***

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention refers to a burglar-proof lock.

In particular, the present invention concerns a pin tumbler lock equipped with arrangements that make it difficult, or impossible, to break into.

State of the art

Tumbler locks are the most commonly used locks in Europe. They are defined as “tumbler” precisely because they comprise a cylinder-shaped inner portion, also referred to as “core”, which is housed in an outer portion, also referred to as housing or body of the lock.

The cylinder extends into the housing on a longitudinal, normally horizontal, axis and is rotatable in the housing on the same longitudinal axis to allow the opening or the closing of the lock as a result of the insertion of the correct key into the keyhole.

The keyhole consists of a recess formed in the lock and which usually extends along an axis coincident or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. In fact, the keyhole can be formed in the cylinder or in the housing.

In the first case, the rotation of the cylinder is imparted by the user by the key (by rotating the key in the lock, the user also rotates the cylinder), whereas in the second case, the rotation of the cylinder is imparted by a handle, or knob, fastened to the same cylinder (the key only serves for aligning the locking pins, as set forth below).

Generally, the key used in tumbler locks is the typical single-map key provided with a handle, a shank and a blade.

In particular, at the blade, the key has a set of teeth in the form of notches or recesses, which are intended to come into contact with pins, or plungers, of the lock. As will be clearer below, these pins ensure that the lock can only be opened (or closed) as a result of the insertion of the correct key into the lock. In practice, the pins make sure that the cylinder can only rotate in the housing once a key with the correct teeth, i.e. with the teeth corresponding to the lock mapping, has been inserted into the keyhole.

The tumbler locks in fact have pins organised into stacks of pins, each of which is obtained by stacking a plurality of cylindrical pins or discs, also referred to as wafers, on top of each other, in direct contact. These stacks of pins are arranged in succession, one after the other on, or parallel to, the longitudinal axis and extend in a radial direction with respect to the same longitudinal axis, in cylindrical seats formed in the housing and the cylinder; in fact, the stacks of pins are shared between the cylinder and the housing.

Each stack of pins has a first end that is positioned in the keyhole of the key and a second end that rests on a resilient element, e.g. a pre-loaded spring, which constantly exerts a thrust on the corresponding stack of pins to move it as close as possible to the axis of insertion of the key into the keyhole.

When a key is inserted into the keyhole, due to the mechanical interference that is generated between the outer surface of the key and the first end of the stacks of pins, each stack of pins is translated away from the keyhole by a distance uniquely corresponding to the distance of the key teeth from the axis of insertion of the same key. The translation of the stacks of pins into the respective cylindrical seats causes a compression of the resilient element housed in the cylindrical seat.

Once the key is removed, the stacks of pins return to the original position, by virtue of the thrust exerted by the resilient elements on each stack of pins, which is caused by the spring back.

As mentioned above, each stack of pins consists of multiple pins.

In the most common version of locks, each stack of pins consists of two pins stacked one on top of the other: a first pin rests on the resilient element and a second pin faces the keyhole of the lock and is arranged to contact the key. The two pins are not constrained to each other but lie on top of each other, both of which are contained in the cylindrical seat, thereby defining a shear line, or separation line, therebetween.

In general, considering the length extent of the stacks of pins, the height of the first pins does not vary between one stack of pins and another, whereas the height of the second pins varies because it depends on the teeth of the correct key, which, as reminded above, are provided at different heights on the key comb.

Thus, the length of each second block is complementary to the height of the respective tooth on which the second pin is intended to rest when the correct key is inserted.

In practice, when a key is inserted, the teeth rest on their respective second pins and cause the stacks of pins to translate toward the corresponding resilient elements.

If the key is correct, the stacks of pins are arranged in an unlocking configuration, i.e. in a configuration in which the cylinder can rotate in the housing; in particular, in the unlocking configuration, the second pins are all translated at the outer surface of the cylinder by such a distance that the separation line is positioned exactly at the interface between cylinder and housing.

This means that, in this circumstance, there are not first or second pins shared between cylinder and housing and that the cylinder can freely rotate in the housing, thus opening the lock, without any pin preventing its rotation.

On the contrary, when a wrong key is inserted, i.e. with at least one of the teeth not formed at the correct height, at least one of the stacks of pins is moved to the locking configuration, i.e. to a configuration in which the rotation of the cylinder in the housing is locked. In particular, in the locking configuration, at least one of the second pins is not translated to the right position, i.e. at the right height in the cylindrical seat of that stack of pins. This results in at least one pin stack having a pin at the interface between the cylinder and the housing, and not the separation line. This pin, arranged radially at the interface and shared between cylinder and housing, locks the rotation between cylinder and housing and, therefore, also the opening (or the closing) of the lock.

As is known, even if these locks ensure a certain security, meaning that, by inserting a key with different teeth into the lock, they actually do not open and do not close, they can be burgled without particular difficulty by those who know the most common burglary techniques.

For example, the "key bumping" technique involves the use of a striking instrument, e.g. a hammer, and a particular key defined “bumping” key with very deep notches. The technique involves inserting the key into the lock and striking it with this tool, such that the vibrations result in the alignment of the pins with the interface between cylinder and housing, resulting in the possibility to open the lock.

On the contrary, another technique makes use of a picklock; by means of the picklock, the pins are displaced one by one in such a way as to align them with the interface and open the door.

By using these techniques on conventional locks, the burglar can have immediate feedback on the outcome of operations, because the cylinder will only start to rotate if the pins are correctly aligned with the interface.

Over the decades, tumbler locks have undergone a certain evolution aimed at making the picking of the lock more difficult.

For example, US 5,964,111 describes a tumbler lock that has an inner cylinder 1 , an intermediate cylinder 2 that is coaxial to the inner cylinder 1 and a housing 3 that acts as the lock body. Each stack of pins comprises lower pins 5 arranged at the keyhole, intermediate pins 6 and upper pins 7 that rest on their respective springs. In practice, in order for the lock to open, it is necessary not only that the lower 5 and intermediate 6 pins are aligned with the interface between the inner cylinder 1 and the intermediate cylinder 2, but also that the intermediate pins 6 with the upper pins 7 are aligned with the interface between the intermediate cylinder 2 and the housing 3.

This configuration makes the break-in of the lock less immediate but does not completely prevent it because the mechanism, although more complex, is in any case analogous to that of the conventional locks presented above.

The same can be said for other known locks.

For example, in WO 2021/212217 two embodiments of a tumbler lock are described.

The first embodiment (figures 1-14) relates to a lock comprising a housing 140, a sleeve 150 and a core 110. These elements define a set of cylindrical seats in each of which a stack of pins 160 is housed. Each stack of pins 160 comprises three different types of pins: a guide pin 166, a cutting disc 163 and thin discs 162 arranged above and below the cutting disc.

At the interface with the sleeve 150, the core 110 has two grooves 112 on its outer surface, which are angularly staggered with respect to the stack of pins; these grooves 112 are intended to come into contact with the cutting disc 163.

In practice, as shown in figure 14, the operation of the lock involves a first rotation of the core 110 with respect to the sleeve 15, whereby the cutting disc 163 of each stack of pins 160 is positioned on one of the grooves 112, and a second rotation of the sleeve 150 with respect to the cylindrical seat 140. This second rotation only takes place if a cutting disc 163 is positioned on the groove 112, because only this disc has a height sufficient to allow further rotation of the sleeve 150 with respect to the cylindrical seat 140.

In the second embodiment (figures 15-25), the grooves 212 formed in the core 210 take the shape of a toothing which is complementary to a conical protrusion 272 of the cutting disc 270 (paragraph 42). Therefore, when a key is inserted, the opening of the lock occurs only if the cutting disc 270 is at a height such that it can be laid down in the groove 212 (figures 22 and 23). The lock further has a rib 257 that guides the rotation of the core 210 (paragraphs 53 and 54).

US 2 192 371 describes a lock provided with a succession of stacks of pins and in which each stack of pins comprises a plurality of tumbler pins stacked on top of each other. The lock also has a stack of pins comprising a lower pin 37 and an upper pin 38. The lower pin 37 has, at its upper end, a recess 40, while the upper pin 38 has a rounded lower end 41 that is inserted into the recess 40 of the lower pin 37. For a burglar attempting to open the lock with several attempts and assessing each time whether the cylinder rotates or not, the coupling between the recess 40 and the rounded lower end 41 alters the ability to make such assessments quickly and easily and makes the burglary more difficult.

CN 107 130 845 describes a lock provided with a succession of stacks of pins and in which each stack of pins comprises a pin 6 provided with a groove 22 in which a protrusion 23 of a pin 7 positioned above the pin 6, is constantly inserted. When the correct key is inserted in the lock, the stacks of pins are positioned at the correct height and, following a rotation imparted to the key, the protrusion 23 can slide into an annular groove 21. On the contrary, when the key is not correct, at least one of the protrusions cannot slide into the corresponding annular groove 21 and the lock does not open.

DE 11 57 960 describes a lock in which at least one stack of pins comprises a pin of the core 8 positioned at the keyhole and a pin stacked above the pin of the core 8 and divided into two parts identified with the reference numerals 4 and 5. The parts of the pin 4, 5 have inclined surfaces 11 at which the parts of the pin 4, 5 are in abutment on each other. When the correct key is not inserted into the lock, the pins 4 and 5 rotate with respect to each other until the respective inclined surfaces 11 prevent further rotation to open the lock (figure 3).

US 2001/029761 describes a lock according to the preamble of claim 1. In particular, when a burglar inserts a wire or a burglar tool into the lock, a pin 8 is pushed by a resilient element into the cylinder 6 such that it blocks its rotation.

Other solutions are described in EP 2 765 260 and US 4 481 798.

Summary of the invention Object of the present invention is to provide a tumbler lock that is cost- effective, easy to manufacture and ensures high, if not total, protection against all burglary attempts.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tumbler lock that has an alternative operating mechanism to those on the market today, in such a way as not to make the current burglary techniques also usable for it.

A first aspect of the present invention therefore concerns a lock according to claim 1 .

In particular, the claim is directed to a lock comprising a body, or outer portion, and a cylinder, or inner portion, housed in the body and extending on a longitudinal axis.

