Abstract:
A cylinder lock device ( 10 ) for mounting to a security compartment ( 41 ), wherein the improvement comprises that the cylinder can be configured by the end user to permit opening of the compartment by at least two of the group of functional operations consisting of turnknob, mechanical key, and electronic key. The cylinder comprises a plug ( 11 ), a shell ( 12 ) surrounding the plug and defining a first shear line ( 36 ) therebetween, and a housing ( 17 ) surrounding the shell and defining a second shear line ( 35 ) therebetween. One configuration fixes the first shear line to prevent relative rotation between the plug and the shell while permitting rotation of the plug and shell together relative to the housing along the second shear line. Another configuration fixes the second shear line to prevent relative rotation between the shell and the housing while permitting rotation of the plug relative to the shell along the first shear line.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to locking devices, and more particularly to high security cylinder locks.  
           [0002]    In any activity involving the collection or storage of valuable tangibles, such as money, medications, jewels and the like, security beyond a simple lock and key is required. Compartments where such items are collected or stored can be found in the gaming industry, parking meters, vending machines, medicine cabinets, and the like. Locks that restrict access to such compartments must be resistant to tampering and to unauthorized persons who may have gained possession of one key that fits the lock. Thus, lock systems having diverse functionality are typically employed in this context. This diverse functionality is implemented by a plurality of independent lock devices, operated by independent actuators. Only authorized personnel have the means to actuate all of the plurality of locking devices. The need for independent locking devices has a significant cost consequence in that different locking devices must be selected, ordered, installed, and maintained.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    With the present invention, the security of diverse, independent actuators is preserved, but the cost of independent locking devices is reduced considerably. According to the invention, a single locking cylinder mountable on the compartment can be configured to provide multiple functionality responsive to multiple, diverse, independent actuators.  
           [0004]    In particular, the invention is directed to a cylinder lock device for mounting to a security compartment, wherein the improvement comprises that the cylinder can be configured by the end user to permit opening of the compartment by at least two of the group of functional operations consisting of turnknob, mechanical key, and electronic key. Preferably, the cylinder can be configured by the end user to permit opening of the compartment by three functional operations consisting of turnknob, mechanical key, and electronic key.  
           [0005]    In the embodiments to be described in greater detail below, the cylinder comprises an elongated plug, a shell surrounding the plug and defining a first shear line therebetween, and a housing surrounding the shell and defining a second shear line therebetween. One configuration fixes the first shear line to prevent relative rotation between the plug and the shell while permitting rotation of the plug and shell together relative to the housing along the second shear line. Another configuration fixes the second shear line to prevent relative rotation between the shell and the housing while permitting rotation of the plug relative to the shell along the first shear line.  
           [0006]    In the currently preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the invention comprises a locking system having:  
           [0007]    (a) a cylinder having an outer shell with front and back ends, a plug disposed longitudinally within the shell and selectively rotatable within the shell, a keyhole at the front end leading into a keyway that extends longitudinally into the plug, and a plurality of pins, each radially displaceable between a locking position and a cleared position, whereby when all pins are in the cleared position the plug is free to rotate within the shell but when at least one pin is in the locking position the plug is prevented from rotating relative to the shell;  
           [0008]    (b) a key having a bow for holding in the fingers and a shank extending from the bow, the shank sized and shaped to pass through the keyhhole into the keyway, and having formations thereon for contacting a subset of the pins in the cylinder, to displace said subset from the locking to the cleared position as the key fully engages the keyway;  
           [0009]    (c) a latch operatively connected to the plug such that when the plug rotates relative to the shell, the latch is displaced between a latching position for engaging a hook within the compartment, and an unlatching position for disengaging from the hook;  
           [0010]    (d) means for mounting the cylinder to the compartment so that the front end of the cylinder is outside the compartment and the back end of the cylinder and the latch are inside the compartment;  
           [0011]    (e) a first security passage radially penetrating the shell inside the compartment and leading to one of said pins that is not in the subset engagable by the key formations;  
           [0012]    (f) a second security passage into said shell and leading to another of said pins that is not in the subset engagable by the key formations;  
           [0013]    (g) a first security actuator sized and shaped to enter the first security passage and displace said one pin to a cleared position;  
           [0014]    (h) a second security actuator sized and shaped to enter the second security passage and displace said another pin to a cleared position;  
           [0015]    whereby when the key is fully engaged in the keyway and both security actuators have displaced their respective pins to the cleared position, the key can rotate the plug and thereby displace the latch.  
