ES2671770T3 - Modular lock set. Modular lock assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular lock assembly of the type comprising: at least one command unit (2) that is operated by a respective key and is constituted by a stator (3) and a rotor (4), said rotor (4) being provided of a recess (5) of a shape and size that are complementary to those of said key and at least one pin for mutual engagement / disengagement of the stator (3) and the rotor (4), said movable pin being within a channel that is substantially radial and also extends into the stator (3); at least one part (6), which is operatively associated with said rotor (4) that is designed to mechanically actuate the bolt that is actuated by said lock assembly (1), said part (6) comprising an outer casing (7) ) provided with a cam (8) for actuating the bolt, and slides (9) that can freely carry out a translational movement inside the housing (7) to selectively actuate the cam (8); and at least one extension element (11) that is interposed between said at least one command unit (2) and said part (6), and is constituted by a main body (12) having a longitudinal cavity (13 ) to rotatably accommodate a box (14) that holds an internal shaft (15) that can slide axially to allow mechanically engaging with the slides (9) to rotate said cam (8), said box (14) presenting a first contoured end (16) that is rigidly coupled, directly or indirectly, in the assembled configuration, to said rotor (4) of said command unit (2) and a second contoured end (17) comprising recesses (27) housing respective extensions (25) of a slide (9), so that the contoured end (17) can be selectively and rigidly coupled, directly or indirectly, to said part (6), a rotation of said rotor (4) being imposed by its drive through the re spective key, thereby producing a rotation of said box (14) and, therefore, of said part (6), with respect to said stator (3) and said main body (12) which are fixed together and form a single piece, characterized in that said shaft (15) comprises at least one radial ring (31) that is adapted to butt against respective race-limiting protrusions that are present along the inner surface of the through hole of said box (14).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Modular lock set.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a modular lock assembly, specifically a lock assembly comprising a modular cylinder.

Prior art

Each lock assembly is designed to be installed on a door or on a door leaf that has a specific thickness.

Therefore, the need for lock assemblies that are dedicated to the specific thickness of the door in which they are installed is perceived.

In order to overcome this inconvenience and thus avoid the creation of specific lock assemblies based on the infinite number of thicknesses that the doors can have, some specific thicknesses that manufacturers of doors and door leaves must adopt must be standardized in order to install lock assemblies that fit these.

In this way, each manufacturer of locks has to produce only locks that meet the standards in the reference specifications.

The basic component of each lock assembly is the cylinder, that is, the component that allows the opening or closing of a lock and is generally operated by means of a key.

Obviously, each cylinder will be designed for a specific thickness of the door or the door leaf, depending on its dimensions and any linkage and coupling element that is interposed between the cylinder itself and the lock assembly as a whole when They are installed on the door or the door leaf.

The use, by some manufacturers, of lock assemblies and / or cylinders comprising removable extension assemblies, interposed between the active parts of the mechanisms and designed to transfer mechanical movements is known.

A modular lock assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in WO 2004/099535 A1.

By adopting extension sets (which have variable thicknesses) it is possible to adapt sets of locks and cylinders to a wide range of thicknesses, generally selected from the standardized range of thicknesses.

The extension assemblies are in turn constituted by a plurality of components (some of which are designed to be attached to the fixed parts of the cylinder / lock assembly and others are designed to be coupled to the moving parts).

The locksmith in charge of installing the lock assembly (and the associated cylinder) on the door or on the door leaf has, therefore, to verify the thickness of the door / door leaf and assemble the most suitable extension assembly . At this point, the extension assembly can be interposed between adjacent parts of the cylinder to adapt its length to the installation needs.

The assembly of the assembly can be complex for the locksmith, especially when it must be done directly at the installation site.

The components of the set are numerous and small, and its assembly is simplified by adopting special tools and working on a dedicated work surface.

This condition is difficult to achieve at the installation site and, therefore, assembly operations are, in fact, generally quite long and complex.