The cylinder is rotatable, in a known way, on the longitudinal axis to close or open the lock. In particular, the cylinder has an outer surface at which it rotates in the body. The outer surface also represents the interface of the cylinder with respect to the body.

The lock also comprises a keyhole arranged for inserting a key. The keyhole can be formed in the cylinder or it can be formed in the body, directly at the cylinder or in a mechanism for inserting a key.

Additionally, the lock comprises a succession of stacks of pins arranged radially with respect to the longitudinal axis, each in a corresponding seat partially extending in the cylinder and partially in the body.

In each of these seats, resilient elements are provided which constantly exert a thrust on the corresponding stack of pins in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

The stacks of pins are translatable, independently of each other, in the respective seats away from or closer to the longitudinal axis in response to the insertion or removal of the key into/from the keyhole, by means of mechanical interference between the key and the stacks of pins or by means of a translation mechanism combined with the insertion mechanism mentioned above.

Therefore, in response to inserting the correct key into the keyhole, each stack of pins is arranged in its seat with one or more pins defined as the first group of pins housed in the cylinder and the remaining one or more pins, named the second group of pins, housed in the body in an unlocking configuration.

In the unlocking configuration, by rotating the key, the cylinder is freely rotatable in the body to open or close the lock.

The lock comprises, for at least one stack of pins, contrast means arranged to counter the rotation of the cylinder in the body. The contrast means are housed in the body and are radially jutting toward the cylinder.

Preferably, the contrast means radially jut toward the cylinder at the outer surface of the same cylinder and are angularly staggered with respect to the respective at least one stack of pins. In practice, the contrast means and the corresponding stack of pins lie on the same plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and, in an initial configuration (i.e. in a configuration in which the cylinder is not rotated), define a non-zero angle to each other.

Preferably, in an initial configuration, the contrast means define an angle greater than 90° with the corresponding stack of pins and, even more preferably, define an angle of 180°.

According to the invention, the at least one stack of pins combined with contrast means comprises an unlocking pin provided with a groove or provided with a sliding ramp for the contrast means. The unlocking pin is arranged in the at least one stack of pins in such a way that the groove or the sliding ramp are transverse to the longitudinal axis. According to the invention, in the unlocking configuration, the unlocking pin of the at least one stack of pins rotates with the cylinder with respect to the body, and the corresponding contrast means travel, without interference, along the groove of the unlocking pin or travel along the sliding ramp of the unlocking pin up to bypass the first, thus allowing the complete rotation of the cylinder in the body. In addition, in a locking configuration combined with the insertion of an incorrect key, a stack of pins, said at least one stack of pins interferes with the contrast means, thus preventing the complete rotation of the cylinder in the body.

In practice, the advantages of the lock according to the present invention are precisely linked to the fact that, regardless of whether the correct key or an incorrect key is inserted in the lock, the cylinder still makes a rotation in the body from a first angular position, which is the angular starting position in which the cylinder is not rotated in the body, to a second angular position, which is the angular position at the contrast means.

In fact, in the unlocking configuration, the unlocking pin of the stack of pins rotates with the cylinder with respect to the body, and the corresponding contrast means travel, without interference, along the groove or the ramp, thus allowing the complete rotation of the cylinder in the body (the cylinder rotates up to, and beyond, the angular position of the contrast means); on the contrary, in the locking configuration, the stack of pins rotates with the cylinder from an angular starting position to an angular ending position corresponding to the stack of pins in abutment against the contrast means, so that the complete rotation of the cylinder in the body is prevented.

In practice, the cylinder partially rotates in the body whether the lock is in the unlocking configuration or the lock is in the locking configuration.

This is an advantage because it makes it difficult, or impossible, the burglary of the lock with the break-in techniques known today.

These techniques were in fact developed for conventional locks in which the cylinder remains stationary and cannot rotate until all the unlocking pins are aligned with the interface between cylinder and body. This allows burglars to immediately check whether or not they have succeeded in arranging the pins in the unlocking configuration: if the cylinder rotates, it means that the arrangement of the pins is correct, otherwise, if it does not rotate, it means that an alternative combination must be identified.

This immediate feedback does not occur in the lock described herein because, as set forth above, the cylinder partially rotates in the body up to the angular position of the contrast means, even if the lock is in a locking configuration.

Therefore the burglar, in order to know whether or not has succeeded in reproducing the unlocking configuration, must from time to time check whether the cylinder can rotate completely, without interference, or whether its rotation is only partial.

In case the configuration is not the unlocking one, the burglar must return the cylinder to the angular starting position (because once the cylinder is rotated, it is not possible to modify the respective position of the pins) and attempt another combination, however, without knowing which of the stacks of pins is not correctly positioned in the seat and without having immediate feedback on the outcome of the new combination.

It is clear, therefore, that the lock makes it much more difficult and laborious to understand which combination allows to obtain the unlocking configuration and, for this reason, makes the break-in more difficult, if not impossible.

The conventional burglary techniques are not applicable to the lock, also because its operation is based on a principle different from that of the conventional locks.

In conventional locks, the unlocking pins have different heights with respect to the locking pins and the opening of the lock only occurs if the cutting line of the unlocking pins is correctly positioned at the interface between cylinder and body. On the other hand, the operation of the lock is independent of the height of the unlocking pins and the positioning of the cutting line because the cylinder still rotates, even if only partially, in the body.

The operating principle of the lock, on the other hand, is based on the possibility of whether or not the contrast means can pass the corresponding pin of the corresponding at least one stack of pins, which is positioned at the interface between cylinder and body: if an unlocking pin is positioned at the surface of the cylinder, the cylinder can completely rotate in the body and the lock can be opened, whereas if there is no unlocking pin, the cylinder only rotates partially in the body and comes into abutment against the contrast means.

Therefore, the lock has an alternative operating mechanism, which is based on different assumptions than those of the conventional locks. This helps to making it more difficult to break in by using the break-in techniques developed for conventional locks.

It is preferable to make a lock comprising a multiplicity of contrast means, a corresponding multiplicity of stacks of pins and in which each stack of pins comprises an unlocking pin.

In some embodiments, the at least one stack of pins comprises an unlocking pin in which a groove complementary to the contrast means is formed transversely to the longitudinal axis. In the unlocking configuration, the unlocking pin rotates with the cylinder with respect to the body and the corresponding contrast means are inserted, without interference, into the groove of the unlocking pin.

In an alternative embodiment, the at least one stack of pins comprises a sliding ramp on which the contrast means slide up to bypass it, in order to allow the complete rotation of the cylinder.

In preferred first and second embodiments, said unlocking pin preferably comprises a groove. Preferably, the groove is complementary to the contrast means and extends in the unlocking pin transversely to the longitudinal axis, from side to side and, in the unlocking configuration, the unlocking pin of said at least one stack of pins rotates with the cylinder with respect to the body, and the corresponding contrast means are inserted into the groove of the unlocking pin without interference, thus allowing the complete rotation of the cylinder in the body.

Preferably, the contrast means define a non-zero angle, preferably greater than or equal to 90°, still more preferably equal to 180°, with the corresponding at least one stack of pins.

Preferably, the contrast means and the groove of the unlocking pin of the corresponding at least one stack of pins lie on the same plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, in the unlocking configuration, the unlocking pin of said at least one stack of pins is housed in the cylinder at the outer surface of the cylinder and the groove opens at the same outer surface.

Preferably, in the locking configuration, the unlocking pin is positioned in the body or is positioned in the cylinder in position distal from the outer surface and, in a rotated configuration of the cylinder in the body, the corresponding contrast means are not inserted into the groove of the unlocking pin but are in abutment on said at least one stack of pins.

Preferably, said at least one stack of pins also comprises one or more locking pins lacking a groove or provided with a groove transverse to the longitudinal axis which is not complementary to the corresponding contrast means or extending only partially into the corresponding locking pin transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the unlocking pin and the locking pin, or the locking pins, of said at least one stack of pins have the same height considered radially to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, in the unlocking configuration, the groove of the unlocking pins is arranged on a theoretical circumference with its centre on the longitudinal axis and passing through the contrast means.

Preferably, the cylinder comprises a throat circumferentially formed in the outer surface of the cylinder, wherein said throat intercepts the seat of said at least one stack of pins and wherein the contrast means jut at least partially into said throat at a portion thereof.

Preferably, the depth of the throat, which is considered radially to the longitudinal axis, is equal to or greater than the length of the portion of the contrast means, which juts into the same throat, said throat being arranged to guide the contrast means during the rotation of the cylinder in the body.

Preferably, the contrast means consist of a small bar constrained to the body.

Preferably, the seat of the stack of pins has a first branch formed in the cylinder and a second branch formed in the body and wherein the contrast means jut toward the cylinder from the side opposite the second branch, thus defining therewith an angle of 180°.

Preferably, the lock comprises a plurality of stacks of pins arranged in series, one after the other, with respect to the longitudinal axis and contrast means for each of said stacks of pins, said stacks of pins each comprising an unlocking pin and a plurality of locking pins, wherein

- in the unlocking configuration, each unlocking pin is positioned in the cylinder at the outer surface of the cylinder and, in a rotated configuration of the cylinder in the body from an angular starting position to an angular position of the contrast means, each of the contrast means is inserted, without interference, into the groove of the respective unlocking pin, thus allowing the complete rotation of the cylinder in the body; and

- in the locking configuration, in at least one of said stacks of pins, a locking pin is positioned in the cylinder at the outer surface of the cylinder and, in a rotated configuration of the cylinder in the body from an angular starting position to an angular position of the contrast means, at least one of said stacks of pins is in abutment on the corresponding contrast means at the respective locking pin, thus preventing the complete rotation of the cylinder in the body.

In the first embodiment, the keyhole is preferably formed in the cylinder, the resilient elements are arranged in the body and the cylinder is rotatable in the body in response to a corresponding rotation imparted by a user by means of a key.

In the second embodiment, the keyhole is preferably formed in the body, the resilient elements are arranged in the cylinder and the cylinder is rotatable in the body in response to a corresponding rotation imparted by a user by means of a knob or a handle constrained to the cylinder or combined with the cylinder. Preferably, the lock comprises a mechanism for modifying the lock encryption, which is arranged for modifying a first lock encryption compatible with a first key into a second encryption compatible with a second key different from the first key.

