Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~20'7S46
The present invention relates to cylinder locks and
more particularly to barrels and keys therefor
Known cylinder locks employing a conventional barrel
require the use of upper pins which bear against the locking
pin and bias same toward the keyway. Thus the barrel is not
self contained which is a disadvantage. In particular the
use of upper pins increases the size of the locks. Still
further, most cylinder locks do not offer a large number of
- possible lock combinations which has the disadvantage that
the locks are more easily picked while it limits the number
of combinations available to users.
Where large combinations are available it has been
found that these types of cylinder locks employ a large
number of different parts and accordingly are generally
expensive to manufacture d~e to their complexityO
It is still further desirable in locks generally that
there be control over the key blanks and cut keys since it is
a disadvantage of known locks that the keys are too easily
reproduced thus greatly reducing the security of the lock.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome
or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.
There is disclosed herein a barrel for a cylinder
lock, said barrel comprising a generally cylindrical barrel
body having end faces, a keyway formed in said barrel body
and extending longitudinally inwardly from one end face, a
plurality of guide bores formed in the barrel body and
extending outwardly from said keyway so as to communicate
therewith, a locking pin slidably received within each of
said bores and retained therein so as to be movable from a
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position projecting into said keyway to a retracted position,
said bores being grouped in two sets with the bores of each
set being aligned longitudinally so that the two sets are
arranged in a spaced generally parallel co-extensive
relationship, and wherein said pins are prevented from
rotation about the axes of the bores.
A preferred form of the present invention will now be
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective parts exploded
view of a barrel for a cylinder lock;
Figure 2 is a schematic parts exploded view of a
further barrel to that of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a housing
to receive the barrel of Figures 1 and 2
Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of a key
adapted to be used with the barrels of Figures 1 and 2 with
the key engaged by locking pins;
Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the key
of Figure ~;
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are schematic end elevations and
side elevations of various key blanks which may be
employed with the barrels of Figures 1 and 2; and
Figure ~ is a schematic perspective view of a barrel
and front portion of a cylindrical lock;
Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a
further barrel and front portion of a cylindrical lock;
Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of a still further
barrel body of a cylindrical lock;
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Figure 12 is a parts exploded schematic perspective
view of a further lock barrel;
Figure 13 is a side elevation of a locking pin used
in the barrel of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a plan view of the pin of Figure 13;
Fig~re 15 is a schematic side elevation of a key and
locking pin; and
Figure 16 is a plan view of the key of Figure 15.
In Figure 1 there is schematically depicted a barrel
10 of a cylinder lock, which barrel 10 is adapted to be
located within the housing 11 of Figure 3. The barrel 1~
includes a generally cylindrical body 12 having end faces 13
and 14. Formed in the body 12 is a keyway 15 which extends
longitudinally inwardly from the face 14 to adjacent the face
13. The keyway 15 has a configuration adapted to receive a
key similar to that of Figures 4 and 5, however it may be
altered to fit any one of the keys depicted in Figures 6 to
9.
Extending inwardly from the outer cylindrical
periphery of the body 12 are a plurality of bores 16 which
are divided into two longitudinally extending sets 16A and
16B. Additionally the bores 16 are arranged in pairs
consistin~ of a bore from each set. Slidably received within
each bore is a locking pin 17, which locking pins are divided
into sets 17A and 17B. The locking pins 17A and 17B are held
in a spaced parallel relationship by a plate 18 which in
combination with the internal surfaces of the bores 16,
restrict the locking pins 17 to moving in a direction
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body
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12. Additionally each pin 17 has a flat face which slidably
abuts the polate 18 so as to prevent rotation of the pins 17
about the longitudinal axes.
The body 12 is further provided with two
longitudinally extending recesses 19 which are adapted to
receive locking bars 20 which have locking projections 21.
The locking bars 20 are biased to a radially outer position
by means of springs 22. The locking bars 20 are slidably
received within the recesses 19 so as to be movable from a
radially inner position allowing rotation of the barrel 10 to
a radially outer position engaged within the grooves 23 (Fig.