           [0016]    Some of the specific new features available in combination according to the present invention include:  
           [0017]    Removal turnknob for electronic cylinder.  
           [0018]    Cylinder screw to convert turnknob into mechanical cylinder.  
           [0019]    Removable turnknob for a mechanical key (without key bitting).  
           [0020]    Cylinder that can be converted from mechanical only to mechanical or electronic (by adding the solenoid).  
           [0021]    Cylinder that can be converted from mechanical only to mechanical and electronic (by adding the solenoid and screw).  
           [0022]    Electronic cylinder with mechanical key override by using a second shear line.  
           [0023]    Electronic cylinder that can be opened mechanically by pushing solenoid out with mechanical tool (key or other means).  
           [0024]    Electronic and mechanical cylinder that can be opened with a special mechanical key that pushes the solenoid out.  
           [0025]    Electronic cylinder as above that can be opened with power from the key or machine.  
           [0026]    Electronic cylinder as above that ties into existing communication network or through the key.  
           [0027]    Holding pin to stop rotation of secondary shear line. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    Many embodiments and variations of the invention can be ascertained by practitioners in the field of security lock design and manufacture, based on the following detailed description with associated drawings, in which  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view of the turnknob embodiment of the invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 2A and 2B are longitudinal section views of the mechanical cylinder embodiment;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 3A, B, C and D are longitudinal section views of the electronic cylinder with mechanical override (2 nd  shear line) embodiment;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 4A, B, C and D are longitudinal section views of the electronic cylinder with mechanical override (keyway) embodiment;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 5A, B and C are longitudinal section views of the mechanical cylinder with electronic override embodiment;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 6A and 6B are longitudinal section views of the mechatronic cylinder (both electronic and mechanical) with no override embodiment;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 7A, B and C are longitudinal section views of the mechatronic cylinder with mechanical override (keyway) embodiment;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 8A, B and C are longitudinal section views of the dummy turnknob with mechanical override embodiment;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIGS. 9A, B and C are longitudinal section views of the turnknob convertible to mechanical embodiment;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 10A, B and C are longitudinal section views of the turnknob convertible to mechanical embodiment;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 11A, B, C and D are longitudinal section views of the electronic cylinder with mechanical override (2 nd  shear line) embodiment;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 12A B, C and D are longitudinal section views of the alternative electronic with mechanical override (2 nd  shear line) embodiment; and  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 13A and B are longitudinal section views of the mechatronic cylinder with cam retainer embodiment.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]    [0042]FIG. 1 shows a cylinder lock device  10 , comprising a central plug  11 , a substantially tubular shell  12  surrounding an axial portion of the plug  11 , and a substantially tubular housing  17 . The shell  12  directly encircles the forward portion of the plug  11 , whereas the housing  17  directly encircles the shell  12  and a rearward portion of the plug  11  (without the intervening presence of the shell  12 ). As oriented in FIG. 1, the locking cylinder device  10  has a front side at the right, accessible from outside the container, and a back side at the left, extending into the container.  
