Lock-key system

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock-key system, including a key that is insertable into a key channel of a lock cylinder, and traceable by core pins or by locking elements that are displaceable in the cylinder core, wherein in case of a match, the cylinder core can be rotated by means of the inserted key. Lettering in the form of an impression and/or an embossment, serving as an identifier and including letters and/or numbers and/or symbols, is introduced into at least one lateral surface of the key shank and in case of a lateral profiling, into the lateral profiling. The lettering or individual letters, numbers, or the symbol or sub-areas thereof are traceable by core pins or locking elements having a correspondingly formed contact surface.

Claims

1. A lock-key system, comprising: a flat key insertable into a keyway of a lock cylinder, said flat key having a shaft, said shaft having side surfaces, said side surfaces being provided with profilings formed as grooves and elevations and extending in longitudinal direction along the shaft, said profilings being provided with a lettering in the form of at least one of impressions and embossments, said lettering comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of a letter, a number and a symbol; and locking elements movable in a cylinder core of the lock cylinder, said locking elements having contact surfaces which correspond to the member and configured for interacting with recesses provided in a cylinder housing of the lock cylinder outside a separation plane between the cylinder core and the cylinder housing, wherein the locking elements are configured for tracing the member or at least a region of the member and at least in part the profilings, and wherein a match resulting from said tracing enables a turning of the cylinder core.

2. The lock-key system of claim 1, wherein the at least one member represents a registered trademark.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) In the following, the invention is explained with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

(2) It is shown in

(3) FIG. 1 schematically a flat key without lateral profiling and

(4) FIG. 2 schematically a flat key with lateral profiling

(5) FIG. 3 schematically a core pin with its contact surface.

(6) In both Figures corresponding parts are designated the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) Both flat keys have a bow 2 and a shaft 1. Grooves 3 are provided on the key chest. These interact in a conventional way with core and housing pins.

(8) In FIG. 2 the grooves are shown symbolically only over a partial length of the shaft. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2 profilings extend along the shaft in the form of longitudinal grooves and embossments.

(9) According to the invention, an identifier 4 is worked in at least on one of the longitudinal sides of the shaft—in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 in addition to the profiling—which identifier in the shown example is formed by the letters “KO”.

(10) This identifier should preferably be a registered, i.e. protected, trademark, wherein it can be a lettering, letter, numbers or symbols (logos).

(11) Relevant is that not only the profiling of the key—if present—is mechanically scanned, but also the identifier 4. This takes place by core pins or other locking elements which are displaceable, i.e. shiftable, in the cylinder core. In FIG. 3 a core pin is indicated as example, which has a corresponding contact surface 4′. The later is formed in its entirety or only partially depending on the topography of the identifier on the key. However, it is relevant that these core pins have contact surfaces which correspond to the identifier which is introduced on the sides of the key, i.e. surfaces which can be brought into engagement with the identifier, which have positive or negative regions which correspond to the identifier.

(12) These core pins or locking elements form a type of stamp in the region of contact.

(13) Thus, for causing a match of the core pins or locking elements at the separation plane cylinder core/cylinder housing the match between the identifier with the region contained on the core pin or locking element is necessary.

(14) The impressions or embossments of these regions can vary and thus even increase the complexity of the key-lock system.

(15) The relevant difference to the simple lateral pin query is thus that not only one point or plane, but an entire contour and/or topography can be queried.

(16) A copy of this type of keys thus requires significantly more effort or is even impossible and on the other hand represents an infringement in the case of imitation of a protected trade mark.