Disclosure of the invention

The objective of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned drawbacks, by providing a modular lock assembly that can be quickly and easily assembled, disassembled and reconfigured depending on the installation requirements.

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Within this objective, an object of the invention is to provide a modular lock assembly consisting of elementary components that are compact and can be coupled together by adopting a few easily available and easily transportable tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide a modular lock assembly having a security level in the case of a forced entry attempt, which is identical to that of an equivalent lock assembly of the traditional type.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost modular lock assembly, which is implemented relatively easily and conveniently, and is applied securely.

According to the invention, a modular lock assembly is provided as defined in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the modular lock assembly according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings , in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a modular lock assembly according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal plane, of a modular lock assembly according to the invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view, seen from the front, of a first possible extension element of a modular lock assembly according to the invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view, viewed from behind, of the extension element in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal plane, of the extension element in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view, seen from the front, of a second possible extension element of a modular lock assembly according to the invention.

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view, viewed from behind, of the extension element in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal plane, of the extension element in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view, seen from the front, of a third possible extension element of a modular lock assembly according to the invention.

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view, viewed from behind, of the extension element in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal plane, of the extension element in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view, seen from the front, of a fourth possible extension element of a modular lock assembly according to the invention.

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view, viewed from behind, of the extension element in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal plane, of the extension element in Figure 12.

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Ways to practice the invention

Referring to the figures, numerical reference 1 generally indicates a modular lock assembly according to the invention (herein, the term "lock assembly" is used to indicate what in the normal locksmith jargon would be called bowler lock)

The lock assembly 1 comprises at least one command unit 2 that is operated by a respective key.

The unit 2, in turn, consists of a stator 3 and a rotor 4 which is provided with a recess 5 of shape and size that are complementary to those of the respective key.

The rotor 4 is further provided with at least one pin (not shown in the accompanying drawings), which can be moved within a channel that is substantially radial and also extends into the stator 3; The pin is designed to couple and disengage the stator 3 and the rotor 4 from each other.

The lock assembly 1 further comprises at least a part 6, which is operatively associated with the rotor 4 and designed to mechanically actuate the bolt (not shown in the attached drawings and slidable on the leaf of the installation door) that is actuated by the lock assembly 1.

The part 6 preferably comprises an outer casing 7 which is provided with a cam 8 designed to actuate the bolt, and within this casing 7 respective slides 9 can freely carry out a translation movement (according to a pre-established path).

The slides 9 are coupled to each other by means of a connecting rod 10; when one of the two slides 9 (which are coupled by the connecting rod 10) is coupled with the housing 7 (because it is pushed in translational motion by the tip of the key or by another translational device sent by it), creates a mechanical coupling based on the shape (in other cases a friction based coupling could be created) between the slide 9 and the housing 7.

When this mechanical coupling is active, a rotation of the rotor 4 produces a consequent rotation of the cam 8. This ensures an increase in the security of the lock assembly 1 in the case of forced entry since a rotation of the rotor 4 while the key not inserted correctly in the recess 5 will not allow the rotation of the part 6 and, in particular, of the cam 8.

In particular, the lock assembly 1 according to the invention comprises at least one extension element 11 that is interposed between said at least one command unit 2 and part 6.

The element 11 is constituted by a main body 12 that has a longitudinal cavity 13 to rotatably accommodate a box 14 to hold an inner shaft 15.

The box 14 has a first contoured end 16 that is rigidly coupled, in the assembled configuration, to the rotor 4 of a unit 2; a second contoured end 17 is rigidly coupled, directly or indirectly, to part 6.

A rotation of the rotor 4 which is imposed by its actuation by means of the respective key produces, with reference to an element 11 according to the invention, a rotation of the case 14 and, therefore, of the part 6, with respect to the stator and the main body 12 which are fixed together and form a single piece.

It is important to note that the main body 12 comprises an extension 18 which is provided with coupling means to the respective unit 2.

