DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns the field of locks with single or multiple bolts, and in particular it concerns a locking device for locks with single or multiple bolts. Locks with double-bitted keys are known, in which plates are used to allow or prevent the translation of the bolts.

These locks, also called lever locks, are locks whose keys activate plates that are provided with notches or cuts whose depth corresponds to that of the notches or cuts provided in one or two opposite bits of the key itself, thus allowing the bolt to slide and consequently the lock to open.

In particular, lever locks are internally provided with a vertical support carriage to which several horizontal parallel bolts are fixed.

The keys of lever locks are called single-bitted keys, if they have just one bit with notches or cuts, and double-bitted keys, if they have two bits with notches or cuts. Said keys are made up of a ring or bow, the shank and the bits, in which cuts or notches are provided that constitute the bitting or code of the key.

The plates, which are all kept pushed in one direction by corresponding springs, are provided with vertical cuts in various depths, crossed by a horizontal cut.

The vertical notches or cuts made in the plates are complementary to the notches or cuts made in the bits of the key, while the horizontal cut made in said plates allows the sliding movement of a pin fixed perpendicularly to the bolt, which in some cases is called "mentonnet".

During the rotation of the key, each plate is lifted from the corresponding notch or tooth of the key bit by a distance corresponding to the single notch or the single tooth, aligning the horizontal cut provided in the plate with the pin and allowing the latter to slide in said horizontal cut and thus allowing the sliding movement of the bolts.

Furthermore, the lever locks used at present are provided with an upper control element and a lower control element that are connected to the set of bolts.

During the installation of the lock into the door, said control elements are joined to suitable vertical locking bars that fix the door to the floor and to the upper fixed frame.

The sliding movement of the set of bolts causes the translation of said control elements towards the outside or towards the inside of the lock, in turn translating the vertical locking bars and introducing or extracting their ends into/from the seats provided in the floor and in the upper fixed frame.

Lever locks, although they are still erroneously considered safe, can be opened in various manners by unauthorized persons.

One of the systems used by housebreakers consists in the careful examination of the owner's legitimate key and in the reproduction of the same, obtaining an identical key with the same notches or cuts. Said key, completely identical to the original key, makes it possible to open the lock in just a few seconds without leaving traces and without forcing or damaging any part of the lock or of the door. Another system includes the use of specific tools such as, for example, picklocks and the like. Said picklocks and similar devices are inserted in the keyhole and skilfully manoeuvred in order to move and tension the various plates until completely translating the bolt.

Another system includes the use of a properly built tool. A tool or metal probe in a suitable size is introduced in the keyhole, a small quantity of moulding wax being spread on the upper side of said tool or metal probe. Said tool or metal probe is pressed against the left and right teeth of the various plates, thus obtaining useful information on the depth of the various notches and allowing the original legitimate key to be reproduced.

The locks with sliding carriage with single or multiple bolts that use plates and single-bitted or double-bitted keys are being gradually abandoned and the locks with sliding carriage with single or multiple bolts using cylinder mechanisms are preferred to them.

Cylinder mechanisms comprise a main body inside which one or two operating rotary cylinders provided with a slit for the insertion of the key rotate opposite each other on the same axis.

The main body of the cylinder mechanisms can have oval or circular cross section or its cross section can be made up of a circular portion and an additional projecting part with two parallel sides and round end.

Each operating cylinder is connected to a cam or pawl arranged between said operating cylinders and rotating on their rotation axis, which controls the locking bolt of the door.

Both the main body and said operating cylinders have channels that are orthogonal to the rotation axis of the cylinders and in which active pins, passive pins and thrust springs are housed.

The cylinder mechanisms for locks do not offer a suitable level of safety, either, as they can be opened using just some tools and specific tricks.

Picklocks are known, which are thin tools with a curved tip with which thieves are able to open said known cylinder locks.

Some thieves perforate the main body, destroying the springs, the active and/or passive pins, and then use any key to open the lock.

Another system used to open said known cylinder locks consists in inserting a key with short teeth in the keyhole and positioning the active and passive pins in the opening position by properly hitting the key.