Preferably, in fact, the body has, for each stack of pins, a through hole formed radially to the longitudinal axis and angularly staggered with respect to the corresponding stack of pins, said one through hole opens at the outer surface of the cylinder at an ideal circumference passing through the seat of the corresponding stack of pins, wherein the mechanism for modifying the lock encryption comprises a slider at least partially inserted in each through hole and gripping means combined with at least one slider, the gripping means being arranged to radially move the respective slider into the corresponding through hole.

Preferably, the slider is movable between:

- a position proximal to the cylinder, at which the slider is in abutment on the cylinder or defines a gap therewith, and

- a distal position, at which the slider is separated from the cylinder and defines a housing for an unlocking pin in the through hole.

Preferably, the keyhole is defined in a mechanism, which is arranged in the body, for the insertion of a key and comprising, for each stack of pins, a toothed wheel provided with a through hole in which a key can be inserted and, for each toothed wheel, a translation gear combined with the respective toothed wheel and a respective stack of pins, the translation gear being arranged to translate the respective stack of pins in a manner corresponding to the rotation of the respective toothed wheel.

In a third embodiment, said unlocking pin comprises a sliding ramp, this sliding ramp is formed in the unlocking pin transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein the contrast means can be translated radially to the longitudinal axis, away from or closer to the same longitudinal axis and, in the unlocking configuration, the unlocking pin of said at least one stack of pins rotates with the cylinder with respect to the body, and the corresponding contrast means slide, without interference, on the sliding ramp, thus bypassing said at least one stack of pins and allowing the complete rotation of the cylinder in the body.

Preferably, the contrast means are mounted on a resilient element housed in the body, the resilient element being susceptible to compression or extension to allow the translation of the contrast means away from or closer to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the sliding of the contrast means on the sliding ramp corresponds to the translation of the contrast means away from the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the contrast means jut into a throat circumferentially formed in the cylinder and intercepting the seat of said at least one stack of pins, said throat having a ramp at the seat mirroring the sliding ramp of the unlocking pin.

Therefore, the present invention also concerns an unlocking pin, according to claim 24, provided with a groove, and an unlocking pin, according to claim 26, provided with a sliding ramp. The use of an unlocking pin according to claim 24 or according to claim 26 in a lock according to the present invention is also claimed.

Additionally, the present invention also concerns a door, according to claim 28, comprising a lock made according to the present invention.

Finally, the present invention concerns a method, according to claim 29, to limit or prevent the breaking-in of a lock.

In this method, preferably said stack of pins is arranged to be rotatable with the cylinder from an angular starting position to an angular ending position and, as a result of the insertion of a correct key, the angular ending position is at the contrast means or beyond the contrast means, and wherein as a result of the insertion of an incorrect key, the angular ending position corresponds to the abutment of the stack of pins against the contrast means.

Brief list of the figures

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the review of the following detailed description of preferred, although not exclusive, embodiments thereof, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a side sectional view, which is considered along a median plane containing the longitudinal axis X, of a first embodiment of a lock according to the present invention in an initial configuration, i.e. without a key inserted.

- Figure 2 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 1 , which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the stack of pins 6f.

- Figure 3 is a side sectional view, which is considered along a median plane containing the longitudinal axis X, of the lock shown in figure 1 with a correct key inserted in the keyhole. The lock is in an unlocking configuration and the cylinder is not rotated (it is in an angular starting position).

- Figure 4 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 3, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the stack of pins 6f.

- Figure 5 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 3, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the stack of pins 6f. The lock is in an unlocking configuration and the cylinder is rotated by 180° with respect to the angular starting position.

- Figure 6 is a side sectional view, which is considered along a median plane containing the longitudinal axis X, of the lock shown in figure 1 with an incorrect key inserted into the keyhole. The lock is in a locking configuration and the cylinder is not rotated (it is in an angular starting position).

- Figure 7 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 6, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the stack of pins 6f. - Figure 8 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 6, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the stack of pins 6f. The lock is in a locking configuration and the cylinder is rotated by almost 180° with respect to the angular starting position.

- Figure 9 is a side sectional view, which is considered along a median plane containing the longitudinal axis X’, of a second embodiment of a lock according to the present invention in an initial configuration, i.e. without a key inserted.

- Figure 10 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 9, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X’ and passing through the stack of pins 6’f.

- Figure 11 is a side sectional view, which is considered along a median plane containing the longitudinal axis X’, of the lock shown in figure 9 with a correct key inserted in the keyhole. The lock is in an unlocking configuration and the cylinder is not rotated (it is in an angular starting position).

- Figure 12 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 11 , which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X’ and passing through the stack of pins 6’f.

- Figure 13 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 11 , which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the stack of pins 6’f. The lock is in an unlocking configuration and the cylinder is rotated by 180° with respect to the angular starting position.

- Figure 14 is a side sectional view, which is considered along a median plane containing the longitudinal axis X’, of the lock shown in figure 9 with an incorrect key inserted into the keyhole. The lock is in a locking configuration and the cylinder is not rotated (it is in an angular starting position). - Figure 15 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 14, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X’ and passing through the stack of pins 6’f. The lock is in a locking configuration and the cylinder is rotated by almost 180° with respect to the angular starting position.

- Figure 16 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an unlocking pin present in the first and second embodiments of the lock described herein.

- Figure 17 is a perspective view of a locking pin present in the embodiments of the lock described herein.

- Figures 18A-18M are front sectional views of a first embodiment variation of the lock shown in figure 9, which are considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X’ and passing through the stack of pins 6’f. This embodiment variation comprises a mechanism for modifying the lock encryption and figures 18A-18M show, in sequence, the operation of this mechanism.

- Figures 19-22 are front sectional views of a second embodiment variation of the lock shown in figure 9, which are considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X’ and passing through the stack of pins 6’f. These figures do not show the handle combined with the lock cylinder. This variation incorporates, in addition to the mechanism for modifying the lock encryption, also a mechanism for inserting the key which is alternative to the keyhole shown in the preceding figures.

- Figure 23 is a perspective figure of a key that can be inserted into the mechanism for inserting the key shown in figures 19-22.

- Figures 24 and 25 are perspective views of the second embodiment variation shown in figures 19-22.

- Figures 26-28 are exploded views of the second embodiment variation shown in figures 24 and 25.

- Figure 29 is a side sectional view, which is considered along a median plane containing the longitudinal axis X”, of a third embodiment of a lock according to the present invention in an initial configuration, i.e. without a key inserted.

- Figure 30 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an unlocking pin present in the third embodiment of the lock described herein.

- Figure 31 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 29, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X” and passing through the stack of pins 6”f.

- Figure 32 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 29, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X” and passing through the stack of pins 6”f. The lock is in an unlocking configuration and the cylinder is not rotated (it is in an angular starting position).

- Figures 33 to 35 are front sectional views of the lock shown in figure 32, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X” and passing through the stack of pins 6”f. The lock is in an unlocking configuration and the cylinder is rotated by 180° with respect to the angular starting position. Figures 33-35 show the position progressively assumed by the cylinder during the rotation.

- Figure 36 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 29, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X” and passing through the stack of pins 6”f. The lock is in a locking configuration and the cylinder is not rotated (it is in an angular starting position).

- Figure 37 is a front sectional view of the lock shown in figure 29, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X” and passing through the stack of pins 6”f. The cylinder is rotated by almost 180° with respect to the angular starting position.

Detailed description of the invention

Some embodiments and embodiment variations of the lock, according to the present invention, are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. These embodiments and embodiment variations will be described considering the locks as they are commonly arranged and embedded into a door.

In particular, figures 1-8 show a first embodiment of a lock generally identified by the reference numeral 1. A key generically denoted by the reference numeral 100 can be inserted in this lock. It is disclosed that the key 100 may be the correct key shown e.g. in figure 3 and specifically denoted by the reference 101 , or it may be an incorrect key shown e.g. in figure 6 and specifically denoted by the reference 102.

The lock 1 has a body 2 and a cylinder 3 which is inserted into a seat formed in the body 2. For this reason, the body 2 can also be identified as outer part and the cylinder 3 as inner part. The seat defined by the body 2, and in which the cylinder is housed, is not visible in figures 1-8 but it is shown with the reference 48’ in figures 26-28 related to a second embodiment variation of a second embodiment.

The cylinder 3 has an outer surface 50 which constitutes the interface 51 between cylinder 3 and body 2.

The cylinder 3 extends along a longitudinal axis X shown in figures 1 and 2 and is rotatable in the body 2 on the same longitudinal axis X.

In a known way, the rotation of the cylinder 3 in the body 2 allows to open and close the lock 1 , after insertion of the correct key 101 in the keyhole 4. For the sake of simplicity, reference will be made to the operation of the lock 1 in relation to its opening: it is clear that what is described in reference to the opening can be extended to its closing (it is sufficient to rotate the cylinder in the direction opposite that of the opening). Specifically, in the accompanying figures, the cylinder is rotated counter-clockwise to open the lock and is rotated clockwise to close the lock.

In this embodiment, the keyhole 4 is provided in the cylinder 3, as in the locks most commonly used in Europe. For example, the keyhole 4 is visible in figure 2 or its presence can be deduced from figures 3 and 6 showing the lock 1 with a key 100 inserted into the keyhole 4.

As shown in figure 3, the key 100 is a classic single-mapping key, with a handle 100a, a pen 100b, and a set of teeth generically identified by the reference 100c, which are formed in the shape of notches or recesses in the pen 100b.

As known, the teeth constitute the encryption of the key and whether or not it is able to be compatible with a specific lock in order to be able to open it once it is inserted into the keyhole.

In this case, the encryption is constituted by the height of the teeth 100c considered with respect to the upper edge of the pen 100d.

By comparing figure 3 and figure 6, it is possible to see that the correct key 101 and the incorrect key 102 differ in the height of the tooth that is farther to the right in the figures, specifically identified by the reference numeral 100e in figure 3 and 10Of in figure 6. In particular, the tooth 10Of of the key 102 has a lower height than the tooth 10Oe of the key 101.