         [0043]    Functions  
         [0044]    1. Turnknob Function  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 1 shows a turn knob configuration, whereby the plug  11  is locked to the shell  12  by the spring loaded tumbler pins  13 . In particular, each tumbler set has a drive portion  13 A abutting a driven portion  13 B, for movement within bores  32 A in the shell  12  and  32 B in the plug  11 . Springs  26  in the bores  32 A urge the tumblers  13 A against  13 B, whereby in the absence of a key in the keyway  25 , the default location of the interface between tumbler parts  13 A and  13 B, is within the plug  11 . Thus, the tumbler portions  13 A span the shear line  36  between plug  11  and shell  12 , preventing relative rotation therebetween.  
         [0046]    A holding pin  16  is situated in an aperture in the shell  12  and biased by a spring  15  acting between the shell  12  and the housing  17 , so as to project within the keyway  25  to prevent relative rotation between the plug  11  and the shell  12 . The housing  17  has an aperture or recess  18  such that, under circumstances to be described below, the holding pin  16  can be retracted from the keyway and thereby also clear the shear line  36  between the shell  12  and plug  11 , around the entire circumference of the plug  11 .  
         [0047]    The turnknob  14  preferably has the outer configuration of a cup or the like, with a circular front face and an annular rim or the like  24  that conforms in shape to an annular flange or the like  34  on the forward end of the housing  17 . The turn knob has a central projection adapted to enter the keyway  25 , with a nose portion that is beveled or the like at  28  for radially displacing at least some of the tumblers  13 , such that at least one of the displaced tumblers can ride over the nose  28  during insertion of the projection and return to the default position, (e.g., as a detent), within a recess  29  in the turn knob projection.  
         [0048]    In this configuration, the turn knob  14  can be manually rotated by grasping the rim portion  24 , which rotates the plug  11  and shell  12  as an assembly, along the shear line  35  between housing  17  and shell  12 , relative to the stationary housing  17 . In particular, the turn knob has an interference engagement with the plug  11  via the detent relationship between the tumbler pin  13  and the recess  29 , and the plug  11  has an interference relationship with shell  12 , via the holding pin  16  and the tumblers  13 A crossing shear line  36 .  
         [0049]    It is well known that for a cam lock, the plug  11  may have a threaded projection  37  onto which a cam or similar member  21  can be secured, for rotation to effectuate a desired locking of the door  41 . The cylinder device  10  would be mounted to the door or container, for example, via external threads  23  on the housing  17 . The inside of the door or container would typically have structure for interacting with the cam  21 .  
         [0050]    Although the cylinder lock  10  according to the invention can take a variety of forms, in the illustrated embodiment the front extremity is defined by a flanged portion  42  of the plug  11 . At the rear, a washer or ring  22  is press fit over plug projection  37  or otherwise secured relative to housing  17 . The ring  22  is used to restrict rotation of the cam and provide a house (key pull-out) position. The housing  17 , shell  12 , and plug  11  are nested to prevent relative axial displacement using shoulders, notches or the like in a manner that can be readily discernable and varied by practitioners in this field of technology.  
         [0051]    The turnknob function does not provide security and is typically utilized in conjunction with secondary electronic locking via a solenoid through access bores  31  or  32  or is used as a convenience opening during installation or repair. After installation, the installer can insert a pin or the like through bore  27 , which extends from the exposed front of the turnknob  14 , through the portion projecting into the keyway, to the recess  29 , whereby the tumbler pin  13  therein can be displaced radially outwardly a sufficient distance to permit passage of nose  28  and withdrawal and removal of the turn knob.  