In order to overcome all the drawbacks mentioned above, a new locking device for locks with single or multiple bolts has been designed and constructed.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a locking device that makes it impossible for unauthorized persons to translate the bolts.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking device that prevents or allows the sliding movement of at least one of the upper and lower control elements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking device that prevents the rotation of the operating rotary cylinder and of the pawl by unauthorized persons.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking device that prevents the opening of the lock even if the parts operated by the key are moved manually using tools arranged in the correct position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking device that prevents the opening of the lock even if a key having exactly the same shape as the owner' s key is used.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a locking device that prevents access by means of any type of key, picklock, tool inserted in the keyhole by unauthorized persons.

These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new locking device for locks with single or multiple bolts comprising, in its main parts, a control device, at least one electromechanical operating device, at least one locking cursor.

Each locking cursor is constituted by a resistant metal plate or sheet, suited to be arranged in such a way that it is parallel and adherent to one of the two main sides of the lock with single or multiple bolts and suited to translate or rotate on a plane that is parallel to said main sides of the lock itself.

In particular, at least one locking cursor is provided with at least one end or projection suited to prevent or allow the sliding movement of the single bolt or of the carriage supporting the set of bolts or suited to prevent or allow the sliding movement of at least one of the upper and lower control elements.

Each locking cursor translates and/or rotates from an opening position, in which its end or projection does not hinder the translation of the set of bolts or allows the sliding movement of the upper and lower control elements, to a locking position, in which its end or projection is engaged with and locks the set of bolts in the extended position or prevents the sliding movement of at least one of the upper and lower control elements.

Each cursor structured as described above is suited to translate or rotate parallel to one of the main sides of the lock, and in particular to the main side of the lock facing towards the outside of the flat, house, building.

At least one locking cursor is provided with further portions or projections, depending on whether the new locking device is used on lever locks and single- bitted or double-bitted keys or on locks with cylinder mechanism.

In the case of lever locks with single-bitted or double-bitted keys, at least one locking cursor is provided with at least one tab or portion suited to obstruct or not the keyhole on the lock side facing towards the outside of the flat, house, building. In the case of locks with cylinder mechanism, at least one locking cursor is provided with at least one locking pin suited to prevent or allow the rotation of the rotary pawl and of the operating rotary cylinder of the cylinder mechanism.

According to the invention, each locking cursor can be installed and can slide or translate inside the lock or outside the lock, or there can be a locking cursor that translates or rotates while adhering to the inner surface of a main side of the lock and a locking cursor that translates or rotates while adhering to the outer surface of the opposite main side of the lock.

The electromechanical operating device can be constituted by a solenoid, an electromagnet, an electric motor with lever mechanisms or a rack or gear motors. Said electromechanical operating device is provided with coupling and/or connecting elements suited to join it to at least one locking cursor and is suited to translate or rotate each cursor from the locking position to the opening position. According to the invention, said electromechanical operating device may comprise or be replaced by a lever, handle or other element suited to be held and located on the outside of the lock and the door, arranged on the side facing towards the inside of the flat, house or building, in such a way as to allow the manual operation of the new locking device and of the relative cursors from the inside.

The control device can be constituted by a remote control, a numeric keypad, a transponder detector or another device suited to be operated by owner/user both directly, as in the case of a numeric keypad or a remote control, and indirectly, as in the case of a transponder detector.

When the lock is open, the new safety device is in the opening position, meaning with the locking cursors translated in such a position that they do not obstruct the keyhole or do not prevent the rotation of the operating cylinder of the cylinder mechanism and such as not to prevent the translation of the bolt or set of bolts and the translation of any one of the control elements.

Once the lock has been locked using the original key, the user provides for activating the electromechanical operating device in such a way as to translate all the locking cursors to the corresponding locking positions.

When the locking cursors are in the locking position, they achieve a double purpose and effect:

- they prevent the translation of the bolt or set of bolts in the opening direction, independently of whether the attempt is made using the original key or any other means or tool;

- they prevent the translation of the control elements in the opening direction, independently of whether the attempt is made using the original key or any other means or tool;

- in the case of lever locks, they prevent access to the plates through the keyhole, thus making it impossible for ill-intentioned persons to work on the plates in order to obtain their bitting or move said plates with tools in order to allow the passage of the pin;

- in the case of locks with cylinder mechanism, they make it impossible to rotate the operating cylinder or the pawl of the cylinder mechanism, both in case of an attempt to force the cylinder mechanism and in case of use of the owner's original key or a copy of the same.

The characteristics of the new locking device for locks with single or multiple bolts will be highlighted in greater detail in the following description with reference to the attached drawings that are enclosed hereto by way of non-limiting example.