3) formed on the internal surfaces of the housing 11. In
this radially outer position the barrel 10 is prevented from
rotating by the locking bars 20.
Each of the pins 17 is provided with a recess 24
which is dimensioned to receive a locking projection 21 so
that upon location of the recesses 24 in the correct
position, the corresponding locking projection is engageable
therein. Additionally each pin 17 may be provided with a
dummy recess 25 which is provided to hinder picking of the
lock.
Upon a key of correct configuration being inserted in
the keyway 15, each of the pins 17 is located so that the
locking projections 21 are receivable within the recess 24
thereby allowing the locking bars 20 to move to a radially
inner position. Thus the barrel 10 may be rotated. If the
recesses 24 are not all correctly aligned, then the locking
bars are prevented from moving thus retaining the barrel 10
in a locking position. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 3,
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the locking bars are provided with converging surfaces
26 which cooperate with converging surfaces 27 forming
the groove 23 to force the locking bars 20 radially
inwardly. The locking pins 17 are biased to a position
projecting inwardly of the keyway 15 by means of springs
28 which bear against the locking pins 17 and a cover
plate 29.
Turning now to Figure 2 wherein there is
schematically depicted a barrel 30 which is of very
similar construction to the barrel 10 of Figure 1. The
difference being that the barrel 30 has a keyway 31
provided with longitudinally extending flutes 32 which
again increases the number of combinations available for
the lock. Additionally there is provided further pins
33 which are adapted to engage an annular groove formed
on the internal surfaces of the housing 11. These
further pins are adapted to retain the barrel 30 within
the housing 11 until a key of correct combination is
inserted allowing retraction of these further pins 33.
The pins 33 are slidably received within passages 34
formed in the body 12 with a spring 35 being provided to
bias the pins 33 to their radially outer position
retaining the barrel 30 within the housing 11. The pins
33 are moved radially inwardly by cooperating cam
surfaces on an internal surface on a surrounding
housing. More particularly, the housing 11 of Figure 3
could be provided with the cooperating cam surfaces if
so required.
It should be appreciated that the barrels of
Figures 1 and 2 could have key slots having two or more
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key blades. In such cases the number of rows of locking
pins would be lncreased.
Turning now to Figures 4 to 10, and more
particularly Figures 4 and 5, there is schematically
depicted a key 40 of generally U-shaped transverse cross
section so as to have upwardly extending key blades 41
joined by a base 42. There _ _.
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is schematically illustrated in Figure 4 two locking pins 17
engaged with the teeth of the blades 41 so that the passages
24 are aligned thus allowing entry of the locking pro~ections
21. The key 40 is also provided with longitudinally
extending flutes and ridges 43 adapted to increase the number
of combinations available to the lock. It should be
particularly appreciated that the teeth 44 formed in the
blades 41 are separated by valleys 45 which may extend
downwardly to a limit position adjacent the base 42. By
providing the key 40 with blades 41 joined by base 42, the
volleys may extend to adjacent the base 42 without the key 40
being weakened to an extent such that it is easily deformed
during use.
A particular feature provided in the key 40 is the
leading portion 46 which is substantially of a chisel
configuration enabling the barrel 10 to be self contained in
that outer locking pins are not required. By providing the
key 40
with the leading portion 46, the locking pins 17 may extend
further into the keyway 15.
A further advantage of the key 40 in that the valleys
45 are more easily formed since the blades 41 are in a spaced
parallel relationship.
Turning now to Figures 7 and 8, there is
schematically depicted a plurality of key configurations with
each key including a base 50 from which extend one or more
key blades 51 adapted ~o receive a key profile. In each
instance the keys of Figures 6 to 10 are adapted such that
valleys formed in the blades 51 may extend to adjacent the
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base 50 without structurally weakening the key to an extent
that it is easily damaged during normal use. Still further
in each case the keys are provided with a leading portion 52
of a chiselled configuration.