The coupling means, according to some specific examples that are in accordance with the solutions shown in the accompanying drawings given for the purpose of non-limiting example, comprise a through hole 19, which is aligned with a corresponding threaded opening 20 of the unit 2.

The hole 19 can then accommodate a through screw 22 which is applied to the threaded opening 20 for the mutual grip of at least one extension element 11 and the respective unit 2. In the examples shown in the accompanying drawings, the screw 22 implements a coupling of the type known in mechanics as "self-tapping screw".

According to a particular embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the internal cavity 13 of the main body 12 comprises an end shoulder 23 for the stop and the support, in the assembled configuration, of an protruding ring 24 of the case 14.

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The first contoured end 16 of the case 14 comprises a pair of longitudinal extensions 25 which are in the form of sections of a cylinder.

The protruding ring 24 is disposed in the connection region between the end edge 26 of the case 14 and the longitudinal extensions 25 and extends substantially as much as the extensions 25 themselves.

According to a possible practical application of undoubted technical interest, the second contoured end 17 of the case 14 comprises a pair of longitudinal recesses 27 that are configured as sections of a cylinder.

The recesses 27 have a shape and size that are complementary to those of the longitudinal extensions 25; In the assembled configuration, the recesses 27 house respective extensions of the adjacent component (which is actually constituted by another element 11 or by a slide 9).

With specific reference to an embodiment that can be easily implemented, along the outer surface of the box 14, near the second contoured end 17, there is a peripheral groove 28 to accommodate a locking ring 29.

The ring 29, in the assembled configuration, is partially housed in the groove 28 and is partially oriented towards the end face 30 of the main body 12, from which the second contoured end 17 protrudes.

The shaft 15 comprises at least one radial ring 31 that is adapted to rest against respective race-limiting protrusions that are present along the internal surface of a through hole 32 of the case 14.

According to a specific embodiment, there are two radial rings 31, which are arranged at the ends of the shaft 15; in this case, the box 14 comprises a hole 33, which is radial with respect to the through hole 32, to accommodate a stopper pin 34.

The length of the pin 34 is substantially similar to the difference between the outer radius of the central part 35 of the shaft 15 which is comprised between the two radial rings 31 and the outer radius of the box 14.

In practice, when the extension element 11 is correctly assembled, the pin 34 will be locked between the outer surface of the part 35 of the shaft 15 and the inner surface of the longitudinal cavity 13.

Therefore, the shaft 15 may slide axially from a first configuration, in which the first ring 31 is supported on the pin 34, and a second configuration, the second ring 31 resting on the pin 34. The shaft 15 further comprises an overhanging appendix 35a that is adapted to stably engage with part 6 (either directly or with the interposition of other elements 11) to allow mechanical engagement with the slides 9 and, as a consequence, allows the slides 9 to drag the cam 8 in rotation.

According to an alternative embodiment, the ring 29 comprises at least one protruding tongue 36 protruding from its inner edge.

The case 14, in this case, comprises a push lock step 37 in its internal through hole 32.

When the extension element 11 is correctly and completely assembled, the shaft 15 can slide axially from a first configuration, in which one face of its ring 31 is supported on the projecting tongue 36 of the ring 29, to a second configuration, wherein the opposite face of the ring 31 is resting on the thrust lock step 37.

It should be conveniently specified that the extension 18 which is provided with coupling means to the unit 2 and protrudes from the main body 12, can comprise protruding spikes 38 that face each other and define a longitudinal groove 39.

The slot 39, in a complete assembly configuration of the element 11, is aligned with the corresponding slots 40 of the command units 2; The slot 39 and the slots 40 can now effectively accommodate at least one respective interconnection rod 41 which is designed to rigidly couple (by means of suitable fixing pins 42) the units 2 with the extension elements 11.

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If the elements 11 do not have protruding spikes 38, then the bars 41 will engage each other only with the two opposite units 2 and the elements 11 will be monolithic with at least one of those units 2 due to the effect of the screw 22.