Figures 1, la, 2, 3, 4 show a first example of embodiment of the new locking device used inside a lever lock with single-bitted or double-bitted key.

Figure 1 shows a first locking cursor (C) that is housed and slides in a containment and guide plate (PI).

The first locking cursor (C) is constituted by a genetically rectangular elongated plane element, having a tab or portion (CI) on a main side and an end or projection (C2) with orthogonal terminal part at the level of or in proximity to one of its smaller sides.

Said tab or portion (CI) of said first cursor (C) is suited to be arranged, as a consequence of the translation of said cursor, at the level of the keyhole (S lf), obstructing it completely, or beside said keyhole (Slf), thus allowing the passage of the key itself.

Said end or projection (C2) of said first cursor (C) is suited to be arranged, as a consequence of the translation of said cursor, at the back of the set of bolts (X) in an extended locking position, thus preventing its return movement, or beside said set of bolts (X), thus allowing its translation in the retracted or extended position.

Said locking cursor (C) comprises a hole (C3), projection or ridge suited to allow it to be coupled with the electromechanical operating device (A).

The guide plate (PI) is constituted by a plane metallic element whose shape and size are such that it can be coupled, in a parallel and adherent position, with the inner surface of the removable cover or the first main side (SI, Figure la) of the lock.

Said guide plate (PI) is provided with a seat or opening (Pl . l) suited to house and allow the sliding movement of said locking cursor (C). In particular, said seat or opening (Pl . l) of said guide plate (PI) comprises at least the space at the level of the keyhole (Slf) provided in the cover or first main side (SI) of the lock.

According to the invention, there is a second plate, not illustrated in the figure, which can be positioned beside and superimposed to said guide plate (PI), so that said locking cursor (C) is included between the main side (SI) of the lock and said second plate, and slides within said seat or opening (Pl . l) of said guide plate (PI). Figure 2 shows the inside of the lock with all its main components, such as the set of bolts (X), the coupling for the inner handle (M), the keyhole (S2f) on the second main side (S2) of the lock casing.

In this figure it is possible to observe a second locking cursor (D) with a corresponding guide plate (P2) and second plate, not illustrated in the figure, arranged on the second main side (S2) of the lock casing.

Said second locking cursor (D) is constituted by a plane element comprising, similarly to said first locking cursor (C), a tab or portion (Dl) and an end or projection (D2) with orthogonal terminal part.

Said tab or portion (Dl) and end or projection (D2) are respectively suited to obstruct or free the keyhole (S2f) of the second main side of the lock and to prevent or allow the return movement of the set of bolts (X).

Said first and second locking cursors (C, D) are provided with protrusions or parts (Cd, Dc) suited to connect and mutually drive said two locking cursors, so that the translation of just one of said locking cursors (C, D) obtained through the electromechanical operating device (A) causes the identical and simultaneous translation of the other locking cursor (D, C).

Figures 3 and 4 show the two positions, respectively the opening position and the locking position, of the new locking device for lever locks.

In the opening position, shown in Figure 3, the two locking cursors (C, D) are completely detached from the keyholes (Slf, S2f) present on the two main sides (SI, S2) and do not prevent the translation of the set of bolts (X).

In the locking position, shown in Figure 4, the two locking cursors (C, D) are positioned in such a way that their tabs or portions (CI, Dl) obstruct the keyholes (Slf, S2f) and their ends or projections (C2, D2) prevent the return movement of the set of bolts (X).

Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 show a second example of embodiment of the new locking device used inside a lock with cylinder mechanism.

Figure 5 shows a locking cursor (C) that is housed and slides in a containment and guide plate (PI).

The locking cursor (C) is constituted by a genetically rectangular and elongated plane element, having a tab or portion (CI) on a main side and an end or projection (C2) with orthogonal terminal part at the level of or in proximity to one of its smaller sides.

Said tab or portion (CI) of said first cursor (C) is provided with a locking pin (Cp) suited to be inserted in or extracted from the cylinder mechanism (K) in such a way as to prevent or allow the rotation of the rotary pawl and of the rotary cylinder that operates the cylinder mechanism (K).

Said end or projection (C2) of said first cursor (C) is suited to be arranged, as a consequence of the translation of said cursor (C), at the back of the set of bolts (X) in extended locking position, thus preventing its return movement, or beside said set of bolts (X), thus allowing its translation in the retracted or extended position. Said locking cursor (C) comprises a hole (C3), a projection or a ridge that allows it to be coupled with the electromechanical operating device (A).