         [0052]    2. Mechanical Lock Function  
         [0053]    A first operational configuration as a mechanical cylinder for a cam lock style device, is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B (with reference to FIG. 1 as well). In this function, the plug  11  is locked to the shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 . The shell  12  is prevented from rotating in housing  17  by means of a set screw  38  that can be inserted in either one of the diametrically opposed threaded bores  19 ,  20  in shell  17 . Such screw  38  has a nose portion  39  that enters a corresponding recess or bore  30 . Bore  31  is for a solenoid. If no screw in  30 , an extended key with any bitting will depress solenoid and allow rotation of plug/shell assembly. If screw is present, the longer key must be bitted with proper code to allow plug rotation in the shell  12 , thereby establishing an interference engagement with respect to relative rotation. The cylinder is operated by inserting a key  40 , having proper bitting such that the tumbler portions  13 B are driven upwardly and the interface between each portion  13 A,  13 B of each tumbler is at the shear line  36  between the plug  11  and shell  12 . The front portion of the key blade also depresses the holding pin  16 , thereby retracting it from the keyway and clearing the shear line between the plug  11  and shell  12 , on the side of the key blade opposite to the tumblers  13 . The shell  12  cannot rotate relative to the stationary housing  17 , but the plug  11  can rotate relative to both the shell  12  and housing  17 , thereby driving the cam  21 . E-ring  33  retains plug  11  inside shell  12 , via plug groove  43  for receiving the E-ring just behind the back of the shell.  
         [0054]    3. Electronic with Mechanical Override (2 nd  Shear Line)  
         [0055]    In this function, shown in FIGS.  3 A-D, the plug  11  is locked to the shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 . The turnknob  14  is trapped in place by the tumbler pins. Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . Shell  12  is prevented from rotating in housing  17  by means of an electronic locking pin  44  that has been threaded into bore  19 . The cylinder is operated when authorized power is sent to retractable electronic locking pin nose  45  and turnknob  14  is rotated. Plug  11  and shell  12  are rotated together, which drives a cam (not shown) on the protruding end of the plug.  
         [0056]    To mechanically override the electronic locking pin, a turnknob removal tool  46  is inserted into bore  27  in turnknob  14 , which lifts tumbler pin  13  and allows turnknob  14  to be removed from plug  11 . The mechanical key  40  is then inserted into plug  11 , and displaces holding pin  16  into housing  17 . This aligns the tumbler pins to the shear line  36  of plug  11  and shell  12 . The plug is rotated, which drives the cam on the protruding end of plug  11 .  
         [0057]    4. Electronic with Mechanical Override (Keyway)  
         [0058]    In this function, shown in FIGS.  4 A-D, the plug  11  is locked to the shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13  and by electronic locking pin  8 . The turnknob  4  is trapped in place by the tumbler pins  3 . Holding pin  6  is disengaged from housing  7  by spring  5 . The cylinder is operated when authorized power is sent to the retractable electronic locking pin  47 . Turnknob  14  is rotated, which rotates plug  11  and shell  12  together in housing  17 . A cam (not shown) on the protruding end of the plug is also rotated.  
         [0059]    To mechanically override the electronic locking pin, turnknob a removal tool  46  is inserted into hole  27  in turnknob  4 , which lifts tumbler pin  3  and allows turnknob  4  to be removed from plug  11 . Mechanical key  48  having a longitudinal slot at the bottom of the blade is then inserted into plug  11 , which engages holding pin  16  into housing  17  and aligns the tumbler pins to the shear line of plug  11  and shell  12 . Override tool  49  is inserted into key  48 , which depresses electronic locking pin  47 . Key  48  is rotated, which in turn rotates plug  11 . A cam (not shown) on protruding end of plug  11  is also rotated.  
         [0060]    5. Mechanical with Electronic Override (2 nd  Shear Line)  
         [0061]    In this function, shown in FIGS.  5 A-C, the plug  11  is locked to the shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 . Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . Shell  12  is prevented from rotating in housing  17  by means of electronic locking pin  44 . The cylinder is operated by inserting mechanical key  40  into plug  11 , which engages holding pin  16  into housing  17 , and aligns the tumbler pins to the shear line of plug  11  and shell  12 . The plug is rotated, which drives a cam (not shown) on protruding end of plug  11 . To electronically override the mechanical locking, turnknob  14  is inserted into plug  11 . When authorized power is sent to retract electronic locking pin  44 , turnknob  14  is rotated. In turn, plug  11  and shell  12  are rotated together which drives the cam on the protruding end of plug.  
