that compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 is reversible, and the male element 14 with the teeth 18 may be provided on the top, and the female element 12 with the notch 20 may be provided on the bottom. As shown, the base 24 of the bottom element 14 is flat, and it is provided with a beveled edge 22. Similarly, the top element 12 has a flat base 24 surrounded with a beveled edge 22. Alternatively, one or more of the flat base and beveled edge may be replaced with domed ends.

(17) The overall length of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 shown in FIG. 2, is X.sub.1. On application of a compressive force to the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1, distal component 12 is rammed into proximal component 14, and teeth 18 engage a second notch 26. The compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 then assumes a compacted configuration 10.sub.2 shown in FIG. 3, and has an overall length X.sub.2 such that X.sub.2<X.sub.1.

(18) Although shown with male, toothed component 14 on the lower element, and a female component 12 with notches 20, 26 as the upper element, it will be appreciated that compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 may be inserted into a bore such that either element 12, 14 is proximal to the keyway. The male, toothed component 14 and its teeth 18 are generally fabricated from a resilient material, typically a metal or alloy such as brass, but possibly a ceramic or plastic having an appropriate degree of stiffness and resilience. The distal surface of the teeth 18 are beveled but the upper surface of the teeth 18 are flat. This configuration enables the teeth 18 to deform under compacting pressure so that they disengage an outer notch 20 and then engage an inner notch 26 such that the overall length of the tumbler is reduced. This reduction is irreversible. The shape of the teeth do not allow the shortened tumblers to revert to their extended non compacted configurations. In some embodiments, not shown, there are more than one inner notches 26. In such embodiments, the tumbler may assume more than one compacted length.

(19) Unlike the components in prior art DE 202004015051 and European patent number EP0763639 described hereinabove, which describe compressible tumblers, the compactable lock component 10.sub.1 is designed such that application of a compacting force causes the overall length of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 to change, such that the tumbler assumes a shortened configuration and is locked into this configuration. The distal component 12 and proximal component 14 may be fabricated from any suitable resilient metal, such as brass, for example, where the Young's modulus enables the teeth 18 to be bent inwards slightly to allow the pin to be compacted, but on compaction, the teeth 18 spring out into the inner notch 26, and lock in place.

(20) With reference to FIG. 4, a section through a lock 28 showing a cylinder or cylinder 32 in the barrel 34 of a stator (housing) 35, and a bore 37 that includes a tumbler 10.sub.1 within the cylinder part, a distal driver pin 36 substantially within the part of the bore extending into the stator, a resilient spring 38 and a plug 40, to enable the cylinder to turn within the barrel, the tumbler and driver pin must be aligned such that the connecting edge between them is at the shear line between the cylinder and barrel.

(21) Also shown is part of a key 30 in the keyway 31, such that a dimple A is aligned with the compactable lock element 10.sub.1 and receives one end 24 of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1. The length X.sub.1 of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 is such, that the other end 24 of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 is aligned with the shear line, i.e. the join between cylinder 32 and barrel 34, with the distal lock element, i.e. the driver pin 36 is wholly within the housing 35. The retaining spring 38 is held in place by the plug 40 and supports the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 and driver pin 36, such that the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 is pushed against the key 30. The dimple A in key 30 is aligned with the compactable driver 10.sub.1 and receives one end 24 of the compactable driver 10.sub.1, resulting in the tumbler 10.sub.1 lying completely within the cylinder 32, and since neither tumbler 10.sub.1 nor driver 36 span across the shear line, i.e. the outer edge of cylinder 32, cylinder 32 is able to turn within the barrel 34.

(22) With reference to FIG. 5, a section through the lock 28 is shown, mutatis mutantis, wherein a key 30 having a shallower dimple B is provided. Consequently, the proximal end 24 of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 does not sit so high up in the keyway 31, and the distal end 24 of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 protrudes beyond the cylinder 32 into the barrel 34 of the stator, pushing the distal driver pin 36 against the compressed spring 38 supported by the plug 40.