The encryption of the correct key 101 is complementary to the encryption of the lock 1 , i.e. it is complementary to the mechanism which allows to discriminate the correct key 101 from another incorrect key 102.

This mechanism will first be described with reference to figures 1 and 2, which show the lock 1 in an initial cross-sectional and front configuration, respectively. The lock 1 is in an initial configuration because there is no key inserted into the keyhole 4.

In figure 1 , it is possible to see that the lock 1 has stacks of pins 6 arranged in series, one after the other, on the same plane containing the longitudinal axis X. These stacks of pins 6 are identified progressively, from left to right in figure 1 , by the reference numerals 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f.

In particular, the section in figure 2 shows the stack of pins 6f.

Each stack of pins 6 is housed in a seat 7 which runs both in the body 2 and in the cylinder 3; in practice, each seat 7 has a first branch 7a formed in the cylinder 3 and a second branch 7b formed in the body 2.

Each seat 7 is made as a blind hole formed radially to the longitudinal axis X which opens on the keyhole 4, at the first branch 7a, and ends in the body 2, at the blind end 8.

As shown in figures 1-4 and 6-7, when the cylinder 3 is not rotated in the body 2 and is in an angular starting position, the first branch 7a and the second branch 7b are radially aligned and form a single seat 7.

Remaining on figures 1 and 2, it is possible to see that, in each seat 7 and in particular in the second branch 7b, resilient elements 9 are housed, e.g. a spring 10 is housed.

The resilient elements 9 extend between the blind end 8 of the second branch 7b and the stack of pins 6 housed in the respective seat 7. In practice, each stack of pins 6 rests on a corresponding resilient element 9 which, therefore, constantly exerts a force on the respective stack of pins 6.

For example, when a key 100 is inserted into the keyhole 4, the stacks of pins 6 translate toward the blind end 8, away from the key 100, with compression of resilient elements 9; in this circumstance, each resilient element 9 constantly exerts a thrust on the corresponding stack of pins 6 toward the longitudinal axis X or the keyhole 4. This way, when the key 100 is removed from the lock 1 , the stacks of pins 6 are returned to the position of the initial configuration.

At the longitudinal axis X, each stack of pins is in abutment on an abutment surface 14, which is visible e.g. in figure 4. The abutment surface 14 is a section narrowing of the seat 7 at the keyhole 4.

Each stack of pins 6 further has a first end 11 positioned at the keyhole 4 and in abutment on the abutment surface when a key 100 is not inserted, and a second end 12 positioned opposite the first end 11 , in the second branch 7b of the seat 7.

In practice, each stack of pins 6 rests on a resilient element 9 at its second end 12 and is intended to contact a key 100 at the first end 11 .

In other words, when a key 100 is inserted into the keyhole 4 of the lock 1 , the key 100 rests with its own teeth 100c on the stacks of pins 6 and causes each stack of pins 6 to translate due to the mechanical interference that is generated with the same teeth 100c. Each stack of pins 6 translates uniquely and in a manner corresponding to the height of the tooth 100c in abutment thereon.

The compression of the resilient elements 9 also occurs in this circumstance.

Going into the details of how each stack of pins 6 is made, the reader’s attention is drawn not only to figures 1 and 2 but also to figures 16 and 17.

In figures 1 and 2, it is possible to appreciate that each stack of pins 6 comprises a plurality of pins generically denoted by reference 15. The pins 15 are made as discs or blocks stacked on top of each other to form a column, i.e. a stack of pins 6. The pins 15 of the same stack of pins 6 are not constrained to each other; in fact, each of these pins 15, although in contact with the pins 15 positioned immediately above and/or below, is separable therefrom, as will be clearer below.

In each stack of pins 6, there are two types of pins 15. In particular, as shown in figures 1 and 2, for each stack of pins 6, there is one unlocking pin 16 shown in detail in figure 16, and a plurality of locking pins 17. Figure 17 shows a locking pin 17 in detail.

By comparing figures 16 and 17, it is possible to see that the unlocking pin 16 and the locking pin 17 both have an oval-base cylindrical body 18.

The body 18 has a longitudinal axis 19 and a transverse axis 20 which are shown in figure 16 for the unlocking pin 16 but also similarly present in the locking pin 17.

When the unlocking pins 16 and the locking pins 17 are stacked in a stack of pins 6 and inserted in the respective seats 7, the unlocking pins 16 and the locking pins 17 are oriented with the longitudinal axis 19 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X and with the transverse axis 20 oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis X.

Both the unlocking pin 16 and the locking pin 17 have a first base 21 shown above in figures 16 and 17, a second base opposite the first base 21 and a side surface 22. In each stack of pins 16, the unlocking pins 16 and the locking pins 17 are stacked on top of each other at their own first base 21 and/or their own second base.

By comparing figures 16 and 17, it is apparent that the unlocking pin 16 differs from the locking pin 17 by the presence of a groove 23 formed in the first base 21 . The groove can be formed by milling.

The groove 23 travels transversely along the entire body 18, i.e. it extends from one flank of the body 18 to the opposite flank of the side surface 22, along the transverse axis 20.

The groove 23 has a depth denoted by reference 24 and a width denoted by reference 25.

For example, the depth can be 3 mm and the width can be 1 .5 mm.

The groove 23 has a depth 24 that is constant throughout its extent.

Conversely, the locking pin 17 has no groove, as it is clear in figure 17.

Possibly, the unlocking pin may have a groove that does not travel transversely along the entire body 18 and forms a step along the transverse axis 20 against which the contrast means, described below, may abut.

Returning to figures 1 and 2, it is possible to see that, precisely, each stack of pins 6 has an unlocking pin 16 and several locking pins 17. In particular, in the embodiment shown herein, each stack of pins 6 has six locking pins 17 and a single unlocking pin 16 recognizable by the presence of the groove 23.

For reasons that will be clearer below, the unlocking pins 16 are stacked with the first base 21 downwards, i.e. toward the corresponding resilient elements 9. This way, the groove opens downwards, i.e. toward the corresponding resilient elements 9. By comparing the position of the various unlocking pins 16 in the respective stacks of pins 6a-6f, it is possible to see that, overall, the unlocking pins 16 are positioned at different heights in the respective stacks of pins 6a-6f.

For example, using the keyhole 4 as a reference, in the stack of pins 6f shown in figure 2, the unlocking pin 16 is positioned in the third place, whereas, in the stack of pins 6d shown in figure 1 , the unlocking pin 16 is positioned in the fifth place.

The total number of stacks of pins 6, the number of pins 15 for each stack of pins 6 and the position of the unlocking pins 16 in their respective stacks of pins 6 determine the encryption of the lock 1 and, as will be clearer below with respect to the operation of the lock 1 , the lock encryption must match the encryption of the correct key 101 .

Regarding the structure of the lock 1 , the contrast means 26 remain to be described in detail.

Drawing the reader’s attention to figures 1 and 2, it is possible to see that the lock 1 in fact comprises contrast means 26 provided for each stack of pins 6. The contrast means 26 extend radially in the direction of the longitudinal axis X and jut toward the cylinder 3.

In figures 1 and 2, the contrast means 26 are numbered from left to right with the reference numerals 26a-26f in a manner corresponding with the respective stack of pins 6a-6f. In fact, the lock 1 has a number of contrast means 26 equal to that of the stacks of pins 6.

As will be clearer below, the function of the contrast means 26 is to cooperate with the respective stack of pins 6 to enable or prevent the opening or closing of the lock 1 .

The contrast means 26 are constrained to the body 2 and jut toward the cylinder 3. For this reason, they remain stationary when the cylinder 3 rotates on the longitudinal axis X with respect to the body 2. For example, with reference to a second embodiment variation of a second embodiment, the seats 49’ for the contrast means 26’ formed in the body 2’ are shown in figures 26 and 28.

Preferably, as shown in figure 2, the contrast means 26f (but this also applies to the remaining contrast means 26a-26e) are provided in the body 2 in a position angularly staggered with the respect to the respective stack of pins 6f.

In other words, the contrast means 26f lie on the same plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X of the respective stack of pins 6f and, considering the lock 1 in an initial configuration and the stack of pins 6f intersecting the cylinder 3 in a first angular position (angular starting position or 0°), the contrast means 26f do not intercept the cylinder 3 at the stack of pins 6f but intercept the cylinder at a second angular position different from the angular starting position; i.e. they form, with respect to the longitudinal axis X, an angle other than 0° with the stack of pins 6f, preferably 180°. In general, each of the contrast means 26a-26f is provided in the body 2 in a position angularly staggered with respect to the second branch 7b of the seat 7 which accommodates the corresponding stack of pins 6a-6f. In the embodiment shown herein, the contrast means 26a- 26f intersect the cylinder 3 in a position opposite the respective stacks of pins 6a-6f; in practice, the contrast means 26a-26f define an angle of 180° with the respective stack of pins 6a-6f.

It should be noted that, as shown in figure 1 , a throat 27 is formed in the outer surface 50 of the cylinder 3 for each contrast mean 26a-26f. In practice, each of the contrast means 26a-26f extends in a respective throat 27 formed in the cylinder 3.

The throats 27 are circumferentially formed in the cylinder 3 by intersecting the seats 7 of the stacks of pins 6. These throats 27 are similar to the throats 27’ formed in the cylinder 3’ shown in figures 26-28.

In practice each throat 27, the contrast means 26a-26f and the stacks of pins 6a-6f are provided in the lock in such a way that the throats 27, the respective contrast means 26a-26f and the grooves 23 of the unlocking pins 16 of the respective stacks of pins 6a-6f lie on the same plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X.

The contrast means 26 are made as a single body and have a first length

28 constrained to the body 2 and a second length 29 which radially juts into the cylinder 3 at a respective throat 27.

It is disclosed that the throats 27 formed in the cylinder and the grooves 23 formed in the unlocking pins 16 are used to guide the contrast means 26 during the rotation of the cylinder 3 in the body 2.

For this, the contrast means 26 have measures that allow them to slide into throats 27 and grooves 23.