         [0062]    6. Mechatronic—No Override  
         [0063]    In this function, shown in FIGS. 6A and B, the plug  11  is locked to the shell  12  via spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 , and the electronic locking pin  44 . Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . Shell  12  is prevented from rotating in housing  17  by screw  50 . The cylinder is operated when key  40  is inserted into plug  11 , engaging holding pin  16  into housing  17  and aligning tumbler pins  13  with the shear line between plug  11  and shell  12 . When authorized power is sent to retract electronic pin  44 , key  40  can be rotated, which in turn, rotates plug  11  and the cam on the protruding end of plug  11 .  
         [0064]    7. Mechatronic with Mechanical Override (Keyway)  
         [0065]    In this function, shown in FIGS.  7 A-C, the plug  11  is locked to shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13  and the electronic locking pin  47  in the keyway. The shell  12  is prevented from rotating by screw  38 . Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . The cylinder is operated by inserting operating key  40  into plug  11 . This engages holding pin  16  into housing  17  and aligns tumbler pins  13  at the shear line of plug  11  and shell  12 . When authorized power is sent to retract electronic locking pin  47 , key  40  is rotated, which in turn, rotates plug  11  and the cam on the protruding end of plug  11 .  
         [0066]    To mechanically override the electronic locking pin  47 , override key  48  is inserted into plug  11 . This engages holding pin  16  into housing  17  and aligns tumbler pins  13  at the shear line of plug  11  and shell  12 . Override tool  49  is inserted into operating key  48  to depress electronic locking pin  47 . The override key  48  is rotated, which in turn rotates plug  11  and the cam on the protruding end of plug  11 .  
         [0067]    8. Dummy Turnknob with Mechanical Override  
         [0068]    In this function, shown in FIGS.  8 A-C, plug  11  is locked to shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 . Turnknob  14  is trapped in plug  11  by tumbler pins  13 . Shell  12  is prevented from rotating in housing  17  by screw  50 . Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . The cylinder does not function at this point. To mechanically override the cylinder, turnknob removal tool  46  is inserted into turnknob  14  which lifts tumbler pins  13  and allows removal of turnknob  14 . Operating key  40  is inserted into plug  11 . This engages holding pin  16  in housing  17  and aligns tumbler pins  3  at shear line of plug  1  and shell  2 . Operating key  40  is rotated, which in turn, rotates plug  11  and the cam on the protruding end of plug  11 .  
         [0069]    9. Turnknob—Convertible to Mechanical (Shipping)  
         [0070]    In this function, shown in FIGS.  9 A-C, plug  11  is locked to shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 . Turnknob  14  is trapped in plug  11  by tumbler pins  13 . Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . The cylinder is operated by rotating turnknob  14 , which in turn rotates plug  11  and shell  12  together in housing  17 . The cam on the protruding end of plug  11  would also be rotated.  
         [0071]    To convert to mechanical, the turnknob removal tool  46  is inserted into turnknob  14  which lifts tumbler pins  13  and allows removal of turnknob  14 . Screw  50  is installed to prevent the rotation of shell  12  in housing  17 . The cylinder now operates by inserting operating key  40  into plug  11 . This engages holding pin  16  in housing  17  and aligns tumbler pins  13  at shear line of plug  11  and shell  12 . Operating key  40  is rotated, which in turn, rotates plug  11  and the cam on the protruding end of plug  11 .  
         [0072]    10. Turnknob—Convertible to Mechanical (Shipping)  
         [0073]    In this function, shown in FIG. 10A-C, plug  11  is locked to shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 . Turnknob  14  is trapped in plug  11  by tumbler pins  13 . Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . The cylinder is operated by rotating turnknob  14 , which in turn rotates plug  11  and shell  12  together in housing  17 . The cam on the end of plug  11  would also be rotated.  