The guide plate (PI) is constituted by a plane metallic element whose shape and size are such that it can be arranged on the bottom of the casing of the lock (SI), or possibly on the removable cover of the lock.

Said guide plate (PI) is provided with a seat or opening (Pl . l) suited to house said locking cursor (C) and allow it to slide therein. In particular, said seat or opening (Pl . l) of said guide plate (PI) comprises a further space at the level of the cylinder mechanism (K).

According to the invention, there is a second plate, not illustrated in the figure, suited to be positioned beside and superimposed to said guide plate (PI), in such a way that said locking cursor (C) is included between the main side (SI) of the lock and said second plate and slides within the seat or opening (Pl . l) of said guide plate (PI).

Figure 6 shows the inside of the lock with its main parts, such as the set of bolts (X), the coupling for the inner handle (M), the hole (S If) on the bottom of the casing of the lock or the first main side (SI) for the cylinder mechanism (K).

In this figure it is possible to observe the locking cursor (C) with the relative guide plate (PI), arranged on the bottom of the casing of the lock or the main side (SI) of the lock.

Figures 7 and 8 show the two positions, respectively the opening position and the locking position, of the new locking device.

In the opening position, shown in Figure 7, the locking cursor (C) is completely detached from the cylinder mechanism (K) and does not prevent the translation of the set of bolts (X).

In the locking position, shown in Figure 8, the locking cursor (C) is positioned in such a way that its end or projection (C2) prevents the return movement of the set of bolts (X) and that its locking pin (Cp) is inserted in the cylinder mechanism (K) so as to prevent the rotation of the rotary pawl and of the operating rotary cylinder. Figure 9 shows a second example of embodiment of the new device, in which the locking cursor (C) translates horizontally parallel to the movement of the set of bolts (X), has the locking pin (Cp) of the cylinder mechanism (X) arranged horizontally, and has a second locking pin (Cp ¹ ) suited to lock at least one of the lever mechanisms (U) that control the upper and/or lower vertical locking bars. Figures 10, 11, 12, 13 show a third and a fourth example of embodiment of the new locking device used outside a lever lock with single-bitted or double-bitted key.

Figures 10 and 11 respectively show a side view and a front view of a third example of embodiment of the new locking device suited to be applied to lever locks (S), comprising a locking cursor (C) and an electromechanical operating device (A).

The locking cursor (C) is substantially constituted by a plane plate, arranged so that it adheres to the main side (SI) of the lock (S) arranged towards the outside of the flat, house, building.

Said locking cursor (C), in this example, is translated by said electromechanical operating device (A) parallel to said main side (S I) of the lock (S) and parallel to the movement of the bolts (X).

Said locking cursor (C) has a portion (CI) suited to obstruct the keyhole (Sf) or to leave it clear, as well as two ends (C2) suited to prevent or allow the sliding movement of the upper and lower control elements (Y).

Said portion (CI) of said cursor (C) is suited to be arranged, as a consequence of the translation of said cursor (C), at the level of the keyhole (Sf), thus obstructing it completely, as shown in Figure 12, or beside said keyhole (Sf), thus allowing the passage of the key, as shown in Figure 10.

Above and below said plate of said cursor (C) there are the two locking ends (C2) of the control elements (Y).

When the locking cursor (C) is translated, said ends (C2) prevent, as shown in Figure 12, or allow, as shown in Figure 10, the translation of the control elements (Y) and consequently also of the set of bolts (X) in the opening direction.

The plate of the locking cursor (C) comprises, furthermore, upper and lower elements or projections (C3) that envelop the upper and lower sides of the lock (S), in order to allow a better translation of the locking cursor (C) on the lock (S) and to prevent the locking cursor (C) to move away from the surface (SI) of the lock (S) on which it slides.

Figure 13 shows a fourth example of embodiment of the new locking device suited to be applied to the lever locks, in which the locking cursor (C) translates vertically, with a movement that is parallel to the lateral surface (SI) of the lock (S) and orthogonal to the movement of the bolts (X).

These are the schematic outlines that are sufficient for the expert in the art to carry out the invention, consequently, during the construction step variants may be developed that do not affect the substance of the innovative concept introduced herewith.

Therefore, with reference to the description provided above and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.