By providing two or more blades 51, the number of
possible combinations is increased. Accordingly, a barrel
adapted to receive the key of Figure 6 would be provided with
an additional set of locking pins and boresO
Turning now to Figure 9, there is schematically
depicted the barrel 60 of a cylindrical lock. The barrel 60
has a front face 61 which defines a key slot 63. The key
slot 63 is shaped so as to accommodate a wide range of key
configurations of the type suitable for the barrel 60. The
front face 61 is further provided with a transversely
extending slot which is adapted to receive a key selection
member 64 which has a key slot 65 which is aligned with the
slot 63 when the member 64 is located within the slot 62. By
providing an assembly member 64, a standard barrel 6~ may be
provided with individual key combinations being selected by
interchangeable key selection members 65.
Turning now to Figure 10, the barrel 66 is similar to
that of Figure 11 in that it is provided with a removable
front portion 67. Further r the barrel 66 is provided with a
key slot 68 adapted to receive a large variety of key
configurations which are suitable to be used with the barrel
60. Additionally, the barrel 60 is provided with a central
cylindrical aperture 73 adapted to receive a cylindrical
projection 74 forming part of the front portion 67.
Additionally, there is provided a passage 75 extending
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through the cylindrical projection 74 which is aligned with
passages 76 formed in the barrel 66 to allow the insertion of
a pin 72 to retain the front portion 67 in its operative
position.
The front portion 67 has a key slot 69 which is
adapted to select a particular key configuration.
Accordingly the barrel 66 is adapted to be used as a standard
barrel with particular key configurations being selected by
the front portion 67.
In Figure 11 the body 70 is of similar configuration
to the previously described barrel bodies, however the bores
71 which receive locking pins are square in transverse
cross-section. The locking pins would be of a complementary
cross-section so as to interact with the bores 71 to prevent
rotation of the locking pins within the bores 71.
Now in regard to Figure 12 wherein there is depicted
a cylinder lock barrel 80 in a parts exploded view, it can be
seen that the barrel 80 includes a body 81. The body 81 has
two rows of cylindrical holes 82 which are transversely
aligned so as to be arranged in pairs. There is also fomred
in the body 81 a slot 83 which is adapted to slidingly
receive side bars 84. The holes 82 are adapted to slidingly
receive locking pins 85 which are each provided with a slot
86 which slidingly receives the projections 87 on the side
bars 84. Additionally each locking pin 85 has a hole 88
which also receive the projections 87. In Figure 14 one of
the locking pins 85 is illustrated.
In operation of the above barrel, the pins 85 are
biased to engage the tooth profile of the key 89 when it is
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1207~;
engaged within the key slot 90. The pins ~5 are biased to
engage the key 89 by means of springs 94. The springs 94
abut a cover plate 95 which is slidingly received within a
slot formed in the body 81. Accordingly the holes 82 are in
communication with the key slot 90. If the key 87 has the
correct profile, then the holes 88 will line up along the
side bars 84 to move radially inwardly of the body 81 to
allow the cylinder barrel to rotate.
It should be appreciated that the pins 85 are
prevented from rotation about their longitudinal axes by the
sliding engagement of the projections 87 within the slots
86. Additionally the side bars are located within a slot 92
formed in the housing 93 of the lock. Accordingly the side
bars 84 prevent the rotation of the cylinder barrel until the
holes 88 are longitudinally aligned to enable the side bars
84 to move radially inwardly.
~urning now to Figures 15 and 16 wherein there is
schematically depicted a single blade 100 which may form one
of the blades oE the keys described previously. The blade
100 has teeth 101 with key surfaces 102 which are inclined
both to the longitudinal axis of the key as well as the
general plane of the key. Accordingly each key surface 102
would define a plane which intersects the general plane of
the blade 100. Accordingly to minimise wear and to enable
easy operation of the lock to be employed with the blade 100
the locking pins 103 would have a correspondingly angled key
surface engaging the portion 104. With the above described
key blade 100, the combinations available with the previously
described keys is further expanded as the angles of the key
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surface 102 may be altered to thereby alter the combination
of the lock which would suit the key blade 100.
