| JP2000096889 | COMBINATION OF CYLINDER LOCK AND KEY |
| WO/2004/083573 | INSULATED CONCRETE CAST PANELS WITH VOIDS IN BILLETS |
| JP10121802 | LOCK WITH OPEN AND CLOSE CONDITION DISPLAYING MECHANISM |
FUSTINI, Fausto (Via degli Sminatori 68, IMOLA, 40026, IT)
NALDONI, Maurizio (Via Caduti di Gamogna 7, FAENZA, 48018, IT)
FUSTINI, Fausto (Via degli Sminatori 68, IMOLA, 40026, IT)
| CLAIMS 1. A multi-key lock (1), of the type that comprises a box-like containment body (2) provided with openings (3) along one of its perimetric faces for the passage of at least one spring latch and of at least one bolt (4), said bolt (4) being actuated by means of a respective translating band (5), said band (5) being actuated so as to perform a translational motion by means of the rotations of at least one key (6), the rotations of said at least one key (6) being dependent on the movement into the disengagement configuration, with respect to a pivot (7) that is fixed on the band (5), of a plurality of coded plates (8), characterized in that it comprises at least one movable element (10), which is provided with at least one protrusion (11), said element (10) being movable, as a consequence of an external action applied by means of a tool (U), between at least one first configuration, in which said at least one protrusion (11) is aligned with a respective coded plate (8) and said plate (8) is substantially blocked so as to rest thereon, and a second configuration, in which said at least one protrusion (11) is spaced from the respective plate (8) and said plate (8) is free to perform a translational motion as a consequence of rotations of the key (6). 2. The multi-key lock according to claim 1, characterized in that said element (10) is arranged above/below said plates (8), said box-like body (2) comprising at least one opening (12), which is aligned substantially with said element (10), for the access of a tool (U) until it abuts, optionally with the interposition of suitable transmission means (13), against a portion (14) of said element (10) and moves it. 3. The multi-key lock according to claim 1, characterized in that said element (10) is arranged in front/to the rear of said plates (8), said box-like body (2) comprising at least one opening (15) for the access of a tool (U) until it abuts, optionally with the interposition of transmission means, against a portion (14) of said element (10), said means being designed for its movement. 4. The multi-key lock according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said transmission means (13) comprise a rotatable element (16), which is functionally associated with a threaded/toothed shaft (17), a movable unit (18) associated with said movable element (10) being engaged on the threaded surface of said shaft (17). 5. The multi-key lock according to claim 1, characterized in that said movable element (10) comprises at least two protrusions (11), the different height of each protrusion (11) with respect to the at least one other protrusion causing a variation of the position of the plate (8) that rests thereon and accordingly causing the enabling of a specific temporary key. 6. The multi-key lock according to claim 5, characterized in that said movable element (10) comprises a rotatable drum (19), which can rotate by way of the action, which may even be indirect, of said tool (U), said drum (19) being provided with at least two protrusions (11) which are substantially shaped like respective radial expansions, the rotation of the drum (19) causing, in a first series of cases, the alignment of one of said protrusions (11) with a respective plate (8) and the consequent resting thereof on said protrusion (11), and, in a second case, alignment with the plates (8) of a portion of the drum (19) which lacks protrusions (11), with consequent free positioning of said plates (8). 7. The multi-key lock according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a master key and at least one temporary key, said master key being suitable for complete expulsion/retraction of said bolts (4) as a consequence of its master coding that corresponds to the correct alignment of all the plates (8), said at least one temporary key being suitable only for the partial expulsion/retraction of said bolts (4) as a consequence of its auxiliary coding, which corresponds to the correct alignment of all the plates (8) except for the at least one plate (8) that is aligned with a corresponding protrusion (11) of said movable element (10). 8. The multi-key lock according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each plate (8) comprises at least one slot (9) with a substantially toothed profile, the pivot (7) being adapted to engage stably in the gaps (20) between the teeth (21) of said profile when said plates (8) are raised/lowered with respect to the configuration for free translational motion. 9. The multi-key lock according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that respective elastic means (23) are interposed between tabs (22) that are jointly connected to said box-like body (2) and said plates (8), in order to force said plates (8) in the raised/lowered position and consequently engage said pivot (7) in one of said interspaces (20), with consequent locking of the bolts (4) in this position. 10. The multi-key lock according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tool (U) is selected among a screwdriver, a punch, a substantially rigid stem, a hooked bar, a profiled rod, a key and the like. |
Technical field
The present invention relates to a multi-key lock, in particular a lock that can be operated by means of at least two different keys, one of such keys being known as master key and the other keys being generally termed auxiliary keys.
The auxiliary keys have a coding that is similar to the coding of the master key (it differs in the depth of the coding of some portions) and are all mutually identical.
This type of lock can be useful when it is necessary to enable access for a certain period of time to a plurality of individuals: once the need that requires resorting to this plurality of individuals has ceased, it is possible, by means of the master key, to disable permanently the functionality of the auxiliary keys.