For example, the depth 24 of the grooves 23 of the unlocking pins 16 and the depth of the throats 27, which are considered orthogonally to the longitudinal axis X, are equal to or greater than the length of the second length

29 of the contrast means 26; and the width 25 of the grooves 23 and the width of the throats 27, which are considered along the longitudinal axis X, are also equal to or greater than the width of the second length 29 of the contrast means 26.

Preferably, as shown in the accompanying figures, in practice the contrast means 26 are small bars or counter-pins constrained to the body 2 and extending in the cylinder 3.

In light of the above description, the operation of the lock 1 will be explained hereinafter.

When a key 100 is not inserted into the lock 1 , the lock is in a configuration identified as “initial configuration”. In this configuration, the stacks of pins 6 are in an initial position, i.e. they are not radially translated away from the longitudinal axis X and are in abutment on the respective abutment surfaces 14.

With reference to figures 3-4 and 6-7, the lock 1 with the correct key 101 inserted into the keyhole 4 and the lock 1 with the incorrect key 102 inserted into the keyhole 4 are shown, respectively.

As a general rule, when a key 100 (whether correct or incorrect) is inserted into the keyhole 4, it abuts with its own teeth 100c, uniquely, against the stacks of pins 6a-6f at the respective ends 11 .

In particular, each stack of pins 6a-6f comes into contact with a corresponding tooth 100c present on the key 100.

The key 101 is defined as correct because it has an encryption corresponding to the lock encryption.

This is evident from the fact that, as shown in figure 3, when the correct key 101 is inserted into the keyhole, the unlocking pins 16 are all aligned at the outer surface 50 of the cylinder 3.

In fact, by comparing figure 3 with figure 1 , in which no key is inserted in the lock 1 and where the unlocking pins 16 are not aligned, it is possible to see that each stack of pins 6a-6f translates away from the correct key 101 in a manner corresponding to the height of the tooth 100c in abutment against the key, when the correct key 101 is inserted into the keyhole 4.

For example, the stack of pins 6f translates more than the stack of pins 6d, because the tooth 100e in abutment on the stack of pins 6f has a height greater than the tooth in abutment on the stack of pins 6d.

In practice, the height of teeth 100c of the correct key 101 and the position of the unlocking pins 16 in the respective stacks of pins 6a-6f are such that, when the correct key 101 is inserted, each stack of pins 6a-6f translates toward the resilient elements 9 so that the unlocking pins 16, which were previously at different distances from the longitudinal axis X, align with each other at the outer surface 50 of the cylinder at the same distance from the longitudinal axis X.

This configuration is referred to as the unlocking configuration because, in order for the lock 1 to be opened, it is necessary that the unlocking pins 16 are all aligned at the outer surface 50 of the cylinder 3.

For example, figure 4 shows a section of the lock 1 shown in figure 3 and considered on a plane passing through the stack of pins 6f.

In this figure, it is possible to see that the unlocking pin 16, which in the initial configuration shown in figures 1 and 2 was distal from the outer surface 51 of the cylinder, is now positioned with its first base 21 precisely at the surface 50 of the cylinder 3, at the interface 51 between cylinder 3 and body 2. In this figure, it is possible to see that the groove 23 is arranged transversely to the axis X and that opens right at the outer surface 50 of the cylinder 3, at the interface 51 with the body 2.

Remaining on figures 3 and 4 it is possible to note that, in the absence of prior rotation of the cylinder 3 in the body 2, the stacks of pins 6a-6f are arranged in an angular starting position and form an angle of 180° with the contrast means 26. In addition, each stack of pins 6a-6f is arranged in its own seat 7 with some pins 15 housed in the cylinder and other pins 15 housed in the body. In practice a first group of pins, which is generally identified with the reference numeral 30, is arranged in the cylinder 3 whereas a second group of pins, which is generally identified with the reference numeral 31 , is arranged in the body 2.

When the correct key is inserted, all of the unlocking pins 16 belong to the first group 30 and are aligned with the interface 51 between cylinder 3 and body 2. This arrangement of the unlocking pins 16 is the one that allows to identify the configuration of the lock as unlocking configuration.

Continuing with the illustration of the mechanism for operating the lock 1 , the reader is invited to move the attention to figure 5 in which the lock 1 is shown, whereas the cylinder 3 is rotated in the body 2 to open the same lock. The cylinder 3 is rotated counter-clockwise in the direction depicted by the arrow in figure 5.

The rotation of the cylinder 3 can be imparted, in a known manner, by rotating the key 101 at its handle 100a.

In figure 5, a rotation of 180° has been imparted to the cylinder 3, i.e., a rotation from the angular starting position to the angular position of the contrast means 26.

Firstly, by rotating the cylinder 3, the pins 15 in the first group 30, which rotate with the cylinder 3, are separated from those of the second group 31 , which remain stationary in the seat 7. Additionally, during the rotation of the cylinder 3, the contrast means 26, which remain stationary and do not rotate, slide into the corresponding throat 27 formed in the cylinder 3 until they are reached by the first group of pins 30, which rotates with the cylinder 3.

As set forth above, since the groove 23 opens at the interface 51 between cylinder 3 and body 2 and taking into account that the groove 23 has dimensions complementary to those of the contrast means 26, when, after inserting the correct key 101 , the unlocking pins 16 rotate until the respective contrast means 26 are reached, the latter slide into the groove 23 of the unlocking pin without interference.

This means that the cylinder 3 can freely rotate in the body 2, passing through and over the contrast means 26 without them coming into abutment on the pin 15 present at the interface 51 between cylinder 3 and body 2. In fact, since it is an unlocking pin 16, it has a groove 23 in which the contrast means 26 slide and against which they do not abut.

Therefore, in this circumstance, the cylinder 3 can make a complete rotation in the body 2, so that the lock 1 can be opened.

In practice, when the lock 1 is in an unlocking configuration and the cylinder 3 is rotated, the lock 1 can be opened because the cylinder 3 does not encounter any interference by the contrast means 26 during its rotation.

Once the lock 1 is opened, the correct key 101 can be disengaged and the stacks of pins 6 return to the initial configuration by virtue of the thrust exerted by the resilient elements 9.

To close the lock 1 , simply insert the correct key 101 and turn the cylinder 3 clockwise, i.e. in the direction opposite that of the arrow in figure 5.

Figures 6-8 show the operation of the lock 1 when an incorrect key 102 is inserted. A key is defined as incorrect when it has an encryption different than that of the correct key, i.e., when it has at least one tooth 100c of a different height from the corresponding tooth of the correct key 101 . For example, figure 6 shows an incorrect key 102 that differs from the correct key 101 in the height of the tooth 10Of, which is precisely lower than the corresponding tooth 100e of the correct key 101 shown in figure 3.

An incorrect key 102 has an encryption that is not complementary to the encryption of the lock 1 and, therefore, by inserting an incorrect key 102 into the keyhole 4, the alignment of all the unlocking pins 16 at the surface 50 of the cylinder 3 with the interface 51 with the body 2 does not occur.

In particular, figure 6 shows that, precisely because of the lower height of the tooth 10Of, the unlocking pin 26 of the corresponding stack of pins 6f is not positioned at the interface 51 with the body 2 but remains in distal position. Instead of an unlocking pin 16, there is a locking pin 17, i.e. a pin devoid of a groove 23.

When an incorrect key 102 is inserted into the lock 1 , the lock 1 assumes a locking configuration, i.e. a configuration that does not allow the opening of the lock 1.

After inserting a key 100, the lock 1 assumes a locking configuration when at least one of the unlocking pins 16 of the stacks of pins 6 is arranged in its own seat 7 between the pins of the second group 31 (i.e. when it is arranged in the second branch 7b of the seat 7) or when it is arranged in its own seat 7 between the pins of the first group 30 (i.e. when it is arranged in the first branch 7a of the seat 7) and is distal from the outer surface 50 of the cylinder, i.e. when the respective groove 23 does not open at the interface 51 between cylinder 3 and body 2.

This is also shown in figure 7 which shows a front section of the lock 1 shown in figure 6, which is considered with respect to a plane passing through the stack of pins 6f. In this figure, it is possible to precisely see that the unlocking pin 16, with its groove 23, despite being between the first group of pins 30 which is positioned in the cylinder 3, is not at the outer surface 50 of the cylinder 3 but remains distal to the same outer surface 50.

In this position there is, however, a locking pin 17 without groove. Failure to correctly position the unlocking pin 16 results in the inability to open the lock 1.

Specifically, even if an incorrect key 102 is inserted, the rotation of the cylinder 3 in the body 2 from the angular starting position shown in figure 7 to the angular position of the contrast means 26 actually occurs.

During this rotation, the contrast means 26 slide into the respective throat 27 formed in the surface of the cylinder 3.

However, the presence of a locking pin 17 at the interface 51 prevents the rotation from continuing beyond the contrast means 26 because the locking pin 17 lacks a groove into which the contrast means 26 can slide.

In practice, the contrast means 26 come into abutment against the locking pin 17, thus preventing the cylinder 3 from rotating beyond the angular position of the same contrast means 26. Since the cylinder 3 cannot fully rotate in the body 2, the lock 1 cannot be opened.

Since the cylinder 3 integrally rotates with all of the pins 15 positioned in the first group 30 inside the same cylinder 3, it is sufficient that a locking pin 17 is positioned at the interface 51 in only one of these first groups 30 to lock the rotation of the cylinder 3 at the contrast means 26.

It is therefore apparent from the operation set forth above that the mechanism that allows the lock 1 to discriminate between the insertion of a correct key 101 and the insertion of an incorrect key 102 is based on the fact that, when the cylinder 3 is rotated from the angular starting position to the angular position of the contrast means 26, the contrast means 26 may, or may not, be inserted without interference into the groove 23 of the unlocking pins, so as to allow or disallow the full rotation of the cylinder.

In fact, the particularity and the advantages of the lock 1 are precisely linked to the fact that, regardless of whether a correct key 101 or an incorrect key 102 is inserted in the lock 1 , the cylinder 3 still makes a rotation in the body 2 from a first angular position, which is the angular starting position, to a second angular position, which is the angular position at the contrast means 26. In practice, the cylinder 3 partially rotates in the body 2 even though the lock 1 is in locking configuration.

This is an advantage because it makes the burglary of the lock 1 difficult, or impossible, with the break-in techniques known today.