         [0074]    To convert to mechanical, the turnknob removal tool  46  is inserted into turnknob  14  which lifts tumbler pins  13  and allows removal of turnknob  14 . Screw  38  is installed to prevent the rotation of shell  12  in housing  17 . The cylinder now operates by inserting operating key  40  into plug  11 . This engages holding pin  16  in housing  17  and aligns tumbler pins  13  at shear line of plug  11  and shell  12 . Operating key  40  is rotated, which in turn, rotates plug  11  and the cam  52  on the end of plug  11 .  
         [0075]    11. Electronic with Mechanical Override (2nd Shear Line)  
         [0076]    In this function, shown in FIGS.  11 A-D, plug  11  is locked to shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 . The turnknob  14  is trapped in place by the tumbler pins. Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . Shell  12  is prevented from rotating in housing  17  by means of electronic locking pin  44 . The cylinder is operated when authorized power is sent to retract electronic locking pin  44  and turnknob  14  is rotated. Plug  11  and shell  12  are rotated together which drives the cam on the end of the plug.  
         [0077]    To mechanically override the electronic locking pin, turnknob removal tool  46  is inserted into hole in turnknob  14 , which lifts tumbler pin  13  and allows turnknob  14  to be removed from plug  11 . Mechanical key  40  is then inserted into plug  11 , which engages holding pin  16  into housing  17  and aligns the tumbler pins to the shear line of plug  11  and shell  12 . The plug is rotated which drives the cam on end of the plug  11 .  
         [0078]    12. Electronic with Mechanical Override (2 nd  Shear Line)  
         [0079]    In this function, shown in FIGS.  12 A-D, the plug  11  is locked to the shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 . The turnknob  14  is trapped in place by the tumbler pins. Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . Shell  12  is prevented from rotating in housing  17  by means of electronic locking lever  51 . The cylinder is operated when authorized power is sent to retract electronic locking lever  51  and turnknob  14  is rotated. Plug  11  and shell  12  are rotated together which drives the cam on the end of the plug.  
         [0080]    To mechanically override the electronic locking lever  51 , turnknob removal tool  46  is inserted into hole in turnknob  14 , which lifts tumbler pin  13  and allows turnknob  14  to be removed from plug  11 . Mechanical key  40  is then inserted into plug  11 , which engages holding pin  16  into housing  17  and aligns tumbler pins to the shear line of plug  11  and shell  12 . The plug is rotated which drives the cam on the end of the plug.  
         [0081]    13. Mechatronic Cylinder (cam locking version)  
         [0082]    In this function, shown in FIGS. 13A and B, the plug  11  is locked to the shell  12  via the spring-loaded tumbler pins  13 . Holding pin  16  is disengaged from housing  17  by spring  15 . Cam  52  is prevented from rotating by means of electronic locking pin  53  which engages a hole in cam  52 . The cylinder is operated when authorized power is sent to retract electronic locking pin  52  and operating key  40  is inserted into plug  11  which aligns tumbler pins  13  at the shear line between plug  11  and shell  12 . Key  40  is rotated, which in turn, rotates cam  52  on end of plug  11 .  
         [0083]    General Configurability  
         [0084]    Power for electronic communication may be provided from a key, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,423,198 or 5,771,722, or from a machine. Communication itself may come from a key or a machine.  
         [0085]    All lock functions are contained in the cylinder and are field selectable. The following table summarizes some of the options:  
                                                                                                             TK   SK   OT   SC   SO   PO   CO                                        1   Y   N   N   N   N   N   N           2   N   Y   N   Y   N   N   N           3   Y   N   N   N   Y   Y   Y           30   N   Y   N   N   N   N   N           4   Y   N   N   N   Y   Y   Y           40   N   Y   Y   N   N   N   N           5   N   Y   N   N   N   N   N           6   N   Y   N   Y   Y   Y   Y           7   N   Y   N   Y   Y   Y   Y           70   N   Y   Y   Y   N   N   N                                                                                                                      
 
         [0086]    The resulting combination of features are highlighted in the foregoing Summary of the Invention.