In practice it is possible to modify the working configuration of the lock in order to prevent it from being opened by means of the auxiliary keys.
Background art
The main problem of this type of lock is the uniqueness of the enabling of the auxiliary keys: once they have been disabled, it is no longer possible to restore their operation.
The convenience of resorting to auxiliary keys, therefore, is not repeatable; with a single lock it is possible to use the respective auxiliary keys only until their first disabling, and at that point it is no longer possible to obtain this function from the lock.
Another very important problem of existing multi-key locks is tied to the impossibility to create different levels of enabling: for example, a lock in which there is a first type of auxiliary key which, once disabled, does not compromise enabling for opening on the part of a secondary key of a second type. Disclosure of the invention
The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, by proposing a multi-key lock in which it is possible to disable and reenable a (temporary) auxiliary key for an unspecified number of cycles.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to propose a multi-key lock in which there are at least two types of auxiliary key with different coding, which can be enabled and disabled independently.
Another object of the invention is to propose a multi-key lock that is particularly safe and protected against break-in attempts.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-key lock that has low costs, is relatively simple to provide in practice and is safe in application.
This aim and these objects, as well as others that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a multi-key lock of the type that comprises a box-like containment body provided with openings along one of its perimetric faces for the passage of at least one spring latch and of at least one bolt, said bolt being actuated by means of a respective translating band, said band being actuated so as to perform a translational motion by means of the rotations of at least one key, the rotations of said at least one key being dependent on the movement into the disengagement configuration, with respect to a pivot that is fixed on the band, of a plurality of coded plates, characterized in that it comprises at least one movable element, which is provided with at least one protrusion, said element being movable, as a consequence of an external action applied by means of a tool, between at least one first configuration, in which said at least one protrusion is aligned with a respective coded plate and said plate is substantially blocked so as to rest thereon, and a second configuration, in which said at least one protrusion is spaced from the respective plate and said plate is free to perform a translational motion as a consequence of rotations of the key. Brief description of the drawings
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the multi-key lock according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a partially sectional perspective view of a first embodiment of a multi-key lock according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a partially sectional perspective view of the multi-key lock of Figure 1 with the tool in a modified position;
Figure 3 is a partially sectional perspective view of a second embodiment of the multi-key lock according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a partially sectional perspective view of a third embodiment of the multi-key lock according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a partially sectional perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the multi-key lock according to the invention;
Figure 6 is a partially sectional perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the multi-key lock according to the invention;
Figure 7 is a partially sectional perspective view of the multi-key lock of Figure 6 in a modified configuration;
Figure 8 is a partially sectional perspective view of the multi-key lock of Figures 6 and 7 in a modified configuration.
Ways of carrying out the invention
With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a multi-key lock.
The multi-key lock 1 comprises a box-like containment body 2, which is provided with openings 3 along one of its perimetric faces. As a first approximation, it can be seen that the box-like body 2 is shaped like a transversely flattened parallelepiped: the two larger faces are mutually opposite and are mutually coupled by means of the perimetric edge. Such perimetric edge has the openings 3, designed for the passage of at least one spring latch and at least one bolt 4; the bolt 4 is operated by means of a respective translational band 5 (normally known as rod and/or movement element for the bolts 4).
The band 5 in turn is actuated translationally by means of the rotations of at least one key 6; in particular, the rotations of the at least one key 6 are dependent upon the movement into the disengagement configuration, with respect to a suitable fixed pivot 7 (also known as square pin as a consequence of its cross-section, which is normally square) on the translating band 5, of a plurality of coded plates 8.
The coded plates 8 are provided with a portion that interferes with the stroke of the key 6 during rotation: such interfering caution is contoured so that when the key 6 is arranged transversely with respect to the keyhole for insertion in the lock 1, the plates 8, lifted by the key 6 (because the interfering portions rest against respective areas of the coding of the key 6), are conveniently aligned in order to allow the pivot 7 to perform a translational motion along a suitable trajectory identified by slots 9 of the juxtaposed plates 8.
The lock 1 comprises at least one movable element 10, which is provided with at least one protrusion 11
The element 10 can move as a consequence of an external action applied by means of a tool U.
The limits of this allowed movement are generally identified by two extreme configurations (additional configurations may also exist which in practice constitute particular cases of one of the two extreme configurations): a first configuration, in which the at least one protrusion 11 is aligned with a respective coded plate 8 and the plate 8 is substantially blocked so as to rest on it, and a second configuration, in which the at least one protrusion 11 is spaced from the respective plate 8 and the plate 8 is free to perform a translational motion as a consequence of rotations of the key 6.
According to a particular embodiment of unquestionable practical interest (shown merely by way of example in Figures 1, 2 and 3), the element 10 is arranged above or below the plates 8.