The lock assembly 1 according to the invention is, in fact, constituted by a multi-part cylinder that any user can assemble together as necessary.

The lock assembly according to the invention allows, given the extreme simplicity of its components and the possibility of having available elements 11 that are already fully assembled, assembling a lock assembly 1 in an extremely short time.

If it is necessary to replace parts in a lock assembly 1 that is already installed, it will be enough to have some components, already fully assembled, available (units 2, elements 11 and part 6) to be able to quickly reconfigure the lock assembly 1 without having to resort to tools for special use and without the need for a special work surface.

The installation technician can then measure, in situ (that is, in the environment of the installation), the thickness of the door and / or the door leaf and install the lock assembly 1 of the correct size, simply by using the appropriate number of elements 11, directly on site.

The assembly of the modular lock assembly 1 must be as quick as possible and, for this reason, specific components have been designed: the fully assembled unit 2 (comprising a stator 3, rotor 4, pins, tailstocks, springs) , a tongue, an anti-drill pin, a respective locking ring); a plurality of elements 11 (comprising the main body 12, the case 14, the shaft 15, the ring 29 and, when necessary, the stopper pin 34) that are fully assembled and available in the following sizes: 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm (the production of elements 11 of different thicknesses, to adapt the lock assembly 1 also to different installation requirements, is not, however, excluded); the bars 41, whose dimensions correspond to those of the lock assembly 1 as a whole; fixing pins 42; part 6; the slides 9.

The lock assembly 1 according to the invention, having all the components available and knowing the exact thickness of the installation door (or door leaf), allows complete assembly in an exceptionally short time, of the order of a few dozen seconds. This advantage differentiates the lock assembly 1 according to the invention from any other type of modular lock assembly or cylinder of known type.

This is possible due to the fact that the lock assembly 1 consists of previously assembled parts and, therefore, the installation technician only has to couple the individual components (the individual parts) together without paying attention to the individual assembly from each of them.

In particular, having the elements 11 already fully assembled and in operation greatly simplifies installation operations.

It should be noted that the construction architecture adopted for the elements 11 constitutes the main feature of the lock assembly 1, since it allows the installation technician to supply the previously assembled element 11.

Conveniently, the modular lock assembly 1 is assembled, disassembled and reconfigured quickly and easily depending on the installation requirements.

In a useful way, the modular lock assembly 1 is constituted by elementary components that are compact and can be coupled together by means of a few easily located and easily transportable tools; The modular lock assembly 1 lends itself very well to being installed directly at the place of its installation.

Positively, the modular lock assembly 1 offers a level of security in the case of a forced entry attempt that is identical to that of an equivalent lock assembly of the traditional type.

The invention conceived in this way is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the appended claims; In addition, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In the illustrated embodiments, the individual features shown in relation to specific examples may actually be exchanged with other different features, which exist in other embodiments.

In addition, it should be taken into account that everything that is discovered as a technique already known during the processing of the patent is understood as not claimed and that it must be the subject of a waiver.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to the 5 requirements and the state of the art.

When the technical characteristics mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and, consequently, said reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by means of said reference signs.

Claims (10)