(23) In FIG. 5, due to the shallower dimple B of key 30 not allowing the proximal end 24 of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 to sit so highly in the keyway 31, the distal end 24 of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 extends beyond the cylinder 32, into the cylinder block 2. Consequently, the cylinder 32 is prevented from rotating in barrel 34 by the protruding distal end 24 of the compactable tumbler 10.sub.1.

(24) With reference to FIG. 6, a modification of compactable tumbler 10.sub.1 is shown. Modified compactable tumbler 110.sub.1 consists of an upper part 112 and a lower part 114 that are coupled together around a compressed spring 116. One of the upper part 112 and lower part 114 is provided with teeth 118 and the other of upper part 112 and lower part 114 is provided with a notch 120. The teeth 118 engage notch 120. As shown, the teeth 118 are provided as integral with lower part 114 and the notch 120 with the upper part 112, i.e. the lower part 114 is the male part and the upper part 112 is the female part. It will be appreciated, however, that the teeth 118 could be provided on the upper part 112, and the notch 120 on the lower part 114.

(25) Modified compactable tumbler 110.sub.1 is an outer pin or sleeve, having an inner pin 125 or insert. Inner pin 125 is shorter than modified compactable tumbler 110.sub.1 and a filling disk 127 is provided.

(26) With reference to FIG. 7, the modified compactable tumbler 110 is shown in its compacted state 110.sub.2. The lower part 114 is squeezed into the upper part 112 such that teeth 118 of lower part 114 engage an inner notch 122 on the upper part 112. Thus modified compactable lock element 110 in its compacted state 110.sub.2 is shorter than in its non compacted state 110.sub.1. Overall length of compacted modified compactable tumbler 110.sub.2 is the same as the length of the inner pin 125, so squeezing the compactable tumbler 110.sub.1 ejects the filling disk 127.

(27) With reference to FIG. 8, if a key 30 with a shallow dimple B is inserted into key way 31 of the modified compactable tumbler 110 and rotated slightly, the beveled edge 22 of the lower section 114 presses against the barrel 34, and the lower section 114 is pushed into the upper section 112, such that the compactable tumbler 110 moves from its non-compacted state 110.sub.1 to its compacted state 110.sub.2, with teeth 118 engaging inner notch 122 (see e.g.,FIG. 7).

(28) In this manner, with reference to FIG. 9, the lock with compactable tumbler 110.sub.1 is compatible with a key 30 with a deep dimple A, and can be used to open and close the lock in a normal fashion. However, referring to FIG. 10, if a key 30 with a shallow dimple B is inserted in the keyway 31, the filling disk 127 is ejected into the bore, and rotating the key causes the compactable tumbler 110.sub.1 to compact, assuming the compacted configuration 110.sub.2. Rotating the key 30 through 180 rotates the cylinder 32 through an appropriate preset angle, such as 180 which is the angle shown, and brings a socket 50 into alignment with the bore 37 of the tumbler. The compressed spring 38 forces driver pin 36 to eject the filling disk 127 into the socket 50.

(29) In this manner, the tumbler of the lock 28 shown is reconfigured from one that is openable by a deep dimple A, to one that may be opened by a shallow dimple B. In other words, the key that opens the lock 28 is changed.

(30) It will be appreciated that a lock may have any number of tumbler assemblies and typically has from 2 to 10 tumbler assemblies, each in its own bore. Any or all of these may be configured with a compactable tumbler 110.sub.1 that enables the key required to open the lock to be changed.

(31) Thus the lock and key combination of a lock including one or more compactable tumblers 110.sub.1 may be changed one or more times by changing the key and turning it, without requiring additional tools, or specialist lock skills, simply by changing the key.

(32) Although described for a dimpled key, it will be appreciated that the compactable lock element described hereinabove and the corresponding method of changing the lock and cylinder combination may be adapted for a jagged flat key or for a key with a cylindrical shaft.

(33) Several embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

(34) Thus persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

(35) In the claims, the word comprise, and variations thereof such as comprises, comprising and the like indicate that the components listed are included, but not generally to the exclusion of other components.