The box-like body 2, in this case, comprises at least one opening 12, which is substantially aligned with the element 10, for the access of a tool U until it abuts, optionally with the interposition of suitable transmission means 13, against a portion 14 of the element 10 and moves it.
In practice, since the movements allowed to the plates 8 are normally translational motions on a vertical plane, the element 10 and in particular its protrusion 11 are adapted to be arranged along the trajectory of translational motion of a respective plate, preventing the execution of the complete stroke. In this configuration, therefore, the plate 8 does not block the pivot 7, which is jointly connected to the bolts 4: in this configuration, it is as if the operation of the respective plate 8 were excluded, and the lock can thus be actuated correctly by means of a secondary key which lacks the coded portion that corresponds to the plate 8 being considered.
According to an alternative embodiment (illustrated merely by way of example in Figures 4 and 5), the element 10 is arranged in front or behind the plates 8.
The box-like body 2 comprises, in this case, at least one opening 15 for the access of a tool U until it abuts, optionally with the interposition of suitable transmission means, against a portion 14 of the respective element 10, such means being designed for its movement.
In this case also, the purpose is again to exclude the operation of the plate 8, enabling a key that does not have the coding that corresponds to the plate 8.
It is specified that the solution that provides for rear access from the lock 1 can be difficult to provide, because when the lock 1 is installed on the door, the rear face of the box-like body 2 is separated from the rear door jamb by the door itself (by its entire width). It is therefore evident that this embodiment is complicated. However, this complexity can be useful for the purpose of hindering any tampering with the lock 1 if it is provided with this configuration.
The transmission means 13 can comprise a rotatable element 16, which is functionally associated with a threaded/toothed shaft 17: this solution is exemplified in the accompanying Figure 3.
A movable unit 18, associated with the movable element 10, is engaged on the threaded surface of the shaft 17.
In practice, a rotation of the tool U (in this case, a screwdriver or a specific key) causes a rotation of the shaft 17 within the unit 18: the rotation imparts a translational motion to the unit 18 and to the element 10 jointly connected thereto.
The translational motion of the element 10 in turn causes a movement of the protrusion 11 with respect to the corresponding plate 8, with consequent locking/release thereof.
According to a further embodiment that is interesting for its several possibilities of application, the movable element 10 comprises at least two protrusions 11 (see for example the solutions shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8): the different height of each protrusion 11 with respect to the other one that is present on the element 10 (or the other ones if an element 10 provided with several protrusions 11 is provided) causes a variation of the position of the plate 8 that rests thereon (or that it leaves free) and accordingly enables/disables a specific temporary key.
The movable element 10, in this case, can comprise a rotary drum 19 (which is shaped substantially like a pinion in the accompanying Figures 6, 7 and 8), which can rotate by way of the action, which may even be an indirect action, of the tool U.
The drum 19 is provided with at least two protrusions 11 which are substantially shaped like respective radial expansions. The rotation of the drum 19 causes, in a first series of cases, the alignment of one of the protrusions 11 with a respective plate 8 and the consequent resting thereof on the corresponding protrusion 11, and, in a second case, the alignment with the plates 8 of a portion of the drum 19 which lacks protrusions 11, with consequent free positioning of the plate 8.
The lock 1 comprises a master key and at least one temporary key: the master key is suitable for complete expulsion/retraction of the bolts 4 as a consequence of its master coding, which corresponds to the correct alignment of all the plates 8; the at least one temporary key (substantially there is one temporary key for each protrusion 11 that is present on the element 10 or for each element 10 installed in the lock 1) is suitable only for the partial expulsion/retraction of the bolts 4 as a consequence of its auxiliary coding, which corresponds to the correct alignment of all the plates 8 except for the at least one plate 8 that is aligned with a corresponding protrusion 11 of the movable element 10.
Each plate 8 comprises at least one slot 9 with a substantially toothed profile; the pivot 7 is adapted to engage stably in gaps 20 between teeth 21 of such profile when the plates 8 are raised/lowered with respect to the configuration for free translational motion (when the pivot 7 is aligned with the slot 9 of all the plates 8).
Respective elastic means 23 are interposed between suitable tabs 22 which are jointly connected to the box-like body 2 and the plates 8 in order to force the plates 8 into the raised/lowered position and consequently engage the pivot 7 in one of the interspaces 20, with consequent locking of the bolts 4 in this position.
In order to provide a few examples regarding the possible tools U that can be associated with a lock 1 according to the invention, it is noted that such tools are preferably selected among a screwdriver, a punch, a substantially rigid stem, a hook-shaped bar, a profiled rod, a key and the like. Advantageously, the lock 1 according to the invention allows to disable and reenable a temporary key for an unspecified number of cycles.
Conveniently, the lock 1 according to the invention has at least two types of auxiliary key with different coding, which can be enabled and disabled independently.
Positively, the lock 1 according to the invention is particularly safe and protected against break-in attempts.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.
Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
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