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Modular lock assembly of the type comprising: at least one command unit (2) that is operated by a respective key and is constituted by a stator (3) and a rotor (4), said rotor (4) being ) provided with a recess (5) of a shape and size that are complementary to those of said key and at least one pin for the mutual coupling / decoupling of the stator (3) and the rotor (4), said pin being movable within a channel that is substantially radial and also extends into the stator (3); at least one part (6), which is operatively associated with said rotor (4) that is designed to mechanically actuate the bolt that is actuated by said lock assembly (1), said part (6) comprising an outer casing (7) ) provided with a cam (8) for actuating the bolt, and slides (9) that can freely carry out a translational movement inside the housing (7) to selectively actuate the cam (8); and at least one extension element (11) that is interposed between said at least one command unit (2) and said part (6), and is constituted by a main body (12) having a longitudinal cavity (13 ) to rotatably accommodate a box (14) that holds an internal shaft (15) that can slide axially to allow mechanically engaging with the slides (9) to rotate said cam (8), said box (14) presenting a first contoured end (16) that is rigidly coupled, directly or indirectly, in the assembled configuration, to said rotor (4) of said command unit (2) and a second contoured end (17) comprising recesses (27) housing respective extensions (25) of a slide (9), so that the contoured end (17) can be selectively and rigidly coupled, directly or indirectly, to said part (6), a rotation of said rotor (4) being imposed by its drive through the re spective key, thereby producing a rotation of said box (14) and, therefore, of said part (6), with respect to said stator (3) and said main body (12) which are fixed together and form a single piece, characterized in that said shaft (15) comprises at least one radial ring (31) that is adapted to butt against respective race-limiting protrusions that are present along the inner surface of the through hole of said box (14). 2. Modular lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said main body (12) comprises an extension (18) which is provided with coupling means to said unit (2). 3. Modular lock assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that said coupling means comprise a through hole (19), which is aligned with a corresponding threaded opening (20) of said unit (2), for housing a screw through (22) that engages with said threaded opening (20) for mutual gripping of said at least one extension element (11) and said unit (2). 4. Modular lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal cavity (13) of said main body (12) comprises an end shoulder (23) for the stop and the support, in the assembled configuration, of an protruding ring (24) of said box (14). 5. Modular lock assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that said first contoured end (16) of said housing (14) comprises a pair of longitudinal extensions (25) that are shaped like sections of a cylinder, said ring being projecting (24) disposed in the connection region between the end edge (26) of said box (14) and said longitudinal extensions (25) and extending substantially as far as said rings (24). 6. Modular lock assembly according to claim 1 and claim 5, characterized in that said second contoured end (17) of said housing (14) comprises a pair of longitudinal recesses (27) that are shaped as sections of a cylinder and they have a shape and size complementary to those of said longitudinal extensions (25), said recesses (27) housing respective extensions (25) of the adjacent component in the assembled configuration. 7. Modular lock assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that along the outer surface of said housing (14), in the vicinity of said second contoured end (17), there is a peripheral groove (28 ) to accommodate a locking ring (29), said ring (29) being, in the assembled configuration, partially housed in said groove (28) and partially facing the end face (30) of said main body (12) from which said second contoured end (17) protrudes. 8. Modular lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that two of said radial rings (31) are disposed at the ends of said shaft (15), said housing (14) comprising a hole (33), which is radial with respect to the through hole, to accommodate a stopper pin (34), said pin presenting ( 34) a length that is substantially similar to the difference between the outer radius of the central part (35) of the shaft (15) that is comprised between the two radial rings (31) and the outer radius of said box (14), when the extension element (11) is assembled, said pin (34) being locked between the outer surface of said part (35) of said tree (15) and the inner surface of said longitudinal cavity (13), and said tree ( 15) capable of sliding axially from a first configuration in which a first ring (31) rests on the pin (34), to a second configuration, the second ring (31) resting on the pin (34). 9. Modular lock assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that said ring (29) comprises at least one flange (36) protruding from its inner edge, said housing (14) comprising a push lock step (37) in its internal through hole, when the extension element (11) is assembled, 5 said shaft (15) being able to slide axially from a first configuration in which a face of its ring (31) rests on said protruding flange (36) of said ring (29), to a second configuration in which the opposite face of the ring (31) rests on said thrust lock step (37). 10. Modular lock assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said extension (18) of said main body which is provided with coupling means to said unit (2) comprises protruding spikes (38) that face each other and define a longitudinal groove (39), said groove (39) being aligned with corresponding grooves (40) of said command units (2), housing the slot (39) and the slots (40) at least one respective interconnect bar (41) that is designed to rigidly couple said units (2) and said extension elements (11).