These techniques were in fact developed for conventional locks in which the cylinder remains stationary and does not rotate until all of the unlocking pins are aligned with the interface between cylinder and body. This allows burglars to immediately check whether or not they have succeeded in arranging the pins in the unlocking configuration: if the cylinder rotates, it means that the arrangement of the pins is correct, otherwise if it does not rotate, it means that they must identify an alternative arrangement.

This immediate feedback does not occur in the lock 1 described herein because, as set forth above, the cylinder 3 partially rotates in the body 2 up to the angular position of the contrast means 26, even if the lock 1 is in a locking configuration.

Therefore the burglar, in order to know whether or not has succeeded in reproducing the unlocking configuration, must from time to time check whether the cylinder can rotate completely, without interference, or whether its rotation is only partial.

In the event that the configuration is not the unlocking one, the burglar must rotate the cylinder 3 to the angular starting position in the direction opposite the previous one and attempt another combination, without however knowing which of the stacks of pins is not correctly positioned in the seat and without having immediate feedback on the outcome of the new combination.

It is therefore clear that the lock 1 makes it much more difficult and laborious to understand what is the combination that allows to obtain the unlocking configuration and, for this reason, makes it more difficult, if not impossible, to break it in.

The conventional burglary techniques are not applicable to the lock 1 , also because its operation is based on a principle different from that of the conventional locks.

In conventional locks, the unlocking pins have different heights with respect to the locking pins and the opening of the lock only occurs if the cutting line of the unlocking pins is correctly positioned at the interface between cylinder and body. On the other hand, the operation of the lock 1 is independent of the height of the unlocking pins and the positioning of the cutting line because the cylinder 3 still rotates, even if only partially, in the body 2.

The operating principle of the lock 1 is based, however, on the possibility of whether or not contrast means 26 can slide into the pins 15 positioned at the interface 51 between cylinder 3 and body 2. Therefore, the lock 1 has an alternative operating mechanism, which is based on different assumptions than those of the conventional locks. This helps to making it more difficult to break in by using the break-in techniques developed for conventional locks.

A further embodiment of the lock according to the present invention is described below, together with respective embodiment variations.

The operating principle of this embodiment is similar to that described above with reference to the lock 1 ; therefore, we will proceed to describe in depth only those characteristics that differentiate it from the first embodiment.

With reference to figures 9-15, therefore, a second embodiment of a lock according to the present invention is described and identified overall by the reference numeral T.

The lock T has, similarly to the lock 1 , a body 2’ and a cylinder 3’. The cylinder 3’ extends along a longitudinal axis X’ on which it is also susceptible to rotation in the body 2’.

The difference between the lock T and the lock 1 is in the position of the keyhole. In fact, the lock T has a keyhole 4’ arranged for the insertion of a key 100 formed in the body 2’, rather than in the cylinder 3’.

This can be understood, e.g., from figures 11 and 14 which show the lock T with a correct key 101 and an incorrect key 102 inserted into the keyhole 4’, respectively. The keyhole 4’ is formed into the body 2’ along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis X’.

This difference also affects the arrangement of the seats 7’ of the stacks of pins 6’ and where the respective resilient elements 9’ are placed.

Even in this embodiment, the seats 7’ are radially formed, partially, in the body 2’ and, partially, in the cylinder 3’; the seats 7’ therefore have a first branch 7’a formed in the cylinder 3’ and a second branch 7’b formed in the body 2’.

In the lock T, however, the seats 7’ open in the keyhole 4’ at the second branch 7’b, i.e. in the body 2’; the resilient elements 9’ are therefore arranged in the first branch 7’a, between the blind end 8’ (positioned inside the cylinder 3’) and the respective stack of pins 6’.

At the keyhole 4’, the seats 7’ have an abutment surface 14’ best visible in figures 12, 13 and 15, on which the respective stacks of pins 6’ rest when the lock T is in its initial configuration (i.e. when no key is inserted in the keyhole 4’).

Since the keyhole 4’ is formed into the body 2’, the keyhole 4’ can no longer cooperate with a key 100 to impart a rotation to the cylinder 3’ and cause the lock T to open.

For this reason, the lock T is equipped with a handle 35’, or knob, combined with the cylinder 3’, which allows to rotate the cylinder 3’ counterclockwise or clockwise, to open or close the lock T.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the user does not impart the rotation to the cylinder 3’ by means of the key 100 but by means of the handle 35’.

The handle 35’ can be directly provided on the cylinder 3’ or can be preferably separated from the cylinder 3’ but connected thereto by means of a gear mechanism, as shown by the reference 35’a, e.g. in the embodiment variation shown in figures 24-28.

This preferred arrangement allows in fact to separate the cylinder 3’ from the handle 35’ and the portion of the lock T designated for the insertion of a key 100.

In fact, the keyhole 4’ and the handle 35’ are components of the lock T notoriously little resistant to destructive attacks, and making the entire lock T of material resistant to destructive attacks would be too expensive.

Therefore this embodiment, since it provides separating spatially the keyhole 4’ and the handle 35’ from the cylinder 3’, allows a protective plate to be applied (not shown in the figures) on the front face of the lock T at the cylinder 3’, in such a way as to further prevent possible break-in attempts by destructive attacks.

The plate can be made of such a material and thickness that the resistance of the lock is increased. For example, the plate can be made of a material made by encapsulating an aluminium matrix in ceramic spheres, which is known under the trade name “Proteus”.

In a manner similar to that described with reference to lock 1 , the lock T comprises contrast means 26’, corresponding throats 27’, stacks of pins 6’a-6’f with respective pins 15’ divided into unlocking pins 16’ and locking pins 17’.

For example, figures 9 and 10 show the lock T in an initial configuration, i.e. with no key 100 inserted in the lock 4’. The stacks of pins 6’a-6’f are in fact in abutment on the respective abutment surfaces 14’.

Figures 11 and 12 however show the lock with a correct key 101 inserted. The stacks of pins 6’a-6’f translate toward the blind end 8’, thus compressing the resilient elements 9’ in a manner corresponding to the height of the interfering teeth 100c on each stack of pins 6’a-6’f.

Being the correct key, the stacks of pins 6’a-6’f translate away from the keyhole 4’ and the unlocking pins 16’ are positioned in the cylinder 3’, i.e. in the first branch 7’a of the seat 7, at the outer surface 50’ of the cylinder 3’.

Even in this embodiment, the lock T is in an unlocking configuration when all of the unlocking pins 16’ are arranged in the first group 30’ of pins 15’, in the cylinder 3’, and when the unlocking pins 16’ are all aligned with the interface 5T with the body 2’, at the surface 50’ of the cylinder 3’.

Figure 12 shows, in particular, a cross-sectional view of the lock T in an unlocking configuration, which is considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X passing through the stack of pins 6’a.

As shown in figure 13, when the lock T is in an unlocking configuration and the cylinder 3’ is rotated by means of the handle 35’ from the angular starting position to the angular position of the contrast means 26’, the contrast means 26’ do not abut against the corresponding stack of pins 6’a because they are inserted, without interference, into the groove 23’.

Similarly, as explained with reference to the lock 1 , when an incorrect key 102 is inserted into the keyhole 4’, at least one of the unlocking pins 16’ is not positioned in the cylinder 3’, at the interface 5T with the body 2’.

For example, by comparing figure 14 with figure 11 , it is possible to see that the correct key 101 differs from the correct key 102 in the height of the tooth specifically identified with the reference 100h in figure 11 and the tooth specifically identified with the reference 10Oi in figure 14.

In figure 14, it is possible to see that the unlocking pin 16’ of the stack of pins 16’a in abutment on the tooth 10Oi of the incorrect key 102 is not positioned between the first group 30’ of pins but is arranged in the second group 31’ of pins. At the interface 51 , in the first group of pins 30’, however, there is a locking pin 17’.

Therefore, as shown in figure 15, when the cylinder 3’ is rotated from the angular starting position to the angular position of the contrast means 26’, the unlocking pin 16’ remains in the second group 3T of pins, i.e. in the body 2’ and the contrast means 26’ abut against the locking pin 17’ present at the interface 5T. The complete rotation of the cylinder 3’ in the body 2’ is therefore prevented, as well as the opening of the lock T.

In addition to the advantages set forth above, related to arranging the keyhole 4’ in the body 2’, the lock T has the advantages listed with reference to the lock T, i.e. it is made in such a way as to limit, or cancel, the possibility of being broken in by conventional burglary techniques.

Figures 18A-18L are related to an embodiment variation of the lock T described above. This variation differs from the previous one in the presence of a mechanism for modifying the lock encryption, generally denoted in these figures by the reference numeral 36’. More simply, this mechanism will henceforth be identified as “mechanism 36'

The mechanism 36’ allows to modify the encryption of the lock T to make the lock compatible with the encryption of a new key.

In practice, having a lock T available with an encryption corresponding to the encryption of a first key, the mechanism 36’ allows to modify the encryption of the lock T in order to make it compatible with the encryption of a second key.

In practice, before the modification of the lock encryption, the lock T can be opened and closed by the first key (and not by the second key) only, whereas after modifying the lock encryption, the lock T can be opened and closed only by the second key (and no longer by the first key).

A lock T equipped with such a mechanism 36’ allows to easily, quickly and inexpensively replace the key that is capable of opening and closing the lock T without the need to replace the same lock.

This is advantageous when it is preferable to periodically modify the key which allows the access to a building or dwelling.

For example, a lock T equipped with the mechanism 36’ may be useful when a landlord of a real estate, such as an apartment, wants to ensure that the previous tenant, who no longer uses the property, can no longer access that real estate.

In this circumstance, instead of replacing both the first key and the lock already present in the access door, it is sufficient for the landlord to replace only the first key with a second key and to modify the lock encryption already present, through the mechanism 36’, by moving the lock encryption in compliance with the encryption of the second key.

The modification of the encryption of the lock T can be done independently and with particular ease by the landlord, i.e. without the need to rely on an employee. This, combined with the fact that the mechanism 36’ allows the re-use of the lock already mounted to the door, is an indication of the fact that the lock T equipped with a mechanism 36’ makes the operation of replacing the key economical, as well as quick and easy.

The mechanism 36’ is combined with the body 2’ of the lock T and is preferably arranged in an angular position between the angular starting position and the angular position of the contrast means 26’. In the accompanying figures, the mechanism 36’ is arranged radially to the longitudinal axis X’ and defines an angle of 90° with respect to the angular starting position and with respect to the contrast means 26’.

Figures 18A-18M show a mechanism 36’ combined with the lock at stack of pins 6’f, which is depicted in figure 9. The mechanism 36’ is also shown in figures 24-28, which are related to a second embodiment variation of the second embodiment. From these figures, it is possible to see that the same mechanism 36’ described with reference to figures 18A-18M is also present at the remaining stacks of pins 6’a-6’e. Therefore, what has been described with reference to the stack of pins 6’f can also be extended to the remaining stacks of pins.

In this variation, the body 2’ has a through hole 37’ formed radially to the longitudinal axis X’ and defining an angle of 90° with the second branch 7’b of the seat 7’. Therefore, the through hole 37’ is angularly staggered with respect to the stack of pins 6’f, when the cylinder 3’ is not rotated.

Remaining on the through hole 37’, it is possible to see that it is arranged on the same plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X’ also containing the seat 7’ (with the respective first branch 7’a and second branch 7’b), the throat 27’ and the contrast means 26’.

In practice, the through hole 37’ opens at the outer surface 50’ of the cylinder 3’.

As will be better set forth below, the through hole 37’ is arranged to house an unlocking pin 16’ during the steps of modifying the encryption of the lock T. Therefore, the through hole 37’ has a section that is complementary to the first base 2T and the second base of the unlocking pin 16’. In addition, the through hole 37’ has a length, which is considered radially to the longitudinal axis X’, equal to the height, or slightly more than the height of the body 18’ of the unlocking pin 16’.

The mechanism 36’ comprises a slider 39’ provided with a section complementary to the section of the through hole 37’ and which is, at least partially, inserted into the same through hole 37’.

Although not shown in these figures, the lock T has a slider 39’ for each through hole 37’ combined with the rows of pins 6’.

The slider 39’ can be moved radially in the through hole 37’ by a user between:

- a position proximal to the cylinder 3’, at which the slider 39’ is in abutment on the cylinder 3’ or defines a gap therewith, and

- a distal position, at which the slider 39’ is separated from the cylinder 3’ and defines a housing for the unlocking pin 16’.

The housing defined by the slider 39’ at the through hole 37’ has a length that allows only one pin to be housed, which, as the steps for modifying the encryption of the lock T are carried out, is an unlocking pin 16’ (e.g. an unlocking pin 16’ and a locking pin 17’ cannot be housed together in the housing).

For example, figure 18A shows the slider 39’ in position proximal to the cylinder 3’, whereas figure 18D shows the slider 39’ in distal position.

Gripping means 40’ of the slider 39’, at which a user can move the slider 39’ closer to or away from the cylinder 3’, are combined with the slider 39’. The gripping means 40’ are preferably shared among all sliders 39’ combined with the various stacks of pins 6’.

With reference to figures 18A-18M, the operation of the mechanism 36’ will now be described.

It is specified that, with reference to these figures, reference will be made to a first key and a second key without them being shown in the figures.

Figure 18A shows the stack of pins 6’f of the lock T in an initial configuration, with no key inserted, and with the slider 39’ in proximal position.

Figure 18B shows the stack of pins 6’f with a first key inserted.

This first key has an encryption corresponding to the lock encryption; therefore, as a result of inserting the first key, the stack of pins 6’f translates radially toward the longitudinal axis X’ (due to the mechanical interference with the first key) and the unlocking pin 16’ is positioned at the outer surface 50’ of the cylinder 3’. In practice, the lock T moves to the unlocking configuration, with compression of the resilient means 9’.

It should be noted that in the stack of pins 6’f, there are a first locking pin 17’a stacked above the unlocking pin 16’ (proximal to the longitudinal axis X’) and a second locking pin 17’b positioned below the unlocking pin 16’ (distal to the longitudinal axis X’).

Subsequently, as shown in figure 18C, the cylinder 3’ is rotated counterclockwise in the direction of the arrow, from the angular starting position to the angular position of the through hole 37’.

At the end of this rotation, the unlocking pin 16’ is at the through hole 37’ and the slider 39’. In figure 18C, it is possible to see that the groove 23’ opens toward the through hole 37’.

Once the cylinder 3’ is rotated to this angular position, i.e. after it is rotated by 90°, the gripping means 40’ are manually pulled away from the lock T and the longitudinal axis X’, in the direction shown by the respective arrow in figure 18D.

The slider 39’ is therefore displaced from the proximal position shown in figure 18C to the distal position precisely shown in figure 18D.

As it is displaced to the distal position, the slider 39’ frees the through hole 37’ and defines a housing for the unlocking pin 16’. In fact, the unlocking pin 16’ translates from the first branch 7’a of the seat 7’ to the through hole 37’ as a result of the thrust exerted thereon by the resilient elements 9’, which had previously been compressed by the insertion of the first key.

It may be noted that the housing defined in the through hole 37’ is only sufficient for the unlocking pin 16’ and not also for the locking pin 17’a.

At this point, once the unlocking pin 16’ is housed in the through hole 37’, the cylinder is rotated clockwise in the direction of the arrow shown in figure 18E. In practice, the cylinder 3’ is rotated to the angular starting position.

In this configuration, it is possible to see that the stack of pins 6’f is devoid of an unlocking pin 16’ because it has remained housed in the through hole 37’.

In addition, in the stack of pins 6’f, the locking pin 17’a is stacked directly on the locking pin 17’b.

At this point, as shown in figure 18F, the first key is extracted from the lock 1 and the stack of pins 6’f returns to abutment on the abutment surface 14’. In this circumstance, the lock T no longer has an encryption, because the unlocking pin 16’ is enclosed in the through hole 37’.

In order to make the lock T assume an encryption compatible with the second key, i.e. with the key that has to replace the first key as the correct key for opening and closing the lock T, proceed by inserting the second key into the lock T, as shown in figure 18G.

By inserting the second key into the lock T, the stack of pins 6’f, which at this stage comprises only locking pins 17’, translates toward the longitudinal axis X’ in a manner corresponding to the tooth (not shown in the figure) in abutment on the same stack of pins 6’f. The figure shows, e.g., that as a result of mechanical interference of the second key, the stack of pins 6’f translates upwards, thereby positioning the second pin 17’b at the outer surface 50 of the cylinder 3’.

The cylinder 3’ is then rotated by 90° counter-clockwise again, as shown by the arrow in figure 18H, so as to position the second pin 17’b at the mechanism 36’. Therefore, as a result of this rotation, the second pin 17’b moves to the unlocking pin 16’, which had previously been placed precisely in the through hole 37’.

At this point, after inserting the second key and turning the cylinder 3’ counter-clockwise by 90°, the user proceeds by pushing the gripping means 40’ radially toward the cylinder 3’ in the direction depicted by the arrow in figure 181. Therefore, the slider 39’ is displaced from the distal position in figure 18H to the proximal position shown in figure 181.

As a result of this thrust, the unlocking pin 16’ returns to the first branch 7’a of the seat 7, the locking pins 17’a and 17’b are translated toward the longitudinal axis X’ and the resilient elements 9’ are further compressed.

Subsequently, the user rotates the cylinder 3’ clockwise, as shown by the direction of the arrow in figure 18L, thus returning the unlocking pin 16’ and the other locking pins 17’a and 17’b to the angular starting position.

In practice, through the operations described above, the unlocking pin 16’ is reinserted into the stack of pins 6’f, in a manner corresponding to the encryption of the second key. Indeed, with the second key inserted into the keyhole 4’, the unlocking pin 16’ is now present between the second locking pin 17’b and a third locking pin 17’c and no longer, as before, between the first locking pin 17’a and the second locking pin 17’b.

In practice, the lock T now has a new encryption corresponding to the encryption of the second key and no longer to the encryption of the first key.

Figure 18M shows that, by disengaging the second key from the lock T, the stack of pins 6’f returns to abutment on the abutment surface 14’ and the lock T returns to the initial configuration, with an encryption different from the initial one (as is clear by comparing figure 18M with figure 18A).

When modifying the encryption of lock T, what is described with reference to the stack of pins 6’f simultaneously takes place for all other stacks of pins.

A second embodiment variation of the lock T is further described.

This embodiment variation will be first described first with reference to figures 19-22, which show a section of the lock T considered with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X’ at the stack of pins 6’f shown in figure 9. These figures do not show the handle 35’ combined with the cylinder 3’.

The variation shown in figures 19-22 differs from the other locks described above in how the keyhole is made and in how the key interacts with the stacks of pins 6’ of the lock T.

In this variation, the keyhole 4’ is in fact not formed in the cylinder 3’ or the body 2’ of the lock T immediately below the cylinder 3’, but is defined by a series of toothed wheels generically denoted by the reference 43’ and combined with the stacks of pins 6’. Despite this difference, the keyhole 4’ of this embodiment variation can equally be considered as formed in the body 2’ of the lock T.

In particular, this embodiment variation has an insertion mechanism 42’ for inserting the key, which is made according to the principles of disk detainers.

In this insertion mechanism 42’, each stack of pins 6’ is combined with a toothed wheel 43’.

In figures 19-22, it is shown e.g. that the toothed wheel 43’f’ is combined with the stack of pins 6’f. For convenience, the insertion mechanism 42’ will therefore be described with reference to the toothed wheel 43’f and the respective stack of pins 6’f:

The toothed wheel 43’f has an axis Y’ which is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis X’. The toothed wheel 43’f is rotatable on its own axis Y’ clockwise or counter-clockwise in response to rotations imparted by a user by means of a key 200’ shown in figure 23.

At the longitudinal axis Y’, the toothed wheel 43’f has a through hole 44’ with semicircular section and at which the keyhole 4” is defined. In practice, the user inserts the key 200’ into the through hole 44’ to open or close the lock T.

The operation of the insertion mechanism 42’ can be better explained by drawing the reader’s attention to figure 23, which shows a key 200’ in perspective.

In this figure, it is possible to see that the key 200’ does not have teeth formed at different heights, such as the keys described above, but has teeth 20T that differ in their angular extent, i.e. , the extent of the angle that each tooth defines. For example, the tooth 201’a extends by 90°, whereas the tooth 201’b extends by 180°.

Each tooth 201 ’ corresponds to a toothed wheel 43’ and a stack of pins 6’.

In practice, the encryption of the key 200’ depends on the number of teeth 20T and the angular extent of each of them.

Overall, each toothed wheel 43’ has a through hole 44’ at which a tooth 20T is uniquely combined.

Therefore, overall, the keyhole 4” is defined by all of the through holes 44’ formed in the toothed wheels 43’.

Returning to figures 19-22, it is possible to see that the toothed wheel 43’f has teeth 45’ radially arranged to the longitudinal axis Y’ and at which the toothed wheel 43’f is coupled to a translation gear 46’ of the respective stack of pins 6’f.

In practice, each stack of pins 6’ is lifted, independently of the other stacks of pins, depending on how far the respective toothed wheel 43’ causes the respective translation gear 46’ to translate toward the longitudinal axis X’.

In turn, each toothed wheel 43’ make a revolution on the axis Y’ by an angle corresponding to the angular extent of the tooth 20T of the key 200’ to which the toothed wheel 43’ is coupled.

Therefore, unlike what is described in the locks described above, in this embodiment variation, the stacks of pins 6’ do not translate due to the direct mechanical interference that occurs with the key teeth. In fact, between the key 200’ and the stacks of pins 6’f, the toothed wheel 43’f and the translation gear 46’ are functionally interposed.

For example, figures 20-22 show the lock T in section with the key 200’ inserted.

Figures 20 and 21 show the rotation of the key 200’ in the keyhole 4’ from the lower edge to the upper edge. By comparing the position of toothed wheel 43’f with respect to the translation gear 46’, it is possible to see that this rotation of the key 200’ does not correspond to any rotation of the toothed wheel 43’f and any upward translation of the translation gear 46’.

On the contrary further rotating the key 200’, as shown in figure 22, results in the rotation by 15° of the toothed wheel 43’f and in the corresponding upward translation of the translation gear 46’, with lifting of the stack of pins 6’f and alignment of the unlocking pin 16’ to the interface 51 with the body 2’.

Therefore, it is clear that in the insertion mechanism 42’ described herein, the toothed wheels 43’ rotate on the axis Y’ only after the key 200’ has abutted against the upper edge of the keyhole 4’.

In addition, even if the insertion mechanism 42’ causes the displacement of the stacks of pins 6’ in a way corresponding to the encryption of the key 200’, it should be noted that, with the same angular extent of the tooth 20T, the extent of the displacement of the translation gear 46’ depends on the radius of the toothed wheel 43’ and not on how the key 200’ is made (e.g. in the locks described above, the stacks of pins 6’ translate in a manner corresponding to the height of the corresponding key tooth and, therefore, depending on the size of the same key).

The fact of not making the translation extent of the pins 6’ dependent on the size of the key allows to use smaller keys 200’, while still providing the use of (unlocking or locking) pins 15’ larger than those commonly used in locks known today.

The second embodiment variation described above with reference to figures 19-22 is also shown in perspective in figures 24 and 25.

In fact, in figures 24 and 25, a lock T is shown, comprising a cylinder 3’ inserted into a body 2’ graphically denoted by a sleeve.

Also shown are the contrast means 26’ arranged, in sequence, in the body 2’, from the contrast means 26’a to the contrast means 26’f, and the mechanism for modifying the encryption 36’. In particular, the sliders 39’ combined with the stacks of pins 6’, not visible herein, and the respective gripping means 40’ common to all sliders, are shown. The fact of having gripping means 40’ common to all of the sliders 39’ allows a user to translate all of the sliders 39’ at the same time with a single movement.

It is also possible to see the handle 35’ arranged to rotate the cylinder 3’ in the body 2’. The handle 35’ is made separate from the cylinder 3’ but connected thereto through gears 35’a.

Finally, the insertion mechanism 42’ is also shown with the toothed wheels 43’ which define the keyhole 4’ and are combined with the translation gear 46’ through teeth 45’. Figure 25 shows all of the wheels 43’a-43’f combined with the stacks of pins 6’a-6’f.

In these figures, the toothed wheels 43’ are borne by a supporting element 47’.

With regard to this embodiment variation provided with the insertion mechanism 42’, it should be noted that it is a solution that makes lock picking even more difficult. In fact, the integration of the insertion mechanism 42’ in the lock T does not allow in any way to access from the keyhole 4’ to the stacks of pins 6’ to manipulate them and try to identify the correct combination to rotate the cylinder 3’ without interference.

This, coupled with the fact that even in this variation it is possible to apply a protective plate (not shown in the figures) to the front face of lock 1 ’ at the cylinder 3’, in such a way as to prevent possible burglary attempts through destructive attacks, makes this embodiment variation provided with insertion mechanism 42’ particularly resistant to all burglary attempts known today.

A person skilled in the art will understand that, where possible, what is shown in figures 24 and 25 may also be useful to better understand what is described above also with reference to the locks T devoid of the insertion mechanism 42’.

Finally, figures 26-28 show some exploded views of the second embodiment variation of the lock T. These views are useful to see how the components of the lock 1 and T already described above are three-dimensionally made.

For example, in these views, it is possible to see that the cylinder 3’ has a cylindrical shape with an outer surface of 50’ and that it is housed in a corresponding seat 48’ of the body 2’. In figure 26, it is possible to appreciate both the first branches 7’a of the seats 7’, which are formed in the cylinder 3’, and the second branches 7’b of the seats 7’, provided in the body 2’.

At each first branch 7’a, the throats 27’ circumferentially formed in the outer surface 50’ of the cylinder 3’ are shown. The extension of the throats 27’ can be followed by looking at figures 27 and 28.

In these views, the body 2’ is represented by a sleeve in which the cylinder 3’ is arranged. In figures 26 and 28, it is possible to observe the seats 49’ in which the contrast means 26’ are positioned.

Figure 28 clearly shows the through holes 44’ formed in the body 2’ and which are arranged to cooperate with the mechanism for modifying the encryption.

As regards the insertion mechanism 42’, the supporting element 47’, the toothed wheels 43’ and the translation gears 46’ are shown.

Finally, with reference to figures 29-37, a third embodiment of a lock is described, which is overall denoted by the reference numeral 1”. As it is apparent by comparing figure 29 with figure 1 , the lock 1” is similar to the lock 1 with regard to the position of the keyhole 4” and the resilient elements 9” with respect to the cylinder 3” and the body 2”. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, what is described for the lock 1 can be extended to the lock 1”.

Figure 29 also shows the stacks of pins 6”a-6”f with the corresponding contrast means 26”a-26”f.

Unlike the embodiments previously described, the contrast means 26” are mounted translatably on corresponding resilient elements 60” precisely visible in figure 29. In practice, the contrast means 26” can translate in radial direction, closer to the longitudinal axis X” or away from the longitudinal axis X”. In particular, the resilient elements 60” are arranged in corresponding seats formed in the body 2”.

The contrast means 26” are intended to be movable because they are combined with stacks of pins 6” comprising unlocking pins 16” provided with a sliding ramp 61”. Figure 30 shows in detail an unlocking pin 16”. In this figure, it is possible to see that at a flank of the side surface 22” and a first base 21”, a sliding ramp 61” is formed in the body 18” and on the transverse axis 20”. As will be clearer below, the sliding ramp 61” allows the contrast means 26”a-26”f to pass the corresponding stack of pins 6”a-62”f, thus constituting a sliding surface for the same contrast means 26”a-26”f.

The sliding ramp 61” is inclined with respect to the first base 21” and the second base; in addition, the sliding ramp 61 ’’extends from a first portion 62” distal to the first face 21” to a second portion 63” proximal to the first face 21”.

In practice, when the lock 1” is in the unlocking position and the cylinder 3” is rotated, the contrast means 26” go into abutment on the sliding ramp 61” and slide on the same sliding ramp 61”, passing it at the first base 21”. As they travel along the sliding ramp 61”, the contrast means 26” translate away from the longitudinal axis X”, with compression of the corresponding resilient elements 60”.

Another feature of the lock 1” is the fact that each throat 27” circumferentially formed in the cylinder 3” has a ramp 64” which is mirrored to the sliding ramp 61” formed in the corresponding unlocking pin 16”. This can be seen e.g. in figure 32: the throat 27” that intercepts the stack of pins 6”f has a ramp 64” moving from a minimum point 64”a represented by the bottom of the throat 27” to a maximum point 64”b, which is at the first base 21” of the unlocking pin 16”.

In practice, when the lock 1” is in unlocking configuration, the second portion 63” of the sliding ramp 61” is positioned at the maximum point 64”b of the throat 27”.

Figures 33-35 show that, when the lock 1” is in unlocking configuration and the cylinder 3” is rotated counter-clockwise in the direction shown by the arrow in figure 33, the contrast means 26”f intercept the sliding ramp 61” (figure 33), travel along it until they reach the first base 21” (figure 34), pass the unlocking pin 16” and travel downhill along the ramp 64” of the throat 27” (figure 35) from the maximum point 64”b to the minimum point 64”a, thus allowing the complete rotation of the cylinder 3” in the body 2”, i.e. beyond the contrast means 26” and without interference.

On the contrary, as shown in figures 36 and 37, when the lock 1” is in locking configuration and there is a locking pin 17” at the surface 50” of the cylinder 3”, as a result of the counter-clockwise rotation of the cylinder 3” in the direction depicted by the arrow in figure 36, the contrast means 26”f go into abutment on the locking pin 17” and are not be able to pass the stack of pins 6”f due to the absence of the sliding ramp 61” at the surface 50”.

This third embodiment is even more resistant to picklock picking than the first embodiment because, even assuming the burglar succeeds in thrusting the stacks of pins completely into the seat of the body, the cylinder could not rotate beyond the contrast means, because they would go into abutment in the wall of the seat in the cylinder.

In order to meet contingent and specific needs, a person skilled in the art can make numerous changes and modifications to the present invention in the embodiments shown and described, all thereby comprised in the protection scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.